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
Monday, September 15, 2014
Thursday, September 4, 2014
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
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
Thursday, August 28, 2014
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
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
Tuesday, August 19, 2014
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
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
Monday, August 11, 2014
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
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
Monday, August 4, 2014
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
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
Saturday, August 2, 2014
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
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
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