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 

Week 82 - February 26, 2018

Thankful to be a Missionary!  19 Months!

Hiya, Fam, it was a busy week, but a good one.  I thought I would just express how grateful I am to be a missionary right now.  I hit 19 months this week, and it really is beginning to hit me how soon my mission will be over.  I am grateful for all that I have learned, am learning, and will continue to learn while I am here.  Heavenly Father has blessed me with this opportunity, and I strive to make the most out of it before it's finished! 

Tuesday:  We attended some District Meetings, and did some role plays on JSH.  After Dm's, we helped drop off Elders at bus stations and rushed over to Edinburgh!  We were able to discuss more with President Donaldson, as well as the Glasgow Bishop, about the plans for the missionaries here.  I love watching President work.  He is powerful in his teaching and leading.  He made some E moves to the Glasgow Zone to fit the new needs of the boundaries.  We had to rush back to Glasgow and take some Elders moving to the stations!  After all that, we were able to teach a new guy named Ahmaed, and we should be seeing him again this week. 

Wednesday: We GQ'd and taught Sofia, Mark, and Herman, some new friends! Also had a meeting with the Bishop in the evening to go over more of the vision for the new Glasgow ward and where the missionaries can fit into it all! It's a transition for the ward as well as the missionaries and everyone wants it to be smooth!

Thursday:  We GQ'd, then taught Talal, Peter, Rafael, and Shona!  I went to Peter and his family with Elder Huang.  He is doing amazing.  His goal is to go to the temple again with his family and be sealed this year.  When he said that, I had tears in my eyes.  What an amazing convert to the gospel.  I am excited to see his family continually progress!  We drove to Edinburgh again in the evening.

Friday:  We were on exchanges with the AP's for two days.  I was with Elder Wright.  We taught some of his friends, and also had a really cool on the spot with a girl I found!  In the evening, we went over and had a Hot Pot with some of my RC's.  AHH, I miss them!  It was great to be with them and catch up for a wee bit. 

Saturday:  Loads of finding as well as some lessons!  Cool story.  Last transfer, I was with Elder Gibb on exchanges in Edinburgh.  The very last guy I talked to was a man named Peter.  I didn't think much of it, but I got his number and set up a time for Elder Gibb and Wright to see him the next week.  Long story short, he met that next week, and has continued to meet, reading the entire Book of Mormon, and will be being baptized this week!  WOOO!  That was amazing when I heard all of that.  Sadly, I didn't get to see him, but I hope to next time.  You never know how big or small your efforts may be, who they will affect! 

Sunday:  We had four of our friends at church!  It's a proper big ward now, which is exciting.  After church, we went over to Grands, and did some GQ'ing!

We were asked to give a 2-hour instruction tomorrow at Scotland-South Conference, so we gotta plan that.  I am excited!  This week, we will be able to work more in our area as well, so we should see some results!  Thankful to each of you for all your love and support.  Have a great week! 💚

Elder Copeland

Week 81 - February 19, 2018

I GOT FREE YEEZYS!

Hiya, Fam!  Not a lot of time today, so I will go through the week now.

Tuesday:  All of the Sisters in the SIM went to Edinburgh for a Sisters' Conference where they played games and did yoga haha, so all the Elders in our Zone had a big District Meeting. We talked more about the power of the Book of Mormon in our finding and teaching and did some role-plays.  Afterwards, Elder Pelham and I GQ'd for the day, and we went and visited Grand!

Wednesday:  We had some lessons planned that fell through, but we were able to see Peong.  He was doing good.  He had read the Book Of Mormon, but then he said he doesn't care to know if it's true and he is fine being wrong if he dies..... Well... we were walking out of his home and he had some shoes holding the door open.  I asked them what they were.  He said he had no idea.  His flatmate left them with him when he went home to Thailand and he had only worn them twice.  I asked him I could try them on and told him I think they are the new Yeezy 350s.  He said go ahead.  I put them on and they fit perfectly.  He said to keep them... WHAT!!!  I was flipping out.  These are $800 shoes and they are pretty much brand new.  I told him there is no way.  They are worth so much, and he said, "No, I don't care, I wouldn't have known their value anyways, and I don't wear them." AHHH!!  So we sadly had one investigator dropped, but happily one pair of Yeezys gained today haha! 😁

Thursday:  Today we were on exchanges with Elder Swenson and Elder Huang.  I was with Huang, and it was Chinese New Years!!  We were able to GQ quite a lot, and met up with all the Chinese RC's for lunch and a Hot Pot in the evening.  It was a good day.  I love Huang and miss him!

