HE HAS THE HEARING OF A BAT

Hey family! 

I was studying one day and the song to "I'll get by" came in to my head. I was singing it all day! I've basically seen it all this week, it was pretty awesome! Well on Wednesday and Friday we had the chance to listen to Elder Pino (he was the guy who talked in spanish at the General conference! ) He really put us in our seat!  

 

On Friday we also had Elder Christiansen and Elder Piper come to speak to us! They are from the Presidency of the seventies! It was pretty cool to have three of the 70´s come and speak to us! I feel blessed that I have time still left in my mission! I loved that it was in straight spanish. They talked to us about how we can be better missionaries and how God loves us! It really helped me out and gave me more excitement for the work! Also Mom could you send me a copy of my mission call where it says my name and where i'm serving, that part?

Well we also had opportunities to work! It's really stressful to be a DL! Right now my district is a little bit down and we've hit a little bit of a rut. I'm going to work on it!

Well one of our converts texted us saying that the Mormon church is not for him. It was pretty heart breaking. Right now he's living with his mom and she's putting things in his head that are not true and so we are going to work with this kid named Michael.

On Friday we had a fun time with a drunk guy ha ha. El se llama Mario! He's a crazy dood! He was a reference from a member so we went to contact him. Well went in and when we touched the door, a skinny old lady answered the door. The grandma looked at us and brightened up said "oh come come in come in! So elder Lopez and I were pretty excited thinking that they were Golden! But I now realize she was just using us to get at her drunk son. Well we came in and sat on the sofa. She started to talk to us and say oh I'm so embarrassed of my son and all this stuff. So the son Mario came around the corner pointing his finger at his mom saying "mom they didn't come to just talk about me! They came to talk about God! hah!" He left the room to go make coffee and the mom whispered under her breath, "my daughter is better!" Mario came back in really mad yelling "what did you say?!" (I guess he has the hearing of a bat) It was funny to sit and see their relationship. Well they didn't progress I just feel bad for the lady that lives with her alcoholic son. (wade, kal, canny, ro don't drink!)

I love you guys - this week has been awesome! I know this coming week I'll have more stories to tell!

Love your guts

E. Rob

I GOT A KNIFE!

Hey lovely family!! How is everything¿? 

Mom, I can't send pictures because of the viruses here at this cyber, sorry.

This week was an awesome week!! I felt a little overwhelmed with the LD. Ya know working out their problems and getting them excited and pumped up for the week. Every Tuesday I give a district class. 

The last week a did a little activity hoping to help out my district. I went to like a home depo (which entering I felt like I was home) I decided to get some flower seeds have have my district "see the fruits of their labors!" It actually turned out really well! But this week went a little rough for a couple compañerismos. I realized that a lot of them are working without the spirit with finding people to teach. I love my district though. I also had a fun time doing splits with my Homie Elder Trejo. I went to their area to help them out. They have an investigator who looks like he should be right on the cover of a Hollister magazine but no he really enjoys his dogs and comics. We also went to a house the was more like a cobweb than a house. During the lesson I saw 3 spiders bigger than the palm of my hand! 

So that was pretty much the first of my week. The Next couple of days were off and on! Well the new Investigator that we found Ulysses and his family are going to Mexico City for 15 days for his work. So I was a little bummed but we were able to talk Ulysses into going to church with us. He really liked it. I feel like he's going to get baptized and become the next bishop, he's that cool!!

I'm doing great!! I'm loving my mission! I just feel like I can do so much better! Yesterday we went to the ghetto part of Xalapa and we have an Investigator whose name is Cesar. He's a great guy and wants to get baptized but it's just that he doesn't want to get married! But when we went over yesterday, he seemed so happier than usual, like he wanted to start the lesson so he could tell us about a secret. So we taught him and his wife. And at the end of the lesson, he told us that he went to the Register and he and his wife got married without telling us! How great is that!!!! I love seeing the Lord's hand in the work!

