So... yeah. Im not 100% if it was amoeba but I had all the symptoms and the doctors said it was expensive to test for dengue AND amoeba, but Elder Jarvis, the one who got sick that one time, had amoeba and he had the EXACT same symptoms as I did. So I'm calling it amoeba. It was horrible, I'm not going to lie. It was the longest, most painful, most miserable days of my life, I think. And it came when I woke up on Christmas. So instead of waking up with presents under the tree (figuratively), I woke up completely weak and not really able to walk to stand for very long. I then went to district counsel, which I was completely weak at, and didn't contribute much. There, I also threw up all the rest of the acid in my stomach, cause I had no food. I then spent the rest of my Christmas laying in my bed, and checking my fever which got up to 102.3 degrees at one point. I threw up one more time and was so weak. All my muscles and joints hurt and I could barely function.
The next day wasn't much better. My fever went away for like a few hours and then came right back. Finally, the 27th, we decided to go to the hospital on the chance that it was Dengue, and I spent two days in the hospital but I was kind of okay by then. Anyways, it was a long time of waiting to just feel better, but I finally feel better and don't feel a thing, so all is well. But it was kind of depressing to spend my Christmas like that. Our Christmas was supposed to be full of eating and events, but it was full of pain and sickness. I ate one orange that day and that was it. The next day I didn't eat much more than that, also. I've gained back my appetite by now but I ended up getting a UTI from being so dehydrated and not drinking or eating anything. So I am on antibiotics right now.
That was basically my entire week. In other news- Im training this transfer. So meaning- after only being in the field for 18 weeks, I will be training a new missionary who doesn't know Ilonggo or probably English either because she will be Philipino, because all the sisters are. So yeah I'm super nervous and I will meet her on Thursday, and will be in Bacolod until then. I am super excited though and I am the only and first one in my batch from the Provo MTC to train someone else, so pray for me!! But I will keep y'all updated on my new trainee when she arrives!! Sorry I don't have a ton of news. My whole week was hospital and traveling and packing for Sister Ignacio. Also I accidentally ripped out my IV at the hospital, so that hurt and its still sore. So yeah- I don't recommend that.
I missed y'all extra this week during Christmas and while I was sick. There was one point where I said out loud, "I just want my mom." That seems so childish but truly I just wanted my fam there to help take care of me because hospitals here don't do it very well hahha. But I love y'all and am so happy to hear y'all had a happy Christmas!!!! HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!
Sister Robertson
Monday, December 31, 2018
Letter from Brittany's Mission President
[We received the following email from Britt's mission president and wife on December 31. Brittany is doing well and no lingering effects of being ill.]
Dear Brother and Sister Robertson,
Hope this email finds you and your family well.
President Sumagpao and I are so pleased with the progress of your missionary daughter. She is doing the best that she can to be an exactly obedient and an exemplary missionary.
Last Tuesday her companion informed me that Sister Robertson is feeling sick with stomach and muscle pain and with fever. I asked them to observe for two more days to rule out dengue for symptoms usually appear on the third day, as advised by the Area Medical Doctor. On the third day, since your daughter is still having fever and not feeling better, I asked them to go to the hospital here in Bacolod to get urgent medical care. Her laboratory tests showed she has urinary tract infection and viral infection. Our assistants reached out to them while they were in the hospital for one day.
We admire your daughter for her great courage and unwavering faith in spite of the affliction she had had. The following day, they wanted to get back to the apartment to work out the baptisms of the new people they taught.
Please know that we love your daughter for who she is and for the dedicated service that she willingly renders.
Thank you for all the things you do for the betterment of your Sister Robertson. Please continue to extend your unwavering love and encouragement to her as this will help bring out the best in her.
With love and respect,
Sister Sumagpao
Dear Brother and Sister Robertson,
Hope this email finds you and your family well.
President Sumagpao and I are so pleased with the progress of your missionary daughter. She is doing the best that she can to be an exactly obedient and an exemplary missionary.
Last Tuesday her companion informed me that Sister Robertson is feeling sick with stomach and muscle pain and with fever. I asked them to observe for two more days to rule out dengue for symptoms usually appear on the third day, as advised by the Area Medical Doctor. On the third day, since your daughter is still having fever and not feeling better, I asked them to go to the hospital here in Bacolod to get urgent medical care. Her laboratory tests showed she has urinary tract infection and viral infection. Our assistants reached out to them while they were in the hospital for one day.
We admire your daughter for her great courage and unwavering faith in spite of the affliction she had had. The following day, they wanted to get back to the apartment to work out the baptisms of the new people they taught.
Please know that we love your daughter for who she is and for the dedicated service that she willingly renders.
Thank you for all the things you do for the betterment of your Sister Robertson. Please continue to extend your unwavering love and encouragement to her as this will help bring out the best in her.
With love and respect,
Sister Sumagpao
Monday, December 24, 2018
Week 23 - Merry Christmas!! Maayong Paskwa!!
OH MY GOODNESS!! That call was the BEST ever!! I don't have a ton to write because I just told you everything in person which is the best feeling ever!! I love my family and talking to y'all was the best Christmas present anyone could ever ask for!! I wish I had words enough to describe how happy that made me and how much that meant to me. But I don't. So just thank y'all for being the best family everrr.
I'll write out Freddy's story from his baptism so that it can be uploaded to my blog. So here it is:
Freddy Fernandez is so strong. He is just over 50 years old and was so prepared for this gospel from the moment we found him- or he found us more like. It started back in October when Sister Melgaso and I were at a member's house for family home evening. All of a sudden, a stranger (to us, not the the members there) came up to the head of the family and saw us sitting inside. He said "I have been wanting to be a member of that Church, but I just do not know how." Well, lucky for him, we knew how(: So, we set up an appointment with him the following Sunday, after introducing ourselves to him. He works everyday, because he owns two different hardware stores, and is only in the one in Sipalay on Sundays. We showed up at his hardware store, and he immediately left his work to meet with us in his house. We taught Sunday after Sunday to him and he was so receptive. He believed everything we said and started reading the Book of Mormon as soon as he got his hands on one. He asked for one in English and one in Hiligaynon so that he could really understand every word in that book. We shortly after extended a baptismal date to him, and he said "OO EH", which is equivalent to "YEAH DUH" in english. We talked to him about the Law of Chastity, Law of Tithing, and Word of Wisdom, and he had no problems. He said he drank coffee only sometimes but said he would give that up no problem. He later told us that he showed up to that one member's house that one evening, because he had a strong feeling he needed to go there that night. So he followed that spiritual prompting and found us there. He has been being prepared by God for a long time now and it was an absolute joy to teach him. It was my favorite part of the week- Sunday evenings. I always felt so energized after teaching him. He was baptized on December 22, 2018 and received the Gift of the Holy Ghost yesterday on Dec 23, as well as the Aaronic Priesthood. We love Freddy.
