From: Andrew Robarts <ElderRobarts@myldsmail.net>
Date: Mon, Nov 30, 2009 at 1:53 PM
Dear Home,
Usually, the trivial quizes come first, but this time, there's an exciting piece of news that I don't know if I can share with the entire world (I recieved the information in a personal Email), but let it be known that I'm excited about it. =)
Note from the editor (Mom) - the exciting news that Elder Robarts recieved is that his sister Ruth (and brother-in-law Tom and neice and nephew, of course) is (are) expecting a baby the end of July 2010. Elder Robarts has mixed feelings about missing the baby's birth day - glad to be on his mission, sad to miss such an important event - but looks forward to celebrating baby's first birthday.
NOW we can talk about trivia. ^^
For those of you who thought I bought UNO cards last week, you're right! =D And boy do I love shuffling them! I've played UNO against myself (controlling either two or three hands) at least half a dozen times by now. =P
Next, the bike pedal. I assume you've all seen the pictures by now. The reason I picked up a bike pedal and stuffed it in my pocket is not so I could feel like a regular missionary by owning at least part of a
bicycle, but rather, so I could add to my little orange reflector collection. I've been picking up reflectors off the street, even when I have to pick up the rest of the pedal also (but that's only happenedonce so far).
Lastly, the sugar cookies. I came up with the same answer that most of you did: ELDER ROBARTS PA SK. It would've been funny if it was really meant to say BRAD'S SKELETOR RAP or something, but Elder George didn't have a lot of time to write it, so he did the best he could do on short notice.
Out of time. Next time, I'll tell you about our investigators first.
By the way, it's the end of the transfer, so don't mail me anything for a while, or we'll get the same kinds of problems that we got 6 weeks ago (and have just now finished sorting out).
Love, your time-wasting but penitent missionary, Elder Andrew Robarts
(( Note to Ben: HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!! What do you want for Christmas??? ))
Monday, November 30, 2009
Monday, November 23, 2009
Dear Home - November 23,2009
Dear Home,
I don't think I have much to write about this week. The biggest thing is that the weather has been incredible (Note to Teresa: Which may be bad news for us)! There has been NO SNOW, except for that week-long fluke in October. The snow /should've/ started on Halloween, but it hasen't yet, and I'm a little worried. If it doesn't snow in the next 32 days (Sorry to panic you, Mom), I won't be able to celebrate my first white Christmas! D=
But it's not all bad news. When the weather turns bad, people stay inside, so there aren't as many people outside to talk to. =/ Luckily, Elder Grimshaw and I have a LOT of people we can stop by, talk to, see how they're doing, and ask how we can help them if we ever run out of things to do. The work is progressing at a comfortable rate. =)
Speaking of which, I would like to tell you about Megan (names have been changed), but I don't know if I should. If I change the name and don't give any other information, it should be alright, don't you think? We'll make that our poll this week, and I'll see if I tell you next week, how's that? ^^
But something I /can/ talk to you about is the number 22. (Sorry to anyone who has asked me a question that I haven't answered yet. I completely forgot about it, so now I'm getting into something trivial instead of answering your question. Try asking me again)
Where was I? Oh, yeah! 22! So...
Well, May 22 has always been my birthday, so the number 22, especially when it's preceeded by a 5, has always held some meaning for me. But now, 22 has become an even greater part of my life. See, I entered the MTC on April 22nd, so that's another reason to celebrate it, especially since missionaries here keep track of how long they've been out on their missions. That is, they count the months; starting the day they entered the MTC. So, every month, the 22nd day completes another month that I've been on my mission, so, as of yesterday, I have been on my mission for a total of 7 months.
And as for a bonus reason to like 22, less than a month after I return home, I will celebrate my 22nd birthday. I don't know what we're going to do with that, but my sisters are excellent party planners. Planning a party around missionary service and the number '22' should be a challenge worthy of their talents.
Out of time! Love you all!
