Transfer 13 Week 3

Dear Everyone,

 

      Well, it has been an interesting time just trying to get on the computer. The first computer I got on was infected by some sort of malware and since the computer was locked down, as most public computers are, we had to call for the IT guy and he came and spent about 30 minutes fixing it. In the meanwhile they tried to move me to another computer, but that one had been reserved to someone esle. *sigh* Yet, after about 15 minutes of them not showing up I was able to get on. This week we were able to go an teach a couple and the lesson went almost picture perfect. The Spirit was so strong and guided us in answering all the questions they had by just teaching the various principles and doctrines contained in the lesson. They both committed to read and pray about the Book of Mormon and to come to church. We were able to follow up with them and they had read from the Book of Mormon, but since the boyfriend had to work late he did not want his family to go to church without him. We were able to have two other lessons with a family we have been teaching and things are going pretty slow with them.

 

      We have continued meeting with various families in the branch and have been teaching them the Doctrine of Christ and helping them make lists of people they can pray about how they can help them come unto Christ and learn of His Gospel. We had District Meeting on Wednesday, but since our District Leader was at training meeting we were instead taught by the Zone Leaders. The District Meeting went very well and we then went out to Wendy's for lunch. We then spent the rest of the time before dinner trying to track down some of the referrals we have received. After dinner we were able to meet with Keith and things are progressing there. Thrusday means Weekly Planning and that means we were in for most of the day. We were able to meet with Jeremy though. After we had dinner with the Abbots we were also able to visit with Leon. The lesson with Leon went very interesting and we spent most of the time answering questions he had concerning our beliefs.

 

     Friday we were able to meet with the Newtons and then that night we had a lesson and dinner with another family. Later that night we were able to meet with another member and an investigator that we ahve been working with. Saturday we spent most of the morning helping the branch move a member to Oxford. That night we had a talent show and I almost busted my hand trying to break through a plastic board. Thankfully I remembered what I was doing wrong and broke through it after the show. For the talent show my companion played recorder and then I read a poem I had written that week. Sunday we were able to do role plays and give training to the combined Relief Society and Priesthood. It went really well and we were able to answer questions afterward.

 

    I know that God lives. I know that Jesus Christ is His Son and that Joseph Smith was called by God. I know that Joseph Smith was an instrument in the hand of God in restoring the true church of Christ and the pure Doctrine of Christ that had been lost. I know that we have a Prophet on the earth today, even Thomas S. Monson. I know that the Book of Mormon is true and that anyone can know of its truthfulness through reading it, pondering the message it contains and praying with a sincere desire to know. I know these things through the power of the Holy Ghost and so testify in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

 

With Love,

 

Elder Roberts

   

     

Transfer 13 Week 2

Dear Everyone,

 

    This week has certainly been a surprise. We have done everything from laser tag to putting out a fire. On Monday night we had dinner with the Olsen family and with one of our investigators, Jennifer. We had a wonderful dinner there and were able to talk about the loving nature of God and His willingness to forgive His repentant children. Brother Olsen suggested she read from Mosiah 27 and then we read a bit of 3rd Nephi 9 and discussed some of the principles therein. We met up with a couple of potential investigators on Tuesday and were able to set up appointments with them. However, throughout the week, most of them fell through. We did meet up with Tameka though and her music producer fiance, Brenton. They both seem interested to learn more and we will be hopefully meeting with them today. A member of the ward brought us some pizza and them we tried to see a couple more potentials. Wednesday we had District Meeting in Roxboro and we discussed having the faith to find new investigators. We were able to do roleplays and Elder Kopp and I were able to practice a new program with the Sisters. That night we were able to have a lesson with Keith and begin to address some of his concerns.

 

    Thursday we had a long planning session with a break to visit a less active member. We were able to invite him to commit to asking his manager for Sundays off and hope to see him this coming Sunday. He looks so much happier since we've been able to drop by. We spent most of Friday trying to contact the referrals we had received and that night we met with the Branch president and his family. We were able to begin to impliment the program of teaching the Doctrine of Christ and then helping them to think of people that God is preparing to be taught the Doctrine of Christ. The purpose is not for them to give us a list of people to go see, but for them to prayerfully consider what they can do to invite their friends to come unto Christ. We thought Saturday was going to be a pretty full day, but then everyone began to cancel. Either they were not home, or we were not able to enter and teach due to them being asleep or unaccompanied by someone else. We were able to see a member family and then after trying to contact a potential we noticed the next door neighbor's shed go up in flames. I look at my companion and asked "do you think that's supposed to be on fire?" We debated and once we noticed the ring of fire on the grass heading towards pinestraw and a forest, we decided he needed some help. Sadly, the hose had frozen up since it was about 26 degrees, but my companion was able to break about 60% of the ice out. After putting a bit of the ring out the neighbor took the hose from me and I ran and picked up the fire extinguisher. I was able to put a little portion of the ring out with the remainder of the contents. We then went medieval on it and pulled out a shovel and a hoe. I was able to stomp a small portion and kick a tire that was beginning to flare up and finally after much effort, the ring was out. There was not much we could do about the shed and at one point something exploded inside. Thankfully, noone sustained injuries, but I had a really red forehead for getting too close. The fire response team finally came after we left, in the form of one pickup truck.... XD That night we were able to teach Keith again and I could tell that one inspired question we were able to ask really touched him.

