Week 78 - January 29, 2018

WEEK OF MIRACLES!

Hiya, fam!  Another great week in Aberdeen!  I'll go through it, but I don't have a load of time!  

Monday evening all the Dundee city Elders and the Assistants came up and slept at our flat for Tuesday.  We woke up at 5:30 the next day and balled hard!

Tuesday:  We had our Scotland North Conference!  It was great.  We were counseled by President and the Assistants, and President even played our 'Hastening the Work' video in his instruction.  It was hilarious haha!  At lunch, we had a special Burns 'Supper' lunch?  And I was asked to Carry the Haggis out and present it!  After Conference, we had our interviews with President.  He always gives me great counsel, and he helped me to understand my role in returning to Aberdeen for this time, as well, which I appreciated.  Afterwards, we helped moved missionaries all over the place to get them back to their areas.

Wednesday:  In the morning, President and Sister Donaldson invited us over to the Marriott Hotel to have breakfast with them, unreal!  They are couple goals for me and my future wife in every way.  I love them so much! Afterwards, we went out and GQ'd and taught our friend Scott again.  We talked to him about the Plan of Salvation and invited him to pray more about it.  In the afternoon, we GQ'd and went over to the hospital so I could get an X-ray on my foot... yea.. haven't been trying to worry you about it, but remember on Skype when I said I hurt it in footy?  Still hurting.  We got it checked out.  In the evening, we had dinner with the Philips.  Brother Philips is a PHD student in Geology and flip... he is so smart.  Elder Swenson and he had a discussion about evolution and I learned a lot.. This earth is so much more complex then we can imagine, and it's beautiful because God has arranged it perfectly! 

Thursday:  Loads of GQ'ing today!  We taught Jess again, as well.  She has been struggling to keep commitments, but we brought the Sisters along and had a POWER HOUSE lesson.  She was feeling the Spirit!  In the evening, we had some weekly planning and more GQ'ing.

Friday:  We GQ'd in the morning, then went over and taught Jess.  Just had another crazy powerful lesson.  She committed to being baptized this Saturday, and made a promise with us and God that she would give up coffee.  She has such a strong desire to come closer to God.  PLEASE pray for her this week!  After, we GQ'd more, then had dinner at the Zimmerman's, legends!  Our last hour of the night was meeting up with Scott and wow... I have never met a man more prepared than him, and so spiritually receptive.  Scott wanted to know if God really was there for him, and I was so filled with the Spirit that I promised him he would know God was there and loved him if he got down on his knees that night and prayed!  Power House!

Saturday:  We got a text from Scott saying that he had experienced a love from God he had never felt before and KNEW that Jesus Christ really was his Savior.  What a blessing.  We taught Alice again in the morning.  We had a pretty philosophical discussion, which just bugged me, but she said she would reach out to find God again and learn again.  Progress!  We GQ'd and then taught Tabitha in the afternoon.  She is good, but learning slowly.  She wants to really know if this is true, so we just keep sharing little by little and helping her understand the Book Of Mormon.  In the evening, we had dinner with Sister Milne.  I love her!

Sunday:  We were able to have Jess, Scott, and Tabitha at church with us!  They loved it, except the Sacrament talks were a wee bit weirdd aha, the classes were great.  Elder Swenson and I taught 3rd hour about Jesus Christ Observing the Sabbath and how we can follow his example!  After church, we talked to Scott.  He was actually crying during the Sacrament feeling the Spirit.  He said he wants to be baptized, but struggles with alcohol.  We are going to start working with him on that.  We GQ'd the rest of the day and had dinner with a couple from Norway, which was nice.

Great week!  I got a call from the hospital today.. soo.. I fractured my foot about a month and a half ago, and since I have been walking through it, it hasn't healed very well... They want me to rest a bit more, but it's kind of hard when you are a missionary and all you do is walk.  I'll try to rest it when I can though.  I hope that it can heal on its own.  I've been walking through the pain, anyways, it's not horrible! Moves call is this Saturday as well.  I have no idea what will happen.  I could either stay or go.  We will see.  I'll let you all know!  I love you.  Have a great week!  Elder Copeland

(Elder Copeland commented:  "This looked like the Jedi temple from Episode 7 where Luke is hanging out haha.")

Week 77 - January 22, 2018

Eighteen Months!  

Wow!  Time flippen flies!  I have grown up so much these last 18 months.  I am excited to give it my all for the last 6 and strive my best to become more like Christ!  It was a good week.  We don't have a lot of time right now though, so it's a shorter email--sorry!

