Robinsons Having Fun

10 October 2015

Conference Pictionary

08 October 2015

October 3-October 9 2015. Tomorrow we get to see conference

Saturday-wash, exercise, scriptures, email, went to Jalandoni--listened to BYU/UCON on the computer with KSL! Woohoo! We picked up the sister missionaries in our district and returned to watch Women's Conference. I love to gather as a group listening to conference. After the broadcast, we went to Mandurriao for 4 baptisms. I played prelude😃. Hahaha. We came home. I am fighting a sore throat and cold. Went to bed.
Sunday Ray pulled up on the phone the new apostles' names. Rasband, Stephenson, Renlund...yep...I found a relative😃...Elder Rasband's wife is a Twitchell. I'm sure we have a common great grandfather😇. And we read a beautiful email from Elder Andrew Robinson. Humility. I am so grateful to be serving with Ray at the same time as Sister Charity and Elder Andrew. It is really such a blessing in all our lives. We attended sacrament meeting/fast Sunday at Mandurriao, then headed to the airport to pick up Grace Villavert. She flew all the way to LA and the immigration officer cancelled her VISA and she was confined to a room with other foreigners who were also denied entrance to the United States and they all had to catch planes the next day back home. That was a huge waste of time and money for her. And she will have to pay and travel to Manila twice to get another Visa. Oh, we felt so sorry for her. And they were really mean to her and called her a liar, would not let her make a phone call. It was awful. Anyway, we took her with us to LaPuz Ward, then to Sorilla's to visit a bit then to our house to eat, and to San Miguel group for another sacrament meeting and to the bus station after to get a ride in a van back to her home in Antique. We went home. I don't feel great so we cancelled going with the zone tomorrow for their zone activity in Guimaras at 5:00 am. I just felt I needed a rest. Watched Legacy but I can't sleep because of leg and feet cramps. I cramp on fast day nights, I think from lack of water...my muscles start yelling at me. So I get up. And eat pickles until they stop cramping.
Monday the zone activity was changed. President Aquino was worried about crossing the water with an impending typhoon even though it is not anywhere near our island. The boat ride is 15 minutes each way from Iloilo to Guimaras. I will doctor myself today in hopes of knocking this infection. Alma 57:21 "...they did obey and observe to perform every word of command with exactness"...:26 ...their preservation was astonishing...we did justly ascribe it to the miraculous power of God, because of their exceeding faith...:24... their minds are firm and they do put their trust in God continually". 58:8"...falling into the hands of our enemies, yea, to contend with an enemy which was
i n n u m e r a b l e. " How many ways Satan has to deceitfully lead us down to misery: judgement of ourselves and others, slothfulness, the need to be right, worldly pleasures or activities, desires for riches, the ways are innumerable. :12 " fixed with a determination to conquer our enemies (in our hearts)". Anything that causes us turmoil, unrest to our minds and souls is not of God. :40 "stand fast in that liberty wherewith God has made them free; and they are strict to remember the Lord their God from day to day; yea, they do observe to keep His statutes, and His judgements, and His commandments continually." We may be wounded and tempted but repentance/change can heal me as I am strict in remembering Jesus Christ and keeping His commandments. The Lord's plan is the plan of happiness; His commandments are the guide posts. When we take a trip unknown to us, we
s e e k out maps or take along a gps. Life is unknown to me. I must "seek out" the Lord's gps (guidelines, prophets, sure commandments) so I do not get lost. How wondrous to have the scriptures and living prophets, the Holy Ghost--a sure trip maker to our safe return and our safe, joyful journey. :39"even one soul has not been slain". Their mothers taught them. I'm so grateful that my grandchildren have mothers teaching them, mothers who stay at their post and are not distracted from their life's purpose --even by "good things". We went to the Center to download conference and listen. Cushings came and we shopped at the Bamboo Store, went to lunch at endless pizza and pasta. We let them off at the Atrium and went to Jalandoni to meet with Butch about tomorrow's missionary workshop. 7:00 drank a fruit/veggie drink (carrot, apple, papaya, pineapple, banana, coconut water), listened to Saturday morning conference. In the middle of the night, I got up to use the c.r. And I saw a rat run behind our water jug and gas jug. 2:30 am. I tried to get it but it found a good hiding place. Of course, I screamed but Ray slept through it.😚