 

    Sunday we were able to do roleplays with the Branch council and that went so well that they want us to do training for the combined Priesthood and Relief Society along with the Young Men/Young Women. After three hours of church, an hour of choir, two hours of study and an hour for lunch, we were able to meet Jennifer at the Olsen's apartment and there we had a marvelous dinner and were able to teach the Plan of Salvation. Jennifer was visably moved by the Spirit that was there and she was mostly speechless throughout, but commented on the beauty of the plan. It truly is a perfect plan, made by a perfect loving Father in Heaven. Last night we were able to meet with a recent convert and we watched Joseph Smith: Prophet of the Restoration. There is such a strong Spirit there. Everytime I see that movie I feel my testimony of the Prophet and His divine calling grow.

 

    I know that Joseph Smith was a Prophet and I know that through him Our Father in Heaven and His Beloved Son Jesus Christ restored Christ's original Church. I know that the Book of Mormon is evidence of this. This I bear witness of in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

 

With Love,

 

Elder Roberts

Transfer 13 Week 1

Dear Everyone,

 

    It is good to be back in Henderson! This is highly unusual to return to an area, but nothing about my mission has been ususal so far. We had transfers a day later due to the "ice storm" that passed by. On Wednesday I went with one of the Harker's Island Elders and a family from that ward to transfer meeting and for the first time I was officially transferred somewhere. They read my name off and everything. We were driven back to our apartment by a member of the branch and had a slight detour to South Boston, Va to drop off the Elders who will be working in that recently opened area. For the past while only senior couples have served there. I was grateful to jump right into teaching after I unpacked and got settled in. We were able to have dinner with one of our progressing investigators and answer some of the questions she had. She is so enthusiastic about being taught and is keeping all the commitments that we have given so far. She used to live in Utah with her parents and since her father is a member, she grew up going to our church, but never formally became a member of the church. Her boyfriend, whom she lives with, goes to another church, but when she went with him, it lacked the spirit that she was used to feeling. It really is a miracle that the missionaries were able to get in contact with her and it is a blessing to see her progress in the gospel. We watched "The Restoration" DVD with her and the Spirit was really strong there. It was quite a marvelous experience. Later that night we met with another of our investigators (Keith) and commited him to stop smoking and to begin to read The Book of Mormon and pray about it.

 

    The next day we had Zone Conference and the focus was "The Role of the Holy Ghost in Conversion." We were taught portions of the Doctrine of Christ and thenwent into detail on how we can work on inspired listening, which is where we rely on the Spirit to help us discern needs from the responses to inspired questions. We were able to do a couple of role plays to practice and I had the hardest time with teaching one of our "investigators." We also had a portion dedicated to improving our planning during our daily planning sessions and we were even allowed to have our nightly planning session about 6 hours early. We were all witnesses to the blessings that flow when we followed the planning guidelines outlined in our planners. Afterwards I was able to buy my food for the week and when we walked out we realized we had parked next to one of the branch members. He graciously invited us to dinner and we were able to eat and talk with him about some of the things we had learned that day. Later that night we met with the Sullyan family and were able to set an appointment with a group of investigators.

 

    We spent most of Friday morning in our weekly planning session and then went out to contact some referrals we had received. We then visited with Ann and Alfreda. Sadly Ann's aunt had passed away the previous week and then while we were talking with her the phone rang informing her that her son had broken an arm and a leg in an automobile accident. We were able to have a prayer with her and give her a blessing of comfort and for her health. We will be checking on them again pretty soon. We then went out pretty far and met with the Gooch family. We watched "The Restoration" DVD to clear up some questions on the first lesson and I was able to make an authority chart showing the flow of authority from God to His prophets from the Old Testament to Modern Times. Through that and the power of the Holy Ghost, they were able to come to an understanding of the need for men to have authority to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinaces thereof.

 

    The rest of our week was spent in lessons and in searching out referrals. I look very forward to this coming week. A short side note though, my companion and I spent a couple of hours on preparation day playing mini-golf and laser- tag and we had a really enjoyable time.

