Lay Hold of Every Good Thing

Hello!!

 

I cannot believe we're getting to the end of October! Where has the time gone??? I am so grateful for the opportunity I have had this week to put the name badge on each day, and even more importantly to wear it on my heart too!

 

This week I have learned so much about how it is only through the Saviour that we can lay hold of every good thing. And, all good things come of Him. I loved learning this, because many times in my life, I have failed to lay hold of every good thing. I have only layed hold to a part of it. But, in this scripture it clearly shows the way we can to this.

Moroni chapter 7 says:

 

19 Wherefore, I beseech of you, brethren, that ye should search diligently in the light of Christ that ye may know good from evil; and if ye will lay hold upon every good thing, and condemn it not, ye certainly will be a child of Christ. 20 And now, my brethren, how is it possible that ye can lay hold upon every good thing?
21 And now I come to that faith, of which I said I would speak; and I will tell you the way whereby ye may lay hold on every good thing.
22 For behold, God knowing all things, being from everlasting to everlasting, behold, he sent angels to minister unto the children of men, to make manifest concerning the coming of Christ; and in Christ there should come every good thing.
23 And God also declared unto prophets, by his own mouth, that Christ should come.
24 And behold, there were divers ways that he did manifest things unto the children of men, which were good; and all things which are good cometh of Christ; otherwise men were fallen, and there could no good thing come unto them.
28 For he hath answered the ends of the law, and he claimeth all those who have faith in him; and they who have faith in him will cleave unto every good thing; wherefore he advocateth the cause of the children of men; and he dwelleth eternally in the heavens.

I've italicized my favourite parts of this passage. EVERYTHING is centered on the Saviour, and how through Him we can achieve eternal life.

I am so grateful for the many miracles we have seen this week. I'll write 2, and you'll justt have to hear the rest from me in a couple of weeks.
L4. We met L4 GQ'ing on Wednesday and he seemed like a pretty cool guy. He had grown up with a belief in God, but due to family problems had lost his faith. As Sister Miller and I were talking with him and trying to help him understand how the Saviours atonement is for everyone and that there is hope and healing waiting for him if he chooses to accept it, I was overhwelmed with Heavenly Fathers love for this man, who was hurting so deeply. We tried so hard to set up a return appointment/details, but he wasn't having it. We ended up just giving him a card with our number on it, in hopes that he would contact us and the spirit would soften his heart. Thursday morning we woke up to a long text from him. He said he had been thinking for hours about our conversation on the street... and that we wasn't ready yet to believe that the Saviour can help him. He thanked us for changing his day and sharing a friendly smile with him. He said he couldn't remember the last time a stranger smiled to him on the street. I was so incredibly humbled as I read this text and so grateful that Sister Miller and I were able to be instruments in the Lord's hands.
A6. A6 is a huge miracle! He showed up right after church ended on Sunday and was asking for us. Sister Mohr and I met him on July 11, almost 4 months ago! We tried meeting with him for a few weeks, but it never panned out and contact was lost. Then he just randomly turned up at church! He said that when we woke up, he had decided to come to church and nothing was going to stop him from doing it! He knew vaguely where the church was, and was anxious to come. He was taught in Ireland a year ago and was almost baptized. If you ask him, he'll say he's mormon. and now, he soon will officially be one :) MIRACLE! Only bummer is, he now lives in  the Elder's area... so we won't get to teach him. But that's ok, it doesn'y matter who does the teaching as long as it gets done!
Here are some pics:

 Me standing on one of the towers of Lincoln Castle, with Lincoln Cathedral in the the background :) we had such a fun p-day at the castle/catherdral. We got to see the dungeon too!!!

 Some yummy German Christmas bread called Stollen... my german companion is getting me hooked on german things!!

Life is so so so so good :) This should be an exciting/ busy week :)
Love,
Sister Roscher!

A God of Miracles

Well, opening up my emails this week and seeing the good news waiting for me pretty much just confirmed what I was going to write about this week! For all of those who know me, finally getting into a nursing program truly is a miracle!! (Sister Roscher found out she was accepted to SUU's nursing program this week!) I won't lie... I might have shed a tear or two at the computer... Heavenly Father is just so good to me! He not only gave me an incredible mission experience, but He's provided something for me to do when I go home too!

 

On to some other miracles!

 

This week has been such a happy week. I have learned and felt so much!

 

Some of the miracles we have seen this week (in no specific order):

 

Teaching J2. He's pretty incredible and has very strong faith in Christ. It was a little bit tricky because his English isn't so great, but hey, the Spirit is the greatest communicator. It transcends any human made language.

 

We also had a first lesson with D5 this week. He is a potential from several weeks ago that we just managed to meet with. It's actually funny, because we couldn't quite remember who he was... so we were just starting from scratch. It's actually pretty cool, because the D5 we met a couple weeks ago and the D5 we taught this week are two very different people. He's got a truly sincere heart and real intent. He feels like most of his life he's been in a dark place and he's ready to get out of it.

 

We have working breaks on our bikes now (thank you, Elders!) We've had some fun, but scary moments biking down the hill with less than steller brakes. We have definitely been protected!

 

Each and every person we have met this week has truly been a miracle...I am so lucky to have the privilege of meeting and teaching these wonderful children of God. Heavenly Father is so aware of their needs and all that they need in their lives. We as missionaries are there to help them. They need to be made whole through the atonement of Jesus Christ (as we all do) and we are the Lord's authorized servants to teach the restored gospel to non-members. How incredible! The message (and commitments) we bring give them the opportinuty to choose to be made whole.

 

Something I have observed a great deal as a missionary is the love which keeps the world moving (charity- or the pure love of Christ). Sometimes I have been a bystander, sometimes the extender of the love and sometimes the reciever. In all situations the truth which Presdient Monson taught 2 conferences ago has been confirmed to me. Love is the essence of the gospel.  I have had countless experiences where this has been confirmed to me. I've seen it in missionaries who go above and beyond to help and lift others, even when they are bone-weary and struggling themselves. I've seen it in a faithful visiting teacher, who quietly goes about ministering to those she is assigned to look over, who works miracles through her efforts. And I've seen it in so many more people.

