last week (but maybe too late for him to read it then) Mom emailed him:
Happy 6 Month Anniversary this Thursday!
Do you plan to burn anything?
Love, Mom
**********
Elder Robarts replied:
Dear Mom,
Thanks! ^^
Nope, no burning. Maybe I'll burn a tie on my yearmark.
By the way, you'll be very proud of me when you hear that I remembered to start using a new toothbrush like you're supposed to every 6 months. ^^
Love, your dentally higenic, non-pyro missionary, Elder Andrew Robarts
*******
I am so proud of him. Do I tell him that you are supposed to change it every 3 months? Unless, he has a decent electric one. Supposedly they last 6 months.
Monday, October 26, 2009
October 26, 2009
Mom to missionary in response to last week's letter:
Take your cuffed pants to a tailor, if you have not already, and see if you can get them hemmed without cuffs. I never thought about the problem of stuff getting in your cuffs.
What do we want for Christmas? I don’t think any of us are expecting or want you to spend a lot of time and money on Christmas presents! I think some little Canadian souvenir -ish things would be fun – magnets, or paperweights, or …. Anything that tickles your fancy and connects us to you and/or Canada.
More importantly – WHAT DO YOU WANT FOR CHRISTMAS? If you need help with ideas, ask the other Elders what are the best and the worst things they have gotten. : )
*********
From Elder Robarts:
Hmm, I hadn't thought of taking them to a tailor and having them redone. I suppose that's possible. I wonder how much that would cost... I'll have to look into it and see what our options are. ^^
I hadn't thought of what /I/ would want for Christmas, though I guess it'd make sense that you would want to know. XD I hope you're okay with waiting a week for the answer to that question. I should have some ideas by then. =)
DEVASTATION!!!!! D=
I was just wrapping up a long Email I was writing when the window suddenly closed! DDD=
No time to rewrite! D=
I'll have to try and fit it all in next week. =(
But, other than that, life has been wonderful. ^^ Thanks for your gift suggestions. Those that haven't sent in requests yet, please do.
See you next week! ^^
Your loving Missionary, Elder Andrew Robarts
Take your cuffed pants to a tailor, if you have not already, and see if you can get them hemmed without cuffs. I never thought about the problem of stuff getting in your cuffs.
What do we want for Christmas? I don’t think any of us are expecting or want you to spend a lot of time and money on Christmas presents! I think some little Canadian souvenir -ish things would be fun – magnets, or paperweights, or …. Anything that tickles your fancy and connects us to you and/or Canada.
More importantly – WHAT DO YOU WANT FOR CHRISTMAS? If you need help with ideas, ask the other Elders what are the best and the worst things they have gotten. : )
*********
From Elder Robarts:
Hmm, I hadn't thought of taking them to a tailor and having them redone. I suppose that's possible. I wonder how much that would cost... I'll have to look into it and see what our options are. ^^
I hadn't thought of what /I/ would want for Christmas, though I guess it'd make sense that you would want to know. XD I hope you're okay with waiting a week for the answer to that question. I should have some ideas by then. =)
DEVASTATION!!!!! D=
I was just wrapping up a long Email I was writing when the window suddenly closed! DDD=
No time to rewrite! D=
I'll have to try and fit it all in next week. =(
But, other than that, life has been wonderful. ^^ Thanks for your gift suggestions. Those that haven't sent in requests yet, please do.
See you next week! ^^
Your loving Missionary, Elder Andrew Robarts
Monday, October 19, 2009
Dear Home - October 19, 2009
Dear Home,
Mom sent me a few questions to answer, so I think I'll respond to those first.
Have I ever sung the Canadian National Anthem since arriving in Canada? Yes. Once. When I first arrived in Canada with the rest of my MTC Distric, we were taken to the Mission Home (where the Mission President and his wife live). We spent the night there, and the following morning, we had a kind of 'Welcome to the Mission' meeting in which we sang multiple verses of O Canada. Up until that point, I didn't know it /had/ multiple verses. Then again, I bet most people would be surprised to find that there's more than one verse of the Star Spangled Banner.
