What happened to this week?

Hello!

This week has been one of those weeks that had the highest highs and the lowest lows. We had a ward picnic and met a lot of people in the ward- including the new elder which is weird, the other elder was here forever! We somehow managed to make this the best week of the entire transfer as far as goals and numbers- which is crazy because during the day sometimes it seemed like we were pushing against a brick wall with these people. The Lord truly touches hearts! Our biggest miracle is that a little girl is getting baptized on Saturday!  Her mother finally gave permission and we have been teaching her very briefly because she knows everything and already has a great testimony. She'll be baptized into the North Branch ward (not our ward) but it will be wonderful to be there! I'm so excited!

 

Taking a break in the shade on a hot day

It is SO HOT here! And so humid!! I've been wearing this loose shirt every day because it's the only one I don't swelter in :P hahaha but I love it! It's such a relief from the bitter cold- and so many people are outside! :D

 

Lately I've been really focusing on hope and not getting discouraged. I have been needing to remember that it's not ME some of these people reject, it is the Lord. I need to have hope to know that the Lord is not done with them- that he has a plan for them and they just aren't ready right now. Just as an example- Yesterday we finally saw a less active mom we've been trying to see- she is so kind and sweet but she told us, with a smile, that she should probably just let us know that she's not coming back to church. Heart=Broken!! I started wondering this morning why I kept dwelling on that rejection- I've gotten so many! At first my pride told me I'm just sad because I love them and want what's best for them- and to a degree that's really true. But thinking deeper and being more honest with myself, I felt slighted. Personally, I felt like she was saying no to me, but that is so not the case! I am a disciple of Christ and it is not me they see and say no to- it is the truth. They will have other chances and other experiences in their lives that will bring them to Christ, but right at that moment I am not going to be one of them. and that's okay! Sadly, I am not perfect, and even though I know this deep in my heart, it is easy to forget.

Please don't forget that this work is much bigger than us- getting tripped up on the little rejections or weaknesses we have is not the way! Hope and faith can truly lead us closer to God and help us recognize that love that we each so DESPERATELY need to feel! Don't be afraid to share this gospel because of fear of personal rejection- that is not what's important! That, to be honest, is a sign of pride, because we are more worried about what people think of US than how they act toward God. A really awesome quote by a guy named Busch that I LOVE says- "Minimize your fear of what man can do and Magnify your fear of the consequences of sin." or something to that effect. Thank goodness for a merciful God who loves us no matter our weaknesses!

 

Our most progressing investigator, K P, didn't come to church again. We visited with her last night and the reason surfaced as to why she didn't come. She was concerned that our Sabbath was too much followed like the Jehovah's witnesses-strict and unloving. We explained to her the spirit of the Sabbath and the reason we go to church and refrain from shopping. She really appreciated us clearing it up and is back on track. We're excited to see her at church next week.

Me and another cow!

Sister C and I are doing really well. I have loved learning how to be with a sister all the time- and even though it's not always peaches and cream, the more I focus on the good things in everything we do together, the more I love and appreciate my amazing companion. :)

<3

 

I love you all so much!!!! Keep the faith and stay true :D 

Hurrah for Israel!!

Love,

Sister Roberts

Weddings and Wild Things

Family!

I have once again been reminded that this is the Lord's work. This week has seemed to be a big fall through- almost every appointment we had made didn't work out the way we had planned. Thankfully it's not about how WE plan things, but how the Lord plans them. Yesterday we called up a sister whose granddaughter has finally been given permission to be baptized and she wants to do it as soon as possible! We are so blessed to be the ones who get to teach her! 

During our weekly planning Sister C. got sick! We missed seeing three people- but get this- the night before, we had been panicking because we didn't have a joint teacher to come to those appointments. Finally we gave up remembering that's all in God's hands. Then what do you know? Sister C. got sick and all three people couldn't see us anyway! Well- sure glad Heavenly Father thought that one through :) I love Him. Sister C. bounced back really fast and she has discovered that she is a pro at teaching about God's Plan of Salvation! YAY! 

Our most progressing investigator, K, didn't come to church yesterday so we stopped by and she explained that she had been really sick. We have plans to take her to two dinners with members this week. She still has a smoking addiction but she is determined to quit by September. We haven't been able to explain the Word of Wisdom to her yet, but we plan to on Tuesday. She knows about most of it already, but not the reasons why we keep it. We told her about not drinking iced tea and she was like- "Oh, I can switch to herbal. No problem" ...... Well then. Guess we didn't need to worry about that one. Hahaha. Man I don't know how many times it will take for me to finally get it through my head to just trust in Heavenly Father! I keep telling myself that but it's something that's hard to do I suppose.

1st District in Cambridge, MN

Yesterday we went teaching with a sister who is VERY nice. All out appointments didn't work out but we had an amazing talk in the car and she reminded me of how we shouldn't be concerned about the masses or all the baptisms- we should just focus on the one. I have really been thinking of that lately and it was perfect that she said it- I need to remember that this is the work of saving the ONE- I would really encourage you guys to think about ONE person you can help or lift today- it will make all the difference!

