I'm a Dad!! Don't Worry, It's Not What You Think

 

 

Howdy Folks,

This Cowboy country is really getting to me. I think I might even start to like country! Ha Psych! Still not happening, but I am falling in love with this area, Its a great place to share the Gospel! So I'm sure your'e all wondering about the title of this email. Let me explain. When a missionary trains a new missionary, he becomes the new missionary's "dad" its just a slang term for being a trainer. Don't worry, I don't make him call me dad, that would be weird. But other missionaries will call him my boy and they will call me his dad. So there you have it, the secret language of missionaries! My new companions name is Elder Legaspi and he is from Naga City in the Phillipines! He is 100% solid and I love him already! He is 100% willing to work and he is even willing to put up with me. This week was kinda slow missionary work wise but it was still a good week! Here is how it went!

Monday: Elder Thompson and I,went on a legendary adventure out into the wilderness to find the remains of dinosaurs. It was so dope! We hiked for an hour and a half and came across the largest dinosaur tracksite in North America! The tracks spanned the length of a quarter mile and two opposing river banks. Since Elder Thompson and I are professional adventurers, we couldn't possibly be satified with the tracks on only one of the riverbanks, so we took off our shoes and forded a freezing cold river to reach the other dinosaur tracks. it was 100% worth it. The water was so cold that the instant my feet hit the water they just hurt. It was knarly. We then had to trek back to our car and face the wrath of some migrating cows that were pretty, well, bovine. It was definitely my favorite P-Day so far!

Tuesday: It was the last day Elder Thompson and I had together, So we tried to work our bottoms off. We had a great lesson with our progressing investigators, Jonathan and Crystal, and we found some new people to work with. Missionary work is the best!

Wednesday: Wednesday we drove to the Springs to pick up my trainee and to hand over Elder Thompson to his new companion. It was pretty sad. But all is well that ends well! I got some last minute training on how to be a trainer and I also got to meet Tru Faith, my favorite Christian rapper, who happened to be a former investigator of Elder Thompson. We then went to the airport to pick up my new companion and we had a safe drive home, all the way to La Junta, which is like a two hour drive. We are so isolated!

Thursday we got to weekly plan a smidgen and then go meet some investigators and the bishop. Bishop Efird is pretty awesome and we have a lot in common, since he just got called as Bishop and I am fairly new myself. We got to eat dinner with them and they invited us over to make calls to our families on Christmas.

Christmas: We studied like normal and then played Fact or Crap for almost two hours. The game is the best! We then went and saw a  less active and shared a spiritual message with him. Its great to be able to share Christ on Christmas!  We then got to go over to the Bishop's house and call our families, which was awesome! Shout out to the Fam, my favorite people ever! Luckily for me I get to keep them forever! We then watched Willow, which is by far one of my favorite movies ever. So good! I also have to say thank you to my Mom and my Grandma and Alexa for making my Christmas awesome! The shaving cream works great Grandma! I am a pretty spoiled missionary!

Saturday: Probably one of the roughest days I have had as a missionary. I just didn't know where to start and we had a limited amount of miles and it was just generally stressful. One of the families we were teaching dropped us because they ran into some Anti Mormon literature while doing research. That was pretty hard on me, because they had been a miracle find. But I have confidence that the Lord will soften their hearts and that we will be able to continue to teach them.  It still broke my heart. I then had a very drawn out and emotionally draining conversation with an aggressive atheist who insulted my intelligence and called me a sheep for believing in God. If the guy had been humble and polite with me we probably could've have parted ways without me wanting to give into the natural man and punch him, but instead he had to demean me and call me an idiot. I have nothing against other beliefs and even a lack of belief, but there is no reason to be rude. I think he is more mad at God than anything else. Looking back and having thought about it for awhile, I realize I needed to have that conversation to strengthen my testimony and to try my faith. I am very grateful the Lord helped me out and I know that if you ask for it, He will help you too.

Sunday: Our investigators came to church! That is always a win in my book! We got to go meet a bunch of people and recieved a really promising referral from a lady in the ward! The work is really picking up and I am so grateful I get to be a part of it! We taught the Word of Wisdom to our investigators and the they said they would live it! The Lord really made up my inadequacies in that lesson and It was super humbling.

I just want to bare my testimony that I know the Lord Qualifies whom He calls. I know it, because He is doing it with me. I love the Lord and I know that someday I will see Him again. I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet. I know that God lives because the Spirit has born witness of  it in my heart. I testify that the Book of Mormon can help solve what ever problem you have, if you sincerely search it's pages and include God in the equation. I testify of the power of the Atonement of Christ. (Alma 34) It is the sweetest experience to feel the love the Savior has for us and when we repent and take advantage of the Gift of the Atonement, we feel that love so strong. He has the power to change your nature, your habits, your life. I invite you to let Him. You will not regret it. Life is hard, but it is harder with out Christ. I am grateful for all of you and I love you all very much. Stay safe and live long and prosper!

With Love,

Elder Rogers 

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When Your'e Mission Presidents Asks You to Go Super Saiyan... LAST MINUTE

Holy Strawberries Batman, We're in a jam!

Well Folks, that's just how I feel. So I found out last week that I would receive a companion by the name of Elder Thompson and that we would slay it in La Junta, Colorado. A little backround about La Junta. It is so dinky out here its knarly! I never thought that I would fall in love with small town america but I have. This area is off the chain. Anyways  This was the plan. But as anybody who has ever made a plan knows, plans don't always work out. So, without further ado, here was my week:

Monday: Just another Low Key Monday, played hours and hours of Basketball and packed in preparation to be transferred. I also received a certain Alexa's letter (thankyouthankyouthankyou) 

and a package from my Grandma Janet and my Grandpa Don. Thank you both so much you made this missionaries day so grand!

Tuesday: I get a phone call. From my Mission President. He tells me he wants me to train a new missionary who will be coming from the Philippines this Wednesday. I stop breathing at that point and choke out a yes. After he hangs up I go curl up in the fetal position and try to calm my toast. It takes me awhile, but I recovered in time for Transfer meeting, where i met my bro for life and current companion Elder Thompson. We Insta-clicked and it has been such a blast serving with him! Which makes training all the sadder, because he will most likely be transferred out to the Springs. 

Wednesday: My first official day in La Junta (pronounced La Hunna) Man I love this area! there is so much potential here! We cover a 5500 square mile radius, which makes it the second largest area in the mission. We need more miles #thatmissonarylife. Anyways we found two new investigators that day, and there names are Daniel Two Feathers Redearth and Marilyn Hansen. Two Feathers is a 57 year old legendary guy and Marilyn in an extremely intoxicated old woman who needs a lot of help and I love them already! 

Thursday: Just for kicks and giggles, my Mission President calls me again, and asks me to be the District leader. In a new area. At 3 Months.  So, just to make sure everyone is on the same page I am now flush training (training in a new area) a Filipino who may not even speak English and becoming a District leader right out of training. Can you say fetal position? I do want to testify that the Lord qualifies those He calls. During the Sacrament this week I had the blessing and opportunity to ask God what I lacked. He told me, by no uncertain terms, that it was faith. So I am determined to change that. I firmly believe that even though I am inexperienced and tasked with a huge amount of responsibility, I will be ok. Not only ok, but I will thrive because I choose to believe and have the faith the the Lord will walk, train, and be district leader with me. If i rely on Him. If Peter can walk on water because of Christ than surely the Lord will help me. Only if I let Him. We all have our agency to choose. We also found a family with 4 people who of baptizing age that are willing to hear our message. God is Great.

