Well, this had to be one of the most epic weeks, yet i dont have that much time, so excuse my punctuation and spelling. I had a birthday, Got a virus, had someone walk in on me in the bathroom, my companion lost his marbles last night, and bought some sick womens sweatsuits with two other guys. I will defiantly send a pic of the suits. they are so fresh. I love it. But anyways, it is super chill down here. Keelbrew emailed me and told me to buy the gospel works in Spanish, so i am going to. I think it will be good to have.
Thank you for sending me with those letters mom, for it truly meant a lot to be able to read something for my birthday. There is something different about holding a letter and seeing someones handwriting that i have never truly appreciated until now.
My birthday was good, all the guys around here went to the tienda, store, and bought me some candy. it was super nice of them to think of me. I ended up sharing it all with them, so it all worked out. I am so grateful cause i gotta make sure and not each too much bad food.
I got a virus that has been going around here, and lets just say i am lucky that i have been blessed with such a strong stomach. I almost had a couple of close calls. during one of these time, i was in the bathroom and the door was broke, so my district put the door wide open while i was going then left. I had a teacher walk in on me and just stare me down. That was probably one of the best experiences ever.
Anyways, i am almost over the virus. I have been feeling a lot better. It is crazy how fast it spread
My companion lost it in a weird way last night. he just got really strange and was laying on our district leader and whispering to him like he was batman. I dont know, but it was pretty weird. hahahahha
In the tienda there were these sick jumpsuits, so me and two other elders got them. They totally remind me of what my mom would wear to go and play tennis, but we pull them off.
I have begun to read in the D and C and it has been an amazing experience. to all of you guys at home, please read as much as you can. I know it is difficult, but if you make time for the lord, he will give you more than you could ever dream of gaining yourself. Also, we had a talk by elder Bednar on video, and it talked about how christ would always turn outward in his times of struggles. How often do we find ourselves with selfish thoughts when we are sick or when we feel we are in need. When I was sick with the virus, instead of turning in, i really tried to do as the savior and to turn out and serve others. Try to pray for others in your prayers instead of yourself, for this shall bring more blessings unto you and those you pray for then a selfish prayer could ever accomplish.
Continue with your testimonies. Dont simply have a testimony of the Gospel, but become truly converted unto it. If you do, you will be one of Gods truly choice children. Put your faith in one much greater than yourself, and He shall never disappoint you.
I love you all and am so grateful for this expierience in my life. I know that Christ is our Savior and that through Him all of us may be saved. To not delay in your turning unto Him, for the time my soon be too late.
Here are a couple pictures of our sick sweatsuits. Your gonna love them.
The Elder From That Town You Love,
Elder Roberts
Well, the time has finally arrived. I received my flight plan today. Next monday at around 11, I will leave the MTC and head out for peru! It is so crazy to think how much time has passed, yet it feels like it has been the only thing I can remember. The closer and closer I have got unto the Lord, the stronger and stronger i feel the spirit. It has gotten to the point that i feel as if i dont speak that much anymore, but it is simply the spirit using me as an instrument.
I want to make sure and thank everyone that wrote me for my birthday, it really meant a lot. I don't remember if i said that before. Thanks for the donuts mom, I just got them today and have been able to share them with all of those around me. Everyone has truly enjoyed it.
Well, it is starting to get to that point where everyone starts forgetting I am gone, but I am cool with it. Hopefully you guys will still read my email even if you dont get to write me back. Back when I was at home, missionary letters were my favorite thing to pass the time on the can. It was always a good spot for me to have some quiet and get to hear and feel other peoples experiences and testimonies.
I got to visit the temple today, and it was pretty cool. It is closed for construction, but getting to see it was still great. We just got back a couple of minutes ago, so I literally just got here. It is absolutely amazing to me to see the difference in these peoples way of life. It is truly a whole new world.
I got over my sickness, and am back to about as good as i can be with beans and rice every day! I cant wait to head out and go and eat South American beans and rice, even though it will probably be the same. I know I am about to have a really trying time in my life, so I will need all the support I can get. Luckily I know that God is on my side and will help me through.
I have had some absolutely amazing experiences this week, and it is so incredible for me to see the Lords hand. One of the stories i would like to share is about Sister Olsen. She is the sister that i was struggling with a couple of weeks ago. She had really been struggling here, and in consequence would blow up on our District. I finally looked at myself and realized how cruel I was truly being. Who am I to judge another? I then tried to look deeper, to what could truly be the cause of her blow ups. I began to pay attention to her more during class. She has really been struggling. One night, she absolutely lost it. Our district went back to the house and we talked to the zone leaders how this has been a repeated problem. They then said they would think about what to do. We then kneeled down as a district, and said a prayer for her. The following night, she bore her testimony to us and the spirit present was absolutely astounding. I am so grateful for our prayers being heard in behalf of this sister. She is actually an amazing and wonderful person. I am so happy that God was able to open my eyes and see through His vision, not my own blind eyes.
Another experience I had was in the opportunity of giving a lesson to out investigator. We do this everyday, but this time it was special. I have had a hard time with the language for the past little while. I decided that I was going to refocus and make sure that I was doing all that i can to learn the language. I kneeled down and asked God what i should read, so I have begun Preach My Gospel in only Spanish. I have to admit, it was a daunting thought. As I have stayed faithful to reading everyday in Spanish, I have been sufficiently blessed with the Hearing and Speaking of tongues. Now back to the lesson. I was sitting there and we began with prayer. I said it, and from that moment on, every work was inspired of the Holy Ghost. Every thought I had was given unto me. Our teachers are our investigators, so after the lesson my teacher came up to me and was about in tears from my progress. She kept trying to hug me, but I had to keep reminding her i was missionary! hahahah It was truly amazing to feel the Lord use me as an instrument, and not only once, but in every day of my life.
I know that I am about to leave the shelter of this oasis, and I know that I will be overwhelmed. The best I can do is draw close to the Lord and wait to see what He has in store for me.
I truly hope that these stories are helping to build someones testimony, because I know that mine has grown immensely, and I know that there is never a climax or a ceiling to where our testimony can go. I know that through continued service, our Lord will continue to bless each one of us individually. I challenge all of you at home to look at yourselves and say, what can I do to become more like Christ? I know that each of us has something we can work on. Truly strive to strengthen the testimony of those around you, and by doing so yours will be strengthened.
I know all of you at home are busy, but please remember to make time for the Lord, for He is always willing to make time for you.
Elder Roberts
The picture is of me and my Roomate Elder Taylor in front of the Mexico City Temple. I had some more, but his camera died and that is all I could get.
