I am in Taiwan!!! It is awesome here i love it! I can’t talk to very many people but there are still quite a few people that know English. The flight was good. I slept most of the way so it wasn’t to bad. Not very comfortable though and the food was nasty!!! haha but other than that it was good! It was crazy flying over the city seeing all of the characters on the signs. I never really had culture shock though which is pretty cool! I do have jet lag though!!! Every day at about 4, I am ready to go to bed! haha I get so tired, but in the mornings it is pretty easy to get up :)

 

My trainer is going to be awesome! He reminds me a lot of Taylor Carlson! I think it will be good and he is really helpful! We also have a member named Tony that hangs out with us pretty much all day everyday so he helps me a lot to. He is 19 and he is wanting to go on a mission but he is the only member in his family and  his parents don’t really support him. He has to wait until he is 20 to turn in his papers.

 

Taiping is kind of like Ogden i guess I would say Taizhong is more like salt lake and Taiping is like Ogden  They are bigger cities but for here that is probably what they are like. Taiping is about a 20 or 30 minute bike ride from Taizhong. Our apartment is alright everything is tile.  I will take pictures of it with my go pro this week and send them to you guys next week but my go pro has been dead soI am charging it right now. I want to use my go pro because it has a wider view and so you will be able to see more :) The one picture of the city is from our balcony in our apartment we are on the 12th floor so we can see like everything it is cool! :)

 

SHOUT OUT TO...... old man Mr. Dave Andre!! haha Happy birthday! How old are you now 38 or 39? I think :) 

 

That would be so awesome to come here after my mission. The weather right now is perfect!! It is like 20 to 22 degrees Celsius in the mornings and then gets around like 25 I think so about 70 to 80 degrees :) The humidity isn't too bad right now either! 

 

I got the pictures kaylee. She looks super cute, and ky is studly as every! :) Pretty much everyone has seen the picture of ky's show already! Everyone is super jealous and at first they did not think it is real until I show them the other pictures :) My bike is super nice to :) Things worked out fine I didn’t even get my bike or need it until Friday afternoon thanks for doing that though and just remember to put my money in my savings now haha :) 

 

Friday afternoon I met Elder Gish and we left the mission home at about 1:30 and I was teaching my first lesson at 2! They were in active members though so it wasn’t too bad :) Then we had another appointment at 3 and I got lucky again and the guy knew quite a bit of English so I could just talk to him in English but the last 10 minutes elder Gish had to leave because he scheduled another appointment that he forgot about so I had to finish the lesson by myself!!! It went pretty good though. Oh and on Thursday we ate at a place called Marihuana and had hot pot.

 

Saturday we mostly just had lessons with RC's (recent converts) and they got to know me and I got to know them a little bit! It is awesome to see how much happier the people are here that have the gospel in their life! They all just can’t stop smiling and are always so happy!  Sunday we went to church and I had to get up and introduce myself during sacrament. The bad part was during church I didn’t really understand anything so it was pretty long... :)

 

Monday, my first p day in Taiwan! :) It is 3:15 right now, earlier today we studied and then went and said bye to all the missionaries that were going to another area or going home, then we went to the mall and I finally got a soda with caffeine! They didn’t have mountain dew but I got a coke :) It tasted so good!!!! For a 20oz bottle it was 27 Kauai which is a little less than a dollar, they say 30 Kauai is about a dollar. Then I had subway for lunch which tasted super good also! That was a little expensive because it is American food, it was about 160 Kauai Usually for a full mean it is about 60 Kauai on average so we eat out quite a bit :) We get about 7500 Kauai a month so I have heard we can spend around 200 a day and be good with money.

 

Things here are so awesome, I love it here!! I probably wouldn’t want to live here but it is pretty cool! Traffic is crazy and there are so many scooters everywhere!!! One of the pictures is all the scooters on the sidewalk! The traffic rules are different!!! On bikes when the light is red we can turn left because we just "use the sidewalk. But when it is green we can’t turn left, and when the light is red you can’t turn right until it turns green.... but there are exceptions for pretty much everything and you can get around most laws :) I have only seen one crash and it was right after it happened, a scooter hit the side of a car Things are good here nothing really to complain about except I can’t communicate! That will come though! Love you guys!! :) 

Picture #1- My first companion Elder Gish.
Picture #2- Lots of scooters out here.
Picture#3- The view of Taiping from my balcony.

