Last One

Well, this will be my last email, pretty crazy.

  We had an awesome week!!  On Wednesday we got to go to the Sevierville building for our zone conference.  It was pretty surreal to be giving my departing testimony at the place I started my mission, but I was extremely grateful for that experience and the spirit that was at that conference.

Last Zone Conference

  Later that day we had dinner with a family that has some members and some nonmembers, but a total of 11 people living there. Over the last few weeks, I had kind of struck a chord with a man named James, and we were able to start teaching him.  Then this last meeting we were able to set him on date to be baptized on Dec. 14th.  We are so excited for him.

With E. Haynes (top) and E. Everett. All 3 come home this week.

  We were also able to do one more exchange with the Rockwood elders as well, which is always fun.

As my mission comes to a close, I’ve been thinking over and over about the different trials, heartaches, happiness, and joy I have felt.  I’ve been trying to make sense of how it all ties together.  I’ve had some of the best and worst days of my life doing the same exact thing.

  It is my belief that our hard days, or trials, or addictions, or pains, are extremely sacred.  Those are the moments that I have needed the Lord the most, and those are the moments I grew closer to Him.  So I’m grateful for my trials, because they truly are a sacred experience, and they bring be closer to the Lord.

  I’m so grateful the Lord sent me to TN, GA, NC, and VA, to serve the people in the great Tennessee Knoxville Mission.

  I’m extremely grateful for all of your hopes and prayers on my behalf. I have had some experiences where there was no doubt that’s where the extra strength was coming from.

  I’m most of all grateful to my Savior.  I don’t think I have enough words in my vocabulary to express it fully, but I want y’all to know that He is the reason for everything that I do.

"And I was led by the Spirit, not knowing beforehand the things which I should do." - 1Nephi 4:6

Elder Derek Kenneth Roden

Tennessee Knoxville Mission

Nov 2017-2019

Almost Done!

From November 11, 2019:

Hey y’all,

   We had a pretty solid week this week.  One of the highlights was exchanges on Saturday.  I went with Elder Enslow, who came out right after me and is a good buddy.  A couple hours into our day the APs called him and said they were going to drop off Elder Crane, who had been here waiting for his Visa but is flying out on Tuesday morning, so he was going to be with them for the weekend.  So, we all had a pretty fun day together.

   Sunday was Stake conference in Farragut, which was really good.  It was cool to see a few missionaries there as well.

   Well, this is my last full week in the mission field.  I am going to soak it up as much as I can so I can have a good last email next week, haha. Hope y’all have a good one!

Elder Roden

Happy November

Hey Y’all,

We had a pretty decent week here.  The work was really slow, and it got pretty dang cold too, but it wasn’t too bad.  We had our branches Halloween party on Wednesday, which was actually pretty fun, they go all out for it here, so it was a good time.  Unfortunately, I really don’t have a ton to talk about, but everything is going well, my comp and I get along really good too. Hope y’all have a good week.

Elder Roden

October 28,2019

Another week down.

This week was pretty standard.  I did go on an exchange up in Rockwood with Elder Bird, who was my MTC companion, so that was pretty fun. 

Saturday was probably one of the most fun days on my mission.  Jacobson and I and the 4 Rockwood Elders went to help out one of their members for the day.  We got there at about 10 and spent the day helping out on their farm.  We were just doing a bunch of odd jobs like barn cleaning, powerwashing, loading hay, roping/moving goats, and a bunch more stuff, haha.  It was a good time. Then that night we helped set up games and a bunch of stuff for their wards’ annual 'Octoberfest' dinner.  It was capped off with probably the one of the biggest bonfires I’ve seen, so it was really fun.

Other than that, it was all normal, hope y’all have a good one.

October 21,2019

Another good week down here in TN.

   This week we had probably the best weather of the year which was really nice. It has been low 60’s and overcast, so it was perfect biking weather.  We also had our interviews with President Pickett, this one being my departing interview, so it was really good. Got a lot of good advice and counsel for when I head home.  

   We also did some exchanges this week, I went up to Rockwood with Elder Atkinson, who I already know pretty wel,l so it was a good time. 

   Other than that, it was another standard week. Hope y’all have a good one!

Elder Roden

Transfers

Well it was a good week here.

  Monday and Tuesday were pretty normal in Livingston, mixed in with packing up and getting some stuff ready to go.  Then Wednesday was transfers and I headed to my new area.  I’m living in Lenoir City, TN.  My companion is Elder Jacobson from Redding, California and he is a good dude.  I also can’t remember if I mentioned it last week, but we are on bikes here so that’s been fun.  It kinda sucks because this area is nothing but lots and lots of hills, but it’s not too bad.

   Overall, it’s been good here. We have a really fun district of 6 Elders and 2 Sisters, so it should be a good time.

Hope y’all have a good week

Elder Roden

Recently released Elder Okerland and his family came back to visit the mission

Hey y’all,

   It was a good last week here in Livingston.  I’m going to be transferring to Lenoir City, TN for my last 6 weeks.  My new companion will be Elder Jacobson, who I have never met, but it should good. I’m excited to get the ball rolling on my last transfer!

Elder Roden

Last Transfer!