2013.04.08 week 23 snail mail

Dear Home,

     You'd be surprised how many letters I've written waiting at haircut places. =D
     But we're doing great here in (something in Korean).  So far, it feels like we've been having a really good time finding new people to teach, but managing them all is getting crazy.  (so many...)
     Needless to say, I have no fear of calling people on the phone anymore. Tons of practice. Pretty much any time we're on the bus, I'm calling potentials or coordinating.  Granted, a lot of other things have come up.  People can't meet, lose interest, but we're seeing a lot of awesome people, planting seeds, and learning a lot about how to teach.
     We've been doing a lot of first meetings this week with people we want to do more with. Learned something.  "How to begin teaching" is crucial.  Without it, you're shot.
     A couple times we've tried jumping the gun, taught the lessons too early, and it didn't make sense.  They need expectation and desire.  Can't work without it.  Two foreigners with limited language ability.  It's hard to plan out a lesson and translate at the same time, but like I said.  practice.  I'm serious though.  We've been seeing miracles.  Happening upon people with interest, and enough patience to deal with us.  =D
   Little by little on my mission I've been learning how to work here.  First area I learned managing investigators and priorities, second companion I learned how o do field work.  Finding places, navigation, visiting people, confirming records, and teaching lessons simply (good transfer).  After that I had a little harder of a transfer.  I had to learn how to do a lot more with a lot less help.  I picked more phone duties.  I  had to up my game on talking on the street.
    But this time, I'm learning the first meeting.  That first real impression.  Who are we? What do we do? How can we change their lives through sharing this message?
     It's hard to do it comfortably, but we're getting there.
     The past couple people we've met with have been great.  Were getting that first meeting down, and they're showing a lot more Gospel interest. Incredible what simply stopping to listen can do.  In Korean, you're almost scared to.  Will you understand what they say?  But I mostly can now.  And the things I've learned as I've done that are incredible.
     They'll tell what they need.  You don't have to guess. 
     Of course, this is stuff any greeny could tell you, but I've found that you relearn a lot of lessons on your mission. Slowly getting a better understanding each time.
    When I was a greeny, I couldn't speak.  I felt like Moses with his "slow of speech" but similarly I've seen miracles in spite of weakness.  And now that I'm overcoming that weakness.  He's giving me a chance to grow.
     I've been in Korea for six months.  I've always had Korean companions to catch the lesson when I couldn't say what I wanted to.  But now I don't have that.  I have to always think ahead.  But I've seen blessings as I've done that.  I'm seeing with a great deal of clarity what the needs of my investigators really are.
     I wonder what English missions are like.  They skip straight to the Spirit, not this struggling just to communicate.  Still has to be hard, but man, sometimes I miss sharing testimony in English >=D
     Silly thought that.  It feels the same.  That witness I feel and they feel is sitll there.  The only thing different is that I have to work harder.   And if anything, that should make it stronger. I've seen people touched by these testimonies, simple as they are. 
     So, what am I really saying?
    I'm grateful to see this. To see how the spirit sent isn't restricted by language.  Pretty amazing. 
     Stupid thing about writing letters and randomly starting/stopping: lose your train of thought.
     That was kind of radom. And now I'm really tired.  But General Conference is coming soon! Super excited. I'll save writing until I can write about that.
~~
2013.04.15  week 24
     Never any time, but today it was our fault. Found a place to get traditional Korean clothes and... had some fun there.  Spent half the day it feels like taking pictures in our apartment.
~~
     New plan.  Such as it is, get this in the mail.  A kind of boring letter is better than nothing.
     Let's just say, conference was awesome, I'm feeling awesome, life is great, and while challenges arise, we're seeing miracles. ^^
     I'll try to share thoughts on conference later, but one thing: Joe, you're a genius.  That mp3 player was a good idea.  I love the  micro SD card.  I can plug that in, download all of conference in about 5 minutes and listen to it everyday before breakfast.  So awesome.
     Bible videos , too.  (just the audio) I'm looking forward to exploring this. ^^  
     Time to start a new letter.  I actually want to get this sent eventually.
     I love you!  Have a good one!
     (signed in Korean)
    

2013.04.28 email

Dear Home,

Yep, the sword got left by the missionary I killed. Gotta see if Elder E wants it. ^^ But one nice thing about people going home: you get to collect a lot of fun stuff.

