Elder Trace A. Rodgerson
Draper Temple August 2, 2010
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
ELDER RODGERSON'S NEW ADDRESS
Elder Trace Rodgerson
The Mere
No. 9 Bradstone Court
Off Brocksby Chase
Bolton, England
BL1 2JD
Send letters to the above address and all packages to the mission home address
The Mere
No. 9 Bradstone Court
Off Brocksby Chase
Bolton, England
BL1 2JD
Send letters to the above address and all packages to the mission home address
Hey Family,
I apologize that you didn't receive an email from me yesterday as it
was a bank holiday and the library was closed. They've had three bank
holidays in the past two weeks. The british really love their days
off. We spent P-day cutting my hair and shopping. I pulled out my
clippers only to find a lovely photocopy of josh's face staring at me.
It was too funny. Also, the transformer from Mr. Mac was all out of
whack so the clippers barely worked and they were pulling at my hair
the entire time. It took like an hour and a half to cut my hair and we
didn't get out of the flat until noon. We went shopping for a coat for
Elder Holman and he found a nice one then we went to ASDA and got our
groceries. I really like Bolton so far and Elder Holman is pretty
dope. He is pretty laid back about things and we get a serious kick
out of each other. He keeps telling me i'm like a breath of fresh air.
He used to be companions with Elder Green so we talk about him a lot.
The Bolton ward is pretty tiny but they LOVE their missionaries. We
have had like seven tea appointments in the last week and they are
always bringing us food and things. We spent New Years eve with the
other Bolton elders, Elder Readhead and Sumner, at Sister Unsworth's.
She fed us, and yeah you guessed it, turkey and mashed potatoes. She
had all of these treats ready for us and fizzy drinks and we played a
scripture game where you had to figure out who the person was. Pretty
good stuff. We then watched The Muppets Christmas Carol. We got to
stay out til Ten oclock. Holy smokes! Then we got home and Elder
Holman and I stayed up until midnight. When the clock struck twelve,
the entire city of Bolton erupted. It was ridiculous. There were so
many fireworks going off. They also make these mini hot air balloons
out of grocery bags and flares and they call them chinese lanters and
they just float up into the sky. The sky was littered with literally
hundreds of them in every direction. We sat out on our balcony and
watched the whole thing. It was so cool.
We then spent New Years day shopping for a moment and Elder Holman and
I got matching flat caps. They are approved for proselyting so I
figured I would wear one! We look pretty hip...and sometimes goofy but
I included a picture! Then we went to the Borgans where we watched
prince caspian and played mario kart on the wii. We played a huge
tournament of races and on the last race I took second place and Elder
Holman took fifth and I ended up losing the whole tournament by one
point. I was a little cheesed off. Then we went over to the Peters for
tea and we got to watch Toy Story. We were there with the other Bolton
Elders as well. We then ended the night by playing a history game
called chronology, and no, I didn't even win once. I was close but
Brother Peters is a braniac. That was the end of the Holiday Season
and now it's back to missionary work!
Our most progressing investigator is Angela. She is dated for the 15th
and she is English. Which is odd! We teach a boat load of hungarians!
There are so many of them. Walking home recently we were walking past
this brick wall with a ladder up to it and there was this man on top
taking a sledge hammer to it. So we asked if we could take a swing at
it! He let us and we had a good time doing some demolition work. Got
speaking to him up on the wall and he was hungarian as well! Set up an
appointment with him and hopefully we will teach him this week. There
are a lot of muslims in Bolton and we have one who is investigating
and of course, he can't be baptised either! We have plenty of people
to teach and we are always busy. I can't write much more but I will
talk to you in a week or so. Zone conference is on thursday.
So happy about Riley. That's such
great news, send him my regards! Where is mitchell tate? Gotta go!
I apologize that you didn't receive an email from me yesterday as it
was a bank holiday and the library was closed. They've had three bank
holidays in the past two weeks. The british really love their days
off. We spent P-day cutting my hair and shopping. I pulled out my
clippers only to find a lovely photocopy of josh's face staring at me.
It was too funny. Also, the transformer from Mr. Mac was all out of
whack so the clippers barely worked and they were pulling at my hair
the entire time. It took like an hour and a half to cut my hair and we
didn't get out of the flat until noon. We went shopping for a coat for
Elder Holman and he found a nice one then we went to ASDA and got our
groceries. I really like Bolton so far and Elder Holman is pretty
dope. He is pretty laid back about things and we get a serious kick
out of each other. He keeps telling me i'm like a breath of fresh air.
He used to be companions with Elder Green so we talk about him a lot.
The Bolton ward is pretty tiny but they LOVE their missionaries. We
have had like seven tea appointments in the last week and they are
always bringing us food and things. We spent New Years eve with the
other Bolton elders, Elder Readhead and Sumner, at Sister Unsworth's.
