Hello! Well working backwards, we got to see the eclipse last night! We didn't even know it was coming up or anything but at our dinner appointment they were talking about it so then we were on the lookout and saw it. It was pretty cool! I tried to take a picture but it didn't really work that well. Last night I got Rachael's email (she emails every single week, hasn't missed one yet...hint hint) and she mentioned that they saw it. I was like, "hey! they saw the same moon! We were probably looking at the same time!" and then I thought of that corny American Tale song.
Saturday was kind of crazy. Here the broadcast is on at 5 so there was no time for a dinner appointment really. We ended up doing dinner on our own around 8:00. Before that we had some service helping some people move, and then we had lunch with the sisters at the Assisted Living. One of them is less active and was quite delighted to see us actually so that was a nice surprise. Maybe we'll make some progress there. We did some running around after that trying to visit people before it was time to be at the Stake Center. We ended up getting at least one person to the broadcast that wasn't planning on it, although we tried several. But at least one more had the opportunity to view
live that wonderful conference! It was SO good. It just made me extra excited for General Conference this upcoming weekend. Conference is the best. And what's even better is having instant access to the talks to continue studying them and applying the teachings. It's the hugest blessing to have apostles and prophets today! Personal highlights from Women's Conference:
Look for validation of worth vertically, from Heavenly Father. Not horizontally from the world.
Keep the vision of Heavenly Father's blessings before your eyes, but also recognize the multitude of tender mercies in daily life.
Open your eyes to the happiness placed before you now!
And the question: How do I fill the measure of my creation?
Friday we had interviews with our mission President so that was pretty OK. The lack of progress in our area definitely came up so that is never very fun. It was OK though. Things are going to pick up! That night we got some frozen yogurt with some of the other sisters here. I got coconut and put some fresh strawberries on it. Yummy!
District Meeting on Thursday our district leader showed us part of one of the addiction recovery videos that were just put out. Those videos are SO good! Even if you're not an addict. Although they're also horribly sad so...view at your own risk. But the one he showed us was the last part of Step 6. He didn't show the beginning sad part just the part more towards the end when the man is recovering. But it was a great example of how the Atonement works in our lives. He is praying for help, and the question that comes to him in answer to his prayer is, "Will you let me take this?" The Savior wants to heal us. He is there with open arms to help us through anything and everything. Even the things we think we should be able to do on our own. He wants to help us, but we have to let Him.
Wednesday we were biking and Sister Miller was trying to stop but ended up going off the sidewalk a little. We were right behind these people so they turned around to see her falling. We were both laughing SO SO hard! It was just hilarious because of the awkwardness of the situation with the people staring. Normally I don't laugh at the misfortunes of others, I promise! :)
Tuesday we were trying to leave the house and ended up with a flat tire before we got out of the driveway haha. Sister Millers valve popped so we had to replace her tube. So we spent some time getting to know a nice member in our ward that helped with our bikes.
So that's about it! I can't wait for General Conference! Love you all! Have a great week!
Sister Robinson
28 September 2015
Somewhere out there
26 September 2015
Another week in Chile
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| Here's all of us! |
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President and the boys #groupselfie
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Some sick beach football! #gocougars
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| This place is called la iglesia de la piedra. Because it's like a big rock that kind of looks like a cathedral inside. sort of... |
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| #selfie |
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here's a horse I think... we were way out there in the country side. It was like 2 hours away...
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| #hsmselfie
CONFERENCE IS NEXT WEEKEND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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inside the "church"
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| lunch! |
25 September 2015
24 September 2015
Saturday September 19-Friday September 25 2015
Saturday was all bishops, branch presidencies and stake self reliance
committees throughout the mission: 4 stakes, 2 districts conference.
The turn out was good-80. The meeting was all in Illongo so we don't
know what was said. The meeting was 9-11:45 lunch break, then 12:30-2:30.
We drove Boiser to the wharf to take the boat back to Bacolod. We went
to the center, remembered some caribou belts that Boiser forgot and we
returned to the wharf and brought them to him. Then we went to our
apartment. Fasting for the mission starts at noonish. Sunday there was
a quote, "it is better to cry than to be angry because
anger hurts others
While tears silently soothe the soul and cleans the heart."
We picked up Darlene and Alex at the gas station and drove to Pototon
for church and met with the bishop (new) about self-reliance. We spoke
in sacrament meeting. The people are so kind to us. We took four
people into town after all the meetings and then went to San Miguel
group for their meetings. I led the music; Ray prayed. At 5:00
we returned to our apartment, ended our fast, ate chicken and rice,
popcorn and juice. We will read and look over our week ahead.
