(Week 104 in the mission field) True Love #79 of posts

So I've been reflecting on the last 2 years I have been in the mission and I have come to the conclusion that I am in love... I love being a missionary. I love the last 2 years I have spent dedicating myself to the work of salvation. It has been the biggest honor for me to represent my Savior and redeemer Jesus Christ. I have loved the up times and the down time. I love putting on my white shirt my tie and name-tag every day and going out looking for people that God has prepared. I love the satisfaction that I feel seeing people change and conform and obey to the commandments.

I love Mexico. They have the most genuine people in the entire world. Yes they have tons of shortcomings and things that I don't like but those things are few. I consider myself Mexican and it has been absolutely amazing to live with them for the past 2 years. The Mexican people love our Savior Jesus Christ, even though they have a different way of showing it here. They are so ready and willing to make changes in their lives, and it makes me so happy to see that the words of ancient Book of Mormon prophets are coming to pass.

I love every single one of you guys. For supporting me in the hardest 2 years of my life. Its been hard but it has blessed me more than I will ever know. I am so grateful for my loving parents who have helped me through every part of my mission experience. I have the best parents ever. best brother and sister too they have supported me endlessly too:) I really don't have to much to say other than I am super nervous to come home, but at the same time super excited to see my family and put all the things I've learned here in the mission in practice. Really has been the best 2 years of my life. 

 

A little planking and final fotos with the zone. 

Love you all 

Elder Rodabough

(102 weeks in the mission fiels) Week # 78 of posts So 2 weeks Ehhhhh???

Life is just strange right now... The fact that I now have 13 days left until I'm home didn't hit me until this weekend. Let me explain porque.

So on Saturday we had the conference with the President with like 4 zones so it was awesome. Normally I'm not to stoked about the conferences with President cause you listen for like 5 hours and President tells you how you should work, and you leave feeling somewhat crappy. But, not this time it was just really good I feel very good with how I'm ending my mission. I had a very personal experiencia. During the first months of my mission I wasted tons of the Lords time and mine. I tried having my feet in both worlds. I wasn't obeying the rules and I was trying super hard to have success as a missionary. And as I was ending the mission I was doubting that the Lord would accept my sacrifice.

In Matt 20:1-16(if you haven't read it, YOU NEED TO READ IT) is the parable of the Workers in the vineyard. President shared this account in the conference. The owner of the vineyard paid everyone the same people that worked the whole day got the same as the people that only worked a couple hours. When I share this account and meditate about it every time the Spirit testifies to me that God is happy with what Ive done. I really wish I would've worked 100 percent of the time, but I learned a great deal about who I am and what part the Atonement has in our life here on earth. 

This goes for all of you, doesn't matter whats happened in the past if you've wasted 1 month, 18 months or 18 years the lord will forgive you the same. Satan wants you to feel worthless that the changes you are making in your life don't count and that God isn't even looking or it isn't enough. It is enough and I testify that the Atonement works the same as it would for a bishop, as would it work for a drug addict of 30 years.

I know that God lives and that Christ is our Savior. He died for me and for you. Don't wait to make changes. I've made changes and it was hard but the peace I feel now. God knows us better than we know ourselves. I love you all and I will write my last letter next week. 

Love you all Elder Rody.

(100 weeks in the mission field) Week # 77 Cuantos Años Tengo Realmente

So this week in Elders Quorum I was super impacted by the lesson. The last couple of days I have really been thinking about the life I've lived thus far and what type of person I'm going to be in the future.

In Spanish when you ask someone how old they are you say "cuantos años tienes?" (how many years do you have) and people always say" I have 21 years" or whatever. But, in reality we don't have any years. We only have the amount of time that we have left to live. I feel like we focus on how much time we´ve wasted or how old we are instead of thinking about what we can do with the time we have left. 

As Priesthood holders, and all members of the church we have a huge responsibility to be worthy at all times, and to bless all around us. In my 2 years here in Mexico I have seen miracles happen on the daily, and it's opened my eyes to whats possible when we live in the moment. But, not just live in the moment, but to take advantage of every moment and live it to the fullest. 

Like I said it hit me hard and made me want to do better in my everyday life. I hope that you guys can find a way to apply it to your own lives and truly take advantage of every moment.  

 

Love Elder Rodabough  

Week 76 Miracles and more Baptisms (99 weeks in the mission field)

So our baptism was awesome with Ismael. So cool to see everything turn out. I was a little bit nervous that he hadn't stopped drinking coffee, but he hasn't for a while. He is really converted. He started crying when he got out of the water. So cool to see such a big guy cry in front of so many people. The spirit was so strong. He is really a good guy and I'm super grateful for the opportunity I have to see these miracles.

