Week 74 - December 26, 2022

 2nd Christmas!  Merry Christmas everyone!  I hope you all enjoyed this Christmas and were able to be with family.  My Christmas was good.

This week we didn't have much luck with investigators, but as expected with everyone being busy with Christmas.  But me and my comp used our time to enjoy the huge market here and just be out of the house, experiencing all of the festivities. 

On Christmas Eve, we made our own Christmas dinner and got ready to watch all of the fireworks.  Here in Guatemala, every single person lights a crazy amount of fireworks at midnight on Christmas Eve and at midnight on New Year's. And so we went to the top of our apartment building and watched all of the fireworks go off. It's like nothing you've ever seen.  Just fireworks for miles nonstop for an hour. 

Crazy to think that I was here a year ago, too, and at times it feels like it's been three years since last Christmas, but other times it feels like a month.  I'm being in the moment as best as I can and am enjoying every second.  I know I'll be finishing before I know it.  It's not too much longer I'll be having a plaque, so I need to make the most of it.

I hope you all had a great Christmas, miss you all and enjoy the snow lol.

    - Elder Copeland

Week 73 - December 19, 2022

Xela Boy!  New transfer, first week in San Juan.  It's been exciting.

On Tuesday, we spent the whole day saying goodbye to members which wasn't fun, but I realized how many amazing relationships I've made during my three months in HueHue.  It was hard saying goodbye to all off them, especially with Christmas so close and them begging for me to ask President if I could stay longer.  But that night was the ward Christmas party, which was perfect, because I could say goodbye to everyone at the party and not leave anyone out.  We offered to help pass out the food for the party to all ~100 people, and it took so long that we didn't get home on time haha.  But the bishop and all of the members were like, "No, don't leave yet!" and telling us to stay until midnight lol.  But it was super great. You know if you've made good relationships in an area when the members tell you that their houses are open anytime for you to stay, and that they are family as well.  That's the best thing in the world.  I got a bunch of those during my good-byes and it made it even harder to leave.  I can't wait to go back when the temple is here in HueHue and see all of these people again.  I'll miss them and the ward.

But now I'm in Xela, which feels like a completely different mission, to be honest.  Even from a big city like HueHue, Xela just has everything.  But these past few days we've spent getting to know the area and trying to meet as many members as possible.  Luckily, on our first day here, we passed by the church to see it, and inside, the Relief Society was having an activity, which was perfect because we got to meet like 20 members all at once. 

Since getting here, all of the members have said, "Elders, it's so hard here, we don't get any baptisms and the people don't listen."  But in my couple of days here, we've already taught two lessons, and have seen so many miracles put in our path. There's a lot of work to be done here and I know we can have success.  I'm excited to see how much we can get done.

Also, the final for Mundial (World Cup) was during church here.  There was a massive speaker outside the church commentating the game, and so every time there was a goal, all we heard was, "Gooooooooooool" super loud.  And me and my comp just would look at each other and close our ears so that nobody spoiled it haha.  But there's a returned missionary in the branch that served in Argentina, and he could barely control himself during our branch council because of penalties haha.  He was even wearing his Argentina jersey under his white shirt hahah.  He almost started crying when they won.  It was fun, but he spoiled it lol

But another Christmas in Guate.  Crazy how fast time is going! It doesn't feel real.  But I'm enjoying every second and wouldn't want to be anywhere else.  Love you guys, Merry Christmas!

 - Elder Copeland 

Week 72 - December 12, 2022

Hey, everyone!  This week was crazy.  Lots of news and experiences.  I'll get to transfer news in a sec, but this was my last week in Siòn. 

This week we had divisions with some Elders in our zone. Every time I go on divisions, I'm reminded of when I first started the mission and how I barely knew Spanish haha.  But afterwards, I always reflect about how far I've come and how much I've grown as a missionary and in my testimony.  It makes me so grateful for all the experiences I've had and for my time here.  But I feel older and older every time.  There's not too many Elders that have more time than I do now in the mission.  Only two, I think.  Crazy.

