J. Brad Roberts

77 - 79

Life now - Serving with the Young Single Adults in San Tan Valley, AZ. Married to Brenda, my cherished eternal companion for almost 38 years. We have 3 children and 6 grandchildren (They call me Lito).

Mission Highlights - serving with all the patient people. I learned so much from each companion, the "adult" leaders, and the Bolivian people. I enjoyed working on the old dodge van. The exhibition where we built a model of the Washington temple to hold the displays, and watching the members light up with the gospel in their lives. And I remember waking up one night in severe pain, to realize I was bloating like a cow. I was really stretched and big, as if I had swallowed a basket ball. I struggled to get up to wake my companion. I serious thought I would need him to stab my stomach like we would a cow. As soon as I sat up I started burping. It went on for at least a minute. Then my stomach was normal so I laid down and went back to sleep. Never happened again. Only in Bolivia....

Mission lesson - people were so patient and loving to me. I need to show the same love to all. I learned that the Lord has given us lots of instructions on how to do his work. We need to first read and learn all we can on our new calling and then seek the Lord's guidance on how to run his errands.

My story - repent quickly and often. Remember that each of us gets the assignments in life that are fit for us. God is the perfect teacher and gives each of us "students" the exact "homework" we need to grow. Patience, charity, and long suffering for each person on earth in all situations. I've gotten to travel a bit. That can be really stressful. Lots of people not sure of exactly what to do next and in each others way. One day I'll meet my ancestors and share with them how it took half a day to travel from St Louis to Utah. And they didn't have my favorite drink. And I got assigned a middle seat, between 2 people that were larger than most. Next to a crying child. Yeah, I can almost hear my ancestors now.....