April 15, 2014

Hey everyone,

 

If you are confused why I didn't write you all on Monday, look at the pictures and it will explain everything. First picture is with my companion, Elder Lloyd, and the second one is with my fellow cache valleyite Elder Lunds. Sorry if it looks like I am crying or grimacing, it was super smoggy when we got done with our session and just hurt to smile.

 

That is so cool that you ladies had a girls night out and saw Les Mis. I agree with you caption: you all are a good looking bunch. I cannot believe how much Amanda has grown, I think she will be taller than everyone in that picture. Pretty jealous of you all, but glad you had the opportunity to go.

 

Sounds like you guys did have a pretty busy week. I can agree with you that the week did fly by crazily fast. We did exchanges with Elder Lund this past week, and I think that made the week just fly by. Then this week we went to the temple today, then have zone conference on Saturday. So this week will also just fly by, leaving only 2 weeks left in the transfer which is also very crazy. But hey that is the mission life I guess, lose yourself in the work and let the Lord guide you in His work.

 

So nothing too much happened this week. We picked up 2 new investigators that are completely opposite in personality and interest level. The first one is named Humberto, and no lie, he literally has a testimony that the Catholic Church is the one and only true church. He has talked with missionaries before, about 8 months ago, and has received almost all of the lessons and come to church twice. He has not, however, read the Book of Mormon and has not directly ask if it is true. However when we passed by him, he explained how he felt uncomfortable and nothing when he attended our church the two times, but felt extremely happy when he attended His church. So therefore he has a "testimony" that the Catholic church is true. I am not sure how much longer we will hold onto him, but we will see.

 

The other investigator we found was an old referral never contacted named Maria. Her son was baptized into an english ward, and she has really seen the blessings that come from the changes he has made. So she accepted to take the lessons, and learn about the changes he has made. Well we shared the first lesson about the restoration, and when we went back she explained how she had shared the same message with her family and her co-workers only because it was something new. Prepared? I think so :) So we followed up with her reading in the Book of Mormon, and (Wait for it........) she accepted a baptismal date for May 4th!! Also she later expressed that she would like her whole family to be involved in the next lesson tomorrownight. So ya comlete opposite for Humberto, and super prepared.

 

So ya that was most of the highlights of our week. So far this week is looking pretty good. We have several lessons set up with old formers, and a few potentials we have found. The Lord is truly leading us in His work in our area. I know that this is His work, and it is an eternal work. It was actually really cool because when we got to the temple today, a temple worker mentioned to me how unique experience I have to do missionary work both on this side of the veil, and the other side. Think about it: How often can you say that you are doing missionary work on both sides of the veil? Just goes to show that God loves everyone of His children, and how great of work He is doing to "Bring to past the immortality and eternal life of man."

 

Thank you so much for you love and support. I know this is the true church of Jesus Christ. (By the way if you havent' read Elder Calister's CES Devotional talk, I would highly recommend it). It is the only church established on Apostles, Prophets, and priesthood authority. I am grateful for a loving Heavenly Father, and His love to put these things on the Earth for us to partake of. It is true, and I love it.

 

Elder Roberts

So I forgot to update you guys on something. You remember la familia Berriel in my last area. Well I get a call from our zone leaders tuesday night with some very exciting news: La Familia Berriel will be baptized on April 27th!!! Plus, in our mission we have a rule that if a person/family get baptized the transfer after you get transferred, you get to go to the service. So ya on April 27th my companion and I will be taking a little road trip back to Whittier for their BAPTISM!!!

 

So ya I am a little excited for them, and am praying for them every day. They are such a great family and have already seen the blessings from the Gospel in their lives.

 

Sorry for the short email, just thought that you would be interested. Que tenga una buena semana, que Dios le bendigas.

