Monday, July 24, 2017

Week 51 - July 24, 2017

Wow.. I cannae belive it

I have been out in the SIM for a year now, what a dream!  I have learned so much about myself, my Savior, the Atonement, and how God LOVES broken things, as President Donaldson has taught us.  This year of my life has truly changed me and made me into the person I always wanted to be, and I am thankful for all of you who have loved and supported me along the way.  I am excited for the year ahead, and a little scared because of how fast time is flying by, but I know that it will be one of the best years of my life.

Tuesday:  My very first District Meeting conducted, it went really well!  We talked about our Districts goals for the transfer ahead, and the vision President Donaldson has for each individual team.  The Spirit was really powerful, and I am excited for the weeks ahead with these missionaries.  They are legends.  Afterwards, I was able to interview Elder Elsmore's friend named Jessica for her baptism.  She's hilarious, and passed!  We got to do some really good finding, and we had a lesson with Fiona talking to her about her baptism planned for the week, making sure she was good to go.  We also found a new guy named Michelangelo from Italy who listened to our message. 

Wednesday:  We had loads of finding in the day, and some lessons as well.  We taught a girl who had learned from missionaries for ages named Elair, sadly no true intent.  And we taught Fiona again and Cait to prepare them both!  We took Elder Bradly and Sister Anderson to get Kebaptised (Greenie tradition) in the evening. 

Thursday:  We were finding in the morning and had an on the spot lesson with a guy named Johan, from the Netherlands.  It went well.  He has had  a tough life but still knows God is there for him.  We will see how it goes this week!  We also taught a new guy named Falepi from Brazil, ah man he is solid.  He loved the Restoration and took an English and Portuguese Book of Mormon.  In the evening, we were also able to go to Jessica's Baptism.


  Elder Elsmore's family came to Ireland to see him.  He finishes his mission in 5 weeks, but his brother will be leaving for his mission before, so he got permission to have them come over.  It was just his parents and brother, but it was amazing to meet them and I love them!!  We also taught Cait after the baptism, but she was stressing hard!  She is thinking she's not prepared yet, but she is.  She is the most prepared investigator I have ever taught.  She studies the scriptures and takes notes and has amazing questions, so we'll work with her! 





Friday:  Today we went white-boarding.  I have never done it before so I thought it would be fun to try with the missionaries, it actually was good!  We asked people what brought them hope and they filled it out on the Whiteboard, got a few potentials from it. 



The rest of the day was finding.  There was a big hurling match here so it was good.  Later on we set up the baptism for Fiona and then had her baptism.  I was able to give a talk on baptism, and how every time I see someone baptized it helps me remember the covenants I have made with my Heavenly Father.  Good Craic!  We played some volleyball with all the members afterwards.  They go hard here with it haha.  I love just spiking it down on them.  It's good to be tall! 

Saturday:  We taught Cait in the morning and tried to help answer her questions.  She is really nervous about getting baptized and thinks she isn't ready, so please pray for her!   We also were able to teach RC Hailey from China.  She loved all the vocab I had picked up from Elder Wang, and we taught Michelangelo again.  We GQ'd the rest of the day.

Sunday:  We had District Conference in Limerick again, so we drove up in the morning.  We were able to hear from President Donaldson and Thompson, man they are legends.  So much power when they preach, I love it.  After we got back to Cork, we met up with a French girl named Claira, who brought along two other friends.  There are a lot of French students here.  It's fun to learn some words from them.  The lesson went okay.  It was a loud cafe, so the Spirit wasn't really there.  We will try and see them again this week!  We also went over to Hailey's in the evening for HOT POT, LETS GOO.  She brought two of her friends along as well named June and Carrie.  We taught them!  Hopefully, we'll see them again this week. 



My week was pretty busy, but a lot of fun.  I don't have a ton of time, so I'll keep this story short, but Monica, the girl Elder Hinckley and I found in Glasgow is coming to Cork today, to be baptized!  She is returning to Australia because she has finished her studies, but has come to church and wants to be a member.  How exciting!  We are going to Blarney Castle then sports, too.  I'll send some pics later of all of that.  This week should be really busy as well.  Anyways, I gotta get going, but I love you all.  Have a great week and happy 24th!  πŸ˜‡πŸ€
Blarney Castle




(Elder Copeland kissing the Blarney stone.)

