Hi Mom!
So my new companion's name is Elder Swanson. He is from Ogden, Utah, but he grew up in Arizona. We get along so well and we are off to a great start. No dog attacks yet. Today we will probably go to the Institute building and play pool and some ping-pong. and maybe go and eat lunch at Cheeseburger in Paradise.
Hopefully those Sister missionaries can't dress too scandalously. I hope you have fun shopping with them though!
Since my new companion has gotten here we have been doing a lot of tracting because he likes it. But we have gotten 2 new investigators from it and one of them is married to a member who hasn't been active since her high school days, and we don't have her records here. So maybe we can baptize him and reactivate her all at the same time. We are also teaching members the missionary lessons in hopes that they will trust us enough to invite their friends to be taught by us. So far it is going pretty well.
Bro. Jayne, a man who was baptized a little over a week before I entered this area, wasn't coming to church for 4 weeks in a row but finally showed up to church yesterday for the last 2 hours. I was so happy to see him. We didn't know why he wasn't coming but we are glad that he finally came.
That will be so weird being that close to you guys when you come to Chicago. That's too bad that I didn't get to see Brad, if he was there on the 23rd, he could have came to transfers in Fishers, which is in Indianapolis. But oh well.
Love, Elder Robertson
Hi Dad,
I'm pretty jealous that you had those cool experiences with an apostle. I wish I could have been there for that. But I think President Collins is just as good as an apostle and I get to email him every week and I can call him anytime. But that is so cool that Elder Perry hugged you and told you that stuff.
I'm so happy to hear that Steven got his mission call. And I'm jealous he will be having warm weather his whole mission. That's pretty crazy that he is going somewhere that is pretty close to home though.
So my new companion's name is Elder Swanson. He is from Ogden, Utah, but he grew up in Arizona. We have a lot in common and get along so well. I don't know how President Collins knew that we were so alike, but I am so glad he put him with me. The power of revelation is so awesome! I haven't had a companion who I have not loved yet, and I have had a different companion every transfer so far. But I do get to meet lots of missionaries, so that's cool. But it would be nice to serve with at least one companion for more than 6 weeks. But oh well. So far it has been a great transfer and it is only going to get better, I just know it.
Love, Elder Robertson
Monday, February 28, 2011
22 February 2011
Hi!
So yesterday we got transfer calls and Elder Duren will be leaving and I will be staying here in Bloomington. 4 transfers, 4 companions. I have had a new companion every transfer and I haven't enough time with those people that I love. To make things more sad, you know how I have been covering 2 areas? We we have been covering Clear Creek as well as Bloomington. There is a part-member family over there and we have finally convinced the husband to get baptized and the date is set for March 5. Now they will be putting missionaries into the Clear Creek area, so I won't be able to see him be baptized. Congrats to those Elders who won't have to do any work to get a baptism next transfer.
But it has been a pretty fun week. We taught a lesson to that part member family. We had a sweet district meeting on Friday. But the best experience was when we got trapped by a dog and almost got attacked. True story. So we were tracting and we knocked on this house and a big black dog came around the house and trapped us in a corner and there was no way out except where the dog was standing. Earlier in his mission, Elder Duren had been bit by a ferocious pit bull, and he has been petrified of dogs ever since. So as the dog was barking at us, Elder Duren was so scared he was literally shaking uncontrollably and it looked like he was going to cry. Meanwhile, I was trying to calm the dog down and my companion at the same time. The dog was barking at us for a good 5 minutes, during that time he went to the bathroom on the bushes. Then a tiny dog came around the corner of the house and barked at us from a little ways away. The dog that was barking went over to that dog and sniffed him. I saw the opportunity and moved to where we had a clear path away from the house. I told my companion to walk down and away from the dog but he was still frozen with fear. it took him a good 2 minutes to move. Then we got away safely and unharmed.
Now don't think of me as some hero after hearing that story, I did what I did because my companion wouldn't. I am still just a regular missionary who looks out for his companion. I am not prideful about what I did to get us out of there, I am just happy we didn't get hurt, although it would have been cool to get a battle scar.
BTW, my socks have been wearing out and getting holes in them, if you could send me a couple of black socks that would be nice.
That is my cool story of the week.
