Week 1 - August 25, 2015

Wowowowowow!!!  What a week.... 

It's seriously been so crazy.  I have so much to tell you guys, I literally don't even know where to start..... and they give us so little time that I don't know how to fit it all in. 

Umm, okay, so I have never worked so hard in my life in one week... the amount of things I have learned is just insane.  I spent so much time on the Restoration, Plan of Salvation, baptism, and just like reading Book of Mormon and have found so many amazing scriptures that have helped me get through the week... 

WE had an investigator yesterday.  Her name is NY and she is from Madagascar.  She is attending some community college in Utah.  She had a Mormon friend that invited her so that she should learn more because she had so many questions.  She is from Catholic background...

Okay, wait it's seriously so hard e-mailing you guys because I literally have so much to say.  I don't even know what to say haha. 

Okay, so we met with NY and had an hour.  My companion and I met with her, and I planned the whole lesson, and I was so pumped to teach because I worked so hard and was just so ready... I literally just got in there and was like WHAT'S UP?  How are you?  l got to know her for like 20 minutes, just asked so many questions, talked to her about my life, and we were SO comfortable.  I just love her!  She's so awesome and sweet.  Anyway, I wanted to teach her about baptism.  I started talking to her about the similarities between the Catholic church and Mormon church to kind of build a foundation of trust between us and what not. Anyway, then I talked to her and wanted to know how she was baptized and what not, so she told us, and then we basically went over how we are baptized

Priesthood authority

All the way under the water

Holy Ghost

Read some great passages from the Book of Mormon to her.   It was so sweet!

Ummm, then my companion out of no where was like, "Will you get baptized in two weeks?" and I literally was SO mad because I was like pouring my heart and soul into this lesson and was killing it and she was so into it and feeling it, and then he asks her to get baptized and she was like, "Ummm, no, I'm sorry.  I'm not going to do that this is my first lesson, and I was likE ... "OKAY, so I think what my companion was TRYING to say was we invite you to be baptized when you know the things we teach you are true and you have faith in this church (something along those lines) and she was like, "Ooh, that makes so much more sense.  Thank you for saying that because I'm not ready."  I was like, "Oh, yeah, of course.  We want you to know this is true before you do that.  Anyway, so we had like 5-7 mins in the lesson, and I wanted to talk about the similarities between the Bible and Book of Mormon, but that the Book of Mormon has the restored truth of this gospel,  and my companion was like, "No, Elder Wilde.  It's time to close this and end with a prayer, and I got SOOOo mad in my head... I was like, "No, Elder.  I think we have a few minutes."  He was like, "No, we need to end with a prayer," and I was like, "Let me just finish with something, so I basically told her about the Bible and how some of the truths were taken out of it due to the apostasy and the prophets being killed off and how Joseph Smith restored the gospel and then was like "Okay, the Book of Mormon has the RESTORED and full truth," and I said so much other stuff, but anyway, I was like, "I invite you to read the introduction, 3 +8 witnesses and testimony of Joseph Smith.  I gave her a Book of Mormon, she accepted the invitation, and we are meeting with her again on Wednesday.  GET THIS. . . okay so after we ended with a prayer, we went outside and my companion was like, "That was so risky of you asking her to read the testimony of Joseph Smith," and I was like in my head,  "ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!?!?! YOU ASKED HER TO GET BAPTIZED...!"  I was so frustrated.... ummm,

Anyway, we, also, have a fake investigator named Jim that we have had two lessons with and both went great.  Taught about the Plan of Salvation because he had some friends pass away and wanted to know about afterlife and what not.  KILLED that lesson.  It was awesome, and then we talked about the restoration the next lesson we had with him.  We invited him to read the same things, so we gave him a Book of Mormon, and yeah, that was awesome, good practice. 

Okay, I'm sorry my spelling is SO bad, but I'm just ranting to you guys 'cuz I love you and want to tell you so much.  Okay, you guys need to go read some things for me.  So, when I got really frustrated one night and was missing home, and the other Elders in my dorm read this poem, that will help you through hard times... It's called "He's Been There Before" by Elder Whittle... literally spoke to me so much and I was just, "Ugh, I loved it so much... youll see why...

  He's Been There Before

 (Click on the link above to read the poem Elder Wilde is talking about.)

Okay, and then on Sunday devotional, we listened to an Elder Bednar talk he gave at the Missionary Training Center on Christmas called, "The Character of Christ," and I was just like, "WOW wowoWWOWOO O, I love this so much...."  It talked about helping others and just putting people before you and like serving and how loving others can go so far.  Yeah, I just changed from that and was like, "Wo, I love this so much... the MTC is so much fun.  I love all the Elders and don't want to leave them..."

