Semana 51 - Junio 2015

Semana 51 - Junio 2015

Taco Count for the Week: 8

Total Taco Count:  557.50

First off, sorry for not writing last week!

I have really been feeling the stress lately... but it´s a good thing 

because it means that we are working really hard!

All our investigators that we are teaching are going through challenges 

that I have never even come close to experiencing.

I think seeing them hurt and suffer has also made me hurt and suffer 

a little with them.

I have never spent so much time on my knees before.

The most incredible thing about all of this is the love that I feel for them!

It is beyond anything I have ever felt before...

I know that the message that we are sharing is what they are looking 

for right now.

When we were planning this week for how we could help them, we had an incredible idea!! 

Oh how I love revelation=)

We are excited to get started on everything this week and hopefully we 

can see improvement!

We have a lot of investigators that we are teaching right now... 

My companion and I were talking and in the moment we felt completely incapable to handle all of it!

We came to the conclusion that we would need to drop some of them.

But, I think Heavenly Father had a different plan.

We received 3 different messages that same day offering us help with 

specific investigators.

Telling us they were going to go and visit a family. 

Asking when we could do splits with the ward missionaries. 

Even just a offering a schedule to go on visits with us.

As we got the messages we both realized that we could do it!

It means stepping up the game a little more and with the help of these AWESOME members... We can do it!!=)

This week was a great week to see some of the blessing of being in one 

area for so long!

We stopped by with a former investigator and she invited us in to sat down.

We caught up and I asked if she had thought more about what we 

had taught earlier.

She smiled and nodded her head=)

She started apologizing to us because never completed with her part.

She said that once we stopped passing by she could feel a big difference.

She had already received an answer and knew that it was true but 

she never did anything.

She apologized and began to explain that even though we weren´t stopping by she has continued reading her Book of Mormon.

She is saying her prayers and one of the biggest changes is that she is now keeping the Sabbath day holy.

I was speechless when she told us!

She was excited to come to church with us on Sunday and get started 

living the gospel. =)

She basically asked what other commandments she could keep because she 

has been receiving so many blessings!

These next couple weeks are going to be cram packed and busy!

But that is the best way to live the missionary life=)

I want to thank all of you for the support and love that I am receiving.

In my times of weakness I can feel that support and love and it what is 

keeping me going=)

Sending all my love!

Hermana Robinson

Semana 50 - Junio 2015

Semana 50 - Junio 2015

Taco Count for the Week:  9

Total Taco Count:  549.50

Unfortunately Hermana Robinson did not have enough time

for a blog this week.  We all know how busy summer 

gets so I'm hoping we can all cut her some slack.  

However...Hermana Robinson did send one picture!  

Bear in mind Culiacan is 102° today with nearly 100% humidity.

This is her picture and blog for the week:

And she had this to say, "thiiis. mi. ssions. on fii. yahh!"

She hasn't lost her sense of humor.  

Semana 49 - Juno 2015

Semana 49 - Juno 2015

Taco Count for the Week:  14

Total Taco Count:  540.50

Well...before anything else I just want to thank everyone 

for the birthday wishes!! 

It seriously made me so happy to see eveyone that wrote!

It will be a birthday I will never forget=)

It was a weekend FULLLL of cake! I have never eaten so much food 

in my entire life!!

The Relief Society planned a little party and it was the best!!

I think one of the best parts was when we finished church all the primary 

came and attacked me!!

In their classes they had made birthday cards for me=) 

There is something about little kid drawings that just get me.

I was definitely lucky to spend my birthday in such an awesome ward 

with such an awesome companion=)

My zone even surprised me with a cake... it was the first one=)

We finished and our zone leaders asked if we could wait a little bit... we sat down waiting in a room and they took FOREVER to come.  Us sisters sat there talking for awhile but I got super anxious, I just kept asking "What are we doing? Why are we here??" I felt bad for just sitting around...

Then our zone leader walked in with a cake and I started to cry. 

I just teared up. But still.

 It was really sweet of all of them=)

 

This week has been really great!! It was another week full of meetings and errands... but a lot was accomplished=)

The Elder came and we sang beautifully in the choir... It turned out really well=)

He shared a rather interesting message with us. 

I walked out a little confused.

We didn´t even talk about missionary work! 

We ended out talking about marriage. 

I know, I know... Not what you'd expect. 

Caught me off guard, too.

