Ready. Set. REFERRAL!

This week was super long but awesome. To start off we found out we were moving from our old apartment to a different apartment (I'll send the address in a little, don't worry). The new apartment is way nice and has a lot of room. I'm not sure how long we'll be in it, but I don't mind it haha.

Anyway, the story behind the title is that we received a referral the other week. Our wards get together Saturday mornings and play two-hand touch football. There's been a few nonmembers that go so we thought we should go for the purpose of contacting. Long story short, I did alright at football and didn't get hurt AND we contacted the referral and will be setting up a lesson!

With General Conference coming up I want to challenge everyone to stay awake first of all and to listen to the talks that will be shared. Most of the crazy stuff I've learned out here has been from past talks and I know there is a lot of wisdom that comes from our leaders. I always think of the fact that they commit their lives to this and they wouldn't do it unless it was true. I love all y'all and thank you for your support in this work. Have a good week.

Elder Rogers el Texicano

Caught him sleeping haha!

Zone Conference with Elder Jacob (we went to school together)

Some members showing us their new dirt bikes.

The Waterway

There  ate Alex Boye heads all over our apartment...

Study area of the new apartment.  So much more room haha.

The Blue Fish (sushi restaurant)

More sushi.  The place made you feel rich.

Part of our area

Someone is really good at art and drew this on a board at the church.

We went fishing

Vultures everywhere as well

Suuuuuuper nice car

A member owns an Amish chair (actually really comfortable)

ROAD TRIP!

Sad thing about this email is it's the last time I get to use "the younger" in my name, it's crazy my brother will be homes soon!

Anyway this week was spring break so there was no college work,  however we got to go to Texas A&M and have a meeting with other college missionaries about ideas to talk to people, it was pretty fun. After we went to a gas station the size of a Wal-Mart that had dozens of gas pumps!

Wednesday (Happy B-day dad!) Was the 8 week mark for me and the other Elders. We had another meeting and got to learn what we could from the seasoned missionaries.

Sunday night we went tracting and we found three new people that were interested in the gospel! It was part of our plans to get three new and it actually happened which surprised me.

I just want y'all to know that I've seen this gospel bring joy to people and I know it can do the same for all y'all. Don't give up on God because he won't give up on you.

Elder Rogers the younger

Elder Hulet and his "girlfriends"

Inside Buc-ee's

Us hugging Buc-ee

Buc-ee's

At Pop-eyes (yes it was a mistake)

 Texas A&M Football field

The week I almost died

So Tuesday was very eventful. So if I haven't made it clear before, every Tuesday we go on a exchange with Elder Campbell and his companion but this last Tuesday instead of a two hour exchange we went on a 24 hour exchange. Some people are probably really chill with taking over the area when they first start their mission but for me it was extremely scary. Anyway it all worked out and we survived, that's all that matters!

Anyway during this week Elder Hulet and I went to teach one of our investigators and ran into the Sisters investigator as well and ended up teaching two lessons. The lesson started out with us four and then it split into groups of two and I got the Sisters investigator. He was struggling with finding the answer to his prayer and I got to share two of my experiences with prayer and how my answers came. The next day the Sisters said how the stories helped and they taught him about the Holy Ghost which really helped his understanding.

Funny things for this week were that Elder Hulet and I made about 16 cinnamon rolls and ate them all... yes I'm ashamed. Another thing is we did weekly planning which took a long time, not a fan of it haha!

Anyway on the campus we came across this guy who was in a wheelchair a little handicap but was able to talk. He talked to us about how he passed a test he was trying hard to do and also how honored he was to be able to talk to us. Probably one of the best people I've ever met, always happy and I pray he continues to do well in college.

Anyway to top this off with my testimony, I would like to talk about Repentance. It's something that I've been working to understand more and to be more familiar with. It's a hard thing for me to comprehend but something I'm also very grateful for. No unclean thing can be in God's presence and I'm glad he gave us repentance so that we can strive to be closer. Hope y'all use it and appreciate it.
Love all y'all!

Elder Rogers the younger

Elder Hulet approves this message

Drank soda and ate spaghetti during our weekly planning..

Came by some guys that can make almost anything out of wood and leather. Gave us a "Drop box"

Driving everywhere

 8 of the 16 cinnamon rolls

The park we ate at today

I ate a lot of Chicken this p-day

Best. Sushi. Ever.

I saw a three legged dog this week, the dog was way chill. Any how this week was pretty great, "lemme tell ya".

So Tuesday we were on the College campus and we met with a guy that Elder Hulet had procelyted into and we met up and shared the Restoration with him and everything was clicking for him. At the end of the lesson he prayed and when he was done he picked up the Book of Mormon and said "This is a new chapter in my life." It was an awesome lesson and we're meeting with him again this Tuesday.

Another thing that happened was that this great family who was taking us to dinner texted us and said pick where you want to eat. After looking at google maps for awhile we decided Benihana.. for all y'all that don't know what it is, look it up.

