Monday, September 26, 2011
09-19-2011
My dearest family, Happy Monday! How is everything going?! I hope all is well!! :]Everything is going good here in Novato! I can't believe that thisweek is the 4th week in my 2nd transfer, the time really does justfly. I feel like Hermana Skroski and I just started as acompanionship. It's crazy!Everyday we see a miracle take place. I know that when we are livingin the moment, and take a step back and truly look for tender merciesfrom the Lord, they are all around us. I want to give you a littleexample of what I'm talking about. Thursday night we were walking backto our car from dinner at a member's house (they feed us every week,they are sooo sweet) and there was an older man walking towards us. Weapproach him, say hello, and he stops before we do, as if knowing thatwe are going to talk him. We asked him if he had talked tomissionaries before (because he had acted like he had!), he told usno. We continued talking to him and before too long he was standingbefore us sharing a personal story about his heart recently beingopened up after 70 years. He told us that he had grown up in anabusive home when he was a child and that he had had his heart closedhis whole life. He shared a spiritual experience where he had recentlyfelt his heart open up again and the overwhelming feelings it hadbrought. This man we had just met moments before stood before us withtears in his eyes, after just having shared a spiritual, personalexperience. I felt a love for that man because I was seeing him as achild of God. Hna. Skroski, the man, and I shared a spiritualexperience, I could feel the spirit so strongly. I know that he didtoo and that's why he felt he could share it with us. I think once herealized how strange the situation was (that he had just shared a verypersonal story with two young ladies) he wanted to quickly leave. Andthat's what he did, he told us he had to go and left on his way.Before he could get too far, we asked him if we could give him a passalong card and he accepted it, but continued back on his way. Thatmoment may not be that big of a deal to other people, but we went awayfrom that moment knowing how beautiful it was. We had felt the spiritstrongly and we had both felt so much love for him. I know that if westep back and recognize the tender mercies, we will be able torecognize more miracles in our lives. They are happening all aroundus!We had an exchange this past week and Hermana Christensen came toNovato with me. We had a good time and I learned a lot from her. Sheis about to leave her mission soon and she does NOT want to leave. Shehas loved her mission so much! I can only imagine how many wonderfulexperiences she's had in a year and a half after only being her in thefield for two months and having had all of the precious experiencesthus far. On the drive back to her area, Santa Rosa, she asked me whatthe biggest lesson I've learned so far on the mission, and it took mea while to respond because I had to ponder that. I have learned somany things and there are so many things I could have said. Afterthinking for a few minutes, I knew the answer. One of the biggestlessons I've learned so far, is just HOW much I need the Lord everyminute of every day. I am so imperfect, I am so inadequate. With Hisstrength, with His love, I can do the things that I need to doeveryday. The song "I Need Thee Every Hour" comes to mind. I need Himevery hour, every minute or else I will be lost.Thank you so much for all of your support and love! I love you all somuch! I read 1 Nephi 17 this morning, it's a good one! I know thatwhen obey the commandments of God, when we do what the Lord wants usto do, we will be blessed! Con mucho amor,Hermana Robinson
Monday, September 19, 2011
09-12-2011
Hello, hello,
This past week we had zone conference, it is where all of the missionaries in your zone come together with the mission president (President Bunker) and his wife and we learn, learn, learn. It came at the exact time I needed it and everything that was said and shared, was perfect.
As a missionary, I am reminded soo much everyday how much I need the Lord. I am soo imperfect, but I know that through His strength and help, I can do the things that I want to do and be the person I want to be.
As of right now, Hermana Skroski and I are really focusing on finding those people that are prepared to accept the gospel. We know that EVERYONE needs the gospel, but right now we are concentrating on finding those people that are prepared to accept it. I know that if we're constantly doing what we are supposed to be doing and praying with faith, that we will be able to find those people.
Yesterday we went to a baptism of some of the Elders in our district and it was wonderful! Hermana Fenn and I had taught her once before and she has three kids. I fell in love with her family instantly. It was such a spiritual experience to see her be baptized into this church. This is the true church. This truly is Christ's church that He established when He was on the Earth. I am constantly reminded of how much I need this gospel in my life, I would be completely lost without it.