April 7, 2014

Hey guys,

Guess I will first off answer your questions about the new area. So I am serving in a city called Bellflower, the zone is called Cerritos. I am serving in a Spanish ward, Cerritos 2nd ward, with 8 other missionaries. My companion's name is Elder Lloyd, and he is from Sandy Utah (I don't know why I always get stuck with companions from Utah) and he has been out about 14 months. Then you will get a kick out of this: My district leader is Elder Lund, the grandson of the Lunds in your ward right now. Yep I found him and we are super excited to be serving in the same ward together. Our area looks very similar to downtown Logan. A lot of stores along the main street with houses and apartments as you move away from the center. We live in an apartment inside of our area, and we do not have a car so we have been using bikes and walking. Our area is pretty small, only about 6 miles by 1 miles big so not too crazy. With the ward, there isn't a set system for giving dinners to the missionaries. Usually the missionaries set them up on their own, so this past week we have not eaten with members. But we are going to try to change that so we can get to know the members better. Whew I think that answers it all, if not you will have to wait another week for more details.

This week has been hard and different. It always is difficult when you get moved to a new area and you just have no idea what is happening in it. For our area, it is very similar to my last area in Whittier: We have little to no investigators, several less-actives, and several pages of potentials that other missionaries have contacted. So it is going to be very similar to the past 3 months: pass by these potentials and try to start teaching them, street contacts, and member referrals. I know that the Lord will help us because He helped us when I was in Whittier with Elder Awerkamp. I know that the Lord has a plan for us here in Cerritos in our area. I know that He wants as many of His children to come closer to Him, and it will be through us that we will help His work progress. I am excited for the challenges that lie ahead, and for the guidance of the Savior to overcome these challenges.

I am glad to hear that you all had a fun time down it San Diego. I got an e-mail from Kyler Olson that he saw you guys in San Diego. I don't know if you saw him, or if he just saw you guys from a distance. Thanks for all the updates, and hope everything goes well for you guys these next few weeks. Sounds like you all are going to be pretty busy.

General Conference was BOMB!!! So many good talks and a lot of great counsel from our leaders. I agree with you both: Elder Uchtdorf's talk was awesome about gratitude, along with Elder Bednar's talk about spiritual load and that through the Atonement of Christ, we can have a positive spiritual load. My question for you all is: Do you think this was President Packer's last conference? His talk was so spiritually packed, and his testimony was soooo strong. I hope it isn't his last conference, and we can have one more chance to hear him speak. I was thinking about listening to the conference is Spanish, but decided that it would be better if I stayed with English. Maybe next time I will be more confident.

Things are going well here. After conference I just feel more spiritually strong and spiritually fed. I can't wait to go back and study the talks again. I really like how most of the talks were about faith, and courage to stand for what we believe. I absolutely love it, and am so grateful to be a missionary at this time. To carry His gospel to all the world, and to stand up for what I believe. I know that God is our loving Heavenly Father, and we are all His Children. I know that Christ came to this earth and atoned for our sins so we do not have to carry the heavy load of sin. I know that He lives, and guides His church here on the Earth. I know that through the prophet Joseph Smith, His church was restored with all His teachings and the priesthood authority. I know that President Thomas S. Monson is His prophet, and that he is truly called of God to lead us. I know this is true, "I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ!" I love you all, and am so grateful for the blessing of families. I know that the family is ordained of God, and the greatest blessing we can have in our life. Thank you all for your love, support, and teachings. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Elder Roberts

March 31, 2014 - Whittier Blew up!

Hi everyone,

 

So just to clear up all the controversy about the earthquake. Yes we did feel it, and very strongly. In fact the center of the Earthquake was about 7-10 miles away from our apartment, and we have been feelings small trembles ever since then. It was a 5.1 magnitude, and hit in a city called La Habra. We had 3 main quakes on Friday night: 1st at 8:45 (We were biking home, so we didn't feel anything), the main quake at 9:15 (We were in our apartment and had just finished praying to start our daily planning), and a third quake at 9:30. It was pretty scary to be honest, mostly because it was my first earthquake. It started off sounding like was running around in the apartment above. Then I remembered "We are on the second floor and there isn't anyone above us." It was pretty scary; I did not sleep that night because everything just made me nervous. A few things I learned about earthquake from this experience: 1) You cannot do anything about earthquakes, only wait and hope it doesn't do too much damage. 2) How great are God's creations! It really put into perspective how great His creations are, and how perfect God's plan is for us. And how grateful I am to have accepted His plan and to come to earth.

