Week 73 - December 25, 2017

Merry Christmas, Everyone!

Elder Copeland was able to talk to his family on Christmas Day and was even able to connect in to speak to his grandparents who are, also, serving as volunteers in the Europe East Area in Moscow, Russia, for the church.  It was a great day and the best gift ever!

Week 72 - December 18, 2017

I love(d) the Burgh!

Well, fam it's been a busy week and I will be heading off soon, so it's gonna have to be a short email!  What a week though, woww!

Tuesday:  We had a great District Meeting and discussed about the four baptisms we had planned as a district this week.  There have been so many miracles for all the missionaries every single day here!  We went and taught Gus afterwards who is doing well.  Gq'd some more and then saw Ray and Meng Yu in the evening. 

Wednesday:  We Gq'd most of the day.  We got to drive out to Livingston to interview an old Scottish man named John.  It was hilarious!  His interview went well, and he was baptized on Sunday!  We went back and Gq'd some more. 

Thursday:  We GQ'd in the morning and met a new girl named Yuki.  In the evening, we met up with Wei and Joe and walked to the church.  We had their baptisms as well as the Edinburgh sisters had their friend Tundi!  I was able to baptize all three of them and I couldn't help but cry.  I was filled with so much gratitude for all of them.

  

It was an amazing experience, and we were able to have President and Sister Donaldson attend as well.  Afterwards, we had Ward Coordination 

Friday:  Cimmie came down and spent some time with us. It was good to see her!  We, also, took Mai to the train station and said goodbye.  She is heading home to Japan.  In the evening, we Gq'd and had dinner with Rhiannon from Glasgow as well, who came down.

Saturday:  We Gq'd and then Moves call!  I have been called to serve as a Zone Leader back in ABERDEEN with Elder Swenson.  I am pumped!  I am sad to be leaving Edinburgh, but I am excited for this opportunity. 

Sunday:  We were able to have the confirmations of Wei and Joe, as well as Gus coming to church.  Afterwards, we went around and said goodbye to everyone.  I'll miss all of the friends I have made here.   They helped me progress on my mission far beyond what I imagined. 

Well, I am excited to talk to you all next week.  I forget it's Christmas since we have been so busy.  I love you all and appreciate you and hope you stay warm and safe!

Love, Elder Copeland 

Week 71 - December 11, 2017

MIRACLES!

HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY TO BRIG AND SAM, I love you brothers.  Can't wait to hit BF2 with you hahah. 

We have had a week of miracles here in Edinburgh!  I am excited to go through it all with you!  I don't have a load of time today, though, because we are going to pick up my Kilt, let's goo! 

Monday:  We were able to celebrate Elder Wang and Sherry's birthday by climbing Calton Hill and getting dinner! Cimmie from Glasgow came down and visited as well.  I took some pictures.  We helped set up for All Scotland in the evening.

Tuesday:  All Scotland Christmas was amazing!!  We watched Moana, did some Book of Mormon skits, and played Minute to Win it games!  It was great seeing all of my friends and companions.  Grateful to be a missionary at this time of the year.

Wednesday:  We got lunch with Debbie and taught her.  She is going on holiday then back to China in January, so this might have been the last time I see her.  We GQ'd then taught Meng Yu as well.  She is okay, just so busy with exams!  In the evening, we got dinner with Elder Wang.

Thursday:  We went over and did some service for Brother Thompson and had lunch with him.  Then we taught Joe, and it was amazing.  He opened up to us about how he had begun to doubt if there was a God when he moved here, but then he met me at the uni and knew it was a sign from God.  He said that he has been praying and had quit smoking since he met us because he felt like it was the right thing to do.  He said that he wanted to be baptized and come closer to God! WOW!  We taught Andy, as well, who is busy with studies, and then in the evening had dinner with Wei and taught her. She also said that she had never known if there was a God until she met us and felt the light of Christ from our message and also wants to be baptized.  Truly a time of miracles in my life.

Friday:  We were able to GQ most of the day and met with a new girl named Hathaway, who could be really solid once her exams are through in the coming weeks!  I found 20£ on the ground while we were GQ'ing as well, FLIP!! 

Saturday:  We cleaned the chapel in the morning, and then went and had Joe's baptismal interview, all went well. Then we taught Gus, Sherry, Shirley, and a new guy named Charlton.  In the evening, we had Wei's baptismal interview and she passed as well.  They are both excited for this week! We had dinner with Meggie from China to finish up the busy day.

Sunday:  We were able to have Gus, Joe, and Wei come to church with us, and afterwards we GQ'd and did some planning for this week ahead.  It's getting really cold over here, frost is all over the ground for most of the day.  It might snow this week ahead, too! 

It has been miracle after miracle here in Edinburgh, this week I pray everything will go well.  This Saturday is also moves call and there is a good chance at least one of us could move.  I love Edinburgh, but I am always excited for new opportunities to go where the Lord wants me.  I love you all and I love this gospel.  Have a great week!  Go see Star Wars for me and send me the tickets and pictures and I will cry haha.  Love, Elder Copeland

Week 70 - December 4, 2017

December!

Hiya, I am so sorry I will have to keep it short this week.  We have a busy P-day!

Tuesday:  We had our District Meeting which went well.  We focused on how we will achieve our goal as a district for the final month of the year, and how we can Light the World through service!  We GQ'd and taught a new friend named Gus, as well.

Light the World

(Click on the link above to see how you, too, can help celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ by serving others this Christmas season.  As we follow His example, we can help #Light the World.) 

Wednesday:  In the morning, my worst nightmare happened, our flat began to leak again..  We called the plummer right away and he fixed it up, but flip, it never ends with leaky flats here haha!  We GQ'd the rest of the day! 

Thursday:  We taught Wei again who is doing well!  Then went over to Brother Thompson's for some lunch and service!  We GQ'd the rest of the day and in the evening the Office missionaries, Sister Hill and Gifford, took us to a posh Italian place for dinner! 

Friday:  We taught Joe, Gus, Slyph, and Mai today so pretty busy!  GQ'd as well! 

Saturday:  We taught Seven, Imogen, Lauren, and Wei!  In the evening, we had dinner with Yun Tao and Debbie!

Sunday:  We were able to have Wei come to church with us and had a power house lesson with her afterwards on baptism!  We, also, went to a care home for some special need people and did some caroling!  Then GQ'd and taught Book of Mormon in the evening.

Things are slowing down a bit because of the season and all of the Uni students have their exams.  We are going to try and find some new people this week, and we will also have All-Scotland which should be fun!  I love you all and miss you, and will talk to you soon.  Have a great week! 🍀  Elder Copeland

Pics of the Christmas Market in Edinburgh.