The Week of The Gift of the Holy Ghost, Elote, and Packing

Hello all!

Well.... the time has come. I'm moving from my baby area, Hemet. I'm not sure how I feel about it. I'm moving to Corona. As far as I've heard, it's a half bike, half car area. My new companion is going to be Sister Meza. Meanwhile, the ward I'm currently in is being split back in half. Sister Garlitz is staying here and her new companion is Sister Blanchard. Sister Moore is going to Anza to finish Sister Rodriguez's training. And two elders are coming in to our ward. So, the ghetto apartment we live in now is being given to the Elders along with bikes, and the sisters are moving to a wayyyyy nicer apartment in a different ward, and they get to keep the car. :) It's going to be interesting, but great!

Linda was confirmed yesterday and received the gift of the Holy Ghost! She is doing INCREDIBLE. The best part of being a missionary, in my opinion, is getting to see people's lives turn around and get SO much better as they lean upon Jesus Christ. It's incredibly humbling and touching. It really builds your own testimony as you teach them. It helps you remember and see first hand how the Gospel of Jesus Christ honestly, truly, saves and changes lives. <3 I'm so proud of Linda.

I said goodbye to everyone in my ward yesterday. It was SUPER hard. I have fallen in love with Valle Vista/Hemet. Even though it's ghetto and dangerous, the people are incredible. I'm looking forward to where I'm going, but it's really hard to leave this place behind. I said goodbye to the Macias family and we all cried. <3 They are AMAZING. They have come so far, and honestly, I feel like they've changed my life.

This week we picked up an awesome investigator, and almost picked up two more (we have return appointments with them and they're excited to learn more, but we didn't have an official first lesson, so it doesn't QUITE count). They're all amazing! One of them has two pet pigs and one of them is going to have piglets soon! <3 <3 <3 <3 I almost died. Seriously. The other is a family that just moved here from San Diego. They're SO awesome and are ready to learn! And Jean, the one we actually picked up, is the sweetest lady ever. <3

Well, I don't really have much more to say. Mission life is insane. It's stressful and crazy, but worth every minute of it. <3 Next time you hear from me, I'll be in Corona. I'm all packed and I'll be leaving here in a couple of hours. Sister Moore actually packed most of my stuff cause I was going insane and didn't really know how to pack all of my stuff up. I have an entire suitcase dedicated solely to my desk stuff.... yeah. Anywho...

I love you all SO much! 

Sister Roberts 

  I've been in Cali for like 5 months and still haven't taken a picture of a palm tree. Till now. This is outside our ghetto apartment. :) (that we love!)

  We track when it rains. <3 Surprisingly, I love tracting. Our adorable rainboots! 

 Shout out to my Daddy, DJ Roberts. :) (He's a legit DJ incase you didn't know. Check out Diamond Music Catering for your next event that needs a Dj. He's the best in the West!)

 This is Elote! It is AMAZING. It's Mexican corn covered in butter, mayo, Parmesan cheese, hot chili sauce, and chili powder, and lime juice. It sounds soooo weird, but trust me, it's the most amazing thing EVER.

 This is called a mangonada. It's SO GOOD. It's mango icecream, covered in this sweet/kinda spicy red sauce, with Mexican Candy. Again, sounds weird, but is incredible.

 Sister Garlitz really enjoys Elote. :) 

  Sister Moore is the one who told me about Elote. She quite enjoys it. :) 

 Close up of the top of Mangonada. It has fresh mango and tamarind candies and more sauce. :) 

The Easter Bunny (Sister Moore) came to our apartment. <3

SURPRISE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Soooo...... I told a little fib to you all last week on accident..... I told you Linda's baptism had been moved to this coming Saturday... (it did).... turns out a rule we thought existed doesn't actually exist. So. She was interviewed this last week and she was baptized yesterday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Huzzah!!!!!!!!!!! :) I am so excited for her, you guys. I can't even tell you. She is such an amazing person and she'll be getting confirmed as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost on EASTER!!!!!!!!!!! :) I am so happy I can't even tell you.

So Linda really was sick, and actually gave it to both Sister Garlitz and I. We spent two days inside because we got hit by a bus. But we're both healthy now! :) Thanks heavens for health. That's all I'm saying.

