Miles
Hey bud, if I`ve got my time right, it`s still your birthday!!!!
Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear Miles. Happy birthday to you!
You are a stud Miles and I`m way excited to be there for your 18th birthday! I love you bro.
Robert
Monday, December 13, 2010
To Matthew on December 13, 2010
Dear Matthew
Are you having a good time? You are going to be 6 soon! You are growing up so fast. I wrote you a letter this week telling you I love you. I also made you a picture of us...it`s a surprise but you should get it right around Christmas I hope.
I am having a very good time in Japan. I am telling a lot of people about Jesus Christ and how He is our Savior and Redeemer. I`ll come back soon, but first I need to finish my mission. It`s so important to go on a mission. When you go on a mission I hope you write me lots of letters! Right now, I am teaching a small boy. He believes in Jesus Christ and wants to get baptized. He`s going to get baptized on Christmas day! I`m going to call you on Christmas eve or Christmas day and tell you about it, does that sound good?
I love you Matthew. You are a very special boy and I`m excited to be there for your baptism in two years. Be nice to everyone and make lots of friends!
Love
Robert
Are you having a good time? You are going to be 6 soon! You are growing up so fast. I wrote you a letter this week telling you I love you. I also made you a picture of us...it`s a surprise but you should get it right around Christmas I hope.
I am having a very good time in Japan. I am telling a lot of people about Jesus Christ and how He is our Savior and Redeemer. I`ll come back soon, but first I need to finish my mission. It`s so important to go on a mission. When you go on a mission I hope you write me lots of letters! Right now, I am teaching a small boy. He believes in Jesus Christ and wants to get baptized. He`s going to get baptized on Christmas day! I`m going to call you on Christmas eve or Christmas day and tell you about it, does that sound good?
I love you Matthew. You are a very special boy and I`m excited to be there for your baptism in two years. Be nice to everyone and make lots of friends!
Love
Robert
December 13, 2010
Hey Family!
I`m glad you got my letters the other day! Sorry I`m emailing you a day late, p day is almost always on monday but yesterday, we had a zone conference so it`s tuesday afternoon in japan and I am emailing you all! I sent you all letters too, so hopefully those get there way quick! If you don`t get them before you leave for california, just know that I love you all and I`ll be calling in just a few days! I`m going to start writing every week now, if I can, so please, write back!
It`s exciting to hear about moving to California! I`ll keep it on the low down until things are for sure and you give me the go ahead!
My new companion, Elder Tada is great. He doesn`t speak much English but he`s a really great guy and a good missionary. He was the Naha district leader and came down to be my breaker. A breaker is what missionaries call the second companion because he almost always does things differently than the trainer. And he does. I`m getting used to it. I`m definitely looking forward to when I`m senior and I get to dendo exactly how I want/think it should be done! But until that time I will be a supportive junior! Elder Tada eats a ton, but he`s still way fit. And he eats miso soup for breakfast. Weird. But I guess that`s Japanese culture for you. He`s actually really funny and he likes to joke around. We`ll definitely get along for the next 6 weeks.
I don`t know if I`ve gotten the package or not...I got a bunch of letters with some pictures inside which I am absolutely stoked for! Thank you so much everyone. Thank you Matthew, you are a sweet boy!
So I have a funny story. This last week was way crazy because it was transfer week so there are a lot of stories, but this one is great. I was riding my bike with Elder Hardy on our last day together and this giant bird on a telephone wire pooped on me. Like 5 times at once. Man, it was crazy. And it was like a 10 minute ride back to the apartment which was way embarrassing. I didn`t curse and I didn`t get mad at anyone so I would say I handled myself well (I would`ve shot the bird if I had a gun though). I sent my other memory card in the mail with the family`s letters so you`ll be able to witness the damage. It`s the first time I remember being pooped on and it blows a lot of other pooped-on-stories out of the water.
In other news, I had zone conference yesterday and it was great. The mission is so spiritual and yesterday was one of those days where it was tangible. The conference was centered on Christ and receiving revelation. In Preach My Gospel, it talks about how revelation is vital. Like oxygen is vital. So just a thought but give it a try...this next week, seek after revelation everyday. It`s been working wonders for me!
I love you all!
Love,
Robert
I`m glad you got my letters the other day! Sorry I`m emailing you a day late, p day is almost always on monday but yesterday, we had a zone conference so it`s tuesday afternoon in japan and I am emailing you all! I sent you all letters too, so hopefully those get there way quick! If you don`t get them before you leave for california, just know that I love you all and I`ll be calling in just a few days! I`m going to start writing every week now, if I can, so please, write back!
It`s exciting to hear about moving to California! I`ll keep it on the low down until things are for sure and you give me the go ahead!
My new companion, Elder Tada is great. He doesn`t speak much English but he`s a really great guy and a good missionary. He was the Naha district leader and came down to be my breaker. A breaker is what missionaries call the second companion because he almost always does things differently than the trainer. And he does. I`m getting used to it. I`m definitely looking forward to when I`m senior and I get to dendo exactly how I want/think it should be done! But until that time I will be a supportive junior! Elder Tada eats a ton, but he`s still way fit. And he eats miso soup for breakfast. Weird. But I guess that`s Japanese culture for you. He`s actually really funny and he likes to joke around. We`ll definitely get along for the next 6 weeks.
I don`t know if I`ve gotten the package or not...I got a bunch of letters with some pictures inside which I am absolutely stoked for! Thank you so much everyone. Thank you Matthew, you are a sweet boy!
So I have a funny story. This last week was way crazy because it was transfer week so there are a lot of stories, but this one is great. I was riding my bike with Elder Hardy on our last day together and this giant bird on a telephone wire pooped on me. Like 5 times at once. Man, it was crazy. And it was like a 10 minute ride back to the apartment which was way embarrassing. I didn`t curse and I didn`t get mad at anyone so I would say I handled myself well (I would`ve shot the bird if I had a gun though). I sent my other memory card in the mail with the family`s letters so you`ll be able to witness the damage. It`s the first time I remember being pooped on and it blows a lot of other pooped-on-stories out of the water.
In other news, I had zone conference yesterday and it was great. The mission is so spiritual and yesterday was one of those days where it was tangible. The conference was centered on Christ and receiving revelation. In Preach My Gospel, it talks about how revelation is vital. Like oxygen is vital. So just a thought but give it a try...this next week, seek after revelation everyday. It`s been working wonders for me!
I love you all!
Love,
Robert
Sunday, December 5, 2010
December 5, 2010
Dear Mom and Family
I hope everything is going well! I`m so glad that it`s p day and I get to email you and the family? How is everyone?
No, no more mishaps. Elder Hardy and I have been quite safe and I know it`s because of your prayers. I did get caught in a crazy rainstorm this last week without my kappa (rain suit I got from a missionary) and we were soaked! I took of my shoes right when it started sprinkling because they were my nice ones and it was time to go home anyways! I have a basket on the back of my bike that I inherited from another dying missionary so I put them in there and they were safe. I rode back with just socks on...haha, good times!
Elder Hardy leaves this Thursday at around 7 in the morning and my new companion should be getting in around 12. I find out who it is this next Wednesday! I am nearly 100% sure I`m staying in Yonabaru too, they wouldn`t white wash this area twice in a row. This area was really struggling before this transfer. That`s why they sent in Elder Hardy (he was a zone leader for 7 transfers (each transfer is 6 weeks) so he`s an awesome missionary). We`ve been tearing it up here too. Last night I asked someone to be baptized and they said yes! He`s a boy that`s been brought into the church by other members and his mom is okay with him being baptized. The mom came to the lesson last night too, and she is a total kinjin which is missionary language for golden investigator. She`ll get baptized too next transfer. I know it. But yes, so Ryuta is getting baptized Christmas day. "I`m dreaming of a white Christmas..." It`ll be my first baptism in Japan...well...first baptism ever! Also, one of our other investigators recently said that after a lesson, she realized this message (of Christ`s gospel) has so much more meaning than it had before. She`ll get baptized next transfer too! And there is one other investigator who is a kinjin. When the other missionaries who were meeting with her asked her to pray about Joseph Smith and his experience, she said "what if I already know it`s true?"...like it was an issue. So I think Yonabaru will see at least 3 baptisms in the next 6 weeks or so. I`m way stoked!
The people in the spider infested building have been hard to contact recently. One`s a college student from Nepal and he`s way busy. The other is a high school student and high school is way difficult as well. We haven`t been afraid to go back though.
Matthew!
I`ll be writing you a long letter this week and I`ll draw you a picture too! Does that sounds good to you? When I come back home I`ll be bringing you a lot of cool presents and toys from Japan...they have some really cool stuff here! I really miss you and I think about you when I`m having a hard time. It makes me happy to think of your smiling face! Have fun at home and be good to Mom, Dad and Miles, ok? I love you little brother!
Parents!
I`ve got a question? Has President Margetts emailed you or called you recently about my debit card? It`s not working for some reason and I think it`s because the bank may have forgotten I`m overseas. Darn Wells Fargo...I trusted them!!! So I paid Elder Hardy back with money partially from the 60 some odd American dollars I just got exchanged (don`t need them) and then some from my MSF so no worries about debts. I`m all square. But just in case of an emergency...it`d be nice to have! Arigatoo gozaimasu! Oh, by the way, thank you so much for the sacrifices you are making for me. Be sure to tell Uncle Craig that too. I`ll never forget what you guys are doing for me.
I love you family!
Love,
Robert
I hope everything is going well! I`m so glad that it`s p day and I get to email you and the family? How is everyone?
No, no more mishaps. Elder Hardy and I have been quite safe and I know it`s because of your prayers. I did get caught in a crazy rainstorm this last week without my kappa (rain suit I got from a missionary) and we were soaked! I took of my shoes right when it started sprinkling because they were my nice ones and it was time to go home anyways! I have a basket on the back of my bike that I inherited from another dying missionary so I put them in there and they were safe. I rode back with just socks on...haha, good times!
Elder Hardy leaves this Thursday at around 7 in the morning and my new companion should be getting in around 12. I find out who it is this next Wednesday! I am nearly 100% sure I`m staying in Yonabaru too, they wouldn`t white wash this area twice in a row. This area was really struggling before this transfer. That`s why they sent in Elder Hardy (he was a zone leader for 7 transfers (each transfer is 6 weeks) so he`s an awesome missionary). We`ve been tearing it up here too. Last night I asked someone to be baptized and they said yes! He`s a boy that`s been brought into the church by other members and his mom is okay with him being baptized. The mom came to the lesson last night too, and she is a total kinjin which is missionary language for golden investigator. She`ll get baptized too next transfer. I know it. But yes, so Ryuta is getting baptized Christmas day. "I`m dreaming of a white Christmas..." It`ll be my first baptism in Japan...well...first baptism ever! Also, one of our other investigators recently said that after a lesson, she realized this message (of Christ`s gospel) has so much more meaning than it had before. She`ll get baptized next transfer too! And there is one other investigator who is a kinjin. When the other missionaries who were meeting with her asked her to pray about Joseph Smith and his experience, she said "what if I already know it`s true?"...like it was an issue. So I think Yonabaru will see at least 3 baptisms in the next 6 weeks or so. I`m way stoked!