Your Number-Loving Missionary, Elder Andrew Robarts
PS. BONUS TRIVIA QUIZ: The mission president has recently declared that games are allowed on P-Days, so I bought a game today. But which game did I buy? =D Have Fun Guessing! ^^
I don't think I have much to write about this week. The biggest thing is that the weather has been incredible (Note to Teresa: Which may be bad news for us)! There has been NO SNOW, except for that week-long fluke in October. The snow /should've/ started on Halloween, but it hasen't yet, and I'm a little worried. If it doesn't snow in the next 32 days (Sorry to panic you, Mom), I won't be able to celebrate my first white Christmas! D=
But it's not all bad news. When the weather turns bad, people stay inside, so there aren't as many people outside to talk to. =/ Luckily, Elder Grimshaw and I have a LOT of people we can stop by, talk to, see how they're doing, and ask how we can help them if we ever run out of things to do. The work is progressing at a comfortable rate. =)
Speaking of which, I would like to tell you about Megan (names have been changed), but I don't know if I should. If I change the name and don't give any other information, it should be alright, don't you think? We'll make that our poll this week, and I'll see if I tell you next week, how's that? ^^
But something I /can/ talk to you about is the number 22. (Sorry to anyone who has asked me a question that I haven't answered yet. I completely forgot about it, so now I'm getting into something trivial instead of answering your question. Try asking me again)
Where was I? Oh, yeah! 22! So...
Well, May 22 has always been my birthday, so the number 22, especially when it's preceeded by a 5, has always held some meaning for me. But now, 22 has become an even greater part of my life. See, I entered the MTC on April 22nd, so that's another reason to celebrate it, especially since missionaries here keep track of how long they've been out on their missions. That is, they count the months; starting the day they entered the MTC. So, every month, the 22nd day completes another month that I've been on my mission, so, as of yesterday, I have been on my mission for a total of 7 months.
And as for a bonus reason to like 22, less than a month after I return home, I will celebrate my 22nd birthday. I don't know what we're going to do with that, but my sisters are excellent party planners. Planning a party around missionary service and the number '22' should be a challenge worthy of their talents.
Out of time! Love you all!
Your Number-Loving Missionary, Elder Andrew Robarts
PS. BONUS TRIVIA QUIZ: The mission president has recently declared that games are allowed on P-Days, so I bought a game today. But which game did I buy? =D Have Fun Guessing! ^^
Friday, November 20, 2009
"Unleashing the Dormant Spirit" by Elder F. Enzio Busche
This is, I believe, the video to which Elder Robarts refers in his last letter.
Monday, November 16, 2009
Dear Home - November 16, 2009
Okay, everybody, I'm pretty sure I know what my address is now. Sorry to make you wait so long. I live at:
206- 535 3rd Avenue North
Saskatoon, Sakatchewan,
S7K 2J4 CANADA
If Canada Post doesn't know where that is, just send everything to the mission office. I know you all know where that is (hopefully).
In other news, Zone Conference was amazing, as usual. But this one was even better than usual because Elder Terrence C. Smith, the Area Seventy over here, had a two hour question and answer session where he taught us a LOT about the day-to-day business of living the Gospel. Basically, he told us that God's not going to ask for anything better than our best, so there's no reason to stress out about trying to be perfect, or to worry about every little mistake we've made in our lives. Sure, perfection is the ultimate goal. but God doesn't need us to acheive it in this life. That helped me out a lot.
He also spelled out something that I had suspected, but didn't know was doctrinal truth: When the spirit tells us what NOT to do, he speaks a lot louder than when he tells us what we /should/ do. That's why it's important to make sure you're really listening, but even if you're not listening as well as you could, you can still recieve warnings (if you have the gift of the Holy Ghost, that is).
By the way, I'm glad that most of the people reading this are Mormon. This must be REALLY confusing for the rest of you. =/ Sorry about that.
Wow, I JUST saw that I am completely out of time! D=
So I've got an assignment for... whoever wants to look up a good, inspirational video. In Zone Conference, the Assistants showed us a video clip called "Unleashing the Dormant Spirit". It's Elder Buche giving a lot of little inspirational pieces of advice. I want someone to find that video, write down every word Elder Buche says, and send it to me in a letter. It's REALLY good stuff.
But now I really have to go! D=
Your Late Missionary, Elder Andrew Robarts
206- 535 3rd Avenue North
Saskatoon, Sakatchewan,
S7K 2J4 CANADA
If Canada Post doesn't know where that is, just send everything to the mission office. I know you all know where that is (hopefully).
In other news, Zone Conference was amazing, as usual. But this one was even better than usual because Elder Terrence C. Smith, the Area Seventy over here, had a two hour question and answer session where he taught us a LOT about the day-to-day business of living the Gospel. Basically, he told us that God's not going to ask for anything better than our best, so there's no reason to stress out about trying to be perfect, or to worry about every little mistake we've made in our lives. Sure, perfection is the ultimate goal. but God doesn't need us to acheive it in this life. That helped me out a lot.
