Fastest week ever

Wow, this week has just been a whirlwind! Things get crazy when you have a new companion!  Tuesday was a pretty nice p-day, and that night there was a Relief Society activity about organization. I learned some nifty tricks, and I was finally motivated to throw away some junk I've been toting haha. The speaker pointed out that it is more of a burden to carry around stuff you don't use than to just get a new one if you really need it (which you usually don't). I tossed a Pez dispenser...for some reason I thought I needed to keep that because it was cute even though I don't even like Pez. Clearly that lesson was for me haha.

Wednesday was the craziest day. Our plans changed about 17 times and we had way too much we had to do for one day. We ended up going to Fair Oaks because they needed me to play piano for the new
missionaries coming in. I haven't been to that meeting since it was my meeting...it made me tear up a little bit. So I played called to serve while the new missionaries came in and then watched them  receive their area assignment and trainer. That pushed our whole day back so we were late to everything all day. We almost weren't going to get lunch until 3 but then the service we went to was canceled so we ate at 2. It was great though, before the service we met a less active member that moved in fairly recently and had a good lesson with her. We are trying to get them involved in scouts so they will make some friends in the Ward. We're just really happy she is open to meeting with us! She just needs her testimony strengthened.

Thursday was meeting day. We had district meeting, Trinity's baptismal interview (she passed!), and correlation with the Silva Valley Ward.

Friday we helped a sister in the Ward make a ton of color powder, like they use for color runs and stuff. She's making a bunch for an activity so we helped break it up and blend it and bake the  moisture out. That was pretty fun!

Saturday was AWESOME. We finally got to just proselyte all day and we talked to tons of people. None of them were too interested but we did really well with accomplishing all the goals we set for the transfer (pulled over to car contact, spent some drive time in the car talking about hard questions people could ask us and how we would respond with scripture, counteracting every negative thing we say with a positive). It's going to be a good transfer! We also dropped by a members house at exactly the right time-they had a friend over that has been coming to church for a while and really loves the church and wants to learn more. We talked about baptism and gave her a copy of the Book of Mormon and our phone number. We really think she is going to contact us and we will keep  following up through those members. She's a sweet girl and we really hope we will get to teach her  more! I had the opportunity to testify of the Book of Mormon and the impact it has had in my life. That book is true; it is a record that is inspired of God and translated by His prophet. It has been  instrumental in my personal testimony of Christ as my Savior. I am amazed daily at what the spirit teaches me as I study it. It is so relevant to every day life, and it brings peace to me in a very tangible way. Christ lived, He paid the price for our sins, and He made it possible for us to become clean and whole. He continues to reach out to each of us, to gather us. He loves us. All of that I know from reading and praying about the Book of Mormon. It does draw us nearer to God than any other book.

Sunday Rex came to church, and so did Maddie (the friend of members we gave the Book of  Mormon to). Janelle was going to come and bring Kaleilah but Kaleilah was sick this morning. We're really happy she was going to though!

It's been a good, crazy busy week! We also discovered something really cool. There is a new thing on lds.org that is a portion of the website dedicated to sabbath day observance. There is a video and the
hashtag for social media is #HisDay. It is complete with lists of good sabbath "do's" for all age categories. I love that they made this to help support and encourage the members in following this prophetic priority of keeping the sabbath holy. I love you all so much! Life is good.

Sister Robinson

Me Voy a Tomé!

Well... I got the transfer call last night and I'm leaving... I'm honestly so sad. But I'm excited for my new sector as well. Tomé is on the opposite side of Chile, the coastal side. So I won't be very far from the beach! Hurray! And my companion is way cool and fun, his name is Elder Smoot. So I am really excited about that. I'm gonna miss Chillan and Los Volcanes a lot, though.

There was a really cool miracle this week, though. One investigator, Maurice, went to church this alst weekend. He's atheist, but we've been helping them out with some projects at their house, and we've gotten pretty close, so he accepted the invitation to go to church with us! Oh ya! It was truly a tender mercy from the Lord to see him in church before I left. 

