April 21, 2014

What a great Weekend it was an this week to remember the reason for Easter. I got a package from Jack Nagia, ( I worked with before i left)  an its truly a great time to share our love for others an our Saviour. I have been blessed to see a couple get married an the husband was baptized this weekend an he was ordained to a Priest this sunday as well. We had a great priesthood lesson about Joseph Smith an tied in the atonement - how he truly stood for what he believed and how in the world today that's what we need to do. I have been doing more less active work in the ward here, it seems to be a big thing now around here at least an have been getting them to church. It is a great way to re activate. I have been tired these last few weeks an truly working hard. I have been learning soo much as a missionary an how the little things make all the difference. I hope that everyone back home can have a great week an truly remember Christ more in our lives. There is an amazing video onmormon.org that all should watch. I know that the church is true. 

Much love from down here

Elder Roberts

Found Roberts Street while out biking in their area in Amarillo

Farewell Abilene, back to Amarillo

Back in Abilene with Oler (from Calgary)

April 14, 2014

> Well im back in Amarillo now an its been intresting. Our area is huge! Our wards over lap with the Spanish group so I got to see alot of the people I knew from back then. My companion right now is Tanner Orton from Oregon an we get along really good, its been fun. We are still trying to get to know the people the other missionaries were working with but thats okay. It's only been the first week so it takes time. But we are staying busy. The crazy thing is Amarillo just got snow last night! Its wierd weather down here. So Elder Orton served here as well a year ago in the same ward so we have been able to meet up with some recent converts an one lady gave me a new suit the first time we met. She's a sweet older lady. We are trying to work with her sister now an get her baptized as well before Orton goes home. This week should be really good, we have lots of things coming up an trying to stay busy always helps makes the days go quicker. Not too much other news or anything crazy lately. I hope that everyone is doing good back home. I miss y'all alot The pictures are from Abilene with Oler . > Thanks for everything y'all do for me. > Elder Roberts

April 7, 2014

 I'm getting transferred to an English area which will be a nice change, i have been struggling with Spanish but still study lots. Its been a crazy week though! Conference was amazing as always. We have been soo blessed to hear from our Prophet an Apostles. We have been uplifted alot. The announcment of soo many temples in the near future. You have to wonder what it will be like in ten years! I have been loving the mission an learning lots about myself as well as what is required of us when it's not always what we want. I hope that everyone has had a chance to reflect this weekend an see what we need to do in our life to always be improving. I know that we truly are hastening the work in the world an that things like miracles don't cease if we have the faith! I love being a missionary, we have been working hard an trying to really lose ourselves in the work here. This transfer we are going to be doing interviews again as well as temple trip! so thats exciting for the near future for us.  I hope that everyone back home is doing great an staying true to our beliefs even when we feel we need to stand alone. The gospel is true! Be proud of what we represent!

Much love from texas

Elder Roberts

Abilene Conference Lunch

Conference Lunch in Abilene

More pictures from Abilene

Elder Roberts on exchanges with Elder NeSmith

Abilene Apartment

Another unique Texas Sign

Yard where they taught the fellow outside - along with 60 chickens, ducks, geese, llamas & ponies !

March 31, 2014 "Hit 'n Run"

Lots has happened this week! We had exchanges on Tuesday so I went out to Snyder for a day with Elder NeSmith from Florida, that was a nice change of scenery an talking with other missionaries is always nice. Its been really busy this week though with things happening. Our jeep got hit while we were in a lesson an they didn't leave any info so we're dealing with that this weekend too. It happened Saturday so we're still doing paperwork with police an the mission office an such. While on exchanges I forgot my helmet so on bike day we walked all day as well as Saturday all day. It was pretty long days since its been getting warmer out. It was nice though, we had a guy stop in the middle of a road ( held up traffic) just to say that he appreciates what we do an that its nice to see younger guys doing whats right. It was nice to hear some positivety rather then negative from most people. We had a dinner with a member family whose son is on a mission right now an they are both retired from the air force! I loved meeting with them an getting to know them more, some neat conversion stories for sure and it helped me remember how the Lord works through others to answer our prayers. It seems like we never get direct answers on the spot but always get answers! This week being conference we should be able to go with questions in mind expecting answers. Im excited to listen to our Prophet an Leaders of the church this coming week! I hope everyone can take the time - You will be blessed. We have been working with some less actives this week an really getting them to open up with us an they have been starting to come around. Didnt come to church this week but have been reading more an starting to see things again. Sometimes that all they need is a phone call or just stopping in to say hi. I hope that everyone back home is doing good! It seems like time is going faster an faster. When we learn to serve others we can accomplish soo much more an forget about our worries. I love being a missionary an learning soo much about myself an what is required of us from our Heavenly Father. I hope that we all have a great week an try to help others around us come closer to our Saviour this week! 

