The Trio

What a weird week. Haha I love the trio!!! Sister Moore and Sister Johnson and I had a BLAST this week, it was so much fun!!! It was a crazy week though going back and forth working between Corning and Horseheads the whole week. It was really stressful not being in my area but it forced me to put my trust in the Lord and know that He would take care of these people and help me this upcoming week with more appointments and getting things back into the normal schedule. 

It was kind of a bummer week because Sister Moore got really sick. But since we were in a trio we would just drop her off at members houses so she could sleep while Sister Johnson and I went out and worked hah it was weird, but it worked! 

Lots of fun things happened this week though!:

-Jennifer was super prepared and willing to pay her tithing after she gets baptized.

-We had a ward party in Horseheads which was super fun and a member from Corning brought his investigator girlfriend that lives in Horseheads so it was cool!

Now for Brittany. This girl is my favorite. She is amazing. On Wednesday we took her to the YW Christmas party and she had so much fun! Friday we were able to read from the Book of Mormon with her over a Facebook skype lesson while we were in Horseheads. Then last night we went over and taught her the Word of Wisdom. She knew that it would be hard to live because of the people she hangs out with. But she committed to live it and at the end she prayed for Heavenly Father to help her live this commandment so she can get baptized! She's so solid and still preparing for baptism next month. I'm pumped for her! Also we were talking about the YW and I asked if she noticed anything different about them. She said "yeah. They're all SO happy." We pointed out that they're all so happy because they live the commandments of God and because they have the gift of the Holy Ghost. I know that I wouldn't be who I am today and how happy I am today if it weren't for the gift of the Holy Ghost and following the commandments of God. 

I love this gospel so much!! I've been working on reading the New Testament and I'm almost done! It's so good and I often find so many "pearls" (as President Rogers would say ha) in there! Then yesterday in church (I admit, I was having a pretty rough day yesterday morning just really unsure of a lot of things so I was not in the right mood to be at church or to learn from the speakers. I honestly just sat there trying to tune them out. It was one of those days where if I wasn't a missionary, I wouldn't have been to church. I was pretty bummed.) But luckily the Holy Ghost was working on me. I swallowed my pride and really tried to listen and have a better attitude. One of the speakers talked about her 22 year old daughter that had cancer 3 times and it eventually took her life. This is the scripture that she went back to: 2 Timothy 4:7 "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith." my pity party was immediately over. I know I'm so grateful to be a missionary and have this precious time to serve the Lord. So one day I can look back and say that I fought the good fight, finished the course, and kept the faith. That's what enduring to the end is all about. That's why Heavenly Father put it in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, for all of us to endure to the end. Sometimes it's easier than others but with faith in Jesus Christ we can endure all things with JOY! 

Love y'all and hope you have a good week!!

xoxo

Sister Rodriguez

P.S. I have so many funny quotes from the trio but my favorite thing that happened this week was the elders printed a picture of Elder Vorkink last week and put it on our car. So we took it home and made a shrine for him in our apartment, took a picture of it, printed it out and put it on their car... hahaha good times! 

Pics:

1. Bill (Recent Convert) had a shirt on a couple of weeks ago that said "My parents said I could be anything so I became a (bad word)" so I kept teasing him about it and telling him it wasn't appropriate so he said he was going to make a new shirt. So last night we went over and he had this on!! Hahaha the people spelled Mormon wrong so he's going today to get a new one but it was soooo funny. 

2. Sis Moore goes home this week :(

3/4. THE TRIO by Sis Johnson

More pics of the trio...

The district, we love and miss you Sister Solis!!!

Sister Moore went home so now Sister Williams is in our trio! Hahaha such a good pic.

