Week 39 - Ahh! Time is low!

                                                                                                               October 26, 2016

Ahh! I was responding to a lot of emails and forgot to make much time for this email! My apologies! 

To be honest, this week has been a little rough! We are working hard and as far as investigators go, we seem to just keep loosing them! Between getting deported, moving to other parts of Canada, or just a new found lack of interest, they all seem to be disappearing! It is a little rough. But, we are continuing to extend our faith. As we do so, we start to see miracles in other phases of the work. For example, last Saturday night, a Recent Convert (of a couple years)/ Less-Active member that has been on the ward focus list since before I even arrived in the area, texted us asking about times for church. She has tended to be pretty flaky, so we didn't have a ton of hope. But, much to our surprise, she and her daughter showed up to church! And then, they proceeded to stay for the remainder of the meetings! They did leave the 3rd hour early- her daughter was not feeling well, but made sure to let us know how much they loved being there later that day via telephone. We set up a time to come down and teach them a lesson, and once again, they surprised us by really being home! We were able to reteach them the restoration- explaining to them that as we re-teach them the missionary lessons, they will be able to re-build their faith. By the end of the lesson, we found that the previous weekend, she suddenly had a great desire to go to church. So, she came. And, while we were there with her, she gained a great desire to go to the temple. Next lesson, we will be inviting her to think and pray about a date to go to the temple to participate in Proxy baptisms for those that have passed on. In preparation for the temple, we will be re-teaching her all the lessons and re-committing her to all the commandments. It has been so neat to work with the newer and less active members of the church. You can see the change the gospel is making within them. It is humbling! 

As far as other highlights, I found myself back at the walk-in clinic with a new throat infection! Yay! haha... this time around I got some stronger antibiotics that should knock it out! We also made quite a few trips to the auto shop this week as we had to have them check and eventually replace our car battery so it would keep dying on us.. So, that was fun! :) All the leaves are starting to basically fall off the trees... Fall is coming to a close and winter is well on it's way. Time to start bundling up! 

Well, I am sorry but that is all the time that I have for today! Thank you for your emails! I really love your thoughts and stories from the week previous! It makes my week being able to hear from all of you! I love you and look forward to your emails next week. Have a good one! Lots of love! :) 

Sister Robison

59 River Rd #23 

Welland, ON L3B 2R7

PONDERIZE: 2 Nephi 16:8 (It is my new favorite!) 

PS, David Day, the LeRoy family says hello! (You were in their top 3 of fav missionaries). 

PPS, HAPPY HALLOWEEN and day light savings! The only time you get to sleep in as a missionary!

We got front row seats to a passing train!

We made cookies with oreo's in them!

The Beautiful Leaves of Fall!

Week 38 - Things are on their way up!

                                                                                                                       October 19, 2015

Hello everyone! 

It seems that the farther I get into the mission, the quicker time goes! Days and weeks are just flying by! Ahh! But, that is okay. The work is certainly going, and generally in the right direction! So, that is always a good thing. :) 

This week was a little bit of a challenge for us for various reasons. Sister Edwards has been struggling a little the past few weeks, but especially this week. Adjusting to missionary life is hard and can take a toll on you. I would love it if you could keep her in your prayers this week! She truly is a wonderful missionary. She is full of the spirit- even though she doesn't always recognize it. She is an amazing teacher. She knows how to be herself. These are just a few of her wonderful qualities. I just wish she could see this all in herself! 

Transfer calls came last night! Or I guess I should say they did not come last night. We are both staying in Welland for another transfer! I am grateful! I love this area, and I love my companion! The work in Welland is slow. But, we are confident that things will be taking off soon. We have begun to work with more and more returning members (less actives that have expressed some interest in coming back). This is cool! Before a ward can receive new members, it needs to take care of the members they already have. It is all part of the cycle. And, as these returning members return, often times they bring their non members friends along with them! And honestly, the effects continue on, and the Lord's work builds! But, you have to start somewhere- so, that is where we are! The beginning. 

We are working with this really neat returning member her in Welland. She recently moved from a city up north where she was not active. She joined the church a little over a year ago and didn't feel much love or support from that ward so she stopped going. She strayed from the path and made some mistakes. But, she moved here for a new beginning. She immediately  contacted the missionaries for help with unloading things, and we haven't left her alone since! ;) But, she comes to church every single week. She is reading her scriptures. She is studying the lessons for Sunday school and Relief Society. She comes to all the church events. She is repenting, changing, and setting a wonderful example for all of those around her. She is so cool! I also found out this last week that she is Kara's age. When I learned that, it made it even a little more special for me to be working with her. She is a single mom with 4 adorable kids who are learning to love Jesus. I know she is one of the reasons why I need to be here in Welland! It's so neat to be able to help people come unto Christ. :)  

Sister Edwards and I did have the wonderful opportunity to go to the temple this week with all of the other missionaries she came out with and their trainers. I love the peace that lies there in. Mom and Dad, I would acutally love it if you could maybe send me two or three family names so that I could take them if I have the chance to go again! There is a wonderful spirit that comes in family history! :) 

Well, I love you all! I think you are grand. Don't worry about me. I'm no longer sick. We are working hard! Praying no more snow will fall for a while (as we did get some Saturday evening... but don't worry it all melted!). and striving to do the Lord's work! 