Another day when we were on campus was we tried doing this idea where we offered cups of cereal with Cinnamon Toast Crunch and taught them about Christ being "the bread of Life." Sadly the idea flopped but it was still pretty fun.

Last eventful thing for this week was that us and the sisters and the AP's went and helped cheer on and hand out shirts to marathon runners. That was a ton of fun.

I want to share my testimony with y'all that the Lord will answer your prayers no matter what, but that we have to be patient and willing. In Either 12:6 it says "... ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith." And I want to tell you that's absolutely true. Be patient and show faith and He will be there for you. Love y'all!

Elder Rogers the younger

Yes we actually did this, it didn't work.

Giving out cereal on Campus.

My scripture cases

Tiwi (driving restrictor) was making us angry so we put Jesus in front of it.

Marathon helpers

While knocking doors we ran into a Finnish guy who was working on a motorcycle. Two year project.

We lost Raco (Red Taco/Tacoma) and now we have Harambe.

Sister Stafford gave me Chocolates... uber good chocolates..

Ain't No Rest...

The reason for the title is I guess a few nights ago Elder Hulet woke up to me teaching him in my sleep. Who would've thought that would've been a thing? It's also been raining a ton! I wish that it could do the same to my home in Utah, then the grass would actually be a healthy green!

Anyway this week has been amazing. During the weekly Tuesday Splits with Elder Campbell, we went and visited a family that we had first visited the second night I arrived in Houston. We met with them the first time to help them understand the Book of Mormon better. We come back a month later and find out that the Husband received the Melchizedek Priesthood, blessed his baby, and they're going to be sealed in the Temple! I was so excited and happy for them that I almost cried. The joy of Eternal Families is something that I look forward to seeing everywhere I go.

Later in this week, Elder Hulet and I were going to teach an investigating family and were going to teach an FHE lesson. We were struggling what to do and were short on time, but after praying we were able put a plan together the best we could and the spirit was so strong in that home. The whole family could feel it and it has so far been one of the greatest experiences so far. Can't wait to see more!

Just want to leave y'all with my testimony that Heavenly Father loves us. He loved us so much that His son came down and sacrificed Himself so that we can return to live with Him and our families again and that is something that I know to be true. I love y'all and want to leave a challenge to serve someone this next week. Y'all have time for someone so don't be making excuse.

Elder Rogers the younger

My black [left] eye from last P-day. Don't worry it's almost gone.

Exchange with probably the happiest guy in Houston, Texas.

Before Rain 

After Rain (yes, it's the same area)

Lunch after exchanges at the Church.

Elder Hulet made me breakfast. What a stud.

So something I forgot to mention in the group email is that Elder Hulet and I have received a Singles Ward. The AP's used to have it but they were so busy no work was getting done, so they gave it to use and our area expanded about three times the size it originally was. It's crazy and we get to work on the Lone Star College campus. 

Elder Rogers the younger

Survival of the Fittest

So last P-day we ended up at a playground that was insane and did companion races. Not to brag, but I'm pretty quick haha, actually beat several Elders. It was kinda a throw back to a Get Air obstacle course with all my friends, crazy times.

Anyway we tried to save miles this week because one of the days we went tracting but walked around the corner and across one of the busiest streets to an apartment complex. Came in handy since Elder Campbell and his companion ran low on gas and needed a ride to places the next day. Also nice to get a good walk in, though I'd rather only do those at night, especially since it's getting hotter.

Same time while we were tracting, we we're about to come back and there was a guy on his balcony just enjoying the night. Elder Hulet asked if he wanted a picture of Christ and when he invited us up to give him one we got to teach him and his family a little bit. we will be returning this next weekend to do a Family Home Evening with them and in the process teach about the Restoration.

Thursday was awesome. So there is a church operated Peanut Butter Factory down here and they have companies come and work for service. We got to go down with another companionship and while we were on our way we got chick-fil-a for lunch. The factory was awesome and we were going to return Friday and do it with Hindu's but the morning of, there was a group that spilled peanuts everywhere and it contaminated everything so we didn't get to.. would've been cool though.

We also went to an old folks home and got to hang out with the Elderly women for Valentine's day. It was a ton of fun and definitely made my day better by hanging out with them and getting to know them.

Today was one of the sisters last P-days so our district got together and had a slight picnic and it was way fun. A bunch of the Elders did easy going wrestling matches and when I did I put up a fight, but lost to Elder Hulet.

Well that's it for this weekly email, but I truly know that the Holy Ghost helps us talk about the gospel with others. We went and taught a family that was a little interested and though I had no idea what to say but when I started talking I was guided with what to say. I love y'all, this church is true, and the Book is blue. See y'all next week!

Elder Rogers the younger

On our way to the Factory

Free Peanut Butter from the Factory after service

Our apartment was messy, but don't worry it's clean

NO MOUNTAINS!! Sad sight..

Lucky Charms shake at BK...Why?

 Our district

Eventually I'll have one

Ferrarri and other rich cars

Elder Christensen lost What are the odds

Outside table that Elder Hulet and I made