How beautiful are they

Stinky blossoms...but they're pretty

Sister Erickson drew this for our visual for our lesson. These are the things that the organization of Christ's church provides. It's so nice to have a talented companion :)

Well this week was just great! We were really busy and that is my favorite thing so it was a good week! With one little bad piece of news so I will get that out of the way first. Ed dropped us. So he
was the one I had that awesome lesson with on exchanges and he cried. He texted us and told us that his wife said we are the cause of their marital strife. Can't possibly be true since we have only taught him once but it's probably more Christianity in general that she feels is the cause. So we won't be  meeting with him anymore. But the rest of the week was awesome!

Tuesday (which was p-day last week) we went to Old Folsom with the other sisters in our zone and walked around a little bit. There are some cute antique shops and stuff so that was fun. See picture below.

Wednesday we had a lesson with Janelle and Kaleilah. In my last email I mentioned that we had a referral for people not in our Ward, so that's them. We got permission to teach them since they requested sisters. So Wednesday we went to meet them and talked with them a little bit. They are really cool, and really open to learning. We set up a church tour with them for Saturday.

Thursday we went to the Tongan family in our Ward that called us about a referral. The referral was a no show so we were unfortunately not able to teach him, but we did get to eat some authentic Tongan food. It was interesting! There was a lamb and onion dish with taro leaves on top, taro, sweet potato, bananas that were cooked somehow...I can't figure out what they did to them; and a corned beef and onion thing, also with taro leaves and probably coconut milk because it tasted coconut-y. The corned beef stuff was good. The rest was ok if you ate it with the corned beef haha. Thursday night we did basketball service for the last time. I believe it was a championship game so there were TONS of people. We were super busy and running like crazy to keep up. The non-member basketball moms totally love us so it has been a good experience doing service there for sure. So remember how I have been talking about the trees all being in blossom here? They are really pretty, but some of them are really smelly. We discovered that the other day when Sister Erickson was wondering why she smelled
fish. It was the blossoms. On the way into basketball service we got out of the car and Sister Erickson was like, "whoa, what is that smell?" I kept sniffing, because I knew it was familiar. Suddenly it dawned on me, and I said, "It's the rotten fish blossoms!" Funny.

Friday we were not in our area for most of the day. Sister Kauvaka (Sister Limb's new companion)  had to go to the new leadership meeting so we stayed with Sister Limb. We did some weekly  planning and then went to visit some of the people in their area.

Saturday morning we went to a members house and did some service. The young women were doing a fundraiser for girls camp of selling cookie dough that is pre-made and frozen. It was pretty hardcore. There were five kinds of cookies and so there was a lot to keep track of. It was wild, there were probably 30 people in the house all working on various stages of the process. Gigantic bowls of cookie dough, 6 mixers, lots of dishes. I was very thankful that I was just helping and not running it. We ended up cranking out about 5000 cookies. After that we scurried off to our chapel tour with Janelle and Kaleilah. The member that referred them came as well. It went SO well. I can't believe I've never really done a chapel tour before. I definitely should have been doing that my whole  mission. We just walked around the church talking about the pictures on the walls, so it naturally brought up a lot of principles. We talked about the Savior's atonement and baptism, about his visit to the Americas, about the first vision and the restoration of the priesthood through Peter, James, and John. She especially loved the, "I Stand at the Door and Knock" painting. Actually brought her to  tears. We ended in the chapel talking about the sacrament and invited her to keep the Sabbath Day holy when she attends church next week. Then we said a kneeling prayer in the chapel. One comment she made more than once was, "Your church is all about service, isn't it?" It was really cool, and definitely a good experience for her. It was such a blessing to have her member friend there with her, it kept it comfortable and real. I am totally converted to having members at lessons. The work just can't go forward without members! That's why you need to all be actively reaching out to everyone around you, so we can find the prepared people. :). We are meeting with them on Friday and plan to teach the Restoration and invite them to be baptized. We are so excited to be teaching them.

Sunday we taught the lesson in Relief Society in the Silva Valley Ward. It was on Elder D. Todd Christofferson's talk, "Why the Church?" It was a perfect talk for us to teach because this is a concern we run into all the time. People feel that they don't need organized religion, they can worship on their own. What Elder Christofferson teaches us is that Christ has organized His church to carry forth His work. We are the body of Christ, and can do great work together. We can build temples in which  saving ordinances are performed. We can care for those in need. We can strengthen and uplift each other. One sister commented about something she'd heard once about all of us at church being like doorknobs in a sack. By knocking up on each other over and over we become polished. Sometimes people at church knock us around a little more than strengthen us maybe :), but we become more Christ-like through those experiences.

This morning I studied Mosiah 18 and that chapter solidified what I learned about the purpose of Christ's church in perfecting the saints. It teaches about the ordinances of baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost. We are only able to have those because of the priesthood that is held by worthy members of Christ's church. In the organization of Christ's church through Alma at this time in the Book of Mormon they met together often, "to teach the people, and to worship the Lord their God." They also "impart of their substance" so that "to him that had not it should be given." These are some of the purposes of Christ's church. He has organized His church on the earth today that we might partake of salvation in Him through the ordinances that are available to us through the priesthood. That we  might uplift and strengthen one another. I am so thankful to be a part of this great work, to make these things known! In verse 30 it talks about how all of this took place in Mormon, by the waters of Mormon and "how beautiful are they to the eyes of them who there came to the knowledge of their Redeemer; yea and how blessed are they, for they shall sing to his praise forever." How beautiful is  this land to me, where I have come to a greater knowledge of my Redeemer. Love you all so much!

Sister Robinson

Faith, a principle of action

Hello everyone!

I hope everyone had a fantastic week and could enjoy the last few days of February. We had a pretty great week this week, and we really were able to have some special experiences. This last week Elder Bednar came to our area and gave a little conference, and it was truly amazing. I felt really strengthened and it was amazing to feel the spiritual confirmation once again of living apostles. It truly was a special experience. 

He talked some more about teaching repentance and baptizing converts. He also spoke about faith and action. It was also really funny! haha. He fist bumped the translator near the beginning. He also spoke a little Spanish, but just some words. We all felt very uplifted by the experience. The biggest thing I got out of it was that I need to pray and invite the investigators to pray with the expectation to act. Which was something he spoke about. He mentioned the experience of the people crossing the River Jordan and getting their feet wet before it opened for them to cross. And how we need to pray with the same expectation. Joseph Smith didn't just go to the grove to find out which church was true, but to know which church he should join. So my companion and I have been trying to teach that a lot more this week.