Have a great and warm week! 

Much love, Sister Robison 

Ponderize: Mosiah 2:41

Week 37 - Happy Canadian Thanksgiving!

                                                                                                                       October 12, 2015

Hello hello! Once again! It is Monday and time to write all of you lovelies! :) 

This week was good! We had a really cool experience at the beginning of the week. We were going to contact a referral we received from a 10 year old daughter in a member family we were teaching. After we taught them, we asked who the spirit had indicated to them might be in need of this message! The daughter told us we should go talk to her friend and his family. The next day, we made arrangements to do just that! We had parked a few streets over, and were making our way towards the house. We decided to take a slight detour to talk to a couple gentlemen coming down the street. One was not interested. However, the other was! He explained that he didn't have time to talk now but really wanted to know more about our faith. Later that night, he actually sent us a text like he said he would, and the following day, he became a new investigator! The actual referral we were given was not interested. But, we learned a lot from this experience. Always open our mouths. Sometimes the person the spirit directed isn't who is ready. But rather, we need to be in that area to talk to someone else that is there! 

We had a good short meeting with our Bishop and Ward Mission Leader Thursday evening to talk more about the Mission Vision and how we can implement it here in the Welland area! One of the cool things Bishop Glanfield talked to us about is that He knows there are over 2000 people here in the ward boundaries ready to be baptized. Apparently, when he was Ward Mission Leader here about 20 years ago, he received revelation that over 1,000 people were ready to be baptized. When he went to  talk to the Bishop at that time about it, the Bishop replied and told him it was actually 3,000. Our Bishop went on to explain that the church came out with a statistic that about 3% of the population in any given area is ready to be baptized. The trick is the members need to be ready to receive these people. Our Heavenly Father needs to know we can take care of them and help them to nourish in the Gospel. The last thing He wants is for His children to make covenants and then leave because they were not being taken care of. I love the mission vision, because it will help our ward to change which will help the missionary work to change which will allow us to help more of God's children! This is what it is all about! :) I love it! 

I guess I should say Happy Canadian Thanksgiving! Sister Edwards and I have had a good time celebrating Thanksgiving in the middle of October! It is kinda strange, but it definitely feels like fall so that makes it better! For the first time in my life I feel like I am actually experiencing fall! It is wonderful! The leaves are changing and it is really fun to watch! We have fun looking for great leaves as we walk around and talk to people! We are beginning to have a collection of pretty red maple leaves! No wonder they have it on their flag! 

Thanksgiving here is similar, but also different! Instead of just being one day, it is more of a weekend thing. For example, we had Thanksgiving dinner with a lovely family Saturday night, then again Sunday night with a different family, and will again Tonight with another family! Lots of Turkey!! Canadians all celebrate at their own convenience. It is kinda fun! It is cool to see everyone's various traditions and different recipes. :) 

But, let's not forget about the most important part of Thanksgiving, giving thanks! President Clayton, more than anything, has taught me how to be grateful and count my blessings. As we count our blessings, we are able to see God's hand in our lives. I have enjoyed being able to say many gratitude prayers this week. When thing are hardest is when we need to be most thankful. That is how we will receive the most comfort and help in our trials! Counting our blessings is truly one of our greatest blessings! 

The only downside about Canadian Thanksgiving being a long weekend things is that I may or may not have strep throat and all the walk in clinics are closed until tomorrow... I have great timing! Do not worry about me though. We have toned things down a lot- waiting for tomorrow to come when the offices will be open. The throat dosen't hurt too bad- more the stomach. But our Ward Mission Leader made sure I drank a lot of carrot juice and Hot water with lemon. I am on the road to recovery! 

Well, I love you all! Have a good week! Count your blessings! 

Much Love, Sister Robison 

PS, karly, you are too young to drive! Kara, you rock! That tough mudder looks like fun! Let us do it! mom, I love your giving thanks quote! Kelly, I love your face! Dad, work hard! Nate, you never email me so ... 

Week 36 - General Conference, What a Delight :)

                                                                                                                         October 5, 2015

Well, wasn't General Conference wonderful?! We had a wonderful weekend filled with the spirit! 

On Friday, we had a Zone meeting to which President and Sister Clayton randomly showed up to! At the end, President Clayton offered some wonderful advice that really hit home. Patience is everything. So many changes are taking place in the mission and it is key for us to make sure we are patient in all things. He asked us to stop looking at our feet, and to look at the sky. In other words, look at the miracles that are taking place around you! There are so many miracles. We just need to look up and see them! If we don't we will miss them and what is the fun in that! 