Cradle of the Restoration

Hello! Honestly this week was a bit different. Just when I think I've gotten the hang of things, BOOM something else happens that keeps me on my toes. This week I am so sad to say that my precious companion Sister Solis is flying home today. She served her little heart out the best that she could and I am SO proud of all the effort that she put in and all the things she taught me in the time we were together. She truly gave every. single. thing. she had to the Lord. Unfortunately due to some health problems she was released as a full time missionary but I know she's going to be a stellar member missionary at home! I'm honestly so honored that the Lord called me to serve with her the last 4 weeks. 

Since she was going home, our mission president set up a trip for us to go to Palmyra and attend the temple and see all of the sites. We got to see the Sacred Grove, the Book of Mormon printing press (probs my favorite site), and the Hill Cumorah. How blessed am I to live in the cradle of the Restoration?? When Elder Stevenson came to visit our mission a while back he said "How lucky are you to serve in the cradle of the Restoration, no one else can say that" (besides the Rochester mission obviously but still). One thing that was cool though is how all of the sites were incredible, and yet they didn't strengthen my testimony. I didn't need to see the Sacred Grove to know that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ appeared to Joseph Smith there, I didn't need to see the Hill Cumorah to know that Moroni buried the golden plates there, and I didn't need to see the Book of Mormon printing press to know the miracle that the Book of Mormon is or that it's true. Those are all things I've already come to know are true because of studying the scriptures and praying to know. By the power of the Holy Ghost my spirit already knew the truthfulness of those things! (But it was freaking awesome to see where everything that we teach about actually happened)

I honestly don't have much else to say, this week has been STRESSFUL haha but for this next week and a half I'll be working with the STLs in Horseheads and covering my area as well so I'm in a trio with Sister Moore and Sister Johnson for the rest of the transfer which will be so fun! We've already had a blast! 

I just want to bear my witness that I KNOW that Joseph Smith was a true prophet of God. That he really did see what he said he saw. He did translate the Book of Mormon by the power of God and that sacred record is TRUE. It is Gods word, i know it. I know that Jesus Christ truly did restore His church through Joseph Smith. We are not some new church, but we are the same exact church that Jesus Christ brought to the earth 2,000 years ago. Any honest seeker of truth can come to know these things for themselves through reading the Book of Mormon and praying to know if it's true. I know these things are true and I say them in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen. 

Sister Rodriguez

Funny story:
We taught this lady the Restoration and Sister Solis was like "That's a pretty bold claim to make, to say someone saw God the Father and Jesus Christ" and the lady goes "Yeah, it's a little ballsy" HAHAHA I COULDN'T STOP LAUGHING IT WAS BAD 

Pics: 

(i have tons) 

1/2. Saying goodbye to my precious green bean. LOVE YOU SISTER SOLIS. 

3. Palmyra temple

4. Hill Cumorah visitors center

5. Book of Mormon printing press

6. I've dreamed of reading Joseph Smith History in the Sacred Grove for forever and I finally got to do it!!! SO much power in his words. 

More pictures

STRAIGHT UP JOY

Yesterday I gave a talk in Sacrament meeting on Alma 30:34 and I really focused on the JOY that comes from sharing the gospel. Sister Johnson (my STL) shared with us this week that joy stands for 

Jesus 

Others

Yourself

When we put Jesus first, then others, and then ourselves, we can experience joy. Also the elders can't stop laughing cause I got really pumped and excited in my talk and I said "this is STRAIGHT UP JOY" hahah I guess I should've been a little more dignified but I can't help but get excited when I talk about how much joy comes from sharing the gospel!!! 

Well this was another great week!! On Tuesday we had exchanges in Horseheads with our STLs which was a lot of fun.

Thursday we got to go to the Episcopal church in Corning where they have a Thanksgiving lunch every year. Sister Jerulli (a member of our congregation) usually takes the missionaries there to eat, mingle, and mainly to help clean up. Haha she couldn't take us but she told us about it and we got to go on our own which was really cool! We also got to have a tour of their chapel and it was BEAUTIFUL! Seriously so gorgeous, it was really cool to learn more about their faith! Also they had tons of religious books on these shelves that we were looking at (there were also two copies of the BoM there, heck yeah) and Elder Wright said "the funny thing is, not one of those books will tell you to pray about it" and that got me thinking. It's so true. A huge focus I have on my teaching and my tracting approaches is that we can each come to know these things for OURSELVES. I don't want anyone to believe any of the things I say. I want everyone to pray and ask God Himself if these things are true. We each have our own individual relationship with God and He is waiting for us to come to Him in prayer so He can guide us.

