Forty-seventh Week - June 15, 2015

What's up, everyone! 

This week wasn't the best.  We basically lost every investigator that we have, so that was kinda tough, especially having to restart all over again.  It's always tough to see investigators fall.  So this week, we will be looking for some new people, that's for sure! 

But, we are teaching a Pastor.  He's actually pretty cool.  We contacted his house this past week and asked about Joseph Smith and stuff.  I introduced him to the Book of Mormon.  It was pouring rain and I had him read the first paragraph of the introduction.  After he read, he took the book out of my hands and asked us to come inside his house.  He kept reading the introduction and then asked if he could keep the book, so we will see how he ends up being, but he is really interested in the Book of Mormon. 

But it's still hotter than crap.  On Saturday night at like midnight, the electricity went out and it was extremely hot, so I was soaked in sweat for a solid two hours before I decided to take a shower at 2 am, then finally the lights came back.  That was miserable.  ENJOY A/C PEOPLE!!!  But not much more to say this past week.  Did some baptism interviews and yahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh...

But, also, Happy Birthday, Lauren, yesterday!  I can't believe you're 15 and how fast you are growing up!  You are a great example to every single one of us with your dedication to your dance and education.  I hope to have that dedication to my schooling when I get home.  You might need to help me out a bit though:)

 (Elder Copeland's sister, Lauren)

Well, I will try to do better next week.  Enjoy your week, and I love you guys!  Can't believe I'm coming up on a year...

Also, I caught a lizard this past week!

Elder Copeland

Forty-sixth Week - June 8, 2015

A lot of things happened this past week. 

First, on Tuesday we had interviews with President.  They went well.  I love President Russell!  On Wednesday, I'll be honest I can't even remember what we did, but I think it was a good day.  On Thursday, Elder Merrill came down to Rivas and we visited a bunch of the possibilities and did some baptism interviews.  Friday, in the district meeting, I talked about the role of the Book of Mormon in missionary work.  I love the book.  

 

And on Saturday, it was super good!  We have been teaching a family for a long time, but they weren't married and the guy had to get divorced from his former wife, so we had to get them divorced.  Then on Saturday, he and his girlfriend got married and the husband (Carlos) and the two kids got baptized.  The wife still doesn't want to get baptized because her mom doesn't want her to... kinda lame.  But it was awesome to get them married and then baptize them!  They are such a solid family.  I love them do death!  

 

 

(I drove this kid to his baptism on the bike.  This is how they ride bikes in Nica.)

 

 

(Carlos and Janet) 

 

 

(La coche)

(My little gifts for their baptisms!  Ary: my slingshot; Maynor: my shirt; Carlos: a set of scriptures)

(The baptism)

 

(The family with my companion and me.) 

(I was sweating like crazy in this picture.  Check out  my knees!)

Then on Sunday morning, we woke up to a huge rain storm.  All the streets had like two feet of water, and we had to still truck through all of the water to get people to church.  It was so fun.  Haha!

(This was on Sunday, but too bad I didn't have my camera when the waters were up to my knees.)

 

So this past week was super good, but I don't have a ton of time, so I'm sorry that everything isn't all explained well.  But it was a good week, and I bought a sweet soccer jersey today.  Right now I'm in Jinotepe with Elder Merrill and Naisbitt because I had to do an interview for them.

 

 

(The Three Musketeers: Elder Merrill, Elder Naisbitt, and me with my new jersey)

But have a good week and think what is really important in life.  Live life one day at a time and it's much easier! 

Love,

Elder Copeland

Forty-fifth Week - June 1, 2015

Can't believe its already June! and even worse, Summer!!! 

Nothing big happened new this week other than I saw a dude eating a pack of cigarettes like it was candy...

This past week consisted of a lot of work searching for new people to teach.  I love the Nicaraguans, but wow I have never heard so many lies and excuses.  So please be a man of your word, whether you like it or not, just do it.  Don't make up excuses, just fess up for your mistakes and learn from them!  

Right now we have a family that we have been teaching for awhile that is super awesome. We are just waiting for his divorce so he can marry his girlfriend and we can baptize them!  They're awesome.  The wife won't be baptized yet, just has no desire, but at least we will have the dad and 2 kids! 

As a missionary, I desire the salvation of all these people (Mosiah 28:3).  I want to help these people out so bad.  For that, I work my tail off every day for their benefit and not mine. But sometimes it is tough to see the fruits of my work, from being rejected all dayyyy longggg, everyday.  You would think that they would be a little easier to teach cause they are so poor, but no es cierto para nada... They just don't seem to understand what the truth is.  They think that church is a rock concert with a pastor screaming his head off at them (which is quite funny to see hahahhaa), but who knows why you'd want to be a part of that???  I guess it does say, "Many are called but few are chosen," right? but still I love these people to death and will do what ever I have to do to help them out...

WOW, I was just thinking.  I left on Origination 1 year ago today!  That was one of the funnest things I have ever done in my life, and will for sure be going on that again when Kade graduates!  From Martin's Cove, Winter Quarters, Liberty Jail, Far West, Adam-Ondi- Ahman, Nauvoo, Carthage, Isaac Morley farm, Kirtland, Susquehanna River, Joseph Smith birthplace, Peter Whitmer home, Hill Cumorah, and the Sacred Grove.  Every single one of those places is special in its own way, and sometimes we forget what the early saints went through... 

But I gained a foundation of the gospel on that trip and also read the Book of Mormon and finished it in the Sacred Grove and asked God if the Book of Mormon was true.  That sense of peace that came to my body was an undeniable witness that the Book of Mormon is true! I love the book and its teachings!  I know without a doubt that this book and this church are true, and the happiness that it brings to one is absolutely amazing!  My testimony is growing each and every day, and I know in 13 months, I will be unbreakable.  Well...

Love you guys.  Enjoy your first week of summer, and don't be dumb!

Elder Copeland

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

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. 

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

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