Simply a good week

This might have been the best week on my mission for the work because we have 4 people on date! We might have 4 more around the corner but it's just awesome having people that want to make these changes. The four that we are working with are all part member families and we love seeing families grow closer as a result. I love how the gospel can strengthen families now and forever! 

It's strange because it seems like the greater success we have with few people, the greater opposition we have wnmhen finding new people. We're still finding a lot of people regardless. Our time spent talking to people has been exceedingly productive and we shall soon see the result of bringing people to Christ. 

This week was Zone conference as well and that was Amazing! Since there were so many new missionaries they went to the basics and simplified everything. It was great to have that refresher and recieve more inspiration from that. We talked a lot about how the Book of Mormon truely is a tool of the Harvest. It will be one of the most vital defences against Satan and his traps. We also learned that we can "Shake the very powers of Hell" just like Captain Moroni. If all men were like him, Satan would have no power over us. I encourage those that haven't studied his attitudes to do so and see how that can help everyone. 

Something that really stood out to me this week was the firm testimony of members. There are many members here that have endured much hardship because of their belief. Many have had family members cut all ties from them and they haven't seen them for years. It's sad to see the power Satan does have over us to deceive us. That's why it's so important that we don't get casual in our day to day lives. One member has seen connections through the people in her life be strengthened so much. Her kind actions have had huge impacts on others because of simple acts of kindness. She has been given a gift of seeing how her kind actions have helped people find the gospel and it's so simple for her to see it.

I really hope everyone enjoyed their 3 day weekend while it lasts!

Sincerely,

Elder Robertson 

P.S.

This is a better picture of my zone and an awesome Jaguar I found walking around. 

Incoming UMO! August 26, 2019

This week was strange bacause I got hit in a lot of different ways this week. First, I got hit by an unidentified metal object (umo) while I was biking. I think it was on the road and was launched by a car driving by and it launched into my gut. I couldn't tell exactly what it was but it was solid metal and round thankfully. Then, I got whacked in the face with a stick. The Twins we are teaching are very wild and I was surprised I was only hit once. They're exceedingly smart so they still learn really easily. There is also something else happening that the central valley is Almond harvest. They shake the trees with a massive clamp and it feels like an earthquake is happening. The problem is that it shakes all the pollen into the air and then when they sweep up the Almonds, it brings up even more of the pollen that was on the ground. Needless to say, my allergies are destroying me and Elder Groves is mildly allergic to treenuts. He has to eat quite a few before he has a reaction though. Other than that, it was a fairly good week.

We had a ton of lessons this week! We've had a great time with the members as well. It's an older ward but the members are so fantastic! They always strive to help others, especially those in hard living situations. There's a lot of weird situations with homes but we're doing what we can. The greatest thing members can do for helping others is to simply be a friend to people. Weather they are returning members, new members or even investigators, just treat them like a great friend. I know I'm going to do all in my power to do so when I get home. 

This week has also made me reflect on patriarchal blessings and how precious they are. Something important to remember is that we only recieve the promised blessings if we remain worthy. Bring worthy and perfect are drastically different. We follow what commandments we are given and try our best. It really comes from that desire to improve. If we have this tiny seed of a desire to improve, the Lord can grow it into a magnificent tree. 

Honestly, this mission has already improved me so much. I still recognize my weaknesses but I have come farther than I ever would alone. This is the greatest task I will ever accomplish because this time will help others have pure joy and happiness. I know this will help everyone no matter what lifestyle people live. Even those that have had this gospel their whole lives have to recieve a witness for themselves. It's like the connection between a testimony and conversion. The first is the flame in a lantern and the second is the oil that fuels it. It must be added drop by drop and it will last us through the night.

I hope everyone has an awesome week!

Sincerely, 

Elder Robertson 

P.S.

I found this awesome chart of Genealogy going from Adam to Jesus Christ! 

