In Which I Learn New Things Every Day

Dear Family (plus all those who read this blog)-

Sorry I haven't written in a while! Things have been super crazy awesome!

This week the south elders had a baptism. This particular baptism was one of the most spiritual baptisms I've ever had the privilege to go to. The woman who was baptized has been working hard for 3 months to overcome her difficulties, and this week she was able to take that first step to becoming more like our Savior.

We had a lesson with A, who came to church on Sunday. She is progressing and she's getting to know more of the ward members.

We also had a lesson with B and C too. C opened up to us and expressed some difficulties she and her family have been facing. We were able to bear our testimonies about the Atonement and tell them that those trials that they are facing are exactly what the Atonement covers. They were able to get some things taken care of. The Lord really is watching over them.

I'm learning every day. Something new comes up everyday. I think that's how life is, too. God would have us learn something new every single day. We should watch out for those little lessons from God that are going to make us more like Him. I'm grateful for this experience! Being a missionary is the single greatest decision I've ever made in my entire life. Make those decisions that bring you happiness! That's all God wants for us- our happiness.

Love you all and have a great week!

Love,

Sis Rogerson

In Which I See Christmas For What It Should Be

Dear Family,

Merry Christmas Adam! The day before Christmas Eve :)

This week has been great! We had fantastic lessons with both B and A, and A's progressing so much! I feel so blessed to be working with her and seeing her faith grow, which makes my own faith grow. It's amazing to see them progress!

During this month of December, I’ve started to realize how much I love being a missionary at this time of year! Our message to the members this month has been John 3:16-17. We tell members how Heavenly Father gave us a priceless gift- His Son- and His Son gave us the ultimate gift- the Atonement. Then we talk about some things that we can give Christ for Christmas. It’s funny to hear the kid’s answers (they tell us Jesus would like toys for Christmas). Their hearts are in the right place and it’s so cute to see them want to give Christ things that are important to them!

I love being away from the commercialized aspect of Christmas. I love not worrying about presents or being occupied with Christmas movies or stuff like that (although we’ve been listening to Christmas music for the past 2 months now). It’s amazing to see and feel the Spirit of Christmas, which is so much stronger when you’re a missionary. That doesn’t mean we’re not excited for Christmas day, but there are things that need to be the center of Christmas, like Christ! I’m so grateful I get to experience Christmas as a missionary. It's one of the most amazing experiences.

Have a great Christmas and love you all!

Love

Sister Rogerson

In Which Good Decisions are Made

Dear Family-

 

Sorry it's been a while since I've written! Days just go by so much faster than they should!

 

This week was a little bit slow, then we had the absolute best day yesterday! Our investigator, A, came to church by herself. Usually her less-active husband comes with her, but for some reason he didn't yesterday. A found a ride and got there by herself. She also gave the opening prayer in Gospel Principles, and that was the first time she's prayed in front of people before. She really sees the importance of church and enjoys coming. We have a lesson with her tonight, and I trust God that it will go well!

We also had a huge miraculous miracle yesterday! We've been working with a less-active, C, and her recently baptized daughter Ca. We've also been teaching Ca's dad, B, who isn't married to C and is not a member. Yesterday C and B decided to get married! They've been together for 16 years, and have wanted to get married but never did it. They talked to Bishop Lomenick, who told them he would do it for no cost. Their plan is to get married in January or February. I'm so happy for them!

With this particular experience, I've learned that there is no knot that God cannot untangle. Since He knows the outcome of all things, He knows what events will lead to good decisions. All we have to do is actually follow the promptings we get from the Spirit that will help us figure out how to solve life's puzzles.

I've been reading in the book of Revelations, and I'm amazed at how many of the prophecies in that book have come to pass already! We as missionaries really are here to help people prepare for the Second Coming of our Lord. We can do that by the Spirit if we are worthy of it. God has called us here to serve in California, and there is no way He is going to let us fail. Several experiences have made me realize that God does not forsake anyone. I have felt His protection all around me. I tell Sis. Wall all the time- "There is NO WAY this gospel is not true!"

I'm so happy to serve here! I love it!

Have a great week!

