Saying Goodbye

Well my friends, this will be the final e-mail you receive from me. What can I say that I have not already said? Just kidding there's a lot to be said, but I don't have much time. So I'm going to describe this week with pictures. Thus all will know me as the sister who slacked and only sent pictures in the last e-mail of her mission. Just know: I love you all so much and I love the Savior. I gave a talk in church on Mother's Day. I am so grateful for the wonderful example my mother and father have been and my whole family for that matter.  I'm also grateful for the Savior's love and care. Thank you all so much. This has truly been the best 18 months of my life.
Love for eternity,
Sister Roberts

Chalk Teaching

This sculpture is a mystery.

Lilacs!

Love these sweet dog.

Add caption

Mother's Day Fun!

Packing up for the trip home. 

 

 

The Time of Our Lives

Well family- I'll be seeing you on Sunday (Mother's Day) so I'll keep this brief.

The Progression of a Missionary

We've been raking a lot of leaves that were left over from the fall, serving a TON of people- which is SUCH a blessing- I need to keep my hands doing something or I'll go crazy . God has really been good to us this week- He's given us so many opportunities to do my favorite things! Helping a sister paint, raking leaves, seeing all the people I love who haven't been to church, visiting the wonderful E family who lost their daughter a while back, making Asian food with two awe inspiring sisters, visiting wonderful, faithful members, helping clean and pack a sister's house before she went into surgery. We even had a BBQ with our neighbors and got to know them a little more :) YAY! 

Spring Leaf Collection

We love visiting the people in our area

Visiting some Amazing Ladies

Asian Food is Awesome

 

Stake conference, which was incredible. the first counselor in our mission presidency spoke at the Sat. night session and it was so cool! He is the kind of person who can chasten people while making them feel super uplifted and wanting to change. He's very well studied in the scriptures- I hope I can be as smart as that someday- man! I know some amazing, inspiring people- and the most amazing people I know live in Oregon ;) you guys are my heroes and I am so thankful for your examples and your wonderful love :) 

Just teaching a Cameleon.

 

Anyway- there's been so many fun things going on I'll just have to tell you them on Sunday!

Zone Conference.  You have to be crazy to be a missionary!

I drew this picture of the Incredible Ward Mission Leader's family

Yesterday we had our president interviews which is why this letter is late. we taught seminary in the morning with our whole district- made breakfast then studied until president got there to have our district meeting while people were being interviewed. President gave me my good-bye interview since he'll be in a conference for the i pads coming in when I leave. So Elder S will be our escort :) YAY! He used to be our 2nd counselor but now he's an Area 70! WHAT!? Cool guy- I'll need to record his testimony when I see him.

Alright the pictures will probably  be more understandable and detailed than this e-mail. I love you all! I hope you're staying safe :) 

Love,

Sister Roberts!

Alive and Kickin

This week was great- I've felt much more lively now that I'm not sick :) We had an exchange again with the sisters and it was very inspiring. I'm focusing more on letting Sister T. take control of planning since she'll be taking control of the area soon. She'll be great- I have no worries for her.

 

S. and A.'s baptism

S. and A. Y. got baptized! WOOOO!! It was such a sweet thing- they were so small compared to the big tall brothers who baptized them. I love them so much and am excited to see where they go in life. We had an investigator come to the baptism!  Her name is L. and she is Russian and SO cool. We taught her with the perfect member friend and she drove Lana to the baptism. L. LOVED the service :) good things! Baptisms always make the world more happy.

