Hello my dear family,
How is everything?! I will soon get to hear all of your voices and I am so excited. It gives me goosebumps just thinking about it. That will be by far the best Christmas present this year.
Being on a mission during Christmas is different! I have come to love Christmas even more being a missionary because we completely focus on the true meaning of Christmas because we aren't thinking about all of the other petty things that has changed what Christmas is all about. We had our all mission conference on Thursday and it was so wonderful! I felt the Christmas spirit so strong. It was all of us missionaries in the Santa Rosa Mission and the spirit was powerful. There were a lot of Christmas musical numbers and they were all sooo good.
One of the Elders, who has a disability, that has been in our zone in Vacaville is Elder Miller and he was on what is called a "mini" mission. You get to experience full-time missionary work, but for about 3 months or so. He is the sweetest person and has the spirit so strong. He added so much to our zone and he will always have a special place in my heart. The all mission conference finished his three months, so his family was planning on coming and picking him up from all mission conference (he lives in the mission boundaries). He was so excited to see his family! At the all mission conference, President Bunker was talking about exaltation and how through Jesus Christ, we are able to be families forever. Exaltation is to live with God and to live with our families for eternity. He talked about how wonderful it is and will be. He told us that we would all be able to get a glimpse of exaltation and told Elder Miller to stand up and then said that his family was in the back and to join his family. He was so happy to see his family and went so fast to join his family at the back of the room and embrace them. The whole room was in tears, it was so touching. I couldn't help but think of all of you and how much I miss you. I couldn't help but think of the day we will again reunite and how heavenly that will be. I know that family relationships don't end at death, I know that families can be together forever. I love all of you so much and I can't imagine not being with all of you for forever. I know that one day we can all go to the temple and be sealed as a family and have the sure knowledge that we will be together FOREVER.
I love all of you so much! You are everything to me. Being on a mission has increased my understanding of just how dear all of you are to me. Thank you for your support and love! Oh and thank you for the package, I received it at the mission conference! I am waiting to open it on Christmas when I will talk to all of you! YAY! Talk to you soon. :]
Con mucho amor,
Hermana Robinson
Monday, December 26, 2011
Sunday, December 18, 2011
12-12-11
Hello family!
It's beginning to feel like winter here in California. I can't believe Christmas is so soon, 2011 is almost over, and the beginning of a new year is almost here. I honestly feel like the mission puts you in a time warp and when I get home I will still believe it is May of 2011. Christmas season is so fun. We have had fun listening to our Christmas music and looking at the different Christmas lights up on the houses in the neighborhoods. I can't help but feel so blessed. I have so much, I am SO blessed. As I think about Christmas time and our Savior, I cant' help but feel so much gratitude and love for Him.
This past week we had a lesson with one of our investigators, Alejandra. She is a sweet lady. She is a single mom of two children who is trying her hardest to provide for her kids the best life possible. She has been working night shifts at a factory of some sort. On Friday night we went over there to see how she was doing and she was out front, talking on the phone crying. We let her finish her conversation on the phone and when she got off, she said to us sobbing "Me faulta la ayuda de Dios"- "I don't have the help of God." My heart was broken. Something happened that had made her feel that God is not there at this time for her. We asked her what happened and she told us that she had been fired from her job due to the wrong of another person, who she thought was her friend. As she told us this, I was racking my brain for something, anything I could do or say to make her feel better. I put my arm around her and tried to console her, she then invited us into her apartment. I know that Hna. Stephenson and I were both doing our best to follow the spirit, praying to know what it is we need to say to her that night that would help her know that God is there despite this hard time. We asked if we could have a prayer on our knees and then we shared with her in Doctrine and Covenants 121 when Joseph Smith, a prophet, was doing all that he could to build up the kingdom of God, doing his best to be a husband and father, doing his best to be a son of God and was put in Liberty Jail for months in the winter with barely any food, without a bathroom. Horrible, horrible circumstances. We shared with her his cry out to our Heavenly Father when he asked in verse 1. "O God, where are thou?" We read until God consoles Joseph and says in verse 7. "My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment;"
After we shared of God's love for her and that this is a trial and difficulty in her life right now, but that in the grand scheme of things it is "but a small moment." We told her everything would be okay, we testified to her that God is ALWAYS there. She expressed to us afterward that she really like those verses and that she felt better, she felt peace. We left her with a prayer. We walked out of her apartment that night feeling that the spirit had worked through us. I can't imagine being a single mom of two children and losing my job. I don't know what I would do, but I do know that God is ALWAYS there, but it's up to us to turn to Him.