Wednesday, July 19, 2017

Week 50 - July 17, 2017

WOW! what an amazing week, probably one of the busiest of my mission as well. 

So much happened and we don't have a ton of time to email, but I will go through a wee bit of each day. 

Tuesday:  We woke up at 5 and all of the missionaries going to train headed to Edinburgh.  I had to say bye to Elder Wang.  I love that guy and am thankful for the time I had with him. He taught he so much and really humbled me and allowed me to see how blessed I have been to have the gospel in my life.  We had about a 6-hour training from the Assistants, STLTs, and President Donaldson.  They helped us to know how we can be great examples to our trainees and help them to learn and apply the Atonement into their lives so that they can then teach others from their own experience.  They taught a bunch of stuff, and I took about 15 pages of notes to study up on haha.  Afterwards, we got to go out and just GQ around Edinburgh.  I went out with Elder Hinckley because both of our trainees are already in our areas.  He served here, so he showed me a bunch of cool places, and we got loads of pics.








We were on the Uni and asked this girl from Taiwan to take our picture, and we started talking to her.  Her name is Jenny.  We had an on the spot lesson with her and she loved it! It was actually really cool.  We got her info and told her we would meet up again.  In the evening, Margaret from Glasgow came down to be with her friend Allison.  They decided to make me Hot Pot one last time before I left, and I got to have Elder Keim, Whang, and Carter go with me!  All the boys from the MTC.   It was good to catch up with them all.  I've barely seen them on my mish! 

Wednesday:  All the missionaries who were called to be DLs had new leadership training all day with the Assistants, STLT's, and President Donaldson.  They taught us how to teach through example, and love our missionaries in our district.  In the evening, I went with two Chinese elders in Edinburgh to teach Jenny again and pass her over to them.  There are loads of new missionaries out now, pretty much as big as my group at this same time last year.

Thursday:  We spent the entireeee day traveling.  We had our first bus at 6 from Edinburgh to Glasgow, the next bus from Glasgow to the ferry, then the ferry to Belfast, then a bus from Belfast to Dublin, then another bus from Dublin to Cork.  It was cool passing through some of my old areas, and brought back a lot of good memories of them.  Cork is incredible, everything everyone told me about it is true.  It's hot, sunny, full of students (BRAZILIANS, LETS GO) an amazing branch, a sweet flat, and unreal missionaries.  The Dream!  Elder Bradley is a legend already as well.  He is your most stereotypical Canadian, Nicest guy you'll ever meet, says sorry for everything and throws an 'Eh' after each sentence.  Love him.


 ("Our flat!  It needs to be cleaned up a little!)


CORK!

Friday:  My first full day in Cork.  We cleaned up the flat a wee bit in the morning, then went out and did loads of finding.  I was able to do my first baptismal interview for a 12 year old girl named Rose that Elder Elsmore and Jones are teaching.  She passed, all was well.  We also have volleyball every Friday evening at the church, so we went along with our investigator named Cait!  More about her in a second.  This branch has some really good members, and the branch president is a great guy.  So Elder Bradley has two investigators here for us:  Cait, who is from here is scheduled to be baptised next week!  She is soo flippen cool.  We also have Fiona from Nigeria, who is scheduled for baptism this week! 

Saturday:  We had a lot of lessons planed, but they fell through, but that just meant more finding!  We went to Rose's baptism in the afternoon.  Elder Elsmore was baptizing her, but they made the water wayy too hot, and Rose doesn't know how to swim, so she was very scared.  Elder Elsmore said the prayer and as he put her under, her hair flew up.  She needed to be re baptised, but wouldn't do it again.. It was really tough.  We sat there trying to talk to her and help her out, but she just wouldn't do it again, and none of us wanted her to have a bad experience, so we decided to let her try again another time... DANG IT SATAN..  Elder Elsmore even dunked himself sitting down to show her how she could do it, but nothing.  It was sad.  We had more finding afterwards though and in the evening went over to dinner with a guy named Dubac from India, who we call Tupac.  He served a mission and was a legend, and ah man he made the best curry ever.  Elder Bradley decided to eat an Indian green pepper and was dead, it was good criac. 

