Hi! The Life of a Sho- Sister Missionary
(First, Taylor's new album comes out this week. Hence my title. But don't send it to me. I'm going to wait until I'm home so I can give it a real listening experience...maybe)
My week:
-3 baptism dates! (Plus 2 more that Elders found, but now they're in our area because of some border rearranging.)
-Stake Conference at home
-President Russel M Nelson
We were able to put 3 people on date for baptism! We just need to help them prepare a little more. One, Ana. She is someone my comp and I have been with since the beginning, it's been a highlight for sure seeing her progress. We also have a good amount of really great people teaching that are progressing. A lot of which we started from 0 with because we were both new to this area.
I really am enjoying my last 2 weeks with Sister Cavalcante. I really want her to end her mission on a good note, so we've been having a good time. Brazilians are the most service-oriented people. I'm hoping to be more like them when I return. She's nervous about going home. She really opened up to me, and it was a big reality check for me. I'm even more grateful for what my blessings are at home. She has taught me so much. I am going into my mission with a totally different perspective now.
-was fed some beans made with sugar mixed with carrot coleslaw. 0/10.
-started leading messages and lessons, which helps me feel more useful with the Portuguese
-mixed up the word casaco (coat) and casado (marriage) so I asked the worker, “I am looking for marriage” instead of, “I am looking for coats” … unfortunate
-started a mission scrapbook ✂️📖
I woke up on Sunday to the news that our Prophet Russel M Nelson had passed away. He was 101! A sad day here on earth, but what a great day for Heaven. I am so grateful for prophets here on earth today to guide our focus and thoughts to Christ. It's a blessing that God cares about us so much he gave us a prophet to look to for peace and direction. I am also so grateful for the Plan of Salvation that we are blessed to know and have peace in that we can be with our loved ones again. In homage to him, my spiritual thought will be my favorite talk of his. "Peacemakers Needed" If there is one talk I think everyone should read, it's this one. Peacemakers Needed
Some of my favorite parts:
-"The Savior’s message is clear: His true disciples build, lift, encourage, persuade, and inspire—no matter how difficult the situation. True disciples of Jesus Christ are peacemakers"
-"Contention is a choice. Peacemaking is a choice. You have your agency to choose contention or reconciliation. I urge you to choose to be a peacemaker, now and always."
-"Those who foster contention are taking a page out of Satan’s playbook, whether they realize it or not. “No man can serve two masters.” We cannot support Satan with our verbal assaults and then think that we can still serve God."
-"Charity is the antidote to contention. Charity is the spiritual gift that helps us to cast off the natural man, who is selfish, defensive, prideful, and jealous. Charity is the principal characteristic of a true follower of Jesus Christ. Charity defines a peacemaker."
This leads me to another great talk, given by my dad this weekend at stake conference. I was able to get a recording and here are my favorite takeaways.
-Lay down your weapons of war. What can we leave behind to be less of this world? Or what can we put on to have more of the armor of God?
-1) It's ok to doubt, doubting leads to searching and pondering. The scriptures are full of people who had doubts and asked of God and received answers. 2) We should only compare ourselves to ourselves. Are we better than our previous selves? 3) It's not just OK to make mistakes, it's the plan. If we didn't make mistakes, we wouldn't need the Savior.
-Third takeaway: I am the favorite child, I was the only one who got a shoutout.
Next P-Day I will know my next companion. Speaking of companion, my amazing MTC companion, Sister Alvey had a hernia! She is recovering and will resume her mission asap. Love that girl.
Thats all! I love you all. Send me an email today, they make my day and week.
🩷 Sister Copeland
No comments:
Post a Comment