Pday 12-19-2011

Dear Friends and Family:

 

Everything's well. The weather outside is utterly frigid, however, we haven't received any snow yet.

Anyhow, this is the last Christmas Holiday in the Mission!

We arrived last Monday in East New York where some of the missionaries there reside for the "pig roast" that we would have. We almost changed our minds because we heard that the area was blocked off by police, fortunately, there were no issues and we entered the street fine after we passed them. We brought the salad for it, however, the pig hadn't even arrived yet! I was concerned about the fire we would do! There were no issues, however, we left early because nothing was prepared.

Not much has really transpired this week except the cold and another street sweep.

 

We attended and (as a Zone) sang for the District Mission Party. Along with us we brought a non-member and a member who had moved into the area and happened to encounter us on the street. His name is Johnny. He moved three months ago to New York City from Charlotte, North Carolina. He was baptized there! He had no idea that the church was so near him....a 10 minute walk from his apartment. He attended an activity in the Branch on Wednesday, came with us to the party at the Church building on 185 Marcy Avenue, and finally met the entire Branch on Sunday!

 

There were a lot of members from both Spanish and English Branches at the party. Afterwards everybody started dancing. We all left at 8:30. We were delayed on the Subway because of the usual Saturday 'maintenance and repairs' halfway home.

I took several photos from the party and the musical numbers.

 

Love,

Elder Roberts.

PDay Dec 5, 2011

Dear Friends and Family:

Uumm....I'll need to create Christmas Cards today perhaps! I need to go to Rite Aid and do that. There's much to do. Some buildings here have decorated themselves and Christmas is in the air. I've spoken to people and we have obtained some few numbers and addresses.

There are many Hispanic families, however, on the Queens side of Ridgewood, there are also many Arabs and Eastern European families.

Ridgewood, NYC is located in Northern Brooklyn/Queens...not very far from Manhattan. Manhattan's easily visible and the area consists of a lot of apartment buildings everywhere! There are two many Subway lines which intersect through Ridgewood: the L Train and the M-Train...

The stops on the M-Train alone include the Central Avenue stop on the M-Train (Brooklyn)to Knickerbocker Avenue (Brooklyn) , Myrtle-Wykof Avenue (Brooklyn), Seneca Avenue (Queens), Forest Avenue (Queens), and Fresh Pond Road(Queens).

The L-Train runs accross and intersects at Myrtle-Wykof with the M-Train.

All stops on the L-Train are located in Brooklyn:

Jefferson St., Dekalb Ave., Myrtle-Wykof, Halsey St., Wilson Ave, etc...

The Brooklyn side of our Area and District here is really trashy and has a lot of crime; if you would see Wilson Avenue, for example, you would inevitably consider it the Ghetto (although Brooklyn's not completely [Park Slope's a rich area of Brooklyn] like this-it's filthy and crime infested in the North of it). Queens is much more secure and safer.

There are, residing within the Branch's boundaries, a considerable number of members within a small geographic area for a Branch here in New York. The vast majority of members are from originally Ecuador and Honduras. There are Dominicans and Puerto Ricans in Ridgewood, however, the ratio isn't quite that high within the Church here.

All of the members have acquaintances and friends who do not belong to the Church. Many opportunities to speak to people also-on the buses, Subways, and on the Street.

We've recently encountered success in Ridgewood. The Branch is expanding and they've also resumed Visiting and Home teaching because it had desisted for many months with the changes in leadership.

We have many meetings in the Chapel in Williamsburg within Bushwick's area at 185 Marcy Avenue, Brooklyn.

Anyway, thanks for everything.  Love you!

Love,

Elder Steven Roberts. 

PDay 10-10-11

Dear Family and Friends

,

How are you doing? I'm here. Last Wednesday was excellent and the Temple Trip was exhilirating. I really enjoyed the experience. We walked through Central Park en route to the Temple and on the way back. President Nelson, afterwards, bought hot dogs for us next to the Temple.

This is an interesting experience: Early in the Morning, at 4:00 am, on Sunday...we all awoke (the four of us in our bunk beds) to a very loud bang/exploding sound. Frightened the heck out of all of us. I peeked carefully out the window to view a burning telephone pole directly outside the apartment near our window. "There's a fire!" I exclaimed. The fire started changing colors, flashing, and growing stronger. Elder Hall called 911 and the FDNY arrived. The Firemen sprayed the electrical fire with water, but to limited effect until finally, the had smothered it. During all of this, we pulled our mattresses into the middle room away from the fire. The power failed and we, eventually went back to sleep. We smelled a lot of smoke....I figured that our smoke-detector alarm would sound...however, it didn't. Firemen started to enter our building and they banged on the door. We grabbed our wallets and shoes and evacuated. We didn't return until 6:30 am! Wow! Eventful, eh? They were particularly worried that the cars parked parallel would endanger the block. Fortunately, everything was returned to normal...even the power after church!

Half-Way Mark PDay 10-3-2011

Dear Friends  and Family,

Hello! Good morning! We cleaned our laundry and now we're here in the process of communicating with our families. I really enjoyed General Conference a lot. My favorite session had to have been the Sunday Morning Session of Conference. The chapel here in Ridgewood had Conference transmitted, however, only could display it in Spanish so, as a result, my companion and I went to the other Chapel in Marcy Ave. in Williamsburg to view it in English. The last session, we remained in Ridgewood and watched it in Spanish (mostly because we missed the Subway and didn't want to be late for Conference). I enjoyed Elder Callister's talk on the Book of Mormon a lot. I also really like the talk delivered by Robert D. Hales. It astonished me how old he is now. Lilia attended every session of General Conference yet, she still believes that (although she believes the Book of Mormon to be true) it doesn't matter which church is true....that Salvation is personal. We have another appointment with her later this week on Friday.

Wanda, a less-active member, attended one of the sessions. It was bewildering. This is the first Sunday that I've witnessed her attend Church in all my time that I've served in Ridgewood. We've visited her. Our four month goal is approaching its conclusion at the end of this month. The Mission has met record breaking baptisms and more success has been attained ever since the Mission reduced the time and started to really calculate which factors effected the baptismal statistics (such as for example, teaching with a member present, increased 'fearlessing', etc..).

Here in Ridgewood, we're still striving for success. 

Oh, I completely neglected to mention that my "half-way" temple trip to the Manhattan Temple is scheduled for this Wednesday. I'm excited!

My mission is amazing and I've learned so many truths. I've already received a witness that this work is true and I'm trying my best to ALWAYS obey the Lord. I've also tried to never be idle, to always be FAST, FAST, FAST...because that's precisely what New York City's about, is it not? 

My companion has been learning....he's frustrated with his Spanish. I've attempted to help him. He's doing better...I make him answer and call using the cell phone EVERY other day with the exception of planning days-Thursdays-many calls on that day. He agreed to the idea....however, he's starting to regret it (we started this three weeks ago-at first...he only answered twice a week). He's been frustrated, however, gratuitous. He's an excellent missionary. I anticipate this following transfer also with him. :) I love you! Enjoy your week...

Until next week!

Love,

your son, brother, and friend,

Elder Steven Roberts.

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PDay 9/20/2011

How's your week?. Apologies, we didn't have any time yesterday to e-mail. We intended to wake up, do laundry early and clean up a little, then visit the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island and subsequently e-mailing. We visited the monuments and it was a fabulous experience, however, on the way home we discovered that many of the trains had been shut down because of a water break. It took forever! We arrived late and had to go straight to visiting our appointments. We walked so much yesterday that we had no disturbance to our sleep last night! I couldn't think! Anyway, the Statue of Liberty was incredible! You'll love the photos that my 'son' and I took! I still have to send the other ones. Yeah, it'll be incredible to see the finished Freedom Towers. I can't wait.


Last week was very interminable because our investigator, Madelyn, blocked us on her cell phone and won't answer her bell. We're grieved but we tried our best. The thing that we don't regret is that she knew exactly what we wanted. We didn't simply want her to meet and talk with us. She needed to know if what we had been teaching her was true or not. Oh, well. Perhaps in the future she'll remind herself of the feelings that she felt. We're lacking investigators and it's hard to maintain days that are full of appointments. We simply need to maintain diligence and always work!

There's a family in the Branch that recently was sealed in the Temple in Manhattan. The Mother of Hermano Zurita isn't a member and we're going to focus on them and invite Elva to be baptized. Anyhow, there's not much to explain unfortunately.
 
Elder Roberts

PDay Aug 22, 2011

Dear Friends and Family,
We're teaching 3 separate investigators. Apart from that, we're visiting many less-actives and focusing on '+10's', or 'fearlessing' at least 10 people per day! Fearlessing in the streets, the train, and the bus!
One of our investigators is the girl named Monica who's 17 years old, from Ecuador, and has attended English Class. She didn't attend church yesterday, however, and we passed by to visit her afterwards, however, she didn't answer the bell. I hope that she was at work.

