Dear Friends & Family,
Yes, we were snow-bound on both Sunday and Monday. We attended church at 9:00 last Sunday, however, it dissmissed early in the middle because it was snowing really hard. The English ward cancelled. We started to resume our missionary work until the Bishop (whose family had a scheduled dinner appointment with us later in the evening anyway) invited us to eat early. He advised that we go home afterwards and wait. We were forwarded a text from up top that we were to return home. Virtually all of Sunday and all of Preparation Day was spent indoors (except for Monday-at which time we were permitted to commence, with careful driving, proselyting at 6:00). We did a lot of snow shoveling. We even got stuck in snow two nights ago (and couldn't get out until we were helped by two others). Quite humorous, I've taken photos of a lot of snow....I captured a photo with the cell phone (because I didn't have my camera at the time) of a van completely surrounded by snow on all sides. Yesterday, in the morning, we performed service by shoveling homes.
The President notified us that we could use our e-mailing time the following day, however, we didn't have sufficient time so we instead are e-mailing today. The roads are still quite bad, fortunately, the inclement weather has ceased (yes, I indeed like that previous sentence). We're fine too.
Monday, we either were shoveling out neighbors, making cell-phone calls (because we were banished from the cars-only reach places within walking distance), playing a long Monopoly game, or writing letters. I sent a letter the following day. It should therefore arrive before the weekend.
Yesterday was nuts when we were waiting in traffic at a Railroad Crossing in which had the pole down and the lights flashing for a long time awaiting the allegedly oncoming train. It didn't come. Cars and even pedestrians started to cross the barrier and the tracks anyway (this particular train travels at high speeds and MUCH more often than our trains near my home in Utah). I've even witnessed on many occassions this particular train speed by. It's therefore even more insane that these crazy New Yorkers insist instead of waiting in the traffic to cross. Some cars wouldn't and we had to turn around, however, everywhere we drove (because this is a major road) there were endless lines of bumper-to-bumper traffic. Yet an immense number of cars insisted that wherever they need to go was worth a little life-risk.
Anyway, I hope that you enjoyed your Merry Christmas and that you'll enjoy the New Year!!
Oh, also, there's a Long Island guidebook in our pad (house) which contains tourist destinations. Apparently, in the very same city we live in (Bayshore), is this old mansion which the British had used as a Headquarters and base of operations for the troops in the Colonies during the Revolutionary War. General Clinton lived there; and Long Island as well as New York remained occupied by the British Army until they withdrew at the end of the war. I don't recall the name of the Manor but I should send you the name sometime.
Appreciate the love that you've shared for me.
Love,
Elder Steven Roberts
A Picture is worth a thousand words
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Monday, December 20, 2010
Letter from 12-13-10
Dear Family & Friends,
Hey - How is everything going? I'm wearing my sweater vest at this very moment! (We had sent Steven's Christmas present - boots, vest and socks - looks like he opened them early! Which we told him he could if he needed the items before Christmas) Anyway, it's started snowing and the temperature has dropped significantly.
After my e-mail earlier this day, we did in deed go caroling and gave out some pass-along cards. ;D
Here is what I consider to be my first miracle!
We, for the first time, had decided to knock on doors as the four of us. We did compansionship changes and knocked on doors on opposite ends of the streets. We eventually drove to another street. No success. I was knocking with Elder Smith (who didn't speak Spanish - only Russian and English) and kind of hoping that we wouldn't encounter any Spanish speakers because I wanted the support of my fluid-speaking trainer. (So far, we encountered no Spanish speakers - only English).
Anyway, one door (our last) opened and stood a woman, her son had a back pack and he was standing next to his mother. She spoke only Spanish! Fortunately, my trainer and Elder Casperson approached the house just then. She introduced herself as Jasmine and invited us in while she waited for her son to board the school bus.
She returned to the four of us Elders in her living room. I'll explain more later, but in short: She asked the most inspired questions ever! They corresponded to the points in the first lesson. She explained that she hadn't baptized any of her three sons when they were babies because she thought that she should choose and that she didn't think that they needed baptism. We were surprised, shared Moroni (chapter 8) with her and continued...all points were covered in first lesson.
She understood Everything!
She has cancer and had prayed to God that very morning...she said that God answered her prayer! She knew that we had been sent by God to visit her.
She mentioned that the churches that she had visited had told her that her son that had died one day after birth would go to Hell. We told her that he's with God. She knows that all we had said was true. The Spirit was so strong!