Much love from Texas

Elder Roberts

March 24, 2014

We have been busier this week with finding an teaching! We had interviews with our President on Tuesday which was nice to talk face to face. We have been getting along better with the branch here as well. We have been working with a part member family an the wife gave a talk/ testimony this last sunday which was amazing! I had the chance to translate for the sacrement meeting as well. We still have the jeep, but we drive to the church an then go biking from there to find an go teach. Abilene has a rule where you cant proselyte after 7, but we still have to be out till 9 now so we walk the streets an just say hi to people but cant talk religion. Its like were walking bill boards. I will try to send some pictures this week of stuff going on here. Im soo glad to hear about the little boy an the recycling, thats soo neat. I couldnt have spend my b day doing anything else better...out talking to people in the streets about the restored gospel! What a blesssing it is to be a missionary. There were a few members who got mad at me on sunday since i didnt tell them about my birthday. lol But we do a potluck after our meetings with our branch so one of the familys made a cake. As well as my companion made one that we enjoyed for our companionship time. Things have been going good an i hope that everyone is doing good as well, I have learned the good comes with the bad but we learn soo much from our experiences! I am learning to love what i do, an serve others more then worrying about the little things. I appreciate all the birthday wishes, it was a great day. Different but still great. I miss yall back home but i know you are all safe. I know that the church is true! I love serving down here in texas an cant believe how fast time is going!
 Love from texas
Elder Roberts

Birthday Cake from Elder Oler

March 17, 2014

This week has been pretty long! its been alot of finding an biking! Thursday alone we biked over 20 miles! The efforts for the last few weeks of straight finding seem to be paying off though, we had a great lesson saturday night as well as sunday evening with an older catholic couple that say they dont agree completely with their church an feel theres more! We just gave them there answer an have a return this weekend, hopefully they will read an pray! its been neat to see the spirit work in peoples lives. I have been trying to just do whats right an be obedient, blessings come to those who have patience an show forth the hope. We have been busy with alot of just mission stuff. We had a zone training this last week, which was uplifting an exactly what i needed to hear. I have been loving the Abilene spanish branch. They are so small, yet strong an such a great family unit. They love the missionaries an are always willing to help when they can. I hope that everyone is doing good back home, i have been doing good an seems like times flying. As a missionary i look forward to conference coming up quick, it should be really exciting! its always a spiritual uplift! I hope that we can all plan to make all the sessions an do what we can to help an serve those around us! Keep smiling! much love from Texas Elder Roberts

March 10th, 2014

Serving in Abilene

Mmmm, mmmm ... nothing like some home-cooked SQUIRREL !

The pictures above are with his previous companion, Elder Yorgeson. He is still in Abilene, but now serving with Elder Oler, from Calgary. Below is today's brief letter :)



Nothing too much happened this week! we did a ton of finding! Thursday  we mapped it out an did over 12 miles! an pretty much have to find everyday since most of the people we have been trying to teach just cant keep commitments! :( Its hard, but this week we have been struggling to find more spanish to teach. When the weather is gross outside no body is outside or will listen at the door since its too cold that day. lol Its funny to me since its still nice for us canadian elders. But we have been learning patience lots an have been trying to be 100% obedient an the blessing will come! I have been having a good week an hope all is going well back home too. It seems like things are. I hope an pray for everyones safety.
Much love from Texas
Elder Roberts