I love this article by President Monson that I included in memory of 9/11. In a world of chaos and comotion, we can find peace. We can find hope through our Savior, Jesus Christ. Ether 12:4!
I love you all so much!! Thank you for your constant love and support!!
9/11 destruction allowed us to spiritually rebuild
By Thomas S. Monson
The calamity of September 11th, 2001 has cast a long shadow. Ten years later, many of us are still haunted by its terrible tragedy of lost lives and broken hearts. It is an episode of anguish that has become a defining moment in the history of the American nation and the world. This week, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, along with Tom Brokaw, will pay its own homage to the unforgettable events of September 11, 2001.
There was, as many have noted, a remarkable surge of faith following the tragedy. People across the United States rediscovered the need for God and turned to Him for solace and understanding. Comfortable times were shattered. We felt the great unsteadiness of life and reached for the great steadiness of our Father in Heaven. And, as ever, we found it. Americans of all faiths came together in a remarkable way.
Sadly, it seems that much of that renewal of faith has waned in the years that have followed. Healing has come with time, but so has indifference. We forget how vulnerable and sorrowful we felt. Our sorrow moved us to remember the deep purposes of our lives. The darkness of our despair brought us a moment of enlightenment. But we are forgetful. When the depth of grief has passed, its lessons often pass from our minds and hearts as well.
Our Father’s commitment to us, His children, is unwavering. Indeed He softens the winters of our lives, but He also brightens our summers. Whether it is the best of times or the worst, He is with us. He has promised us that this will never change.
But we are less faithful than He is. By nature we are vain, frail, and foolish. We sometimes neglect God. Sometimes we fail to keep the commandments that He gives us to make us happy. Sometimes we fail to commune with Him in prayer. Sometimes we forget to succor the poor and the downtrodden who are also His children. And our forgetfulness is very much to our detriment.
If there is a spiritual lesson to be learned from our experience of that fateful day, it may be that we owe to God the same faithfulness that He gives to us. We should strive for steadiness, and for a commitment to God that does not ebb and flow with the years or the crises of our lives. It should not require tragedy for us to remember Him, and we should not be compelled to humility before giving Him our faith and trust. We too should be with Him in every season.
The way to be with God in every season is to strive to be near Him every week and each day. We truly “need Him every hour,” not just in hours of devastation. We must speak to Him, listen to Him, and serve Him. If we wish to serve Him, we should serve our fellow men. We will mourn the lives we lose, but we should also fix the lives that can be mended and heal the hearts that may yet be healed.
It is constancy that God would have from us. Tragedies are not merely opportunities to give Him a fleeting thought, or for momentary insight to His plan for our happiness. Destruction allows us to rebuild our lives in the way He teaches us, and to become something different than we were. We can make Him the center of our thoughts and His Son, Jesus Christ, the pattern for our behavior. We may not only find faith in God in our sorrow. We may also become faithful to Him in times of calm.
Thomas S. Monson is president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Con mucho amor,
Hermana Robinson
This past week we had zone conference, it is where all of the missionaries in your zone come together with the mission president (President Bunker) and his wife and we learn, learn, learn. It came at the exact time I needed it and everything that was said and shared, was perfect.
As a missionary, I am reminded soo much everyday how much I need the Lord. I am soo imperfect, but I know that through His strength and help, I can do the things that I want to do and be the person I want to be.
As of right now, Hermana Skroski and I are really focusing on finding those people that are prepared to accept the gospel. We know that EVERYONE needs the gospel, but right now we are concentrating on finding those people that are prepared to accept it. I know that if we're constantly doing what we are supposed to be doing and praying with faith, that we will be able to find those people.
Yesterday we went to a baptism of some of the Elders in our district and it was wonderful! Hermana Fenn and I had taught her once before and she has three kids. I fell in love with her family instantly. It was such a spiritual experience to see her be baptized into this church. This is the true church. This truly is Christ's church that He established when He was on the Earth. I am constantly reminded of how much I need this gospel in my life, I would be completely lost without it.
