Gex, Week 11

Family, 

This week was in fact a wonderful week! Tuesday I got to go on another exchange, but with Sister R! Who is in the other companionship in Gex with me. The two senior companions went to Lyon and so we got to go around by ourselves for a day and a half, and boy did I LOVE IT! ha-ha but really. Sister R is just wonderful. So I'll tell you a few cool things that happened, aka miracles. First I had to drive stick shift to Geneva so the other girls could get their train and I was scared. I just learned barely! I was mostly scared because on the way home from Geneva there are a lot of steep hills and I was scared of rolling back and hitting someone or stalling the car. So they get out of the car, we plug in the address to the GPS and off we go. But you know what? The GPS took us a way that was mostly downhill! You can say what you want, but I felt pretty protected and blessed by the Lord. It was small but it was a miracle. Also that night, we realized the sisters left us with no gas! and you have to have a special card to buy gas and they don't have cash like the US. So yikes. We were luckily meeting up with a member that night so we pulled some cash out to give to him so he could use his card, but unfortunately he left it in his other car. Yes. I was like cool. We're dead! But Sister R and I decided to say a prayer. We just barely had enough gas to get to a gas station where there was a car. I got out and asked him if we gave him the right amount, would he let us use his car and he said yes! That was another miracle. The Lord protects His missionaries. So we were safe and sound and all was well. But our exchange went really well.

I was also able to set up a FHE with a family in our ward with M. I found out that Sister A also smoked before her baptism, was divorced, and has a daughter from her first marriage... all like M. She is from Ireland and super cool. M loved her. Absolutely loved her. And She is now coming to church because of Sister A next week. We hadn't been able to get her to come this entire time! She talked to M about her conversion story and how she knew and how she finally quit smoking and talked about getting a priesthood blessing. We are trying to really get M to know the members in our ward because she only knows JC and... yeah. Nuff said. So it was really wonderful. M is still really struggling with smoking, and it may take a while before she is able to really quit but I know that if we just love and encouraging her, she will get there. Maybe not while I'm here, but someday. I know it. 

The Open Doors thing went well! Yes I saw Jackson (see her picture on my Facebook, Friend of Calvin's who just happened to be in France!) there who actually was the nurse at the hospital when I got my stitches in my lip. It was soooo fun to see a familiar face and to see someone from BYU. But anyway, at the beginning not many people came. So we decided to take flyers and invite people on the streets. It was fun, but no one really came. But one guy I was like "Hey we're having a BBQ and you can come! It'll be so fun!" I didn't think anything of it, but he came! I was like, "Hey, you came!" And so we gave him a tour and he really liked it. I know where he lives now so I want to go visit him :) It was so cool. Another woman came too, named M and she said she is catholic but ready to change. WOW. I showed her around too and she really liked it. She said she wanted to come to church too the next day and guess what? She did. She really liked it and asked to set up a lesson for Friday. I'm so happy. She was wonderful! We'll see where things go  :) Another girl came with a member and I was able to get her number too and she is coming next week to church. YES. So although there were about seven non members that came the whole day, I was able to have some pretty great experiences. 

We had district meeting too which was good. And we got to teach the lesson in Relief Society on Missionary Work. It was good and the women participated quite a bit. I was nervous because I don't speak French super good. But it went great! :) We have a great missionary game for the ward coming up soon so we are trying to really get the members excited. Really, Members are so important to the work of salvation. You really are! Go to hasteningthework.lds.org and watch those videos. That is your challenge for the week. I'll follow up next Monday :) 

But good week. We met this cool old lady contacting and walked her home. She wants us to come back too. Really the work in France is tough. And there is a lot of disappointment, but it goes. You can't give up or let all the bad things get you down because if you do, your entire mission will be unhappy. I love it here and I have so much I want to accomplish. "Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the hand of God. That shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way." I love this work even through the countless trials. I love you all so much. Our Savior lives and He loves us. Have faith and carry on. Last week of the transfer! Going strong!

