16 more days!

Good afternoon!

So sorry it's late; today, all of the missionaries going home (10 of us) went to Ellis Island and the statue of liberty for most of the day! It was really fun and yes I made sure to take tons of pictures (everyone will see them when I get home)!! And as for last week, I guess it would've been useful to let you know we email in the family history center in our chapel so holidays don't affect us.... sorry about that.

Yes the time is flying by. Of course it's been hard not to think about it every day and other things related to it but I’ve been doing my best to stay focused and continue working hard. Next week we go to the temple on Wednesday then times up because from that day on we have things to do every day that will just eat the time away.... its crazy!!

Everyone should plan out what they want to do. I’m ok with doing whatever and as far as tiredness goes, it'll only make for a better night sleep.... maybe, I hope?? It’ll be wired being back and seeing everyone. I really, right now, just feel like a normal person and that nothing huge is going to happen.... I don't know if that's good or bad. Maybe it's just me and I’ll adjust quickly. I have no idea. It’s a wired feeling.

As far as pres. Jepson goes, the surgery went well! There were no complications and he's recovering well. His back has improved as well so he is being blessed greatly! We still don't know for sure if he'll make it back before the end of the transfer but either way we'll be able to talk to him somehow. They’ve been thinking about Skype etc.. So we'll see what happens..... All is well with him. A senior couple has been asked to take charge for the most part. Everyone loves the senior couple and they're great.

As for the branch etc. the areas are pretty similar.... most of the members have recognized me and some of them have moved into this area so it's been fun to visit with them etc. I haven't been able to go on an exchange yet with the elders in the area I served in last time so hopefully that will be possible soon.... it's fun and I love the area! The members in this side are awesome!

That’s so crazy that they've moved in with Grandma Lloyd! I guess it's a good thing. And of course Stacie had her bridal shower! I can't believe she's getting married so soon! I’ll more than happy to help get everything cleaned and set up for the reception etc. I’ll have nothing better to do....

Sounds like fun for president's day! I’m excited to be back and be able to play with the kids and see everyone.... its hard not to think about it.... anyway the weather has been absolutely crazy too! We had a few minutes of snow one day during the week. It wasn't anything bad or crazy. It has been a very mild winter.... today was pretty good. Very clear and bright. Perfect day for pictures! It’s still been a little cold but the temps are warming up.

No way! Brain and Hannah moving to Idaho..... Well 4 years gone and a few months to see him and that's all... oh well! That’s cool and something they'll enjoy!

So the time is almost at an end, actually, I have been out for 2 years officially since the 24th and I should have been going home this Wednesday however transfers were off a bit..... I’m happy though and excited for the next several days. More blessings and time to grow. We are here to be broken down and built back up, with a stronger foundation and testimony and knowledge of all things, well at least the gospel, which is the most important of all things! So "come what may and love it!" I love you all and am grateful for your love and support in all things! I keep you all in my prayers. Thank you for everything! Have a great week! Stay safe!

Love elder Craig Roberts

No letter??

Some may be wondering why you didn't see a letter from Elder Roberts this past week. Its because he did not write one, perhaps he was not able to get to the library due to this interesting phenomenon in New Jersey last week....who knew salamanders could close a road?

Prayers for our Mission President

(A picture I found online of the apartments that Craig is in)

Happy Valentine’s Day (I almost forgot it was so soon)!!

So my comp has been in NJ for about 7 and half months (5 transfers). His name is elder Williams from Valencia California. I’m grateful to be with him and know that I will be able to help him with all that he does, as he will help me improve and become better.

I’m pretty much over anything I might've had. More or less just congestion is what remains but that's almost always been something I’ve dealt with. I hope everyone is doing better now too. I’ll keep everyone in my prayers. And with tanner I’ll continue to pray for him, and well, I’ll be there the next time everything happens again. I’d want to make sure it's all out too!

Oh boy, Alex boye. He’s awesome. I’m glad you all were able to enjoy that! Sounds like it would have been a blast!

Well as far as my mission pres. goes..... it's more sad but good news at the same time...... his back is improving little by little so that is a plus. the sad news for us is he and his wife are flying home today and will not be back for at least 2 weeks.... the whole mission is devastated but more I feel are the about 10 of us missionaries going home soon. The reason being is pres. Jepson is having surgery to remove a kidney with cancerous tissue on it that was found during a MRI of his back. The doctor has said it will be closer to 5-6 weeks before he is able to return..... That will cut into the things that we as "departing missionaries" take part in at the end of our missions and he is as much devastated as we are, if not more..... We are all praying for him and we will have a mission wide fast sometime this week..... I think he is going in for surgery on Thursday in salt lake. It’s just so sad for us to see he and his wife go home and not but in our presence for a few weeks.

so the positive of everything is that if his back wasn't in pain, he would have never know that he has a kidney with cancer on it and what's good about that is that the cancer is in it's very early stages of growth so he will recover from that very very quickly and well. And his back pain will go away sooner than later.

