Week 38 - January 30, 2023

 Hello, Friends and family, Sister Copeland back with another update from VA!!

The girls at Canes 

Well, this week we got some unexpected news that a ward member passed away and his name was Fred.  We have been meeting with him every week since I arrived here.  His wife is Jeanette and she's incredible.  She lost her mom two weeks ago and now her husband, both to COVID.  If y'all could keep her in your prayers, I'd appreciate it and know she would, too. We had the most amazing experience with her this last Saturday that grew my testimony so much.  We stopped by to check in on her and she was doing really well, and we got talking and sharing stories and all cried together.  As she was talking, she started testifying of our Savior, Jesus Christ, and the reason he came to do our Father's will, and she said she knows she will see him again, and she knows that because of him she can make it and get the strength to keep going.  It really changed my perspective on so many things especially trials, Sister D has every reason to complain, to wonder, to ask why, to cry, and all that comes with grief, but no, she turns outward like our Savior and finds the good, sees the eternal perspective, and clings to the most important truth we know--the Atonement of Jesus Christ.  I love her, and I'm forever grateful for all that she and Fred have taught me, to truly endure and press forward.

We also got to teach Alexis and Maryanna this week (I believe I told y'all about them last week, a mother and daughter).  WE HAD THREE LESSONS WITH THEM THIS WEEK!  They are loving what they are learning, and they're applying it to their lives.  They mentioned that they don't want to church hop anymore, and they want to find the true church, and we promised them that with a desire and sincere heart, they will know!  Maryanna asked us, "How will I know when I know?" and we asked her how she feels when we come over and teach her and when she reads the Book of Mormon?  and she said, "I feel happy, good, and it makes sense! and we told her that she already knows and to continue growing her knowledge and testimony and the Holy Ghost will continue to speak to her. I can't wait to continue teaching them and helping them understand more, but if y'all could keep them in your prayers. They are both going through some things, I'd appreciate it because I love them so much!

Sorry for the overload hahaha.  So much happened this week! We had interviews.  I can't believe this transfer is already almost over, but I'm excited to find out what will happen.  But hopefully I stay here!  Oh!!!  Our apartment heater stopped working this week, and it was FREEZING!  We always have smoothie bowls in the morning, and we opened up the oven and ate by it so we could be warm hahahha.   I'll include a picture below!  

But I hope everyone is doing well!!  Here is a scripture that helped me this week.  I invite you all to spend more time feasting upon the words of Christ and truly applying them to your life!!  You will see blessings, I promise❤️

2 Nephi 31:20

Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life.

I love and miss you all!!! 

#CTR

-SISTER HANNAH COPELAND 

Week 37 - January 23, 2023

Hello!!  I cannot believe I'm writing another email.  I was able to see the Lord's hand so much in my life this last week!  Also, guess what!!!  MARK AND MATTHEW GOT ORDAINED TO THE AARONIC PRIESTHOOD, AND I'M SO HAPPY FOR THEM! 

This last week we got to go to Charlottesville and go on exchanges with the STLs, and I got to go with Sister Palmer.  She's from Flagstaff, AZ, and goes home in about two weeks! She's the cutest and I learned so much from her.  We saw so many miracles!  

We met this guy named Zach and he had a family and let's just say after a lot of rejection, it can be so disappointing, but no, Zach made me understand more that we need to always have faith to see the Lord's hand in our lives. He was so interested, and we taught him the Restoration and hopefully the Sisters have gone back and taught them more.  That's always the sad part--not being able to teach these elect people you help find, but I'm excited for them! 

Harrisonburg District 

Service Sauce 

I love my comp 

Gas station runs 

We love Sister Scherer and having her come to lessons with us

Yesterday we had an amazing miracle I have to tell y'all about!! Okay, so we have been trying to get in contact with Alexis since I've been here.  She will always text us randomly but then never get back to us, so we started praying for her and that she will find time to meet with us.  We were studying and got a text from her and she said, "Can y'all come over right now?"  We got up and got going immediately and she let us in.  She told us that she quit her job because it's been too hard because they don't let her have time for what matters most, and she is looking to know if this church is true and the right one for her and her daughter.  So, we taught her the Restoration and she had so many questions and we then told her some about the Plan of Salvation.  She said this all makes sense and that she was going to start reading the Book of Mormon, coming to church, and having us over consistently!!  It was so cool.  I love seeing how the Lord works.  He always has his ways! 

I have been trying to be very diligent in my studies this past week and I learned so so much!  But I learned I want to be more like Nehemiah!  And just wanted to invite y'all to read this talk.  

We Are Doing a Great Work and Cannot Come Down

I love this work with everything in me, and I love being able to testify of the truthfulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and help others come to know the same!!! 

Hope all is well!!

#CTR

-SISTER HANNAH COPELAND 

Week 36 - January 16, 2023

Hello, Friends and Family!  I hope this email finds you well because I don't have much to say, but I'll try and include what I remember 🤣 This week went by so so fast! 

This week we focused on finding and let's just say God really helped us in our efforts.  We were able to find a ton of new people and have lots of lessons!  We were able to give lots of people the Book of Mormon and invite them to church!  So, we feel so blessed being able to see God's hand in our lives. 

It's been such a blessing to have Sister Fry as my companion.  I don't even feel like I'm her trainer because she's so incredible and helps me so much!  I feel just so grateful.  She also helps me work out and stay motivated.  We have been going on runs at night.  Don't worry, Mom.  It's in a gym and then we do a good workout in the morning!!!  All my mission friends, I promise working out helps so much to be more awake during the day!