I am so thankful for all of you. You are all great examples to me. You are always in my thoughts and prayers. Thank you for your love and support. I hope that everything is going well and that you all feel the love of God for you because He does love you sooo much.
Con mucho amor,
Hermana Robinson
It's beginning to feel like winter here in California. I can't believe Christmas is so soon, 2011 is almost over, and the beginning of a new year is almost here. I honestly feel like the mission puts you in a time warp and when I get home I will still believe it is May of 2011. Christmas season is so fun. We have had fun listening to our Christmas music and looking at the different Christmas lights up on the houses in the neighborhoods. I can't help but feel so blessed. I have so much, I am SO blessed. As I think about Christmas time and our Savior, I cant' help but feel so much gratitude and love for Him.
This past week we had a lesson with one of our investigators, Alejandra. She is a sweet lady. She is a single mom of two children who is trying her hardest to provide for her kids the best life possible. She has been working night shifts at a factory of some sort. On Friday night we went over there to see how she was doing and she was out front, talking on the phone crying. We let her finish her conversation on the phone and when she got off, she said to us sobbing "Me faulta la ayuda de Dios"- "I don't have the help of God." My heart was broken. Something happened that had made her feel that God is not there at this time for her. We asked her what happened and she told us that she had been fired from her job due to the wrong of another person, who she thought was her friend. As she told us this, I was racking my brain for something, anything I could do or say to make her feel better. I put my arm around her and tried to console her, she then invited us into her apartment. I know that Hna. Stephenson and I were both doing our best to follow the spirit, praying to know what it is we need to say to her that night that would help her know that God is there despite this hard time. We asked if we could have a prayer on our knees and then we shared with her in Doctrine and Covenants 121 when Joseph Smith, a prophet, was doing all that he could to build up the kingdom of God, doing his best to be a husband and father, doing his best to be a son of God and was put in Liberty Jail for months in the winter with barely any food, without a bathroom. Horrible, horrible circumstances. We shared with her his cry out to our Heavenly Father when he asked in verse 1. "O God, where are thou?" We read until God consoles Joseph and says in verse 7. "My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment;"
After we shared of God's love for her and that this is a trial and difficulty in her life right now, but that in the grand scheme of things it is "but a small moment." We told her everything would be okay, we testified to her that God is ALWAYS there. She expressed to us afterward that she really like those verses and that she felt better, she felt peace. We left her with a prayer. We walked out of her apartment that night feeling that the spirit had worked through us. I can't imagine being a single mom of two children and losing my job. I don't know what I would do, but I do know that God is ALWAYS there, but it's up to us to turn to Him.
I am so thankful for all of you. You are all great examples to me. You are always in my thoughts and prayers. Thank you for your love and support. I hope that everything is going well and that you all feel the love of God for you because He does love you sooo much.
Con mucho amor,
Hermana Robinson
Sunday, December 11, 2011
12-05-2011
Dear familia,
It has been an eventful transfer already! With Thanksgiving, and then this past week there was a leadership training meeting that I went to and then a sister's conference for all of the sisters in the mission (there are 34 of us). I learned SO much, I felt physically, spiritually, mentally, and emotionally exhausted afterwards, haha. I walked away from both of those meetings wanting to be a better leader, and more specifically a better woman. At sister's conference I learned a lot about the divine role of a woman and the magnitude of our influence and examples on those around us. The world we live in has definitely skewed the perception of what a woman is and should be. I am coming to better understand that I am a daughter of God and what that means. It's a sacred role and I want to honor and treasure it as such. My companion, Hna. Stephenson, has really helped me understand how I want to be treated and how I should conduct myself to receive that. As I was laying in bed that night of the sister's conference, I felt a warm feeling come over me and I know it was the spirit confirming to me of my worth.