I love this article by President Monson that I included in memory of 9/11. In a world of chaos and comotion, we can find peace. We can find hope through our Savior, Jesus Christ. Ether 12:4!
I love you all so much!! Thank you for your constant love and support!!
9/11 destruction allowed us to spiritually rebuild
By Thomas S. Monson
The calamity of September 11th, 2001 has cast a long shadow. Ten years later, many of us are still haunted by its terrible tragedy of lost lives and broken hearts. It is an episode of anguish that has become a defining moment in the history of the American nation and the world. This week, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, along with Tom Brokaw, will pay its own homage to the unforgettable events of September 11, 2001.
There was, as many have noted, a remarkable surge of faith following the tragedy. People across the United States rediscovered the need for God and turned to Him for solace and understanding. Comfortable times were shattered. We felt the great unsteadiness of life and reached for the great steadiness of our Father in Heaven. And, as ever, we found it. Americans of all faiths came together in a remarkable way.
Sadly, it seems that much of that renewal of faith has waned in the years that have followed. Healing has come with time, but so has indifference. We forget how vulnerable and sorrowful we felt. Our sorrow moved us to remember the deep purposes of our lives. The darkness of our despair brought us a moment of enlightenment. But we are forgetful. When the depth of grief has passed, its lessons often pass from our minds and hearts as well.
Our Father’s commitment to us, His children, is unwavering. Indeed He softens the winters of our lives, but He also brightens our summers. Whether it is the best of times or the worst, He is with us. He has promised us that this will never change.
But we are less faithful than He is. By nature we are vain, frail, and foolish. We sometimes neglect God. Sometimes we fail to keep the commandments that He gives us to make us happy. Sometimes we fail to commune with Him in prayer. Sometimes we forget to succor the poor and the downtrodden who are also His children. And our forgetfulness is very much to our detriment.
If there is a spiritual lesson to be learned from our experience of that fateful day, it may be that we owe to God the same faithfulness that He gives to us. We should strive for steadiness, and for a commitment to God that does not ebb and flow with the years or the crises of our lives. It should not require tragedy for us to remember Him, and we should not be compelled to humility before giving Him our faith and trust. We too should be with Him in every season.
The way to be with God in every season is to strive to be near Him every week and each day. We truly “need Him every hour,” not just in hours of devastation. We must speak to Him, listen to Him, and serve Him. If we wish to serve Him, we should serve our fellow men. We will mourn the lives we lose, but we should also fix the lives that can be mended and heal the hearts that may yet be healed.
It is constancy that God would have from us. Tragedies are not merely opportunities to give Him a fleeting thought, or for momentary insight to His plan for our happiness. Destruction allows us to rebuild our lives in the way He teaches us, and to become something different than we were. We can make Him the center of our thoughts and His Son, Jesus Christ, the pattern for our behavior. We may not only find faith in God in our sorrow. We may also become faithful to Him in times of calm.
Thomas S. Monson is president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Con mucho amor,
Hermana Robinson
Sunday, September 11, 2011
09-05-2011
Mi familia!
Como estan?! Last Monday was transfers and so now I have a new companion as of a week ago. Her name is Hermana Skroski, but we call her Hermana Ski for short (much easier). We get along really, really good. She's from North Carolina and has been out on her mission for 10 months now. She has taught me a lot already about a lot of different things and so I feel really lucky.
I'm the one that knows this area though because she was in Napa before now and so it's been quite the experience trying to find our way around. One day we were pulled over on the side of the road (two blondes) hovering over the map. One guy walking past was like "do you need help?" haha, and we're like "How can you tell?!" It was just funny and the street we were looking for was literally like right in front of us. We were laughing so hard.
When we teach, I feel like we're unified and so that has been good. I admire a lot of things about her and so I'm excited to learn, learn, learn from her. That is one thing about the mission, it is a continuing learning experience and I love it.
