The day was almost here that every missionary for the Mormon church goes through when they leave behind their friends, family, cell phones, and day-to-day life to serve the Lord for two years (18 months for women). During that time, they may e-mail home weekly, call home twice a year (Christmas and Mothers' Day), and use all their time and talents in serving the Lord and the people in their missionary area. It is such a growing time for the missionary and one they will always remember.
Kade would be serving in the Ecuador Quito North Mission. Therefore, on the day that he spoke in Sacrament Meeting at Church, his family had an Ecuador flag flying at their home
The house was all decorated awaiting for the food to be set out when the guests arrived after church.
Some of the many future missionaries in the Copeland family.
Kade with his friend, Izzy, who he has been friends with since they have been babies!
The proud grandpas--Copeland and Johns.
Kade with two of his darling girl cousins: Kennedy and Lola.
My sister pointed out how much Kade looked like his great-great grandpa Lester on the day he left for his full time mission to the Samoan Islands in 1913. Kade is going to be an outstanding missionary just like him!
Grandma Laura with sisters, Joyce and Natalie, with Elder Copeland.
Cousins Lauren, Tyson, Jenna, and Sydney.
Cousins Connor, Lauren, and Parker.
Later on in the day, we took pictures of the seven siblings in the Copeland Family.
Grandpa and Grandma Copeland with all the Copeland grandchildren--minus Elder Copeland serving in Scotland/Ireland.
The entire Copeland family--minus just the one grandson.
That evening, a member of the Stake Presidency came to the Copeland household to "set Kade apart." 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.
Grandma Laura with sisters, Joyce and Natalie, with Elder Copeland.
Cousins Lauren, Tyson, Jenna, and Sydney.
Cousins Connor, Lauren, and Parker.
That evening, a member of the Stake Presidency came to the Copeland household to "set Kade apart." 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.
Elder Copeland was now an official missionary for the next two years.
Elder Copeland's entire family.
Elder Copeland, the missionary leaving, along with his cousin, the former Elder Wilde, who had just returned from his mission.
Grandparents Robert and Marti Johns, Elder Copeland, and Laura and George Copeland
Uncle Kyle, Brady, and Aunt Kim came to congratulate Elder Copeland.
The next day would be the day that Elder Copeland would be entering the Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah, and the last time we would all be seeing him for two years.
A group of family members had a pizza lunch with him before he went to the MTC.
Kennedy was especially having a tough time letting him go. She had really become attached to Elder Copeland during the last week she had been with him.
Cameron and Anne and their family say good-bye.
Craig and Cassie and their family, also, say good-bye.
Riley says he was going to hold on tight and not let him go.
Gavin and Mason gave him big hugs, too!
We then went over to the Provo Temple grounds to take some pictures before his family took him to the Missionary Training Center.
The five siblings in Elder Copeland's family.
Saying good-bye to Grandpa George and Grandma Laura.
At the MTC, a missionary comes to help Elder Copeland with his luggage.
Then came the final good-byes to his immediate family.
And
he's off--although a mission has many challenges, 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 this
dynamic young man, his loving personality, and the way he reaches out to
everyone--especially little children--but, we wish him well and will
continually pray for him
in all he does in this worthy work.
To follow Elder Copeland's weekly experiences and to see pictures of the service and teaching he is doing, you may follow him on his blog at:
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