Happy 20th Birthday

Happy 20th Birthday!

Hey Y'All!                                                                                                

Happy Father's Day, Dad! You're the man, at least until I get home and once again, become man of the house. I'm just kidding! I'm grateful for everything you've taught me in my life! You've been an amazing example to me and I can honestly say I wouldn't be serving a mission if it weren't for you! So, thank you!

Elder Roderick's Birthday Banner with notes from home.

Thank you for everything you did for my birthday! I hung up the banner you made me above my desk and that cake is delicious! It's hard to believe that I hit the 20s this week. The people in Georgia treated me very well and we had amazing spiritual experiences on Saturday, which made my birthday all I could asked for! 

HotRoddy is lovin' Hotlanta 

           

It was another great week here in Canton! We're continuing to find people to teach which is keeping me busy and focused. Elder Detmer is pushing me like a mad man too and I'm grateful for it! On Saturday we should be having a baptism service for Julius! We had a really good week with him and his family. It was definitely up and down but he's going to be ready. On my birthday I had one of the most spiritual experiences of my mission with him. That morning Satan was working really hard on Julius by trying to confuse him about his decision and make him have second thoughts about it. It caused him to relapse on his old habits. We went to his house and when we got arrived we had a really good conversation with him. His biggest concern was that if he got baptized, and the rest of his family decided not to for whatever reason, that it would tear them apart. We helped him see that the gospel has only brought them closer together, and it would continue to do the same after his baptism. After our lesson we went inside and gave him a priesthood blessing, then afterwards we all got on our knees, and Julius prayed and covenanted with the Lord that he would do everything within his will and power to permanently change his life, to remove his addictions from his brain, and always try to follow Jesus Christ. At that moment, I had never in my life seen someone so humbled before the Lord. It reminded me of Mosiah 4 in the Book of Mormon, where we’re taught that we should "always remember the greatness of God, and your own nothingness, and his goodness and long-suffering towards you, unworthy creatures, and humble yourselves even in the depths of humility…." That is literally what I saw with Julius. As I watched him pray, he taught me so much and at that moment and the Spirit was SO strong. I've never seen someone come such a long way to be baptized and confirmed. It's been such a great experience to be a part of! Hopefully all goes well this week and he makes it to Saturday. I love that man!

Elder Roderick and his best friend, Allen Dustin

Everything else is going well! We found some sweet new investigators on Saturday, and the mom of the family is Venezuelan and they're feeding us dinner tonight! Yeaaa, Buddy! I'm lovin’ it! The weeks are going by faster and faster. Thank you for everything you do for me! I'll see you soon!

Elder Roderick