201.11.24 email

Dear Home,

Another week, and boy was a good one. So many miracles. First off, there was a Baptism yesterday that has to be mention. He met the missionaries months ago. Slowly progressed in the Gospel, but Baptism was always just out of reach. Then transfers came, he met missionaries a while, but disappeared soon afterward. Then, a couple weeks ago the other elders meet him suddenly on the street. He agrees to meet, but he's going to military- Tomorrow- and neither of them thought he'd be ready before then to be Baptized. Then we had Stake Conference, the missionary who originally taught him was there, and they were able to talk. Mission President had a two hour lesson with him too. Afterwards, he decided to pray if he should be Baptized. The next day he said he wanted to. So this last Sunday before he leaves he was Baptized and Confirmed. It was my first time giving a Baptismal interview since that short time as DL in the MTC. Completely different. The spirit was so strong. Going in, we were concerned if he might be really ready. He'd had doubts about if God really exists, but we could see the faith in him. I decided to fast the day before the interview, and we saw some cool miracles that day. (later...) But we talk, and it's clear he's ready. We talk a little about Holland's April Conference Talk, and he showed a lot of commitment to follow Christ, even though it will be hard during military service. A really cool experience. And it shows the Lord's timing so well. It never could have happened like this if the Lord hadn't helped. Align them to meet again in the street, talk together at Conference, and soften his heart so that he could receive this answer for himself.

So cool. We also got a text from a former investigator. He was golden. Started as a wrong number. Had interest, progressed, worked towards baptism, then suddenly disappeared. He says he feels terrible for not contacting us. He's been so worried and stressed about an exam he's preparing for his work. But the exam ends in two weeks and he wants to meet again. I think he's ready. Ever since I met him, he's seemed like someone has prepared us to teach. Praying for a miracle. ^^

Met an awesome Korean couple that lived in America and came to visit family. Going back this week, but they said they wanted to learn more about "Mormon." Little seeds. ^^ 

 

Also met with an investigator, loves members, just doesn't get the importance of a one true church. Yet this time he seemed to really take it seriously. We talked about the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and he opened up a lot. He asked him to pray about Baptism, and if he really needs it. He's doing great.

Other than that, lots of wind today. Yesterday too. Leaves EVERYWHERE. It's cool watching them from a window in our apartment. Clouds of leaves carving between buildings. I got a picture from the ground to send, but it doesn't do justice.

I love this work. The more you remember that the only way you find, teach, and Baptize is through the Lord's miracles, the more success you see. I love you guys. Miss you terribly. But I find peace in the power of this message.

Take care! Happy Thanksgiving! Thanks for the package! 잘 먹겠습니다! ^^ Time goes so quickly here... I don't want this time to end. But that just makes us push harder. ^^ Have a great week!

 

~Elder Robarts

 

2013.11.17 email

Another good week ended on a high note. We had our Stake's Stake Conference this weekend, and it was amazing. Some really awesome talks about missionary work, and how we can see the Lord's influence in our lives through sharing that influence with others. Also, with so much more instruction from the Brethren on the importance of missionary work and going to the rescue, we've seen a huge change. The Youth is almost the most impressive to me. Almost all of them are willing to visit LA young men together. One of them calls a number of them every week. And they've invited a number of friends to activities here. The love of God is contagious, and it's spreading here. We're still trying to help transition these experiences to opportunities to teach and help them become converted, but the efforts here are moving forward.

We also had a meeting with the Mission and Stake Presidents to train us. Awesome men. The Stake President shared an experience of his youth, wanting to go to church, but having parents that were against it. He would pretend to go out to play soccer, then change and go to church. He decided he wanted to study at BYU so he could go to church, even though he'd been accepted into one of the greatest universities in Korea. The whole time, he prayed for his father's heart to be softened. His commitment to the church and his love for the youth is evident in everything he does. They're so important to him, and he has a fire about him that is incredible to see.

Lately, I've had a lot of experiences that have strengthened my testimony of the Gospel. Investigators who live without the truth of the Book of Mormon, seeking for answers that are so easily found in its pages, but blind to see them because they do not look. Other churches that teach of secrets and shadows, but reject the gift of revelation and a loving Father. This is the truth. God lives, He speaks, and He is a part of our lives. He'll guide our steps as soon as we reach out for His hand. We are blessed to have a living Prophet, and the Restored Priesthood on the earth, through which we can return to live with our Father in Heaven, together with our families. The answers are before us. All that is left is to trust him.

Truly, 2 years is to short a time to share this message.