Friday: We found 3 new investigators today, including Jonathan, who said he would come to church and try it out. I am so grateful that the Lord sees the need that I have the fears that I harbor and comforts them in the perfect way. I love Him dearly.

Saturday: we got to teach a bunch of people and we a great lesson with Jonathan. We invited him to be baptized and he said he would pray about it. Elder Thompson and I are also ridiculously alike in a lot of ways. There was no awkwardness what so ever. 

Sunday: Jonathan came to church  and asked to be baptized, it was so sweet! We also got the chance to set up a few appointments with some people who should have joined the church long ago. Again, I love this area. After church we saw some crazy people and I got roasted by an 80 year old grandma who called me, and I quote "a creepy A** white cracker" Shout out to Sister Steir. After that we met with Jonathan and his wife and invited them both to be baptized on the 16th of December! They said yes! So by the end of the week we had 10 new investigators, and 2 with a date. It is so humbling to be that the Lord is willing to use such a weak person as myself to bring people into the fold of God. I love being a missionary!

So Brothers and Sisters, if you are feeling weak and unimportant, I testify that that is false. You are a literal son or daughter of God, the very Creator of the Universe. He loves you dearly and will do all He can to help you. It is always your choice to receive that help. I testify of the divinity of my Savior and Redeemer Jesus Christ. He is the Great I Am. He does love us. He was and continues to be the Gift. He is the Reason for the Season. I love Him greatly. I invite all of you to find Him, and enjoy the blessing of the Atonement. To become more like Him. It can be done. I also testify that I am here in Colorado for someone and for something. God did not just send me here for fun. He sent me here because I will grow the most and become more like His Son here than anywhere else. There also people that only I can help at this time. I know that.  I cannot express the perfection and majesty of God's plan for us. To quote President Uchtdorf, "It works wonderfully" Joseph Smith was a prophet. He did see God the Father and Jesus Christ. I know it with all my heart. Read the Book of Mormon and find out for yourself. No one can make you happier or find out the truth. But. I promise you, no matter where your relationship with God is at, if you read the Book of Mormon and try to live the teaching in it, your life will get better. I know it. I love you all and I leave you these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Elder Mason Rogers

P.S. MERRY CHRISTMAS!

 

 

MTC Bros at transfers

 

 Elder Thompson and I. Bros for life.



 

Us being Dorks! This picture sums up our week. LOL

Pueblo, Colorado, Here I Come!

Salutations!

So this young guy is getting transferred!! On the real though I'm a little bummed out. I love 17th ward and the work is really picking up. This last week my companion and I set a goal to teach 30 lessons a week. We taught 28! Even though we didn't make it, we still were able to bring a lot of people closer to Christ, and that's what missionary work is all about. So the main things that I learned in my first area are as follows:1. Trust in the Lord, He will provide. I cannot tell you how many times things just worked out. Every single day I could look back at what I was blessed with and I just knew that the Lord was orchestrating it. It just took my choice to notice. 2. i learned that being driven isn't something someone is born with. It's a day by day choice. You have no idea how powerful your agency is. It makes the difference in so many things when you CHOOSE to rely on Christ. 3. Patience. Patience for days. That's all I'm going to say about that. 4. Humility. This isn't my time, or my mission, or my work. It's the Lord's time, It's His mission that He has for me, and It's His work in His way. The moment you get over yourself and serve someone else, or do things in the Lord's way, your'e acting humbly. This lesson is one I'm probably going to be learning for the rest of my life. Alright. I will get off my soap box now. Without further ado, here is how my week went:

Monday: Well, Monday. It came, It went. I can't really remember it! I think we played Ultimate Frisbee. That's all i got.

Tuesday: We came, We saw, We taught a bunch of lessons.

Wednesday: Wednesday we had Zone conference, which was pretty awesome. It was super spiritual and got me even more pumped for missionary work. We talked about loving Christ and why it is important. Overall it was really great!

Thursday. We weekly planned and taught 2 lessons at coffee shops. It would have been great if we could have taught the word of wisdom there, but we were teaching the restoration. It still went good!

Friday: A ton of appointments fell through, but we found two new investigators which is super awesome.

Saturday: Taught a ton, learned a ton. Can't really remember it though. I found out that I am being transferred. I will be going to Pueblo to preach the gospel to the Puebloens. My companion will be Elder Thompson, and I'm super excited!

Sunday: I got to say goodbye to a ton of the families I had gotten the opportunity to work with. It was kinda sad but a really positive experience overall. 

So sorry that I can't remember anything else. I'm still teaching in my sleep though! So that's still interesting.

So my new address is as follows: 2408 Bellview Ave Apartment. #3, Pueblo, Colorado. Zip code 81050

And here is my testimony as follows: I love Jesus Christ. I know Him and as His personal representative I am striving to be be like Him. I know this is His Church because I have studied it out in my mind, come to this conclusion, and prayed about it with all the energy of my heart. The Spirit has witnessed this truth to my heart over and over again. I love His gospel. by living it's precepts and doctrines and principle I have found everlasting and eternal joy. I invite all who are doubting, sad, upset, or just plain bored with where they are at to live these principles of Faith in Jesus Christ, Repentance, Baptism, Receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost, and Enduring to the End. I know these things work, and that they work wonderfully, even perfectly. They are of God. I know that these truths have been restored to their fullest by Joseph Smith by the power of God. He was a prophet of God and a martyr for the truth. I know that the Book of Mormon is no fantasy, no complex fable made up to catch men in a snare, but I testify that it  is the word of God, the most true book on the planet. It testifies of Christ and invites all mankind to come unto Him to be healed, and to follow Him and become like Him. I know that the Lord has sent me to Colorado to do His will because He knows what is best for me and for all His children. I testify that it is by the Will of God that I am getting sent down to Pueblo, to be companions with Elder Thompson, to preach His word and testify of Christ. I know these things to be true and I testify of them in the name of my Savior, Jesus Christ, amen.

I love you all and I miss you lots. 