As for the baptism yesterday, it did not go exactly as planned. JamJam (Freddy's 9 year old child) was also supposed to be baptized, but did not. We spent an hour and a half convincing her the water wasn't scary but she wouldn't take the bait. She would step in very slowly then at the last minute come out again and the convincing started all over again. At one point, she said she would go into the water if I did too, so what did I do? Yeah I got in the water with my dress. I didn't get all the way in but far enough in to hold her hand while she was in the water. The baptism prayer was said three times. The first time, her head didn't go all the way under, so she came out all excited that she did it, and then we had to break the news that she had to do it again. The second time was like 30 minutes later after convincing her again, and then she didn't want her head to go under so she kept her head above the surface. Then we switched missionaries baptizing to see if that would help, and he dunked himself under the water to make her feel more comfortable. So Elder Sombilla basically went swimming in the baptismal font for this girl. Hahaha and then the third time, Elder Sombilla said the prayer and then tried to dunk her head under the water himself, which looked like straight torture to this child. We all died laughing and decided that was about enough. So she will be getting baptized by her father who now holds the priesthood, at the beach where she said she would feel more comfortable. Its hard to describe all that went down in that house and a half but let's just say it was quite a mess. So she will be next time when we don't have to drown her or get in the water in our dress to get this child immersed.
But that did testify to me just how important be baptized in the right way is. People in other faiths get baptized but as long it is not in the right way, or with the right authority, or at the right age, it matters not to heaven. It does not count. Even in this church, there is re-baptizing for those who did not do it right, which is what happened with her. The only way baptism can get us into the celestial kingdom of God, is in the right way only. This is so important and exactly my message.
Well anyways, I am still over the moon after talking to y'all and feel happy this Christmas Season because of y'all. I wish you the merriest Christmas ever and will miss y'all very much tomorrow during Christmas! THANK YALL FOR EVERYTHING!! MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!!
Sister Robertson
I'll write out Freddy's story from his baptism so that it can be uploaded to my blog. So here it is:
Freddy Fernandez is so strong. He is just over 50 years old and was so prepared for this gospel from the moment we found him- or he found us more like. It started back in October when Sister Melgaso and I were at a member's house for family home evening. All of a sudden, a stranger (to us, not the the members there) came up to the head of the family and saw us sitting inside. He said "I have been wanting to be a member of that Church, but I just do not know how." Well, lucky for him, we knew how(: So, we set up an appointment with him the following Sunday, after introducing ourselves to him. He works everyday, because he owns two different hardware stores, and is only in the one in Sipalay on Sundays. We showed up at his hardware store, and he immediately left his work to meet with us in his house. We taught Sunday after Sunday to him and he was so receptive. He believed everything we said and started reading the Book of Mormon as soon as he got his hands on one. He asked for one in English and one in Hiligaynon so that he could really understand every word in that book. We shortly after extended a baptismal date to him, and he said "OO EH", which is equivalent to "YEAH DUH" in english. We talked to him about the Law of Chastity, Law of Tithing, and Word of Wisdom, and he had no problems. He said he drank coffee only sometimes but said he would give that up no problem. He later told us that he showed up to that one member's house that one evening, because he had a strong feeling he needed to go there that night. So he followed that spiritual prompting and found us there. He has been being prepared by God for a long time now and it was an absolute joy to teach him. It was my favorite part of the week- Sunday evenings. I always felt so energized after teaching him. He was baptized on December 22, 2018 and received the Gift of the Holy Ghost yesterday on Dec 23, as well as the Aaronic Priesthood. We love Freddy.
As for the baptism yesterday, it did not go exactly as planned. JamJam (Freddy's 9 year old child) was also supposed to be baptized, but did not. We spent an hour and a half convincing her the water wasn't scary but she wouldn't take the bait. She would step in very slowly then at the last minute come out again and the convincing started all over again. At one point, she said she would go into the water if I did too, so what did I do? Yeah I got in the water with my dress. I didn't get all the way in but far enough in to hold her hand while she was in the water. The baptism prayer was said three times. The first time, her head didn't go all the way under, so she came out all excited that she did it, and then we had to break the news that she had to do it again. The second time was like 30 minutes later after convincing her again, and then she didn't want her head to go under so she kept her head above the surface. Then we switched missionaries baptizing to see if that would help, and he dunked himself under the water to make her feel more comfortable. So Elder Sombilla basically went swimming in the baptismal font for this girl. Hahaha and then the third time, Elder Sombilla said the prayer and then tried to dunk her head under the water himself, which looked like straight torture to this child. We all died laughing and decided that was about enough. So she will be getting baptized by her father who now holds the priesthood, at the beach where she said she would feel more comfortable. Its hard to describe all that went down in that house and a half but let's just say it was quite a mess. So she will be next time when we don't have to drown her or get in the water in our dress to get this child immersed.
But that did testify to me just how important be baptized in the right way is. People in other faiths get baptized but as long it is not in the right way, or with the right authority, or at the right age, it matters not to heaven. It does not count. Even in this church, there is re-baptizing for those who did not do it right, which is what happened with her. The only way baptism can get us into the celestial kingdom of God, is in the right way only. This is so important and exactly my message.
Well anyways, I am still over the moon after talking to y'all and feel happy this Christmas Season because of y'all. I wish you the merriest Christmas ever and will miss y'all very much tomorrow during Christmas! THANK YALL FOR EVERYTHING!! MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!!
Sister Robertson
Monday, December 17, 2018
Week 22 - I sustain my mission president
Hahahha just like you family, I do not have a lot to share this week. It's been kind of a heavy week for the mission- i'll get into the details of that in a bit, but I just want to tell you I love you all so much and I AM SOOOO EXCITED for next Monday!! The call will probably be around 7pm Texas time on Sunday night for y'all. I hope we can make it by that time, but I am running on Filipino time here so it may be closer to 8p your time(: Its just the Filipino way sorry. But I am DANCING inside y'all have no idea how excited I am to hear y'all and talk to y'all. Expect tears.
As for this week, kind of a hard one in the terms of missionary work. I have really felt how it feels to want someone's salvation so bad but things are getting in the way. The pain of missionary work is real. Aside from all the trials that come from Satan not wanting this work to be moved forward, there is real pain in seeing the light in someone's eyes and just not being able to bring them into the waters of baptism.
