2 Months!

Hey Everyone!

   Today is my 2 month mark! It's crazy how time flies when you're

wearin' a shirt and tie everyday! Haha!

   In many of our lessons, we've been using Mormon Messages to help

teach. If you haven't heard of them, they're like little videos that

always have great lessons to be learned. They're on youtube and

they're wonderful!

   We were able to do some service this week! We helped some of the

members move a fence and then on Saturday, we helped clean a

performing arts center that was built in 1925. That was really cool!

   Also, one of the members who helps us out a lot had a baby!

(Well...his wife had a baby!) The baby's name is Griffin and he's

adorable! Haha and the member said that my companion and I were his

new son's "Missionary Uncles"! I thought that was funny! I've never

been a missionary uncle before!

   Last week, he introduced us to a friend of his named Lee. We taught

him a lesson and he came to church with us yesterday! He's a great

guy! He's older, but before we even met him, he loved watching BYU TV

and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. We look forward to continuing meeting

with him and teaching him.

   Yesterday we taught a lesson about doing the little things. As we

do little things each day, like scripture study and prayer, we will

notice huge changes over time. The Bible and Book of Mormon truly are

the Word of God. And the study of these holy books coupled with

sincere prayer can truly change our lives. I invite each of you to

read from the scriptures each day this week. I promise that God will

bless you as you do. I love you all and hope everyone has a wonderful

week!

With Love,

Elder Rogers

I'm 19! And I like to eat!

Hello Everyone!

   I know the subject is kinda random, but let me explain! First of all, my birthday was wonderful! I received many gifts and letters and I had an amazing day! I'm 19 now, and if it weren't for the mission age change, I would've just barely started my mission!

    A few weeks ago, we ate at a place called Hwy 55 and I noticed that they had something called the Andy's challenge...55 ounces of meat with fries and a drink! What?!? I know! So I decided that I would give it a shot on the P-Day before my birthday! I was allowed 30 minutes to eat it all. And if I didn't do it in time or couldn't finish it, I would have to pay $25! But if I did eat it in the time limit, then I wouldn't have to pay a dime! Let's just say that I ate lunch for free last Monday! (Also, there's pictures at the bottom!)

   The work has been going well! We've got a few progressing investigators, and this week, we were able to teach a new investigator in one of the members homes. That went really well and he is interested in the Church. I was also able to go on exchanges with one of the Spanish Elders, Elder Valdez! That was fun! I even did one of the door approaches in Spanish! Haha he may have helped me out a little!

    While I was with Elder Valdez, I thought about how this gospel is for everyone. God loves each and every one of His children, and so He provided his gospel to all. I know that He wants all of us to follow Him and that by so doing, we can be truly happy. I know that He loves us and that He wants what's best for us. I hope that we can all come unto Him. Have a wonderful week, everyone!!

With Love,

Elder Rogers

 25 minutes and 42 seconds later...

General Conference!

Hey Everyone!

   This week was good! I loved General Conference! There is so much to

be learned from the many words of direction and counsel. It is such a

blessing to have a Prophet on the earth today! I invite you to ponder

the words presented in General Conference and apply one principle to

your life that would bring you closer to Christ.

    One of our investigators was able to come to the Sunday morning

session of General Conference! A member family has been really

supportive in having the lessons at their home. On Friday evening, we

had a lesson in their back yard around a fire pit. That was really

cool and the Spirit was strong.

   One of my favorite talks in General Conference was by Dieter F.

Uchtdorf. It was about how we can gain a spiritual witness of the

truthfulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ through sincerely seeking

to know. We must study the word of God and then ask Him of its

truthfulness. But even after we have received that witness, we should

continue adding upon it. President Uchtdorf said, "The process of

gathering spiritual light is the quest of a lifetime." That is so

true! We must always be striving to deepen our testimonies and

conversions. I know that as we seek after the things of God, He will

guide us. The gospel is true and it brings pure and everlasting peace.

    I hope everyone has an absolutely amazing week!

With Love,

Elder Rogers

P.S. We found a little frog on one of our investigator's driveway, so

we took a picture of him!

Bojangle's!

Hey Everyone!

  So there's this fast food place down here called Bojangles, and

it's real good! They have chicken and biscuits and this week I had my

first (and definitely not the last!) Boberry biscuit. It was

delicious! It's basically a biscuit with blueberries inside and

frosting on top. Mmmm! I would send a picture of it, but I didn't take

one...so I'll just send a picture of Bojangles.