I love this area! I don't want to leave! The transfer is almost over, and I'm crossing my fingers that I stay. We're teaching a legit golden family. They just need time. They're super nice, they've got awesome faith, they're open. They just need that chance to feel the spirit. To get that witness. I don't want to miss it, I've come to love them so much.

Anyway, I've been studying some fun stuff this week. In FSS, you've got Alma's talk to his sons. I actually really liked Shiblons. It was nice. Felt strong this time around. And of course, Alma 36 is my favorite, and 40-42ish has some awesome Plan of Salvation stuff. Loving it. Today I read about Moroni. I love reading about it from Mormon's depiction. You can really see why he named his own son after this guy. I'm a missionary, but I'll say it. Moroni was a stud.

I've also focused a lot on how to retain the people we meet and teach. We've met so many people this transfer. But so often we meet them once and they suddenly lose interest. Nothing new I suppose, but I've been working on it. It all goes back to finding their needs and helping them see the blessings of the Gospel. Easily said, hard to apply, but more fulfilling than anything else I've experienced when done right.

On a less important note, I've noticed something. I like hills, but I love mountains. Aren't really any here. And without them, the weather is different. Lot's of wind, lot's of sudden changes. Had a storm roll in last night. Huge thunder. Now it's sunny. Go figure. Fun though.

Other than that, life has gone about the same. Met some awesome new people this week, including a devot Roman Catholic. ( I was actually really grateful for what you wrote me about the new pope. We were able to have a really nice discussion about it.)

Anyway, I love you guys!

Gotta go though. Not much time. Until next week!

Love you though. Have a good one!

 

Elder Robarts

email 2013.04.21

Dear Home,

We met this great family this week. Super strong faith, go to another church but are super open and they had questions about why there are so many churches. They /really/ liked the first lesson, and how honest our church is. (So many here are just at it for the money.)

 

I love those guys so much, I know they can accept this Gospel. All they need is that witness.

 

Which leads up to study. This week I've noticed a trend in Faith. Starting with Holland's Conference Talk (TANGENT: I love conference. I got the audio, and I've noticed that I love it. It's better than music. and I like music. So I've been listening to talks every morning at breakfast, little bites of revelation.) 

He talked so well about developing that faith. As a missionary, that means a lot. Especially with helping other people build that faith. How? Simple, Recognize what's already  there. Ask questions that make them think and share what they belief. Unearth that already existing faith. Then help them desire for more. Promise blessings. And show them how they can get help through prayer. So simple, but so easy to lose track of. Focus on that, and it'll work.

 

I love you guys. I wish I had more time. My comp doesn't need to write much, so it's hard to find time. I hate imposing. But I had some things I wanted  to say.

 

Don't worry about North Korea. We see and hear stuff sometimes, but no one is worried. It actually came up in ZC last time. Evacuation stuff, what to do in case of emergency. They just wanted us to let you know nothing is in trouble. NK got a new pres. SK too, and the yearly military test is underway. All three of those have been the cause of threats in the past, and now it's all three at once. Lots of threats, but not serious. It'll all blow over in a bit. Always does. In the meantime, we've got God on our side, we'll be fine.

 

On a lighter note, I've thought of a few things to put on a wishlist if you're curious about good things for packages. (DO NOT SEND ONE. This is future reference.) There isn't garlic salt here or vanilla. If there's a powder form of vanilla, that'd be great. And I've been thinking it'd be cool to have a tie with my family's names on it. So, if you need ideas, those are good, but seriously, don't send anything. I can see the prices on those things. Not worth it, I can feel your love either way.

 

Is that about it? I think so, 

Hopefully I'll get a letter written. Love you guys!

 

Till next week!

 

Elder Robarts

2013.04.14 email

Dear Home,

CONFERENCE!!! WOOH!