So I will start off by saying- I sustain and support my mission president 110%. I love that he is receiving revelation for this mission and I truly feel as though he is strongly in tune with the spirit and knows what is best for this mission. Having that said, there has been lots of changes since our new mission president came right before I arrived. This week, the changes were concerning who we are allowed to baptize and who we aren't. So as I said in my past letters, we had four definite baptisms this month, two on the 22nd and two on the 29th. Well, President has been receiving revelation for how to keep people active because theres TONS of people baptized here, but SO many inactive members. So this revelation he receives is those from the age of 8-11 need to baptized along with their parents to be baptized. Ages 12-14 need either direct permission from President or need to have at least one parent active in the church. And then 15 and above can be baptized without parents with them, just need permission obviously.
So, our two candidates on the 29th are two young to be baptized because they are 12 and both their moms are members but very inactive and don't want to come back to the church. Set aside the fact that they have issues in their life keeping them from being a devoted member as well. So that news hit us pretty hard. Those two little girls who have been faithfully coming to church, expressing their earnest desire to join the church, and showing their faith in multiple ways including reactivating some of their inactive member cousins through their coming to church, can no longer be baptized. We asked permission from President and he said no. So now, they must wait three years to be baptized. Which again, hit us hard. We have been pretty sad for those two little girls. It's hard to explain, but I can see their deep desire that now can not be granted. But like I said, I sustain and support President and all he does, so I will follow his counsel willingly and I know the Lord has perfect timing for sweet MM and Rihanna. We delivered them that news yesterday and it was pretty heartbreaking, but we reassured them that if they continue to show their faith and trust in the Lord, He will provide a way for them to enter into the covenant of baptism. So hopefully they will not become discouraged.
I know God has a perfect plan and I am so excited to see how this new revelation blesses the church. This means that me and my companion have lots of new people to find because we have needed to drop lots of the people we are teaching. But all the in the Lord's way. This is His work, not mine. So I will do it His way, not mine. I love this work so much and I love my family and am so grateful we are sealed for all eternity so I can be with y'all forever and ever in happiness. Thank you for all your support to me and all you do for me to make me feel loved all the way across the world. Stay happy and spread the great word!!!
Sister Robertson
As for this week, kind of a hard one in the terms of missionary work. I have really felt how it feels to want someone's salvation so bad but things are getting in the way. The pain of missionary work is real. Aside from all the trials that come from Satan not wanting this work to be moved forward, there is real pain in seeing the light in someone's eyes and just not being able to bring them into the waters of baptism.
So I will start off by saying- I sustain and support my mission president 110%. I love that he is receiving revelation for this mission and I truly feel as though he is strongly in tune with the spirit and knows what is best for this mission. Having that said, there has been lots of changes since our new mission president came right before I arrived. This week, the changes were concerning who we are allowed to baptize and who we aren't. So as I said in my past letters, we had four definite baptisms this month, two on the 22nd and two on the 29th. Well, President has been receiving revelation for how to keep people active because theres TONS of people baptized here, but SO many inactive members. So this revelation he receives is those from the age of 8-11 need to baptized along with their parents to be baptized. Ages 12-14 need either direct permission from President or need to have at least one parent active in the church. And then 15 and above can be baptized without parents with them, just need permission obviously.
So, our two candidates on the 29th are two young to be baptized because they are 12 and both their moms are members but very inactive and don't want to come back to the church. Set aside the fact that they have issues in their life keeping them from being a devoted member as well. So that news hit us pretty hard. Those two little girls who have been faithfully coming to church, expressing their earnest desire to join the church, and showing their faith in multiple ways including reactivating some of their inactive member cousins through their coming to church, can no longer be baptized. We asked permission from President and he said no. So now, they must wait three years to be baptized. Which again, hit us hard. We have been pretty sad for those two little girls. It's hard to explain, but I can see their deep desire that now can not be granted. But like I said, I sustain and support President and all he does, so I will follow his counsel willingly and I know the Lord has perfect timing for sweet MM and Rihanna. We delivered them that news yesterday and it was pretty heartbreaking, but we reassured them that if they continue to show their faith and trust in the Lord, He will provide a way for them to enter into the covenant of baptism. So hopefully they will not become discouraged.
I know God has a perfect plan and I am so excited to see how this new revelation blesses the church. This means that me and my companion have lots of new people to find because we have needed to drop lots of the people we are teaching. But all the in the Lord's way. This is His work, not mine. So I will do it His way, not mine. I love this work so much and I love my family and am so grateful we are sealed for all eternity so I can be with y'all forever and ever in happiness. Thank you for all your support to me and all you do for me to make me feel loved all the way across the world. Stay happy and spread the great word!!!
Sister Robertson
Monday, December 10, 2018
Week 21 - There are "Ax Thieves" here
I got my package! It's all perfect and I love every single bit of it THANK YOU!!! I can not thank y'all enough. You have no idea how happy that package made me. Made all my problems seem little. I love y'all so stinkin' much. Y'all are the hugest blessing in my life.
As for my week, not much happened haha. Pretty uneventful. We taught some lessons, committed another person to get baptized on December 22, and studied a lot(: Just the life of a missionary. I am wayyyyyy excited for the Christmas call, though. As you can tell, I am counting down the days. 2 Mondays and I will be talking to my favorite people!!! This week, I bought some Christmas decorations for our room to give it a little pep and to make me feel not so far away from Christmas. Its super hot here everyday so definitely doesn't feel like Christmas. But I am so looking forward to our baptisms this month that we have. We had 5 people at church yesterday which is just so exciting. The missionary work is strong right now, and I think it's all part of the Christmas season of miracles. I love it and love this work so much!
As for some other exciting news, I got word that there are "ax thieves" in Sipalay right now. Meaning theres a group of people going around with axes, breaking into people's houses and stealing stuff. Last I heard, no one has gotten hurt, so that's good. But a little scary hahha so pray that our house will be protected!! I worry about thieves all the time cause that's a common occurrence here so pray extra hard!!
Sorry this letter is kind of short but not much happened this week to explain. I'll end with a quote that I love and has been really getting me through any hard time that comes my way. It is my Thomas S. Monson. He said "The great thing about the gospel, is we get credit for trying. Sincerely trying to live the gospel is living the gospel." I struggle here on my mission with not feeling good enough, or not feeling like I am doing enough. Missions hold really high standards, and as a missionary who is striving to be exactly obedient, it can sometimes weigh on me that I have weaknesses and I fall short of perfection everyday. I really want to be a celestial missionary, who is exactly obedient, and I really do try. So this quote gave me all the comfort in the world, that the Lord is pleased with my effort, because I am TRYING. This gospel is not for perfect people. Perfect people don't need this gospel. But since we are all short of perfect, we all need this gospel. And as long as we are trying, that is exactly what the Lord asks of us. Sincerely trying every day is living this gospel. So anyways I love that and found so much comfort in it that I don't need to be perfect, as long as I am putting my all into trying. I love this gospel and I love this work so much. I love this opportunity to come closer to my Savior and to help others do the same.