So I have the best ward mission leader in the world. He and his wife could NEVER EVER replace you mom and dad but for right now they are pretty good stand ins. We call them Paps and Ma. Brother E. gave us the best advice for how to finish strong and how a mission should be lived- When I was freaking out during coordination one day and trying to deny the existence of my departure day- he advised me to just embrace it and ride the wave. so now I'm working on not being afraid to let people know that it's happening if they ask- but I'm just not gonna dwell on it :)

All in Stripes

He also challenged me to write a talk about hope this week. It's been an awesome challenge and I will have to show it to you guys during family home evening some time. It's helped me focus a lot and I'm having so much hope now! hahaha. If you guys ever have talk topics you'd like me to write on PLEASE let me know! it's so much more fulfilling to study for someone else :)

We also had the opportunity to practice our teaching with the E. family. I guess practice teaching is something only our mission does, but I recommend it to any missionary- it really helps you get good feedback- (if the member gives good feedback) and to improve your teaching- no matter how long you've been in the feild.

District Meeting Lunch

OH my goodness Sister T. just reminded me to tell you about the Wal-mart spy!! AHH!! okay so friday we get a call from a less active sister who's dating one of our investigators and she's at walmart and needs help. So off we go always answering the call of need and such and she tells us she might break up with J. WHAT?!  We're walking to the back with her so she can get her car which is being fixed and she realizes that SHE"S LOST HER WALLET! AHH!!! We're frantically looking and she's sobbing and yelling and the manager gets involved and she talks to... you guessed it... the Wal mart spy. That's right. He's just a big guy dressed like a regular dude shopping but secretly he's watching you to make sure you don't steal stuff!! WHAT?! hahahaha. So watch your back.

Anyway the police came and bishop came then her mom came and her grandma so we decided we weren't needed anymore. It was crazy. but so cool. 

Chinese Take-Out

During weekly planning we ordered Chinese takeout. Best decision ever.

Oh! Last Monday we had Zone p-day which was super fun- we played hungry hungry hippos with balloons and boxes and skateboards.... try it. we also had these really dark yummy brownies that an elder made. turned out they were poisoned...... with some medical dye thing. Yeah, the whole zone was peeing green for a week. It was terrifying. hahahahaha.

Zone P-Day

My Death Packet :(

Anyway- God has really been blessing us lately. I've noticed that as I let my control go and put the schedule or a lesson in God's hands- I feel SO much more fulfilled and somehow it all works out :) Like Saturday we were basically planning to tract all day, but then that morning a bunch of sisters called saying they needed help and suddenly we were busy doing the Lord's work! I've really been blessed with the spirit this week. I know down days may come, but I hope I can keep my positivity and pace up. Sorry my letters have been so lame lately. So much to do and so little time and all that. I'll look forward to talking for hours with all of you in a few weeks.

 

Hurrah for Israel!

Love, Sister Roberts

Two fish were in a tank and turned to the other and said, 

"So, do you know how to drive this thing?"

Sick as a dog

Dear Family,

Sisters Rock Lacrosse!

This week I have been dog sick. It feels like very little has happened, even though I know little miracles have been happening all the time. For example, last week the Lord inspired me to start putting up pictures of my mission on my wall by my bed. A few days later I was confined to that bed, and I was immensely grateful that I had something to look at to lift my spirits.  The sister training leaders have been wonderful; Sister R. was also sick so she and her companion came to our area in order for Sister T. and P. to do missionary work while Sister R.and I slept. That was nice. 

I've been struggling to keep my energy up ever since. I was sick virtually the whole week and now that I'm feeling a little better I need to refocus and get my motivation back in gear. I've been reading "The Fourth Missionary", a talk given by Lawrence E. Corbridge
and it's really helping me remember my purpose and what I need to be focusing on. I hope now to buckle down and give my all to the Lord and put up my own will for his. I recommend this talk to anyone who is struggling with frustration or disappointment. 

It's all about giving God our will people- That's all He wants and all we can give.