To go along with this, perspective is also everything. I have been striving to find even more joy in the work. As we choose to be happy and turn the rest to the Lord, attitudes change, and the work changes. Instead of choosing to stress over the work, I have decided to do my very best, do all the small things, and then let the Lord worry and work out the rest. I am here to accomplish His will and this will happen as I turn more over to Him and change my perspective! 

I personally loved the Saturday sessions of General Conference. My particular favorite, at the moment, was from Larry R. Lawrence. The Spirit is one of our greatest tools in our eternal progression! I am so grateful for the gift of the spirit in my life. He has helped me to become a better me. I know that we can receive answers to our prayers through Him. He will help us as we seek out His guidance and help. 

I also loved ponderizing a verse of scripture! My dear family, if you would really like me to, I would love to choose the scripture for the family each week! :) I was going to start with Moroni 10:32, my mission scripture! I am excited to be uplifted by various verses each week and to grow closer to Christ as I do so. I look forward to hearing your thoughts about the scripture this week, and if you have any scriptures you wish to ponderize, then please, let me know! hehe :) 

The work this week was a little slow, with lots of appointments sometimes comes lots of cancellations. But, the ward is supportive, we will be working closer with the ward council, especially with our Ward Mission Leader, and I know that it will help the work here! Something we are really coming to understand is that it is not just our work. It is the Welland ward's work! We are just here to assist and to teach. How great is my calling! 

I love it. I love missionary work. I love the gospel. I love serving. I love going about and doing good. I love being His hands and His instrument. I love doing His work and His will. There is no greater calling. 

I hope you have a wonderful week! Make sure to stay cool, and I will make sure to stay warm! 

Loves

Sister Robison

Week 35 - Hello, Hello, Hello!

                                                                                                                   September 28, 2015

Hello family and friends! I love you all dearly! This week has been crazy! So many great things, and some hard things, but such is life in the mission eh? 

Dad! I can't believe you went to Timmy's! (Tim Horton's) That is cool :) I like their donuts and muffins. Yummm! 

Things of this week seem to be a blur! We have enjoyed some beautiful weather! All in preperation for fall, the Canadian harvest, and Thanks Giving in October! It will be great! 

Highlights of the week! Our New and Returning Members are doing so well! We met with the Bolibrucks again- the returning member couple that told Sister Maas and I they want to get sealed in the temple! We were hoping to see them at church yesterday, but they were unable to make it. :( But! We are excited to see them at General Conference! They are progressing well. This week, we will be teaching them and helping them to remember what the Plan of Salvation is all about! It's going to be sweet. We also met with the Sager's! Sister Sager was baptized this March, and Brother Sager is a returning member! They are great! They set a date to do proxy baptisms! November 7th! We are so excited to help them with their family history and get them to the temple- both for the first time ever! They were both at church this past Sunday. It was great to see them! Especially because Sister Sager hasn't been able to make it for some time now. 

Another Highlight! I received an email from Mariyam *formally* Tooba! Her and Raman are officially married! I am so so so happy for them! They are both wonderful! I can't wait to see them again and give them both large hugs! :) I am grateful for them in my life! 

For the past few weeks, Sister Edwards and I have been struggling with finding New Investigators- and many of our investigators seem to be a little flimsy. It has been a challenge. Saturday afternoon, we were out talking to people before the broadcast, and got yelled at a few times by various individuals. It was a rough day. Luckily, we were able to head off to the broadcast, and enjoy the safety of the spirit and sisters in the ward! It has been a rough patch, but I have and still am learning lots from it! The Lord knows what is going on. As we continue to do all that we can, blessings will come! 

This next week is going to be crazy. We have so much going on! We are excited! There is, of course, General Conference to be excited about! As well, between Investigators, and New and Returning members, as well as active families, we already have 16 lessons planned. We are going to be running around like servants of the Lord with their head cut off. Basically, it will be a party! :) 

I am excited! 

Patience, Diligence, and Endurance in all things! 

Love you lots! Have a great week and remember to take a few questions into conference!!

Much love, 

Sister Robison 

Week 34 - Listen to the Holy Spirit in all things

                                                                                                                   September 21, 2015

Hello! Hello! 

This has been a wonderful week, full of lots of tiny miracles! We have had a plethora of great experiences! We had exchanges with the Sister Training Leaders, as well as Zone Conference! More than anything, I have learned, once again, how vital it is to have the spirit with us while laboring in the Lord's vineyard! 

First thing first, I will let you know a little more about my dear companion! Sister Edwards is doing well! This week we focused on teaching the Restoration. She does a great job teaching in simplicity. We also focused on OYMing, to help her feel more comfortable with talking to strangers! It has been great to see her improve in her ability to contact! She is becoming more comfortable with it as she is doing more of it! The biggest thing is just reminding her to be patient with herself! Focus on only a few goals at a time, and the rest will come! It is interesting to be reminded of just how hard or intimidating things seemed when I first came out! I never thought I would have been able to train another missionary! But, over time, we all learn, grow and progress! I was reminded of how much I have grown once again while I spent the day with Sister Maas in Welland! 