March 3, 2014

Things in Abilene have been slow but still working hard. ITs been fun serving with a fellow canuck! We just get each others jokes an have fun. We have been doing alot of finding but we see that all people have agency, its the hardest thing as a missionary to allow them to choose, we have to allow them to see the difference which is hard since there is soo many different churches here everybody just says " Its all the same an working towards the same goal" but they just don't hear you out. Elder Oler has been out one more transfer than me so were learning spanish together. But its going good. We had Stake Conference this week which was really good, enjoy hearing from the leaders. I look forward to General Conference now more then ever. I actually did something this week which was a once in a life time thing. And it was CRAZY! I ate a GHOST PEPPER!! the second hottest pepper in the world. An it was HOT. lol Nothing else too crazy this week, been trying to work hard an keep focused. I love my family an friends, i hope that everyone is doing well.. Elder Roberts

Still in Abilene

Here is picture of Justin to go with this week's letter - don't know what type of store or business it is ( he didn't say), but obviously the name caught his eye - lol ... :)

Somewhere in Abilene ...

Unfortunatley not a whole lots happened this week. :(  i will be staying in Abilene for another transfer. Elder Oler is from Calgary! i will be picking him up from the transfer site this wednesday so thats  exctiing. i have met him once before at the christmas party. But it will be neat i think.  The hardest part of this week is actually the fact that when we go finding in the streets people literally run from us inside until we pass an then they just sit on there porch. We have people yet they get away, or just become not interested. Its an intresting town.  Our branch some weeks is big an then the next is tiny. This week we didnt have very many members show up :( Its neat to see though that those who served missions an learned spanish are the ones running the whole branch. Sounds like a lot has been going on back home with everyone. Im excited for Nysha an Dave. Im sure that will be a relief to get moved.  One exciting thing that will happen tonight is that our branch mission leader is awesome man, but hes going to cook up some squirrel for us! Im excited to try that. lol Its been a long transfer but i know that our Heavenly Father has people here ready for the gospel. Its our privelage to find an teach them. I love being a missionary, its extremely hard at times but so worth it as well. I love everyone back home.  Love from Texas

Elder Roberts

February picss

An old house Justin saw while out on exchanges - just his style -he says (?)

Six month "Tie-burning" celebration (?) He says that is not a real flame, he just colored some paper to look like it.

February 17, 2014

Because of the weather here this last week we had our Zone Training Wed. since the roads were straight ice all day Tuesday an so we decided to park the car an walk everywhere. It's been better later in the week though. Our training was great! We have those leaving this transfer bear testimony, I always love that part!! They see the change in themselves. Every thursday is bike day so we were riding lots. I actually got spit on while riding :( Wasn't too impressed but kept my cool an just kept going then pulled over after i turned the corner to clean up.. We have been struggling to find people to teach. Since the weather isn't the best most people stay inside. It's alot different then a small city like I'm use to. We had a dinner appointment with the Juarez family here an while sitting I got pooped on 3 times from a bird. :( shoulder, tie and pants. :( What a week it has been to test my patience but i know I'm not the only one who had to face trials like this. I try to think anything like this i go through is only a glimpse of what Christ himself went through for me. Our branch started doing primary for the spanish children which is exciting. Hopefully it will allow the kids to feel more loved, the future is in their hands. We had a great priesthood class about the families an how much of an attack satan has made the last 50 years since ultimately that's what it's all about here! -Learning to be an eternal family. One quote i got from it was "what makes a boy become a man? A man finishes what he starts." I relate this to anyone who knows i loved wrestling! My senior year i had the chance to wrestle for 3rd place in provincials. In the match before i hurt my knee an it was still bugging me when i decided to not wrestle my last match. I wish i had finished what i started. I choose to come on the mission an its where i know i will learn the experiences neccesary to become more of the man i need to be in the future. I hope that this week has been still okay for everyone back home. I know our Heavenly Father doesn't give us a trial that we can't handle. I have been learning that slowly but surely. I pray that we are comforted and strengthened while we are away from loved ones - that through this gospel we can find the peace that we need to continue on when things get tough. I hope the Lonsdales family can find peace while in this time of life. I love my family an friends more then anyone can know. I have noticed that grow more since being out then anything else. I love this gospel an the things we can learn in life. My prayers are that we can always put Heavenly Father first an trust in him. Elder Roberts

