Virginia Chesapeake Mission

Virginia Chesapeake Mission

Friday, July 29, 2016

Exit Interview

Hello Everyone!

This week was a hot one! But also a good one! We had exchanges on Friday with the Deep Creek Elders. I was biking for the day. Haha you don't know what you've got till it's gone! (I've been in car areas nearly my whole mission) We had a great time and it was fun to help a member family move. They live in a huge, 25 floor building.

Church was amazing this week! We had Ward Conference, so our Stake President addressed us. He's inspiring. We also had 3 investigators come to church, so that was exciting! One of them sat next to us and asked many questions throughout sacrament meeting. (It was his first time.) He enjoyed it and said he may come back next week!

On Wednesday, we had interviews with our new mission president, President Weed. Elder Nipko went first and I had an interview with Sister Weed. She's really nice! Then we swapped and I went in with President Weed. He had me offer the opening prayer and then one of the first things he asked was, "Is It Okay If We Make This Your Exit Interview?" I was not expecting that! But I told him that I was fine with doing that. He asked me how I would describe my mission in 3 sentences. After just a little bit of thought I responded, "I have come unto Christ. I have invited others to come unto Christ. And the foundation has been laid for me to continue coming unto Christ for the rest of my life." I felt pretty good about that response. It truly is our purpose to invite others to Come unto Christ. There is great joy in coming unto Him, and there is great joy in inviting others to do the same. I know He lives. I know He is aware of our every concern and is yearning to help. 

I love you all! Have a fantastic week!

With Love,
Elder Rogers





Tuesday, July 19, 2016

Century-the temperature and the school

Hello Everyone!

This week was great! I'll start out by explaining the title of this email. First of all, it was quite hot this week. 100 degrees and around that on Thursday and Friday! Along with the humidity it makes you extremely grateful for air conditioning! As far as Century, the school, we had transfers this week. There were 18 new missionaries and when I saw Elder Bennett, I exclaimed, "Are you from Pocatello??" He responded with, "I went to Century! Don't you remember me?" It was fun to see him. It's always exciting to greet and be with all of the brand new missionaries.

Sunday was pretty exciting as well. On Saturday we gave a call to an investigator we haven't taught in a little while. She could never come to church before because she worked on Sunday. But we just called her out of the blue yesterday and invited her. She came! Apparently she didn't have to work. Church was quite spiritual and we felt the great joy of the Sabbath Day.

I've been reading this week from the Index in the back of The Book of Mormon under the reference, "Jesus Christ, Atonement Through". I found a verse that I absolutely love! It is in 2 Nephi 11:5. "And also my soul delighteth in the covenants of the Lord which he hath made to our fathers; yea, my soul delighteth in his grace, and in his justice, and power, and mercy in the great and eternal plan of deliverance from death." What a wonderful thing to delight in. God truly has created and carried out a plan of deliverance. I know that through Christ and His Atonement, we will one day have glorified bodies. We have divine potential. As we rely on Him, we will be given strength to make it back to Our Father as an Eternal Family. What joy we will feel!

I love each of you! Have a tremendous week!

With Love,
Elder Rogers


Wednesday, July 13, 2016

Remember

Hello Everyone!

Happy Independence Day!! Celebrate and eat and remember and reverence and be grateful and watch fireworks! We already did some of that at a pancake breakfast this morning for our ward. And we're definitely going to watch some fireworks and eat some more and celebrate this great country!
We had a great week! On Wednesday we had exchanges with one of our District Leaders. I was with Elder Johnsen for a day. It was pretty neat since we were companions nearly a year ago. Our investigator, who got baptized recently, came out to some lessons with us. He's got a strong testimony! On Thursday we met President and Sister Weed. As they walked into a chapel full of Elders and Sisters we all stood up. It was a sacred moment. They both spoke and introduced themselves. They're amazing! President Weed began his remarks with his testimony of Jesus the Christ. That was reassuring. Sister Weed also spoke, and she has a great sense of humor. They're from Las Vegas and President Weed was a Judge. I'm excited to serve with them!

I read some scriptures today about "remembering". It's an important thing to do! There are many things that are important to remember, but one of the greatest is found in Helaman 5:9. "9 O remember, remember, my sons, the words which king Benjamin spake unto his people; yea, remember that there is no other way nor means whereby man can be saved, only through the atoning blood of Jesus Christ, who shall come; yea, remember that he cometh to redeem the world." I know that Christ is the way, the truth, and the life. He is our greatest Hope. As we remember Him, we will be fulfilling our baptismal covenants, and be filled with the Spirit.

Remember this day, the sacrifices made by many so that we can have religious freedom, freedom in this country, and deliverance from spiritual and physical bondage.

With Love,
Elder Rogers