Week Four

Here's the  "generic" letter from Justin for this week:

Things here are hard but so rewarding. This week we were able to listen to Neil L Anderson in a devotional which was pretty amazing, the power of song invites the spirit so much when starting any meeting, I am so glad to be here on a mission for my Heavenly Father, its been rewarding to see how things happen for a reason. I am soo excited to hear that the Coaldale ward is growing and that more youth are coming out on missions! The district that came in a week before us leaves this next Monday, its crazy to think. There's Elder Gillhouse from California that i have really got to know an its nice to be able to talk to somebody an the end of a long day. The days are long but weeks are short, i feel like i just wrote everybody yesterday. When i get back to the dorms from a long day its nothing better to have a letter waiting from home. If there is anything that you would like to hear in particular let me know for next time, i forgot my camera but i will try to remember for next week.. Sorry i hope everyone is doing good and i know that as we pray and read with sincere hearts our Heavenly Father will always answer, not neccesarily in our time but his time for us. Patience is key and being humble enough to listen what ever that answer is. I was able to met with my Branch President again this week and I'm impressed from him every time. President Mortenson knows alot of this gospel and i hope one day i will be like him. I hope things are good,

Love Elder Roberts

Week Three

Well,  I asked Justin to tell us about his typical day at the M.T.C. so that's mostly what this week's letter is all about. Here it is :

The life in mtc is pretty basic. We wake up at 6 30 or 6 depending on the day and get ready for personal study which we are in our missionary clothes for, then go to breakfast. Been trying to eat lots of fruits b/c everything here makes you sick. lol.  Its alright though. We have class from 9 till 12 then 12 till 1 45 is laungage study. Our classes we break into hour sections, breaking into vocab and grammer or just practising teaching for the whole time, on average its 1 or 2 lessons daily, all in spanish. We have volunteer spanish speaking people to teach and our teachers become "investigators" so we can have a contiuing investigator. Its pretty fun though. We then go eat then straight back to the class till 5 30, doing the same thing, laungage and teaching, then usually personal study. We have dinner then depending if its a devotional or our service or gym time. For gym time we can go play soccer or beach volleyball but iv been going to the "gym" they have here.. No bars strictly dumbells and bicycles and the row machines -  but its good. We then go back to our dorms and have some personal time to write in journals for about 15-20 mins then go to bed by 10 30. It makes for a long day but were learning lots. The days are long but weeks are going fast! We were in a trio for a bit but one of the elders got transferred to the advanced spanish so im back with Elder Collins.  Hes from wyoming and wrestles and plays football. Iv learned lots from him, learning to be patient but its hard. Hes a dedicated missionary and im glad im with him rather then any one else. They are all  18 except 1, then theres me. lol  I have one teacher thats a year older than me so we get along great. Its fun and im trying to be like a big brother. This week we had our devotional from a member of the seventy, I forget his name :( my fault. but it was a good talk about being a real missionary and not just putting in my time. I have been talking with alot of teachers and just trying to really focus on the work and to not be negative about the language, it can just be frustrating but i like spanish, and its slowly coming along. I hope all is well back home , i will be picking up a SD stick for the computer so i can start sending a few pictures. Sorry for none this time tho. I love my family and the support i have. Its nice to get letters from dear elder or snail mail, email is limited and i cant reply to everyone. Sorry. I know that my Heavenly Father loves us all, its been a great learning experience so far and it ( the MTC) is only half way done..

 

Much Love

Elder Roberts

Week Two

Here is part of the weekly update from Elder Roberts:

" This week has been hard but a huge spiritual experience for me. Richard G Scott talked to us last night an it was exactly what i needed to hear, This morning we went to the temple which was just a huge confirmation that i know what i am doing is the right thing and i'm excited to serve. I have been really busy with the language and learning lots, most of the other elders have 2 - 4 years in school so i'm trying to catch up but i am loving it..   :P I love the opportunity to learn and grow here. Its hard to email everybody back so please don't be offended. I got a new companion so we are in a trio now. The elder is going to lubbock texas which will be nice. Hes from utah but is an awesome elder. I am slowly learning to not judge because we all come from different background but all working towards the same goal in life. I love my Family more then i realized. I look at my family picture everyday and just smile. I'm excited to see the growth in the kids when i'm back. I hope that you all back home know that i love my Heavenly Father and that i am excited to serve. I love the comfort and support i have from my family. If anyone wants to, its alot easier to just write at dearelder.com an i get it the same day. The emailing we don't have much time on the computers which is understandable. I am honored to be here as a representative of the Lord and cant wait to serve in the field."

 Much Love 

 Elder Roberts

Week One

Well, we received our first e-mail from Justin last Wednesday, August 7th. (Which was on his MTC "P-Day" - which means ...Preparation Day - basically a day off from missionary work to do the laundry,shopping etc., write letters and enjoy some recreation)

Here is part of that first e-mail:

"Ya Ben was my host, it was pretty sweet an nice to catch up. I could see a huge change in him, the spirit really does humble us an teaches us the language quick. he will be an amazing missionary. My p days are wednesday here at the mtc. not sure about the field. ?  Things here are different but in a good way. I know that my Lord lives an i am about to embark an a huge life changing journey! You want a challenge.. figure this out in spanish :)   yo se que el libro de mormon es verdadaro, its a pretty neat language to learn. love you lots

Elder Roberts"

We also learned that:

His companion is from Lovell,  Wyoming and is on his way to Argentina.

"Its neat to see how the Lord works, I can tell that he is the companion I am suppose to be with here, i am learning to really study lots an that my time is valuable. We study the language alot an its starting to make sense to me... slowly.  Its been an interesting week for sure, but i am having fun.My district is the best. We have elders from all over an its neat to just talk an see what each other's lives were like."

The Call

Tender Mercies

Heavenly Father really does know and love each one of us. I just got a message from Ben's mom tonight and she forwarded me Ben's letter telling the following story. ... What are the chances that Ben would get to be Justin's host. Heavenly Father must have known Justin would need a little TLC when he got to the MTC!

At the Airport

Good-Bye Luncheon - July 28th

TEXAS LUBBOCK MISSION

Justin entered the MTC ( Missionary Training Center - Provo, Utah) on July 30th, 2013 to prepare for his mission in Lubbock Texas.

He spoke in the Coaldale Ward on July 28th before he left. A "Good-bye" lunch was held in our yard that afternoon.