Also, I'm finally gonna send some pictures today! For real! :) haha. My memory card had some little viruses on it so that's why it hasn't been working for a while, but now it's all better, so be ready for pictures galore. 

I invite you all to read 2 scriptures and ponder on why Jesus Christ, our Savior, was the only one that could bring to pass the atonement. 3 Nephi 11:11 and Moses 4:2

They teach us here in the mission and before as well, that obedience to the commandments allows the Spirit to work more in our lives, therefore recieving more guidance and benefiting by more spiritual power. So the more obedient we are, or the more time we have being obedient, or trying to do so, the greater influence the Spirit can have on our lives, and in the longer run, the more we will become like Jesus Christ. I have definitely witnessed that in my life, even though I wouldn't have put it in those terms, and I have been able to see it a LOT during my mission and in my own life. They say that the more obedient (or the more clean) we are the thinner the veil gets between us and the Lord, I believe that it's true.

I love you all and I hope you have a fabulous week! I'll get to tell you all about my new area next week, so be ready for story time! :) Please pray for me and the people in my new area, so we can find each other and be edified and grow together, and that Elder Smoot and I wil be able to find the people that God has prepared to recieve our message.

Elder Robinson

P.S. here's a picture of collected salt on a tock in Cobquecura

and a rainy sunny day we had last week!

 

 

No Time to Write!

Ack! Sister Kirby and I talk a thousand miles a minute so we ran out of time today to write. Oh ya, she is my new companion. I stayed in the area and sister Erickson went to East Sacramento. She has just been a gem and I will miss her. I love Sister Kirby so far though! We're getting along really nicely. She is going to help me be healthy this last transfer of mine! She's gorgeous and tiny, so  hopefully that will rub off haha. She is from Las Vegas and has been out 10 months and she was trained by my friend from earlier in the mission, Sister Darling! This is going to be a good transfer.

Quick stories from this week
Wednesday: we did the service where we help old people with technology again and this guy told me he wanted to learn as much as he could about Isis. So I showed him how to google search on his  phone and he was using the microphone feature to speak the words. He was saying, "Isis, please. Wait, I mean Siri not Isis! Oh no, the government will be here in minutes!" Hahaha and all of it typed out in the Google search bar as he said it. Oh it was so funny I was dying.

I was trying to help someone else later and I leaned over to show them somethings and fell off my  chair. Chair tipped over completely and I was on the ground. It was so embarrassing!

Thursday: we gave out silly awards to everyone in the zone. In return we got the, "you care more about the zone than the zone leaders" award.

Awesome miracle with a potential named Heather and who was really interested and gave us her number and told us to set an appointment in the coming week! It was so exciting. I also had a crazy eye burning emergency during a lesson after dinner that caused me to awkwardly leave in the middle of it to flush out my eye. It was burning and watering and I just had to interrupt right in the middle of the conversation to walk out and wash it out. I think maybe I touched an onion during dinner or something and that was it. Anyway, here are some pictures! Love you all!

Sister Robinson

Week 8!

Yep... this is the beginning of week 8. Normally transfers are 6 weeks, but not this time. 8 weeks. But it honestly has flown by. But next week will be transfers, so we'll find out my destiny next week. :) haha. There's not a lot of time this week, so I'll keep it short.

I'm doing really well, it's officially fall here, it rained again this week, and it's supposed to rain a lot this week. Good thing waterproof clothes work and exist. 

I love the idea of mutual improvement. The idea of improving mutually, where both parties benefit. As it states in Doctrine and Covenants, "enseñarse el uno al otro la doctrina del reino" I think that among all of us we would be a lot happier if we looked for more opportunities to learn from others and serve them as well. In the ward where I'm at, the poison of gossip and pride is dividing the ward, and it's sad. I've honestly never seen anything close to it, and it's a ward FULL of potential and great leaders. But they are really divided and try to cut each other down with gossip and it's really too bad. I hope I can be humble enough to recognize it if that poison starts to take over me. We all think sometimes that it will never happen to us, but it can happen to anyone. That's why humility is so important, I think. As Alma wrote, joy comes from humbly seeking happiness.

I love you guys all a lot and hope you have an incredible week!

