Week 8 - Obedience Brings Blessings

                                                                                          March 23, 2016

Hello family! I love you all so much!

This week has been truly amazing! There is so much I want to share with you, but so little time to share it all! Ahh!

To start off, I want to apologize for the letter I wrote last week... haha that week was actually pretty rough and discouraging. We were going through some struggles and a lot of disappointment with a couple investigators, and it really threw me off. But, I am so grateful for the hard weeks. You gotta have the bad ones so you can know the good ones!

Transfers also happened for us last night, and Sister Maas and I will be staying together in Etobicoke! We both knew this would be the case, and I am grateful for it! There is still so much I need to learn from her, as well as work for us to do together here!

But, this week was filled with great things! I had my first Zone conference which was awesome! I had a 6 week training follow up phone conference with President and Sister Clayton and the other missionaries that came out with me which was fun, and I was able to go to the temple on Saturday morning for the 6:15 session!

This week has been truly amazing, and we are starting to see miracles happen. The work here in Etobicoke South is really starting to pick up! I attribute a large amount of that to Sister Maas and I striving for exact obedience. We are re-evaluating our efforts to be obedient missionaries as we read through the white handbook every day. We are also striving to talk to EVERYONE we see! This means we are doing our best to leave the apartment earlier, and to walk quicker so that we may have more time to contact those who have been placed in our paths. When we go visit someone, or try to contact a referral, we are working around the name. We are working in the area before moving on to our next planned activity. I believe that it is because of these efforts that we are being so greatly blessed in our area! Working like this is hard, and by the end of the night, we are EXHAUSTED! But, I notice that I am beginning to feel better and I am starting to really love missionary work when I am giving it my all! Blessings!

Last Monday night, we received a MEMBER REFERRAL! A Sister in our ward called us up with the news that her nephew and his new fiancé want to get baptized and married in the church! We began to teach them, and they are amazing. They have such a desire to learn! Teaching them has been so good for sister Maas and I. The nephew, Raman, is of a Hindu background, and has very little to no Christian background. His fiancé, Mariam, is of a Muslim background, and so knows of the Old Testament, but that is it. Teaching them is fun because we HAVE to be simple. But we are so grateful for them as well as for their aunt and uncle who have truly lived by example, and who have been so willing to share them with us!

Our investigator Emmanuel is also doing awesome! We taught him the Word of Wisdom this week. We had already committed him to stop drinking alcohol, and were able to talk about how things are going, and the blessings he has seen come from that! It has been a struggle for him, but he is doing it! We are so excited! We have been trying to get him back to church so he can get a priesthood blessing to help! He is so awesome though. We were talking to him about smoking, and he paused for a moment and was all like "I haven't smoked in 2 days!" The Lord was working with him before we even taught him not to smoke! At the end of the lesson, we were talking to him about his baptismal date, which we will most likely change to April 19th. He was telling us that he doesn't know if he is ready for his baptismal day, and we started to get worried... And then he said, "I need to get my hair cut!" haha He is so ready! It is awesome.  

Things in our area really are starting to pick up! The Lord has a vision of 1000 baptisms this year in the Toronto Mission, and I know it is going to happen!

I just wanted to share a few quick thoughts on Adam and Eve and the Garden that I learned this past week! At a dinner at the member's house, the brother asked both Sister Maas and I a few questions that really made me think, as well as learn! He asked, What was the opposition in the Garden? As well as which fruit was bitter and which was sweet? The first answer is the 2 trees! Adam and Eve most likely ate of the Tree of life, they were only commanded to not eat of the tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. This made the Tree of Good and Evil desirable and sweet to the taste, and the tree of life bitter because it wasn't anything special. However, after they had eaten of the tree of good and evil, they could no longer eat of the Tree of life or else they would live forever in their sins. So, as they were cast out into the world, the fruit of the tree of life became most desirable, which links it to Lehi's vision of the tree of life! You might already know this, but I thought it was so interesting! The things you learn as a missionary!

