From the Mission

Hello Sisters:

We just spent the morning with your boys cleaning up the neighborhood park. They are doing well and working hard. We have a hard area and they are striving to bring more families into our ward. I have two daughters currently serving missions and a son who just got home a couple of months ago. So I know moms love to hear about their kids. Your boys are wonderful, happy, and working hard. 

Colleen Oliver
Kent, Wa

Add Two More to the List!

I went on a road trip over the weekend that added Arizona and Nevada to my states list. I got to fly down to Mesa and then help my sister, Karen, drive home with her five little kiddos. We had many drive home options to choose from. First we were going to go through Albuquerque and see Jared as we passed through but that would add two hours to the trip and besides he wasn't in town so that was out. Then we were going to go north through Page. I was on the same flight down as Allen and Elaine and had a travel discussion with them. They suggested we go through Las Vegas and then north to St. George. We decided to take that less winding route.

We had a great first day, Karen's kids are amazing! Very little whining and lots of giggles went on behind us. We got up at four thirty after getting to bed at eleven the night before. Good thing Jared packed enough diet coke. I thought Hoover dam would be more exciting but they have such huge roadside barriers up that we couldn't even see the water as we drove over it. We didn't feel like we had time to stop and go on a tour.

We took a bit of a break when we got to St. George. We let the girls get out and walk around the temple grounds and go into the visitor center. They loved seeing the Christus statue. We got in the van and headed down the road. Out on the stretch of interstate in southern Utah we saw a stock trailer that was spilling something. Hmmmm. Looked like grain or maybe some corn...it was yellow. We were discussing what it could be as we passed it when all of a sudden drops splashed on the windshield. I asked Karen if it was raining (please let it be rain!) Nope it wasn't rain. We got peed on. That pee didn't wash off very well either with the wiper fluid. Gross!

Anyway, on to Provo. We got a nice room at the super eight. Karen felt a little unclean staying the night so close to BYU campus. Funny. The girls got settled down and then we got to sleep by ten. We got up at five and out of the room by six.

Next stop.....Wyoming! I love Wyoming. Karen and I did a very quiet happy dance in the front as all of the girls were asleep in the back. We decided that we needed to fill up with gas in Rock Springs just to be sure we make it all the way to Lander. Oops, crossed wires or something. Karen started the gas going and then I took the spout out when she got back to the van from getting snacks. No worries, until we switched drivers at the rest stop after Farson. Karen realized that we had about a quarter of a tank. No gas went in when we were in Rock Springs. We said some fervent prayers and made it to Lander with the gas light beeping at us with about eight miles to go. Whew!

The rest of the trip was pretty in eventful. Karen stopped in Greybull to wait for Spike. Jacob had a ball game in Worland, so I just jumped in with him and watched two middle school football games. We stayed for the eighth grade game just in case Jacob needed to play in that game too.

Jacob got to be a team captain and we pretty excited about that. He made some good decisions on penalties. I don't think he knew he could ask the coach what to do but he made the right choices all on his own. We got home at a out eight and then sat in the parking lot for an hour waiting for Jacob to get home. 

That was a very long trip, but very fun and exciting.

And so it begins!

Jacob played in his first official football game of his career. Well, sort of. the Lovell Middle School Mustangs went to Cowley to participate in a football Jamboree which included Rocky Mtn, Cody and Lovell.  They got some experience with other teams.  Jacob was a little nervous....ok, a lot nervous about playing other players especially the Cody players.  Just because they are from a bigger school doesn't mean they are better. He needs to hear that a lot.  Before the game he kept checking the stands and looking for us, I guess making sure that we were still there and watching.  I snapped a few pictures and then my camera ran out of battery.  Spike got a few videos.

Jacob did some good things though, he got a solo tackle out on his side.  He was playing defensive end on defense and tight end on offense.  He caught a pass and made a little yardage too.  He got in on some other tackles.  I think as soon as he loosens up he will catch on fire like he did last year.

Jacob is number 89 here on the end.

Fun with Carson!

Yes, Grandpa Spike was having fun with Carson. Just look at those chubby legs. Nice job Lucas and Shanae.

Temple Excursion/Water World

Jacob had a temple excursion this morning. We got up bright and early at 5:30 and got to the temple by 7:30. Jacob was very prepared and had a family name he had researched and was able to do the baptism for Peder Christensen Anderson. How is that for a Danish name?

