What's up, everyone! It's been a few weeks since my last email so I will try and catch you all up. I'm still in the same area of Cinquentenário in Caxias for about five weeks now. The last little bit has been pretty tough. I've worked what seems like the hardest in my entire mission, but there is not a lot to show for it. We've had a ton of great people who at one point were progressing but at the end of the day things just didn't work out with them. It's frustrating and a daily grind when you work your hardest day in and day out and don't see results, but that's life and something you have to realize.
Now that I'm at the end of my mission my perspective on a lot of things has changed. Sometimes the hardest thing to accept and learn is that hard work does not always mean results. It's not a given that if you work hard you will have success. Hard work gives you a greater chance to have success and to take advantage of opportunities, but it is not guaranteed. Something I've had to remind myself as of late is good things will come, but it takes time. No matter how hard it gets or when the odds are stacked against you, you have to keep going. You have to be constant in your efforts and persistent in the process and good will come!
This area has been pretty physically demanding. Very spread out and a ton of elevation in the middle of summer is tough lol. Coming from Texas you don't see too much elevation, so it's definitely been an adjustment. However, it is cool to see other parts of the mission and be out in a city and area I had never been to.
Christmas and New Years was a blast to be with the members and other missionaries. It's crazy to think that this was already my second Christmas. This time last year I remember thinking that the mission was never going to end. Now that I'm towards the end I'm starting to think I was right. I still have hope that one day I'll make it back home, but I have my doubts lol.
Other than that, it's the same old grind. Nothing easy about it but I'm pushing myself to the max to make the most of it. I know there is still more out here for me to do and I'm excited to keep this thing going! Love, Elder Copeland
