People of the West! Gather round and lend me your ears!
First off, I have to say, I don't understand why, but every email I got today made me cry!!! (thanks mama) I started reading the letter I got from her last week talking about Dyl Weed's Birthday. It just sunk in that he is 15. It just blows me away at how much has happened in the couple of months I have been out. (Side note from mom.....IN 10 DAYS IT WILL BE A YEAR!) Then I read Dad's email about my other Grandpa's Birthday and I remembered being there last year! Then Mama emailed me AGAIN and talked about Dylan getting his Patriarchal Blessing and I was like WHAT?????? It's crazy!
Well, I am sure that Mom told everyone where I am. Scotch Plains is pretty boss, I am not gonna lie. North Newark will always be No. 1 though. :) We had a baptism on Saturday which was pretty BOSS! I had only taught her once, but there is just something about being part of a blessing. ESPECIALLY when it is a part member family. Her name is Sofia and she is 9 years old. She was so excited that she only slept for 2 hours the night before. It was an awesome day!
Man, there was so many AWESOME things that happened last week and so many things that I learned. The biggest thing that I learned that stuck out to me was this, GOD CHASTENS THE RIGHTEOUS! I was thinking to myself last week, "Why do I gotta leave? Why can't I just serve my entire mission in North Newark?" Obviously, I accepted God's will. It wasn't until today that I read something that made it all click. In Mosiah 23, there is a verse that says the Lord chastens his people to try their faith and strengthen them. Then I remembered the "God's Will" video. "I am the gardener here. I know what I want you to be." I realized that and was like, "That's it, I am done. No more will I question ANYTHING. I will go where you want me to go." I know that things don't really work out the way we want them to all of the time, but it is for our own good.
Back in Newark, there was an awesome experience that helped out a dear friend of mine. This person lost their phone and really could not find it ANYWHERE! I looked at them and asked, "Have you prayed yet?" When they answered no, I told them to go pray. They then dropped to their knees, in the middle of the hall and prayed. The phone was found within 5 minutes. I know that as we show faith and love for God, miracles happen!
Be safe guys!
Love you!
Elder Rodeback
Elder Rodeback
Monday, June 17, 2013
Monday, June 10, 2013
June 10, 2013 - TRANSFERRED!
Bon Dia! (Bone-JEE-UH) todo bein voce? (toodoo-bane voe-se)
WASS UP???? It has been a glorious week out here in North Newark and I am SAD to say, it will be my last week here in North Newark. That's right, I have been transferred once again. NOOOOOOOO! I am super bummed to be heading out, but excited to be headin' to a new place to be able to learn and grow some more. We had an awesome week last week. We worked our tails off and got some work done! Had a lot of less actives at church yesterday. Also, Elder Thatcher will be follow-up training Elder McEwan. He is super stoked and I am excited for him. We continue to try and see Sister Estevez, but to no avail. Hopefully we can find her soon.
I learned some really cool stuff this week. I had a really awesome experience yesterday that strengthened my testimony of prayer. I was really down yesterday. I have known for a little while that I would be leaving this transfer and it finally hit me yesterday. All day I had been saying a prayer that some how, some way, I could stay and be comforted. At about six o'clock yesterday, I had just finished saying one of these little prayers in my mind and all of the sudden a song popped into my mind. It's a song from "The Works" and the lyrics go, "Children go where I send thee." Right then I knew it was from Heavenly Father. I knew that He was aware of me and even though I want to stay with every ounce of my heart, this time is not about me. I realized that God has a place prepared for me. He has a way for me to go that I need to follow and it's up to me to do that. I know that will all of my heart, He hears and loves us. He wants what is best for us, and like that country song goes, "sometimes the answer is no."
Love you all!
Elder Rodeback
WASS UP???? It has been a glorious week out here in North Newark and I am SAD to say, it will be my last week here in North Newark. That's right, I have been transferred once again. NOOOOOOOO! I am super bummed to be heading out, but excited to be headin' to a new place to be able to learn and grow some more. We had an awesome week last week. We worked our tails off and got some work done! Had a lot of less actives at church yesterday. Also, Elder Thatcher will be follow-up training Elder McEwan. He is super stoked and I am excited for him. We continue to try and see Sister Estevez, but to no avail. Hopefully we can find her soon.