The weather here is getting hotter and hotter! I laugh because every visit is the same. Everyone always says "Isn't it a Bochorno (really hot) out there?!" Everyone here can go on and on about the climate!

Well today we went to City Center Jalapa and chilled for a little! We were crossing the street and it was like New York City! everyone shoulder to shoulder! Crossing all at once! I saw a little ol lady with two sticks helping her walk! I thought rapidly to help her! She told me that God never fails to send her Angels. That really lightened up my day! I felt like the little dude off of UP! haha

 

This weeks going to be crazy! We are going to listen to 3 General Authorities! Wednesday Elder Pino and Friday Elder Christianson and Elder Piperj! Three 70's  - I feel special.

Well family, I'm doing really great!! This week my comp likes to sleep while i'm doing other stuff in the morning so I decided to grab to pans and hit them together to wake him up! It worked well and he freaked out yelling outloud, "I got a knife, I got A knife!!" It was really funny, I died laughing!!

Mom love you, one thing that would be awesome if you could send me patriarchal blessing again! and my debit card! umm also fruit snacks!! and gospel art book that I can use to teach lessons!! Thanks

I love you guys soo much!! Be someone's Angel this week! Hey and finish to the end with the school. Don't be a Zac Efron!

Yours spiritually Inclined - Elder Roberts

BUENAS TARDES

Hey Mama!

Ahh it was sooo great seeing you guys yesterday!! I loved every little second! 

(my favorite taco stand)

Well this week as district Leader I have to go do splits with the other Elders that aren't working very well! Well I went with E. Quintana a huge guy that has 26 years! He was in the army before the mish! But we had a great time spending together. He's a little slow going, but I love the guy! We went to contact someone (Carlos) and we had a great lesson. We ended with a prayer and we always have the Investigator finish. So after when we were leaving and we got around the corner, Elder Quintana started to cry - He totally broke down and cried! It was a cool moment... He said he never felt the spirit that strong in a lesson! A big great guy like the size of uncle Wes crying in the middle of the street!

(the big friendly giant)

It was great to see every single one of you!! I was walking one day! And this kid from across the street! I yelled buenas tardes and the kid pointed at himself looking as if there was anyone else around and realized I was waving at him! It put a big smile on his face and it looked like he walked a little more happier. I'll testify of the power at just waving and being sincere and friendly with someone, it makes their whole day!

This week was awesome to see you guys I got to baptize and see mi madre so it was an amazing day Yesterday!!

Laurie!! Hey do cool date! Give boys Ideas also have a little notebook that you can just write down all your crazy Ideas down what ever you think of put it down In that little book!

Wadey!! Do you remember that X box game that we had Top spin!! Ya your living it right now! I'm sooo Impressed that you are so talented!! Don't forget that God gave you theses talents for a reason!

Rivey! Dancing Queen! Little words of advice: do grow up to fast!! You'll look back and ask were the time went!! Watch the movie going 30 or something like that!

Kallers! You are such a good kid!! I love you you should find things that you love like learn how to play the piano! Or  throw the ball in the air and hit it with bat! Use your time to be active

Quinny!! Don't lose your humor It keeps me going here in the mish!! I love you sooo much! more than Frozen 

t- shirts that I see here in one day!

Can Can! I love you dude!! Find your inner peace and you will be come a better Ninja!! Question? If a pickle was to shave who would take out the garbage? I want an answer by next monday!

Ro-- Lose some weight use some of those vIdeos of that exercise guy! (billy blanks Tae-bo)

Mom I love you sooo much! There isn't a day that doesn't go by when I don't think about you!

Dad-- You're such a great example for me! I love you.

 (crossing the river of death)

I'LL ADMIT I CRIED

Hey family!! 

I'm chilling here in the Cyber, next to my homie Elder Lopez!! I love it here in Xalapa! It's a big change from Plaza Verde. It's cool and hip and big and a little high class! It's just the work is a little bit harder.