Elder Robinson

P.S. Sorry for the short email, I'll do better next week :)

Just Keep Trying

Last Monday we did an epic zone activity that Sister Erickson and I planned.  It was a scavenger hunt.  We hid plastic eggs with candy and clues around the church. Each companionship had a unique hunt. They could only find their egg, not any one else's.  Then there were prizes and everyone chose an egg with a number that corresponded to a prize.  The winners had the opportunity to steal, then everyone had the choice of keeping their original prize or opening another.  The prizes were all pretty dumb. A subway gift card with who knows how much money on it, random junk little kids give us, mouthwash and popcorn jelly beans, colorful high knee socks.  It was pretty funny.  The last one was to play "pie in the face" which is a kids game where you roll a dice and then turn a wheel however many times you roll. With each click there is the potential of whipped cream getting thrown in your face.  It was pretty funny.  So their prize was a pie in the face.  Hard to explain, but it was fun! Also on Monday we went to the car wash and were vacuuming out the car.  I look over right as Sister Erickson accidentally whacks herself in the head with the vacuum hose and sucks her hair in hahahaha oh man it was super funny.  Don't worry, it was only tiny baby hairs, not her whole long hair.

Tuesday we had a sister from the Ward coming out with us so we tried to plan a good day.  She is 19 and likes to come with her mom so she is in the family Ward.  She was thinking about a mission but is pretty involved with a boy in the Ward so that is kind of sliding away.  Her mom isn't too happy about that so she wanted us to spend time with her.  We really wanted it to be a good experience for her so hopefully it was.  We went to see Rex and taught him the commandments to read from the scriptures daily, pray daily, and keep the Sabbath Day Holy. It went well and the sister said she really enjoyed it.  Hopefully she goes on a mission!  We also visited Grandma Dot and she LOVED the picture of the three of us that we gave her.  She fell recently and it really aggravated her arthritis but she keeps in good spirits in spite of it all.  She has very strong faith and is very grateful.

Thursday we were supposed to do service at the old folks home but when we got there they told us they were all quarantined so they don't spread illness around.  It was unfortunate we didn't know before we drove out there but it freed us up to go visit Greta.  She is the woman from Holland that we met at dinner with a member.  She's in her 90's so we didn't think there was a lot of potential but we were asked to visit her so we did.  It was a nice visit and she actually is reading from the Book of Mormon, which is cool.  She definitely told us pretty straight though that she was born Protestant, and she will die Protestant.  She is too old to change.  She also said we were Mormon because we were born Mormon.  Not so!  I know it, I live it, I love it.  But it wasn't confrontational at all and now at least we know for sure she is not interested. :)

Friday we had Zone Training and talked about Christlike attributes, particularly diligence, virtue, and gratitude.  I love talking about Christlike attributes!  We're here to become like Him, so why not focus on those?  I look for Christlike attributes as I read the Book of Mormon, "that when he shall appear we shall be like him."  I also had a little epiphany during Zone Training.  They were going over the key indicators and how they need to be counted-what does and does not count as an investigator at church, a member present lesson etc.  It was getting a little disappointing as Sister Erickson and I realized that we have been counting things that they don't want us to count and if we report accurate numbers we will be sending in a lot of zeroes. Then they were talking about the importance of Salt Lake having an accurate report to know how things are really going.  Then it just came to my mind that these numbers just are not about us.  My whole mission I've been seeing it as a measure of how I'm doing as a missionary.  I've told myself over and over that these numbers are not very much in my control, which is true, but I still feel better about myself if they are good.  I just realized that the indicators are a measure of the progress of our investigators, and that they can help us know where they need help, and help the mission president know where the mission needs help.  And it's not about me.  It never has been about me, and never will be.  You'd think I'd have that figured out by now haha.  Ah well, it's never too late!