 

Ok so other than the earthquake, alot has happened within the past 2 days. So we get transfer facts on Saturday from our DL. He starts off telling Elder Awerkamp that he is leaving to Long Beach, a branch called Ximeno. So I think to myself, "Ok I am staying and will be leading the area, cool." Then our DL say to me, "You new companion is Elder Lloyd, and you need to call him for directions because......You are leaving to Cerritos!" Yep so both Elder Awerkamp and I are leaving Whittier tomorrow morning. They are actually dissolving our area and spreading it out to the other spanish Elders. Not only our area, but also all the english areas as well in the zone. We have 3 english family wards and a single adult ward in our zone. All 3 english wards had 2 companionships of missionaries, now there is only 1 companionship per ward. So they combined alot here. Hence why I say "Whittier Blew Up."

 

To be completely honest, I was shocked to hear that both Elder Awerkamp and I are getting transferred. We have worked so hard to get the area up and going again, and now to see it get dissolved, it is just super sad. Not only for us, but also for the families we are teaching. Last night we visited with both la familia Berriel, and la familia Guzman and it was soooooo hard to say goodbye to them. We have done alot of good work in this area, and it is so sad. But I know that the Lord is leading the work here and this is what needs to happen. Kinda hard to accept, but just like Nephi said, "I will go and I will do what the Lord has commanded" (1 Ne. 3:7). I am excited to move to a different area, and to start working there. But it is just hard to leave all the great families we have been teaching, and such a great ward.

 

So ya the past few days have just been crazy. Today is going to be a long day due to packing, getting the apartment cleaned and ready to be closed down, and last few visits with families here in our area. Things have just gone crazy these past few days it has been a little bit stressful and sad. But I know that the Lord will provide a way for us to get everything done we need to do. I also know that He will help our investigators keep progressing towards baptism, and a strong conversion in the Gospel. He truly is leading His work here on the Earth, and I am so grateful for the opportunity I have to be His missionary and for the experiences He gives me.

 

Thanks for everything. Have a good time in San Diego. Everything is going well with my clothes, everything is holding up really well. Hope you all have a fun week in San Diego, and don't get too burnt ;)

 

Love you all,

 

Elder Roberts

 

Aqui esta la familia Berriel. Hay Alejando, Julia, Jasmin, y Cristian. Es una familia bien preparado para el evangelio, y les quiero mucho.

 

Aqui esta la familia Guzman. Hay Ezekial, Reina, Alex, y Karen. Hay dos otras hijas que no estan en el foto porque estan en el hospital. Se llama Cynthia, y Kim. Kim tuvo una cirugia en jueves para su espalda

Mi companero y yo con la familia Cruces. Ellos son miembros, el papa es nuestro lider misional en el Barrio. Ellos tambien nos ayudaba ser amigos con la familia Berriel.

 

            

                                            

No I was not trying to use our ward mission leaders iPhone to get an update for March Madness. Silly rabbit ;)

March 24, 2014

Hi everyone,

 

I sensed a theme in the emails I got from you two and it appears that you two are happy that it is spring. I am guessing that you are excited for the warmer temperatures and no more snow. Just a thought. But glad to hear everything is going good for you all.

 

Sounds like you saw everyone on you walk. Thanks for all of the updates, sounds like everyone is doing good. If you see Andrew, digalo: Felicidades por su llamamiento a Mexico, vas a disfrutar el idoma bastante. Then ya that is awesome about Brennan and his mission. He sent me an email a couple weeks ago explaining everything. I felt like Alma the younger when I heard about his experience, just full of joy and excited about it all. Kinda crazy that he has been out for a year now, I can still remember when he gave his farewell. Time just keeps moving forward.

 

Well we are going to be starting week 6 of this transfer. Looking back, I have no idea what happened to the transfer. It just decided to fly by I guess. To be completely honest, I have no idea what is going to happen with transfer facts. Elder Awerkamp and I have been in the zone for the longest, 4 transfers, so I don't know if they will split us up, or keep us together. I have just learned not to guess the transfer facts because 99% of the time you are wrong. So instead I just wait for the suprise, and then buckle down and get to work.