This was the one time I've been Behind you guys. Man, I love Conference. So short though. I don't have much time, but I loved everything. I especially loved the tag team of Scott and Cook talking about Peace. Powerful stuff. I love you all so much. I wish I could share the feelings I get when I hear conference, but I imagine you all feel somewhat similar.

Words of living Prophets. Literally God speaking through His chosen servants. When they open their mouths, its clear that isn't a mistake.

I am a missionary. I see miracles every day. Yesterday I saw two. There's an investigator I've taught for a couple transfers now. Her and her father. Very little religious background, so we have to go slow, but they've been slowly opening up to the spirit. But the Father has been getting busy. It's hard to meet them together. And the time we meet is hard to bring a male member. There's another person there, but as I've thought more and more, I got the impression that I should let the sister missionaries help. I've prayed a lot that this would go well. And I saw an answer yesterday. She came to conference. She had a great time. She met the sisters, made a lot of friends at church, and she told me at the end that after hearing conference, she understood better why we do what we do as missionaries. A miracle, nothing less.

Later that night I saw another. Knocking doors. Not common here, but I believe in it. I've seen miracles through it, and I saw another today. A door opened. We shared the first lesson. She's had questions exactly like Joseph Smith. Her husband wasn't there, so we just talked at the door, but she asked us to come back.

There are people everywhere, looking for truth. It's hard to find them sometimes, but not hard to look. And that's all God asks. When we do that, He'll make the two click.

I sadly have little time. My comp writes and finishes in about 10 minutes. I feel guilty making him wait.

Just know that I love you more than I can possibly express.

Love you guys, sorry to be brief. But I kind of haven't been. One day I'll have a long winded companion and I can write to my heart's content. (Within our hour limit...)

By the way, the video cut out a lot first session of conference. Super cool experience having the prophets voice stop and our mission mom and mission president's voice cut in without a break, reading from the talks on their phones. Crazy part, when the video came back, it was always super in sync. Powerful experience. What could have been sad, turned spiritual.

Have a good one!

~Elder Robarts

snail mail 2013.003.25 week 21

Dear Home,

So many unsent letters this transfer.  I start writing and I forget it's not my journal.  (Using the same paper at the moment.  Need to find letter paper.)

Anyway, new transfer is about to start.  And a new companion.  Elder Espin, he's been out three months longer than me, and he's my first foreign companion.

I wonder if companion relationships will be different. Can't see how they wouldn't.  I've learned so much about culture since coming here.  We as humans share many of the same needs, but so much about us is unique.  Understanding how a person thinks means everything.  That's wehn you can make an impact.

But I'm excited for this transfer.  The one I'm finishing now was only frour weeks, but it felt a lot longer.

I'm hungry to get on the street and talk to people.  Hungry to explore this area.  There are so many places we haven't worked yet. 

There's a lot I look forward to.  A lot I hope for.  I feel like this might be my last transfer here in (something in Korea), I want it to be special.

There's a lot I've written that I wish I could share, but it wouldn't really be useful.  This has been time for me to grow, but a lot of the things I've learned I can't really express.

God is real.  He speaks to us in the way that is most comfortable for us.  Not always visions or trumpets.  Would you be comfortable in that situation?  (It'd be crazy.  Hard to focus on what He is saying.)  There are other ways, ways that can speak more clearly.  Help our faith grow more.

To me, He speaks through (indecipherable) and ink.  Through my friends, through words of loved ones.  Through scriptures, and the records of my own hands.  Past impressions.

And He speaks through the temple.  Oh, I long to see it; to simply sit within the walls of th House of God.  To feel the sacred power of the Priesthood at work in incredible ways.

I've asked for other signs before. Ive gotten answers, but not the ones I expected.  He shows His love, leads me to what I need.  And He reminds me that signs and visions alone aren't enough.

I've felt things in my life that confirm what I know to be true.  I've received witness enough that doubt cannot linger. It tries to enter so often, but it cannot endure.

For me, at this time in my life, there are other ways, ways that have greater impact even than visions.

Namely, I get to see miracles.  What greater sign could you ask for?  I see lives change.  I see people placed in our path, or us placed in theirs when reason wouldn't have had it happen.