Much Love,

Elder Rogers

Obey the Lord, Who We Love, With a Willing Heart

Dearly Beloved,

   We are gathered here today to celebrate Elder Rogers last week of training. Suffice to say he is P-U-M-P-E-D PUMPED! So I don't think I will be training this next transfer, which I am pretty happy about honestly. I don't think I'm quite ready for that. My Companion continues to disagree, but I just ignore that. I think I have learned more about myself and about Christ in the last 12 weeks than I have in the last 2 years. Let me tell you, ladies and gentlemen, God is great, and He loves us more than we can comprehend. My heart and prayers go out to those who have been affected by the increasing evil in the world, I hope that you all are safe and sound. So this week was not as productive as I would have liked it to be, but that's A-OKAY, because I am confident that it turned out the way the Lord wanted it to. I did learn a lot though! So we were given a talk by a ward member titled Teaching by the Spirit, by Gene R. Cook. It blew my mind! I realized that Missionary work is so much easier than we sometimes make it out to be. The more US we put into to something, the less God has to work with. Don't miss understand, we still need to work hard and be faithful, but this is HIS work, not ours. The only say we really have about what goes on in the work is whether or not we are going to be a part of it. That's why it's so important to teach by the Spirit. It is the ONLY way people will ever truly change. When we are obedient to the commandments, when we seek after Christ with all our hearts, and we decide to be disciples, we are able to utter the prayer of faith, and by the prayer of faith we receive the Spirit as our companion. Its so simple that we tend to mess it up by over complicating it! I testify that the Gospel is that simple. Further more it is only possible through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Redeemer. Anyways, without further soapboxery, here's how my week went:

Monday: So last P-Day we all went to a very small building to play basketball. By the end of my mission I'm going to be LeBron James. Not even kidding. We play so much basketball it's ridiculous. But nevertheless, it was still better than sitting in an apartment for hours and hours. We had dinner with the Ventura's, who have to be one of my favorite families we eat with, they are so funny. They fed us Noodles and Company, which is straight up baller eating. It's so dang good! After a full day of basketball and good eating, we retired to our apartment and went to bed. According to my companion I continue to teach lessons in my sleep. I can only hope the extra practice will help me out.

Tuesday: We got to give service and help out a lot of ward members and still teach a ton! We met with this guy named Gabriel who got active in the church while he was incarcerated, but has fallen away a bit and is looking to come back. Its always so spiritual with that guy, I love how powerful the Atonement really is. Words cannot describe the love I feel for my Savior.

Wednesday: I went on exchanges with Elder Gutierrez in my area and had a grand old time. I really had to really on the Lord that day, cuz our Studies got interrupted by a driving course I had to take for driving in icy conditions. Two words: Drift Pad. I basically learned braking techniques and how to get out of a slide or a spin. It was so much fun. The rest of the day we got to teach a bunch of people, as well as find some new investigators. It was a great day. We also got to teach another new investigator, and we challenged her to be baptized and she said she would if she found out that these things were true. So she will get baptized potentially soon! I love my job! Ironically we taught that lesson at Starbucks...

Thursday: So our car was out of commission the entire day, so we were stuck at our Zone Leaders' apartment basically the whole day. Luckily it was weekly planning day, so it was still productive! We even picked up a new less active family, who we are working with to get to the temple! So Pumped!

Friday: Zone Training was today, and it was soooo good but soooo long! We basically learned how to work with members better and what the mission will be focusing on for the next year. We broke it down to one simple sentence that has so much meaning. Obey the Lord, Whom we love, with a willing heart. Obedience, Charity, Humility. Its so great and I am so grateful that I get the opportunity to be a part of it.

Saturday: We got to meet with a ton of people and help them out, which was awesome. We had dinner with a family who apostatized, but they kicked us out before could teach them -_- I'm learning more and more everyday that you can only invite, you can't force anyone to accept anything. Which can be kind of a bummer, but I know God has a plan for them, even if I'm not part of it!

Sunday: Let me just say, I love fasting! It is such a great experience to sacrifice to show the Lord that we are dedicated to what we are praying for. I got to bear my testimony, which was a great experience. We got to watch the First Presidency's Christmas Devotional, and it was awesome.

As I enter into my last week of training I am so grateful for the prayers and love that have been expressed on my behalf. I really do love you all so much. I testify that this is the true church. That God is at the Helm and He will not steer us astray. He loves us,and His ultimate act of love was sending His Son to suffer and die for us. I testify that Christ lives and that He loves us as well. We are sent here to become like Them and to have joy. I know this is true. I know that families can be together forever, through Heavenly Father's plan. It truly is the Plan of Happiness. Joseph Smith was a prophet. The Book of Mormon is the most correct book on the earth today. I love you all and pray for you often.Be sure to tell someone you love them today! This Christmas I invite you to give something back to the Savior. Prayerfully consider what it could be,and then do it. You will see miracles happen. Again, I love you and I miss you all.

Love,

Elder Rogers

Kick, Push, Kick, Push, Coast. Some Weeks Just Like That, But not This Week

Dear Family and Squad,

This week has been a little crazy! Now if only I can remember it. So what they don't necessarily tell you about a mission is that it goes by at WARP SPEED! I feel like just yesterday I stepped of the plane and here I am at the precipice of week 11, two weeks of training to go! They also don't tell you that if you keep at it enough, you'll start teaching the lessons in your BLOOMIN SLEEP! 4 nights out of the last 7 I have woken up to sound of the lessons coming out of my mouth. My Companion and I even role-played the lessons out in our sleep as well. I'm wondering if at my year mark I'll be knocking on doors in my sleep. Its possible. Now, without further ado, my week.

Monday: So last P-day I went on a hike! In the snow! In shorts! Mistake? I don't think so! I then got the opportunity to play so Frisbee with some pretty cool katz. It was a fairly decent P-Day! Oh we also met a guy who thought he was his own god and that 10% of his spirit is in his body and 90% of it is out in space looking out for him. His name was Steve and he takes the prize for weirdest belief I've encountered.

Tuesday: So Tuesday was uneventful, but we got to teach our new investigators, which is awesome! We did have some sketch stuff happen with a family we ate with, but nothing life threatening ;)

Wednesday: We weekly planned all week long it was gloriously boring and productive at the same time. We did have a miracle happen though. We had role played for an investigator during companion study, and we were pretty worried about how the lesson would go. She had previously told us that she had already been baptized and that she didn't need to be baptized again, so we thought we would have a lot of opposition ahead of us. But alas! She asked if she could be baptized! and so we extended the commitment and she accepted! I love role playing!

Thursday: So on Thanksgiving and Christmas we get to watch any PG movie as long as we both agree on it as a companionship. This was probably the biggest surprise to be as a missionary, because here i thought movies would be a complete no fly zone. My companion forgot to schedule one with a member so I still didn't get to watch Willow, but I think in the long run that's ok with me. We had dinner with a delightfully hilarious dysfunctional family, emphasis on the FUN in dysfunctional. Luckily they toned down the vulgarity for my companion and I and for that I am really grateful! I also got to play in a turkey bowl that morning which was great except for the snow. Our evening appointment canceled on us so we retired to our zone leaders apartment where we all got whooped on by Elder Smith during Monopoly. I also want to say that I missed my family very dearly and I am eternally grateful for the package i received.

Friday: Friday was a blur. We taught some people but a ton of people cancelled as well. Thats all i can remember.

Saturday: We started the purging/cleaning  process on one of our less actives homes, which needed it dearly. That house was hard to breath in. Still is, but I was glad to give service and help invite the Spirit a little more. We had a great dinner with the Burks, an awesome family in the ward, and stopped by some more houses on our way home to finish progress and teaching records.

Sunday: I got to go to Fort Carson yesterday and see how the branch is doing! It is such a blessing to be able to cover two areas and help out the military families on Fort Carson, I really love my area. I was given the opportunity to bare my testimony as well as give the opening prayer and bless the sacrament! Its a really small branch, but it still feels like every ward I've been in. Just goes to show the Church is true everywhere! Even if sometimes the people aren't!