WWII Veterans

We met some amazing people recently. Since I'm going home soon I've been looking at people and situations in a different way. Have you ever noticed how amazing people are? When am I ever going to be able to sit down for an hour and listen to a 90 year old WWII veteran talk about his life? When am I ever going to introduce two adorable, wonder filled little boys to prayer, scriptures and church like now? When am I ever going to know every member in my ward, know their hopes and dreams, concerns and worries. When will I be able to be with a best friend 24/7 and talk about EVERYTHING with her? When will I ever learn so much in such a small amount of time? It's beautiful and amazing and I am so sad that it's coming to a close. I hope I always am able to learn and meet so many more incredible people throughout my life. I hope I can impact someone's life the way my life has been changed by these people. I love them .

 

And I love you! cherish the people around you- they're only there for a moment.

LOVE ALWAYS!!!

Sister Roberts

sick

LaCrosse, WI, My last area

 Not feeling my best

 

 

This week I got pretty sick with a sore throat. There is a sister in the ward that is SO kind- she brought all sorts of nice things today to help me feel better, even though she herself is recovering from a surgery. I have been continually reminded this week about how blessed I am. I keep thinking on it, and I realize that everything I've ever wanted in a mission has been given to me and more. I love Heavenly Father and can't express my thanks enough for His amazing grace.
There have been so many miracles this week. I'm especially grateful for being prompted to go to one of our far-away towns to see the members and try to find more people there. We were prompted to return something to an active member, and her son was there when we came. She had us stay for a little while and fed us macaroni. When her son left and we were about to leave, she told us that her son is actually a less active member and his wife isn't a member at all. It was such a tender mercy to see how God had led us there that day before he left to go home.
What a great week it's been!

Whoops, broke a doorbell

Monday we went hiking. Tuesday it rained a LOT and we were inspired to visit a less active sister and bring her cookies. Wednesday we were inspired to see another sister and show her the "Because He Lives" video, then we got to serve a sister who's sick by cleaning her WHOLE apartment! Thursday we almost lost the phone- turns out sister T. hid it in the sun visor... (?), but that's the day I started getting sick- probably cause it kept raining and I had to stomp through the water to try and find the phone. My feet got pretty wet... ha ha, that was dumb. Anyway, Friday we met a guy named J. and reconnected with a former investigator who is WONDERFUL! She's from Russia :) She's so cool!  She's got a 9 year old son who's interested too! WOO! Saturday we saw that lady in the far town and I got really sick so we took it easy for a while. Well, I took it easy while Sister T. cleaned the apartment. :P blech. Sunday was wonderful- we  had dinner with the W. family who made us Hawaiian haystacks.  They are just SO interesting- they know about a lot of really neat books. Then we helped the Elder's investigator-  a SUPER sweet Hmong lady I might have told you about already. We served her till I was ragged. Now my throat is pretty much toast :P but I think it's on the tail end so it's cool :)

A very protected house

I love you each individually for your amazing personalities and beautiful spirits! I can't wait to hang out with all of you and see how much you've grown :)

I love you ! Keep up the faith! Stay happy always and have patience one with another :)

I LOVE YOU!

Sister Roberts

Rockin out to the Gospel!

Me and my Amazing Companion

Yay for General Conference! I loved the talk about music and how you can do the dance of the church, but it's only fun and natural when you can hear the music of the Holy Ghost. It's oh so true. Think of how good it feels and how fun it is when you can just rock out to your favorite song. don't be afraid to let others see you dancin! They'll be curious, they'll wonder what that awesome song is- they'll ask you what your doing- you'll show them some of the dance steps, and pretty soon you've got another dancing friend who hears that beautiful music that you love so much - and now they love it too! YES!! This is surely the meaning of Heavenly Father's plan- Someday we will all sing and dance together in our beautiful home :)

We had Easter dinner with an incredible family - the G family. Their parents were in town and I could just talk to Grandpa G. for days- he is so wise! He reminded me a lot of my grandpas  He said something that was really profound about music. Here's how the conversation went:

On a hike with Grandpa G.

Bro. G: "The Lord has commanded us to be ONE- 'except ye be one, he are not mine'- so when are we truly one?" 

Me:"In the temple!"

