Weekly Update 9-8-14

Dee is one of the coolest people Sister Rogers has met.

Last District meeting in Iowa City.

Me and the boys...Maisha, Amani and Sila.

She loves Kate & Grace.  They are hilarious.  

The Black's in Iowa City!

Wow.. okay this week has been so amazing I don't even know where to begin!! I will start with transfer doctrine..

And I will be honest this time, I promise! I got a phone call this morning from President Jensen telling me I am being transferred out of Iowa City to a new area, still as a Sister Training Leader. I am not sure where I will be serving yet. There are only 6 Sister Training Leader areas which means I will either be going to Cedar Rapids, Keokuk, Clinton, Des Moines, or Ames. We will see what happens! I will let you know where I am at next week. I am SO SO SO sad to be leaving Iowa City. Honestly, this area has been such a blessing. I am excited for the new changes that lie ahead but man I am going to miss this place so much. So many good things are happening!

Like for instance, just this morning we has this AMAZING lesson with this guy named Luke. He is 34 years old and a single father. While on exchanges, Hermana Eggett and I went to Jimmy Johns for lunch and Luke was our cashier. Hermana Eggett just walked up to him and was like "Hey, well we are missionaries for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and we want to share a message with you. Do you want to meet up sometime?" He said he would love to! and that was it.. we went and ate our lunch got his phone number and said nothing else really. So that brings us to today... We met this morning at the church and had a member with us. We sat in the Relief Society room and began to just get to know him a little bit and his religious background. It was a little awkward at first but thankfully the spirit took over and we soon came to see how the Lord had been preparing Luke to receive the message of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. He was asking questions like, "What is the foundation of your beliefs?" "How is it that we have over 10,000 different christian sects?" "How can I know where truth comes from?" All of these questions tied right into the lesson of the restoration. He shared his experience of how he grew up Lutheran but sort of had a falling away and "lost the faith" in the organization of the church. He then shared that he was looking and searching for truth. And we could tell that he had been thirsting for it. The Lord had placed him in our path so that he could receive the answers he was looking for. He even told us that he had just finished a 7 day fast so he could be cleansed out and spiritually intune. WOW. we were stunned to learn of how much the Lord had been leading him. And Luke is not your "typical Christian"  I guess some people would say... He has tattoos all over, gages, and has some pretty hipster hair. But it is so true that the Lord looks on the heart and the on the appearance. Luke's heart was ready. So we taught him of the restoration and the member that was with us bore powerful testimony. We taught simply and the spirit was there for sure. He committed to read from the Book of Mormon and pray to know that it is true. He kept saying things like, "I am really interested in this.." or "Maybe this is meant to be..." You could see that the hole in is heart or his questions were already beginning to be answered. I am so grateful and humbled to have just had that experience.

Which is another reason why I don't want to leave Iowa City!!! haha Our other investigator Lori, came to a baptism and church this week! She loved them both and is still smoke free and working towards her baptism on October 25th!!! She was telling us that she went to the gas station the other day and one of her friends was outside smoking this apparently really expensive and nice cigar and he asked her if she wanted to smoke a little bit of it.. she said that a thought came to her mind and in her head she said, "Do I want to smoke? or Do I want to be saved?" hahaha she said she decided she wanted to be saved! haha It was so awesome:) So she's doing great.

We are finding lots of new people to teach as well. And the ward is just on fire!!! They are all so missionary minded and do amazing things. the Lord is blessing this part of His vineyard for sure.

I have a testimony that God's timing is everything but that eventually all will come to know the truth. I have such a special privilege to be a part of this marvelous work and a wonder.

Have such a wonderful week!!!!!!!!

LOVE YOU!

Sister Halee Rogers

Weekly Update 9-2-14

Investigator Mario!

Basketball on PDay!

Labor Day Picnic at Coralville Lake!

Hola Familia!

Big news!!! Transfers happened and I got put "zebra"!! Which means I am in a spanish area! My companion is an Hermana and i get to learn spanish for the last three months of my mission!!! Her name is Hermana Hernandez and we are serving in Webster City, IA. It's about a half hour away from Fort Dodge!!!! I am so stoked!! This is due to the lack of hermanas that are in the mission.

just kidding:) I am still here in iowa city, working on 6 months:) Transfers haven't happened yet. Those are next week, so I will be sure to keep you posted. i am not sure if I will be transferred or if I will stay, or if I will get released, or what's gonna happen. I have no idea. haha I will let you know next week! I really hope to stay here in Iowa City til the end. I love it here so much. The people are so great and I have developed real charity for them. The ward is also FABULOUS! In the past 6 months I have been here, I have felt the member trust grow dramatically! We are gaining a lot of trust with them. And as a result they are becoming more and more involved in finding, teaching, and testifying. It is so cool to see!!

