Virginia Chesapeake Mission

Virginia Chesapeake Mission

Wednesday, May 20, 2015

The Gift of Tongues!

Hello Everyone!

Now you might be thinking that I had an experience with the gift of tongues this week, (which would make sense, because of the subject of the email) but we actually had a few experience with the lack of that gift. But they were still great experiences! We talked with two or three Vietnamese people while we were walking around and on Sunday we actually had a lesson with some people from Vietnam. We had no idea what to do because of the language barrier, but we were lucky enough that one of the daughters in the family we were teaching could speak English and Jari (a dialect of Vietnamese that they all spoke). Anyway, we had a really good lesson with them and showed them how they could read The Book of Mormon in Vietnamese on their electronic devices. So that was interesting, kind of crazy, but overall exciting!
The transfer went well and I am starting to settle into New Bern, my new area. The ward is really friendly and I like my companion, Elder Chandler, a lot.
We've definitely seen some miracles this week, too! 5 people just opened their doors and let us in to teach them while we were tracting! And then there was this specific lady who we had talked to on Saturday and then on Sunday we were at a stop light and we looked over at the other lane and she was right there. We both rolled down the windows and Elder Chandler talked with her for a moment, inviting her to a church function. It seems like that happens a lot. The Lord's hand is definitely in this work.
This week I learned that our prayers are more about how we feel, rather than what we say. Our words can reflect how we feel, but sometimes how we feel isn't reflected in our words. For example, when we pray with vain repetitions, the words are there, but the feeling is gone. As we have real intent and sincerity, Heavenly Father will hear our cries unto Him. In Moroni 7:9, we learn that "...it is counted evil unto a man, if he shall pray and not with real intent of heart; yea, and it profiteth him nothing, for God receiveth none such." Let us pray with all the energy of our souls, with the deepest sincerity that we possess. Your Father in Heaven wants to hear from you because of His great love for you. Show Him your love for Him in prayer and action.
Have a fantastic week, everyone! I love you!

With Love,
Elder Rogers