So that was my week and here is my testimony. I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God. I know he translated the Book of Mormon by the power of God. I know that he died a martyr and he died for the truth. I testify that Christ lives. As His Birthday swiftly approaches, it becomes easier to remember Him, to act as He would, and love a little more. I know that this Church is true and that God will never conform to the will of men, but that one of the greatest things we can do is give our will over to God. When we do this we are able to become better. I testify that families can be together forever. I know this is possible because Jesus Christ and His Atonement. I testify that God answers prayers and that He will always be there for us when we need Him most, not necessarily when we want Him. Sometimes prayers aren't answered the same day they are said. To quote Isaiah, The Lord's ways are higher than our ways! I love this gospel. I love every struggle, hardship,and affliction that turns me to my God and His Son. I am grateful for my family, and I am so grateful they are mine forever. I love them very dearly, and I am so grateful I get to share the same gospel that blesses my family with others. The Church is true. If you have doubts, choose faith, if you have questions, ask God, and then look for them in the Book of Mormon. I love you all and miss you dearly!

Love,

 

So Excited to receive a letter from Elder Hite!!





 

My Comp in a cave we found on our Sweet Hike

The Lord is GREAT so be GRATEFUL

 

My Loved Ones

So let me just say, HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

 

This last week has been absolutely amazing! My companion and I taught 24 lessons this week. When I started training we taught maybe 13 a week. OBEDIENCE BRINGS BLESSINGS!!! (D&C 130:20-21) I cannot stress this principle enough. I have a firm and unshakeable testimony of this. In the Book of Mormon it talks about the prayer of faith. The prayer of the obedient is the prayer of faith. If you have been struggling with a specific commandment, commit to keep it for just a week, and look for the the miracles the Lord will bless you with. I promise you that there will be miracles. SO, without further ado, I will retire my soapbox for a moment, and tell y'all about my 

week.

Monday: So, its like, no big deal, but it SNOWED!! Man was it cool! And then I had to walk out into it. And Drive in it. woohoo.  I think I saw 3 different accidents on our way to dinner and our way home. People just need to slow their roll! But Monday was a good P-Day, I bought a Van Der Hagen razor, which I am in love with! I've only cut my self once, which is less than I expected! I just need a brush and some shave soap to complete the set! And that's all I'm going to say about that.

Tuesday: We did some service again, and it was good! We focused on finding that day and our efforts paid off! We knocked on a door of a potential investigator who we had helped earlier in the week and had set an appointment with, and they let us in! We have been using this awesome survey with tracting and its been so effective! If any of you missionaries would like it just let me know and I will shoot you the form! Anyway, after getting half way through the survey, we started teaching the Restoration! The lesson itself was rough, because my companion literally went solo and wouldn't let me teach, but even that was a blessing, because it made me talk to him about how I was feeling and communicate better! But the important part is that we set up a return appointment, making them new investigators! What a blessing!

Wednesday: Today we did Weekly Planning, which went better than previous times! Weekly planning is so important, so I am forcing myself to love it, because if I were to be honest, I really really really don't like doing it. Mostly because I get bored out of my mind! We were able to meet with Sister Kless today, and it went really good! The lesson with our investigator Bobby was filled with the Spirit, but he wasn't willing to listen, which initially made me mad. Yet here is the thing. We all have our agency, and its up to us whether we choose freedom through the Savior or captivity through the devil.

Thursday: We had Mission Tour today with Elder Nash of the Seventy. It was so incredible. He literally promised me that I would wake up on time for the rest of my mission. Anyone who knows me will understand what an incredible blessing this was for me. And I am happy to report I have gotten up on time since! More importantly though he talked about the importance of members. Members make the difference. Period. Sister Kless wasn't progressing until we brought a member to the lessons.  Mission Tour was so spiritual for me, and I learned so much! He also told us to be Bold, which means to teach with confidence, clarity, and love. Because the fact of the matter is, we are teaching the truth. Don't be apologetic. Don't make excuses. Declare the truth, because that's what it is.

Friday: Friday we found a new potential less active! We taught a ton and felt the Spirit even more! I love the Lord brothers and sisters, I really do. 

Saturday: SISTER KLESS GOT BAPTIZED!! That is the power of members. That is the power that the Spirit has for conversion. We also found a new less active, who happens to be in another ward, but we were still led to him by the Spirit! It was awesome! We also had Stake Conference that night, which was also pretty sweet!

Sunday: What a day! We had 7 scheduled appointments that day, and we didn't get to study at all. This was kind of freaking me out, because studies is where we receive revelation for our investigators! But we said a prayer and asked the Lord to make up for our shortcomings, and boy did He ever! We Taught 6 of the 7 lessons and found a new investigator! Yesterday was a literal miracle. For some reason, when we give as much as we can, God does the same and more. I know this is because He loves and wants us to be like Him. I know it.

So that was my week. We taught the majority of our lessons in 2 days, and it was all because of The Lord. I also finished Jesus the Christ this week, and it brought me closer to my Savior. I love Him brothers and sisters, and I stand as a special witness of Him. Being His representative is the most fulfilling, incredible experience I have ever had. And I get to do it for 2 years! Jesus Christ is our Savior. The Atonement is real, I testify of these things! It is the power by which our nature is changed. I testify of the fact that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God. He was, there is no if ands or buts about it. He sealed his testimony of our Savior with his blood. I raise my voice with his and testify that the Book of Mormon is the book of books. It is the surest way to get closer to your Savior. I know this because I have read it multiple times and I pray about it constantly. To quote the Prophet Moroni, Dispute not because ye see not. (Ether 12:6). Faith is not a perfect knowledge. It is a choice. We choose to believe these things and THEN we receive a witness. Sometimes we forget this. That's why it is so important we do spiritual CPR! When we go to Church (C) Pray continually (P) and Read the Scriptures (R) we keep our Spirits and our testimonies fresh and nourished. The basics are there for a reason. Finally I testify of God's love for us. He loves me, and He loves you just as infinitely and deeply. He is a God of love. Pray for that love brothers and sisters, pray to feel it in your life. (1 John 4:7-9, Moroni 7:45-48) You will not regret it.

I love you all, some more than others ;) But I do love you all. You are in this missionary's prayers.

Love,

Elder Rogers

 

 

It Snowed!!

 

 Me and Frank, My Balloon Bro.

 

 

Elder Gill and I

My Fellow Warriors in Christ,

 So my mail box has been generally empty the last few weeks....... And instead of just leaving room for inference, I WOULD LOVE SOME LETTERS AND SUCH. But besides the lack of mail, my week has been a great and marvelous struggle! God is forging me into something, Im not sure what yet, but Im feeling the heat and lovin the pressure! 

Monday: So last Monday I experienced quite a few great things! The day before I fasted for humility for both myself, and an Elder in my district who has been struggling! It was a very spiritual experience and forgot about it for awhile. Well, until I went mountain biking. So a bunch of people in my Zone decided to go do a trail in the Cheyenne's, the mountain range where NORAD is found! This particular trail is named Captain Jack, as for the why, I know not. This is the second time in my entire life that I've been mountain biking. Until my mission it had been a solid year since I had ridden a bike. Then I got stuck behind a sister who was worse than me. So as Im cruising along this trail, which happened to be between the cliff face and the mountainside, I start to get a little nervous. More accurately I was scared out of my mind. All I could think about was losing control and falling off the mountain. Well, Im happy to say I didn't. Unfortunately I didn't escape unscathed.

