Good morning!!!

So sounds like all is going well! Everyone is healthy and enjoying the heat..... It’s coming our way, i promise!

So that breakfast sounds really good and de hecho I’ve been trying to do something similar to that every morning, minus the doughnuts. I have eng. muffins and eggs and sausage and ham and pepper jack cheese and spinach and I’m trying to find the best/cheapest way to make it all work out every week. So far it’s worked out and the sandwiches have turned out pretty good. And i always have apples and bananas and milk/orange juice depending on money..... Apart from that i am blessed to have been able to live with you for the past 4 years (4 right?) and learn and grow from my experiences with you and your examples. Thank you for that and everything else you have done and continue to do for me.

Oh how fun swimming is. The closet I’ve been to that out here was on Saturday when we helped with a car wash fundraiser thing. I was sunburned (once again as a missionary) and just exhausted this past week. Lots of meetings and this past Friday we were told to take the day to do the deepest clean of a deep clean I’ve ever done in my life. we washed the walls, doors, baseboards, carpets cleaned (we only had area rugs we threw out b/c they were disgusting when they first were put into the apartment - i wasn’t there) floors cleaned, mattresses flipped (try it - you'll sleep more comfortably for i don’t know how long), washed sheets and towels etc. windows and sills cleaned, etc. we still have not finished in the kitchen with all of the appliances and dishes. We’ve been cleaning this entire week and helping members clean their yards etc. it's been a blast!! Now we're exhausted. And with all of the cleaning/service given this week, not much work was accomplished. The Phelps family reunion sounds like fun! I’m excited to hear how it goes.

With the rm planners i would like to have only one. if you send a ton to me while I’m still out then I’d have to pack them around for the rest of the mission and i wouldn't use them until i get home. I’d say you can choose whatever is the best price send one out to me if you order more than 1. And i realize i have neglected to give you my address so here it is: elder Craig Roberts

70 sharp

Haverstraw, NY 10927

You can send anything to me here if you'd like. It’s safe and i know no one will take anything from our porch. Also i took lots of pictures to send home and guess what! I forgot my camera and computer cable at home...... I’ll send them next week.

As far as weather goes.... it hasn’t' rained for a few days and I’ll pray that rain hits AZ quickly and for a long time. I remember the rodeo-chedisky fire very well b/c i worked on it after it was put out. The scout troop got together and laid hay/straw all over the place and cut down trees that had no life left in them. We replanted more trees etc. do you remember any of that going on?? I was still a deacon, i think. I might not have even been 12 at that time..... That is a huge fire though.... larger than those cities combined..... I’m praying for AZ more often now!

So with the family... we haven't been able to return yet. We’ve tried and they weren't there. We going about certain means to ensure that appointments are set and stay set and figure out who will be serious and who will not. With the little time we had this week to work nothing exciting/ crazy happened. This week will definitely be different though.

Also have you been able to pick up a conference ensign? And if you have any cds ready I’d say you can stop where ever you're at and send the ones made out to me. They’ll suffice for me to the end. I think that’s all i need or want.....

This church is true. The Atonement is real. It works. Jesus Christ died for us so we all might enjoy eternal life with our families and with God and Christ forever. Always stay worthy of the guidance of the Holy Ghost. Be obedient and all will work out. You will be blessed in all that you do. I love you all and thank you for everything!!!

Have a great week and stay cool and safe!! I’ll send pictures next week and some stories too!! I love you all. That is the simplest way i can say it. I hope I’ll be able to show it more after 2 years of serving the Lord and loving so many other people I’ve never met before in this life. Take advantage of what you have now and have fun with brothers and sisters. That is all there will be in heaven, family.

I love you all. Have a great week!!!

Love elder Craig Roberts

Thanks for making it short - I’ve got a cool experience to share. But before that, I’m glad everyone is doing well. The pools are finally opened in AZ now huh?? That’s exciting!!! I think about it as i write and i love just being engulfed by water. It’s amazing!! So I’ll enjoy that when i get home not that that is any time soon.....

