Dear Home,
How's the weather in California? Here in Regina, the weather is cold, sometimes breezy, and buried in snow. It's not TOO much fun, especially since missionaries don't get to go skating or sledding or building snowmen. Well, I guess we could build a snowman on Christmas, but I'd rather spend the day inside. =P We'll be with good people and having a good time, so it's something to look forward to. ^^
Also somewhat related to Christmas, I plan on calling home at around 4pm Saskatchewan time on Christmas. You'll have to figure out what time that'll be for you and see if it'll work out. I already told Mom our cell phone number, just in case ya'll need a change in plans, but I think that 4 my time will work out for all of us, based off of what I've been told.
In other news, last week I warned you that we would be getting our transfer calls last weekend. We did. Both Elder Higginson and I are staying in the area. Elder Higginson thought that he was going to be transferred to Winnipeg. I hope he's not too disappointed. I think he's really needed here. He's been doing lots of work with less-active members of the ward, and I've been getting into it as well. There are quite a few less-active members that we've been helping to become more active, and a lot of them were at church this past Sunday, including at least three members who probably hadn't been to a Sacrament meeting in years. It's so good to see them coming to church again, and I think it's really helping the ward, too, to see many of their old friends coming back. It's a good way to help the ward catch the spirit of missionary work. It's exciting. =)
I'm really looking forward to Christmas, but, unfortunately, my Emailing time is up, so instead of telling you why I'm looking forward to Christmas this week, I'll tell you why I enjoyed Christmas next week. =)
'Till then, have a great week and happy holidays!
Love, your caroling missionary, Elder Andrew Robarts
Monday, December 20, 2010
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
December 13, 2010
Dear Home,
I was almost overwhelmed when I saw how many Emails I had. Lots of love! I feel very blessed. ^^ Unfortunately, I've got so much mail that I don't have time to read all of it, and I have a few important items of business to discuss (wait, "discuss"? This is a letter! You can't discuss things over just one letter. But anyway,) so I might not be able to write about anything worth reading for those of you who like hearing the testimonies and insights that I sometimes include in my Emails.
First item of business: Possibly important medical information. My mission president's wife, Sister Paulson, is a mom. As such, she is full of motherly concern and advice for those that she cares about, including me. See, my acne hasn't cleared up yet, and for some reason or another, she has decided to see to it that that changes. Therefore, for the past... what? Month? She has been urging me to see a dermatologist, which I finally did. It's funny how both Sister Paulson and my Mom were very persistent in pushing me in the right direction, despite my lack of will to move. Anyway, her stubbornness paid off. I went to see a doctor, and he put me back on Accutane. I was prescribed Accutane on December 8th and I started taking it on the following morning. I've been faithful with it so far, and (unlike all those other times before my mission when I lacked the will-power to see any project through to completion) I plan to keep taking it until my doctor(s?) and I decide that I don't need it anymore. We're starting with one 40mg tablet daily for one month. After that, we'll just have to see where we're at. So far, the only effects that I'm getting from those pills are side effects (drying, reddening, itching skin, but a good cream is helping with all of those except the reddening), but one thing I've learned on my mission is the importance of patient diligence, so I WILL complete this skin treatment, guaranteed (unless those who care about me back at home think it's a bad idea.)
Second item of business: The Christmas Phone Call. I looked at a map and, if I'm not mistaken, I'm two hours ahead of California time, but it would be best for you at home to double-check that, since you have access to a whole internet of information. It's about 4 O clock Saskatchewan time while I'm writing this. Some family members have suggested "Late Afternoon", and I'm fine with that. "Late Afternoon" for you will probably be "Early Evening" for me, with 4 O clock Cali time turning into 6 O clock Saska time, but I would LOVE for somebody, anybody, everybody to double-check that (I've been wrong before). Elder Higginson and I are somewhat flexible, and if I remember Christmases at home correctly, you'll be hanging out in one house long enough that it really doesn't matter when, exactly, the call takes place. If you have a specific time-frame in mind, please let me know by next week.
Here's some good news: The call is not going to cost anyone anything, and here's why: A very nice family that we've been helping out with renovations has offered us a place to spend Christmas Day at their home, and the man of the house mentioned that he has a wonderful Long-Distance phone plan. This sounds familiar. I think I told you this before. Anyhow, I'll probably be calling you from his house.