Question two: Are you ready for {-25.2 C (the average low in Prince Albert in the winter)}? Answer: I think so. My boots are good. My longjohns are good. My gloves could be better. My jacket could not be better. And since we saved a lot of money not having to buy boots, there's plenty of cash left for a neckwarmer, better gloves (maybe), etc. Anyway, my bases are covered. I'm plenty warm enough to get me through the now, and by the time it gets colder, I'm sure I'll be even better prepared. ^^
Third and final question: How cold does it have to be before they tell us to stay inside and try not to freeze to death (which I swear will NOT happen to me)? -40 C, which is the same as -40 F, which, I hear, is pretty cold. But I'll live. ^^
(( Note to Mom: So, I'm in a library, right? I just noticed a Reader's Digest 4-in-1 type book, the kind you often read. I thought of you. ))
Now for what I was actually planning on writing to you. XD
I can't believe I'll have been out on my mission for 6 months in a few days (Oct 22). It doesn't feel like I've been out here for half a year, but there are some of you for whom it's felt like I've been away from for longer than a year. It's a strange feeling. I don't want to be anything but a missionary right now, but at the same time, I wish I could've stayed with my family while I serve my mission. I guess being away from home is part of my consecration, but it feels both like an eternity and like a few weeks since my mission began.
Still, I'm learning a lot. For those of you that belong to the Canada Winnipeg Mission facebook group, please pass these insights on to the rest of the future missionaries in the world.
No matter where you serve, make sure your suit pants DON'T have cuffs on the bottom. Sure, they're styilish, especially if you wear pinstripes like I do, but dirt, leafs, grass clippings and small rocks often get caught in the cuffs, and it's a hassle to have to clean them out.
Also, if you plan on marking your white shirts so everyone will know they're yours, make sure you use a bleach-proof laundry marking pen. Otherwise, the writing will eventually disappear and your shirts will consequently become slightly less white.
When you track, keep track of which houses didn't answer, so you can come back to those ones later. It's frustrating to know that there are people in some of those houses that haven't heard your message yet, but you don't know who they are.
If you plan on serving in Canada, you might want to make sure that at least some of your shoes don't use laces. Tying, untying, and retying your shoes whenever you enter someone's house can be an unconvenient waste of time.
If you serve where it's cold, get used to using mechanical pencils. They're convenient, erasable, the refills are cheap(er), and the ink doesn't freeze (because there isn't any). Though you'll still need a pen because mecha pencils don't write on passalong cards.
Now I have a question for all of you: What do you want for Christmas? I'm told that if I want to get a package to you by Christmas, I'll have to send it within the next 6-week period. So.... what should I send? I mean, I don't want to be lazy/cheap and not send you anything (as I'm sure many of you would tell me to do), so tell me what I can send you, or I'll have to send whatever I can come up with, and the gift will be really lame. =( Then I'll feel bad about my lack of creative gift-giving skills, and I won't be able to focus on doing a good job as a missionary on account of my failure to be a good son, brother, or friend. And we don't want that to happen, so tell me what to send you! =P
Your Demanding Missionary, Elder Andrew Robarts
Mom sent me a few questions to answer, so I think I'll respond to those first.
Have I ever sung the Canadian National Anthem since arriving in Canada? Yes. Once. When I first arrived in Canada with the rest of my MTC Distric, we were taken to the Mission Home (where the Mission President and his wife live). We spent the night there, and the following morning, we had a kind of 'Welcome to the Mission' meeting in which we sang multiple verses of O Canada. Up until that point, I didn't know it /had/ multiple verses. Then again, I bet most people would be surprised to find that there's more than one verse of the Star Spangled Banner.