I love y'all sooo much and miss y'all soooo much. FOURTEEN DAYS!!!
Sister Robertson
As for my week, not much happened haha. Pretty uneventful. We taught some lessons, committed another person to get baptized on December 22, and studied a lot(: Just the life of a missionary. I am wayyyyyy excited for the Christmas call, though. As you can tell, I am counting down the days. 2 Mondays and I will be talking to my favorite people!!! This week, I bought some Christmas decorations for our room to give it a little pep and to make me feel not so far away from Christmas. Its super hot here everyday so definitely doesn't feel like Christmas. But I am so looking forward to our baptisms this month that we have. We had 5 people at church yesterday which is just so exciting. The missionary work is strong right now, and I think it's all part of the Christmas season of miracles. I love it and love this work so much!
As for some other exciting news, I got word that there are "ax thieves" in Sipalay right now. Meaning theres a group of people going around with axes, breaking into people's houses and stealing stuff. Last I heard, no one has gotten hurt, so that's good. But a little scary hahha so pray that our house will be protected!! I worry about thieves all the time cause that's a common occurrence here so pray extra hard!!
Sorry this letter is kind of short but not much happened this week to explain. I'll end with a quote that I love and has been really getting me through any hard time that comes my way. It is my Thomas S. Monson. He said "The great thing about the gospel, is we get credit for trying. Sincerely trying to live the gospel is living the gospel." I struggle here on my mission with not feeling good enough, or not feeling like I am doing enough. Missions hold really high standards, and as a missionary who is striving to be exactly obedient, it can sometimes weigh on me that I have weaknesses and I fall short of perfection everyday. I really want to be a celestial missionary, who is exactly obedient, and I really do try. So this quote gave me all the comfort in the world, that the Lord is pleased with my effort, because I am TRYING. This gospel is not for perfect people. Perfect people don't need this gospel. But since we are all short of perfect, we all need this gospel. And as long as we are trying, that is exactly what the Lord asks of us. Sincerely trying every day is living this gospel. So anyways I love that and found so much comfort in it that I don't need to be perfect, as long as I am putting my all into trying. I love this gospel and I love this work so much. I love this opportunity to come closer to my Savior and to help others do the same.
I love y'all sooo much and miss y'all soooo much. FOURTEEN DAYS!!!
Sister Robertson
Monday, December 3, 2018
Week 20 - Days of Service
Oh man I miss y'all! I wish i had time to just type out responses to everything y'all wrote but now with the shortened email time, I am low on time always. So just know I miss y'all and wish I could've been there for the snow, family memories, fun Christmas traditions, and all. I miss y'all a lot around the Christmas season. Its still hot as ever here so doesn't quite feel like Christmas but I wish i could be with my family during my favorite part of the year.
My week has been good. Not quite as successful as last week but successful nonetheless. We found 10 new people and had SEVEN people at church which is HUGE. Seven investigators that is. We had more than 7 people at church in total haha. But we are on track to have about 5 baptisms this month which is SO EXCITING! So even though I won't be having a white Christmas in terms of snow, i will be having a white Christmas in terms of baptisms. Thats what we call it here. White Christmas because the people getting baptized of course wear white(: So yay!!!
Last Monday, we went fishing with my District at the resort in our area. We caught like 50 fish but they were all too tiny to eat but still super fun! We did it with water bottles and fishing reel so super filipino i loved it(: Made me think of our fun fishing trips with family. I love those memories. Oh and then also while teaching a lesson to an inactive member, he exclaimed that "Whoa, you're so brown! You are no longer American, you are now Filipino! You came here white and now you are brown!" Hahah it was cute and now I've been called a Filipino by my language skills and my skin sooo sorry family, I may come home a different race;)
Also, some funny, but neat things happened this week. So first, I was kind of feeling down one day just one of those days. A mission has them(: But I was reading in a Liahona and randomly caught my eye on an article from Randal Wright and it said "the author is from Texas, USA" so that was kind of a cool blessing. Out of all the magazines I could read when feeling down, I chose that one that happened to have an article from a dear friend of ours. Proof that God knows us and is looking out for us. It was all about sleep and how important it is for every aspect of our health which was a cool theme. And then second, Sister Ignacio and I had just gotten done teaching a lesson outside when all of a sudden we heard the youth theme song "Press Forward" playing. We found out it was coming from a random car wash, so naturally we walked over and asked if they were members. They said they weren't and that he, the guy playing the music, had gotten that song from a friend who also wasn't a member. So we have no idea where they got that song but it was cool to hear a church song being played in the city for everyone to hear. Definitely allowed the spirit to be felt and we gave them a pamphlet and hopefully it will spark interest in them. I don't know, but just kinda cool.
As for my subject line, this week was full of service. I don't know how this went in the United States or what, but for #LightTheWorld, December 1 was an official "Day of Service", so this last Saturday, we arranged with four different families to serve them (mostly gardening and weeding). Which this last Wednesday, we spent three hours weeding and cleaning a garden for a less active which was actually therapeutic for me! So I was excited to spend the whole day doing service! Well... the day didn't go exactly as planned hahha. We got up early and went straight to work. Sister Ignacio and I weeded and gardened for three hours at a member's house. We then had two more appointments (because our first one fell through because she forgot about us haha) but they were in the Elder's area so we waited for them to take us. Well, Elder Jarvis (the american companion) wasn't feeling well, so we ended up dropping our two appointments and running around town buying medicine, gatorade, bread, cooking soup for him, and just doing all sorts of things to help him feel better since he couldn't get out of bed. It turns out (he's in the hospital right now in Bacolod) that he has Dengue and is super super sick so pray for him! But a day when we expected to weed people's gardens all day, turned out to be a day full of different kind of service, trying to help a fellow friend. So that was kind of cool, because at the end of the day I still felt as though I had spent the day in service, even though it wasn't through the conventional way. It proved to me that service doesn't have one definition or it doesn't even need to be huge, just as long as you have a heart of service inside of you, you can still feel immense joy from serving those around you. I love this gospel and loved the opportunity to serve my Heavenly Father through serving His children!
Love y'all and miss you TONS!!
Sister Robertson
My week has been good. Not quite as successful as last week but successful nonetheless. We found 10 new people and had SEVEN people at church which is HUGE. Seven investigators that is. We had more than 7 people at church in total haha. But we are on track to have about 5 baptisms this month which is SO EXCITING! So even though I won't be having a white Christmas in terms of snow, i will be having a white Christmas in terms of baptisms. Thats what we call it here. White Christmas because the people getting baptized of course wear white(: So yay!!!