I just love Sister Maas! It was so fun for us to spend some time together in this marvelous work! She is doing so well! She only has about 4 months left- crazy how time goes on eh?! It was kinda weird for both of us to be with each other in a car area... my oh my how we miss the beloved buses! But, Sister Maas and I had a wonderful day where we were literally running from appointment to appointment! We saw lots of miracles though. 

Not too long ago, one of my previous companions and I started doing service for a LA (Less Active) couple. We offered to come help them with a few things, but only if they would allow us to "practice" teaching a lesson on them each time! This week, after the service (gardening and mowing the lawn! ... pretty sure it was my first time ever mowing someone's lawn:)), we began to share our lesson. The spirit was so strong, and by the end of the lesson, the couple began talking about how they wish to be sealed in the temple! Sister Maas and I were both overcome with Joy! What a wonderful experience! We are now working to get them back to church, and so on! I am grateful for the work of salvation! A reactivation, and helping someone(s) to get to the next ordinance is just as important as a baptism! 

A little later in the day, we were headed to another appointment. We were already running a few minutes late. When we stepped out of the car though, this random lady off the street invited us into her house! We were there for around 10 or 15 minutes, what the! She didn't become a new investigator, but, we did leave there with a Gatorade each, and 3 referrals! :) I am so grateful! 

The rest of the exchanges went very well! We had fun, and I believe we both learned a lot! 

The rest of the week was a little slow. But, Sunday was awesome! First, I just have to mention that Sister Edwards and I had a crazy Sunday. We both sang in the choir, the Sister Edwards gave a talk, then we taught the 12-18 year old Sunday School class, and then to top it off, we taught Relief society! Crazy. But, we had an appointment fall through later in the day. So, we were able to go for a finding walk, and came away with some great experiences, contacts, and some solid potentials! The Lord really does bless us as we follow the spirit. But, in order to follow the spirit, we need to make sure we have the spirit! How can we have the spirit with us? Pretty simple, obey the commandments, and live the gospel! I know that as we do this, we are able to have the Holy Ghost with us! He is essential in helping us to live, grow, and learn! I would be so lost without his subtle promptings and gentle nudgings! 

Well, I am afraid that is all I have time for! But, I love you! I hope you have a wonderful week! Thank you for all your prayers and thoughts, it makes a difference! God hears them and answers them! 

Much love! 

Sister Robison 

Sister Vance and I

Sister Simon and I and our "this is our awkward pose!" picture! 

Sister Edwards' first time at Tim Hortons! :) Had to get that on camera! 

Week 33 - Training, Weather, and the Mission Vision! God is great!

                                                                                                            Sept. 14, 2015

Family, friends, random strangers that may or may not read my letters! 

I hope you all had a good week! We sure did here in Welland! Well, it was actually kinda slow... for some reason or another, only one of the people we were working with was able to actually meet with us this week! The rest were out of the country, or recovering from an illness, surgery, or health challenge of some sort! So, we are looking forward to this week where we will be able to meet with more people and have more teaching situations! (Plus, starting tonight, I will be able to go on exchanges with the one and only Sister Maas! She will be joining me in Welland! Yippee! I love her and am so excited(: ) 

I love being with my fresh companion! Her name is Sister Edwards! She is from Farr West, Utah. She loves to read, imitate accents, and has one of those quite but super funny personalities! She continues to amaze me as we work together! She is a great teacher and already has a great understanding of the gospel! I am so grateful for this time that I have to work with her and learn from her! I am pretty sure on our first day together, I was more nervous about everything than she was! haha... But, now, it is all good! We are both just doing our best, working hard, and having fun while doing it! On our 2 hour drive from the Mission Home to our area, she expressed to me that she was excited to talk to people from all over the world (similar to one of the things I was most excited about!)! I felt a little bad when I had to let her know that Welland is not that diverse... However, since we have been here and talking with people, about 60% of those we have talked with have been from places all over the world. God loves missionaries, but He especially loves His new missionaries! Blessings for Sister Edwards :) 

One of the  most notable things about this week would probably be the weather... haha! We went from about a week and a half of 30+ and tons of humidity, to 12 with rain and wind in the matter of a day or two! And of course, the day it decides to be super cold and miserable, we decided to go to the corner of our area to contact a media referral we received from the church headquarters! We were not prepared for the weather... I had a prompting to grab a sweater before we left, but alas, I decided to put it aside thinking, "All will be okay! It can't be that cold!" ...That is the last time I do that! Poor Sister Edwards.. I made her work through the weather... But, all is well because we found a nice potential investigator named Tom! We were able to talk to him for about 15 minutes about how the gospel blesses families! It was a great experience for us both. Blessings come when we sacrifice and work through it all! :) 

