Miracles in Alpharetta

What's up guys! How are you??                                                               

Introducing Elder Roderick's new companion, Elder Cottle

This week was incredible, as always! Our investigators are doing really well! It's so amazing to experience the miracles I witness and to see how the Lord keeps His work rolling forward! We had an especially cool experience! We went to visit a less-active member of our ward who lives by the church and when we arrived at the house, we found out that the family had moved. So, we knocked on the door directly to the right of it. At that house, we met a 23-year old girl who was baptized into the Church when she was 8, went on and off through the Young Womens Program and just recently moved to Alpharetta. We had no idea she lived there. She told us she was interested in getting back into the Mormon Church because all the other churches she visited simply didn't compare. So, we scheduled an appointment with her and yesterday I taught her with Elder Zimmerman, a missionary in the YSA Ward. She committed to have the YSA missionaries teach her each week and she is going to begin attending the YSA Ward. It was incredible how the Lord told us to go visit one less-active member, just so we could find the one who was actually prepared to come back! Sometimes missionary work is like a game. It's our job to follow the Spirit, find out why we're there, and then see the Lord work miracles. I love it! Now the Church has one more person in attendance at church on Sundays! The best part of meeting this girl was that her brother is serving a mission in Utah, and she doesn't talk to him much but after the lesson she was said, "I'm going to go email my brother right now and I tell him what just happened! He's going to be so happy!" Yes, he is!

Mauricio and Kimberly are doing really well! Kimberly is ready to get baptized and she’d do it tomorrow, if she could! Mauricio is still planning to get baptized with her on May 9^th but he’s a little hesitant because he just feels like he doesn't know enough yet. So pray for him! We're teaching him the rest of the lessons this week so that by the end of it, he'll feel more prepared. This week we also saw some huge miracles with their family. Their parents and other older sister (the one who's not a member) have started showing interest in the church PURELY through Mauricio and Kimberly's examples. At first they said that the kids were welcome to come to church but that they didn't have any interest. However, after seeing them pray together and read their scriptures their hearts have been completely softened. On Sunday, their mom, Julia, and their other sister, Janette, attended Stake Conference and they loved it! Then, later in the afternoon we had a lesson with them and their dad! Their dad is still a little hesitant to go to church but he's excited to read the Book of Mormon and meet with us! Tonight we are having dinner at a member's home with them and teaching them a lesson! 

If you’re still awake, I’ll tell you another crazy thing that happened this week! Ha Ha! First you have to understand the backstory. When I was in Hickory Flat, there was a Haitian investigator, named Abraham, who the sister missionaries were teaching. One night Bishop and Sister King had all the missionaries over to their home to eat lasagna with Abraham and his wife. Somehow I remember a lot about that night because Abraham was such a good guy and his wife was so sweet. Well, when Elder Cottle and I were at Jacques and Nella's on Saturday (the Haitian couple we're teaching) there were two other people there who had been there before. Every time they saw me they'd say, "We know you! We've seen you before!" And every single time I've said, "Uhh?"  A few times while I've been with them they've asked me if I served in Canton, to which I responded, "No I served in Hickory Flat.” (Like, duh! C'mon people! I mean how stupid could I be. OF COURSE I was in Canton.) Anyway, they asked me a few times and every time I told them, “No,” because of course in my mind I'm thinking the Canton WARD. So, when we were at Jacques and Nella’s on Saturday night, the Haitian couple kept looking at me and saying that they knew me and I was SO confused. Finally they said, "We had dinner with you in Canton!" And I'm still thinking, “Uhh? Who are you?” Then, they said, "Ya! It was at the minister's house! What is the wife's name, Joanne? We had lasagna!" FINALLY it hit me and I shot up out of my chair and asked the man, "WAIT! WHAT IS YOUR NAME?" and he said, "ABRAHAM!" I was thinking, “OH MY GOSH! This is crazy!” They've been friends with Jacques and Nella for 5 years! Not only did I meet them in Hickory Flat but, now I have the chance to see them again, with their friends who are very actively investigating the Church. If that's not the Lord working miracles I don't know what is! 

Well I love you guys! Thank you for everything! Have another great week!!

Elder Roddy

You Gotta' Love It!

WHAAAZZZZZZUUUPPPPPP!!!!                                                                 

How are you guys!? It sounds like everything at home is going well!!

Elders enjoying General Conference, April 2015

This week was exhausting and I have no idea why. Well, yes I do...because it was CRAZY. But, I wouldn’t have it any other way. Elder Gosar left on Wednesday morning but not before Sister King came down from Hickory Flat to take us out to lunch! I love that lady so much! It's good to know that I have a mom here who will take care of me when my momma can't! Elder Cottle arrived in Alpharetta on Wednesday and he's a stud! I'm excited to work with him. He's going to make an amazing impact on this area and be a great leader! Elder Cottle is from Orem and the ward is just SO delighted to have another missionary from Utah. J 

The work is so great! Everyone we're teaching is doing so well! I gave Stacy and Brian the scriptures and Bible videos this week and they loved them! Thank you so much for sending them. Mauricio and Kimberly are doing amazing. They are progressing so well for they’re still planning to be baptized on May 9^th. They also came to church this week, which was awesome! Their older sister, who is a member, told us that at random times they'll just get up off the couch and go pray together. So awesome! Their examples are also getting their parents interested in the church. So, we're praying for the opportunity to teach them as well.

