MARTINEZ WOOT! WOOT!

Hey Family!! 

     

Just sitting here munchin on a chile sucker and glad that this cyber has a roof! Because its been practically raining and overcast for the past week. This weeks been long but I'm a happy Elder Here in Martinez!!

    

Monday of last week I said goodbye to all my investigators and new converts. And had a quick little goodbye party with Elder Ortiz. Then I stayed up until 1 just packing. It felt surreal that I was leaving my house again. I really enjoyed where things were going. So thats that.

...In the morning we headed to ADO "siempre primero" (Their busses are kinda like the ones you take to go to lagoon. its what the missionaries take to get from place to place....) I feel a little dirty when we take these because they play movies. So you try to not watch and read your scriptures, or sleep or talk to the person next to you, but in the end you end up watching. Well this time they played The movie Robo cop and a movie about Princess Diana. Ha ha It was 3 hours from Poza Rica to Martinez. I finally met up with the new comp, Elder Vasquez! Pretty much all of Tuesday he just showed me around the area and all. Our house is like a pent house for the drug dealers - really nice and really big. Oh the best part is we have a laundry machine. Woot! WOot! 

(cold morning studies)

The next day was we had zone class in the morning, after that we went as a district to go grab some tortas and tacos. Umm I'm a little intimidated because everyone in my district is Latino. I'm the only one that can speak English. (I don't know if the Pres did that on purpose) But really they are all pretty chill. After that we headed back to our area in placé verde 2. It's a lot smaller then my area in Petromex, more kinda like a Pueblo, a lot of humble, salt of the earth people. In the night it reminds me of the Pirates of the Caribbean ride in Disneyland when Kal yelled over to the diners "hey lady! yah you with the beard!" ha ha that scene with the guy on his porch and the fire flies - it's kinda how it is where i'm at. Just peaceful and nice. I'm about 30 minutes from centro in Martinez, but I really like it. Everyone either calls me "quedo" or "gringo..." It's fine by me because it's an easy ice breaker to start a conversations. We don't have a church that we meet in, it's a "casa de oracion" It's still a ward but we just don't have enough Priesthood to have the church build a church.

(Me and Elder Vasquez after the rain)

Elder Vazquez has a lot of time in the mission (esta buen muerto) he has 6 mesas left. He has a couple problems with his comps before and he really never has had the chance to be a Senior comp. So i'm one of the first. But honestly the first time I met him I knew we were going to be great friends. He is a little frito, and he has an awesome attitude and he makes me feel good! I'm pumped for this Cambio. He really didn't have a lot of dates when I came, so this week and last week we've been doing a bunch of contacting. 

This past week it's been freezing cold! I've had to break out the sweaters and put on that Ralph Lauren shirt on under my white shirts. It's the worst to wake up in the morning and it takes a whole lot of coaxing to get out of the warm bed and take a shower. We have no hot water at all so it's like turning the nob in the shower at home all the way to cold and lather up without hot water. I dare you to try it!

These were the Musas ( flirts) that we were teaching in my last area! They were all crying when I told them that I was leaving! hah super funny they all promised me that they will wait for me to go through the temple. 

Well I have a lot to say and I'm not great with words to really describe the world that I'm in right now! but just know I'm a happy Elder here In Martinez!

Keep safe, I love you all!! So very much! Pray for you and think about you all as I drift off to sleep each night.

With all the love from your half Mexican Bro

              Elder Brett Roberts.

SORRY I DRANK COKE

Heyyyy Family!!!

  

It sounds like you all are happy and doing well!! I hope you're all loving little Ro-Ro. Well I'm still getting tan here in November. It is starting to cool down but I can still be going to bed with out my covers and be just fine. It was funny this week I woke up scared to death. I had a dream that I was headed home and I was so sad that I didn't learn Spanish...I kept asking where did the time go!?!

I've never been so happy to wake up with the fan blowing in my face and look over to see my companion doing his weird morning rituals.

    Well this week I really do qualify my best week in the whole cambio and probably my most fav in my whole mish. On wednesday I received a cool tie from Jakers and a letter!... Air mail too it was so cool! It was fun to get a package but I really loved the letter! Jake really is a guys best friend. I am a little bummed this Cambio that we didn't baptize anyone. But I was praying hard because this has been one of the hardest months and a half I've probably ever had in my life. I know God gave me a gift on the last day of the change!

Pues on Thursday...it was a ruff day here in the mish. Prezzy is really pushing hard to have us talk to everyone. We are recommended to not knock on doors, so we just do a bunch of street contacting.