 

Love Elder Roberts 

 

ruan jun xiong zhanglao

阮俊雄長老

First couple of days in Taiwan.

He is the one looking away from the camera.

Finally in Taiwan!

Last MTC E-Mail

MOM RELAX!!!! gees haha they have given us a bunch of orientations and power points letting us know what to do and how to pack and all of that stuff. My mission president has also sent me letters telling us what we need in what bag, I guess we are staying at the mission home for the first couple days and we won’t have any of our luggage so we have to pack a couple days’ worth of stuff in our carry on. Elder Bird leaves the MTC at 3 tomorrow morning!!! So we say goodbye tonight kind of.

 

This week has been really good! I have been stressing quite a bit but I am super excited! :) I am going to be in Taiwan in a couple days!!!! Nothing to exciting has happened this week but it has been pretty spiritual! During our infield orientation one of the guys shared a story about two missionaries that was awesome!! The two missionaries had just started a new split and they were making their goals for what they wanted to accomplish while they were together, they decided they wanted to have 8 baptisms so they got to work! The first week they worked really hard and nothing... Second week they tried even harder and still didn't get anyone to teach. They went for 4 weeks trying and doing everything they could to get a baptism and they still came up short with nothing! Now they only have two weeks left of their transfer and they don't even have anyone to teach, they were pretty disappointed obviously and they weren't really sure what else to do. They decided to go through their day and pray on every street and ask if they should go down it or move on. They went past a couple streets doing this and didn't feel anything so they would go to the next one they finally came up to a street and felt really strongly to go to one specific house so they did. They went up to the door and knocked and waited.... and nobody came to the door. They thought for sure this was where they were supposed to be but they decided to move on. A little while later they felt like they should go back. Where they were the people really didn't like the missionaries especially if they knocked more than once so they were a little worried but decided to go back... They got to the door and knocked.... and still nobody answered!! They were so confused so they left again and felt prompted to go back and the same thing happened. They decided that was the last time as they left. They walked down the road a little ways and again felt like they should go back and by this time they were really nervous because it was their fourth time but they decided to try one more time. This time a lady answered the door and her eyes were red like she had been crying, she asked them if they were the people that knocked on her door 40 minutes ago. They answered yes kind of ashamed and apologetic. She then invited them in and told them what had happened. They found out that nobody answered the door because they were praying as a family to know what to join and what church was true, she said the missionaries were the answer to their prayers!! The family was baptized within the next two weeks!! 

 

I know this church is true and I know heavenly father is aware of each and every one of us! I know that through him we can do anything we just need to put our trust him and push on! sometimes we might not know why we are doing it or we think we shouldn't be doing it but as long as you follow the spirit and listen to heavenly father we will be where we need to be! Everything happens for a reason sometimes it’s hard to know and believe that it is or was supposed to happen but the Lord knows what’s best and knows what needs to happen! Put your faith in him and put him first and everything else will work out!

 

Love you guys hope everything is going good at home! I still can’t believe I am going to be in Taiwan soon!! I haven't started to pack yet either by the way... haha surprise :) Our laundry is almost done then I will start to pack hopefully it doesn't take too long! :)

 

Love Elder Roberts

October 21st

Last day together

The District Leader!

Last picture with the MTC District!

Elder Roberts Testimony to his brothers

September 24,2013

          It is so Awesome here ! I have met so many new people, I get to learn a new language with the lords help and all I have to do for the next two years is help people and make them happy! What a better way to spend two years of my life dedicated to the lord. This is going to help me so much in my  future I cant even express how much! There is not anything you could do that would be better for you than this!

        I know maybe you feel a mission is not for you and your exactly right!! Its not for you! Its for the lord! Just think about everything the lord has given you and all he asks is for you to give him two years of your life to bring his children back to live with him. Lets say I just left and told you where I was going but said I wasn't coming back or I left and just got lost and couldn't come back home unless you came and helped me get on the right path. Are you going to tell mom and dad it just isn't for you? Or would you come help me get back home? That is what we are doing for God is helping his children to return to him. So they can live with their families forever and for all eternity! We leave our families for 2 years so others can be together forever! I know if you put the lord first things will always work out better than if you don't. He will take care of you, Have Faith!

