Forever Young

Hello friends and family

As probably most of you know, my Grandpa John passed away a week ago today. In typical John fashion, he was working until his last day, helping a neighbor just hours before passing. I dont want to talk too much about what happened, but I want to touch on my feelings for him.

I have a lot of people in my life who have made a large influence in my life spiritually, mentally, etc. but I can only think of a few people who are as high on the list as he is. Although he wasn't perfect, he got pretty close. After receiving the call about him passing, I sat down at my desk to make a list of his attributes that I want to emulate, and believe it or not, they are all of the christlike attributes. Nobody worked harder, loved more, and was more charitable than grandpa John, and I plan on carrying that legacy of love and hardwork with me to share this glorious gospel with the people of Ecuador. 

now to my week!

first off, my face is looking much better. I haven't walked into a single wall this week. 

On wednesday we got to go do some service at the bishops moms house. we aren't exactly sure why there is so much dirt and huge pile of rocks in her backyard, but I gladdy grabbed a shovel and started filling bags. We were going for probably a solid 2 hours, I got 5 blisters (my poor baby hands) and I could not get enough! so good to do some manual labor again!

As for the language, it is slowly coming day at a time, but this week I was able to help in the lessons more than ever before! it was so awesome! for the most part, I can understand all of what people are saying if they are talking about church stuff, but normal everyday conversations are full of words that I dont know quite yet. baby steps!

I am doing awesome and everyday it just gets better, I know this church is true and that I have angels by my side. I know why I am here and there is no where else I would rather be. I belong to an amazing family who also knows and loves this glorious gospel and I would not be where I am today without the love and strength that they give me.

Love,

Elder Roberts

 this backyard is so full of junk its so funny! we had to fill bags of dirt and carry them through the house to but it in the back of the bishops little truck!

 The people here just put their dogs on the roofs. while contacting the other day we saw this cute guy watching us and I couldn't not take a picture.

 this here is Fausto, he is the closest thing I have to grandpa John, he has a tool and joke for everything and loves going with us to visit our investigators. he talks really fast and is missing most of his teeth, but slowly I understand a little bit more and slowly I am helping him learn english. he has "nice to meet you" down like a pro!

he missionaries here love to decorate their planners and preach my gospels with different pictures and stuff. 

on the back of my spanish one I have a picture of the barges from the jaredites and above it I wrote "be still my soul" to remember that I can be calm even when there is a storm around me.

my english one has Christ in Gethsemane, to help me remember why I am here and to help me push through the hard days.

On the back of my planner I have a family holding hands and walking and above that I wrote "All in this together" to help me remember that my family and I are always together. on the front I have a castle cause it looks cool