The waters of baptism

Hello again! So I actually don't even remember what happened this week because it went by so fast. But I know it was fun and filled with missionary opportunities!

I'll start with today because today is the best day: We went shopping this morning! And for those of you who know shopping is my favorite thing. After that we are going to play volleyball as a district. Lets just say that McKay, Jason and Jake better watch out because by the time I get home I'll be a volleyball pro. Then later today we are having a picnic with a member! We also are having a lesson with Jake. We have to meet with him everyday this week because he is going to be baptized on Saturday!!! We are so excited for him! I will send pictures I promise, don't fret!

A lot of this week we had to stay inside mostly because Sister Holbrook was sick with a really bad cold. I have not gotten sick yet though! *knocks on wood

Friday: We went on splits so Sister Holbrook could stay inside while Sister Lovell and I worked. We went to the duck pond on campus and it was so awesome! We talked to so many people and handed out two Books of Mormon!

Saturday!: We had Corey's baptism! The Spirit was so strong. He is the only member in his family and his mom and dad were both crying. It was a sweet experience.

Sunday: We had dinner with the YSA and it was such a party. Plus Jake (our investigator) came too!

That's it for this week folks. Thanks for tuning in and we'll see you next Monday!

D&C 1: 29-30
Sister Rodabough

The Power of the Priesthood

Tuesday: We had Zone Conference! It was so cool. We learned about the Gospel of Jesus Christ and how to have effective studies. A lot of what President said I needed to hear. I now understand more how important it is to really study until you learn something. Before I wasn't getting much out of it but now that I am studying to learn and not just studying to read, I feel the Spirit so much more. Sometimes I have to read a verse over and over again until I learn something but it is so worth it. 

Friday: We had exchanges with the Sister Training Leaders! Sister Holbrook and I stayed in Blacksburg with Sister Price and Sister Lovell went to Christiansburg with Sister Nicholls. Sister Price is way cool because I went to high school with her and we know the same people. I also learned a lot from her and she really motivated me to be a better missionary. 

Saturday: After exchanges we had Corey's baptismal interview and he passed! He is such a great human and he has such a strong testimony! We also taught Fangzhou again and he does not have very much religious background and he doesn't speak very much english so it is kinda hard to communicate. We just read 3 Nephi 11 with him and he is starting to understand that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. Baby steps haha.

Sunday! Okay Sunday was the best day. It always seems to be in my emails huh? But its true. So at the beginning of this week I felt so prompted that I needed a Priesthood blessing. Of course I was like 'I'm fine, I don't need to one. I just need to keep working.' However, the prompting got stronger so I followed though. I had a little one on one with bishop before he have me a blessing and he said that as we were talking he already had thoughts and impressions come to his mind about what to say to me. While he have me my blessing he just said over and over again 'Don't feel inadequate...Don't compare yourself to others.' He just continued to warn me about that. That has been a problem with me for a long time but because of the Power of the Priesthood, I don't have a problem with it any more. I know that the Priesthood is one of the most powerful gifts we have. The Priesthood power comes directly from God and I know that it can help you with whatever you are going through.

Monday (today): We went to one of the places where Dirty Dancing was filmed and it was so cool! It had the lake and some of the other buildings that were used. After we saw all of that we went on a hike and it was so pretty! There were so many rocks and fun places to climb. I felt the Spirit there too, that is why I love being in nature because I feel so close to Heavenly Father.

Other than all that not much has happened. Remember that this is the true gospel and that He is the one in charge.

*2 Nephi 27: 14-15
Love always,
Sister Rodabough

Games and Miracles

This week was full of fun events, let me tell you.

Wednesday: We taught English to a lady named Najeeba and it was so much fun. She calls us 'teacher' because she can't say our names. It was a really great experience. We also taught Jake the Gospel of Jesus Christ and he loved it! We invited him to be baptized but he said no because he feels like he doesn't have enough faith so we'll see how that goes...

We had such a cool lesson with a former as well! His name is Trenton and he knows quite a bit about the church. He texted us randomly one day and asked to meet with us. We did so at our institute. His main concern is that he hasn't recognized his answer and because of that he must not have received one. We promised him that if he would give up drinking and parting and everything else for one week he would be able to receive his answer. We also told him that he needs to have real intent because God is not going to answer us if we don't act on it. So we asked him that if he would get his answer in one week that he would be baptized on May 5th. He said that he would be willing to do so.

Thursday: We had the longest weekly planning session ever. Nevertheless, we still got to do things so it ended up being okay. Corey (our investigator on date for baptism on the 28th) taught us the Gospel of Jesus Christ (because he has been through all of the lessons already) and he did so good! He needs to be the Gospel Principles teacher. We even asked him really deep questions like, 'how do I know if my sins are forgiven?' And he was still able to answer them right!

Friday: We had another lesson with Jake and it was so powerful! We just read Ether 12 about faith. Jake said that this chapter made him realize a lot about his own faith. We committed him to come to church and he said that he could only make it to the first hour (sacrament meeting) but he will still be there.