Tuesday:  We had a load of GQ'ing.  In the evening, we were able to watch the broadcast of the new church presidency!  I know that President Nelson is called by God, and I felt his prophetic spirit as I listened to his words.  The interview afterwards was amazing!  They answered all those silly questions with power and helped everyone realize that God will always love us and is here to help us through our personal struggles!  

Afterwards, we and the other Elders went over to Sister Milne's for dinner! 

Wednesday:  We had to go pick up the other car in the morning, and then taught Mannie!  He is well, just busy with work.  Glad that he is enjoying his job though and seeing success!  Afterwards, we GQ'd and went over to the Goldie's for dinner.  Later in the evening, we met up with Summer and Matt and had some discussions with them.  They are pretty set in there church they go to right now.  I mean fair enough, they show up once a week, get free sweets, and sing cool songs about Jesus.  It's easy aha.  But Salvation was never easy!  (Let me know if you know who gave that sermon!) 

Thursday:  We were on exchanges with the Thurso Elders!  I was with Elder Rodriguez from Colombia.  We GQ'd and had some lunch, and then took them to get their car checked up on.  Later, we were able to teach Jess and set her with a new goal to be baptized on the 30th.  Please pray for her!  She just needs to rely on her faith and push her doubts aside!  We also met up with Tabitha.  She is doing alright.  She needs to read the Book of Mormon and pray more if she wants to receive an answer!  In the evening, we drove down to Edinburgh.

Friday:  We were on exchanges with the Assistants.  I was with Elder Gibb.  We taught quite a few lessons and GQ'd. I got to see some of my RC's, as well as Elder Huang, Wang, and Bradley!  I MISS THEM ALL SO MUCH!  It made me happy to see them all well though, and I know that I will see them again :) 

We had a great exchange, and in the evening we drove back home.  While we were driving, we got a phone call from the Provo MTC Mission Elders.  They had been Skype teaching a guy named Scott from Aberdeen and told us he wanted to meet, let's go!!! 

Saturday:  We met up with Scott!  He is a legend already!  He wants to know if this is true and has been reading the Book of Mormon.  We got to know him and invited him to church and baptism.  He is hesitant to accept baptism until he knows it is true, but he could be really really solid.  We just have to work with him more.  Afterwards, we GQ'd and met with a guy named Lewis who got baptized a year ago.  He is cool!  In the evening, we went to an older lady's for dinner.   We met Tabitha afterwards.  She won't read.. We will see what happens this week.  I don't understand how people expect to receive an answer from God that he is there if they don't try reading his word and pray and talk to him! 

Sunday:  We were able to have Scott attend church with us. He really enjoyed it.  The discussions were great.  Jess wasn't feeling well and Tabitha had to finish some schoolwork, so that was disappointing.  After church, we GQ'd and met up with Alice.  This is a really frustrating story for me haha I'll keep it short.  Alice claimed before when I saw her in Edinburgh if I ever got moved back to Aberdeen, then it would be  sign to her that God is there and that she needs to be baptized.  Well, I am back, and she seems to have forgotten about that.. God will direct us and give us signs of evidence that he is there, but if we push away promptings and things like this, then we are condemning ourselves.  Then her friend was trying to argue with me about how Disney is bad in Florida because it is all about Capitalism?!  At this point, I wasn't having it so I roasted the guy telling him it's the happiest place on earth and makes some pretty good Star-Wars films, so get over it hahah. These Philosophy students drive me wild! 

All in all, a decent week.  We really need to find some new friends and progress the ones we have who are struggling to keep commitments.  This week will be better!  I love you guys and hope you have a safe and warm week!   Love, Elder Copeland

Elder Copeland stated:  "The Elgin Sisters hooked us up with some fresh muffins."

One of the sisters in the Ward sent this picture to Elder Copeland's parents.

Week 76 - January 15, 2018

Matchmaker Copeland!

Hiya, fam!  No time to email today, we are trying to go over to these Americans in the ward and use their big indoor gym haha.  This week was busy and had some disappointments, but also some cool experiences!  I'll go through it all with you.

Tuesday:  We went to the Seaton District's meeting.  It was good!  Different not having to plan District Meetings anymore and just listening and learning on the other end!  Afterwards, we GQ'd for the day!

Wednesday:  We GQ'd in the morning and had lunch at an older member's home who is unreal at the Guitar!  Later on, we GQ'd and in the evening.  We helped bishop do some home teaching to older members.

