Good afternoon!!

So this is late because this morning we helped move furniture for a new senior couple coming in tomorrow. That took all morning and now we are able to email! So yes the past week was hot. hahaha so when you are here you do feel like anything over 100 will kill you. Mainly because none of the buildings/apartments have central air making it very difficult to keep the house cool. of course, like you said, i don’t feel bad b/c that’s what i grew up in. i enjoyed every minute of it and well i was sunburned again from the service project we did on Saturday. It was lots of fun and I’m glad we were able to serve the community. There are days where the humidity is really bad and you can see it in the air and yes, most of the time you feel hotter because of it. You can’t stop sweating is what kills me, even when you're inside.

Jason and Amy are having a baby girl!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! hahaha oh wow. I had no idea what was going on with them. That’s good to hear. Well please keep my updated.

So that'll be a change in the home when she (Emily) leaves. All of the kids can have their own rooms..... If that’s what you're planning on doing. It’ll definitely be a challenge too, losing her. That’ll work well though, like you said since most of the rooms will be empty and no one to take them. They’ll have a good atmosphere to grow up in as they start the next adventure of life. And i thought Austin was already home..... I’m after him huh??.... I’m not going to think about that.

That’s sad to hear (talking about a story Rob told him about his mission) it is true though. Everyone single person has their agency. They choose their path. You did what you felt and knew you should do and you cannot let yourself get down b/c of disappointments. Read 2 Nephi 9:39. When you finish reading the verse look at the last 5 words. Take the 1st letter of the last 5 words which will spell another word.("Spiritually minded is life eternal") I don’t know if you already knew about this or remember about it but everyone can do it. It is a very helpful reminder for everyone. There is a recent convert who is having some struggles and i wasn’t supposed to know until someone told us.... the person is English not Spanish which made it more difficult for me b/c i can’t say anything. anyway the recent convert sister was at church on Sunday and after sacrament meeting i was talking to her and just smiling to make her laugh and happy. She told me i smile too much and that I’m too happy all of the time. I showed her quickly 2 Nephi 9:39 and she smiled and laughed some more and thought it was pretty cool.

I am doing my best to keep my mind open and trainable and able to learn and grow. I’m learning a lot about myself and how to interact with others. I love the mission. I don’t have time but I’ll share a story with you next week that happened on Thursday. It was crazy..... Anyway i love you all. Thank you for your love and support and encouragement. If i can help with anything let me. I know the church is true. At times we are tried to the point of discouragement or disbelief or loss of faith or whatever. Sometimes we'll feel overwhelmed and like we cannot fulfill with everything we'd like. We go through these experiences to expand our knowledge and love for the Savior and His Atonement. Don’t be sad b/c of these experiences rather be happy. Be excited. Be faithful to the gospel and prayer and scripture study. Changes come and go. They are only given to make us better and stronger and more available to the Lord. I know the church is true! I love you all. Thank you for everything. Have a great week!!!

Love elder Craig Roberts

Good morning!!

Well 2 weddings down, one more to go. Ha-ha wow. How much I’ve missed. Oh well!! It’s all fun and exciting yet I’m serving the Lord and as you said (and Robson too) learning and allowing the Lord to shape me into who He wants and needs me to be. It is difficult at times because there are the missionaries who do not follow the rules as they should however patience is the key and love for the missionaries is the best thing to do. Of course i too have my moments of not wanting to keep all of the rules yet those are temptations and i cannot give in. no one can. Once we give in we lose strength to remain obedient. When we are obedient, we gain more strength to be more obedient. I know that to be true.

So yes i have a new comp..... elder Wotton. It’s a funny story; my last transfer in red bank i was serving with elder lee. Elder lee was called to train and i left the area. Elder lee trains elder Wotton. So in missionary terms i am my comps mom. Elder Wotton has been somewhat of a ghost for me too. He’s been to almost every area I’ve been in for at least a week or two (or the same ward/branch) and before he came to NY with me he was with my trainer. So we've known each other for some time and we get along great! Elder Wotton is my 8th companion. We haven’t had any rain for the past week or so. I know a state of emergency was declared a few weeks ago when we had tons of rain. At that time I’m pretty sure there was flooding and mudslides but i didn’t' see any of it. the county was closed down meaning no one outside of the county was able to come in and no one was able to leave (i think no one was able to leave).... so that’s what I’ve heard. Wow. No rain. That’s sad to hear.... I’ll pray that it rains soon.

What you and robson have said is so true. It does take time to change a lifestyle. And i feel that is one of the reasons i am out here, is to truly and honestly become converted to the gospel through helping others and the experiences one has as a missionary. We were given an mtc devotional where elder Holland spoke and he talked about us as missionaries first becoming converted then going out and converting others. That is the purpose of preach my gospel. If we are not converted how do we convert others?? That is why daily scripture STUDY, not just reading, and prayer and fasting and church is so important. As we do those things we are happier in life. We have a greater peace in everything we do. And we do not have to worry about anything because we know we are being obedient to the Lord and God and their commandments. We know they are happy with us and there is no greater joy than having that knowledge!

So this past Friday we had interviews with President and Sister Jepson. They were awesome! I love them both and know they are called by God to be here. They truly love the Lord and desire to serve Him the best they can as they continue to learn and grow in guiding a mission to more and increased success. They are truly guided by the Spirit in all that they do. And a cool fact about them, do any of you know Alex boye? He sings for the Mormon tabernacle choir..... I guess he is president and sister Jepson’s son in law.... cool huh?

