What a crazy week! (Honestly, I say this every week, but it's God's work, what else is more wild and fun and interesting?!)
We had a great week here in Twin Falls! I think my favorite phrase that I've used on my mission is, "If you would have told me a year ago that...." and then I finish it off with "...I would be doing ____________ in Idaho, speaking Swahili, I would have said you were crazy." That's how I feel about my entire mission. There's so many miracles I see everyday, and so many experiences I have that I could never have imagined! If you're thinking about serving a mission: Do it! It's the hardest thing I've ever done, but the most worth it. You learn more about yourself, God, and his plan for you than anywhere else.
~~~
Anyway, here's the highlights of this week!
☆ mission conference: This week on Wednesday we got to go to Burley for mission conference! We watched Michael McLean's, "The Forgotten Carols" and I cried for the FIRST TIME on my mission... that's crazy.... anyway, we also got to sing for mission conference! Me and Sister Hyde performed an original arrangement of "O Holy Night," and for the second time on my mission, someone told me I needed to produce an album (is it a sign?) haha. We, also, made beds for homeless people out of grocery bags, and learned more about the Atonement of Jesus Christ! Overall a great and fun day!
☆ African food MENGI: So many people fed us this week! We had lunch with Fausta's family and they gave us chipsi (french fries), maharagwe (beans), mchele (rice), kuku (chicken), and nyama ya ng'ombe (beef). It was good, but also just a lot of food. And, right after that, we had dinner with a member from Kenya, who fed us chipati (African tortillas), boiled kale (which was SO GOOD), and kuku (chicken). That meal was the best African food I've ever had. Sooooo good! Anyway, good stuff.
☆ Swahili: My language is improving! I spoke in church yesterday entirely in Swahili and I got some "amina"'s from the congregation which is a good sign haha. Also, in our Swahili class, our teacher, the member from Kenya, said that I had the African accent!!!!! That's really good news. Anyway, I love the language and wanna speak it forever!
☆ CHURCH: We got 14 PEOPLE to church this week! It was so good. We had an entire family of 8 come for the first time, and they loved it! We were so happy they were there and they are slowly taking steps to be closer to God.
☆ Christmas/Christmas Eve: MERRY (late) CHRISTMAS! 🎄 I had the greatest day. It's really special to have a holiday where your entire day is devoted to God. I got to show my love for him by not focusing on myself, but others the ENTIRE DAY. I decided that I like watching people open presents rather than opening them myself. Anyway, a great day talking to family and feeling God's love!
Sister Copeland's family in Texas on Christmas Day getting to talk to her.
On Christmas Eve, we had a huge get together where we played football with like 50 missionaries, and had breakfast, in which I cooked 90 SCRAMBLED EGGS (honestly wife me up haha). It was SO MUCH FUN. I love missionaries and Christmas.
☆THE SCOOTER: So, long story short, we had a gift exchange, and so I wrapped one normal gift, and then I also wrapped a gift that was made to look like a scooter, when in reality it was a troosp waffle. Yes, I'm a creative genius and he was confused out of his MIND. Classic. Check out the pic below.
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Spiritual thought: At mission conference, we talked about the Atonement of Jesus Christ and how it's like a gift card. The gift card has been given to us, but it's of no use until we use it! And there's so much that we don't use! He is able to comfort us, turn our weaknesses into strengths, forgive us, and one day, help us live again. The Atonement was given to us freely, but all we need is to take advantage of it! He suffered for us personally. And the Atonement wasn't just Him dying for us, but His sacrifice in the Garden of Gethsemane as well, where he felt our pain, sadness, fear, grief, sins, and all the things that we would suffer in our lives, so much so that he bled from every pore. He loves us, he knows us. How are we reaching out to him? Are YOU using the Atonement in as many ways as you can?
~~~
Wow! What a long email! But, a long email is proof of a productive and fun week serving the Lord!
Like I say all the time, I love my mission, I love these people, and I love God.
Keep being amazing!
Nakupenda KABISA!
na upendo,
sister copeland ♡
Email me! ♡♡♡
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