How Do You Read This? There's No Pictures!

Howdy,

It was a pretty good week. We had zone conference on Thursday which was a lot of fun. On Tuesday while out tracting Elder Moeller went to open the screen door of someone's house to knock, but it turns out that there was no screen door and so he ended up just opening their front door. Unfortunately, the guy was sitting right there vacuuming his front room. He was not pleased. That was an awkward moment. Maybe sometimes it's a good thing people mistake us for Jehovah's Witnesses when they first see us...

The coolest thing that happened was an experience we had to find Romel on Tuesday. We were out tracting, and we saw a Latino sitting in the shade with headphones in so we dropped what were doing and headed straight for him, with a slight detour to talk to our fisherman friend who was using hotdogs as bait to fish in the apartment complex pond. It seems to be pretty successful based on the stories he told us. We talked to the Latino sitting under the tree, we gave him our schpiel about the Book of Mormon, gave him a pamphlet, and set up a time for us to come back on Sunday. It was a pretty successful contact, and so we went back to knocking on doors. After we knocked on two doors we had the thought that we hadn't done what God sent us there to do and that we weren't done talking to him so once again we stopped what we were doing and headed straight for him (a little bit more awkwardly this time) and asked if we could sit down and study the scriptures right then. Come to find out he had been studying in the Bible before we walked over the first time. We had a nice study of Matthew 3 and talked with him about baptism and the nature of God for about 25 minutes. Then we left knowing we had done all we could to help him out. Turns out he is super cool. He texted us on Friday and asked if we could meet up another time before our previously planned Sunday meeting. All of our experiences have been super powerful, and apparently, he worked for a company that did landscaping for our chapels in Nicaragua. We're pretty excited to keep working with him. During our lesson on Sunday, we were once again outside by the pond and we got swarmed by some geese and ducks. It was a little spooky. A duck bit Elder Moellers hand because he was trying to feed it a piece of grass, but not hard enough to break the skin or anything.

I'm grateful for a Loving Heavenly Father and for the opportunity to serve Him as a missionary. My Spanish is slowly but surely coming along. I am having a blast and am grateful for all of the experiences and lessons I have been learning. God really does hear and answer our prayers.

Keep Striving!

Elder Rogers

A frogadilla doormat

 Weber Lane ( If you look closely you can also see that we were jamming out to Look to You from the 2022 Youth Album 🔥)

No somos Testigos de Jehovah

MORE Geese - I think that more Geese live in Florence, KY than the rest of the world combined.

Well That's Too Dang Bad!

Howdy,

This week while out tracting we came across a driveway where we found 57 cents on the ground. I was amazed, a whole collage of quarters, nickels, dimes, and pennies. I knew that God had sent us to the right place. So we knocked on the door twice with no success, but we couldn't give up on a 57-cent house that easily. We felt prompted to knock a third time. I pounded on that door so hard my knuckles hurt for about 15 minutes, but it was totally worth it. Rolando y Elmer answered the door and when they learned we spoke Spanish they invited us to sit down. They told us that they were afraid to answer the door because they thought we were the immigration police. Rolando had only been in the US for 15 days and had walked for 14 hours through the desert with just what he could carry so that he could cross the border. We had a very powerful conversation and the spirit was very strong. He told us how poor they were and so I felt bad taking the coins I found on their driveway so I gave them and all the other coins I had found that day - roughly 70 cents. They invited us to come back. We constantly wonder if it is ok to try and teach and help illegal immigrants, and I'm still not sure of the answer but I am grateful for the spirit encouraging us to knock a third time and be persistent so that we could share our message with someone who needed it. 

Something fun about being a white guy in a Spanish area is that nobody assumes we speak Spanish. That means that when they knock on the door they talk to each other in Spanish to try to be clever, but we understand them the whole time. I think it is hilarious to respond while they are talking to each other about us and see how they react. Usually, they get embarrassed to the point that they agree to listen to a message. It is amazing to me how well known the Jehovah's Witnesses are and also how much people hate them. I would say 9 times out of 10 people assume we are Jehovah's Witnesses and want to slam the door on our face, but are instantly more interested when we say that's not who we are. I feel like I need a sign to wear around my neck that says "No somos Testigos de Jehovah ni la policia de inmigración" (We aren't Jehovah's Witnesses or the immigration police). It would probably help us out a little. Also, Elder Moeller is terrified of spiders so I've become the designated spider and bug killer so that's been fun I guess.

I'm grateful for the Book of Mormon and all of the additional insights it has given me about God. I have been reading in 3 Nephi lately when Jesus is visiting the Americas. He talks a lot about taking no thought of what we will eat, drink, or wear, and to just focus on the work. That can be a difficult thing, especially the part about not thinking about food. I'm working on it. I love what N Eldon Tanner said in his talk entitled Obedience: "Brother, this Church demands nothing of you. It just offers you a better way of life." I am grateful that God loves us enough to show us the way to live that will bring us joy, and I'm grateful to be able to share that knowledge with others as a missionary.