Question two: Are you ready for {-25.2 C (the average low in Prince Albert in the winter)}? Answer: I think so. My boots are good. My longjohns are good. My gloves could be better. My jacket could not be better. And since we saved a lot of money not having to buy boots, there's plenty of cash left for a neckwarmer, better gloves (maybe), etc. Anyway, my bases are covered. I'm plenty warm enough to get me through the now, and by the time it gets colder, I'm sure I'll be even better prepared. ^^
Third and final question: How cold does it have to be before they tell us to stay inside and try not to freeze to death (which I swear will NOT happen to me)? -40 C, which is the same as -40 F, which, I hear, is pretty cold. But I'll live. ^^
(( Note to Mom: So, I'm in a library, right? I just noticed a Reader's Digest 4-in-1 type book, the kind you often read. I thought of you. ))
Now for what I was actually planning on writing to you. XD
I can't believe I'll have been out on my mission for 6 months in a few days (Oct 22). It doesn't feel like I've been out here for half a year, but there are some of you for whom it's felt like I've been away from for longer than a year. It's a strange feeling. I don't want to be anything but a missionary right now, but at the same time, I wish I could've stayed with my family while I serve my mission. I guess being away from home is part of my consecration, but it feels both like an eternity and like a few weeks since my mission began.
Still, I'm learning a lot. For those of you that belong to the Canada Winnipeg Mission facebook group, please pass these insights on to the rest of the future missionaries in the world.
No matter where you serve, make sure your suit pants DON'T have cuffs on the bottom. Sure, they're styilish, especially if you wear pinstripes like I do, but dirt, leafs, grass clippings and small rocks often get caught in the cuffs, and it's a hassle to have to clean them out.
Also, if you plan on marking your white shirts so everyone will know they're yours, make sure you use a bleach-proof laundry marking pen. Otherwise, the writing will eventually disappear and your shirts will consequently become slightly less white.
When you track, keep track of which houses didn't answer, so you can come back to those ones later. It's frustrating to know that there are people in some of those houses that haven't heard your message yet, but you don't know who they are.
If you plan on serving in Canada, you might want to make sure that at least some of your shoes don't use laces. Tying, untying, and retying your shoes whenever you enter someone's house can be an unconvenient waste of time.
If you serve where it's cold, get used to using mechanical pencils. They're convenient, erasable, the refills are cheap(er), and the ink doesn't freeze (because there isn't any). Though you'll still need a pen because mecha pencils don't write on passalong cards.
Now I have a question for all of you: What do you want for Christmas? I'm told that if I want to get a package to you by Christmas, I'll have to send it within the next 6-week period. So.... what should I send? I mean, I don't want to be lazy/cheap and not send you anything (as I'm sure many of you would tell me to do), so tell me what I can send you, or I'll have to send whatever I can come up with, and the gift will be really lame. =( Then I'll feel bad about my lack of creative gift-giving skills, and I won't be able to focus on doing a good job as a missionary on account of my failure to be a good son, brother, or friend. And we don't want that to happen, so tell me what to send you! =P
Your Demanding Missionary, Elder Andrew Robarts
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Dear Home - October 13, 2009
You mean to tell me that I ask you quiz questions and forget to tell you the answers? D= Shame on me! The mystery meat was venison, deer sausage, so congrats to Miriam for guessing it right. As for the sugar cookies, I still haven't printed that picture yet. I'll get on it, though.
In the way of news, though, Happy Thanksgiving!! Or Columbus Day, if you happen to still live in USA. Elder George and I had a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner. Mashed potatoes, stuffing, corn, and cornbread. What's even more amazing is that Elder George made it all himself, which prooves two things. One, he's a very good cook, and Two, he was selfish for not letting me help. -_- Shame on Elder George.
The second most exciting thing that's happened recently (actually, it's THE most exciting thing. I'm just mentioning it second) is that it's been snowing!!! =D I never imagined how pretty snow would be to live in. ^^ Of course, this meant that I had to buy winter gear a little sooner than I expected, but, despite getting the perfect winter clothes for me (nice and warm. ^^), I also spent a lot less than I was planning to. I'd explain my purchases in detail, but I don't have enough time. =(
Wanna know something else exciting that's happened? ^^ I got the best package I've ever recieved over my entire mission so far. =D And I love my Mom. O=) She sent me lots of mini Hershey's candies (CHOCOLATE!!!), fun halloween-themed things, like jack-o-lanturn bubble stuff, and THE most AMAZING tie EVER!!! It's SO good, I can't even wear it! Missionaries must be dignified, but if it wasn't for that rule, I would be SO EXCITED about wearing my new, flamingly wonderful tie. And since most of you probably haven't seen it, I'll have to take a picture of it. Yes, it's /that/ good.
