Christmas in Jersey

The love I felt at Christmas!

December 29, 2014

        Christmas was awesome.  The presents I receive where amazing. They filled me up with so much joy because it reminded me how much you love me and that you are all taking time out of your busy lives to think of me.  Best Friends and family ever!  We had so much fun on Christmas with a breakfast to feed an army prepared by our wonderful senior couples.  I had probably 5 strips of real bacon.  It was so good. Though the best activity we did with the zone was making ginger bread houses.  We were under the impression that it was an activity that involved creativity, so of course my district went all out turning our gingerbread man into missionaries contacting a snow man.

            Christmas Eve we had 3½  dinner appointments.  I have never been so full in my life.  The last dinner appointment was a buffet.  We managed not to throw up, which is still a mystery to me because I didn't think I could make it out of there. Thankfully we never get fed like that.

            The best Christmas present of all was going to the temple in New York. It was incredible and I also got to eat a gyro from the street vender outside the temple.  If Aunt Estefania is wondering, I did not get it with lamb.

            I love you all so much and I'm so excited for what the new year will bring.  We are all united in Christ.

Love you all,
Sister Rogers

At at Christmas Party

Our Gingerbread House



Photos of my Zone

Celebration

Christmas concert - I sang a solo!

December 22, 2014

            I'm turning 21!  I never thought I would make it this far.  Getting older while on a mission is weird.  I still don't even feel like I'm 20 and now I have to add another number to it.  It’s weird to think that I would have been just now sending in my papers if the age changed hadn't happened.  That's how God works.  Thanks for all the presents that were sent.  I'll hopefully be able to write you after Christmas. 

            This year for Christmas we have rain, rain, rain, and a few snow flurries.  It is probably a good thing because it is super hard to park in Elizabeth. I regret failing the parallel parking on my driver's test because it could come in handy about now. 

            The Spanish ward and our branch combined for a Christmas party this year.  It was the most interesting church party I have ever been to.  Clowns, Mickey & Minney Mouse, and Santa came.  It also lasted until 11 at night so we didn't get to see how the food went, but apparently they ran out of food because there was 160 people at the party.  It was a bit crazy.

            So here is a picture of my new companion.  She is pretty cool and likes to try on crazy hats at the mall.

 

            I just wanted to end by saying I know Jesus Christ in my Savior.  There is something so special about this time of year when people decide to remember the one who makes everything possible.  Because of the gift he gave I have been healed of the pains that I have suffered.  I know he can heal you too.

 Sister Rogers

 

Transfer to Elizabeth

December 15, 2014

            I went to the beautiful land of Elizabeth.  I'm working in an English branch that also has a Spanish ward in the same building.  The area is so city with tons of people and the diversity is amazing.  Mostly we are the only white girls on the street.  The church building is not actually a church, but an old business building.  It is super fun to be in a branch.  Most of the members are actually Spanish that speak English very well.  The Lord has prepared this place for miracles to happen.

            My companion is Sister Clarke.  She has been out only 3 months and is super fun.  She loves to talk to everyone and enjoys pranks.  I am in trouble.  She is from Rigby, Idaho and loves to run, eat, and do crazy things. 

            So we live in an apartment with 2 other Spanish-speaking sisters.  It is a little different than my last apartment because instead of getting my own bathroom, I'm instead sharing one with three other people. It works out pretty well. 

Miracle this week:

            The church put out a new video called “He is the Gift” and as missionaries we have to share it with 10 people every day.  We stopped a man on the street and had him look up the video on his smart phone. During the video his appearance changed as the spirit of the Lord filled him.  He instantly wanted to share it with his Grandma.  He gave us his number all from watching a little video.  It really touched him.  I felt the spirit so strong.  Such a neat experience.

Sister Rogers

My new address is:

167 Elm St.

Elizabeth, NJ 07208   

Moving Day

Me and Sister Rigby

 December 7, 2014

So I don't have any time because we have to move a lot of things to the car to leave.

Our area is closing and I have not seen so many things in my life.  We took 2 car loads of just stuff.