So this coming week we are going to baptize a lady named Monserrat:) her son was also going to get baptized but he isn't ready to take the commitment head on. He wants to get baptized but he doesn't want to stop smoking weed and drinking. My goal before I end is to see him get baptized cause I love the kid a lot. I can relate to him, and feel like I am here to get him baptized. But, his mom is great she is ready and will be baptized this Saturday. 

We should baptize the last 5 weeks I'm here in the mission, but we gotta keep working super hard. I am loving this area and feel so blessed to be trusted with these people in this area. We are seeing tons of fruit in the ward. The ward asistencia is going up every week and we should get to 90 this week. We started at 40... The ward is really starting to work hard and not just alone but with us. So cool. I'm hyped to see what happens these last couple weeks. Love the work and am giving it 110%. 

Love, 

Elder Rodabough

 

 

 

Week # 75 Fisico and Dread locks (98 weeks in the field)

Ward mission Leader update:

So this week we were thinking a lot about them. We decided to give them a break from their little girls, so we found a babysitter for the kids and gave them money so they could go to dinner and we bought them movie tickets to go see Jurassic world (the most romantic movie ever) to give them time to step back and see how they can have a better relationship. That all happened on Friday. Then, we had our meeting with the ward mission leader, and he and his wife looked much better. I'm sure that a dinner and a movie didn't solve all their problems, but I hope it gave them an idea of how they can follow the guidance of the prophets.

They have asked parents to take one night a week to go out and do something as a couple. Every time I think about it, it strengthens my testimony. I know that the prophets are inspired of God.

So this up coming week we are getting started with the baptisms we have lined up. The first one is a guy named Ismael. He is a physics major and is finishing his thesis on black holes. I don't know who is smarter him, or Grandpa David haha jk. But seriously so smart. At first he didn't believe in God, but he has gone to church the last 6 weeks in a row and yesterday he shared his testimony in Elders Quorum, and he knows the church is true, and that God lives. SO awesome he is like 6 foot and is a huge bear of a man. He has a huge beard and super long dreadlocks that have been growing for the past 23 years. Hes so sick. So cool to be a part of his conversion. 

I love this work and I'm so sad that it is all coming to a close. Today I started my last change. I am staying in the same area with the same companion. I love the gospel and I'm so happy that I have the opportunity of being a missionary in these last days. 

Elder Rody

Week # 74 Dreams and Interviews. (Week 97 in the field)

So this last Saturday we had interviews with Pres. Hall it was my last regular interview with him so that was weird. We joked around so much. I know I was called by revelation because of how much I've learned from president. When I look at president it makes me really think about what I want in life, and the type of discípulo (I don't know how to say that in English) I want to be.

List of important things that president says I need to do when I get home.

1. Tell my mom to find me another room in the house, so I don't fall into bad habits.

2. Tell my bishop I need a calling.

3. 30-45 min of scripture study every morning

4. Find a job that requires me to get up early in the AM

5. Give some type of service everyday.

I love interviews with president.

I had a dream Saturday night that will remain very close to my heart for a very long time. I had a dream that I was ending my mission and that I was at the airport with all the people I've taught here in Mexico, and that every single one of them was active in the church still. The joy I had in that dream was a joy that I have never felt in my life and one that I will never forget even though it came in the form of a dream. And it just makes me think of "D&C 18:15-16 "

 15 And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father!

 16 And now, if your joy will be great with one soul that you have brought unto me into the kingdom of my Father, how great will be your joy if you should bring many souls unto me!

So grateful for this opportunity I've had to share the gospel for 22 months thus far. I look forward to giving it my all the last change that I have left. Like the old saying goes There is happiness in Obedience. I can testify to that cause I've lived on both sides of the spectrum and it's much better to be on the happy side.

I love you all so much, Strive to find yourself on the right side of the spectrum always.

Love Elder Rody

And always a little bit of soccer to end the week right.

Week # 73 (of posting on the blog) "Family Life" (week 96 he has been in Mexico City)

So this week was a really good week! We are finding a ton of new people to teach and it is awesome:) Me and my companion are destroying it in this area its awesome. We brought 14 people to church this week. We have found 6 new people who want to get baptized and all will be able to within 2 or 3 weeks so that's super cool. I love to see and feel the Lords hand in my daily life. He is always putting people in my path and the Spirit is always there to give the words so they can come to know the joy the gospel brings into our lives.

