Week 35 - January 25, 2021

 Ain't no valley low🙃

Well.  It was a week. 

I guess not every week can be good, because it's life.  But, it doesn't mean it's easy.

 

It snowed all week.

Here's the main conflict of the week:  So, as I said last week, Jack and Fausta were going to get baptized!  So, Tuesday night we went over to make sure everything was ok with the parents!  And we brought our friend, Brother Odera, who's started more Swahili branches around the world than stars in the sky, and we talked to the parents!  They said yes!  And they even allowed for the youngest, who was 8, to get baptized too!  What an amazing night!  So, the next day we went over, to get the signatures and a few birthdays for the baptismal form.  And, when we did, Vestina, the mom, started screaming at her kids.  They were speaking a dialect of Swahili I don't speak, so we kind of just sat there.  We eventually found out that she had changed her mind.  She said the kids couldn't get baptized.  And now, the kids were convinced they didn't know enough, or that they couldn't, or didn't need to.  So, we were in a very contentious household, so we got up and left.  

As we left, we burst into tears.  This family is very near and dear to my heart.  They are a family that I know I was supposed to meet.  So them deciding to not get baptized hurt my soul because I know how happy it'll make them.  So, we were very hurt that night.  But, we knew the story couldn't end.  The next couple days, they were sick so we couldn't see them.  But yesterday, Brother Odera went over to see them.  And, he brought a translator so that she could understand completely what was happening.  And, after that, she said yes again!!!  But, the kids were still back at square one.  So no baptism yet.  We aren't losing hope for them though! 

I think I beat myself up a lot this week.  I asked a lot about, what am I not doing that's not helping me help people?  Am I doing something wrong?  I work really hard, and I'm not being able to help these people.  So, it was a hard week.  But, I read in D&C this week about how God's work can not be frustrated. So, no matter the skill of the missionary or the agency of the person we are teaching, God's work CAN NOT be frustrated. So, that was comforting! 

This week we also had Zone Conference.  As an STL, I got to give a training and it was on what's called baptismal presentations.  President wants us to start giving presentations on the lessons during the "changing" period of baptisms.  So, we did!  And it went really well!  There was a sister that said I helped her a lot.  So that was cool! 

We also spent lots of time in the studio this week!  We recorded a song called, "Reaching Out."  We did a trio thing with me, Sister Hyde, and Elder Bohn.  We haven't finished it, but when we do, I'll send it out. 

Anyway, this week was a low point, but as my subject line says, ain't no valley low enough to get me to give up.  I'm gonna keep working hard.  I've only got 10 months left!  Time is moving so fast, but also I've got quite a bit of time left! 

Also, Elder Bohn and Elder Phui go to Africa this week!  We will miss them for sure.

Bye bye, Elder Bohn and Elder Phui :(
 

Anyway, that's this week!  Hope you all are okay and happy! 

Love, 

Sister Copeland

Week 34 - January 18, 2021

 Oh my gosh!  What a fun and wild week this was!

First off, I'm an Sister Trainer Leader!  I now am in the leadership for the zone I am in!  I get to work with the two Elder Zone Leaders, and then another sister who is also an STL!  I have a lot more meetings to go to, but I'm so excited!!

With transfers this week, we also have a new Swahili Elder because Elder Phui is heading to Africa soon!  His name is Elder Bryce!  He got thrown into Swahili work and he now gets to learn the language!  He honestly seems scared out of his mind, but we know he'll get it eventually! 

Ok now for one of honestly my fav stories of my mission.  We went to visit Zaina, who we hadn't seen in a while, and when we pulled up, the kids came running out of the house!  We learned that it was two of the kids birthdays that day!  And when Africans party, they party harddddd.  So, we were hyped. The party hadn't started, so we got to help set up.  We got to cook sooooo much food--including, nyama ya ng'ombe, sombe, pilau, wali, fufu, matunda, ndizi, and more.  There was a woman named Marcelene, and she told us one day we can go to the Congo with her and cook for a day.  So fun!  Then, Zaina told us that we would be running the party.  And in African culture, the most spiritual person runs the party.  So that honestly was a power move because her husband is literally a pastor.  Anyway, we shared a message and said a prayer with everyone (in Swahili of course) and then the party started!  The food was SO GOOD.  