February 3rd pics

Another "Fire in the Sky" Texas sunset

February 10, 2014

Its been a crazy week! WE had district meeting this week, and afterwards went out to eat (all of us missionaries). It was a little homie shack that was nice to eat some real home cooked food again. (lol) But the zone leaders had training so there trainee came with us for the day an we had some fun, he's learning spanish too so it was a good day of learning. We have been having some pretty crazy weather here latetly, Its been snowing lots, then sunny and nice then back to snow :( just like home (lol) But sounds like a lot has been happening with everyone back home. My prayers are for you all back home, especially Lonsdales. I have found alot of peace in the plan of Salvation. We had to give a talk at church this week in spanish, that was an interesting time for me, but it went okay. We taught priesthood on the plan of salvation, It was an amazing lesson and I love knowing that we will all be together eternally. I have been trying to be diligent in the work here and it has been picking up. We are teaching more and more people now. Its a learning experience when you first don't really like your comp but then afterwards learn to love him. We have such different backgrounds but I am learning to just show charity the best I can. I have been loving the branch we are in right now. I got the packages of goodies this week :) thank you. I have been giving some of the snacks away. Its humbling here even to see some families still live with only the basics. I am excited to be serving a mission and to be able to continue the work of the Lord. It won't stop now. That's great that our stake back home is growing fast in missionaries leaving.( almost double since a year ago) It's amazing to see. I know this church is true. Its been a huge challenge and learning experience thus far and I continue to learn lots. I know why i came out here; to change peoples lives, just like this gospel changed mine. I know the things i teach are true, I have been seeing this last week more an more how our lessons are better when I'm focused an not worried or thinking about myself. I love you all Elder Roberts

February 3, 2014 Letter

I have been pretty busy this week with Exchanges with our district leader an having a district meeting. It's been a neat experience in a bigger city now but also has different challenges. We have been trying to really work with the Spanish Branch about getting members to come teach with us, its the way converts will stay active if those in the branch ( ward) stay out. Church was cancelled this week actually since we got a little bit of snow., its funny to see how people dont know what to do in snow. I hit my six month mark. Its crazy how fast time flies out here. We have been able to visit alot of former investigators an see some success with them, sometimes all it takes is time to evaluate life. We have a couple that were recently baptized, that are solid people. They remind me soo much of grandpa an grandma Roberts, we have been teaching them about genelogy work, an temples an they're excited to get to work. I hope that things are good with everyone back home, much love from Texas.

I have been trying to stay busy an keep working hard.

love yall

Elder Roberts

Jan. 27, 2014 Letter

So i have officially been in Abilene a week now serving with Elder Yorgesen. Hes from Mattawa Washington. We have both been out 6 months an we're in a Spanish branch together. Its been an intresting few weeks but seems to still been going good. We did the Sacrement meeting yesterday all in spanish an translate every week. We have a few solid members one of which is in the FBI. That's pretty sweet, Its alot different in a big city now, we live an apartment where there's a few other missionaries living too so its nice to see other elders every once an while. The work here is a little different than Kermit. But its been a big change, just trying to find lots to get a bigger Spanish teaching pool. I hope that things are going well back home -Seems like everyone is doing good. We had a zone conference this last week, which was really good. Its a nice spiritual uplift every other month. We also had a baptism with an older couple from Costa Rica; he was in the military but now has Alzihiemers? ( i cant spell) but an amazing couple. It was fun to be apart of that an now start teaching the new member lessons. Nothing else too crazy this week, if anyone has questions let me know. thanks

love yall

Elder Roberts

Jan. 21st - Abilene

Its been a crazy week to say the least. I got transferred to Abilene. Its been an interesting few days!  We have alot of people here that they're working with so it should be good. I have been learning soo much about life in general an how much the gospel truly does bless families more than anything else. Any letters an such still just go to the mission home an then get forwarded to me so thank you. As for this week we have Zone Conference coming up an my new Companion is from Washington and is a great missionary. Prob wouldn't be my best friend back home per se but i can learn a lot from him. (I hope that doesn't sound rude) - lol .  Going from the shack in Kermit to here is a HUGE change. I have a big apartment again and a gym here that we use everyday. I have been coming to know my Saviour more an more being a missionary an that Christlike attributes are something that takes time to develop. I love you all an hope that we can all try to be more like him everyday. I will try to write more snail mail to everyone since we don't get a lot of time on the computer, but thanks for everything.

