2013.05.25 email

Dear Home,

Hehe, Super fun. So, the vanilla arrived great! And I've been using it as much for the smell as for cooking. I've missed that smell so much. But it's great! Made some awesome pancakes with it last week. ^^

Life is going great here. Drop dead tired, but great. So far, we haven't had a day where we weren't completely exhausted by the time we get home. But it's been good. Lot's to do, lots of great people. Had to play catchup on records a couple times, but we're doing great. I absolutely love this mission. Elder Lee is amazing, he works so hard, even when we're knocking doors with splitting headaches from being outside too long. Hot here now. Only 70s or 80s temperature-wise, but with humidity, it KILLS. It's raining now though, so it's a little cooler.

Yep, pretty cool. Saw some miracles too. Found a guitar that Elder Lee can play. We've been bringing it to lessons and member visits to play and sing for people. ^^ Awesome. Also met some awesome guys who have questions about the church and the BoM, found out a family is going against their pastor's directions by meeting us. He keeps telling them not to, but they aren't listening. They're so amazing. I KNOW they can get this witness. We're SO close. I'm excited for them more than I can say. I just want to know how I can help them get there. The Lord's time though. Gotta be patient.

Other news. Sunburns aren't too bad here. They burn up the sweat. Otherwise when you sweat, it never goes away. This way it dries off eventually. Also convenient for showers.  I'm not too bad of a lobster yet, but the curse continues. Sunscreen has no effect on me. ㅠㅠ

How are things back home? Everyone okay? I hope the misc health,emotional, spiritual, physical well being trials aren't too bad. I'm still praying fr you guys.

I'm still getting used to changes around here, but it's cool. I like responsibility. I got some surprises Sunday too. They asked me to improvise a lesson because someone was sick. IT was from the conference Ensign that we haven't gotten yet. Thank you audio talks!  Fun though. Also got to bless the Sacrament this week. Felt nice, brought back memories. ^^ Elder Lee did great with his intro talk too. So proud of him, he's amazing.

I've got a letter to send today too! Yay! About time, but in my defense, things are super backlogged here. Even headquarters in Daejeon. We've been working without a lot of supplies lately, so it's been fun. Made some homemade passalong card-like things. Whatever works, right? But our BoM stock is running low, a couple other things too. Hopefully things get sorted out soon. In the meantime, I'm hoping that people believe that old saying. A picture is worth a thousand words. Here's a couple letters. ^^

PS: Fun Fact about my camera. You can access the folders without a computer. I love sorting things. ^^ So useful for the maps too. ^^

Love you guys! I'll try to write more today, but I've gotta go probably. Love you!

~Elder Robarts

2013.05.19 email

Dear Home,

Wooh, super exciting news. But tiring. First off, I got the package you guys sent! Thank you so much! The smell alone is incredible. ^^ And I've been using the garlic salt a lot with potatoes... Happy camper.

But this week has been insane. We've been so busy, especially with visiting less actives. I've been trying to focus on that more. Last week we had seven different meetings with LA's in our ward, and there are some guys we're trying to work with more. Lots of desire, just having trouble with that first step. Super tired though. We've had to RUN back to the apartment most nights this week. Usually get done with planning pretty late, what with calls and what not. I feel terrible that I can't write more. I barely have time to write in my journal, let alone read letters, or much less respond. Trying to fix that.  I've missed journal half the nights this week just because there's so much going on. But I'm loving it. Elder Lee is so great. He's great at piano, built like a tank, can run like the wind. ...I'm exhausted. But I'm trying to wear him down a bit. Give his shoes some use. And so far we've done pretty well. Lots of adventures, lots of bizarre things. Lot's of miracles too. I'll do some pictures first, then move to the rest.

(pictures on Facebook)

I love you guys so much! I'm exhausted, but this work is awesome, We're having some great times out here. By the end of the day, both Elder Lee and I are run ragged, but all in the best ways. Staying active, meetings some cool people.

One day I promise I'll get writing again. Just know that what you guys are getting is about what makes it to my journal, amount wise. I don't know where to stretch time any more. Almost out of those spots. But I'll see what I can do. How are things back home? I heard that Sister Monson passed away. That's so sad, but I know it's not a permanent thing. Such a strange mixture of emotions that come with death, especially with our beliefs on where we go hereafter.

I'm just very grateful for my personal testimony of the Temple. There's nothing that can overcome the Temple. I miss it more than anything, but there's a picture of me and Mom in front of the Temple that I have on my desk that I can see everyday. Gives me a lot of strength.

Gotta wrap up, but I love you! PS: I know this is weird, but the computer randomly doesn't type some letters. Hope this makes sense. I try to catch it when it happens.

It was great talking to all of you! And the package was incredible, I use it a lot! ^^

As always, I'll try to do more. Just know that I am trying. Free time gets eaten a lot here. But I love my comp. He's the best.

