Week # 39 Back on the Slack Kiddzz

July 28, 2014

Back on the Slack Kiddzz

So today is Monday (obviously) and we set up the slack line with a couple elders from Fuentes (the area that borders ours) and I am addicted. Never got the chance before my mission to try it out. So we set it up in the church and we had like 40 people watching us, and contacted all of them and it was soo sick!!! Such a good way to contact people, who doesn’t want to watch 4 white people balancing on a rope between 2 trees? Good idea gunna try it out more often!

          We practically live with a family here in Mexico they are all members except for the mom. She’s like a mother to me; she helps me when I’m sick. She helps us wash our clothes, feeds us like every night. But a couple weeks ago after hearing the missionaries for like 2 years without any luck, we started talking with her and invited her to church. She’s never been to church. Well long story short this is her 5th Sunday in a row coming to church, and she knows the church is true so thats super sick! She is going to get baptized, I think, we just gotta ask her, but I am waiting for the perfect opportunity then BAM imma pounce and get her in the water. She is so nice and I love her a lot. It will be very hard to leave this family.

          Well next week I complete a year in the mission so that’s even weirder. I love the mission and the Mexican people sometimes I actually forget I’m white. So that’s also weird. Mexican food is the best food in the world. And everything is better with tortillas. So that’s it life is good. Miss the family a bunch and friends and mountains still, but I will be home super soon though. Just gunna keep livin and enjoying the dream though.

Love,

Elder Rodabough

Week # 38 Tender Mercies

July 21, 2014

Subject: Tender Mercies

So just gunna start out by saying that God, in our moments when we are the most needing, will always grant us what is best for us, and will always put us in the right situation so that we can have the most fruitful and enjoyable lives. Sometimes we call these tender mercies. When we get just a little helping hand from above. I was freaking out all this week because of changes, and I was 100% sure that I did not want leave this place. I had zero desire to leave all the people I have learned to love and are like family to me now, and I am like family to them. I was praying so hard to not get changed from my companion because we get along so well, and are working and doing a lot of great things.
           So when Saturday night rolled around I was waiting for the changes, and when I finally got the call my zone leaders told me that I was going to be zone leader with elder Cañes de Luna, from Las Vegas and I would stay in the ward. I was so happy but they said my companion was going to get changed to another area, so I was also super sad cause that would mean saying goodbye to a good friend of mine. But, it turned out to all be a big joke by the zone leaders, and in fact elder Penagos y yo would be staying in the ward for another change! I was ecstatic. It was truly an answer to my prayers and God really does love his children!

       So I feel like if I am going to stay here and complete 7 1/2 months here in this ward that God wants me to do something very important. So I am super stoked to find out what that is. I love the mission and all the things I learn, the people I meet and learn to love, the relationships I have built with God and our Savior. Now as I complete almost a year in the mission I am starting to realize why they say "the best two years".

Love you all and have a great week,

Elder SpeakswithRain,

Rodabough

Week # 37 Got bit by a Dawggg.... Oh and I’m another year older.

 My birthday

July, 14 2014

Got bit by a Dawggg.... Oh and I’m another year older.

Good news first time a dog bit me on my mission!!!!!! Wahooo!!!!

        So word up guys! I just thought since it was my birthday and I don’t want anything more than to write you all a letter and tell you guys how much I love you and miss you. Being away on my mission for my birthday is one of the weirdest things I’ve ever experienced in my life. To have been gone away from everyone I love for almost a year now. I am so grateful that I have this opportunity to serve our savior. And it’s a privilege to say that I FORGOT my birthday today until president called me in the morning to wish me a happy birthday. It’s a privilege because I can say that I have truly lost myself in the work most important in this world, the work of salvation.

        I am truly glad to say how grateful I am to have each and every one one of you guys in my life. You all have shaped me to be the person I am today. I’m grateful for all the people who got me out here on my mission, and helped me stay out when times got tough. I am humbled to know such amazing people as you guys. There isn’t a single day I don’t thank my father in heaven for the people He has put into my life. You guys really are my most valuable possession that I have. I want you all to know I would die for every single one of you guys, but more importantly I am here in my mission living for every single one of you. Everyday I go out I think about you, and I am representing you trying to help the people as much as you guys helped me. I am honored to call you my family and friends. Love you all so much and thank you for always being here for me.

With Endless love your Missionary,

 Elder Rodabough

Week # 36 Word up Kidzzz

July 7, 2014

Subject: Word up Kidzzz

So lately I have just been super into Opera and I have been practicing in the apartment. Probably one of my hero’s of life is Luciano Pavarotti. Every time I just throw La Donna E Mobile and I just sing along, and it is just a great time. I’m really getting good at Opera. I may have found my calling in life, hahaha. I think my companion thinks I suck though but I think I sound good.

       Another good week in paradise (concrete Jungle), pretty stoked for today because we are going to eat at president’s house cause we kick booty, and we are awesome and baptized a ton the month of June! So president invited us to eat at his house. This is my second time eating there and it is always insanely good just home cooked American food. Sometime I miss American food and gangster rap. They go together like apple and pie. So yeah, we are pretty much the bomb Elder Penagos and I. Jk just am super blessed! It really is one of the coolest things to be part of this work. To have these people always remember that it was us that helped to change their lives, and the lives of their families and anyone else they help in missions or just whenever they share the gospel. The domino effect if I’ve ever seen one. Yeah so life is just good.

          Maybe I just wont come home…. So I have probably 2 weeks left here in this area and I have met some really good friends that are like family to me Familia Ortiz, some of my converts are some of the most real loving people I’ve ever met, and Hermana Gabby, Alejandro, Pamela, Jessica, are people that I will never forget. Just thinking about leaving them hurts my soul. Just love the mission really. But miss the family and friends and mountains. But I can totally do another year here. But love you all

Will be turning 20 on Saturday super weird too. Love you all God Bless and talk to ya’ll next week.

Love, your favorite Taco,

Elder Rodabough