Week 14 - December 30, 2019

I hope ya'll had a Merry Merry Christmas! 

I heard that it snowed in Alpine on Christmas Eve.  There is nothing I love more than a white Christmas!

Christmas here in Florida is different than any other Christmas that I have had in the past.  On Christmas Day, we went to Jackie's as a District and did some service.  It rained all Chrismas Eve...so scooping horse poop isn't as fun when it is all wet.  My tennis shoes were destroyed...maybe it is time that I invest in some work boots.  After Jackie's we went to our Ward Mission Leader's home and had brunch.  Sister Bennett is my idol... she makes everything by hand!  Her food was amazing as always.  We came back home and washed up a little and then got to talk to our families.  Ahh it was so nice to see all of my favorite faces together in one room.  Usually on Pdays, I only talk to my mom...so it was nice having the whole clan there.

I will say I have never eaten so much food in my life.  I am still full!  So please, if you are thinking about sending me anything...do not send sweets...I have enough to last me the rest of 2020!

I can't believe it...in two days I can officially say, "I will be home next year!"  How crazy is that!  I feel like it was just yesterday I was opening my mission call, and now I come home next year lol!

With Come Follow Me being the Book of Mormon this next year... I have been studying how the Book of Mormon is a pattern for our day.  So, I thought for this week's spiritual thought I would share some things I have learned while I have been studying. 

I want ya'll to imagine Moroni talking to you...

In Mormon 8:35 it reads:

35. Behold, I speak unto you as if ye were present, and yet ye are not.  But behold, Jesus Christ hath shown you unto me, and I know your doing.

Moroni, who was finishing the record of his father Mormon...has seen our day!  He has seen the wickedness and the righteous doings of our day.  However, Moroni is not the only man who has seen our day:

In 2 Nephi 25: 21-22, Nephi explains how his words will be passed down from generation to generation 

21. Wherefore, for this cause hath the Lord God promised unto me that these things which I write shall be kept and preserved, and handed down unto my seed, from generation to generation, that the promise may be fulfilled unto Joseph, that his seed should never perish as long as the earth should stand.

22. Wherefore, these things shall go from generation to generation as long as the earth stand; and they shall go according to the will and pleasure of God; and the nations who shall possess them shall be judged of them according to the words which are written.

I think that it is important to know that the Book of Mormon writers were aware of the problems that we face today.  The teachings of the Book of Mormon are of great worth to me because of this reason. 

Ezra Taft Benson has an amazing quote that describes how the Book of Mormon is for our day:

"The Book of Mormon....was written for our day. The Nephites never had the book neither did the Lamanites of ancient times.  It was meant for us.  Mormon wrote near the end of Nephi civilization.  Under the inspiration of God, who sees all things from the beginning, he abridged the stories, speeches, and events that would be most helpful to us.

"Each of the Major writers of the Book of Mormon testified that he wrote for future generations.  If they saw our day and  those things which would be great worth to us, is not that how we should study the Book of Mormon?  We should constantly ask ourselves, 'Why did the Lord inspire Mormon (or Moroni or Alma) to include that in his record?  What lesson can I learn from that to help me live in this day and age?"

As ya'll are studying the Book of Mormon this year...I want you to remember that the Book of Mormon was written for our day.  The words and teachings have been placed in our hands for a reason. 

I am so very grateful for the Book of Mormon in my life.  It has brought me so much direction and purpose. 

 

I'd like to invite ya'll to think of some ways the Book of Mormon has given you strength, direction, answers to questions or solutions to problems. 

I can promise you as you do this... you will see how the Book of Mormon has played a role in your life.

I love you all so MUCH!!

Happy New Year!! 

CHEERS FOR 2020

CTR

<3 Sister Lauren Copeland 

Pics of the Week

1. Zone Sisters on Christmas Eve 

2. The cats we are babysitting

 

Week 13 - December 23, 2019

Merry Christmas, Y'all!!

Can you believe it...I have almost been out for three months! Just when I think that time is going to start slowing down, it just gets faster. 

This week was so busy! 

On Wednesday, I got to go to lunch with one of my grandma's good friends!  I consider myself very lucky to be part of the Copeland family.  Every day since I have been here in St. Johns...I have run into some commonality with someone.  Either they were mission companions with someone I knew from back home, their brother and his family are in my ward back at home, or even close relatives or people who know my grandparents and great grandparents.  I am so lucky to not ONLY wear my Savior's name over my heart but, also, my Copeland name.  Every person that has stopped and asked me if I'm related to a Copeland from the South...always has the best things to say about my family. 

My grandparent's friend, Susan.  She and my Gma taught school together for several years.

Savior of the World Play

While at the Savior of the World, Sister Copeland met

Joanna--My grandparents home taught her family in Green Cover Springs for several years.

This week we were able to print off Lowell's (almost) final version of his story!  I have never seen anyone happier than Lowell was when we printed his story.  He made me carry the story from the printer to his room...he wanted to make sure his hands were perfectly clean.  Look at my pics below to see the happiest Lowell you will ever see!

On Thursday, we had Zone Conference with half the mission.  It was so fun seeing so many familiar faces.  I got to see Sister Anderson (my MTC comp) and wow I have missed her…but I have good news!  She will be staying with Sister Johnson and I for a week, so I will be able to experience a trio WAHOO!  We are picking her up on Saturday...its gonna be like a slumber party every night here in St. Johns!