Monday we are reading in Alma 19:22,
23...one of them...being angry with Ammon...went forth to slay
him...behold he fell dead. 23...the Lord had said unto Mosiah, his
father...it shall be unto him according to thy faith,...Mosiah trusted
him unto the Lord. Our prayers will bring upon our children safety as
we trust our children unto the Lord." I remember my father saying that
there was not a better place for 19 (the age then for missions) year
olds to be than on a mission. What a wise, faithful father. How
grateful I am for those words of my father and for the words of Ammon
and his father, and for the words of the Lord through His prophets. At
one time, I read the scriptures because it was commanded; now I read
because I love the words, the counsel, the Spirit, the promises--if I
get ahead of the mission schedule, I don't want to rest a day from it.
When the 7 pages are done as required by the mission president, I don't
want to end. I love the primary song, "Search, Ponder, and Pray." Today
Is p-day and we are doing wash to start. I prepared some artichoke dip to take to Guimaras on Wednesday,
also some bacon, fried and crumbled, grated cheese and the works for
potato bar, also to take to Guimaras. There aren't any good places to
eat out there so we will eat at Cushings house. At 9:30 we were at Jalandoni. At 12:30 we went to withdraw money, purchase a few groceries--we saw the missionaries in our district there. Every third Monday
of the month, they are allowed to go to SM. then we went home, brought
in the wash, made our bed back up, took a rest, listened to Elder and
Sister Claytons YSA fireside. At 4:30
we went to San Miguel for a fhe with the group. We saw a sister from
the group and gave her a ride.😃turned out we were an answer to her
prayer because she didn't have enough Pesos to pay for the trip to the
group and for her daughters lunch the next day so when we gave her a
ride, she had the money for the daughters lunch. Anyway, a new convert
came, Sister Salazar. Her son and husband also attended. They are not
being taught yet. It was a good turn out. All speak Ilongo. Home at 7:30, had a snack, bed.
Tuesday my mom is getting married today. In the states, it is Monday 21st but here it is Tuesday.
It is weird. I have told everybody. They are impressed that she would
get married at her age. Julie sent us a video of Raymond playing and
singing, "Could I have this dance?" They should be good company for
each other--Harold Giles 90, my mother 94. I'm glad they can have some
company for the time they have left. District meeting was this morning
and President Aquino joined halfway through. I think everyone was
pretty nervous. He did interviews after. A n d gave permission for
our zone to have an activity in Guimaras. We are all excited! After we
took all the missionaries to pick up donuts and went to out apartment
to eat them and read "Horton Hatches the Egg". I was Mayzie, Elder
Paxton was Horton, and Elder Robertson was the narrator, and the rest
were friends, hunters, and the circus crowd. We dispersed, ate lunch,
had the truck washed and went to Jalandoni. Butch came in and we talked
about the next career workshop. I am so homesick--5 1/2 months left. I
laid on the bed and watched and listened to Raymond's song at the
luncheon and kept looking for people but no matter how I turned my iPad,
I couldn't see the people there or Mom and Harold dancing.
Wednesday
we prepared sweet n sour chicken over rice for dinner at lunchtime and
waited for Strengs to come from Kalibo. When they arrived, they were
surprised how small our apartment is. But we ate and drove to
Jalandoni, took a taxi to the wharf, and onto the boat to Guimaras. It
is a delightful 15 minute soft breezy ride to Guimaras . Cushings were
there to pick us up and took us to their house to drop off the food I
had prepared, then to our hotel, ZemKamp Chalet, then we went swimming
in a huge pool with lane lines, the Woodland. The Cushings had fixed us
a fish dinner and we played games and ate chips and artichoke dip😋. Thursday we had a great
breakfast at the hotel: scrambled eggs, bacon, hash browns, pork n
beans, banana and apple. Best breakfast we have had here except for the
buffet at Boracay. Cushings picked us up at 9:00
and we went to the Buena Vista area where we boarded a small boat and
looked at an underwater cave, then around the island to see Roca en
Cantada, a beautiful house on its own island. When we returned to the
beginning, we drove a short way and went on a hike to Abakan waterfalls (
it was a little slippery and a little wet in places and we crossed the
water or through the water, but it was not as slippery or muddy as a
hike we took in Hawaii once with April and Mike and family). It was
great exercise and full of forest, tropical forest. At the falls there
was a. Oh who jumped in the water at the top (but it was not high like
the one Andrew jumped off in Hawaii) but it was fun and we clapped for
him. I wore Levi's and what was even nice--I discovered they were baggy
on me😃yeah! We stopped and had lunch at an American burger place,
Tito Kano, meaning Uncle American. We drove to the Holy Family Hill and
walked all around the grounds. It really is a kind of spiritual walk
of the Saviors life, death, and resurrection. We went to our hotel to
shower and changed and then went to Cushings house for potato bar and
play "card golf"---9 rounds. 9:30 we returned to the Chalet.
