Week 89 - April 16, 2018

Staying in Glasgow!

Hiya fam!  I'm sorry the weekly is late.  Yesterday we were 
moving missionaries all around for moves day.  I don't have a 
load of time today either, so this week will have to be a short 
one.

Tuesday:  Today we were on exchanges.  I was able to go with Elder Hunter!  We GQ'd the entire day and had an on the spot with a Born-Again named Nick, pretty cool guy, had loads of questions but we answered them and invited him to take a Book of Mormon and read it, but he said he couldn't.. flip, you can't find out if it's true or not if you don't read it!

Wednesday:  We GQ'd most of the morning.  Some of our RC's from Edinburgh were in the city shopping, so they took us out for lunch, which was great to see them all!   Afterwards, we GQ'd some more, and had dinner with Rhiannon. In the evening, we taught Daniel and Solomon. Daniel was ready to be baptized, but Solomon has still not received a testimony on the need for the Restoration and Joseph Smith, so we are going to work with him and give him more time to receive an answer!

Thursday:  We GQ'd the entire day!  We also were able to watch a broadcast from President Nelson to the British Isles.  He talked a lot about receiving personal revelation in our lives, and I think that is so important going forwards in my life :) Josie took us out to a Carvery for dinner, as well, which was class!

Friday:  Elder Huang and I spent most the day together.  We taught little Collin who got baptized on Sunday and then headed over to Peter's.  We talked more about the temple, but we are nervous.  This week, he has to go to court to see if he and his family can stay in the UK.  If the court says no, he will have to move back to China and his family will be punished pretty severely since they have three kids and pretty much escaped last time to be able to have their family. I am really nervous for him.  We will go to see him this week and figure out what will happen.  Pray they can stay here!  In the evening, we went over to Solomon's and taught him again.

Saturday:  Today we received our moves.  I have been asked to stay another transfer here in Glasgow with Elder Bain!  This transfer is a 7-weeker, and after this one, I only have one transfer left.  Wow.. I'm nervous!  In the evening, we had Daniel's interview, and it was great!  All smooth and he was happy.

Sunday:  We had Daniel's confirmation and a great Sunday service.  After church, I drove Elder Swenson to the train station and dropped him off.  It was bittersweet, I am proud of him!  The rest of the day we were moves planning and starting to move some missionaries.

This transfer is going to go by quickly, like they always do! We are going to start building up our teaching pool in the coming weeks so that we can have some baptisms by the end!  I love you all.  Have a great week 🍀

Week 88 - April 9, 2018

Hiya, fam! 

I'm gonna have to keep it short this week.  We are pretty busy!

Tuesday:  Today was all Scotland!  It was great to see so many missionaries from my group.  We learned a lot from President about going forward and finishing strong! Afterwards, we had some dinner and headed home.  We taught a new guy named Mitchell who is pretty cool, but part of the Church of Scotland.

Wednesday:  We had our interviews with President.  He just told me some ways to stay rested and full of energy these last two transfers!  After our interviews, President and Sister Donaldson took us to lunch :)  Later on, we GQ'd most of the day and then had dinner with Bir!  After dinner, we taught Daniel and Soloman.

Thursday:  Full day of GQ'ing and Daniel and Soloman in the evening! 

Friday:  Today we were on exchanges with Airdire.  I was with Elder Price.  We GQ'd a lot, and I really just shared with him some experiences to find happiness and excitement in the mission! 

Saturday:  Today we were on exchanges with Knightswood.  I was with Elder Miao from Beijing.  We were able to go out with some Born Again church members and help feed the homeless.  It was a great experience!  

Afterwards, we attended the baptismal service for a guy named Mike, and in the evening we GQ'd.

Sunday:  Only Soloman was able to come to church with us, but it was a pretty great Sabbath.  

I got up and bore my testimony of the Savior's ministry to each of us and read 3 Nephi 1:15-17.  Notice how Christ spent time with each of these Nephites.  We read later on that there was about 2500 who were baptized.  That meant he would have been there for at least two days just spending time with these people.  I love that!  I know that Christ is willing to spend time with us as well, as we seek him.  After church, we taught a new guy named Jeffrey from Malaysia who is pretty cool, and then visited Soloman.