We had an awesome fireside at the stake center with the Ward Mission Leaders and the Bishops last night. President and Sister Clayton were there! They were officially introducing the new Mission Vision to the ward leaders. I am so excited about the direction in which the mission is headed. Missionaries and Ward Council Members are going to be partnering up to help bring others to the Gospel of Jesus Christ! The time for Members and Missionaries to be working together is truly here in the CTM! As we partner with the ward council, we (the missionaries) will begin teaching ALL the families in the ward! Active, Less Active, Part Member, and so on! As all are hearing the messages the missionaries share, it will increase their testimonies. As our understanding of the gospel increases, our testimony increases, and our desire to share it increases! So the goal is for the Missionaries to work through the ward council to set up times to meet with members throughout the ward. Once things get going, we will be teaching 20+ lessons a week. Eventually, finding through our own efforts will become a thing of the past. THIS IS SO COOL! I know that this is how missionary work should be. I know that this is what the Lord wants for the Southern Ontario area. I have had this confirmed to me time and time again! I am so excited for Sister Edwards! She has come out at a wonderful time! I know she has to be a powerful missionary. This new Mission Vision could not have been introduced 6 or 7 months ago because the mission and the members were not ready for it. The missionaries that the Lord needed were not here yet. But, now, they are! And so, it commences! I am excited to keep you posted. I know it will probably take a long while before everything is truly rolling. But, as we have patience, and are diligent, things will take off! 

I am excited. I am grateful. I love missionary work. I hope you have a great week! Remember to read from the Book of Mormon every day, every day, every day! General Conference is coming up soon, and we need to make sure our hearts are prepared to hear the messages that the Lord is trying to convey to us! Love you all! 

Sister Robison 

Week 32 - Hello, Goodbye!

                                                                                                                     September 7, 2015

Family, Friend, People of the World! Prepare yourself for one of the shortest emails I have probably ever written... :) 

Hello! For some reason or another, preparation day was not moved! Oh yea, that some reason was because of transfers! Are you ready for this? I am staying in Welland! Sister Simon is going to Oakville south with Sister Spiekerman (My MTC companion)! To top it all off, I will be.. training a new missionary! I am so excited! and Humbled! and more ready than I ever have been. Through my past companions, many of them with one medical issue or another, I have learned SO much. When I left home and came to the mission, I was so prideful. Puffed up in my heart. The Lord has definitely taught me how to be humble, and I have seen how life is so much better as we are humble- as we accept His will and follow the perfect plan that He has for each of us! God is good. I wish I could sum up for you all that I have learned- even in the past week- but there is just not enough time for that. 

Quick update on the week! We had some really interesting lessons and even contacts! We have been struggling a little to find new investigators this past week and the one before... But, I have gained such a testimony of the importance of following missionary schedules and guidelines with exactness. As we make time for everything that we are told to do, we are able to see miracles and see how God blesses us! Consecration and the blessings that come from it are so real! Sister Simon and I were able to attend the mission temple trip in preparation for General Conference! I am so grateful. I love the temple. So much. I feel like I have been able to fill my cup! I am hoping I will be able to attend again sometime soon, but we will see.

I love being a missionary. I love the experiences that I am having. I have drawn so much closer to my Savior. I can see how much I have changed since when I first entered the mission field. I am so grateful that I have been led on this path so that I can one day be an even greater instrument in my Savior's hands. 

I love you all! I hope you have a great week! Take much luck! 

Sister Robison :) 

Week 31 - Fam Bam and Friends

                                                                                                                         August 31, 2015
Hello hello hello! 

So, not much to report on this week. It was a little bit of a harder week. We are still trying to figure out exactly what we are to do with all the new material President Clayton has given us... We have received a lot of new things over the past few months, and are just trying to figure out what still applies, what does not, how to implement it into our area, and so forth. We have exchanges tonight though, so I will be able to ask my Sister Training Leader LOTS of questions! :) 

So, it is completely official. I wish I would have played more hymns while I was taking Piano. I am grateful for the Piano experience that I do have however, because it helps me to get by! I play the piano almost weekly for various meetings. Often times I have little to no time to practice. So, sometimes, it comes out interesting.. but other times, really well! Thank you Mom and Dad for allowing me to have this talent that I can use to help invite the spirit into different meetings and occasions! :) Thank you past piano teachers, and especially Sandra! I would die without knowing and understanding chords... :) 

This past week, I have really gained a testimony of having friend present lessons! We were able to have 5 this past week with investigators, which is pretty good! It has been amazing to see just how helpful the members have been in the lessons. They are so key in testifying and sharing stories and thoughts! One member even showed up with a huge list of scriptures on Apostasy that our Investigator was in great need of! As we bring members to fellowship, the investigator feels more comfortable. I could go on forever about the benefits of having a member present. It is just a great thing! So, with that, if the missionaries invite you to go out teaching with them! Do so! It is a great thing that will also help you to strengthen your own testimony and help you find a desire to share the gospel with more of your friends around you! :) 