Bike Repairs August 19

This week was amazing but we had to go to the bike shop a lot. If we didn't have the car this last week, we wouldn't have been nearly as successful. My companion got a few flat tires and eventually he just got a new tread because there were too many small goat-heads in it and popped two tubes. By pedal came off and I had to get a new one. I got a few other things I fixed so I wouldn't crash as easily. I wish I could have done it myself but I just didn't have the tools. I'm so grateful we didn't have to walk because it would have taken us hours to do so. 

We had the most lessons we have had in this area for a while which was twenty! We had a lot of great lessons to progress our friends towards baptism and closer to Christ. Something I've had to learn to apply is teaching simply. It's so hard for me to do so with using all the words and understanding that I have because others don't understand it. Especially since we are teaching young kids we really have to teach simply or they definitely won't get it. I think that helped me realize that we make the gospel more complicated than it actually is. 

We had a ward picnic this Friday as well and we brought thirteen friends! We almost had more friends than members there. After that we found even more people to teach!

The members have also been a huge help this week. One in particular is going above and beyond to help us and has done so much for the missionaries over the years. He owns about two hundred almond trees and has a friend with an awesome machine. It shakes the while tree until all the almonds come off and then it sweeps them up really fast. Aparently, almonds have two skins on them too. He even showed us the plant they take them to for deshelling them.   He doesn't even do it for his job, he's an electrician. He's just been a great help with the work as well. He's also awesome because he does his best to fellowship those we bring to church even outside of church. He has such a kind heart and just wants to serve and help others. 

I also saw a prey manias outside of our apartment for a few days and we also found out there's tarantulas here. As long as they leave me alone I'll be fine but I still don't like them. Not sure what purpose they serve but I hope they do it well. 

I hope everyone has been enjoying school and has a great day!

Sincerely,

Elder Robertson 

P.S.

The Prey mantis and my companion and me!

The Zone!

Modesto! August 12

I love it here so much! The members here are amazing and are down to do all kinds of work. Every one of them is exceedingly busy but they are still there for us. The people here are also great because they give blunt answers most of the time so those that want to hear the gospel will! 

My apartment is gigantic! I'm very surprised there aren't more missionaries there with us. It's also awesome because we get a car! Only every other week though.

My new companion is awesome! Elder Groves does not stop working no matter what! He is a very strong country man that loves the gospel so much! 

Apparently before I came in, there was an Elder Robison. He just to happens to be from Colorado as well. Loves video games and classic music like me. He's just way better than me. He just went home too so I've got a very long way to go compared to him. He will be an essential part in the work of the Lord in the days to come. 

There's also a lot of Elders from my District in Turlock so that's awesome. There's someone we are teaching that grew up there and it hit my with a massive throwback. I can't believe that was only three months since I was there. 

This area is awesome too. Some areas are better than others but I like it. Most of the city is very compact and small, but there are some areas that are nice. I found out not too long ago that a cheap house here is way too expensive. Everyone still manages really well though. 

Enjoy the beginning of the School year! 

Sincerely, 

Elder Robertson 

Aug 5 sushi is awesome!

I love sushi, specifically the Green Dragon roll! We went for Elder Cheney's birthday on Friday and he showed me what true sushi is. He used to go in Albuquerque to all the Sushi places to find the best one. He doesn't remember which one but he spent a lot of money. I didn't realize how much sushi was until I got there but it was worth it. Just earlier that morning we helped some people at a service project. They were handing out backpacks, giving tons of coupons for fre food in them and giving out bike helmets. We got a picture with a lot of the cosplayers that were there for the event. My companion loved it so much.

Thursday we went to visit some friends and one of them knew it was Elder Cheney's birthday and we had some of the best spaghetti for dinner and then he got a cake! He also got a lot of presents of food because he will eat everything in front of him. 

I had a ton of flat tires this week and it was always the same one! We had to put slime in the tube to fix it because we don't have any patches. We had a few really long walks back to the apartment but it was good. 

I helped rebuild an engine for a member and he taught us a lot of things to do for cars. It took a really long time but it was very educational. I am apparently really good at finding things that get lost or where hoses connect. After we rebuilt it, we found out there was an exhost leak so he had to take it into the shop to fix it. 

