Hiiiiii

Hello fellow human beings, I bet your wondering why I gathered you together today. Or why I just said that. It's a mystery that will stump this guy forever.

So this week was chuck full. Seriously though, met like 3 guys named chuck. That's a lot seeing as we had a big ole mission tour. And who did this great elder galvaret or however you spell it pick for his helper. That's right, me. What did I do? I cut an apple. Yep basically a pro, oh and it was a dull knife so it was harder than it looked. But
I was told that that was the last time I'd see a lot of my mission homies. So that was sad. Also got a big slap in the face when my dinner calendar showed my last month. Ca, Ray, Z. But I've got a while till that happens so no problemos here.

Anyway I do need to tell you this story, I was on exchanges and this guy calls us while we were in a lesson and leaves a message. After we get out of the lesson we get in the car. Yep a car. Crazy. And we listen to the message. And this man on the phone sounds completely nuts.  He tells us that he needs us because he's about to commit suicide and saying stuff about John Smith and how he needs us right now. Anyway we drive to the address he gives us and lo and behold it's a member who thinks he's funny, and to put it to boot, he just needed help lifting a 250 pound fountain. That had no definable shape. It could be described as a pear with tumors. And of course, they have never done this before but they figured since we are the elders we can figure it out. So then we get put in charge. And since I was more "experienced" suddenly I was an expert on putting in fountains. So what did I do. I put in the fountain, was it pretty? Nope. Would you have died laughing? Guaranteed. Did I hurt myself? Of course. Is the fountain working? Does the sun set in the west? Boo yah.

Anyway so that was pretty fun. The ward here knows us pretty well and three of us serving in the ward go home in June. And so the ward has taken it upon themselves to make sure we die before dying. Some try over feeding. Others heavy objects. Others random problems that the elders can for sure fix. Sometimes they almost convince me I know how to do things I've never done. It's a good thing I know that I can pray. Would you like to see a typical state of the art elder Rollins prayer? Here it is. "Hello Heavenly Father, it's me again. I just found out I'm moving a heavy fountain. And installing it. They say it's not too hard. But as you know, I've never done it. Please don't let me die. Thanks."  That's about how it goes, sometimes depending on the situation it's more like holysmokesheavenlyfatherthisroadisreallybumpyandbrakesarebrokenpleaseletmestop!

Anyways, now real quick I have a story to tell, we are teaching a wonderful old couple who just can't make it too church because they are too old. But the dead little wife told us just before we left last time that she had a terrible time forgiving people. She said she didn't like to forgive people. I could see in her eyes her hurt being pulled between being Christlike and getting Justice. Now being batman (haha), I've studied justice. And Justice usually requires that one person ends up not getting what they want, and everybody getting what they deserve. Debts, have to be paid. 

I sat back down and we started talking and she brought up how she had been hurt by a close friend and how it drove a wedge. She had vocally forgiven her friend. But hadn't done it in her heart. So she didn't talk to them anymore. I prayed hard to know what to tell her and I thought about a billion scriptures and stories but one stuck out. I told her how the Savior forgave his captors while on the cross. Because he understood, he was there only a few hours before. Feeling what they felt, knowing what they knew. So I told this wonderful strong sister to hand it over and stop trying to do things by herself. Jesus is the one who paid the debt and we just need to give him the numbers. He already paid for this pain. Why hold on to an empty check? She told us later in the week that she was handing it over piece by piece. Learned a lot about humility.

Well! It's off to the races again! Can't believe the next time I write I will be in June! Best month ever cause... born!

Love you all so much! Byeeeeee!

Elder Rollins

Wazzup

Hello everybody!

So this week was pretty good! Went by really fast, really fast. But that's good I guess. We had a couple lessons with John he is doing well just taking his time which is good.  We are getting excited for the mission tour this week! Another seventy. It's been an exciting little while here. Waiting for the world to change. But it doesn't help to wait, usually better to try to help it move along.

So the story for this week!

We were out biking, we do that a lot. And my left crank, pedal leg, whatever you call it, decided to abandon ship. So I coasted around until we could get the bikes home, then we bussed until the next day when we borrowed another elders bike, which his back tire was in terrible shape, so lo and behold it popped, twice. So we borrowed another elders bike and so far it has survived. Poor bikes, can't take these leg muscles.

Seriously though I have like two pairs of pants that are alive and operational, three if I'm careful. Shirts are gray and brown but so are the pants so I match alright. Body is still white. Lots of scars. Seriously, I thought snowboarding or mountain biking, maybe lacrosse, football, wrestling with brothers, would leave scars. No. It's moving old ladies, biking as close to the curb as we can and getting attacked by bushes. Basketball psychos, dogs, bike pedals hitting your ankles. Yet I'm happy as can be. Weird. Seems like this world isn't all that life is about. Huh, weird. 

Speaking of weird. I realized this week that my little brothers are old. Huh. And I got a picture of my cute little sassy kassie. All grown up. Therefore, I am mad at all of you for being all grown up. That's ok though it was bound to happen eventually.