Well when Elder Ortiz and I were walking. We walked past this kid (Elewin) just staring at the water. I thought in my mind talk to him. I said no. We were really late with our other cita. But the thought came again so I did. I joked with him saying "wow bonita agua" the little creek was just all backed up with garbage and everything. The kid laughed. We broke the ice and talked a little more. He liked us and wanted us to pass by the next day. So we did end up teaching his grandma, his friend, his sister, and him. When we were finishing up the lesson on the porch of the house the mom came home. She looked at us and started to cry. Ends up she was a member of our church a while ago.

We planned to come back on Saturday. The next day came back. No one was home except the grandma and she didn't like us (straight Catholic through and through) but for some reason she invited us to sit down on her porch. We talked for awhile. The whole time I was thinking "why are we here...?" So we got up to leave and just then the family showed up... Long story short we were able to teach them in the house Everyone accepted to be baptized! But the grandma straight up said "no, I'm catholic"  (so 7 in total!) probably the best lesson I've ever had. Oh it was such an amazing feeling! 

   
The next day was Sunday... Reality hit when only the wife and the friend of the family ended up going to church. But it was fast sunday. I sat by the mom.

I had a thought go in my head have jacinta (the member mom) bear her testimony... I asked her but she was uneasy about it. I asked her again she said next time. So right when the Obisbo got up to end it. I asked her again... SHE said YES! So we walked up and I was eyeing the Obisbo and he sat down and the Hermana bore her testimony Oh family, it was so Awesome!

Well today I found out that i'm getting CHANGED! Like what!?


Yeah I cried a little. I found out i'm headed to Martinez! I'm going to miss that family that I love, I'll miss Elder Ortiz, my converts and stinky ole Petromex. But I guess I've done all that I could do here in Petromex and the Lord wants me to move out!! Change is good-  i'm just a little nervous is all.

I was starting to call this place home! 

I love you all! Guys.

 God really is there!!

There is this guy with like a organ piano player, he plays uncle rico music every morning right by our house.
Its great!! I'm going to miss that too!

Te amo-    Roberts..... Elder Roberts

WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE

Hey Family that I love so very much!!

    Well this week wasn't the greatest with the #´s but I've had the greatest adventures! Honestly Finn in Adventure Time would be jealous. Okay, Monday and Tuesday was same ole, same ole. Well Tuesday at district class we had a surprise visit from the Assistants and they did a little seminar kinda deal. Once they were done talking they had me do a practice teaching. After everyone complimented me on my teaching and Spanish and kept asking how much time have I had in the mish! So that was a boost to my confidence. Later tuesday night we found out that our luz bill was never paid so we didn't have lights (usually the mission home covers it for us but this time they had a mix up) So to not get frustrated the comp and I told ghost stories - it was a pretty hot night I hardly slept!
Wednesday... found out we still didn't have any luz.

Thursday... We woke up to a phone call from the zone leaders saying that we were going to have intervistas (interviews) with President! Yikes! We still didn't have any electricity. It was 6:30 and our Pres was coming at 10:30 and sorry mom but our house was a mess. So we didn't have any light to clean, any water, or we weren't able to iron our clothes. All the ice in the fridge had melted and made a mess. Oh it was like straight off of "The Best 2 Years " Long story short, about a half hour before prezzy came we had light and were able to clean up nice and put smiles on President Greer's face. The Interview was pretty awesome, I learned a lot.

  

Friday (Halloween)... I really wanted to do something cool like dress up or something so the best I could come up with, without breaking mission rules is switching mine and Elder Ortiz name badges. But at lunch I turned out to be a missionary zombie tambien. We were have la comida and a kid was trying to get this red chile out that was in some plastic. Like the ranch packets at Wendys. It wouldn't come out so he decided to put it in his palm and with his other hand clap down. Yeah that didn't work out so well either. It didn't go anywhere except on my shirt!! haha it was pretty funny the kid and the mom felt really embarrassed. That was Friday.

Saturday, in the morning it was about the same work day... and then about 2 we were headed to the comida. But it we were in llomas and the comida was in Vicent Herrara. Like spanish fork canyon to provo canyon. We asked if there was a road that we could take to cut through the jungle, people confirmed that there was. So we took it, and in the end we got lost for like 40 minutes and found a guy that was startled to see two people in white shirts hiking in the jungle. His dog chased me down and bit me on the leg and tore my pants the little twerp. Finally after hitchhiking and taking a few other roads we got to the food looking like a bunch of beat up missionaries haha. I don't know why we were in such a hurry. It was soup with basically the whole chicken in it. I ate a heart and liver and stuff i'm not even sure what it was. The sweet old lady bless her heart, kept giving more and after three bowls the comp saved me and said "hermana we cant eat anymore." After that we had Conference in the Estaca (stake). That pretty much finishes Saturday and Sunday...

