Weekly Update 4-20-14

Halee with Eve.  The Sister Missionaries live with Eve's family.

Dinner with the Gheens.

Sister Murphy & Sister Rogers on Easter!

So its been another wonderful week in Iowa City! It is getting greener and greener and I love it:) It was 73 degrees yesterday and everyone came into church saying.. "Awh! Its so hot outside!!" WHAT?! I then quickly thought back to the -50 degree wondchill we had just a few months ago and was VERY VERY appreciative that it was a wonderful 73 degrees outside:) It doesnt get hot until it breaks 100!

Anyways... we had a really awesome week! we got 4 media referrals this week... that NEVER happens. It was glorious! And I want to share a really cool but simple story of what happened with one of them. His name was Brenton. We got the text with his address and number and what he wanted which was a Book of Mormon. So we went to the door and he opened up, a younger guy maybe early 30's, and says, "Oh hey! Are you here to deliver my book?" We of course said yes and handed him the Book of Mormon and started talking to him for a minute and asked what made him want to get a copy of the Book of Mormon. He told us that his friend on facebook had shared a video entitled, "Because of Him", its the 5 min. easter video that the lds.orgput out this past week, its SOO dang good, watch it if you havent, but anyways, he said when he watched it he got a good "vibe", we knew that was the spirit. He said because he got a good feeling from it he decided to check out more by going to mormon.org and then decided that it would be a good idea to read from the Book of Mormon to get more insight on what we believe. He also said that he wanted to come to our church for easter and check it out. It was simple, but such an awesome realization of how small and simple things can bring to pass great things. This all happened because one person shared a video on facebook. YOU NEVER KNOW WHO THE LORD IS PREPARING. and you never know how the Lord is preparing you to help others.

Easter was really great. I received an amazing easter package from my family. You guys rock! I especially loved the picture of Jesus with the quote from Bruce R. McKonkie. It's hanging on my wall:) There was a musical presentation at the Iowa City Stake Center called "The Lamb of God". It was so inspiring. And the spirit was so strong. The member we live with played Mary the mother of Jesus and she sang a solo... awhhh her voice is incredible and it was just such a great presentation of the beauty of the Resurrection of the Savior. I still definitely missed going to the Easter Pageant and getting Pete's fish and chips, but I will be able to go next year!:) I just love Jesus Christ. I am so grateful for Him. I know with all my heart that He lives and has given us an opportunity to be saved and exalted if we so wish.

I love you guys so much. I want to thank you for all of the support you have given me. It means more than you know. Being a missionary can be hard, but man, it is so worth it.

I love you!

Love

Sister Halee Rogers

P.S. HAPPY BIRTHDAY RILEY!!! yesterday..... can't believe you are 18.... thats not real. I LOVE YOU!

Weekly Update 4-14-14

Well... let me first say that this week has been incredible! The weather was simply amazing. awhhh it got up to 81 degrees this week! YES! I love heat:) It was wonderful and I retired the boots and leggings this week... at least I thought I did until we walked outside this morning at it was 30 degrees and lighlty snowing... WHAT? Yeah its super weird and now my legs are really cold, but its alright! haha

We had a lot happen this week. Sister Murphy and I gave trainings in Iowa City and Fairfield this week. It went totally awesome! We trained on dispelling our fears and building our faith in finding efforts! It was great after listening to the trainings three times to actually go out and apply it to the work. Which is what we did on Wednesday! Sister Murphy and I went on exchanges with the Hermanas in Ottumwa (Radar from MASH is from there). And it was great... the weather was beautiful and so we were talking to a lot of people! One guy even gave me a Dr. pepper! That guy knows the way to my heart! haha It was cold and delicious:)

The rest of the week we worked in our area. Sister Murphy got sick on Saturday so we had to cancel our exchange with another set of sisters, but it all worked out. I studied pretty much all day and got some other things done but this is when tragedy struck... We had three investigators all ready to be baptized this coming weekend on the 18th and in the matter of a couple hours, all fell off date. One of the girl'm mom wouldnt sign the permission form for her to be baptized because she's a minor, the other one needs more preparation and needs to keep more comittments, and the last one needed to be interviewed by someone in the mission presidency. All three of them will eventually get baptized just not this coming weekend. All is well in zion though! We are still moving forward and enjoying the blessings that come from the Atonement of Jesus Christ.

