2014.04.13

Dear home!

This is going to be one crazy transfer. I've got a small district for now, but lots of interesting things are going to happen in it. First off, we're host to our mission's traveling AP. A new position made to help train missionaries. Since our house has too much room, he's using it as a homebase, so we'll spend about a fifth of his time here, and most of it in other areas. Also, we've got a greeny in our district and two missionaries returning home. Impressive eh?

As for emails, I've got some bad news and great news. First, my new companion is fast at emailing. Only takes about half an hour so I feel bad going longer. Great news, I found an awesome trick. I can type up letters on my translator. I originally wanted to use it for President's letters because it takes so long to type Korean, but I might start using it for family letters too. Write little notes during the week. Could be good.^^ I'm also using it for lesson plans. Seems to work well. A lot easier than constantly rewriting and throwing away old papers.

I've had a lot of my mind this transfer. There's a missionary in our district that is having a really hard time. I think that's been the hardest thing. They're having an extremely hard time finding joy, and there's stress from a hundred odd sources on their mind. It's been where my thoughts has been the whole week. Even general conference was different than usual. But I have it on my mp3 player, and I plan on relistening to it over time. The important thing is that I got from it the inspiration I need for the moment. I'll worry about the rest later.

I'm so thankful for a testimony of the Savior Jesus Christ. That truly is the greatest strength in the world. To know that we are never alone. To know that no effort is wasted. To know that we are led and loved by an all knowing being. That is the blessing of being a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Sadly, this knowledge is often doubted, and almost daily rejected by those who do not understand it. My testimony is small in comparison with those we've heard this weekend (for you guys, last weekend), but I want to add mine to theirs as a humble witness that Jesus is the Christ. That God lives, and has called a Prophet to lead us. More than that, we have the opportunity to speak to our Heavenly Father through prayer, to take our deepest concerns to him. And find answers.

I know this Church is true. Over the next couple weeks, I want to share more of the things I liked from Conference. For now, I wanted to share a Talk from Priesthood session. Elder Hallstrom. We can change.

Times up for now, but I love you all. Have a good week, and I'll be back with more later.

~Elder Robarts

2014.04.06 email

That was a big shock.

Transfer calls was a wall for me today. First off, my companion Elder Williams is getting transferred. That alone was a hard one to take. I love that guy. Second, I'm becoming DL again, but our district is being split. It's going from 12 to 4. It's now going to be just our ward, and our ward lost a set of elders, so it's just us and the sisters. Almost all of our mission leaders will be going home soon, so President Shin mentioned today in the conference call that he's trying to train new leaders. I'm guessing that's why a bunch of new districts opened up. It's a shame though, the bigger districts are always nice. Plus, we might be getting more elders in our ward next transfer, we're not sure. Funny thing, I'm serving with Elder Esplin again. I served with him exactly a year ago, and we're companions again. We'll see the April General Conference together, just like before. He's an awesome guy, and I love how honest and pure hearted he is. One funny thing is our house will seem huge with just the two of us. We might get moved.

Either way, it's a lot of change. And I'm bad at change. Still, I'm excited. I love this ward. I'm convinced I'm here until I go home, and I wouldn't have it any other way. The leaders are incredible, the city is beautiful, and I've learned a lot here.

Everything I had thought about writing just left me. (Tends to happen during transfer week.)

We went to a beach last P-Day, made a little message card for the members of our ward with ideas for how they can share the gospel, met a lot of cool people. But it's been hard meeting investigators recently. That's been a test of faith, but I'm looking up. I want to make a difference here. I want to help others come unto Christ. I know He's guiding this work, and I know that it will continue on in His time.

I'll sure miss Elder Williams though. He's powerhouse. At first, I'd expected that he'd be transferring. He's been here for a while, but the more we served, the more hopeful we became that we'd have one more.

Who knows what'll happen next transfer. I love you guys! You're the best in the world.

I'm having trouble thinking today to be honest. So many thoughts going through. I can't say there's ever been a relaxing transfer day. It's gotten to the point where I don't think ahead of it much, but it's always a surprise when it comes. This transfer felt SO FAST...