We're also getting doubled out of the area so I'm going to Modesto! Our area is closing and the Sisters are taking over. Elder Cheney is actually going to Turlock! Literally one area over from mine. We'll see each other in a few weeks so that will be enjoyable. 

We also went mini-golfing today. We ended up having a lot of fun just messing around. I'm not too bad but I haven't played in forever. The Fresno heat will not be missed, though.

Have an awesome week and prepare for school!

Sincerely,

Elder Robertson 

P.S.

1. Car engine we helped rebuild 

2. Sushi bar

3. Friends house for cake

July 29 Street Ball?

There was a lot of strange things that happened this week but it was all really fun. So first, we were walking and we saw someone with a basketball and he said he was going to the public park to practice. It was later at night and we found out that he played college basketball and he was just there for the night. After shooting some hoops for a little bit, we played on teams with the people there. It was so much fun but it was really hard because they were really good. I actually made a shot ,for once, and we won! That was definitely lead by the Holy Ghost because I can't play at all, but we did get his information thankfully.

The next day, we went to a group gathering with an investor. They were all from the same church and really wanted to ask questions about revelation and prophets. Faith was also something that was talked about a little bit. We ended up having to Bible Bash (when people try to prove us wrong with the bible) which was just annoying honestly. They had the ultimate anti book to reference and it was sad they were turning to that instead of actually reading and seeing what we say. It just proves that they are searching for a reason to not change honestly. We could feel the Holy ghost with us for some of the time so someone there did need to hear what we had to say.

The next day, I broke my glasses trying to clean them. I honestly was so mad because I didn't do anything that could have broken them. I should be fine though. Superglue is amazing. 

Friday we had a leadership meeting to go to and I got to experience being an office Elder for a few hours. It was weird because they were dealing with all the mail and food for meetings and checking cars. Later that day, we attended a funeral for a friends father. It was really weird attending because the things talked about were really odd. It's so comforting to know about what happens after we die instead of just guessing or assuming. We are going to do all we can to help that family. It's great to know how to help everyone, but it's only if they want to be helped.

Then we had our appointments fall through for the whole day and we ended up teaching with one of the Assistants to the Mission President. We talked a lot about Adam and Eve a lot and we could tell that was something he was trying to wrap his head around. He's really trying though so I like that about him. 

Another great thing that happened was that some other Elders had four baptisms all at once! It was weird because there was a guy running on the street right in front of the church and six cop cars pulled up and arrested him. We were worried it was going to disrupt the baptism but they were in and out really quick. 

It's also been really hot here! It was basically over a hundred degrees the whole week. The thing about Fresno is that when you're biking, the wind itself is hot. It was strange though because it got really humid for two days and just disappeared. Cold water has been such a blessing to have right now.

I hope everyone has a fantastic week! Don't get heatstroke, ok?

Sincerely,

Elder Robertson 

Blessings!

This week was really cool. So, Monday was weird because we didn't have time to pick up any food. Literally the next day, the sisters call us and they give us three huge boxes of rice, orange chicken, and Jimmy John's sandwiches leftover from a YSA activity! It was so awesome! Then the zone leaders were able to get us even more food as well just to make sure we had milk and bread. Everyone here is just phenomenal! 

I got my letter from the Carroll Clan and I loved it! I'm so grateful for all the support and love that I'm getting for being out here. I guess I got puppies too according to the card so I hope to see them when I get back! 

The work has been really progressing here. We met two solid people who want to learn more and actually do what we ask them to do! Its amazing! We had to stop teaching a few other people because they either weren't doing anything or we simply can't help them because of their mental condition. I feel so bad that I can't do anything to help them. I really hope everything works out in the end for them. 

We also got to spend a few days with Elder Townsend! He was one of the assistants when I got out and now he's tracing between companions for the last six weeks of his mission! He is awesome! We had a weird few days with him because it seems like even more crazy people came out when we were with him. 

I found out that my parents are moving! I promise to come and visit those that I can when I get back!

Sincerely,

Elder Robertson 

P.S.

The first one is the letter I got, then we found the pony just in someone's front yard that's been there for 15 years, and the last is with Elder Townsend and Elder Cheney.