Peru Independence Day

Hola Familia,

Sorry once again we only get 30 minutes to write this week. The P-day was changed to Tuesday because of Peru's Independence Day.

But, we were able to go to the ancient city of Caral. Photos hopefully come through the dropbox (see below). It was a 6-hour round trip driving on sketchy roads but wow how insane it was. We went across streams and off-roaded in Le Buses. Ha ha I wish I could explain more about the city but look it up it is awesome. I am sorry I couldn´t tell you earlier about the p day change but I know you guys will be alright and blessed. 

On Saturday we had the opportunity to be able to proselyte again. It is always so humbling. I went with another Latino and that was a blessing. We stopped and started to talk to a man, a women and their daughter. We were able to teach them a lesson and they started to cry, they were talking something about the salvation and how everyone can be forgiven. It was such an amazing experience. We were also able to eat fresh bread from a less active members house. Kind of sketchy but I watched it being cooked and so I wasn’t too scared. My companion was 18 and very scared, I don’t know too much Spanish but I was able to calm him down and make him feel comfortable so he could talk.

On Friday I was able to give my first blessing to my companion, he is struggling and emotionally distraught. It was cool to have the words flow out of my mouth. The priesthood is so powerful. Then on Sunday we finally were able to read and have personal study for awhile I love to dive into the scriptures, they really do answer prayers.

Then on Monday after finishing dinner I was walking back to the room and I threw up. It was disgusting. But I think it was something that I ate. I have not had the runs yet; major blessing. Then we were learning Spanish and all of the sudden EARTHQUAKE! It was very small but I have been in an earthquake! EPIC! The food is pretty redundant. But this coming week I get to go to Interpol and Migrations to get my ID and Pizza Hut is on the menu.

I know the power of the gospel.  I know that the Holy Ghost is so essential in our lives. He guides us and gives us comfort always. On Sunday I had a very powerful moment when I told another missionary the importance of 2 Nephi 4:35. This church is true and I can’t wait to share the gospel with as many people as I physically can in these two years.

I love you all so much,

Elder Cooley

Pioneer Day in Peru

Hola Familia,

Today we only get 30 minutes to write. The computers have been not working correctly and so I have to share the hour with my companion. Very bugged, but oh well.

This week I have written down highlights from each day in order to be able to get everything that I want to send. On Thursday night I got a haircut in the bathroom and gave him $6 for the cut. It wasn’t that bad at all. I talked with another Elder until really late the other night.  I have really loved to be able to talk with everyone so much. It is such a great blessing to have these people here in my life. Friday was really cool and talking to our new Latino roommates was really awesome. It is a struggle but learning Spanish is a ton better. Nothing really paramount happened on Saturday. On Sunday we listened to a couple of prophets talking. I really really love Elder Holland and the message that he gave and how passionate he is about it. Our district had a really good devotional and the spirit was so so powerful. On Monday my companion and I went and prayed outside and it was so cool to finally have a personal prayer outside. Today was awesome; I finally was able to find some scriptures in Spanish. The temple is just as beautiful as ever. I am so happy to be here. Also today we were able to talk with about 10 men on the street and gave them pamphlets and talked about the gospel how spiritual it was.

Well I wish I could type faster and be able to go into more detail. But I know that the power of the gospel is real, that Jesus Christ is our Savior and he loves us so so much, the power of the atonement is real. I just love it so so much. The church is true. Prayers are answered I truly know that.

I love you all so much,

Miss you like crazy thanks for all the support and the prayers. 

Elder Cooley

Semana 2

 Hola la Familia,

Snacks

Well where do I even begin. You would think that P days are nice and relaxing, but they are so stressful because I have to do laundry, buy snacks, and write. But I love every single second of it. This last week has definitely slowed down, and I am able to get into a nice routine. It is pretty much wake up at 6:15 shower go to breakfast and eat, then go to class for 5 hours then eat some more. Then class again, after that I go and run around and also work out. Then back to class and eat and finish the day with more class. But it is amazing! Absolutely amazing and I love every single second of it. The work is hard but I would not trade it for anything. I weighed myself and I had gained 5 lbs. since getting here. The rolls are just so good.