Family, well, those at home! I cannot tell you how happy it made me to hear that you are doing a pretty consistent FHE! Ahhh! I wanted to cry for joy. I have such a testimony of FHE! We have been able to go around and do a few with members in the ward this past week. It has been so fun! We played the silly fruit game with them (a goofy game where you have to talk and cannot show your teeth or else you are out!). It has been a blast and so fun to get to know the members better and feel of their spirits. It has been funny to see all the little kids that we have played that game with at church. All of them insist on talking to us without showing us their teeth. So cute :) Anyways, keep it up! That is awesome :) 

This week, Sacrament meeting for us was wonderful. One of the speakers spoke on Daniel in the Lions Den. She brought up the interesting point that God could have easily taken Daniel out of the den. However, then he would have missed the experience of being IN the den. Similarly, God can easily take our trials away in life. He can easily fix everything. However, if He did, then we would miss the experience that our trials give us. We go through everything for a reason. It is meant to help us become stronger and better, and give us experience! I love it. I love being humbled and learning to put my faith in the Lord. It is one of the greatest blessings. 

Well, I love you! Have a stellar week! Take care and enjoy school! :)                                   Sister Robison 

Week 30 - Families, Ice Cream, and Many other great things!

                                                                                                                         August 24, 2015
 You are all wonderful! I love you all!

Well, this week was good. I am grateful for miracles and members! We are officially teaching a family! Cadet and Esther, and 3 of their children! They call them the B sisters because all of their names start with B's! I would say that Kara Kelly Karly and I should start going by the K sisters, but it just doesn't sound as catchy.. :) Anyways! They are lovely! They are from Haiti. Their daughters are young- 13, 11, 9- but they are so kind and so smart! We will be meeting with them again tonight, and hopefully a few more times throughout the week! Cadet, the father, LOVES the gospel! The main reason why he let us in is because he was so impressed with our desire to share the gospel with others. Their family loved the restoration message, and we are excited to go back and follow up on their family scripture reading from the Book of Mormon, and their prayers! We love families!! :) 

Peggy is doing well! We were able to drop off a Family Proclamation to the world that she really enjoyed and agrees with! It fit perfectly with the discussion we had about the Plan of Salvation. This time around, we brought with us another member, Sister Medwin! Turns out that Sister Medwin and Peggy's kids grew up together in the same friend group! Miracles happen every day. So, Sister Medwin has been great with Peggy! We will be teaching her the Gospel of Jesus Christ this week and talking about baptism! We are excited. Peggy is solid! She is really searching for truth, and wants to know what God has in store for her! :) 

Speaking of the Medwins... They had us over for dinner last night. Their favorite thing to do with missionaries, especially their first time over (which it was for both Sister Simon and I) is something called "The Ice Cream Challenge". So, after they stuff you up with delicious food! They bring out dessert. Approximately 1 liter of ice cream for you both to eat. Holy Cow. I was about 9 bites away. I had to stop unfortunately. I felt so sick...  haha! Sister Simon did it though. She is a champ :) 

Well, other than that, the only really big thing to mention is that we had a great Specialty training with a couple other Zones on Thursday. So, President Clayton is all about the Work of Salvation! Working with investigators, as well as less active members, and recent converts to the church! So, after counseling with the Lord, our Mission Standards of Excellence will change starting in September! We will be keeping track of the amount of lessons and so forth for both investigators as well as new and returning members! It is a lot to take it, and will be a huge adjustment. But there are some really neat things coming here in the Canada Toronto Mission! We will truly be focusing on the work of salvation, and it will be nice because all of our efforts will be shown in the numbers we report at the end of the week. There is a ton more to say about it, but unfortunately not enough time! Hopefully I will be able to explain more next week! 

Well, I love you! Good luck with the new school year! Take care of yourselves, and I will talk to you in a weeks time! :) 

Much love,                                       Sister Robison 

Week 29 - Another week in the life of a Missionary!

                                                                                                                         August 17, 2015

Family! Thank you for the notes from the reunion! It brightened my entire week to read through those and hear from all of you! You are great, and I love you bunches! :) 

This week was one of those weeks where we were reminded that missionary work can be hard! But, also happy, rewarding and great all at once! We saw many miracles this week. A spiritual highlight was a lesson we had with a lovely investigator Peggy. We decided to bring the bishop's wife teaching with us. Teaching appointments are so inspired! We had a great discussion about the Plan of Salvation, and our member just said everything perfectly and helped Peggy understand things with greater clarity. Peggy loves the bible, and so sometimes that makes it a little tough. But, we have been able to refer to the bible, as well as teach new and restored truths out of the Book of Mormon. We feel that Peggy is moving along quite well. We are excited for her to come to church this next Sunday. It really will be what makes the difference for her. She has been going to what she calls "Arm Chair Churches" and is ready for something much better. We know she will feel the spirit while she is there and really love it! 