 

I love this work.

 

Sister Roscher

 

 Kinder surprise!!! A snack on the train :)

 A delicious Sunday dinner

*** Sister Roscher's homecoming talk with be at 1 pm, November 9th in Chubbuck, Idaho. If you'd like to attend, comment below or send a message to Meghan's account on Facebook***

I hope this email finds you all well! It's hard to believe that we are getting towards the middle of October. I'm not sure where the time went!!

 

This week has been a pretty incredible one. It's been full of laughs, joy and miracles! I have just been so happy doing the work! It truly is amazing.  

 

This gospel is one of happiness. When we choose to live the gospel willfully and joyfully we experience more happiness then we ever thought possible. We see things with different eyes than we did before and we are able to take on anything which may crop up in our lives.

 

This week, I want to focus my email on the Saviour. Through the many experiences which I have had in the last 17 months, and specifically in the last couple of transfers, I have really gained faith in my Saviour and in His power to make all broken things whole, to lift us to heights we never thought possible, and to change every circumstance and situation to work together for our good.

 

My love for Him has grown so much in the past 17 months. He has been with me through so much and has helped me have peace and happiness. This is His church. And when our faith is truly united in Him and the miracle of His life, ministry and atonement we cannot fail!  I have felt it and seen it my life.

 

A couple of cool miracles of this week:

Sister Mohr and I found a potential investigator over 3 months ago. His name is J3.  We introduced ourselves and gave him the Book of Mormon and committed him to read it and learn more. He lived in the Elder's area, so we passed his contact details over to them and then contact was lost. I didn't think too much about it, because this happens all the time. This week his name popped into my head, and I thought that I should call him. The first 2 times I put the prompting aside because his phone number was back at the flat, which we were away from, and it wasn't a convenient time to make calls. Then Saturday, Sister Miller and I were committed by our disctrict leader to find someone to bring to church. By about 5 o'clock we were starting to get desperate. We had faith the Lord would provide a way as we talked to everyone we saw and invited everyone to come to church,  but we were a little at a loss. All of our normal finding areas weren't panning out very well. So, we said a prayer. I very clearly had his name pop into my head. This time I took it seriously. We headed home to eat dinner and called him during dinner time. And, he's so cool!! He's been reading the Book of Mormon every day! We're meeting with him Tuesday. I had forgotten about this man, but Heavenly Father had not. And he knew exactly who was ready to hear our message!  

 

All I can say is that Atonement is real, that it works miracles,  and that sharing the gospel is amazing!!!!

 

 On exchanges this week

 

Love you all!

Sister Roscher

The Things I Love :)

*** As of today there is less than a month until Sister Roscher will be home! November 5th will be here before we know it***
 
This week has been kind of a blur... I don't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing!

We struggled to meet with our investigators this week which is always dissappointing, so I really only have A3 to tell you about this week.

We've needed to teach her the Law of Chastity for a couple of weeks now, and we knew it was an important commandment for her to begin living immediately, but over the past couple of weeks it just never felt right. We'd plan for it then feel that we needed  to teach something else instead. It just never seemed right. This week we finally found the right time and the right way to teach her this important commandment Heavenly Father has given us. The Spirit was there as we taught her and I know without a doubt that we were able to teach it to meet her needs and in such a way that it stengthened her faith and her self-worth in the process.  It was a cool experience because Heavenly Father knows our investigators so much better than we do. He knows what they need and when, even if it defies logic sometimes. (The same thing applies to us!)

This week I have learned so much about compassion and how it is one of the things which Heavenly Father wants us to learn. I particularly liked what Henry B. Eyring said: 

"It is a human characteristic to become hardened to the pains of others. That is one of the reasons why the Savior went to such lengths to tell of His Atonement and of His taking upon Himself the pains and sorrows of all of our Heavenly Father’s children, that He might know how to succor them.Even the best of Heavenly Father’s mortal priesthood holders do not rise to that standard of compassion easily. Our human tendency is to be impatient with the person who cannot see the truth that is so plain to us. We must be careful that our impatience is not interpreted as condemnation or rejection." I've italicized my favourite parts of this quote.

We all go through times in our life where we experience growing pains (well, we actually constantly are) and this has definitely been one of those weeks. I've been up and down and all-around, but in the end, and with the help of general conference and personal revelation I have a clearer understanding of the things which Heavenly Father wants me to learn and do. And while coming to this understanding was no easy thing, and will demand my best efforts to accomplish, I know He will help! His way is the only way to true and lasting happiness!!!

A scripture that I particularly liked in my study this morning : D&C 67:13 "Ye are not able to abide the presence of God now, neither the ministering of angels; wherefore, continue‍ in patience until ye are perfected."

What peace this scripture brings to me! I am not perfect... I am far from it. BUT I can continue in patience with myself and with others around me and know that I can and will be made whole through the atonement of Jesus Christ! 

And as for general conference, I don't even know where to begin. It was truly uplifting and edifying! :)

I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY!

Sister Roscher

 Sister Miller and I after interviews

Ok.. it might be hard to see, but it's the coolest district picture ever!! All of our name badges in the front, and then us in order in the background. One of the others has a better picture... I'll have to try and get it!

 This is a picture of the kitchen in our new flat. I'll take better pictures this week :)

Eating porridge with the toothbrush because we had no utensils or fridge... Now we do!

I'll now attach some pictures in a couple different emails!

1-

2-ok.. it might be hard to see,  but it's the ocolest distrcit picture ever!! all of our name badges in the front, and then us in order in the background. one of the others has a better picture... I've have to try and get it!

I Like to Move it, Move it

This week has been mental! Amongst the other craziness happening we managed to still teach lessons and find some cool new people. I don't know how we did it though!

 

Monday was spent packing, moving, getting the keys for our new flat etc. and at a dinner appointment. Tuesday we had a really busy day with appointments and didn't have time to do any packing or cleaning. We did have 2 really amazing  lessons though. One was with Sz, who is so cool! It was our first lesson, and right off the bat she said through her life experiences she's learned to recognize the sSirit and knows Heavenly Father is there, but she feels like the missing link in her spiritual progression is Jesus Christ. I literally almost cired when she she that. Jesus Christ is the center of our message and the center of the plan of salvation. She came to the right place to strenghten faith in Christ, that's for sure! She's what I would dub a golden investigator!

