Hi! This week was good! I feel more adjusted and am in a groove now. No one really loves the training phase, you don't do too much, it's a lot of learning and being humbled. All while trying to do it in another language. But I still see the Lord's hand in my life constantly.
Story- I clapped a house and asked if they'd like a message, and someone responded but I didn't see them. So I almost introduced myself and, you guys, it was a dad-burn parrot. That's how well I understand Portugues. I thought whatever the parrot was saying was Portugues....
It rained so much beginning of this week. The bottoms of my dresses were always soaked. It feels like permanently being in the rainforest café here. Sounds and all.
Lunch with members is always entertaining. They all really love their dogs, and not one family has just one, they all have at least three. They're always the little yappy ones and they say, “Oh, that one bites, just don't make eye contact with it.” Then the dog proceeds to stare at you two inches away at all times. The food is always so good, I'm sure Brazilian food is different here in the south, and varies everywhere, but it's so good. They also never drink water, it's either coke or some majestic tropical drink.
This week we clapped (knocked) so many houses and majority of the time no one answered, or they aren't interested. I have a pretty crisp clap (thank you, cheer) so I know the entire street hears me. I've heard the area I'm in is one of the slowest in Florianópolis. Our friend who was going to be baptized this Sunday, stopped responding to us. Ever since my companion shut him down after he hit on her, he hasn't responded to us. So unfortunate. But we found 15 new people this week. We have a lot of requests for missionary visits, so we go to their house, but they're never home. It's also during the hours of work so I'm not sure why we think they'd be home. Honestly, I'm not sure about a lot of things. Give me a couple more weeks.
My companion and I are good, too. The first day she mentioned she wanted to extend her mission, which would mean she would stay with me for the full 12 weeks of training. Not even 2 days later, she comes into our room and says, “Sister, I’m not extending my mission anymore.” Guess my Portugues is really that bad to listen to. Truly we get along. I'm grateful for what I've learned from her already. She's in her last transfer of her mission, so there's a lot to learn from her, she has a positive outlook on things.
Also, anyone who thinks my driving is bad, come to Brazil. It's terrible. But I do love Ubers because they play American music. (Yes, we have uber. And Doordash…)
Everyone thinks I'm from Washington DC and think I'm neighbors with Trump. I might start saying I'm from Florida.
Something I love about the mission is we have designated personal study time to study the scriptures, talks etc. I'm almost done with the Book of Mormon, I just finished Helaman and every time I read it, I gain so much peace, and I genuinely have better days on the days that I read it. I'm excited to finish and then to start the Bible. I have a testimony of both and am grateful for the testaments of Jesus Christ and to learn more about him.
One thing from my mission I'll continue when I get home is how often and sincerely I pray. I pray all the time, for everything, and honestly. The little and large things, and without delay. I heard in a lesson once that to start the day with a prayer and not to close it until the day ends. We can be in constant conversation with our Heavenly Father this way. It will ground us and guide us. Also, of course, the lyrics in everyone’s favorite primary song, Child's Prayer. “Pray, he is there. Speak he is listening.” Are so true and so comforting. So, pray more this week, and slow down while praying. Ponder during prayer. Pause often and notice what thoughts come to mind, put there by the Spirit. Alma 37:37 "Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for good; yea, when thou liest down at night lie down unto the Lord, that he may watch over you in your sleep; and when thou risest in the morning let thy heart be full of thanks unto God; and if ye do these things, ye shall be lifted up at the last day."
I pray often for you all.
Last thing, last night after church we were getting dropped off, as soon as I got out of the car a lady stopped right in her tracks when she saw me. She looked at my tag and said “You're from the church? I just sent a message asking where to find you so you could teach me, and I need you to include me in your prayers.” Turns out we live in the same apartment complex, and she had been looking for us. We got her number and are planning to teach her this week. I know the gospel would bless her life. I know that wasn't a coincidence, and I'm honored to have the trust of others to know we can help them and to have this sacred calling.
Shout-out Sunnyside for the new drive-thru Starbucks, although your number 1 customer is gone, parabens. Also, shoutout Travis Kelce for proposing to Taylor Swift, even though I'm not home for all the excitement. Was a rough day. Thank you to everyone who let me know immediately; also shared your condolences, very appreciated. Last shout-out to Brenly who had her first day of kindergarten. 😍 The cheer team was out front greeting everyone. It made me so happy to see.
Sending love from Brazil
Send me an update today!
Sister Copeland 🤍
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