I love teaching the Plan of Salvation. Adam and Eve are awesome. Something that we like to talk about is that God is perfect. He knew from the beginning that Adam and Eve would partake of the fruit. They HAD to in order for all of us to get to the earth and get our bodies! We are not in plan B, but plan A! He is perfect and allowed Satan to tempt them.

Man, the Gospel is so cool!! :)

I have been gaining a testimony of the prophets and apostles lately. What they say is inspired of God and should be taken as serious as Scripture! They are men inspired of God and I think that what they say is true!

 I am really excited for general conference and am waiting for Sister Maas to be done with her October ensign so I can read over the talks from last conference! We really need to listen to what they say so we can prepare ourselves for the future!

Well, I love you all very much! I hope you are doing well! Thank you for your prayers. I can't tell you how much they mean to me! Missionary work is not a walk in the park! It really lifts my spirits to know that each Sunday, the entire Summerlin ward prays for me! I am so grateful to all of you! Please take the time to prepare for General Conference! Prayerfully ponder on a few questions to have going into the sessions. I know that if you do so, and seek the answer out, you will get it!

I hope you all have a great week! Stay warm! Or cool, depending on your location!

Much Love,

Sister Robison 

Week 7 - I Can't Believe It's Monday Again

                                                                                                          March 16, 2015

Hey family! I can't believe it is Monday again!

This week has been good! We just had stake conference and I feel like I learned so much! It took place in Brampton, which is like 25 min away, so we got a returning member to drive us to both the Saturday and Sunday session. It was a great tactic to get her there, as well as to get us there! Sometimes, we feel pretty clever. :) But it was awesome. The theme was the work of salvation. They touched on topics such as family history work, missionary work, and so forth! From being out on a mission, I have really come to understand what it means to be a member of the church! I have also come to understand the importance of member missionary work! 1 out of 6 member referrals in North American get baptized. 1 out of 20-40 other new investigators that missionaries find through their own efforts get baptized. There is such a dramatic difference! It is so important to do missionary work as a member! Members are the key to the hastening of the work! Share the gospel with those around you! :)

Other than stake conference though, I feel like this week has been nothing out of the usual, and I am not very sure what to write! I was able to try traditional Indian food which was exciting! It is usually VERY spicy, but they dulled it down for me. How kind! It wasn't too spicy, but I was glad they provided a yogurt salad to help calm it down. Next time we return, it will be more spicy! I am enjoying trying new things!

 Last Monday, as a treat for completing a challenge, we were able to go to a delicious Chinese Buffet called the Mandarin with all the missionaries in our Zone. As a Zone, we talked to over 2,000 people in 6 days! Yay for OYM! Ask Ryan about the Mandarin. I am sure he can tell you all about it!

This week, I found my spirit animal! There is a very sacred process that you go through to find it. You have to ponder on an animal that you think describes your personality. Then, you decide on one, and from that moment, it has 2 weeks to manifest itself unto you in a way you will be able to recognize. I am a beaver! I challenge all of you to search yours out! ;)

I am attaching some pictures! So, I hope it works and that you can enjoy them! :)

I love you all and hope you have a great week!

Love, Sister Robison

It is soooo cold!  Can you tell?

 That awkward moment of, "Hey, we are friends, but we can't hug or really touch." 

but let the three of us ( a kid that was in Ryan's hall at BYU) take a picture! :)

I tried Poutine for the first time!

A cool T-shirt our District leader and his comp drew up for our district!

Week 6 - It is starting to warm up a little which is a huge blessing!

                                                                                                             March 9, 2015

So, I am pretty cut for time today so no pictures again... sorry!

Last week I mentioned that I have been doing Church, the Sacrament, and the Scriptures all wrong. Let me expound upon that a little! So, as missionaries, we often teach what we like to call the CPR lesson. It focuses on Church, Prayer, and Scriptures. These are the essentials. The primary answers. But, they truly are the key to helping us become converted and gain a testimony about the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

It is essential that we go to church. Church is where we can feel the spirit, learn from one another, and draw closer to our Heavenly Father. Is SO important that we partake of the sacrament. Until coming on my mission, I don't think I fully understood the complete reasons behind and blessings that come from taking the sacrament. What has helped me to come to a better realization is studying the sacrament prayer. I don't have too much time to explain it, but I would encourage you to read it. Study the word sanctify and try to understand why it is important and the symbolism behind it. Also, make a key note of those things we did promise at baptism. Finally, note that when we promise to keep up our end of the bargain, we have been promised to always have the spirit with us, as well as to be forgiven of all of our sins in the past week. The sacrament is truly amazing and it isn't until recently that I feel like I have actually been partaking of the sacrament.