We had a lesson with Trenton as well...he said that he can't stick to our challenge and that he just isn't ready to change his lifestyle. He wants to be able to drink and party with his friends and that he will seek for his answer after he graduates.

Saturday: Was interesting...We planned a whole day of finding because what else do you do on Saturdays lol. However, we forgot it was game day. Game day + College town = Stay inside away from drunk people haha! The only thing we had to do was pick up the bike from the family ward. We took a trail that was still by all of the parting but not as close. When we got there, there was like 9 or 10 Police Officers watching everyone. They knew we were missionaries and walked with us part of the way to the church, when we walked back they walked with us part of the way back as well. I felt so much safer because it was pretty sketchy outside. After that we figured it would be a good day to not be outside.

Sunday: BEST DAY EVER! Jake came to church!!! He was able to stay for all three hours too! He loved it. After church we had dinner with the YSA so that was a good time. Then (this is the best part) during call ins. Jake texted us the following, 'I just checked my final exam scedule and I actually do have and exam on Saturday, May 5th from 1:05-3:05 so I'd be down to do the baptism that day but it would have to be in the afternoon or the late evening unfortunately.' Guys that never happens! He wants to be baptized!!! When we saw this, the other sisters and I started doing the happy dance. I know that it was because of the power of the Book of Mormon and attending church (the simple things) that changed his heart. I cannot wait for Jake to be baptized and we are so excited for him!

Sorry that this email is so long but I promise that it is over. I am so grateful for everyone that has helped me so far in my life. Thank you!

*Ether 12: 26-27
Love,
Sister Rodabough

It's going to be a trip

Hello from Blacksburg Virginia! Everyone thought I would eventually go to West Virginia on my mission but I guess not lol. I am in my last area with Sister Holbrook and Sister Lovell. I am serving in a walk/bike area on the Virginia Tech campus and I am so glad that I get to be here for the last part of my mission! 

I am also serving in the YSA ward and guys it is crazy weird to only be around kids my age. I love it though! We are teaching tons of people and some of them are from China so that is way cool. It is such a blessing to be here. I have already learned so much and it has been four days lol. 

On Sunday I made the recommendation to my companions to get priesthood blessings to start off the transfer. Bishop Passic gave me a very powerful blessing. Right before he laid his hands on my head, he looked down at me and said, "Have I given you a blessing before?" I replied, "No Bishop." He paused and responded, "Well if I haven't in this life that means I have in the previous life." When he said that I felt the Spirit so strong and to me that was a confirmation that I knew him before and that I was sent to Blacksburg because I need him. That priesthood blessing was a very sacred experience for me that I wouldn't trade for the world.

This past weekend I have been getting to know the YSA it is so fun because we are all best friends and we are always with each other! On Friday, my first day in Blacksburg we went to #BigEvent which is what Virginia Tech does to get the kids hyped for collage. It was on campus and it was so fun! We went and did service for a family and took care of their yard. We cut down a huge thorn bush and scrubbed mold of of the side of their house. It was a good time. 

I guess I should tell y'all a little about my companions haha. Sister Holbrook goes home this transfer and she is from Idaho, she is the blond one in the #BigEvent picture. Sister Lovell is a trainee (Sister Holbrook is training her) and she is from Arizona. She has brown hair and is on the very right. I love both of my companions and I am so glad that I get to serve with both of them!

Thank you for your constant prayers and support. I am so grateful and I know that Heavenly Father blesses each of you because of that so thank you!

*Enos 1:15
Love Always,
Sister Rodabough

Change is Everywhere

Brothers and Sisters,

This conference weekend was truly amazing. I learned so much and the Spirit was so strong. With all of the changes and additions of temples may I just testify that this is the Lords church that is being lead by a modern day prophet. I know that President Nelson guides the church. I know that he speaks according to the will of the Lord.

Here are some insights I had during conference:
1. Think of and pray for others.
2. Always, always, always, do the small and simple things.
3. Our top priority is making sure that we do what we can to get our family to the Celestial Kingdom.
4. We are being lead by a modern day prophet of God.
5. The work is hastening and we need to do what we can to stay on the covenant path.

This conference has completely changed the way I think about the world, my calling as a full-time missionary and exhalation for my family. I no longer really care about being 'of the world'. I know that there are worldly things that we must participate in but I have a growing testimony of truly putting God first in every aspect of my life. That is probably my number one thing I learned is that I need to do better at putting God and His plan first in my life. Not school, music or anything else. I am so grateful for this testimony I have gained from this conference.

I also found out on Saturday that I am leaving Salem. I will be heading to my last area. I am so excited! But at first of course I was nervous. I was able to get a priesthood blessing from a member of the ward and the main thing I got from it was that if I just trust God, He will tell me where to go and who to talk too. I am so excited for this change and I can't wait to see what lies ahead. I will find out where I am going and who I will be with on Wednesday night.

Thank you for your continued love and prayers.

*Alma 37:6-7
Love,
Sister Rodabough