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| Mission Tour May 2016 |
Monday, June 6, 2016
Will Be a Good Week
This is the third best week ever, as you all should know! As it is the week of my birth! I hope that all of you look back this Wednesday and realize how un-satisfying your lives would be without me! How sad for you! Just kidding, I'm just lucky to be alive, especially after this week. Allow me to explain.
Well this week started off as any other week! Biking around and then all of that came to a screeching halt. Literally. Sounded like a nazghul with a cold. One second the back derailer on my back was on. The next second it wasn't. Crazy! We have done a lot of walking, and this week it decided to jump into the nineties. Hallelujah.
I feel like a cooked lemon, bitter and a little bit burnt. But that is ok. Because when life makes you a burnt lemon, I have no idea what you do for that.
What I did, was make like a buffalo in the wild, and wing it. Also the bishopric was reorganized this week with the stake presidency being reorganized next week. Sheesh, you would have thought Muhammad Ali died. Tears, testimony, tears, testimony. Basically like mom, all aunts and grandmas will be at the end of the month at an airport. That was uncalled for. But then again so we're the last four brothers and they still came. Just kidding. I get to tell jokes like that this week!
Also this week there was a car full of newly graduated senior sirens. (Aka females) and they thought it would be funny to yell something at the Mormons with a ukulele. So they started yelling all sorts of stuff. As they passed but it was made even better because the car in front stopped suddenly and the car full of sirens had to slam on the brakes. And so their windshield became a siren slapper. I'm sure when they got home their parents asked how come all their noses looked the same now. It was way more fun for me than for them of course, so walked by with only slightly bigger smiles. And now it's sermon time!
My sermon comes from a certain phrase that has been on my mind lately. And that phrase is long suffering. What a depressing phrase. You are going to suffer for a long time. How not fun. But it always appears in a verse with good things even in verses to describe Heavenly Father.
I did some extra digging. And to suffer is to endure pain. And long is not short. So this life is going to have pain. We are expected to endure. What about Heavenly Father? Isn't he happy? Of course he is happy, but he loves us so much he suffers with us! That my dearest compadres is some real love. None of that movie garbage. Loving someone so much to die for them is very impressive, But to live with them, and suffer with them and still love them. Now that, that is love. So when I left almost 24 months ago, I set a goal for myself to die for this message. The gospel. And I can easily say I would do that. No sweat, piece of cake! Sign me up! The hard part, is living for it. Now that is a challenge. And that is my goal now. I want to live for this gospel, just as the Savior did. I wish with all my heart to have been the angel to comfort him in the garden, or to have been the disciples to take his mortal frame off the cross. I wish to have seen Him come down in glory to my broken home with the Nephites. But the past won't get me anywhere. Now, now I wish to ascend to Him, with my whole family. There will be an eternity to ask him questions. So that's why I'm still here. I will go till He calls me and go where He sends me! Couldn't ask for more than that!
Love you all! Thank you for letting me preach at you! Not that you have to read it! But it is my birthday week. So I expect you too!
Byeeeeeeee
Elder Rollins
Well this week started off as any other week! Biking around and then all of that came to a screeching halt. Literally. Sounded like a nazghul with a cold. One second the back derailer on my back was on. The next second it wasn't. Crazy! We have done a lot of walking, and this week it decided to jump into the nineties. Hallelujah.
I feel like a cooked lemon, bitter and a little bit burnt. But that is ok. Because when life makes you a burnt lemon, I have no idea what you do for that.
What I did, was make like a buffalo in the wild, and wing it. Also the bishopric was reorganized this week with the stake presidency being reorganized next week. Sheesh, you would have thought Muhammad Ali died. Tears, testimony, tears, testimony. Basically like mom, all aunts and grandmas will be at the end of the month at an airport. That was uncalled for. But then again so we're the last four brothers and they still came. Just kidding. I get to tell jokes like that this week!
Also this week there was a car full of newly graduated senior sirens. (Aka females) and they thought it would be funny to yell something at the Mormons with a ukulele. So they started yelling all sorts of stuff. As they passed but it was made even better because the car in front stopped suddenly and the car full of sirens had to slam on the brakes. And so their windshield became a siren slapper. I'm sure when they got home their parents asked how come all their noses looked the same now. It was way more fun for me than for them of course, so walked by with only slightly bigger smiles. And now it's sermon time!
My sermon comes from a certain phrase that has been on my mind lately. And that phrase is long suffering. What a depressing phrase. You are going to suffer for a long time. How not fun. But it always appears in a verse with good things even in verses to describe Heavenly Father.
I did some extra digging. And to suffer is to endure pain. And long is not short. So this life is going to have pain. We are expected to endure. What about Heavenly Father? Isn't he happy? Of course he is happy, but he loves us so much he suffers with us! That my dearest compadres is some real love. None of that movie garbage. Loving someone so much to die for them is very impressive, But to live with them, and suffer with them and still love them. Now that, that is love. So when I left almost 24 months ago, I set a goal for myself to die for this message. The gospel. And I can easily say I would do that. No sweat, piece of cake! Sign me up! The hard part, is living for it. Now that is a challenge. And that is my goal now. I want to live for this gospel, just as the Savior did. I wish with all my heart to have been the angel to comfort him in the garden, or to have been the disciples to take his mortal frame off the cross. I wish to have seen Him come down in glory to my broken home with the Nephites. But the past won't get me anywhere. Now, now I wish to ascend to Him, with my whole family. There will be an eternity to ask him questions. So that's why I'm still here. I will go till He calls me and go where He sends me! Couldn't ask for more than that!
Love you all! Thank you for letting me preach at you! Not that you have to read it! But it is my birthday week. So I expect you too!
Byeeeeeeee
Elder Rollins
Tuesday, May 31, 2016
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 holysmokesheavenlyfatherthisro
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
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 holysmokesheavenlyfatherthisro
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
Monday, May 23, 2016
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
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
Friday, May 20, 2016
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
Monday, May 16, 2016
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
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
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