I love you guys, I miss you a lot, but I'm excited to be where I am. I hope conference was good, I'm looking forward to hearing it this week. Until next time!

2014.03.30

Hello!

This week has been a number of interesting experiences, I loved it. Sometimes while we're walking, I feel like we're a little random. Here's a quote from this week.

"Snap, 15 is here!"

*frantically running towards the bus stop*

"I've got to bail the milk!"

*five minutes later on the bus*

"I lost the milk. Failed..."

This was an intricate plan. I would watch for 3 buses that would be coming from three separate directions while Elder Williams went to a vending machine about twenty feet away to get a cup of hot milk. (Good stuff here.^^) I was supposed to signal if a bus came. Trouble was, one came the second he got the milk, but it was a bus that we had to outrun and cross the street in order to catch. Needless to say, hard to do while holding a cup of hot milk. It was in the moment, so probably not funny to you, but if it helps, the whole dialog was done in a batman voice.

Little things that ensure that I'll never lead a boring life, despite being a boring person.

Also, this week our arts and crafts continues. I love message cards. And members love getting them. We're missionaries, so our ways of showing love are limited a little, but the time taken to make a little gift like that is fun. Origami is sweet too. Been giving little turtles and random things to kids recently. We also spent some time during weekly planning making a prayer list. I've always had my prayer roll, but it takes a long time to update or get out all the names. This is a sheet of paper that uses sticky notes to categorize people in need of prayers. So I use that for others, and use the other for more personal things. What I'm thankful for that day, what I need His help with, as well as a couple cards with prompts to "Ponder" as Elder Williams likes to call it. How has God blessed you today? Were you 100% obedient? Where did you see the Lord's Hand? What part of your testimony has grown? Etc. I encourage you to try it. If praying sincerely is hard, treat it like homework, write it out, give yourself questions. When you make the time for God, He helps with the rest.

I love you all. I'd write more things that happened this week, but the things I felt most strongly about this week was mostly in the morning or evening hours of study and preparation times. More meaningful scripture study by adding notes at the end of my nightly prayers. Just thoughts that come to mind. I've found that as I study those the next morning, it opens the door so much more to revelation. Also, reading a chapter in the Book of Mormon twice. Once in the morning before exercise in Korean, then again in English during personal study. 

I've finally found a way I like to journal more regularly too. Do it while pondering before prayer. Works great. Helps gear it towards what is important.

All getting ready for General Conference! So excited! I think it'll be a good one.

That's about it. ^^

~Elder Robarts

2014.03.23

Dear Home,

I spent half this week without my companion, and I missed him a ton. How it went was there's a missionary that had military obligations for a week, so he had to go to Seoul. Elder Williams went to stay with him, and I did a split with the other two Elders in my area. Lasted for about 3 days I think. But it was interesting.

We've got some interesting things happening here though. We've got a couple programs we're trying to jump start. One of them is a program to help members pray more regularly and be able to share the Gospel. Started while reading the March Liahona. There's a list of 10 suggestions for sharing the Gospel. What we decided to do was make a message card with that and a list of 10 small steps to introduce the Gospel to a friend including situations where they have interest or if they do not. Both emphasize prayer and personal testimony. We're hoping it's not pushy. Reading through it, it doesn't look bad. But it should be good. It has a blank missionary tag where they can write in their names and a space to list possible friends to pray for and look for opportunities. Excited for it.^^

I love this ward. Last night we visited a family that has possibly the cutest baby girl in the world. There are a lot of cute kids here, but she's at the top of the list I think. The ward I'm in now is definitely largely primary. Kind of new, but I love it. So many young families here. Love it. Also learned how to make an origami boat yesterday. Pretty fancy.