I started to pick up a significant amount of speed, probably upwards and around 20 miles an hour, when lo and behold, a turn! and a Sister missionary in the way! How wonderful! So, I hit my back brakes, just a tap, just a little bit. Well, my brakes work, maybe a little too well, because my back tire locked up. This event inspired me to attempt to kick the tree that had teleported in front of me down. Tree 1 Mason 0. After painfully deflecting off of the tree and landing quite spectacularly on my back, what I fasted for came back to mind. God sure does work fast haha. The rest of trail consisted of me walking the bike because of the gaping mental wound my crash inflicted upon me. All bike confidence I once possessed is now decimated. Completely. But somehow I came away virtually unharmed. In all honesty I should have broken my leg. God had other plans, and boy am I grateful. I some how had the strength to finish the trail, and I thank God that He was willing to teach me to rely on Him more. That night we had a lesson with a potential investigator. Just to put the icing on the cake, I had forgotten to grab my scriptures that morning. I just said a prayer and asked God to make up for my huge shortcomings, and the Spirit was so strong. Because that experience I received a greater witness that this is God's work and His work alone. I'm just here to grow and be along for the ride!

Tuesday:

We picked up a new investigator on a stop by, and had a great lesson with our progressing investigator sister Kless, who will be baptised this Saturday! 

Wednesday: We weekly planned. 'Nuff said.

Thursday!: Ok, so Thursday was pretty great, because Elder Zundel was at Temple Jubilee, And I got be in charge of the area! At 8 Weeks! it was scary! So we only had one set appointment, but we were able to pull off 4 extra appointments, making it one of the most productive days of the week. I know it was all the Lord, and I literally could not have done a minute of it without Him!

Friday: So sister Kless gave up her cigarettes today! It is so awesome to see the Lord change the very nature of people as they choose to believe. It makes the difference. We taught a ton of people, and we were able to help a lot of others! How grateful I am that I get to be a missionary!

Saturday: So Saturday went pretty swell except for a really really really awkward lesson with a part member family. We have been teaching the Less active member and we felt that she needed to come to church. So we asked her if she would. She said no. We asked why. She said personal reasons. We then noticed the extreme tension in the room, eminating from her husband. So my companion decided to ask if HE went to church. He said no, and that its "frankly none of our buisness"......Awkward silence. We then closed with a prayer and left. But the whole time this guy was getting offended, all I wanted to say to him was get over yourself. So often we let ourselves get in the way of learning, of growing, and of coming closer to God. So, my simple counsel this week is this: GET OVER YOURSELF. Pretty simple right?

Sunday was good, Elder Zundel and I went on splits so we could cover both the Fort Carson branch and 17th ward. I had to teach Elders Quorum, which went better then I thought it would. I had completely forgotten that I had to teach that day. The Lord helped me out a ton.

I leave you with my testimony. Jesus is the Christ and this is His church. It will never bend to match the world, and I am so grateful for that. Just as the Sanhedrin sought to persecute the saints for not conforming to their standards, We as latter day saints are persecuted because we won't bend either. I know that the Atonement works. It is the enabling power by which we change, repent,and become better. If you are trying to change by yourself, you may have noticed that it is nigh impossible. The Atonement is necessary. I am so grateful for the Sacrament (D&C 84:19-21). It gives me such peace in my heart. I know that Prayers are heard and answered. The only thing stopping us is ourselves. I know that its by choice that faith is grown. There is no compromise for that. Nephi said that he knew that God loved all His children, but he didn't know the meaning of all things. (1 Nephi 11:17) Its ok not to know. We walk in a world of falsehoods and lies, and the ONLY light is that of Jesus Christ and His Gospel. We were sent to this world to be tested and to grow. We WILL have doubts and we WILL have hard times. BUT all trials and afflictions are for our good. Just like how I will be forever grateful for crashing my mountain bike, when we look back on our trials, after trusting in the Lord, we will see just how much the Lord was and is with us. I testify that God loves us. That Joseph Smith was a prophet of God. That the Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ. It is the truth. This work that Im involved with is not about me. I have to get over myself everyday, and I am so grateful for my weakness, for my lacking, for my shortcomings. Because I get to see the miracles of the Lord every single day, despite being there to potentially mess it up. Doubt not, only believe. 

I love you all and you are in my prayers. Turn to the Lord, let Him know how you feel, ask for help, and He will provide.

Love,

Elder Rogers

Faith Overcomes Doubt: My First Convert!

Salutations Family and Friends,

So the title is a lil deceptive, I haven't baptized anyone yet! But, my first convert is accurate. I am talking about myself. A few weeks ago I was having some SERIOUS doubts about my testimony. Satan was trying really really really really hard on me. BUT. As Nephi of old I know in whom I have Trusted (2 Nephi 4:15-21) I just had this sickening feeling for a couple of days. I couldn't think straight. I thirsted after the Spirit, I NEEDED that relief. But Satan tried hard on that too, and tried to deceive into thinking what I was feeling wasn't real. Since I'm not home right now I've since killed and buried these doubts. What made the difference in my life was a choice. I chose faith over doubt. I simply said I'm going to believe in all of this, and I'm going to act on it. And I learned something spectacular from this great wrestle I had within myself. The Lord allows us to doubt, so that we can obtain greater faith. The principle of opposition in all things was so prevalent in this experience. It was so scary, so gut wrenching, so depressing and because of it I have more courage, more tenacity, and more happiness in my life. More importantly my faith has GROWN. Typically I testify at the end of this shindig, but today I'm going to change it up. I know in my heart that I have a Heavenly Father who loves me. I know that Christ suffered, bled from every pore, was scourged, beaten, and bruised, forced to carry the very boards that He would be nailed too, crucified, and then gloriously resurrected because He loves me. Because He loves you. I know that the Atonement is real. It works. I have seen it too many times in my life to say otherwise. I know that we are led today by men of God. They have been called and set apart because God looked past their weaknesses and failings and saw the potential to be like Him. He chooses us the same way. That's why I am on a mission, because even though I fail at so much and lack in so many areas, God saw potential in me. I know that the Book of Mormon is the Word of God. Everytime I read it my soul hungers for more, and the Spirit bares witness to me of the book's divinity. I know that Joseph Smith was a Prophet of God. I also know brother Joseph was a man. He was not perfect, and that gives me hope, because if God can take a simple man and turn him into a Prophet, then surely He can help me become who I need to be. I love being a missionary. I love every struggle, hardship, embarrassing moment, and heart ache. So with out further ado, I relinquish my soap box, and report on my week!

Monday: Last P-day was pretty fun! I played basketball, emailed y'all, and got to see Elder Gill, one of my bestest friends from the MTC! It was so good to catch up! Other than that it was pretty boring haha.

