Semana 43 - Abril/Mayo 2015

Semana 43 - Abril/Mayo 2015

Taco Count for the Week:  7

Total Taco Count:  455.50

Okay so I am SUPER short on time because I got writing a lot of people=)

BUT....

Training is seriously the most amazing thing ever!!!!

It´s fun to be on the other side of things as you watch them figure it all out=)

Hermana Perez is super anxious to get working and just about everything we do she always responds

"Yo puedo! Yo puedo!"

Even little things like opening the front door (more difficult than it sounds).

The first day I asked if she wanted to start the lesson... my first day in the field I was totally lost I expected her to tell me to do it.

She happily accepted the challenge!

I taught her what to say and how to start and we practiced in the morning!

Then she was off and running!!

She learns quickly=) So that is really good=)

She always speaks to me in English but I am still a little slow in that area so I only reply in Spanish.

Sometimes I think that she understands a lot more than she actually does!

But, she has got the ear for it and learns a ton every day=)

She is SUPER sweet and SUPER loving!!!=)

She is awesome!

This week we ended out having to go to the clinic.

Apparently this time of year everyone gets sick...

We were in the waiting room with a bunch of other people.  It´s really little so we were packed pretty tight in there!

We got talking... and naturally, religion came up!

I began testifying and sharing simple truths of the doctrine of Jesus Christ.

I LOVE moments like this as a missionary=)

Having a group of people that have never heard something like this hanging on every word that you say!

I can´t even describe the feeling of the spirit in these moments=)

Literally those moments where you just open your mouth and the 

Lord does the rest=)

Those are the moments I never want to forget.

A little while back I mentioned a new investigator we had... her name is Ana.

The one that I was sure would be baptized before her actual baptismal date...

Well she dropped us this week=(

Someone once told me it feels like a bad high school break-up when that happens.

Well that´s 100% true.

I am still in denial about the whole thing=(

But learning to accept someones agency is a hard lesson to learn.

We are anxious to get to work this week and start fresh!=)

oh oh oh...

tomorrow is MAY 5th!!!

Do something to celebrate Mexico and think of your favorite basically-Mexican Missionary in Culiacan=)

Love you all!!

Hermana Robinson

Semana 42 - Abril 2015

Seman 42 - Abril 2015

Taco Count for the Week:  5

Total Taco Count:  448.50

Who has two thumbs and is now training?!

THIS MISSIONARY!!!!!

I am SUPER crazy excited about it=)

I have wanted to train basically since the beginning of my mission!

I have actually known for about 2 weeks.

Kind of funny... normally transfers are a huge secret and you can´t say anything to anyone.

But all the Elders in the offices know.

I think each one of them were so excited to see my reaction that they 

all spilled the beans!

Each one was super bummed when I told them I already knew...

Even our president couldn´t wait! He spilled the beans in anticipation to see my reaction=)

She is really cute! Her name is Hermana Perez.

She is from Idaho... but she is Mexican. =)

She understands me really well and Spanish is already part of her blood so we will be fine=)

It has been an emotional couple of days. Feeling super down in the dumps because my best friends is leaving me=(

But crazy ridiculous EXCITED to train at the same time!

The week was full of lots of goodbyes=(

But the best part was the huge Family Home Evening we had as a ward.

Everyone got to share some words with Hermana Christensen, then we ate some awesome food at enjoyed the time=)

GOLL, I AM GOING TO MISS HER!!!

  

But the most eventful part of the week were the PEOJOS....

(H. Christensen gave me permission to share this)

Do you know what peojos are?!.....

Lice.... that´s right LICE!!!!

Hahahahahahahahahahahahahaha

Three days before she goes home she gets lice.

We left from a lesson and started scratching her head and we joke that 

she had lice.

We stopped (still joking around) and I offered,

"Here let me check."

I start digging around in her hair.

Immediately start laughing my head off!! I know... not the best reaction.

I looked her dead in the eyes,

"YOU HAVE LICE!"

I am still laughing so of course she doesn´t believe me!

I start explaining to her that I WAS NOT kidding and that this was my nervous laugh...

Still not completely convinced... I tell her in English.

That´s when she knows I am serious.

I grab her head again and pull one of the lice out and leave it on my finger.

We then run down the street, H. Christensen grabbing my pointer finger with both hands towards the house of a member.

We get there not even saying anything, walk right in the house show her my finger, and ask her what it is?!

She looks at us both and says...

"Quién?"

That was when my comp screamed.

We went and bought shampoo and headed home to kill the little suckers.

I spent all night washing her head.

Picking out lice.

Killing them.

We couldn´t help but laugh at the whole experience because it happens JUST before she goes home=)

That would happen.

