First Week in the Field

Hi everybody,

This is the end of my first week in the field and I have learned a lot. I haven't met a lot of people from the ward yet because yesterday was Stake Conference, but I have met a few and they are super nice. We are getting fed here and there and the work is getting better. There is an issue with my ward and the ward missionaries. My companion and I feel like they are expecting the full time missionaries to do all their work. The Bishop gave us a list of like 200 inactive members and told us to see what's up with them. So we called the Mission President and told him about the assignment we were given and he wasn't pleased, he doesn't want us to do the work of ward missionaries. But we can use the list to an extent.

Anyways, it is not too cold here but it gets a little chilly. Thanks for sending my sweater. Me and the other new missionaries in my mission all got to see "Meet the Mormons" at a church building! It was very good and interesting.

Elder Timothy and I and other missionaries do some service hours at a retirement home called Arvada Estates. We go every Tuesday and Thursday. We play Bingo and balloon volleyball.              

My companion and I have a car and I'm loving it. He got in a bike accident and he can't ride until next summer. So I don't know when I will be needing my bike but I will keep you all posted. I have been getting some altitude sickness here but I'm getting better everyday. It's not that bad. I'm glad to hear you are all doing well. I'm doing fine here as well and I am learning a lot. We got to go to the Denver Temple and do Endowments this last Wednesday and we also went to Deseret Book as well. It is such a beautiful temple.

I love you all, take care!

Here are some Pictures from the previous week!

Arriving in Colorado!

Hi Everybody,

I've made it to Colorado safely and have arrived at my residence. My new companion is Elder Timothy from Chandler Arizona. He has been out for a little over 13 months. He is a very good companion and a really good missionary. I know he will train me well.

The weather here is kind of like Provo except it is just a little colder. I don't think I will absolutely be needing my coat right now, but I will definitely be getting it soon. To be honest, I feel like my residence is Grandma Gravley's house. The weather, the town and everything just reminds me of her house. But my companion and I live with a single sister named Sister Morales and she is very nice. She has a couple of kids but she and her husband got divorced. There is also an exchanged student from Saudi Arabia that lives with us as well. I had my first dinner appointment last night with a member family.

I am doing well and am glad to be starting my "real" mission now. My first area is a place called Arvada, Colorado and the people I have met so far seem really nice. My Zone leaders and AP's are very nice and loving as well. President and Sister Mendenhall are such great and loving people. Sister Mendenhall is a nurse so we are in good hands.

The President and AP's picked us up at the airport and took us to the mission home. We ate lunch there and met our new companions. Then Elder Timothy and I had to make some arrangements with our car and luggage along with other Elders and then we got to work. My District family and I have gone our own ways with our new companions and I hope I can see them again sometime.

Until next week,

Elder Rodriguez

Last Moments

Saying Goodbye at the airport and getting set apart as an Elder!

First Week!

Hello Everyone!

I have arrived safely and I have been doing well at the MTC!I think the MTC is great! Conference was very inspirational. The weather here is cooler than California, it's about 60 or 40ish or so. My schedule is pretty busy, we always have different studies and classroom instructions, but it is taught by very good loving teachers. My companions' name is Elder Fisher and he is from Northern California.  I found out that if I went to the MTC a week earlier than I did, I would have had a chance to sing at the Conference center!!!! I was mad.  The food here is a little less quality than I expected but it is still good, it keeps us full. My district consists of my companion and I, another set of Elders and two sets of Sisters. So there are 8 of us. One set of Sisters are going to Vancouver Canada, but the rest of us are going to the Colorado Denver North Mission.

I actually went to the Provo Temple a couple of hours ago. But it looks like that will be the only time I we get to go. My impressions at the MTC are that everybody has a common purpose to bring souls unto Christ. I didn't know how big the campus was, and didn't know there was a West Campus. The Flight here was cool, I just got a little dizzy and queezy. I haven't uploaded pics yet, I don't know if the computers here let you. But I will upload soon. As I look at the mountains next to the MTC everyday I really miss Mountain Biking and doing the things I like, and I think to myself "I still have 2 years to go!" but I know that what I am doing is far more important. I am really anxious to get to Colorado and I want to start the work now! I love you guys and I hope all is well. Goodbye for now.

Love, Elder Rodriguez

Arrival!

Here is Elder Rodriguez reporting for the MTC!