Week 51 - July 18, 2022

 Wassup, everyone. This week was so crazy and definitely one of the best of my mission. 

On Tuesday after district counsel, we had divisions.  I came back to Chicorral with a new Elder who has three weeks in the field.  It helped prepare for when I'm training here soon and teaching everything to my new comp.  But it went great.  We taught a lesson to a family who is struggling a lot right now. The Hno is less active and unfortunately tried to take his life this week after drinking uncontrollably.  He is a member but hasn't gone to church in years, while the esposa has never had a religion.  So, we taught them two lessons this week, and we have already seen improvements in their lives.  The Hna came to church yesterday, and we have a baptism date planned for her as well! 

Wednesday and Thursday were filled with finding and teaching as well.  We had a lot of miracles this week and success.

Friday, what a crazy day... we went to Xela to take out money because we had ni madres de dinero.  And I ran into someone I knew and got to catch up with them.  It was crazy and fun to talk for a bit and be in Xela at the same time. 

Saturday, we left the house at 10 am and didn't get home until 7pm.  We went to LA Cumbre, then Chicorral, then up the whole mountain to Chivaretto, then to the peak for pictures, then back down to Chicorral, then up to La Cumbre, and then to Pologua.  All walking the whole thing.  Look at the pictures to see how high we walked up.  But we taught lessons, family home evenings, contacted and found new people in every part/ Aldea we were in.  Long day but it was the type of days that the mission is all about.

As we were walking, some drunk guys called me over to talk to them (which is always fun).  And one was speaking in English because he lived in the states for a long time, and he was asking me questions in English about missionaries and the church and everything.  And I literally could not speak to him in English.  I've totally forgotten it.  I realized afterwards how I haven't spoken English in probably six months now, and it showed haha.  At one point I just gave up and started talking in Spanish and Kiche again so I could actually share what I wanted to.  But it was probably the Spirit forcing me to talk in Spanish so that everyone around me could hear what I was saying and not just the one guy that understood English.

This week had so much more that made it amazing.  So many times, I saw the Lord guiding us and putting us in positions to do what we needed to do and say.  So many times, I stopped myself and thought how lucky I am to have the Spirit with me to guide me to do what I need to.  For myself and for these people.  I love these people so much and love getting up to work for them every day.  I can't say enough how great this week was and how empowered I felt throughout it.  When we are doing what's right, it is the greatest feeling in the world. 

Love you all and choose the right

- Elder Copeland

Week 50 - July 11, 2022

 What's up, everyone. 

Super busy week again.  But so many times on the back of trucks, walking up mountains, and talking with people... I'll realize how lucky I am to be serving and to be where I am and doing the things I'm doing.  It makes me so happy all the time, and I love it. 

Lots of rain again and mud.  

We re-activated a family as they came to church for the first time in three months, as well as three investigators.  Which is a big deal with only ~25 people coming to church every week.  The investigators can't read or grasp concepts very well, so progression is slow, but moving in the right direction.

Nothing crazy this week, just putting our heads down and going to work.  Love it. 

Gave a talk in Sacrament on doing the little things.  We have to always continue to grow.  We can't be contempt.  Try to go a step farther in everything you do.  Read another scripture or pray on your knees.  Just going to church isn't enough.  We have to always push ourselves to grow our faith, and we do that by exercising it and showing it.  Just like in "Come Follow Me" how it says, sacrifices are opportunities to exercise our faith.  Do hard things.  It will help you grow in what you want to be better at.  In the Gospel and in life. 

Love you guys and love getting emails

- Elder Copeland

Week 49 - July 4, 2022

 New transfer, but no changes for us.  I'm excited to stay here and continue working with and for the people here. 

Last Monday, we had our last 3v3 zone basketball best of 7 run.  After a nice 4-0 sweep, plus another W, I finished going 12-0. 12 weeks straight.  But it was sad because three of our other missionaries finished and went home this week, so now we don't have the same competitive games and battles like we did before.  It was the best Zone I've been a part of by far, and it was sad to wrap it up with them.  It's sad for me now because all of the missionaries that I have grown freindships with are all going home because they have a year more than me.  It makes me feel old with how many new gringos are coming in, too. 

On Wednesday, me and my comp went to the Hermanos' house who we have on date to be baptized next week, and he told us that he was going to be killing his bull that day.  So later, all his buddies, our branch president, and anybody who wanted to help, came and killed this bull.  I was in shock the whole time of how they did it.  Don't look at the pictures of you don't want to see how they do it... it was crazy. 

The rest of the week, we have been busy in our area.  We have three investigators regularly coming to church now, but they can't read, so they're progression is slow.  But, we are making progress. 

It has been extremely wet here, as well.  Thick fog every day and raining almost constantly.  We've walked in so much rain this week, it's crazy.  Haven't actually seen the sun in a couple days either. 

But looking forward to another transfer.  I'm officially more than halfway done!  So crazy to think about since the first day I got here, how amazing it's been since then.  I've felt so many times this week how grateful I am to be here and continue having so many experiences that I will remember forever.  Like butchering a bull.  Love you guys!

- Elder Copeland