Thanksgiving was nice. It sort of was a day off (and not) for us because we've been encouraged not to worry about knocking doors or contacting on Thanksgiving because of people visiting family. We ate lunch and dinner while visiting members' homes.
The weather is frigid but not snowy yet at all. It has rained, however, so far this week, it's been rather clear. This morning, it's perhaps 40's. The wind and the wetness contributes to making it feel more cold than it actually is.
Grandma's package hasn't yet arrived. I'll be expecting it. The issue concerning the letter sending has been the fact that the mail men here don't pick up mail from the mail boxes-only leaves them (defeats the purpose of having a flag... :( ). We have to either deliver it to a mail carrier or to the post office (even the mail carrier at the post office has graffitti on it). I'll try to drop my letter off today or tomorrow.
This previous week has been the most productive. We achieved three new investigators! All three appear to be IDEAL future baptisms. We're still trying to resolve everything with one investigator. We asked if we would follow Christ's example and be baptized with the right authority from God. He's not sure. Pray for him.
When we had visited another investigatorr, he was quite hospitable and kind but told us that he stopped reading (and he was making significant progress before) the Book of Mormon when he told us that he didn't agree with Nephi slicing off his brother's own head. We explained to him that Nephi killed Laban, not Laman; and read with him the chapter. We also explained the reason why much more clearer. He's reassured and is progressing again.
Love,
Elder Roberts
A Picture is worth a thousand words
Monday, November 29, 2010
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
PDay 11-22-2010 email
Hello all,
How are you doing? Anyway, last week, the sisters and us (in our district) decided to travel to Montauk Point! Montauk Point is rather far from our area, however; so we left at 4:15 am (sharp) this morning. It's the point farthest East of Long Island (at the very tip). President Nelson approved of it (and it's also our personal time) as well. This morning was frigid and we had to bring warm clothes to watch the Sunrise. It was only the eight of us missionaries who decided to go. We had a blast! We took many photos at the lighthouse and on the precarious rocks. We even saw Seals!! I need to figure a way to send you the photos before I'm out of memory on my camera! We even drove through the Hamptons en route to Montauk. The drive was scenic during the day...and not when we were so drowsy at 4:15. Lots of forest.
Because my companion is District Leader, we're driving to a Leaders' Meeting tomorrow in Queens! More photo opportunities! I've been up and down Long Island! One Elder that I had met, however, is going to be transferred to the British possession of Bermuda! He'll be there all Winter!
There are the cutest Squirrels everywhere...even in the suburbs. We have a family of Squirrels which inhabit the trees surrounding our shack. I've seen on a hundred occasions two squirrels together, however, a few days ago saw four on the grass in front of our home.
I met the Mercado family last night. They served us dinner. Their friend, whom they had brought, is named Jack the Pirate. The reason for this being that he wears an eye-patch. He lost his eye when he was shot at the age of eight. He's experienced a lot of hardship and it was a good experience talking with him. Their family, however, speaks English (unlike virtually of the families with which we've affiliated) and have the most typical New Yorker accents ever! I've never met a more 'Red Personality' family in my life! It's silly to listen to New Yorkers (the English-Speakers) converse. It's been a fantastic experience serving and learning.
Down the corner is a place that sells 5 Lobsters for $30! The restaurants and grocery stores here are also different. I have yet to encounter Wal-Mart, Chevron, Holiday, Smith's, you know, all the typical stores that you see daily in Utah. I have seen a Target though.
This week has been a little slow, unfortunately because my companion contracted a Fever. I let him borrow the thermoneter that you (mom) had bought for me! I'm well supplied by my loving mother :)! He had a fever of 102.5 degrees and was bed-ridden for three full days. Two nights ago, Elder Smith and I gave my companion a blessing. The next morning his fever had dropped to 98.9 degrees. We really must visit our investigators now! We pray and anticipate to baptize two of them by next month. The others are all awaiting papers so that they can be married.
My history question of the week:
Anyway, I appreciated your letters!! Thanks for sending me cookies. I haven't yet received them but I'm excited! Love you! I'll try my best. God be with you! I'll send a letter!