Love,
Elder Robertson
So yesterday we got transfer calls and Elder Duren will be leaving and I will be staying here in Bloomington. 4 transfers, 4 companions. I have had a new companion every transfer and I haven't enough time with those people that I love. To make things more sad, you know how I have been covering 2 areas? We we have been covering Clear Creek as well as Bloomington. There is a part-member family over there and we have finally convinced the husband to get baptized and the date is set for March 5. Now they will be putting missionaries into the Clear Creek area, so I won't be able to see him be baptized. Congrats to those Elders who won't have to do any work to get a baptism next transfer.
But it has been a pretty fun week. We taught a lesson to that part member family. We had a sweet district meeting on Friday. But the best experience was when we got trapped by a dog and almost got attacked. True story. So we were tracting and we knocked on this house and a big black dog came around the house and trapped us in a corner and there was no way out except where the dog was standing. Earlier in his mission, Elder Duren had been bit by a ferocious pit bull, and he has been petrified of dogs ever since. So as the dog was barking at us, Elder Duren was so scared he was literally shaking uncontrollably and it looked like he was going to cry. Meanwhile, I was trying to calm the dog down and my companion at the same time. The dog was barking at us for a good 5 minutes, during that time he went to the bathroom on the bushes. Then a tiny dog came around the corner of the house and barked at us from a little ways away. The dog that was barking went over to that dog and sniffed him. I saw the opportunity and moved to where we had a clear path away from the house. I told my companion to walk down and away from the dog but he was still frozen with fear. it took him a good 2 minutes to move. Then we got away safely and unharmed.
Now don't think of me as some hero after hearing that story, I did what I did because my companion wouldn't. I am still just a regular missionary who looks out for his companion. I am not prideful about what I did to get us out of there, I am just happy we didn't get hurt, although it would have been cool to get a battle scar.
BTW, my socks have been wearing out and getting holes in them, if you could send me a couple of black socks that would be nice.
That is my cool story of the week.
Love,
Elder Robertson
Happy Valentines Day!
Hi Mom
These past few days have been so warm and beautiful. It has been a great change from the harsh conditions that we have been enduring. I wish I could have heard Bro. Hornibrook's talk, his talks always inspire me, maybe you could get a copy of it for me :). I have not had to give a talk yet in either of my wards, but I'm sure it will happen sooner or later.
I did get a new camera last P-Day and it is awesome. It is a Fujifilm camera and it takes great pictures. Those Japanese sure now how to work technology.
That is pretty cool that you guys are re-doing your closet, I bet it will look great when it's done.
The Zilch's blessed their baby yesterday in sacrament meeting. That's crazy that you know somebody who is friends with them.
We checked the weather this morning on our phone using Tell-Me, and it said that it was 42 degrees outside. Then I checked what the weather was back home, and it said rain, and I was like "of course". It was pretty funny.
The work is going alright, things are finally starting to pick up. We had 6 lessons this week and 3 of them were with members. It was a busy week! We haven't done a lot of tracting lately, mostly because I keep telling my companion how un-effective it is. Do you remember that girl named Star in my last area? Well she got baptized yesterday! So happy for her!
Love, Elder Robertson
These past few days have been so warm and beautiful. It has been a great change from the harsh conditions that we have been enduring. I wish I could have heard Bro. Hornibrook's talk, his talks always inspire me, maybe you could get a copy of it for me :). I have not had to give a talk yet in either of my wards, but I'm sure it will happen sooner or later.
I did get a new camera last P-Day and it is awesome. It is a Fujifilm camera and it takes great pictures. Those Japanese sure now how to work technology.
That is pretty cool that you guys are re-doing your closet, I bet it will look great when it's done.
The Zilch's blessed their baby yesterday in sacrament meeting. That's crazy that you know somebody who is friends with them.
We checked the weather this morning on our phone using Tell-Me, and it said that it was 42 degrees outside. Then I checked what the weather was back home, and it said rain, and I was like "of course". It was pretty funny.
The work is going alright, things are finally starting to pick up. We had 6 lessons this week and 3 of them were with members. It was a busy week! We haven't done a lot of tracting lately, mostly because I keep telling my companion how un-effective it is. Do you remember that girl named Star in my last area? Well she got baptized yesterday! So happy for her!