Love, Sister Roberts

Gex Week #10

Hello!!! 

This week was fantastic! First I had an exchange in Lyon with the Sister Training leaders. I went with Sister C who has been out two transfers more than me and I can tell you I love her to death. It was an awesome day. We went around Lyon finding investigators and less actives and were able to share little thoughts or hello's with almost all of them. Plus she gave me some really awesome advise about missions and dealing with negativity and lack of motivation from yourself, but also other sisters. It was wonderful. She is 27 and taught at BYU and I love her. We got back Tuesday night and it was pouring! I love the rain. 

Anyway, Wednesday, we went and did yard work for a couple who is renting their house out because they're leaving on their mission soon. I got dirty and pulled weeds and it was actually really fun. It's been too long since I've done yard work. Actually, we have this little plant in our apartment that i water everyday and it's growing beautifully. That's about as close as I get though.  After that we went and visited a kinda less active, but not super. She is the only member and I guess her husband is pretty bad toward the church, which is too bad. I didn't know this, but they don't want missionaries going over. Oops. Her husband was at work so it's fine. But she is really great. She just talked and we listened. I asked her at one point to share her conversion story and it brought back some tender memories for her. She got emotional. I want to go back! I think we are, but we'll see. 

Thursday was fantastic! Zone Conference! Before I forget, there is a mission blog President Roney didn't know about before but he does now, so find it under our mission name :) But it was great. We mostly talked about ways we can use members which we are going to do. Note to members: missionaries NEED your help. We can't do it alone and we need support. I challenge everyone to go on to the new hastening the work of Salvation website and watch those videos. At least a few. You have so much power to change people. Do that and then send those prepared hearts to the missionaries. But yeah. Sister L and I are making a constant effort to just go to member's homes and share a video with them and love them into doing missionary work. Actually, this Saturday we have an open house activity that we and our WML are putting on. We are encouraging our members to bring friends so they can find out who we are. Today, we are making cookies with two young women in our ward who live right above us to go around and invite our neighbors to come. They are so excited! I really hope it is a success. I'll let you know :) OH! Embarrassing. I forgot my tag. I've never done that AND it was Zone Conference. I confessed to President and he just laughed and said "You're funny. Keep being like that." He wasn't mad at me thank goodness! I was mortified though ha ha So yeah. It was a good conference and my interview was good and President Roney and his wife are really incredible people. 

Friday, We really wanted to see M, so I called and she said she couldn't on the weekend, etc so I kept asking and said tonight? and she could! We went and she wasn't home, but we left a note and then we were able to go back later that night. This lesson we really just wanted to focus on her and make a plan to somehow stop smoking. She wants to quit so bad. She has gotten anxiety because of it and can't work or drive. But we made a plan and just testified to her that she can do this and if she prays and trust in Heavenly Father, she can stop. At the end, I was like, " En fete, let's throw away all your cigarettes you have right now." At first she was hesitant, but then she jumped up, ran upstairs to get them, came and threw them in the trash while saying, "No more smoking!" We all kinda cheered after, but she was so happy. her smile was huge. We are going to continue to pray for her. Saturday we left hearts on her door that had scriptures and just showed our love and confidence in her ability to quit. I know she can do it. We are continuing to work with her. I love Melissa so much.

One thing I have been really studying this week is the Atonement of Jesus Christ. I want you all to know that I know that He is my Savior. He atoned for my sins. He atoned for all of us. The sorrows, the pains, the burdens, everything. I read a talk by James E. Faust and he said, "I often wonder how many of those drops of blood I caused the Savior to shed?" I wonder the same thing. I am encompassed with gratitude and love for Him. He is my rock and my Salvation. My Lord and my Redeemer. I love Him so much and have such a testimony of His infinite sacrifice. Through Him, everything bad is made good again. I know that is true down to the most bottom part of my heart. 

I love this Gospel so much. i am so grateful to be serving the people of France. They are stubborn and I love them so much. They are God's children. I love you all so much and I hope you all have a wonderful week starting school!