I don't know what effects this may have on my returning home in the sense of pres. Jepson giving the final/exit interview and a blessing etc..... he will do it somehow in some way from what he has said. I’m not sure what the rules are for any of that, if any but I know he wants to do those 2 things more than anything as much as I want them too. It’s just going to be a different feeling from here on out. I know everything will be well and that the prayers and mission wide fast will be heard and accepted. Pres. and sis Jepson know the same. It was a crazy few days once we had that knowledge.

Amidst the news, elder Jay E. Jensen of the presidency of the 70 was visiting us as well as elder Olsen the area 70 when pres. Jepson told us the news. It was great to be in his presence once again in my mission and learn from him. I felt the spirit and I know that what he taught is true. I felt like it applies for a life time not just as a missionary. He taught ways to study the scriptures and to recognize the non-verbal expressions of investigators when they are experiencing a change of heart and learning from the spirit.

I used that in a lesson we had last night. I won't share the story now but you will hear it in person at some point. I promise you that. It was a blessing and a privilege for me for the things that have happened the past few days.

I know God lives. Christ is His Son. And the Holy Ghost is the one who testifies of the truthfulness of these things as we are told in Moroni 10:5 "and by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things." I too know they are true!

Well that'll be fun for you to go to a few games. As far as flying home and sleeping etc. I’ll be tired the entire day regardless of what happens. Jet lag plus time zone changes and daylight savings time will just throw me off on everything. It’ll be a fun time! (Also would day light savings time be included in my travel time?) Does the family know my arrival time as of right now?? And please invite members from the Cooley’s ward (like really good family friends, the west family, the aposhians etc.) too. My brothers and sisters will know who I’m talking about.

My new address is: 73 cedar ave #58 Long Branch, NJ 07740.

I love this gospel! I know it's true. feeling the spirit as one (or yourself) testify of it truly brings the most joy one can every experience in life, except for maybe being with children and family members and feeling of their love and joy too! Either way they are both the best feelings one can ever experience. Then to see the change on one's face as they begin to understand the gospel more and hear their testimony about it is a testimony builder itself. I know it's all true. I’ll never deny it, ever!

Thank you for everything. I love you all! Have a great week! Stay safe and have fun! I love you all.

Love elder Craig Roberts

Could not be happier

Good morning!!
 
I'M SO EXCITED!!!!!! So I’ve been transferred to the area where I
first spent 6 months of my mission, well the same branch!!!! In stead
of going back to red bank, I’m in Long Branch!!! Hahahha I’m so
excited! I absolutely love it! I’m back to the branch where I first
started. I was jumping up and down with joy when I heard that's where
I was going!! Aahhhh I’m so happy! I couldn't have asked for anything
better!
 
As for the super bowl, of course we can't (couldn't) watch any of it so
I didn't know what the score was until this morning. We didn't see any
crazy parties or celebrations however I know millions of people were
partying late last night! I’m sure it was absolutely nuts as the night
went on. GO GIANTS! Haha
 
I’m glad all is well with tanner! I’ll keep him in my prayers and
again, all of you too. I’m excited to see everyone again!
 
Sounds like it was a busy week for everyone. Everyone is doing well
after the trips etc??
 
The time is going to fly; especially being in the same branch I
started and served in for 6 months! My new companion is awesome and
I’m grateful to be with him! We will be working very hard and doing
our very best this transfer. Many things have become blessings for me
and this is one of them! We started the transfer off in an unusual
way; my comp got sick and still has not fully recovered and I think
I’m starting to get something..... I’ve been sneezing a lot and a
runny nose etc. if anything I imagine just a cold.... I’m taking care
of myself and hopefully it'll be gone by the end of this week. I’m
excited to be where I am and doing what I’m doing. I’m going to miss
it dearly yet I know it doesn't end here, yet it is the beginning.
 
I love and thank you all for everything! I’m so grateful for your
examples and love and support and prayers and hospitality and
everything else you do for me and have done for me! I know the church
is true and I know we learn through trials and challenges. There is no
other way!!! "Come what may and love it"! all I ask is for your
continued love and prayers and that you will also pray for President
Jepson; he had something happen with his back and has to have doctors
look at it etc. he is currently using crutches to help him walk and
get around.... also please pray for Sister Jepson as she endures this
challenge with her beloved husband. I thank you for that! Other than
that thank you for everything! I hope you have a great week and that
all goes well!

Thank you for everything!