Dear Family,
What a great week this has been! On Tuesday, we had the first Zone Conference that both Gpa and I could attend. We had been traveling or had area commitments on the others. Anyway, it was really great.
The young Elders and Sisters were so enthusiastic and all participated so well. The young volunteers had us be investigators (Senior Volunteers) and they practiced on us about getting those who they are teaching to read the Book of Mormon more, as we were instructed by President Monson at his last talk in General Conference (April 2017) before he passed away:
The rooms where we were working in were so cold, I had to go get my coat. Hah!
Eating our pizza lunch.
My dear associates in the work of the Lord, I implore each of us to prayerfully study and ponder the Book of Mormon each day. As we do so, we will be in a position to hear the voice of the Spirit, to resist temptation, to overcome doubt and fear, and to receive heaven’s help in our lives. I so testify with all my heart in the name of Jesus Christ, amen. (April 2017)
And is now being emphasized by President Nelson:
At a Stake Conference in Granger, Utah, just this month, February 6, 2018, President Nelson and his wife both spoke: In their separate remarks, the Nelsons recounted a question that was once posed by a nurse to Dr. Russell M. Nelson after he performed a difficult surgery: “Why are you not like other surgeons?”
Some surgeons, the nurse knew well, could be short-tempered and profane as they performed their pressure-filled duties. Dr. Nelson’s reply? “Because I know the Book of Mormon is true.”
That answer prompted the nurse and her own surgeon-husband to study the Book of Mormon. President Nelson later baptized the nurse.
Sister Nelson stated the following:
Questions to Latter-day Saints about why they pay tithing, help others, attend multiple Church meetings, dress modestly, or avoid drugs or alcohol can all be answered with the same reply.
“Because I know the Book of Mormon is true.”
I am so thrilled that we have made it our Copeland family goal to have the Book of Mormon read by the end of the year, as admonished by our Prophets. As suggested by bofm365 on Instagram, which Gpa George and I use as a guide for our reading, we should be on 2 Nephi 9:31-49 by now.
Then on Tuesday night, after Zone Conference one of the Senior Volunteer couples working as Humanitarian Volunteers hosted a Valentine's Dinner at their apartment. There were 28 of us there. I cannot believe the work they went to! Getting the tables and chairs alone up to the 20th floor of their apartment house would seem impossible since all of us ride public transportation and no one has a car--not to worry! They loaded tables in the back of a taxi with her hanging on to the tables and him running behind the taxi! Yes, it's true! And since she is an interior designer, the place was absolutely decorated like a 5-star restaurant with all the food made by herself! Absolutely incredible! We all so appreciated their hard work and generosity! It was so fun!
We also, played "The Newlywed Game"--hysterical since most of us have been married 35 to 50 years! I think Gpa George and I got the fewest points! His answers were ridiculous! Hah! Then, since Valentine cards are almost impossible to find in Russia, and if you found any, they would all be in Russian anyway, so Gpa George made a candy bar train that he had made for me which said something like, "You are extra special and super! I'd go to Mars or the Milky Way for you because you're Number One!" He just said the words in between! Pretty clever of him!
But definitely the highlight of the week was Kyle coming to Moscow. We got to see in person what he does at work! As President of Europe Jeunesse, he came for the Regional Conference where he was the keynote speaker. He included our entire Copeland family picture, Gpa and I in our Czar robes, as well as each of his three kids and Kim and told how proud he was of all of them and what they are doing. Gpa and I were brought to tears! It was so special, and we couldn't help but feel pride of how hard he works and his commitment to helping others! So many people came up to thank us for our wonderful son and wanted pictures with Kyle--and even some wanted pictures with us! Amazing! Kyle is like a big rock star in these countries!
Kyle, George, a very kind Russian man who is one of the top distributors in Russia, and me
George and I with Lilly and Anna, the two MCs for the Conference who work in the Russia office. Lilly took us to the Tretyakov Art Museum shortly after we arrived in Moscow. They are both such sweet girls and so good at what they do.
Kyle as he took the stage as the Europe President of Jeunesse
Picture of the entire Copeland Family on the screen behind Kyle
Picture of George and me in our Czar and Czarina robes.
Picture of Kyle's daughter, Jenna--I missed the picture just before when he showed and talked about Carter on his mission in Scotland-Ireland
Picture of Kim (Kyle's wife), and son, Brady
We loved that he brought our Copeland Family Calendar that Anne put together and many fun goodies from America that Kim had sent--like chocolate chips, powdered sugar, taco seasoning, etc., that are so difficult to get here.
It was so hard seeing Kyle go, but at least we got to see him for a few hours on two days. After he left, Gpa George just looked at me and said, "It is so hard to see him leave and be back to just the two of us." It's a good thing we both enjoy being around each other, but it just emphasizes how much you miss family. I can see why they don't let the young Elders and Sisters see family. At least we had each other and can call whenever we need to hear a familiar voice, which the young volunteers are unable to do.
We surely LOVE all of you and pray for you morning and night. You are all so special to us!
Love,
Gma Laura
No comments:
Post a Comment