The past few days, we have had the opportunity to visit a few of our less active members that I love so much. One of them is Andres, he's a convert and from Mexico. He works at a hotel here in Novato where he also lives. He's a single man and he's such a hardworker. Andres has so much faith and knows so much about the gospel. His work schedule is crazy, though. He works everyday from morning until 5 or something and then he's on call the rest of the night, so he can't ever leave the hotel. He told us it's like a prison and he feels like a slave. He does have one day off, Thursdays, but other than that he pretty much has to be there the rest of the time in case something goes wrong, so he can fix it. He does maintenance. Because I can't understand everything with spanish yet, I hadn't realized that this was his schedule and that it has been like that for 10 years now! I was so sad for him and so was Hermana Skroski. We told him that we were going to pray for him, of course, but also fast for him on Sunday. We told him to continue to pray and that we would talk about the solutions to what we can do about this when we see him this week. We want him to find a new job, we want him to be able to come to church and actually have a life outside of that hotel! I could tell that he was appreciative that we cared and that we're taking it upon ourselves to actually do something about his situation.
I just feel so blessed that I am here to serve Heavenly Father's children. I really do have a strong, strong love for these people. Even when I just meet them, I can't help but love them so much.
Last night after we got home and were done planning, Hermana Ski and I had a great conversation. We both made it a goal that we need to enjoy the moment more. "Seizing the moment" has been something I have been working on for a really long time and I think a lot of people have a hard time with it as well. We told ourselves that we don't ever want to be thinking about the next hour or even the next ten minutes, we want to embrace EVERY moment. I can think of a lot of times that I wasn't enjoying the moment and that is sad because you are wasting your life away if you are constantly thinking about the future or what's going to come next. Anyway, that is one of my major goals right now-to enjoy the present. I love my mission and I love everyday, but I can't tell you how many times I think about "When I know spanish better..." or "When I can teach better..." It's frustrating. We are working on it though. I hope that you are all enjoying the moment!! :]
I have a funny moment to share with you about spanish, these are always the best! So yesterday in ward council before church started, I was having an extra hard time understanding everyone because one of my ears was plugged with water from the shower. I couldn't understand what someone was telling me and so I said "Yo tengo agua in mi ovejas entonces no puedo oir muy bien." Haha, what I said was I have water in my sheep, so I can't hear very good. I meant orejas instead of ovejas (orejas are ears). Haha, everyone was just like "oh boy" and laughing. I'm glad they are patient with me and that we all just laugh about it.
I love you all so much. And I hope you are all having a WONDERFUL labor day. Go out and do something fun, enjoy yourself! Life is to be happy. :]
Heavenly Father loves all of us, His children, so much. He sent His only begotten son to atone for the sins of the world, so that all of His children would have a way back to live with Him. We all lived with our Heavenly Father and brother, Jesus Christ, before we came to this world. We knew the trials and difficulties we would face, but we wanted to do it. We knew that we could do it, we knew that we could overcome the trials and difficulties because that is the only way we could become more like our Heavenly Father. And everything that we fall short of, the atonement makes up for. I made up this motto in the MTC:
"If you try your best, the Lord will do the rest!"
It's true! The Gospel is true!
Con mucho amor,
Hermana Robinson
Como estan?! Last Monday was transfers and so now I have a new companion as of a week ago. Her name is Hermana Skroski, but we call her Hermana Ski for short (much easier). We get along really, really good. She's from North Carolina and has been out on her mission for 10 months now. She has taught me a lot already about a lot of different things and so I feel really lucky.
I'm the one that knows this area though because she was in Napa before now and so it's been quite the experience trying to find our way around. One day we were pulled over on the side of the road (two blondes) hovering over the map. One guy walking past was like "do you need help?" haha, and we're like "How can you tell?!" It was just funny and the street we were looking for was literally like right in front of us. We were laughing so hard.
When we teach, I feel like we're unified and so that has been good. I admire a lot of things about her and so I'm excited to learn, learn, learn from her. That is one thing about the mission, it is a continuing learning experience and I love it.
