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 She's been replaced by Sister Delamare.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.