Another is named Linoska. She's from the Dominican Republic. She's 21, has an infant boy living with her mother in the Dominican Republic, and she's very distraught. She also had an accident and has been in a neck brace. My companion encountered her in a street sweep that we had on Knickerbocker Avenue. She didn't appear interested and kept walking. Well, we were walking one evening down a street later in the evening when it was dark. As we were walking my companion noticed her and noticed the neck brace that she was wearing and approached her. She was sitting on the steps in front of the apartment building. She welcomed us and we've taught her. She promised us that she'd come to church next week. We managed to contact a Dominican woman in the Branch who has a car to drive her to the Chapel a distance away on 63-32 Forest Avenue in RIdgewood.

The other investigator that we're teaching is also a young woman! She's 22 years old, from Honduras, and has 4 children! She's very kind and we managed to teach her and commit her to read, pray, and attend church. She didn't attend church yesterday, however. We need to figure out if everything's all right! We couldn't obtain baptismal dates (particularly from Linoska) this past week, however, we are going to try to fix a goal of Sept. 11 as a baptismal date.

We've taught Linoska now 3 times-twice with members! Monica was also fellowshipped by hermana Viviana.

The area's growing, however, I'm a little eager to obtain some baptismal dates. The greatest evident concern for this area and any 'City Area' is that nobody ever has any time and EVERYONE works on Sundays. Many of the active members work on Sunday subsequent to church, for example.

We visited and met a less-active family who literally live in a single room. The have one son and one child-on-the way. We had to sit in their little room with no free space! They had two beds parallel to each other and that was it!
The area is generally safe. There are some neighborhoods, however, where it's not!

The weather has been very peculiar. It's been colder and there have been constant thunderstorms and strong winds with heavy rain. We were soaked last night, for example, and my planner got wet. :( It's okay, however, it's in the worst shape ever! 

Pictures Received 8-5-2011

July 24, 2011

Dear Friends and Family,



If you really want a good view of what I walk through daily: Take the Google Maps Street View to 8th Avenue (next to us....9th) and 58th Street. Actually.....if you want to experience a walk from the Church building to our building or appointments (because the Church building is located outside of our area...we barely live in our Area....our area is farther North) type in 828 60th St. Brooklyn....that's the church. Start there but turn west towards 8th Avenue (not 9th-doesn't have bus and not very many people or shops-mostly residences) and start walking North (turn right traveling to 8th Ave from Church) from 60th Street up! Do that by clicking on the arrows. Notice all the Chinese people! That's your homework! :) You don't have to go all the way to my apartment, only to 55th Street (5 streets). Please do it and you'll be astonished! Every neighborhood is different. Farther closer to where we live (at the very farthest South of our area) there are a LOT of Jews! Everywhere! If you turn towards 10th Ave, there are only JEWS. They don't talk very much with us. It's their loss! If you go towards 5th Ave, there are only Hispanic people! If you turn farther North towards Park Slope, only white people; Red Hook-Hispanic and Black-PROJECTS (that's why it's dangerous-a lot of drugs, crime, people live on the Government's welfare in the Projects)...also, it's worth it to drop Street view within Red Hook and explore. Then you can see precisely what I've seen.

The Church building in Dyker Heights isn't as cool as some of the others in Brooklyn (like Bensonhurst with a second floor also or Bushwick...that reminds me of a hospital because of it's narrow corridors and tile floor). Dyker Heights Chapel is as typical a Church Building as one you could find in Brooklyn....but it's mine.

Also, any of those stores would be nice....however, something's happened that devastated me! They're transferring me! I didn't think that they would because Elder Figgat's concluding his mission here...but they're going to give him another 'dying' companion and temporarily close down this area when they leave (they're leaving in the middle of the transfer).

We didn't want to worry you but a young Jewish boy named Leiby Kletzy was kidnapped. We heard about it the next morning when NYPD asked us to keep an eye out for him and gave us some fliers (they knew that we walked around much). Last seen at 10th Ave and 47th (around literally the corner from our Apartment).We continued through our work...of course aware and hoping that they would find the 8 year old boy. It shocked us when they discovered most of him in a dumpster.  It shocked us and I was so sad. I thought of my little sisters and it gave me bad feelings that the same could happen to them as they walk to school or play around. I wanted Sister Baum not to necessarily say what happened but communicate to you to not let them out of your sight. She was sleeping....so I called the next morning not so worried....and forgot exactly what I wanted her to say. President called and I explained everything to him that I was great now....not down....that I was only worried for you guys. I hope that you don't think that I'm 'down'....I was only worried that night after the news was told to us by a member.

I have to pack today. :( I despise packing and the sorrow that accompanies it! I've taken many photos with the ward members. They were astonished that I was leaving! They all want me to visit them today....I can't...I don't have time! We all have a place to stay whenever we want to visit Brooklyn after the Mission (they're probably be competition in it, haha). I've told them that I want them to meet my family after the Mission. They're so excited. Maybe I'll request to end my last Transfer here. :) If not, I'll be back!

Also, it's difficult to bid farewell to Sister McEwen....she's been in my District since the start of my mission (more than half of hers) and I followed her here to Dyker Heights. She's leaving this Tuesday and her parents have arrived!


P.S. I hope that my next area is sweet...and in the City; if not, after that one!



I'm perfectly fine with you mentioning the kidnapping.   I'm not traumatized at all....it was only weird that we were looking....and then two days later, he was killed! I think it's awful and it doesn't matter what race did it! Helicopters hovered nearby our neighborhood for a while. It's strange to think that it was primarily 'an accident'. Don't let any of the girls walk home alone! Everywhere you walked, there were posters and fliers with the boy's photo on it.

I'm in Ridgewood which is a small, humble Branch (my first Branch; my previous areas both had good-sized wards) that covers a geographically small area in the Brooklyn North District (there's the Brooklyn Stake....and then the Brooklyn District-smaller than a Stake). Ridgewood is very CITY. It's similar to Sunset Park, however, it's located within the 'man zone' because there are no Sister Missionaries here. The area strattles the border of Brooklyn with Queens and it's not quite as dangerous, however, as Bushwick or East New York (the other areas in the 'Man Zone'). I'm safe! Our area is relatively safe!

Also, I'm a Step-pops because it's my companion's 2nd transfer and I'm his 2nd companion. He's an extraordinary missionary and we're both really enthusiastic for this area. The other missionaries were blinded in (both missionaries were ejected and two brand new missionaries were introduced into the area with us last week) so we're a very 'new' District to the area. There are only 4 of us here. The Branch is small and many members attend other Branches because they prefer it to this Branch.

The people here are more talkative with us, however, and we have appointments with two separate individuals tomorrow! We're going to bring members.

The Branch President is really kind and has been a convert for two years now.

PDay July 12, 2011

Dear  family and friends,



That reminds me....if you want to read some scriptures that mentions 'Gods' even in the Bible, they are: John Chapter 10, Psalms 82, and the other I can't recall-but I have it memorized in Spanish....it's in Romans....I think Chapter 8. That's what I love! Also, there's a scripture in the Bible that says: "And this be the third time I come unto you; by two or three witnesses will I decide all word".


Anyhow, this past week has been a bit of a slump until yesterday! We had an appointment finally with Luis...ran out of time....we were going to commit him to baptism! We're going to do it soon! If he accepts, that's awesome! If he rejects, furgetaboutit! Nah, just kidding....if he declines, then we'll know what to work with and incorporate our teachings to solve his doubts, fears, etc...He works a lot!


That's how missionary work is....the Gospel is literally for everybody....however, not everyone is willing to work for it! They accept less!


Also, Hermano Armilla (an ex-Missionary... converted to the Church when he was 18) fortuitously brought a special 'friend' to Erik's Baptism this past Saturday night! She lives in our area! She's already learned much about us and is very intrigued by our message. Her name is Lucia. She and Hermano Armilla came from the same general area in Mexico and I 'think' that they're in love. Also, Hermano Armilla is the 2nd counselor in the Bishopric.


I was beginning to think that our area had nobody....it is, after all, one of the hardest areas in the Mission.


Also, we received a referral to teach somebody yesterday! This area in two days has seemed to hit the jackpot! I've been trying to organize our Area Organization Planner....many people have moved away, become apostate, changed numbers, not interested....et cetera.


We've looked up many members....and made notes of the Area and then add them to the computer to update it.


Anyhow, Lucia attended church yesterday!


