Me + Christ = More

Hey everybody!

     It's been a crazy, crazy week over here in Korea! This week consisted of tons of meetings, picking up twenty five new missionaries, talks with Elder Bednar, and a baptism. It's been one of the most hectic weeks of my mission, but one where I've learned so much. 

     Elder Bednar was incredible to listen to. A prophet, seer, and revelator who speaks with power and authority. Everything he said we had already heard before, but as he expounded the doctrine, gave examples, and taught us through questions, my mind was enlightened through the Holy Ghost. I also got to ask him a question concerning the power of the Atonement (I might have been shaking a little bit) and how to apply it into our lives. We talked together about being acted on by the Atonement only comes after we've received power through our actions. Really neat moment for me to talk with an apostle of the Lord and hear his testimony. It's safe to say there is a light that shines within their eyes. It can't be explained, but the light shines brightly.

     This week we also experienced another baptism. The Lord has blessed us sooo much this last month. This young man had been taught the lessons, and had been delayed a couple times on his baptismal date. We taught him on Saturday, and extended the date for Sunday. He accepted the date, we prepared the baptism in less than twenty-four hours, and baptized the young man yesterday. He got to watch Elder Bednar speak, and was baptized immediately after. What an incredible experience it was. It was a spirit that can't be described. There's a new light, and a change of heart in every investigator that takes on baptism. Another wonderful and special memory for me in my new ward. 

     In all the meetings this week, I've found myself really overwhelmed by the things I've had to do. There's been a lot of late nights, a lot of stress, and a lot of questions that have been on my mind. I feel as though as my weaknesses have been even more exposed personally. This week due to just being plain exhausted, I found that my prayers haven't been as sincere as they could have been, or scripture study not as crisp as it could of been.. I've been focused on the action aspects of everything, but found that the spiritual enlightenment and nourishment was missing a little bit. I thought that if I just worked harder, did more, I would find that which I needed. I learned however, that that's not always the case. I've been using the formula me+more=Christlike, when in reality this week I learned that me+Christ=more. In the nitty gritty parts of my life, I found that if I just worked harder things would work out. I learned, however, that it's with Christ that we can do all things. It was a great lesson for me. It was humbling and made me realize that I can better partake of the blessings of the Atonement to give me the strength that I'm in need of. 

     I love this gospel. I declare my witness of our Savior, Jesus Christ. He's always there. May we be humble and turn to Him in our trials, and in our doubts and fears. As we do so a new light will come into our lives and a new motivation will come to serve others. I'm grateful to be here. I wouldn't want to be anywhere else. I'm so blessed with a wonderful family, great support, and loving people around me. Thanks for everything. Love you all, and miss you so dearly. Thanks again for everything I'm eternally grateful.

Elder Roper

Surprise!

Hey everybody! 

     Been a crazy, crazy week filled with so many miracles. This week I was at the midpoint of training my companion, and was surprisingly transferred to a place called Oncheon, where I'll be serving with our mission president as his assistant. My companion is a former companion of mine that I had in my fourth transfer, whose name in Park Jong Min. It'll be great to work alongside him again. It'll be a amazing opportunity to serve alongside my mission president and I'm really excited to see what miracles will be there waiting. This last week we were able to baptize our investigator as well. It was the most incredible feeling to see the young man receive a remission of sins. It was again another memory that I'll forever cherish. Also, this past week we were able to commit another young man to baptism and he accepted. Although I won't be able to see it, what a privilege it was to teach him and learn from him. 

     As I prepared to transfer, I had to say goodbye to my last ward, and it was soooo difficult to do. The tears filled my eyes as I said goodbye for the last time to my investigators, recent coverts, and other members. A tender moment for me and one that I'll always remember. I'll be grateful for the time I spent in Jungri.

     My time is short, but I love this gospel, and as I serve, it's incredible to see the changes that come as we follow the gospel. I love the gospel, and love the Savior. I know He lives. I know it with certainty. I love you all and am so grateful for the support. Can't wait to talk again here soon! Thanks again!

Elder Roper

How To Measure Love

Hey everybody!

     This week was a crazy week! It started off with a massive typhoon warning that came through our mission. We were on typhoon watch early in the week and weren't allowed to leave our houses. The typhoon missed the area we're in, just sending a ton of rain our way. However, the typhoon massively hit the area of Busan. Also this week small earthquakes have continued to slowly make their way around our area. Super crazy with all this weather and new stuff. Stuff I've never experienced before. This week was also General Conference, and like always, it was just the best. So much revelation and inspiration to help us be better in our lives. It was a great week. We're also hoping this week to prepare our investigator for baptism this coming Sunday. Pray that he'll progress and make it through the interview, and continue to experience a change of heart as he prepares. 