The pioneer trek was last week!! I miss that so much! It was such a great experience the 3 days we were gone. I loved every minute of it! That’s good the youth got up and spoke. i remember i was one who spoke after the trek and i remember having my talk all written out and standing at the pulpit ready to read of the paper and i folded it right back up and shoved it in my pocket and spoke from my heart. What i said i have no idea? Was it inspired? I don’t know! i just remember feeling like i wasn’t me and at that time is when i knew i could speak in church without being nervous or even really writing anything out. As a missionary I’ve learned that even more too. I know that as we speak truth and of the gospel with others the Holy Ghost truly does "give us in the very moment that which shall be meted unto every man"

So i figured the weather was already in the 100s but i was wrong. It seems like Mother Nature has decided to throw a spin on things because here too it has been fairly cool, 60s and low 70s the past few days with clouds and rain almost every day. And that is the story I’m going to share is when the rain came.

So Thursday is our walking day because we do have a car. We had just finished an exchange with the zone leaders earlier that morning. Every day from 5-7 we have been asked to dedicate to finding new investigators. So my comp and i walk out and go to a street above where we live. We start talking to the people that are out and about and we realized we are going to have some fun thunder storms and drenching rain. We continued on excited for the rain and thunder and lightning that was minutes away. The dark clouds rolled in and we knocked a door where a girl answered (she’s 27). She said she was visiting from AZ (gilbert) and we talked about the gospel. As we talked the rain came. In a matter of seconds it was pouring, hard. We run to the next house and jump in puddles and are soaked head to toe in 10-12 seconds. We thought "wow. This is a blast!" we laughed and smiled and as we ran to the next house again being soaked we knocked a door upstairs. A family was there who let us in and we are now teaching them.

We stayed out and did the Lord's work admit the adversary challenging us. We were blessed. My times up but i know the church is true. God is our Father and He loves all you individually. He watches over you in all things. He will not let you fail.

Thank you for your love and support! Will you please visit rmplanner.com and purchase a rm planner and send it to me? Ask bishop parker about it. They should know what I’m talking about. Crystal told me about it.

Have a great week! Thank you for everything!

Love Craig

Good morning!

yes it is weird being the oldest in the apartment and on top only having months left not a year or two makes for more "old feelings". the only thing is I'm not senior comp b/c my comp is the dl so i have a break there. one of the elders in my apartment is from az (once again) and we've had some good chats. I've realized that i need to be the best example i can be while here b/c there are just the little things that we do that are not obedient that example can change if the person is willing. How is the burning of cds coming along? that will help immensely if i could get some of those sent out. something i've thought about also is when the new mission president comes in he might allow ipods..... haha but i don't know where you are with burning cds. if you've already burnt many do not worry about sending the ipod out. I'll let you know more on that rule in July or august.

with the area..... it almost reminds me of the forests in Arizona.... not too much but a little. i absolutely love it here!! it's not ever super hot and well, i love the surrounding trees and hills (or mountains).

yesterday was my first day translating and i had no idea what was going on! granted it was testimonies so that was a little easier then when a spanish member wanted to dar su testimonio me pare a lado de el/ella y truducte de espanol al ingles. it was super fun. the members said too that i was a good translator..... haha oh how i highly doubt that! hehe oh and how you mentioned french - we have french/english members also. i sat in on a lesson in young mens and some of it was explained in french. it was cool.

my comp and i are doing well. we are going to become more unified this week as we rocket our growth the area. we are focusing much on PMG and keeping focused on the work and being exactly obedient. and the other elders and i are doing well too. i might become bothersome in the eyes of one..... we'll see what happens.

so sounds like the reunion was a blast! did you take pictures?? i'll take some pictures of my area and send them in the next 2 or 3 weeks. this transfer is 6 weeks yet there will be transfers the last week of june.... i may or may not be affected. you'll be informed.

emily emailed me too. she's having fun like you said so i'm happy for her. she'll love her experiences.

"the work of the Lord will go on boldly, nobly, and independent until it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear!" may you all do your part in this great work!

i love you all. thank you for the love and support you give me daily, especially your prayers. this truly is the one and only true church with the complete gospel of Jesus Christ! it is true. apply it in your lives daily and watch the blessings flow into your life! thank you for everything! have a great week and cool and safe!!

love elder craig roberts

Craig did not send home pictures of his new area yet, these are just some photos I found online of the city where he is now living. It looks like a beautiful area.

Good morning!!

