Dear Home,
The Olympics are well underway, but I don't really want to talk about that right now. (Some missionaries are being overly prideful and telling me that I need to be more patriotic. Go Canada!)
I'll tell you something amazing I saw in the ward yesterday. Most people, when they see someone they don't know at church, wonder inside themselves 'Who is this person? Are they new here, or should I already know who they are? I hope somebody talks to them. Maybe then I'll be able to catch their name.' And they leave it at that. But Yesterday, I saw something that I've never seen before. One of the members that I really look up to saw someone that he didn't know and did exactly what I now think all of us should do. He excitedly said "New Face!", stood up, shook the newcomers hand, and began to introduce himself and ask his new friend about his life. I was very impressed. And because of this member's excellent example, I now know that Brother Taylor is a recently married student that moved into our ward when he and his new wife tied the knot. I'm grateful for that. I'm especially grateful that this remarkable member reached out and warmly greeted someone who might otherwise not have even heard the word 'hello'. I hope I can be that kind of member when I go home.
But until I Email you again, I have a special request, and this goes out to everyone: Tell me how you've been doing. Seriously, I haven't heard a word about life from anyone except Sariah lately and it's starting to make me feel like I'm out of the loop. I especially would like to get descriptive Emails from you (mom) and Ben, even though I know you're busy. Just send me what you can, please. Thank you very much. ^^
Love, your kind-of-tired-of-standing-for-so-long-and-wishing-this-computer-station-had-a-chair missionary,
Elder Andrew Robarts
PS, I don't know how I forgot to tell you that IT'S TRANSFER WEEK!!! -PANIC-
Okay, don't panic. It's not really THAT big a deal. It just means that you should probably hold your postage (if you mail to his apartment) until next week. And by the way, I feel like I'm probably getting transferred, so you can likely look forward to getting a new address from me next week. THANKS FOR WRITING ME!!! ^^
Monday, February 22, 2010
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
February 16, 2010
Dear Home,
Happy Family Day!! =D Of course, you had Family Day a little while ago, and you're celebrating Presidents Day now, but Canadians don't get Presidents Day, so we're celebrating Family Day now. ^^
Well, actually, Family Day was yesterday, the day I would've Emailed you, but couldn't because everything was closed. =/
Now I'm in a pickle. Even though I had an extra day to think about what I wanted to write home about, all of the notes I took are in my planner, which I accidentally left in the apartment, so I don't know what to write to you about now. =S
Quick Bus Story: I fell asleep on a bus and Elder Brown took a picture of me, warning me that if I fall asleep on the bus again (It happens more often than it should), he'll take another picture. Which reminds me, I need to buy a photo album. I'll make a note of that... As soon as I get my hands on my planner again.
The members in this area are SUPER good! A few days ago, we taught some investigators of ours with a couple called the Lafontaines, and man! Brother Lafontaine is an AMAZING teacher! Seriously, we're going to have to bring him out to appointments more often! ^^ And the Andersons are still amazing, as always. And the Buells keep bringing us food. I love this ward. ^^ I hope I get to stay here a little longer, but I'm probably getting transfered at the end of the month. I've been in this area for as long as I had been in Prince Albert, so a change in location is probably going to occur soon. (But don't worry, I'll give you plenty of warning this time. It won't happen like the last time my address changed.)
In more current news which you've probably heard all about by now), the Olympics are on! Of course, since I don't watch TV, you know more about the Olympics than I do, but I've heard that the US is currently leading the Medal Count (that's not likely to change), and that Vancouver has had to pull snow in from other places so it'll have enough white stuff to keep the games running. That's an interesting irony, especially considerring that the United States are all getting snowed on except for Hawaii. Maybe the States are making a trade with the Olympics Commitee: Snow for Gold Medals. Maybe... Just maybe...
This New MyLDSMail.net thing seems to be working out alright. It looks and acts exactly like Gmail, as far as I remember Gmail acting. Have you noticed any differences? What's your feedback on the change?
The lady that's running this Email place just told us that we need to start wrapping things up, so that's what I'm going to do. Talk to ya'll next week!
