06-02-2011

Hello Family!!
Can you believe it's been about two weeks since I arrived here at the MTC?! It's crazy. It seems like I've been here for so long, but at the same time I feel like I just arrived here yesterday. Thank you so much for your letters dad, mom, and Chandler & for your email Vanessa! I really, really appreciate it!
I can't believe it's only been a week since last Thursday because I reflect on the week and there has been so much that has happened! We had our first teaching experience (teaching a volunteer "investigator"). He only spoke spanish to us and we spoke "spanglish". It went soo good! & we were so happy with how we did because we've come along way. It didn't matter that the man we were teaching didn't understand everything we were teaching and that I didn't understand everything he was saying, we all felt the spirit soo strong! When we left, he told us that we are ready to go out into the field! Haha, I know that I am nowhere near ready for that yet. I still have seven weeks to go here at the MTC.
How is the espanol coming along, you ask?! It's coming. It's hard not to get discouraged when you feel like you aren't learning as fast and as much as you should be. I was talking to some Hermanas during gym one day and they really changed my perspective on everything!! They told me that at first they were feeling exactly like I have been with learning and trying to understand spanish. They, then, shared with me that once they realized it's not about "me learning spanish" or "me not catching on fast enough." It's not about ME at all. It's about the Lord. I am here to serve Him with all my heart, might, mind, and strength. I am learning spanish to teach others about this beautiful Gospel, His Gospel. Even if I don't know hardly anything when I go out into the field, the Lord will prepare a way for me to say what He needs me to say. After hearing that, it really changed my perspective! I know I just need to take it one day at a time. It will come!
Let's see... funny moment(s) of the week: Learning a language is hard! So, it's really funny when you get words jumbled up in your mind and then when you go to say it, you get them confused and then it comes out completely wrong. Hermana Stephens knows spanish really well, so lucky for Hermana Eborn and I we have someone to correct us when we make mistakes! One day we were going around introducing ourselves to a teacher (in spanish) and we were saying why we chose to be here serving. Hermana Eborn was trying to say "I made a promise with God, and He kept His end of the deal." Instead she said "I made a party with God" haha! It was so funny. The teacher was like "what?!" When we had our first teaching experience, we were talking to the man about our families. I was trying to say "I'm the oldest of four children" but I said "I'm the best of four children" Haha. Mayor is oldest mejor is best. I'm tellin ya, words get jumbled up in my mind! After a while, I can't speak english or spanish. One night, I woke up to Hermana Stephens talking in her sleep in ESPANOL! It goes to show how hard we're working! Haha. It really has been such a great experience with everything!
My companions and the other sisters from my district always tell me how nice and sweet I am, and I wonder if the MTC has changed me a lot because I wasn't like that at home?! Haha. I told them I was going to tell my family that because you'd all think they were crazy! I am not as "sweet and nice" as they say I am.
I can't believe the things I've learned while being here. I have learned how important it is to be aware of those around you & to constantly be looking for an opportunity to serve someone else & to make someone else a little happier. I've learned the importance of listening to and loving every person. If I were to come home today, I would be a different person just from the experiences and lessons I've learned up until this point. It truly has been amazing! I wish you could all come visit here for even one day and feel the spirit of missionary work that is here! There are so many (about 2,000) missionaries here from ALL over the world, but we are all here for the SAME purpose and that is to invite others to come unto Christ. A day never goes by where I'm not amazed at something I see that someone else does for someone else. I am learning so much from others, but I have SO far to go.
In personal study I read in the Book of Mormon when Christ came to the Americas (3 Nephi 11-28). It was a whole new experience for me! Christ lives and He loves each one of us and knows us. I encourage you to read the scripture passage if you get a chance! I love all of you soo much and I thank you for your support. It makes me happy to hear from you and all of the things going on at home. I love ALL of you!

Love,
Hermana Robinson