This week some really great things happened. The elders had a baptism of an 11 year old boy named carlos. This kid is a stud. We also were able to have two investigators attend that baptism! One of them, Maisha, wants to be baptized now! It's been such a blessing. We had a lesson with him earlier this week and read Alma 32 with him. he loved it and the spirit taught him a lot. You could literally feel his faith in Christ growing. When he prayed at the end of the lesson, he prayed for God to forgive him for "Judging the book by its cover and not taking the time to read it." He also asked God to "make {him} love this book!" It was such a miracle. And now this week he is going over to one of the young men's house after school to hang out and the go to mutual that night! Things with Maisha are progressing a lot.

Our other investigator, Lori is doing outstanding. She has a baptismal date for October 25th!... woah, speak of the devil.. she's calling right now! Hold one... okay I'm back. GOOD NEWS! She called to tell us that she set a date on her own to quit smoking. September 4th is the day she has set for herself to quit smoking! Which means her baptismal date will most likely be moved up as well!! Wow.. tender mercies!!! It also goes to show that true faith in the lord Jesus Christ lead to repentance. We haven't even taught the word of wisdom yet, but she is learning from the spirit as her faith is increasing! Just like Boyd K. Packer said, "True doctrine, understood, changes attitude and behavior.The study of the doctrines of the gospel will improve behavior quicker than a study of behavior will improve behavior."

If you can't tell... the work is hastening here. And i do not want to leave!! 

I have a testimony of the savior. I know He lives. I know His Atonement is central to everything. And I know that it is through Him and ONLY through Him that we are saved.

Love you all! Thanks so much for your prayers!

Love

Sister Halee Rogers

Weekly Update 8-25-14

With Sister Egbert holding bunnies.

With Joyann- 2 recent converts.

So this week was pretty sweet. I hit my 15 month mark... not so sweet. haha That means I only have 3 months left on my mission.. WHAT?! Maybe i'll just extend a little longer:) Just kidding. ANYWAYS lets not dwell on the fact that this is ending soon any longer because it is really bittersweet. This week we had two sets of exchanges. Wednesday I went on exchanges with Sister Stoffers..(like the lasagna) she is a missionary for the YSA branch. It was great. We went and had dinner with a couple of members in the married student ward and they are just awesome! We had some really good conversations about following the spirit and it was so sweet! Later in the week we went on exchanges with the muscatine sisters. I went with Sister Robinson. She is about 3 weeks out and is such a stud!! Seriously, I was so impressed at how compposed and mature of a missionary she is at 3 weeks. It was a cool experience and I learned a lot from her. Cool experience that happened with her... I am not sure if I have ever talked about stephane before but I will give you a little background on him. Sister Andersen and I found him last transfer and he was progressing SO MUCH! This guy is just an honest truth seeker and awh he's just so cool. Anyways, after sister andersen left, sister egbert and I had one lesson with him and then the next lesson he cancelled and said "He needed time to think and pray." So basically he dropped us. But there was something inside of me that did not want to let this guy go. So I called him several times and he never answered. I continued this for 2 weeks, everyday calling him. I know it sounds creeper but I had faith that it was for a reason. That brings us to exchanges with sister robinson. We had about 20 minutes left before it was time to go in and we felt like we should go try by his apartment. We pull up, say a prayer and outside is stephane's roommate who lets us in to the locked apartment complex. We knock on stephane's door and he opens up. I think he was a little shocked to see us. haha We talked for a while and then finally he said, "You don't give up do you?" haha I smirked and told him why we didn't give up. He accepted the invitation to come to church again. And yesterday, he showed up! We are teaching him on tuesday. The principle of persistent follow-up! It works when following the spirit.

Everything else has been going really well! I love Iowa City.. the ward is seriously so great and missionary minded. They are always willing to help out. Three more weeks until transfers, so I might get transferred again before I go home but I am not sure what will happen. We will see.

I have a testimony of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. He is the only way salvation is gained. I love Him with all my heart.

And I love you!!! Have a great week!

Sister Rogers

Weekly Update 8-19-14

This is Mitchelann.  Halee's first investigator that was baptized.  Today she went through the Nauvoo Temple for the first time and was sealed to her deceased husband on what would have been their 50th wedding anniversary.  Very special day!

Sister Gerber and Sister Offen from Mt. Vernon.

