Christmas in Africa

Hey everybody!
I hope your Christmas was merry and bright. It was awesome to skype my family. Alright on exchange, we ate crocodile. One of the zone leader's dad's sent him a can of crocodile from Africa. It just tasted like extra salty tuna to me. However, two of the four elders ended up throwing up. I don't have the pics yet, but I'll get hem to you by next week.

It was awesome this week. We had a bunch of less-active individuals who came to church yesterday. It's cool to see how they chose to come because of the season. Hopefully as we continue to work with them, they'll start coming back into activity. 

If any of you have been following the Light the World initiative (and even if you haven't) I wanted to draw your attention to the challenge for day 25. "Jesus's Disciples Followed Him and So Can We Example: Make one of these ideas a resolution." This is a great challenge for everyone to do. We read Jesus say in 3 Nephi 27:21,
"21 Verily, verily, I say unto you, this is my gospel; and ye know the things that ye must do in my church; for the works which ye have seen me do that shall ye also do; for that which ye have seen me do even that shall ye do"
Everything that was a part of the Light the World calendar is something that Jesus Christ did throughout His life. As we strive to follow Jesus Christ not only around Christmas, but throughout our lives, Jesus Christ promised in the next verse
"22 Therefore, if ye do these things blessed are ye, for ye shall be lifted up at the last day." I know that God will give us this and other blessings for applying this challenge in our lives. I wish you all a happy New Year!
-Elder Rogers

Week of Miracles

Hey everybody,

On Tuesday, I got to go to the Temple as part of a Christmas Conference. It was a pretty cool experience. Besides the 5 hours in the car, it was a fun time. I finally got proof that driving in the breakdown lane is legal in Massachusetts. The traffic was slow enough for me to take a bunch of pictures.

We had a crazy experience contacting a media referral on Saturday. Just so it makes sense, we found a young man who is about 25 and lives with his mom. Anyway, when we knocked on the door, his mom answered. We mentioned her son's name and she asked him if he had contacted us. From down the hall, he said that he ordered a book. She asked which book, and he replied that it was a Book of Mormon. Immediately after that response, she precluded him from taking the Book of Mormon and turned us away. Sorrowful, we decided to tract around the neighborhood. After a few houses the young man left his house and started walking the opposite direction down the street. We finished the house we were at and got in our car to see if we could catch up to him. After going down a few streets, we found him walking alongside the road. We then got out and talked with him. He said he was on his way to work. After acknowledging that his family situation was hostile, he took a Book of Mormon and asked us what the steps to becoming a member were. That was really cool, and we are planning on meeting with him soon. It was such a miracle. If we had stopped by just a few minutes later, he would have already left for work, and we would've only met his disinterested mother. Also, if we hadn't stayed in the neighborhood, we would've missed him completely. We also met a family that is extremely prepared to receive the Gospel. It was so amazing, how those two experiences seemed to just line up.

In my personal scripture study this week, I read a verse in King Benjamin's address in Mosiah:
9 Believe in God; believe that he is, and that he created all things, both in heaven and in earth; believe that he has all wisdom, and all power, both in heaven and in earth; believe that man doth not comprehend all the things which the Lord can comprehend.

10 And again, believe that ye must repent of your sins and forsake them, and humble yourselves before God; and ask in sincerity of heart that he would forgive you; and now, if you believe all these things see that ye do them.

Repenting daily is an amazing opportunity that Jesus Christ has given us through His Atonement. As we celebrate Christmas, let us remember to change through the gift that God gave us.

Love,

Elder Rogers

Chilling in Narragansett

Hey everybody,

It's been another great week in the Massachusetts, Boston mission! It was like 20 degrees on Saturday, and we tracted for about 15 minutes before we decided to do something else. One of the funniest things I've noticed about Rhode Island in my two months here is that there's always an emergency. It's not uncommon for us to pull over for an ambulance or fire truck to drive by. I don't know if people just call 911 a lot, or if there are legitimately a lot of emergencies. There are like five emergency room doctors in my ward. Anyway I gave a talk in my ward yesterday. I can't believe I've already been here for two months! It's amazing how much I've changed.

Yesterday we had five investigators come to church. It was awesome to see them all there. I've really gained a testimony of how doing the little things can influence our faith. The investigators that read from the Book of Mormon and come to church are excited to learn and easy to teach. The contrast between them and investigators who don't do these things is massive.