Mercy is doing great too!! We weren't able to teach her much during the week because she was sick. After a lesson on Saturday, we committed her to come to church and she told us that she would need a ride. The first thing that came to my mind was, "Great! Another ride! There are only 15 others that need a ride too!" Well, the Spirit slapped me in the face for that thought and assured me that everything would work out. Later in the day we were struggling to find someone to pick up Mercy and her kids and drive them to church, when out of the blue, Fabiola, a recent convert, called to ask us a question. At the end of the conversation she told us that she had just spent the day with her friend in our ward, Sister Vann. Immediately a light bulb went off in my head. Sister Vann would be perfect to take Mercy to church! It was an answer to a prayer. So, we called Sister Vann and she was more than happy to pick up Mercy. The next day at church Sister Vann pulled me aside and said, "Elder, how did you guys know I knew Mercy?" When she saw the confused look on my face she said, “Ya, I went to one of the only lessons Elder Coleman and Elder Aubrey had with her six months ago! We got along really well! When I pulled up this morning, I knew the house looked familiar!" Ha Ha! It was amazing.

Then to top it all off, a less active member who hasn't been to church in several months came to church as well, and what do ya’ know… she and Mercy know each other because their daughters used to be close friends. So, now we're going to try and teach Mercy along with her friend, the less active member. The Lord knows what he's doing and it's so humbling to be a part of HIS work. When we're worthy and open to revelation He always guides us to where we need to go. You gotta’ love it!

We're also still working with Jacques and Nella but Nella has had debilitating back pain so it's been tough for her to progress. Please keep them in your prayers! We're also teaching the son of a lady who was baptized in December. His name is Tyrone Williams and he's 14. He loves our lessons and he loves his video games even more. Ha Ha. Now that I've started to use my 4 years of art class skillz to draw stick figures for him to illustrate our lessons, he’s finally starting to retain some of the things we teach him. Thank you Pat Eddington @ HHS for teaching me how to draw! But anyway, it's a comical struggle because for a teenager who has never been to church in his life, suddenly going for 3 hours is quite the adjustment! Who would've thought? He tried escaping multiple times yesterday, but we caught him before he could pull it off. Sucker! 

To top off the week, you've probably already heard about, it but there was a HUGE storm today. There were even tornado warnings. Being the geniuses that we are, as missionaries we thought we could ignore the warnings and everything would be fine while we played rugby. God will protect us right? Well, that was fun until hail the size of golf balls starting falling from the sky. Let’s just say they hurt like crazy. But, it was insane...the fields were all white.  It looked like it had just snowed.

I love you guys! When you're feeling down, remember things could be worse. You could be the squirrel we ran over on Tuesday. Then if you're REALLY feeling down, remember that the people in my last area would have eaten the squirrel we ran over on Tuesday. #Georgia LOVEYOUBYE!!!

Elder Roderick

  

Because He LIVES

What's up guys?!                                                                                      

A farewell breakfast with Elder Gosar & Elder Jensen

Today I'll have to make my letter quick. But, thank you so much for your emails! I love hearing about your lives and how well you're doing. It's crazy to think that in less than a month I'll be skyping with you! Gosh! Time flies by too fast!

So, transfers are on Wednesday and at the last minute President is sending Elder Gosar away! Ahhh… I'm bummed! L I've had too much fun with that kid. He's such a stud and I have learned so much from him. But, we'll be life-long friends and I'm so grateful for that such friendships are one of blessings that a mission brings. My new companion is Elder Cottle. I'll tell you all about him next week!

This week was amazing because we saw so many miracles!!! Seriously! Everything is just happening so fast right now and I hope it continues. We started teaching two kids named Mauricio (16) and Kimberly (10) Olascuada. Their older sister, Cindy, was baptized in the YSA Ward in the stake about a month ago and they just moved into our ward boundaries. So, all three of them are going to start coming to our ward. This week we taught them a couple times and they accepted a baptism date for May 9th! But they didn't come to church this week. L It's all right though. We'll get them to church this week! They are both really mature kids and it’s a ton of fun to teach them so I'm looking forward to continue working with them!

I had the most amazing experience last night! I went on a split with Brother Kelly, a member in our ward who is THE MAN because he literally teaches with us like 5 times a week.  He and I went to teach a new investigator that I found on an exchange with another Elder on Saturday night. Her name is Merci and she's from Kenya. When we met her, our original plan had been to meet with a former investigator.  When we arrived at his house he wasn’t at home, so we knocked on the door next to his and that’s when we met Merci. It turns out she met with some Elders once or twice about 6 months ago. So, it was a huge miracle that we found her! Anyway, after meeting her on Saturday I went back last night with Brother Kelly and we met her 9-year old daughter, Calista, and her 4-year old son, Kanoa.