Friday morning, Cushings joined us for breakfast then took us to the
wharf to return to our places....boat ride, taxi, apartment, Strengs
picked up their truck and left, we went to Jalandoni. Another week. We
enjoyed the couples and the island. Love, Mom, Grandma, Teresa
21 September 2015
I wish I spoke Chinese
Well it's been a pretty fun, crazy week! Tuesday we had lunch at an assisted living home. We have a coupe of elderly members that wanted us to come have lunch with them. It's a pretty nice place, and
apparently whenever they want to have guests their guests can just eat for free. It was nice talking to them and getting to know them a little. It's funny, on my mission I've really enjoyed the elderly
people in the areas I've served. They're the best. Before my mission I was honestly pretty uncomfortable with older people. It still stresses me out when they can't hear me, but they're the sweetest. Anyway, for dessert they served "iced potato." That was pretty fun. A taste of Ida-home! It is vanilla ice cream scooped into a kind of ugly potato shape and then rolled in cinnamon sugar, with a drizzle of caramel on top. It's actually really yummy!
We also had a really good lesson with Sister Bailey this week. We invited her to a lunch that the senior sisters in the ward are doing once a month (they call themselves "silver belles" haha). She came! And it seemed like she really had fun. It was good for her to start building some friendships with people in the ward. That's something that I've learned--people need friendships with people at church, and it's not enough to just be friends at church. It needs to be a genuine friendship where you spend time outside of church too. When people are new or returning it is a struggle to get in that routine of attending church. It's so much better for them if they have the support of friends, and not just on Sunday. The progress with her is a little slow, but it's there. One day she will be fully active, and people that know her would never guess that she hadn't been active her whole life. She's awesome.
Saturday morning we got together as a zone for about an hour and did some kind of fun silly things to focus on becoming unified in our teaching. We sat in a circle and told a story with each person saying
just one word, so you don't know where the story is going to go because you never know what anyone else is going to say. You have to listen to everyone, and if you aren't listening the word you use won't make any sense. Then they had us do roleplays with our companion teaching in that way, with each of us saying only one word at a time. It was fun, but also really helpful. It makes you get out of your routine of what you usually say, and you have to be unified with your companion or you don't get anywhere. Which is actually true all the time, it just isn't always as obvious. :)
Sunday we had a lesson scheduled with a headquarters referral named Chen. We still don't know how she ended up as a referral, because her English is a work in progress so communication was a struggle. We did meet her briefly earlier in the week and she didn't have time to talk so we set up a lesson. Since we had talked to her a little we knew her English wasn't great so we found a YSA member that speaks Chinese. That was a huge blessing to have her with us, because we wouldn't have
been able to communicate much at all without her. Chen said that her interest started with wondering why there are so many different religions, and why they all disagree. She has heard a lot of criticism of Mormons but in all her experiences has found us to be very honest and genuine. She had a lot of questions, and since it all had to go through interpreting it was a real challenge to answer her questions. Teaching the Restoration would've answered a lot of them, but she got frustrated waiting for the answers to come since it takes a while to lay the groundwork for why there are so many religions and what is different about ours. So we did our best! We were able to answer a lot of her questions. Because of the language barrier though, we won't be able to continue teaching her. It's a shame because she seems really prepared. There aren't any Chinese missionaries in our mission. The ASL sisters are also covering the Chinese group, so they are learning some Chinese. Hopefully between them and the members in the Chinese group they will be able to help her understand and accept the gospel. I'm excited for her, understanding will come gradually but I know it will be a huge
blessing to her.
This morning in studies I read President Uchtdorf's talk from last conference, "The Gift of Grace."
Re-read it! What really struck me was the retelling of Christ's teaching to the Pharisee, Simon. We all need grace. We can merit nothing of ourselves. The Atonement of Jesus Christ makes it possible
for us to return to live with our Heavenly Father again, and to become like Him. I can't even begin to express the gratitude and joy I feel for that sacrifice. It is wonderful to me! Love you all!
Sister Robinson
I wish I spoke Chinese
Well it's been a pretty fun, crazy week! Tuesday we had lunch at an assisted living home. We have a coupe of elderly members that wanted us to come have lunch with them. It's a pretty nice place, and
apparently whenever they want to have guests their guests can just eat for free. It was nice talking to them and getting to know them a little. It's funny, on my mission I've really enjoyed the elderly
people in the areas I've served. They're the best. Before my mission I was honestly pretty uncomfortable with older people. It still stresses me out when they can't hear me, but they're the sweetest. Anyway, for dessert they served "iced potato." That was pretty fun. A taste of Ida-home! It is vanilla ice cream scooped into a kind of ugly potato shape and then rolled in cinnamon sugar, with a drizzle of caramel on top. It's actually really yummy!