Also that day we went around and delivered cute little notes to our investigators and Less Actives telling them how grateful we are for them. WOW I love being a missionary. We had dinner at the Weilands which was AMAZING and then we headed over to Utica and spent the night in the mission home for our meeting the next day! 

Friday was return and report where all the trainers and trainees came together to see how things are going, etc. It was a great meeting. I'm so grateful for President and Sister Rogers and seriously all they do for us. They are incredible people! 

It feels like we were out of our area a lot this week haha but it was a good week! On Sunday we saw Brittany who's doing really good. She hasn't been coming to church so she isn't able to make her baptism date next month. We had her pull out her phone calendar and set her own baptism date for when she'll be able to make it. So her new date is January 13! Which we know she'll be able to make (But if you could all pray that she does make this date, that'd be great!)

Yesterday we taught Singing Time in Primary again which was SO FUN!!! I seriously miss being around kids so much. But also... THE TORRENCES CAME TO CHURCH!!!!! They're the best family. They were baptized right before I got here but they haven't been able to make it to church FIVE WEEKS IN A ROW. Which they have FELT. Things in their life have been going kinda crazy and all we can do is keep testifying of how they receive so much strength when they come to church to overcome the challenges that are going on in their lives. They were able to come yesterday and it was the best feeling to see them there! 

I love this work so much and I am so grateful for the JOY that it truly brings us in any situation, because when we focus on Christ, we feel joy. Hope you all had a great thanksgiving and don't forget to #LightTheWorld this Christmas season!! 

if you haven't seen the videos yet, check them out!!!

https://www.mormon.org/

Sister Rodriguez

Pics: 

1. WHEN YOU GET YOUR BEST FRIENDS WEDDING ANNOUNCEMENT IN THE MAIL I'M DYING. 

2. Thanksgiving!

3. My MTC comp and I at return and report

4. Beautiful New York summed up into one pic: Chicken riggies, garlic knot, and half moon cookies 

5. Ashley's "rules to being a missionary" 

Dreaming of a WHITE Christmas

... White as in white baptismal clothing!!! We're working so hard to help the people in this part of the Lord's vineyard enter the waters of baptism. It WILL happen! There are so many things happenin here we're so excited. 

You know you're in New York when you have an entire Zone Conference focused entirely on how to survive the winter months here hahaha! Good thing I only have a few weeks of it cause it's already getting really cold, which is no Bueno! 

At Zone Conference we talked about a cool concept of being "I will" vs "I hope" missionaries. That night, Sister Solis went out with the goal of saying "We will find 3 new investigators tonight" (it was Friday and we hadn't picked up any new investigators for the week yet) and guess what? IT WORKED. We picked up three new investigators, God led us straight to them, it was incredible. 

This week was just full of miracles though! Yesterday a member of our branch told us he'd love to come out teaching with us and to call him if we have any investigators that speak Chinese. Well what happened that SAME night? We picked up a new investigator that speaks Chinese and said we could come share more with him! God is so good. He really does have a plan and truly is in control.

Another highlight of the week is that we got to teach Singing Time in primary! Wow I forget how much I love being around kids! I almost cried a couple of times because the Spirit was so strong when they sang the songs and answered questions. I was amazed at their knowledge of the gospel! Huge tender mercy. 