On Saturday we found Marco Antonio Orellana. He's awesome. He's about 50, I'd say, and he's a professor and he's really smart. He knows the bible really well and he has studied Greek and Hebrew to understand it better. He's basically already a member. He just needs to get baptized. And he went to church yesterday, and I taught the gospel principles class and he and his girlfriend participated a lot. Oh ya, he also invited his girlfriend! And he told us in the first lesson that he's not living with her or doing anything with her because they decided together that they did not want to commit fornication's. Ya. That's the way he speaks. He's pretty ready. But it's hard for him to take steps of faith, because he's been able to prove everything about our church right by simply studying. So he and his girlfriend both need your prayers. His girlfriend's name is Erika. She's really receptive as well. He has a baptismal date for the 19th of March. And we hope to get her on board as well. Hurray!

Elder Mace is a really great guy, and his dad's in the motab! So that's pretty cool! Just a side note. haha. I'm doing really well, as well. Enjoying the sun, putting on sunblock, and drinking lots of water. :) So we're all good here.

I love you guys! I hope you have an amazing week! I promise I'll send a lot of pics here soon, I just don't have my converter any more, so I'll have to buy a new one. But the pictures will come.

Con amor desde Chillan!

Elder Robinson

pics

Dinner at Tugelos

Tugelos

Institute class

Soliman family basptism

Saturday, February 20, 2016-Saturday, April , 2016

Saturday routine.  Ray ironed shirts. 9:00 on our way to the wharf to pick up Boiser for North stake Relief Society meeting at 10 am at LaPaz stake center focusing on self reliance.  Only 19 showed up at the leadership meeting plus us and Boiser.  They fed us a beautiful lunch.  Then we returned Boiser to the wharf.  He gave us a going away gift.  It is handmade wall hanging of a marriage event.  For him, we are all about a marriage that we all want to have...how Elder opens my door...like that.  He and Annie say they want to be like us when they get older.  Home.  Mandurriao Ward primary parents activity at 3:00.  I was assigned to speak to the parents about teaching children 4-11 about reverence.  It was fun, though not many came.  Hurried to adult session of North stake conference 4:30, with visiting authority, Elder Pajaro of the Seventy.  The stake choir is always astig (awesome).  Elder Pajaro called on Ray to tell how multi-generational ancestor members have affected him.  He discovered in college how he had gospel roots.  He was given an assignment in a class to research the family history or his ancestors.  It made him feel that he wasn't an outsider.  After conference we took a picture with Elder and Sister Pajaro.  We were invited for two dinner appointments, so that was fun.  Also, Elder Ramos, a past assistant, surprised us and introduced us to his fiancé.  She was the chorister for stake conference.  They will marry in Manila temple the first week of June.  Home 8:00 pm.
Sunday 8:00 Mandurriao Ward with 6 missionaries;  my name was mentioned in both talks but I don't know what was said.  It was embarrassing to have so many references.  9:30 rushed to LaPaz for Sunday session North stake:  President and Sister Pajaro with the new Cebu temple president and Sister Perez.  One of the best stake conferences.  After conference Sister Cagape invited the Pajaros, the Perez's, the Aquino's and us for a very nice dinner.  We got back to the apartment at 3:45.  What a delightful day!
Monday routine.  Washed clothes.  Brought the sisters with us to Arevalo for Sister Averion to take the English test.  It was different than our tests in the past. We gave them a ride to Robinson's Mall then to Jalandoni for us.  1:30 home for lunch, brought in the dry clothes, rested.  Filled the truck up with gas, washed the truck, shopped a bit, picked up some liquid vitamins for me, apartment, gave Ray a hair cut, Ray ironed shirts.
Tuesday routine.  District meeting. After we all went to Mang Inasal to eat.  Elder Bowen, our district leader from Salt Lake City, surprised us with a halo halo for Ray and I as a farewell sentiment.  Oh, he is so nice.  After, Ray and I went to Jalandoni.  Then at 6:00 to LaPaz where we were invited to dinner at President and Sister Tigulos.  Delicious.  Healthy.  She makes the best drinks.  They would be our best friends.  Home 9:00.
Wednesday  routine.  7:30  Arevalo all sisters conference.  Amos 3:3. "Can two walk together except they be agreed?"  Mosiah 18:21  UNITY: 1-obedience 2-inclusive 3-service.  After sisters conference at 3:00, we went straight to Jalandoni to teach our last Institute class "Serving one another".  Since it was our last, we wanted to play charades and pictionary with the lesson.  I think they enjoyed it.  At the end of class, President Insigne brought a treat for everyone:  a boiled white flour ball with meat sauce inside, siopao.  Quotes from lesson, "...sometimes we look for opportunities to serve others when those who have the greatest needs are within the walls of our own home."  Elder Ballard "To those of you who have served full time missions, please remember that you were released from your missions but not from the church...we expect you to look and act like one of His disciples.  Look the part.  Act the part.  Don't follow worldly trends and fashions...  The rules for happiness and success after your mission are pretty much the same as they were during your mission:  pray hard (study Christ's attributes), work hard (serve), and be obedient ( read the scriptures daily).  Marion G. Romney:  "...service is not something we endure on this earth so we can earn the right to live in the celestial kingdom.  Service is the very fiber of which an exalted life in the celestial kingdom is made.  Oh, the glorious day when (service) all come naturally because of the purity of our hearts."  In that day we will not need a commandment or a calling.  We will have experienced for ourselves the joy of unselfish, unassigned service.  For now we practice, like babies learning to walk, to talk, to eat.  Some take to it faster and easier but as we make it our lives, we will become as God is.  President Gordon B Hinckley:  "It is our responsibility divinely laid upon each of us to bear one another's burdens, to strengthen one another, to encourage one another, to lift one another, to look for the good in one another, and to emphasize that good."  What a great time in life it is when we have our children at home, when we can notice and express all the good we see in them.  It is so convenient then to teach, to share, to love.  And children can do so much for their parents at that time because they can notice and express appreciation for the food prepared and provided, the clean clothes, the house they live in, the rides they are given, the opportunities provided them for developing their skills, their talents, their habits, the blessing of family scriptures and family prayers.  As we develop in different areas, we have more to share and to develop each other.  Some of us get tall fast, some grow slower-- and the blessing is "pulling together", helping, lifting, encouraging one another--kind words, helping hands, looking outside ourselves.  Oh, I wish I had had the missionary experience sooner.  Henry B Eyring:  "Obedience always includes service to others.  Service in God's work allows us to feel a part of what He feels..."  Certainly parenting is 24/7 service.  This question was for me:  "Do I share some of my free productive time with my children..."  Service opens windows in your life instead of just mirrors that always just reflect yourself."  Conference '89. Elder Backman:  "This is your world, a beautiful world with unlimited opportunities to grow, to learn, to serve.  Make it a better world through your preparations now and the noble service you render as a token of the love you have for Heavenly Father and His Son."  I loved this lesson.  I can't go back but I'm determined to serve my family better from now on.
Thursday routine.  Plan. Prepare. Wash. Purchase water.  SM-pay phone bill. Sony (from Guimaras district presidency) was there and he helped us communicate for ending our phone service.  Now we know we have to go in to end it on Friday, March 4 or try to do it in Manila on Monday, March 7.  It was nice to have his help.  We also got some pesos, then went to Jalandoni, only to find that it is a holiday again, People Power.  We went to the Atrium for four grocery items.  Home for late lunch.  Took a rest.  Writing journals and history of our mission experience.  Walked the Esplanade.  Home 6:15.  Read. Worked on details, garments for Analisa, bookmarks, etc.
Friday routine.  Wash.  Found out a baptism of a family was cancelled--hoping it will go forward next Friday before we leave.  Everyone was so sad.  Paid power and water bill with Sorilla's.  Then to Jalandoni.  Working on arrangements for a taxi to Queson City from the airport.
Received our new missionary yearbook today!  Yea!  Baptism is back on.  President Aquino interviewed Brother Solimon and the family was baptized around 6:30.  He, his wife and twelve year old son.  Both elders baptized.  It was one of the best baptisms.  Elder Solimon just hugged Elder Crighton after the ordinance, buried his head and cried.  It was so touching.  They each bore testimony at the end.  It was great!  He has a big construction job as a boss man.  9:00 we are home after taking the San Miguel group and the elders from there back to San Miguel.
Love, Sister Robinson

