Transfer 2 Week 3

Hello all,

    Sorry that my post is late, but I only took a partial P-day yesterday so that I could get to work earlier. This past week has been pretty incredible. I am continuing to learn a lot and am abundantly blessed with opportunities to share my testimony of the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. I volunteered at Meals on Wheels twice this week and spent time at the Library shelving books in between trips to the Temple. However, most of my week was spent with the Spanish Missionaries. We taught a few first discussions and I was able to share the First Vision in Spanish again this week :D I have found that sharing the First Vision is my favorite part of teaching a lesson. The Spirit testifies so strongly every time, without fail.  I can definitely say my Spanish is improving; but I still have a long way to go in terms of holding a decent conversation without having to ask how to say a specific word.
    During the past week I've come to have a greater sense of charity for those whom we are teaching and even those we pass by. It all draws back to the fact that we are all brothers and sisters, we are all family and are in this mess together. So, either we work together and get something done, or we gripe, envy and bicker and end up forgetting the whole reason why we are here. That is one of the beauties of the Gospel: it teaches us who we truly are and what we have the potential to become. (Romans 8:16-17)
     I've also found that this work is very easy to lose yourself in. There are so many people out there searching and so many different ways to reach them that you can hardly take time to think about yourself, except to remember to eat at some point and that sleep is kind of important. Besides those two things, we have the luxury of focusing our entire 2 years to the needs of those around us. For most of us, we will never have that chance again. Thankfully, I've been given a chance to serve and am very grateful for that opportunity. One more thing, I've found that early morning study is what really keeps me going. Taking time to really pray and really focus on what I need to learn gives me a spiritual jump start that keeps me going for the day.

    Okay, time to elaborate on my experiences this week. On Monday night the Spanish Elders and I went to a less active's and shared a spiritual thought on being diligent, I shared my testimony that diligent righteousness will bring peace and happiness into our lives. On Tuesday I delivered meals to the Elderly and went with the Spanish missionaries to multiple appointments. We met a way sweet new family and taught the first discussion. Their ferret liked me a bit too much and took a sample of my arm. Thankfully, it turned out well in the end. I went to the Temple twice on Wednesday with a break in between to shelve books at the Library. On Thursday I delivered meals again and met up with the Spanish Elders. We had a wonderful experience watching The Restoration with one family and some other great appointments. On Friday I went to the temple again and went with the Spanish Missionaries. We attended the Chili Cook Off and were able to invite some less actives and investigators to attend. On Saturday I was with the Spanish Missionaries from 9am-9pm and we had quite an amazing day. We tracted in Apex and taught a wonderful First Discussion to a family we found there. We also set up appointments with 4-5 people and will return this Thursday. Sunday was absolutely wonderful, as always. After church, which was amazing by the way, the Spanish Missionaries and I ate dinner with a way sweet family. On Monday I went with the Spanish Elders again from 12:15-9. Elder Chupin and I were able to go on splits together and we taught 3 incredible lessons and found three new investigators. I was able to share my conversion story in one of the lessons and the First Vision in another. It was by far my favorite day.

    I bear my testimony that the Gospel of Jesus Christ changes lives. It takes the weak and lifts them up, it takes the strong and refines them. It is a means by which we may come to know Our Father in Heaven and His Son, Jesus Christ. As we come to know them and the immense love they have for us and strive to follow the commandments we have been given, we will find peace and happiness in our daily lives. I leave this with you in the name of Jesus Christ.

Amen,

Elder Roberts

Transfer 2 Week 2

Hello all,

    This week has been quite a week. I started the week by going with the Spanish missionaries to teach a Family Home Evening lesson, because I am still learning Spanish I sat pretty quietly and bore my testimony as necessary. On Tuesday I went to volunteer at Meals on Wheels and delivered meals to the elderly :) I love being able to converse with those who are not able to get out much. I actually had an amazing conversation with one Mrs. Wright on Thursday :D

    I spent the rest of my Tuesday with the English Elders and we went around to see less actives and one of the members. At the member's house we taught about patience and how we can acquire Christ like attributes through faith, specific sincere prayer, and obedience.