Friday night, we had an amazing lesson with one of the member's brothers, Silverio. We went in planning to teach Agustine (the member), but Silverio joined in on the lesson and was very interested. We bore testimony of the Book of Mormon, of the Gospel in our lives. He expressed that he wanted to know like we did of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon and we told him that if he has a desire, he can have that for himself. We explained to him in order to make his desire grow, he needed to act on it and read the Book of Mormon. We gave him Alma 32 to read and he said he would, but wouldn't promise because he doesn't make promises. We felt the spirit so strong and walked out of there knowing that the spirit had worked through us. We really listened to Silverio and we were guided by the spirit on how to help him come unto Christ and build that desire to gain a testimony for himself.
At sister's conference, one of the sisters shared a scripture that really touched me and I've been sharing it at every chance I get. :] It's something I have a hard time with and most of us do especially in the crazy world we live in. Sometimes we get so caught up in our busy lives and get so caught up in getting things done that we don't enjoy the journey. I know I have a hard time with it. This scripture reminds us to "Be still and know that [He] is God".
Doctrine and Covenants 101:16 "Therefore, let your hearts be comforted concerning Zion; for all flesh is in mine hands; be still and know that I am God."
I am so thankful for the Gospel in my life and for the knowledge I have of a Heavenly Father who loves me. I am thankful for my beautiful family. :] Thank you for everything you do for me! Thank you for your examples that keep me pushing forward everyday. I hope that at this crazy time of the year, Christmas season, you can "be still and know that [He] is God" and remember Jesus Christ and His life. His example.
I LOVE YOU!
con mucho amor,
Hermana Robinson
It has been an eventful transfer already! With Thanksgiving, and then this past week there was a leadership training meeting that I went to and then a sister's conference for all of the sisters in the mission (there are 34 of us). I learned SO much, I felt physically, spiritually, mentally, and emotionally exhausted afterwards, haha. I walked away from both of those meetings wanting to be a better leader, and more specifically a better woman. At sister's conference I learned a lot about the divine role of a woman and the magnitude of our influence and examples on those around us. The world we live in has definitely skewed the perception of what a woman is and should be. I am coming to better understand that I am a daughter of God and what that means. It's a sacred role and I want to honor and treasure it as such. My companion, Hna. Stephenson, has really helped me understand how I want to be treated and how I should conduct myself to receive that. As I was laying in bed that night of the sister's conference, I felt a warm feeling come over me and I know it was the spirit confirming to me of my worth.
Friday night, we had an amazing lesson with one of the member's brothers, Silverio. We went in planning to teach Agustine (the member), but Silverio joined in on the lesson and was very interested. We bore testimony of the Book of Mormon, of the Gospel in our lives. He expressed that he wanted to know like we did of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon and we told him that if he has a desire, he can have that for himself. We explained to him in order to make his desire grow, he needed to act on it and read the Book of Mormon. We gave him Alma 32 to read and he said he would, but wouldn't promise because he doesn't make promises. We felt the spirit so strong and walked out of there knowing that the spirit had worked through us. We really listened to Silverio and we were guided by the spirit on how to help him come unto Christ and build that desire to gain a testimony for himself.
At sister's conference, one of the sisters shared a scripture that really touched me and I've been sharing it at every chance I get. :] It's something I have a hard time with and most of us do especially in the crazy world we live in. Sometimes we get so caught up in our busy lives and get so caught up in getting things done that we don't enjoy the journey. I know I have a hard time with it. This scripture reminds us to "Be still and know that [He] is God".
Doctrine and Covenants 101:16 "Therefore, let your hearts be comforted concerning Zion; for all flesh is in mine hands; be still and know that I am God."