The people in the spider infested building have been hard to contact recently. One`s a college student from Nepal and he`s way busy. The other is a high school student and high school is way difficult as well. We haven`t been afraid to go back though.
Matthew!
I`ll be writing you a long letter this week and I`ll draw you a picture too! Does that sounds good to you? When I come back home I`ll be bringing you a lot of cool presents and toys from Japan...they have some really cool stuff here! I really miss you and I think about you when I`m having a hard time. It makes me happy to think of your smiling face! Have fun at home and be good to Mom, Dad and Miles, ok? I love you little brother!
Parents!
I`ve got a question? Has President Margetts emailed you or called you recently about my debit card? It`s not working for some reason and I think it`s because the bank may have forgotten I`m overseas. Darn Wells Fargo...I trusted them!!! So I paid Elder Hardy back with money partially from the 60 some odd American dollars I just got exchanged (don`t need them) and then some from my MSF so no worries about debts. I`m all square. But just in case of an emergency...it`d be nice to have! Arigatoo gozaimasu! Oh, by the way, thank you so much for the sacrifices you are making for me. Be sure to tell Uncle Craig that too. I`ll never forget what you guys are doing for me.
I love you family!
Love,
Robert
Monday, November 29, 2010
November 28, 2010
Family!
How`s everyone doing?! I`m going to start asking for an accounting from each of you! Yes you too Matthew! I get emails from Mom and Dad, but I`d like to hear from my brothers, if possible.
My mouth was definitely watering after I read about the monkey bread and the delicious turkey. I myself had turkey as well! All of the Okinawan stakes (2) hold a big get togethers each year on one of the American bases and eat a real Thanksgiving dinner. It was way better than anything else I could`ve eaten in Japan, although it doesn`t compare to what I normally would eat with you! I had turkey, ham, mashed potatoes, stuffing (nowhere near the Gregory standard), and rolls. So good! After the meal, I went and played some basketball with some Marines, which was a fun. Member Marines are hilarious. Most are converts and have tattoos and probably used to have a language problem. So now they say things like crap, shoot, and crapshoot. Pretty funny stuff.
So Miles, how was videos games with the Craig-micester? Have you been played Battlefield Vietnam or some other crazy game? One of my MTC district members always talked about Red Dead Redemption...sounded pretty ridiculous haha. Hopefully you`re focusing on the important things like pulling weeds and getting up at 5 to milk the cows. Haha, just kidding little bro...do keep up the good work though. If you learn to work hard, it`ll really prepare you for a mission. Oh, and ride your bike everyday if you can. There might be some massive hills where you`re going.
Thank you Mom for your prayers. They say if you mom prays for you, no harm or accident will happen to the missionary. Keep praying! I`ve had some ridiculous close calls with poles, cars, etc, but I won`t worry you. The Lord is looking out for me and I`m being as careful as I can.
I wrote the family letters this last week so you should be getting those soon! Except Brittany...I didn`t have time to finish it so I had to wait till today! Yours will be in the mail soon! I`ll be better about sending letters regularly, they`re way nice to receive! Well family, I love you all. Stay safe, be happy, and help out the gilbert missionaries! Member lessons are the way to go!
Love,
Robert
How`s everyone doing?! I`m going to start asking for an accounting from each of you! Yes you too Matthew! I get emails from Mom and Dad, but I`d like to hear from my brothers, if possible.
My mouth was definitely watering after I read about the monkey bread and the delicious turkey. I myself had turkey as well! All of the Okinawan stakes (2) hold a big get togethers each year on one of the American bases and eat a real Thanksgiving dinner. It was way better than anything else I could`ve eaten in Japan, although it doesn`t compare to what I normally would eat with you! I had turkey, ham, mashed potatoes, stuffing (nowhere near the Gregory standard), and rolls. So good! After the meal, I went and played some basketball with some Marines, which was a fun. Member Marines are hilarious. Most are converts and have tattoos and probably used to have a language problem. So now they say things like crap, shoot, and crapshoot. Pretty funny stuff.
So Miles, how was videos games with the Craig-micester? Have you been played Battlefield Vietnam or some other crazy game? One of my MTC district members always talked about Red Dead Redemption...sounded pretty ridiculous haha. Hopefully you`re focusing on the important things like pulling weeds and getting up at 5 to milk the cows. Haha, just kidding little bro...do keep up the good work though. If you learn to work hard, it`ll really prepare you for a mission. Oh, and ride your bike everyday if you can. There might be some massive hills where you`re going.
Thank you Mom for your prayers. They say if you mom prays for you, no harm or accident will happen to the missionary. Keep praying! I`ve had some ridiculous close calls with poles, cars, etc, but I won`t worry you. The Lord is looking out for me and I`m being as careful as I can.
I wrote the family letters this last week so you should be getting those soon! Except Brittany...I didn`t have time to finish it so I had to wait till today! Yours will be in the mail soon! I`ll be better about sending letters regularly, they`re way nice to receive! Well family, I love you all. Stay safe, be happy, and help out the gilbert missionaries! Member lessons are the way to go!
Love,
Robert
Monday, November 15, 2010
November 15, 2010
Hey Family!
So it`s been another great week in Japan and it went by really fast. Other missionaries have been telling me that this is my slowest transfer so I`m a little nervous for what the rest of the mission is like! Shoot, it`ll be two years before I know it! I am absolutely loving it here, I love the people, I love the work, and I never thought I`d say this with as much emotion but, I really love learning! It`s great and I`m learning a lot and I`m being humbled alot. I make a lot of mistakes with regards to Japanese, but I suppose it`s the best way to learn.
Sundays are pretty crazy. To get to church, there are 2 monstrous hills that we have to bike up and it`s killer. I thought my legs were being prepared in the MTC from all the stairs I had to climb, but yonabaru has some beastly hills. Whew, at least they`ll keep me in good shape! But anywho, sunday meetings are great. I actually had to give a talk in sacrament this last sunday, which was intense. I wrote about half a talk in english and I just went up to the pulpit and said what I wanted to say in Japanese with more. Meetings go for several hours and as a missionary, there are meetings after church. So much fun!
I actually have one quick memorable mission story from this week. It rained. Like no where in America. I put on that raincoat we bought (and I had no rain pants either) and the raincoat became so saturated that it soaked through. To my bones! So I was drenched for 5 hours on Saturday, and we were able to teach one or two lessons in my soaked condition. I really did feel the Lord strengthen me though, and I survived! I didn`t get sick, which is a miracle! So I needed Japan strength rain gear which I actually got from an elder who is going home next transfer! So yes! That is all taken care of!
I`ll see if I can translate that poem today!
Well, it`s time for us to go, sorry this email was short. I love you all!
Love,
Robert
So it`s been another great week in Japan and it went by really fast. Other missionaries have been telling me that this is my slowest transfer so I`m a little nervous for what the rest of the mission is like! Shoot, it`ll be two years before I know it! I am absolutely loving it here, I love the people, I love the work, and I never thought I`d say this with as much emotion but, I really love learning! It`s great and I`m learning a lot and I`m being humbled alot. I make a lot of mistakes with regards to Japanese, but I suppose it`s the best way to learn.
Sundays are pretty crazy. To get to church, there are 2 monstrous hills that we have to bike up and it`s killer. I thought my legs were being prepared in the MTC from all the stairs I had to climb, but yonabaru has some beastly hills. Whew, at least they`ll keep me in good shape! But anywho, sunday meetings are great. I actually had to give a talk in sacrament this last sunday, which was intense. I wrote about half a talk in english and I just went up to the pulpit and said what I wanted to say in Japanese with more. Meetings go for several hours and as a missionary, there are meetings after church. So much fun!
I actually have one quick memorable mission story from this week. It rained. Like no where in America. I put on that raincoat we bought (and I had no rain pants either) and the raincoat became so saturated that it soaked through. To my bones! So I was drenched for 5 hours on Saturday, and we were able to teach one or two lessons in my soaked condition. I really did feel the Lord strengthen me though, and I survived! I didn`t get sick, which is a miracle! So I needed Japan strength rain gear which I actually got from an elder who is going home next transfer! So yes! That is all taken care of!
I`ll see if I can translate that poem today!
Well, it`s time for us to go, sorry this email was short. I love you all!
Love,
Robert
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
First email from Japan
Family!
It`s another P-day in Japan and the time is just flying by! This last week has been great too. There were a few days where we could not get a hold of anyone and very few people listened to us while we housed and streeted. The Lord really blessed us the other day though, and we saw huge success. The mission is just an awesome place of trials and blessings.
So I didn`t get a chance to write you all letters last week but I promise, I`ll be sending some today!
Matthew sounds like a very mature young man! It`s great to hear that he`s trying to make new friends and is doing better at accepting people.
This last week I met a guy who was Protestant which is way mezurashii...err, rare. We talked for half an hour about how there is a need for a prophet and he ended up telling my companion and I that he and his friend were prophets because they felt that they could receive revelation from God. Which is definitely true! Except for the part where he thought that he was a prophet. It made me better understand and realize that other religions do have true doctrine, such as being able to receive revelation from God, but that something gets skewed and it changes God`s true gospel.
Happy belated birthday Dad! I thought about you and your 51st birthday friday night and saturday morning here in Japan, which would`ve been november 5th back in the states. I hope you really enjoyed it and had fun with the Quiroz`s at dinner! I really can`t believe that you are 51! You can be Supaman and I`ll be Julius and we`ll grow old together (name the movie).
Christmas. Hmm, I can`t believe it`s getting to be that time already. Fun fact. In Japan, most everyone eats KFC for Christmas. The KFC mascot/person/dude is dressed up in a Santa suit outside a KFC here in Okinawa which I thought was hilarious. Anyways, I can`t think of anything I really need except for more pictures! And letters!
My companion and I went tracting near the beach the other day and the water was so clear! And there were only 5 people at this awesome beach. It was nuts. Okinawa is the poorest prefecture of Japan...I suppose the don`t have time to go play at the beach here.
Well, I love all of you. Let me know when you get my letters, so I know how long it takes.
Love,
Robert
It`s another P-day in Japan and the time is just flying by! This last week has been great too. There were a few days where we could not get a hold of anyone and very few people listened to us while we housed and streeted. The Lord really blessed us the other day though, and we saw huge success. The mission is just an awesome place of trials and blessings.
So I didn`t get a chance to write you all letters last week but I promise, I`ll be sending some today!
Matthew sounds like a very mature young man! It`s great to hear that he`s trying to make new friends and is doing better at accepting people.
This last week I met a guy who was Protestant which is way mezurashii...err, rare. We talked for half an hour about how there is a need for a prophet and he ended up telling my companion and I that he and his friend were prophets because they felt that they could receive revelation from God. Which is definitely true! Except for the part where he thought that he was a prophet. It made me better understand and realize that other religions do have true doctrine, such as being able to receive revelation from God, but that something gets skewed and it changes God`s true gospel.