Love,
Steven
How are you doing? Anyway, last week, the sisters and us (in our district) decided to travel to Montauk Point! Montauk Point is rather far from our area, however; so we left at 4:15 am (sharp) this morning. It's the point farthest East of Long Island (at the very tip). President Nelson approved of it (and it's also our personal time) as well. This morning was frigid and we had to bring warm clothes to watch the Sunrise. It was only the eight of us missionaries who decided to go. We had a blast! We took many photos at the lighthouse and on the precarious rocks. We even saw Seals!! I need to figure a way to send you the photos before I'm out of memory on my camera! We even drove through the Hamptons en route to Montauk. The drive was scenic during the day...and not when we were so drowsy at 4:15. Lots of forest.
Because my companion is District Leader, we're driving to a Leaders' Meeting tomorrow in Queens! More photo opportunities! I've been up and down Long Island! One Elder that I had met, however, is going to be transferred to the British possession of Bermuda! He'll be there all Winter!
There are the cutest Squirrels everywhere...even in the suburbs. We have a family of Squirrels which inhabit the trees surrounding our shack. I've seen on a hundred occasions two squirrels together, however, a few days ago saw four on the grass in front of our home.
I met the Mercado family last night. They served us dinner. Their friend, whom they had brought, is named Jack the Pirate. The reason for this being that he wears an eye-patch. He lost his eye when he was shot at the age of eight. He's experienced a lot of hardship and it was a good experience talking with him. Their family, however, speaks English (unlike virtually of the families with which we've affiliated) and have the most typical New Yorker accents ever! I've never met a more 'Red Personality' family in my life! It's silly to listen to New Yorkers (the English-Speakers) converse. It's been a fantastic experience serving and learning.
Down the corner is a place that sells 5 Lobsters for $30! The restaurants and grocery stores here are also different. I have yet to encounter Wal-Mart, Chevron, Holiday, Smith's, you know, all the typical stores that you see daily in Utah. I have seen a Target though.
This week has been a little slow, unfortunately because my companion contracted a Fever. I let him borrow the thermoneter that you (mom) had bought for me! I'm well supplied by my loving mother :)! He had a fever of 102.5 degrees and was bed-ridden for three full days. Two nights ago, Elder Smith and I gave my companion a blessing. The next morning his fever had dropped to 98.9 degrees. We really must visit our investigators now! We pray and anticipate to baptize two of them by next month. The others are all awaiting papers so that they can be married.
My history question of the week:
Anyway, I appreciated your letters!! Thanks for sending me cookies. I haven't yet received them but I'm excited! Love you! I'll try my best. God be with you! I'll send a letter!
Love,
Steven
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Letter from PDay 11-15-10
Hey Family (& Friends),
Ummmm... how's everyone? I need to discover a way to send photos to everyone. Anyway, I forgot to mention Justo and Daisy. They are another family that we're teaching.
Only a few days ago, we met Erich (yes, that's how his name is spelled).
Hmmm...I forgot to describe the peculiar condition of our house: My house is the smallestm most ghetto house on Long Island. There are 8 missionaries serving the Brentwood and other coastline towns area. Four of the 8 missionaries consist of sister missionaries. Two of them are Spanish speaking (companionship), the other companionship is the two English-speaking sisters.
Of the four of us Elders, two of us are Spanish speaking (my companion and I) and two others are English speaking.
One Elder and One sister are Russian speaking (Sister Mamon is actually from Russia).
If you traveled to Queens, especially this area called Flushing) or Brooklyn, you would see more diversity and greater numbers of missionaries.
In our conference in Queens, on my second day, we met missionaries speaking Chinese, Korean, ASL, English, Spanish and Cantonese.
The four of us Brentwood elders live in the same house. It's more or less a shack. It's rooms are utterly small. The living room also has our bunk beds (all together), a couch and a table. There are two study rooms on the second floor.
The study room of our other companionship stands directly above the bunk beds of the living room. The ceiling is cracked down through the very center of the living room. The landlord assures us that it shouldn't collapse (we hope that he 's correct for our sakes). If it collapses, our beds will be directly under it.
The kitchen has a stove, refrigerator, sink and tiny under-the stairs pantry.
The bathroom door doesn't lock...and barely even closes. The water heater stands rather close to the toilet.
It's wonderful, however. There are gigantic trees near the house with squirrels in it. I took photos. I know that two squirrels inhabit the tree near our front door. Sometimes, they'll climb on to the shingles of our house during study time.
It's often really frightening to speak to people, however, it depends. My trainer is accustomed to accosting people and talking to them.
I finally had the enjoyment of eating New York pizza! The ocean isn't very far. I saw the boats docked in Babylon.