At the beginning of the lesson we invited them to watch “Because He Lives,” and while they were watching it Merci started crying. At the end she just kept saying over and over again, "I know He lives. I know it. I know it." So, I asked her how she came to know that for herself. Before replying she asked her kids to go upstairs, and then just poured her heart out to us, with tears flowing like Niagara Falls. She was so sincere and told us all about the life she's had and how she knows that God is there because of the amazing way her children have turned out. She expressed to us how she knew that the Lord loved her and she has felt Him forgive her many times, but every time she goes to find Him she gets confused because of all the different beliefs. She said she feels like she gets little bits and pieces of the Savior from all the different churches, but she's left confused knowing which one will guide her down the path that she can stay on forever. At this point I'm just chillin’ like "Boooooooo Yaaaaaaaa!" Ha Ha! So, we scheduled an appointment with her on Wednesday night to teach her about the Restoration! I'm stoked!

At the end of the lesson, I testified to her that God had led us there as representatives of Jesus Christ to help her at the perfect time, so that she could find Christ the way that she's been looking for. She looked at me and said, "Yes. I know that. I know that because I can still feel it burning inside me. I haven't opened up like that for a long time to anyone, and it was something I really needed." The whole thing was just amazing! Experiences like that are why I love being on a mission so much! If I could tell you about all of the amazing people we meet with every week I would. But, it would take me years. Just know that I'm doing great and I think our family should just move to Georgia so I don't have to leave these people!!

I love you guys! Thank you for your support! I have the best family and the most amazing friends in the world!

Loveubye,

Elder Roderick





Highs and Lows

WHADDUP ?!                                                                                    

            This week was so crazy!! We went to lunch with a member this week and he told us that never in our lives would we experience such extreme highs and lows in a single day as often as we do on our missions. That statement couldn't be more true and this week was no exception at all! To explain everything that happened I think it'll be best to tell you about some of the people we're working with because if I try to take it day by day you'll be really lost.

Elder Roderick says "Goodbye" to Albertine,
a recent convert who moved to Indiana. 

            Brian and Stacy are doing amazing!! I wish you guys could meet them. Stacy is so converted right now and willing to do anything. It's so cool to see! We've started focusing more of our lessons on Brian because he's been less active for yearsssssss and at this point working with him is just like teaching an investigator. He’s progressing very well though. They came to the Sunday morning session of Conference and loved it! Both of them walked away in “awe” because they felt like the speakers spoke directly to them and answered their individual questions. I know the experience was a huge testimony builder for them. When President Monson got up and started speaking about temples I couldn't believe it, because that's exactly what they are working toward. Brian's little sister Crystal, who's 23, came with them and she loved the messages to! We've starting to teach her boyfriend, Jason, whom she lives with and he's an awesome kid! He came and watched Conference too! Apparently, it's the first time he has ever even had the courage to talk to missionaries. So, it's a huge miracle! Please pray for them!

            Speaking of conference, I thought it was so good! I couldn't believe it was my LAST ONE in the mission field. I hate that so much! I was so impressed by how many talks were about the importance of family and they made me love and appreciate my family and friends so much more. I hope you know how much I love each of you individually. I have the best support group in the world!

            So, remember Miss Hunter, our 90-year-old investigator? She dropped us :( Ha Ha. It was super sad! She thought she wasn't getting an answer, but she just wasn't recognizing it. We tried so hard to help her! She's just getting a little old and it was stressing her out. Don't tell her I said that.  She'd kill me for calling her old! Ha Ha. But, she said we're always welcome to come and visit her. So, that's good!

Elder Roderick's favorite friends, Mauken & Jamaiyah

            Losing Miss Hunter was a major low, but then of course, right after that experience we had a huge high. We went to visit Nella, one of our Haitian investigators. I've told you a little about her and her husband, Jacque. They are amazing. I know they are going to be a future Relief Society President and Branch Counselor in the French branch that is going to be organized in Alpharetta. I just know it! Nella is progressing faster than Jacque, but I know he'll come along. He's just so dang busy. Anyway, we visited Nella and found out that on a recent trip to Massachusetts, she read from 3 Nephi 11 to the end of the Book of Mormon! Ahhh… She read it on the plane and told the person next to her all about it. She also listened to seven Conference talks we gave her and she loved them. Her best friend in Massachusetts listened to them too and now she meeting with missionaries in her area. So, crazy! Nella has been praying a lot about our lessons and she told us that she knows what we're teaching her is true and she believes that God is shifting her in His direction. She accepted to be baptized but wouldn't accept a date, yet. So we're super excited about that. Then, to top it all off, the one session of Conference that she had a chance to watch was when Elder Andersen spoke about the amazing work going on in Haiti! How perfect could that be? I'll let you know how things progress with her.

            This week the Lord blessed us with more awesome people to teach. I'll tell you about them next week!

            I'm so grateful for this experience and I love the work so much! Thank you for all that each of you do for me! I couldn't be here without you!

 HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Nathan!! 

The big 1-7! Man, Oh, man! I love you Dawg! 

It's crazy to think you'll be turning in your mission 

papers around this time next year. 

Don't forget that!  

Love you guys!!

Elder Roderick