Thanksgiving Chicken Curry

Good morning!

Well I’m glad thanksgiving went well! As for us out here.... we saw an Asian couple (it was our only appointment for thanksgiving) and we didn't get turkey or anything else! Ha-ha instead we had chicken curry (not too spicy) with rice and croissants and a slice of cheesecake for dessert! What a wonderful dinner! Of course we were bummed of not having turkey but that’s life. Don’t send us anything though! Our members will take care of us and we'll get some. I love this ward!

Happy belated birthday! I thought about it during the week to be honest, just forgot to say something last week. I’m glad everything went well for that and Christmas decorating! Ha-ha and that's good you didn't go out on black Friday. It really isn't that different from shopping online or like you said saving $5 on something you don't need.

Wow.... so many marriages!!! well Emily knows she can’t get married before I get home but I told her she can the day after I get back if she decides.... ha-ha it is very soon though.

With the pictures.... I’ll look at it. It could be because I have the highest megapixel setting on plus needing to zoom in to get a closer shot. I got all the books, poster, and ensign/pictures/funeral program! Thank you so much for those! I love them and I’ll be sending something home today, just a letter. It has tithing in it and is addressed to mason....

I just got that letter too about being called to dl... cool to know you got one too. It will help me grow tons and learn a better way of teaching and involving others. I grateful for the calling. We had the opportunity to give more blessings this week to a family who is sick/injured. They’re members and the husband messed up his knee in the "turkey bowl" he played in and his wife is sick and one of their sons too. We went over and gave them brownies then he asked us to give the 3 of them blessings. His wife is native Spanish so he told me to give her the blessing then told his son to choose one of us to give him the blessing. It was cool to know they trust us with that sacred responsibility! It was a good time and they were joyful when we left.

We played as missionaries a few good games of football on Thursday too! It was fun because it rained the day before and had been raining for a few days so the field was muddy and we had a puddle of water we played around too. We all got mud on us at some point.

As far as Christmas and calling home goes it'll probably be in the afternoon sometime. I’m not sure what time we’ll start and end church that Sunday b/c it's not a normal service so as it gets closer I’ll let you know.

So something I thought of that could be a gift for me (or anyone really) is a mosaic like puzzle thing called "NAEF".... I think that’s the correct spelling. It’s a Swedish board thing (not really a game) that has many multicolored cubes. It’s more a brain relaxer or whatever that you can mix the cubes and colors and make whatever designs/patterns you'd like. I know you can find it on the internet but I’m not sure where. I’ve only seen it once and I loved it. It’d been really fun for the kids or anyone who wants to be creative without the mess of crayons or markers etc. and you don’t need paper! (It sounds like I’m trying to sell you something...).

Anyway I love you all! Thank you for everything! I know the church is true and I know it is the way to peace and love and happiness in this life. Have a great week! Thank you for all you do.

Love elder Craig Roberts

Oh and by the way, I’ve forgotten to tell you this all this time but yesterday we had a baptism! Her name is summer sky and is 14 years old. Her grandmother is the only member in her family. It was a really good time. I’ll send a picture. Have a great week!

Happy Thanksgiving

Good morning!!! Happy thanksgiving!!!

I’m sorry you've still been feeling sick. You’re always in my prayers. we've been invited this week to have thanksgiving with a new couple who just moved into the ward.... the husband is from Taiwan or Hong Kong somewhere Chinese speaking and his wife is from Korea..... It’ll be a blast!!! A new experience always!

Thank you!!!! sooo much for sending the books etc. they should all get here before Friday (I hope) and mail etc. will be picked up on Friday. I’ll let you know on Monday when I get everything. Thanks for the update with the elders in Texas. And with Emily..... Give her a really hard time for me please!!! Ha I’m not there to do personally and I’d do it every day.... and with Stacie... I hope all goes well for that which is going on.

