The First Two Weeks in the MTC

** I've combined his first 2 emails into one letter. **

Hi Family,

The MTC is great! Colton will love it here. My companion is Elder Elrey from Tucson, Arizona. He is cool. We have a great district. 7 others are going to Veracruz and 2 are going to Trujillo, Peru... pretty sweet. My other roommates are cool. They are from Utah and going to Argentina. The first day we just found out where everything was and how everything went. I only get to email once a week, every Wednesday. I have 30 minutes to write. I'll be sending letters also. The first week up until Sunday was long but after Sunday things have just been flying by. The teachers here are really cool! They give us books on spanish that help us with making appointments and the lessons. So basically the basics. But you pick up on things. My spanish is the coming along. I know that the Spirit helps us learn the language. I have learned to pray, bear my testimony and to contact people in spanish. I am learning so much about the gospel and can't wait to share it with the people of Mexico. It is such a wonderful experience, especially when the General Authorities come and give devotionals.

The food here is pretty good most days but some days it is horrible lol. I am loving the green chili packets Aunt Eileen sent with me. I just pour it on the food to make it taste better.

Yeah, I know I forgot my Texas shirt... what a bummer!

We are going to the Temple today so I will think of all of you.

You guys can write me everyday/often on dearelder.com... Lindsey has written me twice so stop slacking! jk

Tu Amor,
Elder Robertson

MTC Day!

We met Grandma & Grandpa Yoss at Village Inn for breakfast. Because he was a missionary... our waitress gave everyone a free piece of pie! After breakfast, we went to American Fork to pay respect to Cody's Great-Grandfather who is buried there. We then went to Mt. Timpanogos Temple to admire the beauty of the Temple and spend a few more minutes together as a family. A few more pictures were taken and then good-bye's to Grandma & Grandpa Yoss.
Time to head to Provo... and the MTC drop-off. We were able to park in the lot above the MTC and walk across the street to take a few pictures and watch the "drop-off" process which is literally over in minutes. We then walked back to the parking lot and witnessed Cody's good-bye's to the siblings. Very emotional... especially for Colton who will be submitting his papers to serve his mission the end of April. Colton hugged his brother, told him he was proud of him and his example & he'd let him know where he would be called. Colton then looked him in the eye and said, "I'll see you in 2 1/2 years." As the mother of these boys, I couldn't hold back the tears.
We drove down into the MTC drop off zone...where we were greeted by Elder Talle (Czech Republic Mission) who helped Elder Robertson with his luggage. One last hug and off he went with the biggest smile on his face. He had been ready for weeks & was ready for the best 2 years of his life!

Salt Lake City Temple Day

We had an incredible morning in the Salt Lake City Temple with Grandma & Grandpa Yoss, Uncle Eric & Aunt Raquel and Uncle Scott & Aunt Evelyn (Tim's ex-missionary companion from Korea Taejon Mission). Aunt Cheryl, Uncle Mike & Sarah traveled up from Las Vegas, Nevada to tour Temple Square with Colton, Tyler, Cassidy & Tanner while we were doing a session in the Temple. For lunch, we all met at Cafe Rio... a definite "must" eat at place while in Utah! After lunch, we toured the beautiful Joseph Smith Building(Saw L. Tom Perry) and watched the Joseph Smith movie... tear jerker. What an awesome & spiritual way to spend the day as a family.

Farewell Family Get Together In Utah

We had a family dinner and get together at Uncle Eric's house after church. Everyone had a great time eating, laughing & taking pictures!

Officially "Elder Robertson"

What a treasured experience to gather as a family this evening at the Stake Center to hear guidance from our Stake President and witness Cody being set apart as a missionary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

Mission Farewell

What an incredible weekend we've had as a family! Our home has been filled with laughter and the blessings of being united with family members who have travelled so far in support of Cody. Grandpa Yoss, Grandma Yoss, Aunt Caecie, Uncle Travis, Clayton, and Jaecie arrived from Las Vegas. Grandpa Robertson, Grandma Robertson, Uncle Lynn, Aunt Donna, Lindsey, Aunt Eileen, Aunt Lori, Mallory, and Zoie arrived from Albuquerque. And Uncle Doug surprised everyone and drove in from Louisiana right before he heads out to Iraq.
The farewell was so spiritual. What a blessing to feel the Spirit so strong! The talks were excellent. The special musical number was simply amazing! Cody did manage to have everyone in tears during his talk. He loves his family, he loves the Lord and he is anxious to serve the people of Mexico for two years.
It was so nice to have our Ward over that evening for an open house. We had a ton of desserts and a lot of mingling. I went to bed that evening reflecting upon the day and so very thankful to my Heavenly Father for all of my many blessings. I am simply overjoyed!

Temple Day

Cody enjoyed a very special day in the Oklahoma City Temple with his parents, Grandpa Robertson, (Grandma Robertson rested in the hotel as she has pneumonia) Uncle Lynn, Aunt Donna and several close ward family members. The session was packed full. The spirit was so strong. A very special day to be remembered.

We missed those family members who live so far away. We look forward to being with everyone at the farewell. A temple session is planned for January 23rd for those that are interested.