     A few weeks ago, a missionary walked up to me and said, "Elder Roper, how do you measure love?" I looked at the missionary and said, "No idea, what do you think?" He too had nothing. So we looked at each other and laughingly said the next time we saw each other, we would have an answer. Although asked jokingly, it's been a question that has been weighing on my mind that I'd like to share with you all today of what I've come up with. 

     In the summers, it was common that my dad would ask me to do some chores around the house. In particular, there were things like washing the cars, mowing the lawn, taking care of weeds, and a few more. Right before my mission, my dad asked if during some free time in the day, I could go out and chop some weeds in front of the house. My lazy response was, "I'll try to find time," or "Maybe I'll do it." My dad didn't force me to do it, but asked me, knowing it would help him out. The day would pass, and I would choose to not chop the weeds. Maybe it was arrogance, or my laziness, or something different. I'm not sure, but I chose not to do it when I knew I could have. 

     My dad came home from work on one particular day after I hadn't chopped the weeds. He didn't say anything to me. He didn't treat me any differently. But, instead, he went in the house, changed, and went and chopped weeds. He had worked for twelve hours, and because of my laziness, he had to work more. He was always so loving, and always asked me to do these little favors, to which I never did.

     I never understood why. I never understood why my dad would lovingly, and without a word, go and do the things which he asked me to do. Likewise, I remember in high school when I would purposely come home late. My mom would lovingly and gently ask me to come home at a certain time. Like a normal teenager, I would respond, "I'll be home sometime around midnight." My mom would then lovingly respond, "I would love if you could make it home by then." One day I had gotten a little sick of these curfew lectures, and I told her, "Mom, you can go to bed. I'll make it home just fine. You don't need to worry." What my mom said has always stayed with me. "Tys, I can't go to bed until I know you're home and safe."

     So... how do you measure love? Like my parents taught me in so many various ways, love is measured in words, thoughts, and deeds. We show how much we love someone by the things we say, the things we think about them, and by those things that we purposefully and meaningfully do for them. Love is not a number. It is not a statistic. It is a living thing, nurtured by those things that only we can offer through our own personal choices. Like my dad, he would chop the weeds out of love. He was never upset with me, nor chastened me. He taught me love through his words, said and unsaid, his thoughts, and his deeds. So like my mom, who stayed up late with me night after night, knowing that she couldn't sleep with her young son not home, safe and sound.

     Because we love our Savior, we must show Him in our words, our thoughts, and our deeds. Although I lacked some things with my parents, I love them more than anything. However, I could have shown it more, and look forward to the day when I get to again. We all love our Savior, and Divine Redeemer. Now is the time to realign our lives, and to show our love for Him by everything we do, even in everything we say, think, and do, is my humble and sacred prayer.

     I'm so grateful for the gospel. I am grateful for loving parents who guided and directed me, and taught me through their love. I'm grateful for my Savior who loves us all without end. May we feel His love as we turn to Him is my sincere hope and desire.

     I love you all, I miss you dearly. I am grateful to be supported in your loving hands. Thanks for everything. Can't wait for next week! 

Elder Roper

I Believe in You

Hey everybody!

     This week has been a crazy crazy week to say the least! This week we started off with a baptismal interview in which our investigator passed, and was able to prepare for baptism. He was struggling all week to overcome his trials and temptations, but he overcame and was able to be baptized this past Saturday, and I was very grateful to be able to baptize him. Definitely an experience that I truly will never forget. We found this young man, taught him all the lessons, and was able to baptize him. As we were walking into the font together, he looked at me and said in broken english, "Elder Roper, I believe in you." Simple, broken english, but a message that will forever stay in my heart.

      After he was baptized, he bore his testimony to everyone and I would like to share it with you. Translated from Korean, he said, "Christ came to me, He found me, and He brought me to where I am." May we always remember that Christ comes to where we are, and will never forsake us or forget us. No trial, temptation, or addiction is too high for us to overcome. I've seen the gospel change this young man's life in ways that even I can't comprehend, and I feel like the young man summed it up best in sacrament meeting when he again bore his testimony and said...."I'm happy." That's exactly what this gospel is all about.

      Another miracle that came our way this week was another investigator who has been coming to church for about three weeks. Yesterday, during fast and testimony meeting, he asked if he could bear his testimony. We told him he could, and he went up and bore a strong and powerful testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ. He left his other church, and told them he was never coming back because of what he felt in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. After the meeting, we taught him the gospel of Jesus Christ in a very strong and powerful spirit. The spirit was so strong as we invited him to be baptized, and he committed to be baptized on October 16th. What a miracle, and a day I will never forget.