Oh! And we also went to go meet an investigator this week from Africa. We went to his house and he doesn't speak much english so its super hard to communicate, but while we were there talking to him he just whips out this piece of paper and shows it to us. Wanna know what the paper was? A baptismal certificate for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. hahaha The guy is already a member and we have taught him a couple of times! haha It was super funny. Him and his wife moved here to iowa city from virginia about ten months ago and never could find the church until we ran into him one day and gave him our number thinking he was interested in learning more about the church. haha Tender mercy right there! Him and his wife attended church yesterday:)

I finished the Book of Mormon this week for the 2nd time on my mission. The 2nd time took me a lot longer because I did more studying than I did reading this time. It was wonderful. I love this book. I know because of my study in this book that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world in such a deeper way than I did before. How merciful our Father in Heaven is for giving us this inspired record.

Sister Murphy and I are just doing great! We are having a lot of fun... probably too much fun! haha She is the best though, I love her a lot! 

I love you guys too! Happy Easter this weekend! HE IS RISEN!

Love

Sister Halee Rogers

Weekly Update 4-7-14

Glasses Theme @ Mission Leadership Council!

The entire group!

Sister Marsh going back to temple square!

Sisters Murph"dawg" & Rogers, haha!

Well hello there everyone!

One week down in Iowa City! It already feels like I have been here a month! The people are so great! I absolutely love it! Heavenly Father just poured blessings down as well! Tuesday we had Mission Leadership Council all where we got trained on dispelling our fears by Sister Jensen, Asking Inspired Questions by the Assistants to the President and Charity and Virtue by President Jensen! It was really incredible! I learned a lot and I am so excited to train the other missionaries on these things next week in Zone Training Meeting! MLC is held here in Iowa City so it was really nice not having to wake up early and drive two hours! It only took about 8 minutes to drive to the Stake Center! BONUS! Then on Wednesday we went and worked our tails off. It was awesome! Thursday came around and we had interviews with President Jensen! That went great, I am being super obedient, so no worries:) haha And then this weekend was Genereal Conference. WHAT A BLESSING! I can't choose my favorite talk... they were all so powerful! But I will say this... that first session on Saturday was AMAZING!! It was seriously an all-star lineup! Jeffrey R. Holland just started it off so strong and then with Ronald A. Rasband... he's one of my favorites! And Sister Reeves talk was just amazing! I would say though that definitely one of my favorite talks this conference was by Elder Neil L. Andersen. I couldn't help but just feel the spirit so strongly and feel the sense of urgency in his voice. These men, like prophets of old are preparing us for the coming of Jesus Christ. The winds will get stronger before they get easier. They are preparing us and it was awesome to just feel of the spirit testifying to me that this really is the final time in which the Lord will send forth servants to tend for His vineyard and what a great privilege it is to be a part of it! How great is our calling!! Awh it was amazing and just exactly what was needed I believe for everyone. Another great talk was Elder Ballard's talk! I hope you all took note of the challenge he gave not only to obtain a copy of Preach My Gospel, but to study it! It will change your life and convert you more to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I promise you.He also encouraged all to set a goal of inviting someone to learn FROM THE MISSIONARIES every quarter, or 4 times a year. The blessings will come if you diligently strive to achieve this goal! It will take not only invitations of boldness, but as we learned, following up with boldness! As you study from Preach My Gospel you will gain more faith in this principle of inviting and following up! :) You guys are awesome:)

 Heavenly Father also blessed us by leading us to find 5 new investigators this week and set three new baptismal dates! And not only that, but 7 investigators came to one or more sessions of conference this weekend! INCREDIBLE! I am just so humbled to be a recipient of these blessings.