We drive our own car, as a companionship. That's nice because we can establish our own route and aren't dependant upon buses or subway (in Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island). We've been lost a lot, however, my trainer's only been in Brentwood and Bayshore for six weeks. He only has eight months remaining before the end of his mission.
Anyway, thanks for the support!
Love, Elder Roberts
Ummmm... how's everyone? I need to discover a way to send photos to everyone. Anyway, I forgot to mention Justo and Daisy. They are another family that we're teaching.
Only a few days ago, we met Erich (yes, that's how his name is spelled).
Hmmm...I forgot to describe the peculiar condition of our house: My house is the smallestm most ghetto house on Long Island. There are 8 missionaries serving the Brentwood and other coastline towns area. Four of the 8 missionaries consist of sister missionaries. Two of them are Spanish speaking (companionship), the other companionship is the two English-speaking sisters.
Of the four of us Elders, two of us are Spanish speaking (my companion and I) and two others are English speaking.
One Elder and One sister are Russian speaking (Sister Mamon is actually from Russia).
If you traveled to Queens, especially this area called Flushing) or Brooklyn, you would see more diversity and greater numbers of missionaries.
In our conference in Queens, on my second day, we met missionaries speaking Chinese, Korean, ASL, English, Spanish and Cantonese.
The four of us Brentwood elders live in the same house. It's more or less a shack. It's rooms are utterly small. The living room also has our bunk beds (all together), a couch and a table. There are two study rooms on the second floor.
The study room of our other companionship stands directly above the bunk beds of the living room. The ceiling is cracked down through the very center of the living room. The landlord assures us that it shouldn't collapse (we hope that he 's correct for our sakes). If it collapses, our beds will be directly under it.
The kitchen has a stove, refrigerator, sink and tiny under-the stairs pantry.
The bathroom door doesn't lock...and barely even closes. The water heater stands rather close to the toilet.
It's wonderful, however. There are gigantic trees near the house with squirrels in it. I took photos. I know that two squirrels inhabit the tree near our front door. Sometimes, they'll climb on to the shingles of our house during study time.
It's often really frightening to speak to people, however, it depends. My trainer is accustomed to accosting people and talking to them.
I finally had the enjoyment of eating New York pizza! The ocean isn't very far. I saw the boats docked in Babylon.
We drive our own car, as a companionship. That's nice because we can establish our own route and aren't dependant upon buses or subway (in Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island). We've been lost a lot, however, my trainer's only been in Brentwood and Bayshore for six weeks. He only has eight months remaining before the end of his mission.
Anyway, thanks for the support!
Love, Elder Roberts
Monday, November 15, 2010
PDay 11/17/2010 from New York
I saw Manhattan...from a distance...but it's sooooooo cooooool!!!!!!! Queens is a little frightening (and I had never truly seen bars on the windows of one of our churches before. There were buildings everywhere. The moment that we had stepped out of the airport building...I immediately saw cabs everywhere...I felt, at first, as if I had landed in Manhattan (however, I wasn't). Also, even in the airport, I felt that I had stepped into a movie whose setting would be in New York because of all the black policemen and white or Jewish businessmen. Crazy!!!!!!! Anyway, I met my trainer (or dad) in Queens. My residence is located in Bayshore (but the area covers Brentwood, Babylon, and other cities). The area that we are proselyting in is much more open than in the heart of New York City. It's really still small. It's an area that has a lot of forest in some parts. There are trees everywhere.
English-speaking people speak with a distinct New York accent that you usually don't hear except for in the movies.
The people are so incredibly humble....
Here's one example:
We were searching up a referral one night....we approached the front of a home in a scary neighborhood with lots of scary trees....we knocked on the door and almost immediately it opened and a black woman and her husband were leaving to go someplace. We asked if Nancy lived there. They said that we should check the basement door. We moved to the side of this little home. Again, we knocked and a Hispanic woman answered. She wasn't Nancy
either. She said that we could check the other door! How many families lived in this single small home?! They're so receptive in some cases, however. We actually have an appointment with the other woman though. We haven't had a lot of success YET, except with the families that we're already teaching.
Ortega Family: Javier is the head of the household. He's one of the founders of the American Martial Arts Association. He said that he can show us some moves.
He's reading in the Book of Mormon. He's from Panama.