I had the opportunity to speak in Sacrament, and let's say I signed myself up for this one!  So, I can't complain, and he gave me the topic on how mission work has brought me closer to my Savior, Jesus Christ!  Cannot complain and had so so much to say because this work means everything to me because it's his work and his church!

I've been studying and reading the Doctrine and Covenants like crazy, and I am loving every second.  I was reading Section 20.  This section is all about the doctrine and organization of the church, and I loved how before it got to the organization, it talks about the three fundamental gospel truths that we have.  They are our foundation. 

1- The Book of Mormon and its role in the Restoration 

2- The nature of God

3- The Atonement of Jesus Christ 

We are so lucky as Latter-day Saints to have this knowledge, and I feel so lucky to share with all those around me the truths that we have knowing this is truly his church! 

I just want to invite y'all to spend more time in the scriptures.  I promise Heavenly Father will reveal so much to you!  But I hope you're all doing well.  Let me know if you need anything or if I can pray for something!!  LOVE YOU

Also, birthday shout-out to my brother Kade.  I love and miss him so much!  To know him is to absolutely love him with everything in you!!! 

#CTR

-SISTER HANNAH COPELAND 

We made waffles.

Week 35 - January 9, 2023

 Well, this week was awesome because Mark and Matthew got baptized!  I'm so so happy for them and their decision to follow the example of our Savior.  The day went so good, too, and the ward helped so much!  So, we couldn't be happier for them! 

Mark and Matthew + their uncle

We also had Zone Conference where I got to see 3/6 companions and it was so good to see them.  

I love them all so much and it was the most edifying Zone Conference!  It was focused on the temple and how we need to remember the covenants we've made and how we can prepare for the Virginia Richmond open house!  I'm so so excited for the temple to be done here soon! 

Waynesboro Zone 

I, also, have been thinking a lot about this and I felt impressed to share.  So, about a year ago, actually it will be a year this week.  I opened my mission call and found out I was going to be serving here in Richmond Virginia.  At first, I wasn't the most excited and had so many expectations of where I wanted the Lord to put me and where I wanted to be.  I didn't know why Virginia, then I read the talk, "Called to the Work" by Elder Bednar and remember thinking that I needed to trust Heavenly Father, that he knows me and what I need far beyond myself.  I always heard before I left, "You are called to the people, not the place," and I can testify of this.  I know I was called to Virginia for the people and to the work here.  The people have changed me and helped me become a better disciple of Jesus Christ.  My companions, the ward members, my friends all have been people I know that God placed in my path for me to learn from them.  So, I invite whoever is reading this and if you're wondering if God truly knows you and if you're in the right place, ask him and trust him.  Have the faith to know that he loves you and he will only put you somewhere if it's going to help you grow.  Because I know without any doubt I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be!  I love this church and I love this work, but I mostly love my Savior, Jesus Christ, and all that he's given us.  I also want to say if you're reading this and thinking about serving, DO IT!   You will never regret it, serving has been my best decision so far! 

1 Peter 2:21

"For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:"

I love my SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST SO MUCH!  I love teaching others about him and helping them follow his footsteps!

Hope you're all doing well.  I love and miss you!  Can't forget to say congrats to my cute brother, Kade, and my new sister-in-law, Savannah.  I love you both so much and so happy y'all found each other! 

I love my family!

#CTR

-SISTER HANNAH COPELAND 

Week 34 - January 2, 2023

 Yeah, so me and Sister Fry were sitting on the couch talking and she goes..."I think we are soul sisters that were meant to meet."  I honestly couldn't agree more.  I love Sister Fry so much.  She is from St George, UT, and we are already seeing so many miracles since she's been here, so I feel so happy!  This girl is prepared to be here and already has everything down!!  It's been so fun to help her know and understand more about missionary work.

But, this week was so good!  I'll start by saying I got to see Sister Stauffer and tears were shed...I miss and love her so much!  It's so weird not being with her, but I get to see her again tomorrow and I cannot wait!  We also got to go down to Richmond for transfers and that was way fun to see everyone.

Sad to see Sister Draut go, but I'm so excited for her.  I know she already loves Culpeper so much! 

I wanted to wish you all the happiest New Year and just express my gratitude for 2022!  I learned so much last year and grew so much in every aspect.  I got to see lost souls come closer to Heavenly Father and accept the gospel of Jesus Christ.  I moved to Virginia to be a representative of Jesus Christ and to grow my testimony.  I had a lot of hard days and some of the best days of my life.  I met so many people who are now my eternal best friends.  I learned most importantly to make my Heavenly Father my comfort person and to go to him with any doubts, fears, sadness, happiness, and all of my emotions.  He's the first person I want to talk about it with and it's because I've truly come to know him and love him!  I've also learned I'm never alone and because our Savior Jesus Christ suffered for the sins of the world, he went through every emotion that we all have felt and more, and he did that because he loves us!  I know that this is his church and I can't wait for this year to help people understand more about him and our message!

But that's about it this week.  WAIT, NO HANNA AND GIN AND KEN CAME UP and took us to dinner this week and guess what!  They got their temple recommends and they're so excited to start going!  Ah, I love them so much.  

I hope everyone is doing well.  I'm praying for you all.  Let me know if I can do anything!

#CTR

-SISTER HANNAH COPELAND