Seeking Charity, For Without It We Are Nothing ...Week 36 in Lapeer

     Well my spiritual insight this week was what our mission president had to say at our Christmas zone conference. 'When you are filled with charity, you obey God’s commandments and do all you can to serve others and help them receive the restored gospel….Charity is a gift from God.' The prophet Mormon said that we should "pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that [we] may be filled with this love" (Moroni 7:48). As you follow this counsel and strive to do righteous works, your love for all people will increase, especially those among whom you labor.….You will come to feel a sincere concern for the eternal welfare and happiness of other people. You will see them as children of God with the potential of becoming like our Heavenly Father, and you will labor in their behalf. You will avoid negative feelings such as anger, envy, lust, or covetousness. You will avoid judging others, criticizing them, or saying negative things about them. You will try to understand them and their points of view. You will be patient with them and try to help them when they are struggling or discouraged. I know I have echoed Charity before but this is what I really struggle with and am striving to develop it even more then I have now. 

     Tuesday and Friday were the last opportunity I  had to serve at the food pantry here in Lapeer. It has truly been a blessing to serve.

     Wednesday was a snow day, as in we received 6+ inches of snow. It was wonderful and because it was a little cold outside and I'm going home I bought the ingredients for a taco soup for Elder Weinand to make, it was great!

     The highlight of the week was our Christmas Zone Conference. It was great to be with some other Elders and see them before I go home. In summary, this week we received 7+inches of snow and I had to write a talk for  Sunday and pack. 

     The talk I gave was good and a member of the ward asked for a copy of the talk, that's a first! I'm packed and suitcases are in under weight. I am ready to dip out and begin my the next chapter of my life. See ya soon!

If you want to continue to email me, my email will change to    hockeyman_642@hotmail.com 

Lots of Love

Elder Rodgers

on way to zone party

not bringing these shoes home

taco soup is gone

yummm!

ready for home!

"He will lead us to them or them to us" ...Week 35 in Lapeer

     Please Note that when I come to email I don't usually remember what goes on during a week, I forget. I often refer to the missionary planner. Unfortunately I dropped it in water and it was then trash, so bear with me. Preparation day we went to Doughnut Burger and I got a Cinnamon Doughnut and it was Delicious. Finishing off the P-Day we went to the Zone Leaders chapel to play games and have fun with them and other Elders. 

     Continuing through my week we went to do service and then went to cookie splits. I had no luck and the other companions got cussed out, but hey that's half the fun! 
    
     For District Meeting (MY LAST ONE) The Zone leaders came and we had a discussion from preach my gospel pages 182-184. It was helpful to do that because we are going to be teaching this man this upcoming week. Afterwards we went to service and contacted. 

     My exit interview was Friday and its hard to believe that but its true. We got there at 9:15 and I didn't get in till like 10:20ish. I had a good chat with President Cleveland then Elder Weinand and I did some computer work for Sister Cleveland. I made the Christmas slideshow, for the upcoming mission Christmas party. So during all this Sister Cleveland bought us Subway and we worked. I finished it close to 2:45ish.  Elder Weinand was still doing his project. Since I'm going home soon I called some members to get their information and one wanted to meet up so he came to the Mission office and we had a great chat. Its been close to 18 months since I've seen him. So we got back home at 7pm, a long day. 

     Last week I forgot to mention something really amazing. We went to church and during priesthood class the 2nd councillor pulled us aside and introduced us to a young man who moved here from California. While living there he went to church and met with missionaries. He came back to live with his father. He wants to be taught and inquired about what he would have to sign in order to be baptized. We explained the process, and he was exited. So this Sunday he came to Church again so we have a lesson with him this Wednesday with a returned missionary and intend to extend the Baptismal date for Dec 30th. The Lord provided a miracle. I know it comes from the hard work I have shown the Lord as I  strive to talk with everyone. We read in Preach My Gospel.  "He will lead you to them or He will lead them to you." The Lord has lead him to us!! 

Lots of Love

Elder Rodgers

Doughnut  Burger!

MY district .... Elder Jones, Rodgers, Quick, Myer, Weinand

Elder Rodgers Week ...Week 34 inLapeer

     Another week has come and gone, but still enjoying the time. We had a good week y'all could say. Starting off the week we cooked a turkey at the Bluewater Elders apartment and we had stuffing, potatoes, gravy, and pudding pie for dessert. My first time... well all of our first time cooking a turkey but may I say we did a mighty fine job! It filled us all up. 

     Continuing my week... bright and early Tuesday morning we drove to Southfield to a DLTM (district leader training meeting) for three hours and that was great and I learned lots. Some of the things I learned was that we need to be urgent in finding our brothers and our sisters. Other things I got from the meeting was we need to be more accountable in our work. That night we applied it and talked to everyone, it felt good you could say :). 

     My week continues as follows ...Wednesday was the Chinese Buffet, and then we blitzed the Bluewater area. 

     Thursday night we conducted an exchange. I was to be with Elder Myers and the reaming three are together. Starting off the exchange we had a lesson in their area and then we came back to Lapeer that evening.

     Friday as we continued the exchange we did service and more service. Dinner that evening was with a friend of ours who took us three out to dinner (we went as a companionship to dinner). After dinner we exchanged back and then we contacted former's. We came back to the apt and then Elder Myers taught me the lessons. 

     The last part of the week was Sunday where we had the opportunity to watch the first presidency Christmas devotional, which may I add was great to watch. 

I want to ask a question to all that read this letter to send me any thoughts you have about these questions in a SEPERATE EMAIL! 

1) how you reconize the spirit personally 

 2) how it can be an influence in our lives

 3) a cool story you have with the holy ghost. 

email bradley.rodgers@myldsmail.net 

Lots of Love

Elder Rodgers

I'm not counting.... lol

Our Turkey dinner.... note no veggies!

New tie!