I keep thinking of the poetic words of Dad before I left for my mish! He said hey son don't fret about the language one day you'll just wake up speaking and thinking en Espanol! Well I feel like that promise came true! One day we were just walking and talking and I realized that I was just talking and thinking in Spanish. I felt a little shocked that I was thinking in spanish and talking it! I laughed!

The new house is really small. I'm sorry I haven't taken any pictures my address is Z mercado and the colonial is sebastian or something I really don't know but I'll figure it out! It is a really small place. It's just two rooms - the first room is the study and kitchen and the second is the sleeping area and there's a sheet separating us from the shower and the toilet! But I like it.

Yeah Mom, I have a phone but It's a brick or here they say es un cacahuete! No mom, we don't have ipads. If we had an Ipad we'd get jumped right on the spot!

I'm eating good! I'm still trying to save me money. I'm a little bit behind on the money sitch because of my wallet being stolen. So one time we were walking just leaving a charla and right after we had to go to the noche barrio which is like a 40 min walk. We were late and I didn't have any money to pay the taxi so I was thinking what we could do! I had my head down thinking and walking. And all of a sudden I saw 20 pesos rolled up laying on the ground looking like a cigaret butt!! It was just the right amount to pay for the taxi! (manna from Heaven right)

Well this week was chill. I'm a little sad because Elder lopez and I have been finding great people, but not great enough to accept the church! We have a family that we are teaching and the dad is reading the Book of Mormon! It's just that every Sunday he gives us excuses why he can't go to church! I don't know what we are doing wrong. We are going to work with them (Jaun y Nancy) for a little while longer!

The ward here is awesome!! I love working here! I had an interview with the President last week! I love the interviews with President Greer, he is a great guy! He made me District Leader. 

I love it here in Mexico, I can't imagine being anywhere else. Really, I don't have the words to describe it! The people are so loving. During my interview with the Pres I'll admit I cried realizing that 10 months of my mission has gone by. I don't know if I'm doing everything that I can. I am working hard.

I love you all! 

Laur-  sup? SBO baby! Josh is a good guy! 

Wade- You are going to be a baseball star man. When I get back you could be playing your sophomore year!

Rivey! You should call that TV show about little miss!

Kal- Don't go shooting your eye out!

Quin-- Don't worry hair chest doesn't run in the family I casi don't have any.

Canners- happy birthday sunn! Remember 2 birthdays and then I'll be home!

Ro! gettin a little chubby

Dad and mom! thanks for everything Love you guys tons!

Well Here I go another week another dollar or 15 pesos!

Elder Roberts ( your Mexican bro)

MY HEART IS IN PLAZA VERDE

Hey Family!! 

I'll just start at the first of this week. Well Elder Duran is one of my fav comps. He's just so chill with everything. We have really been starting things on fire in our area! Well Monday and Tuesday were pretty much the same, We have been finding a lot of people and teaching them. I'll just skip to the main part!!!

APRIL FOOLS! 

Well I had it all planned out on Tuesday night. I was going to tie my comp in his bed and put water filled cups around his bed. Well it turns out that my comp is a really light sleeper so it didn't work out that well. My master plan was foiled. I decided to fill the kitchen area full of cups and tie the main doors shut and tie up his desk and everything. I remember in the night feeling like mom, talking to myself. I finally got everything finished and when I was in my bed I whispered, "I'm so weird." (just like you mom)

Wednesday I really didn't get the look and laugh from my comp that I was hoping for. He kinda walked passed everything and picked up a few cups to get to the Frosted Flakes. It was the thought that counts.

Wednesday was a memorable day. We went with Marisol... Talked to her about her problems. We had plans on Friday to marry Juan and Alejandra. We ate breakfast at the Rosarios. I had fIsh, it's like my 2nd time to eat fish. Well in the night we went to talk to Juan and Prax! Well we got there and Prax looked a little sad. We found out that with all the pressures of the work and all their debts, Juan came to the house drunk. It really broke my heart. So we talked to Prax and I bore my testimony and felt the spirit. 

