Next week we are in for a big change because we are getting a wave of new missionaries. Right now there are only 35 missionaries here, 27 of them are leaving, and 53 new ones are coming so it's about to be super crammed because this is not a very big CCM.
The 4th of July was interesting here. There are like 20 or so missionaries who are all from the US and the entire day we all dressed in Red White and Blue the best we could and we were all constantly singing American songs, I think we sang the national anthem at least 15 times. All of the Dominicans were giving us all super weird looks and thought we were all crazy. I really missed home and all the 4th festivities that go on that day. I think it was the first 4th ever that I didn't see fireworks.
The Romneys left on Monday to go to their daughter's wedding and when they left the entire CCM like shut down. We started having a bunch of problems and questions and people got sick. Nothing too serious but all of the stuff that we needed them here for started going bad the day they left. President Romney gets back this Saturday but it definitely has been an adventure having them gone.
As for the language, it's going so well. I'm learning way faster than I thought I could and I'm finding myself being able to talk to all of the locals and native Spanish speakers, I can't say a lot of things but when I don't know how to say something I either learn or try to reword it in a way that they understand.
I'm getting better at teaching. We have a super hard fake investigator who is supposed to hate God because her husband died 3 months ago, and she was doing a really good job but in the second lesson I had a feeling to share an experience so, all in Spanish, I shared an experience and had a full conversation with her about faith and hope and I came out of that lesson feeling so good.
I really do love Spanish especially singing in Spanish. I don't know what it is but I think singing the hymns in Spanish is just better and more powerful. Maybe Matt can relate to that. But I know that none of this would be possible at all without the help of the Savior and the Spirit. I'm definitely on my knees every day thanking Heavenly Father for all the help and guidance I'm receiving. Speaking of singing, thanks Matt for showing and making me listen to a bunch of Spanish music because it's scoring me a ton of points with all the native Spanish speakers that I know all of it haha.
Okay time for the doctrine part of this email. We had a devotional on Sunday from President Nelson, he had a ton of good things to say but my absolute favorite thing he said was "obedience to Heavenly Father's commandments provides spiritual and physical protection and allows us to always have the Spirit with us." I absolutely love that as a missionary. Even here at the CCM there are temptations to break the rules and just not follow one or two and I know nobody would ever know about it, but I know that is just the adversary speaking and if I follow his commandments and all of the rules then I can receive countless blessings including always having the Spirit with me which I think could prove useful on my mission.
And last thing is I would invite everyone to go read Moroni chapter 7. It is by far my new favorite chapter in the Book of Mormon. I have benefitted from it on my mission already and I think everyone else could benefit from it a lot. It is super good.
I love and miss everyone so much and can't wait to see what you guys had to say! Again I'm sorry if I didn't answer anything but I promise I will next week! I hope all is well!!
Love,
Elder Robertson
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| Elder Powell and I |
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| Awesome picture of the temple. It's so beautiful |
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| After a lesson of locking your heart, we found a giant heart with a ton of locks |
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| Random picture in front of a giant snowman outside of the CCM |