 

We also had an amazing lesson with A3 this week and I could tell that she really understood and could feel the things we were teaching her! It was the first lesson with A3 that we walked out of and I 100% felt it went the direction and way that it needed too, and she was glowing at the end of the lesson. It was such a good feeling!

 

Another cool moment: This guy F4 we stopped on the street is SO cool. He's a phD student here at the University of Lincoln and is very very christian . We had a really good conversation with him and explained briefly the restoration and the Book of Mormon and gave him a copy. He was eating it up! It just made me so happy to see! What's even more amazing is he said he couldn't shut the door on out message until he'd studied it and prayed to know if it was true. His academia had taught him to never rule anything out until he's researched it thoroughly!

 

On a lighter note, we had a couple of funny things happen with the move-

 

We had no utensil's, no fridge and no beds for a day or two, a whole lot of unpacking and furtinure assembling and some seriously funny things! It's been an adventure.

 

Also, on Friday night I ended up at the accident and emergency (the ER) because I fell off my bike and rolled my ankle really bad. I heard it crack twice and thought I'd broken it. A couple of nice strangers in cars who saw the accident pulled over, got me into the car, locked our bikes up and gave us a lift to the hospital. Nothing serious, just a bad sprain. I'm pretty sure I was protected, because it was a bad fall. Our ward missionary and the Elders saved the day (well, night really) because they gave me a blessing and went to rescue our bikes so they dind't get stolen. My ankle is feeling better every day though!!! 

 

I'll have to send you pictures next week because we only got an hour to email this week due to the library being closed in the morning :(  Our flat is way nice though.

 

This week should be a really exciting one :)

 

Love you guys!

Sister Roscher

Good Gifts

This week I think the theme has been recognizing that God only gives good gifts. There have been many gifts this week, some I (being my natural self) would classify as good, others bad. But, I have a testimony that He only gives us good things. As I have reflected on this during the week I have come ro realize- they're all good!

 

Some of the gifts of this week:

- Hannah (and amazing YSA) took us mini-golfing and our for ice cream on P-day last week. It was so much fun and I enjoyed doing something a little different then the usual. 

- Through my intensive studying and marking in the Book of Mormon challenge, I am coming closer to my Saviour. I feel His life changing mine to be better. I see His role as the Saviour and Redeemer, as the Son of God in a much more far-reaching way. Step by step it's changing from the Saviour to my Saviour. 

- Heavenly Father is opening doors for the work in this area. We've been so busy this week, not onlyt only teaching lessons to investigators but also contacting and teaching less-active members. One of them really needs contact with the church and has already been taking steps (like reading the Book of Mormon on her own before we knocked on her door). She also has a 10 year old daughter who would like to take the missionary lessons with the intent to be baptized. What a beautiful miracle!

- Another is a woman, S2, who used to be a member of the church. She has not been a member for over 10 years though. Through life experiences and a new boyfriend though, she brought herself back to church and introduced herself to us. We were able to go by and teach her and her boyfriend, R5, who is Methodist. He had never heard of Mormons before or of the Book of Mormon. We are excited to teach them both! The other cool part of teaching them? They both live on canal boats!!! There are loads of canals here that people live on. It feels very much like being in a caravan (trailer home... I can't remember the American English word for it???) when you walk on. I can officially say I have taught people on the land and the sea hahaha

- D4 is doing well. He is still making progress in the right direction. He unfortunately won't make his date for baptism this Saturday but he will definitely be baptized. We're hoping for the 12th of October. We watched the Restoration DVD with him this week and he loved it. He also accepted the law of tithing in a heartbeat, which truly was a humbling experience for me because he's got so few earthly possesions and not a lot of money, yet he's willing to give 10% to the Lord.

-A3 is doing better than we'd hoped. We'd lost contact with her for about a week and a half and we had really been worrying about her. When we lose contact with people it's usually not a good sign. However, she's doing good! She's been reading and praying and has just been out of town a lot and ill. We hope that this week we will see her faith continue to build and that she will be able to come to church again.

-This one brings a tear to my eye. On Sunday, a YSA who had been inactive for over a year came back to church for the first time. I don't know what happened in his life, but he's back and he wants to stay. The look on his mother's face when he walked into the building,the way she continued to glow throughout the rest of our meetings, and the warm welcome back from all the ward members were so touching to see. It's never too late! And, when people come back we should always welcome them back and extend a warm hand of fellowship and support. Coming into the church for the first time (investigators) and coming back to the church after a long time (less-actives) is often challenging and scary at first- they need our support!

-Lastly, we're moving flats!! It's transfers on Wed. and Lincoln is getting another set of Elders. So, there will be 2 sets of elders and one set of sisters. We are moving to a new, very nice flat ( I know because we were the one's who did the viewing for it) right on top on the only big hill in Lincoln. We're pretty excited. We'll be working in a new area, but still know the ward. I'll send some pictures of the new flat  when we move in. Not only is it bigger and nicer, but I'll be in really good shape from biking up and down the hill all the time! :) We should move in tomorrow (hopefully) because the Elders have to move into ours on Wednesday.

 

I hope you enjoyed this really long email!

Here are some pictures:

 

 Mini Golf!

 We found Aslan!

 

Love you all!

Sister Roscher

The Living Water

*** We found out Sister Roscher's release date! She'll  be home November 5th- that's only 51 days away :) ***

Family, this week has just been amazing. I don't even know where to begin! It started off with a fun district P-day and then Zone conference on Tuesday. Zone conference was back in Leicester! I've been so blessed. In the past 3 months I've been back to Leicester twice for various things.

 

Zone conference was absolutely inspiring, and helped me recognize just how amazing it is to be called and set apart from the world as a missionary. Miracles happen each and every day. We are not alone in this work!

 

This week was filled with constant spiritual nourishment. I can only begin to describe even a small part of the things I learned. 

 

A couple of things I really liked from Zone conference : 'No pain, no gain' a common, but true saying. If we're not experiencing some pains, then we're not progressing and growing.

