The everyday life of an AP!

Hello Family!

Transfer Week... That means CRAZY WEEK! A lot to do in a little time. we are a little behind schedule this time too. We have been getting the whole office working together. Things were getting lost from one branch of the office to another. So we worked really hard and have been up really late getting everything running "Real Nice"  The office staff is amazing. They work so hard to get stuff done and make things happen. Without them the mission would implode!

   Tonight. We have to send out report to Salt Lake and get all the Travel Plans made and emailed out to all the zone leaders so they can make sure all the missionaries make it to transfers. Also i have to email y'all and say hello (:

   TUES: The departing missionaries (18 of them) are taking off tomorrow as well as 4 missionaries that have been waiting for their visa's. The Visa waiters are all packed up and ready to go so they can ship out to Bulgaria! We gotta go buy lunch and have everything set up at the mission home so things move like clockwork. We will be running back and forth to get them all to the flights at the right times. Weigh baggage, check bags, pass out tickets, and take pictures. We will  have a departing missionary testimony meeting before they take off.

   WED: New trainers come to the office to learn the ropes and we will train them on how to be Trainers. (We call it the "Train the Trainers Meeting" go figure) That's first thing in the morning then we will set everything up so we will be ready for the new missionaries coming in. We pick them up at 5 or so and spend the rest of the night with them at the mission home. We give them a "Geography Lesson" of the mission and describe all the areas. Then after dinner and interviews with Pres. Perry we will send them to be and then rush off to the mission office to assign them a trainer. LATE NIGHT!

   THURS: wake up EARLY and set up the nearby chapel for the "Transfer Meeting" Have things set up and ready to go. Have a meeting with the New missionaries by ourselves while Pres. talks to the trainers again. Actual meeting starts and missionaries meet their trainers and find out where they are serving. Meeting ends and All the luggage is packed and truck is loaded for us to hit the road loaded down with bags, bikes, and missionaries. Take off by 11:00 (if we don't start by then the whole day is off and everyone gets messed up) drive down to Newport News for the first stop dump off the ones that need to be and pick up a few more. Then we are off again. Down to VA Beach for the second stop. Repeat the same process. Then it is back up to Newport News for the third stop. Repeat the loading and unloading. Then off to beat the traffic in the tunnel and rush back to Richmond for our final stop. Unload everyone and unhook the trailer. Eat lunch somewhere along the way. (this little paragraph doesn't give the day justice) 

   Those are the most important days of the week. Then we have to Cram all our normal stuff into the remaining days.

   Wow can't believe it. I loved that reunion. Sounds like it was a blast. It is good to see the family having fun. How was the overall reunion? To be honest i don't remember Samantha  Spilsbury that well. If i saw a picture it would help. I sure do miss getting together with all the Family.

   The Humidity Hit.... Summer is gearing up and things are hot and wet. Glad i have a nice truck. I am super spoiled this summer.... But then again getting the truck means getting to move all kinds of stuff and around the mission in the heat.

   We got to have dinner at Bishop's house tonight. It was nice to be able to sit down with him and his family.

   Well hope y'all remember i love you and miss you. 

   Stay cool in all of the summer heat!!!-- 

Be Humble Don't Stumble,         Elder Rogers

WORDS FROM THE WISE!!

A few words from the wise since he and Grandma

won't be here for your call on Sunday.

WHAT A WEEK!!!

OH that I had been  A FLY ON THE WALL!!

What a week! I cant't believe it. We had Elder Russel M. Nelson of the quorum of the 12 Apostles with us this week. We had all 216+ missionaries in one chapel for the first time in over 2 years. (We usually have 2 mission conferences because it is so hard to get everyone together.) It was so amazing we had: President Perry (Mission President) President Mullins (Richmond Stake Pres) Elder Lancing (Area 70) Elder J.E.Jensen (Pres. of the 70) Elder Russel M. Nelson (Quorum of the 12 apostles) We had almost every position the organization of The Church. We got to here from each one of them! It was AWESOME!!!!!! Elder J.E. Jensen asked me to be his scribe on the white board (glad i have been working on my penmanship)

 Elder Russel M. Nelson

Elder J. E. Jensen

President and Sister Perry

I shook hands with each of them. What an Honor. My companion was the 2nd to last and I was the last to shake hands. And he said, "Thanks for helping with everything." Can I say, to look into the eyes of one of the senior members of the quorum of the 12 had me awestruck. He had us sit front and center so we could run and get stuff for him.

   It is a moment I will never forget. What a blessing to be called as an assistant at this time. At the end he said. "I wouldn't want to leave this great meeting without giving an Apostolic Blessing." Then he pronounced a blessing upon all of us and the Virginia Richmond Mission. WOW... The spirit was so strong. I testify that he is a servant of God and that he and the other Apostles are called by God to hold the Keys to His Kingdom. Thomas S. Monson is a true prophet of God. 