      Right now there are so many miracles happening in our area. So many things are going on and I'm so grateful to be a missionary. Words can't describe how grateful I am for this gospel. It changes lives. That's what it's designed to do.

     I know this church is true, and was restored. I testify that by living the principles of the gospel, we will be able to  live with our loving Heavenly Father. How grateful I am for that pure and perfect knowledge. I love this gospel, I love you all, and I am eternally grateful for your love and support. It truly means more than you will ever know. Thanks again talk to ya'll soon!

Elder Roper

He Is Always Near

Hey everybody! Another week gone already???

     This week, like always, seemed to be crazy. The week started off again with a few more earthquakes. They were smaller, but we continue to get aftershocks. The weather is cooling down, and everything is going great. The investigator that we are currently working with committed to a new baptismal date for October 1st! Right now he's really struggling with a few addictions and we're praying that he'll be able to overcome the temptations. The meetings have been so spiritual with him this week. From him thinking that it wasn't possible to change, to a full change of heart, we pray that he can receive baptism this upcoming Saturday to help him on his journey to Christ. Pray that he'll be able to progress and make it. 

     This week I've been thinking a lot about an experience from high school that I feel like has been relating to my life and my investigators that I'd like to share with you.

     A few years ago on a cool summer night in the middle of the archery hunt, I decided that I wanted to go up on the mountain by myself and go hunting. My dad was working, and I had just barely gotten my license, but my dad trusted me to go up on my own. Being fairly young at the time, I prepared and got ready to go. I loaded the truck, and checked everything. I looked at the fuel gauge on the dashboard and saw what I thought was enough to get up to the top and back. I thought that I was all ready to go for the night.

     I was just getting in the truck to leave, and my Grandpa Dale pulled into the driveway. I told him of my plans to go up on the mountain that night to hunt. Always caring and loving, he asked if I needed anything. Food, equipment, gear, or fuel. I told him I had plenty of everything that I needed and that it should be okay. Always wanting to make sure I would be okay, he told me to stop by his house and he would have a few things ready for me. 

     A few minutes later, I stopped by his house, he gave me food, he gave me fuel, and just as I was getting ready to leave he asked if he could join with me. I knew that he wanted to be there to help me out, and I was sure glad to have him there with me.

     We drove up the mountain, and it soon became apparent that I hadn't packed as well as I thought. As we neared the place where I had planned to hunt, the truck was "running on fumes" as I nearly was out of gas. At the top, we were able to fuel the truck back up. I know had my grandpa not taken care of me, I wouldn't have gotten home that night because of my lack of preparation.

     Like that summer night for me, I realize that the Savior walks in the footsteps as my Grandpa Dale did on that very night. There are times in our lives when we think that we are prepared. That we can overcome trials, and temptations, and all the stuff that this world throws at us. But unfortunately, we're mistaken. Like my Grandpa Dale, the Savior steps in at the right moment, and not only gives us the means that we need to get there, but He comes with us and aids us, and makes sure we get there safe and sound. He never leaves us alone for His promise is sure. "I shall not fail thee, nor forsake thee." He gives us everything we need with the gifts of the gospel, and instead of leaving us on our own He simply says, "I'd like to come along to make sure you get there okay."  I'm so grateful for that example in my Grandpa Dale, my family, and all my grandparents. How truly and eternally grateful I am for their pure example of love and care.

     I testify of Christ's pure love for us. Because He loves us, He will always be near us. At times in our lives when the paths seem dark, the times seem hard or even far fetched, remember that He "promises angels on our right and left to bear us up," that "He is always near," and that "He will come to us." I testify of our Lord, our Savior, and our divine Redeemer.

     I love you all so dearly, and am continually amazed at the support. Again thank you this week for the birthday wishes. It was a perfect day and I'm so grateful to have had it in Korea. Love you all till next week!

Elder Roper

Earthquakes

Hey everybody!

     First things first, thank you for all the birthday emails this week! So grateful for all of the wonderful support. I have such wonderful support and I'm so grateful. I love you all so dearly.  I'll get to back to you all, hopefully sooner than later! Thanks again it truly means the world!  I guess in Korea, I'm now 21...but I like the idea of being 20 a little more in America myself (; 

     This week was insane to say the least. It started off with two earthquakes! We were sitting in our church building when the entire building started to shake beneath us. We were all in shock and just stood there looking dumb as it passed on by. We were all shocked, and then about thirty minutes later, an even larger earthquake came and shook the church some more. It was big enough that it got us out of our seats and into a safer place. From what I heard, they were measured at 5.1 and 5.8, the largest ever in the history of Korea. Pretty crazy to say the least. 