Sister Rogers

Highlight of the week is I went bowling and scored a 95 miracle

 

Saying Goodbye

Princeton Stadium for Turkey Bowl

The Turkey Bowl at Princeton

 December 1, 2014

            We played football at an Ivy League college stadium – Princeton.  How much cooler can it get?  I even played.  “Don't Fall Over in Your Chairs.”  Sister Rogers actually ran around for an hour as people scored touch downs.  We even had some festive weather with the snow (My area didn't get any because we are too close to the shore).  My team won and I even dropped the football.  

            Thanksgiving dinner was amazing.  Sister Kniesler really outdid herself.  She made food for at least 10 people and there were only 5 of us.  My favorite dishes where bacon stuffing, broccoli and cauliflower casserole, and best of all a French onion soup thing.  I don't know how she made it so good.  I could have just eaten that for dinner and I don't even like onions that much.   We had two homemade pies, pumpkin and apple.  The potatoes and gravy where good, but I miss the Sadler version.

            We were quite satisfied with our Thanksgiving, but on Sunday night we had our second Thanksgiving surprise when a non-member (who has gone to relief society for 13 years) invited us over for dinner.  The turkey was as big as a medium dog.  Right before we ate she told us that the turkey was alive this morning.  She was at the farm and couldn't decide which one to choose until one of the turkeys flapped it wings.  You might say he volunteered as tribute. 

            Bishop Linares is the best bishop in the world.  We have recently been struggling to find new people to teach and we have been doing a lot of door knocking.  We asked him what we should do. He told us something I will never forget. "Sisters you have already done the hardest part.  You came here.  It is really our fault (the members) that you don't have anyone to teach."  That brought so much comfort to know that the work doesn't ride just on our shoulders but everyone has an equal part in missionary work.  That is something I want to try to remember so I can become the best member missionary ever.  It is such a blessing that the Lord is teaching me these things now.

            It has been so amazing to be a part of this ward.  I am going to miss it.

Check about this amazing video about the real meaning of Christmas.  It is so powerful

http://www.mormon.org/christmas?cid=HPFR112814529 

Sister Jersey



Me and my companion at the turkey bowl



My companion at the turkey bowl

Been Blessed

November 24, 2014

            The work isn't always easy.  Actually it is never easy.  That is what makes us grow.

            Well this week I've had a run-in with my lack patience.  The Lord has been trying to teach me this lesson my whole mission and I've had a hard time learning it.  We have been contacting at least 10 people a day and the promise that we received was that we would double our investigators.  It had been a hard week and half of contacting people with no success.  I was ready to give up a bit.  But thankfully the Lord blessed me with an amazing companion.  She talked to everyone, even those who were a little less than friendly.  This is not her typical nature but she decided to give up insecurity and do what the Lord asked her to do.  Mostly because of her, we were able to speak to over 70 people and we got some great potentials.  She is such an example of being patient in the Lord's time.  I'm so grateful to have someone like her to teach me that the Lord fulfills his promises.

            As we have been consecrating ourselves this month, it has been a new experience of sacrifice.  I've discovered as I give up my imperfections (pride, selfishness and fear) to my Savior I have become a much better happier, person.  It has been a wonderful experience.  

            Sorry the letter is so short.  Our time was cut short.  I love you all and am so blessed to have you as family and friends.  Thanks for all the prayers.  I know they have carried me more than once.  I feel your love even all the way out here.  Have a great Thanksgiving.  I love you all.

Sister Rogers

Bury Your Weapons

​My First pair of shoes that I got a whole in. 
For awhile I put tape on the hole so rocks wouldn't get in. 
Missionaries wear down soles to save souls

November 17, 2014

            This week was great.  We talked to almost every single person we saw, which is something that has always been super-hard for me, but the Lord called me to “bury my weapons" just like the Anti-Nehi-Lehi people did.  My weapon has been fear.  I've tried to bury that weapon this week and we talked to 74 people this week on the street!  The Lord helps us to lay aside our weaknesses.

