PDay 1/24/2011

Dear Family & Friends,

I have mailed you photos (see the two new pages devoted to MTC photos and New York Bayshore area photos).  The one of Me, a Sister (Red-hair), and my first companion in New York (Elder Griener-my Father) posing in front of Montauk Point Lighthouse is special because it's a photo of me with my parents. The Sister is my Mother and Elder Griener is my Mission Father.

 The SECOND companion (which came only my second transfer-sometimes parents stay around a little longer with their children) is always termed as the 'step-parent'. Elder Leal (from Venezuela-and Hispanic) is my Step-pops.

First, I'll explain to you where I went yesterday. One of the Elders in our district needed to go to Bushwick in Brooklyn for a Baptism (Missionaries, whose investigators that they've participated in teaching-even in the past, have the priviledge to return even to a different area in the mission for the baptism of that particular individual). However, he had also been asked to perform the baptism. We all collectively agreed to initiate exchanges again yesterday so that I could have an opportunity to see the projects of Brooklyn!!!!!!!! Elder Gootee and I left early to drive to Bushwick (also, there are no Sister Missionaries in Bushwick, East New York, or Ridgewood-all in Brooklyn- because it's not so safe for them). We turned on another highway, however, missed the exit entirely and crossed the bridge into MANHATTAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The traffic was bad (as in Brooklyn across the river but even worse). I wish that you could see the photos on the new card now!! I have 80 photographs of just Brooklyn and Manhattan alone! We eventually managed to wind through streets and turn around to Williamsburg bridge. Even in Brooklyn, it's totally different.

We attended an English-speaking Sacrament Meeting in a church building which seemed to remind me of a hospital but with even narrower hallways and rooms. In the chapel were windows and I could see the rising apartment buildings nearby.



There were a lot especially of Jews, Blacks, and surprisingly (especially in the branch) a bunch of whites. It's a little tough I hear for whites because of intense discrimination against them. It's a different world. People don't blend together as in California and sometimes Utah. There's a lot of everything in the city, yet, they group together according to culture and customs in neighborhoods such as the gigantic Chinese community in Flushing in Queens (which is also where Elder Griener is now).

Also example, even out of the city on the Island, the English speaking ward park in one parking lot on one side of the church building while the Spanish-speakers park on the other. I don't quite understand why they do it, however, they do. Even some of the stores that you go to are filled with only whites....but then you go to another a few neighborhoods away and there are only blacks! There are two separate wards for English and Spanish too, didn't I mention that? There's one Spanish ward and one English Ward in Bayshore and Brentwood.

It's a great probablility that I could be transferred. I discover whether I am or not on Saturday night!!! It's really random (not quite because the Mission President prays and makes educated decisions as to who will). All I know is that it's unlikely that my companion will be perhaps not leave because he's been barely made District Leader in our District. If it's anyone in our companionship, I'm the one! Or perhaps we both might remain for a transfer more. I don't konw. Send any letters or packages to the Mission Office this week! I love you very much. I absolutely can't wait until you can see my NEW Manhattan and Brooklyn photos!!!

Love you!

E-mail from Pday 1/17/2011 Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Hello,


How are you doing? I've written a letter earlier today. Hadn't had access to a computer earlier because all the libraries are closed for Martin Luther King's Day. We've received permission to utilize the computers of members! Hmm...I've delayed a little because I haven't yet established a list of items to send. I need to make the package worthwile. Especially since there are pre-printed photos, a DVD-Slideshow, and perhaps others. I will send them tomorrow. Today's been busy.

Last Saturday, I attended a meeting for the companions of leaders and newer missionaries in Rego Park, Queens, NYC. Its duration lasted from 9:30 am until 4:30 pm with a meager 20 minute break! Afterwards, I was excessively tired. Elder Clement (we were on exchanges) and I left after a little while for home. I hardly noticed anything wrong apart from the lack of familiarity with the buildings we were passing. We had taken the Interstate 495 as usual, however especially by now, I would recognize the buildings, projects and skyscrapers of Queens. What was unusual, in fact, was that I couldn't. I didn't worry and dismissed it. Elder Clement asked me to send text messages to the Huntington Elders and, therefore, proceeded to do such. After between 10 and 15 minutes later, I looked up and noticed that Manhattan was hovering in front of us on the horizon really close, closer than I had seen it before!!!!! I have no idea to this moment why Elder Clement didn't notice but we instantly both agreed that we were in the wrong direction. We took the exit immediately before the toll for the bridge! After that, we turned around and traveled EAST on the 495. :)

Anyway, we taught after 6:00 two investigators. One named Erlin, the other named Pedro. Prior to 6:00, a family gave us a barbeque (indoors because it's cold and there's snow everywhere) for all the eight of us missionaries here.

I went on exchanges with the English Elders also and met a wonderful young couple who barely moved into the English Ward in Bayshore. They're from Utah (with 'normal' accents too) and they have a baby girl on the way. That's probably something you see all the time, but in New York, it's a reminder of home. I have yet to see a Utah License plate here in New York. I have seen: License plates from all over the East Coast and South; also even Texas, California, and Arizona.

We've had to 'drop' some investigators a little while ago. Did I tell you? Oh well, it's sad. Fortunately, we've replaced them with a new man named Orlando. He lives in a farther part of our area called Wyandanch. Wyandanch consists of only Blacks and Hispanics in some parts, nothing much else. Very different than Bayshore, Babylon, Copiague, and Lindenhurst on the coast or in wealthier neighborhoods (which, by the way, none of our investigators come from despite being part of our area-the English Missionaries usually teach a lot there). Farther inland, it's totally different.

