Life is amazing. Its spectacular, it takes you by surprise and sucker punches you on an ironically unpredictable yet consistent basis. But life is amazing! "Adam fell that men might be, and men are that they might have JOY" ( 2 Nephi 2:25) We find this joy when we are obedient to the commandments of the Lord and we truly apply Christ's Gospel. I would stand the Gospel of Jesus Christ against any self help book about finding happiness. Yes there are many ways to be happy, I myself choose to be happy everyday. But Brothers and Sisters I testify that the MOST happiness and how to be HAPPIEST is only found in the Gospel. Period. That is the truth,and nothing will stop it from being the truth. Where our agency comes in is whether or not we are going to CHOOSE to live it or not. An incredible lie the world likes to tell people is that to have faith in something or to believe in God and seek him out is a sign of a lack of intelligence. Well I don't feel particularly unintelligent. To seek out something greater than ourselves is to be truly intelligent. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that man is quite lacking. Like, a lot. I testify that if you seek out God and ask if He is there and if the Church of Jesus Christ of latter day saints is His church, He will answer you. I do warn you that if it is just to satisfy mere curiosity that the chance of you receiving an answer does go down. Joseph Smith didn't enter the Sacred Grove and pray to God to satisfy his curiosity, he went there to act on whatever answer he got. Though doubts may assail us, the best thing we can do is ask God himself, and to keep living the Gospel. I promise that is how the darkness and confusion of doubt will disperse. I know this because I have doubts all the time. Even daily. But I cling to the iron rod and I pray mightily to my Heavenly Father and I look back at how the Gospel has blessed me and right when I need it, I get the answer to my prayer. If I know nothing else I know that God lives and that He loves us. I suppose that I have been on my soap box enough, and I am sure you all want to hear about my exciting week! So, here it is!
Monday: I smoked my companion and one of our investigators at Settlers of Catan. Thanks Grandma Janet for teaching me the ways of Settlers! and more importantly the finer points of faith!
I can't look at that game with out thinking of you! Love you!
Tuesday: We had cleaned out our apartment like mad men the previous day in preparation for the inspection we had today. Besides that we were able to look for more people to no avail, but luckily for us it is the Lord's timing not mine!
Wednesday: I've wondered about the spelling of the word Wednesday.. we say it like Wensday but i guess we have to make things complicated in the English Language! We were able to have a great lesson with one of our investigators and his real intent seems to be growing ! the Lord is awesome! The rest of the day was highlighted by a lot of people saying no to our pretty faces and shining personalities and one super great lesson to finish the day! As a side note, I am still refusing quite stubbornly to have a bad day, and so far its working ;)
Thursday: We weekly planned and just generally made things happen! It was for real a shake and bake day! We met a sweet new potential investigator that I think will come around in the near future, but who knows! We got to move his 875 pound safe and piano for him so I think it's only fair we also teach him the Gospel, but like I said, all in God's time!
Friday: I have become a master at driving in the snow, because I spent a total of 2 hours driving in the ice and cold. I have a couple gray hairs from the stress of it. But Zone training made it so worth it. I learned a lot about discipleship to Christ, and it made me recommit to my Savior even more. Man I love being a Missionary!
Saturday: We didn't do much of anything but sit in a chair and get spriritually hit in the face by a two by four! We had to be in Pueblo all day for Stake Conference and It was so good! Plus it was reimbursed for the miles so that made it ok! I then whooped my Zone leader and my companion at Settlers, again. And again, Thank you Grandma!
Sunday: Sunday was pretty low key, but we were able to find a new investigator, so God is great!
So because I bore my testimony at the beginning I won't do it again. PSYCH! Its my job to bare my testimony as much as I can!
I know that my Redeemer lives. I thrive off the scripture " Be still, and know that I am God" My entire life could be imploding and i know that if I take a moment to still my thoughts, and recognize God's hand in my life, I can have peace. I testify of that Joseph Smith did not die for a fairytale, or to defend a lie. This is unequivocolly the restored Gopesl of Jesus Christ. If it wasn't I would not be on a mission. That is the bottom line. I testify that you too can know this as I do if you read the Book of Mormon and pray to God to know if it is true. All concerns and problems and doubts can be comforted and answered through sincere study of the Book of Mormon and prayer. Believe me when I say i would not be saying this if it doesn't work. I testify that it does. I love the Lord, I love my Father in Heaven. I know They love me perfectly. I feel their love everyday. And you can too if you strive to keep the commandments. God didn't just give them to us for fun or because He wants to control us. They are the way to happiness, not just in this life but for all eternity. I love you all and miss you dearly, but I love being a missionary more. I testify of these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Much love,
Elder Mason Rogers
P.S. Letters from yall would be awesome.... and now that I homebound P-day i can write you back!
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