May 12, 2014 The Beat Goes On.........

Dear......Everyone!

I can't believe I talked to my family yesterday!  It was the most surreal thing in the world.  What was more crazy was that it was unfortunately.....the last.  (from the mission)
Last week was a pretty awesome week!  We had so many different things going on I couldn't even believe it.  We taught Liz which went very well.  We also had the opportunity to do some service for some members who have zero interest in the church anymore.  Life couldn't get much better than that, just livin' the dream and doin' it big!  Between helping people come to Christ and having fun with my companion/roommates, I just love being here.  We went and played Ultimate, last "P" day and I couldn't believe the amount of sunburn that everyone had!  Haha!  We had Zone Meeting last Tuesday and the monthly focus on faith and working with members, was unveiled.  As the week progressed, I realized how much my mission has done for me.  On Sunday EVERYTHING HIT ME!  I realized that I was going home in a couple of weeks and it scared the daylights outta me!  It's interesting though, because as I have studied the Gospel, I have realized that each Prophet has something in common.........acceptance of change.  Change is where we grow and become more like God.  I have just grown to love that principle as a missionary and I hope that I can take that with me!

I love you GUYS!  Keep it easy out there!
Elder Rodeback

WE BE....BIG PIMPIN! WE SPENDIN CHEESE. WE BE...BIG PIMPIN OUT IN N.J.C.!

Elder Says:

Chillin in the dirty city

Wit my main man

I don't smoke that loopy weed

Cause I'm out here doin' the deed.

Preechin' & Teachin'

to the Goblins and Ghouls

We stare poverty in the barrel

But they think we be fools

CAUSE WE BE....

Big Preachin' we teachin' kids

WE BE......

Big Teachin' out in JC!

It's just the Elder power preachin' here in JC!  (Mash up of Kyoto by SKRILLEX and Big Pimpin by Jay-Z)

How we doin'?

Hop all y'all are doing boss!  I can't believe it is stinkin' Mother's Day!!!  I feel like I called home yesterday!  Life in Jersey City has been .....well you guessed it, AMAZING!  I can't tell you how much I love this place.  God has just unloaded so many stinkin' miracles on us it isn't even funny!  Last week was crazy!  The Lord once again changed me.  I just can't even tell all of you how happy I am to be here and to be a missionary.  Elder Pabla and I have been working super hard.  This lady showed up at church last week and found the Sisters and told them that she wanted to get baptized....Well, she lives in our area so we taught her on Friday and Sunday and she is so prepared to receive the Gospel!!!  I don't know how many RMs read this thing but man, I am sooo tired!  I feel like I crash every night.  I will keep all of you updated on this girl's progress.  

That's all I have to report on this week....I hope all of you enjoyed my little rap at the beginning... ;)

I love you guys!

Elder Rodeback

April 28, 2014

Dear family and friends!

What's up guys?  I am sorry for being such a bone head and not writing one of these more frequently.  It's interesting how as your mission goes on, your emails home get worse and worse.....sorry mom.  So much has happened over the past little bit!  Elder Marchant got the boot and Elder Pabla is my companion now!  We have been working really hard and have had so many miracles!  Every day I love my mission more and more.  As I see people accept and apply the principles of the Gospel, I get more and more attached to this place.  I am still in Jersey City.
Last week Elder L. Tom Perry visited our mission!  We spent Monday in an All Mission Conference with him.  What an amazing experience to be in his presence.  It will forever make an impact on my life!
I have been getting really tired!  I won't lie, I can feel the past two years catching up to me.  But I wouldn't trade my mission experience for anything.  I am out of time unfortunately, but I love you guys!  Keep being Bosses!

Elder Rodeback

March 31, 2014 - How High is UP? True or False?