We had a conference as Sister Missionaries=)

Ugh, those are the best!!

We had a spiritual part at the beginning and were able to hear from the 

Sister Leaders.

Then we had a Zumba class thingy...

It was to learn how to excercise more effectively in the mornings. Super fun=)

THEN... We had a self-defense class!!

It was awesome.

In these conferences with pure Sister power, we always end out talking about Marriage and Motherhood.

I have learned so much about the importance of the family on my mission=)

It makes me want to work harder and learn more so that I will be a strong wife and mother in the future=)

I am really excited to get to work this week! And I am excited to let you all know how it goes=)

Love you all SO much!!!!

Hermana Robinson

Semana 41 - Abril 2015

Semana 41 - Abril 2015

Taco Count for the Week:  7

Total Taco Count:  443.50

Well, we are officially in the very last week of this transfer=(

I am gonna miss my companion so much!! 

But we have a good week planned out! 

It will be a good week to end the mission!

 

So remember the family that we have been teaching that we would get to there house and the daughter would have her homewrk written out in a book?

The ones that drew a picture of Lehi's dream after the first lesson??

 

Well...they were baptized this week=)

We were able to find the family because the dad was less active...

He is officially activated and the two kiddos, Jazmin and Luis (THEY´RE TWINS), were baptized=)

 

It was probably one of my favorite baptisms from the mission!

The spirit was WAY strong=)

But, my favorite part was when Jazmin shared her testimony.

It was the most pure and sincere thing I have ever heard from her=)

Everyone in the room could feel the spirit that this little girl has.

She told us after how excited she was to tell all her friends that 

she was baptized!

She also told us that she doesn´t understand why all the kids in her 

school don´t go to church too...

Ugh! This girl makes my heart happy!!=)

 

At the end of the baptism we were introduced to a girl... her name is Ana. =)

SHE. IS. PERFECT. 

We put an appointment with her and didn´t think much of it.

When we got there she welcomed us in immediately and we talked with her a little about the baptism and what she thought.

With a smile on her face she said,

 "Me sentí en casa." 

(I felt at home).

We talked a lot about the love of God the Father and Jesus Christ.

She suffers from depression and is looking for something to help her feel better.

You could feel Gods love for her the whole lesson=)

We challenged her to baptism...

She accepted!!

We put a baptismal date with her...

She accepted again!!!

THEN, 

She asked what she needed to be baptized.

We read Mosiah 18 and explained that if she had the desire that was enough for God=)

She started crying and you could feel the spirit testifying to her.

Her baptismal date is for the 28th of May... buuuuut I am 99% sure it 

will be before that!!

She is the golden investigator we pray for every day=)

This next week are transfers... I love the excitement of transfers!

I have 6 months in this area... good thing I love it here huh?=)

I am excited and nervous and sad... ALL AT THE SAME TIME!!

=)

In other exciting news...

We had hot water installed this week!!!!!!

YAY=)=)=)

I also wanted to share a link to one of my favorite Primary songs:
http://www.mormonchannel.org/watch/series/music-videos/im-trying-to-be-like-jesus-emily-brown
It's great!  Watch it if you can.

I want to thank you all for the love prayers and support you send every day!!

Hermana Paige Jean Robinson=)

Semana 40 - Abril 2015

Semana 40 - Abril 2015

Taco Count for the Week:  7

Total Taco Count:  436.50

Last week I was super anxious about the week to come!

Butterflies to go and teach the world=)

Well I am happy to inform you that it may have been the greatest week 

in my WHOLE mission!!

We had an activity as a zone... Obviously there are no losers or 

winners as missionaries.

BUT....my companion and I are both rather competitive.

We were able to put it to good use=)

Using competitiveness for the right reasons! Haha

We literally spent the week RUNNING around contacting, teaching, 

serving, etc.

I started laughing one day as we were walking in the street... 

we both had pass-along cards in our hands looking 

every which way just to find someone to talk to.

To sum it up...

I felt like I was hunting.

Each day this week we had goals... SUPER specific goals!

for example:

Contact every person you see in Red

Contact using the First Vision

Drop 3 investigators that aren´t progressing

3 New investigators in 1 hour

2 New investigators 2 baptismal dates in a first lesson

Contact an entire bus.

We had to complete the goals each day!

My personal favorite was the very last goal=)

It was one of the things on my "Mission Bucket List."

We planned it all out and as we waited for the bus... 

we were both super nervous=)

We got in front and presented ourselves and shared a short message.

Simple.

But we liked it so much we ended out doing it 6 times!

We were able to contact a TON of people!!! 

I was really surprised.