She fed us, and yeah you guessed it, turkey and mashed potatoes. She
had all of these treats ready for us and fizzy drinks and we played a
scripture game where you had to figure out who the person was. Pretty
good stuff. We then watched The Muppets Christmas Carol. We got to
stay out til Ten oclock. Holy smokes! Then we got home and Elder
Holman and I stayed up until midnight. When the clock struck twelve,
the entire city of Bolton erupted. It was ridiculous. There were so
many fireworks going off. They also make these mini hot air balloons
out of grocery bags and flares and they call them chinese lanters and
they just float up into the sky. The sky was littered with literally
hundreds of them in every direction. We sat out on our balcony and
watched the whole thing. It was so cool.
We then spent New Years day shopping for a moment and Elder Holman and
I got matching flat caps. They are approved for proselyting so I
figured I would wear one! We look pretty hip...and sometimes goofy but
I included a picture! Then we went to the Borgans where we watched
prince caspian and played mario kart on the wii. We played a huge
tournament of races and on the last race I took second place and Elder
Holman took fifth and I ended up losing the whole tournament by one
point. I was a little cheesed off. Then we went over to the Peters for
tea and we got to watch Toy Story. We were there with the other Bolton
Elders as well. We then ended the night by playing a history game
called chronology, and no, I didn't even win once. I was close but
Brother Peters is a braniac. That was the end of the Holiday Season
and now it's back to missionary work!
Our most progressing investigator is Angela. She is dated for the 15th
and she is English. Which is odd! We teach a boat load of hungarians!
There are so many of them. Walking home recently we were walking past
this brick wall with a ladder up to it and there was this man on top
taking a sledge hammer to it. So we asked if we could take a swing at
it! He let us and we had a good time doing some demolition work. Got
speaking to him up on the wall and he was hungarian as well! Set up an
appointment with him and hopefully we will teach him this week. There
are a lot of muslims in Bolton and we have one who is investigating
and of course, he can't be baptised either! We have plenty of people
to teach and we are always busy. I can't write much more but I will
talk to you in a week or so. Zone conference is on thursday.
So happy about Riley. That's such
great news, send him my regards! Where is mitchell tate? Gotta go!
Sunday, January 2, 2011
The Mere
No. 9 Bradstone Court
Off Brocksby Chase
Bolton, England
BL1 2JD
That's my new address. If you haven't guessed yet. I got transferred
to Bolton. My new companion is Elder Holman from Pleasant Grove.
Bolton is huge! It is the biggest town in the UK. It's not a
city because it doesn't have a cathedral. Just a little fun fact for
you. Bolton and Swinton actually border each other so I am about a
fifteen minute bus ride from my old area. Bolton is a bus area as
well, so yup, more bus contacting. I spent my last night in Swinton at
Coordination meeting with the ward mission leader and then afterwards
Brymo and the three of us hung out at the church and watched
"Spiritual Crocodiles" on the Book of Mormon seminary DVD. It is such
a great clip. It was a terribly sad good bye afterwards though.
Brother Griffin gave us a ride to the stake centre at about half 12
and from there we took a bus back to piccadilly and then took a train
to Bolton, then a bus to the flat. I had all of my luggage with me so
it wasn't exactly a good time. However, we made it to the library to
send a few emails and then we will try to make it to the store to shop
before P-day is over.
Christmas was great and we spent christmas eve at the griffins playing
fifa '11 with there grandson Ryan. It was pretty fun. Brother Griffin
sat there and watched the whole time and he was cheering me on the
whole time. It was quite funny. "MAN-U REDS!" He would yell everytime
I scored. He's a crazy one he is. We then spent Christmas at the
church in the morning for a carol service. We came back to the flat
for a couple hours where I took a nap and then back to the griffins
for christmas dinner and then over to the ashtons to call you! the
phone call was great and it went by so fast! I didn't hang up on you
by the way! The phone lost its connection or something and hung up at
sixty minutes and fourteen seconds. I suppose it wanted me to be
exactly obedient. I watched toy story 3 at the Ashtons as well while
my companions were calling home! Make sure you tell Katelin, she'd be
thrilled. The Cooks sent me an awesome christmas present as well! If
you speak to them for some crazy reason, tell them thank you. I sent
them a thank you card today as well. Say thanks to Jeff and Kerrie for
the sweets and letters as well. I am drowning in chocolate. The
presents you sent were so awesome as well. I am currently sporting my
base layer as we speak. The problem is it doesn't have a pee hole. So
that's kind of frustrating. Make sure Grandma and Grandpa know how
grateful I am for there presents as well. I finished all of my pop
tarts this morning!
That is all I have to write about for this week! I will tell you more
about the area and the ward on monday! I love you all and have a happy
new year.
Love,
Trace
PS What is up with Zatch's hair?
No. 9 Bradstone Court
Off Brocksby Chase
Bolton, England
BL1 2JD
That's my new address. If you haven't guessed yet. I got transferred
to Bolton. My new companion is Elder Holman from Pleasant Grove.
Bolton is huge! It is the biggest town in the UK. It's not a
city because it doesn't have a cathedral. Just a little fun fact for
you. Bolton and Swinton actually border each other so I am about a
fifteen minute bus ride from my old area. Bolton is a bus area as
well, so yup, more bus contacting. I spent my last night in Swinton at
Coordination meeting with the ward mission leader and then afterwards
Brymo and the three of us hung out at the church and watched
"Spiritual Crocodiles" on the Book of Mormon seminary DVD. It is such
a great clip. It was a terribly sad good bye afterwards though.
