Keep Trying

So this week was a good week for us! We got home early one night, around 8:30pm, and decided to go out and walk through downtown Huntingdon. Ya it's really more like one or two streets with some shops and random people walking around... Anyway, we came across a couple of guys sitting on the sidewalk. One of them, after talking to us, asked us if we could help him stop smoking, the other asked us to come and stop by to talk to him. He is opening up a new restaurant called Taco Loco. We're pretty excited to teach him and eat some tacos! Yesterday in sacrament meeting, one of the speakers that spoke before me talked about Nelson Mandela and shared this quote with the congregation, "I am no saint, unless you think a saint is a sinner who keeps on trying." I think that is a perfect way to think about a saint. We are all saints and we are all sinners, however, we keep trying. We get back up and work harder, smarter and moving closer to God. Just wanted to share that with you.

Love,
Elder Trotman

Transfer - New Address

Derrick transferred again, here is his new address:

511 7th St Apt 1
Huntingdon, PA 16652

1000 Steps Hike

Alma 38

So I was reading in Alma 38 during Sunday School yesterday. I reread it and thought about the verse... "And it came to pass that I was three days and three nights in the most bitter pain and anguish of soul; and never, until I did cry out unto the Lord Jesus Christ for mercy, did I receive a remission of my sins. But behold, I did cry unto him and I did find peace to my soul." He talks about crying out to The Lord, not just praying, talking, asking or conversing, but crying! It hit me hard because I thought about how I feel when I pray and how I feel when I cry in prayer. There is a stark difference in The Spirit. It was perfect for me to think about it and to evaluate my prayers. It's when we cry in The Spirit of prayer that we are filled with peace and consolation. It is then we find our path and the will of God.

Love,
Elder Trotman

Pictures

Falling Waters House

So last Monday we went to Falling Waters, an architectural masterpiece by Frank Lloyd Wright. It was breathtaking and beautiful! The way that he designed the home to sit in the rocks and trees gave it a beautiful natural look to the home. It was as if the home emerged straight from the ground and through the rocks! I loved it! The picture I sent you is me sitting at the point where the iconic picture of Falling Waters was taken. It's a perfect view of the home resting upon the waterfall. Very spiritual if you think about it... Ponder the story of Christ talking with the Samaritan woman at the well and His dialogue with her.

Love,
Elder Trotman

Pictures

Transfer - New Address

Here is Elder Trotman's new address:

76 (rear) Ben Lomond Street
Uniontown, PA 15401

This will likely be his last area before he comes home in July.

True Repentance

During our lesson at church yesterday, we discussed true repentance. It was an interesting discussion as we all agreed upon the fact that repenting is not just because we are all awful people and need to become good, but rather that we are all good people and our Heavenly Father knows that we can, and expects us to, become better.

President Ezra Taft Benson said, "Yes, Christ changes men, and changed men can change the world." So let us all, men and women, allow Christ to change us!
A musical artist named Common once said, "Every day women and men become legends. Sins that go against our skin become blessings... One son died, his spirit is revisitin' us. Truant livin' livin' in us, resistance is us."

Bro Lubin made the point that we have one thing that is completely our own, and that is our will. When we sin, we create that will in us and we own that. So giving up sin, giving our will to God is the one and only thing we can truly give. I love how Common says that sins can become blessings; that we can grow. It is not our own sins, but rather the actions of others that can help us become stronger. By giving our will to The Lord we receive blessings. We become better, not just good but better.

Remember what Ghandi said, "Be the change in the world you want to see." Or the words of Michael Jackson, "I'm starting with the man in the mirror. I'm asking him to change his ways. And no message could have been any clearer. If you want to make the world a better place. take a look at yourself, and then make a change." Make the change, repent and become better. Change the world! We can change the world... But it starts with us...

Love,
Elder Trotman

Frozen Custard in the Snow

The Agony of the Garden

President Uchtdorf comments on the "achingly beautiful" picture by Frans Schwartz called The Agony of The Garden in this months’ First Presidency Message in the Ensign (picture is below). He bears a simple yet powerful testimony of the atonement; the pain, the love and the blessings that flowed that night. As you gaze upon the picture you notice the angel gently holding The Savior and comforting Him. Even The Son of God needed divine assistance to endure the burdens of life. So do not ever feel discouraged, lost, forgotten or alone in the path that we walk. The Savior has walked our path and the path from Gethsemane to Golgotha. We too can feel the warm arms of an angel hold us in times of pain but He, The Christ, "will be more than an angel to us." President Uchtdorf says, "It humbles me to know that all who accept this gift and incline their hearts to Him can be forgiven and cleansed of their sins, no matter how dark their blemish or how oppressive their burden." Remember, no hole is too deep, no cave is too dark. No struggle is too great a feat, no distance is too far. He is our great Redeemer and Deliverer.

