New people!

We have people to teach! We had no idea the way so many people were open to the gospel. One person hasn't been to church in 52 years! All those prayers paid off. 

One of our friends is in an odd family situation where the grandparents are active, the parent s are inactive and the grandchildren are not members. We are working with one of these grandchildren, J. We just met with him this last week but we've been trying to get in contact with his Uncle, T. T moved out but J is with his grandparents right now and wants to go to church. He's 12 about to be 13 even though he looks 16...

J#2 is the father of a new family that the Sisters found and they passed them off to us. There are 5 children and the oldest is in 2nd grade so a lot of energy is in the household. The parents are very interested though and they've put a lot of time into keeping their house and their children. They are amazing and have a ton of potential.

We've been trying to get in contact with Ernie for many months now but we discovered that we were calling at the wrong times. There is a member that is close friends with her and she helped us get in contact with her again. We found out that she has also been reading the Book of Mormon on her own! She called and asked about the devils church so she has definitely been reading Nephi. 

D is the mysterious man that showed up to church and we found out that he already knows a lot of the members. He was excommunicated but he's coming back and willing to change. He's still a very awesome man that we look forward to meeting with. 

I hope you all have a great week. Please do not be afraid to refer friends to missionaries or just to be with them. We need all the help we can get! Even if you are just an example or if you're going out with them all the time just try to help if you can and the blessings will flow.

Sincerely, 

Elder Robertson 

This week

Honestly this week was fun. Most of it was spent studying and learning how to talk to people on the streets or for door contacts. That is probably the hardest thing that I have been working towards. We have been trying to get in contact with people that have met with missionaries in the past but all of them haven't been interested. I actually enjoy when people dont want to listen because it means that I have more time to look for those that do. 

We did service for some people at another church. It reminded me a lot of the bishop storehouse. We helped get the food out to their car. We did that for a few hours and then after we were done, they offered to give us some of the bread and cakes. The more I refused the more they wanted to give me so I ended up with a pie, a few bagels and some apple turnovers. We had to have them hat day because of the exploration dates on them but we're fine. 

The easiest thing for me to do right now is meeting with members.Most of our meetings with members have been about encouraging them to do missionary work. We've been doing that a lot ever since I got into the field. I can't stress how import it is to share your testimony with those around you. If you are willing to speak about the gospel with your friend but you dont know what to say then just open your mouth and the Holy ghost will guide your words and thoughts. 

Our companionship only covers one ward but the boundaries are fairly large. There's a lot of less actives but even then we cover basically two cities. There's a ton of biking involved. We've made a couple forty-five minute bike rides so that's fun. I've basically been biking everyday so I've been getting all the exercise I need and more. 

Elder Settle is just amazing. He has been out for about a year and five months and he's been in Turlock for six months. Everyone in the ward knows him very well and it's very useful when meeting with them. He says the reason he loves doing missionary work is because he helps people so much. Its literally the only thing you do when talking with anyone is help them. He also loves his culture. He was born in New Zealand and with that he feels that it's his home despite living in Utah most of his life. His Aunt is also the Bearded Lady in The Greatest Showman! I had no idea until we were talking about it. Its awesome 

Honestly I do feel a little homesick just because I want to talk with everyone and have fun. I miss everyone but I know that Heavenly Father will bless everyone as much as he can and that comforts me. Hopefully he can also thaw everyone out of the mountains of snow back home! 

It was really freaky because I found the same pair of glasses in the church with an eyepatch next to it! I got a picture with it before we put them in the lost and found. 

I hope everyone has a great week and feels the blessings of our Father in Heaven.

Sincerely, 

Elder Robertson 

Moving on February 25

This week has been so great for learning. At this point I've forgiven myself of past mistakes and rather than dwelling on what I could have done I'm going to focus on what I will do better now. Mostly this week I've been focusing on studying the lessons and the scriptures associated with them. Because of that I've been able to be more in tune with the spirit. 

I'm very grateful for all the support I've been getting as well. I am doing my best to fulfill my missionary purpose because I love Jesus Christ. I am keeping the commandments because I want to. I have shared my testimony with many and I would invite others to do the same. I really want to share eternal joy and blessings with those I love and I love my friends.

 In truth, I love the missionaries out here. I believe that I have made lifelong friends. They are all extremely strong in faith and in knowledge of the gospel and I want to be like them. They have all been out for over a year and are awesome. We've been trying out some "easy D&D" and it's been really fun. The stories are a little weird but that's what makes them awesome. They've been helping me to change for the better and given me motivation and true care for me. 

I'm realizing that there are a ton of less active members out here, like enough to make 2 more wards. We've been trying to help them come to church but it hasn't really been working as well. We won't give up on them. If anyone has any advise with that, it would be super helpful. Mostly we've been building relationships with them and trying to see how we can help them. 

I'm trying to figure out where the nose spray went. I know I took it out with me but I can't find it. I'm just going to get some at the store soon. I'm going to try a couple of things a week to help with sleep. I've been getting up, going to the gym, making and eating breakfast then we start studies for the day so the schedule should be fine. I think I'll try to work harder at the gym then. Its been really great going every morning accept Sunday of course. I'm going to look a lot better by the time my mission is over. Even then I'll go to the gym after. 

I'm looking forward to having calls again, it's so awesome to be able to talk with family members instead of just an email. So many changes are happening already and I hope that they are helping everyone. I actually studies come follow me and it's super helpful with explaining things but it also allows people to discuss everything. I can't wait to come back to that. I hope everyone back home is doing ok.

Love,

Elder Robertson

Transfers February 18

I have had a really awesome times with the other missionaries. There are thankfully not many missionaries leaving. I stay here for another transfer by default because I'm being trained. Honestly, the work is really slow. We haven't been able to get many solid appointments with anyone but we are hopeful. We have been working really hard and I've changed so much because of that. I'm sorry if I was annoying or even if I hurt you. I'm changing so much and I know that by the end of my mission I will be who God wants me to be. The amount of service and studies that I'm doing I'm very surprised I got caught up in so many games and stories. I will do so much more when I get home. Right now I will work on bringing others to the gospel because it helps everyone no matter what is happening. I will work my hardest. 

Love,

Elder Robertson