Packed Bags and Perfect Brightness of Hope

As you can guess from my email title, I am indeed being transferred out of Hershey tomorrow. Time for me to write a new chapter of my mission. The past six months in Hershey has truly changed me. I have learned so much about who I was, who I am, and who I want to become. Even more so, who my Father in Heaven wants me to become.

I learned something very special yesterday as Brother M taught our Elders Quorum lesson. We were discussing marriage, which for Elder L and I seemed to be a very "off" topic for us right now. I was so very much proven wrong as the teacher opened my mind to a successful marriage. He said that when he was newlywed, his wife wanted him to read the scriptures with her. He declined and continued to decline for a while because he felt they needed to learn separate things from the scriptures. He finally agreed to read the scriptures with his wife and within weeks he felt a stronger bond between them and a greater sense of understanding. What touched me after I had pondered his words after church was the fact that it took a couple weeks. We can do everything right and continue to grow but we may not feel the blessings and add strength immediately. It is through dedication, faith and hope that we feel the blessings of righteous living in our families. I am excited to implement that principle of companionship study in my marriage. Don't worry, marriage can wait though haha!

I will let you know where I end up on Monday! Should be an adventure! The pic is me and Elder L at W's house after the 2 year old girl had piled all her Disney toys on me. I was totally okay with it as I sang Hakuna Matata :) Have a great week!!

Love,
Elder Trotman

Roller Coaster of Life

Today has been an adventure and a half. We were greeted into Hershey Park at about 10:00am by a wonderful employee who was dressed like an old school saloon girl straight from the Wild Wild West with Will Smith himself. Then the gates of Hershey Park opened and we stepped into a whole new world, too bad Princes Jasmine wasn't guiding us... Maybe next time:) Sky Rush. First and foremost. A ride that changed my life, evoking real tears from my eyes. It changed my whole perspective on roller coasters and helped me find the purpose of life. I'm just kidding about that last part, I already knew that silly! For real though... This ride was unlike anything I have ever ridden before. Exhilarating, I'm talking 77 miles per hour, or something like that. Heart racing ride of the century, for a missionary at least...

So I began to ponder, what's the connection between Sky Rush and life? Why do I feel so alive and free when I'm on this ride and how can I feel that way in this restricted mortal figure? Then it hit me. The gospel is more than just teachings and a belief, more than a way of life. The gospel is a perfect, tailored vehicle of happiness and freedom. It is the mode of eternal salvation. It all makes sense. In simplicity, if God is an unchangeable, just and merciful God, then of course He would give us a guide, a gift, to get through this life. It is just one way that He has shown His omnipotent and everlasting love for us and oh how grateful I am for this gift of the gospel in my life. I have seen it change mine and many lives around me. To those that are lost or struggling, I say to you, live the gospel and live in the light of Christ. Be happy my friends!

Hopefully my pic of the week brings a smile to your face as Elder L and I pose a little something sweet for everybody:) Have a wonderful week!

Love,
Elder Trotman

The Power of Your Prescence

My companion and I have some new ideas about how to fill our days and involve the young men prepare for their missions. We are pretty excited! Oh so I just realized that I haven't told you why I'm emailing you on Tuesday. There was a crazy storm Sunday night that knocked out the internet at the library all day yesterday. So here we are now, high off of primer fumes from painting this morning, emailing:)

Elder L. and I have become very good drivers of the struggle bus, specifically the bus for those that lack sleep and energy. Elder L. has successfully fallen asleep in every sacrament meeting this transfer. Two left and I think that's a record... Our days usually end with us wondering how our legs are moving and how our clothes are even somewhat dry. The humidity drenches our 64 square mile walk area. Sometimes we have to stop at a member's home to get a makeover (check out the picture). It really helps us bring out the real rocker within us. Red hair has really opened up my mind... Just kidding... Or am I? ;) I really like my brown curly hair so don't worry!

So we had interviews with President J. last Thursday. He is our new Mission President and he is an incredible man. I already love him. About 5 minutes into our interview, he stopped and said, "You have a very powerful presence about you Elder Trotman. I can really feel your spirit in this room right now. You are very conversational and personal. You must have a wonderful mother." To which I undoubtedly agreed to as being very true. "Tell your mom that your Mission President says thank you for raising such a respectable young man." So mom, thank you, from President J., for raising me to be such a respectable young man. Even more so, I thank you for never giving up on me when I was in my childish, entitled, selfish mind. Thank you for raising me into a young man that respects others for their differences and sees them as who they can become. My gratitude is eternal and everlasting.

With all of that being said, I want to talk briefly about the presence of a disciple of Christ. Their presence is more than just a second look from others in the room, it is a burning virtue of comfort and understanding love in the hearts of those around them. My hope is that that defines your presence in a room as well. If not, then I invite you to study Christ's life, love those around you even if they make mistakes and serve anyone and everyone. I promise that if you do these things your presence will be worth more than a glance of the eye but a melting of the heart. Presence is powerful. Its’ effects lasts longer than the physical being of an individual. It can change people and my desire is that you change people.