    On Wednesday morning I had an amazing Temple session and proceeded back home to have brunch before heading to the public library to shelve books for 3 hours :) I had a gospel conversation with one of my fellow volunteers and was able to share a brief history of the church, including the First Vision. I am extremely grateful for the opportunity I have to share that miraculous vision. I then picked up the Spanish missionaries and had an great dinner appointment with Sister Calderon. We then headed over to a less active's house and I got along really well with the family. Elder Chupin and Rees were way excited about that.
   
    On Thursday I went to Meals on Wheels again and had a quality gospel conversation on the Atonement of Christ and how it marked the end of blood sacrifices for sins. I then delivered the meals and met up with the Spanish missionaries. We had a way good discussion on the institution of the sacrament by Christ to the people of ancient America. I bore my testimony in Spanish, but some German slipped in. We then had a dinner appointment with one of the families in the Cary 3rd branch. Afterwards we headed over to pick up the Garner Missionaries because they had forgotten their bike rack and were not able to bike back to Garner. So, I picked them up, went to Garner, dropped them off, and drove and dropped the Cary Spanish Missionaries off. :D

    On Friday I went to a temple session and then went to the Family History Center. I ended up listening to one of the workers recount many miracles in being able to find records for his deceased ancestors and also in teaching the restored gospel. I went with the English Elders later that day and we were supposed to turn down one street, but ended up pushing a jeep out of the mud on a street further down. This experience ended up being a lesson for us on following the promptings of the Holy Ghost, because even though we missed the first turn we felt alright about it and kept going until we felt it was right to turn. 

    I woke up way excited and ready to get to work on Saturday. I had a nice walk, studied, had breakfast and went to the Library to shelve books for 3 hours again. :D I ended up coming back with a long mental list of books to read. You never know what you have until it's gone, or you are not able to do anything about it. Afterwards I went with the English Missionaries. Later that night I was able to share the First Vision and some of my missionary experiences with one of my old co workers! I was very glad to have an opportunity to do that.

    Sunday was by far the most amazing day. In the morning I went over and studied with the Spanish Missionaries. We then headed out and invited our investigators to church. We headed out afterwards to the church and ended up leading our recent convert to the Singles' Ward to introduce them to the missionaries there. We had an amazing sacrament meeting there and the min topic was that of the Atonement of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. One of the speakers was Sister Clark who had just returned from her mission in Anchorage, Alaska. Yay for sister missionaries! Later that day we lead our recent convert to an amazing fireside at President Deaver's house. I had an incredible time there and after the wonderful testimonies (all in Spanish), I had an opportunity to converse with my companion from Raleigh, Elder Allen! I also ended up being able to converse with Elder Perez in Spanish for about 15-20 minutes and also with the recent converts. ^^

 I realized many times this week that one of my greatest problems is my tendency to focus so much on the amount of work I have yet to do in this life and how much I have yet to grow that I fail to fully notice and appreciate how far I have come in such a short time. I know that all of my progress would be naught without the Atonement and the assistance of my family, friends and the Holy Ghost though. :)  I also know that the tender mercies of the Lord are upon all His chosen servants, all of those who will harken unto the voice of the Savior and align their will with the will of the Father. We are all children of a loving Heavenly Father. He loves us and wants to bless us with blessings beyond our comprehension. He wants us to be happy forever and has provided a way to do so, He sent a savior, even Jesus Christ to teach the way in which we can return to our Father. He has called a Prophet in these the latter days, to organize the Church of Jesus Christ again on the earth, that all nations might know whereby they may obtain salvation and eternal life. I bear you my testimony that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is that very church, restored through a Latter day Prophet, even Joseph Smith. You can know for yourself if this is true through the power of the Holy Ghost,  for the "...[Holy Ghost] will teach [us] all things..." John 14:26 And as you read in, ponder about and pray about the Book of Mormon, "with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truthfulness of these things unto you by the power of the Holy Ghost, and by the power of the Holy Ghost, ye may know the truth of all things" Moroni 10:6-7 I leave this testimony and witness unto you in the sacred name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior Amen.