This week we hope to have the baptisms of Soloman and Daniel.  Please pray for them.  They need to have the confidence in the spiritual experiences they have already had and go forward with faith.  We are going to do all we can to make it happen! bThis week is also moves call, and I have no idea what will happen.  I will let you know next week.  I love you guys! 🍀  Elder Copeland

Week 87 - April 2, 2018

HAPPY EASTER!

Hiya, fam!  I hope you had a Happy Easter and are enjoying Hawaii!  This week was really just your normal missionary routine, but I'll go through the days :)

Tuesday:  We started off with something a little different than District Meetings.  We had a Zone Training Day.  We were able to present our Zone with some training tips and do a lot of role-plays to help our missionaries master the basics of PMG!  

After ZTD, we GQ'd quite a lot, and in the afternoon, Elder Huang and I visited Peter's family.  They doing well as always, I love them so much.  In the evening, we drove down to Edinburgh.

Wednesday:  Today we were on exchanges with the Assistants.  I was with Elder Grant, like old times!  We GQ'd a lot, and I got to see Yvonne and Imogen.  They're both the best :))  We also taught two of Elder Grant's friends--Carrie and Shevon.  It was a good day! 

Thursday:  In the morning, we went over to Soloman's.  We had a pretty deep discussion about authority, and he ordered us some pizza afterwards.  The man is just amazing in every aspect of his life.  He needs to be baptized already!  After Soloman, we GQ'd a lot.  Not many people wanted to talk. Later on, we had a lesson with Shona.  She has no reason not to be baptized, but she just likes her city church, fair enough!  We can only offer the restored gospel, it's up to them to accept it.  In the evening, we taught Daniel who is progressing well.  He is learning from the Jehovah's Witnesses as well, we will have to sort that out haha. 

Friday:  Today we were on exchanges with Motherwell, and I was with Elder Baake from Germany.  We were able to GQ most of the day and meet with Bir!  Ahh!  I missed him.  He is doing well but so busy with his PHD.  Hopefully we see him again this week.  We were going to drop off the Motherwell Elders in the evening, and we drove by a Catholic service going for Good Friday, so we thought we would check it out. and ah, it was terrifying.  Very ritualistic and a lot of repetition of people following the priest.  We only stayed for a minute, but on the way out, I grabbed some stuff from a table that said "free," like programs and a pamphlet, and the priest stops his service, yells, "EXCUSE ME," and walks over to me.  He asks why did we come in.  I say to listen to the service and see the building, and he asks me to give back his flippen materials.  I give him a bit of cheek though ;)  I ask him, "Oh, are they not free?"  But then he replies, "No!" and grabs them out of my hand.  Ahhh wow!  I was boiling, but I walked out laughing, can't even get a picture of the Savior from the Catholics for free.  We taught Daniel afterwards.

Saturday:  We drove over to Soloman's in the morning to start a fast with him to know if he should be baptized in the next week.  Afterwards, our lessons fell through so it was out GQ'ing!  I think I am being tested on my patience because we are posted up on Buchanan Street and... I get into a huge bash with another Catholic, calling me manipulative, cult, of the devil, etc. etc.  I asked him to explain to me some of his church's doctrine and he couldn't.  Classic.  But ah well.  The evening was great.  We headed over to the church and heard from the Prophet for Conference, I needed it :)

Sunday:  Conference all day, and I loved it!  The changes are inspired and I know we are led by the Savior in these decisions.  I am excited to see these changes implemented as well when I come home.  In the evening, Soloman had us over for some African food.  This man is too good! 

He gave a fire sermon to us about Easter and honestly I look up to him.  He didn't answer our question if he received an answer to be baptized or not yet, however.  We will see him loads this week! 

I hope this week that we may find some new people to teach! Please pray for Daniel and Soloman, as they are looking to be baptized next week. I love you all ! 😇  Elder Copeland

Week 86 - March 26, 2018

Twenty Months!

Hiya, fam!  We had a really busy week.  I can't believe I hit 20 months.  I am an old missionary now..   and I am just trying to keep up with the emailing today, to be honest haha.  We have some fun P-day plans, so i'll go through my days! 

Tuesday:  We were able to teach Daniel and get some lunch with him, as well as Soloman!  We drove around a bit more as well helping move more missionaries. 

