Week 4 - August 22, 2021

 2 weeks to go

Another really fast week.  These past 2 have flown by.  I got my flight plans for Guatemala this week, so I'm starting to only think about getting to Guatemala and how it's going to be.  I fly out of Pasco at 5:30 am and won't get to Guatemala City until 5 pm that day.  I'll connect through Denver and then Houston, and then it's a 3 and half hour drive to Xela so I'm not sure if I'll go that night or stay in Guatemala City until the next day.  That day is going to be very long.  Looking forward to it though and just getting out into the real field.

This week was great.  I can really see a significant difference in my Spanish from when I started.  It makes me feel reassured that I am learning from Home MTC, and my Spanish is slowly getting better.

Everyday this week felt the same.  Morning classes and afternoon classes, with working out and some hoops at the end of the day.  But this week was probably my favorite because I got to go out and proselyte with the Spanish missionaries that are in the branch in Sunnyside.  It was so cool.  The Elders picked me up at 5:30 and we just went place to place talking to kids, people on their porch, or anybody that we saw/ knew.  

We walked around three trailer parks and knocked on doors that the missionaries have talked to before.  We were not that lucky in getting people to answer the door, but it was so cool to just not be behind a computer and actually using the little Spanish that I know to talk to some people with the missionaries.  

We drove and walked around until 8pm and were able to have two lessons with people.  One was with somebody who the Elders had never talked to before, and one guy who has been an investigator for a while and is hoping to be baptized soon.  I could understand about 90% of what they were saying and teaching which was nice, but I was more there to learn rather than teach.  But I was able to testify in Spanish in both lessons about the importance of the Book of Mormon and also what the Holy Ghost does in our lives.  It was amazing to actually testify to a real investigator rather than to my online companion or a member that pretends to be an investigator during Zoom.

Today I also went to the Spanish branch and was able to hear both of the Elders that I went with, give talks.  I also blessed the Sacrament in Spanish, which I know I'll probably be doing a lot of in Guatemala, so it was nice to do that here in Sunnyside.  I'm going to go teach with the Elders again tonight, so I'm excited to do that again and hopefully be able to have some more discussions.

I'm excited to keep getting better at Spanish and have more experiences where I can testify of what I know is true and be able to show people what brings me happiness and be able to invite them to experience that happiness for themselves.  I can't wait to get to Guatemala, (I say that after every email so I'll have to come up with something different for when I actually do get to Guatemala).  I know that the work I am doing now will pay off and Ill be able to teach people as soon as I get there if I keep working hard.

Love you all.

- Elder Copeland

Week 3 - August 15, 2021

Another week down. 

This missionary thing is getting easy . . . just kidding.  But I am feeling normal now, I'm used to the 7 hours of Zoom everyday and waking up 5 hours earlier than I normally would.  (Maybe 7 or 8 on some days before the mission).  But now I feel as if it is normal and not just because I am a missionary that I have to live like one, if that makes sense.

This week flew by.  Which makes up for last week feeling like it would never end.  The days feel together now, same thing everyday but still learning more and more.  It has been fun learning and seeing myself grow with my Spanish, testimony, and knowledge of the scriptures.  I'm loving how home MTC has gone and is going, but every week of this makes me want to get to Guatemala more and more.

This Monday, Brenly, my mom, and I flew back from Utah. Walking through the SLC airport as a missionary was interesting.  Everyone sees me holding a baby and walking with my mom and probably thought that I was coming home early from my mission.  Which is not a good feeling haha.  But, it was cool to see some other missionaries there as well who are starting their journeys like me--even though I was flying home from a family wedding and still have 3 more weeks of MTC.

Tuesday was like every other day this week.  Wake up, classes from 7-11.  Then lunch break.  Then afternoon classes from 2:30 - 5:30 with companion study afterwards.  Then I workout, shoot hoops outside with all 40 neighbor kids that come over to play, protein shake, and get ready for bed.

It's so much fun being able to go outside everyday and play basketball with every kid in the neighborhood for a little bit. There will be 15-30 kids outside everyday, in the summer, perfect temperature, having fun.  It's the best thing to go out there with them and have a good time.  I love wearing my missionary tag while doing it because the kids will ask me what it's for and I can share with them what a mission is and why I'm wearing it.  And because I'm missing out on the Mexico MTC pickup basketball games, being able to play with other kids here at home isn't far behind. 

My Spanish is coming along, muy despacio, but coming.  My companion and I have had to teach 12-15 minute messages to somebody all in Spanish regarding anything we want.  We've done a message on the poder de oracion, and just did one two days ago about El plan de salvacion.  They both went well . . . for being three weeks into learning Spanish, but we are getting better everyday.

While I was outside playing basketball this week, one of the kids asked me, "Well what do you get from it?" (my mission). And I kind of froze for a sec, I know what I get from it, but I wanted to tell him something that he could relate to or understand.  So I took a second and said, "Have you ever taught someone something that you were good at, or someone needed help with something and you could help them?"  And he shrugged his shoulder meaning like, sure, yeah.  So I said, "Well, you feel good when you do that, right? Well, imagine helping people for two years straight, in a Third World Country, and then think about how you would feel afterwards."  I wanted to tell him more about what we help them with and how the gospel is what we help people with to find happiness and peace, but I thought what I told him got the message across. 