Well news from New York. It’s mountainous and green and trees surrounding you where ever you go. There are many Jewish brothers and sisters who I wish were friendly too! Oh how the gospel is a perfect plan for all of you! I’ve been transferred to Rockland county New York! My area is called new city but it is mainly a Jewish town. And they are serious with their beliefs! We live in a city called Haverstraw. And yes there are mountains (at least that’s how they look) and tons of trees (forest like) and we are close to the Hudson yet we will not have as much wind however we have a car! I am so super excited to be in this area its crazy!!!

Anyways I’m glad all is well at home. And super happy the ranch did not burn. I’m glad graduation went well and the partying was fun. Brain and Hannah together again? Who knows what will happen there.... and Emily is off to (or already in) Germany. That will be amazing for her. It sounds like all is going well. The kids will love boredom busters and well I lack only months until I’m home and I think I’m the next one after Daniel right? It is so crazy! I was hit though one morning as we were reading in preach my gospel that I don’t want to go home so soon. It is inevitable yet I don't want to go so soon.

I am the oldest elder in our apartment now and its weird thinking about it. My companion is elder Harrington from Utah. He’s been out almost a year. And the other 2 elders have been on their mission less than a year so it's a young apartment. It’s super fun though and my area is all Dominicans! Well the most part. I am in a spanglish ward where we have to translate every sacrament meeting from English to Spanish (and if necessary, Spanish to English). The ward has about 60-80 members and I guess there was around 300 at one point.... they all moved away? I’m not sure what the ward was like long ago but right now we are working with a good amount of people and we have a baptism coming up in a week or 2. Also a senior couple is serving in our area and they are awesome! They do so much for us.

That’s all I can really think of for now. oh and this month is going to be filled with lots of changes and meetings with president and sister bahr going home and president and sister Jepson coming in. it will be an exciting yet sad month.

My times up. I love you all and thank you for your love and support in everything!! Have a great first week of summer! And stay safe and cool. Time flies by and well we already know that. I love you all. Have a great week!!

Love Craig

Sorry I'm a little late on this post

Good morning!!

Wow. Graduation. It’s too fast. Everyone is growing up and I’m missing it all (physically being there to see it). Ha-ha oh well the work of the Lord must go on!

Speaking of the work continuing transfers are tomorrow, Tuesday. And I’ve been transferred. I have no idea where or with whom since 15 missionaries are leaving and all but maybe 1 or 2 are Spanish. Areas have been combined and zones re-aligned. My companion has been called trainer, district leader and is in charge of 2 areas (our area and 1 other area have been combined). We both are leaving our apartment (meaning we both have to pack bags today). FUN!

I hope the trip to the ranch works out. I’ll be sure to write and let everyone know where I’m going and who I’m with. I have a strong feeling I’ll be with someone younger than i.....

Ha-ha every time brain and Hannah get brought up i laugh. Yes it is sad they broke up yet at least he'll be more anxious to find more girls to date, i think..... 2 weddings missed..... Hopefully brain will be married before i go home too..... It seems to be a hot topic since general conference!

So super hilarious story about Xavier (he was going to be baptized but has to work out some things). He invited us a few weeks ago to a dance thing he taking place at his work. It’s a center for seniors and he helps pick them up in the morning and take them home in the afternoon. So we go to the dance and we find that the owner of the place is a member. He’s been a member all his life but lives in a different area. He took out for Cuban sandwiches..... We had no idea what was going on during this entire time..... Anyways for the last dance the dancers invited the seniors to dance along..... The best one was an older lady with a walker who was in the middle of the dance floor. Sadly i forgot my camera so i have no pictures or video.....

What pres whimpey said is true. I’m seeing it so much right now in my area. members are going crazy and our investigators are "falling off the face of the earth" and the whole may 21st judgment day thing caused lots of mayhem here.....

Next story - may 20, Friday night. The day before the world was supposed to end. People came up to us to ask if the world was really going to end and what we thought was going to happen. People who were driving yelled out of their windows "is Jesus coming tomorrow?" it was just crazy. The best part is while elder gamez and i were walking home the street lights went out. Everything went unusually dark. I said to me "oh a streetlight went out. cool." we continuing walking and we arrive in front of our house..... Half of the town of West New York has no power - a blackout. We go upstairs and into our home - power gone. We laughed and said "wow. judgment day tomorrow and people are so sure of it they're doing anything they want, dangerous or not." we had a 13 year old investigator call to ask if we were still going by the next day then she told us she was scared.... her family’s house lost power too. hahaha oh it was a wonderful day. Then on the 21st my companion "soapboxed" the Restoration in front of our house. It was crazy!!! A few people came up to us and were interested. I’ll send pictures the next i have time.