Last Monday, we went fishing with my District at the resort in our area. We caught like 50 fish but they were all too tiny to eat but still super fun! We did it with water bottles and fishing reel so super filipino i loved it(: Made me think of our fun fishing trips with family. I love those memories. Oh and then also while teaching a lesson to an inactive member, he exclaimed that "Whoa, you're so brown! You are no longer American, you are now Filipino! You came here white and now you are brown!" Hahah it was cute and now I've been called a Filipino by my language skills and my skin sooo sorry family, I may come home a different race;)
Also, some funny, but neat things happened this week. So first, I was kind of feeling down one day just one of those days. A mission has them(: But I was reading in a Liahona and randomly caught my eye on an article from Randal Wright and it said "the author is from Texas, USA" so that was kind of a cool blessing. Out of all the magazines I could read when feeling down, I chose that one that happened to have an article from a dear friend of ours. Proof that God knows us and is looking out for us. It was all about sleep and how important it is for every aspect of our health which was a cool theme. And then second, Sister Ignacio and I had just gotten done teaching a lesson outside when all of a sudden we heard the youth theme song "Press Forward" playing. We found out it was coming from a random car wash, so naturally we walked over and asked if they were members. They said they weren't and that he, the guy playing the music, had gotten that song from a friend who also wasn't a member. So we have no idea where they got that song but it was cool to hear a church song being played in the city for everyone to hear. Definitely allowed the spirit to be felt and we gave them a pamphlet and hopefully it will spark interest in them. I don't know, but just kinda cool.
As for my subject line, this week was full of service. I don't know how this went in the United States or what, but for #LightTheWorld, December 1 was an official "Day of Service", so this last Saturday, we arranged with four different families to serve them (mostly gardening and weeding). Which this last Wednesday, we spent three hours weeding and cleaning a garden for a less active which was actually therapeutic for me! So I was excited to spend the whole day doing service! Well... the day didn't go exactly as planned hahha. We got up early and went straight to work. Sister Ignacio and I weeded and gardened for three hours at a member's house. We then had two more appointments (because our first one fell through because she forgot about us haha) but they were in the Elder's area so we waited for them to take us. Well, Elder Jarvis (the american companion) wasn't feeling well, so we ended up dropping our two appointments and running around town buying medicine, gatorade, bread, cooking soup for him, and just doing all sorts of things to help him feel better since he couldn't get out of bed. It turns out (he's in the hospital right now in Bacolod) that he has Dengue and is super super sick so pray for him! But a day when we expected to weed people's gardens all day, turned out to be a day full of different kind of service, trying to help a fellow friend. So that was kind of cool, because at the end of the day I still felt as though I had spent the day in service, even though it wasn't through the conventional way. It proved to me that service doesn't have one definition or it doesn't even need to be huge, just as long as you have a heart of service inside of you, you can still feel immense joy from serving those around you. I love this gospel and loved the opportunity to serve my Heavenly Father through serving His children!
Love y'all and miss you TONS!!
Sister Robertson
Monday, November 26, 2018
Week 19 - I got sick, but it makes me grateful
The missionary work this week was AWESOME! We found 19 new people and really worked hard. We talked to a lot of people and I just really felt the power of this work! Our super prepared person accepted a baptismal date for Dec 22!! So I am super excited about that cause he said his wife is supporting him and so hopefully she will be able to listen to us eventually too and join her husband in his life-changing decision. Well eternity-changing decision. We taught a lot of lessons and just it was a super successful week! I love this work so much!
Oh and I forgot to mention in my last letter -- the rat has created yet another hole in our wall so we need to patch that up. I really just don't think twice about sweeping cockroaches out of my apartment or wiping away little rat poops in the morning from our dishes. Like its just life here in the Philippines. Crazy how different it is but how normal it all feels right now. I am not so sure I will know how to live as an American after this hahah!!
We have a new mission rule, starting today -- 1 hour email. For my whole mission so far, there has not been a limit as long as we are using our time wisely and correctly. But now it is 1 hour and no longer. So I am trying to type as fast as I can because I am stressed about the time, but I know the Lord will bless me for being exactly obedient. As for other news, I am totally sick. It started friday night and has only gotten worse. Its just one of those lame colds, but being sick on a mission, when you are working all day makes things 100 times harder. But I figure that if I work hard WHILE being sick, thats just THAT many more blessings waiting for me right?! (: Ive kept my head up cause I know God has a perfect plan and I really haven't had any health issues so far so I am just grateful I get to have little pains to make me extra grateful for my health.
I read a talk this week from Russel M. Nelson from like the 1980's so obviously before he was the leader of the church, but I still felt his immense power and authority in his speaking. It was all about trials and how we need them in order to grow and to become better, and in reality, our suffering in this life is so short compared to eternity so he encouraged us all to just keep holding on and doing the everyday simple things like praying and trusting in our Heavenly Father's plan. There was one thing he said that I LOVE. I wrote it down in my planner, because I love it so much. He said "With celestial sight, trials impossible to change become possible to endure." SO GOOD RIGHT?! Ugh I love it. That is just so true. We can't change what we go through but we sure can change how we go through. So for anyone going through something insanely difficult right now, just remember suffering in this life helps us understand out Savior better. They help us to grow and just remember the promise in the scriptures that "your suffering will be but a small moment." Just have patience. That is what I have learned. There is no reason to be angry with God or even with others because that doesn't change the fact that you have to go through your trial. So instead of just going through your trials, GROW through your trials. I just love our prophet so much and he is an amazing speaker. I feel such a spirit when reading his words. This church is true no doubt about it. And Russell M Nelson is a true prophet called of God. I know that with all I am.
I love y'all and miss y'all TONS!
Sister Robertson
Oh and I forgot to mention in my last letter -- the rat has created yet another hole in our wall so we need to patch that up. I really just don't think twice about sweeping cockroaches out of my apartment or wiping away little rat poops in the morning from our dishes. Like its just life here in the Philippines. Crazy how different it is but how normal it all feels right now. I am not so sure I will know how to live as an American after this hahah!!
We have a new mission rule, starting today -- 1 hour email. For my whole mission so far, there has not been a limit as long as we are using our time wisely and correctly. But now it is 1 hour and no longer. So I am trying to type as fast as I can because I am stressed about the time, but I know the Lord will bless me for being exactly obedient. As for other news, I am totally sick. It started friday night and has only gotten worse. Its just one of those lame colds, but being sick on a mission, when you are working all day makes things 100 times harder. But I figure that if I work hard WHILE being sick, thats just THAT many more blessings waiting for me right?! (: Ive kept my head up cause I know God has a perfect plan and I really haven't had any health issues so far so I am just grateful I get to have little pains to make me extra grateful for my health.
