Week 16 - August 29, 2022

Another amazing week!!!  HELLO, friends and family.  I love and miss you all!!  Everything here in Virginia is going so good, and I feel so lucky to see people change because of this gospel!

Davis Street ❤️

 On Saturday, Nathan and Matthew were baptized and confirmed members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints!  I couldn't be more proud of them and their decision to follow our Savior.  The ward couldn't be more proud of them as well, the whole room was packed and overflowing with the ward welcoming them!  But the person I know that was the most proud is our Heavenly Father!  This day couldn't have been more perfect, and they even got to have their favorite treats after (cake pops)

Me and Sister Stauffer woke up early to get everything ready and when we got there, everything was already set up and the font was full!!!  This ward is literally AMAZING!

 

BIG DAY FOR MATTHEW AND NATHAN 

To share something crazy because a mission is all of the above, we went back and cleaned our friends (hoarder and alien believer) home.  GUYS I WAS DYING!  WE HAD A WHOLE CAR FULL OF GARBAGE!  She had 5 drawers full of pills from 20 years ago...when I opened those drawers let's just say my face said everything my nose smelt.  It was horrible.  THEN we asked why half the house was blocked off and she said because her home is being taken over by black mold...we are extremely worried and willing to take any advice! 

This story is one I'm so excited to share and something that really made me cry!  Anyway, so Hanna is literally amazing and is always sharing with others what she is learning.  She has been talking to her mom about what she is learning, and Hanna asked if her mom could come with her to meet with us on Saturday night.  We, of course, said we would love nothing more!  Her mom sat down and got straight to the point and said she's always prayed and has never received an answer so clear in her life that she needed to meet with the missionaries and to learn about our gospel!  While she was telling us, we were all in tears as she said she even saw us while she was praying, and she said I know this is exactly where I need to be.  I felt God's love for her so strongly and knew she is a child of God who is seeking for the truth, and I couldn't be more happy for Hanna and her mom!  They have so much faith!!  They came to church with us yesterday and ended up getting a priesthood blessing.  They both are wanting to learn and know so much more! 

While we were in our lesson with Hannah and her mom (Gin), I kept thinking about Alma 32: 30

   30 But behold, as the seed swelleth, and sprouteth, and beginneth to grow, then you must needs say that the seed is good; for behold it swelleth, and sprouteth, and beginneth to grow. And now, behold, will not this strengthen your faith? Yea, it will strengthen your faith: for ye will say I know that this is a good seed; for behold it sprouteth and beginneth to grow.

Hanna and Gin had a seed planted years ago when they first heard about the church and now the seed is growing because of their faith!!  Every good thing comes from God! I challenge you all to be an example and plant seeds.  I promise it can go a lot further then you could ever imagine.  I know I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be at this time just like Gin!  God has prepared us all to be ready to be where we are in our lives.  We just have to trust him!

  

Love you all!!!  Have the best week ever! 

CTR 

-SISTER HANNAH COPELAND 

Week 15 - August 22, 2022

 Oh, my goodness!  I forgot to give my dad a birthday shout-out last week!!  HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY DAD (AUG 13) AKA KEV DAWG!  I love you so much and I'm so grateful for everything you do for me!!  If you know him, you love him. 

God is working here in the Culpeper area!! This week was filled with SO many miracles! We also got transfer news and thank goodness--me and Sister Stauffer will be staying in this area!!  We are loving it so much and this ward is AMAZING! So that was just 1 miracle!!!

Miracle 2.  Our friend Hanna, it has been the coolest thing to watch her grow and learn more about our Savior!  We had a lesson with her and she asked, "So when can I get baptized?  When can I have my family meet y'all so you can change their lives too?" It's not us changing her or teaching her, it is the Spirit!  The Spirit teaches those who are ready to let God prevail, and I love being able to watch people grow their relationship with God!  She shared with us that she is always wanting to share what she knows to everyone because she feels like everyone needs to hear this message and it is so true!!!  The message of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ is a peaceful, happy, joyful, and rewarding message! 

Miracle number 3, we were calling through our area book and we got to "Ryan," but he had three numbers so we decided to call the second one and when we did a man named "Curtis" answered.  We asked if we could share a message with him and he said we could, so we shared Numbers 12:6: 

And he said, Hear now my words:  If there be a prophet among you, I the Lord will make myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream.