Love,
Elder Trotman

New Investigators

We picked up two new investigators this last week. They are related, part-member family, to a very active family here in the ward. Also, another part-member family, three of their daughters will be 8 years old in March and they want to get baptized! We're pretty excited! The Lord is blessing this ward so much!

Before I forget, go to mormonchannel.org and watch the main video that you see. It's part of the His Grace series. You'll recognize it... I cried, that's all I have to say... So ya, I'm doing great!! Have a wonderful week!

Love,
Elder Trotman

Beautiful Prayer

Last night before we left a family's house after enjoying some tacos, their son said a beautiful prayer for us. In his prayer he said, "As we go to sleep tonight please help us feel thy gospel in our hearts and that we may pray with you sitting beside us." As those words flowed from this 8 year old boy, my mind seemed to just stop. I could feel my heart beat through every muscle. All of a sudden, my dreams became more than a portrait for my subconscious, it became a canvas for the gospel to paint a beautiful picture of God's will for me, to align my subconscious to His omniscient mind and will. It was beautiful... I woke up this morning thinking about it, I worked out thinking about it, I studied with it consuming my mind. I hope that you find the same influential power in this little boy's prayer as I did.

Here is a picture of my new comp:

Baptism Picture

Baptisms!!!

We have been getting steady snow since after church yesterday around 2:00pm. The plows are busy! The roads aren't very clear so I don't know what they're busy doing... It's very different than out West!

I attached a pic of the family's baptism from Saturday night (not included, will post later if permission is granted). Yesterday during church we had six people confirmed in sacrament meeting! It took half of the meeting! It was so cool! The mom of this family was supposed to work at the USPS Sunday morning and we told her on Friday night to go ask her boss if she can have the morning off or come in later. She walked into work early Saturday morning to talk to her supervisor and she said that she had all of Sunday off because of the weather and they were sending someone else to do the deliveries on her route. Our Ward Mission Leader and us had been praying for a miracle all weekend and He provided. I know it wasn't our faith that brought that miracle, it was hers. That is why she was baptized, her faith is so strong and firm. It was so amazing to stand next to the Bishop as he confirmed her and her husband members of the church. I know that The Lord will and does "prepare a way" (1 Nephi 3:7) for those that exercise their faith in Him. What a beautiful promise that I witness can indeed happen.

Love,

Elder Trotman

Great Week!

My week has been fan-flippin-tastic! A family we've been teaching is getting baptized this Saturday and the ward is so excited!!! I can't wait! My first time in the font and it only took 18 months... not bad haha the ward is already talking about callings and personal progress and scouts and everything! It's so cool! I love it! I am just so focused on it and it helps me stay obedient and I am so happy:)

I really like that talk from President Monson that you mentioned, I have seen The Lord guide me so much on my mission and shape my future.

Anyway, I'm just looking forward to this week, it's going to be great!


Love you so much!

Elder Trotman

Baptisims

It's cold and wet here...

I got really cool news from someone today! N (African girl I taught in my last area) got baptized over the weekend! That's so legit! I'm so proud of her, wish I could have been there! Then here in Ambridge, a family is getting baptized on Jan 24th! It's a family of 6 but only 5 are above the age of eight years old. We are stoked for their baptism and the ward is really excited! They are such a solid family!

We also got to meet the Frozen cast this week... I attached pics as evidence:)

It's been a good week for us! Love you all!

Love,
Elder Trotman

"The past is in the past!" - Rafiki

Yello,
I hope everyone is doing well and made some solid New Year resolutions! Remember, it's only been five days, you can keep running for 360 days;) For real though, stay strong in whatever goals you've set for yourself!

Last night we met with a family we've been teaching for a couple months. Our goal for the lesson was to set them with a goal, a baptism date, and they did! January 24th they are set to get baptized! The whole family, all 5 of them! The parents made a powerful comment during our lesson about Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon, "There is no way that anyone can just make this up, go through so much persecution and still hold to what he believes. Then, for all of it to grow and hold strong and bring so much good to millions of lives." Oh how true that is! Why? Because Joseph Smith didn't make it up! It's that simple! Think about it, logically. Joseph Smith was a prophet of God. He was led by an angel from Heaven to the gold plates. He translated those plates by the gift of God to what is now called The Book of Mormon. It is true. If you don't believe me, then read it and ask God, then you will believe. The Spirit was so strong at this family’s house that night that it brought tears to my eyes and again showed how much our Heavenly Father cares about us. His love is real and overwhelming yet so comforting.

Love,
Elder Trotman