What's up, everyone! Another grind of a week here in Brazil! I am just now learning that during the holidays everyone decides to travel to the beach. However, the only difference is that instead of staying for a few days, they stay for a few weeks or months. They don't mess around when it comes to taking time off!
Everyone we have been recently teaching packed up and went to the beach, so we were left with nothing. We spent most days talking to anyone we could in the streets and doing whatever we could to find new people. We didn't have the greatest success, but it's all part of the process.
This week on Sunday, we had testimony meeting, and I had the chance to share mine. I talked a lot about how thankful Elder Cloward and I were for the members and how they've taken us in like family during the holidays and made us feel at home. I, also, focused a lot on the importance of missionary work and how everyone can do their part in bringing people to Christ. Missionary work is not just limited to those with a tag because it needs to be an effort from each one of us to do our part. The gospel and church have changed my life and I want nothing more than for people to have the same joy, which is why I'm here serving. However, each one of us needs to do our part in sharing the things we know to be true. There are people out there who are looking for more, and we can be examples and a sense of hope. Be a friend to all and build a sense of trust. Show people you care about them, and you will be surprised at what is possible.
It's a grind out here every day, but I love it. The ups and downs are a part of the work and at the end of the day it's a process. All we can control is doing our part. We got news yesterday that Elder Cloward and I will be staying in the area together and continue to work in Rio Branco. I told the president in our interviews we had this week that I feel like I still have something to do here in our area. I don't know what it is yet exactly, but whatever it is, I know it's meant to happen when it does. I'm excited to keep things going and see what happens!
I hope everything is going well with you guys back home!
I love the emails and read each one of them!
Elder Copeland
Pics of the Week