Love, your warm missionary, Elder Andrew Robarts ^^
Happy Family Day!! =D Of course, you had Family Day a little while ago, and you're celebrating Presidents Day now, but Canadians don't get Presidents Day, so we're celebrating Family Day now. ^^
Well, actually, Family Day was yesterday, the day I would've Emailed you, but couldn't because everything was closed. =/
Now I'm in a pickle. Even though I had an extra day to think about what I wanted to write home about, all of the notes I took are in my planner, which I accidentally left in the apartment, so I don't know what to write to you about now. =S
Quick Bus Story: I fell asleep on a bus and Elder Brown took a picture of me, warning me that if I fall asleep on the bus again (It happens more often than it should), he'll take another picture. Which reminds me, I need to buy a photo album. I'll make a note of that... As soon as I get my hands on my planner again.
The members in this area are SUPER good! A few days ago, we taught some investigators of ours with a couple called the Lafontaines, and man! Brother Lafontaine is an AMAZING teacher! Seriously, we're going to have to bring him out to appointments more often! ^^ And the Andersons are still amazing, as always. And the Buells keep bringing us food. I love this ward. ^^ I hope I get to stay here a little longer, but I'm probably getting transfered at the end of the month. I've been in this area for as long as I had been in Prince Albert, so a change in location is probably going to occur soon. (But don't worry, I'll give you plenty of warning this time. It won't happen like the last time my address changed.)
In more current news which you've probably heard all about by now), the Olympics are on! Of course, since I don't watch TV, you know more about the Olympics than I do, but I've heard that the US is currently leading the Medal Count (that's not likely to change), and that Vancouver has had to pull snow in from other places so it'll have enough white stuff to keep the games running. That's an interesting irony, especially considerring that the United States are all getting snowed on except for Hawaii. Maybe the States are making a trade with the Olympics Commitee: Snow for Gold Medals. Maybe... Just maybe...
This New MyLDSMail.net thing seems to be working out alright. It looks and acts exactly like Gmail, as far as I remember Gmail acting. Have you noticed any differences? What's your feedback on the change?
The lady that's running this Email place just told us that we need to start wrapping things up, so that's what I'm going to do. Talk to ya'll next week!
Love, your warm missionary, Elder Andrew Robarts ^^
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Canada Family Day
Family Day is the third Monday of February and observed as a public (or statutory) holiday in the three Canadian provinces of Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Ontario.
This year, Family Day falls on Monday, February 15, 2010.
Most workers, public or private, are entitled to take statutory holidays off with regular pay. Some businesses remain open on holidays, such as medical clinics and some stores, restaurants, and tourist attractions.
What does Family Day mean for Elder Robarts' followers?
I am guessing the libraries will be closed and we will not get a letter from Elder Robarts Monday. Hopefully, they will be given time later in the week to write.
Happy Family Day, Canada!
Let Elder Robarts and his fellow missionaries tell you how families can be happier and closer today and together forever.
This year, Family Day falls on Monday, February 15, 2010.
Most workers, public or private, are entitled to take statutory holidays off with regular pay. Some businesses remain open on holidays, such as medical clinics and some stores, restaurants, and tourist attractions.
What Does Family Day Mean for Visitors?
Banks, schools, government offices are closed.What does Family Day mean for Elder Robarts' followers?
I am guessing the libraries will be closed and we will not get a letter from Elder Robarts Monday. Hopefully, they will be given time later in the week to write.
Happy Family Day, Canada!
Let Elder Robarts and his fellow missionaries tell you how families can be happier and closer today and together forever.
$upport Information
Elder Robarts' home congregation has a new Bishop. If you wish to contribute financially to supporting Andrew's mission, please mail checks to:
Bishop Gene Adair
Perkins Ward
8951 Canberra Dr
Sacramento, CA 95826-4450
Remember, while the envelope is addressed to Bishop Adair, make the check out to "Perkins Ward" and note that it is for "Andrew Robarts' mission."
Every little bit is appreciated.
Moral support in the form of cards and letters is also greatly appreciated. See side bar for address information.
Thanks!
Bishop Gene Adair
Perkins Ward
8951 Canberra Dr
Sacramento, CA 95826-4450
Remember, while the envelope is addressed to Bishop Adair, make the check out to "Perkins Ward" and note that it is for "Andrew Robarts' mission."
Every little bit is appreciated.
Moral support in the form of cards and letters is also greatly appreciated. See side bar for address information.
Thanks!
