2nd PDay 12/29/10 MTC

The first email we received from Koltn said the first day at the MTC he was made a District Leader.  What an honor!  He loves being in that position and says that it is helping him to know all the lessons.  He has to answers quite a few questions, some he already knows the answers to others he has to research to find the answer.  He says it is great preparation for the field.  I understand how a DL works out in the field, but not exactly sure how that all works at the MTC.I couldn't find much about being a DL at the MCT but this is what I found on being a DL:
  The zones are divided into districts, each being led by a missionary assigned as a district leader.  A district usually has two to four missionary companionships.  The Zone Leaders and District leader train the missionaries, see after their welfare, conduct interviews, proselyte together, and share successes.

Although the MTC is not all peaches and cream, he loves being a missionary and loves doing what he is doing.- here's a quote from his recent email 

"Things are moving now and i can't wait to get out in the field and really start to do what i need to do"  "We got to hear form Elder Nelson form the quorum of the 12 for Christmas.... 3 times. He gave 2 talks on Saturday and one in priesthood on Sunday! He is the Smartest person in the world! He knows like 4 languages and has read the BOM and the Bible in Greek and Hebrew! Isn't that crazy?"

Ending each email he says: "Keep sending pics at the bottom [of the emails] i love them, and i love letters!"

So that is what I intend to do.  If you'd like to write to him, his address is on the home page.  "Letters  are gold" as per Elder Rogers.

ONE VOICE!

I found this is amongst the papers in Koltn's room as I was cleaning.  When I read/listened to it I just started bawling.  It made me so thankful for whoever wrote it and gave our son a little inspiration at some point in his life that he was to raise his ONE Voice.  Its the little things in life that happen to our children, often that we don't know about, that help mold them into who they will become.  I am thankful for the person at EFY who gave him this poem/song.  

I am confident that Koltn will be a great missionary!  

ONE VOICE

I am just one voice
But one voice can still be heard
I have made the choice to seal my witness with my word
Changed by holy fire, that has burned into my soul
Filled with new desire, that calls me down to go

I am just one voice, but one voice can carry far
Rising through the noise, of a world so deaf and dark
Shining bright and clear, to those with eyes to see
Honest hearts will hear, the truth that lives in me
CHORUS
One but not alone, a thousand voices sing
Praises at the throne, of our master and our king
With one voice
One voice

I am just one voice,
But a voice of light and hope
Grateful I rejoice as I share the gifts I hold
I will search with all my strength, for the humble and the meek
Praying, they'll receive the simple truth I speak

CHORUS
One but not alone, a thousand voices sing
Praises at the throne, of our master and our king
With one voice
One voice

He was just one voice, but one voice that changed the earth
Teaching love and peace to a lost and weary world

I am just one voice, but one voice that will be heard
I have made the choice to seal my witness with my word

SNOW BEAUTIFUL SNOW [COLD BITTER WINTRY] SNOW

I've been tracking the weather in Virgina (See on the right side of the home page) and its been snowing everyday for about a week.  Here is a picture of Richmond yesterday.  I sure hope our Missionary is preparing for the bitter cold.  I guess the Provo MTC is giving him a little taste of it, but I can't help from wondering 

if his SHOES will be good enough!  

There's nothing worse than cold wet feet.

You know that saying.... "My heart is ♪♫SINGING♪♫

You know that old saying....

MY HEART IS ♪♫SINGING♪♫

Well today my heart is singing.

♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫ FA LA LA LA ♪♫♪♪♫♪♫

All it takes is ONE EMAIL

From my missionary

Elder Koltn Rogers

Knowing he is okay

and loving where he is and what he is doing.

Makes my heart full of joy!

All is well in the world today!

 

Some of the things he said were:

"I love it here and I am so happy" [be still my heart!]

He was made district leader and loves his comp and ZL  

(both are Elder Peterson)

He ended his email by saying 

"I wear the suit, the book is blue, I know the church is true."

Thank goodness for good friends

Thank goodness Brody's sister Stephanie just moved to SLC and was able to pick up our missionaires.

Delta flight 2266 pickup! They have arrived!

She was able to give them a mini-SLC tour.

Here are the 4 native AZ boys "breathing" cold air!  

These missionaries left 71° AZ temps to SLC 36° with windchill of 29°

SLC Temple- covered in SNOW! Beautiful SNOW!

 

Then they were off to the visitors center....

where they "STAND ALL AMAZED" at the Jesus Christ Statue

 

Joseph Smith Building

Restoration of the Melchizedek Priesthood statue.

Even Missionaries can play around! Can Jaymen say SNOWBALL??