I met the guy Morgan Smith is friends with.  His name is Elder Tuttle, and then I met the kid the Jensen girl knows.  His name is Elder Mounch.  We are all are like best friends lol.  We hang out 24/7.  I'm so close with both of them, and they are both going to Philly.... literally I have been doing companion switches to hang out with them.  We all go work out in the morning and talk about life and stuff.  It's way chill haha. 

 (Elder Wilde with Morgan Smith--their Bishop in Danville's daughter, who is going to Portugal and is, also, in the MTC)

(Elder Wilde, also, ran into one of his mother's best friend's son in the MTC.  He is going to Taiwan on his mission.)

Ummm what else...... today is obviously my PREPARATION DAY.  I went to the temple and honestly after studying so much, I understand so much more of what is taught there.... I just understood it... it was awesome, what a lovely time. 

 

 

 Okay, so next Tuesday morning, I'm going to the airport from 6-9 AM  and they are letting us call somewhere between that time, so please be awake 'cuz I'll be calling you guys!!!  I'll be calling Mom 'cuz I know her number by heart lol.

Umm, I've been writing in my journal every night.  I've been taking the most amazing notes. My notebook is like art, you seriously need to see it haha.....

Umm, super duper miss music... like every night me and my elders and other elders throughout the day when we need a break... we all just rap together LOL.  It's so funny, but it's the biggest stress reliever and we talk about sports and stuff... it's so fun.  

 

The thing that sucks here is the food... I HATE the food... it's horrible..  Also, we have three teachers who rotate... and there is one teacher i LOVE whose name is Brother Clark.  He is SOOOO chill....... I love when he teaches because he connects with us and makes it fun and actually cares about us.  But again I'm trying to become patient with the other two teachers, but ugh it's so hard...

Okay, so I must admit prayer is the biggest day maker.... literally like I was, "oh, yeah, everyone just says that but, NO wow.... it makes my morning and makes my night.... and every other second of the day.  I do it all the time and it's awesome. 

I seriously miss all you guys so much, and my dogs.   Oh, my gosh!  I miss them so much......... and friends, but I'm not focused on that at all during the day, just at night before going to bed and all of us Elders are talking about life back at home.  It's good to take a step back into reality and just you know like talk about things, relieves so much stress.... 

 

Anyway, there is so much I could tell you guys more about it, but I have so many other people to write.  I love you guys, and I hope you all have a great week.

REMEMBER, I'M CALLING TUESDAY!

Elder WILDEEEE!!! !<3 

First E-Mail Received from Elder Wilde - August 21, 2015

It’s Your Son!

 Hello, Hello!

It isn't my P day today, but they gave us the chance to write home for a few minutes to let you know that I am alive!  It has been a crazy three days to say the least... I literally have no time to myself, we are CONSTANTLY doing something which I am actually happy about because if I wasn't occupied, I would probably think about home, friends, family all that kind of stuff and get somewhat depressed. 

I am SO lucky, I have a sweet MTC companion.  His name is Elder Wagner.  He's pretty chill.  I am in a residence with four people which include myself.  The other two people we room with are WAY sweet.  I actually like them so much, they are so fun.  Their names are Elder Nebeker and Elder Smith.  Both really fun guys.  They same to be enjoying time with me as well.  We are all constantly laughing and smiling.  They also make jokes with me and what not.  It's been such a good time.  I was seriously so nervous that I was going to get called to a weird MTC companion and then room with weird people, but I definitely got what I wanted haha. 

I am seriously starving through the day.  We hardly get anytime for food and then by the end of the day, we are all SO exhausted and hungry, so we all go to the vending machine and get the crappiest food, but it feels so nice at the end of the day lol. 

Anyway, these past three days have been honestly so great.... I literally have worked the hardest I ever have.  I have been so on top of everything and have learned so much... It's incredible the amount of things you can learn and feel in such a short period of time.  I told my companion and other elders I room with, "I made a choice to come here, leave everything behind, so if I am going to do this, I am going to do this right and work my butt off so these two years go by fast."  

Anyway, I have to e-mail my mission president, so i have to go, but I hope you guys are having a wonderful time in Tahoe.  If you want to send me any food..... that would be more than lovely lol.  Also, I leave for Philly next  Monday, the first of September.  In a super big rush right now - gotta go! 

LOVE YOU

- Elder Wilde

Setting Apart as a Missionary, Enjoying a Family Meal Together, and Entering the MTC

The long awaited and anticipated day finally arrived:  August 19, 2015--the day that Elder Wilde would be entering the Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah.  He would first need to be set apart as a missionary.  This took place in the MTC and Elder Wilde's family and both sets of grandparents were able to attend this special blessing.