I wish you could have been at the meeting. I know without a doubt that his is God's Church and that his Priesthood has been restored in these latter days. It is a testimony of God's love for us. I can Testify that he does and that Jesus is the Christ.

   Other than that... Everything else is small news but I am good. Happy! ELATED!  God Loves you. And so do I. 

   The Dance Festival looked awesome. I know a few people in the pictures. You did a good Job!

We will be calling from the mission office at 5:00 PM Virginia Time. No Skype. Talk to you soon!!!

  I know Jordan comes home in no time. I was blown away thinking about it too. Can you get me Rosson's Address and email???

-- 

Be Humble Don't Stumble,

         Elder Rogers

P.S. Loved the Post Cards. All the AZ Missionaries are jealous.

4/30/2012 News from the Field

Well to know what preparations we have to make you have to know that our mission has A TON of missionaries. We are in the top 3 largest number of missionaries in the US (according to our fleet manager). Our mission is so big we have to hold 2 different mission conferences. So to get every missionary together for one meeting is a task. It hasn't happened in the mission for a long time. We have just making sure everyone has rides and housing to be able to sleep in the night before the meeting. The other factor is the size geographically of our mission. It takes 3-4 hours to get to Richmond from the bottom of the mission. So just getting some logistical things in place as well spiritually preparing the mission. and on top of the we can't forget the specific are where we are serving.

   Any who we have been going 90 MPH the last few weeks and I love it!!!! Getting things done in the Lords way on the Lords time.

   As for updates.... not much. Loving life, giving trainings, and working hard!!!

"Hello Rogers family! Elder Farr here.. From the family photo I saw it looks like ya'll like to have a rip roarin' good time down there in Arizona! I enjoy hearing all of Elder Rogers stories about you. He misses you guys and is doing lots of great work out here! I'm happy I have the opportunity to be his companion. I hope I never have to play football against him though, he's kind of mean sometimes.. What did you feed him back home? Raw meat? Take care...   -Elder Farr"

   Well not sure what time and where i am calling from but i will update you next week.

Love you and miss you.

Be Humble Don't Stumble, Elder Rogers

P.S. My friends are getting married.... that's weird!

PPS. Did you get a new update for the video of the dance festival?

4/17/2012 WORLDS SHORTEST EMAIL

Yes, got the package.  It was awesome, thank you.  

I really like the book marks.

Be Humble, Don't Stumble,

Elder Rogers

  Short and simple is not what a missionary mom wants, 

but I'm glad to know he's still alive!

I guess I should be glad for worlds SHORTEST email! 

RARE MISSIONARY SIGHTING!

YEP!  

THATS HIM, 

ELDER K J ROGERS!!!!!

AND HE'S WAIVING HI TO ALL THOSE BACK HOME!

WE SURE MISS OUR MISH!  

He look healthy and happy so all is well : )

 Just a small indication of what "transfers" involves. 

Looks like quite an ordeal!

(this is only a portion of the suitcases!)

Date: Mon, 5 Mar 2012 14:53:36 -0500
Hey,

   Well, i am busy. ha! This week is transfers so there is a lot that goes into everything.Transfer week is one of the most demanding weeks for an assistants. We have looked over and prayed about each missionary and what needs to happen for each of them. It is super draining. We did that for 8 hours spread over a few days.(2,2,2,2) There is so much to everything. I had no clue how much really goes on inside a mission. We made the calls to tell everyone where they are going last night. We didn't finish until 12 in the morning.... Then up early this morning. Ha. The 2 assistants, Elder cook, the one stepping down, and elder Wheelock, my comp., told me that it is kinda a learn as you go thing.

   I kinda like to think of it as riding a bull.... You see all these awesome bull riders and you hope to be like them one day. Then the announcer tells you it is your turn to ride. Naturally when you know your turn to ride is up you get pretty nervous. Then you get on the bull while it is still in the shoot. You are glad to have a few people around you before you give the nod and the gate opens. They give you a last few pointers. And then.... you give the nod... when the gate flies open you have 2 choices. one you give up and fall off or 2 you grit your teeth and hold on for dear life!!! Ha I am holding on and it is a blast nonetheless.

   On top of everything else we have our own proselyting area. So it is a real hand full to manage it all.

    Everything is good though. I am super happy. And lets face it you know i love a challenge! I am working harder and praying more fervently then ever before. MY testimony gets stronger ever day. It is funny how temptations change as you change. I realized i work for heavenly Father 16 hours a day But Satan work 25 out of 24 hours. I am so glad to be out here. I have a ton to do today so it is going to be short and sweet.

