Week 95 - May 29, 2018

Dear Family,

Throughout my mission, I have been taught many lessons through incidents that I have observed.  I have seen that through mistakes, all we can do is be meek and humble servants and allow the Lord to lift us where we fall, and to guide us through the darkness into light.

I have loved my mission.  It's coming down to the end.  It's bittersweet, and this week is my last moves call.  I know that God has a unique plan to benefit each of us in preparation for the return of the Savior, and so I can do nothing more than be grateful for these opportunities to stand for the right and to look towards the light, even in the dark.  I love you all.  Have a great week!

Love, Elder Copeland

Elder Copeland:   "We just went to Doune Castle where Monty Python and the Holy Grail filmed their castle scenes, had to kilt up ! :D" 

Week 94 - May 21, 2018

Twenty-Two Months!

This week was great and went by too quickly!  They all seem to at this point, as well.  I hit 22 months this week, and I can officially say I am an old missionary haha.  This week was busy though, and we saw some serious miracles. 

Tuesday:  We had Scotland South, it was good.  We talked a lot about helping this mission hit the potential it has, and going forward as President McDonald comes in.  To be honest, I leave with President Donaldson, which made it kind of hard to focus on going forward, as I won't be here!  But I gave my advice for the younger missionaries, and Elder Bain and I were able to instruct more about how to GQ and set up qualified appointments.  After SS, we went over to Anne's for dinner and Elder Bain, Huang, and I wore our kilts and took some pretty class photos! 

 

Wednesday:  We had our interviews with President and Sister Donaldson in the morning.  I can't say it enough how much I truly appreciate and love those two.  They are everything I strive to become with my wife one day, and they have given me amazing advice throughout my mission. The interview went well, and afterwards we got out in the sun and GQ'd.  In the evening, we went over to Cumbernauld and helped a man with the Cumbernauld Sisters do a service project.  We made a fence in a woman's backyard, and it was a lot of fun.  I wish we had the chance to do more service here. 

Thursday:  In the morning, we went over to the hospital to meet up with Bir.  For his PHD project, he is doing a carb diet test and I volunteered Elder Bain and me, and Elder Berry wanted to help as well.  For helping, we each got 10£.  He took our weights, heights, measurements, talked about what we ate, and he took our blood!  Elder Bain was flippen out getting his blood drawn, so that was fun to watch, but I realized that what I eat is pretty rubbish at this point on my mission as well, so I need to be better! 

After all of that, we taught a new Italian girl who is Catholic, and isn't really too interested in coming closer to God.  She said maybe when she is older she will think about it.  Afterwards, we GQ'd and taught Lynn in the evening more. She is doing really well, feeling the Spirit, and excited for her baptism!

Friday:  In the morning, we went to take our car in because it has some dents on the hood from before Elder Bain and I got it.  We got to the car shop and they said it will be a few days before they can fix it.  They gave us a wee rental car which is hilarious, it's as big as a bicycle, no joke.  We had fun whippen it around, only problem, there is no Sat/Nav... and the road signs in the UK are complete rubbish.... we were lost for a few hours, until we found ourselves back in Glasgow.  Whoops.  After, we figured all of that out though we were able to teach a new Thai girl named Oil.  She could be solid!  Only problem is she is in Edinburgh during the week, and in Glasgow only on the weekends, so we are trying to get her to meet missionaries in Burg as well to progress her more.  After Oil, we taught Ray again, and wow his whole countenance had changed!  After I told him to humble himself and threw down a bit, he came ready to learn and try what we shared.  He actually is a really nice guy, just has a lot of stress from school, but we are going to help him! 

Saturday:  We went out GQ'ing in the morning, and later on we taught a new Chinese girl named Carys, who could be pretty solid!  But she struggles to wake up earlier then 11, sounds like me back home.. so she missed church.  We hopefully see her this week and set some alarms on her phone.  After Carys, we went and had dinner with Lynn, and she had her baptismal interview, and passed!  After Lynn, we went and saw Daniel as well and prepared him to receive the Aaronic Priesthood. 

Sunday:  We were able to have Lynn, Ray, and a new happy clappy girl named Mary come with us to church!  Elder Bain forgot he had a talk, but he used an older talk he wrote on Repentance for the ward which was something I guess we all need. :) After church, we GQ'd the rest of the day. 

This week we are excited for Lynn's baptism.  Please pray that all will go well for her and that she can be comforted by the Holy Ghost in knowing this is the right decision.  We might be going to Edinburgh again this week as well for a missionary special concert?!  I will let you know next week ;)  I love you all and hope you enjoy the sun and good weather back home. 🍀  Elder Copeland

 Elder Copeland stated:  "Yvonne made it to the temple for the 2nd time this week, as well.  So proud of the progress she is making in the Gospel!" ​

Week 93 - May 14, 2018

Happy Mothers' Day!

Hiya, fam.  It was great seeing you yesterday.  That is my last Skype call.  The next time I see you is in person :) Everything is ending so quickly!  What a bittersweet feeling.