I love you all!! Thank you so much for everything you do for me!! I’ll send some pictures next week of elder Wotton and i and one or two other cool pictures. Thank for your support and encouragement. The work is going well. We have 3 baptismal dates for august!! They are solid investigators who are excited and ready for the blessings of baptism!! We are hoping to set a few more in the coming weeks. I pray for you all daily. I hope all is well. Have a great week! Let me know if i can do anything..... Thank you for everything!

Love elder Craig Roberts

Good morning!

Well sounds like the week was hot and fun!!! I’m glad the wedding turned out well even though it was hot. The heat is kicking in here yet we somehow always have clouds and well rain about once a week (generally).

Ha-ha Mason happy birthday!!!!! Did you get my card? I love you bud!

He wants to go to stratum..... I’ve been there before as a kid too. It’s really fun and i think pretty expensive but i believe it’s the best laser tag place in mesa.... whoever goes will have fun whether they understand it or not. I know i didn't understand it much when i went.

Wow. That is a huge storm..... Speaking of the signs of the end of the world i want to go through and re-read the scriptures for them. It is coming closer and closer.....

So with Rockland County..... Well transfers have been decided and I’m staying in Rockland. Elder Harrington is transferred. We’ll see who comes up tomorrow. It’ll be interesting because this transfer is only going to be 5 weeks since one week has already been used. We have a few investigators who want and say they will be baptized. We are working with them to overcome their challenges and struggles so they can.

Other than that nothing spectacular occurred this week. We cleaned our apartment again on Friday as the end of transfer clean up. Any way times up.

I love you all and thank you for everything! Have a great week and stay cool. Enjoy the pools!

Love elder Craig Roberts

Its a small world

So before I post Craig's email for the week let me start by explaining this picture:

So Saturday night we went to the temple. When we got into the Celestial room a young man walked over to Julie and I and said something like, “I just want to thank you both for helping Elder Roberts get out on the mission, it was a blessing to be his companion.”

He did not introduce himself at all so at this point we still had no idea who he was or what he was talking about. I thought he must have been a companion to one of Craig's brothers and that maybe we had met before but I just didn’t remember who he was. Finally he said his name and I recognized it from Craig's letters. He was Craigs companion prior to his last transfer. We couldn’t believe it! He had just returned from the mission on Tuesday and here we were 4 days later meeting him in the celestial room of all places. He recognized Julie and I from Craigs pictures. We did not recognize him because Craig only sent a picture of him one time and it was far away and blurry. His mom was there with him so we met her as well and we just stayed there talking and getting to know him for quite a while.

It was such a coincidence that we got to meet him, he was planning on going to the earlier session but forgot his recommend and had to go back home, (he lives in Glendale) and if we had not been chosen to be the witness couple he might not have ever seen us because it was such a crowed session. Anyway, it was really good to meet him and talk to him. Fortunately his mom had a camera with her so we were able to get some pictures of us together. I’m friends with him on facebook now and we will be able to exchange pictures and emails and stories about Craig.

Now for Craig's letter:

Good afternoon!!!!

So first off that is just too crazy that you met elder Gamez in the temple!!!! Ha-ha i saw the picture and knew instantly that it was him. hahaha oh we had such a good time together! I love elder Gamez and we plan on "hanging out" when i come home. Expect to see him at the airport.... when he says he is going to do something, he does. And don't be surprised if he has filibertos in his hands either.... hahaha oh i miss him.

Anyway for the 4th we went to nyack marina and watched fireworks. The show was about 1/2 an hour and pretty good. I had fun! And it sounds like you had fun too with the breakfast and swimming etc.

So I’m glad Emily is home safe and sound!! And I’m glad everyone is enjoying the weddings i cannot be present for.... invitations are enough. Ha-ha that’s good things are going so well. I’m excited for everyone and all that is going on at home. I did receive the package on Thursday! Thank you so much!!! Now we have music to our ears and are able to listen to a variety of songs instead of the same gen conf addresses and songs every day. And Gemma: i love you!! Thank you for the picture! I’m proud of you for being able to swim to the deep end with your floaties on!!!! And tanner: i love you bud!! That’s so cool you can jump off the diving board!! Have fun! And mason! I love you too bud! Be safe!

As for the latest news I met president and sister Jepson for the first time yesterday!! Ha-ha oh how much i love them already. They were very personal with some stories they shared while we were becoming acquainted with them and what they want to do while here. They want to us to be able to trust them and them to be able to trust us. I know they have been called to serve here and i know i will get along with them very well. He can play the guitar and sing and he most definitely was a lawyer.... he does not like to speak from the pulpit and his voice can be deep and carry for a distance.... it’s pretty cool. sadly, and i know this shouldn't be on my mind, i have only 6 transfers left including the one we are in right now. Yesterday normally would have been transfer conference however president and sister Jepson have an extra week to become adjusted to things so next week we will have transfers....

I’m excited for the changes to come and to get to know president and sister Jepson even more as time goes on. We have no pictures right now. I’ll take some the next time i can. And for their privacy I’m not going to share the stories they shared with us for they are that personal.... it really hit me hard though. The spirit was really strong in the chapel yesterday. It was amazing!

So i need to go. I love you all and am grateful to you for helping me "come out on a mission." this has been life changing and will affect me forever more too. I cannot deny the truthfulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ nor the power of the Book of Mormon. President Monson is God's chosen servant to lead and guide the church at this time. I love you all and thank you for everything. Choose the right always! And ps. go to the temple, often, of course in accordance with your schedule. It truly is a blessing!

I love you all. Thank you for everything. Have a great week!!

Love elder Craig Roberts