Anyway, the work is moving forward. We found one investigator who seems to have a ton of potential. The only problem is he teaches at a 학원 closest definition is academy, but we don't hardly have them in the US. He works evenings and weekends. ...Pretty much the only time we have meetings. He's awesome though. Lots of great questions, and his prayers are so sincere. He's studied religion a lot. His family are Atheists, his wife's family are strong Christians. Interesting discussions at home I hear. But he's super opened minded. He knows a lot, he just says belief is hard for him. (He teaches math.) Every time we meet he says he feels this could help his belief grow. Keep him in your prayers!

Ah, I love Korea. It's beautiful. MokPo is especially beautiful. I'll see what pictures I have this week, but no scenery shots yet. I suppose I should take some of those...

I love you guys! Have a good week!

~Elder Robarts

Other news:

We successfully transfer several GB of music. Tons of Motab...

I felt uneasy about losing my mission pictures, so I got a flash drive to back them up. I've taken roughly 7.45 GB of pictures here. 

...I like cameras apparently. But now I am a little more at peace. The flash drive goes into a very safe box until I get home.

email 2013.03.16

Hey all!

What a fun week. Started with cleaning our apartment.^^ At the same time trying to figure out transfering music between music players. Didn't work. But that's okay, because our house is still super clean.^^

This week, I've continued to learn the joys of sticky notes, paper, and other various things to help me remember things when my poor brain is too dumb to keep track. Plus, this week I started up my member texts again. In 풍향 we sent a text to all the members once or twice a week with a simple thought and testimony. I've wanted to do it here since I got here, but it took a while to set up the phone. I need to set members into a separate group so I can send a bulk text. At the same time I wanted to input family names and addresses, just information that we might need later. (Blessings on address books...) I go through that, then we switch phones and I start over. Haha. But I got most figured out, and I was able to send a few out this week. Man I love them. It's such a simple way to show our love and thought for them, and for those that live far away, it gives us a way to make a difference. Build relationships. Even just brighten someones day.

We've also been working on message cards. Picture will be included later. But I'm pretty happy with them. We brainstormed a lot. Fun thing, it even has a place for a secret message. Pretty fancy.

Life has been fairly simple really. Lots of miracles, we met a couple new investigators that have tons of interest in the Gospel, lots of potential. One just got back from serving in the military, one is a math teacher who's family is atheist but his wife's family is strong Christian. Interesting conversations at their family gatherings. But he's super open to both. He's studied a lot of different religions, and so far what we've taught has all agreed with what he's personally felt or thought. Super awesome guy.

Some random things that have happened include me moving the family pictures that were on my desk to the window. It's set up now so that I have my missionary work information at easy glance, but I can slide the window out to see the pictures. Convenience that still lets me focus when I need to.^^ Props to Miriam and Joe though. I found out how to use the sticky things they sent. I'll be honest, with the new rule that we can't tape things to walls, I wasn't sure how to use them, but Miriam's mounting stickies I've used to hang a metal... thing, and put up pictures on the window. (That's fair game. It's a matter of ruining wallpaper in rented apartments...) But the best use was for the map. Usually maps are taped to the wall. No longer an option, but I found a loophole. The crownmolding is okay. Problem, tape it too weak with such a small area. The poster stickers though... Those were great. As for Joe's sticky squares, they're perfect for the message cards. We half laminated them with this stuff called 시트지 (not sure if it exists in America. Clear, sticky plastic you can put over things. Oh so useful...) but that lamination made it so tape didn't stick well. We wanted to put an origami shirt on it, and the squares we strong enough that it doesn't come off. A little too strong actually, but that's okay. Just don't mess up when you're putting it on.

Is that about it for this week? Might be. Wait, no, it's not. I got to give a talk in sacrament meeting this week. That was fun. In most wards, missionaries just give a talk when they first come, but that's it. Here every now and them we give talks too. Mine was on Eternal Families. Score. Temple time. I loved it. Yet another thing to love about this area.

I'm sure there's more, but I forget. I love you all, I wish you the best. Thanks for all the support and love. Have a good week!

~Elder Robarts

2013.03.09

Tons to do today, so I can only write for a little while, but I love you guys!