 

This week has been interesting. It was a little bit difficult, but we still had some awesome experiences. I say difficult because almost every set lesson we had fell through. But it was good because this lead to finding new people to teach, and very spiritual experiences. The two families we are teaching are doing pretty good.

 

La familia Berriel have just been blessed like crazy this week. Both the parents were able to find work, the kids are doing better learning English, and they are just being extremely blessed right now. We have been working hard to show them that these blessings are coming because of the small changes they have made: Reading the scriptures, praying every day, and coming to church. We are really going to work hard to commit them to baptism this week because they are so prepared.

 

Everyone else are doing good. Everyone is progressing really well, and starting to see the blessings that come from the Gospel. We are just working hard, and trying to help the people God has placed in our path come closer to Him. I have really come to love the people we are teaching, and they all are super prepared to receive the Gospel. We are trying super hard to teach to their needs, and help them see the specific blessings that come from the Gospel. Sometimes it can be really hard to know their needs, and tie the Gospel into their lives. But I know that when we put the Gospel of Jesus Christ at the center of our lives, we find great blessings and strength. Slowly but surely I am starting to recognized those blessings, and my desire to grow in the Gospel increase. I love being His missionary, and for all that I am learning every day.

 

Love you all, and thank you for your love and support. Have a good, week.

 

Elder Roberts

March 17th, 2014

Hey everyone,

 

First off to put peoples' mindo to rest: I did not feel any earthquake this morning. We were doing laundry at that time and was pretty focused on that. We haven't heard anything about an earthquake till now, so it must have been pretty small. So ya everthing good in that aspect.

  

So far everything is going good this week. It was cool because I got a letter from Erin and Jordin on Thursday that had a couple family photos that really made my day. I was also super glad to hear that Jordin got accepted to the University of Utah and everything is going well for them.

 

As far as our investigators, everything is going well with them. Kim Guzman did not get the surgery yet because they needed to wait for the ok from the insurance company plus she wanted to take her finals at the college she is attending. But today she will get them taken, and should get the ok from the insurance company.

 

La familia Berriel are doing awesome. We introduced them to the Ward mission leader, Hermano Cruces, and they immediately hit off as friends. We had a lesson with the two families on Monday, and set a return appointment for Wednesday. Then on Wednesday right after dinner, we get a text from our DL saying la familia Berriel were with la familia Cruces eating dinner. So we arranged for them to stay there and we went up and had another lesson in their home. So they have really been doing great and progressing very well. They still have a few doubts about the Restoration and Joseph Smith, but they feel that if they keep learning, reading from the Book of Mormon, and praying that they will come to understand more.

 

So that is most of the news from this week. We are really working hard and have truly been blessed by the Lord this week. I remember when I first got to this area that we pretty much had now investigators and several less-actives. But now we have been able to turn the area around and have alot of great success. I am learning so much this transfer, and know that the Lord is truly blessing us and guiding us in this work. I am grateful for all the support I get from Him and from you all. Thank you for everything and may the Lord continue to bless you.

 

Elder Roberts

March 10, 2014

Hey guys,

 

 

Well another week has flown by, and we are halfway through the transfer. I am very worried that it is just going to fly by right now, and before we know it we will be in June. Elder Awerkamp and I were talking the other night, and we just realized that General Conference is in a couple weeks. We arrived to Whittier right after Conference in October, 6 months ago. It is so crazy because I can still remember the talks given, and everything. It is just flying by way too fast! But we are doing alot of good work in our area, and the Lord is truly blessing us.

 

Funny that you should talk about the rain we got 2 weeks ago. Because it went from soggy, wet, cold weekend, to hot, humid, 80 degree weather. I guess that is kinda the weather pattern here in Whittier, never is the same weather the following week. It is very similar to back home, mostly because we aren't close to the ocean, so it is mostly desert. I heard that it gets wickedly hot during the summer here, so we will see what happens.

 

So this week, our two families we are teaching just got blasted with trials. For one of the, la familia Guzman, one of their daughters have had back problems since she was 14 and just barely they found a problem with one of her disks. This caused her to be taken to the hospital, and possibly surgery. We were able to visit her and her family in the hospital on Thursday, the day after she was admitted into the hospital, and the doctors were still trying to come up with a game plan. So we haven't heard from them for a while, and are guessing she had to have surgery. So that was hard trying to visit with them.