Third and final item of business: This is more of a formality, really. The Week Five Warning. Yep, it's that time again. =/ The transfer will be ending soon and we'll (likely) be receiving our transfer calls this Sunday. So why is this not so important? Because even though we'll be getting our calls this weekend, we won't actually be moving until a week after that, I think around the 28th or 29th. So it'll probably be best to not to send any mail to the apartment after about a week. I'll remind you again then, if I remember. I just made a note in my planner. I'll probably remember. ;) Planners are so handy. I'll definitely need one when I get home.
Anyhow, I think my time is about up. It's scary how busy we missionaries are on our "Day Off". Then again, I guess that's normal. At least, that's how it always seemed to be back at home.
In any case, I love you all a bunch! Have a great Christmas! I can't wait to hear my family's voices again in a little more than a week. It's exciting! =D
Love, your overly-warm-wearing-his-wonderfully-good-jacket-indoors-for-too-long missionary,
I was almost overwhelmed when I saw how many Emails I had. Lots of love! I feel very blessed. ^^ Unfortunately, I've got so much mail that I don't have time to read all of it, and I have a few important items of business to discuss (wait, "discuss"? This is a letter! You can't discuss things over just one letter. But anyway,) so I might not be able to write about anything worth reading for those of you who like hearing the testimonies and insights that I sometimes include in my Emails.
First item of business: Possibly important medical information. My mission president's wife, Sister Paulson, is a mom. As such, she is full of motherly concern and advice for those that she cares about, including me. See, my acne hasn't cleared up yet, and for some reason or another, she has decided to see to it that that changes. Therefore, for the past... what? Month? She has been urging me to see a dermatologist, which I finally did. It's funny how both Sister Paulson and my Mom were very persistent in pushing me in the right direction, despite my lack of will to move. Anyway, her stubbornness paid off. I went to see a doctor, and he put me back on Accutane. I was prescribed Accutane on December 8th and I started taking it on the following morning. I've been faithful with it so far, and (unlike all those other times before my mission when I lacked the will-power to see any project through to completion) I plan to keep taking it until my doctor(s?) and I decide that I don't need it anymore. We're starting with one 40mg tablet daily for one month. After that, we'll just have to see where we're at. So far, the only effects that I'm getting from those pills are side effects (drying, reddening, itching skin, but a good cream is helping with all of those except the reddening), but one thing I've learned on my mission is the importance of patient diligence, so I WILL complete this skin treatment, guaranteed (unless those who care about me back at home think it's a bad idea.)
Second item of business: The Christmas Phone Call. I looked at a map and, if I'm not mistaken, I'm two hours ahead of California time, but it would be best for you at home to double-check that, since you have access to a whole internet of information. It's about 4 O clock Saskatchewan time while I'm writing this. Some family members have suggested "Late Afternoon", and I'm fine with that. "Late Afternoon" for you will probably be "Early Evening" for me, with 4 O clock Cali time turning into 6 O clock Saska time, but I would LOVE for somebody, anybody, everybody to double-check that (I've been wrong before). Elder Higginson and I are somewhat flexible, and if I remember Christmases at home correctly, you'll be hanging out in one house long enough that it really doesn't matter when, exactly, the call takes place. If you have a specific time-frame in mind, please let me know by next week.
Here's some good news: The call is not going to cost anyone anything, and here's why: A very nice family that we've been helping out with renovations has offered us a place to spend Christmas Day at their home, and the man of the house mentioned that he has a wonderful Long-Distance phone plan. This sounds familiar. I think I told you this before. Anyhow, I'll probably be calling you from his house.
Third and final item of business: This is more of a formality, really. The Week Five Warning. Yep, it's that time again. =/ The transfer will be ending soon and we'll (likely) be receiving our transfer calls this Sunday. So why is this not so important? Because even though we'll be getting our calls this weekend, we won't actually be moving until a week after that, I think around the 28th or 29th. So it'll probably be best to not to send any mail to the apartment after about a week. I'll remind you again then, if I remember. I just made a note in my planner. I'll probably remember. ;) Planners are so handy. I'll definitely need one when I get home.
