First week as a missionary is officially over!
Class this week has been exhausting, to say the least. The Portuguese instructors don't take it easy on us and like to push us as much as they possibly can. For the most part, they speak in complete Portuguese with the occasional explanation in English. I spend each class listening to every word that is said and try my hardest to piece together some form of a sentence that I can understand and respond to. It's been a demanding week trying to adjust to the schedule, but it gets easier by the day. It's nice to know that I'm not alone in this and everyone else that's in my MTC district is feeling the same thing.
Each day consists of pretty much the same thing. I am in class for about 8 hours a day with a few breaks in between. We go back and forth between language study and how to be a missionary. I've learned a lot about the importance of embracing the culture and sacrificing our personal well-being for the people of Brazil. We were reminded multiple times of how important it is to be baptized and receive the Holy Ghost. It's pretty cool to think of the authority I have as a missionary and the opportunity I have to bless the lives of so many people. I know I was called to Brazil for a reason and that the Lord has a work for me to do there.
On Friday, our instructors showed us no mercy and had us teach our first lesson in Portuguese to a non-member. I am currently in a trio of companions while in the MTC, so we prepared as best we could and went into it with no expectations. It was pretty cool to see how much we had learned already through the conversation we had. It was nowhere near perfect and there were definitely a few confused pauses, but I was able to bear my testimony and get to meet this guy from Brazil, which was awesome.
I decided to go full-mission mode and buzz my hair lol. I figured it was better to not deal with hair instead of having to explain to a Brazilian barber the haircut I was looking for. My family has had a good time taking turns making fun of it, but it was the best decision I've ever made. Wake up and you're ready to go lol.
I have one more week of at-home MTC before I fly to Brazil. I will have a very similar schedule to this week but with a lot more Portuguese. I can't wait to get there and see what it's all about! I was able to spend time with family and friends in between classes which has been a nice way to relax. I couldn't be happier to be a missionary and be in the position I am. It truly is a blessing to put on the tag. I'm looking forward to another long week of classes and language study.
I want to finish this by sharing a short version of my testimony in Portuguese.
Deus é nosso pai celestial e nós somos seus filhos. Jesus Cristo é o filho de Deus e tem um plano para cada um de nós. Eu sei que o espírito santo pode estar conosco se seguirmos os mandamentos e se tomarmos boas decisões podemos voltar a viver com Deus novamente.
(God is our Heavenly Father and we are his children. Jesus Christ is the son of God and has a plan for each of us. I know that the Holy Ghost can be with us if we follow the commandments, and if we make good decisions, we can return to live with God again.)
Love You All!
- Elder Copeland
Pics of the Week
Young Men of Elder Copeland's Ward who will be leaving to different parts of the world within the month.
Lilly, the Copeland's dog, wants to be a missionary, too!