Elder Roberts

January 13th Pics

Our District.

Night Vision Goggles

January 13th, 2014

This week has been BUSY! like always, first im not getting transferred so i will be in Kermit again Training. Im not sure his  name though but will get it to ya next week. Its exciting though since its a big oppurtunity to set the example an learn from his as well. I cant wait. We also this week talked with Ed again an i will attach a photo of what he let us do at his house. Its pretty crazy the people you run into down here.  But the most exciting part is that we had our First Baptism down here this last weekend!! It was great, the family is amazing an her parents are converts as well. Its been really neat to see the change in her the last few weeks. We also did exchanges this last week with the District Leader who name is Elder Layne an his dad was stationed in Frankfurt the same time as my parents would have been there, He was in the Air Force but still pretty neat, not sure if you knew the parents?   Anyways its been a busy week with lots going on.. Its been warm the last few days as well an been biking everyday when we go finding. Its actually alot of fun talking to every type of person you see on the streets. I hope things are going well back home, things are good for me down here, i have been loving the work an starting to see the fruit of our labours :) how great the gospel is in our lives. I know this church is true, an how we can truly be examples to those around us. I love yall

Elder Roberts

Kermit , Wink Pictures

Tornado damage in Kermit (?)

Dusty Trails in Kermit

This is the high school track at Wink, TX (pop. 900) !

January 6, 2014

This week has been going soo fast! Tuesday night for our last lesson we set a Baptismal date for this saturday with our investigator,  she stays with her parents who are amazing people. They have 3 younger boys an such a loving familly. So we look forward to this weekend for sure. ITs been busy as always, then New Years Eve we were in by 6 so we played games for a bit an went to bed early to catch up on sleep. Its tiring everyday is just go go go.. But sundays a recharge you could say. I love the branch in Monahans that we attend. In the town Wink we cover we have been trying to get our teaching "pool" bigger so been knocking out there lots an ran into a Scientologist? Its was interesting for sure to see what he believes but we agreed to disagree an move on. lol But i went on exchanges this week to Pecos with Elder Heal  (hes from England an has a pretty sweet accent) lol While i was gone Elder Wolfley an Elder Layne played a prank on the Epleys an said that i got sent home. They were soo sad an thought it was for real, but before they left they told them i was only gone for the day. IT was funny, its hard since we find such solid families that make you feel like family to them. Transfer calls are this week so i find out what will happen by next email. I hope everyone is doing good, we are learning lots from each other down here in Kermit, Elder Wolfley an I are having fun teaching an riding our bikes lots. I finally got my flat fixed an been riding miles everyday as well as running in the morning or we've got some stuff in the shop that we lift, our own gym lol . ITs good though. I have been learning more that after the trial of our Faith we see the blessings. We have been able to find more people to teach now an learning alot as a companionship about being the best possible missionary we can be. I love the work an the people that we teach here. I am more appreciatave of the things i had an have when i see what little people here have an still try to give us everything. I hope that my letters don't just sound like were having lots of fun an doing things, i have learned that its almost impossible to be successful when were not thankful for what we have and stay optimistic. The Lord truly blesses us as we keep him in our lives in every aspect. I have been able to see how much the gospel truly blesses families when we do what we know is right. Obedience is key. I love being a missionary, its been a blessing to be a servant for the Lord an the "things" i sacrificed to come here did not bring the same happiness. I hope that everyone will look to the New Year with a fresh start an truly focus on the things our Heavenly Father has in store for us. I love you all.

Thanks for being Great Examples!

I will attach a few pictures of things this week. 

Much love from Texas,

Elder Roberts

Living Quarters

Here is Elder Robert's Deluxe Missionary Accommodations in Kermit, TX  :)    The interior picture was shown in a previous post and looks a bit like a KOA cabin on the inside. This grainy picture came from google maps but showns the interesting location as well.