Today we got permission from the Prez as a district to go to TAJIN!!!!!! Woot!

It's like some ancient ruins - really really cool! Ahh it was so awesome!!

I'll tell more next week. I love you all, it sounds like the baby is doing fine and you are all doing great. I pray for you all every night! I'm doing swell here, the comp is great, the work is good, I have a lot of room to grow and it's flying by!

With love, 

Elder Brett Dean Roberts

Tune Raider

Roaning; welcome to the big world little bud you have been born into a perfect family!!
Take care of them for me!!

Love you buddy

WE GOT MORMONS!

Hey Happy Family-

  

Such great news from home! Haha wow that's a pretty crazy story!
I just know everything is going to be alright. Tuesday of last week I was fasting for you guys and the night of I was praying my heart out asking for comfort and blessings, when I ended my prayer... I felt love. It started from the tips of my fingers and went through my whole body to the top of my head. I knew everything would be fine. I'm doing fine Mom, I worked really hard this week just trying to keep my mind off of everything, but i'm doing good. The night that mom was having the baby I really couldn't help but think of the Rugrats movie and that one part where the mom is pregnant with baby Dill and the hospital has all these crazy rooms... And the babies stay over night singing a song with their bottles and cribs and everything. Haha so I went to bed smiling.

Wednesday morning I was studying and my comp got a call and he said "Hey Elder Roberts Hermana Greer Marca usted." Ahhh my heart started pounding because my mind started wondering and wandering and hoping everything went well - but your mind does wonder. So when I got the phone I said bueno, meaning hello and hermana did her saluds and greeted me and then said well Elder Roberts, you have new Baby Brother!!!!! Then she started to read your letter mom. It was real sweet I started to get choked up and could barely say good bye with out squeaking. But now when I'm looking back on it I'm really kicking myself that I didn't have my comp film me receiving that call or something. It all just happened so fast. Haha but the rest of the day I was so happy!! New baby brother wahoo! I really got nothing else from Hermana Greer. So I was really pumped for Lunes.

This week has really gone by so fast. I'm now back in the hot seat! Tuesday was a long day thinking about all the excitement and emotions going around in our family this week. Sometimes during the lessons I would catch myself drifting off into thought. Not paying attention and when my comp says that he's done giving his little spill EFY style, he will look at me and bat his eyes and do a little grin. Ahh its really annoying but I live with it.

The next day came and in the morning we recived some reference from some members and we were trying to find where the references lived. So I went to ask this guy that was sitting on his porch if he knew this person. He gave us a few directions and when we were about to leave he said "oh you guys are the mormons and Jose smith is Your jesus right??" haha so we took a little time to clear things up. And we got more into the Bible. So he said "wait let me go grab mine." He ended up having us come around the corner of his house where he as this little snack shop that his wife works at. He told his wife "tenemos mormons" or "we got Mormons!" haha. I'm not lying, the husband and wife started to pull out bibles and pamphlets out of nowhere - behind the chips on the fridge, under the counter...It was like off of Second Hand Lions, just everyone grabbing guns! I couldn't help but laugh. So the lady started to bash with my comp. Humble kid, I wasn't really much help. About an hour later my comp wasn't getting anywhere with the guy and his wife. So I felt like I needed to bear my testimony and leave. I did I told her that i'm here sacrificing my time to be here in Mexico and about the baby and everything and I got all choked up and everything. I ended thinking that the lady and the husband would have a change of heart. But they just kept on going. Finally I say "hermana Tengo hombre" and shook their hands and we left. So that was my first encounter with Testigos de Jehova.

 

This week we had Divisionas - it's when your comp goes on splits with the other companionship and you spend the day teaching together, then you stay over the night. It's like a sleepover and I enjoy them because its a little break from the comp.
Mom and Dad you guys should try it.

We weren't able to do our cooking lesson, but I think sometime this week we are going to be able to have a Family Home Evening and carve pumpkins woot woot! I'm stoked for this week because we get to have tamales and Die de muerto pan. I've never had it but I heard its good, supposed to be the best thing here in Mexico.

       I'm really doing fine here in Mexico. I do have my times when I can't stop thinking about you guys and wondering how everyone his. But with the language and the doctrine not being so difficult I'm becoming more engaged in everything.      