Keep Striving!

Elder Rogers

Apartment inspections

 A big hooptie

A funny sign we saw while tracting

Live, Laugh, Love, Share, Invite

The District

Like Sparrows Egg Between Thighs

Howdy,

It was a pretty good week. While we were having companionship study Tuesday morning I felt like I should open the window (a fairly common practice for me). I did and sat back down, and then a minute later I suggested a video that we could use to teach one of our friends. Elder Moeller responds by screaming no to which I said ok well I guess we'll use a different one. He responded by saying that he had just seen a lady fall in the parking lot and that she hadn't moved or gotten up and that we needed to go run and help her. So we booked it outside without socks or shoes but otherwise is full pros mode. When we got there she was in total shock, and not doing very well. She was pretty dizzy, and when we asked her what year it was she told us she thought it was 2000 or 2001. She couldn't remember the password to her phone either. Luckily she could remember the phone number of her daughter and so we called her from our phone. She said that she was at work and couldn't help, but that we could call 911 so we did. Then we waited there with her for the ambulance to come to take her to the hospital. I'm grateful that I like to look out the window and that we were in a position to be able to help her. We haven't seen her since and so we hope she is ok. 

We also went to El Nopal this week. It is a Mexican restaurant that 6 of the people we are teaching work it. Not gonna lie it wasn't that great, but it was really fun to see our friends there. They tried to wait on us in English and it was cool to see how their English has improved from since we first met them until now. Our favorites from El Nopal, Juan y Jessica have been doing very well. They have been reading and praying about the Book of Mormon, and the other day they wanted to spend our whole class talking about the gospel, rather than splitting it 50/50 between gospel and English which is what we normally do. Their biggest struggle, like most people we teach, is that they have to work an insane amount, and they don't have Sundays off to come to church. This week is 5 de Mayo and so we are going to have a branch fiesta which should be a lot of fun. Also, we had a good laugh watching a bunch of drunk Latinos playing musical chairs. Just listen for the banda and you'll know you're in the right spot.

Serving as a missionary is honestly one of the coolest things ever. It is so much fun to try to focus solely on the Savior. When He is the center of all our thoughts there is joy that comes with it. It is usually exhausting, people slam the door in our faces, and they sometimes yell and swear at us as we walk down the road, but there is nothing else I'd rather be doing. I love my Savior Jesus Christ and it is such a blessing to be able to serve Him as a missionary. 

Keep Striving!

Elder Rogers

Elder Moeller and I at El Nopal

More Geese

No parking anywhere

Us downtown today after a doctor's appointment

"*Goodness* You've Gotten Fat"

Howdy,

 This week was pretty legendary. Our biggest struggle in the Spanish branch has been to get in contact with the members and having them talk to us. We've been trying to ask the branch president and the bishop what we can do to best help them out and we wouldn't get any responses. Two weeks ago we cornered Cristhian (Elders quorom president) at church and asked him what we could do to help. The only thing he brought up was that they play soccer on Friday nights. We told him our mission president told us no, but that was the only thing he would bring up. Besides the fact that President McGuire told us no they play fútbol during prime proselytizing time, so we were hesitant to go. We talked to our leaders about it and said that they only thing they wanted us to do was go to the Friday night activities, and so we were given the green light to go play. It was one of the coolest things ever. They are all super good (kind of a flex but I did score on them though), and I realized why Cristhian wanted us to go so bad - there are way more people that come to fútbol than come to church on Sunday, and it was a good way to get to know them. So we had a lot of fun, they had us both speak at church on Sunday, and now we are talking with a nonmember friend of one of the youth who we met playing on Friday. I guess it worked. The next day every muscle in my body was super sore, and I tore through my old shoes so I guess I'm going to go get some futsol shoes today so I can go be a real jugador. 

 While out finding on Friday we felt prompted to turn around while driving and go to a different appartment complex rather than the one we had planned on going to. After knocking for 5 minutes we found a super awesome guy named Luis who seems super interested. I was grateful we listened to our prompting. On Saturday we felt prompted to go to a certain area to find. When we got there a train came and seperated us from our car. We were having no success, but each time we thought about leaving a train would come by and so we had no option but to stay. Eventually after being in the neighborhood for a long time we found a man who said he was interested in our message and we had a nice conversation with him. At the next house there was a large group of latinos that were open to hearing our message. God put us in that area and kept us there so that we could talk to those people. 