Nothing else really happened this week, other than exhcanges! We went on exchanges again with our Sister Training Leaders. I went to Riverside to the Canyon Crest ward with Sister Cozzens while my companions stayed here with Hermana Rutherford. I had a great time! Sister Cozzens is amazing! She helped me so much and I learned a great deal from her.

I've been listening to this song a lot this week, and it's really helped and gotten me through. I thought you all might enjoy the lyrics. :) 
"

Lyrics

1. Where is my solace
   When other sources cease to make me whole?
   When with a wounded heart, anger, or malice,
   I draw myself apart,
   Searching my soul.
2. Where, when my aching grows,
   Where, when I languish,
   Where, in my need to know, where can I run?
   Where is the quiet hand to calm my anguish?
   Who, who can understand?
   He, only One.
3. He answers privately,
   Reaches my reaching
   In my Gethsemane, Savior and Friend.
   Gentle the peace he finds for my beseeching.
   Constant he is and kind,
   Love without end.

I love you all so much! <3 



Love, 

Sister Roberts 

 Sister Moore yelling at a horse cause it was sassy.

 Us and Linda at her baptism!!! <3 Sister Garlitz is on the far left. 

  From left to right: Bishop, Brother Jones (ward mission leader. We owe him our lives. Just saying), Linda, Brother Kiselburg, Brother VanJindelt

  I can put my finger through my shoe.... NBD.

 #MissionaryLife #WeWalkALOT #WorthIt

 Sister Turners amazing art skills that we can't erase.

Temple Weeks Are My Favorite Weeks

Hola!

This week has been a blur! Things have been kind of crazy! But amazing. :) We went to the temple this week and it was AMAZING. It was exactly the thing I needed. The temple helps us feel so much peace. I can't even describe it. I walk in there, and it's like I'm finally home. Truly home. It's God's house, so I can see why it's so amazing. The Redlands temple is tiny, but incredible nonetheless. As you travel to the temple, you can't help but feel the weight of the world on your shoulders. You feel the burdens of your family, your friends, your investigators, and those you care about. But as you walk through the doors, you feel the Savior lift those burdens from you. I am so incredibly grateful for the temple. It's my favorite place in the whole world. As a missionary, I've come to have a much deeper understanding of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. And because of Him, we are able to have these temples where the work of salvation is done and where families are sealed together for time and all eternity. I am forever grateful. 

Speaking of temples, the Macias family went to the temple this past Saturday to do baptisms! I can't even tell you how full my heart is. The told us about their experience with tears in their eyes, because of the Spirit that was felt there. Victor Sr did work for his father. He was telling us about it and you could see that it had changed him. Tears rolled down his cheeks and he said "I finally know that this is God's church. The temple helped me know that". On TOP of that, he finished the Book of Mormon on Sunday! We taught them Sunday afternoon, and he told me "3rd Nephi sealed the deal for me. I was reading it, and I just felt the Spirit confirm to my heart that I had found Christ's church. I have been searching all my life, and I've found it". Tears came to my eyes, guys. I couldn't help it. I do so much more tear shedding as a missionary than I ever did as a Gentile (in mission terms, we use the word "gentile" to denote our time before and after the mission. So, my first name "Sydney" is my Gentile name. I'm now called Sister Roberts). My heart is so full. <3 

We also picked up an investigator! His name is William! He's a Jehovah Witness, but doesn't seem to active in his religion. He was a referral from a friend, and when we knocked on his door he asked us to come back on Sunday. Well, we did, not expecting much, and he was all ready! He had been waiting for us and was so excited to hear about our message of Jesus Christ! We had him listen to the new Easter Video (He's blind, so he couldn't see it) and he loved it! Here's the link to the video. https://www.mormon.org/easter?cid=HP_SU_3-13-2016_dMIS_fSPC_xLIDyL1-A_

It's such a great video! Make sure you watch it and share it with your friends and those who need a pick me up. <3 It's only 2 minutes long and shows people from all around the world! It really helps you feel the Spirit. Anywho, William loved the video, invited us to come back and share more, and then gave us some oranges from his tree :) He's the sweetest, coolest, awesomest dude ever. Can't wait to go back and teach him! :) 