In the manner of last-minute additional news, I wouldn't recomend eating at a certain Chinese Buffet. To anyone. Of course, to be fair, I had eaten a big lunch just a few hours previous to having dinner at the buffet, and at the buffet, I ate too much, but the food wasn't too great, and for some reason, everything was funny, meaning that I has laughing too hard on a full stomache, so of course I threw up. But, you know, if it was just that, I wouldn't be complaining about it. However, that fact that I suddenly came down with a BAAAD case of diarea while tracting a few nights ago meant that I just HAD to say something to you. That's probably the kind of random, but interesting thing you hope to read whenever you look at my blog. I'll try and keep the interesting tidbits coming, though I hope not to have to repeat that sort of thing, just to have something to write about.
Anyway, time's up, so I'll be going now.
Your Warm and Well-Fed Missionary, Elder Andrew Robarts
In the way of news, though, Happy Thanksgiving!! Or Columbus Day, if you happen to still live in USA. Elder George and I had a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner. Mashed potatoes, stuffing, corn, and cornbread. What's even more amazing is that Elder George made it all himself, which prooves two things. One, he's a very good cook, and Two, he was selfish for not letting me help. -_- Shame on Elder George.
The second most exciting thing that's happened recently (actually, it's THE most exciting thing. I'm just mentioning it second) is that it's been snowing!!! =D I never imagined how pretty snow would be to live in. ^^ Of course, this meant that I had to buy winter gear a little sooner than I expected, but, despite getting the perfect winter clothes for me (nice and warm. ^^), I also spent a lot less than I was planning to. I'd explain my purchases in detail, but I don't have enough time. =(
Wanna know something else exciting that's happened? ^^ I got the best package I've ever recieved over my entire mission so far. =D And I love my Mom. O=) She sent me lots of mini Hershey's candies (CHOCOLATE!!!), fun halloween-themed things, like jack-o-lanturn bubble stuff, and THE most AMAZING tie EVER!!! It's SO good, I can't even wear it! Missionaries must be dignified, but if it wasn't for that rule, I would be SO EXCITED about wearing my new, flamingly wonderful tie. And since most of you probably haven't seen it, I'll have to take a picture of it. Yes, it's /that/ good.
In the manner of last-minute additional news, I wouldn't recomend eating at a certain Chinese Buffet. To anyone. Of course, to be fair, I had eaten a big lunch just a few hours previous to having dinner at the buffet, and at the buffet, I ate too much, but the food wasn't too great, and for some reason, everything was funny, meaning that I has laughing too hard on a full stomache, so of course I threw up. But, you know, if it was just that, I wouldn't be complaining about it. However, that fact that I suddenly came down with a BAAAD case of diarea while tracting a few nights ago meant that I just HAD to say something to you. That's probably the kind of random, but interesting thing you hope to read whenever you look at my blog. I'll try and keep the interesting tidbits coming, though I hope not to have to repeat that sort of thing, just to have something to write about.
Anyway, time's up, so I'll be going now.
Your Warm and Well-Fed Missionary, Elder Andrew Robarts
Monday, October 5, 2009
not every Monday
To Elder Robarts' friends and family - a calendar note -
I say that Monday means Missionary Mail, but most likely not next Monday, October 12 which is the Canadian Thanksgivng and I am sure the libraries are closed. : )
Canadian friends - How do Canadians celebrate Thanksgiving and what do you traditionally eat?
I say that Monday means Missionary Mail, but most likely not next Monday, October 12 which is the Canadian Thanksgivng and I am sure the libraries are closed. : )
Canadian friends - How do Canadians celebrate Thanksgiving and what do you traditionally eat?
