What's up, everyone! I hope you all had the best Christmas back home! This was the first Christmas in the mission, and it was the hardest but most rewarding one I've had.
First off, it was probably 100 degrees and that doesn't quite scream Christmas cheer, but to see the joy these people have to be with family is amazing. It wasn't easy to be away from family this week, but I couldn't be more grateful for the love and care the people in our ward give us. They truly made us feel like we were at home and welcomed us with open arms.
Work was a little difficult this week, but we focused on two people in particular. Eduardo and Bruno who have been very receptive and willing to do what it takes. We were able to meet with them a few times this week and each time they reminded us that they were excited to go to church. Seeing them at church and the way the members made them feel welcome was a reminder that no matter where you are in the world or the situation you're in, you have a place and belong in the church.
We were able to spend Christmas Eve and Christmas lunch with some of our favorite member families and to see how much it means to them to have the missionaries in their home. To have them tear up while talking about how missionaries changed their life and their gratitude for the church makes it all worth it. It's not easy to be so far away from your family, but right now these people are my family.
Brazil is still hot and the mosquitos are still biting. I don't want to be anywhere else in the world right now. Each day these experiences remind me how blessed I am and how grateful I am for this church and Jesus Christ. He knows us and died for us and through him we can live with our families together.
One phrase I've been thinking about a lot is, "We need to take it one day at a time." In Portuguese: "Nos precisamos viver cada dia uma vez." When translated directly it means, "We need to live each day one time." Each day is a new opportunity and each day we can get one step closer to the goals we set. The greatest things take time and it's our job to strive every single day to do so.
Love you all!
- Elder Copeland
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