Week 10 - December 2, 2019 - Double Digits!

Dear Family,

I hope ya'll had an amazing Thanksgiving!  Let me tell ya, holidays are so much better when you are home.  So don't take being home for granted. 

We had a busy busy week full of festive fun.  If you asked me what I did on Tuesday or Wednesday, I could not tell you. The days feel all combined into one.  I'm talking, "A week is a day."

Cookies we made for some ward members on Thanksgiving.

It's been a bit of an emotional roller coaster of a week.  A family that we are really close to in our ward unexpectedly lost their autistic 9-year-old son on Thanksgiving. 

With this boy leaving the earth at such a young age, it had me thinking...what was his purpose?  And when he was sent down here on this earth, what did Heavenly Father ask of him?

I relate his life experience to my mission experience.  What is my purpose as a missionary?  What does Heavenly Father ask of me? 

I was reading in Alma 38 where Alma is giving commandments to his son, Shiblon.

I like to picture this chapter as to what our Father in Heaven asked of us before we were sent  down here on this earth, or in terms of a mission, how I should best prepare. 

2 And now, my son (daughter), I trust that I shall have great joy in you, because of your steadiness and your faithfulness unto God; for as you have commenced in your youth to look to the Lord your God, even so I hope that you will continue in keeping his commandments; for blessed is he that endureth to the end.

3 I say unto you, my son (daughter), that I have had great joy in thee already, because of thy faithfulness and thy diligence, and thy patience and thy long-suffering among the people of the Zoramites.

5 And now my son (daughter), Shiblon (Lauren), I would that ye should remember, that as much as ye shall put your trust in God even so much ye shall be delivered out of your trials, and your troubles, and your afflictions, and ye shall be lifted up at the last day.

15 And may the Lord bless your soul, and receive you at the last day into his kingdom, to sit down in peace.  Now go, my son (daughter), and teach the word unto this people.  Be sober. My son (daughter), farewell.

I picture this conversation with Alma and his son very similar to all of our conversations that we had in the pre-mortal life with Heavenly Father. 

Our Heavenly Father has trust in all of us to eventually make it back into his arms one day.  Our Heavenly Father wants us to put our trust in the Lord through all of our joyous times and all of our troubled times.  He had a perfect plan for each of us to fulfill.  But most importantly, our Heavenly Father wants us to gather up all his children so they can eventually make it back in his arms with us. 

This young boy lived a perfect life.  I already know that in the pre-mortal world, he was one of Heavenly Father's most pure sons.  He did not need to prove himself in any way.  And I know that Heavenly Father has a much greater purpose for this sweet boy right now in the Spirit World. 

I am so very grateful to be a part of this church that has the knowledge that there is so much more after this life.  I am so very grateful that I was able to meet and love this sweet boy...he taught me so much in the short seven weeks I knew him.  I am so very grateful that I know that one day I will return with my family and we will be made whole.  I love my Savior who made all of this possible. 

Never forget the role that each of you play in his plan.  You are each important and vital in order to make this plan possible.  Your Father in Heaven and Savior love you more than I can put into words.  Turn to them daily in sincere prayer. 

I love you all

Thank you for all the support and prayers. 

CTR 

Love,

Sister Lauren Copeland 

Pics of the Week

1. Planning at the park 

2. The beautiful Florida pines

3. Christmas party last night 

4. Our Christmas decorations. Shout out to MV 5th ward... you're the best!

It's a Small World!

Sister Copeland's mother and Aunt Alison received this pic and text from the little boy's Aunt Holly who is from Utah and went to school with both of them.  She flew to Florida to attend the funeral of her nephew--who is the same little boy that Sister Copeland talked about in her email this week!

Aunt Holly sent this text:  

Look who I got to see!  Lauren is absolutely beautiful!  We talked for a while at the funeral, and she is just full of the Spirit.  I told her, her words she wrote on her blog were so meaningful, and I printed them off for them to keep so they know how much Flash meant to everyone, including her.  Tell Kevin and Angie hello for me and how much their daughter has meant to my sister and our family!