Last P-Day we visited Coney Island! Johnny Chestnut consumed 62 Famous Nathan's Hot Dogs! The woman champion consumed forty-something Hot Dogs. I didn't know that humans had the capability to eat that much. It was sort of gross! They had to consume loads of water with the Hot Dogs to expand their stomachs! Near the end, the competetors appeared as if they were going to die!


Loads of people were there...we met lots of other Missionaries even from the other Zone!


There were also lots of members who talked to us there! It was nice and cloudy at first...however, the sun emerged and the humidity was unbearable! Towards the end of the competition, somebody behind us fainted from dehydration in the midst of the thousands of people there. Fortunately paramedics arrived and gave him water and ice.


We're visiting a Less-Active who's having some issues with worthiness....he loves the Church with all his heart and if you saw him, you wouldn't even guess it! He's so cool and the kindest man ever to the missionaries. He wants to return to the Church and seal himself with his wife and son. He has to change a lot, however, he believes with all his heart. However, if he wants all the blessings of Exaltation, he needs to desire it and then do it.



Can you do me a favor? Can you send me the list of Birthdays in our immediate family, Kelly's Family, and Lisa's? Perhaps also the recipe for German Pancakes? I miss them a lot! :)  Done - except still need Zach's and Pauline's kids and husband's birthdays...  Help from anyone appreciated!


Also, I might need a cheaper but sturdy pair of brown shoes. The soles are almost completely gone....also the black pair, however, not as severely. Don't send the package with the shoes yet, however, until I send you the package of stuff, including photos! The Birthdays List can be sent in an e-mail or a letter. Thanks soooo much! You're a great Mother!  I've looked up shoe repair places close to where Steven is living to see if he can get his shoes re-soled.  I don't know that a cheaper pair would last.  We got the Mr. Mac shoes.  I think they were $60 something each.  Any other ideas?


The 4th of July was incredible. We invited Elder Tyrell and Elder Davis to come to our rooftop after the end of the day....We had Pizza, and while the cake was cooking in the oven, we watched the fireworks from our rooftop which had an excellent view of the city and even Manhattan! It was awesome! The Fireworks were exploding all around the City! Manhattan looked as if it was caught in the middle of the Fireworks. We would look one direction which could be Queens, for example, and we'd see fireworks! You'd turn towards, Coney and Bay Ridge direction, and then up towards Downtown Brooklyn (closer) and Manhattan! Wow!


Anyhow, enjoy your week!


Love,


Elder Steven Roberts.

Steven PDay July11, 2011

Dear Mom and family,


That reminds me....if you want to read some scriptures that mentions 'Gods' even in the Bible, they are: John Chapter 10, Psalms 82, and the other I can't recall-but I have it memorized in Spanish....it's in Romans....I think Chapter 8. That's what I love! Also, there's a scripture in the Bible that says: "And this be the third time I come unto you; by two or three witnesses will I decide all word".



Anyhow, this past week has been a bit of a slump until yesterday! We had an appointment finally with Luis...ran out of time....we were going to commit him to baptism! We're going to do it soon! If he accepts, that's awesome! If he rejects, furgetaboutit! Nah, just kidding....if he declines, then we'll know what to work with and incorporate our teachings to solve his doubts, fears, etc...He works a lot!

That's how missionary work is....the Gospel is literally for everybody....however, not everyone is willing to work for it! They accept less!

Also, Hermano Armilla (an ex-Missionary... converted to the Church when he was 18) fortuitously brought a special 'friend' to Erik's Baptism this past Saturday night! She lives in our area! She's already learned much about us and is very intrigued by our message. Her name is Lucia. She and Hermano Armilla came from the same general area in Mexico and I 'think' that they're in love. Also, Hermano Armilla is the 2nd counselor in the Bishopric.

I was beginning to think that our area had nobody....it is, after all, one of the hardest areas in the Mission.

Also, we received a referral to teach somebody yesterday! This area in two days has seemed to hit the jackpot! I've been trying to organize our Area Organization Planner....many people have moved away, become apostate, changed numbers, not interested....et cetera.

We've looked up many members....and made notes of the Area and then add them to the computer to update it.

Anyhow, Lucia attended church yesterday!

Last P-Day we visited Coney Island! Johnny Chestnut consumed 62 Famous Nathan's Hot Dogs! The woman champion consumed forty-something Hot Dogs. I didn't know that humans had the capability to eat that much. It was sort of gross! They had to consume loads of water with the Hot Dogs to expand their stomachs! Near the end, the competetors appeared as if they were going to die!

Loads of people were there...we met lots of other Missionaries even from the other Zone!

There were also lots of members who talked to us there! It was nice and cloudy at first...however, the sun emerged and the humidity was unbearable! Towards the end of the competition, somebody behind us fainted from dehydration in the midst of the thousands of people there. Fortunately paramedics arrived and gave him water and ice.

How's the family doing? How are my little sisters? I miss you all very much! How are grandma and grandpa Mills/Hunt doing?
 
Love,
 
Elder Roberts

PDay 6-27-2011

Dear Family & Friends,

 We've decided to jettison our investigators who cancel appointments (when we ALWAYS call to remind them the day before). We've even walked with members to appointments. We taught 4 lessons for the whole of last week! A weekly goal for a companionship is usually 20 (which isn't always easy)! Our District Leader knows that we're not the kind of missionaries to hang out or nap. We're out from 11:00 am after study and working until (9:00pm) with one hour for lunch and another hour for dinner.

We pretty much called Uber after walking in the 'mad' humidity, and getting rejected by his rude friend, our purpose for arriving being that he had told us that he would be there for the lesson at 1:00, and said to him that when he finally has time he can give us a call.

We dropped Raul too. We may drop Esperanza.

Luis Rios cancelled on us for Sunday at 8:00 am and didn't arrive to attend church; Julian and Felipa are occupied with work in Queens, etc....

However, we fortunately have arranged appointments for next week with people we've 'fearlessed' on the street. 'Fearlessing' is when you contact people by talking to them about the Gospel. It certainly requires being fearless.

Fearlessing is usually done anywhere! In the Subway (classic) surrounded by people everywhere, on the bus, on the street, in apartment buildings, etc...

We fearlessed two familes. One of them, I fearlessed yesterday, and managed to obtain her number, address, etc... We have an appointment on Wednesday. The others, we have an appointment on Saturday.

It was completely different working in Long Island in contrast to not having a car and working in the city. Instead of being at appointments in 15 minutes with a car, in the city you must talk to people everywhere because it often takes 30 minutes to 45 minutes to reach appointments and literally thousands of people are available to you.

I couldn't fearless when I first arrived here in Brooklyn. It's one of the skills many city missionarieshave. I wasn't much of a city missionary then....but it took a lot of practice. I didn't mind at first knocking and talking to people! That was easy! The reason being, if you talk to somebody on the bus or on the train, people are staring at you and watching everything that you say!

It helps also to bear your testimony often and promise blessings....you will feel greater desire and will learn how to make promises to God....that your family can live together beyond the grave!

I can't say that I'm that good but I try to be very sincere.

People also become interested by the distribution of English Class fliers. We teach English classes for free on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday at 7:00 pm.

Our day to teach them is on Thursday. It's fun! I learn a lot and my Spanish has become much more fluent!

Raphael and Carmen are going to be married on July 2nd...then, Raphael will be baptized the next day!

I'm going to see if I can visit them for the baptism because I'd taught Raphael for a while. Elder Leal and I baptized their children.

I can't wait until they're married in the temple....in a year! It's difficult to believe that I'll still be on my mission. There's no doubt that I'll be there for that! It certainly would be a fulfillment of my mission.

This girl that Elder Leal and I also taught was baptized. Her name was GG.

Because both the District Leader, Elder Tyrell, and my companion, Elder Figgat, and Sister McEwen are all dying in the middle of next transfer....I'm probably going to be companions with Elder Davis and we'll probably have to split the area here in Brooklyn somehow. I don't know. I highly doubt that either Elder Davis or I would be transferred yet! I've been here for almost 6 months! I love the area though! I love it! I simply can't wait until we FINALLY baptize somebody here! We're trying really hard! President Nelson told me that he was proud of what I was doing. I'm glad! I hope that if anything, I can be trusted.

After here, I'd prefer to serve in the City still....although, I wouldn't mind returning back to the Island....but I certainly would prefer to go to Bushwick or Ridgewood(upper Brooklyn), Woodside, Rego Park, Richmond Hill, Jamaica, or Flushing (in Queens), or to Staten Island!

What am I talking about?!! I've still got lots of time!

Speaking of Staten Island! We took the Staten Island Ferry from Battery Park, Manhattan to Staten Island, passing by the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island! I want to go back soon! It was a blast!

There's this site on the tip of Staten Island that has Two gigantic stone envelopes pointing directly to the site of the World Trade Center (now the Freedom Tower-under construction). In between the envelopes are the names and PROFILES in stone of the firefighters, police and other workers who perished in the disaster in 9/11 who were from Staten Island. Very solemn and reverent memorial...especially when one can see their faces.

