I hit 2 months!
It has felt like 97 but..progress. It's sounding like I'll be home before Christmas (2026) so that means 15 months left or 464 days, 20 min and 43 seconds. But who's counting… In this 2 months I've already noticed so much change! My hair is even frizzier, I'm covered in bug bites. But I've seen my testimony grow immensely and my heart has softened.
First, we're not allowed on other people's/missionaries' Google photos or have albums with people, so if I left your Google photos album, that's why:( I'm definitely being tested on my willingness to sacrifice. Our president wants us to totally lose all distractions from the work and totally immerse in it. Including contact with anyone outside of my immediate family. But, I can still receive emails, so email me! Please 🙏 I love to hear about all of your lives.
Random
●We always ask people what we can do to help, a guy asked if we could move in with him. We had to decline that one.
●One of our friends that we invited to church said only if one of us married him. Spoiler- he did not come to church.
●We walked 3 miles in the dark through a field of mud and 1,027 frogs
●Our friend Andre said, “If Adam and Eve were from China, they wouldn't have eaten fruit, they would have eaten a dog”
●Got bit by a bird
●Had the best food I've had in my entire life. Brazilian pizza. Think about a super gourmet pizza, with cream cheese, but then in the crust there's chocolate. I'm not even a big pizza fan, but this was amazing.
●We got an email saying we're moving and upgrading apartments. This keeps happening to me 😏
Our area has such a variety, one neighborhood you could tell me I'm in Beverly Hills, California; the next people are very poor and are just trying to survive. But one thing stays the same, every one of them is a child of God, who deserves to know they are loved and receive the gospel of Jesus Christ. The lifestyle of a missionary isn't the easiest, but keeping my purpose in mind keeps me going. This isn't my work, it's the Lord's. I miss having a personality, no one here knows I actually am so funny. I feel so bad for them.
I was telling my companion how I've been a little disappointed with how chill our area is. I was expecting more craziness. More stories. The Florianópolis Mission is very calm and safe. I have been sent to the softest mission possible in all of South America. She said maybe The Lord is teaching you to be more patient. She said she can tell I like things to be happening and need adventure. She is right. She made a good point, so I'll try to slow down and be more “tranquila” chill.
There are so many Brazilian customs that I am so grateful for a Brazilian companion to educate me on. I think I am aging her by 20 years because of how many of these customs I don't follow. To name a couple, no opening someone's front door when leaving. NEVER eat only one plate. (that one isn't a problem) apparently don't wave to people. Many more. I'm trying. 🙌 I do have Havana flip flops though, so, that kind of makes me Brazilian.
We have been meeting with the lady, Ana, who we ran into in the street who lives in our apartment. We've only had one lesson with her and the Spirit was so strong. I'm excited to see where it goes! I love teaching her, and it has nothing to do with the fact that she has cats. We've had a good amount of people at church as well!
This week I got a little homesick for the first time on my mission. I didn't realize it until my companion asked me. I was especially missing Brenly. To cheer me up we got açaí, so it was all good.
We got in an Uber that day and when we got in the Uber they were playing Jack Johnson. Who is someone who reminds me of home and my childhood. Especially of Cannon! Then right after, it was a Gracie Abram's song. Which is one of my favorite artists. I felt seen and had some familiarity with me.
When my MTC comp Sis Alvey went home, she left her photo of Jesus hugging a girl. So I took it and put it in my phone case. This same day of being homesick, I looked at the picture in my phone case and was shocked to see how much it looked like Brenly, and I never even realized. It made me so happy and comforted that I know the Savior is with her when I can't be. I know I'm being watched over, and so are all of you.
28 ¶ Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. Matthew 11:28-30
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14 And I will also ease the burdens which are put upon your shoulders, that even you cannot feel them upon your backs, even while you are in bondage; and this will I do that ye may stand as witnesses for me hereafter, and that ye may know of a surety that I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their afflictions. Mosiah 24:14 (again)
It makes me so happy to see everyone doing so well at home. My dad is speaking in stake conference in a couple weeks with his new calling, my brother is leading a D1 basketball team in Florida while being a new dad, Brenly is starting kindergarten! Ella B is the most wonderful new mom, who still looks gorgeous off 2 hours of sleep. Micah who is doing an amazing job at putting on those pounds and being perfect. My mom who loves and nurtures everyone, even me who is thousands of miles away.
I miss you all.
until next Monday!
Sister Copeland 🫶
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