Pictures!! {12.29.14}

A few pictures to tide your over until tomorrow! 

Historic Flemingsburg

Our District at my last district meeting of my mission!

Good ol' Fleming County and it's Tobacco warehoused :) Literally on every corner

Christmas Eve slumber party!! We watched Mr. Krueger's Christmas :)

This family we're teaching literally got a piglet for Christmas. It was definitely a Kentucky Christmas :)

Come Unto Christ {12.29.14}

All of you dear people who I love so much,

My heart is so full this morning and I don't even know where to start. This is the last email I will be sending you as a full time missionary and I haven't quite wrapped my mind around that yet. This past week as I've reflected on the last 18 months of my life and the MANY things I've learned, I've realized that all of it comes back to one thing..

Coming unto Christ. Every morning for the last year and a half I've recited "My Purpose", which is inviting others to come unto Christ by helping them learn and live His doctrine. It was easy to let this become mundane and not to really think about what I was saying but this week the meaning behind these words has really sunk deep into my heart. Then this morning I read a scripture in Alma chapter 5 and everything kind of clicked... 

 12 And according to his faith there was a mighty change wrought in his heart. Behold I say unto you that this is all true.

 13 And behold, he preached the word unto your fathers, and a mighty change was also wrought in their hearts, and they humbled themselves and put their trust in the true and living God. And behold, they were faithful until the end; therefore they were saved.

 14 And now behold, I ask of you, my brethren of the church, have ye spiritually been born of God? Have ye received his image in your countenances? Have ye experienced this mighty change in your hearts?

I have had a mighty change of heart through the Doctrine of Christ. I have been blessed to help and witness others experience the same change as I've had the privilege to teach them to Doctrine of our Savior. Elder Bednar said that as we come to better understand this sacred power (being enabled to change through the Atonement), our Gospel perspective will be greatly enlarged and enriched. Such a perspective will change us in remarkable ways.

I stand today as a living witness that these words are true. I am not the same person who showed up at the Provo Utah MTC 18 months ago. Today I don't want to focus on myself though but on my brothers and sisters who have experienced this mighty change of heart. I have seen the Gospel of Jesus Christ change peoples lives. I have gone into the darkest of places and shared the light Christ has given me. The miracle of my mission has been witnessing God's children find and feed their own light. His light will change the world.  I can't even begin to count the number of lives I've seen change, so I'm just going to share with you those I've been blessed to be able to see become baptized and the changes that accompanied.. 

I have seen a woman who has had homosexual and abusive relationships get married and start a family in the Gospel; A woman whose been verbally and physically abused her entire life and turned to drinking and smoking, become clean and feel real love and worth for the first time in her life; A man who was a cross dresser because he had no individual worth start wearing a shirt and tie every day, study preach my gospel daily, receive the aaronic priesthood, and pass the sacrament; A family who was addicted to video games and didn't make time for church, become re activated (and their children baptized) and prepare for the temple; a woman who has been in an abusive relationship for years and is suffering from cancer, walk away from all of it to start a new life with Christ; a family who yells and screams at each other, come to church every week and read the Book of Mormon together (now they sing primary songs instead of scream:); a family who didn't communicate and suffered from anger and depression, have family night and daily family prayer and scripture study and attend the temple together; a full time smoke for almost 20 years, come to church every week and QUIT; a man with many doubts and questions exercise immense faith and fill a hole he didn't know he had in his heart; an 85 year old blind woman in a wheel chair put aside her fears, become baptized, and become actively involved in the church; and just yesterday a woman who has felt God was angry with her for years, feel of His love for her again and change her whole life literally overnight to follow Him. 

I don't care who you are or where you've been, You can't out-sin the Atonement of Christ and you can change because of it. Better yet, you don't have to be a sinner to be changed by the atonement. We are here to go from bad to good, from good to BETTER, and to change our very natures.  So, my last question for you is... have ye spiritually been born of God? Have ye received his image in your countenances? Have ye experienced this mighty change in your hearts? What can you do today, this week to become more like Him? What is  you next step? As for me, I will apply the Doctrine of Christ every day for the rest of my life and He will make me who He wants me to be. That is the miracle of my mission. Let Him be the miracle of your life!

I love you MUCH more than you know

xoxoxox

Sister Rolfe

Angels from the Realms of Glory! (12.22.14}

Merry Christmas, Darlings! 

I hope this week is magical for all of you! I know that it will be a very special one here in Maysville! JUANITA IS GETTING BAPTIZED!! This weekend.. my last full day as a missionary :) Keep her in your prayers!

Before we get there, though, let me tell you about my past week. I thought I was a gypsy before, but I had no idea what was in store.

Tuesday, we woke up early to head up to Montgomery for our Christmas Conference! It was wonderful and we even got to watch Meet the Mormons!! I cried so hard. Go see it if you haven't! That night we headed back to Eastgate for an exchange. We had dinner with the Blackhams and went Christmas caroling with them :) What a blessing!