Ashley!!!! A Less Active, Autumn, referred us to her friend Ashley who we are now teaching!! We are so excited about her. We went back to see her and the daughter who is 7 was so excited to read from the Book of Mormon! She was showing us the Restoration pamphlet that we had left with them and the pages were almost falling apart because it had been flipped through so many times. She went to the depiction of the First Vision and goes "This is my favorite picture". Ashley also accepted a soft invitation to be baptized!! So we're hoping to put her on date soon. 

xoxo

Sister Rodriguez

Funny story for the week... we accidentally drove to Pennsylvania one day this week hahaha OOPS. 

Pics:

We made "i'm grateful for" posters with the Torrences. The last one on Will's poster, next to the fire emoji, says "Church is lit" ... so true Will, So true. 

NY is GORGG

We went to the Rockwell museum earlier today and it was really cool! Here's a pic of one of my favorite pieces. 

Also here's a pic of me Calvert and Hansen posing like Spiderman

What do the Amish, Mormon Missionaries, and cows all have in common?

Y'all better pray they all stay warm this winter hahaha on Saturday Sister Solis and I were driving back from a dinner appointment out in the boonies and they have tons of Amish people as their neighbors and we were talking about how we wondered how they stay warm in the winter and same with their animals, but then we wondered how missionaries stay warm hahaha we have been praying for warmth, that's how! 

Well this week was great because I found out that KARIE AND MONISE GOT BAPTIZED!!!!! Two of my past investigators, both from Saratoga that I taught while I was there. While I'm super bummed I wasn't able to be there, I'm so incredibly proud of them and their decision to follow Christ. Truly the best feeling ever is knowing two of our sisters are back on the path to return to live with our Heavenly Father again. 

Cool little miracle this week: Our mission president really stresses having us out the door at 10 am and 6 pm exactly to show the Lord our faith and diligence in being exactly obedient. Well on Tuesday we usually have District Meeting, but since it was half mission conference, we didn't this week so we had nothing to do at 10. But we decided to go see a potential/former investigator we've been trying for forever. She answers the door but has never let us in. Well on Tuesday God blessed us for being diligent for being out the door at 10 and we saw Lisa and she let us right in and we were able to pick her up as a new investigator!! huge miracle.

Thursday, Elder Kim B. Clark from the 70 came and visited our mission for a half mission conference. It was really great and I learned a lot from him! Those meetings are always super humbling and yet encouraging to help us be the best missionaries we can be. The conference was from 9-4 and yet it took ALL day since we live so far away. It was in Syracuse so we left at 6:30 am and didn't get home until 9:15 pm hahaha it was kind of a bummer because we had to miss two of our appointments. But it was a great day!

Sunday we got to go to Owego for Stake Conference! Elder Clark also spoke at that so it was a great meeting. He focused on how when we take the Sacrament we remember Christ's perfected body, but how He still has His scars to remind us of His suffering for us. I'm really excited to take the Sacrament this Sunday and focus on that. The way he put it was really cool. 

We also saw Brittany and read from the Book of Mormon with her. She is on date for baptism for December 16th! She is so sweet and I love seeing how Christ changes us into much happier and peaceful people. She has such great retention and I was so impressed with her memory. TEACHING THE GOSPEL IS SERIOUSLY THE FUNNEST AND BEST THING EVER. Seeing people have a desire to learn more is the best. I love that feeling. 

One more cool experience!!! A few weeks ago a member gave us a referral to go try her friend. It wasn't a super solid referral but we decided to go try her anyways. On Sunday on our way back from Stake Conference we stopped by and found her house (miraculously cause no one has house numbers in NY ha). We just used a tracting approach and she let us right in and we shared the Restoration with her, she took a Book of Mormon, and said we could come back this week! It was such a great experience. This work CANNOT be done without members help. I want to encourage ALL of you to pray and ask God to help you find someone that the missionaries can teach. And then talk to anyone He puts in your path. Elder Clark taught us 2 golden questions to help with this. He said members should ask their friends 

1. "What do you know about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints?"

and 2. "Would you like to know more?"