All in all.....the best part of the pictures is.

Koltn looks happy (cold but happy!) 

What do you think?

 

[[[[[[[[ put his (MY)arms unfailing round you..]]]]]]]

 LOVE YOU KOLTN!

LITTLE REMINDERS!

Koltn is happily (which I am thankful for) at the MTC doing what he wants, 

having new experiences, 

meeting new people, 

making life long fiends,

and hopefully his mind is concentrating on the whirl wind of these experiences. 

I am sure he woke up excited to get the first full day at the MTC started. 

From what I hear, its about 12-14 hours of [exhausting] studying,

and filling his brain with all the "tools" he will need for the next 2 years.

But back at home......

there are subtle reminders of his absence..

such as

HIS FAVORITE FILIBERTO'S BURRITO 

which he purchased Tues

AS IT REMAINS UNTOUCHED IN THE FRIG

Maybe I should call Klete to come over

(this reminder would soon be gobbled up)

DIVINE INSPIRATION.

It was DIVINELY INSPIRED!  

3 Missionaries from our stake were all set apart at the same time. 

one at 9PM, 9:15PM, and  9:30PM

The Spirit in the room was strong.  Powerful! It was such a amazing experience.

Our Stake president set them apart in such different special ways 

even though they were only minutes apart.

He blessed them exactly with what each missionary needed.

 

I felt and knew the Holy Ghost was speaking through him.

Elder Skinner, Elder Green, President Smith, Elder Rogers

 Can you tell I have been crying?  I tried to hold it together but the tears just flowed!

 After such a spiritual experience, it was back home to finish up the packing!

MISSIONARY FAREWELL

Elder Koltn John Rogers Farewell Talk 

Sunday December 12 @ 12 noon

Missionary Farewell Party

Elder Koltn John Rogers, Elder Brody Skinner, and Elder Jaymen Green

1343 S. Loma Vista, Mesa AZ (Jaymen's house)

Sunday December 12th 

From 7PM to 9PM

12/12/12 A day that will go down in "infamily" [Koltn's farewell talk.]

Just a lil' cutie Patootie!  My how time flies!  

I remember this precious toe head--It seems like yesterday.

In just 7 days, he will cut the apron strings 

(well, really they are MY apron strings) and embark on a new life.

 

How I will miss this smile.....

and all the happiness, joking, 

and fun he brings into our home.

  

but, all for a good cause.  He will be on the Lords Errands.  

Eternal Errands!

...and we are so proud of him and his choice!!

Yesterday was our family Christmas Party.  

Kisha gave him this card and he read it outloud.

Not a dry eye in the house!

We love our missionary!

Last Chance for 2 years

This family's gonna miss ya,

[9 more days---but who's counting?]

I wonder how much things will change while you are gone?

 We love you bud!  Virgina is lucky to have you for 2 years!

A Missionary Christmas

 A Missionary Christmas  (author unknown)
 
I skipped the sales after Thanksgiving. The thrill just wasn't there. 
No pictures taken with Santa Claus, My decorating has no flair.
His presents are shoes, shirts, and ties, two suits and socks...no fun.
I've bought him all white clothes because...

This year I'm giving Christ my son.

I've spent more time in the temple, my testimony stirred.
I've reread November's Ensign, Felt strength come from His words.
Our family prays more frequently. My tears are quick to run.
Abraham seems closer because,

This year I'm giving Christ my son.

I wonder how those Lamanite mothers, gave their sons to war?
Or how the pioneers chose Zion , their sacrifice was so much more.
My loss will be his presence, I'll miss his smile a ton
For two years we will pray for him,

I'm giving Christ my son.

I stare at his face when he's not looking. I memorize his eyes, their
shine.  He's always hungered for the part of him, that makes his soul divine.
The stories and lessons he always heard, His choice and mine are one.
I'll put my faith in God's hand, This year,

I'm giving Him my son.

Past gifts have lost their glitter; I think I finally understand
Christ's birth should be celebrated by giving Him a hand.
It's because I know Christ lives and reigns that all his packing's done.
My gift has taken years to make, This year...

I'm giving Christ my son.

I know there's One who understands, the sacrifice I'm making.
Who knows the gift I willingly give, The toll it will be taking.
For He has done it all before Greater love - there could be none.
For years ago God gave to me,

His only begotten son.

The hands I washed, the hands I held, The hands I taught to pray;
Now knock on doors to find the ones Who will listen to what he'll say.
Because I know Christ needs him, Until all the gathering's done,
My gift has taken years to make.

This year...I'm giving Christ my son.