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
Monday, May 13, 2013
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
Sunday, May 12, 2013
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.
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.
Sunday, May 5, 2013
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
Monday, April 29, 2013
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)
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)
Sunday, April 28, 2013
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
Sunday, April 21, 2013
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
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