The Staten Island ferry is completely free and I would love you guys to come after the mission! Especially if I serve in Staten Island (my companion's previous area was Staten Island).

Also, we visited the New York Transit Museum gift shop! It's in the middle of this abandoned Subway! They have really neat shirts. I'll have to go back next week when I have money to buy one! Happy Father's Day!

Love you! I'll talk to you next week! Bye!

Pdat 6/22/2011

Dear Family,


It's quite a blessing to be a member. It surprises me the Youth here in our ward of Dyker Heights. Brian is preparing to serve a mission, another missionary (I haven't met him....I can't remember his name now) is serving currently in Colorado Springs, Colorado. When we ask any of the Youth in the Ward about serving missions....it's always, "YES!" Brian's sister, Nicole, desires to serve a mission when she's 21 as well as all the active Youth! Stephanie Barajas, Rachel Barajas, Alejandra Espana, Mitchie Espana, Estiv Tolentino, Yamel Tolentino, etc... Our single ward is so small too....

An 18 year old boy from Argentina arrived for the first time in church last Sunday. I figured that he wasn't a member of the church or a less active. He apparently moved in a week ago to Brooklyn; the first Sunday, he had a friend (non-mormon friend) drop him off at church! I'm supposing that because Brooklyn doesn't have as many members of the church and they have to travel sometimes 1/2 hour on foot or subway to church they regard church as a higher priority instead of when they drive past one every 5 minutes.

While serving a mission, I've developed a desire to maintain my activity in the church all my life and to aid the missionaries....because I've realized that it's truer than day....I've found evidence of it in the BOM; also, I've realized how much help the missionaries need, how jubilant Active Members are in contrast to Less-Actives, ETC...

I'm not a great missionary...but I certainly strive to be. I work hard.

We had one evening when ALL of our appointments (which were set) cancel....not one lesson....so....because there was nothing else....we called EVERYONE listed in the Area Planner.... called probably 40 different telephone numbers of non-members and inactives....with probably no more than 5 answer....and all those numbers didn't even know it was us! How?! Julian and Felipa even cancelled on us! I called somebody we had pre-arranged an appointment probably 5 times (and continued cancellations)...called him and he said he was at the Beach....I was kind but obviously disappointed in him. We taught no more than 5 lessons the entire week last week.

Not to mention....I talked to somebody on the street who was INTERESTED in our message and she lived in the other Elders' area. We referred her to them.

Fortuitously, Luis Rios....who has no time during the week to meet because of his work schedule....his only available day being Sunday....attended church again! We had an appointment at 8:00 am before church....didn't make it for the appointment...but came to all three hours! We tried to teach him after church, however, he said he really had to go. I really desired to teach him because we haven't yet taught him the first Lesson....if we could....we'd ask him to pray about whether the Book of Mormon is true and then give him a Baptismal Date to prepare and pray for. He doesn't yet understand that this is like no other church....but he can't meet until next Sunday! It amazes me, everyone else we seem to teach understands more...yet are 'too busy' always to attend at least one hour of their week.

We attended a Fireside in Woodside, Queens last Sunday. Two members of the Seventy were there....also many familiar missionary faces! I love the mission! I saw Elder Simkins, Sister Jewkes (from Brentwood-Bayshore many months ago), Sister Alvarado, Elder Warren (sat next to him on the Airplane over here), Elder Howard, Elder Kinikini, Elder Casperson, Elder Gootee, Sister Young, etc...and President Nelson!

Last Monday, I couldn't e-mail because we had a Mission Conference. As a result, we had P-Day another day....we couldn't yesterday because we were booked yesterday with appointments (most cancelled anyway...except Julian and Felipa's)...so it's today. I learned much and wrote notes of things to use in our lessons with Julian and Felipa....we were bold last night with them....we told them that if they wanted an answer, they'd have to attend church, even if it be only Sacrament Meeting...."I, the Lord am bound when ye do what I say; but when ye do not what I say, ye have no promise". I really needed that mission conference.

Anyhow, I have hopes that Luis Rios will be taught, receive his answer through the Spirit, and be baptized! I simply don't want to wait until next Sunday to teach him.

We've decided that, today, we're going to visit the New York Transit Museum or Museum of Art.

Also, I need to send stuff home for Fathers' Day! Sorry that it's so late....lately, we've been so occupied with trying to find people!



I really do love serving in Brooklyn though....it's my favorite area so far. I enjoy talking to people on the bus and the Subway.



Hope that everything goes great this week! I love you!

Love,

Elder Roberts.

Steven's Post 20th Birthday e-mail

Dear Family,

WWWOOOOWWWW!!!!!!! Aaaawww.....thank you!!! I finally opened my packages. I managed to pick them up on Tuesday when we were at the mission office in Rego Park for Transfer Meeting. All the members knew Elder Figgat from before; he didn't want to me make any mention of it to the ward. What a surprise! After last e-mails, we visited the ORIGINAL Nathan's Hot Dogs. Had you ever heard of them before? I had never heard of Nathan's before I came here to Brooklyn. Apparently they're popular here....but we visited the original! We afterward walked on the beach.

Elder Simkins is going to e-mail the photos on his camera to me. It's replete with the photos from Brooklyn bridge (two times), Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, Coney Island, Prospect Park, Brooklyn FUN in general.

Elder Figgat's almost finished with taking ACCUTANE! We had to go to Manhattan for his blood drawing and then had a Doctor's appointment the following day (last Thursday) in Manhattan too.

I've become a really good planner and have written down absolutely everything and all the calls that we need to make to people.

My new companion told me that he wasn't going to bug me about it but he thought that it would be a marvillous idea to open my gifts on my birthday, so I did. Wow, what a surprise! Thank you! Also, my companion woke up early and laid decorative paper in front of the doors of the apartment and my desk chair. He taped a paper to the wall in front of the wall which said "Feliz Cumpleanos" 20 and stuff! Opening the presents was what I did first.

This week's been very busy. We've visited many, many people and we've walked a lot. I'm pulling the lead because of my updated planner. Yesterday, however, I left it on the Subway and it's lost! I'm so frustrated because I have to rewrite a lot of information and a little bit of that information, that which was new from this week that Elder Figgat hadn't yet written down-appointments for this comming week and numbers/addresses for people, was lost. My companion was very patient and we even tried to reach it where they clean out the cars from the end of the Line of the D-Train station in Coney.

Nothing! I hope somebody has a heart and calls or the train workers don't jettison it. I have the number for the Lost and Found and I should call it right after this to see. It would save a lot of time. I'm starting over with my planner and, fortunately, we have the Area Book and the Area Organization Planner to copy down addresses....but I had written in NEW things that we had discovered (some people have moved, changed numbers, a less active who moved from Staten Is., etc...) and I intended to update the Area Organization booklet with that information soon....except, it's gone! This also means we're going to call a lot of people over again or those we've talked to to re-arrange appointments and confirm times. We have an idea where we've met some new Potential Investigators.

I didn't recount the dog-woman yet, have I? Yeah, we saw this woman board the train last Tuesday on the way back from Queens through Manhattan to Brooklyn. She was overweight and had strange clothing on but nobody thought anything at all. It was all quiet and this woman began to bark like a dog and say 'woof' repeatedly. My companion and I were trying not to laugh. Everybody else in the train car was still. She then started to sing weird songs, make noises, I have no idea! She'd occasionally bark like a dog again.

Saturday was the longest day ever! We planned loads of back up appointments (in case, and very often, of cancelled appointments) and we attempted to visit lots of people. Not ONE lesson!! We've probably perinegrated all of Sunset Park!

Have you also heard of what's happened with the Broadway Play, "The Book of Mormon"? It won 9 Tony Awards last night! Last week, President Nelson promulgated to the mission at Transfer Meeting that the Play had become massively popular! The Church didn't take any stance in regards to the blasphemous play! Instead, from TODAY until September...the Church has launched a massive Advertisement Campaign! Starting today, there's a Mormon.org and advertisements from the church on a Digital Billboard in Time's Square along with 8 Advertisement stands within the same, named square; 11,800 taxi cabs with advertisement pyramids for the Church; also 3 Subway Cars.

We saw and took photos with a parked taxi, ready to go for today, with Mormon.org on it!!!!

Now these people are finally going to reject us, call a taxi or walk to the Subway, and see more of us!!!!!!!! Mwahahaha!!!!!!!!! The Church is the richest church in the world.....but not the LEADERS! It's time for the heavy artillery....and the bombardment will not stop until September!

One person already asked us who we are and what we do! The interesting thing is that he talked to us right after we saw the taxi!