We also had a really good lesson with Sister Bailey this week. We invited her to a lunch that the senior sisters in the ward are doing once a month (they call themselves "silver belles" haha). She came! And it seemed like she really had fun. It was good for her to start building some friendships with people in the ward. That's something that I've learned--people need friendships with people at church, and it's not enough to just be friends at church. It needs to be a genuine friendship where you spend time outside of church too. When people are new or returning it is a struggle to get in that routine of attending church. It's so much better for them if they have the support of friends, and not just on Sunday. The progress with her is a little slow, but it's there. One day she will be fully active, and people that know her would never guess that she hadn't been active her whole life. She's awesome.
Saturday morning we got together as a zone for about an hour and did some kind of fun silly things to focus on becoming unified in our teaching. We sat in a circle and told a story with each person saying
just one word, so you don't know where the story is going to go because you never know what anyone else is going to say. You have to listen to everyone, and if you aren't listening the word you use won't make any sense. Then they had us do roleplays with our companion teaching in that way, with each of us saying only one word at a time. It was fun, but also really helpful. It makes you get out of your routine of what you usually say, and you have to be unified with your companion or you don't get anywhere. Which is actually true all the time, it just isn't always as obvious. :)
Sunday we had a lesson scheduled with a headquarters referral named Chen. We still don't know how she ended up as a referral, because her English is a work in progress so communication was a struggle. We did meet her briefly earlier in the week and she didn't have time to talk so we set up a lesson. Since we had talked to her a little we knew her English wasn't great so we found a YSA member that speaks Chinese. That was a huge blessing to have her with us, because we wouldn't have
been able to communicate much at all without her. Chen said that her interest started with wondering why there are so many different religions, and why they all disagree. She has heard a lot of criticism of Mormons but in all her experiences has found us to be very honest and genuine. She had a lot of questions, and since it all had to go through interpreting it was a real challenge to answer her questions. Teaching the Restoration would've answered a lot of them, but she got frustrated waiting for the answers to come since it takes a while to lay the groundwork for why there are so many religions and what is different about ours. So we did our best! We were able to answer a lot of her questions. Because of the language barrier though, we won't be able to continue teaching her. It's a shame because she seems really prepared. There aren't any Chinese missionaries in our mission. The ASL sisters are also covering the Chinese group, so they are learning some Chinese. Hopefully between them and the members in the Chinese group they will be able to help her understand and accept the gospel. I'm excited for her, understanding will come gradually but I know it will be a huge
blessing to her.
This morning in studies I read President Uchtdorf's talk from last conference, "The Gift of Grace."
Re-read it! What really struck me was the retelling of Christ's teaching to the Pharisee, Simon. We all need grace. We can merit nothing of ourselves. The Atonement of Jesus Christ makes it possible
for us to return to live with our Heavenly Father again, and to become like Him. I can't even begin to express the gratitude and joy I feel for that sacrifice. It is wonderful to me! Love you all!
Sister Robinson
19 September 2015
18 de Septiembre
That's what the Chileans always shout at us when they see that we're gringos. Ha ha. Chileans are funny. And it was Chile's independence day yesterday! Ha ha. We ate so many empanadas! Ha ha. And this thing that's called mote con huesillo… it's not really very delicious, but I love empanadas. Depending on who makes them, obvi. But generally they are fantastic. They're basically like hot pockets or like easy bakes at Costco. They're honestly delicious! Ha ha. They also have these things called pajaritos, which means "little bird" but it's just like a doughnut. I don't know why it's called little bird.We had a pretty great week, though! We made a goal to commit three people to go to church with a baptismal date, and we haven't gotten it yet! So far we have Victor, and Elias! So we sure would appreciate your prayers for them so that they can have some help getting to church tomorrow. And the activity went pretty well, the ward isn't very organized, but everyone had fun and ate, so that's what counts. :)Sadly, Christian is not doing very well… but we had a really powerful lesson with him this week and we left him with an assignment to read in the book of Mormon, and he said he would read it. He says that he wants to keep going to church and stuff, he just doesn't believe in the bible and it was really just frustrating and painful to try so hard with him and then he just denied it all last week, we found out, because his "friend" came over to stay with him so they went out and did stupid things. He just doesn't realize yet how foolish it is to keep doing those things. He really knows that the church is true and that he needs to keep the law of chastity and the word of wisdom, but he's just not willing to give it up yet. People just don't know that those things are so not worth it.We told him that the decision he is making now will determine his destiny forever, and asked him if it was really worth losing his family to be able to have "fun" with his friends. And he just tried not to take it seriously so that he didn't feel bad. Why can't they just understand that the happiness that those things bring is so fruitless? So please keep praying for him. He really needs the atonement and to be brave and make the right decision. His family is fighting for it so hard.That's all for this week! Just so you know we didn't even feel the earthquake here, so don't worry if you have heard anything about that! Check out the pictures of empanadas and activities for the 18! I sure do love you guys a lot! I'm glad we all know the Savior and God's plan for us. It's the best thing that can happen to anybody, to know Him, and accept His gospel in its fullness.Love you!!!Elder Robinson#dancethecueca #nationaldanceofchile #learnit #teachmeit #cuecaP.S. these are empanadas. We got offered these probably 20 times yesterday. And then the members came to our department to give us about 30. I guess they think we really love them. :)
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| This is something that is called sevichi or something like that. It's Peruvian food, and it was amazing. |
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| and this one is mote con huesillo. I didn't like it that much, but I thought it was delicious. :) |
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| My and my comp at the activity of 18! |
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| and Elder Chavez... he's from Bountiful! |
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These are the fun decorations we put up in the office for the festivities.
