Ain't No Place That Far

Howdy,

It has been a wild couple of days. On Monday I had a good time playing basketball, eating at Waffle House, and enjoying my last moments of proselytizing as a full-time missionary. I also had to get packed after we got home. I finished packing Tuesday morning and headed down to transfers. From there I said goodbye to my companions and went with the other departing missionaries and the assistants to Taco Bell, and then walked around downtown Cincinnati. It was really fun, and I got to talk to a lot of different people while we walked around. I even found a couple of Latinos and had nice conversations and helped them to get in contact with the Spanish missionaries. We went to the mission home, ate dinner, had a short testimony meeting, and played games. I decided I would go to bed because I was sleepy, but everyone woke me up all night long as they came to bed. 

Wednesday morning we woke up at 5 and went to the airport. I wasn't sure what I would be expecting, but nervousness was definitely not on the list of my anticipated emotions. I was so nervous to come home, I couldn't eat breakfast and I didn't feel super great. The plane ride was uneventful, except for the dive landing that our pilot did which caused everyone on board to scream. Elder Ward and I thought it was pretty funny. We landed, I met my family, and we went to Black Bear diner. I was able to go to the temple which was amazing as well. Thursday I started work at Johnstone Supply, where I will be working until I start school in January.

As I reflect back on my mission I am so grateful for all of the blessings that I have seen. It has truly been a life-changing experience that has helped me to come closer to the Savior Jesus Christ. I am so grateful for all of the adventures that I had as a missionary, and I am excited to continue to follow and represent the Savior throughout the rest of my life, even if I won't be able to wear the badge for the foreseeable future. 

I will be speaking at church this Sunday to give a report on my mission. It will be Sunday, October 16 at noon at the church building at 12242 S 2700 W, Riverton, UT 84065. I would love to see you there if you can make it!

Never Stop Striving!

Hermanito Tanner Rogers

      

Saying goodbye to Elder Moeller and Elder Ostler

Saying goodbye to Elder Moeller

Saying goodbye to Elder Ostler

Saying goodbye to Elder Bloomfield

Saying goodbye to Elder Frisby

Saying goodbye to President and Sister McGuire

Saying goodbye to the Speth's

Cincinnati

Cincinnati

Our departing group in Cincinnati 

Leaving Cincinnati to go to the airport

 Heading into security

Waiting at our gate

I had a goal to finish El Libro de Mormón before the end of my mission. I finished on the plane.

Coming through the gate in Salt Lake City- just spotted my family

Breakfast at Black Bear Diner followed by a trip to the Jordan River Temple

There There Hagrid, It's Not Really Goodbye

Howdy, 

It's been a pretty good week. It started off on a rather unique note when we went to court over his speeding ticket. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to go into the courtroom, so all my information is second-hand, but he said "I was the only person wearing a belt in the courtroom all day". After watching a lot of people lose, Elder Moeller walked up with charts, a witness, and a signed affidavit by the vehicle coordinator the city of Dayton immediately dropped its case against the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Elder Moeller was a little bummed that he couldn't go to war in the courtroom, but he was happy that he got out of paying 120 bucks. I on the other hand choked up 85 dollars. Apparently, another lady with the safe offense as me (speeding in a school zone) attacked the cop by saying he didn't know if the light was on and she won. Guess I could have tried that. 

On Wednesday I got to go on exchanges in Western Hills. The highlight was going to dinner with our friend Larry Sickman. I met Larry about a year and a half ago while running at Bicentennial Park in the mornings. Elder Parry and I went over for dinner with him a couple of times. For Christmas, we gave him a copy of the Book of Mormon. He is now on Alma 26 and we had a really nice conversation with him. It was nice to see him again. 

Other highlights of the week include finding a 1965 quarter, bearing my departing testimony, getting called out over the pulpet by the branch presidency, and way more importantly, the baptism of the other Elders' friend Carlos Daniel. All in all, it was a pretty great week, I am sure the coming week will be interesting as well. 

I loved conference and have enjoyed reviewing the talks in English. One of my favorite talks was Are You Still Willing by Elder Kevin W Pearson. I loved it when he said "Heavenly Father loves us perfectly, but that love comes with great expectations. He expects us to willingly place the Savior at the very center of our lives... Discipleship is not cheap, because the companionship of the Holy Ghost is priceless." I look forward to continuing to serve as a disciple of Jesus Christ throughout my life. The rewards of following the Savior truly are priceless. 

Keep Striving! 

Élderito Rogers 

Dinner with Larry

Selfie with Larry

Pictures at the park

We are going to steal the moon

Dabbing Skeleton

Pictures at the Park

Messing around

Pictures at the park

video call with Rickey

Yes, That's What Happens When Water Gets Cold

Howdy,

It was a pretty great week! The highlight of the week was definitely general conference. It was great to hear the voice of the prophets and apostles. We were able to watch all of the sessions with members and friends we are teaching so that was awesome!  Because we watched all of the sessions with our friends, most of them were in Spanish. It was fun to watch them in Spanish, but I am excited to watch them again in English to see what more I can get out of them. I loved the new arrangement of Let Us All Press On by the tabernacle choir which was amazing, and I am always amazed by how powerful the words of the prophets are. For the last couple of weeks, I have been praying for the council about how to continue on as a returned missionary. I was very grateful to hear two people talk about how to continually improve and overcome the world after returning home. I am grateful that God still hears and answers my prayers. 

Other highlights include a bed bug scare on exchanges, getting told I have an acne problem and other things I can't remember. 

Keep Striving!

Elder Rogers

Bread from mom

Monster limo

 There will come a day when the milk will outlive

Mossy pond

Steak and Shake 

Train

Frog