Pilau (my new fav food) with the Elders and Brother Odera

We laughed, taught some lessons, danced, and helped run the party.  At one point, we were sitting down and Zaina called me over to her.  She told me that they were having a party in March that they've been planning for months, and it's for ALL the refugees in Twin Falls.  She said that everyone would be wearing fancy African clothes, and that we HAD to come.  She said she would buy us some fancy African clothes, and we could invite any missionary or member we wanted.  So, I GOT INVITED TO THE BIGGEST AFRICAN PARTY OF THE YEAR, AND I GET FANCY AFRICAN CLOTHES!  She said she would be so mad if we didn't come, so we are so excited to meet more people and party with them! 

Sunday was a crazy day!  We had church, which is always fantastic!  When we were setting up, a member walked in with a microphone headset thing and a bunch of headphones.  He said he wanted to have English translation for the members who come support the branch!!!  So cool!  But then, I was chosen to translate the meeting.  So, I sat in a little desk in the back of the room with a headset on, and as people spoke in Swahili, I spoke what they were saying into the headphones.  It was such a cool experience and a true test of my language skills haha.  Anyway, I need practice but it was so cool!

 

Translating for church!  Does the microphone suit me? 

On Sunday as well, Jack had his baptismal interview!  He walked out and said he feels "blessed".  Lol!  Anyway, his sister also came to church and decided she wanted an interview too!  So exciting!  They both did it and said they are excited to be baptized!  We also taught them about the temple and they want temple recommends as soon as they're baptized!  Amazing!  The mom ok'ed everything, but keep praying that she doesn't change her mind!! 

We taught a guy named David for the first time this week, and he honestly believes everything we say.  We just need to teach him the restoration of the gospel, and he will be on a good path!  We gave him a Book of Mormon and he was so excited! 

I've seen a lot of miracles in my work.  I've also recently studied miracles.  I've learned a lot about how miracles happen.  I was reading in Mark, and it talked about how the people of Nazareth didn't want to listen to Christ.  So, he said he wasn't able to do marvelous works, except for the few believers.  This shows, as the Book of Mormon also explains, that miracles can not be wrought except by faith.  Christ always has the power to perform miracles, but our faith always gives him the go ahead to do that miracle.  We need to have faith in him, and realize that miracles can happen through him. I've started praying for miracles, and then acting in faith, and I've seen lots of amazing things happen!  Miracles have NOT ceased:)

Anyway, I hope you all have a fantastic week!!!  I love and miss you all!  Only 11 months till I see your smiling faces again!  Time flies!!

Love, 

dada copeland 

 I sang in church (Kaa Nami, Abide with Me), and after I sang, one of our sweet friends passed me this note!  She meant to write "uliimba nzuri sana" which means you sang very good, but she can't really spell haha.  It was so sweet nonetheless! 

Week 33 - January 11, 2021

Wow, what a week! 

We started off this week by going to Sun Valley as a District! We went shopping, sledding, and just enjoyed being up there! It snowed all day, and we had a blast!!!!  I'll attach some fun pics!  We are gonna miss our District when some of our Elders go to Africa:  ( but it's been super fun while its lasted:))) wanyumbe kwa milele ❤ (homies for forever)

Jack is sooooo close to being baptized!  Same with his siblings.  We had amazing lessons with them this week where we talked about how to receive answers to our questions, and how sometimes, it takes action before we receive that answer. So, we helped them take action!  We planned their baptisms! They got to pick the songs, the prayers, etc.  Jack is going ahead with a baptismal interview!  We are so hype for them. Jack bore his testimony to us and it was so sweet:)

Lazy Simon.  What a guy.  We are teaching someone and his favorite phrase is, "But, it's just so difficult," "you know it's not easy," or "it's very hard."  We keep telling him changing your life for the better IS SUPPOSED TO BE HARD! or it wouldn't be worth it.  Anyway, so when the District went to Olive Garden for lunch, we had a lazy Susan on the table and we renamed it the Lazy Simon.  I've never met someone more lazy...

On Sunday night, the Elders pranked us.  But first, some backstory.  An investigator needed someone to watch their dog for a few days, so the missionaries have been passing it around.  The dog is a puppy though, and its untrained so it uses the bathroom everywhere.  So, we stopped by the Elders to drop something off and they were so mad because the dog had pooped on their floor.  So, they were taking the dog somewhere else.  So, they asked if we could clean up the poop.  Being a kind soul and not thinking much of it, I decided sure!  They left and we walked to the back of their apartment and saw the mess.  It was DISGUSTING!  The dog really did them dirty.  But, I cleaned it up anyway.  We also cleaned their entire apartment for them too!  It was honestly fun.  But, while we were doing that, little did we know that they were setting up a scavenger hunt at our house.  They took all the lightbulbs out of our lights and hid them.  So, at this point in time we have only found 7 of the 9.  So, we just have no lights in some parts of our apartment.  Wack.  But fun!  I love our District haha. 

