Week 39 - February 22, 2021

 Halfway through!❤

You know what's wild?  This coming week I will hit my halfway mark!  9 months as a missionary.  I've honestly learned lots and can't wait for the things I will continue to learn. 

Our little branch:)  Me at the front translating.

This week was cool!  We had a lot of new people to teach. 

First, Ina!  If you've read any of my emails, you know that Africans love to party.  Honestly our number one place to find people to teach is parties.  So, a couple weeks ago, we went to a party and met Ina.  This week, we were finally able to teach her!  She is so cute and loves God so much.  She's awesome, and we are excited to get to know her. 

Next, when we were going to visit someone else this week, we met a new guy named Mobera.  All of the refugees here in Twin Falls go to Boise to buy African Food supplies, and it turns out this is the guy who sells it, and he is planning on moving to Twin Falls!  So, we taught him a lesson, and we are also going to find him a house!  It's so exciting.  We are officially real estate agents haha. 

We had a really cool experience at church this week!  Vestina, someone who loves us but is very skeptical to our message, came!  She comes often, but this week was different.  After church, a member went up to her and said, "This is the true church, and you need to be baptized!"  I mean we've told her this a billion times, but this time it stuck.  She walked up to me and said, (in Swahili), "I will learn more, and when I understand, I will be baptized.  She's awesome!  The power of members is real!

Here's my spiritual thought:

I've been listening to a lot of BYU devotionals recently (they're really good, y'all should listen to them).  I listened to one that talks about success and failure.  I feel like sometimes I place a lot of pressure on myself to succeed, and then when I don't, it's hard.  But, this talk talked about how as missionaries, we don't need 100 baptisms to be successful.  What matters is the level of sacrifice you put in.  If you put in hard work, and you work everyday, that's what matters.  Did you give 100% of your effort to the Lord?  Because that's all he asks.  He is proud when you try, not just when you succeed! 

Anyway, hope you all have a good week!  See y'all next week! 

With love,

Sister Copeland 

Pictures of the Week

1. We had a zone breakfast and I had this gem on my phone afterwards!

 

2. This guy is cutting up a full cow leg.  With a hoof.  It was wild. 

3. African food!

4. A Duolingo question that hit a little too hard lol