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

Fortieth Week - April 27 201H

Well, I am officially 20 years old… 

Never thought this day would come!  No longer a teenager.  Also 9 months in the mission, man time flies!!!  I remember being in the airport like it was last week, never want to relive that moment again.  But here I am 9 months later--whoo!!

Some events that happened this past week.  On Tuesday night we walked into the house, and I walked into the bathroom and marching through the window were about 300 giant red ants the size of my thumb fingernail..  Here in Nica all the houses are fun-sized and all the bugs are king-sized... hate bugs.  Also, almost got stung by 2 scorpions in the shower.  I thought I was on a mission--not Survivorman!   Haha! 

Also, on Wednesday, a less-active member made me a birthday cake.  

Other than that I've just been sweating out of literally every pore.  Haha!  It's kinda hot and humid.

A cool story.  On Thursday we ran into a family that we were teaching but kinda stopped visiting.  But on Sunday, Alfredo (the dad) came to church.  In Priesthood, we watched part of the Restoration movie.  The whole time I was just praying that Alfredo would feel the spirit. The first thing that he asked me when the movie stopped was, "Where can I buy this movie?"  I told him that we would come to his house that night and finish it.  So last night, we finished the movie.  When it ended. I asked him how he felt during the movie.  His eyes were kinda watering, and he told me that he couldn't describe his feelings or how he felt, but that it was something that he has never felt before, and it was the best feeling in the world.  I responded and said, "Alfredo, those feelings are the Spirit testifying to you that this is the true church and that Joseph Smith really was a prophet of God and was the Prophet of the Restoration. When I told him that, my whole body was filled with the chills, testifying once again to me the truthfulness of the gospel.  I have received such a strong testimony of the Restoration and that Joseph Smith was a Prophet and absolutely translated the Book of Mormon.  I love this book,and the happiness that it brings to one's soul is indescribable.  Keep strengthening your own testimonies every day and we will see countless blessings and miracles in our lives.

Love you guys so much.  Once again, thanks for all the support that you give me.  I could not do this with out you guys.  Have a great week.

Elder Copeland

 Elder Copeland was absolutely thrilled this week  to hear that his cousin (and one of his best friends) just received his call to serve in the Pennsylvania Philadelphia English Speaking Mission.  He will be leaving in August.  One of the things that made this call so special was that it was exactly the same mission that Elder Copeland's older brother, Taylor, served in and absolutely loved.  He served with the Spanish speaking people there.

 In August, there will be two missionaries in the same family.  Elder Parker Wilde in the Pennsylvania Philadelphia Mission English Speaking, and Elder Bracken Wilde in the Australia Sydney North Mission Chinese Speaking.  Those two along with Elder Copeland make three cousins all serving at the same time.  So exciting!

(Always something interesting happening in Nicaragua:  Some bulls running down the street.)

Thirty-ninth Week - April 20, 2015

Man, it's hot... 

Today we went and played soccer and basketball and Merrill and me bought some sweet soccer jerseys at the market.  

(Elder Merrill and Elder Copeland.  Why so serious?  Pre-Match Shot.)

 (Battle of the Mango!)

 (After playing soccer today, this was Elder Copeland's tan line.  It is just so extremely hot!) 

And WOW this week was super fast!  Nothing too special happened, just sweating and working like crazy!  But man, the Nicaraguans are tough!  Before my mission, I was expecting it to be a little easier cause they are so poor, but I was completely wrong.  I love them to death, but they just can't see the big picture at all...

  But this past week TJ hit one year, that was quick... Also this week is a big week.  First, I turn 20 years old... I really don't want to be 20, the difference between 19 and 20 seems like forever.  And also I hit 9 months this week, last month in single digits...

 

 (The house where Elder Copeland and three other Elders live.  Notice the tin roof and the fact that they are on the second floor with no air conditioning whatsoever.)

 (Elder Copeland's comment:  "One room, one word:  BRUTAL!")

We are finding people to teach slowly but surely.  Last Tuesday we found 3 kids:  Johnny (16), Michael (13) and Jose (8)  They are all brothers and they're awesome.  They all went to church yesterday and really liked it and also have a baptismal date for the 9th of May.  We should have a baptism this Saturday.  His name is Jose and he lives in the park.  He's had a tough life but really wants to be baptized.

An article that I read this week is called, "It Isn't a Sin to be Weak."  Can God really make my weaknesses into a strength?  If so, how?  I've fasted and prayed for days to have problems removed from me, but nothing seems to change.  In my mission, I have lived the gospel more consistently than at any time in my life, but I have never been more aware of my weaknesses.  Why, when I feel like I'm doing so good, that sometimes I feel so bad?  We all know what sin is.  Sin is a choice to disobey God's commandments.  There is a chart that compares sin and weakness. 

First, Sin.

Definition:  Willful disobedience to God

Source:  Encouraged by Satan

Example:  Knowingly breaking God's commandments, believing Satan over God

Did Jesus have:  No

Our response should be:  Repent

Gods promise is:  Forgiveness

Results:  Cleansed of sin

Second, Weakness

Source:  Part of our mortal nature

Examples:  Susceptibility to temptation, emotional fatigue, physical or mental illness, ignorance, etc.