     This week I've been thinking a lot about "personal earthquakes" that take place in our lives. As a missionary, I get to see people who struggle, who are heavy-hearted, and those who hurt. There are days too, when like them, my heart is heavy, especially this week with the passing of my great-grandma. For whatever reasons, there are times when we feel abandoned. This week I've had a lot on my mind, dealing with some trials, and I found myself praying sincerely to God for help. I found my investigators searching desperately for answers they couldn't seem to find. It seemed like this week, all in all, was a week of searching and relying on God the Father, and trusting in His plan. I know though, that at the end of it all, me and my investigators will all realize that Christ has been there right beside us the entire time. 

     This week I found a second of time, and I decided to put some of the my feelings into words and wrote a simple poem that I'd like to share. 

One night amidst pure trial and thought,

I lay awake in bed.

My heart filled with questions and doubts,

My life in need of mend.

My heart is heavy, my soul so weery,

I have no direction to take.

In exhaustion and pure triumph,

I close my eyes to sleep.

I begin to drift into a dream,

Bright light soon fills my eyes.

I don't know exactly where I am,

But it's that of paradise.

Love fills my heart, hope lights my mind,

I find myself at peace.

Away from trials and temptations,

That have been besetting me.

When on the horizon, a figure appears,

And I recognize my Savior.

Step by step, I start running to Him,

A journey that's of forever.

Out of breath, and tired, I reach the Son of God.

I fall at His feet and weeping say,

"Help me Lord, I'm lost."

He looks down upon me, and with pure love in His eyes,

Lifts me up with printed hands and says,

"I am Jesus Christ."

"I am your Savior, your Redeemer, and your closest friend,

It was in Gethsemane for you my son,

That my blood was freely shed.

I know the times are hard for you,

I know the weight you bear.

I see your tears, I hear your cries,

For I am always near.

My Son, I love you dearly,

I gave my life for you.

I know you will get through this,

For that's the path I have for you.

Do not worry, do not despair,

My peace I leave with you.

Though the trials may seem endless,

Together we will make it through."

I look up in His loving eyes,

My fear filled with peace,

Standing with my Savior, my Lord, my God, my King.

My doubts are gone, my fears all flee,

And a bright light fills my eyes.

A new morning has arisen, and it's that of paradise. 

     I testify of Christ and His plan. I testify that He is always with us no matter the circumstance. He is our Savior, our Redeemer, and the Light of the World. I am so grateful to be serving with Him at this time in my life. I testify that He lives. I know it, and I pray that the whole world may know it so they can partake of everything that He offers. "Oh sweet the joy this sentence gives... I know that my Redeemer lives."

Elder Roper

A Week of Going And Going

Hey everybody!! 

     What a crazy week this week! To start off, I went to Busan five different times this week. I did a ton of traveling, preparation, and studying to prepare for the incoming missionaries.  I have been paired up with Elder Redford from Alpine, Utah. He's from Lone Peak High School. Two companions in a row from ol' Lone Peak. He's great, and I love working with him. He's a hard worker, and I love the faith of a new missionary. It's going to be a transfer of miracles. I'm beyond excited for it.

     This week.... well we were planning on a baptism... but we decided to postpone it a few weeks because his testimony wasn't as strong as we wanted it to be. We met with him on Tuesday, and he still struggles to believe that Jesus Christ is our Savior.  We will continue to work and study with him, and pray that he will find his testimony. As he comes to know that with a surety, we'll make the steps to enter him into the waters of baptism. 

    This week has been a week of just going and going. It's been a week of studying the concept of change, and applying things into our lives that we know to be right. Our mission is focusing a lot right now on "why" we're missionaries, "what" we need to do, and "how" we're going to get there to fulfill our purpose. I've been thinking a lot about these questions, and I feel that it applies so greatly into our lives. We need to remember always that Christ is why we do everything. As soon as we recognize that Christ is our foundation through which we're doing, we'll realize what we need to do, and how we can do it through Him. 

     This week was really crazy and I'll prepare for a greater lesson next week. Pray that our investigators will find their testimony. I know that like my investigator, our testimony is the most important thing. We all know where we need to improve our testimonies. If it's lacking, may we strengthen it. If it's failing or falling, may we bring it back up. May we study Christ long enough to love Him and serve Him is my humble prayer. I love my Savior, and this gospel. So grateful to be a missionary sharing this wonderful message.

     Thanks for the love and support. Know how grateful I truly am. You all mean the world to me. Sending my love from Korea.

Elder Roper