Linda is super sick :( She missed her interview and church because of the flu. We moved her baptism back to the day before Easter. :) What better time to get baptized and show Heavenly Father that you want to follow His son, Jesus Christ, than Easter?? Other than that, she's doing pretty great. <3 I'm so proud of how far she's come. :)

We ate dinner at the Chadwells on Saturday night. They are the craziest, funniest people ever. Sister Chadwell is Creole. Her food is fantastic, but it usually gives me an upset stomach. XD They all call us "elders" because they think that's what missionaries are called. hahahaha we don't have the heart to break the truth to them, so we just let them do it. :) She taught us about P.H.A.T meaning: Pretty Hot and Tempting. Apparently it's an adjective. Loving it!

On a sad note, I was notified today that my favorite science teacher in the whole world, Mr. Trople, passed away last week unexpectedly at age 42. To my MMACHS family, I want you to know that I love you guys so much. And I'm there in spirit. Mr Trople, I'm so sorry I never got to tell you in person how grateful I am to have had a teacher like you. You built a love of science in your students and you cared more about us than I think we will ever understand. I'm sorry I never apologized for being the worst student ever, but know that the lessons you taught more than prepared me for college, they prepared me for life. You are already dearly loved and missed. We'll see you in the next life <3

I know that Christ lives. I know He is my Savior. And I know that because He overcame death, we too, will overcome death. "In Christ alone, my hope is found. He is my light, my strength, my song. This cornerstone, this solid ground. Firm through the fiercest drought and storm. My comforter, my all in all. Here in the love of Christ, I stand". I add my testimony to all of those who have gone before me. Because of Him, I never have to fear. I will never go through this life alone. He has felt every pain, every heartache, every fear, every sadness, and every disappointment that I have felt, feel, and will feel. He also has felt yours. Through His infinite love, grace, and mercy, we can walk through life with joy knowing that we can return to live with our Father in Heaven.

I love you all so much! 

Sister Roberts 

 Pic 1: Redlands Temple trip!

 Pic 2: Our photographer, Sister Wuehler, told us to do a hair flip. This is the result...

Pic 3: Sister Turner's amazing work. <3 Miss you boo!

Puppies, Googley Eyes, and VIP Access to Church Material

Yo yo yo yo! What's up, Idaho??

This week has been interesting. Odd, but good. We ended up going to Riverside again for another thing, BUT we successfully stayed in the mission! #MissionAccomplished

I really love Riverside. It's so much... bigger with more culture and diversity and places to go and things to see. I really hope I get to serve up there sometime in my mission. It's quite beautiful too! Plus, I want to be out of Hemet by the time summer starts up. Hemet is the hottest part of the mission. Anza/Idyllwild is the coolest (it's on a mountain, the sisters who serve there get a pick up truck to drive). So! I want to be there for the summer. But Heavenly Father knows where I need to be, I don't (as much as I think I do sometimes). But Hemet IS wonderful :) I have the best ward known to mankind. Just saying. Valle Vista is incredible. The members here are mostly converts and they are just.... amazing people. <3 They warm my heart so much.