Did Jesus have:  Yes

Our response should be:  Humility, faith in Christ, and efforts to overcome

Gods promise:  Grace

Results:  Strength

So there clearly are differences between sin and weakness, and we as humans, have both sins and weaknesses.  So how can we know what is a sin and what is a weakness?  While Satan is eager to use our weaknesses to entice us to sin more, God can use human weakness to teach, strengthen, and bless us.  God told Paul, "For my strength is made perfect in weakness."  Nowhere in God's love, wisdom, and redemptive power is it more evident than in His ability to turn our struggle with human weakness into the invaluable godly virtues and strengths that make us more like Him.  While sin inevitably leads us away from God, weakness, ironically, can lead us toward Him. 

And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness.  I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them.

Ether 12:27

I am grateful for every single weakness and sin that I have so I can become a better person and really learn how to rely on my Savior.  I love him and I am forever in debt to him.  I will serve him every day that I shall live on this earth.  Live everyday as it is your last.  We never know when the Lord needs us to leave this world.  This week, really pay attention to the things that we can do better and work on them one at a time, and we will really see the difference in our own lives.  I am a representative of The Jesus Christ and I will give my all to Him.

Elder Copeland

Thirty-eighth Week - April 13, 2015

Well, there goes another week just like that, how's everyone doing? 

There wasn't anything special that happened this week just sweating and working like crazy right now to find some people to teach.  But man, it's tough!  Sorry not much time today.  I had to go to Managua again (2 1/2) hours from Rivas, so I had to get up at 4am..  Then we got back around 2 and tried to take a nap, but I couldn't cause inside my house was over 100 degrees, so I just sat there and wept.  But it's all good, definitely a humbling experience. If anyone you know needs a humbling experience, this is definitely a place that can do that!

But this past week, I read an incredible General Conference talk, and I want to share some of it with you guys.

 "Through years of serving the Lord... I have learned that the difference between happiness and misery in individuals, in marriages, and families, often comes down to an error of only a few degrees" -Pres. Uchtdorf 

How can we avoid these small errors???

One thing that he was asked one time was, If i continue to live as I am living, will the blessings promised in my patriarchal blessing be fulfilled?  That really made me think about my own blessing...

-I bless you in your missionary experiences

-I bless you with the gift of tongues, that you tongue might be loosed

-I bless you with the interpretation of tongues that you might be blessed to know the innuendos of the language

-I bless you with the gift of wisdom

-I bless you with the gift of knowledge

-I bless you to be successful

-I bless you to have born unto you a family

-You will have the gift of understanding and knowing when angels are about you

-I can promise you that you will rise on the morning of the first resurrection and receive all that the Father has, because of your faithfulness.

Well, am I living the way I should for these blessings to be fulfilled or is there a little error that needs to be fixed?  What do I need to change to be on the right path for these blessings to be fulfilled?

I haven't ever thought of my patriarchal blessing in that way.  I kinda just expected them to come without me doing anything, but it definitely isn't like that.  I just realized that this past week.  I read my blessing from time to time but never with the intent of looking toward the blessings promised in the future and evaluating how I am living right now.  I am definitely not living in a bad way but it is an outcome of what is good and what is better for me.  Dallin H. Oaks said, "As we consider various choices, we should remember that it is not enough that something is good.  Other choices are better, and still others are best"

 

How can we be sure that we are making the right decisions?

Principle 1:  We need to consider the options with the end in mind.  If we project the possible consequences of these decisions into the future, we can see with greater clarity the best path to take in the present.  Understanding who we are, why we are here, and what the Lord expects from us in this life will help give us the broader vision we need.

Example, Lehi, the great prophet of the Book of Mormon, dreamed a dream, and in his visions he learned of his mission to lead him family to a promised land.  "And it came to pass that the Lord commanded my father, even in a dream, that he should take his family and depart into the wilderness... And he left his house, and the land of his inheritance, and his gold, and his silver, and his precious things" (1 Nephi 2:2,4).  Lehi remained faithful to this vision in spite of the difficulties of travel and having to leave behind a comfortable life in Jerusalem.

And what about us?  What does the Lord expect from each of us?  What is my story???

We don't need to see an angel to obtain understanding.  We have the scriptures, the temple, living prophets, our patriarchal blessings, inspired leaders, and, above all, the right to receive personal revelation to guide our decisions.

Principle 2:  We need to be prepared for the challenges that WILL come

The best paths in life are rarely the easiest.  

 Moses, Lehi, and Joseph Smith did not have easy journeys in spite of the fact that their decisions were correct.  Are we willing to pay the price for our decisions?

We are not here in this life just to waste our time, grow old, and die.  God wants us to grow and achieve our own personal potential.  He has a plan for us.

Principle 3:  We need to share this vision with the people we love   Lehi tried to help Laman and Lemuel understand the importance of it all, but they just kept murmuring.  Nephi, on the other hand, is an incredible example for everyone.  He was able to overcome the challenges of the journey and also lead his family when needed.  Just like them, we will have to decide TODAY which path to take.  Choose ye this day, whom ye will serve.

I know that the Lord has a plan for us in life.  He knows us.  He knows what is best for us. Just because things are going well does not mean that we should not from time to time consider whether there might be something better.  If we continue to live as we are living, will the promised blessings be fulfilled?

Elder Copeland