Anyways, I decided this week as well that I would be sealed. Yep sealed to the church. Never to depart, too many people leave. Not good. The world is not happy. It's a lie. Drinking isn't fun. Swearing isn't cool. 

Why is it so hard to smile? I think everybody should smile! It's good to smile. Don't judge, that's for God. Exercise is good, food is good, family is good, God is Good, nature is good, beds are good, batman is me, freedom is good, lint rollers are key, chocolate milk is divine, music can be good. So why be sad? I think we should be happy. I know we should be happy just ask nephi!

Make someone smile this week!
Go make a goofy face
Go down a slide
Make up a song
Write a poem
Dance
Go give somebody a big hug
Embrace your awkwardness

Don't get too stressed. It makes you grumpy then you honk at the bicyclist. Remember remember, the world is not the droid you're looking for.

I love you all! Have a good week! Be good! Do your best but don't be stressed!

Elder Rollins

Elder Rollins on Rollin St.

Hi Sister Rollins,

Your son serves in our ward. We had him over for dinner tonight and had a wonderful time. Attached is a photo of your son heading toward the church building. We thought it was funny to see him riding right past Rollin St so snapped the photo. When we drove past, we saw that his hand was not on the bars of the bike but in his pockets. It was impressive.

Have a wonderful weekend,

The Walton Family

Josh's District

Hello from South Pasadena, Again.

So, south Pasadena, me and elder Shumway, round four. Must have done something wrong... Heh jokes, guess they just want this area to die, but that will not happen while I am here.

This week was pretty packed, people getting taught and getting dropped, random moms asking if we can take their daughters to prom, yeah right, I did my time. The craving of a chocolate doughnut. So weird. Trying to guess people languages and yelling out a greeting. Fun stuff.

It was decided that at this point in the mission we are senile. I don't know how because I've never been to Egypt. Heh. But in our old age we have still been able to bike up the steep hills, slower. But still go up. Anyways, I have to tell you another story because I can, if you don't want me to that's too bad.

Well we were visiting bandit, he's a homie, I love him to death. And he showed me the greatest example of Christlike love I have ever seen. So he and his daughter have gotten rather attached, so naturally they were super stressed about transfers so we committed them to come to church, and they did, and we told them that were were staying and they were super happy, but the miracle comes after church. We went by their house, just to see them and tell them we aren't lying. And he tells us of how he knew Edgard before when Edgard was struggling and not a happy or nice guy.  Then Bandit tells us how he had seen him in class at church, baptized and answering questions. He said he got so excited and so happy.  He was still so happy about how good Edgard was doing that happy that he kissed me on the head. A little weird and I tried to be like dad and be stiffer than a board. But he was so excited over one person who changed. How great. It was fantastic to see. He is a good man.

Oh and as a side note, this drunk guy lectured me on how I needed to protect my eyes until after the mission because they are to precious to lose. Also really weird.

As another note, elder Shumway is 20 today which makes me a very young missionary. Still a teenager, so I decided I'll live up my last teenagerness and bug him a lot. Its going to be great. Just kidding, I don't have enough energy for that.

Well I need to tell you that I love you all with every fiber of my being, and you've all been locked into my heart for so long I almost don't want to see you so I can just keep thinking about how great you are and not see any of your problems. Unless you're my brothers, then I love you because you're problems. Punks.

Smile!
S.piritually M.inded I.s L.ife E.ternal
😃
Elder Rollins

Hello Everybody

Well well well!

Yesterday was great! Good to see all your mugs! Especially yours mother! Love you lots thanks for being my mommy and letting me leave. It will be harder when joe leaves because he's your favorite. Or Alex. Just not the oldest three. Anyways

This week was pretty eventful! We had some quality lessons with a lot of less actives! Had some pretty good lessons with this thug who's name is Bandit. Cause can't give us real name. So sick he's less active but really wants to come to church, the thing is, you can leave the hard life, but it won't leave you. Misery loves company! But he is doing well and we are trying to help him stay active! He's a good man.

So real quick I'll give you some good stories

Ahem 😎

And it came to pass, that in the 22 month of the reign of the Rollins, in the ward of the Pasadena in the land southward, we beheld a great and marvelous sight. Behold a choloite did beckon us saying "behold my Mormon brethren" and we said unto him, "greetings hast thou seen youthful men such as us, wearing such wondrous ties? And he said "yea, and I didst speak unto them many words, yea I did call them to remembrance of their devilish ways, and their lyings, and their secret combinations" and we said unto him "behold thou dost know nothing concerning the actions of our brethren, for behold a marvelous work is about to come forth among the children of men" and he said "dawg, dost thou think I'm trippin?" And we said unto him "yea for behold, the shorts saggeth so far as to make speed impossible for thou shouldst surely trip." And he did say many things unto us concerning our appearance and our intelligence, and it came to pass that we did depart from the street merrily, for behold, I wouldst rather be persecuted for righteousness sake than loved for the worlds sake.

