Last email in the U.S
A wild, great, blessing-filled six weeks of home MTC has come and gone. These past six weeks have been so amazing. I've proven to myself that I can learn a language, increase my testimony, and meet many missionaries just like me--all from my home, without having to be in Mexico. I am so grateful for the chance to spend these six weeks in my own home, with my family, and have my last weeks with them in the United States.
My whole life has led up to September 8th, 2021. Every experience, trial, success in my life has prepared me to be able to serve a mission and be the missionary that I am going to be. I know that Heavenly Father and the Holy Ghost have molded me into who I am today and have helped me to become someone worthy to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ. Ever since I can remember, I've wanted to serve a mission, and in three short days I'll be doing just that In Guatemala. How lucky I am to be able to do that. How lucky I am to have been raised in the church and raised being taught these truths that I know. How lucky I am to be healthy, worthy, and fit to teach others. Especially somewhere where it's hard like Guatemala. To be able to have the endurance and strength to work hard and know that what I'm working so hard for is the best thing that I can be doing on this earth at this time. How lucky I am to have a testimony of the gospel that I will be teaching. How lucky I am, to be who I am. Without my Heavenly Father, I could not be who I am. Without the gospel, my family, my trials, I could not be who I am and the missionary I will be in three days.
I am so grateful for how the MTC has prepared me. In my Spanish, testimony, and knowledge of the gospel. I will never forget the six weeks that I sat in front of my computer, itching to get to Guatemala and start being a part of the people there. My district and teachers are people I will never forget as well and hope to see in person one day and thank them face to face for the time we had together.
Last night, I was shooting hoops by myself outside which I like to do a lot, to have time to myself and just think about life while doing what I love.
And I noticed that every time a new chapter in my life starts or is about to happen, there is always a really cool sunset. Before my senior year, before basketball season, before we moved back to Sunnyside, right before I was set apart as a missionary, and then last night thinking about leaving in three days, there have been amazing sunsets. (Or maybe that's just when I notice them). But it brings me so much peace when that happens because it shows me a message of, "Alright, what's next." Like I have a chance to take a deep breath and focus myself on what's next in my life, or whatever my next goal I have is. I always think of Cannon during those sunsets as well because I know he's looking at them, too, with me, and is ready to go along with me in my next part of life. And he'll be right there with me to see all of them in Guatemala as well.
I couldn't be more ready to be God's hands on this earth and gather Israel. I liked the scripture in Doctrine and Covenants 122 verse 9. It says, "Therefore, hold on thy way, and the priesthood shall remain with thee; for their bounds are set, they cannot pass. Thy days are known, and thy years shall not be numbered less; therefore, fear not what man can do, for God shall be with you forever and ever." This scripture brings me peace because how it says God shall be with you forever and ever. I know that by doing his work, he will be with me, that he will keep me safe and lead those who are in need of his message through the Holy Ghost. And I can't wait to do that for him, and for the people to receive that Joy from our message for themselves.
Alright, I don't know when I'll be sending my next email. Whenever my P-day is next week. But I want to tell you all that I'm ready and am going to work as hard as I can these next 23 months. Email me whenever you want, I'd love to talk about how it's going throughout. These emails are in "bcc" as well, so only I can see your responses to my emails. So feel free to respond anytime to these. Love you all and will see you guys in two!
Time to go to work.
- Elder Copeland
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