This week we found a lady that told us if we can heal her soul she will convert to the church. We talked with her the day after we found her, and she just bawled to us for like an hour and just explained her whole life story. She's an huérfano (idk) how to say that in English. And her kids are nuts and she just doesn't know why she cant forgive anyone. It's just a really sad thing to watch so we gave her a Book of Mormon with like 50 scriptures marked inside about forgiveness and charity and other things. Then after we left we saw her in the street, and she was crying saying she read the book and it was so beautiful and that she knows its a true book. It was so cool to see a change happen in just 1 DAY!!!!

And then last night we had our meeting with the ward mission leader and he told us he doesn't want to be the ward mission leader. He doesn't want to go to church, and he wants to leave his wife and 2 little girls. It was nuts and I wasn't gunna say anything, but then I got a prompting from the spirit super strong, and to be honest I ignored it, then it came back even stronger and I opened my mouth and the words just came spewing out and idk what I said but we all ended up crying and the ward mission leader says he is going to keep trying with his calling, and especially with his wife and family. It was so cool to see the spirit working though me to help the members. 

It's so easy to forget how hard life really is when your here in the mission, because literally I'm in a bubble and super close to my Savior. I´m protected by the rules I have, and I live off the money that I get from the church. I don't have a worry in the world. I'm sure that after the mission it will be harder than ever, BUT, I know more now than ever what it takes to keep a family together and how to check myself to see if what I'm doing is right or wrong. I will always follow the rules of the church because it is my protection, and its not going to be easy and I'm sure I will fall short sometimes, but it will protect me and it will always help me to keep my priorities straight and protect me and my family.

Choose the right always. 

Love Your Elder Rody

Week # 72 Pics are worth a thousand words (week 95)

Super busy week this week. I'm doing super good. Don't have a lot of time but church attendance has already grown, almost doubled since I got here in two weeks.


My companion is super siick. He loves soccer as much as I do. He likes to have fun and we both love to work really hard. We talk to a ton of people about soccer and it leads them in to talk about the gospel.

He is probs one of my favorite companions. We had 7 new investigators at church a 5 less active families. I'm feeling good about my mission.

Love,
Elder Rodabough

Week # 71 Taking time to smell the flowers here in Rosas (pun) (really week 94)

So this week was super good. It was raining like crazy here everyday, and we are working super hard. President sent me here to pic this ward up cause it is like self-destructing to be honest. It was at like 80 people in church like 2 months ago and now only like 45 people are going weekly... President usually just sends me to hard ward to get people hyped and loving the gospel again.

My comp is sick we are seriously just joking around all day long in the street. And all the people in the streets that sell tacos or tortas all know us cause we talk to EVERYONE. We played soccer the other day and contacted 30 kids that literally love us now. 

We baptized a 85 year old lady that is seriously thee funniest lady ever haha. She had to get baptized face first cause she is so old she can't bend over it was awesome. She hugged me for like 5 minutes after telling me that she had a miracle cause she couldn't bend her legs, and she had a raging headache and when she entered the water she felt like she was way younger again. It was awesome. When she was confirmed she cried for like 10 minutes straight in front of the whole congregation. So cool.

We had a mission conference with Elder Christensen and Elder Piper. SO many amazing answers to my prayers. I don't have my journal so I can't write exactly everything but I will include them in the next weeks email.

Oh and yeah we took a selfie on my camera (foto cred. Graham) and it turned out sick.

And the baptism of Amparo.

See you guys next week Elder Rody

Week # 70 I love MOTHERS but I miss Elder Graham....

(Side Note From Mom; if I would have started his blog right when he left he would be at 91 weeks!)

SO today was changes and I finally finished my ministry here in Coacalco. I had 7 1/2 months there and I'm sad I finally left. I baptized 9 people there and its always super sad leaving your converts and members when you change areas. But, the good thing is that my comp and I are already hommies. He was in my district for a long time, and we are already getting along super great. It will be super sick to end my mission with him though. We are gunna kill it together haha.

Talking to the family was too amazing. It is just amazing to me how much the mission has changed me (and my brothers voice) it has just really put into perspective that family and the gospel are the most important things in my life and that's how it should be. I never get sick of talking to my family. I seriously love them so much I have the best family ever. It will be dope to start my own family some day.

Got to talk to the Graham family and they are super cool, and really nice. Graham got moved to assistant and he totally deserves it, he has helped me a lot personally and is a great example for me. And just a really good buddy. gunna miss the crap out of him not being in my area.

Had a couple of super powerful experiences this week but my words don't do it justice so you need to ask me about them when I get home...(another side note from mom: he tried on mothers day to tell us about these experiences and was so choked up, spirit so strong he couldn't even share them)

Pics: Daniella was baptized!!!!!!!!!!, And our selfie with the bishop haha, and the family I baptized like 20 months ago.