~Elder Robarts

from one of Elder Robarts' MTC companions

Hello Sister Robarts!
     .....
     I've been meaning to write you a long time about your son. He is an amazing young man. Then again...you are his mother. So, I am sure you are aware of how awesome Ben Robarts really is. Like he said, our time at the MTC was "short" but really, we spent the maximum time possible any elders could spend together in the MTC. Between the dining hall, classroom, and dorm room, I probably spent more combined time with Elder Robarts than some of my best friends.
     There were few dull moments spent with "Robarts". He has so many awesome talents and abilities. At the same time, he is so humble about them! One of my favorite things in the MTC was being on my toes, waiting to see what new thing Elder Robarts would reveal about himself. Things like, his sketch books, Sense of humor, wise views on the world, temple traditions, and my personal favorite... The ability to play Beverly Hills Cop on the piano flawlessly. Of course, those are just a few, but they are some of my favorites.
     One of my favorite things about Elder Robarts was his incredible ability to FOCUS. And not only stay focused on a particular item, but go back and forth between several things and just stayed extremely focused. For instance... Every morning Right when the Alarm went off, Elder Robarts would roll over, (he slept on the floor 90% of the time haha), say a prayer, get out his flashlight, and start studying Korean. That all happens in about 3 minutes. Now, I don't know about you but in the first 3 minutes of my Morning, I'm hitting the "snooze" button for about the second time. Also, our class/district was always super close. And sadly, we could very easily get off task. Elder Robarts however, could manage to Study the Gospel/Korean, and still chime in on our conversations from time to time, unfazed. While the rest of the class was behind, He had gotten his work done, and had a little bit of fun along the way.
     My favorite thing about Elder Robarts is his Christlike ability to completely forget himself. He lives to make sure others are taken care of. In the District, Elder Robarts and his companion Elder Forbes were definitely the "Shepard's" of the group. They kept everyone together, and kept the stress low. Elder Robarts made sure to write all of his family members and friends. Even if it meant sacrificing huge amounts of study time. Nevertheless, he always made it happen. (His letter to me is a good example). The first week of the mission he stayed up late at night, flashlight in hand, writing letters to everyone he possibly could.. During week two, we were informed that staying up was a no no in the MTC. Therefore, Elder Robarts shifted his schedule to wake up early (sometimes 5 am) To write home. On top of that, he would study, pray, and basically be ready to go for the day much before our entire floor even woke up. It could easily be debated that Elder Robarts is Part human/part machine. But, despite his personal "machine-like" drive, he never lost his mentality that it is 100% about others. At the end of our MTC experience, we had to teach our "progressing investigators" that we "baptized" for the last time. They were fake investigators. They were our teachers. Still, it didn't stop Elder Robarts from crying the last time he got to teach them. You might think..why cry? these people are fake! Elder Robarts had just gained so much love and respect for the characters that our teachers merely portrayed, that it was difficult for him to leave them. He views everyone he associates like a Child of God, and treats them that way also. His passion for the message, and love for others still inspires me daily.
     So... I have officially ranted. But I just want you to know that you have raised an amazing son. I think the world of him, and he will be one of my role-models for the rest of my life. Thank you for posting his weekly updates, and thank you for sending me his letter.
        Scott Gerszewski

2013.05.12 surprise - he did get off a quick email!

Absolutely right, not much time for emails, but here are some pictures!  (see his Facebook page or Mom's)

 

Anyway, this week was crazy. I feel like I'm in over my head, but things are somehow working out. Little by little, and a lot of trusting the Lord. Love you all. Pray for me investigators. They need the Gospel more than they know. I can picture them with it in their lives.

 

Until next week. I love you guys!

 

~Elder Robarts

2013.05.12 Mother's Day

The bad things about the Mother's Day phone call from my favorite missionary:
     No email this week.
     So many family members love him and want to talk to him, no one feels like they had enough time. 
     He sounds wonderful, strong, healthy and happy.  He loves kimchi.  He loves the Korean people.  He loves the Korean ward choirs.  They are not too worried about the unrest with North Korea - that's pretty much normal.  They have evacuation plans, but don't expect to need them.  They hear the people of North Korea are not happy (no duh)  He is a trainer now.  His greenie is one of the new younger age missionaries, also an  American.  There are 4 of them in this apartment, the senior in the other companionship was the companion he enjoyed last transfer.  They are keeping plenty busy.
     It was fantastic to hear his voice.

2013.05.05 email

Dear Home,

Mother's Day! Stoked! Still up in the area, but I'm shooting for calling 11am May 13.not sure the details, because this is right in time for transfers, and lots of things are changing.

First, I'm staying here in 유성.

Second, it's going four man. We're moving. Now it'll be 2 sisters, 4 elders

Third, I'm training. Pray for me. Not sure who I'll get, but I pick him up Thursday. Guess I need to get him a phone card too... Not sure.

But yeah. We're moving, picking up greenies, pretty much a busy week. Not counting investigators. I'll probably die.

So yeah, not sure how the call will work. I'll call 11 our time. Should be evening sometime on the 12th. I'll leave it to you, but leave wiggle room.

Anyway.... My heartrate still hasn't quite gone down yet. Should be... an interesting time.

FSS: Lot's of thought about justice and the determination of fate. Through our actions, we choose outcomes. But there's some other stuff involved. Like Lehonti, you can't willingly go unto danger and expect to be protected. You gotta be like Moroni. Keep the highground. Never give it up, never stop preparing.

Pretty cool. For personal study, I've been focusing a lot on investigators. How to help them become converted for themselves. One of them asked about why our baptism is more needed than theirs. I thought about it a lot. But there's really only one way to teach it well. It all comes back to the priesthood. God's working arm. Without it, as wonderful as our church is, it's insufficient. I've grown to have quite a powerful testimony of the priesthood. It's real, in all it's many forms.

Man, I miss you guys. This is going to be insane. I can't focus. I knew there was stuff going on, stuff I wanted to write, but I can't remember. Let's just say I'm going to be very busy this transfer... But that's good. Idle hands never sat well with me. Love you!

~Elder Robarts