Sunday:  We were able to have Cait and Fiona come to church with us, and it was good! After church I interviewed Fiona for her baptism, and she passed as well!  I'm so excited and blessed to be able to be a part of these people's experience just getting into Cork.  We did planning the rest of the day for our week ahead and the district and zone goals.

Today we were able to head over to the Cliffs of Moher.  They were Unreal.  I got a few pics. 










This week should be a really good one.  Things got a lot busier now though, kind of stressed out, all is well though.  I am getting burnt again; hopefully I'll get a tan out of it haha.  

There is nowhere I would rather be then on a mission right now. 
I love you all and hope you have a great week! 

Elder Copeland

Monday, July 10, 2017

Week 49 - July 10, 2017

Hiya, Fam, wow what a crazy week! 

I can't believe it's another Monday already.  I got loads of exciting news, but I will go through my week and explain everything the best I can!

Monday:  After we emailed, all the missionaries in the city went out to a pretty destroyed castle that I forgot the name of and explored it.  We also went to Mugdock Castle and played capture the flag in it, haha.  That doesn't happen much.  Afterwards, just did some finding.
 



Tuesday:  HAPPY 4TH OF JULY σΎ“¦!  We had our District Meeting and had all the departing missionaries talk about their experiences and what they learned most.  It was amazing.  I am thankful for the friends I have made who have finished their work here and are returning with honor.  We went over to Peter's home afterwards and talked to him about his baptism. He has been reading the Book of Mormon and was excited to get dunked!  We GQ'd the rest of the day and had a little get together with the Recent Converts with a fire and some marshmallows in the evening.  All our Chinese friends came along, and so did Bir!  It was the first time Bir has had a Smore haha.  He loved it.  Definitely missed the fireworks back home, but next year, no worries ;) 
 
 
 
 
 



Wednesday:  We had a lot of finding, went over to Peter's again and interviewed him for baptism.  He was good to go!  We went over to the Wengs for dinner again as well.  I'm gonna miss those kids so much, Ahh I love them.  We had more finding in the evening.


Thursday:  Not too much today other then finding, and Peter's baptism!  I was able to baptise him, and everything went well!  His family loved it, and he gave me a big hug afterwards :)  Another family I love so much.   We went out with some Recent Converts for dinner in the evening, another day in the dream! 
 
 

Friday:  We taught some lessons with new people, none of them were too solid though. Then we went to lunch with all the missionaries, and taught Rohama again.  She had been reading the Book of Mormon, and enjoyed the Plan of Salvation, but was too sick to come to church on Sunday.  Hopefully this week she will!  In the evening, Bir fed us at his restaurant again!  WHATTA LEGEND, we taught him afterwards.  We were convinced Elder Wang was leaving us, so he kept saying bye to him and not me cause I told him I would be hanging around... Whoooops. 

Saturday:  We had an early start.  Elder Wang took his theory test in the morning.  He didn't pass, but it's because he has never driven before, so he just wanted to see what the questions were like, and now he is going to study and pass it!  We were GQ'ing in the city, and we got a call from President Donaldson.  Elder Wang will be staying here in Glasgow, but switching to the Springboig ward.  He will work on fixing up all the members' areas and wards, making sure they are in the right places.  I will be white washing into Cork as the new District Leader as well as training Elder Bradley from Canada.  I AM SO EXCITED.  CORK. LET'S GOOO.  In my District, I will have the Zone Leaders, which one of them is Elder Elsmore, my first comp!  I also will have Elder Carlisle who is white washing training in my District, my second comp!  And Sister Gregson will be going over with me to white wash train into Cork as well.  It honestly feels too good to be true.  I already know most my district and they are all absolute legends.  I am going to miss Glasgow, but this moves call was unreal.  