   We had the opportunity this week to do some service, so that was

nice! We helped one of the ladies in the ward move. We moved a couple

fridges, a washer, a dryer, and almost flooded the house! Well, I

guess it wasn't that  bad. We disconnected a water hose from the back

of one of the fridges and water just started spraying out! After about

ten minutes of trying to shut off the water and a few buckets full of

water, we were able to turn it off. So that was fun! We were also able

to help out at a soup kitchen where they prepared food to give to

people that couldn't provide for themselves. We also washed off trays

and did some sweeping. I always feel good when I'm serving others.

Service is a wonderful way to show our love for others and our love

for God.

  On Saturday, we did something called Walk 'n' Talk where we just go

to somewhere where people are and walk and talk! (Like the title

suggests!) It was cool to just talk with others about the gospel and

their lives and how we can come unto Christ. The people in Kinston are

very religious and there are a lot of different churches around here.

Although our beliefs may differ, I have loved to see the faith which

so many people have in Christ. No matter where you are or what

religion you are, a firm faith in Christ and His teachings will help

you through life.

  This week was great and I love it here! I'm really excited for

General Conference this weekend! To be able to hear the words of a

Prophet of God is truly a blessing! I invite all of you to listen to

or watch General Conference this weekend! I know that there will be

talks that are specifically for each one of us and that can help us

with our lives right now. The gospel of Jesus Christ is true and it

brings true happiness! I hope everyone has a terrific week!

With Love,

Elder Rogers

One Month!

Hey Everyone!

   As the subject of this email suggests, I've been out for a month! It's crazy how time flies when you're busy! It's been great though! And now I've only got 23 months left! But who's counting? Haha but anyway, this week was good!

   On preparation day, we played a little football! That was really fun! And then later in the week, we were all sore...but it was a good type of sore! The work here in Kinston is going well! My companion and I have been staying really busy each day, teaching the wonderful truths of the gospel. Being on a mission has really made me realize how simple the gospel is. And also, the many blessings which come from living it. When our lives are centered on Christ, we can find joy amidst any trials we may be facing. We can have hope for the future through our afflictions. (See Alma 31:38)

   The ward I'm serving in is wonderful! They are all so kind and we are fed basically every night! No matter where you are on this earth, the gospel of Jesus Christ and His church is the same. It is one church and one gospel. That is such a blessing!

   This week we had zone conference! The theme of the conference was found in Doctrine and Covenants 6:36. "Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not." I love how simple that phrase is! As we look unto Christ in all we do, our lives will be blessed. Our perspective on things will be brightened and our relationships with those around us will be strengthened. Christ lives and loves us. He has overcome the world. He has already performed the Atonement. All we need to do is look unto Him and trust in Him. This week, I invite you to look unto Him in all you do. I know that as you do this you will see a difference in your life. I love you all and hope that everyone has a fantastic week!

With Love,
Elder Rogers

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Hello Everyone!

   This week was great! I'm starting to get used to being a missionary! Like I don't mind wearing church clothes all the time! This week was full of adventure! I had the opportunity to go on two exchanges, (Basically where you switch companions with another companionship for a day), tried my first Southern food, and one of the days, we biked somethin' like 15 miles!

   During my first exchange, with Elder Garcia, I got to drive the car! He's been on his mission for 3 months, but I guess he hasn't filled out the paperwork or something...either way, it was pretty fun to drive the car! It had rained a ton the day before, and we went to a trailer park with puddles which were quite large! We almost got stuck in one to the point where we would have had to call for help, but luckily, we didn't! (See pictures at the bottom) But don't worry, we took a few minutes and washed it later in the day! Elder Garcia is a Spanish speaking missionary, so we talked to a lot of people that I couldn't quite understand...but those two years of high school Spanish helped out a little! We did a lot of tracting, so that was good!

   On Wednesday, we didn't have the car to use, so we went biking. Our surroundings were so beautiful! I would've taken a picture, but I thought that would be a bad idea at the time!

   The work has been good here! All of our investigators are really nice, and they're progressing! Deanna talked about how she loved that The Book of Mormon is so clear and simple. So that was awesome when she said that! And it's true! The Book of Mormon testifies of Christ in such a simple and powerful way!

   In 1 Nephi 16:28 it teaches about the Liahona, and how it gave them direction "according to the faith and diligence and heed" which they gave it. This same principle can be applied to our lives. As we give God faith, and diligence, and listen to His words, He will guide us in our lives. When we live righteously, we qualify ourselves for direction and guidance from Him. I invite you to take a moment and think of the direction you have in your life. Where is it headed? Life can get busy, but I know that if we put God first, things will always work out. I know that as we pray for strength and direction, willing to do what God asks of us, He will direct our lives and we will be happier in this life and in the life to come.

With Love,

Elder Rogers

P.S. Here are some pictures of our district and my companion and I! Have a great week everyone!

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