We spent the next day in Eastgate. To be able to spend one of the last days of my mission in the area that has such a big piece of my heart was a huge tender mercy of the Lord. The day went way too fast! We saw the Reed family (London and Erica were baptized this summer) and they are doing so good! They are having family night and family prayer and scripture study. They are literally a different family than  I met 28 months ago. What a blessing it has been for me to witness the changes that have occurred in their family throughout my mission and to end my mission with them going to the temple for baptisms together this weekend! They are a living witness of the Doctrine of Christ. 

I also got to visit Angela (Hilary Weeks friend). She had stopped meeting with the sisters because her husband had been offended. I was able  (well the Spirit really)  to mend some wounds and Angela committed to start reading the Book of Mormon again and to let the sisters help her with her Christmas present wrapping. HALLELUJAH! Christmas miracles abound!!

I was also able to see many of the members I love SO MUCH at the church building that night! Blessings all around!

The Hebron sisters picked me up from Eastgate and I spent the next day with them trying to get a hold of Janet, the most amazing recent convert in the world who has gone MIA. The ward has done everything to contact her with no success and have no idea whats going on so the Bishop got special permission for me to come back to talk with her. We werent able to get a hold of her but I left her a very long heartfelt letter directed by the Spirit! Although we weren't able to get a hold of her, I definitely know that I fulfilled my purpose for going to Hebron. The sisters and I saw so many miracles that day and were able to help each other with some things each of our companionships have been strugglign with. Heavenly Father definitely knows the bigger picture!

My companions picked me up Friday morning and we headed back to Hebron for my first full day in my real area. What a blessing it was to be able to spend a couple days in two of the areas I love so much. Heavenly Father is so gracious!!

This weekend we saw SO MANY Christmas miracles in Maysville Basically, they can all be summed up by saying that the curtain in the back of the Maysville chapel were opened for the FIRST TIME IN BRANCH HISTORY!!!!! We had 122 people at sacrament meeting!!!! The average last year at this time was 40... our current average is 80. Talk about a Christmas miracle!! There were 15 investigators and many more less active members. The program was all music and the Spirit was SO STRONG. Sisters Ryan, Anderson and I sang Little Baby but I'm convinced it was the angels singing because we've all had sore throats all week and could barely talk at the beginning of church. 

Let the miracles abound.

The Christmas Spirit is REAL because it's the Spirit of CHRIST. Keep your focus on Him this week and you will see miracles as well! 

If you haven't watched this video yet, DO IT NOW. If you have, DO IT NOW ANYWAY. I feel the Spirit every time! 

Angels From the Realm of Glory

He is the Gift. He truly is. It has forever changed my perspective on Christmas to be able to spend the season Sharing the gift. 

I am forever grateful for my Savior. And for each of you!

I love you with all of my heart!!

xoxox

Sister Rolfe

Pictures:

The Hebron Sisters :)

Our live nativity :) :)

Country Livin, Y'all {12.15.14)

Good morning y'all! This morning I'm emailing from the promised land of Flemingsburg, Kentucky. 

I can honestly say I never in a million years thought I would be sitting here in Kentucky this morning, but boy am I glad I am! Let me tell you about another UNEXPECTED yet WONDERFUL week of my mission!

Monday: As you know, I received a call that I would be transferred for the last three weeks of my mission. This came as a bit of a shock, but I have learned not to question God's plans!

Tuesday: Transfer meeting was another HUGE one. President really mixed things up again! As for me.... I am now in a trio with Sister Anderson and Sister RYAN (yes, my kin!) serving in the Maysville, Kentucky branch!! I don't think I've ever been hugged so hard in my life! It was definitely another transfer meeting to go down in the history books. Also because I gave my departing testimony. That was SO SURREAL. I still don't really believe it actually happened. 

The rest of the week was full of adventuring around eastern Kentucky! The branch covers A LOT of ground... it reminds me a lot of Kendallville (oh and I've officially served in the most northern area in the mission and the most southern area in the mission). I do have to say, though, that the barn quilt squares, rockers on porches, and tobacco fields have won my heart. Fleming county is famous for barn quilt squares, covered bridges, and most importantly tobacco fields! :) Oh and I also love seeing all of the Amish folk!  Basically, Fleming county is exactly how you would imagine Kentucky. So, Heavenly Father has given me precisely what I asked for my mission to be: Small Town, USA :) 

We did adventure back to Ohio on Friday for Greg's baptism! Yep, GREG WAS BAPTIZED!!

And I was not about to miss that for anything in the world! Thank goodness we have the most amazing senior couple, the Little's, living just down the street from us. They are seriously angels. They were kind enough to take us on a little road trip to Milford so I could see Greg become baptized. It was amazing. The Spirit was so strong. I don't know if it was because of everything that led up to Greg's baptism or because my mission is coming to an end, but as Greg took part in this ordinance, the importance and sacredness of it really sunk deeper into my heart. As I watched him come up out of the water I felt the realness of the covenants he just made stronger than ever. It was a very powerful moment I won't forget and I'm so grateful to have been a part of it. I know that Greg was baptized by the restored priesthood power.