Saturday was conference!!! Woo!! Between sessions we had a picnic lunch with the other sisters in the park area outside the temple grounds.  That was really fun.  After conference we received a call from our Oakridge Ward bishop.  He told us that a fairly recent converts daughter, Trinity, had received permission to be baptized. Miracle!  We actually had no idea that she was over 8 and had not been baptized yet.  Her parents are divorced and her dad had not given permission for her to be baptized but he now has so we went over and taught her the Restoration that night!  She's been going to primary and her mom is active so most of it is not new information but we hope it will help her be strong in her own testimony so she is prepared to hold fast to the gospel throughout her life.  We also had a lesson Sunday after conference and she will be getting baptized April 16th. Super soon.  So a little rewind here, fairly recently we set a district baptism goal for the month of April.  Our District consists of 3 companionships and we set a goal for 3 baptisms in this month. This was actually a pretty lofty (though achievable) goal since there has not been a single baptism in our Zone so far this year.  When we knelt to pray for confirmation of the goal we had set I felt the spirit so strong and just knew that it was right.  It was the strongest confirmation I've ever received for a goal, which I  thought was interesting.  Maybe this is why.  Heavenly Father definitely knew that Trinity would receive permission to be baptized, and that it would happen this month.  He is ever mindful of each of his children.

Conference was uplifting and inspiring.  I just want to go out and save every refugee, and become the best parent ever and have family council's, and find someone to marry who can be the kind of father that Elder Christofferson described!  I am grateful to be part of Christ's church on the earth, and to be called to serve.  I loved Elder Holland's reminder to hold on to the hope and peace we receive from conference, and just keep trying!  Strive with patience and persistence to achieve the ideal.  I love this gospel, and I love you! Have a good week.

Sister Robinson

​
 P.s. transfers are this week so you won't hear from me until Tuesday :)

Just Keep Trying

Last Monday we did an epic zone activity that Sister Erickson and I planned.  It was a scavenger hunt.  We hid plastic eggs with candy and clues around the church. Each companionship had a unique hunt. They could only find their egg, not any one else's.  Then there were prizes and everyone chose an egg with a number that corresponded to a prize.  The winners had the opportunity to steal, then everyone had the choice of keeping their original prize or opening another.  The prizes were all pretty dumb. A subway gift card with who knows how much money on it, random junk little kids give us, mouthwash and popcorn jelly beans, colorful high knee socks.  It was pretty funny.  The last one was to play "pie in the face" which is a kids game where you roll a dice and then turn a wheel however many times you roll. With each click there is the potential of whipped cream getting thrown in your face.  It was pretty funny.  So their prize was a pie in the face.  Hard to explain, but it was fun! Also on Monday we went to the car wash and were vacuuming out the car.  I look over right as Sister Erickson accidentally whacks herself in the head with the vacuum hose and sucks her hair in hahahaha oh man it was super funny.  Don't worry, it was only tiny baby hairs, not her whole long hair.

Tuesday we had a sister from the Ward coming out with us so we tried to plan a good day.  She is 19 and likes to come with her mom so she is in the family Ward.  She was thinking about a mission but is pretty involved with a boy in the Ward so that is kind of sliding away.  Her mom isn't too happy about that so she wanted us to spend time with her.  We really wanted it to be a good experience for her so hopefully it was.  We went to see Rex and taught him the commandments to read from the scriptures daily, pray daily, and keep the Sabbath Day Holy. It went well and the sister said she really enjoyed it.  Hopefully she goes on a mission!  We also visited Grandma Dot and she LOVED the picture of the three of us that we gave her.  She fell recently and it really aggravated her arthritis but she keeps in good spirits in spite of it all.  She has very strong faith and is very grateful.

Thursday we were supposed to do service at the old folks home but when we got there they told us they were all quarantined so they don't spread illness around.  It was unfortunate we didn't know before we drove out there but it freed us up to go visit Greta.  She is the woman from Holland that we met at dinner with a member.  She's in her 90's so we didn't think there was a lot of potential but we were asked to visit her so we did.  It was a nice visit and she actually is reading from the Book of Mormon, which is cool.  She definitely told us pretty straight though that she was born Protestant, and she will die Protestant.  She is too old to change.  She also said we were Mormon because we were born Mormon.  Not so!  I know it, I live it, I love it.  But it wasn't confrontational at all and now at least we know for sure she is not interested. :)