We didn't have too much success this week with people progressing.  In most of our lessons, it ended with a "Thank you guys, but I'm ok," which happens a lot, but more this week. So yesterday, we cleaned out the carpeta and had the mindset of just starting from scratch because of the new transfer starting this week. 

   

Also, last week I talked about the 87-year-old lady that is on oxygen and is sick.  This week we had a goal of visiting them every two days to see if we could help them with anything.  And one time that we went, we made them eggs and tortillas for dinner so that they didn't have to worry about it.  And as we were doing it, they were smiling more and laughing and weren't really focused on their sick abuelita.  It was so nice to see because most of the times that we've gone, they've been pretty down and sometimes crying.  And so, to see them with a little higher spirits made me so happy.  Just by doing something little for them and being with them, I know helped them out a lot.  Unfortunately, we had to say goodbye last night because of transfers, and almost the whole family started crying once we told them.  I almost did, too.  It was a night I'll never forget.

Now, to transfers.  Both me and my comp are leaving HueHue. I'm going to Xela!!!!  I have 17 months as a missionary and have not once served in Xela, so I'm pretty excited.  I'm, also, re-opening an area that has been closed for a while and is known for not having any success over the past two years with zero baptisms and very hard-hearted people.  So, I'm looking forward to the challenge.  The area is called San Jaun Ostuncalco, about 45 minutes west of Quetzaltenango.  I've heard it's a branch with about 30 people, which is what I've done basically my whole mission, so hopefully I'll be able to help right away.  Also, my comp is another Salvadoreño that was in my zone here in HueHue last transfer, so I'm so excited to re-open this area with someone I'm friends with and can get right to work with.

I'll let you guys know how it's going in a week, but I love you all and miss you guys a ton!

  

      - Elder Copeland

Pics of the Week

Week 71 - December 5, 2022

Hey, everyone!  This week was great.  Already December!  Ha!  I know I say that every month, but time is really flying.

This week we had Zone Conf. here in HueHue, and due to road closings, all of the missionaries in Momos came up to HueHue.  And so, I got to see my son and all the other missionaries in Momos that I haven't seen in a while, which was super cool.  President spoke to us about the power of our prayer and how we can use our prayers to help us more throughout the day.  It's amazing how our prayers can help us through anything we need, we just have to ask. 

The day after, we had a visit with a member family that has been struggling lately.  They have an 87-year-old abuelita that has been sick now for a year and just recently was put on oxygen after being in the hospital for a week.  We talked with her for a little and listened to the few words she said, because she can't speak for a long time.  And then I had the opportunity to give her a Priesthood blessing of peace and comfort.  The Spirit was so strong, and I felt thankful to be able to give her a blessing in this stage of her life.  We talked with the mom of the house, who's the daughter of the abuela, and she said it's hard for them to support with all of the medical bills and equipment, but that she has seen blessings all around her.  She has seen her family become more united and spending more time together and has also grown in her testimony of the Plan of Salvation.  We talked about that for a little and how big of a blessing it is to know of this plan and know of what's to come after this life.  When we do the things we need to do here in this life, we know what our future holds for the next.  I can't imagine how scary it would be to not know where we are going next, or what is asked of me here in this life.  I'm so grateful for peace that this plan brings.

We taught a couple really good lessons this week, but unfortunately, we found out that our two most progressing investigators aren't married, which was pretty sad for us because they have come to church and are progressing so well.  But now we have another obstacle to overcome which is going to take them some time regarding divorce papers and stuff which is almost impossible here in Guate.  Also, our Hna that we had on date for baptism said she needs to pray more first before committing.  So, a couple of setbacks, but we're doing our best to help them. 

Everyday seems to go by faster and faster but missing you all during the holidays and hope you're all doing well!

 - Elder Copeland

Pics of the Week

Week 69 and 70 - November 21 and 28, 2022

 What's Up, everyone!  It's been a crazy past two weeks.  First off, thank you to everyone who reached out and wished me a happy birthday.  Appreciate you all a lot.  The leaders in the ward surprised me with a cake after one of our correlation meetings to discuss missionary work.  It was really cool.  The ward loves me haha.