Well we were headed out and where they live they don't have service. So when I got into range I got a message saying this: "Special changes you're going to Xalapa...you leave in the morning" It hit me hard! It felt like it wasn't reality. I started to cry. Ahh it was an awful feeling. I had this thought in my mind that it was April Fools. I finally got ahold of the leaders de zona. They confirmed my nightmare. I didn't have time to really say goodbye to anyone. I left in the morning early. In the night I said goodbye to Alejandra and in the morning I said bye to Prax. I didn't have a chance to see Juan. 

(saying hello to the new kid)

(saying goodbye to the homies)

I still cant believe that Im here In Xalapa. Wed night I stayed up packing. When I went to bed I literally cried myself to sleep. I really put my whole heart in this area. I could of done sooo much more! I'm going to miss it all so much...the members, the mud, the weather, the people.

I'm sorry to say this, and i'm not being dramatic....but it was almost as hard leaving my home in utah. The Lord is a good prankster. My heart is in Plaza Verde.

Well I came to Xalapa. I'm going to finish a training! Elder Lopez. The area is huge. My comp just has like 2 weeks in the mish and doesn't know the area so it's basically a white wash. The members are pretty cool. Xalapa is really different than Martinez!! I feel like someone from the amazing race but to salvation! Well look on the bright side...

(Just read the dang thing!)

Friday E. Lopez and I were lost looking for a house. So we decided to find cover under the shade until we could find where we were. And all of a sudden, a guy comes up and says "hermanos really quick I've been reading the book of mormon and I want to get baptized!" I guess the Lord is rewarded us. Well Juan Garcia is a homie his family and el will get baptized for sure at the end of this month! Oh and they are married so it's a win win.

Well this week has been crazy! I've been thinking about you guys. But It's great when there's a lot of work.

I love you guys soo much!!!! I'm doing great! Pray for me please!!

Brett Roberts (I think there's an Elder in there)

FEAR IN MY EYES

Hey family!!!

I hope everything is good in the hood!!

It sounds like school is passing by fast and everyone has their gimmick or hobbies! And that's great! Keep up the work team! Keep watching out for each other and don't be too hard on los padres! I want to get back with them not having too many grey hairs.

Well the training with Elder Duran is actually really fun! My comp is pretty awesome! He knows a lot so he helps me in those times when I really don't! I feel like master wishu in Karate Kid! I sing the song from Mulan every morning "Somehow I'll make a man out of you" ha ha it's great!

Well this week the scripture rang true to my ears. Saying "many are called but few are chosen" "muchos son llamados y poco son escojidos"

Elder Duran and I really put fire to the stones this week. We found 2 families Saul y Rosalba. They have five kids! Two of them have their husbands so a huge family! It was awesome. We had a lesson like a family Neves or family Roberts gathering. With all the kids and the parents. We taught the Plan of Salvation. It was one of the best lessons i've ever had! Well Saul and Rosalba are for sure getting baptized! But i'm not sure about their kids!!

 (even the cows don't want to listen)

(A great member family) 

(Helping get water at an investigator's house)

 (we dunked our heads in the well for three minutes. seconds later, our hair was dry.) 

 (throwing blocks at the Bishop's house. I got my work out for the day)

The week kept going strong and we found like two new families about everyday! So it was awesome! We found a old guy who smells like really strong aftershave and he combs his hair to the side and he is surprisingly not crazy! He's one of a kind here in Mexico! But he loves me! He doesn't want to listen to anyone else but me. Like when my comp tries to talk, he talks right over him directing questions a mi. He gave me a name Espanol Roberto!

Then sunday came.