I love you all. Before I wrap up, a few fun things. Had a funny experience today. So there are kind of bath house things here. 목욕탕. Usually, you go, and there are showers and hot pools and sauna type rooms. But it's full of a lot of naked guys usually. Today we found a really small one near our house, but there was no one there. So, just the two of us. A little weird, but it was relaxing. Been a couple months since I've been to one.

Found a new obsession with index cards with good scriptures that I hide in my Korean Bible I carry. Maybe pictures later, but one of them focused on cross references that connect the Bible to the BoM and restoration. (That one was fun. ^^) Analogies are fun to collect too. One new one recently compares our relationship to God with 정. So simple, but genius. Lots of people don't know much about God here, or how it's possible to have a relationship with Him, but everyone knows 정, and everyone knows how it's formed. With God, it's the same.

Started snowing a couple minutes ago. First snow here in 광주. Winter is on the way. ^^ 

When you can, read D&C 88. We're reading it as a mission for Purification, and it's Gold. You'll find some familiar scriptures, but there's some that are truly hidden treasures.

Outside of that.. I got the package! Halloween and Thanksgiving! The Halloween one was great, we used the decorations for our Halloween party. ^^ And I've started my thankful chain. Not much time, but I'll get it finished by Christmas. You guys are the best. Have a great week!

~Elder Robarts

2013.11.11 email

Okay, so it feels like it's been a long time since I've gotten in a decent email, and lately our time keeps feeling shorter and shorter, but here's some catch up.

So, we're working with someone just plain incredible. We met him on the street, and at first he seemed busy, but we started bearing testimony and he stopped. Since meeting with him, he's opened up more and more, even telling us that he wants the kind of life we live. It's hard for him to leave everything else he's known, especially since he's still going to another church with his wife and children, but he's diligently searching for answers. It's not every day you meet someone like him. People generally have their religion here and they don't change much. Either that or they're so used to other "Revelation" churches (Don't think there are as many in America. They make missionary work tiring sometimes.) that make people distrust what we teach. Lot's of those 'false prophets' like it talks about in the Bible. Luckily there's an easy way for people to find out, but some people aren't eager to try. It's always special when we find someone who will. ^^

We're also doing a 40day fast as a mission to help become more spiritually prepared missionaries. It's been going pretty good so far, today we're fasting. It's amazing how much you can find to improve about yourself if you take time to look. Even more amazing when you can look back and see how you've grown.

It's hard to think of what all's been happening really. Still getting used to new responsibilities, but I love this area. It's got so many veins of gold. Last week we got to do some service with an investigator for a member's family. Awesome family, and they bore an incredible testimony about living prophets. It's such a great feeling to serve. It's been harder and harder to get opportunities really. We've been asked to limit how much time we spend on it because sometimes it becomes hard to stop those projects, but these little one time things are the best.

I don't really know what to write. My mind buzzes with things to share, but it all leaks out before monday. One fun thing: There aren't really squirrels in Korea, but there /are/ cats, and recently I've noticed that they're about the same equivalent here. About the same places you'd see a squirrel, you'll see a cat here. Kind of funny... Also, more experiments with baking. Margarine is a wonderful thing. Butter is insanely expensive here, but margarine is managable sometimes.

I think my head might be slowing down. I can't think as fast as I used to. Or it could be just be juggling a lot more things. You can tell by the journals I've been keeping. Lot's of them, and each have been only scratching the surface. Lately I've been wanting to start one for investigators, and answers we've found to help with their concerns. Also included in that one is a Q&A about the Gospel. Common or difficult questions people ask, and some answers. Fun, but no time to keep it up.  I don't why time feels so short. I need to use it better. I love this gospel. I know it's true. It's hard to really describe how much it helps in life. It makes even the hard days meaningful. Few things can do that. Anyway, I've gotta go. Life goes on, and hopefully I'll have some more news a little later. ^^

~Elder Robarts

2013.11.03 email

I hate to say this, but I may only have 11 minutes to type this...

We tried email at a new place. Library, lots of computers, but it would appear there's an hour time limit. And I spent the first half fighting with a computer that kept freezing. Thankfully, I was finally able to get google chrome up and running. That hasn't let me down much.

Anyway, this week was a super cool miracle week! We met an investigator who is really interested in the Gospel. When we meet him, so often there's another friend of his, or someone who just walks by and asks if he can listen to the lesson. (That was awesome... That person became a new investigator. Doing well.)