Anyhow, I think my time is about up. It's scary how busy we missionaries are on our "Day Off". Then again, I guess that's normal. At least, that's how it always seemed to be back at home.
In any case, I love you all a bunch! Have a great Christmas! I can't wait to hear my family's voices again in a little more than a week. It's exciting! =D
Love, your overly-warm-wearing-his-wonderfully-good-jacket-indoors-for-too-long missionary,
Elder Andrew Robarts
PS almost forgot!
Actually, I did forget, but I was reminded. President Paulson said to keep our phone calls "About 45 minutes". I don't know whether or not I plan to adhere to that, especially considering the size of our family and the fact that the call will be free. I probably won't be watching the clock during our phone call, but I just thought that I should let you know what President Paulson said, just in case you have an opinion on this topic.
Love you lots! ((hugs))
Love you lots! ((hugs))
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
December 6, 2010
Dear Home,
I love Christmas. ^^ Especially the music. =) The Christmas lights are wonderful, too.
We recently had the privilege of attending a few Christmas parties. The first one was for all the missionaries in Saskatchewan. We heard some inspiring messages and some inspired counsel, and then we played Christmas songs with specially-tuned bells, ate- a lot- and watched 'It's a Wonderful Life'. I was surprised and shocked at how much kissing there was in that movie. I probably only noticed that because I'm a missionary and missionaries don't kiss. Not 'till we get home, anyway. =P
Right after the missionary Christmas party in Saskatoon, we traveled back down to Regina and caught the tail end of the Wascana Ward Christmas party. Mostly we got the Putting Stuff Away, After-Party-Socializing, and Going Home With Many Big Ziplock Bags Full of Leftovers part of the party. There was a new Filipino family there, and the next day, they attended church for the very first time. =D They're a really great family, and they love the members of this ward, mostly because the members were so friendly at the party. There are quite a few members in this ward who speak their language (I know of at least 3 or 4 by name), so that helped things to go smoothly. I look forward to teaching that family soon and bringing them into the fold of God. They're practically in the fold already! All they need now is to be taught the missionary lessons and to be baptized to make it official. I know it's going to happen. This family is wonderful.
In other news, I'm working on Humility right now. I thought I was already pretty good at being humble, but I guess there's room for improvement. Of course, the difficult question is how to increase my humility while also improving my self-esteem. Any suggestions?
Ack! I have to go. Dinner appointment very soon. I'm starting to think I may be a little TOO blessed! But at least we're not going hungry. =)
I love you! Merry Christmas!
Love, your holly jolly missionary, Elder Andrew Robarts
I love Christmas. ^^ Especially the music. =) The Christmas lights are wonderful, too.
We recently had the privilege of attending a few Christmas parties. The first one was for all the missionaries in Saskatchewan. We heard some inspiring messages and some inspired counsel, and then we played Christmas songs with specially-tuned bells, ate- a lot- and watched 'It's a Wonderful Life'. I was surprised and shocked at how much kissing there was in that movie. I probably only noticed that because I'm a missionary and missionaries don't kiss. Not 'till we get home, anyway. =P
Right after the missionary Christmas party in Saskatoon, we traveled back down to Regina and caught the tail end of the Wascana Ward Christmas party. Mostly we got the Putting Stuff Away, After-Party-Socializing, and Going Home With Many Big Ziplock Bags Full of Leftovers part of the party. There was a new Filipino family there, and the next day, they attended church for the very first time. =D They're a really great family, and they love the members of this ward, mostly because the members were so friendly at the party. There are quite a few members in this ward who speak their language (I know of at least 3 or 4 by name), so that helped things to go smoothly. I look forward to teaching that family soon and bringing them into the fold of God. They're practically in the fold already! All they need now is to be taught the missionary lessons and to be baptized to make it official. I know it's going to happen. This family is wonderful.
In other news, I'm working on Humility right now. I thought I was already pretty good at being humble, but I guess there's room for improvement. Of course, the difficult question is how to increase my humility while also improving my self-esteem. Any suggestions?
Ack! I have to go. Dinner appointment very soon. I'm starting to think I may be a little TOO blessed! But at least we're not going hungry. =)
I love you! Merry Christmas!
Love, your holly jolly missionary, Elder Andrew Robarts
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