Dear Home - October 5, 2009
After a slight computer malfunction and sending perhaps a few too many personal Emails, I now have only 15 minutes to write to the rest of you. Clearly, I need to budget my Email time more wisely.
Wasn't General Conference the greatest??? It was amazing! =D SO MANY good messages! SO good. I especially loved the talk about saving spiritual lives Jeffery R Holland's talk about the Book of Mormon (He has such a powerful testimony!), and (Who was it? I didn't bring my notes.) the talk about the ultimate heart transplant and how we can make sure the surgery is successful. I feel like so many of those talks were intended directly for me, but I'm sure that's how everyone feels if they're really listening. I love General Conference. ^^
I also love ice cream. The tradition lives! And it will continue. ^^ I bought a few things this time that I probably won't buy next time, like brownie mix and marshmallow cream, but all in all, the entire weekend was thoughroughly excellent. ^^ I can't wait 'til April. ^^
By the way, in just a few weeks, I'll have been on my mission for 6 months! My mission will have been a quarter over by then. It doesn't seem like it's been that long. I didn't realize I'd be hitting a milestone so soon. Which somehow reminds me, I love inukshuks.
Well, time's up. Hopefully I'll be able to devote more time to my neglected blog next week.
Love, Your Richly Blessed Missionary, Elder Andrew Robarts.
PS, If you think of my raincoat as the Armor of God, my umbrella would be the Sheild of Faith, wherewith ye shall quench all the [watery] darts of the Adversary. Which Shield truly is 'above all'. See Ephesians 4 (or somewhere around there. =P)
~~~~~~
from Mom -in case you, like me are unfamiliar with the word "inukshuk": An "inukshuk" is an Inuit word which means "stone man that points the way." Inukshuks are stone cairns that were erected by Inuit at various places throughout the barrens to serve as guideposts. These lifelike figures are commonly found along Canada's northern shores.
Benjamin - is there another inukshik to which Andrew refers?
~~~~~~~
Andrew responding to Mom's concerns about winter wear:
Thank you for your concern and your advice. We went to look at coats last week, so I could compare prices and make sure I get what I need when it comes time to buy, but it's been such a long summer that we haven't needed winter clothes yet. So far my jacket has been more than enough to keep me warm, so I don't need to buy anything yet. I'll do some more window shopping today, and I'll probably buy the clothes I need next week. But for now, what I have is all I need.
Elder George has been very helpful in making sure I get the right equipment from the right store, and the Lord has been helping me, too, so I know I'm in good hands. ^^ Thanks for thinking of me, but you don't need to worry. Your prayers are being answered. ^^
Your comfortably warm missionary, Elder Andrew Robarts
Wasn't General Conference the greatest??? It was amazing! =D SO MANY good messages! SO good. I especially loved the talk about saving spiritual lives Jeffery R Holland's talk about the Book of Mormon (He has such a powerful testimony!), and (Who was it? I didn't bring my notes.) the talk about the ultimate heart transplant and how we can make sure the surgery is successful. I feel like so many of those talks were intended directly for me, but I'm sure that's how everyone feels if they're really listening. I love General Conference. ^^
I also love ice cream. The tradition lives! And it will continue. ^^ I bought a few things this time that I probably won't buy next time, like brownie mix and marshmallow cream, but all in all, the entire weekend was thoughroughly excellent. ^^ I can't wait 'til April. ^^
By the way, in just a few weeks, I'll have been on my mission for 6 months! My mission will have been a quarter over by then. It doesn't seem like it's been that long. I didn't realize I'd be hitting a milestone so soon. Which somehow reminds me, I love inukshuks.
Well, time's up. Hopefully I'll be able to devote more time to my neglected blog next week.
Love, Your Richly Blessed Missionary, Elder Andrew Robarts.