CCM 

CCM

On Saturday we went to Northern Lima to proselyte. That was the most amazing, the hardest, and most humbling experience I have had so far. We were set up with either an older or a Latino companion from the CCM. I was set up with a Latino Elder named Elder Paliza from Lima. He spoke about as much English as I did Spanish. There was a huge language barrier. We struggled through planning our lesson to teach. Then we went and hopped onto a bus and drove about an hour north of Lima. The buses are so sketchy and everyone drives like maniacs. When we got there, we went to a church and met up with a ward member to take each set of companions around the village. It was unreal. I have never been so grateful for anything in my life. There were just so many houses up the mountain and made literally out of anything they could find. (Side note it smelled like strait urine everywhere.)  But the one inactive member we were supposed to go and teach was not there, so we had to knock on doors for three hours. It was so so hard. My companion did all the talking, I couldn't even understand what they were saying in the first place. We made about 10 contacts and a few referrals here and there but nobody let us into their house until the last house we went to. We were just walking down the dirt road and I was constantly praying to know what street to go down and which house to knock on. Deciding to knock on the last house was just meant to be. We got into the house and there was an older lady and husband and her older daughter and two children. We just talked to the grandma and grandpa. It lasted about 45 minutes and I only taught her how to pray that was it, but the spirit was definitely there. You could feel it so strong. I think my companion invited her to go to church and finished reading the pamphlet he taught her. Wow just so amazing how the spirit works and how this is supposed to happen. Even though I didn’t understand anything for 4 hours, and was speaking broken Spanish it was unreal.

I can't remember what day it was but we were walking out of the cafeteria after lunch one day, and this dove was coming hot and drilled the wall above the glass door right above our heads. It broke its neck and died about a minute after the incident it was crazy. Yesterday we were lucky enough to see the sun. I think it is the second time I have seen it since I got here. The pollution is next level, the grounds crew is consistently power washing the ground, buildings, plants, and trees; just everything.

Pollution

Coin pouch

The streets here in Lima by the CCM are really nice, but once you get out of the city it is not nice whatsoever. Today I was taking a picture of a statue to send back home and boom I stepped in dog crap, at least I hope it was dog crap. But I thoroughly enjoy the city, and you can buy some pretty awesome stuff here. I bought three woven ties with llamas or the temple on them. I bought a sweet coin pouch made out of leather.  I also bought a ton of candy and drinks.

Statue

Temple

This morning at the temple I decided that I would be brave and listen to the entire session without the headset with English translation and it was so hard. I understood most of what was going on but wow they talk so fast.

My District is comprised of: Elder Cooley (me), Elder Lee (companion), Elder Lorenzen (Herriman), Elder Deangelo (Tooele), Elder Christensian (Colorado), Elder Layton (Arizona), Elder Evens (Layton UT), Elder Beebe (Missouri), Elder Gessel (SLC), Elder Bulkley (St George).

That is my district we are all way close and probably the loudest out of all the districts. We have some of the most spiritual moments I have ever had in my life. We were meant to be together. I have found some amazing scriptures when we all get into those conversations about doctrine. D&C 118:3 is a really good one. I love finding my answers through the scriptures.

The food is getting better, after hot sauce was purchased to spice things up a lot. I am so lucky to be out in the field serving. What a blessing it has brought to my life. Sorry I couldn’t write more, as it is the same things every single day almost. I tried to take some more pictures for everyone. Everything is working great and I don’t think I really forgot anything.

I love everyone. Your faith has really helped me to be comforted and to work through the hard times. Just stay faithful and keep enduring. 

Love, Elder Cooley
mucha amo

Compound

Compound

Room

Tottus

Tottus

CCM

First Letter Home!!

