New Area, New Blessings!

February 29th, 2016

Just to start out, I want to clarify that that last picture wasn't my new companion. That was another Elder in my district in my old area. I will send a picture today with my new companion. Also, happy birthday to Rogan! 

I am just so excited for this time in my mission. I feel so blessed for this opportunity that I have to be where I am. I have got moved to an English area, which is another awesome opportunity to experience an entirely different culture. I also have a truck in this area, which is definitely a nice bonus! My companion is name Elder Robertson. Yeah, that is right, Robertson. My mission President told me that that was the confirmation for him that the Lord has a sense of humor. haha I really cannot express all of the excitement that I have to get to serve here. 

I also got to go back to Merced, my first area, for the baptism of two people that I helped teach. One of them was a man that has been trying to be baptized for the last year, but that his wife wouldn't let him. He finally was able to, after over a year of church attendance and constant work to one day become a member. Afterwords, he came and shook my hand and told me how much he loved and appreciated all that I had done to help him. There is just something special about those moments that you can't explain. In those moments, you know that you have been used as an instrument in the Lord's hands. What a true blessing. 

I hope that you all continue to remember the great blessings that the Lord has given unto you and that you treasure those special moments. 

Elder Roberts 

Transferred to English!!

Feb 22nd, 2016

Off I go to my 7th area! I am going to be in a place called Hanford in an English area with a Spanish branch! I am super excited to get to serve a little bit in English and get to see the culture differences. It really is such a unique opportunity! My time here has been awesome in Madera, but I truly feel that this transfer is exactly where I need to be. I can't wait to meet those people that God has prepared! One big lesson that I have learned here in the mission is that God loves all of His children, and wants them to return to live with him. The reason why missionary work is so hard is because not everyone is willing to exercise the necessary faith in order to receive the fullness of the gospel. They are content with what they have and are not willing to live the law of sacrifice in order to receive all that the Father has in store for them. Our objective as missionaries is to find those that are prepared in these times to receive and act upon that message. It is so incredible when you meet those people that are simply waiting to find the gospel and apply it by acting with faith. 

The journey continues as I keep on going along the Lord's errand. I love it, I really do. I treasure every moment I have. It truly is great! 

I love you all and hope that you have an incredible week back at home! 

Elder Roberts

Following is an Email we received this week from the Branch President of the Spanish Branch in Mercer:

To the parents of Elder Roberts,

 

I’m President Smith of the Merced 4^th(Spanish) Branch.

Elder Roberts served in our branch a little while ago.

I just want to send you this short note to tell you how much we enjoyed having him here with us here in Merced.

It’s great he could come back out!

His upbeat attitude and positive can-do demeanor had an uplifting effect on myself, on the branch members, on the investigators, and on the other missionaries.

He worked hard and set a good example.  He was willing to jump in and help out where needed.

We loved having him in the branch.

We wish him the best in his future endeavors.

Thanks for sending such a great son out into the mission field.

 

Sincerely,

 

President Smith

 

PS—If he (and you) ever come back to visit, you are welcome to stay at our home.

Lessons On Hope

February 16th, 2016

I learned an incredible lesson this last week! I learned what Hope really is. I have always heard of it and kind of blew it off as one of the not so important Christlike attributes. But this last week really helped me to understand more fully what it truly is. As we have faith, we also need to enjoy our trials. Our lives aren't easy, they aren't meant to be. But as we really focus on keeping a positive and confident attitude in the Lord's promises, we find that we are always happy, even in the face of trial. I noticed this as we had a fourth hard day in a row, and realized that I knew that something great was coming, and it was. The good always balances the bad. We then had a baptism this sunday and also had the chance to get to go to Yosemite National Park with an awesome member. I also learned a ton from him. Great experiences, I cannot begin to tell you all of them, but hopefully this small lesson I learned can touch your hearts. I love you all and hope that all continues to go well! 

Elder Roberts

Zone conference pictures

Big Week!

February 8, 2016

Good week here in California! It was a full week with Zone Conference and a temple trip. I love the temple so much. It was so great to get to go and feel of the peace and comfort that the temple brings. It was also great to get to continue to learn and grow from the Lord's classroom. 

This week has been another huge testimony builder of line upon line, precept upon precept. I have come to notice that the Lord teaches us one concept or principle at a time. He then gives us very specific trials to help us gain a firmer testimony of it. Then we go on and move on to the next principle or line that is awaiting us! Isn't it great how the Lord has such an individualized way of teaching us through our experiences?  

A cool experience that happened this last week happened as we were riding our bikes. We were heading to our next appointment when I felt an impression to turn down this next street. I remembered that there was a referral from the bishop that lived on that street and that we were never able to find them. I decided we better follow the prompting and to my surprise the entire family was outside doing yard work. The man's name is Alejandro, and he reminds me of a pirate. He has a big gold earing and squints at you when he talks. He has a long string of hair that he has braided that reminds me of Captain Jack Sparrow. But he and his family are awesome and have definatly been prepared by the Lord. I love getting to see all of these miracles! 

Anyways, I hope that all is going well back at home! Have a great week and continue to see the little miracles in your life! 

Elder Roberts

The picture is of my mission President photo bombing our picture. 

District Training Pictures

Week Number: Who Knows!!!

February 1st, 2016

Another great week, like always. I love it. Seriously! Cool story about this girl named Riri. She is the daughter of a recent convert here. She was super cold to the missionaries at first, but with time has opened up and now has been willing to accept the missionary lessons. It has been awesome to see how the Lord has been preparing the way for her to be baptized. The goal is for the 14th. We are excited to see how it goes.

 Another cool experience this week. We have another investigator that we have been teaching for awhile that wasn't making the necessary sacrifices for the gospel. We were sitting in church, waiting for our other investigators to come, when I looked over and saw him sitting on a phew with his entire family. It was one of those special moments. I talked with him after sacrament and he said that he has been keeping the word of wisdom and wants us to come back so he can be baptized. The Lord really does give us miracles. 

I love you all and sorry if it doesn't make much sense. I really should start with this email and read all the rest after so that I have time. Anyways, keep on pressing forward! 

Elder Roberts

We got to have this multi-faith fair that was a fun activity. We got to talk with a ton of different people that wanted to learn more about our church. It was a great activity. 

The second picture is of this sign that one of the Christian Churches has. I think it is hilarious! I had to get a picture.