Rusty Trucks

So, crazy story about last Monday. We were in Weis grocery market and I was on the phone with you. As soon as we hung up a lady walked up to us at the self check-out and said she wanted to pay for our groceries. After she did we started talking and found out her and her husband had just moved into the ward a few weeks ago. I assumed they were here for med school or something and asked if she knew of any clinics around town. She said there was one close by and asked why. After telling her about my collar bone, she informed me that she was a doctor in sports med and physical therapy. What are the odds...? So she gave me her number and we left. We met with her and her husband a couple times and she basically gave me a concierge visit for my collar bone and told me that I had most likely strained or damaged the cartilage that connects my collar bone to my sternum, which is better than what she originally thought it was. She said it will take some time to heal but that I will be fine and if I need anything else to call her. So that's that crazy story...

Onto the next story... Last night we had a lesson set up with a couple, and a returned missionary from Brazil was going to join us. We show up and the woman told us to meet her in the backyard. All of a sudden, eight kids come out of the back door and sit down with us, including cousins and friends! We taught all of them the first lesson about the restoration of the gospel and Christ's church. They all loved it and asked great questions. We then committed all of them to be baptized in July and to invite their families to come. They all asked for a copy of The Book of Mormon as well. It was so cool! The Spirit was so strong as these kids, in humility, listened to and understood the lesson. It pumped us up and made us so happy! It showed me that even a child can understand the gospel and pray to their Father in Heaven. I know that through the simplicity of the gospel our lives can be so much better if we follow the gospel of Christ.

Here is a cool pic of an old rusted Ford and GMC in some guys front yard.

Have a great week! Love you!!!
-Elder Trotman

So this has been a very interesting past weekend. Friday we had a Zone Conference with about 40 other missionaries and our mission president. It was the last time we will see President and Sister Topham. They go home on July 1st to Utah. They have served this mission for the past three years and truly changed a lot of us.

I woke up Saturday morning in pain around my collar bone and right shoulder. Thinking I just laid on it wrong that night I continued to go through my day. Helped move out a family in our congregation and then move them into their new house 15 minutes away. Ate lunch with a couple other missionaries and some med students in our congregation and their friends. Then had a very busy afternoon. Sunday morning was no different, the pain continued so I was a little worried but just dealt with it.

We enjoyed a great lesson from our Stake President. He quoted his mother in saying, "Don't just vacuum the center of the rug, make sure you vacuum the edges too." He related that to our callings and responsibilities in the church and how we need to magnify them. I would like to relate that to our families. We need to magnify our love and responsibilities within our own families if we are to truly understand each other. We can do so by showing our love and not just saying, "I love you," but by going out of our way to make our parents and siblings happy. Don't just ask, "How are you?" but ask "What do you worry about?" or "What do you struggle with?" Pray to know how you can help your family and your Heavenly Father will open your eyes to new opportunities of service. Remember, service before self. It was truly a great Sunday. So this morning I asked our neighbor, who's a med student, about my pain. After a lengthy explanation of medical terms and how I felt, he said I most likely dislocated my collar bone from my sternum while sleeping. Apparently it's a pretty common thing to happen so I'm not too worried but I guess I have to fit that in my schedule now haha

Here is a picture of me with my mission president and his wife:

Love,
Elder Trotman

Slow Down

It’s early afternoon, the streets are hot but luckily the humidity is low today. A car drives past us on this small neighborhood street and honks. It's Dan and his wife who are great members of our congregation here. Seconds later, a Ninja bike flies around the corner. Dan brakes and swerves to the left. The bike brakes and tries to dodge the car but loses control and his back end slides forward. His helmet hits the front bumper of the car. The bike goes under the car and bounces off. Liquids start to spill out from the bottom of the car. The biker lies in front of the car. Pieces of his bike scattered on this quiet neighborhood street. Our hearts stop. It's as if our feet have sunken into wet concrete. Elder Larsen and I gather ourselves and quickly run to the man. Dan's wife, an ER nurse, jumps out of the car and assists the man. Words flow from his mouth and he claims he is okay. He is taken to the hospital and we continue on our walk home for dinner. The biker agreed that he was simply going too fast and lost control of his powerful bike. Life is much like this bike. Full of power and fast. Faster than we think at times. My intention of sharing this experience is that we will all take a step back from our lives and analyze the speed of our lives. Are we moving too fast? Are there things that we are forgetting? Things that we need to stop and focus on? Family...? Friends...? Our Savior...? I pray that we acknowledge the fact that at times we forget to slow down. Even more so, I pray that we slow down, pay attention to the things that truly matter to us and focus on our Savior. Our future rests in His love and power. I love you and continue to show my gratitude for your support through the work.

Love,
Elder Trotman

The Key and The Son

My week has been really good! Missionaries have been working with a recent convert family in our ward for a couple years in trying to teach their oldest daughter who is not a member. She has always said no but enjoyed coming to church while visiting home from college. Last week she agreed and actually asked Elder L and I to teach her. We were taken aback by it but so happy! After a quick moment of awe, we responded with an excited "Yes!” She works on Sundays at Hershey Park but she showed up to church yesterday! Elder L and I were, again, so happy to see her diligently pursuing the gospel. We can't wait for her to join her family in this everlasting gospel of light and truth. I found this key (see picture below) while walking in a neighborhood and I held it up to the sun. Just as the sun physically shines through this key, The Son of God shines through the key of eternal happiness, the gospel. I know that you can find the key to eternal happiness in the Book of Mormon and the teachings of Christ in the New Testament. I pray that we all share this key with those who have not yet found it. I know and promise that the spirit of God will reside within your heart as you do so.

What can I do for the family? How is everyone?

I love you all so much!!
Love,
Elder Trotman

Memorial Day

I hope everyone enjoyed their week and Memorial Day weekend. It was a sweet day here in Hershey. Don't worry, the "sweet" jokes will just keep coming:) Sorry I couldn't email you yesterday, our library was closed. We went and sat at the new Chipotle and watched the parade march down Chocolate Avenue, though. It was quite delightful... We enjoyed some Kisses and lollipops. Last week Elder D left for Altoona and I received Elder as my new companion. He is from around Seattle, WA. He attended one year at BYU and is planning on returning after he finishes his last year of his mission. He and I have gotten along really well. His great sense of humor keeps us alive daily. The picture (below) shows just the surface of his humor. The sitting on of that couch in the bed of that truck was and continues to be consented with our neighbor who we are actually teaching. That couch is where class and comfort meet at a perfect balance and convenience...

Yesterday a member took us grocery shopping at Sam's Club and basically filled our refrigerator and freezer to the max! I know that members pay attention to how we as missionaries act and stay obedient. I know that it was because of our character and example that God blessed us with the charity from those members. I've learned so much about obedience as I have fallen in disobedience and risen in obedience. I know that blessings are not only poured out to me and my investigators but also to my family because of my obedience to the laws of the gospel. I am so grateful that God gives us the opportunities to be obedient so we can learn and He can bless us.