So dl is coming along. My first dl meeting and my zone leaders were there (of course - they want to make sure I understand everything I’m supposed to do) then my 2nd meeting last week president Jepson shows up.... I think he went because the Sunday before we had ward conference so the stake president was in ward council when we showed up and the stake pres. sent a text to pres. Jepson saying how excellent of elders we are/were.... it was pretty funny and cool. Every Sunday night I collect the weekly #s from the companionships in my district and send them into the zone leaders then I call each companion ship Sunday night for "accountability" and talk about their week etc. Tuesdays are district meetings and I have to go on an exchange with every elder in the companionships in my dist. Thursday nights I send in baptismal info from the dist. and that’s about it, I think..... Its pretty fun and I enjoy having the calling.

So a few stories..... the one I’ve been wanting to share just haven't had the time is a few weeks ago (we were still in a trio) we had a call from sisters in another area saying there was a non-member family in a hospital in our area whose son was having brain surgery. This non-mem family has relatives in Mexico who are members and suggested a blessing be given. So calls were made etc. and we got the call to go in and give the blessing. The son had a brain tumor that cannot be removed because of its placing in/on the brain and all the doctors can do is drain whatever fluid is in the tumor. So b/c 2 of us spoke Spanish my comp said he'd anoint and I’d give the blessing without asking me if I was ok with it. Either way he anointed and I blessed..... We went back a day or 2 after the surgery took place and the family said the doctors were amazed at the recovery the son was making. I guess a few hours after the surgery he was saying he's hungry and wanted to eat and play etc. we all knew then and know now that the priesthood is real, that through the faith of those involved miracles can and do and will happen. This gospel is true and nothing will ever change that, ever!!

I don't have time to share another one but I’m going to send some pictures. I love you all. Thank you for everything you have and always do for me. It is because of you all I’m able to continue strong and faithful with everything the gospel has to offer. It’s because of you all I’m able to overcome challenges and trials in life and learn from them. Without you I’d be nowhere in life and I wouldn't know what I know now. You are the very best family I could ever ask for!!!!! I wouldn't change anything that has happened because that is what has made us bond together and learn to love and trust each other in all things. I know Christ lives! Heavenly Father is mindful of your situations in life and wants you to be faithful and turn to Him in all things. You’ll be able to withstand all that comes your way! I love you all. Have a great week!

p.s. enjoy your black Friday shopping!!

Love Craig

120 days and counting

Good morning familia mia!!!

Ha-ha sigh. les amo a todos muchisimo! gracias por todo lo que hacen para mi! So ya only 4 months.... I’m not sure how to feel or what to think or say or what my feelings will become the day of or the week of etc..... it's always a good reminder and well, I can't really avoid the questions from members "how long have you been out?" or "how long do you have left?" etc. and it is so true when everyone says that the time fly’s b/c I don't feel like it's been 2 years (well casi 2 years). I’m keeping the work on my mind and trying to do the best I can as I learn to work with my comp. more about that later. So I didn't hear about the missionaries that were killed.... Were names released??? Thanks for letting me know.

I’m sorry to hear that everyone is/was sick.... you are in my prayers and I hope everyone gets over it quickly. And I’m glad work is going well... should I stop praying for it to continue to have business so you can rest??? Ha-ha I know you'll get over it quick. And isn't Emily working there too? Is she able to help out?

I’m happy the kids are doing well. I miss them and everyone else sooo much!! Every time I look at their pictures I love and miss them more.... it doesn't help only having 4 months left either. And I guess it's a good thing Emily is dating so much?? I mean maybe she'll be married before I go home as well as Stacie and I’ll have missed around 7 weddings total from family to friends........... Thanks for sending the poster to me. I’m not sure what I’ll do with it yet. The prints will probably be easiest and cheaper so those will be perfect! Thank you for doing that for me! I’m not really in need of anything else.... I wanted to say though that with Christmas coming up I ask that no one buys me anything unless it will be for schooling for after I go home..... That means you won't need to send anything to me b/c it'll be extra weight on the plane going home and I won't be able to use any of it while I’m still out here so it'd be better to keep it home. And it's the same for my birthday.... just a heads up! Thank you for everything you have done and continue to do for me. I love and appreciate you for that greatly.