The past few days, we have had the opportunity to visit a few of our less active members that I love so much. One of them is Andres, he's a convert and from Mexico. He works at a hotel here in Novato where he also lives. He's a single man and he's such a hardworker. Andres has so much faith and knows so much about the gospel. His work schedule is crazy, though. He works everyday from morning until 5 or something and then he's on call the rest of the night, so he can't ever leave the hotel. He told us it's like a prison and he feels like a slave. He does have one day off, Thursdays, but other than that he pretty much has to be there the rest of the time in case something goes wrong, so he can fix it. He does maintenance. Because I can't understand everything with spanish yet, I hadn't realized that this was his schedule and that it has been like that for 10 years now! I was so sad for him and so was Hermana Skroski. We told him that we were going to pray for him, of course, but also fast for him on Sunday. We told him to continue to pray and that we would talk about the solutions to what we can do about this when we see him this week. We want him to find a new job, we want him to be able to come to church and actually have a life outside of that hotel! I could tell that he was appreciative that we cared and that we're taking it upon ourselves to actually do something about his situation.
I just feel so blessed that I am here to serve Heavenly Father's children. I really do have a strong, strong love for these people. Even when I just meet them, I can't help but love them so much.
Last night after we got home and were done planning, Hermana Ski and I had a great conversation. We both made it a goal that we need to enjoy the moment more. "Seizing the moment" has been something I have been working on for a really long time and I think a lot of people have a hard time with it as well. We told ourselves that we don't ever want to be thinking about the next hour or even the next ten minutes, we want to embrace EVERY moment. I can think of a lot of times that I wasn't enjoying the moment and that is sad because you are wasting your life away if you are constantly thinking about the future or what's going to come next. Anyway, that is one of my major goals right now-to enjoy the present. I love my mission and I love everyday, but I can't tell you how many times I think about "When I know spanish better..." or "When I can teach better..." It's frustrating. We are working on it though. I hope that you are all enjoying the moment!! :]
I have a funny moment to share with you about spanish, these are always the best! So yesterday in ward council before church started, I was having an extra hard time understanding everyone because one of my ears was plugged with water from the shower. I couldn't understand what someone was telling me and so I said "Yo tengo agua in mi ovejas entonces no puedo oir muy bien." Haha, what I said was I have water in my sheep, so I can't hear very good. I meant orejas instead of ovejas (orejas are ears). Haha, everyone was just like "oh boy" and laughing. I'm glad they are patient with me and that we all just laugh about it.
I love you all so much. And I hope you are all having a WONDERFUL labor day. Go out and do something fun, enjoy yourself! Life is to be happy. :]
Heavenly Father loves all of us, His children, so much. He sent His only begotten son to atone for the sins of the world, so that all of His children would have a way back to live with Him. We all lived with our Heavenly Father and brother, Jesus Christ, before we came to this world. We knew the trials and difficulties we would face, but we wanted to do it. We knew that we could do it, we knew that we could overcome the trials and difficulties because that is the only way we could become more like our Heavenly Father. And everything that we fall short of, the atonement makes up for. I made up this motto in the MTC:
"If you try your best, the Lord will do the rest!"
It's true! The Gospel is true!
Con mucho amor,
Hermana Robinson
08-22-2011 (this one accidently got skipped!)
Hola, hola!
How are all of you doing?! I am doing GREAT! It's so crazy when the week rolls around and I try to remember all of the things that happened during the week. I feel like there is always so much, but I am going to do my best to remember. :]
I told you last week in my e-mail that we were able to go to the Oakland Temple Thursday and I really enjoyed it! The Oakland temple is BEAUTIFUL! I love the temple and I am so thankful that our district was able to go and receive that spiritual power and inspiration that we need. In the visitor's center there is a presentation about families and how families can be together forever. As I was watching the presentation, I couldn't help but feel the happiness and the true love the family possessed in the movie. I know that if we live the principles of the gospel, we all can have that happiness and purpose that the gospel gives to us. I feel so blessed to be here serving and that I can share this message with everyone! We can find true happiness in this gospel, we have a Heavenly Father who loves us, we have a purpose in this life, and we can be with our Heavenly Father and with our families forever. Our Heavenly Father has a perfect plan for each one of us. Each day that passes on the mission, I come to a better understanding of how beautiful this plan really is.