Love, Elder Robertson
7 February 2011
Hi Mom,
The "monster storm" was crazy this week. We were told to stay inside for most of Tuesday and all of Wednesday. The car was grounded for most of the week, so that stunk. All of the sidewalks and ground and trees and just about everything was covered in a thick layer of ice and snow. So it was pretty dangerous walking places, even after we were told it was okay to go outside. We didn't lose power at all but our lights did flicker a bit. The Elders down in Bedford lost power for a couple hours though. The roads are clear enough for us to drive on them, luckily we have lots of snow plows here and they drop lots of rock salt to melt anything that may accumulate on the roads. The new boots are hoding up quite well and have been a big help. the inside had been getting thrashed because I walk around in them so much.
I don't know if we will do something fun today. We might hit up a Goodwill and some other stores, but who knows, my companion likes to do things his way, but we will see.
That is pretty sweet that the Packers won the Superbowl, I was hoping they would. I heard that a reporter had an interview with the player on the Steelers team who had a big beard, and he interviewed the beard. It sounded way funny.
That is way sweet how Mitchell is in an official quartet now and is doing shows and stuff. Tell him that I am proud and jealous of him. We have been practicing with the ward choir here and it is pretty fun. We are doing a song that was made from the 23 Psalm. It is pretty cool. And there is only one tenor besides me and there is a part in the song where the tenors have to hold out this big long note. It's pretty sweet.
Yes, I did get Aunt Susie's package for Christmas and it was way awesome. They gave me gift cards to a bunch of fast food places. Tell her I am so grateful for that. I would write them but I don't have their address. And yes, I got the book you guys made of me with you guys in Disneyland. I loved it! I look through it all the time.
I will definitely read through Enos. That is pretty sweet that they passed around a card for me, I can't wait to get it!
I am doing alright. I am doing my best to stay positive and to look for the good in everything that happens. Although I do miss some things and people from home (that includes my family), I am trying to not think about those things so much so that I can stay focused on the work. But I do find myself wanting to be doing some things back home, But I am trying to keep myself from being homesick.
This is my last email today. I love you Mom and everything you have done for me out here.
Love,
Elder Robertson
The "monster storm" was crazy this week. We were told to stay inside for most of Tuesday and all of Wednesday. The car was grounded for most of the week, so that stunk. All of the sidewalks and ground and trees and just about everything was covered in a thick layer of ice and snow. So it was pretty dangerous walking places, even after we were told it was okay to go outside. We didn't lose power at all but our lights did flicker a bit. The Elders down in Bedford lost power for a couple hours though. The roads are clear enough for us to drive on them, luckily we have lots of snow plows here and they drop lots of rock salt to melt anything that may accumulate on the roads. The new boots are hoding up quite well and have been a big help. the inside had been getting thrashed because I walk around in them so much.
I don't know if we will do something fun today. We might hit up a Goodwill and some other stores, but who knows, my companion likes to do things his way, but we will see.
That is pretty sweet that the Packers won the Superbowl, I was hoping they would. I heard that a reporter had an interview with the player on the Steelers team who had a big beard, and he interviewed the beard. It sounded way funny.
That is way sweet how Mitchell is in an official quartet now and is doing shows and stuff. Tell him that I am proud and jealous of him. We have been practicing with the ward choir here and it is pretty fun. We are doing a song that was made from the 23 Psalm. It is pretty cool. And there is only one tenor besides me and there is a part in the song where the tenors have to hold out this big long note. It's pretty sweet.
Yes, I did get Aunt Susie's package for Christmas and it was way awesome. They gave me gift cards to a bunch of fast food places. Tell her I am so grateful for that. I would write them but I don't have their address. And yes, I got the book you guys made of me with you guys in Disneyland. I loved it! I look through it all the time.
I will definitely read through Enos. That is pretty sweet that they passed around a card for me, I can't wait to get it!
I am doing alright. I am doing my best to stay positive and to look for the good in everything that happens. Although I do miss some things and people from home (that includes my family), I am trying to not think about those things so much so that I can stay focused on the work. But I do find myself wanting to be doing some things back home, But I am trying to keep myself from being homesick.
This is my last email today. I love you Mom and everything you have done for me out here.
Love,
Elder Robertson
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
A new hope 31 January 2011
Hi!
