JUNE 24, 2015
I am truly grateful for the opportunity and choice my son made to serve a full time mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saint. I know we have been blessed through his faithfully service to his Heavenly Father. I know that he has grown in strength, integrity, and in his belief in the gospel of Jesus Christ and his love for his Heavenly Father. I feel blessed to have such an amazing young man to call my son.
I AM SO GLAD TO HAVE HIM HOME!!!
When the age change was made to 18 my oldest son had already received his mission call to the Belgium/Netherlands Mission. When James heard the announcement he knew he would make the choice to leave as soon as his birthday came. He left shortly after his 18th birthday. Having two missionaries serving was a blessing for sure, but also hard on a mom's heart. I have rejoiced and also cried many tears. When my oldest came home a few months ago it was wonderful, and now that James is home, all four of my boys are together and it is glorious! We will enjoy our time until the next one leaves in October. How grateful I am for such amazing boys in my life. I am a blessed mom!
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| Fun fact: Because he left right when he turned 18, he arrived home at 19. Returned missionary at 19!! (only for a few days though) |
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| NOTHING BETTER THAN HUGGING THIS BOY! |
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| All four back together after 3 1/2 years! Best thing ever!! We will enjoy our time until the 3rd leaves in October. |
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| So grateful for my family! |
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| REUNITED!!! |
Sometimes, as a mom, I simply wonder why the journey of my missionary has to be full of so many difficult moments and experiences. My mom heart just wants everything to be okay all the time, and for their always to be success and joy. What a humbling experience to watch this video and listen as President Eyring and Elder Holland help us understand why a cost must be paid. Why it's worth it, and how the sacrifice of Jesus Christ is the motivation for Missionary work. .How grateful I am for a living prophet and for apostles of God. How grateful I am to understand that there is a bigger picture and that discipleship is worth the cost. I love my missionary boys and I'm so grateful for the faith and their testimonies.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I6FKiNVbw3Y
September 23, 2014 -Jacquilin's Birthday
I am so grateful for the relationship that my kids have with their Aunt Jacquilin, my sister. Jacquilin was born with cerebral palsy about 18 months after me. She and I have always had a special bond, that only sisters could have. I don't know life without her, and she doesn't know it without me. Jacquilin is in constant pain and her body seems to betray her at every turn. Despite this fact she has loved my boys, and they love her without question and unconditionally. Elder Cooper (James) has always had the ability to make her smile, make her forget her struggles just for a minute (doesn't he do that a bit for all of us
Here is Elder Cooper's sweet note to Jacquilin on her birthday. How grateful I feel for the experiences, although difficult and painful at times, that have been placed before us so we could truly grow and develop as a forever family.
Happy birthday Jacquilin!!! I wanted to write you a short little email and just tell you how much I love you. I hope that you are able to have a great day and put on a big ol' smile. :)
You are an amazing example to me, and I am so very grateful to have you in my life. I pray for you every night that you are able to have a good day. I know that life has been kinda crazy with all the surgeries going with Grandma and Grandpa. You are a trooper! Love you so much! You help me keep going when times get hard out here in Romania. You have made a substantial influence in how and why I live my life the way I do. You are just the best! Have a great birthday!Love, Elder James Anderson Cooper
7/24/2014 - ONE YEAR!
It's hard to believe that this kid has been gone for a year. It seems like forever and yet it has also gone quickly. Time is a strange thing! I am so proud of him for his courage and his kindness in everything he does. His wisdom, at such a young age never ceases to amaze me. We celebrated his 19th birthday just a month ago. He is happy to not be the youngest in the mission any more. Because he went right when he turned 18 he was "the young one" for a long time. I miss his smile, his laugh, his compassion for others, and his genuine nature, but I know he is learning and growing and strengthening those he serves with, and those he meets in Romania. Nothing he has gone through so far has been easy, but he has stayed the course and faced all of it with a great attitude. He truly is a light on the hill. I sure love this kid of mine and although I miss him, and spend much time on my knees in his behalf, I know he is exactly where he needs to be. I am grateful for his testimony, his hard work, and his willingness to go above and beyond. Here's to another year!
I made this video as "mom therapy" to help me remember and be thankful for everything!