Anyhow, it's time for another interminable week of work, but God's work!

One man came to church yesterday whose girlfriend in his native country of Honduras is a member of the Church. He decided to investigate the Church apparently and showed up early for church. Came for all three hours but he lives in the Sisters' area. Still awesome...I hope that we find somebody though soon. I must seem really selfish to everyone but we really need somebody who's not going to cancel every appointment with us besides just Julian and Felipa (who can't come to church ever because of work).

Anyway,

until next week,

Elder Steven Roberts.

May 9, 2011 PDay

Dear Friends and Family,
I'm doing laundry and they have computers here for customers. We discovered this laundromat last week....it's cheaper and better than the one we normally use. Also, we called President Nelson this morning to ask permission if we can visit the Statue of Liberty today! He approved without hestitation! Anyhow, after we're finished here, we're going....instead of visiting the aquarium. It should probably cost a lot to do both....I think that it's one or the other until next month (transfers isn't until June 7th-there's still another P-Day to spend in the next month with a new budget). Anyhow, I'm really excited!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm going to purchase another SD card or use somebody else's because my companion can copy photos...anyhow, somehow, there are going to be photos!
Is it odd that I literally have carried and maintained the very power to call you every day? That's strange, huh? I miss all of you so very much! Thanks for inviting everybody over! It was a terrific day yesterday because of my conversations with you!
Well, I don't know what else to talk about....I'll have a sufficient budget to sustain me and I'll continue to be frugal in my spending except on stuff as this....which, I would really be in need of an SD card....but.....what else? Hmmm....I feel as if I spoke to you yesterday!
We anticipate baptisms before the end of this transfer (we have a month remaining) if we're lucky. It's possible that I might be transferred....it's also possible that my companion could. It's rather inconclusive because he's been here only a week and a half more than me (he started the transfer here when his companion, who had been here 2 transfers or three months, was midnighted and I was transferred here). Therefore, I might stay, however, who's to say that President might break the pattern with me. I certainly would like to remain here with Elder Simkins or remain here because the next transfer commences only a few days before my birthday and I would like to be acquainted with people (because I know that the members here would throw a party for me as they did with Elder Simkins) on my birthday and not estranged in a new area and with strangers three days into my new area. After that, I don't mind or care where I go. I would prefer to continue serving in the city....but wherever President Nelson needs.
I'll be thinking of ideas for my birthday. I don't know yet. I would love a history book....but it's different because I'm out here soooo.....I'll write a list this week of items I might need....
Also, the package should arrive either today or tomorrow.....there are photos (350 or so) on the SD card but also one quick video!!!! Don't forget about the video or delete it...it's of Elder Simkins at his birthday party that some members here threw and it's quick....it's him blowing out the 'difficult to blow out candles', yes, those! You can post the video to facebook and my companion, Elder Simkins, can be tagged in it later.

PDay 4-18-2011

Dear Friends and Family,


It's me again. We've had rough weather that's soaked my companion and I on multiple occasions. The rain comes and goes some days (as today), however, we've been walking earlier in the day when the sun emerges out of the clouds and it feels not so cold....then it becomes cloudy all of a sudden, then drops wind and pouring rain on us, our ties, and our white shirts. It's not fun!

Much has happened this past week. We visited Brooklyn Bridge last Monday and visited the MANHATTAN TEMPLE last Thursday with Cimdi, a recent convert baptized a month ago. I think that I'm to send you the photos before all the memory's depleted. I have more than 320 photos or so. You'll enjoy them, particularly because they consist of:

Brooklyn Bridge (with me and my companion), Brooklyn in general, Atlantic Avenue, Verazzano-Narrows Bridge, Manhattan Temple, Juliards (which is also in Manhattan-not very far actually from the Temple on Columbus Avenue-I stood in front of it!), and the final photos of Brentwood-Bayshore in Long Island. Photos of our apartment as well (and the view of Manhattan and the Empire State Building-it's visible from our window in the distance). If you go to Sunset Park which is pretty close to our apt., you can see the Statue of Liberty and Manhattan very easily because it's higher up on a hill and the buildings aren't obstructing the view.

Next week, my companion and I are going to perhaps visit the Botanic Gardens, Brooklyn Museum of Art, and the Zoo because it's all located in Prospect Park on Monday.

It's certainly a lot of work because there's sooo much walking involved and we walk every day from bus to subway and then walk, walk, walk, and walk.

We taught somebody that Elder Simkins and Elder Tyrell encountered when they knocked on his door. Initially, he was very skeptical/accepting....weird....the issue is that he believed that all churches were good and corrupted...but first, allow me to give you some further information regarding this man:

He had been a gang member in the past. He had been knifed in the back of the neck and the arm (when he was attempting to rescue a woman who was going to be raped by members of another gang), shot, and hit by a car three times. He had also sold dope, etc...oh yeah, he'd KILLED people.

He's in his 30's and he can barely walk, move, and is in incessant pain-every time he breathes. He told us that one day, he climbed to the top of a roof and asked God for 1 reason he should live. He said that he climbed down....and God gave him two children and a beautiful angel.

Our little lesson was inveighed by questions and comments. I finally turned to him and told him about Joseph Smith and his search for truth. We explained the first vision to him in Joseph Smith's words....he teared up.....we explained that Christ told Joseph Smith that none of the churches were true. We explained the advent of the Book of Mormon and the Spirit was exceedingly evident. He told us that he wanted to bring his kids to this church. He told us that his two children haven't yet been baptized in a church...(the oldest, Robert, is 7) and we explained that children deserve to understand what baptism is before they're given it and that children are innocent. He understood and explained that he was still teaching him right and wrong, etc...

NYC has given me a bit of a headache....but I've learned much about people and life in general. It's nice....watching rats run around at the bottom of the rails while waiting for the Subway....or listening to a guitarist who enters the doors of the Subway and plays music for you, meeting people who've never been to an airport or never left New York. Also, arguing with a Pentacostal lady in Spanish (in reality, I was defending our beliefs). Weird, huh? I've been so glad that P-Day has finally and ultimately arrived. My muscles ache and I'm starving. Fortunately, we have a dinner appointment tonight....I can't wait....I've lost weight and none of my pants fit me anymore! I have to tighten them with a belt. Anyhow, I bought a Brooklyn Hat (one of the ones that cool people wear, haha).

Anyway, I'm sorry but I'm probably not going to have sufficient time to write you a letter :(
Love you!
Love,
Elder Roberts.

PDay 4-4-2011

Hey,


I barely received your letter! I haven't really read much of it yet because I barely picked it up from the apartment. It's a nice day today. We were originally going to visit Brooklyn Bridge today but it's overcast and cold. I don't have any idea where to start. The city is great. We took the Subway here. Talked to a man on it. Unfortunately, he was gay. On our way over here we heard somebody say "God bless you!" We turned and saw that it was from two teenagers. People are usually kind. For example: We were in this apartment building and we were knocking a couple doors at the top of these old stairs while a man walked past. He greeted him and he said...."sorry guys, not interested but good luck with everything".

On another occasion, we were approaching an apartment where our investigators lived. Outside stood this dirty and scary looking man with skulls and crap on him. We walked up the stairs of the stoop until we approached him. He stood in the way and said...."try the other building" (the problem is...is that many families live in a single building: once inside...you walk up stairs and stairs and there are doors here and doors there for many floors-in other words....not only one single family inhabited the building). We hesitated (because our investigators Felipa and Julian lived inside) and he said ".....the Devil lives inside there. Go try over there or better yet that other one....but not in here". We backed down and pretended to look for somebody in our planners next-door. We walked only a minute (barely out of sight), literally, and returned to the building where he was gone. We entered and found our family. Taught them an d it was a marvelous lesson!!

I called my family (Anthony's Jonathan's) in Brentwood last night! They were extremely excited to hear from me and it was exhilirating to talk to them. Marvelous! Raphael asked when I can see him again and then added, I want you to come when I'm baptized!!!!!!!!!!!!! SO HAPPY! Elder Clement and Elder Lunt are doing well with them! I need to call them again because I couldn't talk for very long....too late at night.

Also, did I mention that my companion was transferred last transfer here? He's new here as well. In fact, I replaced him as Elder Griener's companion in Brentwood when I arrived in the Mission. He left and served in Far Rockaway, Queens before being transferred here. He's really cool! Very used to talking to people on the street.

Because we're both new, we hope that we'll stay together for next transfer because we don't know very many members of the ward yet. Some, yes. Also, we're going to teach with the members. We also desire to visit less active members!! We also need to find more people to teach.