So as far as my district etc... There is a set of sisters and 2 sets of elders so 8 altogether (including my comp and I). It’s a great feeling and I’m glad I have this opportunity to grow and learn from the others as I am able to serve with them and as I learn how to better help them learn and grow. And what's cool is one of the elders is training so I have more responsibility in making sure they are doing well and progressing smoothly. As far as my comp goes I was around him for 2 transfers then 1 transfer off. He then came in as my comp last transfer and now I’m able to serve with him one on one. those first 2 transfers though I’m not sure he liked me that much and now that we are together I’m not sure what his thoughts/feelings are but I pray for him and unity etc. and that we will learn to work together and have success and find common ground through the joy of serving the Lord. He’s a great elder and I love working with him. I’m grateful for the things I’ll learn with him.

So my times up. I forgot my camera to send pictures. I promise next week I will! And stories I’ll share next week too. I love you all and miss you greatly. I know the church is true and that really if you want to be happy, you need to keep the commandments. You’ll feel miserable and need to comfort from sinning to "feel" you are "happy"..... Don’t let that happen! I promise you all that the Lord doesn't want you to sin to be "happy". He wants you to be righteous and even though at times it is hard you feel so much better for keeping the commandments than by not keeping them. I love you all and pray for you always. Thank you for everything you do and I wish you all the best week! Stay safe!

Love elder Craig Roberts

Only 4 months left

Good morning!

It’s November! Well I’m glad all is well! It sounds like Halloween was a blast! I’m glad everyone had fun. I’m glad the weather is cooling off! I'm going to need it since here the weather is in the 50s and I feel it's hot..... I’m not sure about how I’m going to adjust to AZ weather when I go back..... And I’ll be going home on March 14th. That’s the finalized release date unless something random happens and changes things. I highly doubt that will happen!

As you know, it takes time for things to actually seem real, that it really happened. I’m glad you're able to stay strong and receive comfort through the reading you're doing. I’ve always wondered where to find books that specify on topics of the gospel (since I’ve been out at least). They really do increase one's understanding of the gospel.

So for transfers - I am staying for another 6 weeks! I’m super excited and love this area. I’ve also been asked to be a district leader (it's my first leadership assignment since I’ve been here) and I’m a little nervous but I’m excited. It’s going to be fun and I’ll grow a ton. As far as companions, I’ve been in a trio and only one elder is leaving.... I don’t think a new elder is coming in so it'll be just us 2. It’ll be a fun 6 weeks! So with the package don't worry about the books unless you can find them cheaper..... If you'd like to send framed pictures that'd be awesome too! And thank you for getting me a gen conf. ensign! I’ll love re-reading it as part of my personal study every morning!

And I’m pretty much over the cold I had.... I’m still a little congested but that'll go away soon. The interview went well and again, I’ll be going home march 14th. All is well here! I don’t have time to send pictures so hopefully next week I’ll be able to send some! Thank you for everything! I love you all! Have a great week.

Love Craig

happy Halloween

Good afternoon!!

So I don’t have much to time to explain much of this past week but happy Halloween!!

So I’m glad everything went well! I was praying for you all everyday this past week and continue to do so now. We have transfers next week - if you send the package please have it sent so it can be here before Friday (also send it to my apt in Hackensack please!). I know it’s a rush so if it’s not possible do not worry about it. If you already have the reflections of Christ books then please send them regardless and I’ll get them to the people I wanted to give them too. Thank you!!!!

So this past week, in a nutshell, I’ve gotten sick, had 2 no work days (all day today and most of yesterday) because of a crazy snow storm the randomly appeared out of nowhere! We had no power for about a day and we had to be in by 6pm last night and tonight! Power is still out in some places, at least stop light/street lights in some places are out and trees/limbs of trees/branches have been knocked down and some have hit power lines etc. it was crazy!

Today has been fun though. We did some shopping and stopped at a "hole in the wall" pizza place for some pizza. It was pretty good for the size of the store. I am getting over the minor cold so hopefully it'll be gone in a day or two. We have interviews tomorrow so I’ll ask about my release date - I’ll let you know next week what’s going on!

So that in a nut shell was my week. I’ll send pictures the next time I have a chance. I pray for you all! I love you all. Thank you for everything you do, have done, and continue to do for me! I truly do not know how to thank you enough! Things are going well with us here. I know the church is true. Families are forever! Have a great week! Stay safe tonight and have fun trick or treating! I love you all!

Love Craig