Happy belated birthday Dad! I thought about you and your 51st birthday friday night and saturday morning here in Japan, which would`ve been november 5th back in the states. I hope you really enjoyed it and had fun with the Quiroz`s at dinner! I really can`t believe that you are 51! You can be Supaman and I`ll be Julius and we`ll grow old together (name the movie).
Christmas. Hmm, I can`t believe it`s getting to be that time already. Fun fact. In Japan, most everyone eats KFC for Christmas. The KFC mascot/person/dude is dressed up in a Santa suit outside a KFC here in Okinawa which I thought was hilarious. Anyways, I can`t think of anything I really need except for more pictures! And letters!
My companion and I went tracting near the beach the other day and the water was so clear! And there were only 5 people at this awesome beach. It was nuts. Okinawa is the poorest prefecture of Japan...I suppose the don`t have time to go play at the beach here.
Well, I love all of you. Let me know when you get my letters, so I know how long it takes.
Love,
Robert
Monday, November 1, 2010
October 31, 2010
Hey family!
It`s finally my preparation day again and I am emailing you from Yonabaru in Okinawa...the Hawaii of Japan! My companion Elder Hardy is a stud and we`re getting work done here in Yonabaru. It`s such an interesting situation...we`re white washing this area which means that there were two elders here before and they both transferred out, and then we were transferred in. So bascially neither of us know too much about the area. But the Lord is on our side and we`ve already made 2 new investigators after about 5 hours of dendo`ing (proselyting). This area hasn`t had a baptism all year and we`re hoping to have 2 people come unto Christ and be baptized this transfer.
So fun story. I was delayed coming to Okinawa because there was this crazy T4 typhoon here and it`s the strongest they`ve had in a long time, like years. So I stayed in the mission home an extra day, and I was able to meet all the dying missionaries (the one`s that were going home in the next couple of days). They imparted me with their knowledge and I had some awesome dendo`ing experiences.
So I need to tell you about my mission president. He is the nicest man ever. I thought that when I got to Japan, it was all going to be about "numbers" and having no fun. It`s all about the love. He is the most loving man ever and every missionary here is so happy. It`s weird to say this but I`ve been told countless times that there are just not any bad missionaries in this mission. Every missionary here is way good and I`ve met a bunch of them already because I got stuck in Fukuoka. Thanks a lot T4 typhoon! No but really, it`s such a great place. The first day I went out and passed out muryo eikaiwa`s (fliers for free english conversation classes). It was so fun singing on random street corners (in english) and talking to everyone (in japanese) and giving them stuff. Ah! So great. That night we went streeting too and this elder, Elder Shaner (he`s the best) and we talked to a ton of people. I felt prompted to talk some some guy who was sitting on the side of the road smoking and drinking. So I did it. He was way nice and he really needs Jesus Christ. We talked and I gave him a Book of Mormon! It was the best. Elder Shaner had gotten a phone call too, and so I got to do it by myself.
The other day I went out to buy a bike and it was way difficult because I didn`t have enough money on my card! Elder Savage...a senior couple missionary had to lend me 10000 yen so that I could but the bike. Apparently the Japan is in a stage of deflation so the strength of the yen to the dollar is increasing. It was like 87 yen to the dollar when i went into the MTC, so the money I had then would`ve been close to what I needed for a bike, but now it`s like 79. I am going to need to pay this brother back in the near future. Onegaishimasu! I don`t really have any more money needs except some time in the future I might buy an electronic dictionary. I`m actually making it pretty ok without one though so we`ll see.
One more good story.
Yesterday, I went to pick up a guitar from a member after church so that I can play for a ward activity on Wednesday. On the way there my brand new bike(totemo suteki which means very nice) got a flat tire. I was way bummed. So I had to walk my bike to the members house and back and carry a guitar and such. Elder Hardy just laughed and we had the best "boken" (adventure) ever. So many things went right after I my tire went flat. I was really annoyed at first but I came to see that Heavenly Father gives us trials, only to make us see something or appreciate something that we didn`t before. We had so many tender mercies walking there. We found a public phone. We found a port a potty (which was important)! And as a background to why these were tender mercies the city I`m serving in is very inaka which means it`s out in the countryside and houses don`t have addresses. On top of that, me and Elder Hardy are white washing the area (explanation of white washing at the beginning of the email). So, we`re walking our bikes and we happen to run into some kids outside a house who were members! There are not many members here at all...that was a miracle! And then they led us to another brother`s house who could help me fix my bike, so no worries there! And then to top it off, the guitar fit into Elder Hardy`s backpack (sort of) which made it easier to carry back.
Well, I love you all. Just for the record, Japan is about 15 hours or so ahead of you, so it`s a little after one thirty in the afternoon on a monday here in Japan. I`ll write you today!
Love,
Robert
PS If you are going to send me a package send me...hmm, maybe tortillas, and peanut butter and salsa. Those things are way way expensive here in Japan...so that`d be great! Oh, and some taco powder/seasoning and drink mixes (the great value ones were way good)! Thank you so much family!
PPS An apple here in Japan is $2 an apple! How crazy is that?!
It`s finally my preparation day again and I am emailing you from Yonabaru in Okinawa...the Hawaii of Japan! My companion Elder Hardy is a stud and we`re getting work done here in Yonabaru. It`s such an interesting situation...we`re white washing this area which means that there were two elders here before and they both transferred out, and then we were transferred in. So bascially neither of us know too much about the area. But the Lord is on our side and we`ve already made 2 new investigators after about 5 hours of dendo`ing (proselyting). This area hasn`t had a baptism all year and we`re hoping to have 2 people come unto Christ and be baptized this transfer.
So fun story. I was delayed coming to Okinawa because there was this crazy T4 typhoon here and it`s the strongest they`ve had in a long time, like years. So I stayed in the mission home an extra day, and I was able to meet all the dying missionaries (the one`s that were going home in the next couple of days). They imparted me with their knowledge and I had some awesome dendo`ing experiences.
So I need to tell you about my mission president. He is the nicest man ever. I thought that when I got to Japan, it was all going to be about "numbers" and having no fun. It`s all about the love. He is the most loving man ever and every missionary here is so happy. It`s weird to say this but I`ve been told countless times that there are just not any bad missionaries in this mission. Every missionary here is way good and I`ve met a bunch of them already because I got stuck in Fukuoka. Thanks a lot T4 typhoon! No but really, it`s such a great place. The first day I went out and passed out muryo eikaiwa`s (fliers for free english conversation classes). It was so fun singing on random street corners (in english) and talking to everyone (in japanese) and giving them stuff. Ah! So great. That night we went streeting too and this elder, Elder Shaner (he`s the best) and we talked to a ton of people. I felt prompted to talk some some guy who was sitting on the side of the road smoking and drinking. So I did it. He was way nice and he really needs Jesus Christ. We talked and I gave him a Book of Mormon! It was the best. Elder Shaner had gotten a phone call too, and so I got to do it by myself.
The other day I went out to buy a bike and it was way difficult because I didn`t have enough money on my card! Elder Savage...a senior couple missionary had to lend me 10000 yen so that I could but the bike. Apparently the Japan is in a stage of deflation so the strength of the yen to the dollar is increasing. It was like 87 yen to the dollar when i went into the MTC, so the money I had then would`ve been close to what I needed for a bike, but now it`s like 79. I am going to need to pay this brother back in the near future. Onegaishimasu! I don`t really have any more money needs except some time in the future I might buy an electronic dictionary. I`m actually making it pretty ok without one though so we`ll see.
One more good story.
Yesterday, I went to pick up a guitar from a member after church so that I can play for a ward activity on Wednesday. On the way there my brand new bike(totemo suteki which means very nice) got a flat tire. I was way bummed. So I had to walk my bike to the members house and back and carry a guitar and such. Elder Hardy just laughed and we had the best "boken" (adventure) ever. So many things went right after I my tire went flat. I was really annoyed at first but I came to see that Heavenly Father gives us trials, only to make us see something or appreciate something that we didn`t before. We had so many tender mercies walking there. We found a public phone. We found a port a potty (which was important)! And as a background to why these were tender mercies the city I`m serving in is very inaka which means it`s out in the countryside and houses don`t have addresses. On top of that, me and Elder Hardy are white washing the area (explanation of white washing at the beginning of the email). So, we`re walking our bikes and we happen to run into some kids outside a house who were members! There are not many members here at all...that was a miracle! And then they led us to another brother`s house who could help me fix my bike, so no worries there! And then to top it off, the guitar fit into Elder Hardy`s backpack (sort of) which made it easier to carry back.
Well, I love you all. Just for the record, Japan is about 15 hours or so ahead of you, so it`s a little after one thirty in the afternoon on a monday here in Japan. I`ll write you today!
Love,
Robert
PS If you are going to send me a package send me...hmm, maybe tortillas, and peanut butter and salsa. Those things are way way expensive here in Japan...so that`d be great! Oh, and some taco powder/seasoning and drink mixes (the great value ones were way good)! Thank you so much family!
PPS An apple here in Japan is $2 an apple! How crazy is that?!
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
October 27, 2010
Watashi no kazoku!
I'm am officially emailing you from Japan! I'm sorry I didn't get a chance to call you again from tokyo, we had some problems (the plane got in an hour late, an elder lost his passport, etc.) but, good news. I'm safe, i'm happy and my mission president is the best mission president i could ask for. Sister Margetts and Brother Margetts are awesome people and I'm loving my stay under the Fukuoka temple. I leave tomorrow afternoon for my mission area...which i still don't know yet but i am anxiously waiting.
So quick story. I felt sick on the plane and luckily i got to the bathroom for that fun experience. When I got to the airport...I got to the welcome to tokyo sign...I threw up all over the floor. All the elders and sisters laughed! I did too actually. And then I had to go over to a hostess and tell her in fairly bad Japanese about what I had done. She told me it was ok, but I felt bad. Well, that's going in the journal.
Whew, I think i'm making it through the jet lag. It's like midnight in the states right now and I still have 8 hours till bedtime. It's been the best day so far though. I had one of the best breakfasts of my life this morning. And then we went out for dendo. Yes, I passed out fliers for 2 hours this morning. I spoke to maybe 100 people, and 50 of them accepted fliers. IN JAPANESE!! It was crazy. Keep praying for me that I'll be able to help people feel the spirit and to be interested in hearing about Christ.
I saw a great quote today under the Savior's picture. "Kaette kinasai" which means "Come home." And that's what it is all about. Helping people to get back to Christ and The Father.
Alright, well I need to go in for an interview. Love you all!
Robert
I'm am officially emailing you from Japan! I'm sorry I didn't get a chance to call you again from tokyo, we had some problems (the plane got in an hour late, an elder lost his passport, etc.) but, good news. I'm safe, i'm happy and my mission president is the best mission president i could ask for. Sister Margetts and Brother Margetts are awesome people and I'm loving my stay under the Fukuoka temple. I leave tomorrow afternoon for my mission area...which i still don't know yet but i am anxiously waiting.