I read a talk this week from Russel M. Nelson from like the 1980's so obviously before he was the leader of the church, but I still felt his immense power and authority in his speaking. It was all about trials and how we need them in order to grow and to become better, and in reality, our suffering in this life is so short compared to eternity so he encouraged us all to just keep holding on and doing the everyday simple things like praying and trusting in our Heavenly Father's plan. There was one thing he said that I LOVE. I wrote it down in my planner, because I love it so much. He said "With celestial sight, trials impossible to change become possible to endure." SO GOOD RIGHT?! Ugh I love it. That is just so true. We can't change what we go through but we sure can change how we go through. So for anyone going through something insanely difficult right now, just remember suffering in this life helps us understand out Savior better. They help us to grow and just remember the promise in the scriptures that "your suffering will be but a small moment." Just have patience. That is what I have learned. There is no reason to be angry with God or even with others because that doesn't change the fact that you have to go through your trial. So instead of just going through your trials, GROW through your trials. I just love our prophet so much and he is an amazing speaker. I feel such a spirit when reading his words. This church is true no doubt about it. And Russell M Nelson is a true prophet called of God. I know that with all I am.
I love y'all and miss y'all TONS!
Sister Robertson
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| hahhah i mixed some cement this week which reminded me of fiji!!! |
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| we had SHRIMP!! it was sooooo yummy. |
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| we had a fun primary activity that we were in charge of and the kids were so cute! sac races!! |
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| beautiful sunset |
Monday, November 19, 2018
Week 18 - A "Texas" thunderstorm
As for me, and my week, it started off kind of slow and not a lot of lessons were taught. Sister Melgaso and I set "2 new people a day" goal and one day, didn't even teach 2 lessons. It was kind of a hard day. But then! Miracles began to happen. Friday, we started off the day "OYM'ing" where we talk to a bunch of people and try to share. Well, our efforts totally worked and we found SEVEN new people that day! What a glorious day. And then Saturday we found THREE more, making our numbers 12 for the week. We were pretty happy and we were glad that Sister Melgaso's last few days were counted as major successes(: And then last night, we had a "PIESTA" consisting of lots of food that we didn't even come close to finishing. We had sweet spaghetti (cause thats the philipino way) and french toast (dry cause no maple syrup here) and then Mango Floats which are super yum and I will definitely be making those for y'all when I come back to the States. Of course, it's always heartbreaking saying goodbye (which seems like for forever since they live in a different country) to my companions. And it's always scary getting a new companion, but I know its God-led(:
My new companion, her name is Sister Ignacio AND SHE ALSO HAS SIX WEEKS LEFT!! WHAAAA. I will be sending YET ANOTHER missionary home. I don't know what President Sumagpao is doing to my heart! So rude;) But anyways, this probably means I will be in Sipalay for at least two more transfers. So maybe Sipalay mission for me(;
In other news, one of the people we are teaching, we went to teach, and he went inside his house to get his Libro ni Mormon, and never came out. So he totally hid from us, which broke my heart. He wouldn't come out again and we haven't seen him since. But a different person we are teaching ACCEPTED A BAPTISMAL DATE yesterday!! He's sooooo prepared and so awesome. He is a father who wants his whole family to join the church so that's wayyy exciting. His answer to our invitation to get baptized was so enthusiastic. He came to church yesterday and stayed all three hours and loved it(: So strong.
This week's weather has been pretty moody. It's been pretty hot, but then Wednesday out of the blue, it POURED. Harder than it's ever poured before. And of course thats the day I forgot my umbrella at the house, so basically I got SOAKED from head to toe. That was the day we found no one to teach so hahha that was an interesting day, but it reminded me of Texas, so I kind of enjoyed it(: I love Texas and totally miss the thunderstorms there! But this storm was a pretty good comparison so it filled my texan heart(:
Other than that, we had Zone Conference this past Thursday which was SUPER uplifting. I love hearing from my leaders and fellow missionaries. They talked a lot about obedience, which I always love to hear about cause I am constantly looking for ways to be more exactly obedient to the standards of the mission(: I love the saying "Obedience brings blessings, but exact obedience brings miracles." I have seen that ring true on my mission. Every time I strive to be more exactly obedient, new miracles come into my life. I am constantly witnessing miracles everyday, which is so amazing. After all, success doesn't happen by mistake, but rather by our works. I know that's true. I love this work. It's hard but SO rewarding. It is insane how much happiness comes from little successes on a mission. Just such a testimony of the truthfulness and power of this work that I get to be a part of. I love this mission and I love everyday I get to become better!
I love you family more than anything in the WORLD. I miss y'all everyday, truly. But I know I am here to focus on others so that's what I am trying to do(:
Sister Robertson
My new companion, her name is Sister Ignacio AND SHE ALSO HAS SIX WEEKS LEFT!! WHAAAA. I will be sending YET ANOTHER missionary home. I don't know what President Sumagpao is doing to my heart! So rude;) But anyways, this probably means I will be in Sipalay for at least two more transfers. So maybe Sipalay mission for me(;
In other news, one of the people we are teaching, we went to teach, and he went inside his house to get his Libro ni Mormon, and never came out. So he totally hid from us, which broke my heart. He wouldn't come out again and we haven't seen him since. But a different person we are teaching ACCEPTED A BAPTISMAL DATE yesterday!! He's sooooo prepared and so awesome. He is a father who wants his whole family to join the church so that's wayyy exciting. His answer to our invitation to get baptized was so enthusiastic. He came to church yesterday and stayed all three hours and loved it(: So strong.
This week's weather has been pretty moody. It's been pretty hot, but then Wednesday out of the blue, it POURED. Harder than it's ever poured before. And of course thats the day I forgot my umbrella at the house, so basically I got SOAKED from head to toe. That was the day we found no one to teach so hahha that was an interesting day, but it reminded me of Texas, so I kind of enjoyed it(: I love Texas and totally miss the thunderstorms there! But this storm was a pretty good comparison so it filled my texan heart(:
Other than that, we had Zone Conference this past Thursday which was SUPER uplifting. I love hearing from my leaders and fellow missionaries. They talked a lot about obedience, which I always love to hear about cause I am constantly looking for ways to be more exactly obedient to the standards of the mission(: I love the saying "Obedience brings blessings, but exact obedience brings miracles." I have seen that ring true on my mission. Every time I strive to be more exactly obedient, new miracles come into my life. I am constantly witnessing miracles everyday, which is so amazing. After all, success doesn't happen by mistake, but rather by our works. I know that's true. I love this work. It's hard but SO rewarding. It is insane how much happiness comes from little successes on a mission. Just such a testimony of the truthfulness and power of this work that I get to be a part of. I love this mission and I love everyday I get to become better!