Tuesday: We did a lot of service, which was awesome! Went to the Chiropractor for my comps back. We taught a few lessons and then something amazing happened! We found a new investigator! One of the less active members we have been working with cancelled on us, so we decided to go visit her at her house! (typically we met with her at her grandparents house) When we showed up we were welcomed in and got to know the family! Aunna ( the less active) requested a blessing, which we happily provided. Then her mom started asking questions! So we taught the first lesson and asked if we could come back. She said yes!! She said she felt the truth of what we taught and it was so exciting!

Wednesday: So Tuesday night we exchanged with the Zone Leaders and I was able to go with Elder Smith. We stayed up far too late talking about the Gospel, and would have struggled the next day if not for the mercy of the Lord! We got to take a cool guy named Jacob out for the day! He reports to the MTC in like a week and he wanted to know what missionary life is like. We did a lot of service, but sadly a ton of appointments cancelled so he wasn't even able to experience teaching! So after we dropped him off we got a few doors closed in our faces (I guess they didn't want blessing or something) and we proceeded to dinner, which was pretty tasty! The lesson we taught was on the plan of salvation and included a Ukulele and a lot of singing between me and my comp! It was super fun! We then got to meet with a new investigator who has been investigating for 5 years! He married a member and has been seeking diligently to find the truth! I learned something incredible in this lesson. Elder Smith invited him to live the Gospel (tithing and all) for a set amount of time. He explained that he never got a burning in his bosom for an answer, but still wanted to know if it was true, so he decided to live the doctrine. (John 7:17) And Lo and Behold he got his answer! When he lived the Gospel he was happy, and he had peace and blessing in his life. He didn't receive his testimony in a mighty rush or feeling like some people do. He built it by testing it out. And I realized that I had too! I was happy and blessed because I did live the gospel! It strengthened my testimony and made the difference in my life. 

Thursday: Thursday was rough haha. We had more Chiropractic visits, and apartment inspections that day, so it sort of imploded. We did go on exchanges that night though.

Friday: So Friday was sort of a big deal because I was in charge of the area for the whole day! Elder Henning and I came out together, and he was my companion for the day! And what a day it was! I was pretty nervous so I just relied on the Lord with all my heart. Suffice to say it worked out! We taught 6 lessons and it was so much fun! Missonary work is awesome!

Saturday: Saturday we weekly planned. It was.... rough, but way better than last time. So at the beginning of October we had a zone training about obedience, where we commited to being more obedient than we were before. Let me tell you ladies and gentlemen, it works. Obedience brings miracles. I am so grateful for it. The Zone Leaders were looking at the key indicators for our zone and they are shooting through the roof! Its soo awesome. 

Sunday: Today I fasted with Elder Zundel and the Zone Leaders for a missionary in the district who is struggling. It was a great experience to sacrifice for those who need it. I also want to take the time to testify of the sacredness of the Sacrament. It is the best thing I do every week. I love it with all my heart, and I encourage all of you to ponder its meaning in your hearts.

So there ya go, my week in a nutshell! It was exciting and trying and faith building! I didn't take any pictures (sorry mom) because I was so busy, but I do want to take the time to thank my Aunt Christine and Grandma Janet for the package. It was such a Godsend. I am so grateful for the love and support I have back home, it is so humbling. I also want to thank Alexa for the sweet packages and letters she keeps on sending to sustain me! They save my life! I hope y'all have a great week and I want you to know I love and miss you all. I wish I could write you all letters! but if that were the case, i wouldnt be a very good missionary now would I?

Lots of Love,

Elder Rogers

My fellow Saints!

How time flies! I cannot believe it has been 6 weeks. I am officially half way done with Training, It's insane. Let me first start by saying HAPPY HALLOWEEN! I didn't even know about the shooting that happened in the Springs, because the work is too important, but I will be even more careful now, for those of you who worried. So imagine this. Six weeks ago, on my first day to the MTC, I promised my self that I would never have a bad day ever again. My attitude and how I feel is 100% up to me at all times. And Ladies and Gentlemen, the results are in for the first 6 weeks of this experiment (Drum roll please).....IT WORKS!!! But only on one condition. You have to trust the Lord. You have to give up being offended, getting your feelings hurt, and sadness. You have to ask for help. (Mormon 9:21) Brothers and Sisters I testify to that this life is not easy, but with Jesus Christ, and through daily (Sometimes hourly) application of His Atonement, You too can have great days everyday. So without further ado, my week:

Monday: After emailing all you wonderful people, I had the chance to do the usual, which translates to FOUR HOURS OF BASKETBALL. One of the APs helped me with my shot, so im not completely terrible, but im no Kevin Durrant. I then was able to have dinner with the Kowalis family. They had us give a lesson on obedience and honoring thy father and thy mother. While some of the kids didn't listen, ironically, the Spirit was still there, and I'm hoping they figure it out. Mum you'll be proud of me, I've eaten surplus of everything that's been put in front of me (even salads...sometimes). If i forgot to mention it last time, I am being fed everyday, the members here are awesome. I think we taught a lesson after that, but the days kinda blend together. I feel like I've been in the Springs for 2 days.

Tuesday: We did a lot of service, and then went to a Chiropractor for my companion, which was cool, because I want to do that someday. We taught some more people ate dinner, then taught some more and went to bed.

Wednesday:Wake up, Study, Teach, Eat, Repeat.

Thursday: So I actually remember what happened Thursday!! We had Weekly planning today and my comp was freaking out because he wasnt quite comprehending how to do it correctly. Apparently he hadnt done it his entire mission, so he was learning too. We finally figured it out, but only got a little bit done. It was frustrating for me because Im used to having my input mean something, but he would just bulldoze me most of the time. I realized that thats his personality, but it took me awhile to be humble and pray for help. We taught for the rest of the night, so it ended on a good note. 

Friday: We had 7 Lessons planned for the day, but 2 fell through. But we still taught a bunch of people and it was really good. Had a Trunk or Treat and was able to have a lesson after that, which was made semi difficult because of my allergies being activated by 4 cats at once. Puffy eyes for days!

Saturday: We finished weekly planning. It was...interesting!

Sunday: We had two less Actives come to church and this week we are expecting 4 investigators to come! The work has just been picking up and I'm so grateful! We had dinner with one of my favorite families, the Scaddens, and our white shirts got a little wrecked from the pomegranate we ate. I love love love being a missionary! I also was able to write a few people back (mom included) so hopefully those letters get sent today!

Let me end by apologizing profusely for the lack of details! My brain leaves me when I sit down to write this, and I forgot my planner from last week -_- my bad! What has not left me is my testimony. Over the last 6 weeks I have seen miracles happen, chief of them being the change Ive seen in myself. I testify that Christ lives. It was His love for us that held Him to the Cross and led Him to the Garden. And because He did His Father's will, I also testify that Heavenly Father Loves us just as much. I testify that a mission is for every young man. If you are considering going, know this. Before you came to this earth you promised certain individuals that you would come and find them. And most of all you promised your Heavenly Father you would serve. God only gives commandments because He knows we can live them. A mission is a commandment, and He always provides a way. (1 Nephi 3:7 D&C 130:20-21) I promise you, that if you decide to serve, you will one, grow more then you ever have, and two, you WILL NOT REGRET IT. There are many regrets that I have in my life. But none of them stem from doing the Lord's work. Most of them are because I didn't. Luckily for me we have the Atonement. I know that the Book of Mormon is not only another testament of Christ, It is the most powerful testament of Christ. Over half of the verses contained in the Book of Mormon testifies of Christ. I testify that Joseph Smith was a Prophet of God. I know it I know it I know it. I know it because I made a decision, then I took it to God. and He answered me. The Spirit has witness to me all of these things. I stand as a Witness of Christ, and I am not ashamed to proclaim him Lord of All and my personal Savior. I say it again, He Lives. If you want to know for yourself, if doubts are assailing you, ask God. He will answer. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen. 