So quick story. I felt sick on the plane and luckily i got to the bathroom for that fun experience. When I got to the airport...I got to the welcome to tokyo sign...I threw up all over the floor. All the elders and sisters laughed! I did too actually. And then I had to go over to a hostess and tell her in fairly bad Japanese about what I had done. She told me it was ok, but I felt bad. Well, that's going in the journal.
Whew, I think i'm making it through the jet lag. It's like midnight in the states right now and I still have 8 hours till bedtime. It's been the best day so far though. I had one of the best breakfasts of my life this morning. And then we went out for dendo. Yes, I passed out fliers for 2 hours this morning. I spoke to maybe 100 people, and 50 of them accepted fliers. IN JAPANESE!! It was crazy. Keep praying for me that I'll be able to help people feel the spirit and to be interested in hearing about Christ.
I saw a great quote today under the Savior's picture. "Kaette kinasai" which means "Come home." And that's what it is all about. Helping people to get back to Christ and The Father.
Alright, well I need to go in for an interview. Love you all!
Robert
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Elder Gregory Update
Robert is in Japan! Can you believe it? He sent a letter to me today which included his SD card with all of his MTC pictures. I will upload them soon. In the meantime, check out his Facebook page and you can view the pictures there.
Also, feel free to check out my blog post. My husband shared with me tonight how truly exhausted he was when he arrived in his mission in the Philippines. I wonder if Robert is experiencing something similar.
Brittany
Brittany
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Letter to Family October 19, 2010
Hey family, I only have a few minutes to write, i'm sorry. I gave up my p day because some japanese sister who is doubling as a nurse on her mission for missionaries had to go to a medical seminar and I had to translate it for 8 hours today. My head is seriously going to explode. But it was a wonderful experience and I'm gratfeul for it.
So here's my schedule...I leave monday at like 5 in the morning. I'll be in the LAX airport and able to call family from 9:30AM to 12:30 LA time and 4:30 to 7:30PM Tokyo time, whatever that is. So yes, I don't think there is a limit on how much time I can have when i can call you but i have to pay for it with my own money when it is from the airport. so i'll use a pay phone, borrow someone's cell phone, or buy a calling card or something like that. so yes, i think the tokyo time is like from 4:30 to 7:30 in the morning tuesday or something like that...maybe wake up at 6 and i'll call you!
Anyways, i'm sorry this is so short, I love everyone and next prep day i'll be sure to write you a long email telling you how it is! oh by the way, i'm sending my memory card to brittany and then she'll send it to you! I love you all!
love
Robert
Sweet! My friend had some extra time of email so i'm using his!
So this last week has been pretty great! I got my travel plans and i've been talking pretty much nihongo dake (japanese only) which has been a challenge but i'm feeling the blessing of it. Spiritually I have been edified this whole MTC time. It's truly amazing what the Lord does here at the MTC. There are alot of great elders here, but so many more missionaries leave better, more prepared teachers of the gospel than the number of those who come here. Thank you for your prayers everyone. I feel part of a fantastic family and i'm very grateful for my parents. And you too Miles, Matthew, and Brittany!
So quick thought. I'm hosting this wednesday and Parker, Gainluca, and Stickler all get here that day. My chances are slim but I might be able to host for one of them and carry around their luggage! How exciting is that!?
Well once again i'll say, i love you! keep it real, be safe, pray for Grandpa Craig. I hope he will receieve baptism soon. Love you
Love,
Robert
So here's my schedule...I leave monday at like 5 in the morning. I'll be in the LAX airport and able to call family from 9:30AM to 12:30 LA time and 4:30 to 7:30PM Tokyo time, whatever that is. So yes, I don't think there is a limit on how much time I can have when i can call you but i have to pay for it with my own money when it is from the airport. so i'll use a pay phone, borrow someone's cell phone, or buy a calling card or something like that. so yes, i think the tokyo time is like from 4:30 to 7:30 in the morning tuesday or something like that...maybe wake up at 6 and i'll call you!
Anyways, i'm sorry this is so short, I love everyone and next prep day i'll be sure to write you a long email telling you how it is! oh by the way, i'm sending my memory card to brittany and then she'll send it to you! I love you all!
love
Robert
Sweet! My friend had some extra time of email so i'm using his!
So this last week has been pretty great! I got my travel plans and i've been talking pretty much nihongo dake (japanese only) which has been a challenge but i'm feeling the blessing of it. Spiritually I have been edified this whole MTC time. It's truly amazing what the Lord does here at the MTC. There are alot of great elders here, but so many more missionaries leave better, more prepared teachers of the gospel than the number of those who come here. Thank you for your prayers everyone. I feel part of a fantastic family and i'm very grateful for my parents. And you too Miles, Matthew, and Brittany!
So quick thought. I'm hosting this wednesday and Parker, Gainluca, and Stickler all get here that day. My chances are slim but I might be able to host for one of them and carry around their luggage! How exciting is that!?
Well once again i'll say, i love you! keep it real, be safe, pray for Grandpa Craig. I hope he will receieve baptism soon. Love you
Love,
Robert
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
October 12, 2010
私の愛するかぞく！
お元気ですか。あなたたちの証はどうですか。
Hey family!
Are you all happy/healthy/fine? How are everyone's testimonies?
Next week I'll have something ready for you so i can type it out really quick. It's hard to type out kanji and hiragana! Anyways, I hope everyone is doing fine. It's cool to hear that you were in provo this last weekend. If would have run into you on saturday, that would've been the coolest! After my mission you all are going to have to meet my current companion. He's pretty awesome.
So how's california? How's the weather? Have you all stopped by the beach yet? Here in Provo it is absolutely wonderful. Good story actually. My district and I have been bummed because the soccer field has been closed...due to a sink hole!! (Which I definitely took pictures in!) Anyways, we've been bummed until recently when they opened it up again. So everyone runs out there and it is just the most prefect weather. And then followed the best soccer game of my life. Sigh, life at the MTC sure can be great sometimes.
This last week I have been talking with the Japanese missionaries who now come here instead of the Tokyo MTC. It's been great...I even had to translate for the 日本人宣教師 district leader in branch council and still take notes for my own district at the same time. Slightly difficult. So I just have to get this off my chest...I am so glad that I decided to stay here the whole 12 weeks instead of cutting my MTC time short. There's an elder who took 3 years of japanese in high school and he put on his application that he was fluent. He is definitely not anywhere near fluent. So now he's leaving with our group in two weeks and he's only been here for about two weeks. Oh man, he has got a lot of japanese to catch up on. I'm praying for him!
I love you guys. I'm glad that you are my family...you are all すばらしい which means you are all very wonderful. Be safe and enjoy life! I'll be seeing you in 22 months!
Love,
Robert
お元気ですか。あなたたちの証はどうですか。
Hey family!
Are you all happy/healthy/fine? How are everyone's testimonies?
Next week I'll have something ready for you so i can type it out really quick. It's hard to type out kanji and hiragana! Anyways, I hope everyone is doing fine. It's cool to hear that you were in provo this last weekend. If would have run into you on saturday, that would've been the coolest! After my mission you all are going to have to meet my current companion. He's pretty awesome.
So how's california? How's the weather? Have you all stopped by the beach yet? Here in Provo it is absolutely wonderful. Good story actually. My district and I have been bummed because the soccer field has been closed...due to a sink hole!! (Which I definitely took pictures in!) Anyways, we've been bummed until recently when they opened it up again. So everyone runs out there and it is just the most prefect weather. And then followed the best soccer game of my life. Sigh, life at the MTC sure can be great sometimes.
This last week I have been talking with the Japanese missionaries who now come here instead of the Tokyo MTC. It's been great...I even had to translate for the 日本人宣教師 district leader in branch council and still take notes for my own district at the same time. Slightly difficult. So I just have to get this off my chest...I am so glad that I decided to stay here the whole 12 weeks instead of cutting my MTC time short. There's an elder who took 3 years of japanese in high school and he put on his application that he was fluent. He is definitely not anywhere near fluent. So now he's leaving with our group in two weeks and he's only been here for about two weeks. Oh man, he has got a lot of japanese to catch up on. I'm praying for him!
I love you guys. I'm glad that you are my family...you are all すばらしい which means you are all very wonderful. Be safe and enjoy life! I'll be seeing you in 22 months!
Love,
Robert
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Letter October 5, 2010
Hey Family!
It's junbi no hi again and I get to email you! Yes! This last week has been pretty great, especially with general conference, choir and the Japanese missionaries coming to the MTC! I have been talking with some of them and it's great knowing that I can actually talk to real people using what I've learned in the MTC! Some times my district feels like we're going to get to Japan and we'll all say "this isn't what they taught us in the MTC!" But it's working out! I finished my Japanese dictionary project were I wrote down all the words that are everyday use. Now I'm just committing the one's I don't know to memory! If you are curious, there are 1758 common use words, not including their different derivatives. Oh and funny story, i went back through to see if I missed any and I missed one, shijin i believe it is, which means earthquake. It also means self confidence randomly enough.
So anyways, what did everyone get out of conference? Who were your favorite speakers? I think that my favorite were Uchtdorf and how he talked about slowing down and focusing on the fundamentals. That and his talk about how humility isn't thinking less of yourself but less about yourself. I know it might be wrong to have favorites but Uchtdorf is definitely my favorite along with our Prophet Thomas S Monson. I'm going to have to go back and listen to their talks again before I leave them MTC.
Quick story. One of my japanese teachers here is really cool and his dad is a religion professor at BYU and UVU. So as his son, he has a ton of gospel knowledge and cool insight. We read from Ether where it talks about how the Brother of Jared chose to have the Lord touch the stones to provide light for there Jaredities journey across the sea. Then we discussed how he thought of that idea. He was a prophet, was he not? And he most likely had access to scriptures and such. Go to Genesis 6:16, read it, and then check the footnotes. Dad has been studying hebrew so he might have a better understanding. This is where Noah is building his ship and the Lord is telling him how to build it. So, the hebrew word for window or glass is something like "toshur" and historians think it means "shining stone". So Noah may have done the same thing with the Lord and the brother of Jared, being a prophet and having the scriptures, searched them and saw that Noah lit his ship with "shining stones" as well. Cool story.
Anyways, I've had a wonderful week. Singing in choir was an experience I will always remember and I'm glad I had that opportunity. I don't know how the apostles and general authorities do it. When I walked out and sat down, there was literally so much to see, it hurt my head. It was impressive. This last week I taught a Japanese woman in the TRC and I finally felt like the lesson went amazingly. My companion and I have been focusing on teaching the lesson, but this week, we better tailored it to her needs, and we were able to answer all of her questions. Sigh, sweet success!
I'm off to the temple! I love you all!
It's junbi no hi again and I get to email you! Yes! This last week has been pretty great, especially with general conference, choir and the Japanese missionaries coming to the MTC! I have been talking with some of them and it's great knowing that I can actually talk to real people using what I've learned in the MTC! Some times my district feels like we're going to get to Japan and we'll all say "this isn't what they taught us in the MTC!" But it's working out! I finished my Japanese dictionary project were I wrote down all the words that are everyday use. Now I'm just committing the one's I don't know to memory! If you are curious, there are 1758 common use words, not including their different derivatives. Oh and funny story, i went back through to see if I missed any and I missed one, shijin i believe it is, which means earthquake. It also means self confidence randomly enough.