Bro. G: "No not even there- we have our own separate thoughts and insights and words though the work is the same.. so when??"

Me: "UImmm, I dunno"

Bro G: "When we're SINGING!"

Me: (mind blown) O_O "What?"

Bro G: "Yeah think about it- when we sing we all use the same words- our thoughts are all directed to relatively the same place."

Then I got to thinking about when I've been in choir- we all are one body- one person. We take every movement from the conductor into our very being and transfer it into a beautiful action. Our thoughts are the same, our voice is united. It is a powerful and beautiful moment when a choir becomes truly one. Think of the infinite beauty and wonder of a WORLD united! All of us taking our cues from the conductor of the universe! How amazing!

So think about that as you sing the hymns at church- think  of all the reluctant people who won't even sing there. Do they know what kind of power could come from them raising their voice to God? No matter how out of key or how rough our attempts in life are, if we are trying, and at least giving our voice, trying our best in every endeavor, then God will hear it. He'll see it, and he will be better able to guide us in our lives :)

I love music.

Mighty Hikers

This week we've been revamping all our efforts. On Thursday I had a bit of a fever so we decided to rethink all our goals and it's gone  surprisingly fast because we've just been more excited and productive. It's been fun! And of course, conference was amazing, we saw one session with a less active sister and her mother, also inactive. The mother wasn't very warm to us but by the end, after we had made Easter eggs and had hid them for the baby girl in the house, she was smiling and by a miracle her heart was softened toward us :) 

This will be another great week- and an amazing next transfer! (I'm not aloud to say the L word: last...) 

Love you all so much!

Sister Roberts 

Technical Problems

Hello family!

Delivering Cookies

of Snowmen and Angels

This is indeed Sister Roberts :) I'm using Sister T's server because I can't get my email to work :( so if you sent me any deep dark secrets or fun pictures, I probably won't be able to see them until next week.

So fun note- I'll be staying her for the rest of my mission with Sister T! WOO! We're not goin' anywhere this transfer :) cool stuff

So anyway this has been a very service filled week. Our ward has been busting at the seams with activities. We were at the church all day Saturday. We helped set up the gym, put food out, serve the food, clean etc. for the funeral  :( It was a very sad day. But the food was amazing and we gave a lot of hugs. That night we also helped set up the women's dinner and a clothing exchange that was going on before the women's broadcast. We were there from 10 am until 8:30 pm. We were exhausted- at one point after walking around for several hours, when I actually sat down to dinner, I couldn't get up. My hip started having a searing pain in my joint. So I had to have Sister T get my dinner :) Hahaha! I walked it off eventually, but I think all this walking is starting to effect my system.

We found a turtle while tracting

Yesterday we ended up helping the elders' investigator, a beautiful, humble, AMAZING woman named U., with a handful of young kids. Her apartment was a mess and they were going to have inspections. So we bustled over there with the elders and got down and dirty with that kitchen... It's abnormal how many opportunities I've had on my mission to clean really messy houses. If it wasn't grilled into me to keep a clean house before, it sure is now!

A Tank for my Brothers

Replicating the card below! Silly Missionaries.

But anyway- A. came to a baptism! WOO! She loved it :) She's been out of town a lot on the weekends though so she hasn't come to church for a while. We're sad, but she's still doing well. When she puts her mind to it- she'll do it.

I hope you all have a blessed week and a very safe Easter! I love you all so much!

Tell me what your favorite talks are from conference!

Love, 
Sister Roberts

It was the Best of Times, It was the Worst of Times

Last night we found out that a YSA sister, who was preparing to go on a mission, had taught with us and had a beautiful testimony, passed away suddenly while her parents were in Italy. The whole ward is devastated, especially the sister who went over to the house to check on her and found her at home. We're at a loss as to what to do to help the ward now.

Dear family, This is no joke. This is the work of salvation. These people around us have very real needs in a very dark world. No one is an exception- All are loved by God.