She also mentioned that God hadn't stopped performing miracles because he's a God of miracles!
She accepted a Priesthood blessing. She has sooo much faith! We're going to return soon. My trainer and I were completely astounded and overjoyed subsequent to the lesson! It's difficult to explain everything on pen and paper...anyway...I've seen a miracle.
Love,
Elder Steven Roberts
P.S. I learned that God really has prepared some to receive the Gospel and that he actually answers prayers!
Hey - How is everything going? I'm wearing my sweater vest at this very moment! (We had sent Steven's Christmas present - boots, vest and socks - looks like he opened them early! Which we told him he could if he needed the items before Christmas) Anyway, it's started snowing and the temperature has dropped significantly.
After my e-mail earlier this day, we did in deed go caroling and gave out some pass-along cards. ;D
Here is what I consider to be my first miracle!
We, for the first time, had decided to knock on doors as the four of us. We did compansionship changes and knocked on doors on opposite ends of the streets. We eventually drove to another street. No success. I was knocking with Elder Smith (who didn't speak Spanish - only Russian and English) and kind of hoping that we wouldn't encounter any Spanish speakers because I wanted the support of my fluid-speaking trainer. (So far, we encountered no Spanish speakers - only English).
Anyway, one door (our last) opened and stood a woman, her son had a back pack and he was standing next to his mother. She spoke only Spanish! Fortunately, my trainer and Elder Casperson approached the house just then. She introduced herself as Jasmine and invited us in while she waited for her son to board the school bus.
She returned to the four of us Elders in her living room. I'll explain more later, but in short: She asked the most inspired questions ever! They corresponded to the points in the first lesson. She explained that she hadn't baptized any of her three sons when they were babies because she thought that she should choose and that she didn't think that they needed baptism. We were surprised, shared Moroni (chapter 8) with her and continued...all points were covered in first lesson.
She understood Everything!
She has cancer and had prayed to God that very morning...she said that God answered her prayer! She knew that we had been sent by God to visit her.
She mentioned that the churches that she had visited had told her that her son that had died one day after birth would go to Hell. We told her that he's with God. She knows that all we had said was true. The Spirit was so strong!
She also mentioned that God hadn't stopped performing miracles because he's a God of miracles!
She accepted a Priesthood blessing. She has sooo much faith! We're going to return soon. My trainer and I were completely astounded and overjoyed subsequent to the lesson! It's difficult to explain everything on pen and paper...anyway...I've seen a miracle.
Love,
Elder Steven Roberts
P.S. I learned that God really has prepared some to receive the Gospel and that he actually answers prayers!
Monday, December 13, 2010
PDay December 13, 2010
Dear Family & Friends:
It's been an eventful past week last week. Sad and happy. Javier, one of our investigators dropped us and it's been a little difficult. He thanked us for conversing with them about the word of God but felt that he was going to continue in the religion of his forefathers. Elder Griener and I performed service for our investigator, Eloy, and he took us out for some food. He's told the owner (a friend of his) of the 'supermercado' that whenever we come to purchase anything from them to place it on his account. Very generous of him! Afterwards, we were talking and then told him that we had to go to the chapel because we play basketball (yes, but I'm not very good) on Fridays. He had never heard of a basketball court (in spite of the fact that he had visited the church building before for church) in the church. He's really enthusiastic! He brought his nephew (who's not a member either) with us to play Basketball and decided that he would come every Friday (now we only need him to be more excited about attending church on Sundays)! His nephew agreed that we could teach him about who we are. Justo is excited to be baptized, however, can't yet until he and his Woman, Daisy, are married. Daisy isn't as enthusiastic as her boyfriend....but they're both the closest investigators that we have to entering that baptismal font. It's rained a lot! Only rain. The snow hasn't stayed on the ground. We're hoping for a White Christmas.
Thanks for the boots and the vest! It's wonderful! I appreciate it a lot! If I desired anything for Christmas, you know that it would be primarily books. However, I doubt that it's going to happen this year *sad face*. But, if there's still a little permittance, how about some cologne?
We didn't have sufficient time last P-day to spend on Fire Island (south of Bayshore-it's literally a very long island), but we're leaving today after lunch with the sisters. My Mission Mother, Sister Ball, dies tomorrow! I'm kind of sad. She's such an awesome missionary! She and her companion, Sister McEwen visited the Manhattan temple a few days ago for the final temple trip. This will be our final day with her. She's coming to the Fire Island Lighthouse with us.