Tuesday Mosiah 2:41 "And moreover I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out faithful to the end they are received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness. O remember, remember that these things are true; for the Lord God hath spoken it. Left the apartment at 7:30 am for Jalandoni for what used to be the "career workshop" for outgoing missionaries. It ended at 11:30 and the two elders wanted to go mail something, so we drove them where they needed, waited and took them to the mission home. 12:00. Went home, ate rested and returned to Jalandoni but on the way we were waved off the road by a policeman. We stopped. We think we got a ticket for a passenger (me) not wearing a seat belt. We were told there were no laws here, except don't hit anyone and don't get hit. The police took Ray's license and we'll go in the morning to retrieve it and probably pay a fine😖. Finally we got to Jalandoni. I wrote an email to President Uchtdorf as I felt inspired to. His talk of being or feeling fulfillment really touched me. Raising a family in the Gospel of Jesus Christ is fulfilling but what when the children are gone? I had supposed that the church n e e d e d us to serve a mission according to the call of a prophet. What I am discovering is that w e
n e e d e d the mission. It gives us purpose and is so fulfilling a n d it is an opportunity to have my marriage more sanctified. Home 6:00. My health is getting better. I'm looking forward to watching all of conference.
Wednesday cleaned some, waited for our house cleaner , texted, and will reschedule. Left the apartment, purchased water, went to Jaro to retrieve Ray's drivers license P1,077.60 for passenger not wearing seat belt. Then we went to SM to buy rat poison and a door strip to hopefully keep the little rats and lizards out. On to Jalandoni. President Insigne asked Ray to help him take a cupboard to get fixed to Brother Villanueva who is a less active in the Mandurriao Ward. I stayed at the church visiting with Brother and Sister Gison (he-son) and their just returned missionary son who was waiting for President Insigne to return to release him. When Ray returned we went to the apartment where our clothes were out drying on the wire and it is raining now.😖. We brought in our damp clothes. It has just sprinkled lightly at our apartment. The rain is moving this way.--whew. Then we went and walked the Esplanade--1 1/2 miles, 30 minutes but it is such a beautiful walk... Came home. We were invited to a karaoke party again but I'm fighting this head cold, sinus...whatever so we didn't go. But we listened to some of the priesthood session of conference .
Thursday Helaman 3 there were some prideful people which caused the more humble people to suffer and wade through tribulations. :35 "Nevertheless, they did fast and pray oft; and did wax stronger and stronger in their humility, and firmer and firmer in the faith of Christ, unto the filling their souls with joy and consolation, yea even to the purifying and the sanctification of their hearts, which sanctification comes because of their yielding their hearts unto God." The challenge is to let tribulation work its miracle in our hearts as we yield our hearts more fully to Heavenly Father. What a blessing tribulation turns out to be for me...I want my heart pure and sanctified. We are still having a little rats company and now Ray is even praying about it. I think the rat is the last straw. Ray set out rat traps yesterday and put a strip on the door so all the critters can't get in, at least the ones of any size. Today was transfers which took us past 1:00. We took four missionaries and luggage "in"
and eight missionaries and luggage to their new places. It's always fun to be with the missionaries. Sister Mitchell's leg looks much better--pink like a huge scar. About 1:30 we had lunch and went to Jalandoni. After we left Jalandoni 5:30, we walked the Esplanade, I got a raw toe😓 but a band aide will protect it next time. We picked up some blueberry cheesecake, which is President Sorilla's favorite. He is our landlord and friend, we eat with them once or twice a month. They have been waiting for their mission call and we went through all the medical agony with them--mammograms and needing another check and all the concern, treadmill stuff etc. They have been assigned and we want to celebrate their call. They have been assigned but cannot tell anything yet, maybe tomorrow. We are so excited for them. They are an amazing couple.
Friday all the same routine, plus cleaned our fans. The rat is still loose but the trap caught a lizard. Ray sprayed the apartment. Off to Jalandoni.