Our other investigator is a fifteen-year-old boy named Erlin. His family doesn't want to listen to us, however, he accepts the lessons. His best friend left to serve a mission in Guatemala last week! He's really friendly and has a lot to learn. I can't understand his accent very well because a Dominican accent is really fast, choppy, and there are few s's pronounced. Elder Griener and I have enjoyed teaching him. He trusts us a lot.
Anyway, I love you! I'll tell you more later in a letter.
Love,
Elder Roberts. :)
English-speaking people speak with a distinct New York accent that you usually don't hear except for in the movies.
The people are so incredibly humble....
Here's one example:
We were searching up a referral one night....we approached the front of a home in a scary neighborhood with lots of scary trees....we knocked on the door and almost immediately it opened and a black woman and her husband were leaving to go someplace. We asked if Nancy lived there. They said that we should check the basement door. We moved to the side of this little home. Again, we knocked and a Hispanic woman answered. She wasn't Nancy
either. She said that we could check the other door! How many families lived in this single small home?! They're so receptive in some cases, however. We actually have an appointment with the other woman though. We haven't had a lot of success YET, except with the families that we're already teaching.
Ortega Family: Javier is the head of the household. He's one of the founders of the American Martial Arts Association. He said that he can show us some moves.
He's reading in the Book of Mormon. He's from Panama.
Our other investigator is a fifteen-year-old boy named Erlin. His family doesn't want to listen to us, however, he accepts the lessons. His best friend left to serve a mission in Guatemala last week! He's really friendly and has a lot to learn. I can't understand his accent very well because a Dominican accent is really fast, choppy, and there are few s's pronounced. Elder Griener and I have enjoyed teaching him. He trusts us a lot.
Anyway, I love you! I'll tell you more later in a letter.
Love,
Elder Roberts. :)
Friday, November 12, 2010
Letter from New York dated 11-8-10
Dear Family (& Friends),
I'm writing to notify you that I've arrived safely to the mission home in New York City. It's really different.
The airplane experience was splendid. An Elder and I sat next to a woman perhaps in her mid-twenties. She had a nose ring and tattoos. Many people on the airplane (and of course, in SLC International) could identify us as missionaries, however, this woman didn't know. Fortunately, she knew about Mormons. We explained and talked a lot about families.
Finally, the Elder next to me asked if we could talk and bare our testimonies with her for only a few minutes. She had no problem with it. We therefore bore our testimonies that she (Erin was her name) is a daughter of God. She didn't believe, however, we shared the scripture: Acts 17:29. We explained that God isn't man's imagination and that we're his children (or offspring). She wasn't quite as comfortable as before...but I could tell that she was thinking. We explained that we're ordinary people (19 year olds).
Different world at the airport. It's like the movies! The air is bad until you drive out further on Long Island... Lots of trees and bridges.
Back in Queens, it was rather full of Concrete. There were lots of buildings and cabs.
I'm probably only 1/2 a mile from the ocean. I'm going to eat dinner soon. It's already dark and freezing outside. I've been informed that it'll be warm tomorrow.
Love,
Elder Roberts
I'm writing to notify you that I've arrived safely to the mission home in New York City. It's really different.
The airplane experience was splendid. An Elder and I sat next to a woman perhaps in her mid-twenties. She had a nose ring and tattoos. Many people on the airplane (and of course, in SLC International) could identify us as missionaries, however, this woman didn't know. Fortunately, she knew about Mormons. We explained and talked a lot about families.
Finally, the Elder next to me asked if we could talk and bare our testimonies with her for only a few minutes. She had no problem with it. We therefore bore our testimonies that she (Erin was her name) is a daughter of God. She didn't believe, however, we shared the scripture: Acts 17:29. We explained that God isn't man's imagination and that we're his children (or offspring). She wasn't quite as comfortable as before...but I could tell that she was thinking. We explained that we're ordinary people (19 year olds).
Different world at the airport. It's like the movies! The air is bad until you drive out further on Long Island... Lots of trees and bridges.
Back in Queens, it was rather full of Concrete. There were lots of buildings and cabs.
I'm probably only 1/2 a mile from the ocean. I'm going to eat dinner soon. It's already dark and freezing outside. I've been informed that it'll be warm tomorrow.
Love,
Elder Roberts
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
News of Steven's arrival in New York
It's not much news! Steven called my cell phone from the airport yesterday at 7:30 am. I don't know why he didn't call the home. He assured me when we e-mailed Tuesday that he hadn't forgotten our home number and I asked him to call the home first. Even told him to call collect if needed. Aaargh.