Did I ever mention that sometimes, at first glance, we look like the 'Feds'. The church here is rather small, but it's growing! There are 173 missionaries in Long Island, 2 missionaries in Bermuda (soon, Elder Myers, will be transferred there-they informed him ahead of time), and I don't know how many are serving in Staten Island (but, one of the four missionaries who I live with, served there and enjoyed it-after all, it is one of the five New York City boroughs; three of the five our on our mission:Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island). Anyway, both the townships of Islip and Babylon (our town of Bayshore is located within the township of Islip) were founded a few decades apart in the 1600's.
Also, did you know that New York, New York South Mission receives more media referrals from non-members than any other mission in the world? It's our duty to find them and invite them to come to the Gospel (of course, we knock doors and talk to people, however, not as much as you would in the city). Okey dokey.
Until next time...
Elder Roberts
It's been an eventful past week last week. Sad and happy. Javier, one of our investigators dropped us and it's been a little difficult. He thanked us for conversing with them about the word of God but felt that he was going to continue in the religion of his forefathers. Elder Griener and I performed service for our investigator, Eloy, and he took us out for some food. He's told the owner (a friend of his) of the 'supermercado' that whenever we come to purchase anything from them to place it on his account. Very generous of him! Afterwards, we were talking and then told him that we had to go to the chapel because we play basketball (yes, but I'm not very good) on Fridays. He had never heard of a basketball court (in spite of the fact that he had visited the church building before for church) in the church. He's really enthusiastic! He brought his nephew (who's not a member either) with us to play Basketball and decided that he would come every Friday (now we only need him to be more excited about attending church on Sundays)! His nephew agreed that we could teach him about who we are. Justo is excited to be baptized, however, can't yet until he and his Woman, Daisy, are married. Daisy isn't as enthusiastic as her boyfriend....but they're both the closest investigators that we have to entering that baptismal font. It's rained a lot! Only rain. The snow hasn't stayed on the ground. We're hoping for a White Christmas.
Thanks for the boots and the vest! It's wonderful! I appreciate it a lot! If I desired anything for Christmas, you know that it would be primarily books. However, I doubt that it's going to happen this year *sad face*. But, if there's still a little permittance, how about some cologne?
We didn't have sufficient time last P-day to spend on Fire Island (south of Bayshore-it's literally a very long island), but we're leaving today after lunch with the sisters. My Mission Mother, Sister Ball, dies tomorrow! I'm kind of sad. She's such an awesome missionary! She and her companion, Sister McEwen visited the Manhattan temple a few days ago for the final temple trip. This will be our final day with her. She's coming to the Fire Island Lighthouse with us.
Did I ever mention that sometimes, at first glance, we look like the 'Feds'. The church here is rather small, but it's growing! There are 173 missionaries in Long Island, 2 missionaries in Bermuda (soon, Elder Myers, will be transferred there-they informed him ahead of time), and I don't know how many are serving in Staten Island (but, one of the four missionaries who I live with, served there and enjoyed it-after all, it is one of the five New York City boroughs; three of the five our on our mission:Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island). Anyway, both the townships of Islip and Babylon (our town of Bayshore is located within the township of Islip) were founded a few decades apart in the 1600's.
Also, did you know that New York, New York South Mission receives more media referrals from non-members than any other mission in the world? It's our duty to find them and invite them to come to the Gospel (of course, we knock doors and talk to people, however, not as much as you would in the city). Okey dokey.
Until next time...
Elder Roberts
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Letter from PDay 1-29-10
Dear Family & Friends,
How are you doing? I truly hope that this letter arrives on Friday for you. (It did!)
Anyway, I suppose that I'll tell you about our service project that we performed on Saturday. The English Elders (the two that we live with, you know :D) invited us to assist them in performing service. We met this older (70's) man living alone names Raymond. He embraced each of us when we arrived. We raked all of the leaves in his backyard (that was big!) and, afterwards, he wanted to take us to eat lunch.
He told us that he had never known anyone to have done anything so kind for free! We enjoyed talking with him...he's so funny and n ice. He has a son who's moved to California. He's house is also sooo close to the ocean that when we were raking leaves, we kept raking up sand!
Anyhow, I've enjoyed talking and meeting the new people we've teaching.
Elisabeth is a woman from El Salvador. We knocked her door by accident. We talked to her and set an appointment. When we arrived, we couldn't teach her because no man was home. We finally spoke to her for the first time since then. We taught her the first lesson. She's curious, especially because she had never before even heard of us (many don't).
The members are super supportive! Every night, except for P-Days, we're fed by members! They share everything with us.
