October Snail Mail

Sunday October 18, 2009

Dear Family,

After the e-mails I sent, I thought I could write you a letter as well!

I miss all of you SO much! There are moments, when I wish I could just be home and hold one of the girls on my arm! Of course I am happy to be here. I know why I am here and love it. Just sometimes it is hard.

But, I am learning so much here, it is amazing! Doctrine of the Gospel but also personally!

After the first few days here, I was assigned a companion. His name is Comp 1. It was SO hard for me. He acted like he knew everything, didn’t want to listen to anyone and always interrupted others, as if it was less important, what others would want to say. And then there were the general cultural difficulties & differences. So…as I said it really wasn’t easy.

Then, I had another Companion at the same time, Comp 2! He is very nice…but so shy. His American language skills were not the best, nor was his self confidence. So, us there being together was quite frustrating! I decided pretty quickly for myself, that it was not my job to change them and tried to ignore the problems and to just enjoy my time here…Well, that wasn’t as it sounded!!!

Last Sunday evening there was a major discussion between my two companions and when I noticed it, I decided, that we should talk to our Branch President. (Like a “miniature” mission president, for the MTC)

Basically all they told u, was to think about what Christ would want us to do. Of course that wasn’t exactly that, what I wanted to hear in that moment. All three of us wanted a change of companionship. It was VERY frustrating. But we accepted the decision, that we should just work it out. A few days later, it was decided, that Comp 2 should be transferred into another class, because he needs more language training. That took some frustration away. I liked (like) him, but still it was good, because he could learn the way it was best for him…and also there was less bad feelings in all of us. Still though everything was really hard for me. I was as nice as I could be! I answered EVERY question Comp 1 had. Whether it was disturbing me in doing something…or not. There were no more fights or discussions, but inside, frustration was building and building. I could not feel the Spirit as I should anymore. Then, on Thursday afternoon, we had a class about patience!

“Patience is the capacity to endure delay, trouble, opposition, or suffering WITHOUT becoming angry, frustrated, or anxious…Patience is related to hope and faith—you must wait for the Lord’s promised blessing to be fulfilled.”

(Preach My Gospel, pg.120)

“For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are NOT WORTHY to be compared with the glory, which shall be revealed in us!”

(Romans 8:18)

In that class that day, I figured some major things out. It is not about “making it through”!!! Rather “Come what may & loving it”! Heavenly Father knows what is best for us! Always! He loves us, so much. He would NEVER let anything happen to us, of which there is nothing to be learned. We NEED to have faith in his promises.

Now, I do not know, what exactly Heavenly Father’s intention was, by having me be companions with Comp 1. But I know there is a reason. I have learned much from it already. We get along great now. It is NOT perfect. But we try our best to make it that way. That is what counts! “Trust, and God will provide!”

I really hope, that everything is going well at home. I miss you very much. But, know that I am happy! There is no where else on earth, where I would rather be. I am looking forward to invite others to come unto Christ! Show other the way to find the same joy I have had. To see the unending love of Christ, which I have seen and see continuously. And to know the truth about this life and the life to come. I truly love my Savior Jesus Christ. He is my brother, friend and Redeemer. I am proud to carry His name and to speak for Him to the people in Wisconsin. I love my life, which He has given me, with all the blessings and also the challenges. For I see now, that they are ALL only fro one reason. To make ME stronger and to prepare me to meet my Creator some day. And to have me ready to be with my family for all Eternity. With the family I have now, and that I love so very dearly! And the family I will have in the time to come. I am grateful fro the things I can know to be truth. I am grateful for each and every one of you. For the help you have always given me and for he unconditional love I received daily. I don’t know and I don’t WANT to know, where I would be, if you would have given up on me. I am here now and love it. I will make you proud and I will make Heavenly Fahter proud. I love my Savior and know that He died for me. His reaching arms are meant for me. And for everyone else that looks upon Him with faith. That is why I am here. To open eyes with the Lord’s support.

Again, I hope that everything is well! I hope you all are happy. “Men are to have Joy”! I have found that to be true!!! All is hot God has planned it. NO NEED to know more!!

I love you all very much and miss you.