Helaman 15:

7 And behold, ye do know of yourselves, for ye have witnessed it, that as many of them as are brought to the knowledge of the truth, and to know of the wicked and abominable traditions of their fathers, and are led to believe the holy scriptures, yea, the prophecies of the holy prophets, which are written, which leadeth them to faith on the Lord, and unto repentance, which faith and repentance bringeth a change of heart unto them—
8 Therefore, as many as have come to this, ye know of yourselves are firm and steadfast in the faith, and in the thing wherewith they have been made free.

I know that as we read from the scriptures every day, pray, and go to church that our faith will become unshaken.

Love,
Elder Rogers

White Christmas

Guess What? It snowed last night, but it's pretty much all melted right now. I got a picture at like 6:40 this morning, so it was all still there.

Well, I had a pretty ridiculous week. We had interviews with the mission president on Friday, but on Thursday night we had our fire alarm go off. (It was malfunctioning, but we didn't know that.) Anyway, after we realized our apartment was not in flames and nobody else's fire alarms were going off, we tried calling the police department. Of course, the number we had was no longer in service and we don't have a phone book. We have like four fire alarms that detect both fire and carbon monoxide, and we also have separate carbon monoxide alarm. Only one went off, so we were pretty positive it was a malfunction, so we opened our windows just in case and went back to bed. It was kind of freaky, to tell the truth. After the third false alarm, my companion remembered there is an information hotline, from which we secured the fire department's number. We called them and they came and told us that it was a faulty alarm and just unplugged it.

So, two hours of sleep shy, we went to get interviewed by President Miller. I had a pretty good interview with him and it was a cool experience. It was hard to stay awake all day, though.

I have seen with missionary work that it is so easy to focus on the disappointments, but there are so many miracles around us. I have found that I am much happier when I focus on the good things that happen.

One miracle this week is we met a 17 year old who is really desirous to learn more about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We knocked on his door, and he told us that we were an answer to his prayer. He said that he had just been wanting to find a church to go to, and we came. He came with us to the First Presidency Christmas Fireside and we have an appointment with him next week to teach a lesson!

Have a great week!

Love,
Elder Rogers

Turkey and Football

Hey everybody,

On Thanksgiving morning, the ward had a turkey Bowl. We aren't allowed to play sports with members so we stopped by and met a few of their nonmember friends.The members we ate Thanksgiving dinner with invited a few other families as well. So, it was a pretty big gathering. The food was all really good and we had a fun time over there.

I had a really cool experience with my journal this week. We had a rough week with people cancelling their appointments. I read in my journal from before the mission. I saw how far I've come through the last few years. The rest of that night was so amazing because I did that. I still experienced disappointments, but I wasn't disappointed in myself. I've seen the blessing that a journal has been in my life. A few weeks ago, I read about when I received a personal witness that the Book of Mormon is true, and it lifted my spirit and improved my teaching ability. After that experience, I knew that I could promise someone that they would receive an answer to their prayers because I did. Elder Richard G. Scott said, "Knowledge carefully recorded is knowledge available in time of need."

Love,
Elder Rogers

The New England Experience

Hey all,
This week has been an amazing week. On Wednesday, my companion and I had the opportunity to go up to the Boston Temple. I've had like 6 months of anticipation, so it was a pretty awesome experience. We also had a member take us out for some hardcore seafood. This also sat upon months of anticipation because so far, I've mainly had regular food (minus good potatoes:(). Anyway it was the total New England food experience. We went all the way down to Point Judith, which is the southern tip of Rhode Island. We had raw oysters, raw little-necks (which are just little clams), and lobster. It was pretty amazing and tasted better than I expected.

I had an awesome experience with a less active member this week. He told us about his conversion and how much he's been able to do in the church. He told us that he lost his ride to church about a year ago and just hasn't done anything. This sheep has literally just been sitting here waiting to be found. He's had little if any contact with his home teachers. Although he could have improved his situation by reaching out, it is our duty as members to reach to those we've been called upon to strengthen. I've seen how important home teaching can be in the lives of every soul who struggles with activity. Those who have good home teachers progress, while as of yet, those who don't are stagnant. President Harold B. Lee said "Missionary work is but home teaching to those who are not now members of the church, and home teaching is nothing more or less than missionary work to church members." I know that we can do our part as disciples of Jesus Christ through consistent

home teaching.

Love,
Elder Rogers​

Jurassic Rhode Island

Hey everyone! This week's been great.

The reason for the title is because we helped a less-active member chop wood in an abandoned bird sanctuary. Some guy purchased the land up there and put buildings and fences and stuff all over the place. The member got permission and everything to cut there, but it was pretty crazy. The buildings and gates were overgrown and broken and stuff like that. It really looked like a lot of the stuff from Jurassic Park.