      Read your Patriarchal blessing that will help! If you pray and read your scriptures I know you will get answers. Be worthy and prepare yourself so if you decide to go you can!! It will be the best thing you could do for yourself! And for others! Hopefully you will be blessed to get to learn a language! Maybe mandarin so we could talk secretly! haha

      I know this is a very hard choice and a BIG one, believe me I really want to be home with you guys and starting my life, but right now there are people in Taiwan that need me! Sometimes you have to put others first and when you do you will find out it makes you a lot happier!

      I love you man and I just want the best for you and I know a mission is Hard! Its really Hard!! But good things don't come easy! I know if you put your heart and truly try to know if you should serve a mission you will get an answer! Read the scriptures a lot and start with a prayer it is amazing how much more you get out of it! I know if you live worthily and live church standards (watch what music you listen to and watch what you think and say)  you will want to serve and want to share the greatness of this gospel!

     All we are doing is talking to people about what makes us happy! It is amazing how strong the spirit is and what it can do for you if you listen to it!!

     TRUST IN THE LORD AND PUT HIM FIRST AND THINGS  WILL WORK OUT!!

                 I LOVE YOU BROS,

                         Love your older brother, Elder Roberts

Uplifting messages and some of my favorite Scriptures

Mormon messages:

-Origins
-Enemy Territory
-The will of god
-Rescued by Christ
-Good things to come
-Within the bounds

Scriptures I love:


-Ephesians 5:8
-Moroni 10:32
-D&C 20:32
-2 Nephi 31:20
-2 Nephi 32:8-9
- D&C 21:9
-D&C  24:8,12
-Alma 32:26-28
-Helaman 10:7
-Helaman 3:28
-D&C 9:8-9
-D&C 8:2-3
-D&C 10-5
-1 Corinthians 13:11

Aug. 24

      This is so HARD!! Ky and Brett get studying and preparing to serve so its not so hard. It will be the best/hardest thing you will ever do! People told me that but I didn't realize how Hard it would be! I know it will get better once I learn the language. My companions are great and same with my district and I get to see Jax everyday so that helps a lot!

     I know God answers prayers he has given me two awesome companions, one is really good at Chinese so he is a huge help to us. My feelings are everywhere I go from feeling on top of the world to so overwhelmed and just want to sleep but then when I'm not sure what to do someone says something or I read something that helps me feel better  and comforts me. It just shows me how much god pays attention to us and knows how to help us! Your letters really helped today! It picked me up and motivated me again! The more letters the better! Its crazy to think I will be gone for two whole years!! I love this gospel!!

We also have started teaching discussions in Chinese after 2 days! Its pretty bad! But I guess we have to start somewhere. Luckily Elder Dawson is good at Chinese so he carries us through.  I'm slowly chugging along, everyday I understand a little bit more or can pick out more words that they are saying. 1 corintians 9:19

            To end I want to leave to quotes with you that Edler Anderson gave when he spoke to us "After our trials, come many blessings!" and "We sacrifice the things we love and we love the things we sacrifice ." Love you!

            I love you all, Elder Roberts

August 22,2013

      

         Well its 7:45am my first morning here! We have some personal time while the mission president does interviews. During mine he asked a lot about you guys!  A mission is one of the best and hardest thing you will ever do! I know some may think its not for them and its not, its for the lord, and for all the people you help bring unto Christ. It just happens to be really awesome for you too! Get a testimony now! I love you guys!
        The first day was rough! But I can do this!! I finally saw Jaxon (Elder Hansen) today at breakfast!! It made me feel so good to hug him and see someone I knew! It helped comfort me ALOT! It sounds like we will see each other often. He says we will meal times together and workout time and P days. So hopefully! I also saw Elder Jake Groberg!

                              Love you all,
                                      Elder Roberts

August 21, 2013

Dear Fam,


    WOW!!! The first day here has been crazy! When I left you guys the Elder started to tell me what was going to happen my first day at the MTC, I really didn't hear a thing he said because I was thinking I'm really doing this!! I think I was kind of in shock. Anyway he took me to get my name tag and a lot of Mandarin books and stuff. So that was exciting! Then we went to my room and put my bags in there and left! Drop and run! He took me over to the building where my classroom was and told me where to sit in Chinese! They had already started class when I got there, it had been in session for an hour. So I was really lost during the entire class! (They only spoke  Chinese) Then we went and listened to some talks in English, that was really nice! Then it was time for dinner, we had chicken cordon blue. Yummy! Then we had a little bit of free time, but not even enough to finish unpacking. Then headed back to classes. I was exhausted by 6:00! We meet our zone leader and gave us a tour and told us what was going on between 8-9:30. Its 10:00 now and I just got unpacked and I'm writing you this letter. I actually was given two companions and there are only three of us in our room. They both seem really cool. I hope I answered all your worries mom. Ask if you have and questions. I love you guys!