And we asked him how he would feel if there was a prophet here on the earth today, and he said, "That would be the coolest thing ever!"  And we told him that there is and he speaks to us and gives us revelation that he receives from God.  Then we set up a time to meet with him.  But that's not it, a few days go by and we get a call in the morning and we look and it's Curtis!  He told us that his heart has been so touched with our message and he hasn't stopped thinking about it and he can't wait to hear more.  Then he started to cry and shared with us some things he was going through, and our message brought him so much peace knowing we can be forgiven for any sins! 

Miracle number 4, the GRAYSONS ARE GETTING BAPTIZED THIS SATURDAY!!  Ah, we are so excited for them.  It will be so amazing!  Thank you all for the prayers.  They are all finally covid free!!

My spiritual thought for all of you is that God truly is a God of miracles!!  Let him prevail in your life and I promise you will see the miracles! 

2 Nephi 27:23

 For behold, I am God; and I am a God of miracles; and I will show unto the world that I am the same yesterday, today, and forever; and I work not among the children of men save it be according to their faith.

I love you all so much and I'm praying for you.  Let me know if there is anything specific I can pray for!!!

-Sister Hannah Copeland

Pics of the Week

Foggy morning 

Pretty Virginia and comp 

Week 14 - August 15, 2022

This is a great work!!

First, I am so grateful and lucky to be a part of the greatest work on this earth!  We had the Washington DC Temple dedication yesterday and it was INCREDIBLE!  I love the temple so much and the reminder it is to us that no matter what, Latter-day Saints are serving those on both sides of the veil!   Also, those of you who aren't serving missions, go to the temple and serve those who are enthusiastically waiting to accept the message of Jesus Christ, and those of you who don't have a temple recommend, serve and be an example to those around you!  We have the most perfect example to follow, Jesus Christ! This is the best work on this Earth and I'm so grateful to be a part of it and to help the people of Virginia find their way back home!! 

This week honestly consisted of some CRAZY events!

- cleaning a hoarder's house (not only that but believes she is a physic and has aliens that come over)  She told me that she has something to tell me and found some things by my heart....let's just say it was crazy. But I love her!

 

 7 bags of garbage from 1 cupboard...

 - the Spirit confirmed to us that we needed to leave a situation and come to find out some things about our friend that we are so grateful we left that lesson. 

- we were calling some people who haven't been contacted for a while and got bashed for what we believe in and he would not calm down so we shared 2 Nephi 26:33

For none of these iniquities come of the Lord; for he doeth that which is good among the children of men; and he doeth nothing save it be plain unto the children of men; and he inviteth them all to come unto him and partake of his goodness; and he denieth none that come unto him, black and white, bond and free, male and female; and he remembereth the heathen; and all are alike unto God, both Jew and Gentile.

 - our friend Maggie gave us bird feathers from her parrot!

-Sister Stauffer almost got us into a car crash 

-we had exchanges and the STLS slept at our place--4 people in 1 little apartment

- I ate red meat 

-we got told because we are women, we don't know what we're talking about 

 -a man answered his door with no clothes... 

-the Grayson family now all has COVID

-SISTER STAUFFER HIT 6 MONTHS!!

Being a missionary is the best thing ever!🤣  I love it! 

There was so much good this week, all of those crazy events were supposed to happen, they taught me so much and made me grow, so I'm grateful!  We had a lesson with Hanna this week and we taught her the Plan of Salvation and she LOVED IT!

I also had the opportunity to go with Sister Jensen to find some people.  We met some AMAZING people and had an opportunity to share the gospel with them! She taught me so much about recognizing the Spirit and always working to be led by the Spirit! 

  

WE ALSO had the opportunity to have interviews with our Mission President, President Hutchison.  He is the coolest person ever and he answered a prayer of mine!  It was so real to me that he receives revelation for this mission and for us! 

 

God is so good.  He is always placing people in our lives to learn, grow, and become more like our Savior! I'm learning so much and learning how much I love this gospel.  I challenge you all to recognize God's hand in your life, I promise it's there!  He is EVERYWHERE!!  I love you all

-CTR 

LOVE, SISTER HANNAH COPELAND

Pic of the Week

Cutest thing--Sister Stauffer's grandma sent us a package 

 

Week 13 - August 8, 2022

 😷COVID😷

The subject probably makes you think we have COVID, but no we don't, at least we don't think so for right now!  But the Graysons got COVID this week and we had to reschedule the baptism:( We are just waiting to hear back from them when they get negative results and we will figure it out again!  If you all could pray for them and keep them in your prayers, that would mean so much.  I love them and their family! 