Sunday:  I had to say goodbye to all the friends and families I have come to love here.  It was tough.  I wish I could have had more time with all of them, but I am excited to see them all grow in the gospel when I return one day.  We were able to have the Wengs ( David and Angel), Peter and his family, and Bir come.  Peter was confirmed by Elder Wang.  I love them all so much, it was hard to leave them all.  We also had Peong at church and another new friend from China.  I hope Elder Wang can get them into the water one day.  I just packed and planned for my week ahead the rest of the day.  I have a really busy week ahead of me.  I won't even get to Cork until Thursday.  I'll be in Edinburgh tomorrow and the next day getting training, a lot of my friends will be there as well.  It will be good to see them all.

So that was my week!  I am excited for this opportunity to go to a new place and have new responsibilities and see more lives changed through the gospel.  This week I felt a little down because of something that happened, but a scripture really comforted me and helped me stay focused:  D&C 122:8-9. Remember that Jesus Christ has already suffered for our pains and afflictions, but not only that: he has descended below them ALL.  How powerful.  I am thankful for my Savior, and for you guys who continue to love and support me.  I will talk to you next week with loads of new info.  Sorrryy for this massive email.  I hope ya got through it all.  I love you guys!  Have a great week.
 
Elder Copeland

Monday, July 3, 2017

Week 48 - July 3, 2017

Hiya, fam.  Another week down already?!  Whatta blur! 

This week was really good though and I had a load of fun.  This coming Saturday is moves call.  I have no idea if I will stay here in Glasgow or go, and I am fine either way, but I love this city a lot.  We will see!  Anyways, I'll go through the days now 

Tuesday:  Eleven months, wooo!!  Feels like it's only been a few weeks though haha.  We had a great District Meeting.  I got to give a devotional on the mission plan again, and I really just talked about how we only have this one time in our entire lives to devote to the Lord, and we gotta give it our all!  After DM, we had lots of finding, and in the evening we taught an Recent Convert Orion before he left back to China.  All the students are in and out of here all the time.  It's hard to keep up with them all.

Wednesday:  We had a lot of finding in the day.  RC Daisy took us to this posh Cantonese place for lunch, it was unreal.  In the evening we had Angel and David's baptism!  I love them so much.  They were excited to get baptized and it all went well!  I had the opportunity to baptize them as well, made me remember when I was baptized and how thankful I am to have been raised in the gospel.

Thursday:  In the morning, for exercise, all the Elders in the city went into some old abandoned subway tunnels and explored, it was spooky!  Glasgow actually has loads of abandoned subways that use to be used, now are closed down.  We'll have to find some more this week!  




We had a lesson with a new student named Rohama, went pretty well.  We also went over to Qiang's home and taught him.  He wants to be baptized this week, WOO!! So many miracles these past few weeks.  Later in the evening, we went over to Bir's restaurant and he fed us again, what a legend.  I love him!  He went to London again for more medical classes over the weekend.   We will see him this week though! 

Friday:  We were planning on meeting with some new students, but they all cancelled... That's okay! It meant loads more finding to meet more new students.  We walked by a Protestant march and I took some pics, they weren't too happy.  Pretty funny how they will march all over the place and show off and make the Catholics angry.  Gotta love it!


Saturday:  We taught RC Sandy in the morning, he LOVED the temple!  Then we met up with Peong again, he is still not reading.   Later on, we did some more finding, and that was the day!

Sunday:  We were able to confirm Angel and David, it was well good!  

 

We were also able to have three friends at church, Frank a new Chinese student, Qiang and his fam, and a man named Allan.  After church, we taught Qiang and his fam, and I actually gave him an English name--Peter!  He really likes it, we are going to see him a lot this week to prepare him for his baptism!  Afterwards we had a BBQ for the 4th of July with all the missionaries at an American family's home! :) 

That was the week best I can remember.  Sorry I don't have a load of time.  I want you all to know how thankful I am for the Atonement, for the ability to be cleansed from our mistakes and healed through the sacrifice of the Savior.  I know I was pretty dumb at times back home in high school, but my mission truly has changed me into a better human, and if it wasn't for these experiences here, I would never appreciate the life I have and the people in it.  I love the gospel, I love the people of Scotland/Ireland, and I love you all so much!  Talk to you next week!  Launch some fireworks for me, plz ;) 
Elder Copeland