But his words were beautiful and they will be great to apply...

after the mission. haha=)

After the Devotional the ward had a baptism=)

This is a family that was reactivated recently and the 

little boy... liiiiiiiittle boy=) 

just turned 8.

He is theeeee sweetest thing I have ever seen! 

The font was all the full with water and so when he entered 

the water was up to his neck. 

He just had to blop his head back! 

But when he left the font and was talking to his mom.  

He looked up to her and said, "Mommy, I feel something warm in my heart." 

 A little tear ran down his cheek and a big smile lit up his face=)

It was the most special moment to see such a pure little boy 

feel the spirit so strongly=)

Saturday we had a REALLY awesome stake activity!!

All of the youth set up outside and had a FREE CAR WASH!

Then we (the missionaries) set up a tour of the chapel!

When someone stopped by to get their car washed 

we would offer them water while the waited 

and then invite them to take a tour of the chapel. 

We are just so sneaky=)

Then at the end we asked for their information=)

We had a few that passed by that were SO impressed by all the different organizations and everything that we do in the church! 

They were excited to come back and learn more about the 'Mormons.' 

There really just isn't anything as great as sharing the gospel=)

We have been working with a family... This family is something 

that I will hold very close to my heart! 

On the mission we have so many spiritual experiences every day! 

I wish I could share them all!! 

But, there are many that I don´t share... 

I like to keep the sacred and close.

This family is one of these spiritual experiences. 

I have never felt such love for someone in my entire life.

I find myself constantly pondering about them and trying to find a

way to give them exactly what they need.

Each time I think about this a calm feeling comes over me and 

assures me that the gospel is the GREATEST thing anyone could ever give. 

It strengthens my testimony knowing that 

what we are sharing with them is true. 

That it is part of our Heavenly Fathers plan 

that they receive these things now. 

It makes me want to be a better missionary 

so they will obtain a strong testimony of what we teach them. 

That they will do all they need to, to return with Him again.

Thank you for the prayers and birthday wishes=)

  

with all my love,

Hermana Robinson

Semana 48 - Junio 2015

Semana 48 - Junio 2015

Taco Count for the Week:  12

Total Taco Count:  526.50

Well... the verdict is in! Transfers have come.

And I will be staying here in Humaya.

After this transfer I will complete 9 months in the mission

without a transfer.

Not sure if you are counting, but that is half my mission!!

There are some things about being in an area so long that can be amazing!!

But there are definitely challenges as well.

These transfers have been interesting... I was talking with President in a baptism Friday night and he was telling me he still hadn`t finished the transfers because he just "didn`t feel right."

I am glad that I have a President that is so in-tune with the spirit to follow the promptings=)

I am lucky because we have 3 families working towards baptism right now=) They each had plans to be baptized this transfer and I didn`t want to go=(

But now I get to stay!!!=)

I had to say goodbye to one of my really good friends... Hermana Wadell. She is SOOO cool=) She`s from Hawaii.

I had the opportunity to work with her for 6 months!

She left to la Paz... =(

We have been progressing with the Familia Guerrero!!

Last week we had a FHE with them and talked a little about the spirit at the end.

The mom was super anxious to share something with us... 

we gave her the time and she started testifying of it=)

She told us that she did exactly what we told her to do... She knelt 

and said a prayer and asked God if it was really true.  

If this was really His true church.

Then she finished her prayer opened the Book of Mormon and began reading. 

At first she said it talked about some war that she didn`t understand... but then she came upon one verse that when she read it she began to feel hot, 

and wanted to cry.

She felt like God was talking directly to her.

She told us with tears in her eyes and just kept saying, "It was so beautiful, 

I know it`s true!"

I asked her to show my which scripture... =)

She turned to where she had it marked.

Turns out it was my absolute most favorite scripture... ·3 Nephi 9:14

She knew she was coming unto Christ and that he was receiving her 

with arms wide open=)

She has changed so much from the day we met her!
Her mom told us on Sunday that she was so grateful for everything that we have done for her... it was cute.

I am super excited for this week!! We have some fun plans! 

Great appointments.  

A member of the 70 is coming.

And...it`s my BIRTHDAY on Sunday=)

I am definitely looking forward to everything=)

I love you all!!!!!

Hermana Robinson

Semana 47 - Mayo/Junio 2015

Semana 47

Mayo - Junio 2015

Taco Count for the Week:  10

Total Taco Count:  514.50

Well I have officailly passed my year mark!! WHAAAAT?!