This week was so good and flew by!  I cannot even believe I am writing another email to update you all!  I honestly feel like there isn't a ton to update you on, but I'll try My best to think! 

The Herring family!!  We love them

We had an amazing lesson last night with Hanna, SHE IS ELECT!  We taught her the Restoration and the whole time she was like, "This makes so much more sense, how does everyone not understand?"  So that explains.  She has such a strong desire to learn more and wants to know more.  We're so excited to continue our lessons with her and hopefully have her family start joining in with us! 

 

This week we also got to go grocery shopping for our friend Robert.  I LOVE HIM SO MUCH!  Robert is the sweetest guy and just adores missionaries!  He only has one leg and was going to ride his scooter to Walmart.  We wouldn't let him do that!  He also is a painter and said he's going to paint us a picture.  I can't wait! 

 

This week I read the talk, "The Power of Spiritual Momentum" by President Russell M. Nelson!  I'm sure everyone has read this talk and loves it, but I'm just going to share the five things we need to do to have positive spiritual momentum in our lives. 

1.Get on the covenant path and stay there

2.Discover the joy of daily repentance

3.Learn about God and how He works

4. Seek and expect miracles

5. End conflict in your personal life

President Nelson then promises, "As you act on these pursuits, I promise you the ability to move forward on the covenant path with increased momentum, despite whatever obstacles you face.  And I promise you greater strength to resist temptation, more peace of mind, freedom from fear, and greater unity in your families."  I know this is true and have experienced it myself.  This gospel is a gospel of hope and love!  This gospel has given me everything I have!  I challenge you all to seek to find what you love about this gospel and hold on tight and follow these five steps to have the spiritual momentum to do so!!!

I love you all and hope everyone is doing so good! Praying for y'all!! 

CTR

-Sister Hannah Copeland 

 Pics of the Week

The coolest car ever 

Maggie gave Sister Stauffer this book for her love of art🤣 

Week 12 - August 1, 2022

 MOST BUSY WEEK YET!

The subject says it all, I can't tell you how much I love being busy while serving!  This week really showed me what it is all about, and I am so grateful! 

Knocking--Wahoo!  My favorite! 

First, the Grayson family!  We taught Nathan and Matthew the Plan of Salvation, the Restoration and the gospel of Jesus Christ!  They loved it so much and remembered everything! They will be baptized this week, August 6th now, which is so exciting.  We are so excited for them and love them!  The lessons have been so much fun.  Their cousin Scott who just received his mission call has been helping us teach them. 

The Grayson Family ❤️

We met Hanna and Chris this week.  They are engaged and he is a member.  She grew up with no religion and wants to know more!  We asked her what she wanted to know and she told us about an experience she had in the Washington DC temple.  She said, "I have never felt the way I have felt then when I was in the temple.  It's like I belonged there."  We told her that was the Spirit confirming that this is the true Church of Jesus Christ that he had on the earth.  During the lesson, the Spirit was so strong.  We asked her what her expectations are and if this is something she would want in her life.  She answered strongly knowing that she has a lot to learn but wants her future family and her family to know about this church and how she feels.  SO GOOD!  We can't wait to teach her more! 

We had a lesson with Makenzie about how God is our Heavenly Father and he created all things and told her more about Jesus Christ.  She loved it and had so many questions. She is also a shyer person, but when we were leaving, she wanted us to stay and gave us hugs, so we feel ACCOMPLISHED!

OUR WARD IS AMAZING!  WE LOVE THEM SO MUCH! Many of them invited us over for dinner and it felt just like home! 

The Pratt family is so much fun and their kids drew us pictures and made us a Book called "The Super Sisters" it will probably be famous one day! 

But for my spiritual thought this week I just wanted to say I love this gospel and I love everything about it!   I am so grateful for all of my friends and family who have decided to serve and so grateful for everyone who is gone on a mission.  Missions are the most amazing experience you will ever have.  They are hard, amazing but the most rewarding feeling ever!  If you are considering a mission, do it!!! 

I hope everyone is doing so good.  I am praying for y'all, and I miss and love you so much! 

CTR 

<3 SISTER HANNAH COPELAND

Pics of the Week

The story behind this door...will forever haunt me 

 Some cute trailers