With love,

Elder Roberts

Transfer 2 Week 1

Dear All,

    This past week has been quite an adventure. I transferred back to Cary from Henderson on Tuesday night and am way excited to be back in my home ward. I've spent most of my time with the Spanish Missionaries and have reinforced my resolve to learn Spanish while I'm out on my mission. We had about 9 investigators come to church and also had another confirmed a member of the church :D Elder Chupin and Rees invited me to participate, but because I did not know the person it would have been slightly awkward. Last night though, I had an amazing experience with one of our progressing investigators. We watched Legacy, which is a movie about the hardships and persecutions the early saints had to bear. Afterwards, the missionaries and I bore strong testimonies of Jesus Christ and how our faith in Him can get us through any trial. I bore my testimony that as long as we put our faith in Christ and follow His teachings, we will find peace and joy in our lives. I also testified that God will never give us commandments without providing a way for us to accomplish them. I know that as we build our lives on the Foundation of Christ, His Atonement and teachings that we all can find a greater sense of peace, joy and purpose.

   I also drove the English missionaries around, but most of our investigators were not home :(. We did have a way good discussion with this one lady though. She felt the spirit and should be coming to church next Sunday! :D

   I started to work on my service in the community by volunteering at Meals on Wheels. I had a way sweet time delivering meals to elderly folk and spending time listening to them reminisce about times 60-70 years ago. I plan on working with them twice a week and possibly more than that as times allows.

Thankfully I don't have a mile limitation, because I drove about 300 miles the past few days...

    On my mission I've experienced a happiness beyond anything I have felt before in my life. There is something unique about missionary work.. In Calvin Stephens' talk "The Mission and Work of the Savior" he talks about how Christ cast out demons by teaching people a better way to live. That's what we are doing! We are helping people overcome addictions, overcome hatred, overcome hardships and all manner of trials and afflictions by simply teaching them that there is a better way and teaching them how they can follow Christ's example and find peace.

    I know this church is true, I know that Joseph Smith saw God the Father and Jesus Christ and that he translated, through the power of God, an ancient record that stands as a second testimony of Jesus Christ. A record you can hold in your very hands. This very record, The Book of Mormon, is the fruit of a true Prophet of God. A Prophet just as Moses, Abraham and Noah of Old Testament times. I know that as you read, study, ponder and pray about the Book of Mormon, with real intent, seeking to know the truthfulness thereof, the Holy Ghost will testify to your very spirit that it is true. I know that as we strive to learn and follow God's will in our lives that we will find happiness and peace, even though we are tried, even though the world is falling apart around us, we can know that our foundation is sure. For "[Christ] is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall." Helaman 5:12 I leave these things with you in His Name, even Jesus Christ, Amen.

With Love,

Elder Roberts

P.S. Thanks for all the letters!*
I have stamps now! XD

Transfer 1 Week 6

Dear All,

    Wow, this week has been pretty amazing. We have been doing a lot of really good work and have seen some miracles. :) Conference was amazing! For those of you who missed it there are links on LDS.org.

    I've had a pretty enlightening week, I've been studying a lot and gaining a stronger testimony of gospel truths. We're having a lot of success here and I've met some pretty amazing people. I wish I could express and share everything I've learned and experienced, but every experience, every step I take, every testimony I share brings me to a more sure knowledge that this is the true church. Neil L Anderson gave an amazing talk once entitled "It's true isn't it? Then what else matters?" Those words ring true to me and show me how I've allowed those things that don't really matter get in the way of those things that do. Yes, it is hard to do certain things. Yes it is hard to wake up every morning and discipline myself to get to work, but it's true.. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is true. If that is so, then what else matters?

   

     I love this Church and the changes it has brought in my life and continues to bring as I am open to them. I love this work, this opportunity to bring a more sure joy and purpose into the lives of those I teach. I love seeing how the principles of the gospel can lift even those who seem unliftable.

   

    Thank you to everyone who has sent me letters and emails of encouragement. For those of you who have not been written back to yet, I apologize, I ran out of stamps and accidentally left some of your addresses back in Cary...

    I love the Henderson Branch, it has some really strong members and I've come to love them as much as one can in such a short period of time.

    I love you all and hope you all have a great week!

With love,

Elder Roberts

P.S. No, I haven't forgotten those of you in the Rocky Mount area. I love and miss you all too :D