I have yet to see an angel.  But I've seen a lot of their work.  And I look forward to the opportunity.  Just to say thank you.

IIf you are like me, you've put a lot of thought in to your own faith.  Is it enough? Is it strong?  Is it real?

If it bothers you, I submit this suggestion.  Remember, I'm willing to wager He's already given your answer.  He did for me.

A different letter than my jovial ramblings, but I'll end here.   God bless you.  Love you guys.

signed  in Korean

Current events and concerned family and friends - An email from the mission president's wife 2013.04.09

Sister Robarts,

 

Like everyone, we continue to watch the news about North Korea's actions. For the past three the years the church has asked us to have emergency plans in place, and again emphasized that.  The embassy is asking people to be cautious.  Each year during the spring the US does maneuvers here, and North Korea always starts their chatter.  Also every five years South Korea gets a new president and North Korea tries to flex their muscles and see where the new fence is.  North Korea also has a new leader, so the combination is making much more noise than we have had in the past.  The Korean people are watching the situation closely of course, but life goes on very normal here.  We pray and appreciate the prayers from each of our missionaries families that this will settle down quickly.  Like you, I have full confidence that  our missionaries will be safe and their presence is very reassuring to the Korean church members.

 

Pres. Furniss and I will be returning to the United States in July.  We are delighted that the missionaries will have a wonderful new president whom they already know from the MTC.

 

Thank you for your prayers

Sister Furniss

email 2013.04.07

Yeah, this is one of the few times I'm behind. We haven't had Conference yet. Next week. But I'm looking forward to it!!

 

It's so awesome! So, basically it gets translated and sent as a DVD to each of the stakes here, we watch it together. So next week we'll be at the stake center, inviting investigators, you know the drill. Gotta remember to bring some ice cream. The 30cent ice cream here is the best...

 

Anyway, I've got a fun companion. Kind of a combination between Joe and Andrew. Math Genius, always working on these ideas for functions and what not, he's seen a lot of things I have, he knows about XKCD even (that's for you Joe) But it's fun. When we have down time it's fun to talk about ideas. Story and plot ideas, Andrew knows about my MtG (Magic the Gathering) spinnoff idea I kind of shelfed a while ago, but we've had a couple good conversations coming up with ideas for that.

 

But to be honest, we've been kind of busy. Lots of phone calls, lots of first meetings. We've met so many awesome people on the street... Hard to keep up. Thank goodness for Elder Park. My trainer was a pro at this. I didn't get it then, but I'm starting to see how he did it. Priorities...

 

Anyway, lot's of practice with first meetings. Super hard. Setting expectations isn't easy, especially in another language. I always had a Korean before. They made it comfortable at least, but here it's a little different. Lot's of practice.

 

Awesome people, no time to talk about all of them. But I wish I could.

 

GENERAL CONFERENCE! I'm so excited. But as for personal study and everything, yet again the Lord shows His hand. If you want to know what I'm doing here, follow our family scripture study. Almost every chapter I've seen something that's applied. Patience a while back, faith, and now Ammon and the gang showing us how HBT is done. Crazy. And I've found so many great scriptures for investigators from FSS (Family Scripture Study).

 

Love it.

 

But There's something I have to say that I don't think a few people will like. I've been starting to think a lot, and I'm starting to be able to see myself come back here in a couple years. Do some school, then come here to teach English and pay off some student loans, explore, study a little more. From the sounds of it, it pays really well, especially if you have the right degree and can speak Korean on top of it. It's.... tempting. But It'd be hard to be from home again. I'd have to find a way to visit. But that doesn't matter. Right now I'm a missionary. That stuff will all fall into place later. It's not what I need to focus on.

 

Fun fact, I'm now faster at texting in Korean than English. Their keypad is So much better...

 

Yep, love you guys. I promise I'll try to write more. Haven't had much chance lately. Didn't get a letter sent last week... Sorry. I need a bus where I don't have a list of people I need to call...

 

Anyway, that's it for now. Gotta go. Might be taking a trip up to that Buddhist temple again.

 

 Love you!