Week 52 - July 31, 2017

Hiya, fam!  

This week was pretty busy, and but we had loads of fun.  I don't have a lot of time left on the computer though (Sorry!  Didn't look at the time, it goes too fast), but I'll go through my week the best I can remember. 

Monday:  Monica's baptism was amazing, she really enjoyed it and it was cool to see how much she has grown already in the gospel.  I am excited to see her progress back home in Australia!  We drove up to Dublin in the evening and slept over at the Elders' flat there.

 (Tradition is to get Star Pizza and go see the spire in Dublin.)

Tuesday:  All Ireland!  It was great to see friends, every one of my comps but Elder Wang was there, so that was a great experience as well.  Elder Elsmore gave his departing testimony, and I'm not too emotional at these things, but I was crying pretty hard haha.  He taught me everything I know and helped me to learn how to be a hard working missionary, grateful for him, and still get to hang around him for a few more weeks!  We had some great instructions from the assistants, and President Donaldson, love that man.  He interviewed me afterwards and we just talked about my opportunities ahead in Cork!   We drove back down to Cork in the evening.

 

(Pictures in Cork.)

Wednesday:  We taught Cait in the morning and helped answer some questions she had and reassured her about her baptism on Saturday.  We did some finding and we were planning on going to see Fiona, and while we were walking, a man called us over.  His name is Robert, from Colorado, and he is here with his wife and daughter on holiday.  He dislocated his arm on a hike and had gone over to the Tralee building on Sunday to receive a blessing, but we were all in Limerick for District Conference.  He asked if we could take him to the church and give him a blessing so we did, and it was powerful.  I was able to give him a blessing and tell him things that I had no clue about in his life, cause I barely knew him.  He was crying afterwards and gave me a big hug and thanked me for the help.  I am thankful to be able to have the priesthood and help others in need.  We also met a new investigator named John.  He was a little wild, but we will see!

Thursday:  MY 1 YEAR!  WOOO!  We were asked by a less-active member in a mental hospital named Charles to go visit him.  He is the bomb, it took us forever to find his building, but he was thanking us over and over for visiting and sharing some scriptures and a Book of Mormon with him.  We just did a lot of finding afterwards and also went out to Nandos to celebrate.  I also burned a shirt with the Elders (Sorry Mum!)

 

Friday:  All day finding, let's goo!  Just building up our area until the evening when we went and played some volleyball with the branch.  Elder Bradley and I go hard and just spike it all over the place.  It's good craic. 

Saturday:  Today was the day!  In the morning, we had a lesson with a new guy named Patrick.  He was pretty solid.  We also had an on the spot with a guy named John who is way solid, a little wild but it's okay, it's part of the fun!  In the evening was Cait's baptism, and it was amazing!  Everything went well and she enjoyed it a lot even though she was nervous.  I am thankful to have been a wee part of her journey and can't wait to teach her and help her progress more in the gospel.

 

Sunday:  We were able to have John attend church with us and Cait was confirmed.  After church, just some finding and planning for the week ahead.

Nothing too crazy this week, just busy as always!  I am excited to get some really good finding this week and try and follow up with all of these people we have taught.  This year behind me has changed me so much and made me into someone I always wanted to be, but never thought I could.  The Atonement is a powerful gift we have been given and all we need to do is is apply it into our lives.  I am thankful for the Savior and for his never ending love  for all of us!  Have a good week and be safe.  I love you guys! 

Elder Copeland