Hey there e'er body.  It know it's been a little bit since I have written a blog update *boo me*!  I sincerely apologize.....You may call me Elder Scum.....  :)
This week was a ballin' week!  There were so many people at church yesterday that we almost didn't have enough room!  Transfers are once again here and I am STAYING!!!!  YES!  On the bummer side, Elder Marchant is being transferred.  Elder Marchant and I had so many fun times together and I am bummed that it is time for it to end.  I am super excited to meet my next companion though!  New adventures are the cat's pajamas!  It has been one of the greatest transfers of my mission because of the biggest lesson that I learned.  Elder Marchant and I, for the life of us, could not find anyone to teach!  We worked so hard and despite all of our best efforts, we couldn't find a soul.  As I have reflected on what I learned from this last transfer, one powerful and important principle stuck out to me and it is one I will never forget.  Never, EVER deviate from what you know is true!  Even when life is hard, even when nothing is going the way you want it to.  If you live the principles that you know are right , God's plan will be laid before you.  I know that God lives and Jesus is the Christ and the Book of Mormon is true.  I love you all so much!  Keep doing the things that are right and the Lord will bless you in all things.

Love,
Elder Rodeback

Elder Rodeback & Elder Marchant, Jersey City, NJ

March 17, 2014

Hey Guys!

I know, I know.  It's been a couple of days (and by days I mean weeks.)  Once again I am completely out of time and I don't know what to write in my update this week.  Life here in Jersey City is fun as can be.  I love this place!  We literally have the best of both worlds.  You can go down to my boy Dayquan's house and be in the straight "hood" or you can go to Brother Davis' house and be in the most expensive apartment building I have ever been in!  This place makes me laugh!  Like I said I am outta time.  I love you all, take care!

Elder Rodeback

 DUUUU Rags!

 Got snow Elders?

For the Lord God will help me................

Hey Everyone,

Man, it has been a little bit since I have been able to send one of these things.  Truth be told, I have been stumped the past couple of weeks on what the Lord wanted me to write about.  I mean, I get up and do the same thing every day and yet, every single day is a cherished moment for me.  One that I will ponder upon every minute for the rest of my life.  I cannot effectively describe to you in words, the feelings that resonate in my heart every day as I think about the things that I am doing out here, and the miracle that has taken place in my life.  The Gospel of Jesus Christ has changed my life forever.
I am still in Jersey City, just in case you didn't get the update.  I love this place so much!  My companion is Elder Braydon Marchant and we have a blast together!  We spend a lot of time in the hood of Jersey City because of all of the work there is to do.  The young man name Dayquan that we have been working with is making some amazing changes in his life and every time that we go to see him he changes a little bit more.  My mom asked me if I was tired of the snow and the answer is......YES!  It makes parking impossible and I begin getting really antsy when we are in the car for too long.
Here is some spiritual uplift for y'all.
"For the Lord God will help me.  Therefore, shall I not be confounded.  Therefore, have I set my face like a flint and I know that I shall not be ashamed." 2 Nephi 7:7  I hope every time that you are faced with a temptation and do something that you shouldn't do, you remember the words of a prophet of God.  Jesus Christ will not stand ashamed of you at judgment.  Why are we standing ashamed to keep the commandments of God?  Back up, or Get in!

I love you all!  Be Safe!
Elder Rodeback

"It wreaks in here!!!!!" "That's the smell of weed....." "It still wreaks!"

HAHAHAHAHAH!
Dear friends and family!

Once again I am sitting at my computer trying to put into words the events and hilarity that was last week!  We had such an awesome week!  It was full f the Spirit of God.  It ended up with us popping a tire after hitting a pot hole!  Elder Marchant and I know that God wanted it to happen so that we could help other people that popped their tires as well! :)  Life as a missionary cannot be replaced by anything in this world.  I love serving Here!!  The reason for the title is because of a funny story that happened last week.
We were walking out of a less active family's apartment and we just got smacked in the face with the putrid smell of pot!  The only thing we could think to say was, "Man, it wreaks in here!"  The kid smokin' it on the steps said, "that's the smell of weed..."  In a bit of an angered tone.  All we could do was look at him and say, "It still wreaks!"
I want all of you to know that I know that God lives, that Jesus is the Christ and that his commandments are for all of his children and will bless and change their lives, just as they change ours.  It is our responsibility to make sure that they know.

Love you all!
Elder Rodeback

Pictures from Superbowl Week!