Tuesday, September 29, 2015

Sixty-second Week - September 28, 2015


Well, there goes another week.
 
But, super pumped about conference this weekend!

This week:

On Tuesday, Elder Merrill and I and all the other ZLs in the mission had a consejo (meeting) at President's house.  There was AC and and I about froze to death... I'm going to die when I get home. 

 

Wednesday, Elder Merrill and I went to Nandaime to do some baptism interviews.
Friday, we had a Zone meeting and President and Sister Russell came.  It was super good.  We talked a lot about obedience, and a quote that Larry Bird said one time, "I've got a theory that if you give 100% all of the time, somehow things will work out in the end." That's what I try to do, cause sometimes on the mission you feel like there is no progress or anything but just recognizing if you give it all you got, somehow things will work out.
(On a day that it was raining hard, the Elders were given plastic bags so they could keep on working.)
 
Saturday, there was some problems with the baptisms in Nandaime, so Elder Merrill and I went out there.  The guy was super drunk at the house and the sisters didn't want to go by themselves, so Elder Merrill and I had to distract him and stuff and talk to him.  It was hilarious!  Hah.
 
We also had two baptisms!  Alejandra and Eyris.  Alejandra has a sister that is a member and she started bringing her to church and stuff, so we baptized her. And then Eyris is part of a less active family.  It was awesome!
(Baptisms of Alejandra and Eyris)
 

 
Sorry, my e-mails are boring.  I just really don't like writing them anymore to be honest.  Haha... 

Elder Copeland

(Elder Copeland sent a very cute little video of the naming of the turtle.  Just click on the link below:)

La Tortuga Copahland
http://youtu.be/grSg170LkF8
(Everyone has had so much fun as Elder Copeland names all the un-named animals he meets:  "Copahland"--which the Nicas call him.
 
Included in the list are:
a squirrel
a dog
a turtle
 
What's next???)
 
 
 

Tuesday, September 22, 2015

Sixty-first Week - September 21, 2015


Well, on Tuesday I got the call that I would be leaving Rivas...  going to Jinotepe!

Mixed emotions, but I was excited 'cause I literally knocked on every door in that area... 

 (Elder Copeland took pictures before he left Rivas of some of the many friends he had met there.)

 
 Elder Copeland wrote,
"This was a super awesome family.   They just got this dog a few weeks ago.  They named him 'Copahland' haha  How awesome, right?"  (This is how all the Nicas say Elder Copeland's name.)






 
 (Elder Copeland, also, snapped this picture of a "sweet" painting on a casino in Rivas before he left.)

So we got to the change meeting on Wednesday morning in Managua and I sat next to Elder Merrill, knowing that there was only one opening for Zone Leader.  Little do you know, ELDER MERRILL and I are companions again! haha  We will end up having 7 1/2 months together! haha  The legacy continues!  We have talked every single day since April 1!  And we will be together again for General Conference!  I love him.  We are like best friends. 

 (Elder Merrill and Elder Copeland with a little kid that really liked them named Edgar.)
 (The Elders with a little girl who will be baptized this week.)
 
This area is struggling big time.  It's super tough, but we should have two baptisms this Saturday--Alejandra and Eyris.  Please pray for them..
 (Elder Copeland with his new companion, Elder De Leon from Guatemala.)

Elder De Leon and I have just been contacting on a street called El Chorizo cause its so long haha... kinda weird... it means "sausage"... hahah.... But anyways, we have contacted like crazy and tried to get into as many houses as possible.  Found a ton of people and got eight of them to come to church.  It was a miracle.  We even found a less active family who hadn't been to church in seven years (the pic of the kid holding up the Book of Mormon), and the kid is getting baptized on the 10th of October, and we brought the whole family to church also.  It was awesome!
We saw many many blessings this weekend.  I absolutely love this work with all my heart.  I love the Nicas and am working like crazy trying to baptize every single person I see!  Elder Merrill and I have found some little gems that should be getting baptized in October.  This area has only baptized like eight people this whole year, but Elder Merrill and I are gonna get about five in a month if all goes well.  Please pray for us!  Still we are the Zls and the DLs, so we have a lot of work.  I am basically just the Relief Society President 'cause all my districts are straight sisters haha.  Theyre fun.. 
 