                                       Love, Elder Roberts

    

Elder Roberts and Elder Hansen the day before Elder Hansen leaves to Australia!

Weeks 4-8

September 9/2013

Monday September 9/2013

Yesterday was my third Sunday away from home!! I was sitting in sacrament and it hit me and I kind of started to miss you guys a little bit!! ;) I never got sick over the last week so that was good! Almost my entire district got sick though!! There are 11 of us 4 sisters and 7 elders. So yesterday we were walking to our room to get treats before we had a devotional and we noticed a car had a flat tire and an old guy was about to fix it, we almost kept walking but then decided to ask if he need help. While we were helping him fix it we noticed he had two fake legs!!! There would have been no way he could have done it by himself! It was pretty neat to help him and it felt good :) So has Brett got his permit? How did kys game go? On Saturday night we could hear the fans cheering at the BYU game! It made me miss you guys and I wish I could be there to see that stud play! How is his knee doing? So one fun thing I have to look forward to every night before I go to bed is Elder Dawson turning off the lights!! It is so funny! When he turns them off he runs to his bed and jumps on it but when he goes to take off his eyes get really big and his eyebrows go up and he gets a really creepy smile then the lights shut off! It is so funny because you only see it for a couple seconds then its gone; it gives me and elder Bird a good laugh every night! :) Elder Bird and I get along really good! I wasn’t too sure about him at first but now we are really close! We have a lot in common! There isn’t anything to exciting happening here. It is pretty much the same thing every day.... it is getting old... ha-ha I am excited to leave, but it is alright I still don’t know the language very good but I am learning a lot!

First P day

So its my first p day and things were alot busier than i thought they would be!! But mom you will be happy to know that i successfully did my first thing of laundry and folded it and put it away all by myself! :P haha So last nights devotional was awesome!! it was the mtc president that spoke to us he told us how hard a mission was but the sooner you get lost in the work the faster it will go and not to have any regrets when you are flying home! It was really really good! then we watched a movie of elder Bednar, he talked on charactor of christ which was really good! I see Elder Hansen and Elder Groberg like every day! Its so weird and hard to call them that hahaha but it helps so much to see them! jaxon is going to send you a picture of us today i haven got any pictures of us yet but I have some of me and my district and companions that i will try to send! :) lao shi (teacher) is really nice all of the people here are so welcoming and want to help you with what ever they can my branch President is way cool to! About the shoes idk if you will get this before I don't need soccer shoes but if you have already sent them that's fine i will definitely use them but the free runs i will really need! let ky know i havent gone into the weight room yet we have only had an hour friday and an hour saturday so far and friday we couldnt use the gym and Saturday all the mandarin elders got together to play a big game of kick ball which was pretty fun but i got stung by a bee.... haha oh well :) the food has been alright some meals are really good and some aren't to appetizing haha but for the most part there is something to eat! Me and my companions get together really good! one is really good at chinese already, his mom is from taiwan and would always speak chinese to him he just doesnt know very much church words so that makes it kinda hard but he carries us though the discussions! He is from bountiful. my other companion is down on my level and we are both struggling quite a bit compared to the rest of the class but all of them knew alot before they came here but he is from oklahoma and he is going to canada. so the asian is elder dawson and the oklahoma elder is elder bird we all are different but we all get along pretty good! we havent had any problems yet so thats good! Im having a good experience here but it is really hard! i will be doing fine and then all of a sudden get really home sick but there is always something that picks me back up which shows how much the lord is watching over me right now! I know there isnt anything better i could be doing right now! :) make sure you guys take care of Saige for me please! :) love all of you!! Much love Elder Roberts!! :)

MTC Drop Off August 21, 2013

Being Set Apart As A Missionary

It's Here! April 10, 2013