 

Another: 'Total conversion is total repentance.' A pretty cool statement which I think we all can benefit from.

 

From the European women's broadcast:  Elder Bednar challenged/promised us that if we read the Book of Mormon and we look for (and mark) all the references to the Saviour and the Atonement "You will find Him, know Him and increase your dependence upon Him." What a powerful promise from an apostle of the Lord!  My companion and I have taken this challenge and are reading the Book of Mormon from start to finish together, underlining the references we find. It's been amazing already and we're only on page 50!

 

Stake conference: Elder Massimo DeFayo from Italy was presiding, and it was amazing! All the speakers were amazing and had definitely qualified for the Spirit as they presented their messages. 

 

Elder DeFayo talked a lot about having real faith. and something he said has struck me very deeply "Miracles don't depend on how big the problem is, but rather how real our faith is."

 

He then proceeded to give 3 steps to seeing the miracles in our lives :

1- Don't listen to the voices around you. Focus on you individual relationship with the Saviour.

2- Keep the commandments- qualify for the Spirit by obedience

3- Develop faith that is stronger than the circumstances of life.

 

It has been an uplifting and edifying week.

 

Along the way we have also seen miracles with some of the people we're teaching! N3, our very decided atheist, isn't going to be atheist for much longer if the Spirit continues to touch his heart like it did in our lesson on Wednesday. It was a powerful teaching experience!

 

D4 came to the evening session of stake conference and really loved it! He'd been having a bad day and didn't want to come, but we promised him if he came he would feel better and happier and guess what? He came. And at the end of the broadcast, he was practically glowing!

 

This week our schedule is already looking pretty full, so it should be an exciting one! Can't wait to tell you all about the miracles we will see as we apply our faith more. This is His work. And it is such a privelege to be serving Him at this time, to be an instrument in His hands.

 

Now, for some pictures!  

 

 Pre-Stake Conference picture

 This is a really cool war memorial we stumbled upon!

 Look at the rays of light in this picture! Isn't it pretty?

 With a couple of amazing YSAs (Tammy and Hannah)

 Swindon-Reunite!

 

Love,

Sister Roscher

The Saviour's Way

Family, this week will be a short email because we don't have a lot of time (district P-day). Here's a quick update!

 

Things are good. A3 felt the spirit when we taught her about temples and family history and it was a really powerful lesson! She's slowly coming around :)

 

D4, is still studying and keeping commitments like crazy, the only sad thing is he's unemployed and has been temporarily extended a job that requires he works on Sundays. We're praying and he's praying that he will be able to find a job that will allow him to still come to church. I have complete faith that it will happen. Heavenly Father helps provide a way for  us when we sincerely desire to keep his commandments.

 

We had some pretty cool conversations with random people on the streets this week. Something that I always love is when we find people that 1) already have great faith and 2) are actually practicing the faith which they adhere to. It makes me so excited!

 

This week we also had a ward service project on Saturday morning. Ward service projects are the best! It's when we actually practice what we preach and get out there in the community and help! There is a special spirit in uniting together as a ward and serving somewhere in the community. I learned how to weatherproof a fence from doing it too :P

 

Something I have learned a lot about this week is the Saviour's way. Part of the reason that the gospel inspires us to become something more is because of how it gets us out of our comfort zone, changes us to be better and helps us overcome the natural man. For example, one I have been thinking about: We are commanded to love. Love God and love our neighbor. It is easy to love those we already love. Family, cute little babies, those who are humble and sick etc. But the difference? From the Saviour's example we see it's not just enough to love those that are easy to love, but to love our enemies too!! It seems to be the harder way, which stretches us and demands more of us. But from doing so we actually receive the greater blessings and are able to let go of the natural man which holds us in bondage.

 

This week is Zone conference, YAY! It's always so good. I'm excited for 6 hours of upliftment!

 

Love you all!! 

Sister Roscher

Reflections on a Spoon

First, I'm stealing the title of the email from President Rasmussen. Ths is something I learned from his weekly email to all of the missionaries in the EBM  :P

 

"This week I have been reflecting a lot on spoons. If you hold the spoon up facing inwards, your reflection is upside down. If you flip it away from you,  then your reflection turns rightside up again. A simple, but powerful truth. When we are caught up in oursleves, we often feel on the brink of disaster, confused, stressed etc. Everything is out of order. But when we focus on pointing the spoon outward, then everything is in it's right order!"

 

This week I've done what I dubbed 'the spoon experiment' in an effort to be more focused on others and to try to set everything in a better order in my life! It has been wonderful. Moments and days when I really struggled, I flipped the spoon and things got better. They weren't perfect, but they were better. In addition, spiritual promtings came more frequently and more powerfully. So, I invite each of you to do the spoon experiment this week!! (and please email me and let me know how it goes :P )

 

In other news: Heavenly Father has a sure knowledge of each of his children in the world and he knows what we need and when. We were doing some tracting and had planned to stop by a couple of less-active members in the area. When we knocked on F3's door, she answered and invited us in immediately. Turns out she's been inactive for over 10 years and after a whole lot of trials, problems etc. she thought back about when she had been most happy. It was when she was active in the church. The evening before we knocked on her door, she had been looking at pictures of temples and decided it was time to come back. Then who conveniently knocked on her door the next day?? The missionaries!!  Heavenly Father knows. 

 

D is doing amazing! He is living the word of wisdon (with a pretty bad headache right now I might add, due to withdrawls), but he is doing it!! Mind over matter. And he's drawing on the Lord's strength which is there and ready for him. When we first taught him the Word of Wisdom he was shocked that coffee and tea would be substances which Heavenly Father has asked us to abstain from. But, after understanding and reading through the WOW leaflet 3 times on his own he see's it is from God. He is also reading the Book of Mormon regularly and is trying SO hard to make changes in his life. It is humbling to watch and feel. If every investigator tried as hard as David to understand and change we would see missionary work move forward at a remarkable rate!

 

A is doing good. She came to church!!! And it was amazing because her friend who is a member was there for her the whole time! She said she felt good ;) She is praying about a baptismal date and is trying to get in the habit if reading the Book of Mormon. After she does that consistently I think we'll really see her progress fast.