Love you all!

Elder Rody

Week # 69 Crazy Quince años! y Kimberly

   So this week was super fun lots of photos. I think this will be my 2nd to last week in this area. We went to a 15 year brithday party. So here the 15th birhtday is like nuts, they go hard, the godfather and godmothers here throw the parties and they make it awesome.

We were only allowed to go for like an hour, but it was just nuts like i cant explain. Elder Graham wanted to take pictures, so we like went in front of like 200 people to take a picture with this girl Daniella, SO AWKWARD. Just like 4 missionaries taking pictures in front of like 200 people just awkward as heck. Daniella is going to get baptized either this week or next:) so she loves the gospel a lot. She is going to be such a strong convert!

 I love the ward here and we are finding so many new investigators. We played soccer the other day and found 12 new investigators in 1 hour it was nuts:) I love soccer more than ever to be honest. I love the gospel more though, for sure. This weeks district meetings topic was humility. So I dressed up as a hobo and taught the class in my hobo suit. It was dope I will send pictures on Monday:)

I just love the mission the more the months go along. 

      Que tengan bonita semana todos! 

     Elder Rody

(side note from mom, he is a DL now) 

       

     

       

    

   

     

Week # 68 I love banda, I'm Mexican.

 

So yesterday in the sacrament meeting this homeless guy just comes in the church, and is just standing up in the middle of the meeting. He was in the middle of the isle, and nobody wanted to say anything so I was across the room and went over and sat by him... He smelled so bad, it was the hardest thing ever to stop me from gagging in the meeting... But after ward he followed me around and everyone in the church like hated me cause they thought he was my invesigator even though I have never seen this guy in my life. Good times. 

I destroyed everyone in volleyball today with the help of Elder Graham. We found a bunch of new investigators, and we got free cake from them on the daily. It rocks. Also, we had a bunch of other invesigators in church and I feel bad because of the stench of this homeless man. But we are working super hard! And I got my flight plans and I'm nervous cause it is all coming to a close and I'm super sad.

 Lifes good. 

And yes I also do service projects. And this guy is a super funny guy from Tijuana, and he is always drinking liqour. I call him El Jefe.

And the bird pooped on my hand...

Love Elder Rody

Week # 67 Invasion and Retencion

So the invasion here in my house started like 3 weeks ago. So there are these HUGE ants that are invading my house. I was getting a drink out of my water bottle at like 2 in the morning, and I take a giant swig and there was a huge ant in my mouth crawling around... SO I bought a anti ant chalk that you draw lines and they wont pass the lines... its gypsy stuff I guess.

So this week I have really tried really hard to put the things I learned in the conference en practica. I feel like I've grown a ton in these last 2 months. I know I've gotten fatter, but I've grown a lot spiritually which is awesome. My companion has also had a huge change and he now talks and jokes around and teaches awesome, which makes me super happy. Cool to see the change in someone happen so fast! I hope this last month with him will be our best month and we can continue to grow and become better everyday.

I love the Lord and feel so blessed to be a member of the church. I know its true because I feel it every time I follow the right paths and do the right thing. Every time I listen to conference the spirit testifies to me that we have a prophet hoy en dia and that if we follow what he says we will have eternal life and live with our families forever.

Elder Rody

Week # 66, Week #32 in Coacalco

So conference was amazing!

Heard so serious respuestas from the apostles and prophet: Uchtdorf is the funniest ever haha.

I know what I need to do when I get home. Elder Hollands talk really hit me hard, and so did all the talks on family and marriage. I just feel like that is getting beatin into my thick skull lately.

 I am pretty hyped to be a father someday. I am going to try my very hardest to be the best father I can be. First I gotta buy a dog though, I learned in the conference that there are tiny steps we need to take before we take a giant step, like marriage haha. 

We had a bunch of investigators go to church and thanks to "Gracias a que el vive" we have found tons of new investigators. I know that God puts people into my path constantly if i am willing to obey. I want God to have complete confidence in me. If God needs an errand ran, I want him to know that Elder Rodabough is willing to run it. 

I have been focusing on doing more service lately and we have 3 service projects set up for this week which is sick! I'm loving the mission, I feel like I have grown more in my last 10 months on my mission than I have in any other time in my life put together. I have a testimony of my own and I know that Christ lives. 

Great week and loving every mintue of it.

Elder Rody  

Week # 65 Just fotos and a little words

(Side note from mom, he sent this email in Spanish and I Google translated it and tried to interpret what he was trying to convey as best as I could!) 