So Yeah some wild stuff has happened :) 

Also- we served food at the wedding of a couple who does not attend church very frequently. There were a ton of people who are not members of our church at the chapel and it was so great! I am definitely excited to be married in the temple for time and ALL ETERNITY - but I knew that the spirit was there as the bishop pronounced them husband and wife and that they were making an AMAZING decision :) 

  

Sister C. and I are doing really well here in Cambridge. I guess I would say that our biggest struggle has been finding people to teach. Most people here have deep roots in the local Baptist, Lutheran and Jehovah's Witness churches. Many people say they are "fine where they're at" and are not open to listening. We've met the local pastors and even got to talk with one, which probably wasn't a good idea. He was very set in his ways and we eventually just had to leave. We are so glad for those elect few like K and now this little girl A who are so ready to accept the fullness of the Gospel of Christ :)

I love you guys so much!! Stay prayerful! Read everyday and BE SAFE!!!!!

Love,

Sister Roberts

Cookies and Callings

My people whom I love!

I have really seen some powerful miracles this week. We have been reminded every day of how diligence brings forth those blessings. It seems like every night, after many people have rejected us, the last door of the day is the one to finally listen and ponder the message of the restoration. We saw that at LEAST four times this week! 

Okay so people have been giving us stuff and food like all week! We've gotten so many cookies and cupcakes and bratwursts. While talking to a potential investigator at their garage sale I got to free skirts that are adorable! MAN I love being a missionary :) hahahaha

Cheesy Missionary!

The week started out a little rough and our numbers have not been as good as they usually are, but looking back on our week I can see many little things that were just WONDERFUL! We had a really powerful lesson with a less active man and his sister, we met a lady at a members birthday party that happens to be related to another member and she might come to church, we've gotten SO much better at striking up conversations and teaching in unity. I love it! 

Beauty in Minnesota

Lately I've been thinking a lot about prayer and faith. This morning I was reading in the Book of Mormon about Jacob's people and how they tried "many means" to bring their Lamanite brethren to the truth but were unsuccessful and just ended up fighting a bunch of wars. Then I thought about Ammon and how much success he and his brothers had and I wondered, "what was the difference?"  Both were good people. Then I read in Jacob, chapter seven, that the Nephites were a "lonesome and weary" people who saw time passing like a dream. Ammon, on the other hand, in Alma 26 (which is the BEST chapter in the WHOLE Book of Mormon EVER!), can't stop exclaiming how awesome our Father is! Sometimes I feel like that and I can't help but feel like it when I read that chapter. It feels like my heart just wants to explode with happiness and I just can't take it!!!  I love verse 24 where God promises that a person who "repents, exercises faith, does good works and prayeth CONTINUTALLY without ceasing,' will be the means of bringing THOUSANDS of souls to the waters of baptism!!! AHHH!!!! What a promise!! I am so excited!!

But what has me REALLY stoked is that this won't just end after my mission! I have a feeling I will see many more people baptized AFTER my mission that DURING. President Clements had us give all the members in our ward what we call the "Ballard Challenge" and I extend that challenge to all of you. Last general conference, President Ballard gave a bold challenge to all members of the church to give the missionaries FOUR REFERRALs every year. 

I WILL TAKE THE BALLARD CHALLENGE!!!

Flower Scented Bath

Look up that talk- it's called Following Up. I will do this after my mission! I hope you will do it now :) Our calling is not limited to a proselyting mission. It is forever.

 

I like to look for rainbows!

Our most progressing investigator, K. P., has been really enjoying church! We need to establish consistent rides for her though since she doesn't have a car and is crippled. She really wants to be baptized but struggles with some word of wisdom issues. :)   She has great faith and we're really excited for her.

I love you all SO MUCH!!!

Tell me how your challenge goes!

Thank you so much family for reading scriptures every night! IT's the best thing EVER! :D

Love,

Sister Roberts

Week of Crazy

President and Sister Forbes

What a crazy week! I have really seen the hand of the Lord in all things. Even though this week has been stressful, the Lord has pulled us through.

We've been in meetings ALL week! I had no idea that we had to go to one of them on Tuesday- it was MLC and it just made it crazy to get there. We had crazy miracles too! So many part member families that we've been really bold with.

4th of July BBQ and Bouncy, Wet Relay!

So I'm in St. Cloud right now and have ZILCH time to e-mail! I'm so sorry! We're at Zone training meeting.

4th of July!

A miracle that happened to us the other day occured when nothing was happening, and we were tracting and visiting and no one was home. It was getting discouraging. Towards the end of the day we suddenly got a phone call from K., our number one progressing investigator, and she asked us to get a ride to church for her. We had thought she would be out of town this week, so this was a great tender mercy. She loved coming to our ward and we'll be seeing her on Thursday to teach her the importance of baptism.

I am doing really well. Sister C.and I get along swimmingly. Sometimes I'm not sure if I'm training her well enough and I often feel like a parent who doesn't know what their child needs. But I know that the Lord will help me in this because he loves Sister C. so much and so do I  :)

I love you all so much!

LOVE,

Sister Roberts

Sister C. and I in the car