Ambridge Fog

So you probably already heard that I was transferred on Tuesday. I am now in the Wexford Ward. Parts of our ward are very much like the HR Bubble. However, Elder M. and I live in Ambridge, which is the ghetto of our ward boundaries. Also, we are the only black companionship this mission has ever seen in possibly forever! From one minority companionship to another haha Love it! So I show up and pretty much the next day Elder McDz knights me into his court using these swords (shown in picture below).

We talked with some lady that said God proposed to her and she is the first girl the God trusts... and on the flip side, our Bishop's daughter drives a pimped out Infiniti G37X and teaches piano... So quite the wide variety of people and places! It's way cool though! It's so crazy to think that I only have 9 months left. Single digits here! Time flies too fast in PA!

Oh ya, my ankle is fine by the way! I bought an athletic support brace and have been wearing that when we do a lot of walking. It feels a lot better, except in the morning, it's super stiff in the mornings.

Speaking of mornings, the coolest thing happens every morning here! Since we live on the Ohio River, there is early morning fog that sits over Ambridge. Here's a picture from this morning just outside our front door. Also, we live in an Harmonist house. Basically all of Ambridge was settled by the Harmonists and so it's all historic land and buildings, pretty cool! Back to this fog stuff, so I was thinking about it this morning and that picture I took. The fog is like the uncertainties of life or the cloud of distraction from Satan. The STOP sign is literally a sign. If a car is going to fast on our street when the fog is cloaking Ambridge and the car comes up to the STOP sign, it won't have time to stop, thus, possibly resulting in an accident and either way breaking the law. As we drive through life we need to make sure that we aren't driving too fast. God will provide guidance and light, but we need to be driving the speed limit to insure we have enough time to react to the signs and guide rails. Life is too short to speed! Just keep life real and think before you act. It's not always easy, but it's simple and if it's not simple, then simplify your life.

I hope everyone is doing well!

Love,
Elder Trotman

Crutches

It's been a crazy past couple weeks... Last P-Day we taught a member's friend named N. Because it was our P-Day and we had to cancel some fun plans we were pretty upset, but then we thought about it and were like, "Bro... God just handed you someone to teach that is sincerely interested and you mad?! Get over yourself!"

We basically drive the struggle bus when it comes to finding people to teach out here. So the fact that N. was just placed in our hands is a miracle and answer to many prayers! We've taught him twice already and he came to church yesterday. He wants to be baptized in early October! This guy is awesome, oh and he is only 19 years old! Such a stud! Elder B. and I are so grateful for him because this rarely happens!

So then let's talk about Friday... About the picture below with me on crutches... So we were headed to a member's home for dinner but they forgot we were coming over, even though we told them on Thursday, haha. So we decided to go chat with some guys at this park by their house. I was ballin' (that’s Derrick-speak for “playing basketball”) with this kid and I went to rainbow (soccer move where you kick the ball from behind you and it lands in front of you) the basketball. Although I succeeded in the rainbow, I failed in avoiding the large round curb next to me. So I basically wrecked my ankle and it was like 3 or 4 times the size it should be. However, I was still really hungry, so we went to dinner and I filled my belly up with this weird Moroccan Lentil soup and then went to UPMC East to get it checked out. X-Rays came back negative but because it was so bad they want me to go to an orthopedic doctor in a week to get it rechecked. It's been crutches and an AirCast for me the last couple days:) So I've learned a lot! Be grateful when God interrupts your plans because it's always going to be better than what you had planned and slow down!!

Love,
Elder Trotman

Another Transfer

Derrick's new address:

296 16th Street
Ambridge, PA 15003

Missionary Work From the Past

The prophet and his presidency have asked us (the world) to hasten the work of The Lord. For most of us, we thought of those that wear that humble black name tag. So the First Presidency asked again, this time they emphasized the work of our ancestors. My Zone Leader, and former comp, Elder S. said, "There is no difference in getting a baptism on your family tree than getting a baptism right here, right now." I absolutely agree with this profound statement. Which means you (the world) can do the same missionary work I am, as a full-time missionary! That's pretty cool! So I have a request of my family, whether you are a Trotman, a Forsythe, a McClellan, a Barrett or anyone else who is related to me. We are going to be the greatest missionary force the past will ever see! Down below is my ancestry.com and familysearch.org information. Find me and add me! Let's work together! I promise that you will feel the Spirit of Elijah, the great prophet from the Bible, as we do this together! You will learn to love not just those that share the same four walls with you but also those that share your name! Sweet right?! Have a great day!

ancestry.com- DerrickTrotman
familysearch.org- KWN5-XRS or Derrick Trotman

Love,
Elder Trotman

Deer

So yes, deer... Almost every night this last week on our way home, I have had to stop for a little doe and her mama to cross the road as I drove through our neighborhood. Deer, deer and more deer...