Wednesday:  We taught a girl named Myriam who was pretty Catholic.  I still can never agree with someone who claims that we are born sinners and that without baptism we go to hell.  She legit said that a baby who dies in a minute or two just goes to hell... that was how the conversation in a few words went.  I didn't control myself very well and told her she needed to repent and was wrong and to read scriptures.. aha.  

Later on we GQ'd and had to go and clean out another flat for the mission.  In the evening, we taught Daniel again. 

Thursday:  We woke up early and headed over to Edinburgh for Mission Leadership Council.  It was great.  I loved seeing all of my friends and a lot of Elders from my group are there. We talked mostly about the future of the mission and what President Donaldson would like from us before we head home.  That took up most of the day, and in the evening we came back to Glasgow and Elder Bain was able to baptize a guy named Fred from Hong Kong for the Sisters! 

Friday:  We prepared for our Zone Leadership Council, GQ'd, and taught some lessons.  Shona was able to meet, but really isn't progressing well.  She has random questions from all over the scriptures that really don't make sense.  I just don't think she has the true intent yet, so we will try and help her.  We also taught three new people.  Louise is a lady who just wanted someone to hear her vent, which I guess that's what missionaries are for?  But, also, there were these two Americans walking by me and I heard one of them say, "Mormons just can't be seduced?"  I thought he was taking a shot at us, so I started chasing them down saying, "What was that mate?"  But it turns out he didn't even see us and legit had that question and was talking about it with his friend, and so we had an on the spot with them and explained why we are so true to our standards, and hopefully we'll be seeing them again soon haha.  Their names are Nick and Ben from Baltimore.  Rest of the day we GQ'd

Saturday:  We were able to have Zone Leadership Conference in the morning and the Assistants came.  It was good!  We talked about putting light into this transfer, especially since it's only four weeks.  

We really just want our missionaries to be excited to serve wherever they are and realize the potential our Father in Heaven has for them!  After ZLC,  we taught Hao, Soloman, and GQ'd some more. 

Sunday:  We were able to have Daniel attend church with us.  My favorite part about being back in Glasgow is seeing Peter's family each week and seeing Peter passing the sacrament, ahh it is the best!  They are doing so well.  

After church, we GQ'd and taught a new guy named Jonathan from Hong Kong who was pretty cool.  He really has a desire to find God and we are hopefully seeing him again this week. 

So, that's the week summed up.  A lot of little things just come up during moves week that you have to take care of, so we didn't have a whole lot of solid time to work, but I am excited for the week ahead.  I love you all!  Elder Copeland 

Week 85 - March 20, 2018

Stayin' in Glasgow!

Hiya, fam.  Sorry for the late email this week.  Yesterday was buck wild.  I have some time to email today instead, but I am going to quickly go through my week because I have a lot to do.

Tuesday:  We went to District Meetings, Elder Swenson was late because of their landlord, so I conducted a DM again which was fun.  You learn a lot when you teach others! Afterwards, we were on exchanges with the Cumbernauld Elders!  We were planning on going out and finding, but we got a call saying a missionary flat was being shut down, so we spent the majority of the day having to clean it out and move loads of supplies.  In the evening, we had some GQ'ing though before we sent them off.

Wednesday:  In the morning, we were able to go out and GQ.  We met up with Hao at lunch and went to this pretty good Chinese place.  We taught him more about the church, but he is really busy right now, so it's a slow process. Afterwards, we GQ'd then drove out to Motherwell to give them supplies.  We drove back in and GQ'd in the evening.

Thursday:  We were on exchanges with the Knightswood Elders.  Elder Brockbank and I helped the Sisters with their car getting fixed, and GQ'd a lot.  For lunch, a member named Phutti from Cambodia had all the missionaries meet at this well posh restaurant and hooked us up with a Chinese feast!!  

In the evening we also got to help with Rex's baptism. It was a great service and the guy is a legend.  Elder Swenson was able to baptize him and he was confirmed on Sunday.

Friday:  We GQ'd quite a bit.  At lunch we went out with Sister Sun and Lei, and Elder Huang and Swenson.  Sister Lei is heading home to Brazil and then China.  She was amazing for the mission.  We will miss her.  We were able to teach Daniel, who is progressing well, and Soloman, too. Later, Elder Pelham was able to give a baptismal interview. 

