Mission accomplished!

On Wednesday, November 7, 2018, Elder Derek Allen Troy returned home after faithfully serving his Savior, Jesus Christ, and the good people of Houston, Texas, for two years in the Texas Houston Mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  His parents and youngest sister, Katie, were waiting at the Portland, Oregon, airport to greet him.  It was a wonderful reunion!  Later that night, he was interviewed by a member of the Stake presidency who honorably released him as a full-time missionary.  Derek then bore his testimony to his family members who were in attendance.

It's back to a regular life for him--goodbye to Elder Troy and hello to Derek again!  It will be somewhat of an adjustment for him going back to his old life, but it will never be the same as it was before because of the amazing and growing experiences that he had serving a mission.

Many thanks for reading all the emails (posted on this blog) that Derek sent these last few years.  We know that many of you readers do not share our faith and we are grateful for the love and support you've given him.  We hope that you have been able to gain somewhat of an understanding of what a full-time mission is for our young men and women and to feel of Derek's deep testimony of Heavenly Father, our Savior Jesus Christ and the truth of the Book of Mormon.  It is precious to him and to our family.

May God bless and keep you and yours always.

All our love,

Troy Family
JD, Terri, Derek, Evan, Alexis, Katie, Buck the Dog and Pepper the Cat

Houston Texas temple with Mission President and Sister Peterson

Day before leaving Texas at the Houston Texas Temple with the other departing missionaries and President and Sister Peterson.

Waiting outside the stake president's office to be released.  Exhausted and a little nervous, but ready to return home.  Look at those worn out shoes he's wearing!  They've certainly seen their share of walking.

Katie, Mom, Elder Troy and Dad (Evan was at BYU in Utah and Alexis was at BYU in Idaho and couldn't make the trip home due to school conflicts)

All the Elders returning home together at the Houston Texas temple.

All returning missionaries at the Houston Texas temple with the mission president

These elders entered the MTC together and are exiting the mission together.  The tall redhead (3rd from left), Elder Chamberlain, was his MTC missionary companion.

Playing Uno at the mission home the night before coming home.

One last meeting with Mission President Peterson.

Saying goodbye to Texas, the Texas Houston Mission, Pres. Peterson and one another at the Houston airport on November 7, 2018.  Mission accomplished!

The last email...Elder Troy returns in 3 days!

I'm so UNtrunky that we contacted all morning and found three new people, I just spent two hours drafting a document for president about changes to improve the efficacy of our temple program, and I still haven't packed or weighed luggage, and I need to be in Houston in twelve hours. This doesn't even feel real.

I'd better go pack now. Love y'all! See ya Wednesday!

Elder Derek Troy

Just one week left...

The work is going well here. We saw Aydan and his mom (who have baptismal dates for November) last night and she wants to be sealed to her (member) husband in the temple. They had lots of questions, it's very exciting!

Love y'all! Have a great week!

Elder Derek Troy

New beginning with an old friend

Short email this week. Send everyone my love!

We set another baptismal date this week, our other date’s (Ayden) mom! We’re very excited for their family. We also picked up a sweet new person to teach named Julianna. She’s Brazilian! She has come to church two weeks in a row and is taking to the gospel very well.

I also had the privilege of being invited back up to College Station to re-baptize my good friend Micah. Life took him away from the church for some time, and we are glad to have him back. Pictures attached!

Love y’all.

I wonder what he saw in me?

Things are great here.

It is finally cooled down. Its stayed pretty hot here for a while, but today was downright chilly. I even wore a jacket, and didn’t get sweaty today - which is probably the first time since march. It was low sixties and rainy. Picture proof attached!

Our investigators in both our family ward and the YSA both seem like they’re falling off the wagon. It’s sad that I won’t get to see them baptized before I leave, but Elder Heiner and his next companion will probably get to make that happen. However...

I did get some great news this week. A brother I taught in College station has made the decision to get baptized... AGAIN! After faithfully serving a full time mission in Brazil, this good brother eventually parted ways with the church. After years away, we were able to teach him and encourage him, and this morning he asked if I would be the one to baptize him next Monday so that he can once again receive full fellowship into the church. What a privilege!

Thus far on my mission, I’ve shied away from getting into the water with investigators, because it’s better for them to share that moment with one of the members (who will have the responsibility to continue fellowshipping them) rather than selfishly claim that honor for myself. In this case, however, it seems appropriate, and I’ve accepted!

I look forward to it. I love this brother, and in many ways, he reminds me of myself.

Oh! We also had a tri-mission conference. Elder Holland of the quorum of the 12 apostles, and Elders Robbins and Texeira of the 70 spoke. 

Before the meeting started, Elder Holland wanted to shake every missionary’s hand, and I made sure to stick to the statement he requested from each missionary (my name, where I was from) but as I went to release his hand and walk to greet the other authorities, Elder Holland hung on and drug me back. He looked me dead in the eyes and said thank you for coming before finally releasing me. It was interesting.

He later made a statement to the effect that, he had had an instant interview with each missionary during their handshake; and that he could tell the caliber of missionaries that we were, from what he saw in us. I wonder what he saw in me?

He was much more positive than we had been expecting. I left with my eyebrows un-singed. He shared some interesting thoughts with us.

Thank y’all for your prayers, Love y’all! Have a great week!

Elder Derek Troy

Trying out his artistic side

It has been a great week! We have found a lot on campus. 

In the family ward, we set a baptismal date with a young boy from a part-member family, named Aden. 

We enjoyed conference and look forward to the schedule changes resulting in greater faith and religiosity at home!

Elder Heiner and I were inspired by Elder Gong’s attempt to paint with water colors. We're trying it out today! Elder Heiner is very artistic. I would like to be. We’ll see how it goes!

Elder Derek Troy

Elder Holland and an iron will

Hello all!

No group letter from Elder Troy this week, so we’ll just share a few snippets of his letter to the family.  As you can see, he is laser-focused on the work and finishing his mission strong!  We had a good laugh at his last sentence.

Thank you for your continuing support and love of our son.  We appreciate you all so much.

JD & Terri

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It was recently announced that in October we will be going to a tri-mission conference where Elder Holland of the 12 will speak. He’s one of my favorites, so I’m excited. Hopefully he surprises us with a very spiritual and uplifting address!

We have had a great week this week. Elder Heiner and I are experimenting with some new ways to find people to teach and baptize through part-member families. It’s been really successful, so we’ve been sharing the techniques we’ve developed with the zone, and everyone’s excited about it.

In the YSA ward, the people we are teaching are progressing really well! Finding is going smoothly, and the weather is finally lightening up, which makes campus contacting more comfortable.

We have to do something called “my plan” at the end of our missions. It’s supposed to be this really spiritual program where the missionary prepares to return home as they finish their mission. So far, I found it to be more focused on trying to make missionaries trunked out. It’s not gonna work with me, I have an iron will. But I hear that when missionaries get to week five, which is on the subject of dating and eternal marriage, they crack. I’ll try to stay strong.

Love y’all!

Elder Derek Troy