 

Now for some pictures! 

 

 

Blessed to Know the Truth

It's been a really good week for a few reasons:

First, D! He's doing really well. He has been reading the Book of Mormon and although it can be really hard for him to understand he has been going through it and trying to learn. He always does his reading and he always tells us what he learns. You can just see him trying to absorb it all. If only every investigator worked as hard as he does!! His greatest desire is to follow Christ, which is so heart warming to see. He came to church on Sunday and really enjoyed himself as well. The ward is being really great about talking to him etc.

A is doing pretty well too. She is feeling a difference in her life and she says that since beginning to learn the gospel she has really felt peace come into her life. #blessingsofthegospel

This week I have been particularly grateful for the knowledge we have of the Book of Mormon and that there is a prophet on the earth that receives revelation for the whole world!!!!! We met a man this week who claims 1) he knows when the the second coming will be and 2) when Christ comes he will change the calendar to an 18 month calendar... He claims he has received revelation for the whole world. I'm so grateful that we know that only the prophet can receive revelation for the whole world!!!!!

Lincoln is good, life is good and I honestly can't think of anything else to say, I think I'm getting more scatterbrained.

Random fact, Sister miller taught me how to make banana milk, which we always have with our cereal in the morning. So good!!!

Sorry this is a rubbish email, next week will be better I promise!!!!

Sister Roscher

Because of Him

My dearest family,

 

This week... tranfers!!! I stayed in Lincoln and got a new companion. Sister C. Miller from Germany ( my second companion named Sister Miller haha) She has been out for 4.5 months amd was trained in Swindon by Sister Appleby (one of my old companions, who I love!) It's a small world, that's for sure.

 

I wasn't too shocked to be staying for another transfer. I am excited to see some more miracles!

 

This week went by so fast because I wasn't even in Lincoln for 2 days- with transfers and then a Zone meeting I feel like I spent half of my time in Nottingham! I enjoyed spending the day working in a threesome with the Nottingham sisters. I am always so impressed with the amazing missionaries in this mission. Heavenly Father has some pretty amazing children out serving missions right now, that's for sure!

 

There's not really too much to talk about unfortunately. We had a hard time meeting with our investigators this week and didn't have loads of finding time. This week should be a lot more exciting!!

 

During my studies and experiences I have really thought a lot about the Saviour- about the kind of life He lived, and about how following Him really is the way. He truly has gone before us. He has done everything we need to do to return to live with Heavnely Father and our families. He set the example in EVERYTHING. I am so grateful for what He has done. He's shown the way, we just have to choose to follow Him. Left him be the center of everything we do. It really is a life-long quest, but one with eternal reward.

 

I love you so much! xoxox

 

Sister Roscher

Father in Heaven, I Thank Thee This Day

Family,

 

Here's the deal. This week has been amazing! I have been humbled, lifted up and taught. This week, more than ever I have been so grateful for my call as a missionary, to represent my Saviour Jesus Christ and to serve Him every minute of every day.

 

There are so many miracles that happen each and everyday. Let me start off with a couple.

 

 We left an appointment and were going to head to another appointment. We needed to go fast, because we were in a time crunch. BUT we couldn't get one of our bike locks undone!! We each tried and tried and nothing happened. We didn't dare pull it too hard because we didn't want to break the key. So, we said a prayer in faith that Heavenly Father would help us. We both felt like we should spit on the lock (I know nasty, but we were desperate!) It didn't work. I had expected the spit to work some magic miracle and it hadn't! We looked around, desperate yet again, and this time found two men walking down the street (it had been empty before). We asked them to help us, and they tried to get the lock undone and couldn't. But then the second man went back to his van, and pulled out some WD-40 which worked immediately. Some people would call it coincidence or chance, but I know that Heavenly Father provided a way for us to get to that next appointment on time.

 

The next appointment we were going to was with a elderly woman, A3, who is a referral from a member of the ward. A3 and Sister Diamond, the ward member whom she is friends with, were there and A3 was well prepared to hear the gospel! Sister Diamond bore a powerful testimony and truly was there for her. We taught by the Spirit based on her needs. It was an AMAZING experience. This was the first time I'd taught a member referral. The Spirit there was so strong, the support system was there, and I truly felt like His humble representative. This is why members are the best finders. I now understand and have an even greater testimony of member missionary work.

 

Each and every person we taught this week has been a miracle. Some lessons have gone better than others, but we have truly tried to help them feel and see the need for the restored gospel of Jesus Christ in their lives.

 

Each and every day we must choose to invite the Spirit into our lives and follow its promptings. We must choose to seek correction from our Heavenly Father, who knows us better than we do ourselves and has nothing but our well-being in mind.  As we really contemplate each night before we begin our prayer how it is that we could have offended or displeased God He will help us see where we can change and improve and give us the desire and strength to do so.

 

We are each His masterpiece and we must allow Him to chip away those rough edges and trust Him. As we do this, we find great peace, happiness, and purpose. We know that all things will work together for our good.

 

These verses in 2 Corinthians 4:6, 8-10 have really taught me a lot in the past couple of weeks 6 For God, who commanded‍ the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined‍ in our hearts, to give‍ the light‍ of the knowledge of the glory‍ of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
8 We are troubled‍ on every side, yet not distressed; we are‍ perplexed, but not in despair;
9 Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;
10 Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.
As you ponder these verses, your perspective on trials, peace, and being a disciple of Christ will change.

A couple of random things:
- Transfers are on Wednesday. I'll probably be getting a new companion. It will be sad to only have 1 with Sister Mohr- she's been wonderful!

- My trainer, Sister Miller, goes home this Wednesday.... WHAT? It will be sad to not have her in the mission any more. I can't believe how fast time goes.

- I wish I was better at expressing the things which I have learned and the experiences I've had.... The mission has just been such an incredible experience!!!!!

 

 Sister Mohr, Tammy, a YSA who went out teaching with us, and I.

 Picture of Wasabi peas ( an Asian fire snack). They were actually pretty good!

 

 

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Life' a Rollercoaster, Enjoy the Ride

Dearest Family,

Hello!