This area is heaven on earth. I'm sure of it. The members here are the greatest people ever. So loving and outgoing. We've been working a lot to help them and work with the leadership here. Especially in LA work. There are a lot of people who have strong potential to come back, they're just having a hard time right now. Elder Williams and I have been working a lot to visit and work with them.

I love this area. Elder Williams is fun to serve with too. Studies for members and Investigators super well. Always has something to share that can help them. Great at following the spirit to, I've been learning a lot from him.

Lot's of miracles, from meeting a LA who teaches guitar, to meeting someone on the street that said he wanted to read the Book of Mormon, to finding a LA house that was buried in an old neighborhood (a maze). Lot's of fun experiences.

Other news:

Elder Christofferson is coming to visit the mission this may. I did mention that, right? It's been in my planner for ages, but I always run out of time to give details. But it's super exciting! The whole mission will be gathering to meet with him. Should be awesome.^^ His talks are always so fun in GC, I wonder what he's like in person...

We found America. In the form of Bestco. Kind of a simple version of Costco, but a tenth the size and only food. I found cheap strawberry syrup though, so I have no bad things to say about it. It also had Peanut butter, fake m&ms, canned food-- all hard to find here. It was beautiful..

No oven here, so we've been experimenting. You can't cook cookies in an upsidedown pot/makeshift oven. Doesn't work. But ricecookers are good. We successfully baked Banana Bread this week. ^^

New passoff program came out to help study Korean and develop lesson plans. Good program, super excited to use it.

That's about it. I love you all, I'm excited for General conference! Hope you're all doing well.^^

Love you! Until next time!

~Elder Robarts

2014.03.02

Dear Home,

I've been transferred to the most beautiful place on earth...

I'm now serving in MokPo 목포, a wonderful patch of heaven right on the coast of Korea. I've slowly made my way south since I got here, and now I'm at the tip. The members are incredible, my companion is a stud and an incredible missionary, and I'm super excited for this transfer.

It was hard to leave 풍향, the last visits with members took a LOT out of me. I couldn't hold back tears with one, and I was close to it with the others. But the bright side is we're still in the same stake. I'll see them at Stake and General Conference probably. And in the meantime, there's a lot to do here.

I feel like I was meant to come here. I feel like we can help the people here a lot, and there are some people we were meant to talk to. One example happened Saturday. An investigator of the sisters, a 50 year old English Teacher who has been super sick this last week. His phone was dead, so there was little communication, he had to use a pay phone. He was nervous of some hospitals here... It was a miracle just finding him. We had the name of a cafe that he said was near a weird building and a hospital, and we knew where he had been a while before. So we go looking for him, say a prayer, and the very first person knew where it was.

Turns out he's from Sacramento and has been missing it a lot since getting sick. We talked about Sutter's Fort, The American River... Elder Williams is a Pre Med too, so he talked him through the symptoms he's having. Really helped calm him down. So we offered to give a blessing if he needs one, as well as translation, and Elder Williams left him with some advice of what to do if his condition doesn't improve.

There's no way you can call that coincidence... God knows His children.

I'm in love with this place. I haven't seen the ocean since I got to Korea, now I can see it from my house. Every member we meet becomes my favorite. There's nothing I don't like about this place.

You're all the best. I love you so much. Now I've gotta run, but I'm thinking of you all!

~Elder Robarts (Now 로바츠 장로. Easier to remember. And it technically sounds closer.)

Fun tricks I've learned: These mean nothing unless you serve here, I'm sure, but I wrote them a while back and they've helped a ton since moving here.

Ask the missionaries to send a list of leadership names so you can learn them before arriving to the area.

Plug addresses and family relationships into the phone so you can memorize names faster.

Send a mass text to the ward before Sunday so they know who you are

Cram with the member book so you can greet them by name. I forgot a ton of them, but I managed about 85%. I felt a little proud about that. Probably more than I should... But the members here are super worth the effort.

Ask for a Calling list, LA list, and Birthdays list so you can work more with the ward.

Call Bishop and Ward mission leader first day in the area.

Does that mean anything? Probably not to most people, but it's been what has been going through my head for the past week.

Now I'm out of time.