            A cool miracle on an exchange happened.  Sister Shiman and I had driven to find a less-active and as we got out of the car, I said hi to someone getting out of their car, but I did not try to talk to them.  I felt super-guilty.  But there is proof that the Lord gives second chances.  After we were unable to find the less-active, the same girl we saw before was walking her dog.   Miracle!  We talked to her and she was so excited to hear more about the message we had to bring.  God is always planting people in our path to help.  The greatest help we can ever give someone is the gospel.  

            On Saturday our appointment that we had set cancelled and being tired, I wanted to move our dinner up.  However, the Spirit had other plans; I am grateful for my companion who was listening.  We still needed 9 people to contact before we could go home, so I said a prayer pleading for people to be outside that we could talk to (people are sometimes annoyed when we knock on their doors.)  We found four people to talk to us, which was a saving grace.  Even the people behind the doors were nice to us.  The spirit was so strong as we drove home.  We had kept the promise that we made to Heavenly Father.

            We taught the young men this week how to teach the first lesson.  They did such a great job bearing their testimonies.  The spirit was strong, especially at the end where they each got to teach one other about the gospel.  They are going to be great missionaries one day.  Even those new 12-year-olds were so good.

Sister Rogers from the Shore

My New Companion

I got my ears pierced!

November 10, 2014

            Well I forgot to inform all of you, but I got my ears pierced a few weeks ago.  I don't know how I got the courage, but my companions had to hold my hand.  They even took a video of it.  

            Sister Rigby is from Rexburg, Idaho and her Dad works at BYU Idaho in the computer technology department. She is the oldest of four siblings with the next oldest being 17, 12, and then 10.  She love books and talking with people.  Sister Rigby has been out for 6 months, but she has spent all of those in the little area of New York that is part of our mission. 

            Sorry it is super short, but I need to go.  There will be more next week.  Hope you enjoy the pictures.

Sister Rogers

My new companion - Sister Rigby

My new apartment



Furniture inside my apartment

The chandelier

Out with the Old and In with the New

My old companions that left October 29th

November 3, 2014

            So change has come.  Transfers took 2 companions and brought me another awesome one, Sister Rigby.  She has so much energy it makes me tired just watching her.  We've had so much fun together.  This week was her first walking day with a walk about 4 miles.  It tired her out a bit, so that makes me really excited when we do the average walk of 8 miles on walking day.

            The miracle this week happened while I was comparing the updated ward list with the old one and I noticed a name that I had never seen before.  We scheduled to see them on Sunday, then at ward council the Bishop asked about them.  We felt the urgency of going to see the family by then.  We arrived at the house to find the Grandma there who is an active member of the church.  Her daughter (the member) was getting engaged to a Jewish man and that was why she was not home.  Though the daughter is not active, her 12 year old son was back in their last ward.  It was amazing how the spirit prompts up to find those who need us. 

Sister Rogers

Halloween

October 27, 2014

            I'm staying in Freehold.  This next transfer will mark me being in Freehold for 7 1/2 months.  If any of you recall, that is how long I stayed in my last area.  When all is said and done, I will have been in two areas for 15 months.  In my mission that is actually a super-long time to be in an area, especially for a sister, but I guess I'm just special.  

            Who is excited for Halloween?  In New Jersey the night before Halloween is called the Night of Mischief which requires us to be in our homes by 6:00 for safety.  So we should have a very fun holiday.  On Friday our ward had a trunk or treat/chili cook-off.  There were 19 different chilies to try with tons of corn bread.  I think I had 3 bowls of the best white chili ever.  Even Sy, our investigator, came, but being 80 he decided to stay away from the chili which probably was the best choice.

            Most Amazing spiritual experience:  We assigned Sister Ransom (our less-active) to give a lesson on forgiveness and repentance to us.  Having her teach to us is a bit unconventional, but we did it because she seems to do better when she is teaching herself.  Sister Ransom’s talk was so amazing.  She even taught me a thing or two about how much repenting is such a great gift to us.  Here are some quotes from her lesson:

·** Repenting is burning all your bridges in every direction except for the one that you are going to follow.

