Character

Divine Cactus Blossom

This has been a great week. We were able to teach a really sweet family who are partially hearing impaired.  We also met a deaf investigator, the son of a less active member in the ward- it was interesting but not very productive :/ sad. Someday we'll all speak with understanding.

Our most progressing investigator, J., has said that he's finally ready to come to church :) YAY! Teaching the law of chastity will be a little difficult since he's living with a less active sister. She's said that he is close to proposing though!

Just a few random happenings: We went to Texas Roadhouse because we had a coupon for the cactus blossom- which is divinely inspired. Sis. T ordered a burger, but since she's vegetarian she put her (beautiful) patty to the side so I could have it later. (I ordered ribs by the way.... die-hard) The manager was so concerned! She was like- can I take  a few bucks off? Poor thing. Sis. T was like- it's cool- I came to a steak house- I know what I'm doing :) Ha ha ha.

My Exhausted companion

We've been working to the bone these days- one night we came home and our door was locked, but Sis. T still tried to open the door. She was so depressed and tired to find the door locked that she just slid down the door and collapsed in the hall. I took a picture.

I've been  studying my patriarchal blessing this week and it is SO fun. My last district leader challenged us to find 4 things in our blessing: 1. Our responsibilities 2.Blessings 3. Warnings and 4. characteristics. I did it this morning and was astonished to discover by the spirit, that the four characteristics I found in myself and listed in my blessing where the main things that Satan uses to attack me! WHAT? For example- one thing I pin-pointed was that I am a valiant character- which means dedicated, etc. but SATAN, darn guy, would have me believe that I'm lazy and can't finish what I started! LIES! It's so cool now to know what exactly my strengths are and how Satan tries to belittle them! SO COOL! If you haven't gotten a patriarchal blessing yet- DO IT!

Time to read and rest

So we were looking up a prospective elder and trying to find out where he lived a few weeks ago- and finally we found it in a very random place. No one was home then, but the apartment and the brother stayed in our minds. Last Monday we went back again when all our appointments fell through, and he and his wife had just happened to come home from painting their new house.  We assured them that we;d be helping them move and paint and wanted to know if we could help on Saturday. "perfect!" they said- "that's when we're moving :)" So we were able to go and get their new address so they won't be a lost sheep, we were able to build trust by helping them move ( I fell on my bum once because of the ice on a little hill. first time this winter! YEAH!) , and our prayer was answered and a miracle seen in finding them in the first place. we also got pizza with them :)

Visiting a Catholic Cathedral

I love being a missionary.

Apples to Apples

Love,

Sister Roberts

Just Throwin' Down

It even snows in our new apartment!

Sister T and I having some fun.

We met a lot of really cool people this week, new investigators and less active families. Mostly less active families. Sister T. read sort of a funny, sort of sad scripture (1 Nephi 15:24) that made her come to the conclusion that friends who don't come to church or are inactive by choice- have become so because they don't read the Book Of Mormon. So anyway- with all these families- we were pretty straight up with them and just asked, "Why aren't you coming to church?" I was really saddened by their responses, which had nothing to do with the doctrine or the church. It was either, "Because I don't feel worthy",  "Because I became discouraged when my children all left the church." or "Because we didn't have time."  Let me be clear- these are very real reasons and they need to be addressed and not condemned for not having enough faith or not being steadfast. Our duty is to help them understand their infinite worth, to uplift and serve them, and to do all we can in inviting them to make the gospel of Christ a bigger priority in their lives. But when it comes down to it, there is only so much we can do. The conversion part of all of this is their duty and responsibility. Testimony comes through study and the Holy Ghost, but conversion comes from action. Only they can try to understand the Book of Mormon, and only they can receive a prayerful witness of it's truth. and when they do that- like it says in Helaman 5:12, Satan shall have "no power over them..because of the rock upon which they are built ." That rock is their testimony of Christ- it is theirs and theirs alone.

Using a knife to make lunch!

The one thing I know that we can do to help these wonderful friends is to be an example by finding this fire in our own hearts. Taking our question to God- asking, is this thing true or isn't it If you have a desire to believe and the intention to act, you will feel that burning in your heart or that still small voice or what ever it takes to get your attention. Don't ignore it, don't lie to yourself by saying you didn't feel it, embrace it and act upon it! By golly you have no idea how happy it will make you!!!

Alrighty- sorry I'm throwing a fit here. This is what I wish I could explain to these people that I love so much :(
All of them are amazing people. Sometimes I wish I knew more of how I could help people in their specific situations, but it's like Nephi said, I have to do what I can with what I've been given.

Our Investigator, J, had to cancel his church tour we had scheduled, but we are going to meet with him this Wednesday. Otherwise, we're doing well, plugging along in La Cross :) We had a great district meeting on Wednesday- Right in the middle of it, President Forbes popped his head in. We had our regular interviews with him. Meanwhile, Sister Forbes gave us cheese and carrots and one of the elders brought creme filled donuts... so yeah. I like this district. Later today we're going to tour a nunnery :)

I love you all so much. :) 

Hurrah for Israel!
Love,

Sister Roberts

My companion the gangsta

The Promised Land of La Cross :)

Family!

This was a really great week- crazy, but great. I love the La Cross area, and I love Sister T.! She has a really great attitude and has taught me so much about optimism and spiritual study :) for example- when I asked her if she enjoyed tracting- she said- "Yes, because what's the point of NOT liking it?" HaHa! Brilliant! We're a great team. And she's musical! We'll be able to do duets and such! WHOO! I'm so stoked.