Love, Sister Roberts

P.S. Happy Labor Day! :)

Gex Week #9

Hello Family!

First, if you're reading this, Thank you Aunt Patty for the pillowcase! I have already slept on it like 12 nights. :)

Anyway, good week. Full of a lot of weird things but great! Monday after Pday our car broke down. That night I threw up but quickly recovered the next morning so our work wasn't hindered. We also got almost all the lice out of the other sister's hair. Yay for that. Sister L then got sick on Thursday after district meeting so unfortunately we had to stay in so she could sleep.Then she was better.

We are working on members more. Sometimes they are a bit tough to encourage. They have fears just like I did before my mission. We had 22 member experiences! Really, I just want them to trust me and to be able to talk to me and ask me anything. I'm trying to build those relationships, but sometimes it is challenging in another language.

We planned a lesson with M on Tuesday, but as we were walking in, she was walking out so we had to reschedule. BUT we were stranded in Thoiry with nothing to do. Then I remembered this family in our ward that lived not too far from M. I was like let's go see if they are home and she was home! with her little baby boy. We were able to talk to her for a little bit just about a lot of things. Then she told us about her dad and his car accident and how she wants to share the gospel with him but she is scared. She asked us to pray for him so of course we are! But it was just really nice. I think she was lonely home alone because she just loved talking to us. Sadly, they are moving soon, but I was really grateful for the opportunity just to talk to her.

T has been found! He was on vacation in Spain but now he is back. I'm so happy! On Friday we had planned a lesson with him, but we couldn't find ANY members to teach with, which is frustrating because we have so many. But then we asked our WML if he could and he said "a lot of the ward is going to play ultimate Frisbee. I could pick T up and he can come and we'll give him a little lesson too." We were so happy! ward fellowshiping. T agreed and was pretty excited. So that night we couldn't get a hold of him. We went to his apartment and waited for like 15 minutes outside because we heard something inside but it was his roommate who knows absolutely nothing... and we still couldn't get ahold of him. So we got into the elevator and I was like kinda mad at T but i was like can we please say a prayer? so we did. and then we walked outside, and called again and he answered! long story short, he was finally able to get to ultimate Frisbee and he had a lot of fun and he is on page 43 in the book Of Mormon and it was great! He missed his bus on Sunday, but next week he is coming to church! :)

M is doing okay except she does not want to come to church. She said it is her only day to sleep so our next lesson after the Word of Wisdom is going to be the Sabbath Day. We really want to help her understand why it is so important to come to church.

Anyway, that's about it for now. I am still reading in the Book of Mormon and I cannot tell you all how much I love it. the Book of Mormon is incredible. Read it as much as you can. I have such a testimony of it's truth. I know it is true. I know this Gospel is true. It is so true and it will bring us so much joy. I love it so much. Sometimes when I think about it I just want to cry because it makes me so happy. Read Alma 26. It's an incredible chapter. I love you all so much.

Love, Sister Roberts

Week #8 Gex!