One of the times I presented myself and a lady in front of me 

stood up and told me her name and shook my hand=)

She was really excited to meet us! She lives in Tijuana but we have already passed along the direction!

I would have loved to keep doing it but I got SUPER car sick!! hahaha =)

Tuesday we had a lesson with someone we contacted a few weeks back... 

We taught the lesson and as we finished her husband got home.

He spent a few years living in Utah and got SO excited 

that we were from Utah.

They have two kids that are super sweet!

The mom and daughter came with us on Sunday 

and the daughter left asking us when she could be baptized.

Keep them in your prayers!! It´s a complete family=)

I really wish I could share all the miracles that happened this week 

and tell you all the amazing experiences that we had...

but the time is just too short=)

This week was a good week to realize the potential I have as a missionary. 

We are booked solid and have a million things to do this week=)

I asked President to send more missionaries to help with all we have to do.

I can honestly say I have never been so exhausted in my entire life.

Spiritually. Mentally. Physically.

But I have never felt better=)

I love how everything just makes sense in the mission.

You receive answers to prayers almost immediately.

You can see everything just a little bit more clearly.

and you have the opportunity to feel so close to your Savior.

I love you all=) and I hope you have the greatest week!!

Hermana Robinson

(DON´T FORGET TACO TUESDAY!!!)

Semana 39 - Marcha/Abril 2015

Semana 39 - Marcha/Abril 2015

Taco Count for the Week:  7

Total Taco Count:  429.50

I call this week My Week of Revelations!

In the mission we have:

Weekly district meetings

Monthly zone meetings

Multi-zone conferences every 3 months

and General Conference every 6 months

Well, this week was magical because they ALL fell under the same week!

A week FULL of revelation=)

I am all set on a full battery and jumping to hit the pavement!

We are doing something really exciting this week as a zone=)

It will really help  our ward as well as us as missionaries.

I am excited to tell you how everything goes this week! I actually have butterflies in my stomach from so much excitement!!!

Conference was INCREDIBLE!!

I missed Qonference Quiche with the fam, but I had to laugh because my aunt wrote me and told me she hoped I was enjoyed some delicious Easter tacos=)

That is exactly what I enjoyed!

Shrimp tacos that were probably the best I have ever had!!=)

We had some technical difficluties and weren´t able to see much of the Saturday session but Sunday was Beautiful!

A lot of prayers were answered. The spirit was so crazy strong=)

Oh how I love Conference!

This past week was "la semana santa" Which means everyone and their 

dog is out of town!

There was one night that we were walking and there was total SILENCE!

Not a light in the street nor people to be seen for miles!

Everyone had left to the beach. Made it hard to work=(

We were able to go with a family that we are teaching=)

They have twins that are 10 years old!

They are GOLDEN!!!

The little girl bought a new notebook to take notes from the homework we give her!

She writes a summary of each chapter of the Book of Mormon that she reads.

Then before we leave she always asks "can you give me LOTS of homework to read??"

She is adorable!

We asked the mom if she was able to read... she read 17 chapters!!

WHAT!?

We were both a little in shock when she told us!

One night while she was talking with her husband he was telling her that she needs to pray and ask God if it is really true.

Tears started welling up in her eyes and she told us

"I don´t need to ask. I already know it´s true! I knew the second I started reading this book. I can FEEL it."

The spirit hit my companion and I both! I realize more and more every day that this isn´t MY work.

I am just lucky enough to be an instrument in the Lords hand to bring the truth to ALL his children!

I can see how powerful the Book of Mormon is in our lives=)

I know it´s true!

 

Please listen to the words of the Prophet Thomas S. Monson and the other speakers and apply all that they have shared!

Make the Book of Mormon part of your life every single day!!=)

I love you all!!

Happy Easter!

Hermana Robinson

Semana 38 - Marcha 2015

Semana 38 - Marcha 2015

Taco Count for the Week:  8

Total Taco Count:  422.50

Well I am happy to inform you all the the heat of Culiacan 

has officially returned!!

There was one day that completely changed and you could totally feel it!

Everyone talks about the heat here. 

But it really is something else to live it... and spend all day in it!

This week we tried something new, we spent a lot of time searching for

 former investigators and future investigators.

One morning we spent HOURS walking up and down every 

street in probably the hottest hours of the day. 

(We didn´t think that one out very well) 

NOTHING.

After we finally had the opportunity to sit down our legs were 

throbbing and we were dripping with sweat.  Haha.  

We felt super sad that nothing came out of it! 

But we renewed our excited to keep going and see what comes=)

We had a lesson this week that was one I will remember for a while! 

We contacted a family and they invited us in to share our message!

We began the lesson and everything was going so smoothly. 