I am so thankful for the Gospel in my life and for the knowledge I have of a Heavenly Father who loves me. I am thankful for my beautiful family. :] Thank you for everything you do for me! Thank you for your examples that keep me pushing forward everyday. I hope that at this crazy time of the year, Christmas season, you can "be still and know that [He] is God" and remember Jesus Christ and His life. His example.
I LOVE YOU!
con mucho amor,
Hermana Robinson
11-28-11
Happy Holidays family! How was Thanksgiving?! Can you believe Christmas is right around the corner?! It's crazy. I want to say THANK YOU, THANK YOU for all of the birthday cards, money, chocolate, cd's, and everything that I received for my birthday. You all know me so well! I felt loved! I hope you all had a good time on Thanksgiving and remembered all of the many blessings you have in your lives. I have soo many blessings and believe me you are all at the top of my list. Thanksgiving was good, it's very different being away from home and from all of you, but it makes me realize just how crucial and vital each one of you are in my life. I look forward to all of the Thanksgivings we will be able to spend together. For Thanksgiving, we first went and served at the Veteran's house. They were feeding those people that don't have a lot to eat on Thanksgiving. We helped serve people, talk to them, and it really opened my eyes. As I served and focused outward, I felt so happy. Service is wonderful! We also hopped from member's house to member's house. I am amazed at the love and service all of the families in the ward here give us. They are all so willing to feed us, support us and make us all feel loved. I will forever invite missionaries over to my house for Thanksgiving! We got plenty, plenty of food, haha. :]
Vacaville is awesome! It's different from Novato and I knew it would be. It's amazing, though. As another sister and I were driving into Vacaville last Monday, we were both like "We love it here already!!" and we were both so serious. I could feel that this is the place I need to be right now. We live in a member's home here! I just met them yesterday, haha after being here this past week because they were on a vacation to Guatemala (where he served his mission.) It was so fun to talk to him about it, too! They had an amazing time. We live with the Monson family and it's just the couple that live in their home and they open it up to us as if we were their family. They are wonderful people. They have a son serving a mission right now too. I am thankful that I'm living in a home during the holiday season, it makes it a bit more like home. :]
Yesterday was my first Sunday and it was awesome! We go to the English ward and then we have our little spanish group sacrament meeting. It was great, all of the members here are wonderful and very welcoming. I loved the little spanish group. It may be few in number, but it's strong in spirit.
The mission is an amazing experience. Yesterday all of the missionaries in the zone (14 of us) met with the stake presidency and they taught us more in depth about the Holy Ghost (when before would I have ever been able to do that?) and I learned a lot! I just feel so blessed to be able to be a part of these amazing experiences. After learning about the Holy Ghost yesterday, I am more determined to live faithfully. To be a better person, to be a better disciple of Jesus Christ, to be a better missionary. I want to live in a way that when I receive a prompting from the Holy Ghost, I immediately follow the prompting. I want to live so that it's a part of who I am.
Hermana Stephenson, my companion, is awesome. We both still feel sooo green (missionary lingo for new). And we are, but we are working and learning together. She's an amazing example and I have a lot to learn from her. She is one of those people that just glow with the spirit! We have had some good lessons together, even though we are both learning spanish still, we are able to get by! Only with the help of the Lord, though. The work is moving forward here and I know that it can only get better. I am working hard to be my best and to give it all I've got.
There is this quote from President Hinckley that I want to share: "Many young women are serving missions. Many are preparing to serve, not because they aren’t married or have nothing else to do, but because they have a desire to serve and therefore are being called to the work. The reason so many are going is because in the next generation, Heavenly Father will be sending his Priesthood Army to the earth. And He wants to send them to mothers who have been properly trained and taught in the gospel. And what better training can a young woman have than that of serving a mission!"