Family, my beloved family,

This week was great! I'll start with Monday. So we went porting in this neighborhood in the mountains and knocked on this one guys door. Him and his wife were older, but we got to talking. He doesn't believe in God but he said he is willing to let us come back in September when they get back from vacation. He said then he will try to convert us to atheism. Psh. Yeah right. But he was like you want to convince me and we were like no! just invite :) and then he talked to us about his family and how right before he dies he is going to send all his family history work to Utah so they can have their baptisms and temple work done. He said "you won't get me now, but you'll get me in the end." It was funny. He must have some seed of faith in there! He was super nice though :) We also got contacted by this guy in Ferney. He is from Canada. But we were walking and he was sitting down at a restaurant and started yelling, "Hey Mormons! Latter-Day Saints!" And we were like whoa. Who calls us that, especially in France?? So we went over and he was like let's have a chit chat and so we did. He said he had a Mormon friend and said he really likes what we do and has a lot of respect for us but we have too many rules and it's just too hard. Unfortunately he went back to Canada like the next day, but he was super cool and we talked a lot about the life of Christ and he had pink glasses and a beard. After that, we were about to go home and this guy starts to walk by and I take one look and think "wow he could totally be a member." then he says "Sisters!" He is a member and from Park City Utah and served in Argentina and here for a wedding and super cool. He said he'd send us a care package because we were the coolest sisters he's ever met. Duh. But he was super nice and it was so nice to meet a member on the street. Then on Tuesday, we contacted this old guy and he was like "I'm so annoyed!" Like super angry. Then he starts to talk about Mormons and he's like that's you! and Sister L was like "We're from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints." And he was confused and was like no Utah! And I was like I'm from California but there are a lot of members there and then he was confused again and all of a sudden became super nice and we gave him a card and he was super funny. I love people. Then like five Muslim guys drove up next to us and were like "Hey we'd like to get to know you" and sister L just yelled "No!" and they looked confused and drove away. It was funny.

It's been slow the past week but starting to pick up as far as contacting goes. August is vacation month. So there is practically no one. Like I'm not kidding. But it has been a blessing because the people we do contact we are able to have really solid contacts. Just able to talk to them and really share things. So I'm not complaining.

Now to the good part. Remember M? She was a referral from JC. We taught her the Restoration and had to cancel the next lesson due to unknown reasons. But she finally wanted us to come back. She told us her brother just died. She explained how in the past three years her father has passed away, she got divorced and just recently her brother. She has so much faith. She said that is life. We read the verses from Alma that talked about Faith which she really loved. She also read Mosiah 3 from our last lesson and she said she was really touched! Luckily, our lesson was on the Plan of Salvation so we were able to really address her trials lately. JC was there to help so it was really nice. She really seemed to like what we said. She has Muslim background so she is still trying to develop a testimony of Jesus Christ. We read Alma 7:11-13 which really talks about Christ and His atonement. We continued to talk some more and the Spirit was very strong. Sister L looked at me at one point and it was just a solid Yes. So I asked M.  I asked her when she felt ready If she would follow the Example of Jesus Christ by being baptized September 14. She asked if JC could baptize her and where she would get the clothes, etc. She smokes and she has such a strong desire to stop. We have a brochure for her and are going to work really hard to help her progress. But she wants to work toward that date and I couldn't be happier!  I'm so excited! :)

And T is MIA. We waited by his bus stop so kinda stalked him a bit missionary style. He wasn't there! His phone keeps going to voice mail, so we think he is on vacation or fled the country or really we don't know :)

Last thing. Sister R brought lice from her last area. I spent all last night combing bugs out of her hair and sister C. Terrified of getting them into my hair. We are in the process of cleaning a lot of things. Don't worry. I have no lice! And i am determined not to get any. I love you all. Challenge for this week: read Ether 12. And think about it. Trials and Faith. Love them. I love you all! Get ready for school and study hard always :)

Love, Sister Roberts

Gex, Week 7

Hello :)

Monday I got my new companion, Sister L. She is super cool. Like super cool. Like I think we are going to be awesome together. She is a convert of three and a half years, from Ohio,she went to BYU, and she is 20 and so cool. She is only in her third transfer but it has already been really great this past week with her. We may not understand everything people say, but we try and I think some miracles are going to happen. I expect miracles to happen! I really love Sister L already though and we get along so well. I'm bummed we only have five weeks left this transfer! Anyway, it rained a lot this week, and August is notorious for vacation month here so there is like no one home or on the streets. Literally. We would contact maybe five people in an hour if we were lucky. And a lot of the members are gone en vacance so we had a hard time meeting up with them too.

Did I tell you we only have one car now? It is very challenging with two companionship's because we have places to go at different times and we have limited miles to cover a large sector. It's been challenging and frustrating at times, but we are trying to make it work the best we can.

