Week 42 - Revelatory Experiences and Miracles!

                                                                                                   November 23, 2015

Hello family, and friends! 

I am glad to say this week was really good. We saw a lot of miracles, felt the spirit, and learned a lot! 

We had the wonderful opportunity of hearing from Elder Perkins of the 70 on Wednesday. I am so grateful. This was just what I needed at this time! It was wonderful to hear from him, his insights, and testimony. The meeting was full of little miracles that I would love to tell you about! 

We had spent Tuesday night in Hamilton with our Sister Training Leaders so there was not quite as long of a drive the next day to Kitchener where the meeting would take place. As I was driving there in the morning, I started to feel sick once again. Just an over-all unwellness. As we sat down and the meeting began, the feeling only worsened. I was so frustrated! I could hardly focus on what was going on because I just wanted to curl up in a ball, lay on the floor, and cry due to how I felt! Finally, after about a couple hours or so (I'm really not sure), we went into a brake. At that point, I turned to Sister Edwards, relayed to her how I was feeling, and then started actually crying. I just didn't know what to do! I wanted to be involved in the meeting, and learn lots, but that was not happening. Thankfully, a Sister I am pretty close to came over, saw what was happening, and took control of things. A few minutes later, I was sitting in a room with the Zone Leaders getting another blessing for my sickness. As soon as they laid their hands on my head and started speaking, I began to feel better! Peace entered into my heart, I felt the spirit, and the sick feeling went away! Even better, it stayed away for the rest of the meeting. I am so thankful for the priesthood and for that blessing! 

The meeting was just what I needed! We talked about building faith in our investigators, and in our selves. We talked about teaching simply, asking inspired questions, our purpose as missionaries, the Doctrine of Christ, and many other important missionary things. One of my favorite things that Elder Perkins talked about was receiving revelation in meetings. He talked about how he wishes he could eliminate the word meeting from the church! Often times when we think of meetings, we think of something long, potentially boring, that we have to attend. He then went on to say that he wishes he could replace the word meeting with "Revelatory Experience." When we go to a meeting, and expect to be inspired by the speaker, we are going to be acted upon. We never find answers or learn through this way, and meetings are going to continue to be boring and long. It is our own responsibility to make meetings a sacred place where we can receive revelation! In order to make a meeting a revelatory experience, we need to come with questions. As we have questions, we are acting. We are then searching for answers through the spirit, and we will be able to have those testimony building experiences that God answers our prayers and that He loves us! I loved his insight! I would invite you to always attend all future meetings with 1 or 2 questions in mind. I know that as you do, you will be able to get answers, and allow the spirit to work within you and help you! 

I could go on forever about the things that I learned. It was a special experience for me, and it became even more special when I had a moment to talk with Elder Perkins at lunch, and indeed found out that he served as Dad's assistant when Dad was first starting his mission! That was another miracle! :) 

I was grateful for the long ride home to Welland after the conference. It was pretty silent due to how spiritually worn out we all were, but it was good. It allowed me a long time to ponder on everything that I had learned and the work that I am involved in right now. Somewhere in the past couple of weeks, I had taken upon myself a "Wo is me" attitude. As I realized this, I realized how dumb that is! I was able to continue to receive revelation in the car as to what I could do to change and better this work and my attitude. 

The conference was a real turning point for me for many different reasons and I am grateful! 

Another thing that I am grateful for was the chance to ponderize "Count Your Many Blessings!" This was a great way to open my eyes and help me to change my attitude towards things. I have so many blessings, I just need to make sure I stop, take a moment to look around and notice them! I hope you had just as wonderful as an experience pondering upon the words as I did! :) 

Yesterday was also a great day. We had the chance to hear from Elder Perkins again! As well as President Eyring and others at the Montreal Temple Dedication! And, Elder L. Whitney Clayton gave the dedicatory prayer, so that was neat for us! We love the Clayton Family! I love temples and cannot wait to go more when I get home! :) 

The week continued on, and we saw some great miracles! One being another member referral! These members do a wonderful job at living and leading by example. An older sister in the ward called letting us know that her son's friend wants a church and wants to meet with us! We gave him a call, and will be meeting with him on Tuesday! We also received a referral from SLC! We will be meeting with that gentleman later tonight! Miracles happen as we endure with love and patience and diligence. This I know to be true. Welland is starting to go places, and I am very excited about the work! 

I am still feeling a little sickish... I am on medication number 4, and we will see where it takes me! I am just getting to know the people at the Walk-in-clinic very well! :) The work goes on though, and so will I! Perseverance brings blessings! (Don't worry mom, I am not pushing myself more than I am able!) 

I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving (don't worry, we will be eating an American Thanksgiving meal with a family in our ward. More Turkey!) And stay warm! :) Much love! 

Sister Robison 

PONDERIZE: Alma 34:31

That time last week where we went out and worked despite the less than 
dismal weather. But hey, we were happy! :) 

We both got something in the mail on the same day!  It was a happy day! 

Week 41 - Family and Friends

                                                                                                                   November 16, 2015

Hello hello! 

What a few couple of weeks it has been! I have definitely been learning lots. 