This week has been a little bit of an improvement since last week. We had 3 sit down lessons and found a few sweet potentials(one of which has a sweet '65 Mustang). One of the lessons we taught was to a math student at Indiana University( GO HOOSIERS!). He seems pretty interested but at the same time skeptical. He said that he doesn't really how to come into full faith into our religion. We told him that we would be happy to discuss his concerns during our later visits. We had a funny talk just yesterday with a Jewish lady and her daughter. They were asking us questions about our faith and what we believe. They tried to make us look dumb when they asked about what we think happens after we die. Some people just don't understand that when they try to make us look stupid it just doesn't work because our faith makes sense.
I went on an exchange with our district leader in Bedford (the southern most area in the mission). It was way fun and we got to learn a lot about each other and from each other. When we had our exchange review he had nothing but good things to say about me. the favorite thing he told me was this. "I couldn't even tell that you have been out for 2 and a half transfers, you are doing so well it was like I was serving with a seasoned missionary". Elder Roberts always makes me feel good.
Every week every missionary is supposed to send President Collins an email telling about that weeks efforts and how the missionary is feeling about how he is doing. Last week I reported to President Collins that that week was the hardest of my mission so far because we were working so hard and nothing was happening. He told me that he was so sorry that I was going through a rough time. But he was so proud of my willingness to keep working and to stay positive. Then he said a few other things that also made me feel good. President Collins is awesome!
We have been told that we will be receiving ice or snow over these next few days and it's going to be bad weather. So the fleet is probably going to be grounded as soon as we get the car. Sweet.
--
Love, Elder Robertson
This week has been a little bit of an improvement since last week. We had 3 sit down lessons and found a few sweet potentials(one of which has a sweet '65 Mustang). One of the lessons we taught was to a math student at Indiana University( GO HOOSIERS!). He seems pretty interested but at the same time skeptical. He said that he doesn't really how to come into full faith into our religion. We told him that we would be happy to discuss his concerns during our later visits. We had a funny talk just yesterday with a Jewish lady and her daughter. They were asking us questions about our faith and what we believe. They tried to make us look dumb when they asked about what we think happens after we die. Some people just don't understand that when they try to make us look stupid it just doesn't work because our faith makes sense.
I went on an exchange with our district leader in Bedford (the southern most area in the mission). It was way fun and we got to learn a lot about each other and from each other. When we had our exchange review he had nothing but good things to say about me. the favorite thing he told me was this. "I couldn't even tell that you have been out for 2 and a half transfers, you are doing so well it was like I was serving with a seasoned missionary". Elder Roberts always makes me feel good.
Every week every missionary is supposed to send President Collins an email telling about that weeks efforts and how the missionary is feeling about how he is doing. Last week I reported to President Collins that that week was the hardest of my mission so far because we were working so hard and nothing was happening. He told me that he was so sorry that I was going through a rough time. But he was so proud of my willingness to keep working and to stay positive. Then he said a few other things that also made me feel good. President Collins is awesome!
We have been told that we will be receiving ice or snow over these next few days and it's going to be bad weather. So the fleet is probably going to be grounded as soon as we get the car. Sweet.
--
Love, Elder Robertson
24 January 2011
Hello from B-Town!
This week has been very discouraging. We didn't teach one single lesson to
anybody. Most of the people we tried by didn't answer the door. The teaching
appointments that we had set up fell through. This has definitely been the
most difficult week of my mission thus far. But our district leader, Elder
Roberts, tells me that when we are going through a tough time like this, it
means that something miraculous is coming our way. So I am going to keep my
head up and look for that miracle.
When Elder Duren and Elder Roberts went up to Indy for a leadership training
from Wednesday morning to Thursday evening, they left Elder Quinney and I to
take care of this area. I have been out longer than Elder Quinney so when I
first found out that this was happening, I was so nervous and stressed out.
But fortunately things went very well. We visited lots of potentials and set
up some return appointments, even though they fell through. We had dinner
with some members at Five Guys, yes, they have Five Guys here. And we played
volleyball with the elders quorum which was way awesome and fun.
I am always cold when I go outside, even when I but on billion layers. It was down in the negatives a few days ago which was an experience I have never had. It is much colder and I hear that we are getting more snow down here than up in C-City. I keep hearing that the temple will be built in Carmel but they don't have the exact site yet, so it is still going to be a while until the groundbreaking.