Yesterday, we delivered a talk-each of the four of us Spanish Missionaries during Sacrament Meeting. The Bishop Romero was overjoyed. We ate at his house and shared a message with his family. They're so awesome for serving us so willingly.

I must inform you that I was very worried earlier today. They had been wrestling in another room nearby when, all of a sudden, I hear that Erik is badly hurt. He was crying, complained that he could not move his legs, and laying sprawled on the floor. My companion informed me that I needed to grab some ice. He seemed extremely worried and concerned about his back because it was in severe pain.

I couldn't find a zip-lock bag, so I folded ice into a few paper towels, ran as fast as I could back. After a few moments of suspense, Erik started laughing. Wow! I must admit that I was angry but laughed along a little. They fooled both Elder Gootee and I. Not nice, but there are soooo many things that happen.

Anyway, I must say though, to be a missionary in New York, one must have a sense of humor. On one occasion, a younger man, perhaps our age, who worked at the store in Bayshore complimented us on our dress and asked whether he could join the club (in front of people) we laughed along with him and talked to him a little. Another man, a big, Black guy with long-braided hair, asked us what we were doing in such 'fine' clothes. We told him, "why, we're shopping, of course".

P.S. We're improving our member work so that we can obtain more referrals, etc... Progress is happening!

Love,

Elder Steven Roberts.

E-mail from 1/12/2011

Dear Family & Friends,


I've heard the news that a psychotic boy entered a supermarket and shot at people in Arizona. Of twenty injured, six perished.That's very tragic. I can't believe the how crazy some people are! We've heard news that there's a serial killer on Long Island who's murdering people at the beach at night. I don't know whether that's an uncomfirmed rumour or not. Fortunately, we're never out at the beach at night. We're very careful and you have no need to worry. Bayshore is rather safe and we have plenty of locks on our New York door. Sorry, that's news that I've discovered this morning. I probably shouldn't mention it but it's a shock to me.

Last Sunday, the Bayshore Sisters had two consecutive baptisms! We're very happy for them. We were present to fill the font and to assist in the program. This morning, I gave my first Priesthood Blessing in Spanish. I've given two blessings in English and I've done numerous annointings in Spanish, however, not until this morning had I accomplished performing a BLESSING in Spanish. I said what I needed to say in Spanish with a lot of difficulty. It's soooo difficult to perform a blessing in Spanish because first, you're talking in third-person (and that's rather difficult to do in Spanish because I'm not used to do that); second, you're thinking in English first then needing to conjugate in your head at a pace. I hope that they understood, haha. I can only admit that I am slowly improving. The issue is that, while I spent two months in the MTC and spoke Spanish on a general basis, I was conversing with other 'gringos'. It's totally different to talk to a native Spanish-Speaker. I apparently, in the early hours of the morning, muttered a few sentences in Spanish and returned to my dreams.

I'm currently on exchange with the English Elders today because my companion, Elder Leal, needed to travel to NYC (between 45 minutes and an hour away) for a meeting. Aparently my meeting in NYC tomorrow is cancelled (sad face) because there's supposed to be a lot of snowfall tonight and tomorrow.

I'm going to send in the mail today my photos on the SD card, a certificate stating that I've succesfully scaled Fire Island Lighthouse, and a special DVD Slideshow of the Mission last year that we each received at the Christmas Eve Celebration in Rego Park, Queens. There's a plethora of photos from '09!! Guesssssss how many photos I'm in?????????!!!!!!! Only one!!!!! That's significant to me considering the fact that there are two-hundred or so missionaries in this mission! Or perhaps it's not that significant. We're doing what we can. You don't need to worry about my obedience, remember, I'm the companion of the District Leader! :) We try to do all that we can! It's difficult sometimes, my muscles ache from playing Volleyball (I know, that's pitiful)yesterday for example. I'm starting to play really, really well. My friend, Elder Smith, calls me the Dwead Piwate Woberts (Princess Bride)! Also, I've learned from Elder Griener (my Pops) how to throw a spiral and how to catch a football. I'm practicing my athletics. I think that I've changed a little bit (of course, my fascination for History will always remain, it's a fetish for me) but for the better.

I've spoken to Elder Griener only a little and by telephone. He's in Flushing, Queens now. He can return for Jasmin and German's baptisms though.

Love,

Elder Roberts

Letter written 12/27/10 (received 1/4/2011)

Dear Family & Friends,

Hello!  Merry Christmas to all of you and a Happy New Year!

Sincerest apologies for the missed e-mail this week; the inclement weather had precluded us from doing so.
We've been snowed in!  Yesterday (Sunday) we attended church, however, it dismissed early because of the start of a huge storm.  The English ward cancelled altogether!  We had an entire day planned and we decided to continue working.  The Bishop called and had us eat at his house.  He firmly recommended that we go home.  Not a long time later, we received a text from the zone leaders (which I forwarded to everyone in our district) which ordered everyone to their 'pads' (what we call our living quarters) for the rest of the day.  Today, it has been snowing until only about noon.  The snow is so deep that we had been shoveling for hours earlier.  We had received a text shortly after waking at 6:30 that we're not to work or use the cars for today.
We shoveled around our neighbor's car and the driveway (no easy task as the snow was profoundly deep).  The woman who lived there opened her window and handed down to us each a cup of hot chocolate with cream.  She asked us to accept money a few times and we denited it, but we told her that the hot cholcate would be enough!  ha ha.
The libraries were closed today because of the snow, so we couldn't have e-mailed even if we could have driven there.
I'll write next week!
Love,

Elder Steven Roberts