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.