I pray for you all every night and morning and I have a prayer in my heart as I walk. Really don't worry about me, i'm doing great. 

I love you all so very much. If I could say I learned one thing this week it would be live in the moment and then at times have one on one time with yourself for personal evaluation. Ha really though,

       I love you all more then a taxidriver hits his horn.

Te amo- Elder Roberts

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!

Hey Mom! 

I want to be the first one to wish you a Happy Early Birthday!

Wahoo big 40!

I wish I had more time to really pour my heart out in this letter. But the sad reality is I don't. I've been thinking back on life lessons i've learned.... or stories with you one that I love. But one that comes to mind is one time at the Lake Shore house in the front there was that sidewalk. And always there would be just un buen ants on the side walk and one day...I was just having a hayday smashing all the ants them all and thinking about trying to burn them. but I remember you came out side and knelt beside me and had me get down to eye level on the sidewalk and you said, "these ants have families too." 

My mission has brought us even more close and this story really describes who you are... just selfless and full of life. I Love you soo Much mom! Thanks for being you and I want you to know mom I really do love you.

well mama next time? next week?

with love 

Your boy- Elder Brett Dean Roberts

IT'S TRADITION

Hey Mom and Dad! and all the Munchkins!

   

    Are you guys as excited as I am for the new baby? I'm sorry i'm not great with names. When I try to think of some they just come out Mexicanized. So I'm not a lot of help in that area. 

   Okay my mission is kind of a mix between "West Side Story" and "Rio Bravo" haha. This week has been pretty awesome! We've been finding new investigators left and right! but Elder Ortiz teaches differently. He's just so slow! In his speaking, in his walking, in his getting ready in the morning etc. He's just a take as it comes kinda a guy! Which serves me right I guess. We've been on a average an hour 30 at every house we teach a lesson at. 

     I don't know this week hasn't really stuck out to me except we found a family. A single dad with 3 kids. This dad (Carlos) doesn't have a job but to provide for his kids, he basically does everything from collecting plastic bottles to making juice on the corner and selling it to cars and taxis as they stop at the light. I really have so much respect for the guy. Every time we teach his family, his little boy with big brown eyes about the same age as Canyon points to me and says "hey its me amigo!" everytime! haha I love it! During lessons while the comp is talking i'll break out my fuzzy ball whatchamacallit (koosh) and play toss with the kids. They love it!

      Everyone is Catholic here in Mexico! We really don't even need to ask what religion they're in... because 88 percent of the time they are Catholic. In one lesson with these two boys (Josue y Rodolfo) we ask if they actually go to the Catholic meetings. They said "well our mom is Catholic and our dad is too so is our cousins, but no we don't go we just say were are Catholic."

      I was pretty pumped for the birthday! I didn't really mention it to anyone, I was just planning on in the morning to make some pancakes, go to work in the day... and then finishing off the day with reading Jesus de Cristo. The night before I was looking for a candle at Oxxo (a gas station that has everything) but couldn't find a candle. So when we got home I asked the lady that we rent from that lives right in front of us for a candle. I ended up asking the husband for one he said yeah whose birthday? I said "mine." He said wait hold on a sec. He leaves the room, comes back and says in english but with a strong thick mexican accent...(hahaaha it still makes me laugh) "yooo know what mi wife make you a cake, yeah for your birthday!" I laughed saying no and then I asked him how he knew english. It was funny. But they were pretty persistent about making me that cake. I wasn't going to complain, the lady makes bread and dulces for a living. 

       
       So in the morning on my birthday I made pancakes. The comp taught me a little bit how to play the guitar and then the other elders in our district came by! It was a chill morning.

 Then about 11 we went to work! It's funny the world really doesn't stop for you on your birthday. The work though was a little disappointing no one was home. I got a little frustrated. Basically the whole day nothing happened and no one was home. In the night we were able to serve one of our investigators and rake up her leaves and burn them. But that's about it. I was really down on myself expecting miracles to happen on my birthday, but it just wasn't the case. So we headed home about 8:45. I forgot all about the little party that the Hermana did. So we walked in to our house and there was the family and Elder Montsevise and Elder Martinez. The hermana was sweet and made homemade pizza and an AWESOME strawberry pastle. It was a good way to end the day! 



So nothing big with the pinata or pin the tail on the donkey! It was actually a really awesome 19th birthday!! I'll attach photos. It's tradition to take a first bite out of the cake so when I did the Hermano shoved my face in the Cake! Ha! in his broken english said "sorry itz tradition!"