 

Then the other family, la familia Berriel, were just getting blasted with financial problems. It was really sad to see them struggle through it, and try to find work to bring in enough money to pay for everything. But they have been very calm, and have really been exercising faith in the Savior to help them through this trial. Hopefully they will be able to find work this week, and begin to have the funds necessary.

 

Through all of these trials, and difficulties, I studied quite a bit about patience in our trials, and specific promises that the Lord will deliver us. Every time I have studied this topic, I am led to the experience that Alma the elder had in Mosiah 23-24. You have a group of people who had just make a covenant with God through baptism, and right after they get put into captivity. Doesn't sound too fair. But I love the example that these people show, they continue to put their trust in God, exercise their faith through prayer, and patiently bear there trials. I just love this example and the blessings from God are amazing: Their burdens were made light, they had more faith and patience, and were eventually freed from their captivity.

 

Through studying this story, I have really come to see how the Book of Mormon is written for us, and how we can "Liken" all scriptures to ourself. As we apply this principle, of likening the scriptures to ourself, we come to have more faith in our trials and we come to find answers to our questions. Then our testimony of the Book of Mormon is strengthened, and our love for it is strengthened. I love this principle that the Lord has given us, and am trying daily to apply it to myself and our investigators.

 

I am so grateful for this time I have to be a missionary for our savior, Jesus Christ. I am thankful for the trials I have, and the opportunities to strengthen my testimony and faith in His Gospel. Then to share that same love, and experiences with others here in our area. I know he is directing the work here, and He is constantly guiding us to those who are ready to receive the truth. I love Him, and and grateful for all the many blessings I have received from Him.

 

Hope you all have a great week. Thank you for your example to me, and your love. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

 

Elder Roberts

March 3, 2014

Hello,

 

Welcome to the first p-day of March!! Kinda crazy to believe, but it has arrived. Also week 3 of this transfer has begun. The past two weeks have just flown by it is insane. It makes me worried about the rest of this transfer because it always gets faster at the end of the transfer. But nothing to much we can do about time right, just keep pressing forward.

 

Like most of you all know, we got pounded with rain the last 3 days. Mostly Friday and pretty hard on Saturday. But it was amazing!! Not only is it an answer to our fast we did last month, but it was fun to be out working in it. It also was a good way to get into peoples' homes because they didn't want us getting wet and sick. Overall we didn't receive any damage as far as nature wise, just the streets are a mess due to all of the trees in Whittier. Makes me super nervous to bike because I don't want anything to puncture my tire. But overall it was fun, and a good week.

 

Good to hear that things went well with Bridget and her campus tour. I remember my time visiting the campuses, and really digging deep to see what the campus can offer to me. It was a blast and I am glad that she had a good experience. If she does go down to SUU she will have to keep an eye out for Brother Kunz (He isn't a missionary any more).

 

So this week turned out to be a very successful week. Not only because of the rain, but because the Lord is really blessing us right now. We were able to find some new investigators, get members out to lessons with us, and to top it all off we had 4 investigators come to church yesterday. It was awesome, and they both had a very spiritual experience. In fact, one of them, hno. Berriel, shared his testimony about learning about the gospel and the power of prayer in both sunday school and priesthood. He is doing really well and having some really great experiences with the gospel.

 

The thing we are realy working hard at doing this transfer is member presents with every set lesson we have. I really believe that the 4 people that came to church today came because they had a familiar face that they could sit by. Also because they had heard of the experiences that these members have had because they come to church. It is such a small thing, but has such an important role in the conversion of these people. So for everyone back home, I invite you to meet the missionaries that work in your ward/stake, and go out on splits with them. Even if they don't have set lessons, still offer to go. I can promise you that the experience you will have is amazing. You truly will feel the joy of missionary work, and come to understand missionary work a little bit better.

 

Well I am going to end here. Thank you all for you love and support, I know that the Lord is blessing you all.I am so grateful for this opportunity to be His missionary, and help His children here in Whittier. He is truly guiding us to those who are prepared, and is giving us the words to speak that will touch their hearts.

 

Love you all,

 

Elder Roberts