2/8/2014 - LETTER TO ME ON MY BIRTHDAY!! :)
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| How could you not love these two! What a pair. |
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!!!!!!!!! I got special permission because I wanted to write you on your birthday. I have just been trying to figure out how to put into writing how much I love and appreciate you and everything you do for me and the family. You have kept me going and you have kept me sane through out life. You're my best friend! If you think about it, we do everything best friends do :) We hang out, we talk and gossip, we go out to grab a bite to eat, we drive around aimlessly sometimes, we vent ( we..meaning, I vent ), we go on adventures, we try to build each other up as much as we can, we laugh and joke around, you really do know everything about me. So you can see that when I say we are best friends, we really are. Now I want to point out a gift you have. Your advice and your comfort is worth more then any one can purchase on this earth. You seriously can make someone feel like they are a million bucks, even better, you help make people see and feel of their eternal potential and give them hope when they see none. I don't think I am just talking about myself here. I have the feeling you have blessed many people in your life with this gift, and these feelings. Now you probably already knew you had this gift, I just know from personal experience that it helps when
Love James :)
10/28/2013 An Inspired letter
This Sister missionary will probably never understand the true impact she made on a mother's heart. Entering the mission field is not always an easy thing. Then when you get to a foreign country and immediately find out about the death of a loved one, are struggling to speak the language, and are homesick, life can seem a little daunting. Although James (Elder Cooper) is truly one of the most positive people I have ever met (it's what I miss so much about having him around), he needed "a lift" sometimes too, and as a mom, I had been praying to know he was okay and that he wasn't just telling me he was handling it all. What an answer to prayer this was for me. I was able to hear from an outside source that he was doing well, and not only that, but being himself, always trying to help others. I was also able to send this letter forward to my cute boy to help him understand that he truly was making a difference for others in this journey. What a sweet gift this letter was. It has made me realize how small acts of kindness (Her writing the letter, Elder Cooper helping another Elder) are really what make this world a beautiful place. It truly is how we become more Christlike.
Hi Sister Cooper!
I hope it's ok that I am writing you again, but I wanted to share a story that I think you would really appreciate.
About a week and a half ago we had Transfers. All of us newer missionaries had to go back to Bucuresti to get our Visas and become legal! It was so great to see everyone from our MTC district. Elder Cooper seems like he's really enjoying himself and that he's adjusting well.
There were SO many missionaries there to get their visas, including one elder who is particularly quiet. I don't know him, but I always notice him standing in the corner of the room, or the edge of a group of missionaries, and no one really talks to him. So, while catching up with a big group, I told a bunch of elders to go over and "be friends" with him. Obviously I could have gone over and talked to him, but I figured it would be better if elders did it.
Anyway, some of the elders said, "yeah, yeah, ok," but didn't really do anything. This all happened while we were waiting at the Train Station before we even went to the Visa Office. On our way to the Office, I noticed Elder Cooper walking with the quiet Elder and talking to him. They talked the whole time to the Visa Office ~20 minutes, and continued talking until we left the office.
I could tell it made the shy elder feel included and noticed. It made me so happy. I thought to myself, if any of my elders would fellowship him, it would definitely be Elder Cooper!
I wanted to let you know, again, how great your son is, and that other people can see the difference he is making here in Romania.
Sincerely,
Sora N
10/2/2013 Tender Mercy
James had written about an exchange he had been on with an Elder that had been out only about 6 months longer than him. They had great success together and worked so well together. Thanks to some tender mercies his mom and I were able to share the experiences of the day with each other which was incredible, but this is how her Elder closed his thoughts about my cute boy. It's exactly the kind of missionary I would want him to be. It was one of those "Proud Mom Moments"
"Don't even get me started on Elder Cooper! He actually reminds me a lot of myself. He always tries to have a smile on his face and he's THE happiest guy I know. On top of that, he is one of the hardest working people I have ever seen."
10/21/13 Happy Birthday Grandma (Green)
My mom is my hero, so I'm glad that my boys feel the same way. There is no one in this world that inspires me to be a better person, or try a little harder. Being in her presence just makes you want to be good. I am so grateful for her support and my dad's support. They write faithfully and send packages to our missionaries. All the extra love make everything seem just a little easier.