Friday we had Zone Training and talked about Christlike attributes, particularly diligence, virtue, and gratitude.  I love talking about Christlike attributes!  We're here to become like Him, so why not focus on those?  I look for Christlike attributes as I read the Book of Mormon, "that when he shall appear we shall be like him."  I also had a little epiphany during Zone Training.  They were going over the key indicators and how they need to be counted-what does and does not count as an investigator at church, a member present lesson etc.  It was getting a little disappointing as Sister Erickson and I realized that we have been counting things that they don't want us to count and if we report accurate numbers we will be sending in a lot of zeroes. Then they were talking about the importance of Salt Lake having an accurate report to know how things are really going.  Then it just came to my mind that these numbers just are not about us.  My whole mission I've been seeing it as a measure of how I'm doing as a missionary.  I've told myself over and over that these numbers are not very much in my control, which is true, but I still feel better about myself if they are good.  I just realized that the indicators are a measure of the progress of our investigators, and that they can help us know where they need help, and help the mission president know where the mission needs help.  And it's not about me.  It never has been about me, and never will be.  You'd think I'd have that figured out by now haha.  Ah well, it's never too late!

Saturday was conference!!! Woo!! Between sessions we had a picnic lunch with the other sisters in the park area outside the temple grounds.  That was really fun.  After conference we received a call from our Oakridge Ward bishop.  He told us that a fairly recent converts daughter, Trinity, had received permission to be baptized. Miracle!  We actually had no idea that she was over 8 and had not been baptized yet.  Her parents are divorced and her dad had not given permission for her to be baptized but he now has so we went over and taught her the Restoration that night!  She's been going to primary and her mom is active so most of it is not new information but we hope it will help her be strong in her own testimony so she is prepared to hold fast to the gospel throughout her life.  We also had a lesson Sunday after conference and she will be getting baptized April 16th. Super soon.  So a little rewind here, fairly recently we set a district baptism goal for the month of April.  Our District consists of 3 companionships and we set a goal for 3 baptisms in this month. This was actually a pretty lofty (though achievable) goal since there has not been a single baptism in our Zone so far this year.  When we knelt to pray for confirmation of the goal we had set I felt the spirit so strong and just knew that it was right.  It was the strongest confirmation I've ever received for a goal, which I  thought was interesting.  Maybe this is why.  Heavenly Father definitely knew that Trinity would receive permission to be baptized, and that it would happen this month.  He is ever mindful of each of his children.

Conference was uplifting and inspiring.  I just want to go out and save every refugee, and become the best parent ever and have family council's, and find someone to marry who can be the kind of father that Elder Christofferson described!  I am grateful to be part of Christ's church on the earth, and to be called to serve.  I loved Elder Holland's reminder to hold on to the hope and peace we receive from conference, and just keep trying!  Strive with patience and persistence to achieve the ideal.  I love this gospel, and I love you! Have a good week.

Sister Robinson

​
 P.s. transfers are this week so you won't hear from me until Tuesday :)

Post Conference Weekend!

Hello there everyone!

It was such an incredible weekend! It was really a relief to hear the words of the prophets and hear their sure testaments and feel my growing testimony of living prophets, and hear their testimonies of Jesus Christ and His resurrection and atonement. I hope you were all able to feel as healed and strengthened as I felt as Jeffery R. Holland closed the conference, where as only moments earlier a feeling of panic and sadness had entered my mind and my heart when I realized that Conference Weekend was already almost over. President Monson's short talk during priesthood session was simple and inspiring.

The words of on hymn that was sung especially called my attention. Now Let Us Rejoice. I would invite you all to review the words. In verse three it says:
In faith we'll rely on the arm of Jehovah

To guide thru these last days of trouble and gloom,

And after the scourges and harvest are over,

We'll rise with the just when the Savior doth come.

Then all that was promised the Saints will be given,

And they will be crown'd with the angels of heav'n,

And earth will appear as the Garden of Eden,

And Christ and his people will ever be one.

I love you all and hope you have an incredible week!

Elder Robinson

P.S. I'm all better now, just so you know.

P.P.S. Here's a picture from laser tag today! Me and my comp's team won! Hurray!