I am not really sure where to start. I can't believe it is December. This year has FLOWN! I still remember saying goodbye to everyone in the airport and I feel like only a few weeks have gone by. But today I saw a sister that was in my group in the MTC and went to the other mission and she was buying some things to go home because she goes home in two weeks. That blew my mind. That is so weird to me that all of the people my age are starting to come home from their missions! But I'm not that worried about it because I still got six months and I plan on using every second of it.
I have a little bit more time to talk about my area. So I live out in a place called Sabana Grande de Boya. It is really far away from everything. The town isn't that bad and most of the roads are actually paved. The people are nice and humble but they really need the gospel here. The church has only been here for about 20 years. It is fairly new and looks like it. The branch isn't super strong. There are a lot of great members but it definitely lacks leadership. There is a lot of potential here. I am assigned to one third of the ward boundries because there are six missionaries here. It is super interesting to see because there are a lot of people who have never even heard of the church. I am up further in the mountains so it normally isn't as hot. I would say in the low 80s most of the time which is nice. My companion is Elder Bigler from Gilbert, Arizona. He is awesome and is a super hard worker. The area is definitely more humble but I kind of like it better because the people are naturally more humble. I have enjoyed it and am looking forward to the time I have to spend here.
I am not exactly sure where I am going to Skype on Christmas but I will find a place. If nothing else I can do it in the church like I did last year. The power doesn't go out a whole ton in the afternoon here so I don't think that will be a problem. I will keep y'all updated but I am pretty sure I can skype whenever yall want because Christmas is on pday this year which is kind of cool.
I have a lot of questions to go but I guess I can at least answer number 2 today.
2. What has been the hardest part of serving a mission so far?
This is a very hard question to answer because even though I absolutely love my mission, it is definitely the hardest thing I have ever done. I could obviously say that it is the constant heat or the uncomfortable conditions but if I am being honest, the actual hardest part of my mission, I would have to say that is learning to love the people here and knowing with no doubt that this gospel can help their lives more than anything and in the end them not accepting it. Some of the most heart crushing moments I have had in my life have been when that has happened. The hardest reason behind it is because you don't exaclty know why. Of course everyone has their agency and can do what they choose but most of the time you wonder if you could have done something better. Because you know it is true, you know it can help, but they still don't accept it and it is heart breaking. It is for that reason I always have to strive to be the best missionary I can. Because those moments are the worst.
I am happy to hear that BYU basketball is doing well! I hope they figure everything out and just go crazy next year! I am sad to hear about Ty. I hope he stays on the coaching staff.
I hope everyone is paying attention to the Light the World campain! There are so many awesome things to do every day! If you haven't watched any of the videos yet, GO WATCH DAY 19!!!! It is soo awesome!!!
I love yall a ton! I miss everyone so much! But keep doing awesome stuff and share the true spirit of Christmas!!
Love,
Elder Robertson
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| This clean water filling station is in my area right now. You can see it at the beginning of the Day 2 of the #LightTheWorld videos: https://www.mormon.org/christmas/25-ways-25-days/day-2 |
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| This is a shot of my area right now. Lots of trees |
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| Today we went to fuddruckers and that was awesome! |
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| This was a cool place right next to fuddrckers |
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| This is a giant Christmas tree we found |
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| This was what we did as a zone on Thanksgiving! |
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| This was what we did as a zone on Thanksgiving! |
