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

The week in which I became Hmong and wrote a poem

She finally caught the Onalaska Fish!

Okay so I don't have a picture yet but I ate a pepper. A really, REALLY spicy pepper. Called a Thai Pepper. I thought I would melt.
Why did I do this you may ask? Well, because I needed a Hmong name... let me explain. There are a lot of Hmong people in Wisconsin, and we have Hmong elders in the ward. We also have two strong Hmong families that come. Every missionary who comes needs to get a "Hmong name" but in order to get one, initiation is necessary. So I ate the pepper, and now I'm adopted into the X. family. My name is Paj Nag Xyooj. Or, in English, Pana Xiong <3 It means Rain Flower- or the flower shape that a raindrop makes when it lands :) YAY!! The X. family picked it out for me:) I love it! YAY!

So we had dinner at a fancy restaurant downtown with some members the other day. The fancy restaurant wasn't as cool as the family's story (although I did try lobster for the first time- that was cool..) Turns out this Polynasian family had been searching for the right church their whole lives. It wasn't until their son- who was 12 at the time- learned about the gospel that his whole family followed him. They were all baptized together because of their son's example :) How amazing! they now have another 12 year old son who is a great missionary already :) I thought these kids were very impressive.

Fishergirls of Wisconsin

This week was great- The Lord needed us to go to the college campus on Tuesday to have lunch (Herbert and Gerbert is the BEST sandwich shop EVER!) and to contact. The whole time we thought it'd be funny if we ran into the one student  is a member of the church on campus, but didn't really think anything of it. We've been trying to have him register a booth on campus for us to set up a display, but I guess he's been busy. So anyway, we're eating lunch and all of a sudden I see the member from across the room! So taking this "coincidence" as a sign- we went and talked to him. He immediately apologized for not getting the booth earlier, and right after we left he signed us up :) YAY! Tuesday we'll be spreadin' the gospel to the children :D WHOO!
Other than that miracle, we've been getting our creative juices flowing. I wrote a poem :) Here's my poem:

The Missionary Desk
By Sis. Roberts

How many times have I sat at this desk
and read of the words of God?
How many lessons I've learned sitting here
holding fast to the iron rod.

How many names have been etched in the wood,
hoping that they'd be remembered?
How many times has this old desk been moved,
and still it remains even-tempered?

How many dreams and how many plans
have been made on this surface, so worn?
How many people, how many times,
have been changed by a vision, here born?

How many heartaches and how many tears
have been shed on the peeling brown paint?
How many prayers of desperate need
have bent these boards with their great weight?

So many learners, so much learned,
and in awe I sit here today
At the thought of the many and many to come
who will sit at this desk everyday...

So to one and to all I say- STUDY THE SCRIPTURES! They are beautiful gems of truth that fill the soul with light!

I love you all so much! I hope you're having the time of your lives :)

I love you!

Sis. Roberts