October 27, 2014

Holy cow I have already been in Ohio for 6 weeks. This transfer is over and I feel like I just got here.  I am loving my ward and my mission.  Being exactly obedient is the only way to live if you really want the spirit to guide you in everything you do.

Tuesday was temple day. All six Missionary's in my ward loaded up in a mini van and drove to the temple.  The temple here is really small and was packed. It made me so grateful that I have a big temple back home so close to me.  I really wish I would have gone more often and encourage all of you to make the temple a bigger part of your lives. It was such an amazing experience and I felt the spirit so strong and learned so much.  I had several questioned answered and going to the temple was exactly what I was needing.

Wednesday night was a blast.  A few months ago the youth in my ward were challenge to grow closer to Christ.  Each week they would share example of how they have been doing this and if they did certain requirements then they got to dump of bucket of ice cold water on the missionary's head.  It was like the coldest/funniest thing ever and I loved it.  I have several pictures but totally forgot my cable so I will try to send some next week.  I also had Elder Patch give me a haircut. Its a little crazy but I think I love it.  Ha-ha

Thursday- so earlier in the week we got a call from a brother that lives in another ward who told us about one of his friends that he took to go see Meet The Mormons. She was so interested in what Mormons believe because of how she felt as she watched the movie that she asked if he could find some and have us go over there and talk with her.  We immediately called her and set up an appointment and got to go talk with her.  She is amazing and has a handicapped son who is just awesome.  We answered a ton of questions about what we believe and then taught her a little about the restoration.  She is very interested in what we believe and invited us to go back and see her tomorrow.  I can’t wait. Members make the missionary work so much easier.

Friday we had another great lesson with James, he is progressing towards baptism and is very excited to be baptized.

Saturday morning we spent doing service for an older couple that got baptized just a few months ago.  I just love them.  We got to mow their lawn rake some leaves and cut down a few bushes.  It is always fun for me to do stuff like this because it is just reminds me of an average Saturday back home.  

Later that night we had Stake Conference.  It was such an amazing meeting and I loved it.  My Mission Mom and President spoke. They told the stake about how our mission is about to become a Facebook mission and about hastening the work.  It was amazing.

Sunday was stake conference, James couldn't come because he was going to his grandmas but this is the first week of church he has missed in the last month so I’m not worried.  The meeting was awesome and a lot of the talks were about raising your families in the gospel, I loved it.  They told us that there are 50 missionary's serving in just our stake. The work in Ohio is moving forward.  I love my mission and wouldn't want to be anywhere else.

Thanks for all of the emails and letters, they help tons. 

Love Elder Roper