I love you family more than anything in the WORLD. I miss y'all everyday, truly. But I know I am here to focus on others so that's what I am trying to do(:
Sister Robertson
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| here was us trying to show how stormy it was but you cant even tell how hard its pouring and how completelyyyy soaked i am! |
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| more soakyness |
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| SOAKED |
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| PIESTA YUM!! We barely ate anything compared to how much we made hahha |
Monday, November 12, 2018
Week 17 - We had rats
Yes, we had rats. We have had rats for about four weeks now. We found three different holes in the walls where rats have been coming in and eating our food. Which is difficult as a missionary when every piece of food is precious because we don't have money to just easily replace food eaten by the rats. We tried, Sister Melgaso and I, to plug up the holes by ourselves and it didn't take long for the rat to figure out how to get past our plugs. So finally, we asked the help of the branch president here, and he came in like a hero and put some strong metal boards in front of the holes, so now we are officially rat free! What a reason to rejoice!! Seriously, it feels so nice to go to bed knowing there won't be rats scurrying around in our apartment. Thank goodness for President Ramirez(: Lifesaver. Rats apparently like bread and bananas so watch out;) But yeah it was pretty gross but all taken care of now, so it's all good. Just praying that won't be an issue again.
Our week over here in Sipalay was pretty slow. We got rejected a lot and didn't teach much, and only had a few new people to teach. But I love our companionship that doesn't give up! We still go to work even if it isn't super successful all the time and we try to stay very positive about it all. The reality of it, is, God has a perfect plan so everything that happens in a day is supposed to happen that way, so once we can realize that reality, hard things become a little easier. God has perfect timing and he is doing His part to prepare the people that need to be prepared, so as long as we are out working hard and trying, that is as much as we can do. There is one pastor, Ben, who presides over the "Assembly of God" congregation. He's pretty cute. He's like 63 and just loves our visits. He loves for us to go back and forth sharing our different beliefs and comparing them. This week, we taught him a few times and he said "You have only been here for 3 months?? It's like you are a Philipina!! Because you're so good at the language!" Hahah it was cute and I appreciated his comment that I am like a Philipina cause obviously I am very far from it, but it is always nice to have reassurance that the people I am teaching, not only understand me, but feel like I am fluent enough to be a resident here(: It's kind of crazy if I think about it, that I am just living across the world in a country where literally no one speaks my language. I don't feel that way most of the time, because I can communicate what I want to say, but sometimes I remember that no one here speaks my language and every time I speak to people here, I am speaking in a language I didn't even know one word of four months ago! God is pretty remarkable, if you ask me.
This is Sister Melgaso's last week here on her mission. Weird dejavu or something;) hahah but it's always sad to me to part after 6 weeks. Feels like 6 weeks is just enough time to get into a groove and really start feeling comfortable with how each other lives life and how each other teaches. So right after you get comfortable, everything changes. Sounds about right hahha. That's life. But I have enjoyed her company and her willingness to work hard even though her mission is coming to a close. We have set some goals this week to make her last week unforgettable and meaningful, so I am excited to head into this week with those goals! Goals help miracles come about for sure. I will definitely miss her and getting a new companion is a scary experience every time, but President Sumagpao is super spirit-led, so I know I will have the right person put in my path. Transfer day is emotional! My brothers did not warn me how emotional transfers is! Hahha probably because the elders don't have a hard time splitting. Sisters have a very different experience on transfer day(:
Yesterday (which this happens often), I walked into Sacrament meeting where I was greeted by the Branch President, asking me to speak in sacrament. Of course, I am happy to help out, since our branch struggles to fill in the hour of sacrament meeting every Sunday. So I pulled out my notes, where I had written a short talk in Hiligaynon just in case he asked me again, because again, this has happened before. So I gave my whole talk in Hiligaynon, and I think I was understood(: But I talked about trials and why we have them. President Henry B. Eyring gave a great talk in 2004 "In the Strength of the Lord" all about why we have trials. He basically says it's because we have a Heavenly Father who loves us. That's why. We would literally not be able to return to His presence if we didn't have trials. Trials help us progress and help us get closer to receiving Eternal Life. So that was a good reminder for me that we need hard times in our lives to get back to heaven, which of course I want. And I'm sure when I get to heaven, anything I did to get there will be worth it. So we just got to work hard and hold on until then(: It'll all be worth it, no matter how hard life gets. It'll be worth it for that glorious day when we will be perfected and have no hurt and no infirmities. SO JUST HOLD ON!!
I love you all so much and am so insanely grateful for yall's support to me here on my mission. I couldn't do it without you. I miss y'all lots, like lots and lots, but I know I am doing good here.
Sister Robertson
Our week over here in Sipalay was pretty slow. We got rejected a lot and didn't teach much, and only had a few new people to teach. But I love our companionship that doesn't give up! We still go to work even if it isn't super successful all the time and we try to stay very positive about it all. The reality of it, is, God has a perfect plan so everything that happens in a day is supposed to happen that way, so once we can realize that reality, hard things become a little easier. God has perfect timing and he is doing His part to prepare the people that need to be prepared, so as long as we are out working hard and trying, that is as much as we can do. There is one pastor, Ben, who presides over the "Assembly of God" congregation. He's pretty cute. He's like 63 and just loves our visits. He loves for us to go back and forth sharing our different beliefs and comparing them. This week, we taught him a few times and he said "You have only been here for 3 months?? It's like you are a Philipina!! Because you're so good at the language!" Hahah it was cute and I appreciated his comment that I am like a Philipina cause obviously I am very far from it, but it is always nice to have reassurance that the people I am teaching, not only understand me, but feel like I am fluent enough to be a resident here(: It's kind of crazy if I think about it, that I am just living across the world in a country where literally no one speaks my language. I don't feel that way most of the time, because I can communicate what I want to say, but sometimes I remember that no one here speaks my language and every time I speak to people here, I am speaking in a language I didn't even know one word of four months ago! God is pretty remarkable, if you ask me.
This is Sister Melgaso's last week here on her mission. Weird dejavu or something;) hahah but it's always sad to me to part after 6 weeks. Feels like 6 weeks is just enough time to get into a groove and really start feeling comfortable with how each other lives life and how each other teaches. So right after you get comfortable, everything changes. Sounds about right hahha. That's life. But I have enjoyed her company and her willingness to work hard even though her mission is coming to a close. We have set some goals this week to make her last week unforgettable and meaningful, so I am excited to head into this week with those goals! Goals help miracles come about for sure. I will definitely miss her and getting a new companion is a scary experience every time, but President Sumagpao is super spirit-led, so I know I will have the right person put in my path. Transfer day is emotional! My brothers did not warn me how emotional transfers is! Hahha probably because the elders don't have a hard time splitting. Sisters have a very different experience on transfer day(:
Yesterday (which this happens often), I walked into Sacrament meeting where I was greeted by the Branch President, asking me to speak in sacrament. Of course, I am happy to help out, since our branch struggles to fill in the hour of sacrament meeting every Sunday. So I pulled out my notes, where I had written a short talk in Hiligaynon just in case he asked me again, because again, this has happened before. So I gave my whole talk in Hiligaynon, and I think I was understood(: But I talked about trials and why we have them. President Henry B. Eyring gave a great talk in 2004 "In the Strength of the Lord" all about why we have trials. He basically says it's because we have a Heavenly Father who loves us. That's why. We would literally not be able to return to His presence if we didn't have trials. Trials help us progress and help us get closer to receiving Eternal Life. So that was a good reminder for me that we need hard times in our lives to get back to heaven, which of course I want. And I'm sure when I get to heaven, anything I did to get there will be worth it. So we just got to work hard and hold on until then(: It'll all be worth it, no matter how hard life gets. It'll be worth it for that glorious day when we will be perfected and have no hurt and no infirmities. SO JUST HOLD ON!!