We had our own little celebration in our house =) 

A family took us out to eat to a really cool Chinese restaurant too! 

It was sooo good=)

I am still in denial but accepting it little by little=)

Today we went to the zoo for the last time as a district... =(

Transfers are bitter-sweet.

Our district is awesome=)

It is to the point where it gets REALLY hot!

Saturday night the power went out... the power came back on and the air conditioning turned on at 6:29am.

We had a whole minute to enjoy it=)

The next night it rained...

Summer time means storm time here!

It is forcasted that we are going to have 16 hurricanes this summer... =)

But, when it started to rain it was like someone was dumping 

buckets on the house.

It came from nowhere!!

It lasted about two minutes and stopped as fast as it started.

But then the humidity bumped up which means the heat did too.

In other news I wanted to share a special experience we had with a part member family this week=)

The father (reactivated) and two kids (recent converts) are all members! 

But, the wife still isn´t baptized.

We were praying to know what we needed to share with them... we felt strongly to talk to them about tithing.

We got to their house and ended up having a lesson only with the parents.

He got talking to us about everything that is happening in his work and how stressed out he is!
We smiled and told him that we had the perfect lesson planned and exactly what he needed=)

He told us that he hasn´t been paying his tithing.

We explained the importance of this grand commandment...

By the end I could tell he was really beat up.

He put his head in his hands and started to cry, he looked up and said

"Hermana, you don´t understand. How can the Lord expect me to pay my tithing when it would mean that my family won´t eat during the week."

He recieves about 120 dollars.

100 of which goes to the rent.

He would then need to pay 12 dollars in tithing.

leaving him with a grand total of 8 dollars to provide food for his family of 4 for the entire week.

He looked at me tears running down his face asking how God could ask him to leave his family without food.

The spirit was SO strong and I told him if it were my decision that I wouldn´t make him pay it, but it´s not my decision.

That this was comng from the Lord.

He promised that the following sunday he would pay his tithing!

He was also planning on buying a big bag of rice and beans for the week and invited us to dinner tomorrow=)

Sunday came and they still weren´t there.

About half way through I felt a little tap on my shoulder turned around to see his wife asking me to step outside with her for a little bit.

We got there and she pulled a tithing slip out of her purse and explained that her husband had to work again but that he had promised to pay so he was going to pay.  She asked me to teach her how to fill out the tithing slip.

As we were writing everything down the spirit was so strong. I couldn´t do it without crying.

It was such a humbling experience to see someone so willing to follow the commandments of the Lord.

He just needed the invitation.

This family is amazing=)

I know God will bless them beyond their imaginations!

Well it´s that time again=)

Love and Prayers!

Hermana Robinson

Semana 46 - Mayo 2015

Semana 46 - Mayo 2015

Taco Count for the Week:  10

Total Taco Count:  504.50

This is going to be kind of short this week...

BUT I sent a lot of pictures with lots of little stories=)

We have been trying to get one of our converts to go to seminary... it´s at 5 in the morning! She is super into exercising and working out and everything so we had a little lesson about the word of wisdom and said that after seminary on Monday (Today) that we would come and all exercise together!!  Well, it failed. she didn´t go to seminary=( but us and the other sisters got together to dance and work out=) this was after a nice session of Insanity!=)

The most exciting from this week is the Guerrero Family!

We had an appointment with them this morning... we went with President.

I don´t think we can get through a single lesson without crying!!

before we start when they go to get their Books of Mormon they just bring the tissue with them. Haha

Having President and his wife there was incredible!!

President knew that I was torn on the date to put for their baptism.  

Before the lesson I told him to do it.

But, in the lesson he turned and looked at me and I knew exactly 

what he was saying!

I was being selfish and wanted to put the date before the transfer ends so that I will be able to be here for the baptism...

I knew I had to drop my pride and put the date when the Lord wanted.

But...there was still a really long pause before I said the date!! Haha

I have been searching for a family my whole mission... 

but,

I feel good about it... They feel good about it. 

That´s all that matters. =)

Yesterday at church we talked about the Holy Ghost in Sunday School.

We were asked to each think of an experience when we have felt the 

Holy Ghost.

Karla (Guerrero Family) was wiggling in her chair but was to afraid to share, 

so I asked what her experience was.

Turns out we had the same experience we wanted to share=)

I began telling the story from my point of view and she finished with hers...