Saturday:  We were on Exchanges with the Airdire DL.  We GQ'd most the day.  We had a lesson with a girl named Louise who showed up and started up the escalator with us to sit down on some benches on the top floor then said she needed coffee and just bolted.  It was wild.  She never showed up?  She texted later on saying she had an anxiety attack and wants to reschedule for this week.  In the evening, we got our moves call.  I will be staying in Glasgow Zone training Elder Bain from Bountiful, which is cool.  He knows the Johnsons!  Elder Pelham got called to Belfast with Elder Nelson.

Sunday:  It snowed again?!  Church was only an hour long. We were able to have Daniel and Shona come with us to church.  Elder Pelham said his goodbyes and we mostly move planned for the day!  We had 10 Elders sleeping over in our wee flat in the evening, which was tight haha. 

Monday:  Elder Pelham left for a ferry early in the morning, so I was left to move 25 missionaries all around Glasgow for the day using different Elders at different times to help me.  It. Was. Intense.  I am still recovering from it hahaha.  

Elder Bain got here in the evening, and we got our haircuts and grabbed groceries. 

This next transfer is only four weeks?!?  So before ya know it, I will be getting another moves call.  I hope to be able to lead the Zone and be an example to the missionaries around me as we work hard and see the miracles!  I love you all, hope you had a good St. Patricks Day.  I heard a guy tell me that St. Pattys is the only day everyone in Scotland talks like they're Irish and goes out partying, which was true haha.  I'll talk to you more next week! 🍀 Elder Copeland

Dumbarton Castle

Week 84 - March 12, 2018

Top Notch Week!

Another week in Glasgow for Elder Pelham and me!  We were able to get some work done and no snow stopped us! 

Tuesday:  We had our Zone's District Meetings.  I went into Elder Swenson's.  We talked about the Holy Ghost, its key converting power, as well as always having a happy expectation as we arise to work.  After Dm's, we dropped Elders off at bus stations and headed over for a lesson with a new Chinese guy named Frank.  He is okay.  He actually only really talked to us on the street and we never sat down with him, but we invited him to sit down with us this week and have a better lesson, and he agreed to that.  Afterwards, we GQ'd and taught Shona in the evening.  She just has all these interesting questions, that are good, but won't benefit in helping her know whether or not the church is true.  We re focused her on receiving an answer from the Holy Ghost before learning all of these doctrinal concerns.  We drove over to Rafael's and he had his baptismal interview and passed!  On the way back, we drove by Cimmie's and she got me an Imagine Dragons sweatshirt from their concert she went to.  Ahh, she is a legend!! 

Wednesday:  Today we were on exchanges.  I was with Elder Elton who is a Chinese speaker in my group.  We were able to GQ quite a bit, teach Cimmie, as well as teach Mark.  We set him with a baptismal date for the end of the month! The only problem is he works on Sundays, but he said he is quitting his job soon, so that will help!  In the evening, I was able to interview Rex, and we took our car in and got it all fixed up!

Thursday:  Today was a load of GQing, and we set up for the baptism.  In the evening, we were able to have our friends Sophia and Rafael's baptism and the sisters had their friend Clinton as well! :)  It was a really spiritual service, and I continually thank Heavenly Father for producing these miracles.

Friday:  Today we were on exchanges.  I was with Elder Gunderson.  We GQ'd the entire day except for lunch.  It was Elder Huang's birthday and they told us to show up at this Chinese place, and Yvonne, Zoe, and Sherry were there from Edinburgh!  It was great to see them!  I got to teach Yvonne afterwards, as well.  She is doing well.  She is preparing to get her Patriarchal Blessing and continue going to the temple.  I, also, did two baptismal interviews for the Chinese sisters.  It was a good day!

Saturday:  It was another day full of finding, but in the evening we headed over to Soloman's to teach him.  Ah man, the guy is an absolute legend.  He knows the church is true. He just needs to push the fear of leaving his Catholic traditions away and he will be dunked.  We had a spiritual powerhouse lesson and testified of the temple and the blessings the Lord has in store for him!