But these past two weeks have been busy.  Our recent convert Allan, recently made a family history account and has started to find names to take to the temple with him when he goes this Saturday!  So cool that the work is moving forward through him to so many other people in the other world.  It's been so cool to see the progression in Allan and his desire to learn and grow.

This week we found a good number of new people to start teaching.  We had another Hermana on date for baptism for this week, but she doesn't quite feel ready.  And we also have like three different couples that want to be baptized now but aren't married and so they can't.  It's really hard to become divorced/ married again here and so that process is so long. But we're trying our best to help them.

Nothing too crazy to share, just same old missionary work every day.  But one thing I really liked this week, was as we were in Xela for a leadership council with all of the ZL's, our mission President was speaking to us on a couple of topics. But to close, he just told us how much he trusts us and how proud he was of us for how we have conducted ourselves, in the way we communicate, and hold ourselves to such high standards.  He was emotional, and it made me feel that Heavenly Father feels the same way.  In my patriarchal blessing it says something similar as well, which made me feel that he is super proud of me and my efforts in this work.  And that he has so much trust in me to continue sharing the gospel with those around me and being a disciple of Christ.  I felt the Spirit so strongly and to be in a setting with about 12 other experienced missionaries, hearing that our President trusts us so much to lead this mission, was a really cool feeling and experience that I'll never forget.

     

Love you all and enjoy the World Cup for me...

 - Elder Copeland

Week 68 - November 14, 2022

 What's up everyone!!  Super great week here!  Lots of people that are progressing and exciting things that are happening.

This past week we had the baptism for my man, Alan!  We've been teaching him for only about a month and could not have been more ready.  He has been progressing super-fast and has been taking every necessary step to be baptized.  So, on Saturday we had the service, and I was able to be the one that baptized him.  It was so cool.  I, also, gave him one of my ties so that now he has his very own, because he's never had one before.  He looked good in it--getting the Gift of the Holy Ghost on Sunday, yesterday haha.  But after the baptismal service on Saturday, the bishop asked if we had taught Alan enough about the priesthood and if we thought he could be ready to receive the Aaronic priesthood the same day as his confirmation.  And me and my comp thought that he could be ready, and so we asked him how he would feel about receiving it, and he was all in.  So, at the end of 2nd hour, my comp gave him the priesthood which was also super cool.  In two days, Alan had gone from a non-member investigator to a member priesthood holder with the gift of The Spirit.  

And the best part (and reason for him receiving the priesthood so fast) is that this Saturday, the ward will be going to Xela at 3 am here from HueHue, to do sessions in the temple, and now that Alan has the priesthood, he is able to go in for the first time and experience everything that we have taught him, for himself! When we asked him if he would want to go with the ward at 3 am to the temple, he said he would be willing to go without hesitation.  He's the type of person that every missionary searches for, someone that is so ready and willing to learn more.  Alan is a really smart kid and is studying medicine to be a doctor, and so he learned super-fast everything that we taught him, but his faith and actions that he has shown since we've met him, is what has led him to grow so fast to make these life-changing decisions.  I couldn't be happier to be here and see his growth and be able to be the one that helps him become the disciple that he has become and will grow to be over time.

 

Last night, as me and my comp were walking home from our last appointment, we noticed that throughout the week, we had used our priesthood so many times to help bless others.  We baptized someone, confirmed them, gave them the priesthood, gave about four blessings of health and two of comfort all in the same week.  It made me think how grateful I am to have the priesthood, to be worthy to use it, and to be here on a mission as a missionary, blessing people's lives with this gift that I have.  I have seen the power of the priesthood over and over again throughout my mission and know 100% that it is the same authority of Jesus Christ.  And that I have a responsibility to exercise my priesthood as much as I can to help other people's lives.  I'm so grateful to have the knowledge of this divine power and be trusted to use it for everyone that needs it around me.

 

Lots of work happening here right now.  Our renter/ member asked us if we could paint our whole house for her too, so we've been doing that when appointments fall through haha. We also had a ward "copa mundial" for the World Cup coming up, me and my comp were ballin' haha.  Also, I already have like five different bets with members about who's going to win mundial lol.

 

But love you all and miss you guys!  Email me on my birthday if you have a sec🙃   20 años puchica mano!

   

- Elder Copeland