Dear Grandma,
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! I wish I could sing you the best birthday song ever! For now I hope this will do :)
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| James saying good-bye before he left on his mission. |
I Love you. You have influenced my life more then you can possibly know. When I think of you I am always reminded of our Savior. I just know the great love you have for Him so I guess it always makes me think of Him when I think of you :) I have received the letters you have written me! I LOVE them so much!! I also received that package you sent..oh boy was that a good package :) My district now loves you as well haha :) You are so thoughtful of me all the time! You are the best Grandma and Grandson could ever have or want! You make me want to try just a little harder, and to keep being just that much more obedient. I love you Grandma with all my heart! :)
Love,
Elder James Anderson Cooper
9/7/13 The Passing of Grandma Cooper
Shortly after arriving in Romania Elder Cooper's Grandma Cooper passed away. His wonderful Mission President advised him to write a letter to her as part of his own healing process. Although Elder Cooper was aware of health concerns for his Grandma, when he left she was doing well. Having only been in the country a few days when he received the news was a challenging experience.
We know we send these missionaries out, and we know they will face trials and hardships, but knowing how much of a transition was already taking place, and knowing how fiercely my son loves family I knew he would find this experience heartbreaking. I knew his first concern would be for his dad, and then for the rest of the family. He would wonder who would make us all smile and laugh, and who would help us get through this loss if he was not there to take care of us. My heart ached that his heart was aching and that I couldn't wrap my arms around him and tell him all would be well, but as I prayed, as I turned it over to the Lord, I felt incredible peace and comfort. I knew that for as much as I loved my son, HE loved him even more and that he would have some extra help from the other side. Grandma Cooper loved missionary work, and served a full time mission in her youth in England and then a few others with Grandpa Cooper. We decided together that he now had an extra angel helping him. How grateful I am for the understanding of eternal families, the power of prayer, and a extraordinary Mission President, and his beautiful wife who comforted and cared for my son and then sent him back to work, to serve with all of his heart.
Dear Grandma Cooper,
I don't like how you are gone. I don't feel like I spent enough time with you. I cant seem to find words to describe how I feel. Being so far away from home, and receiving this news is strange and awful. I wish I could've been there, to take better care of you. I had this feeling, that when I returned home, nothing would've changed. Now I know, that can never be the case.
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| Picture taken at Elder Cooper's Farewell |
As difficult as these emotions may be, I know that Christ is with me. He is here and there to comfort all that stand in need. He knows what we are thinking and how we are feeling, he knows how to succor us perfectly. My mind and spirit are at some unease, but I know those usually follow grief. I have hope and faith to know all will be well, I just have to spend some more time on my knees.
There are so many memories going through my head, of how I felt and what was said. They are all good memories. You had such great love, and such a warm welcoming spirit about you. The best part is knowing, that you are still growing. you will not lose those traits you had, they will only become better. I cant imagine going through this and not knowing if I would ever see you again. Even writing that sentence makes me teary eyed. I know I will see you again. It just might seem to be a while. With an eternal perspective, all is well. But that does not remove how hard it seems right now. Being separated is not fun and does not feel good. it's hard to imagine how our Heavenly Father must feel. To give us the choice to willingly separate ourselves from him. I'm so grateful to know we will all meet again, and can live in happiness forever. But for now this sucks, and that's okay. We can only rely on the Lord and each other.
I love you Grandma! In this life, I am going to miss your presence very much. It is so difficult to try and put how I am feeling into words and into an email. I just want to re-state how much I care about you, and how much I'm going to miss you. With all my heart I'm so grateful for the impact you have had on my life. I cant wait to talk with you again.
Love,
Elder James Anderson Cooper
Sometimes you wonder how you get so lucky to be blessed with a boy like this. His love for his Dad is strong and real and being away from him during this difficult time was very challenging for him because of his tender heart. I thought I would share some of his words.
Dad,
Thank you so much for your letter. Dont worry I defiantly dont feel neglected. Your talk was truly inspired. I just keep hearing about how you have handled this situation so great. You have been often referred to as a
9/6/13 - Arrival in Romania
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