Earth's crammed with heaven

The district and zone this past transfer.

Gorgeous flowers that are on some of the trees here. Yep, we have blessing trees. It's spring here. You know you all want to move here... :)

Well this week was pretty good! Missionary work is just good, that's all there is to it. We had a lesson with Nicole that was a little rocky. She doesn't feel like there is a need to know what is true. It's a concern I don't understand at all. She just kept saying, "Why does it matter who is right? Can't we just try to be good people? Isn't that good enough?" I just don't get it. But I listened and I feel the spirit told me what I needed to say. She said there is no way to know what is true. I asked her if she  believed that God answers prayers. She said she did. I asked if she believed He knew what is true and what is not. She seemed to think that made sense. So we talked about how it is pretty hard to be good and do good in the sight of God if we don't know what He wants, and that we can know those truths by asking in prayer and reading scripture. Hopefully that helped her out some.

We did some weeding service at a members house on Wednesday, that was fun. We got to know her a lot better and they just moved in to their house recently so we got to meet her neighbor, too. One of her neighbors just pulled over to say hi and meet her so we didn't get to talk with her much but at least we met her! We also met some members that have a son in the Logan, Utah mission. Small world.

We did service at the Old folks home again. It was a struggle, no one wanted to play with me! I ended up doing a puzzle all by myself! I did eventually get to meet and talk with a woman named Rita. She is way nice and has lots of faith. Hopefully I will get to talk with her again. We can't really proselyte at service but we gave her our card so she could call us if she needs anything.

We spent most of Friday at a funeral for one of the senior missionaries. He refused to be released from his mission so he was released at his funeral. It was a really nice funeral, he has left quite the legacy. Saturday we had a good lesson with Rex about baptism and how his responsibility now is to partake of the Sacrament worthily. I ended up playing fetch with an ugly bulldog, it had a good personality though. I have kind of turned into a dog person, which is very strange. I mean I don't love all dogs by any means but I like several of them and will pet almost all of them. Missions definitely change people.

We got our transfer calls and both of us are staying again! Transfer three with Sister Erickson, and in Oakridge and Silva Valley wards! We kept asking the zone leaders if there was a catch...like an added
Ward or a third companion or something crazy. It just seemed too simple. But it is true, we are both staying together again! And I am breaking all kinds of records by being the only companion Sister
Erickson has had for more than 2 transfers in the only area she has been in more than three. Maybe I'll break my own record and be here one more transfer after this (6 months). We'll see. I will definitely be here for my birthday though.

Ed canceled his lesson this week, so hopefully he will let us come this week. We have some really good leads with some members that have friends, so hopefully something plays out soon. Sunday they had some of the members tell their children's mission stories for sacrament talks. I'm not sure that was the most appropriate topic to choose but it was pretty entertaining. One guy told how his son was cornered by a member that is a little crazy and asked them to give her a blessing. She took them to a nearby thrift store and started talking to the store guy about the gospel and the Book of Mormon and priesthood and everything. She then asked him if he would come in the bathroom with her and the elders for the blessing since they can't be alone in a room with her without an adult man. The elder said it was the most uncomfortable thing he's ever done haha. Man, the people in this area are just so normal I forget how crazy people can be.

Monday we cleaned the temple again for service. I got to chat a little bit with a man that just got back from serving a mission in London with his wife. I think he said it was the London mission, and I told
him about Nathan and Amy of course. He didn't recognize the name of the place they live so he said they must be in the London South mission. It was cool though. I like cleaning the temple, it is special to care for the Lord's house. After we came out of the temple we had a voicemail from one of our members. He is an older man from Tonga, and told us that we have an appointment on Wednesday at 3:00 with an investigator. It is pretty hard to understand him, especially on the phone so who knows what the situation is but we are excited to find out! Then we had another member call us in the  afternoon wanting us to teach her massage therapist. Awesome! Problem is she does not actually live in our Ward boundaries but the Ward she is in has elders and she does not want elders because she is a single mom with a young daughter and would rather have women in the home. Of course we would
love to teach her but Ward boundaries are important! It can cause some really confusing problems to cross those lines, so we have talked to the zone leaders and we will see what President wants us to do. I wanted to share a poem that the Silva Valley Bishop shared in testimony meeting a few weeks ago. It was really profound to me and made me think.

"Earth's crammed with heaven,
And every common bush afire with God,
But only he who sees takes off his shoes;
The rest sit round and pluck blackberries."

Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Look for Heavenly Father in the little things this week. Love you all!

Sister Robinson

Chau Elder Archibald, Hola Elder Mace (8-week transfer)

Well, they called me to give me the transfers last night! Woo hoo! haha. And Elder Archibald left yesterday so I was with the other Elders in the ward for last night and today. And Elder Mace is coming to be with me! So that's pretty great. He's pretty tall. haha. And he was actually in my zone when I started the mission, so I already know him really well. I'm excited to be with him. He's a really genuine person, and very loving. It'll be good for me to be able to learn from him.

I know that this church is true and that our Heavenly Father has restored it in these latter days so that we may be perfected and saved through the saving ordinances and power of the priesthood. I know that Peter, James, and John appeared to Joseph Smith to give him that sacred priesthood authority, and that today Thomas S. Monson possesses those same priesthood keys and truly is the prophet that God has called to guide us and keep us safe from the temptations of the adversary. I hope that we all can listen and ponder upon his words and be able to know and obey his counsels which come from our Heavenly Father.

Just so you know, this transfer is an 8 week transfer, so that's pretty cool. I'm excited. And there are a ton of people training in our zone, which is always fun. And because it's cambios day, I don't have too much time. But I'm doing really well, I'm happy and healthy, and not getting too sunburned. I sure do love you guys and wish you the very best week! 