Send all mail to the mission office:

Elder Rogers

9337 Midlothian Tnpk. Ste. 1-B

Richmond, VA 23235

 Got the card. Thanks!  Glad to here Lehi days went good. Sad to hear about GrPa.  Hope everyone else is well  Love Y'all   and miss y'all too

Be Humble Don't Stumble,

         Elder Rogers

THE GATHERING BEGINS

 This is ONE of the many pictures of trucks loaded with bikes!

 Ah.... Friends for life!  

Parting is such sweet sorrow but also a NEW BEGINNING!

 ♪♫Sisters,♪♫ sisters, ♪♫there were never such devoted sisters!

 OH GOODNESS!  Its another Elder Rogers sighting!  

 Pres. Perry and Missionaries

 One of the several trailers filled to the brim- 

and this happens every 6 weeks!!!

 We're late we're late for a very important date!! 

No time to say hello goodbye we're late we're late we're late

Don't those USPS boxes look familiar!

That flat rate box has been wonderful for this mish's mom!

      WAIT I think we can fit ONE more on yes??

well.......maybe just ONE more.....

02/27/2012 EXTRA EXTRA read all about it.....

Extra Extra Hot off the AP.....

AP= Associated Press

AP= Advanced Placement

AP= Audio Precision

but the best AP is 

ASSISTANT TO THE PRESIDENT

Yes, Elder Rogers is being transferred.  His new area is across the street from the Mission Home. And why you ask????? because he was called to be the new AP.  That's Assistant to the President.  The Mission President.  Here's how it all happened.
Greetings from Chesapeake!...........(But Not For Long)

     Well transfer calls aren't until this upcoming Sunday the 4th. The actual transfers from area to area don't happen until Thurs the 8th. So i have a week and a half until i might get moved... Or so i thought!

       So we are sitting down on Friday at the table for lunch. We had made some calls to the zone members so the phone was in the middle of the table. Well the phone rang all of a sudden so i looked at it. It said President Perry so we answered it and put it on speaker phone like always. (So both of us would be able to hear.) President said Hello and asked if we were on speaker. We told him that we were. Then he asked if we could take it off and if he could talk to me....... So in my brain i am freaking out. In a blink of an eye I thought over everything that had happened recently, hoping i didn't do anything wrong...... Then President said, "Elder Rogers how are things in Chesapeake?" I said things are good and said we were pressing forward. Then President said "Elder Rogers I have prayed over it and I would like to call you to be my new assistant. Would you?" I was flabbergasted!!!! The word yes came out of my mouth and i said i would be honored. Then he started to say something else but i didn't hear it because the reality of what was happening finally sunk in! HA

       Then he told me i had to be ready to go on Monday night. So the rest of today i am going to be packing and getting ready to go. I am going up early so i can help with transfers.

       We got Elder Dransfield all squared away and set him up with missionaries to be with so he isn't alone. He will be going on exchanges for a week and a half. HA its crazy.

       I am sooooooo nervous. There is so much i have to do now. And truthfully i only know about some of the things i am going to have to do. My Companion will be Elder Wheelock. He has been an assistant for 5 or so months so he knows what he is doing.

      I don't know my new address but if you send stuff to the mission office i can get it because i live right across the street. I will give you an update on the address next week.

      I am not going to lie. I am really sad to leave Great Bridge. I have been here a long time and i really love the ward. Plus I wasn't aloud to tell any of them i was leaving until Sunday. (He didn't want all the missionaries to know until he got a chance to get things all in order.) 

      On a side note, I started my mission with Elder Logan. Now i get to put him on the plane to sent him home. That is sooooooo cool. haha i am stoked to be able to see him off.

    Any who. I am going crazy right now. I am not sure about a whole lot of things. All i know is that "The Lord Qualifies Who The Lord Calls" that is the only thing that is keeping my from going completely Bonkers!

Then he ended his email with this.......

God is our Father In Heaven.

   Jesus Christ is the savior of the world.

   The Priesthood was Restored through Joseph Smith 

and we have it today.

   Because of that Thomas S. Monson is a Prophet of God.

   The Book Of Mormon is the 

Word of God along with the Bible.

   And I know all that to be true!

   Love y'all and miss you too.

Be Humble Don't Stumble,

         Elder Rogers

Congrats to Elder Rogers, his family is not surprised!! His older brother just beams from ear to ear, his sisters just get teary eyed, and grandparents don't stop bragging, and his parents are very proud.  

We are very thankful for him and his diligent service to our Heavenly Father.  Life will surely be busy for him now.  We can't wait to hear some of the wonderful stories!