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18 September 2015
September 11-September 18, 2015
Friday
to finish. We pattied 76 ground round patties for the party tonight.
About 60 people came plus Boiser and his family. The group that Greens
had worked with sang them a cute farewell song about if they had only
one friend left, they would want it to be them. The Greens have made a
big impact, plus they started a call center and business here with 20 employees. So for
these 20, they have made a life change for them. Sister Green has also
taught piano lessons and ordered keyboards from the church. It was late
when everyone left. We all dropped into bed tired.
Saturday I exercised; Ray rode a bike around the neighborhood; we had
cold milk--cows milk, and cold cereal--first time in a year for me to
have milk or cold cereal. We visited and they took us to the wharf and
we rode the Fast Cat back to Iloilo--they even gave us a senior discount
P390 for two of us instead of P500. It was so nice. After our taxi
ride from the wharf, we took care of our ham and hot dogs we had
purchased in Bacolod. We each ate a hot dog and chips and humus. First
hot dog in over a year and ham also. We sliced and diced the ham so
we can have slices tomorrow
and Christmas. We froze the four hot dogs that were not eaten. This
was the first we had seen that we dared to buy. We went at 3:15
to LaPaz for North stake conference; it takes about 30 minutes to get
there. We saw Elder Fogavai at the conference. That was fun. We gave
Sister Cagape a ride to SM from the conference and we came home.
Sunday
North stake conference: Bishop Gerardo spoke about our use of
technology; Bishop Salimbot spoke about families; I spoke; Ray retold
the conference story of Ben Carson and how teaching and learning
self-reliance and all gospel principles happens in the home. President
Pagaduan asked, "How do you know?" Testimony. --you must live it to
know. President Aquino said that fathers are the leaders--wives help
fathers do better. After stake conference, we went to Jaro church for
"My Path" with Pavia Ward. They served lunch first and took pictures.
--BYU beat BSU-- "My Path"-36 attended. Home at 5:00. I'm exhausted! It's good.
Monday,
a regular day ahead, p day, preparing for a busy week. We did a load
of wash, went to the center, met Roland and a newly returned missionary,
and gave him a career workshop book to help him write a resume, back to
the apartment for lunch. (Killed 3 lizards in the kitchen). Ray is
having some pain with his back. We returned to the center to prepare
for the Institute lesson we will teach tomorrow night at 5:30-7:10--Book
of Mormon, Alma 8-12 and Alma 13-16. After we studied the lessons and
made some preparations, we went for a walk on the Esplanade. The
weather was perfect until on the way back and people behind us came
running. We looked and it looked like a sheet of rain was coming up the
river. We ran and made it to the car before it reached us. Exciting!
We made it back to the apartment before the sheet of rain reached there
and unloaded--lightning, thunder, pouring rain, 5:45. We will go to
Sorilla's at 7:30 for fhe and dinner. I gained 2 pounds in Bacolod😫.
In studying for the Institute class Alma 9:8-14 highlights about
"remembering". Make a short list of spiritual insights that you have
been privileged to have. Talk to parents and grandparents and make a
similar list. Review the lists and continually add to them. Fasting:
Elder Wirthlin "Each time we fast, we gain a little more control over
our worldly appetites and passions." Alma 8:18
Alma was leaving Ammonihah after being rejected and spat upon and run
out but an angel told him to go back. He did not hesitate. He
"returned speedily". Prompt obedience to the Lord is necessary to our
spiritual well-being. Pray mightily: prayers that do not demand much
of your thought will hardly merit much attention from our Father in
Heaven. Meditate for a while on the things for which you are really
grateful.
Tuesday
we received Charity's email. It was such a lift for me; I forgot
everything. Explanation: our pattern is that at night, I am the
mouthpiece for our companion prayer. In the morning, Ray is the
mouthpiece. In my joy of her email in this morning, I took Ray's turn
and didn't even realize it.