Con mucho amor y cariño,

Elder Robinson

Multiply

We had Stake conference in the Iloilo North stake this past weekend. We live in the Iloilo Stake but because we serve in all the Stakes we attend their conferences when we can. They always acknowledge our presence from the stand and it makes us feel kind of strange. The members always seem so happy to have us there.
There was a visiting area president there and it was great to hear the messages of his wife and himself. I just wanted to share part of what the sister said (sorry I did not write down their names. I think Mom did).
She talked about the arithmetic of the Lord:
When we subtract (as in keeping his council and commandments) he multiplies.
When we pay ten percent, it does not add up to ninety percent for us it is one hundred percent or one hundred and ten percent or more.
When we subtract one day per week to honor our Father he multiplies the effect of our other days.
When we subtract two years ( or 18 months ) the Lord multiplies our time for the rest of our lives.
When we subtract a few minutes each day for scripture study and prayer the Lord multiplies the effectiveness of our day.
I like these thoughts. I believe that they have been true in my life. Because of our obedience to our Father in Heaven, we receive the blessings.
Isn't it great to know these things?
I love you all
Dad

Saturday, February 13-Friday February 19, 2016

Saturday routine.  8:30 left to pick up Boiser at the wharf then right to Molo 1st Ward for a self reliance meeting.  9:30 we were at the meeting already in progress.  12 people attended plus Butch and Michele, Boiser and us.  They invited us to speak at the end.  They had a beautiful catered dinner for us at noon.  Sister Once from Arevalo Ward catered.  Then we took Boiser to the Center to get some information off the computers there and then to the wharf.  2:30 we went to Arevalo to make sure there were no instructions for us before departure.  President Aquino was not there so we will try to see him on Tuesday.  Home.  Wash.  Walked the Esplanade and then ate at Latte:  salad and chocolate mousse. mmmm......
Sunday 8:00 we took four sister missionaries and two elders to church at Mandurriao at 7:50   We spoke and then Brother Cozzens spoke.  He paid us quite a tribute.  Lunch.  2:30 we attended the San Miguel group and gave Sister Cordero a ride out there as she was a speaker.  Elder Bowden spoke first (it's not about where we worship but who--Jesus Christ), Sister Arquiola spoke on Elder Bednar's talk:  Do not be offended/we go to church; it is the Lords commandment.  Visit members; you're on the errand of the Lord; offense is our choice).  Brother Maximo spoke on honesty.  One brother in the San Miguel group had planted coconut trees and they needed water badly.  Before he came to church, he prayed for rain. He told Heavenly Father that if he didn't send rain, his coconuts would all die.  No rain was scheduled for the whole week.  Not a cloud in the sky.  During sacrament meeting it rained and rained until church was over.  Home 4:45.  Popcorn.  Cheska came over for a visit.  The last time she came over, she was single but her missionary who had served here from Australia came over and they went to the temple in Cebu and got married.  They are waiting for her to be allowed to migrate to that country.  He had to return to work.  She lives right behind us.
Monday routine.  Wash and iron.  Cleaned fans.  Purchased water on our way to SM to get money and shop and get a hair shape.  Lunch.  Then went to E&F to have the same tire vulcanized for the 3rd time.  The second time was just last Friday.  Yes, it's cheap but not really fixed.  Then to Jalandoni.  Venus Kate Sorilla came and visited for three hours.  It was fun.  She is working towards going to the United States to work as a nurse, probably somewhere in Texas.  5:00 headed to Esplanade for our walk, then salad and mousse at Latte.  I think valentines should be celebrated twice when it's on a Sunday😇.  Home 7:00
Tuesday district meeting.  Jalandoni.  Lunch.  Rest.  Jalandoni.  Sister Tolentino brought me the rug and hot pad she made me from my clothes scraps.  As I wash my dresses and shirts, they grow because they are hung to dry.  Anyway, it made a fun rug.  Walked the Esplanade. A man who had seen us once before decided he could talk to us.  He told us we were a walking ministry.  He went home when he saw us last time and told his wife about this couple on the Esplanade holding hands.  They think it is really great.  Now they want to be like us, he said.  He and his wife have been married 26 years.  They have a good start.  The little children want to "high 5" us and the teenagers call out forever and the college kids want to take our picture.  Home 6:45 snack.
Wednesday routine. Maximo's came to clean:  wash walls, bathroom, floors, and doors.  They will come back after we leave to clean windows, screens and refrigerator on March 5.  Jalandoni while they were cleaning then we took the Maximo's home.  Returned to our apartment for lunch and then to Jalandoni.  Institute class:  "These things shall give thee experience."  Diane Grace in our class is a convert along with her sister.  She is amazing and knows all the answers.  It is fun to go to class.  Visha is another student and she is an overachiever also.  She missed a class and wanted to make it up so she read the lesson and wrote a paper for me to read.  Then she said,  "I know the lesson here was better than the book.  I wish I could have been to it."  We will miss this place.  We walked the Esplanade again before going home.  6:30 home.  Snack.  Bed.
Thursday routine.  Went to Atrium to shop for a few things.  I started not feeling well and went to the cr .  Ray said I was a little pale.  Still have shingles but they are more mild when I take the children's liquid vitamins, which is the only thing we found with lysine in it, adult vitamins here don't have it in them.  Went to Jalandoni next.  Lunch.  As we returned to Jalandoni, the CSM were still there to make their monthly wheelchair report?  Ray helped them some more until 4:15.  Then we invited Sister Nina, the secretary to show how to send it. We received an email from Mueller Park 8th Ward requesting us to speak on March 27 at 9:00 am sacrament meeting.  It caused some emotions for me.  My heart is torn.  What a blessing it is to serve a mission.  5:30 time to go to the Book of Mormon class that we are substituting for Butch while he is in Hong Kong on business.  Six students showed up but we enjoyed them.  After we picked up apple pies at McDonald's.  Home.
Friday reduced routine as we needed to leave at 7:30 with all our district piled in and out of the truck bed and backseat 4 large elders and 4 sisters for multi zone meeting.  It was great.  Sister Aquino spoke:  Counting other people's SINS does not make you a Saint.  Elder Holland she quoted:  "We are not in a race against each other, to see who is the saltiest, or the most talented, or the most beautiful, or even who is the most blessed.  The race we are really in, is the race against sin, and surely envy is one of the most universal of those."  We divided into four groups and went to different rooms for specific training.  Came back together to discuss the "Teach Repentance, Baptize Converts" missionary training video from Salt Lake. Repentance is life.  It is a change of attitude, of heart.   Be worthy vessels of the Holy Ghost.  He will teach, testify, comfort, PURIFY us as well as our investigators.  In 2 Kings the Elisha story of the widow--the widow went and did.  Faith-action-power.  This is all so relevant to each of us:  children, missionaries, members, parents.  A mission is God's University and when we apply what we learn and experience, we are taught as we teach.  Then we leave at a higher level of commitment, testimony, understanding, pattern..  Don't fall back to the way we were.  Keep going onward and upward.  President Aquino talked about Alma 16:23 cleaning the inner vessel.  Jesus Christ is our boss--know your sheep--  Joshua 16:  we will do, we will go. Joshua 3:5  "Sanctify yourselves for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you."  Here is our pattern:  Arise 6:30. Exercise 30 minutes (45) shower. Read scriptures. Planning.  Breakfast.  Treat your mission as your HOME.  Go out.  Establish and strengthen the church.  Strengthen new and less active members.  After the conference, we went to Jalandoni for "Called to Serve" but it won't start until 6:00.  Two sisters we know are having this tonight--Sister Jasmine Aquino and another sister from N Stake who will be serving in Salt Lake East Mission.  Bishop Gerardo from Leganes Ward invited us in person in December to attend their Couples Night tonight at 6:00.  Then last week, he reminded us by text.  Then today, he called us to make sure we would be there.  So we were there but we're sorry to miss the Called to Serve.  But we had a great time at the Couples Night.  We were the judges for best costume, best couple and we were speakers, SURPRISE.  Dinner was first, games, dance contests, pictures-- so much fun! 10:30 home.