PS, If you think of my raincoat as the Armor of God, my umbrella would be the Sheild of Faith, wherewith ye shall quench all the [watery] darts of the Adversary. Which Shield truly is 'above all'. See Ephesians 4 (or somewhere around there. =P)
~~~~~~
from Mom -in case you, like me are unfamiliar with the word "inukshuk": An "inukshuk" is an Inuit word which means "stone man that points the way." Inukshuks are stone cairns that were erected by Inuit at various places throughout the barrens to serve as guideposts. These lifelike figures are commonly found along Canada's northern shores.
Benjamin - is there another inukshik to which Andrew refers?
~~~~~~~
Andrew responding to Mom's concerns about winter wear:
Thank you for your concern and your advice. We went to look at coats last week, so I could compare prices and make sure I get what I need when it comes time to buy, but it's been such a long summer that we haven't needed winter clothes yet. So far my jacket has been more than enough to keep me warm, so I don't need to buy anything yet. I'll do some more window shopping today, and I'll probably buy the clothes I need next week. But for now, what I have is all I need.
Elder George has been very helpful in making sure I get the right equipment from the right store, and the Lord has been helping me, too, so I know I'm in good hands. ^^ Thanks for thinking of me, but you don't need to worry. Your prayers are being answered. ^^
Your comfortably warm missionary, Elder Andrew Robarts
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Information about sending packages - especially Christmas packages
I received a note from the mission office which says:
...all of your mail should be sent to the Canada Winnipeg Mission Office at the address below:
If packages are mailed with this format we will be able to sign for them if they become lost, whereas if the Missionary name is first, we cannot retrieve them.
Please indicate on your letters and packages if they are specifically for Christmas.
Additionally we recieved this from President Paulson:
You may think it is a little early to talk of tinsel and festive fare, but we are thinking and planning ahaed to Christmas, and would like to make it a wonderful occasion for all of the missionaries. We occaionally have difficulties with delays in the postal service, and are concerned if we don't write to you now, some missionaries may be without letters and parcels from their families at Christmas. Parcels sometimes take weeks to arrive, and because fo the stirct rules surrounding Canadian Customs, packages can take a lot of time just to clear customs.
With that in mind, I am writing to ask if you would send Christmas letters and packages early to arrive by the end of November, so we can distribute them at our Christmas Devotionals in mid-December. Please label your package as a "Gift" and check with your local postal servies as to the regulations surrounding sending parcels abroad. Please address your package to Canada Winnipeg Mission Office, Elder Andrew Robarts, 845 Shaftesbury Boulevard, Winnipeg MB R3P 0M5, Canada. As well as the normal seasonal greetings and goodies, perhaps you could ask families and friends to bear testimony of the Savior at this special time of year.
...all of your mail should be sent to the Canada Winnipeg Mission Office at the address below:
Canada Winnipeg Mission
(Missionary Name) (that would be Elder Andrew Robarts)
845 Shaftsbury Boulevard
Winnipeg, MB R3P 0M5
CANADA
If packages are mailed with this format we will be able to sign for them if they become lost, whereas if the Missionary name is first, we cannot retrieve them.
Please indicate on your letters and packages if they are specifically for Christmas.
Additionally we recieved this from President Paulson:
You may think it is a little early to talk of tinsel and festive fare, but we are thinking and planning ahaed to Christmas, and would like to make it a wonderful occasion for all of the missionaries. We occaionally have difficulties with delays in the postal service, and are concerned if we don't write to you now, some missionaries may be without letters and parcels from their families at Christmas. Parcels sometimes take weeks to arrive, and because fo the stirct rules surrounding Canadian Customs, packages can take a lot of time just to clear customs.
With that in mind, I am writing to ask if you would send Christmas letters and packages early to arrive by the end of November, so we can distribute them at our Christmas Devotionals in mid-December. Please label your package as a "Gift" and check with your local postal servies as to the regulations surrounding sending parcels abroad. Please address your package to Canada Winnipeg Mission Office, Elder Andrew Robarts, 845 Shaftesbury Boulevard, Winnipeg MB R3P 0M5, Canada. As well as the normal seasonal greetings and goodies, perhaps you could ask families and friends to bear testimony of the Savior at this special time of year.
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