Brothers and Sisters, I love you deeply, and I miss you lots. Your'e a powerful motivator for me. Have a great week and rely on the Lord.

Your'e Homie,

Elder Rogers

Why Can't I Ride a Bike??

Dear Loved Ones,

As I sit and right this email to y'all, It amazes me that I've already been out for 6 weeks. It feels like 2 days. But the most glorious 2 days of my life! Man I love being a missionary!! My life would be so empty if I wasn't! So I have received some letters, but none from my siblings, so I'm wondering if they have the wrong address or something ;) but seriously thank you all so much for keeping me that much more sane. Being a missionary is joy, but your day is that much better when you come home to package or a letter from someone! I can't believe how much I've grown in the last few months, Its incredible becoming consecrated to the Lord. Its seriously the best thing for growth that I've ever done. Just giving God all your wants and desires is the single best thing to become the person you want to be. The more we give the more we get. I know that when we turn over our sphere of influence to the Savior and let the Atonement work through us, miracles happen whether you're a missionary or not.  Besides being a big brother, being a missionary is the single greatest thing I've ever done. I love this gospel!! Ok, so here is how my week went.

Mon: So last P-day my companion decided that we would go mountain biking, an endeavor that I have zero ability or grace in. But alas, we went. When we arrived at the park, we picked a pretty sweet trail called the chutes. After about a mile or so of biking up hill I realized that A) Im not very good at riding bikes and B) Im not in mountain traversing shape. At all. But I wasn't going to quit, so I steeled my will and pressed onward with much burning of lung and leg. About half way up one of my zone leaders, Elder Reimer, started feeling sick, so quite sneakily I started suggesting that we go back, because he was feeling sick.....not at all because I was sucking wind haha....ha  but he said he wanted to keep trying, so my attempt  to escape was thwarted. Which was probably good for me! So we pressed onward, my lungs continued to erupt into flames. Eventually, after I had crashed like 3 times, Elder Reimer threw in the towel ( but luckily didn't throw up). On the way down I discovered why people like mountain biking! Its fun to go fast!! I also rediscovered my lack of skill and ability in this area after crashing twice more, with miraculously no scrapes of bruises, just broken pride ;) But I did get like two feet of air on some of those jumps! So after unsuccessfully mountain biking, my companion and I played monopoly with the Zone Leaders. I'm not good at that either.... But it was a blast! I also got a pretty sweet haircut, the flowee hair is back ;) We taught a less active that night and it was a great lesson, and we were able to give him a powerful blessing.

Tues: We do a lot of service on Tuesdays, I don't know why, but its super good to help people, and to preach the Gospel like Ammon! Every Tuesday we get to serve at a goodwill type thrift store (Dad you would love it, I definitely do!) We organize things and generally pick things up and put them down. But there is this guy there named Speed, who is the best to work with! He loves the Elders and just has the spirit around him all the time! I know he is ready for the Gospel, but because of the church program we are serving thru, we can't proselyte! But I'm pretty sure he will ask to learn more eventually! We then got to help a member clean up their yard, and I got to use a power saw, which I found a lot of valid excuses to keep using... because its really fun. After that we did a ton of stop bys, got rejected just a tad bit more, and went to dinner. We have been really focusing on getting the ward and the Fort Carson Branch excited about missionary work and its been great. Also as a side note, I get fed EVERY SINGLE DAY. Its one of the best perks of going stateside ;) Please work with the missionaries in your ward, they may be awkward, but for the most part theyre trying with all their heart, might, mind, and strength to serve both you and the Lord. Just pretend that they're me ;)

Wed. We taught a bunch of people. We are working with a lot of less active members, and a lot of what they need is a support in the church. A friend that they can lean on till their testimony is strong again. Don't hesitate to reach out and lift people, the Lord will bless you! 

Thurs. This was the first time that we had a truly effective weekly planning. Weekly planning is basically sitting down for 4 to 5 hours and receiving revelation for the children of God we are helping! It can be either really boring or really uplifting! This week I wasn't bored, which was awesome. We then had an amazing lesson with one of our less actives that we are working with. His name is Michael and he is so humble and willing to come back. The spirit is always strong when we teach him!

Fri: We taught 5 lessons friday, which was a tie with my previous record! Im so happy that as my companion and I work hard to find those who are ready, the Lord is providing them. We taught Austin, our new investigator, and it went super well, we got him to pray for us! We meet with him tomorrow as well, and I'm stoked! We also learned the power of coloring pages as it relates to crazy children. It works wonders! 

 

Sat: We rode bikes and did stop bys all day long in an attempt to teach people. We didn't get the chance to teach a lot but we were able to narrow down some of our lists that we had of potential investigators. 

Sun: I love Sundays, its so good to be spiritually recharged! We learned some more about Family Search and was able to teach a few unexpected lessons! Overall for the week we were able to teach 20 lessons, which was super awesome! I'm shooting for 30 by the end of training! 

Brothers and Sisters, I leave you with my testimony. Christ lives, and He is our Savior. He loves us and wants to bless us. Those blessings are completely reliant on how obedient we are. Obedience brings blessings, there is no way around it. The Book of Mormon is the most correct of any book. If you want to receive revelation in your life, read the Book of Mormon. If you take your question to God, He will answer it. I've seen it in my own life. I testify that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God, that he did see God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. His testimony was sealed in blood and I raise my voice with his, that this is the true church, that it is led by a modern day prophet. If you want to know for yourself, take it to God. He will let you know. I testify of these things in the name of my Savior, Jesus Christ, Amen.

Keep at it and keep me posted! I want to hear from y'all. Love you lots!

Most excellently yours,

Elder Rogers

I Love putting this tag on everyday!

 

United we Stand!!

Dear Loved Ones

What a week!!! So much happened this week so forgive me if I ramble in an attempt to remember. Ok, I will just do it like this.

Monday: This is not this monday, but last monday. For most of the day it was pretty ordinary! I wrote yall, went shopping, and played a LOT of basketball. Like 4 hours of it. After that my comp and I drove to our dinner appointment, which was a solid 20 minutes outside our area and in the mountains. For a good five minutes I thought I was going to be made into a skin coat by our dinner appointment. But in reality they were really nice! Theyre the snell family and they have 40 acres of mountain that was so cool!! they had goats and lamas and a special forces survival training camp and basically when the stuff hits the fan Im going to be living with them. The road to get to theyre house was basically non exsistant, and they had a quarter inch steel plate on the bottom of their little sedan that somehow made it possible to challenge a jeep in an off road event. Suffice to say it was a blast! Dad, you would have been in heaven. They told us that the roads had been flooded for a few weeks, so they had to zipline and repel to work. Everyday. They were seriously too legit to quit. After that my comp and I finally had a legit comp inventory. I just told him where I was at and that I wouldn't be disregarded and stepped on anymore. He got mad like I expected him too, but heres where it gets awesome. Because of the contention in the apartment the Spirit could not be there to help us with daily planning. So i just got up, went to the bedroom, and started praying. And he totally came around!! We were able to come together and get everything figured out and it was a very spiritual experience. So you could say this week has been better!