The three baptismal dates we set this week were with a family. The mom's name is Regina, and she has two daughters, Tanzania who is 12 and Melvina who is 8! They are solid and so excited to be baptized on May 17th! We also have a 17 yr old girl named Joyann getting baptized on the 18th of this month! She has to get the permission slip signed by her mom and then she will be ready to go. We have been praying that her mom's heart will be softened and she will sign the paper because Joyann is a little apprehensive in talking to her about it. But all will work out. If all else fails she can get baptized in June when she turns 18! haha:)

Sister Murphy and I are getting into our groove and are doing great! She sleeps top bunk and i have lower bunk:) Thank goodness! We like to get up every morning and go running and walking! Since the weather is finall getting warmer its been easier to get out. There are so many more people out walking around which means more people to open our mouths with! Its great and I love it! This week was Sister Alston's 22 birthday.. sad I wasn't there to have fun with her cause I miss her a lot, but it was really great to see her on tuesday! 

Anyways... I know with all my heart that this church is true.We have a living prophet today and the Savior is coming again. I love you! Have a great week!

Love

Sister Rogers

Weekly Update 3-31-14

Saying goodbye to Pam, recently baptized.

Susan Easton Black Durrant & husband.  Halee met them in Nauvoo and was honored to sing a song that Sister Durrant had.  It was a long lost poem by WW Phelps and Sister Durrant asked Halee's companion, Sister Alston, to compose the music and asked Halee to sing it.

Saying goodbye to the Brumbles.

Saying goodbye to the Nauvoo Temple President and his wife.

She will miss Andrew.

Last temple visit with Sister Alston.

Saying goodbye to Leylani Trane.  Her volleyball buddy!

Sister Alston & Rachael.

3 Generation Picture.  Sister Murphy (right) was Halee's trainer & 1st companion.  Halee was Sister Batty's trainer when she first came out.  Halee & Sister Murphy are companions again in Iowa City.  What are the chances?  They are so excited.

Hey there fam!

SO... I am sure you are all wondering where I am at... or maybe not, but either way, I'm gonna tell ya! I am now currently serving in Iowa City! COLLEGE TOWN! awhh man its awesome:) I love cities! haha WHat's even better is that my new companion happens to be.... drum roll please..... SISTER MURPHY! AKA my trainer! haha We are reunited and it feels so good! haha It's so great! We live with a member family and they are just the greatest. I am loving Iowa city so far. And what's even better is that the weather is finally getting nice outside! Goodbye to winter gear! I have basically just done a lot a lot of planning this week. Planning goals for the transfer, getting to know the sisters I am over, and planning for exchanges. It's been pretty good! Tomorrow we have MLC, which will great too! I will get to see SIster ALston!:) Miss her already... :(

We are teaching a lot of awesome people here and the members are great! We have one investigator, a 17 year old girl who is getting baptized on the 18th of this month! SHe's so solid!

We watched the General Womens' Meeting on saturday. That was so awesome! I love covenants! LET US BE COVENANT KEEPERS!!!!

Anyways, I am just really excited to be here at this time with who I am with. The Lord has a plan and it is perfect! I LOVE being a missionary! I am working on opening my mouth more to others. Should be good:)

I love you guys! :)

Sister Halee Rogers

Weekly Update 3-24-14!

Lots of pictures!

Last district meeting in Keokuk!

St. Patty's Day tea party!

With Sister Alston!

Steak & Bratts dinner with funeral potatoes.  Halee's favorite.

With Sister Marsh!

Hello there!!

So this week was pretty darn great! We had so much go on! Get this.. Heavenly Father blessed us with 7 new investigators!!! It was insane!! We set 2 baptismal dates, gave 2 church tours and Pam got confirmed in church! Pam is so awesome. Man, her testimony is so ridiculously strong!! She is sharing the gospel with everyone she meets and it is just so powerful!! Every time she speaks the spirit is just so palpable! It was a glorious week and we were working hard! Just humbled and grateful to be a part of it!

So... today is transfer calls day.... I received a phone call this morning from President Jensen... I am being transferred out of Keokuk to a different area. Sister Alston will stay here. I am going to miss it but I am also excited to see what a new area will bring I find out Thursday at transfer meeting where I am going. I will still be a Sister Training Leader, just in a new area. I am really going to miss having Sister Alston as a companion, and there are a few families that have been really good to me here. I'll be saying my goodbyes and taking pictures the next couple of days. I am hoping I can go to the temple too one last time before I leave.

Anyways, its a short update... but I want you all to know that I have a testimony of Jesus Christ and the restored gospel. It is true. It really is!!!!

I love you! Hope all is well:)

Love

Sister Halee Rogers