We met with T on Thursday night for a short bit. We introduced the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  We decided we are going to work on is having him talk more. I have been told that the investigator doesn’t get converted when the missionaries talk but through the spirit and when they have the opportunity to talk. So we set up another lesson for Saturday and had a member ready to go with us to talk about the Gospel, BUT he wasn’t there. His phone went straight to voicemail. And today, Monday, it is still going to voicemail. So we don’t know where T is. I am thinking I might just go and wait by his door until something happens. Just kidding. But really. We don’t know where he is! I hope he is okay.

E is doing okay. We really wanted to finally teach her. We keep doing service for her, but we want to teach her. So we went and she talked to us about this friend she has who she wants us to visit. Score! Then I was like E, what exactly do you know from the missionaries you've met before? Then she starts talking about a thief that robbed her neighbor. We tried to talk about faith but that didn’t work really either because then she started to teach us how to count in French and the alphabet and the calendar stuff. Which we learned like in the MTC. Then when we tried to leave she had us make her bed for her... So... we've concluded that the next lesson we need to re-establish what exactly we are here for and maybe we can go from there. But we got a referral! :)

Friday I went to the Bleu's conference! All the missionaries who came in with me had a little conference; president Talked about faith which I loved. My faith has gotten so much stronger since being here. Without exercising faith we can’t grow. Everyone: have faith. Have faith in the Lord and in this work. We don’t know a lot. We don’t understand why things happen the way they do, but when we have faith, we don’t need to know why. We trust in Him and continue to endure. I CANT WAIT FOR ETERNAL LIFE. It was fun seeing all my old MTC buddies again.

Anyway, be prepared next week for an email of miracles. I love you all so much. Keep writing me letters. I love it! And I love you :)

Love, Sister Roberts

Gex Week # 6

Family,

Yes I am staying in Gex for at least one more transfer :) yay!! Sister C is too and we are both getting companions who are only one transfer older than me. Mine will be Sister L. Scared? I am. It'll be a house full of young missionaries. Which only means miracles are going to be happening like crazy. Also Happy Birthday to Dad and Happy Anniversary to Mom and Dad! :)

Exciting news. I am learning to drive stick shift. It's not too hard just a little stressful. I'm afraid of dying.

This week was a bit up and down. We had a lot of random stuff to do which made it hard to be efficient but it worked out. Monday we were supposed to have lessons with T and M but they both fell through. M did come to English class though. We found out her brother just passed away so she isn't super ready to hear us again. But hopefully we can just continue to love and support her and build a relationship like that. She is very sweet and the Gospel could bless her life so much.

T is doing good. We taught him half of the Plan of Salvation later in the week and he expressed his concern about the law of chastity. He believes that if both sides are okay with it then it is okay. So we tried to explain to him a little bit and he said that is hard. So the next lesson we finished the Plan of Salvation. He believes that it is true. He believes in Christ and that He is always there with us. He didn't want to pray the first few lessons but this one I said T. Pray and ask if this is true right now. So he did. It was in Spanish, but I was so proud of him! He said he wants us to pray because we are closer to God so I tried again to explain that we make mistakes just like him. We all need the Savior no matter who we are. T is great. He is prepared. I need to have faith and he needs to have faith too. We gave him a law of Chastity pamphlet at the end so he is going to read that for next time when we have a member present too. 

E is doing great still too. She is so sweet. We gave her a book of Mormon and some scriptures to read and she loved them and we gave her some chapters on faith to read so the next time we go we'll discuss that a bit. She told us we were like her daughters. I love her!

Madame M read. Wow. She has been taking missionary lessons for 9 months now and hasn't read once until now. Unfortunately, she is going on vacation until September but that was a big step. Thank you Mom for the advice and the book pages! Maybe she will progress more after all!

We ported (door to door, got let in) into a nice home on Wednesday. The husband said his son almost converted but he had to put his foot down. The wife is catholic but very very nice. They weren't interested in our message, but we talked a lot about faith and just relying on the Lord. It was common ground for both religions. I said the closing prayer and just blessed their family. The spirit was so strong after and the wife teared up a bit. They are going back to the states though in a week or so, but it was a great little experience.