Prayer is so important for many reasons. It helps us to develop a relationship with our Heavenly Father. Treat prayer as a two way communication. Spend time after your prayers in silence so that you may be able to ponder on what Heavenly Father may be trying to communicate to you. Heavenly Father knows what we need before we ask. But, he is not going to give it to us until we ask! So, make sure you are open to the personal revelation you will receive!

The Scriptures! Ah! I love the scriptures. From them, we can get peace and understanding. It is another way to receive revelation. The Book of Mormon is proof of the restored gospel. If you have faith in the Book of Mormon and know it to be true, then subsequently you have faith in the rest of the gospel! Wahoo!

As we do CPR though, we can draw closer to our Savior and learn of him more. It is important to continuously feed your testimony. By dropping even one part of the CPR, you are depriving yourself and your testimony.

Anyways, my week has been very good. It is starting to warm up a little which is a huge blessing! Day light savings killed me and my companion. We lost an hour and that was very sad. But, know that I am doing well, know that I am being fed a lot! Probably too much... If it continues, I will come back pudgy! hehe :)

Emmanuel is still on track for his baptism which is awesome! Don't worry mom, we meet him at the library or other public places, and sometimes even with a member! He does live in a sketchy area that we don't go to. But, he is awesome and is so ready for the gospel!

I love you all! Have a great week!

Sister Robison

Week 5 -In the Voice of the guy from Frozen!

                                                                                    March 3, 2015

Hello Family,

From what I read, it sound like everyone is doing well! Mom, I am so glad that you are recovering so well! Kelly! I hope you had a great day!

Man oh man! This week was a little strange. I have learned more than ever that sometimes Missionary work can be hard, disappointing, and discouraging. However, you CAN'T focus on those things. For every one negative person you talk to, there are five positive ones. You cannot dwell on the things that will get you down. You have to think about the investigators that ARE progressing. You have to think about the happy moments! Not going to lie, a mission is hard work. But, at the same time, a mission is wonderful. Since coming on my mission, I have realized that I have been doing everything all wrong! I have been doing church and the sacrament all wrong. I have been reading my Patriarchal blessing all wrong. I have been studying my scriptures all wrong! I've only been out for a short while, but it has already had a lasting impression on my life and the way I view and go about being a member of this church!

Okay, so things that have happened this week... I went on Exchanges for the first time! It was great. Sister Mencarelli and I spent time in Mississauga. We worked a lot on OYM, contacting others on the streets, and tracting! These are things that I feel especially weaker in as a new missionary. But, I feel a lot better after doing it for 5 hours straight. :) Part of it is just learning not to be afraid of these people! I am still working on being fearless. It is a process. But, it is getting better!

We finally have a progressing investigator in our area as well! We are so excited. Sometimes, it is tough because investigators all progress at their own rates, so I have definitely learned to have patience with them. Coming unto Christ, for many is a life changing thing! We cannot force our investigators into it. They have to come to an understanding and a desire to follow Christ and change in their own due time! But, we are very excited about our progressing investigator, Emmanuel. He attended church yesterday, and stayed for all three hours. He loves all the pamphlets that we have given him, as well as the Book of Mormon. He does not live in the best place, and notices that he feels better, and safer, when he is even just holding the Book of Mormon! Emmanuel has a baptismal date set for April 12, and the only concern we have is alcohol. He doesn't drink because he is addicted, he drinks because he has seen a lot of harsh things in his life and he wants to forget about those things. Sister Maas and I are both excited to teach him about the Atonement and the healing power it possesses! It is going to be an awesome lesson.