So that was fun! Basically just living the dream, and I'm not even mad! We had a grand adventure this week, next week is transfers, no idea if I'm staying or going, probably far far away on judeas plain. Or something like that!

Just letting you know I love you all!

Almost as much as the gospel! Your getting there! Keep going! 

Love you see you miss you! To quote myself at age 3

The church is true, the book is blue, and so is the ocean.

That was deep🐙

Elder Rollins

Why are my oldest three not my favorites?  Because we all know it, it's ok we've accepted it 
You are delirious.  And wrong.  I love you all!  The favorite changes hour by hour.  My bet is if you were to ask your brothers they would say you are the favorite now.  You are never in trouble.  You tell me you love me.  You write my fun letters,  You bear your testimony to me....  Yeah yeah sure sure That's right I'm perfect 

Whatever.  You ate my candybar. (during our phone call he pulled out a candybar and said the ward gave it to him for his mother.  And then he proceeded to eat it in front of me.)

Whatever, You pawned off my room!  not just your room but all the contents.  I was thinking of not sending you much of a birthday package because buddy,  we are going to need to go shopping when you get home.  

No worries, I was going to tell you not to send something anyway, It would just end up coming home two weeks later so no point. 

True that.  I will send you something edible.  That won't last long at all!   Hehe good one

I am the funny one, remember? Nope seem to have forgotten!

Memory loss is a sign of old age.  So sad old man. 

Still Alive

So this week was pretty good! Had quite the week!  I have to tell you about a lesson that we had! So we were teaching Edgard, and he asked us about Ruth and Naomi and I told him their story, during the story it seems he got kind of bored so I spiced it up by saying that they cooked someone up and ate him, he woke up after that. Hehehe I laughed pretty hard. Elder Shumway looked at me like I was psycho but I'm pretty used to that by now!

So momsies day is coming up! So make sure you have some good questions! Because I forgot how to talk to you normal humans. I don't know what else happened this week..... Oh! I was on exchanges in East LA! So ghetto, love it. And I was walking and playing my ukulele, we were walking past this guy in his beat up old van, and he yelled for us to come over, there was this lady (his mom) in the drivers seat and a massive bottle of vodka in his lap, she immediately starts throwing out rapid Spanish but I got the idea she wanted me to sing, the drunk guy confirming my suspicions asked me to sing some heavy metal song. Yep, the white guy in east la with a Uke. Don't drink..... Anyway he asks me to sing this song and I say I don't know that one. He said ok will you play me a song. And so I told him that it was churchy song and asked if that was ok. The mom yelled Si like 12 times and told me to play. So I sang them When I Am Baptised. Figured drunk people still get subliminal messages. After I finished they gave me a round of applause and then the mom in broken English literally begged us for a card and our info. And where we go to church. I replied in broken Spanish and she got so excited. She tried to tell me about how her son was struggling and how she needed help, I told her I understand and we went on our way after giving them all the info we could. Times like those that make missionary work look easy!

So it was a pretty good week! Looking forward to many more! Love you all and pray for you always! Smile! Be wise! Talk to you soon!


Elder Rollins

Well well dearly beloveds! Email 2! We gather today to talk about the mission of the well known Mormons. Mormons, Mormons is what brings us togever, today.

No idea why I just did that, but I can do what I want. I have agency that's burning a hole in my pocketses. Figured I'd spend it wisely!

Anyway, so I just wanted to add to this week another experience! This one is a little more spiritual! So mom will enjoy it, and grandma. Don't know why girls like that sappy stuff. I knew they were related to trees.

That was weird 🌳 forgive me, I will branch out in my jokes.  I'm sorry again.🌿 I'll leaf you alone. Darn, sorry sorry. 🐶I'm just barkin mad.  Crap, at least I'm not trunky. ✈️  Dadgummit.  🤐

So the experience goes as follows!

I was biking, we do that a lot. And we were going to a lesson with John, and as we were going up another big hill and I was trying to keep my lungs in my chest, I was thinking about what a good guy he was and how I was just so frustrated he wouldn't come to church, so I decided I would let the Lord do His work and I will just follow. So we went into the house and when he opened the door I just knew that Heavenly Father loved Him, and that in His own time he would push him. John just wasn't ready yet. And it's not my job to tell the Lord how to do the work. So I just let John know we cared and that we could be patient. He seemed very relieved and a weight visibly left him. It's good to work for a perfect being.

Anyway so that's the spiritual side of the week, don't know why it got put on the back burner but consider this repentance so it gets an email all alone!

Now I can testify that He really loves you! And you may not know why! But he really does! Believe me there are people here who have done things only heard of in movies and books. And yet they can still  change. What greater miracle than seeing someone access the atonement!? And we thought life was hard. Ha

Love you all with all my heart might mind and strength, I'm just lettin the Lord use it for a while! After all, I have a very large debt to Him!

How are you repaying?

K bye!
Elder Rollins