What's up, everyone! It's been a busy last few weeks, and there is a lot to catch up on! Believe it or not this transfer has already come to an end, and I am now entering into my final six weeks on the mission. Seeing my companion, Elder Meirelles, finish his mission this week was the first time I felt that one day this thing might end. It's a very strange feeling to be this close and it's hard to describe but sooner than later this whole thing will be over.
In the last few weeks, we have had a few awesome baptisms!
Ágata and Alexia made the decision to be baptized and it was a very special moment for the family. The first week in this area we met these two girls and their family who randomly appeared in the chapel one day. A family that for a very long time was inactive but realized they needed to make their way back to church to change their lives around. These two baptisms stand as a fresh start for them and a way to get things back on the right track!!
We also had the baptism of Morgana. We had originally met her mom first who in the first lesson talked about a daughter she had who was going through some tough times. Early the next week, we met her on a Monday and ever since the first lesson Morgana has fallen in love with the gospel and what the church has to offer. At the end of the first week of knowing her, she was able to be a last-minute add-on to the youth council campout that was happening with the entire stake. Without thinking twice, she accepted to go only after four days of knowing about the church and after she came back a different person. She for the first time had a testimony and a new hope for life after finding a group of kids with the same standards. We had her baptism two weeks ago and the entire ward showed up to support. We are now currently working on and in the final stages of the marriage process with the parents so that they can also get baptized!
Some of you may remember that about this time last year I served in a different ward but the same stake that I'm currently in. The area is called Sapucaia and there we had the baptisms of two sisters, Sara and Vitoria! And now almost a year later another one of the sisters decided to be baptized as well. She was taught for close to a year and at one point wanted nothing to do with the church, but this last week she had a change of heart and made the decision. I was able to attend the baptism with Elder Weaver who was my companion at the time. Hearing the sisters bear their testimonies and talk about how much the church has changed their lives after being baptized was special to be a part of.
Also, this last week I had the chance to go to the temple for the first time with a family that we baptized in one of my old areas. Not many things cooler than being with a recent convert in the temple for the first time. This family has made significant changes in their lives in the last few months and because of it have a different outlook on life. It's special to see the power God has to transform our lives if we are willing to let it happen!
Now that my Elder Meirelles is home, for the first time in my mission, it's finally set in that this thing is coming to an end. I've done a lot of reflecting lately on the experiences I've had and people I've met. I've thought especially a lot about the person I've become and something I've realized is that becoming a better version of yourself is an ongoing process. It's not something where you will one day arrive and have nothing left to do. It's all about pushing yourself to leave the comfort zone and seek to do God's will. He's the one who has the power to transform lives. We have the chance time and time again to learn from our mistakes and through repentance have more opportunities to be better. Trust the Lord, keep focus on what is possible, and treat every day like it's your last and little by little we will become more like Christ.
My mission has taught me more than I could ever imagine, but that doesn't mean I've made it in any regards. I'm grateful for everything I've been through until this point out here and can't wait to finish these next six weeks strong.
To finish off, I will be training a new American showing up to the mission this week and staying in the same area of Portão!
Elder Copeland