After cleaning the elders apartment:) and maybe hiding like 30 oranges all over their apartment... :)

Church was crazy this week!  We had Adam (aka Elder Lundgreen) come visit the mission with his family, and they came to Swahili church!  

The homies back together!

The people who were supposed to speak fell through, so sister Hyde and I each spoke today, and then sang "How Great Thou Art."  We had the whole congregation singing with us!  It was such a cool experience. 

My life right now could be a movie.  The amount of crazy things I've done and will do are insane.  Imma write a book one day.  Y'all just watch. 

Spiritual thought:

I did a hardcore study on "personal revelation" this week.  I studied what it is, what we need to do to receive that revelation, and how it feels to receive it.  What I've learned is that answers from God will only come when we are ready to ACT.  We will not get the answers to the questions we ask unless God knows that we fully trust him.  In Come Follow Me this week, we studied the first vision.  I noticed a kind of "recipe for revelation."  Here are the things Joseph did to receive an answer from God. 

1. GO TO CHURCH- "Attended several church meetings" (verse 8)

2. SCRIPTURES/study it out in your mind- "Reading the epistle of James" (verse 11)

3. PONDER/study it out in your heart- "Reflected it on it again and again" (verse 12)

4. PRAY SINCERELY- "Ask of God," "offer up the desires of my heart," "call upon God" (verses 13, 15, & 16)

5. ASK WITH INTENT TO ACT- "which should I JOIN" (join is an action word, verse 18)

6. GET ANSWERS- "I was answered" (verse 19)

7. HAVE FAITH IN YOUR ANSWER- "I have learned for myself" (verse 20)

8. TESTIFY- "I knew it, I knew God knew it, and I could not deny it"  (verse 25)

So, there you have it.  If we follow that same pattern we can receive divine direction from heaven!  Amazing.  Najua Mungu anataka kutuzungumzia.  Najua kwamba Joseph Smith aliitwa kama nabii ya Mungu kurejeshwa kanisa la Mungu duniani tena.  Ufunuo ni kweli, na unaweza kupokea ufunuo ukisoma, na ukiomba, na ukitaka kujua.  Mungu anatupenda, na anataka kukusaidia na kila kitu. Unahitaji kumwuliza! ♡♡

Well, that's about it for me! Thanks for tuning in to another week:)))

Miss and love you all!

- dada copeland ♡

Pictures (lots this week haha) 

Found these sunglasses during Correlation Mtg and they're sick 👀

Week 32 - January 4, 2020

 Oh my word.  Things are happening!!!

Wow.  Like I said before, missionary work is hard.  I see all my friends (shoutout to you guys) baptizing and having success and while I'm so proud of them, seven months into my mission, I haven't been able to help people accept the gospel. And that's HARD.  It makes you doubt yourself and your abilities, and you wonder if it's YOU that's the problem. Questions like:  Do I not have enough faith?  Am I doing something wrong?  Am I not teaching how God wants me to teach?  Does God not care?  Run through your mind.  These questions are dangerous because when you are doubting yourself, it makes it hard to give yourself to God!  But, I KNOW God has a plan.  He humbles us, helps us, and knows what's best for us.  So this week, I allowed myself to be led by God.  I read a talk about being a consecrated missionary how we need to put EVERYTHING on the altar.  So I did.  I sacrificed my energy, my time, and my strength every second of the week.  I tried to study with faith, pray with sincerity, and have faith in the people we taught, and boy did we see some miracles! 

Miracle number 1:  The Lord's timing is everything.  We have a sweet friend named Jack.  He and his family have been taught for like a year now, and they are so close to being ready for baptism.  Jack was the one in the family who doubted what we said the most.  All his siblings had been on and off date for baptism before, but he hadn't ever tried.  Anyway, a couple weeks ago, we had the prompting to bring Brother Odera (an icon. We call him Thor. He is from Kenya and has started more branches than the sand of the sea) with us to a lesson. Anyway, we brought him and he sat Jack down, looked him in the eyes, and said straight to his face:  You will be the leader of your family.  You need to take life seriously and do the things the missionaries ask you, or you are letting your family down (bold but true... #BBT).  So, Jack started to listen.  Then, one day, Elder Pitcher had the prompting to see Jack and teach him about prophets.  So he did, and promised Jack that he would be happier if he was baptized.  From that point on, Jack was so hyped to learn.  