He also spelled out something that I had suspected, but didn't know was doctrinal truth: When the spirit tells us what NOT to do, he speaks a lot louder than when he tells us what we /should/ do. That's why it's important to make sure you're really listening, but even if you're not listening as well as you could, you can still recieve warnings (if you have the gift of the Holy Ghost, that is).
By the way, I'm glad that most of the people reading this are Mormon. This must be REALLY confusing for the rest of you. =/ Sorry about that.
Wow, I JUST saw that I am completely out of time! D=
So I've got an assignment for... whoever wants to look up a good, inspirational video. In Zone Conference, the Assistants showed us a video clip called "Unleashing the Dormant Spirit". It's Elder Buche giving a lot of little inspirational pieces of advice. I want someone to find that video, write down every word Elder Buche says, and send it to me in a letter. It's REALLY good stuff.
But now I really have to go! D=
Your Late Missionary, Elder Andrew Robarts
Monday, November 9, 2009
Dear Home - November 9, 2009
Dear Home,
Okay, I couldn't get you my full address last week, but this should be the missing piece 'S7K 2J4'. If that doesn't complete an address that Canada Post recognizes, I'll dubble-check my address and tell you where I think I live next week. =S
As for another piece of important information, I was supposed to submit my wishlist to you last week, but I forgot. =(
What I want most of all (in the category of physical things) is music.
They changed the rules on what music we can listen to (again). The new rules are as follows: "Listen only to music that is consistant with the sacred nature of your calling. Music should invite the Spirit, help you focus on the work, and direct your thoughts and feelings to the Savior. Do not listen to music that pulls your thoughts away from your work, merely entertains, has romantic lyrics or overtones, or dulls your spiritual sensitivity by its tempo, beat, loudness, lyrics or intensity." -White Handbook, page 25
If you have ANY music that's uplifting, I want to hear it.
To get a little more specific:
-I especially like piano music. The Hymns Collection by Paul Cardall is beautiful, but I've only heard it once.
-There's another pianist that I and my brothers know about, whose music I miss hearing.
-I have Motab Showtime, Called To Serve, and Essential (2 Disc Set), but anything else by Motab would be wonderful. ^^
-Chritmas music is probably my favorite category. There are a few Christmassy songs that I like that I'd like to have turned into a CD, but I'm not sure what all I'd like to include. Pachabel, Trans Siberian Orchestra Silver Bells, Halelujah- Handel's Messiah, and the Harry Potter theme music all make the list, but there may be more. Maybe we'll put a hold on this request. Late Christmas presents are fine. ^^
-I'd also like a CTR ring, but I don't know my ring size.
-Also, it'd be fun to have a pedometer, but it might not be really 'proper' to wear one. =S
I can't believe I took up all my time asking for stuff. I feel bad. =( I had other, far more interesting and spiritual things to talk about, too. I'll have to save those for next week, I guess.
Your sadly-out-of-time missionary, Elder Andrew Robarts
PS, the weather has been amazing lately! =D Much warmer than usual with a little wind and lots of leaves on the ground. ^^ Very Pleasant. ^^
PPS - Almost forgot:
The office has requested that packages that are Christmas presents should have the word 'Christmas' marked on them. I suspect that there's going to be some kind of Christmas party later, but anyway, that's just something ya'll should know. ^^
Okay, I couldn't get you my full address last week, but this should be the missing piece 'S7K 2J4'. If that doesn't complete an address that Canada Post recognizes, I'll dubble-check my address and tell you where I think I live next week. =S
As for another piece of important information, I was supposed to submit my wishlist to you last week, but I forgot. =(
What I want most of all (in the category of physical things) is music.
They changed the rules on what music we can listen to (again). The new rules are as follows: "Listen only to music that is consistant with the sacred nature of your calling. Music should invite the Spirit, help you focus on the work, and direct your thoughts and feelings to the Savior. Do not listen to music that pulls your thoughts away from your work, merely entertains, has romantic lyrics or overtones, or dulls your spiritual sensitivity by its tempo, beat, loudness, lyrics or intensity." -White Handbook, page 25
If you have ANY music that's uplifting, I want to hear it.
To get a little more specific:
-I especially like piano music. The Hymns Collection by Paul Cardall is beautiful, but I've only heard it once.
-There's another pianist that I and my brothers know about, whose music I miss hearing.