So when we went around Sunday morning to pick up our investigators they all were going to chill at the Carnival! So it was pretty sad. Well this weekend Martinez they have a Carnival when everyone drinks and goes crazy (back story). We even passed by with one families who are really cool but were just not ready. But they invited us to drink Pineapple with beer. He like used a weird name that I didn't recognize. So I was like ya why not. But my comp told me what it was. Good thing we didnt drink it or I would be ariving to church drunk!! ha But Saul and his family came so that was great!!

One of the scariest things happened to me yesterday! Well after church, we went to the house of Marisol to ask why she didn't go to church. When we got there, we knocked. She came out the side of the house and looked like she's been crying. She said it wasn't a good time for us to come and told us that we should come back tomorrow. Well their house is made of tin and in through the wall I could hear her husband yelling. Well the hermano told me to come in the house to talk to me. I ignored him. He finally came out side yelling at me, having a little trouble walking. Obviously drunk, but still fiesty. He had his shirt off. He about the same height as me but more thick. His body was covered in tattoos. So he came around to the front of his house with his finger pointed saying "I want to talk with Tu" He said he only wants to talk with me. Just me. I was kinda freaking out. Well I couldn't help myself but I said something. My comp was giving me looks like i'm crazy. But I took a step forward and said that he doesn't see fear in my eyes that's why I don't want to talk to him.

Well long story short. I got him to calm down. I even got him to tear up. He we are going to teach them today! Hopefully he hasn't been drinkin. 

I've got to go but I love you guys!!

Elder Roberts

THIS IS TRUTH, THIS IS TRUTH

Well family, 

It feels like a lot of time since I've written you guys! Ha ha everything is Pertner Perfect. LAst week I went to the mission home in Xalapa to pick up my kid. Well my "kid" Elder Duran or Duran Duran or Kevin Duran how ever you want it...he is awesome he's from Guatemala. He really reminds me of the guy that Michael hates from The Office, umm I don't remember his name. But Duran talks like that guy and is a little slow going like him. Ha ha I'm a little overwhelmed to be training him. I really don't know what the President was thinking. It will be a great chance for me to learn more. I'm really excited also that i'm going to stay a little longer in my home Plaza Verde.

Last week I'm happy to say goodbye to E. Celaya he's a good guy when he's a way from me ha ha. I'll kinda miss my little arm rester. Well we baptized Francisco. I'm a little bummed because he is actually a really cool guy but it's just that he was more like a number then a convert because I didn't have much time with him. So I'll be passing by a little more time with him to make sure he is converted. Francisco is really funny, really sarcastic which hardly any of the mexicans understand.  

 I've been thinking a lot lately. I'm coming up on my 9 month mark! It really kinda puts a slug in my gut. To look back and see if I really disfruted those moments that I've had and if I'm doing all that I can to be a great missionary.

                                             

Umm this week...well Monday of last week I went to Xalapa to pick up my kid. It was a cool experience because I rode the bus ride alone. And then when I got there no one was in the terminal to pick me up. So I took the opportunity to eat alone and think. Then I took a taxi to the mission office. We spent the whole day there and they talked to us and everything and got a little red carpet treatment. They fed us and it was actually pretty awesome! Oh and we watched "Meet the Mormons" I'm surprised that it didn't get an Oscar! 

We left Tuesday morning and got home and just started to work. Well this week was great, It was just a little hard to find new people to teach. Right now we have Marisol- we baptized her kids Sunday (yesterday) but she can't get baptized yet because her husband doesn't want to get married. We found a new family though...their life is like Job in the Bible because they have been married (Casados) for 14 years but they just barely were able to have a baby. So it was so cool that we were able to teach them the plan of salvacion. All while I was teaching, the husband kept saying to his wife "this is truth, this is truth!"

I'm doing great. I really know that God gives men 2 chances in this life, I found my wallet!!! Someone turned it in to the police. The money wasn't there but all the cards and everything were still there!!!!

I love you Mom Dad Laur Wade Riv Kal Quin Canny Ro Ro oh and happy birthday Bolt!!

The church Is true.

Elder ROberts