picture

Cut off parts of my missionary clothes made into a rug by this Sister in Arevalo who took the My Path, Foundations and SGMB. This is her business.

Miracles abound

Our Valentine's dinner. We were so spoiled!

This week was pretty awesome! Tuesday we had a lunch set up with one of our Relief Society  presidents. She had invited a less active member to come along with her visiting teachers, friends, and us. Her name in Yo-Ng Pok Clark. She is from Korea and was baptized when she came to live in Salt Lake for a while. She ended up marrying a non member and has been inactive for a while due to his health problems. Or at least that is her excuse, which she admitted. She still has a lot of faith though and it was a really fun lunch. I'm pretty sure every woman there at some point said something pretty direct to her about the importance of actively doing things to keep her faith strong and have peace and help from Heavenly Father. Hopefully we will get to work with her soon and teach her the lessons again to strengthen her faith. Also at this lunch we had the best cupcakes ever. No really, I have never had such good cake. Obviously the company was more important, but the cupcakes truly were noteworthy so I have to mention them. Picture below.

Wednesday we had dinner with Grandma Dot. She is the older lady we took to the live Nativity. She was so delighted to have us, and we had a great time with her. We just keep giving her little bits of truth and let her digest it for a while. She told us we could live with her if our members kick us out haha.

Thursday and Friday we were on exchanges and I was with Sister Ka'a'a again. Everything went wrong on Thursday haha. We had pretty good plans and I was excited, but we had two member lessons scheduled and both of them canceled fairly last minute. Then our service canceled when we got there. So basically all plans cancelled. It was pretty awkward, and I didn't exactly have backup plans because I expected all of those things to be very firm. So that was Heavenly Father's very straightforward way of telling me to always have backup plans I guess. Point taken. We did end up finding a new investigator though, so that was cool. It was a guy I met a while ago that has a James C. Christensen picture hanging at the top of his stairs. His wife was home so he invited us in and we had a really good lesson. We just kept asking him questions and then when he would answer us we  would teach whatever principle related to his comments. He has a really strong faith in Christ. He started crying talking about it. That was a little awkward since we don't know him really...but it was cool to see how strongly he feels the love of His Savior. Last minute Thursday night we were able to see a recent convert family that we've been trying to teach for a very long time. They are pretty active but definitely need strengthening but they are always super busy so we can't meet with them. We had a good lesson about the Plan of Salvation with them and answered some questions that one of the daughters have. I am so thankful for the Book of Mormon and revelation to prophets today that helps us know the full plan that Heavenly Father has for us. It all makes more sense! We didn't have a dinner appointment so we went for Chinese. My fortune said, "Your leadership qualities will shine soon." With transfers coming up that is not what I want to hear! Good thing I am not  superstitious...though I might be a little "stitious" haha.

Friday we went tracting at the only apartments in our area and someone called management on us. So now we know we are not allowed to tract there haha. Rats. The manager was SO nice though. We also met a couple of nice less active members that said we could come back. We contacted a guy that is a former as it turns out. He totally Bible bashed us. Except it takes two to bash, and we did not join his bashing party. But it was NOT fun. It just takes a while to shake off the frustration. Sister Ka'a'a and I had a good vent about it during lunch. It did remind me of something that I feel is a weakness throughout the church. We do not know the Bible as well as we know the Book of Mormon. And of course we don't need to study the Bible so we can argue with people, but we do need to study it so we really KNOW that there aren't contradictions, to strengthen our own testimonies. I will be studying them together when I get home. Right now I'm supposed to focus on the doctrines of the restoration. :) Getting Sister Erickson back Friday afternoon was nice.

Saturday night we met a less active member that we normally wouldn't have been able to catch because of his schedule. He "just happened" to be coming home from a dinner with his active member aunt and uncle when we met him. He has been thinking a lot about the things that are missing in his life as a result of a weakening testimony. We had a great conversation and offered to come and review the basic principles of the gospel with him. He said he is not opposed to the idea but is afraid he'd have to cancel because of his work. We're going to have to find a way around that one. He needs some good member friends, so we will be working on that. It was definitely a miracle though and we were really excited.

Sunday we had a regional broadcast from Salt Lake. It was SO good. I learned a lot. My favorite thing was Elder Renlund talking about the many situations in which he has been asked questions like, "Why don't you drink coffee?" And his wife would say, "Well the short answer is, in 1820 a young boy wanted to know which church was true..." And briefly explain the restoration. Then she would turn to him and say, "Now my husband will explain why we don't drink coffee." Having laid the foundation of modern revelation, the answer to the Word of Wisdom had context. It was such a great testimony to me that any gospel question makes sense when put in the context of the restoration. I am so thankful for modern revelation through living prophets who are directed by Jesus Christ, himself. Love you all! I won't write until Tuesday next week because of transfers.

Sister Robinson

Happy Valentine's Day!

That's probably the most popular subject line for all the missionaries in the world... but I guess that makes sense since it was Valentine's Day yesterday. haha.

My week was pretty great! We did a lot of service this week as well! I'm getting pretty shredded with all this service! We went and did some heavy duty yard work, and I kept thinking, "All my mom had to do to get this stuff done was call the missionaries!" haha. It was actually really nice, though. It was way out into the countryside. It was like 20 minutes on the bus from where we live, and it's honestly just fields and cows out there. It felt like home sweet Preston, Idaho. It was nice. Same weeds and everything! :) haha.