** When you feel like your drowning in life, don't worry; your lifeguard walks on water.

Well thanks for all your support.  I love you.

Sister Jersey Rogers

It is Fall

October 20, 2014

Happy Fall to Ya'll,

            This week I put my minimal math skills to use assisting in teaching a 12 year-old math.  It made me a bit worried about how long I have been out because of the confusion on my face as I tried to solve the problems.  

            Another skill that came in handy was my ability to clean gross things. Basically, a bathroom that hadn't been cleaned in at least 3 months (not my apartment) and a large area where plenty of used tissues resided.  I'm not trying to brag, but that place shined after I was through with it.  The apartment was my new comps, Sister Cobb and she had spent 2 weeks taking care of 2 sisters who had horrible sickness that caused many visits to the ER.

            There was also an amazing relief Society activity.  That involved emergency preparedness.  Everyone loved it.  We learned how to cook in Dutch ovens and what kind of supplies we needed to survive.  One of our less-actives, Sister Ransom, participated.  She has this cool idea of putting her driver’s license and all other important documentation copies on a flash drive so she can prove who she is if she ever has to leave.

            Well my companion is dying (she goes home soon), so for his last district meeting we all wore black like we were going to a funeral.

Sister Rogers

 

New Companion

October 13, 2014

            Well this week Sister Houghton and I got an extra addition to our companionship, Sister Cobb. (Pictures will come next week).  How we became companions was a bit crazy.  While tracting on walking day, we got a call from the assistants. My first reaction was emergency transfer.  I was terrified, but fortunately it was just getting an additional companion. Her companion had to go home due to medical reasons.  We were about an hour away from our apartment, so the sisters taking her said they would come pick us up.  It took longer than expected, so of course my brave companion took us to the front of the 7-11 and started waving to cars while singing hymns.  It was so ridiculous; I could not sing hymns because I was laughing so hard.  We did that for about 20 minutes.  I can testify that missions are 18 months of awkward moments.  

            We also had the neat experience of stake conference this week.  One of the Seventy came and spoke.  He made it an audience participation which is something that I have never seen at a conference.  It was a little like a college lecture.

            Sister Papin is doing so well; thanks for the prayers for her.  I know I have not mentioned her for a while.  She wasn't meeting with us for a while because her Mother has increased her dislike of the church.  Sister Papin decided that she needs this in her life, so things have been so much better.  

            Thanks for all the letter and emails. I will be writing everyone next week.  This has just been a busy transfer.

Sister Rogers

 



Me and Sister Houghton

October 6, 2014

            We watched “Meet the Mormons.”  It was an amazingly powerful reminder of who we are. I can't wait for everyone to see it!  Well, besides watching this amazing movie it also happened to be my year mark.  I am 1 in the mission.  Well let’s just say that is super weird because yesterday I was getting off a plane.  Now I only have one more session of General conference left before I go home.

            Well besides me being old this week, we taught the young men how to teach the first missionary discussion.  They did pretty well for never teaching anyone before.  There were a few times that it was really hard not to laugh, but I made it through with only a few smiles.  The ward plan is to make our ward an MTC for the young men and women.  

            One of our less-actives is quitting smoking.  She has gone over 2 days without smoking and she spent 8 hours in the church with us without anything but some gum.  We are so proud of her.  It is super hard to give up, but she wants to go to the temple.  The Lord is helping her so much and everyone has noticed a difference in her.  The light she has is shining forth.  She told us one of the keys to stop really any bad habit is to convince yourself that you are not losing anything, but gaining so much more.



Look at the new sparkly shoes Sister Scott gave us

              Sister Scotto, an elderly member, gave us the cutest sparkly shoes.  We visit her weekly and every time we complement on how cute they look.  Well to thank us for coming to see her, she bought us each a pair.  I love how much people desire to give.  It reminds me of Elder Holland's talk and it touched my heart so much.