Thursday:  In the morning, we went over to the Hallman's and helped take apart and move some shelves.  Then we had lunch and met up with this Indian guy named Abinan.  He is Muslim.  Interesting talk.. after him we went over to the church with Mannie and taught Jess!  She said she was ready for baptism.  She was able to call President Thompson and have her baptismal interview.  She passed and was all excited.  We planned for her baptism to be on Saturday, so we called all the members and set it all up.  In the evening, we GQ'd. 

Friday:  We were on exchanges with the Seaton Elders!  I was with Elder Garrick.  We GQ'd the entire day and it was fun.  We stayed mostly on the University of Aberdeen campus, so that brought back memories.  We had a pretty funny discussion with a Baptist basher.  He had no idea what he was talking about.  In the evening, we all went over to Sister Milne's for dinner!  After dinner, Elder Swenson was suppose to see Jess to finalize all of the baptism, but she wasn't responding.. we were stressing hard.  We prayed and asked Heavenly Father to help us know what was going on and to help us get in contact with her.  Then we went out GQ'ing.  Twenty minutes after going out, I kid you not... we run into Jess!  She had just finished work and had to go home, but was acting really weird.  She told us that she had been really stressing out and anxiety and just couldn't do her baptism this week, but was embarrassed to tell us.  We helped her know it was okay and that we can take more time and help her be more comfortable with it.  It was really disappointing that she wouldn't be getting baptized this week, but such a miracle from God that we found her before all showing up at the baptism, and having no one to be baptized.  Tender Mercy!  We will work with her more.

All who seek eternal life must follow the example of the Savior by being baptized and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Saturday:  We were able to GQ and teach Abinan again.  He agreed to read the Book Of Mormon and come to church!  We also taught Tabitha again who we found the first week here.  She had just returned from Germany and agreed to come to church with us as well, which was class!  Later in the evening, we went over to an old friend named Matt!!  I don't know if you guys remember Matt but he is a legend and we were pretty good pals.  Crazy enough, though, when we show up to Matt's house for dinner, Summer, another former friend from here, answers the door!  WHAT. LONG STORY SHORT,  when Elder Elsmore and I were teaching Summer one time, Matt ran into us at the uni library and we introduced them.  The next week they ran into each other again.. and the rest is history.. they have been dating for 10 months and are planning on getting married next year.  I AM A MATCHMAKER!  WHAT THE FLIPPPPP!  It was a crazy surprise haha and I am happy to see them again.  We will meet up with them more.

Sunday:  We were able to have Jess, Tabitha, and Abinan at church with us.  It was great!  Afterwards, we GQ'd and in the evening went over to dinner at the Hallman's!

Pretty solid week, just back to the basics, trying to build up our teaching pool.  This week we are going down to Edinburgh for exchanges, which is exciting.  Hopefully I see some familiar faces!  I love you guys have a great week!

Elder Copeland

Week 75 - January 8, 2018

On the Lord's Errand - Tom Monson

Hiya!  Hope you all had a good week :)  We were really busy this week, and it was great!

Wednesday:  In the morning, we went and took the Orkney missionaries' car in to get repaired, then we went to my chiropractor, got hair cuts, washed the car, and GQ'd!  In the evening, we drove down to Dundee and slept over with the ZL's there! 

Thursday:  We drove from Dundee over to Edinburgh and had Mission Leadership Council most of the day.  It was amazing!!  We learned so much from President Donaldson.  I know how truly inspired he is and how inspired the goals are that he sets for this mission.  We discussed the new goals for 2018 as a mission and how we can help our Zones achieve this.  

Elder Swenson and I gave a 50 minute presentation on Hastening the Work as well as presented a funny video we made.  It was good to see a load of friends I haven't seen for a while from all over the mission.  We drove home in the evening.

Friday:  We were on exchanges with the Inverness Elders!  I went with Elder Thompson.  We had an on-the-spot lesson with a guy named Nicholas, and it was really cool.  He talked about how God has influenced his life so much and he just needs to come closer to him.  He is very timid but really receptive to the Spirit!  We also had lunch with Rachel from Glasgow who is up here visiting her family.  

It was good to hear about everything down there!  Then we went out and GQ'd and taught Mannie.  He is progressing more and more for his endowments this year, and really, we just have to keep him on the straight and narrow and he is set!  In the evening, we had dinner at Sister Milne's, then GQ'd.  It was a great exchange! 