They were both so excited that we were answering their questions!
They have been assisting another church for 

about 4 years and were sharing a lot of their beliefs too.

It was SUCH a good lesson=)

Next thing we know two other sisters from another religion came by 

to share a message as well.

My comp and I just smiled at each other because we knew what 

was about to come=)

I am so grateful for the guidance of the spirit in moments like this!

We were given the correct scriptures in the correct moment and were 

able to speak clearly and powerfully.

The family that we were teaching was so interested in every word 

we were saying and although we were cut off many times, 

you could see the spirit testifying to them of the simple truths 

that were spoken in the lesson.

It was really cool=)

We had the baptism of little Fernanda!

She is the daughter of a family that is reactivating to the church!

The day of the baptism was SO crazy stressful!

I remember sitting there and thinking to myself

"Shouldn´t baptisms be filled with the spirit? A happy moment were everyone can feel at peace? Then why do I feel like this?"

I got a glance at the family and observed how each and everyone one of them was at peace and were able to feel the spirit.

They were happy that they could all be there together as a family to enjoy this moment with their daughter and sister.

The thought came to my mind.

"You´re paying the price so they can be happy."

I immediately thought of my Savior and all that he has taken upon him so that we can be happy.

I love that we are able to remember Him during this time of year=)

I know He Lives and loves us!

I am so grateful for a prophet who guides us today, 

and hope you all have the opportunity to enjoy conference this weekend. 

I encourage you to invite someone to watch a session with you 

in your home, 

who might not have ever had the opportunity to hear about it before.

If that is the desire of your heart, I promise the Lord will 

provide a way for you to invite someone! (1 Ne 3:7) 

Then let me know how it went! I would really enjoy to hear any miracles that come from this, even if they say no. =)

With all my love,

Hermana Robinson

Semana 37 - Marcha 2015

Semana 37 - Marcha 2015

Taco Count:  11

Total Taco Count:  414.50

Well we pretty much killed it this week=)

Hermana Christensen is determined to finish her mission in peace,

So we are doing everything in our power to make that possible!!

We started the week with a lot of excitement=)

In the blog post last week I mentioned the two baptisms we 

had planned for Saturday!

We figured that we would work our butts off all week and then finish 

the week with two baptisms=)

We found lots of new people!

Completed with almost all of our goals=)

Had the baptismal interviews and everything was looking good=)

Our investigator didn't smoke at all during the week!!!

But, we got a call from our zone leaders Thursday night.

They were concerned about his addiction to tobacco!

They asked a lot of questions and we talked for awhile about everything.

One of the Elders did an exercise with us that really got us thinking.

We hung up and immediately were on our knees praying.

After praying as companions and personally as well as lots of discussion...

We decided it would be better to wait another month for his baptism.

The elders in the ward are also going to be teaching him from here on out.

It was a pretty tough decision to make but I know it will be best for him!

We were a little bit down about this but still looking forward to the other baptism!=)

We got everything ready Saturday morning!

Then got a call from her mom telling us that the her dad (Who was going to baptize her) was called to work in Aguascalientes.

The whole family decided to go!!

Just like that, the other baptism fell through!

We were waiting in the chapel later in the afternoon to have splits 

with the ward missionaries,

We were both super bummed=(

All the excitement that we had all week was immediately crushed.

I hate to admit it.

Going and working with the ward missionaries really helped though=)

Sunday my companion gave a talk and it was reeeeally good!!

The spirit was really strong during the Sacrament Meeting=)

I was really glad that our investigators were able to go and feel the spirit!

Working in the afternoon was rough again!

The sun is blazing hot again... It almost scares me to be back in summer.

We walked a TON with no luck anywhere!

We finally ended up with a contact from a few weeks ago!

It was the GREATEST lesson=)=)

We taught the first lesson... She was so excited to listen and 

to hear what happened!

We had planned to only teach a little bit, but ended up teaching the 

entire lesson!

The spirit was so strong the whole time!

Normally her little kids are running around and her husband comes 

and goes with friends,

but while we were teaching about Joseph Smith there was 

complete silence 

and the spirit was present the whole time!!

She kept asking us...

"Then what did Jospeh do?! What was the answer?! How did he know?!"

We taught the first vision and you could literally see everything 

change inside of her!!

We began the invitation to be baptized but before we could even mention anything about baptism she said

"So baptism... How do you do it?"

Ahhhhhhh=)

I was trying to contain the excitement that was bursting inside of me!

She has her baptismal date for April 24th=)

I feel like it has been a while since I have a first lesson like that!

We left the lesson like smiling fools!!

We have another appointment with her right after I leave the cyber=)

I love you all...this gospel is TRUE!

Con Amor,

Hermana Robinson