Weekly Letter

Dear Family and Friends,

One thing I think we forgot to mention in past letters is a successful quit smoking program we did for a lady named Leighann. She has smoked since she was a teenager and was starting to have some serious health issues.  Her doctor actually recommended the church's program. We don't know how the doctor  heard of us, but she told Leighann that our program works.  The sisters did most of the teaching with Mom and I joining in when appropriate. It was the first one we have been involved with and it is pretty amazing. As of a few days ago, she had not smoked for three weeks. Her whole family  is grateful.

On Monday we drove down to Elkins, West Virginia to have lunch with the Hepworth's.  They are leaving for home tomorrow. It was a beautiful ride down and we had a good visit and a good Chinese buffet.  The buffet was better than the one we have here in Oakland, but we won't be driving and hour and a half to eat there. The Hepworths are really good people and have become good friends.  I think we mentioned it earlier, but they are from Star Valley, Wyoming.

I taught the lesson in FHE on Monday, it went really well and we had good participation.  I'm not sure if we mentioned it, but we are teaching from the Gospel Principles manual for our new member Alex.  He is really excited to learn.  He actually volunteered to teach the lesson tomorrow. Mom and I both spoke in church today and then gave lessons in Sunday School. Needless to say, we spent a lot of our time this week preparing for today.

Wednesday our friend from the branch invited us to go to lunch with him and the sister missionaries.  Morgan is the one that we helped get back to church and he has really jumped in with both feet. He is at church every week, participates in activities and attends FHE.  We are grateful for the part we played in getting him back and involved again.

Friday we were able to go back to our District Council meeting.  We hadn't been there for two weeks when we were at the temple and then at our Zone Conference.  This meeting was the last one for two sisters and one elder. One sister and one elder will head home this week one sister is headed to Jamaica (she's been waiting for her visa). We've said it before, we really enjoy being around these young missionaries.  They have such a good spirit about them and we kind of feel that we have another dozen grandkids.

The lightning bugs are here.  We hadn't been outside after dark to see them, but when we were over at Bro. Galloway's house for Missionary Correlation we could see them in the back yard.  He lives on a huge lot with trees all around, so we usually see deer in his back yard and this time got to see the lightning bugs. There was also a bunny in the back yard. Again, this is a beautiful place.

My scripture this week is from 2Nephi 25:26.  Mom and I are trying to read the Book of Mormon together before we come home.  We were reading in 2Nephi a couple of days ago and this is one of the verses that really caught my attention. "And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we prophecy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins."  I testify that Jesus Christ is our Savior and Redeemer and only through Him and because of Him can we receive a remission of our sins and live with Him again. He is the source of all good things and wants us to be happy.

That's all for this week. We love you and pray for you daily.

Love,

Mom and Dad

Grandma and Grandad

Jamee and Kerry

Sister and Elder Cooper

1. Morgantown District

2. Elder and Sister Hepworth

3. Accident

4. Bear Creek