Because of this kid's question that he asked me, I've been thinking throughout this week what I am getting out of this.  I have a lot of thoughts, answers but the main ones I think of are . . . Doing the Lord's work on this earth by helping gather Israel.  Bringing peace and joy into other people's lives through the gospel, which makes me happy. Strengthening and growing my faith and my testimony in the gospel and in our Heavenly Father.  The blessings that I will receive which will affect me for the rest of my life and my future family as well.  And many others that I think about throughout the day while sitting behind this screen.

I know this will be so worth it when I'm finished, and in two years I'll be walking in the airport again, without a baby (hopefully), feeling as if I've done all I can to do those things that I listed and receive the blessings from doing so.

Love you all and hope you aren’t tired of my emails already❤️

- Elder Copeland

Week 2 - August 8, 2021

 What a week it has been.  I don’t think there have been as many weeks in my life where it was as busy as this week. 

First, my classes for home MTC have been very rigorous.  From having to memorize a lot to paying attention to every word said during class so that I can respond in Spanish, if necessary.  And to be able to pick up more words and phrases.  It has been a demanding week, to say the least, and I know my district would say the same.  It helps knowing there are others who are going through the same thing with you, but still the task is not going to come easy.  I know that with time I’ll get better and better, just keep grinding away. 

On Monday and Tuesday we had to prepare and give our first message to members all in Spanish.  It was a little scary thinking about it with a lot of preparation, but as got started I was able to deliver what I thought to be a decent message about the power of praying diligently.  It’s not easy but it’s definitely getting us better as speaking to native speakers.

On Wednesday, we had to get up at 4 am to be able to fly to Utah for Lauren’s wedding and Tyson's homecoming.  Wednesdays are my P-day so I’m able to do things before my classes start that afternoon. Arrived at our house here, worked out, and had afternoon classes.  Then went to the park with other Elders and played some hoops.  It’s so cool to play with other Elders.  I wish I was doing it in Mexico right now, but Alpine is alright.

Thursday during my break, Cameron connected with an old friend to get us a tour of the BYU basketball facility and watch a summer practice.  Ten-year-old me would have started crying tears of joy while doing that. It was super cool.

Friday we had to practice meeting someone and setting up a meeting with them, which had to last 12-15 minutes.  Very scary as well, but went well.  I actually surprised myself with how much I’m able to understand and then respond with to somebody else. I can definitely see the strides I’ve taken since starting a week and a half ago.  Then we had Lauren’s sealing and reception.  It was very cool to be in the sealing room for their wedding.  It shows how important the church is in our lives and how important the covenants are we make with the Lord when we are in the temple. 

 

Saturday, classes all day, then went to dinner with all of the family, and to see some lots in Alpine.  Super hazy in Utah so got some cool pictures of the sky.

Today, Sunday, Ella's family was so nice to come over and say goodbye to me.  They have been so kind to me since meeting them.

Then had Tyson’s homecoming talk which he did a great job on.  The whole time I was just thinking about when I have to give my homecoming talk and share with everyone the experiences I will have and how hard I’ve worked and will work.  Then Tyson's open house and got to say goodbye to everyone for the last time In person. 

Then, we were supposed to fly out today, but there was some trouble knowing where our I.Ds were, so now we’re taking the 11 pm flight back to Washington tonight. 

Very, very long week with many more long weeks to come.  And I’m only in week 2, yikes.  But, I’m enjoying every second of having the name tag on.  There’s times that I know if I wasn’t a missionary, I would not have acted the same way or been as collected about certain situations.  It truly is a blessing to be a missionary and have the blessings it gives to me for being one.  My Spanish is minimal right now but can’t wait to get to Guatemala and start having to use only Spanish. 

Love you all❤️

- Elder Copeland 

Week 1 - August 1, 2021

 My first ever missionary email!

Home MTC has been amazing.  It is still so fresh to be a missionary, but I'm loving it.  Seeing all of the new Elders and Hermanas just like me that are starting their journeys on the mission is so cool when we are all together on Zoom for workshops.  The feeling of all of us having the same goal and working so hard to accomplish it, is a real testimony builder. The days are long, but I'm having fun learning Spanish, trying to get better at understanding more scriptures and just building what I know to be true everyday.  My desk is so crowded with materials like "Preach My Gospel," scriptures, journals, Spanish pamphlets, and everything else that I use all the time. 

My district of 11 other missionaries are great, most are going to Guatemala as well or El Salvador, but nobody else is going to Quetzaltenango.  We are starting to become more open with each other and talking more with each other since Wednesday.  My companion, Elder Tenney is great, we both share the same love for Christ and both really want to get better at Spanish. 