I love you all. I know the church is true. We have trials to refine us. Only through keeping the commandments can we receive more strength to continue resisting the adversary and keep the spirit with us always! I love you all. Thank you so much for everything. I hope you all have a great week! Thank you for everything. Stay safe. Stay healthy. Stay strong in the gospel, always. It is the only way for true happiness and true love to be present in our lives.

Love elder Craig Roberts

Good afternoon!!!!

Well i don't have a ton of time so I’ll get in what i can.....

I’m glad the wedding went well. I opened the invitation i received today (thank you for sending one Nanette) and it was pretty cool. I looked at the dates and realized that Heidi has been married 3 days already and Tate’s is right around the corner. And well, we'll see what happens with brain and Hannah. Every time i hear about it i laugh. It’s just so funny to me. Oh well.

It sounds like the craziness has either just begun or just ended yet in all I’m glad everyone is doing well and overcoming the sicknesses.

I really like the quote from Pres. Whimpey..... And the 33% - well I’m not the only one. There are so many others (i think) from the other wards who are serving too. I’m not well acquainted with many of them but i know many them are really good guys.

Tell the Enos' i say congrats and thanks. They will love serving as you already know they will. How is the ward doing? And did you receive my tithing?

Today we had fun getting soaked in rain from pulling weeds! We had "mission activities" where zones in the mission gathered at different locations and gave service. They cancelled after an hour or so of nonstop rain. I was soaked from head to toe and even played a little soccer on an artificial turf field. I believe that all football/soccer fields in NJ are artificial turf. It’s awesome playing on them.

We had an investigator have his baptismal interview yesterday. His date has been pushed back a week..... We’ll see what happens with that. He ready, just needs to fix one tiny itsy bitsy thing and he's good. I’ll let you know what’s going on with him next week.

Thank you for looking for the ensign.... I’d try the distribution office - it'd be cheaper, i think.... I’ve never compared prices.

I love you all. Thank you so much for everything you do for me. You’ve been wonderful examples for me in preparing to serve and i know i would not be serving without your examples and love and guidance. I thank you for everything. I keep you all in my prayers. I know the church is true. I know Christ lives and that His sacrifice, the Atonement truly works in every single way. There is nothing that cannot be overcome through the Atonement. God is your Heavenly Father. He loves you and for that exact reason we are at times allowed to suffer to learn the better, the good, the love, the whatever it is we learn from trials and sufferings. We learn to become stronger spiritually or mentally, we learn to love and sacrifice. We learn how to be like Christ. I know it is true.

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

Love Elder Craig Roberts

Well Craig was able to call home and talk to everyone yesterday for Mothers' Day. He seems to be doing very well. Believe it or not he only has about 10 months left of his mission. He is currently in West NJ, and his area is right on the bank of the Hudson River. The area has a lot of Spanish speaking people so that has helped him with learning Spanish, (and a new mission rule that when they are outside of their apartment they have to speak in Spanish at all times).

Below is the email he sent home today, it is short since he already talked to us about everything yesterday, but he also included a few photos.

good morning! it was great talking to everyone again! i sent home some tithing today - i forgot to tell you last night that i was going to send it. any way here are some pictures!

so the first few well its obvious. we sometimes have mice and the mouse trap in the pic has been used for months and has caught many mice. this was the traps last catch before it's death - 3 mice at once then after cleaning it the trap broke.

the shoe shows how dominant i am with my right foot (and that those shoes were not for anything other than running) i'll buy some new ones soon.

the food is one of the recipes you sent me, the pizza pasta. we bought what was needed and made it! it was really good. thank you for that.

and last but not least in 2-3 days i and another elder finished a 38 ounce bag of peanut butter m&ms...... i didn't expect it to be finished that quickly...... haha

so enjoy! and thats life in west new york!

love elder craig roberts