This Sunday we had an ecumenical Easter Celebration and a lot of missionaries, Elder Moeller and myself included, sang 'This is The Christ' as a choir. It was really cool. As part of the service a Presbyterian Reverend gave a short talk. While she was talking she said that she was so excited for the time when Christ will come to restore all of His lost truths and restore His church to the way He intended it to be. We all had nice grins on our faces when she said that. Unfortunately she said she's a Reverand and wouldn't be interested in hearing our message. I feel like after a transfer here my spanish is getting much better. When I first got here it felt like at least one of us could understand what was happening most of the time, but now I feel like both of us understand most of the time. I love being in a spanish area, it's so incredibly fun. 

As I've been studying the life of Jesus Christ and His atonement this Easter season I was lead to a talk by Bruce C Hafen entitled The Atonement: All For All. This is a quote that specifically stuck out to me: "So if you have problems in your life, don’t assume there is something wrong with you. Struggling with those problems is at the very core of life’s purpose. As we draw close to God, He will show us our weaknesses and through them make us wiser, stronger. If you’re seeing more of your weaknesses, that just might mean you’re moving nearer to God, not farther away." I'm so grateful for a Savior and a Loving Heavenly Father who use me as a vessel to share the restored gospel, and for the knowledge that through Their grace my weaknesses can become strengths to bless the lives of others.

¡Seguir Luchando!

Elder Rogers

Goose whispering

"High Priest Mode"

Panda Express with Elder May and Elder Tanner (my 5th cousin through John Tanner)

Texas Roadhouse with Elder Parry and Elder Bowler

Did That Dog Just Say "Hi There"

 Howdy,

This week was a pretty great week, albeit a little uneventful. The transfer call was Saturday, and Elder Moeller and I learned that both of us will be staying in Florence, which wasn't a surprise to either one of us. I'm grateful for the opportunity to continue to serve in the Ohio River branch and to have Elder Moeller as my companion. He's pretty cool. Here are a couple of things that made us laugh this week.

While tracting we knocked on a door and a little kid appeared in the window. We didn't quite hear what happened inside, but we heard his response: "I don't know who they are but they look goooood." It made for a nice laugh and a good pat on the back moment.

This week during our virtual missionary devotionals someone said "There is so many elect people out there waiting to receive the gospel." Elder Moeller and I both simultaneously said "are" to correct the grammar and we busted up laughing. It isn't something either of us does often so we thought it was hilarious. 

During a lesson this week I was having the hardest time understanding what was going on. I was completely lost and that made me a little frustrated. Why with all of my studies and all my prayers was I still out in the dark. So I just sat there nodding my head pretending like I understood. Finally, I swallowed my pride and admitted that I didn't understand. When I asked our friend Ramon for help he explained one phrase to me and it seemed like the curtain was lifted off my eyes. I understood everything for the rest of the lesson. I was reminded and taught that if you don't like something you have the power to change it. Murmuring and complaining will never make anything better, but taking action will. I'm grateful that God puts me in situations where I need to stretch and humble myself and see how much I rely on Him for His help in my life.  Even though I am far from perfect, He is, and it is a privilege to be able to serve Him. As I pondered the meaning of Easter this week I was led to a talk called The Atonement: All For All by Bruce C. Hafen. It talks a lot about how when we give everything to the Savior, our imperfect efforts combined with His perfection will be enough. The tough part is making sure that we give absolutely everything over to Him. I am so grateful for the Savior and His sacrifice for each and every one of us. I know He lives, and I am grateful for the opportunities that I have each day to testify of His divinity to those who live in Kentucky. 

Keep Striving,

Elder Rogers

Elder Moeller forgot something in the car and so he had to go grab it in the pouring rain

Rogers Lane

We Siphoned Your Gas Tank While You Were Out

 Howdy,

This week brought back memories of when that one player for the University of Utah dropped the football on the one-yard line, just for Oregon to pick it up and run it back 99 yards for a touchdown. The only difference is that this time I was the one dropping the football, instead of the BYU fan laughing at the replay. After a couple of weeks in a Spanish area, I was very happy to be living a "normal missionary life" until I got a call from President McGuire on Wednesday that began with "Elder Rogers, I'm calling you back to the office." I was floored. Turns out that Elder Speth had a couple of health complications and that I would need to return to serve in the office for a while. I felt like Ammon in Alma chapters 20 and 22 - he witnesses an amazing change of heart in King Lamoni's father and was probably incredibly excited to find teach and baptize. However, he was "called another way" by the spirit of the Lord. I am sure Ammon faced a little bit of disappointment, but he trusted that the Lord had bigger plans and that everything would work out amazingly if he followed God instead of himself. It certainly did for him, and I know it will for me as well. I was actually greeted by a nice piece of news today that Elder Speth was feeling better and will be able to return to doing the office work this week. As for now, it seems that my second term in the office is once again over and much shorter than anticipated - both great things. 