Well, can't really think of anything else, but I love you guys.  Headed to Managua tomorrow for some leader meeting, should be good.  Love you guys!  Dad and Kade, enjoy Michigan, but just remember, I'm doing something better than you guys!

Elder Copahland
  
Elder Copeland said, "Elder Merrill and I made chocolate chip cookies today.  First time in 14 months.  Sooo good!"

 
Elder Copeland said, "Yes, the squirrel's name is 'Copahland.
Yes, I like naming animals 'Copahland'..."
(Note:  As family members, we're all hoping that none of these critters that Elder Copeland loves to take pictures with carry rabies!  He has always been very brave with animals--hopefully not too brave!"
 


Tuesday, September 15, 2015

Sixtieth Week - September 14, 2015


 Family,

Sorry, just got back from Jinotepe, no time this week.  We have changes this week on Wednesday and I'm assuming that I have changes.  This change went by super fast, and I can't believe I was here in Rivas for six months... But I'm ready for a new start.. 


What a win by BYU again haha... Go, Cougs! (BYU Cougars beat Boise State who was ranked No. 20 in the last 45 seconds with another Hail Mary pass and an interception.) 

The Merrill and Copeland reign is coming to an end most likely.  Kinda sad but good past six months with him!  
 
 Elder Merrill and Elder Copeland


'Til next week,

Elder Copeland

Monday, September 7, 2015

Fifty-ninth Week - September 7, 2015


Well, not much time. 

But good hail (Referring to the Hail Mary pass that won the game for BYU against Nebraska)!  Go COUGS!  What a nice win, but too bad for Taysom again....(Taysom Hill out for the season in the first game of the season with a foot injury).

The pictures I sent are of a scorpion that popped up on my desk while studying this past week... We cut off his stinger so he was harmless, but still ugly.



I still got my ice cream.  I buy that every week.  I rotate from cheesecake to chocobon.  It's incredible!
Hno. Pedro used to have a major drinking problem, but 5 years ago he got baptized and married, then his wife died like 3 years ago, and 2 years ago, he went and got sealed in the temple to her.  So he made this painting of him and his wife going to the Celestial Kingdom.  So awesome.  The picture below was taken last Monday at 9 pm and look how bad I am still sweating (my legs).... 

 

 
And the racoon.  Just was at some house and we wanted pics with him.
 


 

But this week was alright.  We had interviews with President.  Those went super well.   I love that guy!  This week is probably my last week down here in Rivas... time is going super fast!  But sorry it's short, but I got to go.
Have a great week and, "Go Cougs!"
Elder Copahland

Tuesday, September 1, 2015

Fifty-eighth Week - August 31, 2015


Wow... can't believe it's already September! 

This past week was really good.  First, I finally got to work in my area!  On Saturday we got up at 2 am to go to Managua to listen to President Russell M. Nelson.  It was absolutely incredible.  Right when he walked through the doors, my whole body just got the chills.  I knew he was an apostle.  We all went and shook his had.  That guy has a special Spirit.  I have never felt the Spirit so strong.  I left the meeting a better person.  Now I'm just trying to apply it to my life.  We left Managua around 1 p.m. and got back to Rivas around 4 p.m.  We had a marriage and baptism at 6 p.m.  Then on Sunday, we got eight people to church.  It was awesome! 
Marriage and baptism in Rivas.




- - - - - - - - - - -
Frederick went to the temple a couple weeks ago and also he baptized his dad last week. Now the whole family are members of the church and all have plans to get sealed as a family.  

 
 


 



This past week has been so bloody hot!  90+ all day long including night time.  It's so hard to sleep just cause you're sweating like crazy.  I wish you could witness it and have to camp out like this for a week in this heat.  I promise you that you would go home humbled.  It's brutal, and literally nothing you can do about it.  Apparently it's rain season, but it hasn't rained in forever.  Just got to keep positive and look at the positive things. 

Also, I just talked to one of my converts (Gustina) yesterday from my last area.  Her husband died a couple years ago.  She's going to the temple in January.  MIRACLES.
I am learning a lot just trying to get the best out of this because time is going by way too fast... kinda sad.  I love my mission.  I am kinda running out of things to say... but I hope you all have a great week and GO COUGS.  Please win... 

Elder Copeland