WELCOME HOME, ELDER COPELAND! July 16, 2018

What an exciting day it was when Elder Copeland was able to return to his friends and family after fulfilling a wonderful two years in the Scotland/Ireland Mission!

Special Post to Elder Copeland - July 16, 2018

This was written about and to Elder Copeland from one of the special persons he was blessed to baptize.

Letter to Elder Copeland's Parents from New Mission President - July 13, 2018

Dear Brother and Sister Copeland,

Your son, Elder Copeland, will complete his full time missionary service in the Scotland/Ireland Mission on 16 July 2018.  He has been asked to meet with his Stake President as soon as possible following his return.

Elder Copeland has been an exceptional missionary and leader in the Scotland/Ireland Mission.  I have only been here a few weeks and yet I have grown to love him dearly.  His devotion to the work and his faithful obedience to mission rules have made him a valued friend and helper to me.  He has worked valiantly to the very end and has served successfully.  Many of the people in the areas he has served have had their hearts touched and their lives enriched as he shared the message of the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ with them.  His contribution to the missionary effort has certainly moved the work forward and will have eternal consequences.  

Thank you for parting with him these past two years.  Your sacrifice and his has blessed all of us immensely.  Our love and prayers accompany him as he returns home to his dear ones.  

Sincerely,
Mark A. Macdonald, President
Scotland/Ireland Mission

Sandra's Baptism - July 12, 2018

Such a special day!  Sandra's baptism!

Letter from Elder Copeland's Bishop and Mission President

July 11, 2018 

Hello, Kim and Kyle,

It is so exciting to receive this e-mail below from Elder Copeland’s Mission President.  It must be over the top exciting to you!

Can’t wait to see him.

Love,

Bishop Lundquist

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 July 11, 2018

Dear Bishop Lundquist,

Elder Copeland will complete his full time missionary service in the Scotland/Ireland Mission on 16 July 2018.  He arrives in Salt Lake City Airport on 16 July at 6:52 PM.  He has been asked to meet with the Stake President as soon as possible following his return. 

Elder Copeland has been an exemplary minister of the Lord Jesus Christ as well as a source of strength to his companions and the Scotland/Ireland Mission. His life and contribution will be forever entwined in the hearts and minds of the people in the areas he has served.  Their lives have been elevated through the message of the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ which he shared, contributing to their eternal lives and wellbeing.

Our love and prayers accompany him as he returns home to family and friends.

Sincerely,

Mark A. Macdonald

President Scotland/Ireland Mission

Week 101 - July 9, 2018

'Til the Work is Done.  (And It Never Is!)

Elders and Sisters, These past two years have changed my life.  They have allowed me to experience the enabling power of the Atonement in my life, and that we all have  access to.  Also, the love of our Father in Heaven has for each of us through the sacrifice of his son, Jesus Christ.  I have never felt more pure in heart and powerful than as I do as a missionary.  I am grateful to have been able to see the gospel heal so many  Let us all press forward with an eye of faith.  I pray we can continue to learn more of our own perfectly designed plans in this life to help us in the life to come.  Alma 7:7-9. 

Great News.  Elder Copeland wrote:  "This week Sandra was able to meet with us, be interviewed, and will be baptized on my last day in Ireland, this Thursday.  How grateful I am for all of your love and support on my mission, and I will see you soon." 😇

Week 100 - July 2, 2018

The Last Weekly!

Well, fam, this will be my last weekly email going through my days.  Next week, I will share a wee bit and my testimony, but it will be busy!  This week was good.  We were able to build up a decent teaching pool, and I know Elder Gunson will be able to see some success from our friends in the coming weeks.

Tuesday:  We were able to have our District Meeting and talk more about the needs of our friends and Recent Converts and what we can do to progress the missionary work here in Galway Branch.  Afterwards, we GQ'd the rest of the day! 

Wednesday:  All Day GQ'ing.  The weather this week was the hottest it has been for over 80 years, and it was HOT haha.  We got a text from Sandra, and it was really sad.  She said she doesn't want to meet anymore or be baptized.  Satan was able to pull her away right before she would have received the greatest gift God can give her :( We are really sad.  But we craic on and know that it's the Lord's will. 

Thursday:  All Day GQ'ing.  In the evening, we were able to teach a new girl named Fiona from Australia.  She is cool.  She is jacked actually and works at a gym here, but she said she is kind of Catholic and has a belief in God.  She knew the missionaries from Canada.  I don't know if she is that interested though.

Friday:  We were able to teach Sally-Ann and her daughter Douja.  Sally-Ann is amazing!  She already had been to church and we got her number and she loves it.  She honestly just needs to have the missionary discussions and give up coffee and she will be baptized.  She also has a 9 year old son she wants us to hang out with, so we are going to play some football with him this week haha.  Later on, we GQ'd and enjoyed the weather! 

Saturday:  We were able to go do some service at a member's and that was fun.  Later on, there was a big sea festival by our flat, so we went over and took some pictures of some Americans doing fly boards, looked class!  

In the evening, we taught our Brazilian friend Dirce who is just being stubborn about baptism. 

Sunday:  We were able to have Sally-Ann and her kids come to church with us, Wendy-Ann, and Shirley!  It was my last testimony meeting on my mission, so I got up, and got pretty emotional haha, but after Sacrament the Branch President asked me to give a 20 minute farewell talk this coming Sunday.. FLIP.  I guess it will prep me for my homecoming talk? haha.   How grateful I am for the Sacrament though and the cleansing power of the Atonement as we renew our covenants each week!  The best time to prepare to take the Sacrament?  Right after we have partaken of it! 

That was the week.  We have some people who are doing well.  Sad about Sandra, but we did all we can.  This week we will have another All Ireland to meet the new Mission President.  President and Sister Donaldson left for home today.  How grateful I am for those two amazing humans.  I love you all and hope you enjoy the weather, and I will SEE YOU SOON.  Love, Elder Copeland