 

Just so you know, I'm really sorry for this email in advance, we are currently in Skegness for district p-day and we don't have a lot of time :(

 

In some ways this week has been absolutely amazing, in others, it's been a struggle.

 

I have seen satan working SO hard on others hearts this week (and, to be fair, I'm sure he's been working hard on mine too). But we know which team will win, and I fully intend to be on that side!!

 

This week more so than others the massive number of those who deny that there is a God and choose not to learn anything has been really trying me. I just can't understand why! I don't have all the answers, but to be honest I don't think they would listen even if I did have the answers.

 

One thing I do know though is that the very fact that there are over 80,000 missionaries out teaching the gospel is EVIDENCE of God's love. If he didn't love ALL of his children, then why would he send others of His children out into the cruel world to often times have our faith symbolically flung back in our faces? To bike through the pouring rain?  He is there. And he DOES care about all of his children, we just have to choose to accept Him and His son.

 

On a brighter note, I got to go back to westcotes for R5's BAPTISM! It was such a special moment! And it was so good to go back and see them together. It will not be a memory I will forget soon. What was even more amazing was that it truly was a ward baptism. There were LOADS of ward members there, and that's the way it should be!!! It filled my heart with joy to see the love and support that was shown to him!!!!!  Westcotes holds a special place in my heart.  

 

Anyways, have to go, lots of love!!!!

 

Sister Roscher

 

The Gift He Gives

This is Sister Roscher's email from July 28 :)

My lovely family (and friends!),

This week has been a wonderful experience. It seems like the beginning of it was ages ago, but that's how life goes.

Last P-day we went to Lincoln Cathedral and looked around in it. We didn't do the roof tour (I'll probably do that next transfer) but I really enjoyed looking in the main room at all the beautiful stained glass, the detail of the architechture and learning a little but more about the history of it. It was originally built in start the 1070's- that was a long time ago! It's amazing how they managed to build something so massive and detailed such a long time ago.

Tuesday we had interviews with President/district meeting, which took a long time to travel to and from. However, it was lovely to talk to President. He is an incredible man.

Wednesday we had 2 first lessons and I was just SO excited. They are both really cool. Ay is really searching for the truth and is trying to find the purpose of life and where she fits in. Im looking forward to seeing her learn and accept more of the restored gospel. She really liked the plan of salvation.

We also taught Kn for the first time. He is from Vietnam and due to the circumstances he was brought up in sees a great need for faith, for commandments, and for a society that is centered on an believes in God. As we taught him the restoration he LOVED it. When we were teaching him it was literally like he was a sponge soaking everything up.

Thursday we went out to a village we felt inspired to go out to, and while we didn't actually find anyone to teach while we were there, I know we were supposed to go out there. I was about a 6 mile cycle from our flat, and it really wasn't too bad. The landscape was beautiful as we were going through it. I have gotten to the point where I really enjoy cycling. I think it will be a life-long hobby.

Friday we went on exchanges. I was able to go up to nottingham with Sister Vance. It is always fun to go be a missionary in someone else's area for a day and I enjoyed learning from her and getting to know her better.

Saturday we did some service, went to a ward activity and had a miracle. It was getting to be late afternoon and we hadn't had a whole lot of success finding people. We were headed over to knock a road, and at the 2nd door we knocked an Albanian man answered who has never been taught about God and was very willing to listen. We taught him the plan of Salvation and he had some really good questions. As we explained to him that he could pray to God and ask if He is there his eyes got wide and he said 'really?' we taught him how to pray and then after saying a prayer, he said, he felt very warm inside and felt like he really meant the words he was saying. It was a cool experience. I LOVE being there the first time someone says a prayer. Knowing how to pray to Heavenly Father is something that will change their lives!

There have been many blessings this week. Too many to count. Something that I have thought a great deal about is that our faith must be centered on Jesus Christ and that we must be striving each and every day to be his disciples. The end result is us gaining eternal life, even all that the Father has. I really like this verse in Psalm 37:5  "Commit‍ thy way‍ unto the Lord; trust also in Him; and He shall bring it‍ to pass." I have a testimony of this. As we commit to the Lord by loving Him, serving Him, keeping his commandments, he shall bring to pass all things for our welfare and the welfare of the church.

Family, I LOVE being a missionary. It is the best thing that ever happened to me! Someone once told me, 'don't just go through the mission, let the mission go through you.' I strive to do this every day, and it continues to bless and educate me greatly! 

 In front of a part of the cathedral.

 Sister Mohr and I (She's great!)

 P.S: I have permission to go back to Westcotes for R5 (and hopefully P4's) baptism!!!! I am one happy little Sister Missionary! :)

Love,

Sister Roscher

Where Does the Time Go?!

Sorry this is so delayed! This is Sister Roscher's email from July 21:

Firstly, I CANNOT believe we're getting towards the end of July. I feel like I blinked and missed a month. 

The work was pretty tough this week, we did loads and loads of finding, and didn't see a whole lot from it in contact information or appointments. There were a couple people that will hopefully turn into something this week though.

 However, a few exciting things did happen.

We had a first lesson with this man named Nn, he's African, and the drummer at his church. We were pretty excited that the appointment held and then to start off he basically said 'I believe your message is a good one, and I want to hear it' and that he wants to do more for the cause of Christ. The great news? The restored Gospel is perfect for that. There is plenty of work to be done. And we need more laborers in the vineyard!

I was touched this week by multiple families we had dinner appointments with, one of which was also for home evening. As we gathered together for the lesson, I felt in a very real sense, the power, peace and protection that comes as we worship together as a family, and build one another. There is a difference between families that do and families that don't, and you can feel it! In a world that has so many stones to throw as families, this is one way we can stop it from breaking the walls of our families down.

Another funny/cool experience: We had a full day of finding on Tuesday, and one of the first people we talked to was a VERY catholic man who promptly told us we needed to do our research and realize how true and incredible the Catholic church is. His claim was that despite all of the things it has gone through, including the sale of indulgences etc., the fact that it is still here shows how true it is. He shook his head in sorrow, and said, 'I feel bad for people like you that are so mislead.' We did our best to testify of Jesus Christ's church Restored on the earth today, but he just wasn't listening. I suppose it would have been different at the beginning of the mission, but at the close of our coversation with him I felt 2 things. 1) sadness that the truth had stared him in the face and he had been unwilling to even listen to it. Much less, act upon it. 2) a great joy that came from sharing the gospel, and testifying. And also happiness that through careful study and many spiritual experiences  I know what the truth is!!  Just one of those random powerful learning moments as a missionary.