The whole group with Mitchelann.

With Sister Egbert.

Hey Family and Friends..

This week was quite fabulous. I won't share everything but I will share the highlights. Mostly just yesterday... haha

I got to go to the temple because Mitchelann my first baptism and also my first investigator on my mission was endowed in the temple and was also sealed to her deceased husband for all- time and eternity. It was such a special day and I am so glad I got to be there. What made it even extra special was that yesterday was her and her husband's 50th wedding anniversary. The ceremony was so beautiful. I cried for the first time in a while. The spirit was so strong and consuming and if that experience didn't make me trunky, I don't know what will! haha It made me want to get married!!! yikes. haha nah, I am still 100% focused for the work but it did get me real excited for when that opportunity does come that I can be married in the temple. It was SO GOOD to see Mitchelann. She is doing so amazing and I felt like Alma in Alma 17:2-3 when he is reunited with the sons of Mosiah and he sees that they are still strong in the gospel and it brings joy and gratitude to his heart. It was such a special day and I am just so so grateful for that experience. The sealer was so full of the spirit and bore such powerful testimony.

So that was one of the highlights of my week. Other highlight is.... I GOT INTO BYU! Looks like I going to be a cougar. I am so excited. I feel so blessed by the Lord.

The work here is continuing to go great. We found 4 new investigators last week and two of them came to church! We will be setting lots of baptismal dates this week.

Love you all!

Sister Rogers

Weekly Update 8-11-14

MLC with Polka Dot theme.

Norman got baptized!  Yay

With Norman and Sister Egbert.

Happy Day!

She really loves Norman.

With Sister Egbert!

Alright Team!

This week has been fantastic in the sense of the work! Norman was baptized on Saturday and confirmed on Sunday!!! IT WAS AWESOME! I love that guy so much. He's such a stud.  We have four others that we are working with to be baptized on the 30th.

I got good news yesterday.. Mitchelann, my first convert on my mission is going through the temple on Monday to receive her endowment and to be sealed to her husband for all time and eternity and I get to go!! I am so excited!!

We had interviews and MLC this week so that was fun! It was weird without all the missionaries that went home this transfer. It's especially weird and hard without having Sister Andersen here as well. But she is doing good things and I need to bloom where I am planted! Still a work in progress...

Sister Egbert is pretty cool.  My faith has definitely been tested this week with all this change going on and I know its going to continue to. So I am sticking to prayer and the scriptures and just trying to be as obedient as possible. Happiness will come!

Interviews went great! Sister Jensen told me that my countenance has really changed and has softened but radiates the spirit more now. That made me feel good!

Love you guys! Pics to come.

Sister Halee rogers

Weekly Update 8-4-14

We received this video from the family that Halee lives with.  It's a few missionaries practicing a musical number for their zone conference.  Click on this link to watch:    "Come Unto Christ"

This is Elder Jackson who currently serves as Halee's District Leader.  They went to high school together but this is the first time they've served in the same area.  I was so excited to meet his mom Jenni the same day these 2 were emailing home.

No details on this picture but it's pretty self explanatory. 

Maisha, Sila & Amani.

Stephane- one of their investigators!

Saying good-bye to Sister Anderson and many other missionaries she has served with.

Sister Anderson- she will miss her so much!

NEW COMPANION!

Excited about her new companion, Sister Egbert!

Hey there!

So this week was Sister Andersen and I's last week together and then she left on Friday to go back home to Utah. I most definitely miss her. She helped me to become better. I am sure I will hear from her soon though!

I have a new companion now here in Iowa City... her name is Sister Cassidy Egbert! She is awesome. She is from Idaho Falls, Idaho and has previously served in Ames, IA and Cedar Rapids, IA. She has been out for 13 months. She's way cool and I like working with her!

This week we sadly moved out of the Hachtman's home and happily moved into the Blau's home! They are great and we have a sweet set up! I feel so blessed! 

Norman got his baptismal interview and passed with flying colors! So his baptism is set for this week on Saturday at 4pm! He is such a stud and I am so happy for him. He really just loves the gospel and his heart is always so open which allows the spirit to teach him! Funny Story.. Earlier this week we were going over the baptismal interview questions with him before his interview and we asked if he believed that Thomas S. Monson was the current prophet on earth.. and he responded by saying that he wasn't too sure about that one yet. So thankfully we had a dvd in the car called, "On the Lord's Errand" Its an hour long and its all about the life and ministry of Thomas S. Monson. So we gave that to him to watch that night and to pray about it. A few hours later we got a call from him telling us that he had already watched it twice!! And then the next day when he returned the movie back to us he told us he had watched it a third time that morning. Needless to say, by the power of the Holy Ghost, Norman now believes Thomas S. Monson is the prophet on eart today. It was sweet!!! And he even fasted on Sunday!! I am so excited for him/

Other than that we just had a lot of planning we did. But I am excited for this transfer.. good things are happening!!!