So anyways, what did everyone get out of conference? Who were your favorite speakers? I think that my favorite were Uchtdorf and how he talked about slowing down and focusing on the fundamentals. That and his talk about how humility isn't thinking less of yourself but less about yourself. I know it might be wrong to have favorites but Uchtdorf is definitely my favorite along with our Prophet Thomas S Monson. I'm going to have to go back and listen to their talks again before I leave them MTC.
Quick story. One of my japanese teachers here is really cool and his dad is a religion professor at BYU and UVU. So as his son, he has a ton of gospel knowledge and cool insight. We read from Ether where it talks about how the Brother of Jared chose to have the Lord touch the stones to provide light for there Jaredities journey across the sea. Then we discussed how he thought of that idea. He was a prophet, was he not? And he most likely had access to scriptures and such. Go to Genesis 6:16, read it, and then check the footnotes. Dad has been studying hebrew so he might have a better understanding. This is where Noah is building his ship and the Lord is telling him how to build it. So, the hebrew word for window or glass is something like "toshur" and historians think it means "shining stone". So Noah may have done the same thing with the Lord and the brother of Jared, being a prophet and having the scriptures, searched them and saw that Noah lit his ship with "shining stones" as well. Cool story.
Anyways, I've had a wonderful week. Singing in choir was an experience I will always remember and I'm glad I had that opportunity. I don't know how the apostles and general authorities do it. When I walked out and sat down, there was literally so much to see, it hurt my head. It was impressive. This last week I taught a Japanese woman in the TRC and I finally felt like the lesson went amazingly. My companion and I have been focusing on teaching the lesson, but this week, we better tailored it to her needs, and we were able to answer all of her questions. Sigh, sweet success!
I'm off to the temple! I love you all!
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Letter to Brittany 9/28/2010
Brittany!
Yes I got your package and it was awesome! Those Japanese candies were way yummy, thank you! And thanks for the pictures and my ipod! And the new wallet! It's nice to have something cool to put all my junk in. I've lost my blue meal card so many times here it's not even funny so this is helping.
So I don't know if you know this but I have less than a month left in the MTC! I am so excited and nervous!! (Ok, if this letter seems weird like I'm loopy, it's because I'm writing this letter at 6 in the morning.) Anywho, I'm going to send you or mom my memory card before I leave so you can see what the MTC is like for me! Should I send it to you, or to Mom? Hmm, probably you. Or mom. I don't know. The MTC is making me crazy, the food is hard on my stomach and the studying is filling my brain. But I am really enjoying it here. I am meeting a lot of cool people and I've seen like ten or fifteen people I know from school/church/home. And I'm learning a lot fo Japanese and a lot of gospel principles. It's a blast.
Hmm, so you want advice about reading the Ensign? Well I had this talk with one of my teachers already about this and he told me that the word of the living prophet is more important than our scriptures because it is modern revelation for us. I don't think it's more important, but I do think that you should read the Ensign each month.
Ah, well this letter has been weird and crazy and I think I need to check my laundry. I just want to say that I love you and I'm grateful for the things you do for me. Keep reading your scriptures and letting me know about the impressions you get.
Love, Robert
Yes I got your package and it was awesome! Those Japanese candies were way yummy, thank you! And thanks for the pictures and my ipod! And the new wallet! It's nice to have something cool to put all my junk in. I've lost my blue meal card so many times here it's not even funny so this is helping.
So I don't know if you know this but I have less than a month left in the MTC! I am so excited and nervous!! (Ok, if this letter seems weird like I'm loopy, it's because I'm writing this letter at 6 in the morning.) Anywho, I'm going to send you or mom my memory card before I leave so you can see what the MTC is like for me! Should I send it to you, or to Mom? Hmm, probably you. Or mom. I don't know. The MTC is making me crazy, the food is hard on my stomach and the studying is filling my brain. But I am really enjoying it here. I am meeting a lot of cool people and I've seen like ten or fifteen people I know from school/church/home. And I'm learning a lot fo Japanese and a lot of gospel principles. It's a blast.
Hmm, so you want advice about reading the Ensign? Well I had this talk with one of my teachers already about this and he told me that the word of the living prophet is more important than our scriptures because it is modern revelation for us. I don't think it's more important, but I do think that you should read the Ensign each month.
Ah, well this letter has been weird and crazy and I think I need to check my laundry. I just want to say that I love you and I'm grateful for the things you do for me. Keep reading your scriptures and letting me know about the impressions you get.
Love, Robert
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Dear Family! September 28, 2010
It's been another great week at the MTC, time has really just flown by. The new Japanese missionaries are here meaning I'm senpai (senior companion), which makes me feel old and wise. But then I remember that I'm not really either of those so it's good. My project to read the dictionary is almost done with. I feel very nerdy but I really think it's going to pay off. I've learned a ton of new words that I know are going to help me on my mission. We have this red book that we call the "Ninja" and it teaches a lot of good stuff, but most of it is gospel related. I'm learning all the words from there as well, but I feel like if I know everyday Japanese it will help me with contacting and such. I'm am super excited to get to Japan and try out all that I've learned. I've learned how to work hard again and more importantly how to plan! This is one of the major lessons I'm learning in the MTC, is how to plan. Dad, i know you always wanted me to plan better, and I guess the Lord saw that it was important enough for me to step in and teach me a good lesson.
This last week the President of the MTC came to our fast and testimony meeting which was awesome, and I got up and bore my testimony in Japanese. I got to shake his hand which was pretty great. Also, I talked with president Harris who's over all the districts here at the MTC and he taught us a lesson in priesthood on Christ-like attributes. He has a list that he got from the Quorum of the Tweleve about the attributes of Christ and it's supposed to be way cool. he said that he wasn't allowed to make copies of it, but that we could come in sometime and write down everything that was on it. I'm going to have to investigate this secret list of awesomeness.
Here's my quote of the week
"Shall we not go on in so great a cause?"
I got that from the end of the Jospeh Smith movie which I watched on Sunday. Joseph Smith was such a great man. I'm glad that he had the faith to pray to God so that he might know which church was true. I can't imgane how my life would be different if he hadn't. My life has more purpose to it now than self-gratification...I can serve my fellow men through teaching the gospel of Christ. Shall I not go on in so great a cause?
I love you all. I hope everyone is healthy and happy! Be happy, try not to stress too much. Till next week!
Robert
This last week the President of the MTC came to our fast and testimony meeting which was awesome, and I got up and bore my testimony in Japanese. I got to shake his hand which was pretty great. Also, I talked with president Harris who's over all the districts here at the MTC and he taught us a lesson in priesthood on Christ-like attributes. He has a list that he got from the Quorum of the Tweleve about the attributes of Christ and it's supposed to be way cool. he said that he wasn't allowed to make copies of it, but that we could come in sometime and write down everything that was on it. I'm going to have to investigate this secret list of awesomeness.
Here's my quote of the week
"Shall we not go on in so great a cause?"
I got that from the end of the Jospeh Smith movie which I watched on Sunday. Joseph Smith was such a great man. I'm glad that he had the faith to pray to God so that he might know which church was true. I can't imgane how my life would be different if he hadn't. My life has more purpose to it now than self-gratification...I can serve my fellow men through teaching the gospel of Christ. Shall I not go on in so great a cause?
I love you all. I hope everyone is healthy and happy! Be happy, try not to stress too much. Till next week!
Robert
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Sept 21, 2010
Hey family! it's good to hear from you again!
So I've have a pretty awesome week. This last week, I taught my first all Japanese lesson and even though my companion didn't say much, I had a blast teaching all in Japanese. I memorized Joseph Smith's first vision a few weeks ago in Japanese and I had a great experience being able to bear my testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith and tell the story of how he saw God the Father and Jesus Christ.
Story time. So the night before the TRC (teaching resource center), I practiced teaching the lesson to a few of the other Japan-going elders. The thing was that my companion was no way going to be ready for the practice, but the teacher made us do it anyways. So I went into the lesson feeling a little mad at my teacher but I started with a prayer and prayed that I could let go of my pride. I taught the lesson, and my doryo (companion) wasn't able to say really anything, but I felt like it was a good experience for the both of us. As the lesson progressed, I had the chance to teach the first vision to my "investigators" and as I recited the first vision in Japanese, I had such a wonderful feeling of peace and love for the Prophet Josepsh Smith. After the lesson, we were all teary eyed and I knew that I had been able to say what I wanted to say through the power of the Holy Ghost. I had felt like I wouldn't be able to communicate, both in the language and with the Spirit, but now I know that if I have faith, it is possible! And that has been the highlight of my week!
I also had the chance to watch the Testaments Sunday night, and I wrote about it in some of my letters to you guys. I just have to say that the very last part of the film moved me deeply. I don't think I can get through the scene where Christ says Helam's name and heals him. I know that Jesus is the Christ. I know that the Messiah has come and He will come again. I know that through Christ we too can be healed, if we believe. I hope you would take the time to go see it, it is so wonderful.
Matthew, you are a wonderful boy.
Miles, you're a stud.
Brittany, you are a little weird, but I still love you. mochiron
Mom, thank you for your letters, love and support! You're great!
Dad, thank you for the wisdom. I'm glad I have you as a father.
I love you guys.
Robert
So I've have a pretty awesome week. This last week, I taught my first all Japanese lesson and even though my companion didn't say much, I had a blast teaching all in Japanese. I memorized Joseph Smith's first vision a few weeks ago in Japanese and I had a great experience being able to bear my testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith and tell the story of how he saw God the Father and Jesus Christ.
Story time. So the night before the TRC (teaching resource center), I practiced teaching the lesson to a few of the other Japan-going elders. The thing was that my companion was no way going to be ready for the practice, but the teacher made us do it anyways. So I went into the lesson feeling a little mad at my teacher but I started with a prayer and prayed that I could let go of my pride. I taught the lesson, and my doryo (companion) wasn't able to say really anything, but I felt like it was a good experience for the both of us. As the lesson progressed, I had the chance to teach the first vision to my "investigators" and as I recited the first vision in Japanese, I had such a wonderful feeling of peace and love for the Prophet Josepsh Smith. After the lesson, we were all teary eyed and I knew that I had been able to say what I wanted to say through the power of the Holy Ghost. I had felt like I wouldn't be able to communicate, both in the language and with the Spirit, but now I know that if I have faith, it is possible! And that has been the highlight of my week!
I also had the chance to watch the Testaments Sunday night, and I wrote about it in some of my letters to you guys. I just have to say that the very last part of the film moved me deeply. I don't think I can get through the scene where Christ says Helam's name and heals him. I know that Jesus is the Christ. I know that the Messiah has come and He will come again. I know that through Christ we too can be healed, if we believe. I hope you would take the time to go see it, it is so wonderful.