Please reach out to EVERYONE around you. Don't be content with being in your own world or thinking selfishly. Someone needs you, someone needs God, and you can be the tool God needs to lift them to a higher plane of life. you will find your own worries and weaknesses melt away when you focus on helping and encouraging others without bias and without judgement.

You could save a life.

On a happy note. Most of the rest of this week was great. Our numbers were pretty low- we were in Rochester for several days for Zone training and then afterwards for a blitz- I had a pretty long interview with my president after training. The sisters in Rochester are wonderful and I always learn so much from them. we even ran into a cool Black guy who was VERY decided in his baptist faith and told us very plainly, though kindly, that we were WRONG and didn't have the holy ghost with us- in a lot more words that involved lots of scriptures... I love that man.
The other day we were going to walk to a former investigators house and deliver cookies. we were going to walk because we have very few miles left for the month on our car. We were going to walk 10 blocks... after a few hundred yards we decided this wasn't the best idea so we went back to the car- when we got there we saw a potential investigator we had been trying to see before we set out, sitting on her porch! so of course we go and talk to her- and before I thought this lady was really ready. Turns out she's not- but the spirit reminded her about someone who might need us- a lady around the corner with a lot of kids. She knew the address and everything. So we went over to this lady's house, told her we had a message to share, and you know what?
She let us in...
Her name is S. and she is amazing and has a great spirit. It was a pretty shaky lesson because her granddaughter was crying and we were still in shock that people still actually let us in... It's a spring miracle!! Woo! It woke me up a little and reminded me that I need to have more faith in these people I serve- I need to have faith in knowing that there ARE people who are prepared for the message of the gospel! It's not just a hokey phrase! Anyway- it was a testimony builder.
A. is still a miracle- she is truly an elect daughter of God. This week we'll be teaching her about he ordinance of baptism and inviting her to be baptized on a specific date. We're excited!

World's Largest Six Pack

Sisters!

Also- It snowed yesterday... and it's still snowing. We're planning on making a snow man :)

I love you so much family!!!

Please pray very hard for the E. family who lost their daughter, as well as for Sister L. who found her.

LOVE FOREVER!

Sister Roberts

Me and the Wisconsin Beer King

Converting The Beer King

Eating Raccoon

I've learned so much!

Forgot the Lid

Well family- it's been a week.

 I've learned that pie day is the best day because it's Jacob's BIRTHDAY! AHH!

I've also learned that making s'mores with your ward mission leader's family while having coordination meeting outside is very fun, especially with heart shaped marshmallows.
I've learned that my companion is wonderful and likes to leave little notes around the house for me <3
I've learned that God wants us to be happy, and sometimes we just have to take a day one step at a time and not think about the pain or frustration ahead. Faith dwells in the moment, not in the fear of what's to come.
I've learned how to not wear lots of layers of tights again- or a jacket for that matter. It's like 60 degrees here!
I've learned that exchanges are still super fun- especially when you aren't the STL conducting it!! WOOO! Also Rochester is the land of dreams.
I've learned that the Adjusting to Missionary Life booklet is a pearl of great price.
I've learned that a testimony is not a one time thing you get and then put on a shelf. If you snooze it = you loose it. A testimony needs to be shined up every day with reading the words of life and praying to a very kind Father who wants to hear from you.

P Day with the Lacrosse Zone!

I've learned there's strength in a prayer- even if it seems like just a little strength- it's enough.

​A. had a great lesson with the sisters during an exchange- she told us how she always feels the spirit whenever we meet and we feel she's very close to getting an answer. She didn't come to church yesterday but we haven't heard from her about why.
We've been able to help a lot of people this week- and all at very opportune times- like we would call a family to see if we could visit- and it turned out they were moving stuff- so we went over and helped. Things like that. It's been fun.