We also had zone conference this week. The picture at the bottom is a picture of my zone. It was so awesome. President Miller gave a great lesson on teaching to people's needs. Right after zone conference we had a lesson with a new investigator, and I was able to apply the things I learned earlier. The lesson felt so much better and led by the Spirit than any other lesson I've been in. It was such an amazing experience to receive a witness of the truth of a few principles so quickly.

This Saturday was super ridiculous, but it built my testimony that God prepares a way for us. It was also a cool experience with member missionary work. We had 5 member-present lessons planned; however, 4 of them fell through. We still had the one with a brother from the ward. It went very well, and since our other lessons cancelled, we stopped by another potential investigator. We actually caught her at home and had an amazing lesson. She is already prepared to receive the Gospel. What's ridiculous is that we have tried to meet with both of these people since the beginning of the transfer, and miraculously, within two hours, we have three new investigators. It wasn't a coincidence that we had a member with us.

I love you all and hope you have a great week!

Elder Rogers

Mission Life

Wow!

The weeks are going by fast. It's harder for me to distinguish when something happened, anymore. I can't believe I've already been out for 3 1/2 weeks! Today I successfully cut my own hair for the first time ever, and I only had one accident. It all ended up pretty well, and I came out of the bathroom feeling very accomplished:)

We have an investigator and the lesson was so amazing. We had been having difficulty helping him keep commitments and have a desire to change. I wanted to just teach the next lesson, but my companion wanted to teach the Restoration again. I was reluctant, but went along with it. The attitude of this investigator completely changed as we went through each point and addressed his concerns. We taught to his needs and made sure he understood what was taught. It was a witness to me of the importance of the Holy Ghost.

"For when a man speaketh by the power of the Holy Ghost the power of the Holy Ghost carrieth it unto the hearts of the children of men." 2 Nephi 33:1

I saw that nothing happens until the Spirit testifies to them the truth of a principle. I know that I need to strive to listen to the promptings of the Holy Ghost in all my actions, and I've seen the blessings from it. I hope you all have a good week.

Sincerely,
Elder Rogers

Exchange Week!

Hey everyone!

Week three has treated me well. We went on two exchanges this week. They were so awesome! Elder Nielson and I went up to Warwick with the zone leaders on Wednesday. I went over to Newport for half of Friday and Saturday. It was so cool to get to know the other Elders in my district, as well as see so many miracles and learn so much. Anyway, the exchange worked out so I went to two trunk-or-treat parties. That was pretty fun. we have some pretty hilarious members with silly costumes.

On Wednesday, I taught the first lesson to a man. He was a media referral they had previously given a Book of Mormon. Elder Duggar and I stopped by him to see if he had read and if we could set p a time to come back. He wasn't doing anything so we did an impromptu restoration lesson. He had the best questions and understanding of what we taught him. It as like he already had a personal testimony of all the points in the lesson. Towards the end of the lesson, I had the opportunity to commit him to baptism. He seemed really excited to accept that invitation! It was such a cool experience.

On Friday, I went with Elder Ockerman. He was in an accident a while ago, and my driving card hasn't come through, yet so we had to walk everywhere. Luckily a senior couple, drove us occasionally. They took us to downtown Newport and we just street-contacted for like two hours while we walked to different investigators' houses. It's amazing how some people are prepared for the Gospel. we met a few people in particular that sound like they will read the Book of Mormon. That night, we visited a less-active member. He has been reading the Book of Mormon, and we started discussing 4 Nephi with him. As we talked about always remembering Christ, I could see his heart open up. The Spirit touched him as he remembered why he was baptized. It was such a good experience. I've gained a knowledge of why people love the mission so much. I get to experience other people gaining a testimony of Christ.

Love,
Elder Rogers

Week 2 in Rhode Island

Hey everybody!

Week 2 in Rhode Island has been pretty great. It's been uncommonly warm here, but the fall colors are really beautiful.

So this week, my companion was like, "Alright who should we visit?" and then he handed me the area book. I looked through the names of members and I picked one that was nearby. Anyway, we went to this house and they welcomed us in and everything was nice, but then the man starts going off about how terrible the church is and all this anti stuff. It was pretty ridiculous how mad he was at the church, and we kind of just sat there and listened for a while. We tried to say a few things to him, but he didn't really let us talk. After a while he kind of calmed down and we gave him a pass-along card and left. It was the first time that I experienced any severe anti-mormon sentiment. What was amazing was how we both kept calm. Afterwards, I felt like we were blessed to say what little we needed to say and softened his heart a little.