I know it seems scary to talk to people about the Gospel but this is the Lord's work and you cannot fail!!! If you sincerely pray for a missionary opportunity, the Lord will help you! Remember, it's the missionaries job to TEACH full time, but it's the members job to FIND full time. YOU can do it. The Lord can use YOU to help further this work along! There is no greater joy than sharing the gospel with others. I'll be praying that each of you are able to find someone the missionaries can teach. (I promise it'll make the missionaries day if you tell them you have someone for them to teach) 

Love y'all!!

Sister Rodriguez

P.S. 

Elder Baum: "You could knock on someone's door in NY at 3 am and they'd say 'oh sorry we're just sitting down for dinner'" -that right there is the cold, hard truth

Elder Gavito: "If you say you don't McDonalds, that's like saying the gospel's not true. It just doesn't make sense." -also the cold, hard truth. 

Pics: (there's a lot this week)

1. You know you're in Corning when... (I took this pic for you Sis Jenkins)

2. Sister Solis!!!! We got Poppletons. So good. 

3. CORNING

4. Shout out to ya boy Parker for sending me my FAV gummy worms from Disneyland

5. HAPPY BIRTHDAY PACKAGE FROM MY MOM TO SISTER SOLIS WHOOO

Sister A. Hall (ft. sis M. Hall in the back) 

Sis Park

The truest homies ft. Calvert, Hansen and Hoyt

Sister Solis

CAMPY (I'm convinced she's the reason I was sent to NY)

Shulz, Park and Campbell.  My heart.  

Rain rain go away!!

Literally everyone knows how much I hate the rain and dark skies so basically y'all already know it was a pretty tough week for me! But luckily I have Sister Solis (my new comp) to help remind me of all the little things I usually overlook as a missionary. She reminds me of a beautiful place that we're serving in, how we're here to share the Saviors love for the people, 

This week was particularly tough because we worked SO HARD! We were so obedient and so diligent and yet nothing happened. It was one of those weeks were you work harder than ever before and yet your numbers are lower than ever before. (it's a good thing it's not about the numbers and that the Lord knows our efforts) but it's still tough when you have nothing to show for it. 

So to keep me from complaining I'm gonna list a couple of the highlights/things I'm grateful for in this week: 

-Mooneys mac n cheese

-Sister Jenkins (I already miss her so much) 

-being able to find the dump so we could recycle (thanks to Vermont for drilling recycling in me)

-Halloween trunk-or-treat (and being the judges of the dessert contest #blessed)

-having 3 lessons sister Solis's first night here

-Joey saying how the Plan of Salvation "makes sense" and it matches his idea of who God is

-Brother Wood committing to coming to church this month (for the first time in 10 years)

-Jennifer

-Reading the Book of Mormon with the Torrences. Chara: "We can read one more chapter. We can read another one. Want to read one more?" 

-Brittany changing her life

-CHURCH (especially getting answers to prayers at church)

-Having 2 awesome lessons last night where we were able to apply what we role played earlier that day.

When I look back it really was a great week and I'm just grateful to be a servant of the Lord! I'm constantly reminded that this is about Him. I'd like to leave with my testimony that I know Jesus is the Christ. That He is our Savior and Redeemer. Life would be pointless without Him. I know Him and I love Him. 

I leave that in His name, even Jesus Christ, Amen!

xoxo

Sister Rodriguez

P.S. I of course have a couple funny quotes: 

me: "This is one of my favorite scriptures"

Jennifer: "you say that about all of them" 

me: "true"

Me: *ending weekly planning prayer(which is the longest prayer)* "amen. ..... Sister Solis? Did you fall asleep?"
Solis: "Yeah... the last name I remember is Payton." hahahaha

Sister Solis: "I wrote in my journal 'missionary rule number 1: everyone and everything is weird'" 

haha welcome to New York! 

Pics: 

1. Mooney's Mac n Cheese (iconic)

2. Please excuse the terrible face I'm making but THERE'S A BYRNE DAIRY IN CORNING #BLESSED

3. my whole heart