We've made some progress with our investigator Linda! She's on date to be baptized on March 20th! She is SO excited. She wishes it could be tomorrow. :) She met the Bishop of our ward yesterday and was a little starstruck. ;) She loves the Gospel so much. Linda has more faith than I've ever really see a person have. She just leaves it all up to God and does her part at the same time. She works hard and knows God loves her and is looking out for her. She doesn't get tripped up on little things and instead looks to the large picture. I swear she teaches us more than we teach her. We taught her about the Word of Wisdom! SHE LOVED IT! She said, "well everything makes sense! But what about Tea and Coffee? Those aren't bad!" We explained to her the idea of addiction and how Heavenly Father wants us to be free from those, even if it's coffee. We all know people who can't wake up without their "cup of Jo" in the morning. When we mentioned that, she was like "OH! That makes so much sense! God doesn't want us to be enslaved to substances! He wants us to respect our bodies and be healthy so we can be closer to Him!". Not even kidding. She. Is. Amazing. I was like "Exactly! You are so good!" and was just so excited :) And then she said "God is just SO good! He really looks out for us!". My heart was so touched. As members of the Church, we take a lot of this stuff for granted, or even rebel against the love and compassion God has for us. We think that the commandments that God has given us are restrictions on our fun and freedom, when in reality, they are the things that make us free. Because we KNOW that we shouldn't drink alcohol, smoke or use tobacco, or other addictive substances, we know that we are free from addictions that control and destroy lives, bodies, and families. Because we know about the Law of Chastity and that we shouldn't have intimate relationships before marriage and remain completely faithful and loyal to your spouse after marriage, we're free from abortion, STDS, teen pregnancy, heart break, and common causes of divorce. These laws that we have are hard to live. But the consequences that come from NOT living them are even harder. God wants to spare us the heartache, but He will never take away our freedom to choose. So, He guides us and gives us commandments to spare us as much as we are willing to be spared. How beautiful is that?? <3

We've been working with a couple other investigators as well. I can't remember if I ever told you guys about Bear, but he's an awesome guy. He's best friends with the bishop of our ward. He has a handlebar mustache, a pony tale, rides a Harley, and wears leather. He's also the kindest, most whimsical human ever. You should see him with little kids. It's adorable. He's the kind of guy that would put on a tiara and pink feather boa to make his daughter happy as he sips water out of a little plastic cup with his pinkie up for their pretend tea party. It's. So. Cute. He's a little be more slow progressing as an investigator, but he's made huge strides since we started teaching him. Slow and steady wins the race. We want to baptize converts, true converts. And being truly converted takes time. :)

We're also teaching Kim, but we just picked her up this week. I wasn't at the first lesson because we went on splits so we could get twice as much work done. I went and taught a less active member with Sister Moore while Sister Garlitz taught Kim with a member. According to Sister G, it went well. So we'll see how everything progresses. :)

Update on the Macias Family!!!!! Both Victor Sr and Victor Jr got the priesthood! Victor Jr passed the sacrament this week and I teared up. <3 It's incredible to see the growth in people you teach. They all got their temple recommends (except Ruby, she's only 10) and we SO excited to show us! This Saturday, our ward is having a "New and Returning Members Temple Day" so all the new people can go together to the temple and participate in some of the ordinances done there! They are SO excited and I'm so excited for them! Only 11 more months until they get to be sealed together as a forever family. <3 I will be there for that, and I'm SO EXCITED!!!!!!!!!!

We as missionaries get to go to the temple this week! I AM SO EXCITED! I miss the temple SO badly. I worked there as an ordinance worker once a week before I came on my mission and it changed my life. I'm not even kidding. It's my favorite place in the whole world. I go there and SO much peace comes over me. I feel like I'm finally home. I've had more spiritual experiences there than I can count. Missionary work is hard. It's physically, mentally, and emotionally exhausting. To be quite frank, it's the hardest thing I've ever done in my life. That's why so many missionaries return home early. So being able to go to the temple, receive that peace and edification is SUCH a huge blessing. It's a place to put off the cares of missionary work and just... be. I can't describe it. But I can't even tell you how grateful and excited I am to go. <3

The Church has a new Easter video! IT'S AMAZING! We were trained on how to use the video this week, and let me tell ya. I'm so excited for you guys to see it! It comes out next sunday! The website will be called FollowHim.Mormon.org

and the video is so so so soooooooo good. I love that we get to see these things before the rest of the church. It makes me feel special. I only get 18 months of VIP access, so I'm gonna live it up. ;) hahaha jk.

Well, that's it! I love you all SO MUCH! Have an amazing week!!!!!!!!!!!!!! <3 <3 <3 <3

 Me with a Corgi Puppy... I cried when I picked it up. I LOVE ANIMALS SO MUCH. Especially puppies. <3

  Sister Garlitz and I switched glasses for a moment....

 Starbucks run! (All drinks consumed were Word of Wisdom approved. Promise)

 Sister Garlitz with Googly eyes that we found outside of our apartment....

 Sister Moore with said googley eyes

 Me with said googly eyes.....