Love you guys!!!

Love

Sister Rogers

Weekly Update 7-28-14

Last District Meeting before transfers.

With Sister Anderson and Norman.

Holy Smokes you guys this week was so great and I know this email won't do it justice so I apologize now!!!

But we will give it a go!

Monday- it was Pday and we had a zone BBQ with cheeseburgers. My favorite! We played lots of kickball and ultimate frisbee and it was way fun!!

Tuesday- We taught a lot! I was actually on exchanges while Sister Andersen was in Nauvoo for the departing temple trip so she was gone all day. But it was still good! It was also my 14th month mark... crazy stuff. I also got my awesome birthday package from my family on this day, so I opened all of my presents then because I have the patience of a 2 year old and just couldn't wait! I was thrilled at all the lovely things you sent me!!! You guys rock:)

Wednesday- MY BIRTHDAY! 21 years old folks and we did exactly what I wanted to do on my birthday... the Lord's work! Sister Andersen was back from Nauvoo so we just went and taught a lot. Highlight of my day was teaching these three young African boys, Maisha, Amani, and Sila. They are 13, 15, and 17. And they are STUDS! They remind me of Riley, just African:) haha No but really, these boys are so prepared to hear the gospel and absolutely LOVED the Plan of Salvation. Awh it was such a cool lesson.. Sister Andersen and I left that lesson just feeling so excited and grateful that Heavenly Father led us to them We set up an appt. to teach them again the next night!

Thursday- We taught all of our main investigators. Norman- he is still smoke free!!! and is progressing SO MUCH! Then we taught Stephane, he's an African from the congo. That was a great lesson as well. he has a lot of great questions. And then we taught Maisha, Sila, and Amani again. STUDS! Holy cow, I don't even know what to say. But all of these people are hearkening to the voice of the Lord because of the Light of Christ that is in them and it is amazing! So blessed.

Friday-Great day... lots of planning.

Saturday-We taught Mario again! He is also an African. Way cool guy. We went over the restoration and he is preparing to receive an answer about whether or not he should be baptized.

The spanish elders had a couple baptisms that night and the service was all in spanish. By the end of that thing I was thinking in spanish.... well actually I was thinking in english but in a spanish accent! haha It was so funny too because at the baptismal service they asked if anyone would lead the music. Someone volunteered and then one of the english ward members goes, "Are you sure you know how to lead in spanish?" I about lost it. ahahah it was probably way funnier than what I just explained. Sorry. haha

SUNDAY- What an amazing sunday. It was Sister Andersen's last one as a missionary:( BUT it was a great one. We had 4 investigators at church! And our investigator Norman wore the white shirt and tie we bought for him:) He looked so cute! Don't worry, i've got pictures! But he had to leave after sunday school cause he said his pants were too tight and they were hurting him. haha he's a funny guy. But as of right now, we have 5 souls on date for baptism! Norman for Aug. 9th and Stephane, Mario, Maisha, and Amani for August 16th! I'm so sad sister andersen won't be here for it all. We have experienced so much together with these people helping them to progress and seeing the spirit work in their lives. It's going to be really hard to say goodbye to her on thursday. Soeaking of which... we get transfer calls today, but i surprisingly haven't got one yet... which is a little weird because I usually get it in the mornings. But I am pretty sure I am staying here in Iowa City. Then lastly a miracle happened last night... after our dinner appointment Sister Andersen and I had planned to go finding. First door we knock on out comes Kendall. He's is ready to receive the gospel and we teach him the restoration right there on his porch. He readily accepts the message and is excited to read the Book of Mormon and to have us come back to teach him more. He even understands that he needs to be baptized again by the proper priesthood authority. It was a sweet lesson and such a tender mercy of the Lord! Sister Andersen and I went home and sat in the car and just blasted "I Believe in Christ" for a minute while we gloried in the goodness of God! So many great things are happening. Again, it's going to be sad to see Sister Andersen leave. This week might be a little hard for me!

But anyways... I love missionary work. I LOVE serving the Lord. I have faith in Jesus Christ. All things are possible through Him because of His atonement.

I love you guys!!! Have a great week! And thanks again for all that you do!!

Love

Sister Halee Rogers