France! Here I come!

Family,

I have just a short time, but I thought I'd shoot a quick email. I have t-minus 2 days left here and I can't wait to leave! Although I'm a tad nervous.

We taught Raphael his last lesson on the Plan of Salvation which I discovered is a slightly tough topic to explain in French, but I'll get better at it over time. Frere Magre is awesome. On Tuesday we had a devotional. Robert Gay of the seventy spoke and it was awesome. He had no notes! He talked a lot on our purpose, which a lot of people do, but also on understanding and working through the Spirit. One thing he said that I really liked was that Missionary work is a revelatory work. I couldn't agree more. You can't teach things without being worthy to have the spirit with you. I guess you could, but it's hard. I've learned how important it is to have the spirit with you when you teach. When I teach through the spirit, that's when the real teaching takes place. So that was the last devotional and tomorrow I sing for you all with the First Presidency and quorum of the Twelve! Super exciting. Watch it and find me. I'll be wearing that pink shirt that you just sent me, Mom :)

Thursday we had in field orientation. It was long and I was tired. They emphasized working with members. I didn't realize before how important members were in regards to missionary work, but they are such an important factor! I hope that when I'm in France I can make strong enough relationships with the ward members and gain enough trust with them that I can work with them in bringing others unto Christ. They also talked about having faith in ourselves. Jeffrey R. Holland said we have the power to astonish. So I say let's astonish the world with this glad message and bring them the Gospel! We all have more power and capability than I think we give ourselves credit for.

Anyway, that's about it for now. Not much else to say. I am so excited to go to France. So so excited and I made a goal to be a missionary that gets to work right away. I am shy sometimes, but not for the next 18 months! As soon as I get out there I'm talking, even if I can't understand them. I won't improve if I don't try.

I want you all to know that I know this Gospel is true. God lives. He loves us. Jesus Christ lives. He loves us and sacrificed Himself through the wonderful gift of His infinite Atonement. He is always with us helping us, guiding us, loving us. I love my Savior and my Heavenly Father. I know that Joseph Smith was a Prophet of God and He restored Christ's one true church again on the earth today. He translated the Book of Mormon and I know that book is true. It means so much to me. It can be a powerful tool in all aspects of our lives if we let it and "feast" upon its words. Thomas S. Monson is a prophet of God and he leads His church today. I love you and I am so grateful for your letters of love and support and encouragement. Be examples and always listen for the promptings of the Holy Ghost.

Love you all. France, here I come!

Love, Sister Roberts