On Friday I went on exchanges to Petaluma again, but this time with another sister, Sister Carroll, we both came out here on our missions the same time. We are both "greenies" (term for new missionaries) but we did the best we could! She is a great example of giving it her all, all of the time. Exchanges gives us the opportunity to experience a new area, a new companion, and new people for 24 hours. It really is a great learning experience!
Yesterday in the spanish branch that we attend every Sunday, we received a new branch president. It was bittersweet for everyone. He and his family is moving to another part of California and so he will no longer be in the branch or stake. All of the members were so sad that he wouldn't be there anymore. For the few years that he has served, they all have grown really close and I can tell how great his love is for every member of the branch. The new branch president is great though too! He introduced himself and bore his testimony and I could feel his love for every person already. He has a strong, strong testimony of Jesus Christ. I know that the branch members could feel it too. The branch is in good hands!!
Also, yesterday we were able to go to a baptism of a 10 year old boy, Pablo. There was such a strong spirit there. He is a special boy and he knows the importance of the covenant he has made with God. Afterward, his family had all of the missionaries in our district over for dinner (how sweet huh?) and Pablo said the prayer and in the prayer he said "Thank you that I was able to get baptized and make a covenant with you, I am going to keep this covenant." I thought that was so sweet. His determination to do good and to live righteously was inspiring for me. I am constantly being inspired by the people I meet daily here.
This past week I was reading in Alma, and I have always loved the book of Alma, but on my mission even more so because there are so many amazing stories about missionary work. On Saturday morning I read Alma 5. It is Alma the younger and he is testifying of our Savior, Jesus Christ. It is such a powerful, powerful chapter. The Savior was willing to come to this Earth to die for us, yes, and to suffer for us in the Garden of Gethsemane. He performed and overcame the Atonement so that we could all have the opportunity to return and live together with our Heavenly Father. I am not a prophet like Alma the younger nor have I seen an angel, but I know that Jesus Christ lives. I know that through the redeeming power of the Atonement, we can be forgiven, we can overcome our trials, and we can feel the comfort and peace that we want & need in our lives. I wear the name of Jesus Christ on my badge everyday. I am trying my best to be a worthy representative of Him. I want you to know that I love my Savior.
I hope you have all had a wonderful week! Thank you for your letters and love! I love you all so much!!! Thank you for being YOU! :]
Con mucho amor,
Hermana Robinson
How are all of you doing?! I am doing GREAT! It's so crazy when the week rolls around and I try to remember all of the things that happened during the week. I feel like there is always so much, but I am going to do my best to remember. :]
I told you last week in my e-mail that we were able to go to the Oakland Temple Thursday and I really enjoyed it! The Oakland temple is BEAUTIFUL! I love the temple and I am so thankful that our district was able to go and receive that spiritual power and inspiration that we need. In the visitor's center there is a presentation about families and how families can be together forever. As I was watching the presentation, I couldn't help but feel the happiness and the true love the family possessed in the movie. I know that if we live the principles of the gospel, we all can have that happiness and purpose that the gospel gives to us. I feel so blessed to be here serving and that I can share this message with everyone! We can find true happiness in this gospel, we have a Heavenly Father who loves us, we have a purpose in this life, and we can be with our Heavenly Father and with our families forever. Our Heavenly Father has a perfect plan for each one of us. Each day that passes on the mission, I come to a better understanding of how beautiful this plan really is.
On Friday I went on exchanges to Petaluma again, but this time with another sister, Sister Carroll, we both came out here on our missions the same time. We are both "greenies" (term for new missionaries) but we did the best we could! She is a great example of giving it her all, all of the time. Exchanges gives us the opportunity to experience a new area, a new companion, and new people for 24 hours. It really is a great learning experience!
Yesterday in the spanish branch that we attend every Sunday, we received a new branch president. It was bittersweet for everyone. He and his family is moving to another part of California and so he will no longer be in the branch or stake. All of the members were so sad that he wouldn't be there anymore. For the few years that he has served, they all have grown really close and I can tell how great his love is for every member of the branch. The new branch president is great though too! He introduced himself and bore his testimony and I could feel his love for every person already. He has a strong, strong testimony of Jesus Christ. I know that the branch members could feel it too. The branch is in good hands!!