I was amazed at how the spirit worked on us this week. It was our goal to follow the spirit more in finding. I am one to roll up to a development, start at #1, and work my way up to the end. Elder Moeller helped me to see this week that there is a better way. Instead of just pounding it out, which is good, we would pray for direction first, which is better. While out knocking on doors we said a prayer asking where we should go to find Latinos who we could share a gospel message with. We were led across the parking lot and around the corner to a door that did not meet our racist stereotypes. We knocked, and it was a Latino family who talked to us and invited us to come back later. Another time this week while focussing on spirit lead finding we were having zero success. We had knocked and knocked and knocked but to no avail. Again we were led to a door of someone who did not meet our stereotypical standards. This time a white guy named Scott, and we had a very nice 25-minute conversation with him and he accepted a Book of Mormon. We were led to that complex just to talk to him, and we were led to a bunch of rejections so that we would be humbled to the point that when we knocked on his door we would be so grateful to talk to anybody that we were willing to pry a little bit because we were excited to share a message with him, even if it was in English. 

Another cool experience happened towards the end of the week. I felt prompted that I needed to prepare a training for district council about how to act confidently when you are put in negative situations or someone tries to bash you. It was an odd subject, and I wouldn't be able to present it for almost a whole week, but I felt prompted to prepare it then. After my second day of thinking about it and organizing it, we rolled up to the lesson to find out that we scheduled it with a preacher from another church.  It was a little bit of an uncomfortable situation, but because I had followed the promptings of the spirit I was prepared. The lesson went very well, and the spirit was very strong as we taught the principles of the restoration.

I know that the Lord's hand is in this work and that He is very mindful of each of us, especially as we make an effort to share the gospel with others and do His work. I am grateful to serve as a representative of the Savior and to be a part of the gathering of Israel. 

¡Seguir Luchando!

Elder Rogers

Cool blossoms we found while knocking on doors

We found Elder and Sister Arrington (a senior couple in our zone) in the meat aisle at Walmart and they wanted a picture

An insanely good homemade member meal from Hermana Lopez

We found the big dawg

Math Is Math

Howdy,

It was a pretty good week of missionary work out here in Kentucky. We had both zone conference and general conference which were both amazing! It was a lot of sitting, but the meetings were so cool that it was worth it. This general conference was definitely worthwhile. I loved the focus on missionary work, and also the purple flower leaf things they had in the background looked very cool as well. It was very fun to be able to go to zone conference and not have to do anything with car inspections or anything of the sort. I gave assistance to Elder Speth and a couple others when they needed it, but for the most part, I was free to have a good time and focus on following the spirit rather than the managerial side of things. It was really fun to be able to see other missionaries, especially Elder Brock. I had a good time talking to him. 

As missionaries in a Spanish area, we run into a lot of minorities which has been fun. It has made me wish that I knew how to speak french because there are a lot of French speakers here as well. We usually just assume that anyone that looks like they speak Spanish does and so we approach them and start speaking in Spanish. This works well most of the time but has led to some pretty funny exchanges. Sometimes the Spanish speakers get offended that we think they look Latino and try to talk to us in English because we're white but other times the people we're trying to talk to don't speak Spanish at all. My favorite response to one of these encounters was when we walked up to someone and started speaking in Spanish and his response came: "Sup home dawg." Elder Moeller and I couldn't help but laugh.  Another good approach is to approach someone in English, and when they tell you (sometimes they lie) that they don't speak English go off with oh perfect, and continue to have a conversation with them in Spanish. It feels like Ammon teaching Lamoni and "he was caught with guile" into hearing the message and keeping commitments. Haha, we've outsmarted your little lie to avoid the missionaries. 

I loved the emphasis on missionary work in conference! As I heard the call for more missionaries to serve, I have pondered what I can do to become the kind of missionary the prophet and the Savior envisioned when they called me. I was struck by Sister Craven's comment that it's not about doing more, it's about doing what matters. It made me think that just because we work really hard on something doesn't mean that it is right. I want to take a closer look at my routines and mannerisms to see what things I should add or omit to become a true representative of the Savior and to eradicate contention within myself. 

I hope you all had a great week and enjoyed conference!

¡Seguir Luchando! 

- Elder Rogers

 Chicken and rice made with cream of mushroom soup and a side of pickled beets (I'm not sure there is a meal that has the potential to make me feel at home more than this one)

Florence Y'all Water Tower

The view of Cincinnati coming down the hill from Kentucky

Zone Conference (I am close to the very middle in a blue suit. Elder Moeller is immediately left of me, Elder Brock is 3rd to the right of me, Elder Parry is 8th to the right of me, and Elder Wilson is 1 down and 1 to the right of me)