Virginia Chesapeake Mission

Virginia Chesapeake Mission

Tuesday, December 1, 2015

Delicious Delight!

Hello Everyone!

This week was full of service! On Wednesday we helped out at a pig farm and on Friday we helped nail in some floor boards. I haven't used a hammer for a long time!

Thanksgiving was fantastic! Turkey, ham, rolls, cheesy casseroles, fried corn bread, pecan pie, and chocolate cake! It was delicious! And the family we ate with was really nice.
On Sunday, a less-active member we've been working with came to church! It was so wonderful to see him there! He enjoyed it and even came to the ward choir practice that evening! He was a Bass, so he sat next to me and we both had a good time!

On Saturday afternoon, we got a call and were asked if we could both prepare 10 minute talks to give at Sacrament meeting the next day! They were not sure if the concluding speaker was going to be able to make it to speak due to a death in the family. So we accepted and spent the next few hours preparing to speak. We actually didn't end up speaking, and the original speaker came and gave a wonderful talk! But I learned a lot from preparing a talk on the Holy Ghost and how He can change us. I felt His influence as I relived certain spiritual experiences in my life. He truly bears witness of the Father and the Son. 3 Nephi 11:26 teaches that, "...the Holy Ghost will bear record unto him of the Father and me..." I know this is true. What a wonderful blessing it is that we can all receive such peace, direction, and knowledge directly from God. I would invite all of us to seek those things, for I know that they will be provided as we do.
I love you all! Have a wonderful week!

With Love,
Elder Rogers



With Grateful Hearts

Hello Everyone!

This week was a good one! On Tuesday we were visited by Elder Mervyn B. Arnold. I learned a lot, but what I remember most is the powerful testimonies born by Elder Arnold and President Baker. I love the Spirit that we feel when someone bears testimony of Spiritual truth. It is such a joyful feeling.

Later on in the week we went to an appointment with one of our investigators and were slightly disappointed to not find him home. But a blessing that came from that is that his cousin was home and said we could share our message with him. We had a great lesson and he was interested in learning more. As we make the most out of every situation we're in, we will see the Lord's hand working in our lives. There have been so many times in the mission where we went to a certain home or place with a particular reason in mind only to find out that The Lord needed us there, just for a different reason.

On Saturday we attended a baptism of a 9-year old girl the Sister missionaries had been teaching. The Spirit is ever-present at moments like that. It was a wonderful event.
On Sunday we had the chance to sing in the ward choir and begin preparing for some Christmas performances. It was quite enjoyable!

As Thanksgiving comes up this week I would invite each of you to offer a prayer to our Father in Heaven of only gratitude. I have found that doing this brings such a sweet peace. He has truly blessed us with all things. I love the words of King Benjamin in Mosiah 2:19 "And behold also, if I, whom ye call your king, who has spent his days in your service, and yet has been in the service of God, do merit any thanks from you, O how you ought to thank your heavenly King!" I am so grateful for a Father in Heaven who has blessed us with all that we have. His love is great for us. The Savior's love is great for us. I pray that we can all be grateful to Him. Let us show our gratitude not only in thoughts and words, but in our actions. I know that as we do this, The Spirit of God will strengthen and uplift us and remind us all we truly have to be grateful for.
I love you all! Have a thankful week!

With Love,
Elder Rogers