Virginia Chesapeake Mission

Virginia Chesapeake Mission

Monday, December 22, 2014

Merry Christmas to All and to All a Good Week!

Hey Everyone!

Merry Christmas! I hope that it's fantastic for everyone! This week was great! The weather was really nice, which was especially helpful, since we were biking! But anyway, there were some really wonderful things that happened this week!
First of all, we contacted some investigators that we haven't seen for about a month or so! That was exciting! And to make it even better, they moved to a home that will be a nicer place to raise their daughter, they got a car, and they both have jobs! So that's wonderful! We taught them a few times and things are really looking up for them!
We were able to help out a recent convert clean her home this week! She basically keeps everything and won't throw it away. But it was really cool because she told us she wanted to have the Spirit in her home and she knew that He wouldn't abide in a messy place. So my companion, the Spanish missionaries, and I went a few days to help her out! Haha, to be honest, it was pretty fun! We threw away something to the order of 12 big ol' trash cans full! It was a lot! And there's still more! But she was really appreciative and it's always nice to be able to serve.
We went caroling as a district last night!! That was extremely fun! Haha we were able to sing to several families and they loved it! When we went to an investigator's home, one of their little boys, started singing "Joy to the World" with us! That was pretty funny! We had a really wonderful time and hopefully brightened some of their days!

And last but not least, our Sacrament meeting yesterday was exceptional! It was Christmas themed and several of the musical numbers were so beautiful! The Spirit was so strong and I just felt so much peace. The overarching theme, or message, was the sole and primary message of Christmas. That of the birth of Jesus Christ, our Savior. My testimony of Him was strengthened just in that short period of time. He truly is the Christ, God's Only Begotten Son in the flesh. It is in Him and through Him that we can receive the most joy in this life and eternal Salvation in the life to come. I know He lived and died for us, and that He lives again. I pray that each of us will remember Him as we enjoy and celebrate Christmas, and I hope we will remember Him each and every day. I love every one of you and so does He. Have a very merry Christmas!


With Love,
Elder Rogers

Monday, December 15, 2014

My First Rejection!

Hello Everyone!

Well I'll start off this email by explaining the title! Recently, my companion and I have been doing a little more knocking doors and trying to find people to teach. This Saturday, we were in Snow Hill and we talked to several people and eventually came to a certain door upon which we knocked. After a short time we heard the voice of a lady say, "Who is it?" to which we responded in a jolly tone, "It's the missionaries!" And then came the rejection... in a soft but firm voice she said, "Go away." So we did! That was the first time on my mission something to that effect has happened. I count myself lucky! No slammed doors, no dogs sicked upon us, no yelling...just a soft no. Haha now that I say that, those things will probably happen! But if they do, we'll just keep pressing forward. I suppose that's one lesson that can be learned from the situation. No matter what happens in our lives, we should press forward with a positive attitude!
On Friday, we were able to attend a conference with Elder Snow of the Seventy! It was really great! Perhaps one of the biggest things I learned that day came from his wife. She talked about the hymns and how they are scripture. She referred to the Hymn Book as the green scriptures! She also mentioned the importance of singing the hymns in our Sabbath day worship. The hymns truly do bring the Spirit, and they can teach us so much truth.
Yesterday something one of the speakers said stuck out to me! I believe she was quoting a General Conference talk when she asked "What is our gift to Christ this year for His birthday?" That really caused me to think. What are we giving Christ? He gave us the ultimate and wonderful gift of His Atonement and the option to choose Eternal life! I would invite each of you to think what you're going to give Him for Christmas. Maybe you'll devote yourself more diligently to daily scripture study. Maybe you'll make your prayers more sincere and meaningful. Maybe you'll choose to repent of some transgression that is holding you back. Maybe you'll strive to be more positive and loving towards everyone around you. Maybe you'll be a friend to someone who doesn't have many. Maybe you'll share the gospel with a friend. Whatever your gift to Christ is, I know that He will be very grateful for it, and it will bless your own life so very much! I love you all and I hope your Holiday Season is joyous and your week is wonderful!

With Love,
Elder Rogers

Monday, December 8, 2014

Christmas is a comin'!

Hello Everyone!

This week was really good! My companion and I set up our Christmas tree, we've been eatin' some Christmas candy, we've been listening to Christmas music, and we've been talkin' to people about Christmas! It's been wonderful!
This week we were able to hand out several "He is the Gift" cards and show a lot of people the video! It truly is a wonderful initiative the Church has put out! Christ is the reason for the season! I encourage you all to share the video with your friends! Whether it's on social media or giving them a card, I know that it will bless their lives and ours!
We were able to offer some service this week as well! We helped an older couple in our ward rake their leaves and we were also able to help some people move! Haha and then the other day we were riding our bikes and we were about to pass by some people sitting on their porch. I tried waving at them and then looked in front of me to see two little dogs run into the road after me! I swerved to miss them and then sped up a little! I thought they would have stopped after that, but one was persistent and started chasing after me! I got quite the adrenaline rush! So that's when I really started trying to go fast and I eventually out-raced him! And then he chased after my companion for a little while!
Two of our investigators,were at Church yesterday! It was really nice to see them there and they said they really enjoyed it! It was fast and testimony meeting and there were several pure, sincere testimonies born. Every time I hear a testimony or I bear my own testimony, I can feel my conversion deepen and my faith in Jesus Christ grow. I know that Jesus is the Christ and I hope that we can all focus on Him during this season and always. I love you all and hope everyone has a week full of joy and peace!

With Love,
Elder Rogers



Monday, December 1, 2014

It's the Holiday Season!

Hello Everyone!

Christmas is on its way! I'm really excited! This week was good! I
have a new companion now, and I'm done with training! It's been really
great so far! Me and my companion have a lot in common and we've
gotten along really well so far!
Thanksgiving was really wonderful! We ate with a member family,
and then we played some board games and some sports at the church with
our new district!
Now that my trainer left, I've been in charge of the area and sort
of helping my new companion get to know it and everything! It's been
good! Something that we're going to be focusing a lot on is a program
launched by the Church called "He is the Gift". It focuses on Jesus
Christ being the true meaning of Christmas and how we should strive to
keep Him at the center of our thoughts this holiday season. There's a
really cool video on christmas.mormon.org that you all should check
out! It also has a bunch of different of our beliefs and its just a
wonderful website!
I know that Christ truly is the reason for the season. And I know
that the gift of His Atonement is such a blessing for each of us. As
we strive to do His will, we will be blessed with comfort and peace.
The gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored and is the thing that
will bring us the most joy in this life and the next. I hope that we
can all remember Christ throughout this holiday season and throughout
our lives. Have a wonderful week!

With Love,
Elder Rogers