We also had some amazing success with the members this week. We had several fhe's during the week and everyone invited someone over, some of them were new investigators, some of them were less actives, and overall, we were really pleased with the success we had. And we received a lot of referrals. Not all of them could go to the fhe's but they still gave us the referrals, and it's the most member referrals I have received on the mission. It was really awesome. And some of them are really promising, so we're excited about that. Well... I am. My companion's is excited for me, but he's going home next week...

The Elders in our zone told him that this is his P-week. His preparation week, preparing to go home. haha. Elder Archibald's not too trunky, though. He has made some pretty great goals for when he gets home; a date every week, go to the gym, the classics. haha. He's still working hard, though so that's what counts. :)

I just want to take a moment to express the love I have felt grow inside my heart during my mission up until now. For my family, my siblings, my nieces and nephews, my parents, my friends, my companions, my investigators, the members in every ward. I really feel like that's what has made it easy to always see the good things and forget about the trials and overcome the challenges. When it's been really hard, and I've wanted to give up or take a rest, I remember a less active sister that needs our help, or a part member family that's lead by a mom who just wants their family to be united. And when I remember those people I know that I can't take a break, and more than that I remember that our Lord, Jesus Christ, didn't take a break from us, He didn't give up on us, and He will never cease to be there to buoy us up and give us the strength we need. He has sent us His spirit to guide us and protect us, and give us peace when we are tried and tempted.

I love you all a lot, and hope you have an amazing week! 

Con amor y cariño,

Elder Robinson

P.S. Please pray for me to be able to find my way in my area, I still get lost a lot and I'll be leading the area when my companions leaves... Thank you!

P.P.S. Our investigators are Araceli and Kimberly(mom and daughter), we are working this week to have an fhe with them and invite the father to share with us as well as the daughter. We have only been able to teach the mom and she says she'd like the whole family to make the decision together to go to church and join the church. They're really amazing people. Thanks again!

February 14 2016

Happy Valentine's Day
On Saturday evening we were able to take a walk and then stop at a small restaurant and have a salad and then a piece of chocolate mousse cake. We each got our own piece and it was really good.
On Sunday we both were asked to speak in the Sacrament meeting of the Mandurriao Ward. Mandurriao is where we live and so we consider it to be our home ward even though we have only attended it about half of the time, because we are at other wards on assignment. We like the Mandurriao ward and it is the largest ward in the mission (as far as attendance goes), with about 250 attending. I ended up talking about love, since it is Valentine's Day, especially about the love of our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ have for all of us. This was not my planned message but it just came to me in the morning.
Scripture verse:
Romans 8: 38-39
For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor Angels, nor principalities nor powers, nor
things present, nor things to come.
Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature shall be able to separate us from the love of God,
which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Charity had asked, (since I brought it up last week) when is our departure date.
We are flying out of the Philippines on March 8 at 8:00am and we will arrive in SLC, March 8 at 5:00 pm.; which will be 24 hours later for us. (Sounds strange). Also April is coming here by herself and will spend the last week of our mission with us. Fun!
I love you.  Have a great week
Dad

