What's up, everyone! Awesome week in the mission. This was my first week training, and it went well. My new comp is Elder Cloward who happens to be good friends with my cousins that live in Utah. We've been in contact ever since he received his call and have been talking about being comps ever since. I kept it a secret that I would be his trainer until he arrived in the mission office, and we were a little shocked it was actually happening. I've had to take full responsibility with the language in everything, and I'm way proud of myself. It really is amazing to see how far I've come since I got in the field. Being with a new missionary again has brought back so many memories from when I first got here and was in the same situation. It's crazy to see how much I've grown in such a short amount of time. I keep telling my comp that in the mission you get out what you put in. This is true for everything. Nothing is given to you, but a lot can be achieved through effort. I'm trying my best to help him in the best way possible and teach him the things I've learned.
Our new area is Rio Branco, Canoas. The ward is awesome, and the people are amazing. Not much has happened in the ward in the last little bit, so we are more or less opening the area which isn't the easiest. We arrived here knowing absolutely nothing, so we've spent a lot of time planning visits with ward members and visiting them to get somewhat of an idea of what's going on. We had some pretty cool lessons this week that really are special. You hear things everyday about the people you meet that are very unique. We met some new people this week that have had some rough pasts, and we want them so badly to realize how Christ's church can bring much peace and hope in life, but it's not always the easiest for them to accept it. However, I realized that Christ probably feels the same way with us and yet he time and time again is willing to forgive and help us. You have to be patient because things always happen for a reason. It's the Lord's work and he knows each one of us.
One day while walking home from a lesson this week with my comp, I talked about how fast time has flown. A mission for me was always the plan. As a kid, I knew it would one day be here, but it's always seemed so far away. I always knew one day it would happen and one day I would learn a language, but to think that I'm actually living it is pretty surreal. I'm doing it, the things I always hoped for and dreamed of are a reality. I'm speaking a different language and living in a foreign country. I'm able to help people and in return my life has changed for the better. I've tried my best to give everything I have to this work, and there is no better feeling than being here and seeing not only other people but your own life change.
This week wasn't the craziest--just trying to figure out this new area. Also, Brazil keeps getting closer and closer to making World Cup history and it's cool to be a part of it. Everyone comes together and agrees on one thing. It is pretty cool to see the support and love they have for the game.
Please email me if you haven't!
Elder Copeland
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