Alma 5:45
in our reading: Do ye not suppose that I know of these things myself? I
do know that these things ... are true...and how do...I know of their
surety? :46. ...they are made known unto me by the Holy Spirit of
God...fasted and prayed many days...this is the spirit of
revelation...repent :53 will ye still persist ...in setting your hearts
upon the vain things of the world, upon your riches? ...bring forth
works...Alma 7:15 come...fear not...lay aside every sin, which doth easily beset you...Alma 7:23, 26.
We had district meeting. After, we all went to McDonald's for apple pie
and sundaes. We dropped the missionaries off at their different
places. Sister Miggin opened the truck door just as a motorcyclist was
passing on the right side of the truck and the door hit the drivers
arm. The driver was upset but my thought was how blessed she was not to
have opened it sooner and to be standing there and be hit by the
motorcyclist. All was okay. We went to the mission office and turned
in our apartment checks. We returned to the apartment and ate, rested,
and went to Jalandoni to teach the Book of Mormon. It was so fun.
REMEMBER is a key word and writing down our experiences will help us
REMEMBER the great things the Lord has done for us. 8:00 o'clock home tired. (Killed two lizards in the kitchen)
Wednesday
we attended the Roxas, Antique, and South zones mission conference with
our area presidency general authority, Elder Shayne and Sister Lynette
Bowen. Testimonies were given. Sister Aquino spoke about "fear" .
D&C 68:6. Wherefore, be of good cheer, and do not fear, for I the
Lord am with you, and will still stand by you; and ye shall bear record
of me, even Jesus Christ, that I am the Son of the living God, that I
was, that I am, and that I am to come. President Aquino said "miracles
can happen every day". 1-have firm belief that you can baptize 2-pray
and expect miracles daily. Sister Bowen asked, "What do we love about the
gospel?" Then she counseled us to become like-able: 1-make eye contact
2-put away cell phone 3-call people by name 4-smile 5-give a firm
handshake 6-listen, we have two ears and one mouth. Listen twice as
much as we talk 7-actively listen. Elder Bowen. So kindly recognized us
as covenant keepers, ones who listen to a prophet and responds because
we are covenant keepers. He referred to D&C 43:8,9 "sanctified".
What is that? ..to make pure...11 Purge ye out the iniquity which is
among you;sanctify yourselves before me. "Ye shall bind yourself to act".
Elder Bowen asked how many in the last 30 days have followed the first rule of the mission: arise at 6:30.
Then he asked if there were any rules that were not as important as
others? NO. 1-OBEDIENCE plus Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ equals
MIRACLES. Arise, does that mean eyes open? No. It means upright.
Let's start. Your mission lacks POWER if 1- is not happening. If you
are obedient, your confidence will wax strong in the presence of God.
Remember, "not my will, but thine be done". 2-PLAN 30 minutes every
night. God plans. The earth and all therein was created twice, first
spiritually planned, then created. The 30 minute night planning is the
spiritual creation of your day, then the physical creation of your day
can happen. This is an eternal principle. 3-Testifying contacts daily,
as you travel, as you walk, as you purchase...have 30 testifying
contacts daily.
It was an amazing spiritual feast. I wish I could express all I heard
and felt today. Strengs came this afternoon for the meeting tomorrow and we spent some time visiting with them and then we returned home in a rain storm 5:00.
Thursday
we gathered our district: 4 elders, 4 sisters and headed to LaPaz for
Central, Kalibo, and Guimaras zones conference with Elder and Sister
Bowen. 7:30 pictures by zone then at 8:00
everyone was given the opportunity to shake hands with the Bowens.
President Aquinos' message: Be united with your companion. Your days
will be happy as you keep focused on Jesus Christ while you are in the
mission here and as you are extended on your life's mission. Sister
Bowen began with giving us an assignment to write a history of people in
the past, their work, their wars, God's revelations to them and it must
coincide with the Bible; you must write 9 pages a day and finish in 65
days and it must hold up in the future. Joseph Smith could not have
done it and neither could any of us. The Book of Mormon was written by
God's prophets; it is true; and it was preserved by God to come forth
through the Prophet Joseph Smith as he was called by God. A serious
study of the Book of Mormon will help you overcome addictions. A story
was told to us of President Hinckley whose friend who was addicted to
tobacco asked him for help. His reply was to study the Book of Mormon.
After 2 Nephi, his friend came back and said he hadn't found anything
about tobacco so far. President Hinckley responded, keep reading. The
friend came back a week later and said he still had not found anything
about smoking. President Hinckley replied, "keep reading". His friend
finished the book and found he had lost his desire for smoking.
