Thursday, October 24, 2013

2013.10.13 email

Alright, so the past two weeks have been insane.
We saw so many incredible miracles, and we learned so much. I talked about that one family a little bit, but one of the most incredible things about them isn't just what they do, it's the spirit that is with them. It's incredible... They're just so in tune with the spirit, so hard working and loving. I see it every time we meet them. Remember that man we met after visiting their house? Met him this week. He's a psychologist who already attends church, but has always wondered how he can know just which church is really the best for him. I think he's one of the favorites I've met in a while. He seems to understand the things we teach really well, and he's really willing. We've only met once, but he seems golden. Just went that much further to strengthen my testimony. When we meet together as saints, as members and missionaries, it invites the spirit so strongly. And then we go out and share, there's an additional light in us. People see it. This brother I mentioned said he was busy. Didn't think he'd have time to talk when we first approached him. But he stopped, and there was a curiousity in his eyes that isn't always there. The Gospel is true. The Lord is preparing His children.
 
Elder Jensen and I had a lot of time to talk this week too. We're pretty different. We've got drastically different personalities. He's thought of joining marines or becoming a spy. I dream of being a psychologist and counselor. He likes to keep emotions and personal business off the table, and I've learned that the best way to work as a missionary is when you've got that strong bond as a companionship and are able to share those things with each other. It's been a work in progress to be sure. And with a little bit of a rocky start, it was hard building that trust to work together, but we talked about a lot of it, and I think we're doing pretty good. And we have a lot of fun moments randomly on the street. (Found a cotton candy place together, so we'll get one for each other every now and then.) He's great, and I feel like we're teaching really well together now.
 
And then there was conference! Man, awesome week. How was it? Wasn't it awesome!? I downloaded it... Realized just how little time we've got. I got through 2 sessions before the broadcast here.  But it was awesome. I found a deeper love of the CG prayers. That's the one part I skipped when I listened, so it was pretty amazing to notice the spirit they invite in. There were a lot of talks that I loved. Uchtdorf's talk about why people join and leave the church was amazing, and I loved L Tom Perry's talk on the 13 articles of faith. Bednar was great, Eyrings talk that touched on the Good Samaritan was awesome... They were all amazing.
 
But more than individual talks, I noticed that might notes have been changing over the years. I use multiple colors now. Black for good points from the speaker, red for questions that come to my mind as I listen, blue for impressions or thoughts. Litttle by little, there's been more and more red and blue, less black. It's helped me get a lot out of it. I feel like I had a lot of questions this time. I have to keep reviewing, but I think they all got answered. Go with questions, everyone. God likes to give away freebie revelations during these if you're willing to look. But it's not just CG though. I've noticed that any time there's a meeting that opens and closes with prayer, it opens the door to a revelatory environment. Gathering with fellow saints merely strenghtens that.
 
Truly, I love missionary work. I've learned myself backward and forward and I'm still learning. I've seen miracles everytime I've took the time to look. And I've come to understand with a greater knowledge Just How Much God loves us. I've felt a love for people greater than my own. That's a hard feeling to express, but an easy one to feel. Serve.
 
Love you guys. Might be out of time.
 
Have a good week, read those talks again! Remember your impressions. Don't leave them sitting in a stack of notes. You guys are the greatest!
 
~Elder Robarts

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