Matthew, you are a wonderful boy.
Miles, you're a stud.
Brittany, you are a little weird, but I still love you. mochiron
Mom, thank you for your letters, love and support! You're great!
Dad, thank you for the wisdom. I'm glad I have you as a father.
I love you guys.
Robert
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Dear Mom
Thank you for the Dear Elder letters! I was really glad to hear from you guys and my roommates were glad for the cinnamon rolls! I hope all is well at home. I've been praying for my family in all my prayers. Kazoku ni kansha shite imasu. Kazoku ga takusan shukufuku o ukeru koto ga dekiru yoni tasukete kudasai. "I am grateful for my family. Please help them receive many blessings." Even though it's in Japanese, I know it still means the same to the Lord.
It's comforting knowing that you forgive me for the mistakes I've made. I've said it once, and I'll say it again (for the rest of my life), I am so grateful for the Atonement.
So I've been here for over a month! How crazy is that? I'm about to hit the half-way point too; I think we're here for about 76 days or so and tomorrow will be 36! I love the MTC but I so can't wait to get out to Japan...I've probably gained a good 5 pounds here and my brain wants to explode! With the help of the Lord, my Japanese has improved greatly. We teach our first full lesson in Japanese this Thursday (Sept 16). All the others have been in English. So this Thursday we'll be having a 35 minute lesson with a 15 minute task all in Japanese. Pray for me!
Last thing and I'll let you go, I finished the Book of Mormon this last week and I want you to know I know it's true. It's God's revelation to us in these latter days and if we're faithful, we can receive the rest of it. These next 6 weeks or so I'll be trying to finish the four gospels and Jesus the Christ before I leave. Not to mention learning Japanese. Wish me luck, pray that God sees fit to help me!
Love, Robert
It's comforting knowing that you forgive me for the mistakes I've made. I've said it once, and I'll say it again (for the rest of my life), I am so grateful for the Atonement.
So I've been here for over a month! How crazy is that? I'm about to hit the half-way point too; I think we're here for about 76 days or so and tomorrow will be 36! I love the MTC but I so can't wait to get out to Japan...I've probably gained a good 5 pounds here and my brain wants to explode! With the help of the Lord, my Japanese has improved greatly. We teach our first full lesson in Japanese this Thursday (Sept 16). All the others have been in English. So this Thursday we'll be having a 35 minute lesson with a 15 minute task all in Japanese. Pray for me!
Last thing and I'll let you go, I finished the Book of Mormon this last week and I want you to know I know it's true. It's God's revelation to us in these latter days and if we're faithful, we can receive the rest of it. These next 6 weeks or so I'll be trying to finish the four gospels and Jesus the Christ before I leave. Not to mention learning Japanese. Wish me luck, pray that God sees fit to help me!
Love, Robert
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Letter to Family September 14, 2010
Watashi no kazoku!
I hope you all are doing great! I've had a pretty awesome week and I'm excited to finally be emailing you. I sent you all letters and so you should get them in 3 days or so.
So you've been wanting to know how the schedule is? here it goes
On most days I have class from 9 to 12:30, lunch at 12:30 and then class at 1:15 to 5:30. Then I have dinner, and then class (missionary directed time) from 6:15 to 9. In the mornings I have gym and on Friday we have shorter class because I have an hour and a half long service project which basically consists of my district cleaning the main MTC building. Thrusdays are fun days. We have a TRC appointment on those days at 4:15ish and during these we teach the first or second lesson to an MTC investigator. I just finished teaching the last one in English, and now the next 6 weeks of the TRC are going to be all in Japanese.
Sundays used to be a lot of free time (used for scripture and language study) but now it's alot of leadership training meetings and such. Being a district leader is a lot of fun though. There's firesides on Sundays and they are always great. Tuesdays are the best days. We have the whole day (it's planned out) to do laundry, go to the temple for an endowment session, writer letters, emails for 30 minutes, and to study. P-day is officially over at 6 pm though, just like in the mission field, and then we have a fireside. I've developed a habit of saying "it's almost Tuesday!" and it eventually comes.
I love everyday here. I'm getting a lot of Japanese down and I'm feeling fairly confident about my first TRC nihongo dake (japanese only) visit. The funny thing is that I know I'm going to be humbled...that's how it usually works. But I'm going to work my hardest and try and get it done!
Have a wonderful week family.
Love,
Robert
I hope you all are doing great! I've had a pretty awesome week and I'm excited to finally be emailing you. I sent you all letters and so you should get them in 3 days or so.
So you've been wanting to know how the schedule is? here it goes
On most days I have class from 9 to 12:30, lunch at 12:30 and then class at 1:15 to 5:30. Then I have dinner, and then class (missionary directed time) from 6:15 to 9. In the mornings I have gym and on Friday we have shorter class because I have an hour and a half long service project which basically consists of my district cleaning the main MTC building. Thrusdays are fun days. We have a TRC appointment on those days at 4:15ish and during these we teach the first or second lesson to an MTC investigator. I just finished teaching the last one in English, and now the next 6 weeks of the TRC are going to be all in Japanese.
Sundays used to be a lot of free time (used for scripture and language study) but now it's alot of leadership training meetings and such. Being a district leader is a lot of fun though. There's firesides on Sundays and they are always great. Tuesdays are the best days. We have the whole day (it's planned out) to do laundry, go to the temple for an endowment session, writer letters, emails for 30 minutes, and to study. P-day is officially over at 6 pm though, just like in the mission field, and then we have a fireside. I've developed a habit of saying "it's almost Tuesday!" and it eventually comes.
I love everyday here. I'm getting a lot of Japanese down and I'm feeling fairly confident about my first TRC nihongo dake (japanese only) visit. The funny thing is that I know I'm going to be humbled...that's how it usually works. But I'm going to work my hardest and try and get it done!
Have a wonderful week family.
Love,
Robert
Saturday, September 11, 2010
A Letter to Dad September 9, 2010
Dear Dad,
Thank you for your support and prayers, I can feel the Lord strengthening me and making me equal to the task at hand. The Lord has made me able to learn Japanese easily and feel the Spirit often. He has His hand in my life and I am growing in my love for Him.
I don't know why this comes to mind (maybe because I strongly wish I could change my past) but I want to apologize for all the mistakes I've made. My pride has caused a lot of heartache for the family and for myself and there's not a day that goes by where I don't think about things past I wish I could change. I'm truly sorry for the hurt I've caused you and Mom. I hope that you can forgive me of my imperfections as countless as they are. I want to be the best I can be and I know that I need to forsake my sins and repent. Pray for me so that God will strengthen me. I know He can do all things and I am so very grateful for the Atonement.
Anyways, I'll move on to something more uplifting. President Bird made me the district leader for the next two months, so I'm learning (slowly) how to lead and to conduct meetings. It's a wonderful opportunity or a subarashi kikai as it would be said in Nihongo. It's been humbling as I have made mistakes but I am enjoying the process.
This is random but I thought I'd mention that I got along really well with one of my teachers. He's way cool and it's nice that we get along because when we do our mogi (role plays) he partners up with me due to the odd number of missionaries in the district. It's nice because we can use more advanced Japanese and I understand most of it. It's awesome having that opportunity because my companion is struggling a lot with his Japanese.
Dad, I love you. I miss being able to wrestle with you and talk to you face to face. As I serve my mission for the Lord, I will pray that He blesses our family. I know that He has all the power. And as Ammon once said, I know that I am nothing (watakushi wa fukanzen desu). Stay safe, keep the faith, love God.
Love, Your son, Robert
Thank you for your support and prayers, I can feel the Lord strengthening me and making me equal to the task at hand. The Lord has made me able to learn Japanese easily and feel the Spirit often. He has His hand in my life and I am growing in my love for Him.
I don't know why this comes to mind (maybe because I strongly wish I could change my past) but I want to apologize for all the mistakes I've made. My pride has caused a lot of heartache for the family and for myself and there's not a day that goes by where I don't think about things past I wish I could change. I'm truly sorry for the hurt I've caused you and Mom. I hope that you can forgive me of my imperfections as countless as they are. I want to be the best I can be and I know that I need to forsake my sins and repent. Pray for me so that God will strengthen me. I know He can do all things and I am so very grateful for the Atonement.
Anyways, I'll move on to something more uplifting. President Bird made me the district leader for the next two months, so I'm learning (slowly) how to lead and to conduct meetings. It's a wonderful opportunity or a subarashi kikai as it would be said in Nihongo. It's been humbling as I have made mistakes but I am enjoying the process.
This is random but I thought I'd mention that I got along really well with one of my teachers. He's way cool and it's nice that we get along because when we do our mogi (role plays) he partners up with me due to the odd number of missionaries in the district. It's nice because we can use more advanced Japanese and I understand most of it. It's awesome having that opportunity because my companion is struggling a lot with his Japanese.
Dad, I love you. I miss being able to wrestle with you and talk to you face to face. As I serve my mission for the Lord, I will pray that He blesses our family. I know that He has all the power. And as Ammon once said, I know that I am nothing (watakushi wa fukanzen desu). Stay safe, keep the faith, love God.
Love, Your son, Robert
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
September 7, 2010
Dear Family
I've been fasting for the last two sundays about dad's business and I know that through the Lord anything is possible! I know you have thanked Heavenly Father many times already for your blessings, but be sure He knows how grateful we all are.
So, how are you feeling mom? Is everything going better with your stomach ulcer? I really hope that you've been recovering...I don't want to even think that my mom is in pain. I'll keep praying!
I think about you all a lot and about the reason why I'm out here. I'm a little sad that I can't see you all, I was actually badly home sick one day this last week when I got Miles's letter. Miles, I hope you know that I love you very much. Your letter brought tears to my eyes, I'm glad I have you as my best friend, you and the family really keep me going. I am so glad that I'm out here doing what is right. I know that the Lord will bless us all if I serve righteously and if you all pray for me and keep me going. I'll let you all know that my Japanese is coming along nicely. I taught the first lesson in Japanese for 15 minutes (at least the first two sections of the frist lesson). I know that if I trust in the Lord and have faith, and continue in obedience, I will be blessed to come to understand the gospel better as well as Japanese. I love you all. Mom, I love your letters. They make me smile and wish that I could be there with you. Dad, your letters and words of wisdom land on my wall in my room. I read them often. Miles, I love you very much. You are one of my bestest (the supermostest) friends. And Matthew, i love you so very much. You are a sweet boy and I can't wait to tell you how Japan is. I'll tell you some good stories about ninjas or samurai. You'll love it. I love you all.
By the way, if you want to send me letters through Dear Elder, it's free for when I'm in the MTC. And I get them the same day! But when i'm in Japan, you should send me real letters! So anyways, check it out, it's nice. And if you send me an email and the Dear Elder of the email beforehand, I can read the email without using any of the thirty minutes I get, and all that time will go to writing you and the family emails!
Love,
Robert
I've been fasting for the last two sundays about dad's business and I know that through the Lord anything is possible! I know you have thanked Heavenly Father many times already for your blessings, but be sure He knows how grateful we all are.