There have not been too many "normal days" because we just started, but a normal day consists of waking up at 5:30, showering, getting ready, personal study until our Zoom classes start at 7.  Then we have class until 11:30.  Yes, 4 and a half hours.  But, it doesn't feel like it at all.  When you are focused and concentrated on every word that our teacher is saying (because 75% of it is in Spanish), you have to pay attention to understand what she is teaching and how we can apply it, the classes go by a lot faster than what over four hours feels like.  Then we have our lunch time, which I have been using to eat breakfast and workout.  Those of you that know me know that I can't eat breakfast when I first wake up. So I'll start with chocolate milk before morning classes and then actually eat something during lunch time.  I have been working out twice a day.  It's so nice to have a set plan every day to be able to commit to working out.  Yesterday marked 25 straight days of lifting weights, with some exceptions haha.  But I've never felt stronger than how I feel right now and am excited to keep doing so over the next 6 weeks.  After lunch is over, we start our afternoon classes, which are with a different instructor.  We go over the same things as the first class usually, just in a different way.  For instance, we have "Spanish Basic Core" or "Book of Mormon read" or Grammar instruction, stuff like that.  I can say that these things we are learning and getting better at are happening fast.  It's been three days and I can already tell how much better my Spanish is then when we've started.  During or after our afternoon classes, we will have a workshop with all 278 new missionaries just like me who are doing the Mexico MTC from home on Zoom.  The Spirit is so strong during those workshops because you can see all of the other missionaries who are going all around the world to teach those who need to hear our Heavenly Father's message.  After we are done with all of our classes, my companion and I do a companion study and plan for the next day.  There isn't much to plan because we already have a schedule for 90 percent of the day, but it's good to go over our goals and update on where we are on them.  Usually our goals are how much Spanish we want to learn before a certain time or about what we want to get out of our classes.  

Once I am done with that then I'll go workout again in the garage, shower, eat dinner and then get ready for bed.  Before bed, I will do some more personal study, write down in my journal what I've learned, how the day went and how I felt during it.  Then I'll be in bed around 8:30 and be asleep before 9.

We have been learning a lot about the Gift of Tongues, so far. That we need to pray and work for it to be able to obtain it.  I know that I have the Gift of Tongues, I just need to keep working on learning Spanish and it will come to me.  I'm excited to continue working hard on Spanish, my knowledge of the gospel, and what I know to be true through my testimony. Even though I don't have the Spanish down yet, I'm so ready to get to Guatemala and start sharing the message that we have.  Even If I could only teach by example, I would want to.  I know that when the time comes and I am able to get there, I am going to work so hard on teaching and spreading the gospel to those around me, and my Heavenly Father will bless me to be able to do so.

Our first scripture that we have to memorize in Spanish so far is Moroni 10:5.  It reads "Y por el poder del Espíritu Santo podréis conocer la verdad de todas las cosas."  Which means by the power of the Holy Ghost, we can know the truth of all things.  This is so true because it is the Holy Ghost that teaches us, the one that confirms that what we are learning and going to teach to others is true.  Since being set apart as a missionary, I know the Holy Ghost has been with me so much more than ever.  When we strive to live as our Heavenly Father wants us to, we can have the Holy Ghost with us and have that feeling it brings with it.

On Thursday, after my afternoon classes, I closed my browser that had Zoom open in it, and ESPN was open in my dad's browser that was behind mine, and it was showing how the NBA draft was happening.  And I had no idea the draft was going on, I had totally forgotten from before I was a missionary that the draft was coming up.  As I was sitting there, this overwhelming feeling came over me about how distant from the world I already am.  In past years, I would know exactly when, where, who, what was happening in the NBA draft.  But now I don't even care.  I wasn't upset that I didn't know it was happening, because I had this feeling come over me that I have a different goal.  That I have a different mindset on what it is I need to be doing.  And that feeling was so strong that I had.  It was that I know what I'm doing is right and Heavenly Father will bless me for it.

I am starting to get used to the missionary schedule, but I'm excited to get to where it is completely normal to do what I'm doing everyday.  Which is hopefully in Guatemala soon. 

Sorry for the super long email, they won't be this long in the future haha.  I just had so much I wanted to say about how amazing missionary work is and how I feel about it.

Hope everyone is doing well, Love you all!

- Elder Copeland

Setting Apart as a Missionary - July 26, 2021

 Elder Copeland was officially set apart as a missionary by President Hendricks, Stake President of the Yakima, Washington Stake.  This is the priesthood ordinance of giving authority to members called to labor in specific responsibilities.  It is done by those having the proper priesthood authority and by the laying on of hands.  He was given a beautiful blessing and many promises were made if he would devote these next two years to the Lord and be obedient in all his responsibilities.  He was told there would be people waiting specifically for him to come to hear the word of the Lord.  He was then able to officially put on his name tag as a missionary for the next two years.

President Hendricks and Elder Copeland

President Hendricks, Elder Copeland, and President Linde, First Counselor 

Elder Copeland with his parents and sister.

All priesthood holders who stood in on the setting apart ordinance.

President and Sister Linde

Elder Copeland with his Aunt Anne Copeland and cousins Mason and Gavin from Texas.

Grandparents George and Laura Copeland with Elder Copeland

 Grandparents John and Brenda Robbins with Elder Copeland