The Week of Interviews, Accidentally Leaving the Mission, and Innumerable U-Turns

Well, the three musketeers had a tough week. But the good thing is that we were able to find ways to laugh and release the stress and tension just as we were ready to throw in the towel and quit. We have so much fun :) There's no way they're going to keep us together for more than one transfer, simply because we have WAY too much fun.

We had to take a roadtrip to Mission Headquaters in Riverside on Wednesdaybecause of our car. A couple weeks ago, we were driving and saw this bump... we tried to go over it gently and slowly, but the bump was nottttt having any of it. It tried to take our back bumper off.... (I would like to point out that I was not driving) So we had to go to Riverside to trade our car in for a new one! Well... it's the same exact car, color and everything, except it's a year newer. But nonetheless! We are extremely grateful for the blessing of being in a car! Not every missionary gets that, so we are definitely counting our blessings.

So on the way to Riverside, the GPS we had borrowed decided not to work. So... We went with our gut on California's ridiculously complicated freeway system, and well.... we accidentally left the mission (by the way, you can get sent home for leaving the mission). We realized what we had done and flipped an immediate slightly illegal U-Turn, and got back into the mission as soon as we could. We called President Mullen immediately and left a voicemail begging for forgiveness. He called us back later that evening and basically said "Your sense of direction is terrible but I still love you". So. We're all good. :)

Last PDay, we went to Chipotle for lunch. I ended up getting guacamole all down my shirt, so we had to go to Goodwill to try to find another shirt (we wouldn't have time to go back to the apartment). I found a Luluroe dress for 8 dollars! Steal! They're pretty expensive normally, so I was stoked. Later that evening, we realized we had lost our phone! We looked everywhere and were stressing out hardcore. A member called Goodwill for us to see if it was there and the worker said she couldn't find it. We went to our apartment, tore it apart, and all to no avail. We prayed, and got in the car. We felt prompted to go back to Goodwill. We drove there, stressing the heck out, and we got there, and the phone was there!!! Blessings. <3 Prayer is real! 

We also had interviews with President Mullen! Those are always a treat :) A nerve wracking, anxiety inducing treat. ;) We basically just talk about the things you're doing well and the things you can work on. It's pretty great. At the end, we get to ask him ANY question we want. Most of us go with deep doctrine questions. :) It's always wonderful to hear his answer and gain his insight.

So, we don't have a GPS. Sister Turner had one, but now she's in Menifee. We borrowed one to go to Riverside (which worked wonders.......) but getting around Hemet without an updated map has been.... interesting... yeah. We'll go with interesting... I've lost count of the amount of UTurns we've done. But it's fine. You live and you learn. :)

We picked up a new investigator! Her name is Kim. She's a sweetie. She was a referall from a previous investigator! We went over to her house and she was going through a really hard time and asked us to come back in a couple of days. Her car wouldn't start and she had to take her grandkids back to their parents. So, we left. But before we left, we said a quick prayer in the car that her car would start soon. We went back a couple of days later, and Kim said that about 10 minutes after we left, her car started! She had no clue what happened or why it started, but it did! See, the Lord answers prayers! She invited us in and we taught a quick lesson, and she invited us back! We'll be going back this week. Hopefully all goes well. :)

Our other investigator, Linda, is amazing. We taught her the Law of Chastity and she LOVED it. But she told us right after that she was moving to Fruitvale! :( She came to church the next day and we got her connected with her new missionaries. It was super sad. :( We love her to death and wanted to teach her to the end. She adores us, so it was hard on everyone. BUT! She called us a couple hours ago and the apartment she was moving to fell through! AND She found a place IN OUR AREA! She moves in tomorrow! We were all singing hallelujahs! We love her so much and we cant' wait to see how the Gospel blesses her life :)

That's all for now. I hope you're all doing amazing! I love you all so much! <3

Love from California,

Sister Roberts 

  Sister Garlitz REALLY loved Chipotle Guac.... That's all I can say.

 I FOUND MARSHA! This is the first car I ever drove and I drove her all through highschool and college. <3 Marsha is short for marshmallow, cause well... she looks like a marshmallow. :) My best friend, Liz, named her. <3