Pictures

Hi, sorry I haven't been taking many pictures but I did make a couple of videos with my companion. I can't send it unfortunately because of gmail. The ward is fairly small because of inactivity but there are quite a few families that are really strong in the gospel. I actually got my birthday package on Saturday and am trying to use the jell pad as best as I can. It's been weird though because it feels like its reflecting heat back at my head instead of cooling me off. I really want it to work but it just isn't. I'll continue to use it as much as I can to see if something changes. I am receiving the emails by the way but thank you for making sure. 

Mostly my companion and I go to the store on preparation day and we do laundry. We then go to the church to play 4-square and basketball. I was the one to start 4-square and everyone enjoys it a lot. We play for hours so we basically have an all day workout. I basically have an all day workout with my bike anyway so preparation days destroy me. 

I also recieved all the gift cards that everyone sent me and those were awesome. Unfortunately I don't have a Chick-fil-A near me. There is one in Fresno and when I went to the temple we were about to go and then the group changed their minds to go to a Mexican food place.

The temple was really nice though. It was a lot smaller than I thought it was but it is still beautiful. Honestly, I think that the best place for gift cards right now is Wendy's. It's close to where I live and it's got really good deals. There is a Red Robin here though. I went there for lunch on my birthday. 

I did see a fox around the church building on Friday. It was so awesome. It's also weird because there are 2 full church buildings right next to one another. It's weird but it works. I'm very grateful to be here right now. It has been very hard and I'm grateful for that as well because otherwise I wouldn't be growing. I am truly grateful for all the support I am getting.

Paul enjoying his birthday gift cards

The fox

Paul at the Fresno California Temple

BIRTHDAY! February 4

I am truly grateful for all the gifts that everyone has sent me wheater they be physical or if it is support. In truth it was a normal Saturday of rejection aside from the fact that I got to eat at Red Robin! It was awesome! I love doing here on a mission and serving others despite being ignored. It's super weird now because I can tell when someone is lying or not now. I also have gotten really good at 4-square. It's honestly really fun when you have a lot of people. The squares need to be like 8 or 9 feet for it to be fun. Anyways the work has honestly been slow because everyone is so busy all the time and a lot of people work in the bay area so they have to wake up at 3 to get there on time for work. In truth it helps me appreciate when I find a golden family. I really want to keep working even if I don't get a single baptism or if I get 100. I know at the end of the day that i tried my hardest and fulfilled the Lord's work. It's also been really good because I haven't been waiting time being on my phone. I'm out accomplishing something that will help others for eternity. I've changed so much already but those changes must be perminant and that's what counts. I wish that anytime that I've hurt someone that I could undo that mistake but thats why I need to be kind and understanding. I want to call out other on their mistakes and then I realize my own instead and remember my nothingness. The only way that I hold true value is when I'm serving the Lord and following what he has commanded. I've seen my life and the lives of others in an eternal perspective and see the potential that all of us hold. I also don't want others to forgive and forget, I want them to forgive and forsake so that the mistakes are not repeated. I just want to help everyone with the gospel because it will heal all and yet people reject it. I am and will forever will be a man of God regardless of what the world will throw at me and regardless of who it is from. I know that all things are possible through Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father and I will never forget this or deny this. I love all that my family and friends have done for me and I will use all the resources I have to further the work if the Lord and bringing to pass the immortality and eternal life of man. 

Love

Elder Robertson 

Weird Week- January 28

So, this week we had a lot of really confused people talk to us. It got kind of annoying that the only reference that some people have is because of South Park. We were able to find a lot of relaxed people that were just awesome. A lot of people have jobs about 2 hours away in the bay area and they live here. This leaves little room for appointments and other activities in general. Everyone that we will meet with like that are going to be amazing members.

My companion, Elder Settle, is from New Zealand and loves the culture of his homeland even though he's lived in Utah most of his life. He's been out for about a year and a half and is an amazing missionary! He's really funny and truly speaks from the heart. 

I did get a membership for one of the local gyms and I'm actually using it every day when I wake up. It's been stressful on my body because I'm also biking a lot. I think the last time my legs actually hurt from working was marching band. Biking has been a lot of fun and I'm actually considering buying one when I get home. 

I've definitely realized that the hours of study are actually helping me in the work. Its awesome to see the change after learning so much more about the scriptures. I've seen the difference between reading the scriptures because you have to and truly studying them. Doesn't matter how long it takes you as long as you pay attention to it. I love that I can see these lessons being applied in my life for every single story and passage that I read. Everything is here for us. This mission is exactly what I needed to progress in my life and I hope I make the best of it.

Love, 

Elder Robertson

I asked Paul for pictures, and this is what I received; This one is from a day when they seemed to have left their apartment unlocked, so some other Elders "broke in" and left this for them letting them know.

And here is his companion- with cookies on his eyes. No idea why, but Paul must have been having a good time.