I love this Gospel. I love serving, I love being a part of this amazing work. My testimony is strengthened everyday. And it's always in a different aspect of the Gospel. The more I know about the Gospel the more I love it, the more I know that this is the only way to true happiness. I am so thankful for all of you in my lives. Thank you for your love and for your support. There is a few scriptures I want to share from 3 Nephi 11 and this is when Jesus Christ came to the Americas, such a powerful chapter, in verse 10: "Behold, I am Jesus Christ, whom the prophets testified shall come into the world. verse 11 "And behold, I am the light and the life of the world; and I have drunk out of that bitter cup which the Father hath given me, and have glorified the Father in taking upon me the sins of the world, in the which I have suffered the will of the Father in all things from the beginning." (first line of verse 14): "Arise and come forth unto me"
Jesus Christ is our Savior, Redeemer, but He is also our very best friend. I am excited for the Christmas season and to celebrate His birth. I love Christmas time!! Thank you for everything that you do! Each of you are AMAZING!!
Con mucho amor,
Hermana Robinson
Vacaville is awesome! It's different from Novato and I knew it would be. It's amazing, though. As another sister and I were driving into Vacaville last Monday, we were both like "We love it here already!!" and we were both so serious. I could feel that this is the place I need to be right now. We live in a member's home here! I just met them yesterday, haha after being here this past week because they were on a vacation to Guatemala (where he served his mission.) It was so fun to talk to him about it, too! They had an amazing time. We live with the Monson family and it's just the couple that live in their home and they open it up to us as if we were their family. They are wonderful people. They have a son serving a mission right now too. I am thankful that I'm living in a home during the holiday season, it makes it a bit more like home. :]
Yesterday was my first Sunday and it was awesome! We go to the English ward and then we have our little spanish group sacrament meeting. It was great, all of the members here are wonderful and very welcoming. I loved the little spanish group. It may be few in number, but it's strong in spirit.
The mission is an amazing experience. Yesterday all of the missionaries in the zone (14 of us) met with the stake presidency and they taught us more in depth about the Holy Ghost (when before would I have ever been able to do that?) and I learned a lot! I just feel so blessed to be able to be a part of these amazing experiences. After learning about the Holy Ghost yesterday, I am more determined to live faithfully. To be a better person, to be a better disciple of Jesus Christ, to be a better missionary. I want to live in a way that when I receive a prompting from the Holy Ghost, I immediately follow the prompting. I want to live so that it's a part of who I am.
Hermana Stephenson, my companion, is awesome. We both still feel sooo green (missionary lingo for new). And we are, but we are working and learning together. She's an amazing example and I have a lot to learn from her. She is one of those people that just glow with the spirit! We have had some good lessons together, even though we are both learning spanish still, we are able to get by! Only with the help of the Lord, though. The work is moving forward here and I know that it can only get better. I am working hard to be my best and to give it all I've got.
There is this quote from President Hinckley that I want to share: "Many young women are serving missions. Many are preparing to serve, not because they aren’t married or have nothing else to do, but because they have a desire to serve and therefore are being called to the work. The reason so many are going is because in the next generation, Heavenly Father will be sending his Priesthood Army to the earth. And He wants to send them to mothers who have been properly trained and taught in the gospel. And what better training can a young woman have than that of serving a mission!"
I love this Gospel. I love serving, I love being a part of this amazing work. My testimony is strengthened everyday. And it's always in a different aspect of the Gospel. The more I know about the Gospel the more I love it, the more I know that this is the only way to true happiness. I am so thankful for all of you in my lives. Thank you for your love and for your support. There is a few scriptures I want to share from 3 Nephi 11 and this is when Jesus Christ came to the Americas, such a powerful chapter, in verse 10: "Behold, I am Jesus Christ, whom the prophets testified shall come into the world. verse 11 "And behold, I am the light and the life of the world; and I have drunk out of that bitter cup which the Father hath given me, and have glorified the Father in taking upon me the sins of the world, in the which I have suffered the will of the Father in all things from the beginning." (first line of verse 14): "Arise and come forth unto me"
Jesus Christ is our Savior, Redeemer, but He is also our very best friend. I am excited for the Christmas season and to celebrate His birth. I love Christmas time!! Thank you for everything that you do! Each of you are AMAZING!!
Con mucho amor,
Hermana Robinson
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