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.
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