Then, Sunday morning we went to meet Juanita (our investigator) before church. She told us she read the chapter in the Book of Mormon we had left her and she had done a lot of praying and that she has decided to be baptized!! After relief society she turned to me and asked, "Whats next?!" When I told her it was over she was so sad because she didn't want it to end! I don't think I've gotten that response ever on my mission. She told me, "I am just SO excited for my baptism!"

CHRISTMAS MIRACLE.

I love Fleming County Kentucky. I love the Gospel. I love being in a trio (3 is better than 2). I LOVE MY MISSION.

 I LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!

XOXOXO

Sister Rolfe

 Apparently everyone in Maysville is related to Rolphs so they keep telling me I spell it wrong! :)

Expect the Unexpected {12.8.14}

If there is one thing I have learned on my mission it is to expect the unexpected.   I can without a doubt say that God has a very specific plan for my life (and each of yours) and that it's usually not what we ever imagined, but when we're willing to follow His will things work out better than we could have ever imagined ourselves! C.S. Lewis put it this way,

 “Imagine yourself as a living house. God comes in to rebuild that house. At first, perhaps, you can understand what He is doing. He is getting the drains right and stopping the leaks in the roof and so on: you knew those jobs needed doing and so you are not surprised. But presently he starts knocking the house about in a way that hurts abominably and does not seem to make sense. What on earth is He up to? The explanation is that He is building quite a different house from the one you thought of—throwing out a new wing here, putting in an extra floor there, running up towers, making courtyards. You thought you were going to be made into a decent little cottage: but He is building a palace.”

So, what is the big change, you're wondering? Well, let me tell you. I'm being transferred for the last three weeks of my mission! I would say I'm shocked, but I really can't be surprised by anything that happens at transfers anymore. I've learned that whatever I say will never happen is usually exactly what happens. And that Is okay because God's plan is definitely always better than my own! 

Through change we are able to learn and grow. I definitely wouldn't be the missionary or person I am today if it weren't for all of the crazy changes I've had throughout my mission.

Now, let me tell you a few stories from the past week:

x. We had a chapel tour with Susan and her friend from work just happened to have her car break down (that was all God) so she had to come with her. The Spirit was SO strong as we talked in the chapel and Susan and her friend were both brought to tears. It was such a special experience. We're going to start teaching Susan's friend with her! Oh and we found out their catering business is based out of SLC and is run by Mormons! :)

x. Driving down the road one day, I looked over and noticed a sign that said Rolfes Landing. WHAT?! We found out it was a huge mansion so of course we had to knock on their door! We did and we found out their name is Rolfes, not Rolfe, but it was a pretty exciting experience nonetheless :) Oh and you will not believe this... their parents are Mormon! I'm convinced we're related down the line somewhere.

x. We had an amazing zone conference! Here are just a couple of the many, many things I learned... -If you want a life without problems, you want a life without Miracles -Regardless of my external circumstances, I can be content when I have Christ (phillipians 4) -You can have problems and find God in them (and grow!) or you can have problems and blame God in them (and become better) -Charity=the Atonement, Love=evidence the atonement is working in your life! Love the verb leads to love the feeling!

x. Our members are AMAZING member missionaries! A member of our ward invited a friend who has been asking her questions about the church to help her teach us to bake.. we had a great time baking together and talking casually about the Gospel. SHE invited US to her house to do it again next week! Another member invited us to their house to watch the Christmas devotional with their next door neighbors (Wasn't it amazing??) And another challenged her friend who has been asking her questions about her purpose in life to meet with us! The list literally goes on and on. I have really learned that the overall BEST way for people to come into the Church is through their friends who are members! You are more powerful and influential than you know!

x.We had a wonderful ward Christmas party! Seriousy, I have never seen an LDS church decorated so fancy in my life. There was brunch, a tuba quartet, a primary (plus sis Huber and I ) nativity, a service project for the orphanage, and Santa! If you haven't had your ward party yet, Invite a friend!!

x. We have had so many amazing experiences sharing He is the Gift. Pray about a friend you can share it with! Maybe even someone you could bring the missionaries with you to visit, carol to, and watch the video. I promise they will feel the Spirit!

The work moves forward! Greg's baptism is this Friday. He is SO prepared. I am hoping and praying I won't be too far away to attend it! 

I know without a doubt that I was supposed to be in Milford the past 6 weeks. I have learned SO MUCH from Sister Huber and the amazing experiences we have had together. I am confident that Heavenly Father has even more in store for me in my next area. Miracles to come!

xoxox

Sister Rolfe

(the gypsy missionary)