Tuesday:  Today we went to the city District Meeting and did some role plays on how to GQ someone and ask inspired questions.  After DM, Elder Bain and I got out and GQ'd a load, and had a lesson with a young Brazilian couple, Bianca and Max!  They could be really solid.  We hopefully see them again this week/  They come from a Catholic background, but we were able to give them a Portuguese Book of Mormon, which my grandma brought over, and they loved it!  In the evening, we went to Ward Coordination and planned our baptism.

Wednesday:  We GQ'd in the morning and then had lunch with Bir.  What a good guy.  This week, I am going to get some blood drawn to help with one of his PhD projects.  That'll be interesting.  After lunch, we got out and GQ'd more! There were some E-MOVES happening in some of the Zones, and we had to drive missionaries around quite a lot, but after all of that, we taught Emmanuel in the evening and went through everything for his baptism. 

Thursday:  We set up Emmanuel's baptism in the morning, and then went out and GQ'd.  We Found the entire day, and in the evening, we had the baptismal service!  Bishop Campbell was able to baptize Emmanuel and it was a great experience for him.  He was feeling the Spirit and couldn't stop smiling!  I am grateful for his willingness to follow the Savior and am excited for his future in the gospel!

 

Friday:  Today was a full day of finding.  The weather was amazing!  We got a load of phone numbers.  We just have to wait until all of the students' exams are over to meet up with them. 

Saturday:  We were on exchanges with the Motherwell Elders.  I was with Elder Muller.  We had a busy day!  We GQ'd in the morning, and then had lunch with an Investigator from Cumbernauld who is pals with Elder Bain.  He is an older guy and a Mason.  Pretty cool stuff!  He hooked us up with five guys!  After lunch, we were able to teach Shona.  Her argument was that you do not base a testimony or answers from God or the Spirit, but on logic.  We read out loud four different stories from the Bible about how the Spirit teaches, and she had nothing.  I invited her to humble herself, and if she wants to know if this is true, to allow the Spirit to touch her heart.  Later on, we GQ'd, saw Daniel, and saw Lynn!  Both are well, just busy with exams until later on in this coming week. 

Sunday:  We were able to have Shona, John, and Maira at church with us!  Emmanuel was able to receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost as well, and he and Daniel had their priesthood interviews, and will be receiving the Aaronic priesthood next Sunday!  After church, we taught a new lady named Mary from Nigeria, but she is pretty Born Again, and wouldn't accept a Book of Mormon.   Ah well!  Later on, we GQ'd until we got to Skype!  I love you all!

That was my week--very quickly.  This week is going to be well busy.  We are just trying to stay on top of everyone and make sure that we can help them to be baptized soon.  Have a great week and enjoy the warm weather back home! :D 

Elder Copeland

Week 92 - May 7, 2018

Hiya, fam! 

Loads of miracles this week, and of course, not a lot of time! ;) 

Tuesday:  District Meetings, I was able to go to Airdrie district and share more about making and following up with commitments with our investigators.  Until someone commits, they will not receive an answer!  After DM, we met up with Emmanuel and talked more about the temples.  He wants to go to the temple as soon as possible and do the work for his grandparents!  After Emmanuel, we taught a new guy named Jeremy, who is an absolute legend.  He is here from China just doing some English classes before September when he starts uni at Glasgow.  Man, he is so golden.. but NOT ENOUGH TIME :/  I'll talk more about him later on.  In the evening, we taught Lynn more.

Wednesday:  We taught Lynn in the morning, and then for lunch met up with Mannie!  He is a legend, doing well as always, preparing for the temple soon.  After Mannie, we taught a new girl named Tochukw, and she is pretty solid! Right now, she has exams though, so she said this coming week she would have more time once she is finished with that.  Later on, we went over to Solomon's and he made us dinner.

Thursday:  Today was a Chinese training day here in Glasgow.  The Assistants and all Chinese missionaries blitzed the city and just tried to GQ and teach as much as they could in Chinese.  We were able to teach Jeremy, Lynn, and Daniel with different Elders to give them a chance to teach!  In the evening, we met with the Stake President and had a discussion about missionary work going forward in the Glasgow Stake for 2018. 

Friday:  MAY THE 4TH BE WITH YOU.  We took a pic with these people dressed up for Star Wars day.  We were on exchanges with Airdire.

In the morning, we had to go get our car looked at.  It has a dent on the front, don't worry it wasn't from me!  Afterwards, we taught Rafael who came to church! Emmanuel had his baptismal interview, as well, and passed. He is good to go!  In the evening, Elder Huang and I went over to Peter's and he made us dinner.  It was great spending time with his family, I love them so much.  

After Peter, Elder Huang and I taught a new guy named Ray from Macau who could be really solid after his exams. 

Saturday:  We taught Jeremy in the morning.  We literally had taught him everything in a week and he was so prepared, but he left Sunday to go back to China.  He was willing to be baptized, but we knew that we couldn't rush his baptism that quickly, without him even coming to church.  It wouldn't be the best thing to do.  We put our trust in the Lord, and Jeremy promised when he returns in September here he will meet with the missionaries, come to church, and be baptized.  What a cool guy.  The seed has been planted!  We GQ'd a bit and then went and taught Solomon again and had to throw down.  We went through all the interview questions and he had no problems with it this time, except coffee. Come on.. So while I was teaching Solomon, Elder Bain went into his kitchen and stole all of his coffee and tea HAHH!  It was so funny.  We got into the car afterwards, and he opened his bag and we both started laughing hard.  Solomon called later on laughing as well.  He is a champ, just needs to be humble and get baptized!  