My new area is nice even though the work is very tough here. I'ts a bit bigger than my last area but I think I am starting to get the hang of it. I am jealous I couldn't be at the snow trip, we don't get to do that stuff here. I miss the chili dogs, I've been thinking about getting stuff to make them. I am also glad that Mitchell used his snowboard, you can tell him he is welcome to use my stuff if he wants to, and I don't care if anything happens to them.
I'm sorry to hear about the youth in the ward, I also saw that they were up to no good when I was there. You leaders should plan a fun activity so that they will all come, and then have a bold talk with them either before or after the activity, telling them that they need to set their priorities straight.
I miss movies and music so much! I wish I could have had a movie night too, but I can only watch movies that have the church label on them.
The ward we have here is way cool and a bit bigger than the C-City ward. It's made up mostly of younger couples who are going to school. They feed us almost every day which is awesome because I love getting good food instead of the stuff that we eat at the apartment.
We give service every Tuesday and Wednesday from 12-2 at the Shalom Center, serving food. I haven't had the chance to shovel any drive-ways yet but I'd love to. But I am going to go ahead and get off cause my companion is done and he is ready to go. But I love you and everybody else back home!
Unfortunately I don't have much to report on this week because not much
happened. But I am doing my best to stay positive and to look for all the
blessings that are being given to me. It sounds like you guys had a better
week than I did and I am happy for you.
Love,
Elder Robertson
**If his letters seem a little off, it is because if we are on the computer at the same time, we email back and forth so I am trying to patch emails together so he can enjoy everything when he gets home!**
This week has been very discouraging. We didn't teach one single lesson to
anybody. Most of the people we tried by didn't answer the door. The teaching
appointments that we had set up fell through. This has definitely been the
most difficult week of my mission thus far. But our district leader, Elder
Roberts, tells me that when we are going through a tough time like this, it
means that something miraculous is coming our way. So I am going to keep my
head up and look for that miracle.
When Elder Duren and Elder Roberts went up to Indy for a leadership training
from Wednesday morning to Thursday evening, they left Elder Quinney and I to
take care of this area. I have been out longer than Elder Quinney so when I
first found out that this was happening, I was so nervous and stressed out.
But fortunately things went very well. We visited lots of potentials and set
up some return appointments, even though they fell through. We had dinner
with some members at Five Guys, yes, they have Five Guys here. And we played
volleyball with the elders quorum which was way awesome and fun.
I am always cold when I go outside, even when I but on billion layers. It was down in the negatives a few days ago which was an experience I have never had. It is much colder and I hear that we are getting more snow down here than up in C-City. I keep hearing that the temple will be built in Carmel but they don't have the exact site yet, so it is still going to be a while until the groundbreaking.
My new area is nice even though the work is very tough here. I'ts a bit bigger than my last area but I think I am starting to get the hang of it. I am jealous I couldn't be at the snow trip, we don't get to do that stuff here. I miss the chili dogs, I've been thinking about getting stuff to make them. I am also glad that Mitchell used his snowboard, you can tell him he is welcome to use my stuff if he wants to, and I don't care if anything happens to them.
I'm sorry to hear about the youth in the ward, I also saw that they were up to no good when I was there. You leaders should plan a fun activity so that they will all come, and then have a bold talk with them either before or after the activity, telling them that they need to set their priorities straight.
I miss movies and music so much! I wish I could have had a movie night too, but I can only watch movies that have the church label on them.
The ward we have here is way cool and a bit bigger than the C-City ward. It's made up mostly of younger couples who are going to school. They feed us almost every day which is awesome because I love getting good food instead of the stuff that we eat at the apartment.
We give service every Tuesday and Wednesday from 12-2 at the Shalom Center, serving food. I haven't had the chance to shovel any drive-ways yet but I'd love to. But I am going to go ahead and get off cause my companion is done and he is ready to go. But I love you and everybody else back home!
Unfortunately I don't have much to report on this week because not much
happened. But I am doing my best to stay positive and to look for all the
blessings that are being given to me. It sounds like you guys had a better
week than I did and I am happy for you.
Love,
Elder Robertson
**If his letters seem a little off, it is because if we are on the computer at the same time, we email back and forth so I am trying to patch emails together so he can enjoy everything when he gets home!**
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