-I have Motab Showtime, Called To Serve, and Essential (2 Disc Set), but anything else by Motab would be wonderful. ^^
-Chritmas music is probably my favorite category. There are a few Christmassy songs that I like that I'd like to have turned into a CD, but I'm not sure what all I'd like to include. Pachabel, Trans Siberian Orchestra Silver Bells, Halelujah- Handel's Messiah, and the Harry Potter theme music all make the list, but there may be more. Maybe we'll put a hold on this request. Late Christmas presents are fine. ^^
-I'd also like a CTR ring, but I don't know my ring size.
-Also, it'd be fun to have a pedometer, but it might not be really 'proper' to wear one. =S
I can't believe I took up all my time asking for stuff. I feel bad. =( I had other, far more interesting and spiritual things to talk about, too. I'll have to save those for next week, I guess.
Your sadly-out-of-time missionary, Elder Andrew Robarts
PS, the weather has been amazing lately! =D Much warmer than usual with a little wind and lots of leaves on the ground. ^^ Very Pleasant. ^^
PPS - Almost forgot:
The office has requested that packages that are Christmas presents should have the word 'Christmas' marked on them. I suspect that there's going to be some kind of Christmas party later, but anyway, that's just something ya'll should know. ^^
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Can you solve the anagram?
Elder George made these cookies for Andrew. Can you read the secret message?
Don't read the comments until you are ready to see the answer.
General Conference Tradition
Happy EldersElders Carine (top) and Butterfield (lower)
Elder Robarts
Sweet!
Have you ever seen a Kit Kat with 70%chocolate? Not I. But Elder Robarts has.
This summer I sent Elder Robarts an patriotic package. He noticed that his candy was red, white and blue.
What is so important about this object......
What is so important about this object that Elder Robarts would bring it back to the apartment in Prince Albert?
Ok, I can tell you that his Mom has no idea,
but his brother, Benjamin, says that it is very much like the pedal that
Is it because bikes are so rare there?
Monday, November 2, 2009
Dear Home - November 2, 2009
Dear Home,
First things first this week. Last week, as with most weeks, I had very little time to compose my general Email home because I had spent so much time with individual Emails. Not this week. This week, I'm writing my blog post first.
And in the spirit of 'first things first', I'll list the news item of greatest importance first: I got transfered last week. Two weeks ago, I forgot to warn you all that there was a chance that I would get transfered. Sorry about that. =( I promise that won't happen this transfer. Last week, I would've told you, but after the Devestation, I was in such a rush to send out ANYTHING that the thought of warning you had completely slipped my mind. I didn't think I was going to get transfered anyway. But unfortunately, as my mother had predicted, Elder George and I had both been transfered. Elder George went to Thompson, Manitoba (( Note to Mom: But not before he gave me his Email address )), and I got transfered to 206-535 3 Ave N, Saskatoon SK (I don't know the postal code yet, but I'll figure it out.) An area called Oakwood.
Now, to answer a few of the questions that my loyal readers have sent in. Mom, unfortunately, there wasn't much in the way of fall colors this year. There was a random freeze that killed most of the leaves before they changed color. Better luck next year.
I was also asked how my Thanksgiving was. It was good! Elder George, whose father is a professional cook, made us a delicious thanksgiving dinner with mashed potatoes, corn, cornbread and stuffing. It was SO good! There was no turkey, like a normal Thanksgiving dinner in either of our countries would require, but there was some pumpkin pie that a member had given us, so I would count it as a good meal. ^^ Certainly much better than a normal meal a missionary eats. xD
My Halloween was also good. ^^ It started as a normal day in the life of a missionary. Testimonies bourne, lives changed, the usual. But for dinner (since missionaries don't go door-to-door on halloween night) the Gurneys, a member family in this ward, invited us over for pizza, too much candy, and a game of Yahtzee. We had a lot of fun. ^^
That might be it for the important things. Now I'll move on to the trivial things.
Here, people wear a lot of beanies, but they don't call them beanies. They call them 'tooks'. At least, that's what I thought. A week or two ago, I saw an advertizement for articles of clothing called 'toques'. Apparently, 'toques' is a French word. It still /sounds/ like 'tooks'.
Hot Chocolate is good, but it can be made even better. You know how it says 'just add hot water'? Add hot milk instead. So much creamier. SO much better. ^^
There are a surprising number of Chevy Cavaliers in Canada, especially, it seems, in Saskatoon. One day, I decided to count all the Cavaliers I saw. That day, last Friday, I saw no less than FIFTY of them! I was very surprised.