President Bowen also talked about some kind of fleas in South America
that jump, not fly, but jump. If you catch them in a jar and put a lid
on it, they bump the lid once but they never jump that high again even
after you take the lid off, they will not jump higher than where the lid
once was. Even if you introduce new fleas, they will follow the ones
who are already there. We place on ourselves false limitations on
ourselves, our district, our zones, our missions, our lives. With God
nothing is impossible. Everything can be done. When we don't PLAN, we
are saying we can do this on our own. But with God, everything can be
done. There are no limitations. He referred to 1-2-3 from yesterday
again and he said, if we would do those three things, it will change
your mission. If we walked out the church doors without a commitment to
do 1-2-3, we will continue to lack the power for exaltation and be just
like the fleas who won't jump out of the jar to freedom. But when we
repent, change and do 1-2-3, it will change our mission experience.
After returning the district missionaries to Mandurriao , we went to the center. At 5:30
Sorilla's picked us up and we met President and Sister Aquino at the
Riviera Spa. We all had massages. President wanted to unwind and
relax. I guess it is stressful for them to have general authorities
come. 8:30 bed
(They sat us by the Bowens at the dinner table both days. I felt badly
because I thought others should get a chance to visit with them. But
now I think that they thought because we were Americans and speak the
English language, it would be more comfortable for everyone and also
relieve them of the stress of conversation.) Of course, we thought it a
great honor to visit with them.
Friday 7:22
we headed to the wharf to pick up Boiser; we drove to Jalandoni where
we parked the pickup and took a taxi to Ortiz wharf to go to Guimaras.
Cushings were so graciously waiting there for us at the Jordan wharf.
Guimaras District presidency called Boiser to have a meeting with them
but only 16 came. Disappointing. His message, START. We had a little
lunch with Cushings and Boiser and headed back to the wharf. We flagged
down a taxi to Jalandoni and got the pickup to take Boiser to his hotel
and on the way back to Jalandoni, Ray almost collided with a police
car. The policeman was pretty mad at us. Ray waved to him. We couldn't
understand him. Probably lucky for us. We returned to Jalandoni to
wait for the next meeting which we held at Promenade. Sister Cagape
bought us dinner and the meeting proceeded. Ray was bothered some by
the meeting and got up very early to distinguish his thoughts. He
discussed his concerns with Boiser Saturday morning. Ha long, Sister
Robinson III, Mom, Grandma
16 September 2015
14 September 2015
Never go to a barber
Sent from my iPad
Never go to a barber
Sent from my iPad
13 September 2015
September 15
12 September 2015
Heping hands
10 September 2015
September 5, 2015-September 11
Why is it so long in between emails from our kids but so short between writing my weekly email?
Saturday we did South Zone apartment checks, after starting on Thursday with two apartments but we couldn't finish until Saturday but it was nice to end by 11:30 instead of 1:30.
We took the zone leaders, Elder Elkington and his split companion to
check until we came to Elder Stewart, the other zone leader. Then we
finished the apartment checks and took them to eat at their pick: Mang
Inasal--chicken, unlimited rice and banana split which is a banana slice
rolled in like spring roll and deep fried, two on the tray with 3
heaping Tablespoons of ice cream in between😆. It was good though and
the elders thanked us. They had never had the banana split. We came
home around 3:00. Read some and started our fast. Listened to 2014 Sunday
morning conference. Interesting as I think about the factions in this
Ward. I think each of them should just let it go. Others enjoy each
group. They have been counseled to let it go. Stop it. Push out bad
thoughts with hymns or scripture memorization. "Let us oft speak kind
words of each other." Count your blessings verse 3: when you look at
others with their lands and gold, think that Christ has promised you His
wealth untold.
Sunday
we attended Mandurriao Ward, broke our fast, picked up some young men
in our Ward and took them with us to the San Miguel group--29 today in
attendance, lots of testimonies. I was blessed to lead the singing. We
gave 5 people rides home. Just as we drove in front of the apartment,
we could see a sheet of rain just two houses in front of us. We watched
it move towards us. I jumped out and opened the gate for the truck and
ran for cover. At that moment it showered our apartment but I made it,
Ray had an umbrella. Crazy fun!
Monday as I was reading Mosiah 7:30--
the effect of covetousness, contention is poison. Who would drink
poison? ...turn to the Lord with full purpose...trust and serve Him
with all diligence of mind.. We did a load of wash, went to the
Center; President Hernaez came in to talk and thank us for
substituting. He got really sick at their I statute meetings in Cebu
and when he returned, he ended up in the hospital dehydrated. At 12:30 we went to the SM food shopping, home, lunch,back to Jalandoni, then took Sorilla's for dessert at the Plazuela and home at 9:00pm.
Tuesday zone meeting, all the missionaries, 4 sisters in the back seat and 4 elders in the pickup bed, 7:30 am
we headed for Jalandoni. It was our best zone meeting ever. President
Aquino said that the more time you spend in the field, the more you
will feel the Spirits direction. Jacob 4:6 "faith unshaken". Obedience
will bring blessings. Even obedience in the little things, such as
being on time, excellent obedience, will bring blessings. Continue To
Rock. We studied Jacob 5 during training. I can feel the goodness of
this zone and the deep excitement of doing the Lords work, being
submissive, the Lords way. There is a change happening in this zone.