Brother Agustin

Herrera Agustin: A man who uses a chair for a cane

Several weeks ago as we were driving in the area where we live near Iloilo, we noticed a man who was somewhat disabled and needed assistance to walk. The man was older (I would guess over 50 years) and he was a little rough looking. We saw that he was using a plastic chair for a cane and we thought that maybe we should get him a real cane.

About this same time the sister missionaries in our area began to talk to the man. His name is Herrera Agustin. Mr. Agustin was receptive to the missionary’s invitation and they began teaching him. We asked the sisters if they thought that Mr. Agustin would like to have a regular cane or even a special cane. The Sisters said that Mr. Agustin has about 6 canes but he prefers his plastic chair. It looks kind of awkward to see him dragging that chair around. It is worn down and when it is at rest it sits on kind of an angle. He said that he likes the chair because when he gets tired he always has a place to sit and rest.

This Brother Agustin began coming to church and continued to receive the missionary discussions, and we were able to attend his baptism a few weeks later. Brother Agustin is happy and friendly; and he is always one of the first people at church on Sunday morning.

The Bishop has recently tried to encourage members to come to church on time (many of the members come late to church, as much as a half hour late). The Bishop used Brother Agustin as an example and noted that he walks to church with his chair and is always early.

Last week when we came to church, we along with other missionaries came early and the gates were all locked so we were just waiting. Brother Agustin came early as usual. More people came including the Bishop but he had given the key to another member and he was not there yet. There was getting to be a good size group of people, (about 50) who were standing along the road in front of the gates. I walked over to Brother Agustin, who was sitting in his chair, and began to visit with him. I told Brother Agustin that in case no one brings the keys next week that we should all bring chairs like his. Brother Agustin laughed and laughed and gave me a “high five”. I think that he could just visualize 50 people coming down the road dragging a plastic chair with them. I love Brother Agustin.

In thinking about this experience I thought about our missionaries (Charity and Andrew) and their expressions of love for some of the people they have been able to teach. When they express their love it is often in connection with something quirky about the person they have loved. I think that the love we feel sometimes is a gift from Heavenly Father. We see something that warms our heart or thrills us or amuses us or delights us about that person. It comes; and for a moment we see as God sees. It is a blessing and a gift to sometimes see as God Sees.

05 October 2015

#ponderize

Well I'm sure the above hashtag is already trending. But you all should post your ponderize scripture for the week on facebook or whatever social media you do and hashtag it! How cool would it be if
all those social media platforms were flooded with inspiring scriptures. Talk about giving your thoughts a high place to go. Mine is Helaman 3:35, "Nevertheless they did fast and pray oft, and did wax stronger and stronger in their humility, and firmer and firmer in the faith of Christ, unto the filling their souls with joy and consolation, yea, even to the purifying and the sanctification of
their hearts, which sanctification cometh because of their yielding their hearts unto God." #ponderize :)

I'll probably share mine every week from now on. So this week was pretty awesome and pretty bad all at the same time haha. Tuesday we had a miracle! We were miraculously let into an apartment complex that we typically can't get into, and so as we're walking around I'm thinking to myself there has to be someone here we are supposed to talk to today! We talked to a few cool people including a nice safety patrol guy and an Irish soccer player. The last person we tried was named Frank, and he agreed to meet with us again on Thursday!! We were so excited to finally find an investigator! Unfortunately when Thursday rolled around he wasn't there for his appointment :( But we'll keep trying!

Wednesday we met Dominik. He has been attending the YSA ward with his foster brother but he is 15 so we get to teach him! He is so special. Really pure in heart and excited to get baptized. He is planning to be baptized October 24th! So we are looking forward to preparing him for that. This is also where the hard part of the week comes in, because due to a misunderstanding and miscommunication our mission president was given the impression (by someone else's report) that we didn't seem to care much about teaching Dominic. Due to that we received a call that we would not be teaching him. We explained our side of the story and protested and since he wasn't able to get to any certain conclusion about what actually happened he decided that we will be sharing him, so we will teach him but each lesson one of us will go with one of our leaders so they can baby-sit us essentially. That really made me feel bad. But it has helped me learn greater humility this week so at least I am learning from the experience. I'm just happy we still get to teach him.