This week I played for the first time a uniquely British game called Rounders. It's like their equivalent of baseball, but there are some different rules and other slight differences. For instance, the pitcher is called the bowler. and the scores are based on how fast you get around. It was fun. Relief Society vs. Young Women, and Relief Society won! I've included a picture of the trohpy we won haha

I have a testimony that Heavenly Father hears and answers our prayers of faith. There have been several times this week where I have prayed for something specific and have recieved the specific answer to that prayer, through someones actions, through a thought in my mind or through studying the scriptures and latter-day revelation.  He will always answer, we just need to pray in faith and then go to work!

Keep the Faith! It will bless your life!

Sister Roscher

P.S. I just got word from Sister Appleby, who got word from her last companion in Swindon that G is getting baptized on August 2nd!! I've continued to hear word from Sister Appleby about how he's doing since she was still there for the last 3 months and working with him,  and he has been slowly progressing since March when we started meeting with him. YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Just thought you'd like to know.

And, as far as I've heard all the Westcotes investigators are still progressing! Hoping to hear of their baptisms soon.

Prayer

Family (and friends)!

 

I am glad to hear that you are all doing well. It's pretty amazing that it's been ages since I've seen any of you, but yet I still feel so close to you!

 

This week has gone by so fast, I don't know what happened to the time!

 

Some of the highlights of this week have been:

1) Getting to know the Lincoln ward better. It's always a process getting to know new wards, but Heavenly Father has definitely been helping me along the way! We've gone leaps and bounds in getting to know them and serve them.

2) I got to garden! Saturday morning we went over to a couple's allotment and did some serious gardening. They've got a lot of things growing. Beetroot, potatoes, parsnips, onions, corn, rasberries, strawberries and loads of other things. It made me grateful for all those saturday mornings we had to go weed. I hated it then... but now I love it! It was also so much fun to wear non-pros, for an hour or 2 :P

3) The constant companionship of the Holy Ghost! This week I have been really trying to be in touch with the Spirit and to heed its promptings. I really am so grateful for it. When I don't do my part and the presence of the Spirit isn't as strong I instantly want to be better and do things in such a way that the Spirit can be there even stronger than it was previously.

4) Getting to know Sister Mohr better. She's great! And its fun learning more about Germany (getting in touch with my cultural heritage I guess you could say?) 

 

 

A traditional English dinner, including Yorkshire pudding!!! I love Yorkshire puddings.

 

I'm really sorry for the shortness and terribeness of this email... I ran out of time! I promise next week will be better!

 

Love,

Sister Roscher

Where Did Sister Roscher Go?

This week honestly flew by. My new area is Lincoln (look it up on a map). It's got a decent size ward and a University. It's not really a city, more of a town, but it's classed as a city because it has 3 famous things: a castle, Lincoln Catherdral (its massive and beautiful, google it) and one of the copies of the magna carta or something cool like that. It reminds me a lot of Swindon. So far, I've really liked what I've seen, it's a good little area.

 

Leaving Westcoates was hard. I really loved it!! I have made lasting friendships there that will not go away anytime soon. It will always remain a happy and blessed place in my mind. Saying good bye to our investigators was hard too, they're so close!!! But, they're in good hands.

 

My new companion, it Sister Mohr. She's been out 4 months and is from Germany. Her English is really good though. She's great!

 

The great news is, Lincoln has been really good for my lungs. It's flat and better air quality. Biking is a breeze!

 

This week I've learned many things (which I am very grateful for, I might add) but a couple of the things which have stood out to me are. It is a great gift to have the Holy ghost be our constant companion, and a great blessing and privilege to be serving as a missionary. Peace that comes from complete submission to the will of the Father is also a great blessing.

 

"The Lord promises that if we keep our covenants, we will always have His Spirit to be with us. A person guided by the Spirit will have the knowledge, faith, power, and righteousness to gain eternal life." This is an excerpt from the gospel principles manual, chapter 23. This 'hit home.' With the spirit guiding and directing us in our lives, it becomes possible to attain eternal life because he will direct us to achieve and do those things which we need to. President Rasmussen always says that the Holy Ghost is the member of the Godhead that we have the most contact with.

 

I am so grateful to be a missionary. It has blessed my life so much and completely changed the person I am and want to become.  

 

Sorry this is so short, there's not a whole lot to update you on, other then the changing areas thing... 

 

A couple of my favourite people in Leicester. A and E, and Al. 

 

 Me with my new companion

 

Love you! 

Sister Roscher

Gratitude

This week as I write to you I am filled with gratitude. It's been a busy week and our time to do normal missionary work has been limited by several things such as Zone conference, traveling to Birmingham for a day and sickness but it has still been a really good week.

FYI transfers are on Wednesday, and Sister Curtis has been called to train (why we traveled to Birmingham for a day) so I'll probably be transferred to my 4th area in 2 days. It'll be exciting to see what happens! There's always the small chance I could stay of course.

We had Zone Conference this week and it was so good. I learned a lot and enjoyed the strong spirit that was there as 100 missionaries joined together to learn and grow. One of my favourite parts of Zone conference is always the closing hymn. The Spirit is always so powerful.

This week we had another breakthrough lesson with S5. She feels like she's just stuck and is never going to move forward. As we listened to her and expressed our heartfelt testimony of the gospel and its power to help us and change us she got quiet for a minute and said "I need to be baptized right?" Miracle!! When we first started teaching her she wouldn't even think about being baptized again (she was baptized as a baby) but look at her now. The gospel really does change people! We each need the blessings that come from being baptized in the the only true and living church (see JSH 1).

P3 is doing good as well. We love him, it's just slow work. He's currently waiting for an answer from God and scriptural proof that this is the only church that one can be baptized in with proper authority. He 100% believes in the Book of Mormon and Joseph Smith, but there's still the same disconnect about what that means. He'll get his answer, we're just trying to figure out what more we (and he) can do to help him get it. Keep him in your prayers please.