The spirit was so strong=)

Walking through an oven in Culiacan and God sends you little blessings=) We found little blocks of snow!!!! Wahoo!! We had our own little "snowball fight." I threw my ice block at her and she threw hers at me. It was a precious moment=)

Oh, in other news we have someone visiting us from the presidency of area (Yeah, the seventy) so we are preparing everything.

President asked me if I could organize a choir... Uhhh... I don´t even sing.

But I accepted so that should be fun=)

This is a picture of the dog that ATTACKED my companion:

Here was the conversation:

"Hermana, I think that dog is gonna bite me!"

"No, don´t worry about it, dogs never bite here."

"No, really look at it! It totally wants to bite me, It´s freaking me out!"

"Hermana, it can smell your fear... just act cool."

3 seconds pass by

"OH MY GOSH HERE IT COMES!!"

Literally came running growling and JUMPED and attacked her! Luckily she threw the fetal position and it only bit her backpack... broke the backpack, but she is alive. 

The best part was the owner walks out and holds her hands out telling us to calm down "No, no don´t worry about it! He doesn´t bite..." Uhhhhh.... DID YOU SEE WHAT JUST HAPPENED?!

I bit my toungue and we left. We were both on an adrenaline rush after. Haha I love dogs in Mexico.

Hermana Perez is opening up a lot more=) with me and in the lessons!

She is really funny, lovable and sweet=)

It makes me a proud mother!

Whenever it gets dark outside she always holds on to my backpack strap and stays really close.

It´s just one of those little things that she does that makes me happy=)

Love you all=)

Hermana Robinson

"Therefore, O ye that embark in the service of God, see that ye serve him with all your heart might mind and strength" D&C 4:2

Semana 45 - Mayo 2015

Semana 45 - Mayo 2015

Taco Count for the Week:  21 (NEW RECORD!)

Total Taco Count:  494.50

You know how they always say that you learn more as a trainer than the trainee...

Well that rang true this week!

We had so many crazy awesome, challenging, inspiring, and difficult lessons that we learned!

But by the end of the week we were both super happy about what we ahd done, but more importantly what we had learned.

As missionaries we plant lots of little seeds!

Every day we plant and plant and plant.

Normally we aren´t around long enough to see the flowers 

bloom from these seeds.

This week we got to see a whole tree burst up from the ground!!

A few weeks ago (or maybe one week ago) I wrote about while we were in the clinic and were testifying in front of everyone that was there.

There was a special spirit that was there as we spoke.

After we left them with pamphlets, I left praying that just one of them would accept our message.

That something in our words touched their heart.

Well, Tuesday we ended back at the clinic.

This time NOBODY was there!

We waited sort of gazing out the window and saw someone pass by.

Not even a second passed and we saw her turn around and walk 

back in and ask us if the Doctor was with a patient.

We told her that she would be done soon.

As she explained to us that she just wanted to have her blood pressure 

checked quickly... I recognized her!

"You were here the other day when we passed by!"

She smiled and nodded her head. We caught up talking a little and she interrupted and said,

"I have been thinking a lot obout what you said the other day.  I have been going through a lot lately and have started seeing a psychologist.

I walked by and saw you both sitting here. 

Something told me to come back and talk to you.  

I don´t really need my blood pressure checked, I was just 

looking for an excuse.  

But, do you think you could stop by later today?"

Uhhhhhhh...... YES!!!!

So we had an amazing lesson with her and her two kids=)

She is a widow, her husband died from cancer and she has been 

looking for answers.

Her daughter went to mutual on Friday and they came to church on Sunday!

I was kind of worried because some of the topics we talked about 

were a little...well... strong. Ha.

I was hoping and praying the entire time that she wouldn´t hear something to scare her off!

But at the end of Relief Society she came up to me and asked,

"Can you stop by the house tomorrow?"

I am excited to work with them=)

I am really short on time and this is a week that I have a million stories to tell!

But I will have to leave it at this.

I was being kind of stubborn this week and wanted to do things MY way... I wanted to achieve the goals that I had set for myself.

But, I quickly realized that these were not the plans the Lord had.

Almost every lesson this week started in one lesson and ended in a 

completely different lesson.

But, each time we listened to the spirit, 

each time we changed the lesson based on the needs of the investigator, 

we left the lesson beaming!

Because we knew that we had helped them=)

Remember what it means to be a witness of God.

To always live the gospel!

You can always be a MISSIONARY=)

Just pray for the opportunity!

I love you all!

Hermana Robinson