So here is a cool pic of a crazy cloud and the sun. This was over our house one late afternoon. I love this cloud because it reminds me of life... We are a cloud floating through these endless skies of surprises. Some surprises we may come across could be a lightning storm that may shock us and halt us momentarily, a jet stream of social media that may distract us for some time or a tornado that could spin us out of control onto an unknown path of destruction and debris. However, I want you to look at the light coming behind the cloud. Who in your life is your great light that emerges behind your cloud of sorrows? For most and hopefully all, it is Christ. He is the Light and Life of the World. It is He that closes the void of the unknown and breaks down the harrowing whirlwinds of life. His light is in us all. Let it shine forth and break through the darkness. Let Him guide you and shine before you.

I love you and appreciate your love and support!

Love,
Elder Trotman

Don't Get Overconfident

I have killed over 20 spiders in our house within the last 2 weeks! This place is ridiculous! It's so scary! I'm so lucky I didn't go to some crazy country with massive spiders, I simply wouldn't have made it... haha

So this last week we were blessed to have Elder A. from the Seventy and his wife join us in Zone Conference. He talked a lot about faith and unfortunately I left my journal in the house so my remarks will probably be short and vague. My apologies! He discussed our purpose as missionaries but really highlighted faith and how we can grow our faith and the faith of those we teach. It starts with humility and understanding who God is and what it means to be His child. We need to understand and apply the concepts or repentance in our lives to grow our faith and study the scriptures diligently. I wish I could say more but I forgot my journal...

So I want you to take a close look at this picture from Fiat. It's a funny pic and most drivers probably would just drive by and have a good laugh at it and forget about it within seconds. I thought about this picture though. "Don't Get Overconfident." A simple phrase filled with truthful principles of humility, meekness, and child-like submission to the will of God. We are all number one draft picks but we are not all Hollywood actors in life. Do not fill your heart with pride just because you are better at something than your classmate or friend. Use your God-given talents to help and uplift those around you. Put your pride in your back pocket, get over yourself and go change the world with humility in your heart. We are all unworthy and imperfect and yet God still blesses us with this precious Earth and personal talents. "Don't Get Overconfident!"

Love,
Elder Trotman

Transfer to Penn Hills

So I am in Penn Hills, Pitt 3rd Ward. My North border is the southern border of Freeport South border, my 2nd area. It is so different than Hershey! Very hilly, but lucky for me, I've got a 2013 Chevy Cruze, It's a pretty sweet ride;) My new comp is Elder B from Albuquerque, New Mexico. He is a visa waiter going to Brazil, so he could leave me any day now... He has been waiting in Pennsylvania for 11 months... He is also half Native American! We are known as the Minority Crew:)

So I do have a pic of one of my investigators in Hershey, his name is W. He's a baller:) I don't have any just candid pics of me teaching, I guess it's not really a priority of mine during a lesson but this is the best I've got. I also have a pic of me wearing a Komono... That might work haha It was from last night:)

So just a quick tidbit on something I learned this week. I was reading President Eyring's book Choose Higher Ground and he was talking about two programs the church has for youth: Duty to God, for young men, and Personal Progress, for young women. He talked about how these are set up to help youth build a testimony and keep them on the "strait and narrow path.” From personal experience, I testify that even if you are unsure or shaken in belief, God still places people and events in your life to show His love for you and show that He is always preparing you to become the man or woman He needs you to be. I am very grateful for Duty to God and my wonderful youth leaders that pushed me and helped me along as an arrogant adolescent. I hope all youth recognize their leaders, whether church, school, or parents, and follow their wisdom.

My new address is: 313 Marshall Drive, Penn Hills, PA, 15235

Love,
Elder Trotman