Monday, February 8, 2010
February 8, 2010 - Bus Stops
Sorry this is so late. I was watching one email address carefully all day, but Elder Robarts wrote replying to an e-mail I sent him from my iPod Touch which apparently used my other address. Which I failed to figure out until this evening.
Occasionally, I tell Andrew things that remind me of him. Here are last week's and his responses:
White Sheets: I finally got some green fitted sheets last transfer, so I don't have to keep tucking in my sheets every night, and I can now wash my sheets with my socks and P-Day clothes. So that's a plus. ^^ (We had been instructed to get flat sheets)
Interesting trees: I haven't seen too many of those lately, but I love it when there's hoar frost on the treetops. It almost makes me forget that there are supposed to be leaves there.
Ramen: I bought some Ramen a little while ago. I saw it in the store, got hungry, and saw that they're only 27 cents (Canadian) per package. I've only had them once, though. I'd have some today, but I already snacked on some leftover Chinese, and I have to save room for dinner with Sister Pulkinen. (The members in this ward take care of us so well!)
and now his letter:
Dear Home,
Don't you hate it when the clock that you're relying on is inaccurate so that you think you have time, but you don't? I /really/ hate it. And you should hate it too, because that means that this blog post is going to be very rushed. =S
I guess I have time for a quick bus-riding story (I've been collecting quite a few of those these past few months). One day, Elder Brown and I needed to get to this lady's house, but we didn't know of any buses that could get us there, so I came up with a simple plan: Hop on a bus that'll get us a little closer, then walk the rest of the way. And that's what we did. We walked up a road named Warman for about half an hour. During that time, a bus passed us. Had we been anywhere near a bus stop, we could've caught a ride and saved some time. As it was, we kept walking. When we finally got to where we were going, we saw something that I didn't want to see: A Bus Stop. And it wasn't just any bus stop. The bus that stops at that particular place also drives right in front of our apartment. Had we known that this bus went up this way, we could've gone straight from our apartment to this lady's house in very little time, but as it was, we spent the entire morning walking to the lady's house, just to find out that she wasn't home. And just to make things just a little bit worse, my nametag broke off sometime while we were walking, so if you happen to be walking up the east side of Warman road, keep your eyes open for Elder Robarts's old name tag. I would laugh very hard if you found it.
Also, waiting for a bus downtown, the bus that we wanted was so late that I had enough time to build a snowman before it came. I wish I had had my camera with me then. It was an unproductive evening, but I still had a good time. Love ya!
Your bus-riding missionary, Elder Andrew Robarts
Occasionally, I tell Andrew things that remind me of him. Here are last week's and his responses:
White Sheets: I finally got some green fitted sheets last transfer, so I don't have to keep tucking in my sheets every night, and I can now wash my sheets with my socks and P-Day clothes. So that's a plus. ^^ (We had been instructed to get flat sheets)
Interesting trees: I haven't seen too many of those lately, but I love it when there's hoar frost on the treetops. It almost makes me forget that there are supposed to be leaves there.
Ramen: I bought some Ramen a little while ago. I saw it in the store, got hungry, and saw that they're only 27 cents (Canadian) per package. I've only had them once, though. I'd have some today, but I already snacked on some leftover Chinese, and I have to save room for dinner with Sister Pulkinen. (The members in this ward take care of us so well!)
and now his letter:
Dear Home,
Don't you hate it when the clock that you're relying on is inaccurate so that you think you have time, but you don't? I /really/ hate it. And you should hate it too, because that means that this blog post is going to be very rushed. =S
I guess I have time for a quick bus-riding story (I've been collecting quite a few of those these past few months). One day, Elder Brown and I needed to get to this lady's house, but we didn't know of any buses that could get us there, so I came up with a simple plan: Hop on a bus that'll get us a little closer, then walk the rest of the way. And that's what we did. We walked up a road named Warman for about half an hour. During that time, a bus passed us. Had we been anywhere near a bus stop, we could've caught a ride and saved some time. As it was, we kept walking. When we finally got to where we were going, we saw something that I didn't want to see: A Bus Stop. And it wasn't just any bus stop. The bus that stops at that particular place also drives right in front of our apartment. Had we known that this bus went up this way, we could've gone straight from our apartment to this lady's house in very little time, but as it was, we spent the entire morning walking to the lady's house, just to find out that she wasn't home. And just to make things just a little bit worse, my nametag broke off sometime while we were walking, so if you happen to be walking up the east side of Warman road, keep your eyes open for Elder Robarts's old name tag. I would laugh very hard if you found it.