This week was rather fast pace and we started another change here in the Mexico Mission Northwest. I need 3 changes, this is rare and good and I'm nervous to go home. We worked and had great success. We had 7 investigators in the chapel this week, but we'll have like 10 this coming week. I had the opportunity to speak in sacrament meeting when my friend who is here in the neighborhood when I received your call will go to Tijuana and will be a great missionary! Really strange to remember 2 years ago when I received my call as a missionary. These two years are sacred to me and has changed my life. That is the truth.

IT IS A PRIVILEGE THAT I HAVE TO BE A MISSIONARY!

With love Elder Rody 

Week # 64 Probably my last week here in Coacalco

Good week! We found a ton of new investigators and we had all of the people I’ve baptized in church. And we had 4 less active families, and 2 investigators in church, so it was a good Sunday.

Super sad that it’s probs my last week here in Coacalco. I have 6 months here, and I’m finally starting to see really good results of our work here in Coacalco. I love the members here and I feel like they trust me a ton. If I get left here, we are gunna have tons of baptisms. Just trying to be better everyday and trying to leave everything I got here in the field before I go home. I’m nervous to go home cause its gunna be so hard.

After serving and doing the most important work here in Mexico for two years, its gunna be hard to go back to little mundane stuff. I already know I’m going to miss saving almas here in Mexico.

And…. as I was just writing this I got a call from President and he says most likely I will not get changed. Yahoooo!!!!!!!!!!

Love you all,
Elder Rodabough

Week # 63 plus The Bigger they are the Harder they fall

The bigger they are the harder they fall

I was thinking about that quote a lot this week, and I feel a great pressure and responsibility. My Heavenly Father has blessed me with so much and more things we are blessed with, talents, a body that works, eyes that can see, and ears that can hear. These are all things God has given us to be tools in his hands. The more privileges and blessings we receive, the more we can help Gods children return to him. I have less than 5 months until I get home and not to be prideful or anything but God has really blessed me a lot. I feel good with how hard I’ve worked this far into my mission and I’m proud of the things that I’ve done. But, I’m stepping it up starting now. We have 1 hour 30 minutes to write every week but I’ve made the personal decision to only write for 30 minutes. 

I have 4 1/2 months to go, its time to step it up! 

Was a super good week though, we had more than 45 lessons with investigators, less actives and new converts this week, but I’m pushing my goal to 60 this week. Not too much to report but it was a great week! When I got here the church assistencia was at 80 now it’s at 120 so its super sick to watch a strong ward grow even stronger.

Read the parable of the talents, its one of my favorites and meditate it in your hearts and put it to work.

And I may or may not have been Jesus Christ in the play we did.

Love Elder Rody 

Week # 62 HeeHee

Was a good week sorry don't have a lot of time. We have tons of appointments today. So I don't have a lot of time to write. Good week another 6 weeks awaits me here in Coacalco. Enjoy the pictures. Love you all. Loving the mission more and more everyday.

Have a GOOD week Kitty cats

Elder Rody

Week # 61 Temples and bloody Sunday

So another super great week in Mexico City:)

So this week was probably my most obedient week in the whole mission. I literally obeyed with exactness and worked so hard. I am determined to divide this ward. I don’t care if the members don’t want to work; I am gunna carry the freaking ward on my back. I am workin super hard on not taking no for an answer, and I am just in a moment when I have less than 6 months left and its time to just destroy the last part of my mission. I’m just hyped.

Worked super hard found a bunch of new people to teach and just hyped to see the work progress in this ward.

I have officially 18 months since I’ve been to the temple and it sucks... First day I’m home I’m going to the temple. So glad to live in a place with so many temples I’m going to go everyday I swear. SO blessed to be a part of the church:) I know the church is true, working hard has strengthened my testimony so much:) I love the work and love my Savior and our Father in Heaven more than ever.

Bloody Sunday is because we had 16 people who SAID they were going to go to church. And zero came... LIFE!!!

Your Elder Rodabough

Week # 60 Small World

 

 

Dope week. 

Monday, Played soccer and I still destroy everyone practically. When Elder Graham and I are on the same team we do not lose. Elder Graham just gets fouled so hard so much its crazy.

We put a baptismal date with Alejandras son and with her uncle that was visiting from Chicago, who just happens to live in the same mission as Elder Grahams older sister. She is serving in Chicago so we are going to pass her his address and he is going to get baptized in Chicago. Super sick. 

Super good week had the strong impression to share my testimony, also cause it hit me that I will only have this opportunity 5 more times in my mission. Broke through the wall this week which was good. Had a mission conference and I am trying to apply everything that our mission president wants us to do. I love him so much so glad to have such a good mission president. 

Today got back on the slackline again haven't used it in a couple months. So...

Elder Rodabough