 

I just can't even believe that it is Christmas time.  Right now, the weather in Florida is high 70's low 80's...so it still feels like August/September.  But, I am not gonna lie, I am totally okay with it not feeling like Christmas time!

I am so grateful that this year I get to celebrate Christmas in the best way.  This time of year tends to be a selfish time of focusing on our wants and our needs.  But, this year I get to celebrate by helping others and giving them their wants and needs:  The Savior!

Y'all don't realize how fortunate we all are!  We have a brother whose life's mission was to come down here on the earth and save us all!  I feel just as fortunate to be a tool in sharing this good news to the people of Florida. 

Just like I am now; King Benjamin taught his people that an angel had declared to him a message of "glad tidings of great joy" that would cause the people to be "filled with joy." (Mosiah 3:2-4)

In Mosiah 3:5-11, King Benjamin explains how Jesus Christ makes salvation possible!

This story is very similar to the story that we all know in the Old Testament:  Luke 2:1-17.  My favorite verse in this story is verse 10 when the angel appears to the shepherds and says, "Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people."  This great joy is our Savior, Jesus Christ!

Never forget the life and infinite atonement that Jesus Christ performed.  It was and still is the greatest act that has ever been performed.  I am so grateful for Jesus Christ, my brother, who gives me purpose in my everyday life, who reminds me I'm always forgiven and to forgive, so I can eventually make it up to Heavenly Father one day.  I am grateful for this name tag I carry with me everywhere I go.  I am grateful for this time of year and the joy it brings. 

I love you all... MERRY CHRISTMAS

CTR

<3 

Lauren

Pics of the Week

Rainy Day

Rainy Day pt2

Lights with the youth 

Week 12 - December 16, 2019

Heyyy! This was one of my favorite weeks as a missionary! 

Our ward mission leader is the GOAT!  On Tuesday, he and all the Young Women surprised us with a Christmas tree! Each young women put their own ornament on the tree!  They put Sister Johnson and me in the middle of a circle and sang to us!  I don't know how I didn't burst into tears!  You don't realize what you got till its gone... that's for sure!

Ward Christmas Party

On Saturday, we got to go to St. Augustine for Light the World!  Apparently, St. Augustine is famous for their lights. TBH!  I was not impressed!  Temple Square is WAY better! But, it was definitely a sight to see!

This week, I have spent a lot of my time studying about the Book of Mormon!  Do you know that the Book of Mormon was largely written by four major authors?  They are Nephi, Jacob, Mormon and Moroni!  Each of these men were eyewitnesses of Jesus Christ!

Nephi- 2 Nephi 11:2

Jacob- 2 Nephi 11:3

Mormon- Mormon 1:15

Moroni- Ether 12:38-39

I want y'all to ponder in your minds:  Why is it important to understand that the major writers of the Book of Mormon were eyewitnesses of Jesus Christ?

How cool is this...the Book Of Mormon is so true!

In 1 Nephi 1:4-15, 18 -  Lehi receives an eyewitness of Jesus Christ!  This experience is what prepared him to be a prophet.

I know that Jesus Christ appeared to all these men...and because of that we now have tools to remain close to our Heavenly Father! 

Never forget all the tools we have been given!  We have a living prophet today who is continually restoring the gospel!

I love you all!  Thank you for all the Prayers!

CTR

<3sister Lauren Copeland

Week 11 - December 9, 2019

Hey, y'all, 

This week was such a fun week...each Monday Sister Johnson and I go over to members' homes and bake cookies with them.  Last week we went to the Lewis's and apparently their daughter is like a phenomenal Baker.  She went to culinary school and everything....so I'm basically a professional now!  No biggy!  Throughout the week, we either deliver the cookies to people who need a little holiday cheer...or go caroling with a family in our ward.  It's THEE best!

I've learned it's all about relationships.  Since Sister Johnson and I are still pretty new to the area...we are making it a priority to create those relationships with our ward members.

 Beehive Gingerbread Contest

With Christmas coming up...I've been thinking about all my Christmases that I have had in the past.  I've been trying to think of what presents I got for Christmas last year.  I couldn't even think of one...How sad is that?  However, something I do remember about Christmas last year are the gifts I gave. 

I was reading in Matthew 25, where Jesus is teaching the Parable of the Talents.

 

In this parable there are three men: 

One of which was given 5 talents 

Another was given 2 talents 

And the last was given only one talent

-the ones with 5 and 2 talents, used them and ended up multiplying their talents 

-while the one with 1 talent buried his deep in the ground 

Their talents are similar to the spiritual gifts we have all been given. 

Some of us have more than others but, that doesn't matter. We all have the ability to multiply our gifts...we just need to use them. 

What good is a gift if you leave it wrapped and never open it? What good is my testimony if I never open it up and share it with others?  When we use our gifts, we are sharing them with others. 

Just like Christmas gifts, we may not remember or know what gifts we have been given, but as we share our gifts, the more apparent they will become.  As we share our gifts...just like the men who used their talents... our gifts will multiply. 

We've all been given special spiritual gifts!  USE THEM! 

I love you all!

Thank you for the love and prayers!

CTR

<3 SISTER LAUREN COPELAND 

Pics of the Week

1. Vogue?

2. Photo shoot lol

3. District

5. Pday fun