This time it was a friend he had an appointment with after us. We talked with him, explained how our church is different, our investigator /taught/ about the Book of Mormon, it was awesome. I know he can accept this message. He struggles with personal revelation sometimes, logic always creates doubt for him. But he feels good about us and our message. To be honest, he's been looking to strengthen that faith of his. Any ideas? He's strongly reliant on the Bible. He knows that's true. So we've talked about how he came to know the Bible and helped him see how he can come to know the Book of Mormon the same way. We also shared some of the parts of the Bible that refer to the restoration and the Book of Mormon. He liked those a lot. I think he'll come to understand personal revelation more as we meet. We've talked about it a lot. And he seems to be opening up to it.

Outside of that, two other miracles. One, Halloween party, super big success. Members brought tons of friends, a lot of which sound like we'll get to see again at either English class or those member's homes. Simple activity, but really fun.

Then we did surprise service for a member who helped us with a lesson. Got to meet two volunteers that we might be able to meet again. Super awesome.

This work is true, I love you all to death, but the clock says one minute, so I don't want to take the chance. Love you!

Elder Robarts!

2013.10.27 email

Well, that was a crazy week. I found out a lot. I've got a lot to learn. District leader is hard.

Essentially, the city I'm serving in is on fire. There's more missionary excitement coursing through this place than I've seen during my whole mission. We hear about other wards that are dealing with lists of people that members have given to missionaries. Here, we're still repairing bonds with missionaries. We've made progress, but it's rocky, even now. The whole stake is pushing for more member missionary work, so there's a lot of pressure on everyone. As is, President Shin has pulled a TON of missionaries into this city. Not many other areas are expanding like this one. Wards that only had one set of elders now have 3, an entire new zone opened, and it's crazy just trying to stay above water. Now we've got zone leaders in my district too, so there's a lot going on. I've got to think a lot more about how we're going to be able to continue to help encouraging members and earning their trust.

My new companion actually was just serving with Elder 조규원, so he had a pretty short move. About ten feet. He's pretty new, but I'm not training anymore. Taking a transfer off while I figure out what this district leader thing is like. A little stressed. Not really feeling prepared for this. But I've had a thought come to me during personal study that's helped a lot. "Don't ever allow yourself to worry so much about being one of the best that you forget to be the Lord's." That's what I want. To be the Lord's. That will drive me to do whatever it takes.

So, we had a lot of miracles this week. Taught a lesson at a restaurant. One of the works came over and asked if he could listen. Turned into an investigator. Met another guy who studies the bible a lot, but has trouble finding a true church. Said he's looking. ^^ Also got to give service again, that was fun. Took pictures.

I wish I knew what I wanted to write. Truth be told, I've been kind of lost in the excitement of things. It's been hard to focus of think of other things. It's always on your toes here. But this week we've got zone conference, a halloween party, a couple other things. I'm expecting a short week.

Love you guys! I hope everyone is doing well. I know there are some major challenges happening there. Try to stay strong. I'm praying for you. Have a great week!

~Elder Robarts

2013.10.20 email

All sorts of craziness. Basically, transfer week and the whole mission got a sneak peak at what transfers are. We're doing a 40 day fast this upcoming transfer, so they sent out a list of when each companionship will do it... My comp was different. Not sure on what's going down, but there's a new zone opening, and lot's of stuff is happening. Our old zone leader moved into our are with another elder, and from the looks of it, I'll be serving with an elder who was already serving here. Basically, the senior comp from the other elders is going ZL (Zone Leader) with our old one who is moving into our area. I'm getting our district leaders old companion and going district leader here, and my comp is getting transfered out of Gwangju.

Kind of forgot what I was going to write about. Haven't even got transfer calls yet and we know where we are going. So yeah... About 99% sure I'm going DL this transfer. And my district is composed of some of the best missionaries in the mission. A little pressure? I feel small here. SUPER small. I feel so inexperienced. And that's /before/ this goes down. Please pray for this area. We're going to need it. The work is great here. I love the members. But I'm scared out of my mind. Not training this time though. That's new. I've almost forgotten what it's like. 

Can't think at all... Mind blown. Life is good though. Conference was good. My comp is amazing. I'll miss him. Now I've got to start thinking ahead. What's going to happen with this area. What do I have to learn?

...I know something happened this week. I honestly can't remember anything... Oh yeah, we had a halloween party. That was fun. Dressed up in traditional Korean clothes. It was a little hectic, but fun. We're working on a smaller ward party to do later at the beginning of next month.

I give up. I love you guys. I'll try to write more next week when my head is better wrapped around what on earth is going on here.

~Elder Robarts

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