062

24 September 2012

Dear Homefront,

 

This past week has been alright, rather slow actually.  It's back down to Elder Huntzinger and myself during the week.  Elder Clawson has been asked to work up in the Mission Office for a while.  Our office staff, Sisters Langford and Riendeu finish their mission this transfer and there's a small gap between when they leave and when the new ones come in so Elder Clawson is going to be covering that gap and then training the new office staff on the computer systems we use.

 

Other than that, not much has changed.  We're kinda back down in the slump of not having too many people to teach.  But we've got some good finding ideas that we're going to try out and hopefully it'll not only yield results but also get the members excited for missionary work.

 

We also have a tri-zone preparation day planned for later today, hopefully that'll be an enjoyable time.

 

General Conference is just around the corner, I'm so excited.  As a missionary it's just so amazing.  On the flip side, transfer time is coming up just as quickly.  We'll know next week what's going on.  My chances of being passed over by the destroying angel seem to be getting slimmer.

 

Hope all's well.  I love you all.

 

With love,

-Elder John Y. Roberts

 

 

PS:  Now to get down to some business.

First point:  We've been counseled to participate in the election so could you please find out what needs to happen to get me an absentee ballot so that I can vote?  The sooner the better on that one, please.

Second item:  You remember that ThinkGeek gift certificate?  A member was checking out some things when we went by to visit and I saw a watch that was cheaper and that I liked a little more than the one we originally were looking at.  Due to it being cheaper and Elder Clawson telling me how I could get some promo codes to make it even cheaper, I could potentially get the watch and something else at the same time.  But it would be easier to get permission from President to do it myself rather than trying to describe it so could you please mail that gift certificate out to me?  I'd be ever so pleased. ;)

 

Love you lots Mom!

061

17 September 2012

Dear Homefront,

 

This past week has been kinda rough.  But there's been good as well.

 

Randy didn't make his baptismal date, a lot of opposition came up in his life.  We'll keep working with him and do our best to help him if we're able.  On the flip side, the chapel was so full this past Sunday.  We've been working a lot with some less-active families and so many of them came to church.  It was so good to see them all there when I arrived from Fort Lee just before the block ended.  Fort Lee had quite a large congregation this past week as well.  We've recieved quite a few more than we've graduated over the past couple weeks.

 

To be honest, there hasn't been too much going on this week.  Elder Huntzinger's been feeling under the weather so we've been taking it fairly easy.  We really need to do some more finding.  Elder Clawson came up with a great idea that he found in Preach My Gospel.  We're going to start visiting members a lot more and then help them start prayerfully seeking out one of their friends or family members that they could possibly share the gospel with.

 

All in all, it's just been another week in the life of a missionary.   I'm doing alright, and I'm still loving working at Fort Lee.  I still love the work, though at times it may be difficult.  I'm doing my best to make every moment of it count.

 

I love you all.

 

With love,

-Elder John Y. Roberts

060

10 September 2012

Dear Homefront,

 

This past week was both good and bad.  We've all been passing around a bug so not much has gotten done.  It started with Elder Clawson, then Elder Huntzinger, then myself.  The worst part about being sick as a missionary is that it's boring.  There's nothing really to do but sleep or stare at a wall because you don't feel up to studying and you don't have TV so your options are limited.  Thankfully it wasn't too bad so just took some cold medicine and slept it off.  The worst part of it is the persistent sore throat and mucus build-ups that linger on after the fever breaks and all other symptoms leave.

 

Thankfully the week ended on a high note with us being able to assist Enos, one of our investigators enter the waters of baptism.  Enos was baptized by Elder Huntzinger Saturday evening and I had the privilege of conferring the Gift of the Holy Ghost Sunday morning in Sacrament Meeting.  This is the first time I've ever confirmed anyone.  It was a very spiritual experience for me.

 

The work has picked up so much lately.  We even have another person set for this next Saturday as well.  Here's hoping all goes well with that.

 

Other than that, not much really happened this week.  Really I spent a lot of it asleep just trying to get well swiftly so I could return to my labors.

 

I love you all.  Stay safe and keep hope burning.

 

With love,

-Elder John Y. Roberts

 

PS:  I'd meant to send some pictures this week but my camera's battery just died before I could upload any.  I'll be sure to send some next week.

059

4 September 2012

Dear Homefront,

 

Things are going alright in Hopewell.  Enos and Randy, two of our investigators have both committed to baptism recently.  If everything goes well, Enos will be baptized this upcoming Saturday and Randy the week following.  It has been amazing working with these two outstanding men and watching the light of the Gospel come into their lives.

 

Other than that, the work has been fairly the same as usual with us doing the rounds and doing our best to find people to teach.  We did some more service by mowing the lawn for the Lawrence family.  The only bad thing about that is that the mosquitos have been out with a vengeance lately so all three of us got feasted upon that day.  I think I counted at least ten bites on my arms and one on my face; and I was the least bitten out of the three of us!  We have since started carrying bug repellent in the car.  We also got some really nice thunderstorms sent up to us from the last hurricane.  Thankfully, nobody brought up the idea of riding our bikes that day.

 

Elder Clawson seems to be adjusting to the area rather well.  I like working with him.  He's a hard worker and just a pretty cool guy.  He really likes working on computers so he uses that talent to make a quick bridge with members by offering his services.

 

We'll, I'm a little short of time today unfortunately so I'll go ahead and sign off now.  I hope that all is well.  Stay safe and keep hope burning.

 

With love,

-Elder John Y. Roberts