On Thursday we did some service for a sister in our ward that purchased some giant water containers for emergency preparedness and needed to clean them out before using them. We were helping her
clean them out. We don't know what was in them before, but they were coated in the nastiest smelling sticky slime ever. It was SOO sticky. It was like a super sticky honey glue mixture.. And it smelled like fish oil, but also lots of other smells that cannot be identified. We didn't actually manage to get it all out. It was quite the adventure!!

I am currently sick with a nasty head cold. It's pretty miserable, but hopefully itwill improve soon. Conference was WONDERFUL and we got Dominik to come to a session of it. So that's about it! Love you all!

Sister Robinson

#ponderize

03 October 2015

Humility

Was that a sick first session of conference or what!?

Hey guys!

So this is weird because I was planning on writing about conference… but it hasn’t happened yet, so I hope you guys are all getting ready to enjoy conference with your family, or however you are able to enjoy it. We did our last zone conference for this transfer yesterday, so it’s kind of nice to have that over… until December. But yesterday in our zone conference all of the missionaries that are going home shared their testimony with the zone, right? And this guy, Elder Tafur, he is quite an interesting character. Haha. :) I just love him to death. He’s so crazy; I heard this story about him that when he first got to the mission, he didn’t want to do his contacts and his companion was obligating him (and Elder Tafur’s a small Peruvian guy and his trainer was huge) so he jumped on his back and just started hitting him. He’s a little crazy. But now, almost two years later, he gave one of the most powerful testimonies I have heard here on the mission. The atonement is real and powerful. It truly can change the very being of anyone that really uses it. It was awesome.

We found a pretty cool guy this week, his name is Danilo. We are hoping to visit him again before Sunday to try to get him to at least one session of conference. I feel like if someone listens to conference it’s got to be, like, one hundred percent more likely that they will get baptized. :) He’s about 21 or somewhere around there and he’s sick! So prayers on Danilo's behalf are welcome. We don’t know his need yet, though, so for now he just needs to get to conference today or tomorrow.

I feel that so far in the mission, the idea that has been the “biggest” for me has been humility. Before the mission, I thought I understood humility pretty well. But here on the mission, I have understood a little better what true humility really means. I use to always just think, “Well, I don’t think I’m better than anyone, so I’m probably humble,” Or at least not full of myself. I thought it was maintaining myself below others, according to my understanding. But in the mission I have truly been humbled, even to the dust. But now I know that I really was hiding my light frequently and living below the potential that God has given to all of us. True humility is doing everything the best you can to please our Father, remembering Him and giving and showing our gratitude for Him. True humility is, “to recognize gratefully our dependence on the Lord.” It’s knowing where your gifts come from, and being grateful for your weaknesses as well, because they help us to remember.

Also, in Zone Conference, President Arrington showed us part of the training that the apostles gave to the general authorities in preparation for general conference. And they, of course, were speaking about the Sabbath day. :) They said some amazing things. What can we do to increase the faith, worldwide, in Heavenly Father and His son Jesus Christ and His atonement? What can we do to have our conversions last until the end and have multi-generational member families? They’re solution was, “elevating the spiritual power and holiness of the Sabbath day." So it must be pretty important guys. My mom said that the most important decision she and my dad made after they got married was to keep the Sabbath day holy. Looks like she was right. (Exo. 31:13; Eze 20:20; D&C 59:9-16; Isa 58:13-14)

I love you guys a ton! And I am convinced that making the Sabbath day holy truly is the key to eternal families. What better way to show your appreciation to God and the importance of the atoning sacrifice of His son. That’s the way to build faith straight from the mouths of God’s apostles. That should give us a pretty good clue. :) Love you so much! Have an amazing weekend and soak in this sweet conference!

