Roberts 3rd week - Meeting Mission President Hammonds

Hey everyone, 

So week 3 just flew by and I can't believe I've been here over 20 days. The start of the week wasn't that great. On our first lesson this week I felt super confident and didn't bring any notes with me. Well, the lesson ended up going horrible even though  my companion and I were prepared, so we had to redo the lesson the next day. It kind of humbled me and made me realize how much I still have to learn in this language to be able to have a simple conversation with someone. 

Speaking of humility, someone in my zone that was called to Cambodia and spent the last 9 weeks learning the language and preparing to serve there was reassigned to Kansas like 4 days before he was supposed to leave. I felt so bad for him and could tell how disappointed he was but he had a good positive attitude about it and humbled himself. The next day he was assigned back to Cambodia and just flew off to Cambodia today. He was a great example to me of what it means to have true character. 

All the other older พี่ Thai elders left on Monday. We all got up at 3:30 am to say goodbye so now we got the whole dorms to ourselves which is gonna be super sweet. They were a great group of elders and I'm excited to see them again soon in Thailand. 

On top of that we got to meet our mission president for the first time this week. He is full of joy and happiness and I am really excited to serve under him. My district and I had hit a plateau in the MTC where we felt like we weren't progressing so much on the language. But meeting President Hammonds got us going again. He makes us want to become better and reach our full potential. 

But the coolest thing happened this week ... (I know for most people this won't make any sense) but the entire Quorum of the 12 apostles and First Presidency of the church all came to the MTC this week. A couple of elders and I got to see and visit with them firsthand, and even shake some of the apostles' hands. We sat outside a building we knew they were gathered in so they would have to walk past us. Elder Suarez, then Elder Cook, then Elder Holland, and then elder Ballard who stopped and told us "we love you." Then we shook Elder Christopherson's hand. I think we were all in shock after that, haha. 

One of the things I was able to work on and memorize this week was the first vision in Thai which is pretty long for those who don't know what it is. I realized how much the language is coming this week because of this thing called TRC. The people at TRC speak Thai incredibly fast and I was able to understand about 1/3 of the sentences they would say which sounds bad but that's way better than the previous week. 

Thank you to all who have been keeping me in the loop on the world cup and the NBA haha I definitely enjoy hearing what's going on in the world. 

What's been on my mind though is that my sister is about to be a mom, in like 2 weeks!! I'm so excited for you Jess and love you and my future nephew! 

Tomorrow I get to host for the new missionaries coming in and I'm really excited. I remember when I came in here like it was yesterday ...  ​ and now I'll be showing people around this place. Time moves so fast here I can't believe it. 

Here are some photos form this week.

1) me, Elder Schmitt, Sister Peterson, and Sister Vance 

2) me and some elders in my district with the Mission President Hammonds and his wife

3) me thinking about going to Thailand which was spelt wrong...sorry dad (correct spelling - ประเทศไทย) 

 4) Elders in the zone 

ผมรักและคิดทึงคุณทั้งหมด

Elder Lowe 

Mustang Classic - Second Game against Ballard

It's Thursday night, the night after the first day of school.  Robert (and I'm sure many of the boys) are tired from getting up early the last two days.

Betsy is in charge of Senior Week - Senior Activities and thus had taken the photos and ordered the Senior Banners.  She was so excited to get them up on the fence. 

Mason, Holden, Matthew, Robert

Michael, Jack, Morgan, Ryan

Wilton, Nathan B, Parker and Nathan C
not shown:  Blake and Michael S

 The starting line up is Max, Nathan B, Nathan C, Michael R, Mason, Dylan, Grey, Robert, Holden, Parker and Matthew.

Starting line up

 The game was amazing.  Robert is much more effective in the center striker position.  We have had so many more shots and shots on goal.  He has also distributed the ball to others to shoot.  Unfortunately, we have either shot just wide or the goalie has been able to stop the shot.  Half time is 0-0.

During half time Betsy saw Chelsea Poole - the coaches wife with their new baby and Noelle Frazee.  Their baby is sooo cute!!!!

Chelsea, Baby and Noelle

Robert and the entire team play a very touch second half.  Both teams are very competitive and giving their best.  You can tell the heat and the lack of substitutions is wearing on the North boys.

 With only 4:55 minutes left in the game, the Ballard team scored a goal.  It was so sad.  The NORTH boys worked so hard to get the ball into the goal so they can tie but they ran out of time.  Robert was very disappointed after the game.

3rd game - Mustang Classic vs Ballard

Tonight at 6:00 pm Robert's NOHS soccer team played against Ballard High School.

Robert started as the Left Wing as he has for the past two games.  Tonight the coach moved Mason to forward and Keyon to mid - this proved to be a good move for the team (both Mark and I were excited to see the position change).

Varsity starters

Look how hard he is playing

my favorite photo

Not 10 minutes into the game Kaleb Patterson crossed the ball over to the middle.  After a few touches, it came directly to Robert who took one touch and nailed it for the first goal of the game!  WAY TO GO ROBERT!!!  1-0 NOHS

Robert played the whole half going back to help on defense and sprinting up to be there on offense.  He has really stepped up his attack!  He plays aggressive and challenges the ball  constantly.  He had a foul in the first half.

Around the 20 minute mark Robert had an amazing shot that just missed the goal by an inch or two.  It was a perfect shot under pressure from two defenders.  GREAT JOB!!!

Ballard scored on a defense mistake, making the score 1-1 at halftime.  Robert played the whole first half.

Robert didn't start the second half, but did come in after 15 minutes.  Almost immediately after Robert came in, the defense broke down again (Nathan didn't move to protect the goal) and Ballard scored 2-1.  UGH!!!

Now there is a lot of pressure to get another goal, but with this young team - that converts to long balls instead of working it up the field.  Robert went back to help on defense and then sprinted to mid and forward.  He had a great game.

At the end of the game, the coach awarded Robert the "Iron Sharpens Iron" award.  This is his second time getting the award.