Hanging out with brother Odera after Swahili class! 🔥

And today, we walked into Jack's house at 11:45 to get his family to church at 12:00.  They said they weren't coming, so we left.  We then got a call from Jack pleading to come back and take him to church because he changed his mind.  So a member swung by and got him.  He came to church by himself and loved it.  It also just so happened that one of his friends was receiving the priesthood that day.  THE PLANETS ALLIGNED SO NICELY, and of course that was all God's doing, and Jack got to see his friend get the priesthood power of God.  We then visited them that night, and Jack was full on teaching the rest of his family.  He took over the lesson and taught.  HE'S AMAZING.  We are gonna get him baptized real soon!  Along with his family of course:). 

Miracle number 2:  VASTA.  Vasta is a woman we have been teaching off and on.  She never ever wanted to come to church though.  But, (FINALLY) she came last week!  So, we invited her again for this week after teaching the restoration. She said her husband would bring her!  So, we waited on Sunday for her to show up, praying she would, and she did! But without her husband.  We thought it was odd but we assumed he just dropped her off.  We saw her after church, asked where her husband was and she said he couldn't go so she WALKED TO CHURCH.  It was raining quite a bit that day and she lives 1.5 miles from the building.  YET, SHE WAS SO DETERMINED TO GET TO CHURCH, SHE WALKED. Anyway, she's probably done a lot harder stuff in her life, but I was thoroughly impressed by her dedication. 

Miracle number 3:  ECA.  So, there are three children that come to church every week.  We see them every so often and they make sure to remind us every time that there are ___ many days until church and to make sure they weren't forgotten.  We love their enthusiasm!  We, also, wanted their parents to have that same enthusiasm.  So, we have tried for weeks to get them to listen to us or come to church.  They never did, until this week.  The dad sat down with us, asked a bunch of questions, and CAME TO CHURCH.  He not only came to church, but thoroughly listened at church.  It was great to see that family together ;)

Miracle number 4:  Now, we all know the iconic Alex Boye (if not, look him up...).  He's a singer from Africa and is a member of the church!  Our group leader, Brother Pierre, pulled us aside today, and gave us some sick news.  He wanted me and Sister Hyde to start a choir for the branch.  We said of course! He also said that he CALLED Alex Boye this week, and Alex Boye agreed to come VISIT THE BRANCH AND DO SOMETHING WITH THE CHOIR.  WHAT????  I'm gonna get to sing with Alex Boye?  Is this real life???  It's still in the early stages but it's gonna be so cool.  Stay tuned!  You get to do some pretty cool stuff when you're one of the only Swahili branches in the country:) 

Miracle number 5:  I am studying Isaiah and UNDERSTANDING IT!  It's so sick.  I bought a book about it with a gift card I got from my grandparents for Christmas (thanks, guys!) and I have been studying it.  I've had the strongest impression to study Isaiah and understand it, so I'm excited to start this journey!  It's gonna be sick! 

Anyway, there's been lots of spiritual thoughts in this email, but here's another one, because you can never be too spiritual: 

As I was studying Isaiah, I read about how the atonement had many meanings, but one of them is "to cover."  The atonement covers us in so many ways.  Something I've always loved about the atonement is how clear and comprehensive it is.  We know that the atonement needed to happen because of the fall.  The fall caused sin and death to be possible.  But the effects and the blessings go together.  Death would happen to everyone and is an unconditional effect of the fall of Adam and Eve, but sin was a conditional effect.  We knew everyone would sin, but the amount and how each person sins is a choice.  The same goes for the atonement.  There is the unconditional blessing of the atonement, which is the resurrection and will be received by everyone, and the conditional blessing of the atonement which is overcoming spiritual death through repentance, but we need to CHOOSE that blessing, because it's ultimately our CHOICE to sin.  Does that make sense?  The unconditional blessings of the atonement cover the unconditional effects of the fall, and the conditional blessing of the atonement covers the conditional effects of the fall.  The ultimate lesson here is that we need to CHOOSE to overcome our sins.  Christ will help us, but we need to take that first step, or the blessings won't come.  God is just so smart, my goodness. 

Anyway, that's about it for the week! 

I love you all!  Email me if you wanna talk!  I miss hearing from y'all. 

♡ dada copeland 

Ukisoma hii, wewe ni mbuzi! 🚫🧢

Pictures:

1. One of the cutest kids you'll ever meet! Her name is bella:)😊