We have been trying really hard to work with the ward members. We are slowly starting to see a change! We are getting fed more and more every week which is great because free food! But, it also allows us a chance to get to know the members! The only tricky thing is keep the dinner appointments to one hour so we can get back out and continue to do missionary work. But, I am excited to watch the ward continue to progress and change! Especially because  there is a good possibility that I will be here for another 3 transfers!

Things are really going well! I am learning so much, and Sister Maas and I are always making jokes and having good laughs! I love it out here in Toronto. I know it is where I am supposed to be!  Have a great week! Remember to read your scriptures, both individually and as a family!

Much Love!       Sister Robison 

Tribute to Kelly

Tribute to Kelly on her 17th Birthday

Happy happy birthday my beautiful Sister Kelly! I love you more than words describe! I was thinking about what to say to you, and came up with 17 things that you and others probably don't know about you! Here we go!

1. Kelly has the largest heart! Kelly loves all that come in contact with her. She loves her friends, family, and Hallie!

2. Kelly dreams big, and then goes after those dreams! For example, LVA! Or, her Frozen Piano piece! She always aims high in whatever she does!

3. Kelly has the most beautiful eyes! They are so big, and blue, and pretty. Basically, model status. Just so you all know. Take time to look at them because they are stunning!

4. Kelly LOVES to go on adventures! She is definitely a risk taker! She loves to do silly things and is always bringing out the crazy side of me when we are together! If you are ever bored, give Kelly a call because she will come up with something both silly, fun, and random on the fly! There is never a dull moment with her!

5. along with that... Kelly is fearless! She is not afraid to stand up for people, and to get into the action! She loves a good challenge and is awesome.

6. Kelly is smart. She is so smart! She will try to deceive everyone in convincing them she is not, but she is! (cough cough your English test!)

7. Kelly knows how to buckle down and work! Once she commits to something, she is in it up to the end! She is awesome in that way!

8. Kelly loves a good movie. If you ever want to do something nice for Kelly, bring over a silly, funny, cheesy movie, and sit down and watch it with her! She loves to get into them, and loves to witness a happy ending!

9. Kelly is an AMAZING friend! She is always there for those close to her when they need them. She worries about letting them down when they depend so much on her. She loves to check up on her friends and make sure they are doing okay! She is always willing to listen to those and help those who are in need! Count your blessings if she is one of your friends because she is there until the end!

10. Along with that, Kelly keeps her promises! If she pinkie swears she will do something, she will do it! She always follows through.

11. Kelly is so wonderfully talented in so many ways! Of course there is piano and sports, but she is also talented in many other cool areas! Kelly is great with makeup! She can also do wonders with hair! Although cutting hair may be a little tricky for her right now, she can sure do some great hair-do's! There was never a need to get my hair and makeup done for dances when Kelly was home!

12. Kelly loves her family! She has such a love for those she holds closest. I at least know that she loves me! ;) But really, I know that Kelly treasures her family members and is so willing to help them in any way she can!

13. Kelly can bring a smile to anyone's face. She knows exactly how to make them laugh! She is down to be goofy and strange if it is what will put a smile on their face! If you are ever feeling down, you can count on Kelly to turn that frown around! :)

14. Kelly is an example to others!

15. Kelly is so strong. Mentally, physically, and emotionally! I have watched her over the years as she has gone through so many hard things. But, she ALWAYS gets through them, and comes out better on the other side. I cannot even begin to understand some of the things she has faced in the past couple of years. But, I do know that she is amazing and so tough to have been able to go through what she has experienced.

16. Kelly is a choice spirit and a Daughter of God. Kelly has been given these trials because God knows she can handle them. She is going to do amazing things throughout her life! I am so excited to watch her as she grows up!

17. Kelly is one of my role models. I look up to Kelly in more ways than she knows. She has had a huge impact on my life and I do not know where I would be with out her! She is one of my best friends and I lover her a millions. I have and will always admire Kelly for the person she is and for the joy she has and continues to bring into my life!

I love you Kelly Robison! Keep up the good work! I hope you have the happiest of birthdays and that you feel beautiful and awesome because you are! <3

-Katie