Not much else to say. I don't have a lot of time because it is transfer day, but I want you all to know that I love you. Strive to have Faith in the Lord. That comes first and then the rest come. Faith is so important to us and I am learning everyday how i can better strengthen and use the faith that i have. I love you all.

Love, Soeur Roberts

Gex Week #5

Dear my Lovely Family, 

Good Week. We got to teach M for the first time on Monday. She is very sweet. She has a Muslim background so she is not super sure about Jesus Christ, she's trying to quit smoking, and she is practically incredible. We taught her just the first lesson about the restoration. She seemed to really understand everything we said. When we talked about prophets, I asked her to read 2 Nephi 29:9. She said it really touched her. Our member with us was awesome too, JC.. He shared a story about his reactivation in the church. It was a pretty powerful story and I really hope she felt the spirit as well. I challenged her to read, pray and ponder about Mosiah 3 because it talks a lot about Jesus Christ and His role in our lives. I want her to have a testimony of Him as our Savior and not just another prophet. We are teaching her again later today about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I hope it goes well! 

Tuesday we got to teach Madame M again. Sister T came with us and she is an awesome member. Mme M struggles with the apostasy and she said I don't believe God would abandon and leave his Children and Sister T said He didn't. We didn't accept or listen to Him. Which was so good. We tried to teach her how to study the scriptures effectively and it went well. We studied faith together which is an easy simple topic. Then I wrote down some scriptures about the apostasy and told her to study like we did for our next lesson. She said she would but she always says she will and never does. After this next lesson we're going to have to drop her if no progress is seen. 

T is our pretty steady investigator right now. He is awesome. truly. We taught him on Friday with GP, sweet girl, about the restoration. We asked him how his reading was going and he said he reads a little bit every night! He's on page 23 already! He's my first investigator that keeps his commitments. So I was happy. He really seemed to understand the restoration too and when I gave the first vision we asked if he though that was possible and he said of course. Through God anything is possible. Sister W asked him when he came to know the church was true would he be baptized and he said he has to know. He said he cant tell us now because he needs to find out for sure. Which I think is wonderful. I know that if he keeps his commitments he will know that this church is true. On Sunday he came to sacrament meeting too. He really liked it and we were able to introduce him to a lot of the other members. I'm pretty excited to see where it goes :)

We got to help E move stuff around on Thursday. She is sweet. Her son is against the church so she couldn't come on Sunday because she is afraid he will find out. But we'll continue to go over and help fix up her house and give her some friends and maybe she'll come to church one of these days. She prays and in her prayer she says thank you for the sisters. Their church is the best church. She is so right! haha yeah. Love her.

I had my first district meeting too. It was good. We made some goals and ate lunch and it was lovely. 

Saturday we played a zone game of Bingo. We contacted 223 people. In Gex, that is not super possible. But we did it. We also got 223 No's. A little bit discouraging but that's the life of a missionary. T is cool so whatever! Also on Sunday, this random guy just walked in during sacrament. He only spoke Hungarian. He sat in the back for a bit and then left. I wish we could have done more, but hopefully he felt some spirit there. We met our goal of 500 people to contact. We are really stepping it up. Yesterday after church we went contacting in Divonne and the biggest storm hit. It was lightning and thundering and pouring rain. The rain drops were huge. I was on a split with another sister but literally we looked like we had just taken a shower. We didn't have an umbrella. Soaked. It was awesome. I think people drove by wondering what the heck was wrong with us. But we contacted 25 people? Worth it. 

This is the last week of the transfer. I don't want to leave Gex but I might if president needs Sister W to train again. We'll see. I think I'll stay though :) Not much else. It was a pretty grossly hot and humid week until yesterday. now pouring rain. I love you all so much! Have fun at the reunion and tell them I say hi!

Love Sister Roberts