Take care and be happy!!!

I will try to write again soon! If you want to write to me, then remember I am leaving here, tomorrow in a week! So, depending on when you answer me, it would be, that I am already in Wisconsin! I hope to hear from you.

Love you,

Elder Robby Dautel (aka Robber J)

MTC Snail Mail

We got a letter in the mail from Robby this week. In it were some pictures too. For those of you who don't want to read the letter I put the pictures up first.
From Left: Elder Morin, Elder Leclerc & I--best friends

No comment :)

Love Elder Leclerc's face :)

Elder Leclerc & I

YES!!! I DID lose weight here!!! :)

Remind you of something, Dad? You are right!

Me: "Punch-Pow"

Him:"HaHaHa"

Always keep your distance, right? :) It wasn't intended like that, actually! :) :)

This is it!!!!!!!

Alright,... In no more than 3 hours, I will enter the MTC.
I admit, I am nervous and sad. I wish I had another week here, to see more of my family and friends! But it is the right thing to do and will do this. I will trust in the lord and do what is asked of me. If I do my best and put my heart in this work,... I know I will not regret it, but will be blessed immensly! These 2 years are going to be the time of my life, so far! But only if I make it that way. I intend to do so. I love my heavenly father and know that he loves me also. I will make him and everyone else I know and love proud. I am glad, to have the support of so many. My family in germany. My family here in the US, which is getting bigger and bigger. And all the many friends, wherever they may be. It actually shouldn't be thaaaaat hard for me to go, right?
I can feel the comfort and the love and that is what will help me to ALWAYS stay focused and enthusiastic. I will do this right. And I will return with honor!
Take good care everyone, I will pray for you.

Good-byes

Last Wednesday Robby left for Utah. Ray worked out for him to go a week early to see family. Rike managed to get the tickets to conference too. I am jealous. I hope that Rike is able to send me some pictures of their adventures so I can put them on here.

He looks so missionary-like! Wow!!

I think it was hard for him to say good-bye to the girls. Since he had to be at the airport so early we said good-bye the night before and let the girls sleep the next morning. I am not sure they really comprehend what is going on.

I love the retro looking boards they have in the airports and train stations here. This one is actual more electrical than a lot of the places. Most still have the little flippy things. I love it.

Saying good-bye is never easy.

Setting Apart

Robby was set apart the night before he left for America. Our Stake President did the setting apart.

Ray and Jared assisted in the setting apart. Too bad Richy could be in the circle also and that Rike was there to be with us.

Ray and Beate are so proud. All of their sons have gone on missions now.

Jared was sick that day so he stayed behind with the girls. Just before we started he surprised us by coming, with girls in tow. The poor guy had to iron dresses and do hair all by himself. He just knew how important it was to Robby that he was there. He tried to stay away from everyone as much as possible.

Robby's friends, Elijah and Daniel Fahl, even came.

I like to think of this as the 2 Stooges.

Final Sunday

On Robby's final Sunday at home he had the opportunity to speak in sacrament meeting. So did Beate. After the church meetings we had a get-together with friends and family. Of course there was tons of food...as seen below.

Tons of conversation, laughter and fun...

...and even the kids had fun watching a Mary Poppins.

Temple

Since Robby's departure date was so soon we had to rush to get him an appointment at the temple for his endownments. Since we are running low on babysitters. I stayed home with the girls and Jared went. It was really important to Robby that Jared be there. Richy and Rike sure were missed. It would have been great to have them there too.

I think it is great that Robby was able to go to the Provo MTC, because they go to the temple each week. I think it is good to be able to go so often after the first time.

Ray and Beate were so proud of him. This means that all of their children has been through the temple now. That is proof of how wonderfully and faithfully they have taught their children.

Our friend, Uwe, was able to make it to the temple also. It meant a lot to Robby to have him there. I haven't quite been able to figure out whose hand that is holding his waist.

Of course, once Jared gets in the pictures the silliness starts. That is why I married him.

Are they looking for poop on Uwe's shoes? He sure looks guilty.

This one is my absolute favorite. How ironic is it that Robby is the one that got his head chopped out of the pictures.