Tues-Friday: Pretty cut and dry missionary work! We've picked up a ton of Less Active members and we had to step away from one of our investigators because they aren't progressing. We are hoping that she will cultivate real intent to change, but thats ultimately up to her. We've been teaching like crazy and its been soooo satisfying to just pass out at night from exhaustion. By the way HAPPY BIRTHDAY LOGAN I LOVE YOU BRO!! Friday night we found a new investigator, a great kid named Austin who has been struggling with some things in his life. We didn't expect to find anyone because it was at a member dinner appointment, but as we all know, God works in mysterious ways! We have another appointment with him this Friday and Im so excited to bring him the message of hope and love that I hold so dear to my heart.

Ok so Saturday was quite an experience, readers beware: So we didn't have any appointments on Saturday but we had a ton of people to find! We got to give a struggling member a blessing, and this is what occurred next.We went to go check on a part member family and this sweet old lady answered the door. And proceeded to blast my companion and I with so much Anti Mormon Literature I started to look around to see if I was getting punked. And I was, by Satan. This old lady is a member, who, for whatever reason, has decided to interpret the Gospel as, and I quote, "Luciferien" As she ranted on and on about the same vague things over and over I realized my testimony was being attacked in a way that I had never experienced before. A direct frontal assault by the adversary. As we walked away from the door my comp and I were a little stunned.This was a lady who had been through the temple, and here she was denying the truth and calling my companion and I satanic at the same time. I had to self check, at that moment. I will be honest, I had a moment of doubt. But as I chose to have faith instead of doubt the words of Moroni echoed through my head. You receive no witness until after the trial of your faith.(Ether 12:6) So I decided to wait and have faith and pray. And as we relayed this faith building experience in ward council the next morning, the Lord gave us a witness. Apparently this sister suffered from a lithium imbalance, which causes craziness as well as hallucinations and other disturbing things! So this little anti Mormon spitfire was literally insane! She was just a crazy old lady. And so brothers and sisters, I testify that the Book of Mormon is the word of God. Joseph Smith, who was indeed a prophet of God, would not seal his testimony in blood for anything else. I know, beyond any shadow of a doubt, that this Gospel is the kingdom of God, and that while the leaders of the church arent perfect, and do make mistakes from time to time, we are led by Jesus Christ, the Redeemer of the world, my personal Savior and friend. I know that as a missionary I stand as a special witness of Christ. I bare his name on my chest and in my heart. He did suffer in the Garden and on the Cross, and more importantly He lives! My Saviour and your Saviour lives! We can come back when we mess up. The Church is true brothers and sisters. Read the Book of Mormon, pray to know. God cannot lie, and He will let you know the truth of these things. I love you all and I will be sending letters off today! Your'e loved by the most powerful Being in the universe, so be a little happier today. I miss you and I will see yall on the flip side.

Yours truly,

Elder Rogers

 

My Crazy Comp, Who's training who...?

 

My Zone leaders: Top Elder Smith, Bottom Elder Reimer

 

Writing a letter to a lucky someone

 

 

 

Are All Homeless People Crazy??

Dear Family and Homies

Hello, First off, Rhett Wilhelm, you better write me mister. Second I have an SD converter availble sooooooo, yall get pictures!! The last month has been one of the hardest and most rewarding experiences I've ever encountered. Let me be clear, the Lord sustained me. I realize that I've been saying how hard a mission is, and I'm not going to sugar coat it. It can be hard. But hard doesn't mean impossible or improbable. Hard typically means rewarding. Anyone can serve a mission if they A) have the desire. and B) Learn to trust in the Lord with everything they've got. Pray your way through your day. You will see the difference I promise! 

So some good news and some great news on the missionary front. This last week was jam packed with a lot of finding and teaching so I was only able to send out 1 letter this week. Next week I will send out a bunch!! Bobby,   one of my investigators, came to church yesterday and loved it! He is definitely progressing and I'm sure we will baptize him soon!! Sister Kless's baptism had to be pushed back but that's OK, I WILL see her in the waters of baptism. So cool missionary story and then some funny ones! 

The Cool one: Earlier this week we got a referral to check in on a part member family who was going to move sometime this month. Their names are the Richins and the husband, Aaron, is catholic and the wife is a less active member. We knocked on their door and they totally let us in!! We got to know them, found out they were moving the next day, and taught them the importance of putting on the armor of God (Ephesians chapter 6). We didn't expect anything to come of it. Then, by the grace of God, they texted us, and said they wanted to feed us! We asked if we could share a message and they said yes to that as well! It was awesome! So after fasting all day long we got to eat over there and help them move for like 3 hours. When we finally sat down to teach them the spirit totally led us to talk about the restoration, and we committed Aaron to read the Book of Mormon and pray to know if it was true. Even tho that was the last time we will probably ever teach them, I know Heavenly Father needed them to hear that message, and I pray that that seed we planted grows into a desire to know the truth and seek it out. It was definitely a miracle.

Ok, now for the funny one. So as my companion and I were driving out of the library parking lot Friday, after grueling through some paper work, we were flagged down by a homeless guy. He proceeded to ask us for money so he could by food, and we told we would just buy him a pizza instead. The next 15 were the most incoherent I have ever experienced in my life. We discovered his name was Joseph, and that he talked to other missionaries all the time. That was the only normal thing that came out of his mouth. He then launched into a profanity laced rant about how God wanted everyone to be white, that even though he was mexican, he identifies himself as white, and that all black people worshiped the devil. Then he started talking about twelve goat-men dwarves and how they were Snow White's and they represented Hitler and other various mass murderers. As much as I'd like to think that this guy was shooting up massive amounts of Heroin, he was mostly like a baked Schizophrenic. We could not get his pizza and leave fast enough. The last time I encountered that much nonsensical crazy, it was a lot more friendly haha. 

The work this next week is going to be baller, and I'm so grateful for the many blessing I'm receiving. Your'e all in my prayers and I know that God will take care of you. I know that my Redeemer lives. I know that my parents taught me to walk in the light of His love, that they taught me who to trust in, who to pray to. I know that the church is true, that the more we CHOOSE to have faith in Christ and His Atonement, the more we are blessed. I know that missionary work can't be done without member support. Please help the missionaries in your wards, they are striving for success, but its going to take work on both their side and yours. Pray to know who to share the Gospel with. The Lord will lift your burdens as you lift others. I love you. I miss you. But not as much as I love the Lord. Stay faithful my friends

Love,

Elder Rogers

Tired Selfie in my apartment

I love my back scratcher

Chillin like a villain, looking at my getswolebar