One of the big miracles of the week is that R4 accepted a baptismal date. His wife is a member and he has been taught by missionaries for months now. When the sisters first started teaching him in January he wouldn't even think about baptism, and now he has a baptismal date! One of the things that made a big difference was A and E, a recent convert couple  At the beginning we were just teaching R4 with M2 his wife there and it was really slow going.  When we got A and E to the lessons his progress tripled. They helped resolve some of his concerns because they have been in a similar situation as a couple as R4 and M2 are right now. It has made all the difference in his progress. We as missionaries can't do it alone. The best chance of these people making it to baptism is by getting good fellowshippers involved and getting the right environment. Miracle!!!

 Sister Curits and I on the way to Zone Conference

Me with R4 and M2

 

 

I love you so much family. Have a good week!
Sister Roscher

A Little Taste of Heaven

June 23, 2014

The title this week is a little taste of Heaven, because I've felt it! 

I want each of you to picture the day that you will finally see the Savior and Redeemer, after the many decisions, trials, joys and experiences you have had. What will your reaction be? How will you feel? what will you say to him? 

This week I have learned SO MUCH about obedience and sacrifice through pretty much every resource I've looked at (It's like Heavenly Father want's me to learn something!) I have felt immense gratitude for the Savior and have felt great joy as I see people choose to follow Him and change their lives. I have also felt great sorrow as I have seen others who are wearing away under the constant attack of Satan (both from without and within the church) and have wondered how it is that we will stay strong so that at that day, when we finally do get to see Him it will be a happy occasion, not one marked by regret and what if's. 

The way to stand strong? The way to ensure that at that day I run to Him and fall to my knees in perfect love for the man who made everything possible rather than try to shrink from Him? 

The Gospel of Jesus Christ. Be a living example of His gospel and it will change you more than anything else will. Choose to follow Him. Regardless of the cost. Do the little things which disciples do!!!! Use the atonement, be a living testimony of it! Know that there is great protection(and happiness) in keeping the commandments of God. 

Pour your heart out to the Father in prayer, truly feast upon the words of Christ and renew your baptismal covenants (or make them if you haven't yet!) each and every Sunday.

We know which side will win. We know that the Lord's 'team' will be triumphant in the end, and I personally intend to do everything I can to be on that 'team' at the last day! 

Anyways, enough of my rant (I could go on for hours). Seriously though, think about it! and if you're not where you want to be, then fix it! 

P3 is doing well, he told a ward member when he came to church yesterday that the church 'is his home.' We're still trying to help him understand the importance of being baptized again, but after much thought, prayer and fasting we feel that we need to continue to teach him the doctrine and he will slowly come around. That consistent reading of the Book of Mormon and keeping the commandments will work the miracle. Please keep him in your prayers though. 

We had a miracle with S5 as well. We thought we were slowly starting to lose her, but after our lesson on Friday (the first in about 2 weeks) she is more committed than she ever has been. She said she'd lost the peace in her life in past 2 weeks. We explained that the peace comes from keeping the commandments and making Heavenly Father a part of our lives and listening to him. We're back on track with her, and hopefully this time will do the trick! 

We've had countless miracles (especially at the end of the week) as we have humbled ourselves and tried to follow the Spirit in all things.

A cool experience? (I'm going to butcher the story, but I hope you get the gist of it).We were teaching R4 and M4 with A andE (two recent converts) and E was sharing his testimony of how he came to know the church was true, and he said something which really struck me. He himself never really specifically asked God to know if he needed to be baptized and for answers etc., he just felt it and acted. But part of the reason he felt it was because there were SO many people praying for him to know that the church was true. Family, friends, anyone else who might be reading this, your prayers count! 

 I LOVE YOU ALL!! 

xoxoxoxox

Sister Roscher

SMILE!

Hey!!
Where do I even begin!? This week has been pretty epic.

Monday, we went to Bradgate Park with an amazing member. It was SO cool! Quick history: it's where the ruins of Lady Jane Grey's manor are. Lady Jane grey was King Henry's 5th wife. She was quite the character of world history...  (see pictures) 

We've also seen some pretty cool miracles. Let me describe 3 of my favourite moments of the week to you.

1) Sitting with P3, teaching him about temples and family history (we'd felt prompted to teach that lesson). As we began talking about baptisms for the dead we mentioned that it was talked about in the Bible. As we started to pull out our scriptures, he said "I know, it's in 1 Corinthians 15, I've wondered why nobody practices it today since it was practiced before" KABOOM. It was amazing! He had a special light in his eyes as we talked about baptisms for the dead, missionary work in the spirit world and how baptism is just the beginning of our covenant making and keeping. There was such an amazing spirit in the lesson. Its so cool as a missionary to teach that this is the the same church which Jesus Christ established, and which has been around since the beginning of time! 

2) At the stake picnic. There were carnival-like activities outside and everyone was out playing games, talking and having a good time. Then all of a sudden- a torrential downpour came upon us! Everyone ran into the stake centre and all the missionaries were frantically running around getting everything inside. Welcome to England! :)

3) Church. It was a wonderful wonderful time. That's why we go to church, to take the sacrament, be uplifted, learn, and be with others who share our faith. We sang my favourite sacrament hymn (169) and as I looked around me, I had P3 on my left, Sister Curtis, S5, M2 and robertR4 on my right and then L1 and her 3 kids in front of us I was filled with love and happiness for these amazing people I have been blessed to work with! Their faith strengthens mine. It was just such a cool moment, to see everyone sitting there in sacrament meeting.

I LOVE being a missionary SO much. It means everything to me that I am able to serve the Lord in this way at this time. I am especially grateful for the Savior. When he is the centre of everything we do, all else falls into place! 

Some of the ruins

Yep, that little figure in the arch is ME! We hiked up to this tower which was probably about a mile away from the manor

 A picture of Sister Curtis and I with Alice, and amazing young single adult who took us to the ruins with her.

I hope you have a good week! 

LOVE YOU!

Sister Roscher