I learned some really cool stuff this week. I had a really awesome experience yesterday that strengthened my testimony of prayer. I was really down yesterday. I have known for a little while that I would be leaving this transfer and it finally hit me yesterday. All day I had been saying a prayer that some how, some way, I could stay and be comforted. At about six o'clock yesterday, I had just finished saying one of these little prayers in my mind and all of the sudden a song popped into my mind. It's a song from "The Works" and the lyrics go, "Children go where I send thee." Right then I knew it was from Heavenly Father. I knew that He was aware of me and even though I want to stay with every ounce of my heart, this time is not about me. I realized that God has a place prepared for me. He has a way for me to go that I need to follow and it's up to me to do that. I know that will all of my heart, He hears and loves us. He wants what is best for us, and like that country song goes, "sometimes the answer is no."
Love you all!
Elder Rodeback
Monday, June 3, 2013
June 3, 2013
Guys SUP????????????????
There is nothing worse than getting Strep Throat......HATE IT! There was a dumb rain storm last week and I didn't wear a coat cuz it was warm and now, here we are! I worked through it as best I could but yesterday it slapped me in the face HARD! We have been seeing some amazing stuff happen in our area the past month. I know that it is all because of the hard work we are throwin' down. We had some of the less active people we have been working with show up which was pretty awesome. We have really been trying to get them there. Now we just have one family that needs to quit being so lazy! hahaha!
This past week has just straight up been hotter than Hades! The second I walk out the door I am DRENCHED! It is just ridiculous!
The biggest lesson I have learned this week is how a love for God changes us as human beings. President Boyd K. Packer taught "True doctrine, understood, changes attitudes and behavior. The study of the doctrines of the Gospel will improve behavior quicker than a study of behavior will improve behavior." Even though I have probably used this quote before, I continue to climb mountains and change my life with it. A love for God brings a stronger desire to learn doctrine and learn the Gospel. Just as that quote says, learning and using Gospel principles will change behavior faster than studying behavior. A huge lesson that I have learned is that if we want to change our lives and feel God's presence more fully in our lives, study the Gospel. Learn what God has done for you and then apply what you learn. It is easy for us to change behavior, but pretty soon the old behavior comes back. The only person that can truly change our nature is God and I know that comes by simply learning and applying Gospel principles.
Alright guys, peace out.....gotta run!
Love you guys,
Elder Rodeback
There is nothing worse than getting Strep Throat......HATE IT! There was a dumb rain storm last week and I didn't wear a coat cuz it was warm and now, here we are! I worked through it as best I could but yesterday it slapped me in the face HARD! We have been seeing some amazing stuff happen in our area the past month. I know that it is all because of the hard work we are throwin' down. We had some of the less active people we have been working with show up which was pretty awesome. We have really been trying to get them there. Now we just have one family that needs to quit being so lazy! hahaha!
This past week has just straight up been hotter than Hades! The second I walk out the door I am DRENCHED! It is just ridiculous!
The biggest lesson I have learned this week is how a love for God changes us as human beings. President Boyd K. Packer taught "True doctrine, understood, changes attitudes and behavior. The study of the doctrines of the Gospel will improve behavior quicker than a study of behavior will improve behavior." Even though I have probably used this quote before, I continue to climb mountains and change my life with it. A love for God brings a stronger desire to learn doctrine and learn the Gospel. Just as that quote says, learning and using Gospel principles will change behavior faster than studying behavior. A huge lesson that I have learned is that if we want to change our lives and feel God's presence more fully in our lives, study the Gospel. Learn what God has done for you and then apply what you learn. It is easy for us to change behavior, but pretty soon the old behavior comes back. The only person that can truly change our nature is God and I know that comes by simply learning and applying Gospel principles.
Alright guys, peace out.....gotta run!
Love you guys,
Elder Rodeback
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