Jersey Girl,

Sister Rogers

 

 

Memorable Zone Conference Led by the President of the Seventy

September 29, 2014

            Well this week is conference—it is so exciting.  I can't wait to hear from the prophets and apostles.  I feel so inspired every time we get an opportunity even to read the talks that are given to help inspire and bless us. 

            This week was Zone Conference and the president of the Seventy came and spoke to us.  It was incredible the words that he spoke.  He said that the church could double its member ship in 10 years.  When he said that it impacted me so much to think that if we really obey the prophet’s council, many people will experience the same happiness and joy we get from being a part of the Lord's kingdom here on earth.  Through my mission I have struggled with overcoming being shy, which is something pretty common for anyone that knows me.  But the most amazing thing is that with the Savior I have been able to take leaps of faith that a year of go would have made me shutter.  So there is hope for all of you that desire to share the gospel, but are maybe a bit nervous to do it.

            Well we will just say that this week was a trial of slow-moving progress.  Everything just happened so fast and before I knew it the week was done and our numbers didn't look as if we had done much.  However, we did do a lot of service.  We painted Sister Melendez’s wooden play house, which was a lot of fun.  Afterwards she opened up to us about how she wants to prepare herself for the temple, but there are a few obstacles standing in her way. Please pray for her. She really needs it.

I love you all.  

Sister Rogers

 

Jersey Shore

 

September 22, 2014

            Well it has been a beautiful week in New Jersey.  Lots of sunshine. For P-Day we went to the beach; it was so pretty.  

            On Tuesday we had the great pleasure of eating at our ward mission leader's house.  It was so funny all the crazy things that had happened there.  Sadly their little baby slipped coming out of the bathroom hitting his head pretty hard.  Besides that commotion, we still managed to have somewhat of a meeting.  The Relief Society president also invited us over for some awesome family history.  While there, we took a tour of her house, which was like taking a step back into another time.  There were so many photos on the wall that her husband’s ancestors had painted along with their pictures.  I was in antique heaven with things as far back as the 17^th century. 

            With the rest of the week so busy, we somehow managed to put all our appointments on Friday and we taught something every hour, which was spiritually draining and awesome all at the same time.  We unfortunately were teaching so long but a miracle happened and one of our appointments fed us dinner.  It was amazing how much God really provides for us.

            This week almost every less-active we talked to wanted to go to the temple without us even having to bring it up.  We are so excited for them to prepare.  It will be so cool.

I love you all.

Sister Rogers

 

Another Transfer in the Land of the Free

All ready for Church

Cutest dog in the world

September 15, 2014

            Well Sister Houghton cried in transfer planning because she was making her last planner.  I'm sad for her to, but the great thing is we have one whole transfer to stay together.  I know no one is surprised that I am staying because the Lord just wants me in my areas for a long time.  I will be in this area for 6 months.

            Not too much happened this week. We were finally able to make a breakthrough with Sister Papin and finally meet with her again.  We read in the Book of Mormon and the spirit there was so powerful.

            Things are still progressing with Sy (our Jewish investigator). Hopefully soon he will be able to come to church.  Please say some extra prayers for him.  I love serving in New Jersey. It is such a beautiful place with the most interesting people you could ever imagine.

            The Elders had a baptism yesterday for Justine, who is 22.  Strangely enough, she went to UVU and lived at Wolverine Crossing.  On her first Sunday here I got to talk with her and I befriend her.  She has such an amazing spirit and the gospel has put so much happiness in her life.  I love those moments were you get to see the gospel in action.

Sister Rogers

 

Dinner

Our exchange

Shopping

Walking 15 miles - the before picture

Nothing’s Better Than Jersey Food

 

September 8, 2014

        Wednesday we had an awesome day with our Sister Training Leader.  People kept stopping us on the road and asking for direction which somehow always leads into a gospel conversation.  One person that stopped us, Victoria, had gotten lost trying to find a new apartment she was applying for. We used the GPS to send her in the right direction.  Though she wasn't interested in hearing about the gospel, the spirit was super strong with her as we shared our faith.  Victoria only made it down the road a few blocks before she got lost again, so this time she followed our car to her destination.  

