We got transfer calls on
Saturday night. I'm getting transferred! Home!
It's been a really good
week. A great week to end on.
Last week as I was
looking towards today, I didn't think I'd be able to function, because of so
much anticipation, anxiety, excitement, etc. But I'm doing fine! I set up an
appointment for tonight at the Beans' house (from the Coal Mine Ward) with
Ashleigh from the singles' ward! That will be my very last teaching appointment
as a full-time missionary.
Tomorrow morning we have
to be at the mission office church building at 6:35 a.m., where I'll take my
seat on the stand as a departing missionary. I, along with all the elders who
came out with me and two sisters who came out six months later, will recite
Doctrine and Covenants section 4. Then we'll see the transfers and have the
opportunity to bear our testimonies. After that everyone goes back to their area
and gets to work; except for us. We'll go to President Murdock's house for a
very leisurely breakfast, then head to the temple at 1:00. We'll spend three
hours there participating in whatever ordinances we choose. We have to be back
to President's house at a certain time that evening for our farewell dinner and
departing devotional. At some point during the day we'll also have our final
interview with President Murdock. This day sounds really fun; I've been looking
forward to it for a long time! Then we'll get up on Wednesday and head off to
the Denver International Airport.
So it's more or less
officially over... It's been a really good two years. It's been really hard as
well. But I've learned a lot, and grown in many ways. I feel good about my
mission.
I said I've learned a
lot, and that's very true. I decided the other day to try and write down a few
of the more important things I've learned. Here's the list (in no particular
order):
24 Things I've Learned in the Past 24 Months
1. Attempting to gratify
one's pride leads to contention and is never satisfying.
2. Change generally
takes time.
3. To be truly happy, we
must give our will and our whole heart to the Lord.
4. Faith without action
is not faith at all; it is vain hope.
5. "Obedience is...a choice
between our own limited knowledge and power and God’s unlimited wisdom and omnipotence." -L. Tom Perry
6.Clean things'
physically and spiritually, bring peace.
7. "God hears my
secret prayer." -Hymns, 144
8. The Book of Mormon is
the most powerful witness of Christ we can ever read. I love the Book of
Mormon.
9. Daily prayer and
scripture study are indispensable keys to lasting conversion.
10. No matter our trials
or circumstances, the Gospel and Atonement of Jesus Christ will help.
11. Humility is a great
strength.
12. The Savior lifts,
encourages, and inspires others. We should do the same.
13. "[I]t must
needs be, that there is an opposition in all things." -2 Nephi 2:11
14. We truly are in the
last days.
15. Through Christ we
can overcome anything.
16. Christlike love is
the greatest of all feelings.
17. "[T]hrough the
Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved," (A. of F. 1:3) and without it, no
one can.
18. "Keeping the commandments
brings blessings, every time!
Breaking the commandments
brings a loss of blessings, every time!"
-Russell M. Nelson
19. "[The Lord is]
able to do [His] own work." -2 Nephi 27:21
20. Procrastination is
painful.
21. Family is the
greatest treasure on earth and in eternity.
22. Missionary work
cannot succeed without members.
23. The Book of Mormon
is powerful evidence of the Restoration of the Gospel.
24. Christ is at the
head of this Church, and this is His work.
And a few practical things I've learned:
·
How to drive in a
blizzard
·
Never offer leftovers to
a Mexican.
·
Weather is
unpredictable.
·
How to speak (Mexican) Spanish
·
A Mexican will almost
never tell you no (unless you offer him leftovers).
·
Some dogs bite for no
good reason.
So, I'd say it's been a
productive couple of years. Thank you all for all of your love, support,
letters, thoughts, and prayers. It means the world to me. I know this is the
Lord's work, and I know this is His Church. I've had the privilege of
suffering fatigue and ridicule, of being mocked and cast out for Christ's sake.
I've had the name of Jesus Christ pinned to my chest for all to see. I've born
countless testimonies to countless people from all walks of life, and my
testimony has grown in the process. Mine has been the privilege of walking with
the Savior for the past two years, and I'll continue to stand as His witness
forever! Nothing can compare to this experience. I love my Savior, and I know
He lives!
I'll see you soon.
Sincerely,
Elder Rogers