pictures

Antique

Ocean view ride around island tip to Kalibo

Return from Roxas

Piggery business

Family business motorcycle

Friday, February 5- Saturday, February 13

Friday-- to finish last week:  we gassed up for our road trip and purchased water and made a sack lunch for our trip.
Saturday no time for routine-- sit-ups only.  Picked up Boiser at 7:20 (roadblocks around town) probably a race of some kind, often happens on Saturdays.  10:00 we arrived in Antique and had a meeting there, mostly in their dialect so ...it was about organic farming.  It was our last meeting with them before we go home so they asked us to speak at the end.  We do love these people.  Grace Villavert came to see us.  We talked about her boyfriends and marriage etc.  After the meeting, I requested that we go see Sister Villavert, the district president's wife.  She is still not well.  I gave her a foot and head and shoulder massage.  It felt good she said and then we went on our way to Kalibo, where we will stay the night.  The road was beautiful but windy and mostly coastline.  3 1/2 hours and unfortunately, we had our first casualty--we hit a dog hard and ran over it with front and back tires.  We couldn't swerve.  There were people on both sides and we couldn't brake because we had someone behind us.  I'm sure the dog died soon.  It was sad but we just had to keep moving with traffic.  We arrived at the Marzon Hotel, rested a bit then went to get something to eat.  I had a salad and Ray had fish and chips.  His was okay. We shared both.  It always tastes good to get a real salad.  Not much here.  They don't eat rabbit food (lettuce).
Sunday we started our fast at night so we didn't have breakfast at the hotel.  We are fasting and praying as a family that the Lord will provide a buyer for Allred's house in Hailey, Idaho. It is quite a financial burden as they have taken a cut in pay to move to Preston.  8:00 Boiser checked us out of the hotel where we saw President Aquino.  We visited for a bit and then we went to the stake center as they are having stake conference then we decided to hurry onto Roxas and catch church there.  Roxas leaders contacted Boiser about 9:00 and wondered where we were.  They were waiting for us.  Somehow he had not taken care of the details.  And Saturday night Boiser's wife called him with a fever and she is expecting a baby and is in the early stages so he was worried and anxious to get home.  We arrived in Roxas about 10:50 and sacrament meeting was over and the stake president, President Olivera and Nestor, the stake specialist and Ward and branch specialists and facilitators were waiting for us.  Boiser went over the reporting process on the iPads with the overhead projector so we hope everyone figured it out.  How to register and how to report. They asked us to speak also so we did and some of them were wiping tears.  We will probably never see these people again.  I love these people.  It felt good to be with them.They all have amazing stories. 1:00 headed home.  There was another church at 1:30 but Boiser was anxious to get on the boat so.....we missed church all together.  It was soooooo....disappointing.  3:30 we left Boiser at the wharf to head home, no churches here at that time so we went home and listened to the last Conference, Saturday morning session.  At least we were blessed to fast.  Conference was wonderful again.  It struck me at the first and again as we re-listen how well the talks fit together.  One talk about the potters clay and how it must be perfectly centered on the wheel as our lives must be perfectly centered on Jesus Christ and then the next talk was a poem about the Lord being the potter and me being the clay.  And in our scripture reading, we are reading about how we must love only God, keep his commandments and statutes and serve Him and He will bless us, multiply us.  I just want to be fit for entrance into His kingdom, surrounded by all my family and in laws families.  I have been so blessed by the hand of the Lord--"As I gather my children around me, each one I fondly embrace.  Each a gift from my Maker--God has such wonderful taste."  Each has married companions that we love and their families have become our best friends.  And now the Lord has blessed them with increase.  When I read on fb(Facebook) Aunt Ranae and Rachael were counting how many in our family and they came up with 49.  I thought it was wrong but I used a calculator and came up with 49.  How we have prospered in the land.  I'm so thankful for the abundance in my life and the many tender mercies of our Heavenly Father on a daily basis.  The details...how grateful I am for the blessing to serve a mission in the Philippines.  It couldn't have been any better.  Just what, when, where, and who....a perfect fit for us.  I want to go and do whatever He wants for eternity.  He always blesses me and knows what I need.
Monday routine.  Wash machine doesn't work so...  We picked up Sister Crisanto and took her to Arevalo at 8:30.  She goes home along with eight others, only four will be coming in.  We worked a while in Arevalo and then went to Atrium and picked up Cushings to just hang out for the day.  We ate at the MOOON and looked at the Chinese New Year stuff and visited and visited.  We also had churros and chocolate--no comparison to Spain but they were satisfying.  We visited at our apartment and then took them to the wharf around 3:30.   We stopped at Jalandoni to give some things to President Insigne for the departing missionaries from our stake who needed some things and also to prepare some things for the career workshop tomorrow.  We are dragging a little after our road trip on the weekend.
Tuesday 7:30 after routine, we headed to Jalandoni for career workshop with 9 outgoing missionaries--all were zone leaders and all we knew well.  I'm a little down about it.  I feel sad to see them all gone from us:  Elder Fongavai (American Samoa),  Elder Kei (New Zealand/Tongan), Elder Stewart(Canadian), Elder Watkins(silver lining- he is from Malad😃), Elder LaFaele(New Zealand), Elder Swan (N SLC), Sister Crisanto from our Mandurio District, Elder Latchumanan from Malaysia.  These were all outstanding missionaries.  Nice that some are close to home and some are promising to get on BYU teams and will keep in touch.  So...this is our last workshop with going home missionaries.  It went well and we hope they are better prepared to job interview and to continue in the mission pattern:  daily scriptures and prayers and service and study.  The pattern for success.  Car wash and lunch.  Did some wash.  Ray is hand pouring the water in because when the water gets low in the tank, black stuff plugs up the machine.  He cleaned it out yesterday but it is plugged again.  The sensor on the water is not working and it is difficult and dangerous to climb on the roof, especially in the dark.  When the sensor doesn't work, the water tank doesn't fill until it is out of water.  Then the black stuff comes along with sediment.  Back to Jalandoni, visited with Kyle Sorilla there and Ivan Lim.  Then at 5:30 we took a walk on the beautiful Esplanade--it was very romantic in the evening with the lights on and the breeze blowing.  Oh, last night it was 73 degrees.  Ray was cool and turned off the fan.  Today at lunch there was a brownout.  I don't know how long it lasted because we went to the Center but it was on when we came home.
Wednesday no time for routine 7:00 bad traffic; took an hour  to get Boiser from the wharf 8:15 ate breakfast with Boiser at McDonald's on our way to Diversion 21 where we picked up Butch and Ether and Mike soon-to-be Callado.  They will marry in Cebu Temple March 2.  The couple are the filming crew.  We went to Tiolas to film President Sedano's piggery.  Before SGMB class, he had two sows and a boar.  Now he has seven sows and a boar.  He continues to grow his business and learn things on the way.  When we returned back to Iloilo around 2:00 we went to eat at Tatoys:  fish and halo halo mmmmm... At 5:00 we walked the Esplanade.
Thursday routine.  Fast.  We had to be at Jalandoni to open the Center for a Job Fair in our office 8-4.  Paul Agua, a member is the guy running the job fair for RC. cola who is starting up a new plant here in Iloilo.   We are sitting on the couches in the Institute part of the building.  This is a holiday in Iloilo so no classes today or anything.  But people keep coming in to hang out.  We visited with Pomello from Antique who came for the job fair and Roland from Mandurriao and Jason from Mandurriao who was here to be set apart before he went to the airport for his mission.  We went to his Called to Serve last week.  We went home for lunch so we could be back at 2:00 when Butch needed to leave.  We purchased water on our way back to the Center.  Home by 4:00 after we gave Roland and Alfie a ride.  They live by us.  We watched Meet The Mormons and ate apple crisp, in a manner of speaking.
Friday routine.  Fixed wash machine again.  Then we went and had the passenger back tire vulcanized again.  10:00 we went to the Center.  Cushings came and we visited and went to SM, Irish Potatoes for lunch and churros and chocolate for dessert.  Great day.  Then we went to the Atrium and parked, walked three long blocks and sat on the curb to watch the Chinese Monkey New Year parade.  We were glad we went because we saw Brakie, our inactive convert in the parade.  We also saw a sister from Dumangas who was so happy to see us.  She is a young widow of just one year.  Also an American Texan was happy to see us and another member of the Church, Americano living in China and just visiting here for three weeks met us again.  After the parade 5:00 we walked back to the Atrium and shopped.  We are not buying much these days as our time is short--3 weeks from Saturday we will go to Manila. 5:50 arrived at the apartment.

Those really ARE your shoes!

Hi friends!

Super funny story. Sister Erickson always tells me things are hers when I am using them, just as a joke. For example, when I pick up my water bottle to take a drink she waits until my mouth is on it and then says, "that's mine." She just gets a kick out of watching my momentary panic. I have gotten so used to this that I completely ignore it and don't think twice. On Monday we went in to switch our
laundry and we always take our shoes off when we go into the member's house. We came out with our laundry and I proceeded to put my shoes back on to go outside. There were no lights on so I was going on night vision. I start stepping in and she says, "Those are mine." Of course I totally ignored that and kept putting them on, then realized that I had not left my shoes in that location, and that the shoes didn't quite feel right. I said, "Wow, they really ARE yours!" Haha we got a pretty good laugh out of that one.

Tuesday we celebrated Groundhog Day! Sister Erickson also has had a tradition of watching the movie annually (I don't think I've ever met anyone else that does that) so since we both have that we did the closest thing we could to watching it--we reenact ed it! Missionary life feels pretty much like every day is the same anyway so it's appropriate. We started our day with donuts and hot chocolate since Bill Murray takes those to his crew, and of course we sang the alarm song, then quoted, "put on your little booties, it's coooold outside!" After that we got too busy to do much of what we planned on doing haha. That's a good thing. We did "cheers" with our drink at our dinner appointment though. Then after we got home we shoved gigantic pieces of cake in our mouth. You'd have to know the movie pretty well to get all of this so I hope you all are understanding the brilliance of our  celebrations. We eventually found some time to toss cards into a hat.

Super productive day Wednesday. We had two lessons by 11:00, one with a member with us. They were really short lessons of course, but short and powerful! :). Then we had interviews with President. We had two other lessons, service, and a meeting in which we discovered that one of our Ward mission leaders has a connection with Billur! Hallelujah! She is so prepared and so awesome but satan has been working overtime to keep her too slammed at work to talk with us. His daughter and Billur's daughter are on the same basketball team so we are excited about that. Hopefully that will keep her connected to the church until she is able to meet with us. We also had a miracle--we were able to contact someone on the street! Haha. Normally that would be a very regular thing, but here there is rarely anyone out. He was atheist and not interested, but nice and it seems like maybe we might be able to get him and his wife coming to activities so who knows, maybe at some point he will be interested! It was just a busy day and it felt good to just be running from one thing to the next. I love being productive!