Saturday was a rough day for us. It was one of those days in the mission where you have a ton of finding time, which is great! But, as you are out, no one else is. And those that are out yell at you, want to argue with you, or refuse to talk to you... I should mention that there were a few nice people, and we greatly appreciated their kind spirits! But, other than that... haha it was a good day for the journal. Luckily, we had to fill up with gas, and therefore had a time to grab slurpees to help us get through it. Mission life can be hard! But, I love it none the less! With the hard times also come neat experiences. Later that night, as I knelt in prayer, I could just feel my Savior's love for me. I could feel angles, more specifically relatives, around me bearing me up. I am not alone in the work, and for that I am eternally grateful. :) God is real people. And the Gospel has been restored! 

I might have said this last week but... Finding time has become my favorite as of recently! I love being able to share my testimony with others. I love being able to help others feel the spirit. The work is good, and is moving along well! 

I just want to take a moment and say thank you to my parents. I am so grateful for the wonderful examples my parents set for me in my life. They have truly played a huge part in my life, and are one of the main reasons why I am who I am today. The more I learn about how we can help our families be un-spotted from the world, the more I see how great of a role my parents played in my life and the more I realize how amazing and wise they were! 

With that being said, I know that I would not be who I am without the countless great examples in my life! My relatives, family, friends, ward, stake, and so forth. I love you all! Thank you for helping me become the person that I am today! 

Have a great week! Much Love!                                                                      Sister Robison

Week 28 - I Love It!

                                                                                                                       August 10, 2015

I am so happy in this work. I just wanted to let you all know! 

This week has been great. We have both really gained a testimony of talking to everyone the Lord places in our paths. It makes sense really. We pray all the time that those who are prepared will be placed in our paths, but then often times forget that we need to then follow through on our part and talk to all of those in our paths to find those who are prepared! Talking to everyone was something that was hard to do in the large city. But, in a small town, it is easy, fun, and we have really enjoyed seeing the way the Lord has blessed this area as we sacrifice our natural desires and go out of our way to open our mouths! The area is really starting to grow. We have been able to find a good amount of new investigators as well as a lot of potentials that we will hopefully be working with in the future! We are both so excited to see the work go forth. 

Follow up on Stacey, we have had a hard time getting in contact with her since last week. But, we will be doing a better job at it this week! And, we will just love her, and give her lots of boxes in preparation for her moving out! She will love us and will stop being afraid of us :) 

The work is going really well in Welland. We love the area and the members! We really are kinda out in the middle of no where... It is so fun to see all the farm land all around us! We make a joke about preaching to the cows... Maybe one day this next week, we will have to pencil that in :) 

My favorite thing this week really has been talking to and testifying to people on the street. With consecration comes power, and I can feel that. There is a palpable difference. I feel the power behind my testimony as I share it with those that I come in contact with, despite the situation or location of the contact! I love the spirit. I love feeling it as we are teaching and inviting others to come unto Christ. I now understand the gospel better than I ever have before, and can feel the power of the gospel as I am teaching it to others. I know that the gospel truly blesses lives, and I just want others to listen to the message that we have to share and act upon it! It will bless and change their lives! 

Anyways, I do love this work. I love this area. I love my companion. Things are going really well. We are seeing so many blessings that are coming from our hard work! Thank you for all the prayers. We really can feel them out here. They make a difference. Every single prayer helps us swallow our fears and continue on! It is so neat to watch and see! 

Well, I am running out of time. But, I sincerely hope you all have a great week! Work hard, play hard, and have fun! :)  I love you all! 

Much love, Sister Robison

Week 27 - I know, I know, these Canadian Holidays! Crazy eh?

                                                                                                                          August 4, 2015

Dad: I had a chance to skim through your lesson, it looks great! Keep it up! Teaching Gospel Essentials is not an easy task! The things that best help me when I am teaching anything, is just to keep in mind that it can be simple, and you just need to connect the dots! I am sure you will do great as a teacher! I am excited for you! :) Also, I was able to print your letter! 

Mom: Thank you for that wonderful letter about the trek! What a great experience for all involved! Tell Karly that she gave it her all, and that is great! And, now she can just join me in the excitement of waiting to be a yw leader one day so that I can go on one! :) Make sure to send me pictures of Katie Wrights wedding! And, don't forward on to Brad please. :) 

Nate, Kara, Kelly, Karly, I love you! :) SO much!! 

So sorry! Canada just has really random and sometimes really strange holidays... but it is great none the less! 

It has been quite the week, and a good week for that matter! Nothing makes me happier than doing missionary work! Talking to everyone, regardless of how scary they might seem to be! I am so happy doing the work. I am so grateful for Sister Simon! Grateful that we can get out and work and work and work! She is so sweet, so good at testifying, and so good at loving others! I love her :) 

This week, we saw a lot of neat little miracles. The greatest would have to be picking up a former from two years ago! We were supposed to have a lesson with a pretty solid investigator, but they ended up canceling. So, we fell to our back up plan! Turns out the former, Stacey, was in need of help just like she was the first time missionaries came to her door! We were able to return a few days later and teach her about the restoration. There was a great spirit there during the lesson. Despite Sister Simon and I only being together for a few days, the lesson went really well, and flowed a lot! At the end of the lesson, we invited her to be baptized. She readily accepted, commenting that she isn't sure why she feels this way, but she hopes what we have taught is true. It is the coolest thing to see the spirit working within someone, even though they cannot recognize it themselves!  