PDay March 28, 2011

Well, you'll be surprised to hear that I've been transferred!!!! I had barely been with Elder Clement in Brentwood for a week when President Nelson arrived in Plainview for interviews. He asked how everything had been faring and I replied that so much progress was happening in Brentwood and in the past 2 weeks we had baptized 7 converts into the church in that area-which comprises of 2 families. I continued to explain to him my love for the area when he sighed and said...."well, I'd better just tell you....you may be transferred within the next few days". I laughed because I initially presumed that he was joking. Nope....he explained that I was going to be 'midnighted' (when a companionship's midnighted....it usually means that one of the companions is being sent away because of issues; anywhere from fighting in the companionship, getting beat up-as Elder Casperson was sent away after he was punched in the face in Brownsville, East New York-etc...). He informed me that he would notify as to whether it would be certain that I would. Well, last Wednesday night, he called and informed me that I would be switched with Elder Lund and be companions with Elder Simkins in Dyker Heights, Brooklyn. I was to be picked up by the AP's on Friday. I had, therfore, limited time to bid farewell to the families and to Anthony, Jonathan, and their family. I didn't think that I would but I cried on the way out of Brentwood-Bayshore. The AP's tried to console me.I'm also am going to miss my old companion much.


I don't know where to start. I've been in Brooklyn since Friday. Not just any part of Brooklyn. Dyker Heights comprises of (it would be much more convenient to show you on a map than to describe exclusively by words alone) the area on the opposite side of Manhattan across the East River from 'Red Hook' (across from the southern end of Manhattan and Governor's Is.) to the western half of Coney Island in the South, all along the coast. We've also ridden on the Subway every day except for my first day so far. We walk everywhere and my legs right now could fall off.

Anyhow, we talk more to people because there are so many. On Saturday morning, we set up a stand with some of the other missionaries and with signs announcing 'peliculas gratis' and mensajes de jesucristo! So many people pass by all the time! Hundreds, thousands, on one avenue here in Brooklyn.

There aren't hardly any white people here. Depends which area you're in (and even those are foreign-Eastern Europeans-the majority are Russians, Ukrainians). For example, the area near our apartment is around the corner from a Jewish Synogague and Jewish Girls' School. Everywhere, there are Jews (and posters/signs in Hebrew) with long beards, long sideburns, and dark clothing. Also, in the area of our apartment, there are a lot of Asians.

There are a lot of Chinese Speaking Missionaries here also. Elder Graham (in our stake) is here and we've talked. He was totally surprised to see me arrive all of a sudden (everyone seemed to be-after all, only a week and a half in the transfer). I've talked to Elder Graham at Transfer Meetings in Rego Park but never served in any of the Asian Areas before (there are only two Mandarin Chinese Speaking areas-Dyker Heights, Brooklyn/Flushing, Queens). Well, also....I still only know 'Hi, how are you?' and 'good' in Chinese but I also learned how to say 'goodbye' in Mandarin (I don't know how to spell it) and learned to say 'hi' in Cantonese.

I'm excited. The Spanish Ward is also very strong. It has a lot of potential for growth!

Also, at Zone Meeting, we were planning what our two Zone Activities should be this transfer. One is: Coney Island and the other: Visiting the Statue of Liberty! Also, Brooklyn Bride isn't really that far from us. We can go and visit that (we can visit anywhere in Brooklyn and Staten Island).

Also, some of the streets here are crowded with hundreds and even thousands of Chinese people!

Anyway, I need to give you my new address:

Elder Steven Roberts
4600 9th Avenue Apt. 606
Brooklyn, New York 11220

Also, very funny. My apartment (on the sixth floor) is more spacious than the little Bayshore home that I lived in with four missionaries. There's more space for my companion and I and we're the only inhabitants. Also, Sister McEwen was extremely excited to have me in her district again for the FOURTH transfer in a row (she was transferred out of Brentwood-Bayshore)!!!!!!!!

Also, I'm still completely overwhelmed with jealousy because I really want to visit Cali. It's soooo cold over here!!  (Valerie & daughters spent the 23rd through 29th in California for Cheer Nationals with Chalyse and the Copper Hills High Cheerleaders).

I wish that I could photograph everything; can't, however....because I would appear very strange. :( Subway's sooooo cool....not the one with sandwiches! I also have a Metro Card for unlimited Bus and Subway use. We've been down near Coney Is. in the South too....for a meeting though....but I can't wait to visit on P-day. I don't know if we're doing much today because our money's almost depleted on our cards and we don't receive next month's money until Friday. We are going to go eat some dumplings and Asian food after e-mailing and possibly visit Prospect Park which is super close!

You can see New Jersey and Staten Is. as well as the Statue of Liberty from here.


Bye. Until next Monday!

Elder Roberts

PDay 3-21-2011

Dear Family & Friends,


Everyone transferred from our District of Bayshore-Brentwood actually ended up in the city. Elder Leal, my ex-companion, is now District Leader in Midwood, Brooklyn; Sister McEwen is serving in Dyker Heights (Statue of Liberty is easily visible from here) Brooklyn; Sister Mamon in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn; and Sister De la Mare was transferred to Jamaica, Queen's.

My new companion was actually a guess correct! I already was firmly acquainted with Elder Clement because we were in the same Zone-Zone 9 (not in same District though) and his companion, Elder Woodland, was District Leader. As a result while my companion and his companion were meeting with the Zone Leaders in Plainview on Thursdays, he and I talked and passed the time there. He's only ONE transfer ahead of me. We're both non-native Spanish Speakers but we're at the juncture where we can handle everything ourselves. I'm glad that he's my companion. He's extremely funny and freakishly tall. His last area was Huntington Station which is directly North of our District and followed the coast along Long Island Sound. As a result, he's already accustomed to the type of driving and the environment. However, I have to introduce him to the members and investigators here as well as help him learn the roads.

Wow! I can't believe that you cried! It's that bad!! Ha ha ha, only joking. It was very special and it felt marvelous witness it. 

I've heard much about Libya and the Tsunami in Japan. If any Earthquake near that magnitude struck Long Island, it would be inundated and completely destroyed. I can't think of any truly 'high' ground except for the squat, wooded hills in the middle of the Island along the Long Island Expressway (or the L.I.E). Literally, there is nothing but FLAT here!

I love Brentwood with all my heart, however, it's only my first area and many of the people here still think of me as 'new' despite the fact that I can understand and speak Spanish reasonably well. I would like to start over in an area and statI would be happy with whatever President Nelson decides because he knows what's best and I've told him that I will serve wherever I'm called.

Yes, crime would be much, much, much less on L.I. It's nothing in comparison to Brooklyn. Still, there are a couple gangs (as in Salt Lake Valley) and Amityville looks much more ghetto than peaceful Bayshore. On Wednesday which is when the day that the Spanish Ward holds Mutual, around 5 policemen arrived and appeared to be searching for a group of teenagers (or gangsters) walking from the Mall (which is only a few streets from the Bayshore Chapel). It gave us a scare. I certainly have seen the police around more in New York.

Yesterday, the Brentwood Sisters had a Baptismal Service. This time, President Nelson arrived for it! Many people attended. It was quite a busy day because Elder Clement and I needed to fill the font and bring baptismal clothes, etc....also, I confirmed Anthony (he and his brother, Jonathan, were baptized by Elder Leal and I eight days ago). Anthony is very excited and was glad that was still around to perform it. His family attends church with him. HIs father wants to be baptized, however, he and Anthony's Mother have to marry prior to any bautismo.

Elder Clement enjoys talking like a pirate (and very good too) and has nicknamed our car the "Red Canary" while he's also dubbed the English Elders' car "The Marooned Schooner", haha. The message accidentally sent before I had finished. Uuummm....well....I don't honestly know....oh yeah! I played the part of Jesus in a short little skit for the Relief Society. It was the parable of the 10 virgens. Elder Clement was the Narrador. My only line was at the conclusion of it, as a result, it happened to be quite easy to memorize....my poor narator companion! My line was in response to the late virgens who had procrastinated and neglected to be ready in time for the arrival of the Groom.


I said: "De cierto, yo no os conozco, velad pues porque no sabeis el dia ni la hora en que el hijo del hombre ha de venir".

How are the little ones and Chalyse? What is the address for Grandma and Grandpa Hunt? I've already written them a letter. I'll write one today because I doubt that we'll be doing much today.

Love,

Elder Roberts.








The Weather has been warmer recently apart from today because it's very, very rainy.