Love,
Elder Trotman

Good Things To Come

I want to share a quick testimony with you. Yesterday Bishop C stopped me after a meeting and said, "You do more good than you know." It was weird because I've never had someone just tell me that with no context. I couldn't stop thinking about his words all day. I don't know why... I guess I feel like there is so much more I can do here and it was just nice to hear him tell me that. So I pass that onto you as well but a little modified, "you have a greater influence than you know." Simply as humans, we observe. We take notes and mimic what we see. We are easily influenced and highly influential. I plead that you strive to be an influence of light and good. You can change lives even when you think you are nothing, I promise that you are something great.


The first pic is a horse and buggie going down the main street.
The second pic is me and Y making homemade ice cream after his haircut. It was a serious thing.


Love,
Elder Trotman

Torrent Storms and Tortured Spirits, Broken Furniture and Bamboo Forests

So I was transferred to the Taipei Taiwan Mission this week and my new companion and I found ourselves lost in a thick bamboo forest as we were being chased by ligers... Just kidding;) We did find ourselves in a bamboo forest in Hershey though, quite unexpected might I say!

Here is something for you to ponder this week that I thought about as we took shelter from a severe thunderstorm: We are told to always look ahead and keep our heads up. Sometimes it seems better to look down when looking up only brings into view dark rolling clouds. Look ahead. Do not look down. Walk forward with faith and find shelter from the thundering storm approaching. Our lives are filled with light flowing clouds of joy and dark barreling clouds of torture. Know that the storm is just ahead but also know that one day The Savior will come to calm the tempest sea of sorrow. Stay true to your morals and beliefs through the lightening strikes of Satan. Look ahead for when the shining hope breaks through the gray clouds. It will all be over one day and we will live in everlasting happiness if we but keep our heads up.


Love,
Elder Trotman

Holy Shoe

So lately I have been studying King David in the Old Testament. I was singing Hallelujah the other day in the shower (because that's where I sing everyday) and I realized I didn't really understand David's story. So while studying 1 Samuel this week I came across some really cool things. When David goes against Goliath, he takes off all the armor that the servants (man) give him. All he takes is some stones and his sling. With only that and a gird upon his loins, he faces the strongest enemy of theirs. Before David fights Goliath, he says that he comes with the strength, word and power of his God. It made me think of how sometimes we put on all this man made armor to go fight our inner battles. What is stronger though, man's armor of the armor of God? That's a pretty obvious answer, but it's one we need to ask ourselves. Whose armor do you wear? Whose sword do you wield? Is your shield made out of the word of God or opinions of man? I promise that as we remove the worthless armors of men and wear the eternal armor of God, we will win every battle and conquer all of our enemies within our inner wars.

P.S. To celebrate my one year mark, I send you this picture of my left shoe sole. I guess this is what a lot of rain, walking and sweat does... All memories right? :)

Love,
Elder Trotman

4th of July

My 4th of July was very fun! Holidays as a missionary help me understand the importance of making memories with family! I am so grateful for the families here that invited us over and I can't wait to invite the missionaries over for holidays with my future family. It truly makes our weeks so much better and comfortable!

My collar bone is all healed now:) I stressed the cartilage between my collar bone and sternum but it's back to normal now:)

We are teaching a really cool couple right now. We just started teaching them a couple weeks ago. J is super open and loves everything we teach him and said that it only makes sense! C loves when we come over and said that she wants to be more comfortable with God and loves the feeling that we bring to their home and wants that all the time! They want to get baptized in August and they have already taken off work for it. They are so cool and just love the gospel! C has been to our church before with a friend in high school just a few years ago and she felt like it was the most understandable service and very loving. She speaks the truth haha

I just quickly want to share an insight into my scripture study lately. I was reading in Moroni chapter 7 verses 27-29 when he records on of his dad's, Mormon, teachings after Christ's death. Mormon asks, "Wherefore, my beloved brethren, have miracles ceased because Christ hath ascended into heaven, and hath sat down on the right hand of God, to claim of the Father his rights of mercy which he hath upon the children of men? For he hath answered the ends of the law, and he claimeth all those who have faith in him; and they who have faith in him will cleave unto every good thing; wherefore he advocateth the cause of the children of men; and he dwelleth eternally in the heavens. And because he hath done this, my beloved brethren, have miracles ceased? Behold I say unto you, Nay; neither have angels ceased to minister unto the children of men." I love the simple honesty in his answer to this question. NO! Miracles have not ceased! Christ still holds a very powerful presence on this world through His prophet and apostles! He still works miracles and guides us today! It's just that simple. Think about it... If God is truly a loving God, would He leave us in the dark? As a human being, do you really want to believe that? That kills all hope for a better future... Of course he doesn't! Because He loves us, He had His Beloved Son restore His church here to guide us through this chaotic world. Now that is something that I, just as a human being, want to believe and I do! That brings hope for a better future full of love! That's something worth believing...

I pray that you have a wonderful week and good luck in the work field!

Love,
Elder Trotman