However, I did call the Mission Home and received a call back this morning. Sister Baum was very kind. She said she had just shaken his hand and he had a big smile on his face. She also mentioned that President had picked him up with the group at the airport and he felt that this was one of his best new groups of missionaries.
The Spanish Speaking missionaries are part of the biggest language group they have there.
PDay is now on Mondays. Sis. Baum said she had just stamped his letter and it would be heading to us as soon as the mailman arrived.
However, I did call the Mission Home and received a call back this morning. Sister Baum was very kind. She said she had just shaken his hand and he had a big smile on his face. She also mentioned that President had picked him up with the group at the airport and he felt that this was one of his best new groups of missionaries.
The Spanish Speaking missionaries are part of the biggest language group they have there.
PDay is now on Mondays. Sis. Baum said she had just stamped his letter and it would be heading to us as soon as the mailman arrived.
Friday, November 5, 2010
Letter from PDay 11/02/2010 - Last PDay at MTC
Dear Family,
Como estan ustedes? The last Friday letter written from the MTC! Can you believe it? It's incredible!
How did you do for Halloween? I appreciated receiving letters back. Hmmm man! THere are so many people here now that I'll miss.
My companion departs for Antefeguatha, Chile this Thursday. With that, I"ll need to pack so that I can move in with another Elder in my district.
It's really strange because I'll think of writing a word...and I'll almost write a spanish word instead.
There's a lot on my agenda for this week. I wish that I had more to write.
Thanks for the Halloween candy. I haven't eaten it yet except for the Reeses. I dropped a pound more this week. I want to be really healthy upon my return.
Oh! I almost forgot! Take good care of the map of railroads and telegraph lines of the war area of the 'Great War.' It's almost a century old and I don't want it to suffer extremes in temperature or folding or rolling it up. Could yu find a frame for it or store it on a flat surface where it wouldn't experience extremes in temperature such as the garage or shed? Apart from that, I hope that everything will stay together so that nothing's lost.
Perhaps you could place the map in the craft room. Don't disperse any of my possessions, please. Thanks for everything.
Sorry about all of my demands but I don't want anything lost. ;D Perhaps you could keep my Art History book at the to p of the box. In some time, I might want to have some art descriptions googled sent in the book's order.I dunno. Don't worry too much about it.
I love you all! Thanks for your support!
How are Alexis, Kylee and McKenzi doing? The kitties? the turtle? The chickens?
If I don't have sufficient time I won't be able to write a letter to Grandma & Grandpa Mills. I was hoping to have it sent with this to save money towards postage. Anyway, enjoy the week!
Love,
Elder Steven Roberts
Como estan ustedes? The last Friday letter written from the MTC! Can you believe it? It's incredible!
How did you do for Halloween? I appreciated receiving letters back. Hmmm man! THere are so many people here now that I'll miss.
My companion departs for Antefeguatha, Chile this Thursday. With that, I"ll need to pack so that I can move in with another Elder in my district.
It's really strange because I'll think of writing a word...and I'll almost write a spanish word instead.
There's a lot on my agenda for this week. I wish that I had more to write.
Thanks for the Halloween candy. I haven't eaten it yet except for the Reeses. I dropped a pound more this week. I want to be really healthy upon my return.
Oh! I almost forgot! Take good care of the map of railroads and telegraph lines of the war area of the 'Great War.' It's almost a century old and I don't want it to suffer extremes in temperature or folding or rolling it up. Could yu find a frame for it or store it on a flat surface where it wouldn't experience extremes in temperature such as the garage or shed? Apart from that, I hope that everything will stay together so that nothing's lost.
Perhaps you could place the map in the craft room. Don't disperse any of my possessions, please. Thanks for everything.
Sorry about all of my demands but I don't want anything lost. ;D Perhaps you could keep my Art History book at the to p of the box. In some time, I might want to have some art descriptions googled sent in the book's order.I dunno. Don't worry too much about it.
I love you all! Thanks for your support!
How are Alexis, Kylee and McKenzi doing? The kitties? the turtle? The chickens?
If I don't have sufficient time I won't be able to write a letter to Grandma & Grandpa Mills. I was hoping to have it sent with this to save money towards postage. Anyway, enjoy the week!
Love,
Elder Steven Roberts
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