PDay March 14, 2011

Dear Family & Friends,


News! I'm not getting transferred!! I KNOW!! It's weird!!!!!!!! I have been serving Brentwood-Bayshore for like 5 months! President Nelson really must feel that I should remain. I've written him and updated him concerning the area and our progress....sooo I know that he shouldn't have forgotten me. I suppose that I'm a permanent part of Brentwood-Spanish Ward now. I practically know everybody there! They love me and I can speak Spanish much better then when I first commenced my time here. Also, several major transitions are gonna occur. Firstly, Elder Leal, my second companion (my step-pops) is being transferred as District Leader to Midwood in Brooklyn. I'm going to receive a new companion and I don't know who it'll be yet. Also, the Bayshore-English Elders are remaining but Elder Gootee is going to replace my companion as District Leader here. Something sad also, the Bayshore-English Sisters are permanentely out. They're closing their 'pool'. Apparently, more sister missionaries are leaving the mission then arrivign and they don't have a sufficient number to maintain them. They aren't closing the Brentwood-Spanish Sisters, however, we're losing the English-Bayshore Sisters here despite the fact that they had two baptisms here last transfer for the English Ward. Unfortunately this transfer, they were encountering a lot of obstacles and were teaching practically nobody for a period of time. We're all very sad about that. Sister De la Mare was the most upset. She wanted to end her Mission in Bayshore and has only one transfer remaining before she 'dies'. We don't know until tomorrow where she'll go. Sister Mamon (the Russian) is going to serve her last transfer and 'die' at the same time as Sister De la Mare in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn-where there are many Russians. She's been a good friend of mine. I'm going to miss her!






The Spanish Sisters are losing their Trio. Sister McEwen, who's been in this area since a transfer before I began here was, not surprisingly, transferred. We don't know exactly where she's going until tomorrow at Transfer Meeting in Rego Park. The other two Spanish Sisters, Sister Heiner and Sister Alvarado are remaining here with us.






Yesterday, Elder Leal and I baptized Anthony and Jonathan Velasquez. It was wonderful! They were so excited and the family had us over for food. Next week, I'm going to confirm Anthony as a member in Sacrament Meeting (in Spanish)! We've taken many photos and many people and friends arrived for their baptism. Carmen's Sister wants to receive the missionary lessons! That's not all!!! 6 people were baptized in total in only this area-not even our zone-merely this area in one single day!! That all occurred yesterday. The English Elders baptized into the English Ward 4 boys in a family that they found hardly a month ago!! That's the Charles family for you!!






Anthony was excited to hear that he was my first baptism here in the mission! It seems like it's been a while.






Sad news, my pops, Elder Griener is going home. He's been extremely ill and the iron in his blood won't proccess, last time I saw him, he seemed extremely thin and his skin was the palest ever. He attempted to call me last night. Need to contact him immediately after this. Poor guy. :( He was such a great guy! He had the most kindest, funniest attitude ever. He could talk like Donald Duck, our Landlord-George Waszkewiecz (in the heaviest New York accent ever), and like a Pirate. He was never despondent and ALWAYS seemed to be happy-or with hope. I love that guy so much! He was such a hard worker. He isn't my companion anymore (I'm with the guy you saw on Skype-the Hispanic...Elder Leal) but I believe that Elder Griener really influenced this area and contributed to the baptisms that we're yielding now...months after he left for Flushing, Queen's.






Bishop Romero was also released yesterday as Bishop!! Too many changes for one week! He was the first 'Bishop' of the Brentwood-Spanish Ward. He became the Bishop when this Ward developed from a meager Branch to a Ward!! Now the new Bishop is Brother Duran. Bishop Romero can finally return to his family again, haha.


Love,
Elder Roberts.

PDay 3-7-2011

Transfer calls comes this Saturday...the Zone Leaders will call us and notify us regarding who's staying and who's being transferred between 10:00 and 10:30 at night.


Any guesses?

We're still preparing Raphael for baptism. He's doing great with the exception of some doubts....we suspect people from work have been ridiculing him. Anyhow, his baptism, along with his children Anthony and Jonathan, are scheduled for Sunday. We're going to create the programs this Thursday. We have an appointment with them this Wednesday and this Saturday.

One of the recent converts in the ward has provided us with new investigators. His sister, Synthia, is being taught. We taught her as recently as last night! We asked whether she had been reading the Book of Mormon that we've already given her....she's been doing it! Had excellent questions and we were supported tremendously by Luis, the recent convert. We're affiliating a lot with members. We figure that visiting less active members will also help us reach non-members because many of them are the only members of the church in their entire family.

We will also visit with Jasmin and Herman later this week. Still need to attend church. Still enduring her trials and afflictions with faith.

Neil L. Anderson spoke to us on Saturday in Queen's. He and Bishop Edgely shook everyone's hand! That's more than 170 missionaries! He spoke and I learned a lot. It's fantastic to have an apostle visit. Bishop Edgely had also served in what was then called "The Eastern States" Mission.

It's starting to warm up a little. Still rather chilly and rainy.

Bishop Edgely also spoke at Stake Conference in the spacious Plainview Stake Center. The enormous gym and stage were all occupied by people! President Nelson spoke also. Headphones were provided for the individuals who didn't speak English. We sat near our 'baptism family'.

I've been informed that at times, when I speak, a little bit of the open-mouthed New Yorker accent comes. It's not as severe as it could be. I don't teach native New Yorkers. Our Spanish Ward, of which we attend, is in Spanish-bereft of any New York accent....however, in public, and in English Church-it's heard often.

How about the family questions? Does grandma know? How's the family? I really enjoyed the letters and the pictures last week!!! It's always a joy to receive them. How about Dad? Perhaps you both could write together on the same e-mail so that I don't need to open a new e-mail and start over my experiences. Is that possible? If not, it's okay. It might save time and then I can have the opportunity to respond to both of you.

We've made Rootbeer Floats for three families now. They've never before conceived of combining Rootbeer and Vanilla icecream before. Our next activity is S'mores. The Hispanic People here in New York have no idea with this NEW food. They're aways excited to try "AMERICAN" food. It ties the missionaries with the investigators/members together very well. We've made smoothies before with them. It's often very fun. We ALWAYS share a message or lesson with the members. This Mission has been improving and a greater effort at obedience is being enforced. We're always on time to study, teach, take lunch for no more than an hour, make our beds, etc... I thought that we would always be watched after prior to going on a mission. As a matter of fact, we have a lot of flexibility as Missionaries. We determine our own success. So far, we expect more baptisms next transfer (if I'm still here in my first area).


Love you a lot!

I'll write the girls/you guys!

Love,



Elder Steven Roberts.

PDay Feb 21, 2011

Dear Family & Friends:
I've learned to control my eating. It's particularly difficult on a mission in the Spanish Program. We eat dinner every night at a members house and sometimes several times! They haven't heard of the term 'Self-serve' apparently either. They fill the plate and then insist on more and more food. I've hardly had to buy anything (with the exception of breakfast products, milk, etc...) from the store. I make myself a Egg, sausage, and cheese English Muffin in the mornings often. That's usually all I'll eat in the morning and most of the day until I eat my daily feast or two from the generous and insistent members of the Spanish Ward. Have to save room!

I love attending church at 1:00 now (the Spanish Ward and English Ward switched with the start of the New Year) but we've attended the English Ward here and there with our two English Elders and Sisters. I wish that I could record the meetings because of the New York accents that Bishop Rathgeber and the councilors have. They seem as if they should be in an old movie.

Interesting week we've had:

Our baptismal date/part-member-family was some of the most ripe fruit of our labors. We'd cooked dinner for them, perform object lessons for the children, played games, make smoothies for them, we're going to bring them homemade brownies this Saturday, etc.....fell apart last week when Elder Leal and I were driving to the church building in Bayshore from Huntington Station (he needed to attend a Leader's Meeting with the Zone Leaders). We met Elders Gootee and Gibbs there at the church building back in Bayshore. They told us that Rafael (the non-member boyfriend of Carmen-the family we're teaching) had arrived only a short while before to the church for help. Apparently, they'd gotten in a fight and he moved out. I can't say much because I am limited in my knowledge and to what I should say anyway.   He hadn't ever seen Elders Gibbs or Gootee previously but they had opened the door for him at the church. They administered to him a blessing and talked a little to him. We had no idea that this had happened. Anyway, it was a miracle that he had even encountered those other missionaries at the church (particularly because we generally don't hang around the church on weekdays). Also, we contacted Bishop Romero who counselled them. Last night, he told us that he had received his answer according to precisely how Elder Gibbs and Elder Gootee had said in the blessing. He felt a blanket of warmth all around his body! I can't believe it! Two answers to two of our investigators in two weeks! We scheduled March 13th for his baptism and Bishop Romero is going to arrange the Marriage Date with them (it's easier now that they've moved themselves out).

 Last week, Elder Gibbs and I went on Exchanges. He's brand new! Hardly four weeks here in New York and seven weeks in his entire mission. He doesn't speak any Spanish, obviously, and I led the entire day (because I'm a little older) and finally have taught the entire day soley myself in Spanish. It's improving a lot. I can understand basically everything. I'm still improving more and more gradually in the speaking. I can speak it, but I still speak rather slowly. Anyway, everybody here is really encouraging, you know.

