Last Email of My Mission

Let's just say I truly never thought this week would come. I headed off to the mission home on a Friday and I leave on a Saturday. This week is going to be so unreal. I can't even believe it. Here is my week via emojis:  Haha it has been very all over the place honestly. I may or may not have had a break down yesterday but its okay! I've just accepted that change is coming so that means my emotions are out of it but it's normal haha. Instead of giving a basic day-to-day email, I wanted to give some thank you's and share my testimony. Buckle up for the ride lol.

Thank you too: Obviously my mom has to be first. BIG shout out to her because 1. She birthed me but she also has helped me through everything I needed. She has always been there for me. And I know that now a days, a good relationship with your mom is more rare then what it use to be. For those of you who know us, you know that my mom and I are the same person haha, we are so connected in a way that I don't understand. Heavenly Father knew she would be the only one qualified to be my awesome mom. So thank you mama for everything. Next is my father! I love him more than anyone else. My dad has been my rock. He is the one I have been able to rely on and he has mainly taught me through his example. He is an amazing example of Christlike character. His spirit is so powerful and gentle at the same time. I have seen a different side of my dad then what most people have. He is the strongest, most hard-working man I know. He is diligent in everything he does and he ALWAYS puts his family first. Now my brothers. This is where I start crying haha. Words cannot express my love and gratitude for them. I have needed them more than anyone. They are my very best friends. At first our relationship was kinda rough, not going to lie but I know that I would not be the person I am today without my brothers. I love them more than words can express. So...this email is getting kinda long lol sorry but there is still more people. My grandparents on both sides are champions and have always been with me throughout everything. They always email me and they make me feel like I'm not very far away from home. Also a special shout out to the fab five, Jourdan, Aubree and my other friends and leaders. Thank you for helping me through this journey. 

On my mission, I have become truly converted to this gospel. People ask us all the time if we were born in the church and I always respond, "Yes but I am still a convert." I have become converted partially because I have seen the gospel impact others and because of the power of the Holy Ghost. Why would a gospel that is simply designed to bless others and get them back to Heavenly Father not be true? I know it is. I know because it has brought me closer to my Savior and my Father. The Book of Mormon and the Holy Ghost are the two most important resources we have in our day. Doing the small and simple things everyday helps SO much. It changes lives, for the better. Joseph Smith is the prophet of this last dispensation. He, through God's power, translated the true and most perfect book: the Book of Mormon. I love this gospel and my Heavenly Father. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

2 Weeks left, huh?

I am so excited I'm not going to lie lol. I am way excited! I am ready to be back home. I still am hyped to work hard though. Working hard makes time go by fast lol. That's my motto. Kinda dumb but it works haha! It's weird because people are like, "So when do you go home?" And I'm like, ".....next week....!!!!!"

Haha it's a good time.

WE HAVE SEEN SO MANY COOL MIRACLES!!! Not kidding when I say every time we go outside, we always meet someone cool! Let me tell you about them:

Jada: we were walking outside and this girl was 2 seconds away from walking into her house and we were kinda far away from her and Sister Coombs yells, "I like your dog!!!" She then walks up to us and tells us about how the previous night she was praying about how she can get closer to God and I said, "Well, this is the answer to your prayers!" She is super solid and way cool! 

Yosuf: This guy is so cool! He is Muslim but is so ready to learn and explore more faiths! He is so open and asked super good questions like, "Why is a modern day prophet important?" I cant wait to see how the gospel will change him for the better. :)

Well folks, that was only a few of the examples but I am having such a blast! I know this gospel is true and it has helped my testimony grow sooo much! Thank y'all for your prayers and support.

Love,

Sister Rodabough

Welcome to Crazyville!

This is how my mom and I feel: 🤤 Haha! Going home is a weird thing haha. One second I'm like "I am going to be a missionary FOREVER!" And the next I'm like, "I JUST WANT TO GO HOME!" I just don't know what to do with myself any more haha. 

Anyways, on to more important matters. The work has been SO good! I love every Second! I'll give you the update on this passed week.

Monday!!! Coolest day ever! We went to a members home because she was going to help me with some new dresses that were given to me. We walk in and in her house is three families from Mexico! They are all members of the Church but on their vacation through America, their car broke down. They found the nearest church building and the members that they are living with are the only ones in the ward who speak fluent Spanish and have enough bedrooms! The Lord truly provides for all. Those families have the STRONGEST testimony of the church! I love and admire them so much!

Tuesday: We taught Everett again! He is progressing so fast and is praying about a date to be baptized! 

Wednesday: So we are kind of done with tracting apartments because ALL of the students are gone! We just make it fun though. Whatever letter the apartment is, we will say random words that start with that same letter. For example, if the letter is B we go, "Bunny! Bubble! Blind! Because! Ben! Bet! Bat!" Haha it is so funny because we say the most random things. But anyways, we are also finding more effective ways to find people. Lately we've been walking around main street and going to the farmers market and there is a ton more people outside! It is so fun. 

Friday: Sister Cook texted us and said that there is a non member who is moving that needs our help. She told us that she has five kids (blended family) and that they are moving on Monday. We went over there asap and it was so fun because there were a ton of kids and we got to paint! (Anyone who is close to me knows that those are some of my favorite things) It was such a blast! The girls name is Autumn and she is my best friend haha.

Saturday: We helped Autumn again! This time she told us about her brother that had passed away from a car accident. The interesting thing is, is that her little boy has never met her brother but will tell her stories and facts even though they had never met. So we told Autumn about how we lived with Heavenly Father before we came to Earth. She said that it makes so much sense and she started to cry! I LOVE teaching others about the Plan of Salvation because it helps them feel the Spirit and feel so much comfort.

Saturday: We had dinner with Sister Cooks and Autumns family. After dinner we taught Autumn the rest of the Plan of Salvation and she loves it! She said that it makes sense that we have other chances to learn about Christ and that we get to live with families forever! It was such a great teaching opportunity! After that we bounced over to the family ward where they had a pot-luck in celebration of Pioneer Day so that is where most of the pictures come from haha.

Also funny quote from Sister Coombs this week: "Don't you love it when you're sore is cour?"

Super sorry for the novel, missionary work is just the best Haha! Thank you for all of your love and prayers! 

*Doctrine and Covenants 4:7

Love,

Sister Rodabough 

We got phones!!!

Yeah this week was weird...I had my last Zone Conference and that was sad. I love Zone Conference because you just feel SO spiritually uplifted and now I won't have those in my life anymore but I know I can still find ways to feel the Spirit like that! During Zone Conference we mainly talked about phones and how to use them for hastening the work of the Lord so it was way cool. At the end we were running out of time so we started singing the closing song and then President was like, "Wait!" Everyone stopped. He then said, "We need to hear departing testimonies. Please bare a brief 30-60 second testimony. Sister Rodabough, we'll start with you." Silently I was like, 'Dang, I almost got out of it!' So I got up and bore my short simple testimony but thankfully I didn't cry haha.

Other than that the week has pretty much just been getting things entered into the phone. It is crazy because I have had a 18 month phone detox and now I have one again and just looking at it gives me a headache but it's a very useful tool to have.

Sorry for the shorter email but we are pretty busy today. Thank you for everything!

*Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives by President Nelson*

Love,

Sister Rodabough