Hi Fam!!
Another solid week in the books down in Provo. I was so bummed to hear
about my Ram's loss on Friday night, but they will be back. I know that for
sure. I was also sooo happy to hear about Uncle Tony! Miracles do happen! Allan
and the Flandro fam, especially Wag Andy, are in my prayers every night and I
hope they know how much I love them!
Last Tuesday night
was sooo awesome. We got to hear from Elder Useta of the 70 and he was such a
good speaker! He talked about the scripture D&C 4:2 and about how as
missionaries we need to give ALL of our Heart, Might, Mind and Strength to the
Lord. Whenever an apostle is here you can just feel a buzz in the air and it is
the coolest feeling. I made sure to shake his hand after he spoke. He was a
convert and told us about his conversion and the point of view that he had as
an investigator. As we taught each other in class this week, as fake
investigators, I had another opportunity to get the point of view from the
investigator and I loved it. I learned so much about how I can improve my
teaching.
We taught our TRC person a few more times and one of the times was
with a member and it was actually a really good experience. He was able to
share some really cool experiences about his mission and his baptism. One of
the more awkward parts of the week was when we had to teach our teacher about
the law of chastity, considering the fact that the role she was playing was a
20 year-old girl with 2 kids. LOL! Lets
just say my Spanish vocabulary was expanded in many ways. HeHe. "No sexual
relaciones antes de matrimonio Hermana." HaHaHa! I was dying inside. But,
to be honest I am getting kinda sick of teaching these fake investigators
especially when their g's are poking out. At the same time, however, my Spanish
improves the most when I’m teaching, so it is a blessing.
 |
| Elder Roderick wears David Archuleta's tie. |
Talking about my Spanish... It is actually coming along really well.
During our study we are trying to learn more vocabulary about everyday life
instead of just the gospel and I am enjoying that a lot more actually. I have
really learned about patience while I learn this language but I am so glad I am
learning Spanish. The tough thing is the teachers teach two concepts a day and
it is starting to become really tough to know what to use, when to use it, and
how to say it. We have had some really good lessons this week though.
Hermano Wooden is suchhhhh a homie! He teaches us more than the gospel with the
language and we feel the spirit more and more everyday. Hermana Barlow has been
really good this week too. I feel like she really likes me now days because
Amann and I are trying so hard in class.
One of the highlights of the week was when we were teaching her as a
whole class while she pretended to be one of her inactive friends. Besides one
of the Hermanas trying to dominate the lesson, it was such a cool experience.
We all had different experiences and scriptures to tell and it was one of the
most powerful lessons I've been in. After teaching we sung "I Know my
Redeemer Lives" and it really was such an awesome experience.
I started reading in the book, "Missionary Companion," which
is basically just summarizes all of the concepts of the church with scriptures
and history. it has really helped me understand the confusing parts of the
church and has increased the efficiency of my studies.
One bad part about
the week was when we lost Elder Doney. Doney was Elder Dallimore's companion
and has had one of the toughest lives I've ever heard. He’s been in and out of
foster care, is dad OD'ed on meth, his mom is an alcoholic and he has already
beaten a strange form of cancer. After his chemo he developed a condition in
his bone marrow that causes him feel pain in his legs all of the time and he
barely has the strength to walk. He beat his condition two years ago, which is
around the same time he converted to the church. This week he was feeling that
same pain and after some blood tests he found out that the condition had come
back. He tried to suck it up and go through it but he was in so much pain that
he had to go home and get back on some intense medication. This was a really
interesting experience for me. Doney was working so hard and legit only spoke Spanish
24/7 so he would feel more comfortable in the field. This made me wonder why
God would give him so many tough challenges with everything in his life
especially while on a mission. I have had such a cushy life compared to him so
it caused me to ask, Why Doney”? Paulsen, Dallimore, Amann and I had a real
heart to heart about this on Sunday and talked about God's plan for all of us.
President Price also bore testimony to the congregation about the situation and
it was a comforting experience.
Also, shouts to my boy, Amann, for becoming the DL this week and it's
his 20th birthday today! He's 20 right now and I'll barely be 20 when I get
back. HaHa! I learned so much again this week and am so grateful to be a
missionary in the last dispensation. Scripture of the week is D&C 122 6-9!
I read these scriptures after Hermano Wooden showed them to me and my jaw
literally dropped!
I love you all so much and I am grateful for all of the love that comes
my way! I can't tell you guys enough how much it means to have a loving family
of cousins, aunts and grandparents that support me in everything I do. Some
kids down here barely have any support from home and I don't know how they do
it! I love being a missionary and this week, especially, I know I am here not
for me, or anyone back home but for the people of the ARG!
Con amor,
Elder
Roderick
P.S.
Another cool thing happened this week. Yesterday I drew the David Archuleta tie
out of the Tie Draft box and I got to wear the ugliest tie for a day. HaHa!
He was in our district a long time
ago and his tie has been here ever since! The thing is, each missionary who gets to wear it, has to sign it. I thought it would only be appropriate if I
signed it ELDER WAGNER. Also, Elder Allen's mom sent us all matching Argentina
ties and that was pretty cool!
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