Sunday:  We were able to have our Chinese friends Jacko, and Daniel with us, and Soloman, also, came.  Sophia and Rafael were able to be confirmed, woo!  Church was good. Afterwards, I had another baptismal interview with a girl named Amanda, and then the Assistants brought over the Zone's mail.  After that, we GQ'd for the day. 

This week is moves call.  Crazy to think I only have three left.  I have no idea if I will stay or go, but Glasgow Zone is doing well and I hope to keep that momentum going forward into the next transfer.  I love you guys and am thankful for all you do.  Have a great week! 😇  Elder Copeland

Week 83 - March 5, 2018

Beast from the East!

This week was cold! ❄ A huge storm hit the U.K. and really slowed the work down for us, but we still saw some miracles!

Tuesday:  Today was Scotland South, Elder Pelham and I gave 2 instructions on utilizing the Book of Mormon in our finding, as well as giving Jesus Christ's voice in our teachings!  That took of a majority of the day.  

On our way home, it was getting pretty snowy outside, and we let Elder Swenson drive.  He slipped, and our car is a bit unaligned.. aha . Whoops. should be getting it fixed tonight! 

Wednesday:  We drove over to the church in the morning and had our interviews with President.  It was well.  I love him so much.  We talked about my focuses for these last few months of my mission and what he needs me to do! Afterwards, we planned on helping getting missionaries back and forth from the church, but the blizzard started picking up and he said to cancel it and make sure missionaries don't get stuck out there!  We drove back to our flat and the storm hit pretty bad.  We were stuck in the flat the entire rest of the day.. I have never seen a storm that bad! 

Thursday:  Today was just as bad with the weather, but we tried to get out!  All the mission cars were grounded, but we walked over and got a subway to the west side of the city and towards the church.  By this point, the storm was getting well bad, so we went into the church and worked on a new plan President has for Sundays.  Elder Swenson and Huang came over and we all just chilled in the church waiting for the storm to pass.  There was a One-Pound pizza left in the fridge and so we decided to throw it in the oven.  We forgot about it, and an hour later we go running into the kitchen, smoke is everywhere and well, we trashed that pizza haha.  

We realized that the subway was shut down because of how bad the weather was, so we went with Elder Swenson and Huang to sleep over.  On our way back, these people from across the street started to have a snowball fight with us.  It was fun, and then these uni kids in their room a few stories up opened the window and started throwing snowballs, too!  We threw some up into their flat and hit the people across the street haha.

Friday:  The weather was pretty rubbish still, but we got up and over to the subway and trekked back to our flat.  We got showered and headed back over into the west end to see Sophia.  We had lunch and then talked to her more about baptism, and I asked her, "What is holding you back from being baptized?" and she said, "Nothing!" :O  So Elder Pelham and I did the movie reaction where we just both look at each-other and smile hahhah.  She will be getting baptized this Thursday!  We walked over to the church with her and she had her interview and passed. Afterwards, the snow began to pick up again so we went and had dinner with the STL's, GQ'd, and headed home.

Saturday:  Finally, the weather was clearing up a bit so we could drive around.  We ended up GQ'ing most of the day, and in the evening we met with RC Joe who had just been to the temple.  He is a legend.  He reminds me a lot of Elder Wang, which makes me miss him!

Sunday:  Well, this was a first, our church service was cancelled due to the Weather?!  Yikes!  None of our friends could come to church.  We decided to dedicate some time to finding a family.  President's new theme is that on Sundays all missionaries will go out to smaller towns in their areas and work with part members, less actives, and hopefully find some new families to share the gospel with!  We found out where a really cool French family is, so we will hopefully meet them this week.  In the evening, we had another cool experience.  We were able to get in contact with Rafael who disappeared and wasn't answering his calls.  His grandmother had passed away on Monday, and he really just shut down.  We had a powerful lesson on the Plan of Salvation and about baptism.  He committed to being baptized this Saturday and be that example for his family, as well as help them do their own temple work one day. Miracles!! 

So the week was a bit slower, but we still had a lot of success and miracles.  This week, we should be on a few exchanges and we are hoping to find more friends to teach leading into the transfer ahead.  Please pray for Rafael and Sophia at this time as they progress towards Heavenly Father through the covenant of baptism!  I love you all!  Have a great week!

Elder Copeland