 Entering the MTC to be set apart.

 

 

 Great experience for younger brothers who have now gone through this two times with their two older brothers.

 Elder Wilde along with his Grandfather Wilde, his dad, a member of the MTC Presidency who officially set him apart as a missionary, and his Grandfather Copeland.  This is the priesthood ordinance of giving authority to members called to labor in specific responsibilities.  It is done by those  having the proper priesthood authority and by the laying on of hands.    He was given a beautiful blessing and many promises were made if he would devote these next two years to the Lord and be obedient in all his responsibilities.

 As we passed the world map, we had Elder Wilde point to where he would be serving--Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

 Elder Wilde with his mother.  We had all been guests in the MTC for this special blessing and setting apart, but in a few hours, Elder Wilde would be back again to start the best two years of his life!

 Elder Wilde was asked where he would like to eat his final dinner with his family for two years, and he chose pizza and one of the most popular pizza places in Provo--The Brick Oven.  It was definitely a great choice!

 We then drove over to a grassy area in front of the Provo Temple to take a few last pictures with Elder Wilde.

 And then, too soon, it was time for the grandparents to say "good-bye."  What a wonderful grandson Elder Wilde is.  We are all going to miss him for two years, but couldn't be prouder of the choice he has made to serve this mission.  Good-bye to Grandma Copeland . . .

 Grandpa Copeland . . .

 Grandma Wilde . . .

and Grandpa Wilde.

 Then came the hardest part of all.  His family drove him to the MTC for the second time today, but this time, they would say good-bye for two years.

 Saying "Good-bye" to his brother, Tyson . . .

 and little brother, Preston. 

 Moms seem to be the most emotional.

 But, dads get emotional, too. 

And he's off--although he won't see his family or friends for two years, may only e-mail  home once a week, and may only call home twice a year (on Christmas and Mothers' Day), we all know this is one of the most growing times in a young man's life.  By serving the Lord and serving his fellowmen, which he will do the next two years, he will grow and become the person that the Lord wants him to be.  We all will miss his contagious smile and loving personality--one of the most positive persons I know, but we wish him well and will continually pray for him in all he does in this worthy work.

Farewell to Family and Friends in Utah - August 16, 2015

Elder Wilde's family traveled to Utah to finish purchasing the items he would need for his mission, give him a chance to say "good-bye" to family and friends there, and then take him to the Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah.  The farewell party in Utah was held at his Grandparents Willard and Linda Wilde's home.  Again, this was such a wonderful time for everyone to visit and enjoy this wonderful occasion.

 

 Elder Wilde with some of his Copeland cousins:  Brady, Hannah, Jenna, Lauren, and Kade; along with Elder Wilde's brother, Tyson.

 The food was so great, but even better were the reunions that took place that day!

 Elder Wilde's uncle and aunt

 Elder Wilde's Great grandmother who is 95 years young, along with Elder's Wilde aunt and uncle.

 Uncle Kyle and Cousin Carter--the next Copeland cousin who is planning to serve a mission in a year.

 Great friends of the Wilde family who they have known since they were first married and lived in Orlando by each other.

 Copeland cousins and little brother, Preston

 More Copeland cousins and Ellie, married to Elder Wilde's cousin, Taylor, who was on a business trip and couldn't attend

 Another wonderful family who became friends of the Wilde's when they lived in Virginia.

 The mother in this picture has been a family friend of all the Copelands since she attended school with the oldest three Copeland kids in junior high.

 Great family friends of the Wildes who they got to know in Shanghai when they lived there.

 Elder Wilde with his Aunt Kim and Uncle Kyle

 Elder Wilde with family friends of the entire Wilde family.

 The father in this picture has been friends with Elder Wilde's dad since they were in junior high school together. 

 Elder Wilde with his cousin, Kelsey, and Aunt Natalie

 Elder Wilde and his wonderful 95-year-old grandmother

 Three generations

 Four generations

 Elder Wilde with his parents and both sets of grandparents

 Elder Wilde's mother with three of her best friends in high school--Cami; her now sister-in-law Angie, and Kim

 Elder Wilde's Aunt Julie and her two children

 His Uncle Kevin and Aunt Angie

 Another of his mother's best friends since elementary school, Anne

And last, but certainly not least, is Sandy who has helped our family in so many ways, as well as one of the most loyal friends anyone would ever want since all of the Copeland kids were young.  Again, she was there to help out and show her support!

What a great day seeing so many people, some who we hadn't seen for years!  They all expressed their love to the Wilde family and gave their best wishes for a fantastic missionary experience for Elder Wilde.