Also, waiting for a bus downtown, the bus that we wanted was so late that I had enough time to build a snowman before it came. I wish I had had my camera with me then. It was an unproductive evening, but I still had a good time. Love ya!
Your bus-riding missionary, Elder Andrew Robarts
Monday, February 1, 2010
February 1, 2010
Dear Home,
The computer I'm on will only let me stay on for another 9 minutes. Man, I dislike this library! But the library I would be using is closed, so I've got to take what I can get. I don't have a lot to report anyway.
In fact... I can't think of anything to report! =S Give me a minute. I'll try to think of something...
Elder Brown is from a town in California within an hour of Sacramento. Supposedly, he plans on attending my homecoming Sacrament Meeting, but we'll have to see about that. He goes home two transfers (3 months) before me. Last transfer, he and Elder Sparks were serving in the Kingsmere area, which covers part of the Wildwood ward. Now he's serving in Oakwood area with me, and Elder Sparks is serving in Reid Road with Elder Bennett, and Reid Road and Oakwood each cover half of the Wanuskewin ward, so Elder Brown and his former companion still see each other pretty often.
Less than 60 seconds left. I'll be back in about half an hour. 'Till then!
-Elder Andrew Robarts
tick tick tick tick........
Dear Home,
....And we're back! =D I had computer problems for 5 minutes there because I was trying to log in on the wrong computer, but everything's all better now. =)
Now, where was I? Oh yeah! I was about to tell you about the new Kingsmere area.
As I told you earlier, both Elder Brown and Elder Sparks were moved out of Kingsmere area and sent here. But wait 'till I tell you who moved in! Elder Kelly, my MTC companion, and Elder Orton, around whom I served in my first transfer (The MTC doesn't count as a 'transfer' because it's so short). They're both a lot of fun. They call us every once in a while to get information about their new area from Elder Brown. What's so-and-so's phone number? Who's a good member to take to our appointment with what's-her-name? Stuff like that.
And just like that, my time is up. =( I don't like these computers that force you to stay within an hour. That's not even a rule for us anymore! =( I guess it's still a rule here. =/
Anyhow, I have to go. Thanks for reading! Hopefully I'll have a better post for you next week.
Your richly blessed missionary, Elder Andrew Robarts
The computer I'm on will only let me stay on for another 9 minutes. Man, I dislike this library! But the library I would be using is closed, so I've got to take what I can get. I don't have a lot to report anyway.
In fact... I can't think of anything to report! =S Give me a minute. I'll try to think of something...
Elder Brown is from a town in California within an hour of Sacramento. Supposedly, he plans on attending my homecoming Sacrament Meeting, but we'll have to see about that. He goes home two transfers (3 months) before me. Last transfer, he and Elder Sparks were serving in the Kingsmere area, which covers part of the Wildwood ward. Now he's serving in Oakwood area with me, and Elder Sparks is serving in Reid Road with Elder Bennett, and Reid Road and Oakwood each cover half of the Wanuskewin ward, so Elder Brown and his former companion still see each other pretty often.
Less than 60 seconds left. I'll be back in about half an hour. 'Till then!
-Elder Andrew Robarts
tick tick tick tick........
Dear Home,
....And we're back! =D I had computer problems for 5 minutes there because I was trying to log in on the wrong computer, but everything's all better now. =)
Now, where was I? Oh yeah! I was about to tell you about the new Kingsmere area.
As I told you earlier, both Elder Brown and Elder Sparks were moved out of Kingsmere area and sent here. But wait 'till I tell you who moved in! Elder Kelly, my MTC companion, and Elder Orton, around whom I served in my first transfer (The MTC doesn't count as a 'transfer' because it's so short). They're both a lot of fun. They call us every once in a while to get information about their new area from Elder Brown. What's so-and-so's phone number? Who's a good member to take to our appointment with what's-her-name? Stuff like that.
And just like that, my time is up. =( I don't like these computers that force you to stay within an hour. That's not even a rule for us anymore! =( I guess it's still a rule here. =/
Anyhow, I have to go. Thanks for reading! Hopefully I'll have a better post for you next week.
Your richly blessed missionary, Elder Andrew Robarts
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