Last Monday, we went to the beach....really windy but the snow was almost completely melted. It has snowed a bit today and last night.....looks like it's not yet going to be Spring. Elder Gibbs and I were going to go running early this morning to the Bayshore Marina and back but we changed our minds.
Grandma and Grandpa Mills, when we were driving, I spotted a business that read Gildersleeves.....and something. I swore that I saw the word 'Gildersleeves', however. I think that we were driving through Copiague or Babylon. I should have pulled over or something. Anyway, it sparked my curiosity again....do you know where in Long Island our family settled? I'm familiar enough with the area (think about it this way, I'm more familiar with Islip, Babylon, and Amittyville than I was with West Jordan, Utah); although, also, I'm familiar with the major areas here in Long Island. We've had to look all of our appointments' streets up in our map of Suffolk County because they're no darn mountains here. Some missionaries have GPS'. We don't but it's more cost efficient to look it up in the map. Instead of numbers, we go by major road names. Some of the streets here are screwed up!!! Many are more straight and aligned....but not with grid. No grid system here exists.

Anyway, love you guys soooo much!!!!!!!

Love you!

Bye!!

Valentines' Day and PDAY 2011

Dear Friends & Family,
This past week has been the busiest thus far in the mission! It had been a while since I'd felt so stressed. Yesterday was full of errands and ubiquitious demands.

I suppose that I'll start with earlier in the week. We visited Jasmin and Herman last Wednesday. It had been a long time primarily because they had been busy. The husband told us that he (who had been experiencing a lot of emotional stress with the trials that his wife, who has cancer, is going through) read some passages from the Book of Mormon and decided finally to challenge the promise that we gave him that IF one exercises faith, true intention-to act on the answer, and a sincere and OPEN heart that he would receive an answer precisely when the Lord knows you need the answer.

 He had told us previously that he was still waiting for it. We commit all of our investigators to ask God. There are a myriad of promises of this in both the Bible and Book of Mormon-Mathew 7:7-11, John 14:26, Moroni 10:3-5, 1 Nephi 10:19, etc........ Many more (those are some ones that I have memorized...trust me....and you know, there are many, many more in Revelation, John, Mark, etc...). Anyway, he told us that he tested it...felt like he was in a mess....went into the other room where his kids weren't crying or screaming, and asked directly in prayer. He said that he felt peace....weird because he had been stressed exceedingly. He told us that he hadn't felt peace like that in a long time. Also, Jasmin mentioned that the two blessings that she had been given before were followed by slight recovery. She's still sick-but according to what Elder Griener felt to say in his blessing and what he said to me afterwards, that according to her faith and God's infinite love and Will-She will be healed from Cancer. Can't describe how disappointed and sad I had felt before when I thought that we were going to lose them. Last Wednesday turned out really well. We have another appointment with them soon.

The husband who had previously been a little doubtful of us in the first place has received his ANSWER. We explained subsequently that that was his answer but to freely ask God and his testimony will grow. . We're going to ask them to select a date (because they both now know it's true) for baptism.

Gonzales family: We discovered that they need to get married before they can be baptized (we didn't know before). Apart from that, they're doing really well. The husband and two children still want to be baptized....it'll have to be delayed a little because of the marriage, ha ha. Ooops.

Also last week, our investigator, Erlin had us over. His 16 years old now and is the only member of his family who listens to us. The others have NEVER participated in listening to our lessons (also to note...he was the very first person that I had visited in New York-on my first full-time-Missionary day). Another miracle: one of his sisters and his cousin have joined our pool of investigators and listen to the message. That's not all-Erlin wouldn't come to church before: we managed to find him a ride with a family who has a son his age and seemed similar in hobbies. He, his sister, and cousin all attended church yesterday. He made friends with the young men also!

The day before yesterday, we went (my companion and I) to open up a NEW area. Amittyville it's called. We only have one family in the Spanish Ward who are even active in that area (they have to drive like 25 minutes to church in Bayshore). The first house we visited belonged to a former investigator a few years ago. Apparently she moved away because the woman that we encountered said that she wasn't her. She invited us inside only after discovering us to be Mormons. She argued with us for a while....and my companion (because I can't argue in Spanish let alone try to speak without making many mistakes) countered her several times.  She told us that what were doing was wrong and that only the Bible contained scripture. Obviously she doesn't understand any history or theology or what's in the book of Timothy (all scripture is INSPIRED of God). we didn't want to leave without a prayer. I said it...and cleverly added nice things about the family and how we can live together forever. It was a nice and decently sized prayer. She told me afterwards to learn how to pray better than 'that'.
Chalyse: You're the soooo kind, loving, and smart. I feel that we're twins or something. :) I remember the fun days before and the fun days that WILL be after I return. You're the coolest! All the missionaries here bother me about writing you (especially after seeing the awesome calendar I have pinned on the wall) and I tell them that they can't because you're my sister whom I love and protect. I love you. Don't ever sacrifice diligence. Work as hard as you possibly can, set goals, remember that you choose what to think and how to react, use time wisely, and plan. If you do this, I promise that you'll succeed.

I wish that I had more time. I was going to e-mail both dads. I hope that you both still love me. I'll try to send letters afterwards (I've got to write to President Nelson too-I do every week-perhaps that's why he's kept me here...he knows what I need). Love you! Bye.

PDay- February 7, 2011

Dear Friends and Family,
Greetings!

Apologies about the lack of letters, I'll make an effort to send one this week. Also, Carlos wrote me and mentioned that he has mailed me much and it's been returned with the stamp reading 'unclaimed'. I haven't received anything from him with the exception of the DearElder that he had sent last week after P-day informing me of the situation. I'll try to write him also.

To verify, I haven't yet been transferred from Brentwood/Bayshore. I am excited to continue working, however. My companion also remains. Sister Jewkes (the skinny, blond girl in some of the photos) was transferred to serve in Midwood, Brooklyn!! She's been replaced by Sister Delamare. Elder Casperson's also been transferred (to South Shore in Patchogue-only a little farther East on the Island from us).

Elder Gootee is training a new Elder straight from the MTC. He only remained there for three weeks because he's English speaking. He literally has approximately 23 months left in the mission! Also, the Spanish Sisters are in a Trio. The new Sister is Sister Heiner.

Apparently, I'm the best at directions and been here the longest (three transfers) only with the exception of two sisters-Sister McEwen and Sister Mamon!

Other missionaries who arrived with me have been transferred. I've heard that President Nelson prays to receive guidance as to who is transferred and where they're transferred to.

I highly doubt that I'll remain after this one. I think that I'll go to the city perhaps.

We drove to NYC twice last week (on Tuesday and Saturday). One was Transfer Meeting and the other was a Mission Conference where a member of the 70 spoke to us!!!! Elder Pierson (don't exactly know whether that was spelled correctly or not). We all have experienced added vigor and rejuvenation to bring souls. He's really cool!

Saw President and Sister Hardman yesterday. We discussed the package details. She said that she's going to meet Brittany in Florida and deliver a package to me directly. Thanks! I enjoy receiving packages.

Uuummm.....our new Elder (Elder Gibbs) is in awe, sort of like me last September, here in New York.

New York isn't that bad. It's the city in some parts (like where we moved the Lee family several weeks ago) that's dirty and destitute.

The updates of Missionary Work:

We're still working with Jasmin but her husband isn't as sensitive to the Spirit as she is. We have an appointment with them on Wednesday. She's doing fine. When we knocked her door a while ago, she had hair. She has literally lost all of it from the Chemotherapy. She regularly wears a cap. They need to attend church and haven't. For that, we've canceled their date for baptism. It's been a little difficult for me. We haven't given up though. She knows that it's true.

We are teaching another family (from Nicaragua). The wife's been a member....became inactive for 13 years...and has returned with her husband and three children who haven't been baptized yet! They have a baptismal date in exactly one week! They will be my first baptism (Sister Jewkes and Sister Mamon had one last transfer). They're committed and attending church every week for four weeks! The wife had experienced an answer to the veracity of the Book of Mormon and the husband feels the spirit. They've been excited for temple sealing (however, they have to wait a year subsequent to baptism).

However, we might post-pone only ONE week because we have need to address several more lessons prior to baptism.

Also, the members are taking good care of us. We've even shown some families how to make smoothies! Interesting, huh?

Before I go, I must tell you that the Bishop of the English Ward (Bishop Rathgeber) has a daughter serving her mission in Temple Square in SLC. Maybe you might see her. I haven't met her but I thought that it was really neat because she's from HERE, where I'm serving!!!!

Anyway, I love you guys lots!!!!!!!!!!!

Love,

Elder Roberts.