Also, yesterday we were able to go to a baptism of a 10 year old boy, Pablo. There was such a strong spirit there. He is a special boy and he knows the importance of the covenant he has made with God. Afterward, his family had all of the missionaries in our district over for dinner (how sweet huh?) and Pablo said the prayer and in the prayer he said "Thank you that I was able to get baptized and make a covenant with you, I am going to keep this covenant." I thought that was so sweet. His determination to do good and to live righteously was inspiring for me. I am constantly being inspired by the people I meet daily here.
This past week I was reading in Alma, and I have always loved the book of Alma, but on my mission even more so because there are so many amazing stories about missionary work. On Saturday morning I read Alma 5. It is Alma the younger and he is testifying of our Savior, Jesus Christ. It is such a powerful, powerful chapter. The Savior was willing to come to this Earth to die for us, yes, and to suffer for us in the Garden of Gethsemane. He performed and overcame the Atonement so that we could all have the opportunity to return and live together with our Heavenly Father. I am not a prophet like Alma the younger nor have I seen an angel, but I know that Jesus Christ lives. I know that through the redeeming power of the Atonement, we can be forgiven, we can overcome our trials, and we can feel the comfort and peace that we want & need in our lives. I wear the name of Jesus Christ on my badge everyday. I am trying my best to be a worthy representative of Him. I want you to know that I love my Savior.
I hope you have all had a wonderful week! Thank you for your letters and love! I love you all so much!!! Thank you for being YOU! :]
Con mucho amor,
Hermana Robinson
Thursday, September 1, 2011
08/29/2011
My dearest family,
How are you all doing?! I received an e-mail from mom and she let me know that everyone is doing really good & that everyone is back in the swing of things! I can't believe it is almost September! The concept of time is so weird on the mission. I just can't believe I left for the MTC before Chandler was out of school and now he is back in school and I can't believe Vanessa is almost done with hair school! It has already been a year since she started. You have really dedicated yourself, that is something to be sooo proud of!
This past week, there have been quite a few interesting things that have happened. On Tuesday night at the activity night the branch has once a week, we were informed by President Kirts (branch president) that one of the recent converts in the branch was in jail. She had lost her temper with her ex, I don't know exactly what happened, but he called the police and she was put in jail. Hna. Fenn and I were very sad because we have grown so close to her. She has 4 kids and so we automatically thought of them and where they were? If they were okay? Of course, the members of the branch had stepped in and everything was taken care of. The kids had a place to stay and because school was going to start the next day, they had arranged how they were going to get to school and everything. There aren't tons of active members in the branch, but we have strong strong members. I am amazed at how willing they are to be of help or service of any kind. Our branch is a family, it really is. The next day, Hna. Fenn and I fasted and prayed for her. We then were able to go visit her in jail with the Relief Society president. It was heart wrenching to see her in jail, but we were able to talk to her. We were able to tell her that everything is going to be okay, and then we said a prayer. We all felt the spirit so strong and I could feel the love that Heavenly Father had for her and He knew what she was going through. The next day she was let out. We were so happy! I know that the Lord answered our prayers. Every member of the branch (that knew the situation) was praying for her. It was so good to see her yesterday at church & to give her a big hug!
Friday night, we were able to teach Rodrigo (an investigator of the zone leaders). Rodrigo was baptized yesterday and now is a member, but we taught him the Word of Wisdom, the Law of Chastity, keep the Sabbath day holy, and the law of the tithe. He has been prepared to accept this Gospel. I was so amazed at his enthusiasm and willingness to do EXACTLY what the Lord wants us to do. He kept saying he is going to try his best with everything and he's going to give it 110%. It was refreshing and it made me want to work that much harder to find those people that are prepared to accept the Gospel into their lives.
My first transfer is over as of yesterday! Today begins my 2nd transfer in the mission field (transfers are six weeks long). I didn't know if Hna. Fenn would stay or go, but she is leaving. She has been here 3 transfers now and is going to Napa. Hna. Skroski is going to be my new companion here in Novato and she will be here today at 1. I'm a little nervous just because I'm now the one that knows the area and people the best, but I know that the Lord is going to help me! I know that with Him on our side, we cannot fail!