Friday:  We GQ'd most of the day and had two new investigator lessons.  We met up with most of the Elders in the city and had a nice dinner as well, and some of the Elders decided to box, which was buck wild!  I was laughing my head off during it haha.

Saturday:  We had loads of lessons set up, and most flaked.. Frustrating!  In a big city, you can set up so many qualified appointments, but then people don't show!  We were able to teach a guy named Solomon from Nigeria who is pretty solid though!  I snapped a pic of Celtic Stadium on the drive back.

Sunday:  We had three of our friends at church today, Fernando, Rex, and Eric!  I was asked to give a talk for Sunday, so I had prepared all of my notes and scriptures and we show up to church and all the Stake Presidency is there, and they say I will not be giving my talk because there is a special announcement.  I was chillin' with that!  The big announcement is that the Springboig and Glasgow Ward will now be combined as one, which means we now have 16 missionaries in our ward.  That is the biggest on the mission! We got a call from President who asked us if we can go into his office today and discuss the changes for the missionaries and the Zone, so we are heading to Edinburgh soon!  We will see what happens.  That was pretty wild.  After church, we taught Fernando more, and GQ'd!

This week should be really busy.  We will have quite a few exchanges, but I am excited!  We just need to find some new solid people for March to be baptized and progress the ones we already have!  I love you all and hope you have a great week!  Elder Copeland

Week 80 - February 12, 2018

Good to be back in Glasgow!

Hiya, fam, it's been a busy week!  I am pretty chuffed to be back in Glasgow and for the Zone we have.  We have some high expectations for our area and for our missionaries!  We are going to celebrate Chinese New Year today with our friends, so it should be well good.

Tuesday:  We helped move missionaries around.  Glasgow is kind of the central point for all missionaries in Scotland moving, as well as missionaries coming from the ferry in Ireland, so we have to move a lot of people!  In the evening, we planned for our Zone what we want to achieve in this transfer with the STL's, and the new one is Sister Irving here! So we are back in the same area, which is fun haha.  She is a legend and we have a good time!

Wednesday:  We GQ'd a bit back at the uni!  Then we taught some of the friends Elder Pelham has been working with.  We taught Sofia, Shona, Neil, Rafael, and Joe.  Yep, back to teaching and being a lot busier!  It's actually cold in Glasgow right now though, and it snowed a few days this week!

Thursday:  Today we traveled to Edinburgh for MLC.  It was amazing.  President emphasized about giving Joseph voice in our Restoration lesson, and showed us a new way to teach it that brings the Spirit in powerfully.  We tried to use it more in our lessons this week and it worked well.  That took up the majority of the day.  On the drive home, we stopped at Anne's and had dinner though.  She is the best :) 

Friday:  We had our Zone Leadership Conference in the morning and presented our plans to the District leaders.  It went really well.  There are some really experienced missionaries here who have the potential to lead this mission with their examples.  It's fun seeing a lot of my comps every day as well and some missionaries I get along with.  So pumped for this transfer!  After ZLC, we taught Mandy, and then traveled to Dumbarton to do an interview. 

Saturday:  We had to help E-move some missionaries, and then we GQ'd.  Later on, we taught a new guy named Daniel. Some crazy Italian girl started yelling at us in Italenglish.  That was interesting.  In the evening, we took our friend Rafael to Stake Conference and he loved it!  We hope to be able to progress him more this week.

Sunday:  Today was Stake Conference, and we were able to have our friend Shona come with us!  It was great seeing all of my old friends, and Peter and his family were there.  Ahh, I gave him the biggest hug!  He is a legend!  He gave a talk last Stake Conference in Chinese and a missionary translated it.  

 Stake Conference in Glasgow

After Stake conference, we GQ'd and we met up with Peong, who I taught before!!  He forgot most of what he learned, and I am not sure what happened after I left, but we are going to re-teach him.  I also called Bir.  I will hopefully see him next week.  He is in Edinburgh right now for some research!

I love you all and hope you have a great week.  We are going to focus on progressing our friends and allowing the Spirit to direct their decisions, so please pray for them to be open and intent on receiving the truth 🍀  Elder Copeland