Hello!
How is everyone doing! I have had a great week filled with tons of crazy things! Because I've been in this area my entire mission, I am starting to see things that are popping up in my "One year ago" google photos album. It's crazy to see how far I've come and how far the people I'm teaching have come! I would not trade my time in Twin Falls, Idaho, for the world, and I'm so excited to spend the 3-ish months I have left on my mission here. I love the people, I love our branch, and I love being a missionary.
So, speaking of one year ago, about this time last year, when I was still being trained as a little baby missionary, one of the people we were teaching had a baby boy! I have been with this kid since Day 1, and we are still teaching his family. I have watched him grow up, and he is probably the cutest kid I've ever seen. I call him my son, because truly, we have been able to be a part of his family this past year. Well, because it's been a year, his 1st birthday was this past week! We helped his mom prepare for his birthday party, and we got to see him in his cute little birthday African clothes! He was so cute, and it was crazy to see how old he has gotten! I can't wait to watch this kid grow up throughout his life! What a fun party it was.
We, also, had the opportunity to go to the temple as a district this week! I was able to go and do a session for the first time since my own endowment back in September! It was so awesome, and I really loved getting to be there. It was a renewing experience, and it was good to finally be back in the house of the Lord. If you haven't been to the temple recently, go!
We also went to the birthday party of someone else we are teaching, Beatrice! She told us at her birthday party that she will be baptized "one day"! She's really had a change of heart, and I think it's because she could really feel the love from the members, not just the missionaries. It was a fun party, and the first time I've had African food in a long time, so I was happy!
A family came into the country this week, and we were able to help them get settled into their house! They were very sweet and had some really cute kids. Originally, they were supposed to come in at 11:30 pm on the 14th, but they missed the flight. So, we had to go back to the airport the next morning to get them, but it ended up working out! The man that works at the refugee center told them that they should always let us in, and if they want help or love, or they want to get close to God, they should call us! So fun.
For the biggest news of the week: WE GOT A NEW ELDER! Because Elder Pitcher goes home at the end of this transfer, we received a new Elder! He had been CALLED TO THIS MISSION, SWAHILI SPEAKING. The first person to ever get called to speak the language here, and to learn Swahili in the MTC! So, he had been able to get a good base of the language before he got here. He is one of the coolest people I know, and is perfect for the Swahili district! He, also, has one of the best singing voices I've ever heard! His name is Elder Niupalau and he is from Euless, TX! We are so excited to welcome him into the district!
Here are some more cool moments from the week!
1. We taught Charlotte, and said goodbye before she went on vacation. We said a prayer with her, and after the prayer, she started crying and explained she really felt the Spirit! So awesome. It was a very tender moment.
2. I wanted a blessing this week because I needed some help getting my "fire" back. I was feeling a little burnt out... the same area for almost 14 months will do that to ya. But, I got one of the sweetest blessings I've ever gotten from Elder Pitcher. It's amazing how God can speak through the power of his priesthood, and we can be blessed straight from heaven! I'm grateful for the worthy priesthood holders that I have around me, and the blessing we have to have the priesthood restored to the earth!
3.We had a really awesome lesson about the priesthood with Benjamin and Patricia and their kids. It is really cool to see how dedicated the family is to learning, even if all of them aren't on the same page yet.
4. We had a super awesome lesson with a man named Etienne! He takes notes in his Kitabu cha Mormoni, and asks some really awesome questions! I love how engaged he is in our lessons.
5. Church was awesome! We had 12 people come! I got asked to teach Sunday School again, and I shared about how God can change our hearts, using Alma 36. It was super fun! We also translated for church, and as always, it was a party! Branch life is the best life.
Here is a spiritual thought for the week:
I will never pass up an opportunity to talk about Alma 36. I just want to share my personal testimony about the way that God can change us. I have seen more change in my spirit, mind, and life the past 2 years than I ever thought possible. I know that when we "seek first the kingdom of God," that blessings and change of heart WILL come. When you focus on the Lord, you allow him to change you. Alma the younger was "harrowed up... and racked by eternal torment," but the very second that he turned his thoughts upon Christ, praying for mercy, all of his pain was replaced by joy, "as exceeding as was [his] pain."
There is so much joy that can come from just dropping all our other worries and focusing on the Lord. So, do it! Turn to him. You will never regret having a little more God in your life. I definitely haven't.
Nakupenda kabisa! Najua kwamba tunapojaribu kumfuata Kristo, utakuwa na maisha njema! MUNGU ANAKUPENDA!
Love you all,
Sister Copeland
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