Monday, May 25, 2015

Forty-fourth Week - May 25, 2015


Wow, I can't believe summer is already here! 

But this past week was good, a lot of work and work and more work.  I'm sorry I have no time today.  I was in Managua.  

But one story.  We have an investigator, Natalia.  She started reading the Book of Mormon this past week, and she told us that she knows it is true and feels something different when she reads it.  Also, we watched the Restoration video and after, she started crying and she bore her testimony to us of how she knows without a doubt that this is the true church.  But Sunday came along and her mom wouldn't let her come to church with us cause she is a JW, and so I'm not sure what to do?  Just take it one step at a time.  Pray for these people. 

Next week's e-mail will be better.  But, I love you guys and thanks for the support.  This picture is of my District.  Distrito Rivas!

Love,

Elder Copeland

Tuesday, May 19, 2015

Forty-third Week - May 18, 2015


Crazy week! 

Finally got another baptism.  Haidy, her uncle just got back from his mission this past week and she wanted him to baptize her, so that was cool.  


Also, I'm now the District Leader here in Rivas, Nicaragua.  There are 8 missionaries in my district, 4 Elders and 4 Sisters.  This past week was crazy trying to get all the interviews and baptisms done and all the other stuff that comes with it.  So I have been working super hard running around everywhere this past week.  Also, I am training Elder Varela from Honduras, so I have a lot of work to do haha.  I've got a lot of responsibility and got to do all things right. 

I am learning to love obedience now, and the blessings are just pouring down on me.  I love this work.  It's not easy para nada, but is something that every young man needs to do.  The church is true and the Book of Mormon CHANGES LIVES.


Elder Merrill is now the Zone Leader in Jinotepe (my zone), so I still talk to him everyday. Right now I am in Jinotepe because tomorrow we have a meeting for all the new missionaries in Managua.

So big changes this past week, District Leader, Training, and Merrill left me.  So a lot has changed, but I won't let the Lord down.  I am working my tail off!  Please pray for the people in my area and district that their hearts will be softend and we will be guided to find them and they will listen and accept the message we have.


Also, to end.  I got bit by a dog this past week, left thigh.  I am a wounded warrior:)


Have a good week and finish off the school year strong!

Elder Copeland

Elder L. Tom Perry said in General Conference last year:  Strong, proactive obedience is anything but weak or passive.  It is the means by which we declare our faith in God and qualify ourselves to receive the powers of heaven.  Obedience is a choice.  It is a choice between our own limited knowledge and power and God’s unlimited wisdom and omnipotence. 


Monday, May 11, 2015

Forty-second Week - MOTHER'S DAY - May 10, 2015


Not much to say since we just talked yesterday, but it was good talking to you guys. 

 (Picture taken by Elder Copeland's family in Utah as they talked to Elder Copeland in Nicaragua.)

 (Picture taken by Elder Copeland in Nicaragua of his family in Utah!)

I love you all and the support that you give me.  I don't have much time, but this past week was good.  Found some new solid investigators.   Just pray for them that they keep a desire to have this gospel in their lives. 

It is extremely hot.  Can't believe we already have talked twice.  It feels like just yesterday I left.  Now I'm coming up on 10 months... Time is quick.  Just gotta take advantage of every moment. 

Today read the story of Nephi when he breaks his bow.  1Ne. 16:18-32  Really pay attention to how good an example Nephi really is to everyone.  

But hope you all have a good week.  Next week I will let you know what happens with transfers.


Elder Copeland

Monday, May 4, 2015

Forty-first Week - May 4, 2015

Well, this week went quickly once again, 

but this past week sucked pretty bad according to success.  But wow, we are in May!
Happy Birthday, Hannah, last Saturday!!!  I can't believe that you're 12 years old!  I'm so happy to be your older brother.  You always have a smile on your face and I love you.  Hope that you had a great day!

Sooooooo... what happened this week?  Last Tuesday was officially the hottest day in my entire life.  I literally almost died.  It was so bloody hot!  I didn't stop sweating from 8am-10pm... brutal.  Tuesday, I also worked with Elder Merrill.  We went to go and help out some missionaries in San Jorge.  We had to go and do a baptismal interview, but the kid was at baseball practice, so some guys invited us to play baseball with them.  We absolutely destroyed everyone.  They were all laughing and yelling that the "Predicadores" in white shirts and ties were dominating everyone.  Haha.  I also made some pretty good fielding plays that seriously would have made the Top 10, but here in Nica technology still doesn't exist.   But you can trust me that they were legit.  I, also, rode in a horse carriage for the first time.  

On Wednesday night the power was out, so we were unable to use our fans and we didn't sleep.  I was soaked in my own sweat the whole night cause it was a chilly 93 degrees the whole night... miserable!  On Thursday, I saw rain for the first time in 6 months!  Merrill and I played basketball with some guys in the night for about 20 minutes and I kid you not, I have never sweat so bad in my entire life! Saturday we started a fast for our 4 super positive investigators:  Johnny, Michael, Jose (3 brothers) and for the mom to give us permission to baptize them.  And for Alfredo and his wife to have a desire to get married.  So we went to Johnny's house on Saturday and the mom wouldn't budge and Johnny went all Satanic and said God doesn't exist  and all that crap, so we lost those 3 kids just like that... and then on Sunday, Alfredo's wife got mad and said she doesn't like the church or anything which she has never visited and she denies to get married, so we  lost Alfredo too.  So there goes our 4 most positive investigators just like that..  Honestly the iniquity and the horrible choices that are made here kills me!  So we basically lost every investigator that we have so that is super frustrating, but we are working our tails off still and putting our trust in the Lord.  The fruits will come, I know it!!
Well, this week should be better, I hope!  On Sunday, I can't believe that I am calling again!  I will call around 5pm.  Talk to you guys soon.  Love you all!
Elder Copeland