'Kay, I /think that's about it. I don't have a trivia question for you this time, but if you could find the talk 'Turning Knowledge into Wisdom' by Marrion Romney (who was in the First Presidency at the time), and mail me a copy (once I send you the postal code), that would be great! ^^
Your somewhat less rushed than usual missionary, Elder Andrew Robarts
First things first this week. Last week, as with most weeks, I had very little time to compose my general Email home because I had spent so much time with individual Emails. Not this week. This week, I'm writing my blog post first.
And in the spirit of 'first things first', I'll list the news item of greatest importance first: I got transfered last week. Two weeks ago, I forgot to warn you all that there was a chance that I would get transfered. Sorry about that. =( I promise that won't happen this transfer. Last week, I would've told you, but after the Devestation, I was in such a rush to send out ANYTHING that the thought of warning you had completely slipped my mind. I didn't think I was going to get transfered anyway. But unfortunately, as my mother had predicted, Elder George and I had both been transfered. Elder George went to Thompson, Manitoba (( Note to Mom: But not before he gave me his Email address )), and I got transfered to 206-535 3 Ave N, Saskatoon SK (I don't know the postal code yet, but I'll figure it out.) An area called Oakwood.
Now, to answer a few of the questions that my loyal readers have sent in. Mom, unfortunately, there wasn't much in the way of fall colors this year. There was a random freeze that killed most of the leaves before they changed color. Better luck next year.
I was also asked how my Thanksgiving was. It was good! Elder George, whose father is a professional cook, made us a delicious thanksgiving dinner with mashed potatoes, corn, cornbread and stuffing. It was SO good! There was no turkey, like a normal Thanksgiving dinner in either of our countries would require, but there was some pumpkin pie that a member had given us, so I would count it as a good meal. ^^ Certainly much better than a normal meal a missionary eats. xD
My Halloween was also good. ^^ It started as a normal day in the life of a missionary. Testimonies bourne, lives changed, the usual. But for dinner (since missionaries don't go door-to-door on halloween night) the Gurneys, a member family in this ward, invited us over for pizza, too much candy, and a game of Yahtzee. We had a lot of fun. ^^
That might be it for the important things. Now I'll move on to the trivial things.
Here, people wear a lot of beanies, but they don't call them beanies. They call them 'tooks'. At least, that's what I thought. A week or two ago, I saw an advertizement for articles of clothing called 'toques'. Apparently, 'toques' is a French word. It still /sounds/ like 'tooks'.
Hot Chocolate is good, but it can be made even better. You know how it says 'just add hot water'? Add hot milk instead. So much creamier. SO much better. ^^
There are a surprising number of Chevy Cavaliers in Canada, especially, it seems, in Saskatoon. One day, I decided to count all the Cavaliers I saw. That day, last Friday, I saw no less than FIFTY of them! I was very surprised.
'Kay, I /think that's about it. I don't have a trivia question for you this time, but if you could find the talk 'Turning Knowledge into Wisdom' by Marrion Romney (who was in the First Presidency at the time), and mail me a copy (once I send you the postal code), that would be great! ^^
Your somewhat less rushed than usual missionary, Elder Andrew Robarts
from Mom to Missionary - hoping others might agree - Christmas Wish Revised
I just sent Elder Robarts this request and would like to invite others who might be on his shopping list to join me:
If you have not yet gone out and bought lots of cute Canadian souveniers, I want to change my Christmas wish.
Please buy a couple of nice WHITE shirts and retain custody of them for me. You can wrap them if you wish, since they are Christmas presents. I don't know what you thought you were going to spend, but
spend it on shirts, plus one for shipping. ; ) When you put a nice white shirt on, think of it as a hug from me. Donate the grey shirts you replace to charity.
Believe me, it will be a good gift to me to know that you are wearing shirts you are comfortable in and not embarrassed!
I mean it.
Yoiu can write me a nice mush letter and testimony for a gift to open.
Love you!
Mom
If you have not yet gone out and bought lots of cute Canadian souveniers, I want to change my Christmas wish.
Please buy a couple of nice WHITE shirts and retain custody of them for me. You can wrap them if you wish, since they are Christmas presents. I don't know what you thought you were going to spend, but
spend it on shirts, plus one for shipping. ; ) When you put a nice white shirt on, think of it as a hug from me. Donate the grey shirts you replace to charity.
Believe me, it will be a good gift to me to know that you are wearing shirts you are comfortable in and not embarrassed!
I mean it.
Yoiu can write me a nice mush letter and testimony for a gift to open.
Love you!
Mom
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