We volunteered for more basketball games, but this week it was a special event. We got to help out with the "Go Pink" night. They have all the players wear pink and they do a raffle and bake sale and take donations and it all goes to breast cancer funding. The member that hooked us up with the service organizes the whole event every year. It's pretty fun, everything is all decked out in pink and all the bake sale treats are pink and there's a lot of people around to support and donate. It's cool to participate in those kinds of community events. We didn't hear it, but the member told us that the announcer more than once said, "We'd like to thank the LDS missionaries for volunteering." That was pretty cool. It's definitely made a positive impression and helped us make some connections so it has been a cool thing.

I also had my 15 month birthday and Sister Erickson was cute and wrote this for me:

Saturday was a really cool activity in the Silva Valley Ward. They had a family dance, and it was themed, "Dancing through the Decades." It was a serious party. Good turnout, and they brought in a teenage DJ from another stake that brought a bunch of cool lighting. In the entrance they had a "selfie booth" where they had a bunch of props people could dress up in to take pictures. Everyone was supposed to come dressed as their favorite decade and then they spotlighted different couples that were from each decade and then they'd all dance to a song from that decade. The youth taught everyone some of the youth line dance things. A couple I had never seen because I'm a missionary. Not totally sure what they are called but, "Whip and Nay Nay" and one that is "Run Away from Love" or something like that. They learned a dance to it at EFY and it was pretty fun to see them all dancing out there. It was really super fun. We of course cannot dance so we helped in the selfie booth and then kept a spotlight on the MC, who changed outfits to match the decade we were talking about. It was the kind of activity that only works if the Ward is close, and fun. So it worked out great here. We're going to have to do something like that for a family reunion.

Sunday we taught the Plan of Salvation in Young Women's. We planned it really well, but I am just not cut out to teach big groups. I'm definitely a family at a time type. The youth in our wards are super awesome so I was anticipating lots of participation but it did not go that way at all. They were willing to read scriptures but not to answer questions. Oh well. There was a non member friend there with one of the girls so hopefully she got something out of it.

There were some cool moments in Silva Valley's church meetings that I wanted to share. There is a recent convert family named the Habra's. They have been members a little under a year and were inactive for about 6 months of that. They got overwhelmed and stopped coming but maintained their friendships with Ward members. One day they came back and they've been coming consistently for 5 months or so. One of their kids is just over eight and he is just awesome. We had a lesson with them a while ago and he was so excited to show us his Book of Mormon and to follow along in it. He just loves the gospel. Not too many eight year olds love it like he does. He got up and bore his testimony on the Book of Mormon. He said he knew it was true and it helped him know about Jesus Christ. It was such an inspiration to see the strength that is in these young children, so new to the gospel but so enthusiastic about it. In combined Sunday school the bishop presented the Ward goals to improve Sabbath Day Observance throughout this year. They had a big printed poster made up with a different focus for each month for the whole Ward to work on so by the end of the year everyone has improved significantly in activities on the sabbath. They passed out mini's of the poster on book marks for each family so that everyone has the plan in hand. Then each family is responsible for determining how to carry out those plans in their own home. One month the focus is on preparing for the sacrament, another is reverence and hymns, another is family history. It just really struck me that this is what can come from effective Ward council (or just effective council, in general) and magnifying your calling. This is taking what the brethren are teaching us, and figuring out how to apply it and let it change and improve and sanctify us. From the brethren, to stake's and wards, to the home. It is so important to make specific plans and set goals to be able to progress spiritually. Sabbath Day Observance is what we have been taught will increase our faith. So your commitment this week is to take some time (perhaps in family home evening) to council together on what you are going to do in your family to keep the Sabbath Day Holy. Let the kids put out ideas and make a list of appropriate and desirable family or individual activities. Talk about what you can do before and after church to make it an especially spiritual day. Including them in the planning will help them be on board with it. Start some delightful family traditions to do on Sunday's so it is a special day that the kids look forward to. One family in our Ward mentioned that they have been making a tradition of cinnamon rolls for breakfast on Sunday. Each family will be different. Council together on what is right for your family to make the Sabbath a delightful, holy day. Love you!

P.s. I don't know if I mentioned this but the auxiliary leaders recording of sabbath day videos is available on LDS.org. Also, the missionary broadcast that I mentioned a couple of weeks ago is available on the gospel library app. It's totally applicable to all members because it teaches things that any teacher (therefore any parent) need to know. Go to the missionary section in the gospel library, then scroll down to "Teach Repentance, Baptize Converts." It has a picture of baptism.

Sister Robinson

When you are in the service of your fellow men

How is everyone doing? I hope well, because things are getting beautiful down here. It's still pretty hot, but not as hot. It gets pretty cool in the evening and it's just perfect! We're already past the hottest part of summer, though. But all the members are telling us that the volcano is going to explode. Which would be pretty sick. Except that it would contaminate the water. But it's not close enough for us to even see lava. But there would be some ash. The other night there was a lighting storm right above the volcano! So that was pretty cool.

This week was filled with service. Every single morning we were doing a different service. One day painting a house, clearing out weeds to pour cement and other things like that. It was really fun. And we get to go have a family home evening with the people we helped this week. The problem is that they're not married, but the girl is a less active member and her boyfriend has his religion, but he said he liked our church and that he'd be down to go with us, so that would be sweet! And then yesterday, we were talking with people in the streets, and we became fast friends with this family who were looking at a house to buy close to us, so we gave them our information so that they would call us so that we could help with the move. They were really nice, and they said that they would be moving near the end of the month, so hopefully they call us! We got their number too, though, just in case they forget. ;) haha. It's been cool to see how serving honestly almost always brings teaching opportunities. 

Because of that we've been encouraging the members to look for opportunities to serve others and invite us to serve as well. We already have some service set up for this week, so hopefully it turns out! Selfless service softens the heart. Of everyone involved, the people serving, the people being helped, and everyone that sees it. How many times has your heart melted when you've seen even small acts of service or chivalry? It works every time.

I testify of the healing power of the atonement. I believe and I have felt and been a witness of the love and healing that the atonement of Jesus Christ was and is. Come unto me... and I will give you rest. I know that there is only one way to have true, abounding peace, and it is through the love and atonement of Christ. He is the perfect example of selfless acts of love and service. He gave His time, His teachings, and His life because of His love for us. When we take those opportunities to serve, we come to understand a little bit better the depth and amplitude of the atonement. 

I love you all and hope you have an amazing week! And Happy Valentines Day on Sunday! (it's Sunday, right?)

Love,

Elder Robinson