      I ate at my first diner in New Jersey it was called Four Seasons.  Jersey has the most diners in the world, so it was only necessary that I visit one. They had really good burgers.  The best of all was my companion also introduced me to disco fries! They are happiness covered in gravy and mozzarella cheese.  Best fries ever!  

      Walking day was another great surprise.  Because we were unable to find a ride to our appointment, we walked 15 miles. Then we had the privilege of eating the best potato salad ever (sorry Grandma) though the color of the salad was orange.  We came to find out why the potatoes were so good.  It was because they had about 2 tablespoons of bacon grease in them.  We are hoping to adapt the recipe to something a bit healthier. On the walk home, I drank water like a horse even taking some of my companion’s water.  Sister Houghton says I barely made it, but at least I have a new record for walking.  We had a few miracles along the way of course; we were able to teach two lesson.  One man even committed to baptism after we taught him the restoration lesson.

     Sunday I'm not sure how, but we end up with 2 dinner appointments.  We don't have very many members in our area, so the likelihood that two of them could manage to feed us on the same day was just not very likely.  After having dinners of fajitas and then chili with corn bread, I have never been so full in my life.  And just as I somehow finished my dinner, they bring out ice cream for dessert. There was no way in the world that I could say no to ice cream.  Let’s just say we rolled out of that member’s house.

Sister Rogers

Answers to Prayers

Me at Burrowes Mansion Museum

September 2, 2014

 

            We had an amazing lesson this week.  We were teaching one of our returning members about the temple and we asked her if she would pray about a day that she would enter the temple for the first time.  We were surprised to find that she already had a date in mind, July 2016.  We were so excited for her.  

 

            On Saturday this week we were having a bit of a rough day and our zone goal is that we are supposed to have a little stress free-time.  So we bought a container of ice cream and ate it on the beach. We happened to one of the few white people on the beach and we looked a crossed the water at New York.  It was so much fun!

 

            The ward has asked us to visit Sis Scotto who recently was moved into a nursing home.  On Sunday night we came to visit her and told us that she felt as if someone would come see her.  She was so happy.  The crazy thing was that we hadn't even planned to go see her.  God is so aware of all of us.  It is such a blessing to be doing his work.

 

            Well I finally got some pics for you.  The beautiful one in the blue is my companion.

 

Sister Rogers

Ice cream on the beach

 

Sister Scotto with her fabulous shoes and my comp



The beautiful one in the blue is my companion

We WON!

These are my zone leaders.  We won the baseball tournament. Go Zone 11
 

August 25, 2014

       Well My Awesome Peoples.  This week has been grand.  We went and picked our own peaches in the trees of New Jersey and the elders even made us a whole pie with the peaches they picked.  I was surprised,  too.  Today we went to the "Shore" as they say in Jersey.  We made a sort of sand castle with our district and just as a lady was taking a picture, a huge wave came up from behind us destroying our sand castle. Gratefully, we did not get to wet.

            It is incredible how God brings people to the church.  We heard a conversion story of a man who was a Catholic priest and dedicated 12 years of his life to it.  The sacrifice people make is stunning.  

            We had an amazing contact the other day.  We were walking to a potential’s home when we noticed a lady walking and holding a large dog in her hand while still walking a small dog.  It seemed a little strange so we started a conversation with her.  We just asked her some questions about God and shared with us a heart wrenching story about how she had lost many of her family members suddenly none of whom had any sign of death.  She is also in a marriage where she is basically in a prison and not allowed out of the house for more than an hour.  The spirit was so strong as she talked to us and afterwards she told us that she felt as if a burden had been lifted off her chest.  That had never happened before.  I know God put us there so that she could know that he cares about her.  It is such a blessing to be an instrument in the hands of the Lord.

            We are Spiritual Walking Faith Bombs.  Sorry the letter is short didn't get much time to email.

Sister Rogers