"We're Getting Married!"

What's up guys?!                                                                                      

Elder Roderick & Elder Flake at the ATL North Mission Office 

There is so much to talk about so I'm just going to get started! It was such a crazy week and there was so much that happened! First things first, last week I forgot to tell you about my exchange with Elder Flake! Ha ha! I went to his area and it was so good to be back with that cowboy. It turned out that on the day we went on exchange, it was his 21st birthday, so we celebrated with cake and ice cream with our office couples.  We had a good time reminiscing about our glory days in Grayson together. 

Elder Zwick & Elder Roderick 

This week Elder Zwick from the Quorum of the 70 came to our mission! Oh my gosh! He was amazing! Ha ha! How come no one ever told me that he lives right up the street from us?? We talked for a long time about the good old Country Club neighborhood and he literally knows everyone and every detail in their lives. He said that when he gets home (which is like never) he's going to come knock on the Roderick's door! So, be prepared! Ha ha! Our meetings with him were incredible. We had a leadership council with him on Wednesday, then a member-missionary devotional that same night, then a zone conference with him all day on Friday. The highlight of his visit was announcing that our mission would be getting iPads on May 20th! It's going to be so sweet! Of course, it's right before I go home. But, hey! It's better late than never. Right? To prepare us for them, Elder Zwick threw down pretty hard on purifying and sanctifying ourselves so that when the iPads do come, we're prepared and will be ready to use them for our benefit rather than let them distract us. I think the best part for me was just how Spirit-driven everything he said was. He literally had zero notes, and afterward President Bennion told me that what Elder Zwick said in each zone conference was different, meaning that what he said to us was completely what the Spirit told him we needed to hear. It was amazing! They told me to come knock on their door when I get home so that he and Sister Zwick can come to my homecoming!

The most exciting news this week is that Stacey and Brian are getting married!!!!! YA BABY!!!! On Thursday night we had one of the most bold lessons I've ever had with anyone before and it was SO spiritual. We had talked to Stacey about marriage before, but she was nervous to bring it up to Brian, and to be honest, she had her doubts. So, we finally got them together and talked to them about it and invited them to counsel and pray about it with one another. Then on Friday, Brian called us and said, "Well, guys. We're getting married on Wednesday!" I was freaking out! I'm so excited! So, the baptism should be happening on Saturday as well! The teaching process with those two and the rest of their family has been sooo incredible. It's just been one of those picture perfect experiences where the Lord is completely in control and everything happens the way it's supposed to. On Sundays, in church, it's been so fun for me to look back and see all of them there, sitting on their own little row. Their wedding isn't going to be huge, because it's a really short notice and they just moved into a new apartment, so money is a little tight, but it's going to be great nonetheless. Their faith is so amazing. Just today Brian called us and asked us what he should do about paying tithing, because if he pays it, then he can't pay the rent. But he wants to pay it so bad so that he can start living the right lifestyle and see blessings. So, they're talking about it with the Bishop tomorrow. Thank you so much for praying for them. Please keep them in your prayers this week! 

Elder Roderick & Elder Gosar with Miss Hunter

Remember Miss Hunter, our 90-year-old investigator?? Well she came to church this week! Oh my gosh! I love her. She is so awesome. I called her on Sunday morning and asked her if she was going to be able to come, and she said, "Well darling, the man told me he'd be here at 8:45 to pick me up and I'm getting dressed right now, so I BETTER be coming to church because I don't just go out for nothing!" I wish you guys could have seen here there to see her! She has more energy than any 90-year-old I've ever met. She hopped into our member's jeep like it was nothin’! 

Well there was tons more that happened but I'm out of time and you'd probably fall asleep by the time the letter was over. That's what my journal pages are for. Right? Thank you for everything you guys do for me! Let me know if Cole gets his call this week, I'm dying to hear about it! I love you guys!!

Elder Roderick