"A true servant is someone who follows the will of his master." All
that He asks is that I keep His commandments--His promise: I will
prosper in the land. We returned to the apartment for lunch. Ray
scrubbed on the bathroom floor; I took a rest. Then after we purchased
water, we returned to the Center. We returned to the apartment for the
night at 5:15.
Opened my new toothbrush for the last six months of the mission, it's
purple😍. Thanks Dr. Derek for the donation. A new toothbrush feels so
good here with must and moisture and mold everywhere-- a brand new
unopened toothbrush! It's Christmas.
Wednesday
morning Ray checked early on his phone for emails and found Charitys.
The Lord is blessing all His missionaries. I feel His arms around us
and His coaxing me to move forward, let go of the world. We wipe white
mold out of my closet weekly and I'm still breathing. Missionary life
is amazing. We did our regular routine this morning and a load of wash,
hung it to dry, and went to the Center. It rained off and on with the
sun shining all day long so the wash stayed inside with an electric
fan. It will take all night to finish drying. Elder and Sister Cushing
came to the center around 11:00
and we visited there for about 45 minutes and then went to the
Promenade for the buffet lunch. I ate too much. For about a month now I
have been having oil slicks in my urine. I thought it was weird but
maybe just unloading extra fat. Ray looked it up on the Internet. As a
precaution, he is having me drink coconut water, cranberry juice with
fresh lime. Anyway, after lunch, we brought Cushings to the apartment
and played Rummicube--Sister Cushing won, then Ray won the next game.
We took them to the wharf and went back to Jalandoni. Came home at 7:27 pm☺️. It was a fun day. Ray is ironing shirts and I am going to get ready for bed.
Thursday
we did our morning routine and packed up to go to Bacolod. We walked a
little with our small but heavy bags down our street and took our first
jeepney ride. We went to SM where we got off and got a taxi from there
to the wharf P100. We got there at 9:00 am and the Weesam Express was leaving at 9:05
Perfect. While Ray waited in line, I went to the cr(comfort room) and
onto the boat. P250 each equals P500 one way. The trip takes about an
hour and fifteen minutes. I can't wait to spend some time with Greens
again. They are through with their mission and will go to Cedar City,
Utah after they go on a safari to Africa and then to Paris for more
adventures. They are meeting up with friends/relatives who are through
with their mission also and will trip around together. It will take
them a month to go home. In six months, there will be one scheduled
detours for me. I am ready to see my family now but six months will go
fast as we do all we can to serve and lift others. It's a great job!
Greens picked us up at 10:45
and we went to Mariano and Maria's Ruins. Had a photo shoot there. It
was so much fun! We went to lunch at the Mooon. We had nachos,
chicken fajitas, tostitos, and a chicken-cashew salad. We went grocery
shopping and then to Greens hotel/house where we made a bean salad,
visited and later went to a Chinese place for dinner, Golden Fortune
where we had sweet and sour pork, pineapple rice, lemon chicken,
asparagus chicken soup. They have many more nice eating places here in
Bacolod. Greens served us napoleons, which are like a thin pastry with
mango custard in between the layers and a light icing on top. Yummy. I
ate two! No weight loss this week.😓. We played Rummicube and to bed.
Friday we exercised, went for a walk, read the scriptures, and ate
onion, peppers, saboteurs 3 egg omelette with watermelon, mango, real
milk from Holstein milk cows in Sagay, wheat toast with blackberry jam
and apricot jam. Wow! This is the best we have had it! We went to The
District, a most American grocery store. It was huge and beautiful, not
like Iloilo stores. They bought food for two parties, one party
tonight for about sixty people and one party on Sunday
for the Ward after Sister Greens piano recital. We came back to their
beautiful house, unloaded groceries, and worked on boiling eggs, and
potatoes for five cookie box size potatoe salads. More next week. It
is interesting to come over here. Each persons missionary experience is
so different....the homes with live in or apartments, the islands are
each so different, the facilities and equipment...even in just our
mission--the other three couples live in nice homes with washer and
dryer, dining rooms, etc. We live in an apartment just like the single
missionaries. I think we are getting a "real" Filipino experience.
But like the temple missionaries in Cebu, all live in an apartment above
the patron house and there are many of them that have the together
etc. Panay couples are all separated, one on an island, one way up
north, and us in Iloilo. It is nice that we get to travel the entire
island and go to the separate island plus here in Bacolod. We get to see
other couples every couple of weeks. I need that. I think the couples
really feel isolated in our mission. It is a great experience to
realize how much we need each other. I am looking forward to working on
Temple Square again and all the people😃. Love Sister Robinson III, Mom,
Grandma