For the most part, this week was pretty good. We have gone out and worked more this week than we have in a little bit! This week our zone had a huge focus on inviting people to church! We decided collectively that each day from 4-5, we would all go out and invite all that we saw! This was good for both of us! It gave us a set time to OYM and as well, a great reason to talk to people! In the past few transfers, contacting and talking to people has become my favorite part of the day! I love finding time, and I have definitely felt withdraws from not being able to do much of that each day, so it was so nice to be able to get out and open my mouth!  

A large struggle of the week has been my throat (as well as some other symptoms). Of course, my throat decided to act up the same time the weather decided to act up, and all at the same time the zone decided to do this challenge! I reassured Sister Edwards we were going to work through all the rain and wind and cold for the hour each day! It was going pretty well until the weather on Thursday got kinda nasty... We lasted for 40 minutes before my throat hurt pretty bad, my ears ached, and Sister Edward's legs and face were numb... Then we called it good for the day. The worst part was waking up Friday morning... I am sure I looked pretty miserable at district meeting that day... :) But! That is okay. We found some wonderful potentials- many of which have been looking for a church! We are looking forward to working with them in the future! And, don't worry, we decided to take it easier the rest of the week. We went to our appointments, and filled up the remainder of times with other productive things in doors. But! This week looks like it is supposed to be much warmer, and my throat should be better by the end of the week! So, hopefully we will be able to keep trucking on! :) 

We had a really neat lesson with one of our newer investigators Kim this week. It was our second time meeting with her. She is a chatter box, and loves to talk about all the things she has learned and seen throughout her life! It is a bit of a challenge to keep her on topic, but, we did it! We were able to talk to her about the Book of Mormon, and shared the first vision as well as Moroni's Promise (Moroni 10:3-5) with her! She SOAKED IT UP! She loved it! The spirit was strong, and she was just waiting for more! She quickly agreed to read the Book of Mormon, as well as to be baptized if she came to know it was true! It was one of those lessons where everything was good. Happy day! :) 

This week, we had the chance to participate a lot with the young womens! Sister Edwards and I were invited to speak at the Young Womens of Excellence night! We both spoke on specific virtues as well as some of the experiences we have had throughout personal progress, and how it has helped us in our lives thus far. I had the opportunity to speak on Divine Nature. As I was looking at the Divine Nature Value, I realized that that was quite easily one of the most important and influential values for me. That is the value that challenged me to improve my relationship with Kelly! Our relationship went from rocky to solid, and part of the credit is given to that, and the other to my parents. I am so grateful for it though. I wouldn't trade my friendship with Kelly, or any of my other family members for anything! Anyways, it was a great evening, and we were grateful to be there to support the young womens program in the Welland ward. Though it may be small (4 active girls), they are great! Sunday, we were able to teach a lesson in young womens as well! The Young Womens President asked us to speak on President Nelson's talk, "A Plea to My Sisters." (I was excited when I heard that Bishop Yamane spoke on that talk at the Summerlin Young Womens of Excellence night as well! It is such a great talk!) I would invite all of you to read it. 

All in all, a good week. A better week! And, it looks like we have a good week coming up. On Wednesday, we will be headed to Kitchener for a Zone Conference with Elder Perkins of the 70! We are very excited and look forward to learning from his remarks and instruction. 

Thank you for all your prayers and well wishes. I love you all and am so grateful for all that you have done and continue to do for me! :) Have a great week! Loves! 

Sister Robison 

PONDERIZE: This week, instead of doing a particular scripture, we are 

going to do a Hymn! Hymn number 241, Count Your Many Blessings. 

I am excited and hope you enjoy! :) 

PS mom and dad, I will get a pic for you next week! and, if you are planning on it, don't send a chirstmas package until the 29th. Transfers are coming up and there is a good chance I could be leaving! If you want to send it early, you can send it to the mission office 

Week 40 - I love Daylight Savings

                                                                                                                              Nov 2, 2015

Hello! I don't have much time! We spent the morning at Niagara Falls! 3 times with 3 different companions, and going strong! 

This past week was a little bit of a rollercoaster for many different reasons! We had Exchanges on Wednesday which was lovely! I spent the day in Hamilton with a wonderful sister from Germany! It was one of those days where nothing goes as planned, but you have fun and roll with it anyways! It was much needed. I learned so much from her!  

The middle of the week was a little slower.. But, by the end of the week, with some help from some other missionaries, we found 5 new investigators! This is huge because the past few weeks, I don't think we found any! Miracles are happening! 

I hope you had a fun Halloween! It looks like Kara and Justin did! We were in by 6 pm working on various things and weekly planning.

We had a really cool contact yesterday. We went to drop by a potential. At first, we were pretty blunt about asking if and when we could share some more of our message with her. She pulled back a little. We then spent about 20 minutes just talking to her and loving her, and getting to know her. Eventually we turned the conversation to Christ and the Book of Mormon. We taught and testified to her all about how the Book of Mormon helps us to learn and draw closer to Christ. By the time we were done talking to her, she became a new investigator! She could see how excited we were about our message, and she wants to know why and how it can help her! It really taught me that first we need to love these people, then we need to testify and share what we know to be true. Love people. That is the key to everything! 

Well, I hope you have a great week! I love you! Keep reading your scriptures, and if you like, 

Ponderize 2 Nephi 25:26! 

Much love! 

Sister Robison 

Sister Edwards and I at Niagara Falls

America is So Close!