So, how are you feeling mom? Is everything going better with your stomach ulcer? I really hope that you've been recovering...I don't want to even think that my mom is in pain. I'll keep praying!
I think about you all a lot and about the reason why I'm out here. I'm a little sad that I can't see you all, I was actually badly home sick one day this last week when I got Miles's letter. Miles, I hope you know that I love you very much. Your letter brought tears to my eyes, I'm glad I have you as my best friend, you and the family really keep me going. I am so glad that I'm out here doing what is right. I know that the Lord will bless us all if I serve righteously and if you all pray for me and keep me going. I'll let you all know that my Japanese is coming along nicely. I taught the first lesson in Japanese for 15 minutes (at least the first two sections of the frist lesson). I know that if I trust in the Lord and have faith, and continue in obedience, I will be blessed to come to understand the gospel better as well as Japanese. I love you all. Mom, I love your letters. They make me smile and wish that I could be there with you. Dad, your letters and words of wisdom land on my wall in my room. I read them often. Miles, I love you very much. You are one of my bestest (the supermostest) friends. And Matthew, i love you so very much. You are a sweet boy and I can't wait to tell you how Japan is. I'll tell you some good stories about ninjas or samurai. You'll love it. I love you all.
By the way, if you want to send me letters through Dear Elder, it's free for when I'm in the MTC. And I get them the same day! But when i'm in Japan, you should send me real letters! So anyways, check it out, it's nice. And if you send me an email and the Dear Elder of the email beforehand, I can read the email without using any of the thirty minutes I get, and all that time will go to writing you and the family emails!
Love,
Robert
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Email from Robert, Part Two
Yes! I get the ten minutes of email time back that I lost this morning. The MTC computers are really ghetto and some things glitched out so I didn't get time to email you, but I checked with the tech place and they gave me my time back. tonikaku...it's good to be able to send you an email.
So that package of food you guys sent me was monstrous. Like, I had a lot of friends before but now...haha just kidding. Thanks again, for everything. I'm going to try and smuggle some on the flight to japan. I don't think i'm going to be able to finish it all.
Ok, so I've forgotten to tell Mom the story of the Japanese guy being converted for two weeks now. If you could forward this email to her that be awesome. Here it goes!
In Japan, there was this guy, the speaker, and he was curious about God. Two elders from our church met him and taught him the lessons. He was reading the scriptures and after a few months he developed a strong testimony for them. His parents were hard core Buddhists though and they would not allow him to be baptized. The dad said that he would kill himself with a knife if his son was baptized because of the same that it would bring to the family. So the japanese investigator told the missionaries that he couldn't be baptized. Months went by and the Japanese man continued to read the scriptures. He prayed that God would soften the hearts of his parents. Finally, they agreed to let him be baptized. He was so happy, but there was one condition. He wasn't allowed to serve a mission.
Ah! I'm out of time. I'll finish the story next week!
I love you Brittany. Stay awesome.
Love,
Robert
PS I haven't had soda for 3 weeks
So that package of food you guys sent me was monstrous. Like, I had a lot of friends before but now...haha just kidding. Thanks again, for everything. I'm going to try and smuggle some on the flight to japan. I don't think i'm going to be able to finish it all.
Ok, so I've forgotten to tell Mom the story of the Japanese guy being converted for two weeks now. If you could forward this email to her that be awesome. Here it goes!
In Japan, there was this guy, the speaker, and he was curious about God. Two elders from our church met him and taught him the lessons. He was reading the scriptures and after a few months he developed a strong testimony for them. His parents were hard core Buddhists though and they would not allow him to be baptized. The dad said that he would kill himself with a knife if his son was baptized because of the same that it would bring to the family. So the japanese investigator told the missionaries that he couldn't be baptized. Months went by and the Japanese man continued to read the scriptures. He prayed that God would soften the hearts of his parents. Finally, they agreed to let him be baptized. He was so happy, but there was one condition. He wasn't allowed to serve a mission.
Ah! I'm out of time. I'll finish the story next week!
I love you Brittany. Stay awesome.
Love,
Robert
PS I haven't had soda for 3 weeks
Email from Robert, Part One
Konnichiwa Watashi no kazoku!
It's good to hear from you guys. I'm writing all of you letters again so I hope you guys are excited. Oh, and I'm sending you guys a package of my own...it's pretty awesome, I think it should be there in about a week or so. Definitely look through it and tell me what you think :D
So this last week at the MTC has gone by really fast. I've said it before and I'll say it again, days feel like weeks, but the weeks feel like days. I'm definitely getting used to food (I've put on 5 pounds or so) but I'm working harder now so I stay in great shape. My class is on the top floor of a building and my room is on the top floor as well. It's my belief that the branch president is getting us ready to be able to ride 15 miles a day. I'm doing a bunch of pull ups to so I can carry lots of Book of Mormon's haha.
WOW! My computer just malfunctioned and I'm having to retype most of the email. Sad day.
Sigh, well, in the little time I have left, I'll just tell you guys that I love you all. I'm grateful for the blessing you are to me. I hope you continue teaching Rick Stevens and continue studying Preach My Gospel. I've learned a lot this week from my scriptures and from Preach My Gospel. It's definitely a one of the best resources I have.
Miles I'm glad that you have a testimony of Joseph Smith. He is our prophet who restored the gospel to the earth. Keep reading your scriptures and write me letters!
Love,
Robert
It's good to hear from you guys. I'm writing all of you letters again so I hope you guys are excited. Oh, and I'm sending you guys a package of my own...it's pretty awesome, I think it should be there in about a week or so. Definitely look through it and tell me what you think :D
So this last week at the MTC has gone by really fast. I've said it before and I'll say it again, days feel like weeks, but the weeks feel like days. I'm definitely getting used to food (I've put on 5 pounds or so) but I'm working harder now so I stay in great shape. My class is on the top floor of a building and my room is on the top floor as well. It's my belief that the branch president is getting us ready to be able to ride 15 miles a day. I'm doing a bunch of pull ups to so I can carry lots of Book of Mormon's haha.
WOW! My computer just malfunctioned and I'm having to retype most of the email. Sad day.
Sigh, well, in the little time I have left, I'll just tell you guys that I love you all. I'm grateful for the blessing you are to me. I hope you continue teaching Rick Stevens and continue studying Preach My Gospel. I've learned a lot this week from my scriptures and from Preach My Gospel. It's definitely a one of the best resources I have.
Miles I'm glad that you have a testimony of Joseph Smith. He is our prophet who restored the gospel to the earth. Keep reading your scriptures and write me letters!
Love,
Robert
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
For My Family
Ah it's P-day again and I'm so glad I have some time to email you guys. I wrote (or am in the process of finishing) letters for all of you! I hope you guys enjoy what I wrote!!
Thank you guys so much for the packages! I've loved your letters and the food and the camera! But mostly it's just wonderful to get something from my family. I always feels special when I get mail and it's from you guys. And my companion was very happy to learn that I am a sharing person with all the treats that I got! They'll definitely last me the whole 12 weeks while I'm here, except for the beef jerky of course. I've been rationing it for myself and I occasionally let my companion have some as well. So just to let you guys into my really personal life...the MTC food is killer, as in it's killing my bowels. I can't wait to get to Japan so I can not only teach the gospel, but eat some good, healthy food too!
Speaking of teaching the gospel, I've taught lesson one so many times I think I have it down. I'll knock on wood though because there's always room for improvement and I have to teach it again on Thursday to MTC investigators. Wish me luck!
I want to let you guys know about a strong spiritual experience I had this last sunday at devotional. Ah, I'm tearing up just thinking about it. There was a musical performance, "I Know My Redeemer Lives" and then a president of on of the 70s spoke. He was so awesome and afterwards he said that he would like to forgo the closing hymn and have the musical number to be done again. He was truly inspired. I listened more closely to the words and the music and I was deeply overwhelmed. There was an empty seat next to me which is very unusual because we had great seats. Half way through the song I had this feeling that Christ was sitting next to me and that he had Hhis arm around me. I can remember exactly how it felt; I was so at peace and I felt such a strong love for my Savior. He truly is our eldest brother. Listen to that song for me and let me know what impressions you have.
I love each and every one of you. I miss you all right now, but I know I am so blessed to be able to be out here. Please pray for me that I might be a good missionary and that I might be able to fulfill my purpose and invite people to come unto Christ. Pray that I might be able to teach by the Spirit. Pray for the people of Japan that they might be made ready to hear the gospel of Christ.
Tell Matthew that I love him very much. That experience you told me about him wanting to kiss my picture was moving. Please send me some pictures of you guys so that I can carry you with me.
Miles, I want you to know that I think about you a lot. You're the example now so be good for Matthew. Keep reading your scriptures.
Mom, I love you! I can't wait for you to get my letter so you know more about what I've been up to!
Dad, keep giving me great advice, I'm so glad you are my father. You're the best example any son could ask for. Thanks again for the Kanji book too! I'll have some good Kanji down by the time I leave.
Brittany and Tyler, you guys are awesome. Keep up the faith. Thank you Brittany for the email. I want to let you know that I have not had a single soda (though it's the most popular drink here) since I was in Arizona.
I love all of you. Email you next week!!
Love,
Elder Gregory
Thank you guys so much for the packages! I've loved your letters and the food and the camera! But mostly it's just wonderful to get something from my family. I always feels special when I get mail and it's from you guys. And my companion was very happy to learn that I am a sharing person with all the treats that I got! They'll definitely last me the whole 12 weeks while I'm here, except for the beef jerky of course. I've been rationing it for myself and I occasionally let my companion have some as well. So just to let you guys into my really personal life...the MTC food is killer, as in it's killing my bowels. I can't wait to get to Japan so I can not only teach the gospel, but eat some good, healthy food too!
Speaking of teaching the gospel, I've taught lesson one so many times I think I have it down. I'll knock on wood though because there's always room for improvement and I have to teach it again on Thursday to MTC investigators. Wish me luck!
I want to let you guys know about a strong spiritual experience I had this last sunday at devotional. Ah, I'm tearing up just thinking about it. There was a musical performance, "I Know My Redeemer Lives" and then a president of on of the 70s spoke. He was so awesome and afterwards he said that he would like to forgo the closing hymn and have the musical number to be done again. He was truly inspired. I listened more closely to the words and the music and I was deeply overwhelmed. There was an empty seat next to me which is very unusual because we had great seats. Half way through the song I had this feeling that Christ was sitting next to me and that he had Hhis arm around me. I can remember exactly how it felt; I was so at peace and I felt such a strong love for my Savior. He truly is our eldest brother. Listen to that song for me and let me know what impressions you have.
I love each and every one of you. I miss you all right now, but I know I am so blessed to be able to be out here. Please pray for me that I might be a good missionary and that I might be able to fulfill my purpose and invite people to come unto Christ. Pray that I might be able to teach by the Spirit. Pray for the people of Japan that they might be made ready to hear the gospel of Christ.
Tell Matthew that I love him very much. That experience you told me about him wanting to kiss my picture was moving. Please send me some pictures of you guys so that I can carry you with me.