 

Love,

Sister Rogerson

In Which It Rains And We Are Sick

Dear Family-

This week straight up rocked!! All of us here in the apartment (Sis W, Sis S, Sis M, and I) have all been sick this week. It's just a really bad cold that refuses to go away, but we Lysol-ed the apartment and all's good now!

 

One cool thing that happened this week was that it rained. But not only did it rain, it rained for 3 days straight! The roads were flooded and closed off, and there was basically a river down the main roads. It was so much fun that day! Sis. W and I had to walk through the street at one point, and the water came up to our knees. We laughed and squealed and it was just so fun.

 

We have a new investigator, A. She's married to a less active, but they're both trying to come back to church. They were at church yesterday, and I think they really enjoyed it! We meet with them again this coming week and I'm excited. A is just completely ready to accept the gospel. She told us so.

 

We also are going to visit this 14 year old girl.. The Lord is really opening doors for us to teach people! So many people are being prepared to receive the restored gospel, and that is all I want for them. I want to love them into the church.

 

Something I learned this week is that prayers work. I've been praying for strength to be able to do His work despite being sick. I've found that I've been able to do just that! I still had to go home early a few days and rest, but we were able to keep all our appointments and still rest and get better. I'm grateful for prayer! It truly is a communication to our Heavenly Father. And He answers. If you don't believe it, try it!

 

Love you all! Have a great week!

 

Love,

Sis Rogerson

A Week in November

Dear Family-

 

This week we had our Thanksgiving activity. A ton of less-actives came and had a good time. The food was super good! It was Thanksgiving dinner #1 of 3. #2 is next week.

 

On Saturday President Van Cott held a mission-wide conference, where the whole mission was gathered at the mission building for a fireside, basically. It was so amazing and I heard so many things that I can use to help my ward and my investigators.

 

Nothing much else went on, so everyone have a great week!

 

Love,

Sis Rogerson

In Which I Realize that Obedience Does Not Give Me Control

Dear Family-

This week has been very productive. We found a new investigator, L, who was referred to us by the elders. She is 80 and has a very strong belief in God. We are so excited to teach her and hope that she accepts our lessons.

Something I've noticed about my mission is that even if you are being completely obedient, sometimes things just don't go as you planned. President Van Cott tells us we only have control over what happens in the morning and the evening. Everything in the middle is out of our control. This week we had a lot of appointments fall through, and I've been trying to accept that some days that's just going to happen.

On the plus side, we had a really amazing lesson with R, who is  less active. We showed her a Mormon Message about the Atonement (None Were With Him) and talked about how the Atonement can be applied in her life. She finally opened up to us and told us a little about her past, and how she has felt God in her life. We gave her a Book of Mormon and asked her to read and pray about it. This was probably the most spiritual experience of my mission so far. We had been stuck with her because we didn't exactly know how to help her progress more, but the Spirit just took over in that lesson and I know that those words I said were not mine, but Heavenly Father's.

We went to a baptism of an 8- year old girl in our ward. Going to her baptism reminded me of mine 12 years ago. She was all smiles and just so happy and excited to follow Christ and be baptized. She has such great faith. I think I'm realizing what Christ meant when He said, "Verily I say unto you, except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me (Matthew 18:3-5)."

Look for missionary experiences this week! The Gospel of Jesus Christ is true!

Love,

Sis Rogerson

In Which We Celebrate Halloween

Dear Family-

This week was pretty great! I get to stay in my area with Sis. W. We are both so excited to work with this ward.

We've been visiting a lot of less actives lately, and some of them came to the ward Halloween activity that we had this week! It was so exciting to see them there. I hope that they will feel welcome and come to church soon.

We also have 2 potential investigators! We're meeting with them both this week and I hope that they will be interested in what we know!

Not much else happened this week, so I want to bear my testimony. This church is the absolute best thing that's ever happened to me. It has helped me through so many awful times and I've come out stronger because of it. There is a peace and joy found in the gospel that is not found anywhere else. I feel so blessed to have this opportunity to share the gospel with God's children!

Love,

Sis Rogerson

Ward Harry Potter themed Halloween Party. Note the floating candles.