In the evening, we met up with Lynn. 

Sunday:  We were able to have three friends at church, Lynn, Emmanuel, and a lady named Norra!  Emmanuel is already so well integrated and the ward is excited for his baptism.  After church, we had some lessons fall through, but we were able to go meet Grandma and Grandpa and have lunch with them!  It was so cool seeing them.  I didn't feel nervous or scared or anything.  It felt natural to be back with family and just talking to them was so normal!  Made me happy to see everyone doing well. :)

Well, that was really quick.  I'm sorry!  I hope you all have a great week, and I will be able to talk to you more next Sunday for Mothers' day on Skype, woo!! I love you all!  Elder Copeland

(All the free Lucozades Elder Copeland and his companion got.)

Week 91 - April 30, 2018

Hiya, fam!  This week was great! 

We saw a lot of miracles and found a lot of success going out in the sun and talking to people. 

Monday:  We actually were able to have three lessons, one with a new guy named George who is kind of trippy.  He was talking about all of his experiences on different drugs.. But we saw Mitchell again.  He is well, reading the Book of Mormon slowly, but so busy.  He is out of town for another two weeks. We taught Lynn in the evening more about the Restoration! 

Tuesday:  We had District Meetings in the morning.  They went well.  Really, just helping our missionaries bring investigators to church is our biggest struggle in the Zone right now.  So lots of role plays on that!  After DM, we headed out and taught Shona.  She still just refuses to accept anything we teach and denies the truth.  It's pretty sad.  I don't think her intent is really there.  She just enjoys the company.  After Shona, we GQ'd the rest of the day and in the evening we had a on the spot with this guy named Matthew.  He knew a lot of anti, but we just powered through it and invited him to take a Book of Mormon and read it.  He accepted and took our phone numbers.

Wednesday:  We GQ'd around Glasgow and had lunch with Rachel.  She's a legend.  Later on, we had a lesson with a new friend named Emmanuel, crazy miracles!  Emmanuel is from Nigeria, had been living in London being taught by the missionaries there, had his own baptismal calendar, and literally has learned every single lesson.  He moved back up to Glasgow for Uni and he sits down and says, "I want to be baptized.  WHAT!  He has a date for the 10th, just so he can meet some more members and make the ward more comfortable with his baptism, but what a blessing!  After Emmanuel, we GQ'd some more and taught Lynna again in the evening.  She isn't progressing as quickly as we hoped, simply because she has her exams this week, but we are getting there!

Thursday:  We were able to see Rafael, Daniel, and Lynn and have three great lessons!  The rest of the day was GQ'ing and some service for a less active in the afternoon--cleaning dust out of a flat, dodgy haha.  We drove to Edinburgh in the evening. 

Friday:  We were on 2-day exchanges with the Assistants.  I was with Elder Wright.  We GQ'd in the morning and at lunch we met up with Peter and his friend. SO COOL!  It was great to actually get to know him and hear about his conversion story since I had first stopped him, and since he had learned from the Elders.  He is a chill guy and loves Star Wars, too, so we talked a wee bit about that haha.  After lunch, we GQ'd more and taught Yvonne.  SHE IS AMAZING!  She taught us the entire Plan of Salvation in complete detail and is preparing to go to the temple again in a few weeks.  I'm so proud of her.  

In the evening, we had dinner at this Indian guy named Punnite's and had a really deep conversation about prayer..  Kind of beyond my level.  He is a spiritualist guy. 

Saturday:  We spent some time with President and Sister Donaldson in the morning, ahah I LOVE THEM.  They have such good banter as well, so we joked on for a while.  After that, we got out and GQ'd and then taught Imane, who I taught on my last exchange.  She is pro-Communist and was telling us about how well it would work.. Rip..  In the evening, we met up with some RC's in Edinburgh for hotpot.  I saw WEI, she is doing really well, too, going to church and learning from the Elders.  Also, Yvonne again, and Sister Osmond and Irving were together for the day, so it was a big reunion and loads of fun.  

I had a really great time with Elder Wright.  Elder Bain and I drove back to Glasgow at night. 

Sunday:   We were able to have a new friend named Maira at church with us, a lot of other friends cancelled last minute on us though.. but it was alright.  The Stake President here is an interesting guy.   Anyways, after church we GQ'd and taught Solomon in the evening.  Solomon is being pretty frustrating.. He is afraid to be baptized and won't give us a straightforward answer.  We straight up told him we love him but he needs to humble himself and act upon the Spirit he has felt.  We will see what happens.  I am afraid if he keeps rejecting the invitation, he will fall away more and more. 

That was the week, it was so quick, and they seem to be getting quicker each week I have left.  I love being a missionary, I love serving my Heavenly Father, and I love all of you!  Have a great week 🍀