I have been reading a book called "Our Search for Happiness" by Russell Ballard. I highly recommend all of you to read it! It has taught me so much about the gospel. I want to share a quote from my quote book that I have by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, it says: "Your Father in Heaven knows your name, and knows your circumstance. He hears your prayers. He knows your hopes and dreams, including your fears and frustrations. And He knows what you can become through faith in Him." Wow, I love that. I know that our Heavenly Father loves us and knows us. I know that Jesus Christ is our Savior. I know that Joseph Smith restored the Church of Jesus Christ on the Earth again and that Thomas S. Monson is our living prophet today.
I love you all so much! Thank you for your constant love and support.
Con mucho amor,
Hermana Robinson
How are you all doing?! I received an e-mail from mom and she let me know that everyone is doing really good & that everyone is back in the swing of things! I can't believe it is almost September! The concept of time is so weird on the mission. I just can't believe I left for the MTC before Chandler was out of school and now he is back in school and I can't believe Vanessa is almost done with hair school! It has already been a year since she started. You have really dedicated yourself, that is something to be sooo proud of!
This past week, there have been quite a few interesting things that have happened. On Tuesday night at the activity night the branch has once a week, we were informed by President Kirts (branch president) that one of the recent converts in the branch was in jail. She had lost her temper with her ex, I don't know exactly what happened, but he called the police and she was put in jail. Hna. Fenn and I were very sad because we have grown so close to her. She has 4 kids and so we automatically thought of them and where they were? If they were okay? Of course, the members of the branch had stepped in and everything was taken care of. The kids had a place to stay and because school was going to start the next day, they had arranged how they were going to get to school and everything. There aren't tons of active members in the branch, but we have strong strong members. I am amazed at how willing they are to be of help or service of any kind. Our branch is a family, it really is. The next day, Hna. Fenn and I fasted and prayed for her. We then were able to go visit her in jail with the Relief Society president. It was heart wrenching to see her in jail, but we were able to talk to her. We were able to tell her that everything is going to be okay, and then we said a prayer. We all felt the spirit so strong and I could feel the love that Heavenly Father had for her and He knew what she was going through. The next day she was let out. We were so happy! I know that the Lord answered our prayers. Every member of the branch (that knew the situation) was praying for her. It was so good to see her yesterday at church & to give her a big hug!
Friday night, we were able to teach Rodrigo (an investigator of the zone leaders). Rodrigo was baptized yesterday and now is a member, but we taught him the Word of Wisdom, the Law of Chastity, keep the Sabbath day holy, and the law of the tithe. He has been prepared to accept this Gospel. I was so amazed at his enthusiasm and willingness to do EXACTLY what the Lord wants us to do. He kept saying he is going to try his best with everything and he's going to give it 110%. It was refreshing and it made me want to work that much harder to find those people that are prepared to accept the Gospel into their lives.
My first transfer is over as of yesterday! Today begins my 2nd transfer in the mission field (transfers are six weeks long). I didn't know if Hna. Fenn would stay or go, but she is leaving. She has been here 3 transfers now and is going to Napa. Hna. Skroski is going to be my new companion here in Novato and she will be here today at 1. I'm a little nervous just because I'm now the one that knows the area and people the best, but I know that the Lord is going to help me! I know that with Him on our side, we cannot fail!
I have been reading a book called "Our Search for Happiness" by Russell Ballard. I highly recommend all of you to read it! It has taught me so much about the gospel. I want to share a quote from my quote book that I have by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, it says: "Your Father in Heaven knows your name, and knows your circumstance. He hears your prayers. He knows your hopes and dreams, including your fears and frustrations. And He knows what you can become through faith in Him." Wow, I love that. I know that our Heavenly Father loves us and knows us. I know that Jesus Christ is our Savior. I know that Joseph Smith restored the Church of Jesus Christ on the Earth again and that Thomas S. Monson is our living prophet today.
I love you all so much! Thank you for your constant love and support.
Con mucho amor,
Hermana Robinson
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)