We brought his friend Mat home with us and they are spending the afternoon having fun with the sprinklers and the trampoline. This is close to the last weekend to play. They are both in seventh grade football and are pretty excited about that.

Message from Mark

I thought I would share this message from Mark. It is so nice to read his emails. This one is especially nice because it is more than one paragraph long;)

well people are wonderful. for the most part. we are teaching a few people we will see how committed they are. commitment is the hardest thing to get others to have. we can tell them the commandment and the blessings that come with it but in the end they have to do it. its hard. 

well i am almost envious of my older cousins that are getting back now. but all the girls are leavings on missions so nope. haha. 

i have found that the most effective way to do missionary work is to have the members do the finding and be the friends. this is how there will be retention in the converts. having a true friend in the church. someone who will help them help themselves. we as missionaries talk to a lot of different people. different needs different backgrounds different beliefs. but there are a few things that are the same for all of them. they all need to partake in the saving ordinances of the gospel, live up to those covenants, and help others along the way. this is what will allow them to return to live with god. 

we as missionaries have been trying to focus more on lasting conversion. now just baptismal statistics. when we help them understand the plan of salvation. and help them understand that they want to have the highest degree of glory. i think that is what will help them understand that baptism isn't the end it is the beginning. there is a new key indicator for missionaries. the percentage of new members that attended the temple after 3 months. 

missionaries are not the best friends. we can help where we can but in the end we will always leave. eventually we will leave. we can keep in contact. but we can't be there to answer every question. new members need a friend. they also need a sense of purpose, or being needed. they need a calling. with out that they drift away. 

missionaries are called to teach the gospel. we were not given the calling as missionaries to knock on doors. it is a responsibility of every member of the church to share the gospel and to find those that are prepared for the gospel. it isn't the missionaries job to find. we do do a lot of finding, but we shouldn't have to. 

something that i heard and i like. i think i will apply it in my own life when i am back. having weekly and day goals of how many people i share the gospel. key indicators. it will hold myself accountable of how effective and how hard i am trying to serve the lord. in the very least it will keep my mind focused on trying to share the gospel. also i will have specific names and action plans for the week. like inviting so and so to a church activity. or so and so to church. or inviting so and so to have a dinner will me and the missionaries. whatever i feel inspired to do.   

i love you.  ELDER GRANT

House Guests!

We have house Guests for a week!  Connor, Carson and Marci and joined our family until we get back to Laramie.  It has been lots of fun getting to know these little boys again.  Acutally, it is super fun to get to know Carson for the first time.  We haven't spent much time with him. 

Connnor is Jacob's shadow.  It was so cute to watch Jacob putting the hoses to the garden and there was Connor just five steps behind. 

 

Here they are jumping on the trampoline.  Connor is a bit of a chicken on the tramp so Jacob had to hold him the whole time. I think Jacob is his favorite uncle.

Carson is helping me type.  I am remembering what a full time job being a mom is.  Especially with a two year old and a five month old.  Jacob is a huge help. He isn't up to changing diapers yet...but we still have four days to go so you never know.

 Carson is all smiles. He really is a very happy baby most of the time.  He doesn't sleep through the night, and didn't that just bring back memories. He is really good about going back to sleep so that is a very good thing.

 The dogs are getting along great.  I do wish I had a fenced yard though. I am sure they would run and run and run all day long. As it is they do a bit of wrestling and running and more wrestling here in the living room. They are both super good with the babies.  Connor was taking them all over the house yesterday by their collars. Marci has escaped to the back yard a few times but is pretty good about coming home.

Robertson Family Reunion

We had a wonderful reunion up at the Medicine Lodge Campsite over the weekend. There were so many things for everyone to do. Lots of hiking, fishing and wading. There was a p,aground for the kiddos and a big grassy area for the big kiddos to play football, ultimate frisbee, soccer and bocce ball. We played a horseshoe tournament. I have found that I have absolutely no talent for horseshoes. I entertained the spectators though.

A big huge shout out goes to Gwen and her family for organizing this reunion. It was fantastic. We went up in a camper which was way better than being in a tent. Lucas and Jared were not able to be with us but Rachael and Eli brought their little girls up on Saturday and Sunday. It was so good to see them again.

Here are some of my favorite pics.