For example, when a member was writing a number for me, on a sticky note, he then gave me the whole stack of sticky notes and insisted that I keep them.
However, we have to equally be p repared to share with them. It's completely diffferent with traditional New Yorkers.
Anyway, despite the fact that I'm not serving in the city, I'm really enjoying the people and church in Bayshore, New York.
Soon, we'll be going back to work at 6:00.
Next week, for P-Day, I really want to visit either Walt Whitman's birthplace (in my area)! Either that or the Fire Island Lighthouse.
My focus, is on the Lord's work. I've lived all my life with the comfort of the Gospel to answer life's most important questions; it's my duty to share it with the world!
I love you all!
Love, Elder Roberts
How are you doing? I truly hope that this letter arrives on Friday for you. (It did!)
Anyway, I suppose that I'll tell you about our service project that we performed on Saturday. The English Elders (the two that we live with, you know :D) invited us to assist them in performing service. We met this older (70's) man living alone names Raymond. He embraced each of us when we arrived. We raked all of the leaves in his backyard (that was big!) and, afterwards, he wanted to take us to eat lunch.
He told us that he had never known anyone to have done anything so kind for free! We enjoyed talking with him...he's so funny and n ice. He has a son who's moved to California. He's house is also sooo close to the ocean that when we were raking leaves, we kept raking up sand!
Anyhow, I've enjoyed talking and meeting the new people we've teaching.
Elisabeth is a woman from El Salvador. We knocked her door by accident. We talked to her and set an appointment. When we arrived, we couldn't teach her because no man was home. We finally spoke to her for the first time since then. We taught her the first lesson. She's curious, especially because she had never before even heard of us (many don't).
The members are super supportive! Every night, except for P-Days, we're fed by members! They share everything with us.
For example, when a member was writing a number for me, on a sticky note, he then gave me the whole stack of sticky notes and insisted that I keep them.
However, we have to equally be p repared to share with them. It's completely diffferent with traditional New Yorkers.
Anyway, despite the fact that I'm not serving in the city, I'm really enjoying the people and church in Bayshore, New York.
Soon, we'll be going back to work at 6:00.
Next week, for P-Day, I really want to visit either Walt Whitman's birthplace (in my area)! Either that or the Fire Island Lighthouse.
My focus, is on the Lord's work. I've lived all my life with the comfort of the Gospel to answer life's most important questions; it's my duty to share it with the world!
I love you all!
Love, Elder Roberts
PDay Letter Written 11/21/2010
It turns out that the mailman only delivers where Steven is - he doesn't pick up mail. It took Steven a week to get to the mailbox so we received both letters from 11-21-2010 and 11-29-2010 on Friday, December 3rd. Sounds like he is doing great!
"Dear Family & Friends,
How are you all doing? How's school? Work? What's the recent news or happenings?
I'm anticipating going to New York City tomorrow! It's been almost exactly two weeks from tomorrow since I was.
Earlier was exhausting for me because we had woken up so early this morning. Hopefully, next month I'll budget somewhat more carefully because I have $5 for the remainder of the month. Fortunately, I won't starve because the members here are extremely generous.
I've noticed that New Yorkers are very impersonal, but when you 'thank' them, they never fail to respond nicely.
Hmmm...Well, I don't exactly know what I desire for Christmas but I'll think about it and respond next week. Hmmm...I don't know. Thanks...what's contained in the small gift?"
Because this week's e-mail was considerably long, I don't know whether I had finished answering all the questions that you had.
I hope I had resolved all that you had questions on.
How do you want me to send you photos?
Love you!
Elder Steven Roberts
"Dear Family & Friends,
How are you all doing? How's school? Work? What's the recent news or happenings?
I'm anticipating going to New York City tomorrow! It's been almost exactly two weeks from tomorrow since I was.
Earlier was exhausting for me because we had woken up so early this morning. Hopefully, next month I'll budget somewhat more carefully because I have $5 for the remainder of the month. Fortunately, I won't starve because the members here are extremely generous.
I've noticed that New Yorkers are very impersonal, but when you 'thank' them, they never fail to respond nicely.
Hmmm...Well, I don't exactly know what I desire for Christmas but I'll think about it and respond next week. Hmmm...I don't know. Thanks...what's contained in the small gift?"
Because this week's e-mail was considerably long, I don't know whether I had finished answering all the questions that you had.
I hope I had resolved all that you had questions on.
How do you want me to send you photos?
Love you!
Elder Steven Roberts
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