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

God Gave The Increase

This week was so busy and so fun I don't even no where to begin...

Tuesday: We taught an amazing girl named Rachel! She is our new best friend haha. She is 35 and we taught her about pretty much everything in a lesson haha. It was jam packed. She is a Baptist's Preachers daughter so she has a lot of questions. She was very nice and sincere. She is very interested in Eternal Families and how it all works and she can't wait to read the Book of Mormon

Wednesday: we had interviews with the President. I love him so much. The Spirit was so strong that we were both shaking a little bit. He told me that I will be heading to my last area next week so we'll see how that goes. After interviews we had exchanges with the Sister Training Leaders. It was so much fun! I was with Sister Nicholls. We saw Gods hand/timing in the work so amazingly. God really does produce miracles if the timing is right and if we have faith.

Thursday: We picked up Scott! Guys Scott is legit the coolest. He is second generation Russian and he used to be a professional football player for the NFL on the Chargers team. He is also like 6'7 and broke my hand when he shook it but its fine. 😉

Saturday: We taught Shannon and Aisa! They are a couple in their 30's who is so ready to learn about the gospel. It was so funny as we were sharing the First Vision Shannon was like, "Wait he saw God?!" He couldn't believe it. The Spirit that comes from Joseph's experience is so amazing. After that we met Randy. He was interesting. We talked to him for about an hour and he said that we are apart of a cult and they brainwashed us to make us think a certain way and that we need to leave the church. He also said the Joseph Smith wrote the Book of Mormon, not translated. He just went on and on. He didnt say those things in a mean way or anything, I just felt bad that he couldn't feel the peace and the strength that comes from this gospel.

Sunday: At first Sunday was really hard. I just felt so down and sad the whole morning. And I didn't know why. Just this empty feeling was inside me. Then at church our Ward Mission Leader came up to me and said that Michael passed away. Michael was an amazing member of the church, he was in the hospitable for 6 months before he passed away. Ever since I met him I felt a very strong connection towards him. I really felt like we were friends in the Premortal Life. I love Michael but I know that he isn't suffering anymore. After church we had dinner with the Farrera family! They fed us really amazing Mexican food and it was just a blast. After dinner we picked up the Sublet family, Ashley and Kaden. Random story: The elders from the Huston Texas mission called us on Thursday and gave us Ashley and Kaden as a referral. That's chill, just randomly getting calls from missionaries in Texas...whatever. So we go to their house they had so many questions! Questions about the Priesthood, the Book of Mormon, Exhalation, Joseph Smith, everything. It was very powerful. 

Sorry for the long email haha. This week was just AMAZING. Full of ups and downs #missionarywork. I know that God is in the details of everything. He knows us perfectly and has a perfect plan for each one of us. I know that He wants us back with Him but we can only do that through obedience and repentance. I am grateful for this General Conference/Easter season that we have. Brothers and Sisters this is the true and everlasting gospel of Jesus Christ. I know it is true.

*Enos 1:4-8
Love,
Sister Rodabough

A Trial of Faith

So to be honest this week was kind of rough. Through out the week we have been praying for a family to teach because we recently stopped teaching all of our investigators. We were praying and praying for a family. Monday went by and nothing happened, then Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday...as of Saturday we were feeling really discouraged. And on top of that Sister Durfee and I are really good at putting ourselves down and comparing so that did not help haha.

Its finally Saturday and we still didn't find anyone so the whole day we are just feeling really down and being really hard on ourselves. During dinner, we forgot we had an appointment following immediately after dinner to go see a Less Active family. It was already 6:00 (the time set for our apt) and we got there 5ish minutes late. They opened the door and they were so excited to see us! We both felt inspired to show them the 'Where justice, love and mercy meet' Mormon Message even though we didn't think it would help them that much. We shared the video and they were both very emotional and they loved it. We had a very very powerful lesson with them. Probably one of the most powerful lesson I have ever had on my mission. The family's name is the Farrera's. Brother Farrera answered so many of my prayers. He told us that we have been in the right place at the right time and that we are good missionaries. He (Brother Farrera) thinks that he doesn't really speak through the Spirit anymore because he hasn't been to church but I knew he was and I knew that Heavenly Father was using him to answer my prayers.

During the Spirit-felt lesson they expressed that they were so scared to come back to church. We promised them many blessings and they felt more comfortable. On Sunday they did end up coming to church and it was the best Sunday of my entire mission to see them there. I love the Farrera family so much and I feel so close to them.

This experience really strengthened my testimony about prayer. Heavenly Father will always answer our prayers but a lot of the time it is not the way we expect it. We prayed for a family to teach but instead Heavenly Father gave us a Less Active family which worked out better because we all needed to help each other. I know that He always answers our prayers. He loves us so much that we cannot even comprehend. I know with my whole soul that this gospel is true and that we can return to Heavenly Father if we try our best to obey Him.

Sorry for the long email this week but I thank you all for everything you do/have done for me. I hope you all have a fantastic week!

*Alma 26:22
Love Sister Rodabough

Faith or Fear?

Okay this is crazy I thought yesterday was Pday so what the heck? Anyways, this week went by so fast. Sister Durfee and I really spent some time getting to know each other and now we are super tight. Time is just flying by.

As most of you know, it has been a hard time to find new people to teach lately, I am not going to lie. However, this week my testimony of missionary work has strengthened so much. We have been working super hard to find new people to teach and no luck. But the ward has been giving us names of people to go teach almost every time we go see them. We now have a bunch of referrals to contact and lots of new areas to work in. I know that when we go through any trial, if we just work hard and try our best the Lord will always magnify our works. I also know that we must also work with an attitude of faith because the Lord cannot help us if we fear Him or His plan. We must always trust in Him and whatever He has planned for us. When we do so, He will always give us the strength that week need.

I can't remember anything that happened this week haha. It just goes by super fast. On Pday last week we played soccer and it was so fun and we went to this way cool ice cream place after were they role your ice cream right in front of you. They also played amazing music like M83 and Sia. It was a good time lol. 

Also you know you are unified with your companion when you accidentally have the same subject line. Haha.

Thank you all for your prayers and support. I am grateful to each one of you. 

Your Sister Rodabough

The Power of Prayer

The power of prayer
This week was full of fun as usual.

Monday: We got Priesthood blessings from Brother Dutton and holy cow. He is so amazing. He talked to us for like two hours about the Plan of Salvation. Lately I have had a strong desire to learn all I can about the Plan of Salvation, to do that, I began to read Jesus the Christ. It has taught me so much. My testimony of the Plan of Salvation has grown more then words can express. I know it is true and I know that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ know us perfectly. Also, on Monday my younger brother Chip was kind of having a rough time so I invited him to pray and ask God to help him. He did so and Chip told me that he felt so much better. I love the power of prayer and that we are able to ask our Father for help. He always wants to help us but we must show faith in Him first by asking in prayer.

The rest of the week was kind eh. We had fun helping a lady named January move and had a crazy fun dinner with the Gettys. That is about it. I hope that y'all have a great week. Thank you for all of your love, prayers and support.

Love,
Sister Rodabough