Miles, I want you to know that I think about you a lot. You're the example now so be good for Matthew. Keep reading your scriptures.
Mom, I love you! I can't wait for you to get my letter so you know more about what I've been up to!
Dad, keep giving me great advice, I'm so glad you are my father. You're the best example any son could ask for. Thanks again for the Kanji book too! I'll have some good Kanji down by the time I leave.
Brittany and Tyler, you guys are awesome. Keep up the faith. Thank you Brittany for the email. I want to let you know that I have not had a single soda (though it's the most popular drink here) since I was in Arizona.
I love all of you. Email you next week!!
Love,
Elder Gregory
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Email From Robert - For My Family
Watashi no kazoku desu!
It's my first P-day in the MTC and so I'm able to email you today! I'm so excited to hear from you guys. So much has happened in the last week as I'm sure you probably guessed. I'm rooming with two Senpai (senior companions) and my companion and they are all awesome. My companion is Elder Montes de Oca and he's a funny elder (i would say guy or dude but we aren't allowed to say that in the mtc or in the mission field!). I've made a lot of friends here and my teachers are awesome. Well, most of the teachers are awesome. Anyways, I want to let you guys know some of the things I've been up to. I've been studying Nihongo everyday for 5 hours a day, going over my PMG (Preach my Gospel for future reference) for about the same amount of time. My Japanese is pretty good but I know I'm going to need the full 12 weeks here...it's been humbling. I had to give a prayer in the branch Priesthood meeting (in Japanese!!) and it went really well. I impressed my Zone Leaders (they stood up after my prayer and told me it was the best prayer from a Kouhai -Jr. Companion - they've heard). I had to give another prayer later and I struggled through it for some reason. It was good to be humbled!!
I want to talk a little about some of the spiritual experiences I've had here. Some famous Japanese singer came and spoke to our Branch (he's LDS) and told us this amazing conversion story for himself and then his brother who was asked to be baptized by Elders practicing their japanese in the mtc. I have to admit, the whole story brought me to tears. I'd be slightly embarrassed anywhere else, but in the mtc I know I'm not being judged for feeling and being affected by the Spirit (Seirei if you remember that dad).
My district has 7 people in it, two aussies (Australians), a Brazilian, and my companion is from Japan (though he's actually spanish and doesn't speak very much Japanese. The internationals outweigh us Americans. It's crazy. My district leader is this 20 year old Australian guy and he is awesome. He suggested we all bear our testimonies to each other one of the days and so we did, and the spirit was so strong. If I could offer any advice to future missionaries (Miles) and the rest of my family it would be to search the scriptures and bear your testimony everyday. I know that sounds like a lot but it will bring such great happiness to you.
Mom, I hope you know I miss you very much and think about you often. You are very wonderful and I promise I'll write you every week.
Dad, the advice you gave in your letter meant so much to me. I'll treasure it and follow the counsel you gave me.
Brittany, you are an oshiri kao. That means butt face in bad japanese. But I love you and miss you.
Miles, keep reading your scriptures! Pray to know if it's true. I promise the Lord will bless you. Do well in school and try hard in everything you do. Work hard in swim team too. And do football if you can! I love you bro.
Matthew, I hope you know that I am listening to my Heavenly Father. I love you very much.
I just want to reiterate that I'm doing great here, I'm having a lot of fun, making a lot of memories, and I'm being strengthened through hard work, a tough schedule, and a loving Heavenly Father.
Love, Robert
PS Send me a camera kudasai!! There are things I want to show you guys!
Friday, August 13, 2010
Letter From President and Sister Margetts
On Wednesday, August 11, 2010 we awoke, knowing this was the day we would say good-bye to Robert. I slept fitfully and awoke around 5 a.m., my thoughts flooding with memories of him as a little boy playing legos on the tile floor, going to kindergarten and then the time speeding by to graduation from high school. Just 1 year ago we were saying good-bye when we took him up to BYU for his freshman year. I cried that day, too, but that paled in comparison to what we were about to do today. I wondered if I had done everything right, if I had been a good mom. I fretted a little over whether I had packed everything he needed and then realized, at least temporally he was prepared, but had I prepared him enough spiritually. Had I told him I loved him enough?
That morning when he was dressed in his suit, looking like a missionary ready to go, Bob gave him a blessing and then the two grown men embraced and sobbed on each other's shoulders. I thought how grateful I am to have a husband and a son who love each other and are not afraid to express it. We drove to the MTC in a borrowed car (thank-you John and Maria!) and pulled up to the curb. Hundreds of white-shirt clad young men lined the sidewalk and greeted us. We took a couple of pictures and then hugged each other for as long as we could. Then, one of the host missionaries grabbed Robert's luggage and they turned to walk away. But before they went, Robert turned and looked into my eyes searching to see if his mom was going to be okay and conveying through his green eyes that he was okay and that I needn't worry. He had committed himself fully to the Lord's service. This is what he was prepared to do. I tried to look happy, but I know my eyes betrayed me as they filled up with tears. I choked back a sob and said, "I love you, Robert." It came out squeaky, in a little girl voice. The corners of his mouth turned up slightly and then, he turned and walked away with confidence. I got in the car and the tears flowed. Looking out the back window, I watched him walk to the MTC doors and disappear inside as we drove away. All the missionaries were waving enthusiastically as we made our way out of the parking lot. I searched for my sunglasses so I could hide the tears that freely flowed now, but before I could get them on, one of the young men bent to look at me through the passenger window. He smiled and waved more vigorously and I could hear him through the closed window calling out, "Good-bye, MOM!!!" In that moment, I felt a wave of happiness and I laughed out loud. That young man had probably watched his mom go not many weeks before and he knew how to make me feel better. We turned down the street and passed BYU watching all the students rush to their classes. How does it all happen so fast?
We flew home that evening and looked out the window of the airplane as we flew over the big Y on the mountain and Bob said, he's down there now, going through orientation. We waved to him and quietly mouthed our good-byes.
Thursday was a hard day, but I was thankful to have family around me. Brittany, Tyler, baby Jack and my mom were all here and it was a comfort. Even so, I cried many times. Then I went to the mail box and to my great surprise was a letter from President Margetts of the Japan Fukuoka Mission. As I read, I was so touched at his inspired words which brought immediate comfort to my aching heart. I would like to share with you the contents of that letter here:
Dear Brother and Sister Gregory,
Sister Margetts and I would like to express our appreciation to you for preparing your son for this time to serve. We are so grateful that he has been called to serve with us in the Japan Fukuoka Mission. We look forward to meeting him. We realize that many years of love, sacrifice, and guidance have led him to this important step in his life and we are committed to doing everything we can to help him continue in the path you have put him on.
You have just sent Elder Gregory off to the Missionary Training Center for his formal preparation for this service. Finally letting him go could not have been easy and the feeling of 24 months apart must be very real today. Elder Gregory's stay at the MTC will be short but he will learn so much. This experience will bring associations with carefully selected teachers and leaders and thousands of fellow missionaries. It will provide a spiritual environment that is truly unique. It will also bring challenges that will help him stretch and grow. Your letters of support, love and encouragement will be needed. Don't worry-he is in good hands.
We know that you must be excited and a little concerned as this begins, even if this is not your first missionary. We would like to make you aware of a great resource that we discovered that will give you many helpful ideas for successfully supporting a missionary. It is an article written by a former mission president and his wife entitled, "Helping from Home." It was published in the Ensign on page 48 of the July 2003 issue. If you are not able to find a copy please let us know and we will send one. We recommend the principles shared in this article. Your support will make a big difference in your son'ts focus, success, and happiness.
We are now just a few weeks away from meeting your son in person. We are so exicted. We want to do all we can to make Elder Gregory's mission a time of growth and learning from the very beginning. To make the transition from the MTC to the mission field as smooth and peaceful as possible we would like to know a little more about your son. We would appreciate you sending us some personal info to help us get to know him better. Anything that you think would be important fo us to know to keep him healthy and safe, to know him better, to feel closer to him, to best support him as he serves, to help him grow (e.g. health, special abilities, talents and achievements, likes and dislikes, activities in the Church and school, family information, etc.). This information will be kept confidential. Thank you!
We can only imagine the feelings that you are having as you are separated from your missionary. We want to assure you that w ewill do all we can to help your son while he is here. But better still, you should sleep better at night knowing that "angels are round about him to bear him up" (D&C 84:88). We will have him email you to let you know when he has arrived and to share with you his progress as he fulfills his calling to share the gospel with our Heavenly Father's choice spirits in Japan. Than you for your continued support. We pray that our Heavenly Father's richest blessing wil be with you your missionary and your family.
Faithfully Yours,
President Sherman K. Margetts
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Thank You!
Thanks to everyone who came to Robert's farewell and open house tonight. Robert really appreciated everyone who came to support him! He leaves Tuesday morning for Salt Lake City, and reports to the MTC on Wednesday at 1:00. Throughout his 24 months of service to the Lord, Elder Gregory would appreciate your cards, letters, and packages (apparently they do not have peanut butter in Japan!). Robert expressed some sadness this evening at the thought that he wouldn't be able to see his family and friends again for another two years. I know that your letters of encouragement will mean a lot to him. Robert spoke in church today about how to avoid contention in the home. In 3 Nephi 11:29-30, we read that "...contention is not of me, but is of the devil, who is the father of contention, and he stirreth up the hearts of men to contend with anger, one with another. Behold, this is not my doctrine..." Robert would like to leave you all with this message, that if you can live with peace in your heart and forgive and love those who are contentious toward you, the Lord will bless you.
Thanks again for all of your support!
Thanks again for all of your support!
Saturday, August 7, 2010
The Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
June 15, 2010
Dear Elder Robert Ross Gregory,
We welcome you to full-time missionary service to proclaim the gospel of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and to help build His kingdom on earth. We trust that you will savor the honor and privilege of bringing souls to the Master by losing yourself in the work.
As you continue to read and study the scriptures, you will increase your personal knowledge and testimony of the Savior and His gospel. you will be motivated to be obedient and to work hard. You will learn to be led by the Spirit so that you can teach and testify with converting power.
The Savior taught:
"Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God" (D&C 18:10).
"Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest. And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together" (John 4:35-36).
...
May you find everlasting joy in your service to your Father in Heaven, His Beloved Son, and the people to whom you minister.
Faithfully you Brethren,
The Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
Dear Elder Robert Ross Gregory,
We welcome you to full-time missionary service to proclaim the gospel of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and to help build His kingdom on earth. We trust that you will savor the honor and privilege of bringing souls to the Master by losing yourself in the work.
As you continue to read and study the scriptures, you will increase your personal knowledge and testimony of the Savior and His gospel. you will be motivated to be obedient and to work hard. You will learn to be led by the Spirit so that you can teach and testify with converting power.
The Savior taught:
"Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God" (D&C 18:10).
"Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest. And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together" (John 4:35-36).
...
May you find everlasting joy in your service to your Father in Heaven, His Beloved Son, and the people to whom you minister.
Faithfully you Brethren,
The Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
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