The rest of the week wasn't quite so intense, but I have seen so many little miracles. I think that mostly I've come to recognize the Savior's love for everybody. I would have never imagined that I could sit in a smoky room and feel the Spirit. I didn't think that I could feel real love for people who are doing those things that I know draw them away from God. It's amazing to see the Gospel change lives as well. When I came into the area, there was an investigator lined up for baptism, and she's had a lot of trials this last two weeks, but I've seen the Gospel touch her heart and change her attitude.

We got to attend the Hartford Connecticut Temple open house on Thursday.

Elder Rogers

Great State of Rhode Island

Hey everybody!

So on Tuesday, I left the MTC and flew to Boston. At the Salt Lake Airport, only two runways were open so we ended up taxiing for one hour before we actually took off. We got into Boston about 5:45 EST and met President Miller and a senior Elder. We then drove through Boston for an hour because the traffic was so bad, and the President drove in the breakdown lane! Apparently there is a crazy law in Boston that allows anyone to drive in that lane at certain times of the day. Anyway that night, Sister Miller made us Cafe Rio style burritos. I had gotten up at 3:45 in the morning, so I slept well that night.

The next day, the AP's made us breakfast, and we had a ton of training. The President interviewed all of us to determine where we were going. Then, we actually went out into Boston to contact people. Two other Elders and I were dropped off on Broad Street, and we walked around there. We talked to some UPS drivers. They were eating lunch, so we talked to them about the church and stuff and one of them seemed really interested and I gave him a Book of Mormon and a pass-along card. It was the first awesome experience I had with missionary work.

After that, we went back to the mission home ( it's actually in Needham, Massachusetts) and we got assigned our area and trainer. They had all the trainers sitting down and we were asked to just sit next to one of them. Believe it or not, I actually sat next to my trainer-to-be. Anyway, I was one of the last two assignments to be announced and President Miller did the last two simultaneously. So my trainer is Elder Nielson from Provo (he has been out about 14 months) , and we are serving in the Narragansett Ward in Rhode Island! We live in North Kingstown, and our area covers from North Kingstown all the way down to Charlestown.
It was cool to see Sis. Ament from my home ward at the Mission Home. She is training a new Sister missionary from my MTC district.

Anyway, the last five days have been the hardest of my life, but I'm pulling through with a lot of help from my companion and my Savior. ​

Elder Rogers

Week 2

Hey everybody!

This week was another amazing week at the MTC. Next time I'll be emailing from the mission!

Conference was absolutely amazing! I love how focused it was on finding joy and missionary work. It's really amazing how connected those two pursuits are. This last week, I feel like I've learned so much. I have had such great teachers at the MTC. We also had Vocal Point come over on Sunday, and they gave pretty a inspirational message along with some awesome music.

An Elder in my district broke his foot while we were playing basketball. He's going to have to go home for six weeks before he can go into the mission field. Needless to say, we're all too afraid to play anymore. (At least until we actually get in the mission.)

We had the opportunity to learn about the difference in receiving a testimony and becoming converted this week. I have never really thought of the difference before my mission, but it is humbling to see how much more there is to the Gospel. This passage discusses this principle.

5 And thousands were brought to the knowledge of the Lord, yea, thousands were brought to believe in the traditions of the Nephites; and they were taught the records and prophecies which were handed down even to the present time.

6 And as sure as the Lord liveth, so sure as many as believed, or as many as were brought to the knowledge of the truth, through the preaching of Ammon and his brethren, according to the spirit of revelation and of prophecy, and the power of God working miracles in them—yea, I say unto you, as the Lord liveth, as many of the Lamanites as believed in their preaching, and were converted unto the Lord, never did fall away.
(Alma 23:5-6)

I have definitely gained a greater knowledge of how to become converted unto the Lord through my experience here, and I think it can be best described by a quote my Branch President always tells us. (I don't have my notebook with me, so I'll try to recreate it):
"When obedience ceases to be a burden, and becomes a quest-- then the Lord will endow you from on high."

Becoming converted unto the Lord happens when our will is aligned with God's will.

Have a great week!
Elder Rogers

I'm Alive!

Yes. I am still alive. 

We were supposed to email on Wednesday when we got here, but our teachers forgot or something. Anyway, I'm supposed to keep this short, The food is good, and you should send me a flower tie if you want (I kind of miss my Hawaiian shirts.) I've had like four bananas already. I, Hayden Kennedy, Kelby Lee( I knew him in middle school), and Kaleb Ward. My companion is Elder Tingey, and we are zone leaders! He's a great guy. The alarm clock situation was fine only because elder Tingey brought one. We have 4 Elders in our room. My P-day is Wednesday, which is also the day we got to the Temple.

Love you, 

Bye!