My Boy is leaving home, and I'm gonna be a dad again!

Hey Yall

So this week was good. We didn't slack off but slowed down a bit, because I realized I was running my self into the ground, and bringing my companion with me. It is not requisite that a man run faster than he has strength. So I'm sure you're all dying to know how I am doing and I'm doing fine. Which is code for stressed out, anxious, and a little sad. So Wednesday night I got this cute little packet in the mail from my mission President. I have been called to train again!! So because I am losing Elder Legaspi, who is a legend by the way, and getting someone new, I have all those emotions! Prayers would be appreciated.

Unfortunately for me, the longer I am out on a mission, the worse my memory is. I seriously can't remember what I did this week. But mom, you'll be proud of me, I finally mastered cleaning up after myself. Its like I am an adult now.

So instead of talking about my week, I'm going to talk about God. When I was 14 and in the 8th grade, I wasn't a very nice person. I distinctly remember being mean to one of my brothers, and him calling me a jerk, and I said, "Yeah I know." I didn't like who I was and where I was going. And nobody liked my hair. So I started to change. I started to repent. I went to trek, and got a strong testimony of the Book of Mormon. I know it to be true. I have read it and read it and read it and I encourage all of you to read it. After Trek I went to EFY, and my testimony was strengthened some more. Then my friend Whitney Smith died. At 14, I was invincible, death was something that happened in other countries, but not here. It broke me. It tore a hole in my heart. I have been blessed by amazing parents, who taught me the Gospel young, and told me who to turn to. So I turned to God. I have felt the Spirit many times, but as I kneeled down, and offered up my broken heart, the most amazing feeling of peace settled in and filled that hole. Jesus Christ suffered, was scourged, was betrayed and died so that a young boy, so insignificant to the world, could be comforted. He died for me. At that moment, when God healed a hole that time couldn't, I committed myself to my Savior. I promised to serve. And here I am. Brothers and Sisters, If you need peace, comfort, guidance, or strength, look no farther than God. You are His Child. He loves you enough to send His Only Begotten, even Jesus Christ. If I could testify of nothing else, I would testify of my Savior's divinity and that He lives. If you want to know Him, keep His commandments ( 1 John 2:3-5) I know Him. I love Him, and I know that He loves me. Because He loves me, He has sent His servant the prophet. He has given us the Book of Mormon, so that we can know of assurity that Jesus is the Christ. Joseph Smith was a prophet. To quote Elder Neil L Andersen " Settle this in your minds, and move on" Evidence of this is found in the Book of Mormon. Because if it is true, which I testify with all my soul that it is, than Joseph Smith was a prophet, and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints, is the very church Christ established during His ministry. I cannot say it enough. Read, ponder, pray. That is the invitation, that is where change starts, that is where happiness is found. Jesus Is the Christ, the Savior of my soul, and yours. I testify of these things in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

I love you all, and miss you dearly.

With all affection

Elder Rogers

P.S. Sorry im terrible at pictures haha

That Time When You Break Mission Records Because God is Great!

Dearly Beloved,

How's It? This week has been crazy insane and awesome, and just at the start, I just want to clarify that I boast not of my self, but of my God, whom I love and worship. Alma 26:10-12. Its one of my favorites and applies to this week. This week my companions and I taught 51 lessons. On Friday we taught 11, which is the most in one day I have ever taught. This isn't because we are incredibly good at setting up appointments, or even talking to people. it's because we relied on our Savior Jesus Christ. Him alone can we do anything. This week has been a miracle, and this is how it went.

Monday. As district leader I moved district meeting from Friday to Monday night, to free up the week. Suffice to say it worked.  We actually saw other missionaries for P-day, and I totally forgot how weird missionaries are. Complete awkwardness.

Tuesday: We finally taught Brother Holdren, and he accepted the Plan of Salvation. The guy is just genuine. I love him so much. We taught a couple more people that day, but its a blur of the Spirit. 

Wednesday: We was in Las Animas all day that day, and got to find a new investigator, named Wayne Burns. He is a correctional officer at the prison and is a really great guy. We also taught Brother Armstrong, who is my favorite to teach, we just get a long way too well.

Thursday: We met this Less active family in the ward who is just awesome.  They were a Do not contact on our list, but they were so genuine. Brother Laird reminded me of my grandpa Don, and I loved the guy instantly. Let me tell you brothers and sisters, praying for charity works.

Friday: We continued tracting a street we had prayed about, and were able to teach 4 lessons in the space of an hour. We gave away a few copies of the Book of Mormon, and bare a testimonies about it. It was great. Later that day we went to this appointment with this guy who we thought was sincere. It was a trap, no if ands or buts about it. I was getting so mad at this guy, but my companion calmed me down and we got out without becoming suspects in a murder case. What really got me was that he told me i didn't have Jesus Christ in my heart. That hurt. Because without a shadow of a doubt I know and Love Jesus Christ, He is my Savior.

Saturday: We went to Rocky Ford, a town in our area. We came, We taught, We conquered. 

Sunday: We got to bring the Sacrament to this lady in a hospice. I love this service, it brings me closer to my Maker. We then got to tract and we found a lot of people who weren't interested, but two people who want to learn more. Even that one makes it worth it. The best part about Sunday is that investigators came to church. I would sacrifice teaching 50 plus lessons if I could only get people to church. They just won't do it. But God is Great, and He got them there.

Brothers and Sisters, I testify that God lives, and Loves us. Through Him ALL things are possible. I love serving Him, and wouldn't want anything else. I am grateful to be alive. How marvelous is our world. I testify that the purpose of life is to have joy. Joseph Smith was a prophet of God. I know it. I testify that the Book of Mormon is true. Pick it up, have sincerity, and read it. And then ask God if it is true. You will get an answer. I love you all and I will write you all next week.

Much Love,

Elder Rogers