“He's Got Da’ LAWWWWD On His Side”

Hello Everyone!                                                                                          

I had an awesome week here in the ATL and it went by so fast. I can't even believe it! Seriously, I feel like it was just yesterday that I was reporting about my new companion and my Romanian friend. I love it! Next week will officially be my 8th MONTH mark, which means I'm already 1/3 into my mission. It's crazy!! Time as a missionary goes by SO much faster than at home!

Elder Coleman and Elder Roderick 

My week officially started on Tuesday when I had my quarterly interview with President Wolfert and it was great! I really love that man! Afterwards, was a downer though because Elder Flake and I had to inspect everyone's car and it took forever! Such jobs are one of the unfortunate things about being a Zone Leader. We went on exchange that day with the Assistants and I went with Elder Coleman to Lilburn. We had a great time! Elder Coleman is 23 and he's such an amazing missionary. I learned a ton from him! A lot of people think we kind of look alike so during the exchange I wore my glasses and parted my hair so I would look like him. I tried, but I don't really think we look alike.

On Thursday Elder Flake and I had the most hilarious experience. Oh my gosh! I wish you could meet the people here in Georgia because they are all so unique.  I’ve had to learn how to interact with all types of people.  So, we had an appointment with a potential investigator named Rihanna. When we arrived at her house she wasn’t home, but her family was! There were five huge African American dudes just chillin’ outside playing ball! One looked exactly like Gerald Wallace! I'm not even kidding. We tried to talk to them and they were cool to us, but they were just way too caught up in their basketball game. So finally, I said, "Hey! If I beat one of you in a game of one-on-one you guys have to listen to us. Deal?" They paused for a minute then said, "Naaa. We're too tired but we'll play you in HORSE!" So I started playing against a kid named Dee Dee and MOMMA YOUR BOY WAS HOTTTT. I literally made eighteen shots in a row. Baby! After about my eighth shot, one of the guys yelled, "Aye fellas! Do ya'll realize dis’ boy here hasn't missed a shot yet?" And, then another one said, "It's cause he's got da LAWWWWD on his side, brother!" Well pretty soon they stopped playing HORSE and just started rebounding for me and every time I would shoot they'd yell, "FOR JESUS! AHHHHHH!" Oh, my!  I WAS DYING. Just imagine a bunch of laid-back African American dudes just laughing and going crazy in the driveway while I shoot hoops. So, of course it ended up that they had to listen to us and we taught them for a while but they weren't really interested. I guess it was worth a shot!

On Friday I went on exchanges with Elder Price, a missionary from Draper, and he's such an awesome kid! We took one of our new investigators, Patrick Hutzell, on a church tour. Patrick was in the marines and 10 years ago he had a stroke so he can't use his left arm. He's on date to be baptized the 10th of May and he came to church this Sunday and loved it!  Like all of us, Patrick has a few things to work on but he’s on the right path. Sister Burns is also getting prepared for her baptism, which is schedule on Easter Sunday. Even though she's in a lot of pain nothing is stopping her from taking the step toward baptism. It's so awesome! Pray for her please!!

On Saturday morning Elder Price and I provided some service for the Bronkemas family.  We met them while we were tracting and they are the COOOOOLEST people. They’ve met with the missionaries in the past and they really aren’t interested in changing their lifestyle or their beliefs but they love to learn about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. They've invited us for dinner a couple times and we provide service for them in return. So, after we finished working, Tim, the father, said "Hey Roderick, Come over here. I've got something for you." So, we followed him into the garage and he pulled out a 1929 BOOK OF MORMON! It's so sick!! Apparently his wife received it from her great grandma and they just gave it to me! Then, he told us that his side job is working as a spotter for NBC and the Golf Channel! He showed us all of the souvenirs he has from tournaments and he has notes attached to them that remind him about who hit which club, on which tee at the US Open. It was all pretty sick too!

Following church on Sunday afternoon, we experienced a miracle with a member family named the Watkins. We made a family mission plan with them and at the end of our discussion we got on our knees together and prayed for the opportunity to find someone to teach in their home within the next month. Then, we left and when we were walking to our car we saw their next door neighbors moving some rocks from their driveway to the flowerbeds. So, we went over and started to help them. While we worked, we talked to them and when the rocks were moved we asked if they would like to learn more about the church. They immediately said, “Yes!” Then we asked if we could meet with them for some lessons in the Watkin's home and they replied, "Ya! We love the Watkins!" So we scheduled the lesson! Immediately after we offered the prayer, it was answered. Miracles happen!

BEAT the EASTER RUSH! WORSHIP NOW! 

As you can see everything is great and I'm loving my life as a missionary! I couldn't ask for a better time to be serving than right now! Everyday I realize more and more that this is the perfect time for me to be serving and I know my service will continue to bless my life when I get home. Thank you for continuing to support me! I couldn't do it without you!

Elder Roddy