Elder Cooley

 Hola Familia,

Wow how crazy is it that it has already been a week in the MTC (CCM). I don´t even know where to begin.

Well I miss everyone so much, you guys have really been so supportive and have helped me out so much in my life. It has really opened my eyes in the week that I have been here. I just want to thank you all. The trip here was absolutely crazy! We got in at about 3 in the morning and from then on it has been none stop. The city of Lima is cool from what I can see from the compound, the name we call the CCM. It is very green and always overcast (with pollution). But I absolutely love it.

Bars Everywhere

Jurassic Park

The CCM is like a prison, but a very righteous prison. It reminds me of the compound from Jurassic Park. The people are absolutely wonderful and everyone is so nice. From day one we have been trying to speak Spanish and might I add it is such a struggle. I haven’t been sleeping too great but it is just because it is new, bed and everything. The food here is ok, I just eat a ton of it. Without a doubt there are rice and potatoes for breakfast lunch and dinner. It is good food and probably better than what I will be getting out in the field. I eat a lot and always say I will get less but that never happens. 

Physical activity is so very nice. I usually play football and rugby with everyone. The days are long studying constantly and learning the language. One complaint is that they don’t give me enough time to read El Libro De Mormon. It is a funny complaint but it would be nice to get some quality reading time in. Other then that I love the MTC, there are only about 150 missionaries total here which helps a lot because you know every single person. As everything is in Spanish I don’t know what I am eating or what I should answer on my weekly review.

Companero and Me

Elder Christenson, I am definitely not complaining about my companion.  He is from North Carolina, loves baseball, and he has two older sisters. We get along really well and have become quite good friends in our week at the MTC.

Temple

The Lima temple is stunning. It is very very small but definitely an experience to remember. It is so crazy how fast the people talk when we get outside the MTC. Though we have only been given freedom one time it was amazing. I am so blessed to be here and can feel the prayers from my family at home.

Prayer has been my comfort, relief, and strength. I have never prayed so much in my life. I know now the power that prayer gives to every single person. It is what has given me the strength so push thru the ups and downs in the MTC. Some of the most spiritual experiences have been with my district. It is unreal how strong it is everyday. Spanish has been coming pretty fast and I know the Lord is helping me to be able to learn the language to teach the people in Arequipa. The scriptures will provide answers your prayers I know that mine have been answered through praying diligently.

Peru

Well stories: After going to the temple then to Tottus to get hangers, should have brought some Mom and Dad, we had to catch, literally jump onto a bus to get back to the MTC. As it was my companion and two others Elder's first time telling the bus driver where we wanted to go, and him going to those places. I never thought we would make it back, we did. There are no such things as driving laws. It is unreal how fast they drive and people pass when the want and pretty much do anything they want on the road. I didn’t see any dogs luckily. 

The teachers only speak in Spanish and so lessons are pushing my brain to the limits but it is so worth it. Calling everyone either Elder or Hermana is one of the hardest thing to do for sure.

I haven’t read any of the emails yet so sorry if I didn’t answer all of your questions.  Still trying to get settled in and so this first p-day is very very fast. I bought some scripture cases today but there was only a small amount of scriptures so I will buy those another day. Everything worked out great and so glad for all the little items that I bought, so useful.

I love you all so much,

Elder Cooley

Compound

CCM (MTC)

CCM

Last "Goodbye" . . . First "Hola"

Hola,

I AM HERE!! Well I have successfully made it to the MTC, at 3 in the morning. What a long flight. It was awesome going through the city last night. My companion is cool so far. Please be reassured that I am doing great. My luggage was awesome and had no problems in the airport or anything. Well I only had 5 minutes this time, I will write a lot longer on P-Day.

Love, 

Elder Cooley

This was sent as soon as he arrived at the MTC last Wednesday, July 2.  

If you would like to send an email to Elder Cooley please send it to dylan.cooley@myldsmail.net

-Kaitlin