Saturday:  We taught Nicholas again in the morning.  He said he wants to come to church but is scared to make a commitment to a community because he has had some rough experiences where people betrayed him.  We will have to work with him and help him build some trust.  We went over to our Ward Mission Leader's for lunch.  Wow, their place is posh!  They have a huge manor in the middle of a forest with a bunch of toys, and they are American, so they fed us bomb tacos.  We GQ'd most of the day, but we were told to go over to the Theatre and visit Jimmy Osmond who is performing a pantomime!  It was amazing!  We went into his room and just talked to him.  He shared some really spiritual stories in his life and with his family, and how his mother even gave the Queen a Book Of Mormon.  THE QUEEN HAS A BOOK OF MORMON!!!  That was cool to hear.  He is a really nice guy, and afterwards he bought us dinner! 

In the evening we taught a Recent Convert named Tom. 

Sunday:  Fast Sunday!  We had Jess at church.  She just needs to give up coffee and she can be baptized.  We gave her a blessing and hopefully this is the week!  I was able to get up and bear my testimony of missionary work and how it has changed my life and made me into someone I never imagined I could be.  I used the story of the Sons of Mosiah and their amazing conversion to the gospel.  After Church, we GQ'd and taught ZSOLT!  I missed him so much.  He is doing great!  He wants to get endowed this year as well and maybe even married!  We went over to the Hallmen's for dinner.  It was a good day.

I am thankful for the Prophet Thomas S. Monson and for his example of service.  I loved his quote on how the Lord could count on him always.  I hope in my own life I can use that motto to motivate me to become better each and every day, and be worthy and able to help the Lord in this great service :) I hope you all have a great week and stay warm.  It's freezing up here!   Love, Elder Copeland

Week 74 - January 2, 2018

Happy New Years!

Hey, I am so sorry I am horrible at emailing haha.  2017 was the busiest year of my life, but I am so thankful for what I have learned and who I have become through the Savior.  I am excited for these last six months of my mission in Scotland/Ireland to serve others and spread the love of God. I hope to hear from you soon, and I will try to be better at emailing!

It was great to talk to you on Christmas! 

Tuesday:  Today was boxing day! 

 We had the entire day off.  We were able to do some service in the morning and help with a charity fundraiser where people jumped into the North Sea for 60 seconds haha, and then we watched movies and played games with the other Aberdeen missionaries!

Wednesday:  We set up some moves and meeting calendars in the morning, then we had to go and get our car fixed from the flat tire.  Then we went out and GQ'd for the day!

Thursday:  We went over to the chiropractor for me in the morning.  The new guy I have didn't help me very much aha, I think he made my back hurt more by the end of it.  We taught Jess again who is doing okay.  She is addicted to coffee and is really struggling to give it up.  Every time I teach someone about the Word of Wisdom and they don't think coffee is addicting, it makes me laugh.  People have such a hard time giving it up!  We, also, were able to teach two Chinese guys named Bob and Wo that I found.  Bob could have been really solid, but his friend was saying that religion is useless in Chinese and kind or ruined the lesson.  Flip!  We GQ'd more, had dinner, and taught Mannie in the evening.  He set a goal to be able to go through the temple for his endowment in 2018, so we are going to do everything we can to keep him on the straight and narrow and prepared!

Friday:  We GQ'd and then taught a new girl named Hannah. She is a recovering drug addict and said she has been looking for God in her life and just wants to be clean from all her guilt.  We invited her to pray about the Book of Mormon and prepare to be baptized in January.  Hopefully, we can see her again this week.  It was a really cool lesson!  We GQ'd the rest of the day and in the evening went over for Sister Milne's for dinner.  She still is taking care of all the missionaries, she is the best!  We drove up afterwards to Thurso to deliver some supplies to the missionaries there! We drove by Trump's Golf Course, so I had to get a picture.

Saturday:  We GQ'd the entire day, just starting over again really trying to rebuild our area for January.  In the evening, the Bridge of Don Elders had Valarie's baptism, and we got to go help with the service.  It was amazing!  The Spirit was strong and made me thankful to be a missionary here again.

Sunday:  We were able to have Jess come to church again, and we got to introduce ourselves to a lot more members. Aberdeen is a pretty big ward and has a lot of families, so it's funny.  There are kids running around and screaming all over!  Later on, we GQ'd, and then went over to the Hallmans for dinner.

Monday:  We had the entire day off!  We went out to Dunnottar Castle again, got some food, played some games, and watched movies.  It was nice to get to know the missionaries here better!

Today, we had a bit of time off as well to get our regular P-day things done.  I am excited for this week.  We need to find some prepared people.  I love you all.  Have a great week and be safe!  Happy New Years! 🍀 

Cameron, (this is Elder Copeland's cousin), thank you for deciding to serve the Lord.  I promise you it will be the most rewarding time of your life and will carry you forever through your experiences and friendships you create.  

I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH AND MISS YOU, but will see you soon <3   Elder Copeland