I am grateful for the blessings that come as we plan effectively, pray, and  then go out and work our hardest to bring to pass the Lord's will! Something has changed this week, I have discovered a greater desire to devote and consecrate my whole self to the work. I don't want to do anything that will hold me, my companion, or my area back from receiving those blessings!  It is going to be a great transfer! 

We have spent a large part of the week trying to get to know the members and the area! It really is a bunch of small towns, and so there are times where I feel like I'm in Utah or Idaho! We love it :)  We have also spent a good deal of time doing lots of service for members this past week! We have done everything from cleaning a house, to seeding a lawn in the pouring rain! Great times with great people that make for great memories that I will cherish for a long time. 

I am just so grateful to be a missionary! To go out and work and to love the people! I love inviting all to come unto Christ, and rarely have I ever been happier! :) This transfer is going to be a good one. I am excited for it! 

Well, I love you all! Have a great week! Stay cool, and enjoy your final month of summer! :) 

Much love, 

Sister Robison 

One of me and a mini horse out in the middle of our area somewhere...

Sister Simon and I eating donuts from Tim Hortons!

welland bridge

Week 26 - What a Transfer! Certainly one I will Remember!

Week 26                                                                                                                              July 27, 2015

Good day! 

So, yeah. I am having problems with my tooth... It is not too much fun, but that's okay. I need to be humbled. I am taking Ibprofin which pretty much does the trick as long as I don't chew with my tooth or accidentally bite down too hard... I am about to call the dentist and get something set up for it though! So, wish me luck with all that! 

This past week has been good, crazy, but good. Sister Lundin was picked up by the Sister Training Leaders on Tuesday, and from there, met up with President and Sister Clayton. She flew out and got home on Wednesday. I just adore her! She is so sweet, and I am so glad that she is getting the rest that she needs. I haven't heard too much, but I know that she has passed her other Kidney Stones which must be a huge sense of relief! Now she just needs to rest up and get better with everything else. 

So, as I am sure you are all wondering! I spent from mid Tuesday on with the Sisters in St. Catharines- Sister Chelsen (who came out the transfer after I did) and Sister Bell (who just finished her first transfer!). They are the area just above Welland. We had fun juggling the two areas for the rest of the week! These sisters are amazing though. I have learned so much from both of them! I am grateful for their help in my readjustment back into missionary work and missionary life! They have both taught me so many great things and I am excited to be able to implement these into the Welland area! Serving with them has been especially fun because they are my age, both in real life, as well as in the mission! I would compare serving in a trio to a constant slumber party. :) We shared many laughs and many good memories! And, they will remain in my district for this next transfer, so I will be able to continue to learn and grow from and with them! 

With that being said, I guess it might be important to let you know that I will be returning back to Welland (same apartment and all!)! There is so much to do in that area, and I am excited to get to work! I will be serving with Sister Simon, who has been out for as long as Sister Maas and Sister Lundin- just over a year now. It will be great! I am excited to learn from her! :) 

This past week was crazy. We were back and forth between areas, and saw so many miracles with investigators from each area! The Lord really does bless His missionaries, especially as they are doing all they can to help their areas! 

Something noteworthy is that they have implemented something new at the end of a Missionary's first 6 weeks. They get to go to the temple! and so, since I was with Sister Chelson and Sister Bell, we got to go to the temple! I am so grateful for that! I love the temple. I love the peace and the comfort that is felt in those walls. It was a great ending to a wonderful transfer, and has helped to re-boost my spirit and my desire for this up coming transfer! 

Side note, I had a member send a short video clip for the reunion, and I am sorry you didn't get it! I will ask them to resend it, just so you can watch and tear up! ;) I did get the package you sent though! and the letters. Mom, the small white one came first, and then the other letter and the package came on the next day. Thank you so much! I am so i love with most of the things in there! :) I cannot believe it has been 6 months already. Time flies so fast. I think back to where I was 6 months ago, and where I am at now, and things seem completely different. More than anything, my testimony and relationship with my Savior have grown. I know that He is there. I know that He loves me. I am grateful to know that this is His work. I am grateful to know that He trusts me to be a missionary. I am grateful to know that His gospel has been restored to the earth in its fullness. I am so grateful for the priesthood. It is real, and it exists on the earth today. I am grateful for the experiences I am having, and know they will be for my good. I am grateful to know that the Book of Mormon is the Word of God, and I am grateful to know that there is a real living prophet on the earth today who communicates God's will for us. I truly do know that these things are real. and, you can too as you read and pray about it. God is there, and He will answer you. 

I hope you have a good week, enjoy your summer, and remember who you are (a child of God!)! 

Much love, Sister Robison