Con mucho amor y cariño,

Elder Robinson

P.S. This is what it looks like to be prepared for conference. :)

#LDSconf

02 October 2015

Friday, September 25-Friday, October 2 2015

Friday at 2:30 we ate at our apartment and took a rest. At 6:45 we went to Smallville, had dinner, dancing, and karaoke with Sorilla's, Cozzens, Cordero's, Arquioloas and another family. It was very fun. I announced my 94 year young mother's wedding and we sang and danced to "Could I Have This Dance?" 10:45 home😆
Saturday we left at 6:00 am for Arevalo: Family Fun Day 6:30 Zumba, 7:30 came to apartment to exercise, read scriptures, shower, did wash and hung it to dry outside, fixed lunch, ate, typed Christmas program for the mission Christmas party. We returned to Arevalo for the continuation of Family Fun Day--more games. It ended about 3:45 and then we returned water equipment back to Jalandoni and went on to Mandurriao for the baptisms at 5:00. We were the first ones to show up, the font wasn't filled for another hour and a half--it finally started at 6:15. I spoke on baptism and the Holy Ghost (When I am Baptized, CSB 103). This is one of those experiences that I feel so full of the Spirit that I would like to cry. A less active husband prepared himself to baptize his wife after the missionaries taught her the lessons. They have two little girls--they will plan to go to the temple in a year. The other baptism was a ten year old girl whose lollo(grandfather) returned to activity to baptize his granddaughter. He was really moved by the experience. After the baptisms, it was late; we went to McDonalds and purchased dinner: 1 Big n Tasty meal, 1 small fry, 2 apple pies. We took it to the apartment and shared--1/4 for me and fries and pie. It was delicious. Prayer and bed. I do appreciate having am and pm prayers together.
Sunday the "delight". We are in Alma 37:33.." Teach them ...to be meek and lowly in heart; ... To withstand every temptation of the devil, with their faith on the Lord Jesus Christ." :34. ... For such shall find rest for their souls." :36 "Let all thy thoughts be directed unto the Lord; yea let the affections of thy heart be placed upon the Lord forever." Alma 37:36 ... Cry unto God for all thy support;...let all thy thoughts be directed unto the Lord;..." :37 " ...when thou risest in the morning let thy heart be full of thanks unto God...." :41, 42. Because they were slothful (forgot, busy, lazy, procrastinate) they were afflicted, they did not progress or go in a straight or direct course or path. TEMPORAL. This really spoke to me. We attended church in Mandurriao and Quennie brought her four year old to church for the first time. It is fun to watch the Lord's Spirit work in her life as she grows in the gospel and he is blessing her in so many tangible ways. Her ex husband petitioned her to return to the U.S. With the children. We are all so happy about that. In Sunday School Romans 12:19 Let love be real, :12 instant prayer, :21 overcome evil with good ( I remember my mother having some ornery neighbors and she won them over with kindnesses). Then we were requested to sing with the choir for Ward conference so we attended practice. At 1:00 we returned to the apartment, ate chili-type soup, and went to San Miguel group at 1:30. I talked with Geraldine after and we gave her and her son a ride into town. It is so important that we put aside our own desires and do all things the Lord's way. Our information is so small and His so grand. The world teaches us so many falsehoods, like if you're not happy, get out of your marriage or you must have fulfillment. It seems smart at the time because we have been so taught by the world but the Lord's way is the only way of happiness. Everything else is a fake and leads us to more misery. Covenants are really our great blessing if we keep them no matter what. We returned home, ate popcorn, read, and it rained all night.
Monday it is still raining. Ray did a load of wash anyway. The clothes will have to dry in the apartment with fans running. My frozen shoulder is greatly improved. I am still doing all the therapy, exercises but I am not in constant pain just very aware of my lack of movement but it is improving. Alma 38:2. And now, my sons (and daughters) I trust that I shall have great joy in you because of your steadiness and your faithfulness unto God; for as you have commenced in your youth to look to the Lord, your God ...I hope that you will continue in keeping His commandments ... :3 ... I have had great joy in thee already :5 ... remember that as much as ye shall put your trust in God even so much ye shall be delivered out of your trials, and your troubles, and your afflictions... :12 bridle all your passions, that ye may be filled with love... ". Went to Arevalo at 8:45 to go over the Christmas program with Elder Craythorn. We went grocery shopping from there for our district's buffet breakfast tomorrow. Ate lunch, took a short rest, went to Jalandoni and listened to Women's conference. Wow! Visited Sister Timbus, 91 year old. Her children that were living with her have now immigrated to the United States with their two children--total before the year is over, there will be five of her children there in Houston. They have waited 22 years.