 

    Jesus is the Son of God. We are all Children of God and He is our literal Father in Heaven. He wants us to follow the example of His Son Jesus Christ and to a knowledge of His will in our lives. I know that God has one plan for all of His Children and that it is through His Son Jesus Christ and His Atonement that this plan is brought to pass. Our work is to keep the commandments by living by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. We are to be doers of the word and not simply hearers. I know that God reveals His word through Prophets and that this pattern as show in both the Old and New Testament, still continues today. Thomas S. Monson is His Prophet. We can know the truth of these things for ourselves, by the power of the Holy Ghost, through prayer as we read and ponder the message contained in the Book of Mormon. I have received an answer for myself. I know these things are true and give my testimony, in the sacred name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

 

With Love,

 

Elder Roberts

 

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Transfer 12 Week 6

Dear Everyone,

 

    This has been quite a week. We spent our Preparation Day at Atlantic Beach and Fort Macon. Don't worry, we avoided the water. We were able to take several pictures around the fort and gained a greater knowledge of the history of that place. Afterwards we had Family Home Evening with the Pace family, friends and two recent converts. We were able to have a good discussion on basic doctrines and the laws and ordinances of the church. On Tuesday we biked a lot and stopped by members and non-members alike. One of the people we stopped by was a 32nd Degree mason. He is so close to being a member. He lives the law of chastity and the word of wisdom. He lives a Christian life, but is against organized religion. *sigh* Well, he is progressing towards that, but it will takes time and faith. Another interesting person we met was a homeless man who has his tent 10 feet off the road next to the railroad tracks. He came out professing to know God and to read His Word daily, but once we mentioned The Book of Mormon, he started to listen. He called us Brothers in Christ in a Native American dialect and proceeded to grab us in a double headlock and give a prayer. It was quite an interesting experience. We were able to find his tent a couple of days ago after giving him a copy of The Book of Mormon. That night we went with a recent convert to dinner and then watched "Joseph Smith: Prophet of the Restoration" with an investigator. It was a marvelous spiritual experience. I can feel the Spirit so strongly every time I watch it. Wednesday we had four hours of meetings sandwiching our day. In the middle we were able to drop by an investigator and then have dinner with a recent convert again. Thursday we had weekly planning and I finally met the members we live with. They had been on vacation for a few weeks. We then visited the Laveck family and talked with their niece abit about the Gospel.

     Friday morning we were driven out to Beaufort to tract and walked for four hours. It was quite an experience. My companion was in so much pain that night because he pulled something from walking on unlevel ground. Brother Pierce picked us up and we went over to the Libbys for a lesson. On Saturday we tried to contact some referrals, but they would not answer the door.  We then stopped by the Libbys again and had dinner for them. That night we returned and I received a call from President Cotterell. I found out that I am being transferred to Henderson! YAY! I have not been there for over a year. I look very forward to serving with them. We woke up Monday to snow and found out that transfers are being pushed back a day.

 

    I know that this is the Lord's work. Jesus is the Christ, the very Son of God, our Savior and our Redeemer. God is His Father and Our Father in Heaven. He knows us and loves us individually. He understands our nature and our mistakes. He has provided a way for us to be cleansed of sin and the negative effects of guilt and shame associated with it. He gave His Son to show us the way, to be an example of Godliness in thought, word and deed. Jesus Christ died that the justice of God might be satisfied and that men might find mercy through accepting and living the laws, ordinances and covenants of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. His Prophet on the earth today is Thomas S. Monson. His Church is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I am His missionary and He is my Savior. These things I know and testify by the power of the Holy Ghost and in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen. 

Transfer 12 Week 5

Dear Everyone,

   

    I have safely arrived in Morehead City and I love it. My new companion is Elder Crezee and it has been a blast serving with him. We have had a lot of success so far and have been working as hard as we can to bring others unto Christ. Our ward is so wonderful when it comes to member support. We had members present for every lesson we taught this week and when we were told to decrease our miles, we were able to get exchanges for every day we needed to be driven out. We are working with the Leveck family and the father of the family and a couple of others are the only ones who have not been baptized. We are working with him and have been able to teach two lessons so far. He seems to enjoy our lessons and seems to be taking it in pretty well. He came to church on Sunday and seemed to enjoy that as well. We had fast and testimony meeting and my companion and I bore our testimonies and were able to teach the Elder's Quorum and that went pretty well. I can't think of much more so I hope you all have a good week.

 

    I know that Jesus is the Christ, the very Son of God. I know that God is our Father in Heaven and that He loves us. I know that Joseph Smith was a Prophet and Thomas S. Monson is a Prophet of God. I know that this is the Church of Jesus Christ, restored upon the earth with the same foundation that existed in the primative church. Of these things I bear testimony in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

 

With love,

 

Elder Roberts