Hey, everyone! I hope everyone is doing well! Sorry for not sending out emails lately, I've been busy up here in Livermore. I need to be better at doing my emails. I've been loving my time up here in Livermore with Elder Johns and Elder Astle; they're so fun! We get along super well and have a great time working together.
While serving in Livermore, we only work with Spanish Speakers. So we cover Livermore, Pleasonton, and Dublin! For the past four weeks, we've been trying to find people, but we really haven't had much success. A lot of the people that we talk to are pretty firm in their belief when it comes to religion, God, etc. Most of the people I have spoken with believe that as long as you believe in God, it doesn't matter what religion you are part of. We try to explain the Restoration and the Book of Mormon, but most people just don't seem to care. It can get pretty frustrating, but I can understand where people come from. I don't know how I'd react if a couple of random dudes, who were trying to speak to them in broken Spanish, about something they have never heard of. I'll always love people for who they are, and understanding/meeting people where they are is so important.
Luckily, we have a lot of cool recent converts down here. A member that was baptized four years ago, named Patricia, has two little sons named Mateo and Manelo, who were baptized recently that we continue to minister to and teach! They are super fun! They always have matching clothes, and they look and act very similar; Patricia is the best as well! She calls us the fathers of her children 🤣. I was able to give her a blessing in Spanish, as well, which was a really cool experience!
We also have a recent convert named Gilma who's the absolute best! She's from Venezuela and moved here to the states with her family. She loves the missionaries and the church! Whenever she has time, she's always trying to learn more and become more converted to the church. Whenever we go over, she always has something for us to talk about. She has a granddaughter who's been coming to activities and church who we are trying to work with as well. We're trying to work with the whole family, but they are usually pretty busy/tired from how much they have to work. It blows my mind how much people have to work down here for so little; it's definitely super humbling to see how hard people work.
We currently have a small branch down here, but we are looking to grow it/support it in any way possible that we can. The Branch President is an amazing guy! His name is President Cable. He's a retired middle-aged man who can speak perfect Spanish; he's also really smart! Me and him talked about investments and crypto for a while. I'm excited to continue to talk to and meet the members of the Branch.
The area I cover is really pretty! We're surrounded by mountains, valleys, large trees, and various lakes! The area is definitely hard when it comes to missionary work, but it's still an amazing area. During the past four weeks as well, Elder Wada of the Seventy was able to come and visit our mission, which was a really cool experience. He taught us a lot of things that we can use and apply to not only our friends, but ourselves as well! I was also able to have interviews with President Larson. I made sure to let him know I didn't want leadership still haha, so hopefully I continue to be free! I also let him know that I want to continue to serve with Elder Johns and Elder Astle. Hopefully I'll still be able too.
All in all, I've been doing well for the past four weeks! We're really trying to find a couple solid people who we can help progress! It's been discouraging at times not to have anyone who's progressing, but I have faith that we will find some people who are prepared to receive the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. I'm exciting to continue to work and serve down here. I wish I could write more about friends we have who are progressing, but we just haven't been able to. It's alright, we'll continue to keep working hard and have faith that we'll meet someone who's prepared!
I love my family and miss them so much! They are the greatest thing to ever happen to me! They are all so successful and such amazing examples to me! I'm always super homesick haha but knowing God's plan of Redemption and knowing the possibility of us living together forever is so comforting to know! Take care and see you guys next week! Send me emails or messages on messenger as well! I am able to respond! Elder Copeland
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