Tuesday we had district meeting in our apartment. It's rewarding to watch our district leader mature--as he gets comfortable with himself and the Spirit. After meeting, we served a buffet breakfast: 3" sourdough pancakes with mango syrup, 3-egg omelets to order, hash browns, rice, fruit (bananas, mangoes, lanzones, rambutan) and we had orange/pineapple juice. At 11:40 we are on our way to Arevalo to administer an English test to a going home missionary. Returned to the apartment, ate and rested, then went to Jalandoni and worked on mission Christmas conference. 6:00 we walked on the Esplanade, 6:20 returned to apartment, ate a snack (1/2 Apple, 8 rice crackers), read and bed. Alma is one of my favorite books :41 plan of restoration :3 And here is hope...if their works were good in this life, and the desires of their hearts were good....they should also at the last day, be restored unto that which is good. :15 for that which ye do send out shall return unto you again, and be restored. :14 be merciful, deal justly...do good continually. Alma 43:23. Alma the prophet inquired of the Lord and the word of the Lord came....conference is upon us and the Prophet and Apostles have inquired of the Lord and the word of the Lord will be coming to us--and their words can save our lives as we follow, just as it did the Nephites' lives at that time. Can't wait for conference!
Wednesday --a little note for myself. I read a Deseret News article about a young husband and father who is dying. I thought he had some great wisdom: "Great things come from trials. Depression, pity doesn't get me anywhere. Please quit wasting time with negative thoughts. Let your perspective change. There is so much good around me. Always tell the most inspirational story you can." Worked on Christmas program a little; went to Arevalo to deliver mail and words to songs. We picked up President Villavert, wife, daughter Grace, son BJ, and friend from Los Angeles, Brother Mit. We took them to our apartment. We stopped on the street to purchase chicken, and fed them lunch (noodles, rice, chicken). At 3:00 we dropped them off at SM Mall. We returned home to pick up our phone and the empty water jug and we stopped to buy a water refill on the way to Arevalo. We worked with the office elders on the Christmas conference. Checked with the Villaverts at the mission home for airport transportation arrangements. It had only been two hours since we had seen them. They patted Ray on the back as if it had been years. It felt really good. It was amazing because we had done about all we could to avoid this service today but the Lord knew we needed to serve so He just led us into it. No way out. How good it felt, even to hesitant servants. How grateful we are that the Lord didn't give up on us and give the opportunity to someone else.
Thursday we went to the mission home, President Aquino invited us in for breakfast(eggs, milo, bacon, raisin toast). There was more but that's what we ate. Villaverts came down and ate and at 7:20 we took them all to the airport--left Grace and Brother Mit at the airport and took Villaverts, after goodbyes to Molo station for a van ride back to Antique. We returned to the apartment to exercise, shower. For the last three days, I've been getting spots. At first I thought it was mosquito bites. They are so itchy but it seemed strange that they were under my underwear and multiplying. Now we think it's a light case of shingles--3x for my adult life. We'll see how long they last. We went to Jalandoni, came home and made tortillas for fajitas, took a rest, answered texts, looked for confectioners sugar--no luck, went to the Esplanade to walk and picked up sundaes and apple pies at McDonald's --home 7:30.
Friday I had a dream last night, in detail, about Sister Mitchell, an American we had taken to a hospital about six weeks ago. We saw them yesterday and it is still red around the hole in her leg. We cannot find "Epsom salts". But I dreamt to use sea salt and hot drinking water and a cotton ball morning and evening and treat it with Melrose oil after so we will go to her apartment this morning. Then we went to the Center. Next to the Atrium for a few groceries. Home to take care of groceries, ate, took a rest, then took a walk on the Esplanade 2.4k equals 1 1/2 miles, read, and went to Cordero's for dinner with the sisters--Sister Servezas birthday (28). They sent us home with some leftovers. 8:15 we killed a lizard in the kitchen, went to bed. It is a great life.
Sister Robinson III, Mom, Grandma