I want to leave you with a quote from Sister Nelson:

"I pray that during your (life) you will have many moments of complete and overwhelming and even anguishing desperation. Why? Because then, and only then, will you desperately ask, desperately seek and desperately knock. Then, and only then, will you find the courage and determination to follow through with exactness everything the Lord needs you to do in order to serve a valiant vibrant, worthy and very successful (life) for Him.”

We'll figure out how we are related
even if we have to go all the way back to Adam!

I love you all so much!

Love 

Sister Roberts

Spring is in the air!

The weather has been amazing! like, up to 40 degrees! the atmosphere is so Easter-y :) I love it!

Giant Chicken

This week I have learned that the reason the 3rd servant with the one talent was slothful was because he was fearful, not faithful, while the other servants worked at increasing their strength through faith. There is a difference in everyone I meet - they are either fearful or faithful. People who act or people who are acted upon. I don't want to have to be acted upon. I want to be the one to act.
We got to teach seminary this week! YAY! (woke up at 5, bright eyed and bushy tailed... except Sis. T looked like she had been hit by a bus.... hahahaha) we talked to them about FLOW: faith, love, obedience, and work and how it relates to Alma 26:22. FLOW is the secret to missionary work! WHOO!

Zion with Scraps of Cardboard

The next day was the elders day- as in they called us to help them a lot. In the morning we visited a less active guy where he worked at an ice-cream parlor (a really cool one) to show our love and support. It was actually the Friday and the elders called again and asked if we could help clean a sister's house- she has 7 little kids and a REALLY messy house. She's the sweetest, most loving mom, but she was definitely in over her head. It took all 4 of us missionaries 4 hours to clean this place up. Elder V. was at the sink doing dishes the whole time, poor guy. We felt really good afterward. She was so thankful and a lot more relieved, and we even felt the spirit in the home :)
Wednesday I actually had a really bad cold and ended up taking a pretty long nap until dinner :/ Been fighting a cold most of the week- but i'm feeling great now :) the sun is up and I'm only in a light sweater! WHOO!

Having Dinner at Culver's

Thursday Sis. T. was inspired to stop by someone who had requested a Book of Mormon a while back. We had given it to them but hadn't seen them since. I was a little wary- I've had bad experiences with media referrals. but I agreed to go and it turned out to be awesome! She was really thankful we had come- their family has been really searching for that right church. We offered to give them a church tour- they said they had a little more praying to do but they'd be getting back to us soon :) YAY! inspiration is awesome!

A Giant Lemon from Arizona

Friday night the elders called us again- a sister wanted a blessing and they needed the rule of three- so we zipped across town again- but the elders were almost an hour late! oh well- I guess Hmong work is always overtime :/ it was good to visit with the sister anyway :) she's a sweetheart- she even called us to remind us to put our clocks ahead so we wouldn't be late to church :) what an angel!
A. is doing wonderfully- she really enjoyed this last Sunday school class about agency. She's very close to receiving her answer- we feel it! We'll be having a lesson with her tonight about how to receive a witness by the spirit. The patterns of light videos will hopefully help.
Sis. T. and I are doing well. At times I need to catch myself and make sure I don't get into a work lag. It's hard at times, but constant vigilance will be the kicker!

Holy Crow! I forgot to talk about the booth! Okay so Tuesday we all go to campus and set up our

Booth at College Campus

booth that we've spend so much time and effort on. We sit there for hours, and a handful of people came up to talk to us and ask questions- but for the most part people weren't too comfortable seeing a giant picture of Jesus staring them in the face. Finally, while we're packing up all our stuff- Elder V. starts talking to a cool looking kid with dreads. They set up an appointment and saw him a few days later- turns out he's golden! AHH! looking for direction and purpose and wants to meet again, YAY! It was such a confirmation of the good work we were doing :) 

Today we're heading up to Rochester to have a zone P-day- then we'll have an exchange with the sisters :) so excited! I get to be in the Rock again! 

Love you all dearly!

Stay true, stay faithful- don't be the 3rd servant.

Love you all!

Sister Roberts