Brother Griffin gave us a ride to the stake centre at about half 12
and from there we took a bus back to piccadilly and then took a train
to Bolton, then a bus to the flat. I had all of my luggage with me so
it wasn't exactly a good time. However, we made it to the library to
send a few emails and then we will try to make it to the store to shop
before P-day is over.
Christmas was great and we spent christmas eve at the griffins playing
fifa '11 with there grandson Ryan. It was pretty fun. Brother Griffin
sat there and watched the whole time and he was cheering me on the
whole time. It was quite funny. "MAN-U REDS!" He would yell everytime
I scored. He's a crazy one he is. We then spent Christmas at the
church in the morning for a carol service. We came back to the flat
for a couple hours where I took a nap and then back to the griffins
for christmas dinner and then over to the ashtons to call you! the
phone call was great and it went by so fast! I didn't hang up on you
by the way! The phone lost its connection or something and hung up at
sixty minutes and fourteen seconds. I suppose it wanted me to be
exactly obedient. I watched toy story 3 at the Ashtons as well while
my companions were calling home! Make sure you tell Katelin, she'd be
thrilled. The Cooks sent me an awesome christmas present as well! If
you speak to them for some crazy reason, tell them thank you. I sent
them a thank you card today as well. Say thanks to Jeff and Kerrie for
the sweets and letters as well. I am drowning in chocolate. The
presents you sent were so awesome as well. I am currently sporting my
base layer as we speak. The problem is it doesn't have a pee hole. So
that's kind of frustrating. Make sure Grandma and Grandpa know how
grateful I am for there presents as well. I finished all of my pop
tarts this morning!
That is all I have to write about for this week! I will tell you more
about the area and the ward on monday! I love you all and have a happy
new year.
Love,
Trace
PS What is up with Zatch's hair?
Monday, November 29, 2010
FIRST THANKSGIVING NOVEMBER 26, 2011
Happy Thanksgiving and Happy Birthday Yosh,
It's been quite chilly over here in England yet the sun has been out every single day this week. It's quite the conundrum. It was -9 degrees celcius yesterday morning. I don't know how cold that is but it sounds freezing. I still haven't purchased a coat but I snagged an old one from the zone leaders flat and it is ugly. Keeps me warm though. We are headed out to the trafford centre today and I might man up and purchase myself a coat. We'll see though.
I went on another exchange with Elder Helzer this past week. We spent two days here in the swinton area together. He's a great missionary, great work ethic and his desire to better himself is quite apparent. He also has a crazy german accent which is great. His clip on tag broke this week and he had no way of putting his tag on his coat so I included a picture of how he wore it that night. Very very funny.
We had a baptism this saturday. Ebenezer and Girmaye Liban. They are the sons of Gedo and Fatuma Godona. They were both baptised about two years ago. They lived in Ethiopia about ten years ago and due to problems in ethiopia they had to flee to kenya and their sons were taken somewhere safe in Ethiopia. Then about two years ago they ran into more trouble in Kenya and the british government air lifted them out of africa and gave them a place to live in salford. After ten years, they were finally reunited with their sons in October. They have spent a lot of time and money trying to locate and then prove that Ebenezer and Girmaye are their children. We have had the incredible experience of teaching them and their parents have been amazing in helping us overcome the language barrier.
Their baptism was incredible. Gedo baptised them both and Elder Green and I had the opportunity to witness and give talks as well. The funny part was is that we practiced with gedo quite a few times before the baptism and he has trouble saying the word baptise. He always said "baptism you". Then when it was ebenezer's turn to be baptised, of course he says "I baptism you", Ebenezer started laughing under his breath. It was so funny, but he finally got it. Got some pictures for you as well. I am so excited for the life that will be ahead of them because of their decision to be baptised.
I received one of your packages this week as well. It officially looks like a christmas bomb went off in our flat. I'm guessing i'm not allowed to open the wrapped part until christmas, correct me if i'm wrong. I sent you a picture of the snowmen i made. I'm funny.
We had our sports day this friday and it was actually quite fun. I played american football, basketball and volleyball for six hours straight and i've been feeling it for quite a few days now. I am extremely sore and I think I will refrain from exercise for the rest of my life. It's just not for me. So that was our thanksgiving, we also got to take an hour and a half tea, whoopie. I had chicken nuggets for thanksgiving dinner.
I have had like twenty tea appointments since i've been in the ward and I have only eaten two things. Chili and Rice or Chicken, potatoes, sausage and carrots. They are obsessed with their potatoes. I can't remember if I have already told you this. Every meal they have every kind of potato you can think of, mashed, roast, fried, it's ridiculous. But it's food so I aint complaining. Our ward mission leader just got released so that kind of blows and they still haven't called a new one. The ward can be a little sloppy sometimes I have found out.
Not much is new over here. Elder Green and I are still working hard. Glad to hear about Josh's tourney. You drove all the way to vegas for two games of football, that seems a little silly. Make sure he knows I said happy birthday and if I wasn't thousands of miles away I might get him something. Anyway I will speak to you all next week.
Trace
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