I feel like I've been meant to be in Wisconsin my whole mission This place is perfect in every way. I should probably be temperate with talking about how awesome it is- but just know- it is.

So the first day we got here we basically had been driving all day- and I was exhausted because getting Sis. Y.'s stuff in the car was a feat- especially in -50 degree weather.. Yikes. so we came into Lacross pretty bedraggled- and the first person we met was our ward mission leader- who is bar nun the coolest guy in the mission. He and his wife fed us hot chocolate and cookies, told us what was up in the ward, and sent us happily home. The elders here are pretty cool here too- they speak Mong.

Anyway so we have basically been seeing everyone we can and going tracting a lot- but it's so much fun because I've never felt so fulfilled for a very long time :D We've seen miracles, like finding several ladies who's sons might be interested in learning; uplifting members who haven't been able to get to church; and being super bold while still being loving with a less active family who's children fell FAR off the beaten path. THAT was an intense lesson. We basically told them they need to get back on the path if they want to be a beacon to their children. Can I just say- It is SO heartbreaking to watch a family struggle and become disheartened because of the choices of a child. That must be the hardest, most frequent form of anguish. Heavenly Father must have felt unimaginable pain when a third of his children rejected him. 

I wanted to throw in a thought about hope. We met a man who's mother is an inactive member, and he is someone who has no hope- in fact he thinks hope is silly. We had a long conversation with him about God's existence. He kept trying to turn it into a debate. The spirit was not with him- though and it was so intense when we testified of the truth of God.

Anyway, as a result of that conversation, I studied about what gives us hope- because in Preach My Gospel- it tells us what hope looks like- and what we do when we have it- but I wanted to know how we GET it. It can't just pop out of nowhere-- what I found was that repentance brings hope- and so does scripture study. Think about it- when we repent it's like cleaning the house: things just seem brighter and clearer and more Hopeful.

And when we study the scriptures- we're learning what others have done and we recognize how God has worked in their lives- and we gain HOPE that he will do the same with us. Read True to the Faith and Romans 15:4. Good stuff.

We've seen several miracles already- including meeting an old man who no one in the ward really knows but with whom we were able to have a really great discussion along with his non-member daughter. We have a great ward mission leader that stays really involved and has been helping a lot as far as member involvement goes- especially since we're still trying to meet everyone.

We met with our most progressing investigator yesterday and he is a gem! He's dating a less active sister and has hopes to be baptized because he feels that the Book of Mormon is true based on the spirit he feels and the understanding he receives! We're going to start meeting with him two days a week- once at the church with the kids in the house, and once with only the adults at their house. We're so excited!

I love you all so much! 

Love forever,

Sister Roberts

Update on Medical stuff

Note from her mom: We did not receive a regular email this week since Diane spent her P-day in Rochester at the Mayo Clinic. She sent me a quick, personal email the next day so I wouldn't worry about her and to give me an update on her medicine situation. I thought I'd include this in her blog just to record some of the stuff she is going through on the side of her missionary work. I'm so impressed with my girl. She deals with her medical issues and moves on and gets to work. Love her so much.

Tracting in Zero Degree Weather

I'm sorry this is late - we went back to Rochester yesterday because I had a doctor appointment at MAYO CLINIC!@ what>?? The doctor was really nice and if all the labs work out and there's nothing crazy- he'll give me a year's prescription! YAY! I still need to send in for my records :/ but he didn't ask about them- I guess he talked to the doctor who's a member of the church- the one who referred me :) Yay! 
Things are going so well here- Sister T. is a trooper and is DEFINITELY hard working- she has the makings to be my favorite companion :) Yay! 

I'm so excited to meet the new ward in Beaerton!

I've heard of the new Sunday School curriculum thing- I'd love to throw in some ideas :) You probably don't need too much of my insight- but I will say- the lessons from the Gospel principles book are INCREDIBLE! and the first one is on the Godhead :) 

Yay for new neighbors, I'm so excited to meet all these people in the new ward and neighborhood who are welcoming you to your new home.

I love you so much!! 

LOVE,

Just one of those Cheesy Missionary Pictures.

Sister Roberts

My Mind is Blowing Up

Okay, so I thought whitewashing my old area while training was crazy, but now...

I'm being transferred ... AGAIN!

On Wednesday, I will be serving in the LaCross, Wisconsin area, in the La Cross ward in the Rochester stake.

WHAT? 

Heading home after a long day

I'll be companions with Sister T., and I'll still be in the same Zone as Sister J. and S.- which is so weird because when I was Sister S.'s STL when SHE was in Lacross and now it's totally flipped! YAY! So crazy.

We'll be whitewashing again- apparently the sisters who were serving there have been there forever and have gotten stuck in a rut. I'm nervous because that area has been really slow, but I'm so excited because I also know with God all things are possible.

 

With my sweet companion in Rochester

I am so excited. This last week we worked with D., who is set to be baptized soon! The Hermanas: S. and J. will have to see it done since they're taking over English work in the 3rd ward, but they are so hardworking- they deserve to have a TON of friends be baptized!

I've made a new year's resolution- I plan on bringing 2 friends to baptism during the summer that I am home. So be nice to your neighbors family! They'll be part of the ward soon! hahaha

I love you so much!

Love, Sister Roberts

The Zone Share's the Gift

Christmas Crazies

Dodgeball with the Zone