Guys I love you all so much, I wrote a handwritten letter about how our family is going to change from 7 to 8. The more I read it, the more I realize i'm becoming that cheezy missionary! Pray for me to not become that Cheezy missionary!!

With Love: Elder Brett Dean Roberts

Hey Mommers!!

To answer a few questions, we go to church at petromex ( its called petromex because of the petroleum it reminds me of springfield in the Simpsons) The man we contacted on the streets name His Artutol. He's really interested in the church, but his wife is hard core Catholic so he's nervous to talk to us. His family is perfect. This little girl's name is Ash she's like 4 and she told me she has a crush on me and will always sit by me during lessons!!  A fecha is a baptism date.

Hey Mom I hope everything is going well with the baby and all! Right now i'm trunkie as ever! Just thinking about the fam and all the baby preparations and if Laur and all the other kids know how to not be stressing you out makes me wish I was there to help. I hope you're really doing well. I feel like... ( this could be something cheesy off of Saturdays Warrior) but I feel like the little baby is watching over me. I've asked Heavenly Father for help to stay focused but the baby news always keeps coming to mind. So I'm happy. I still think its going to be a boy! How about Shane for a name?? 

Well I love you Mother!

I'll be there right with you while I'm here in Mexico!!

Elder Bretters

UP FOR ADOPTION

Hey Family!!

    Thanks so much for the birthday cards and the birthday song! It really means so much! Thanks mom for having people write me and especially the Hermanas. I love you guys so much and miss you all so very much!! 

     

      This week has really wore me down, mainly because Tuesday Mi papa (elder Hernandez)left. And I got a new Madre (elder Ortiz). When I saw him I was like shooot- people are now going to think I'm going on splits with my little brother or collecting fast offerings with Wade. The new Elder looks really young and has a baby face and is pretty short - like a mexican version of Caiou. 

      

     But overall he's pretty chill. When he was unpacking he pulled out these Magic cards. Kinda like pokeman or Yugio. But magic is for adults. So I called him a nerd in english. All of a sudden he flipped on me and said "yeah i'm a geek! yeah i'm a geek!" (in a strong thick Espanol accent) I couldn't help but smile. He really did take that to heart. So to counter my comment I told him I'm a nerd too.

I started talking to him about "Dr. Who and Call of Duty" and things like that - so now we're on good terms.

 

      Really this week has drained me. Elder Hernandez was actually a good comp, lazy in some areas but strong in others. Elder Ortiz is just the opposite strong in the areas that Elder Hernandez wasn't and vise versa. It's hard I know the area and *Mi mama doesn't think know English and my comp doesn't think I know Spanish. We don't have any fechas or progressing investigators. A lot of stress on me when i'm not even supposed to be the leader. But it was a good breeze of fresh air to actually lead out and say who and where we were teaching and what were teaching and where were going. 

    

   On Sunday we didn't have any investigators to go with and bring to conference. I felt like we should pray. So we did, right there in the middle of the street. After I headed to this part of our area called Llomas Verdes. At the bottom of the hill there was this guy sitting on the bottom of the hill waiting for someone. I felt like we needed to contact him. He was waiting for us. Never talked to or have seen the guy before, so he said he wanted to hear our message. We were able to bring him to church and teach him. We are going to teach him and his family this next week!! After, when we were heading home my comp said that I had perfect spanish while talking to the guy and while contacting and teaching. God really does answer prayers. One of my fav citas from the General Conference was: God doesn't give a responsibility without Divine Aid.

Thanks guys for all the best wishes for this Saturday!!

I love you all so very much!!

te amo- Elder Roberts

Waders- Hey buddy keep it real man you should start saying "twenties" oh thats twenies everyone says it. It would be a chill word I love you bro man- Bretty Boy

River- Hey nerd bait I hope you're learning and loving recess, you only have like one more year left of it. I love you cutie pie

Kal- Hey Senor fuerte!! Do five push ups everyday and you'll be able to climb up on top of the barn! Be safe love you man

Quiny- this mish is kinda like the Tangled song - we do so many things in the morning and its only like 8 in the morning!! love you Quinny don't forget to brush your hair!

Cannyboy- Hey dood we should name the baby Canny2 that would be a cool name with the baby!! Hey there are ninjas here in mexico! Mybe you'll serve here on your mish! barrrgh!

love you brother

Because i'm closer with the spirit than all of you, I feel like the baby is going to be a baby boy named ....? Idk for names - that's hard.