I love you all so much and am so insanely grateful for yall's support to me here on my mission. I couldn't do it without you. I miss y'all lots, like lots and lots, but I know I am doing good here.
Sister Robertson
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| some members that fed us this week (: |
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| Companionship unity at its finest (: accidental matching! |
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| oh yes this sweet friend decided to join us in our study room. GROSS SO HUGE, bigger than my hand |
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| I made lumpia all by myself this week! IM A PHILIPINO!!! Hahah they turned out super yum so get ready fam for some awesome lumpia when i get home!! |
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| We had a brown out this week (theyre called brown outs here not black outs) while we were cooking and it got superrr hot in our apartment, but this was our solution hahha! Spotlight on the cook! |
Monday, November 5, 2018
Week 16 - Our first baptism!
As for this week- GUYS I HAD MY FIRST BAPTISM AHH!! My heart is skipping right now just saying it. I finally, through the spirit and a lot of help from Heavenly Father, brought someone into His fold through the covenant of baptism and receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost. So yeah I will tell you her story. Her name is Princess. (Her real name is Sheryl but a common name here in the Philippines is Princess and that is what everyone calls her). She is eight years old, although next month she will turn 9. None of her family are members, even though we are working with them. But I first met her when I was on exchanges the first time, and she was so sweet. Kind of shy but everyone is here so nothing new. Every time we would come to her house to teach her, she would run out practically skipping and greet us with a firm handshake. She loved hearing about the gospel! She had a baptismal date in like June, but didn't get permission from her parents, so the missionaries kind of lightened up on teaching her. But this time around, she really wanted it so we decided to talk to her father. It is hard to talk to him, though, because he works all day and then comes home at night and immediately starts drinking. So this past Monday, we prayed and prayed we would be able to talk to him and that he wouldn't be drunk. Well, our prayers were answered. We showed up and he was completely sober and willing to talk to us. We eventually got his permission and then we prayed all week that they would continue to support her in her decision. She had come to church four times in a row by herself, which isn't easy for an 8 year old. But she felt the truth of the gospel. So Saturday came, and we went to pick her up for her baptism and she ran out all ready to go, 20 minutes earlier than we expected her to be ready. She was wearing a brand new dress that she got just for her baptism(: She came out skipping and then after she got baptized, she couldn't stop smiling and said she felt happiness. So stinking cute!! So that is my first soul I brought closer to salvation on my mission(: So much happiness. I don't think I have ever been happier than seeing her come out of the water and then seeing her get the holy ghost the next day. This gospel is so true! Any hurt I may have been feeling, or any difficulty on my mission, seemed to be wiped away seeing someone enter into the waters of baptism because of my doing. I love this work!!
That was really the highlight of my week as you can imagine. We also got our support on time this time so that was another highlight(: Its been raining on and off here. It'll be super hot for most of the day and then all of a sudden start pouring rain. Oh Sipalay(: I am making progress in the language everyday and getting more and more comfortable every day. Oh also! We got a referral and he is SUPER prepared. Like asked a million questions (which is how you can tell if someone is really interested or not) and read the whole pamphlet we gave him and remembered to ask about the restoration and just wanted to know every detail! He is super prepared and I am so excited to see how things turn out for him! He also has a family so that is very good. Happy days!
As for my spiritual insight, I just want to say I LOVE ALMA 26. I think it's my mission chapter. It's Ammon speaking about how hard missions are (which the missions of the Sons of Mosiah were way harder than mine) but how much we have to rejoice in the Lord. He says over and over how much we have to rejoice over because God is so good. And that is SO TRUE. That is exactly how I feel. I want to proclaim it to the entire world how true this gospel is. I wish everyone could feel how amazing it is like I do everyday. If everyone understood the doctrine of the gospel and how happy it makes them like I do, people would be lining up at the font, because I know this church is the one true church on the earth and wow it just makes me so happy. Even the best missionaries in the Book of Mormon, the Sons of Mosiah, got depressed and wanted to go home. Feeling heavy because missions are hard are normal. And Alma 26 reminded me of that. BUT if we have patience in our afflictions, God will make it all worth it. But WOW my favorite scripture in that chapter IS SO GOOD! GET READY!! Hahaha it's truly just such an accurate description of how I feel about this gospel. It's Alma 26:16, which reads "Therefore, let us glory, yea, we will glory in the Lord; yea, we will rejoice, for our joy is full; yea, we will praise our God forever. Behold, who can glory too much in the Lord? Yea, who can say too much of his great power, and of his mercy, and of his long-suffering towards the children of men? Behold, I say unto you, I cannot say the smallest part which I feel." Like wow right? I literally cried in companionship study when talking about that verse.
It's so true. I cannot even say half or part of how grateful I am for this gospel and for my Savior, Jesus Christ. He does sooo much for me. Has has done so much for me. And he continues to be so good to me even though I am so weak, just as verse 12 says. Just everything I feel, Ammon conveys so well in that chapter. Yeah missions are hard. This is the hardest thing I have ever done, but how amazing the Lord is everyday! He watches out for me and constantly sends his love my way. I am so so so so grateful for my knowledge of the truth. I am so so so grateful for my Heavenly Father and Savior, Jesus Christ who are so merciful to such a weakling like me. Every hard thing is worth it in life because we have a loving father and loving brother who cares for us so deeply. Anyways, I could talk forever about it, but I don't want to make this a novel. But truly. I am so insanely happy that I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. There is nowhere else on this earth where you can find so much happiness. And I know that because I am living it everyday. I see the happiness it is bringing this people in the Philippines. I love this gospel. And I can't say that enough.
I love you family!! I love every one of you back home who is supporting me!! I miss you all deeply. Keep spreading the light to the world!
Sister Robertson
That was really the highlight of my week as you can imagine. We also got our support on time this time so that was another highlight(: Its been raining on and off here. It'll be super hot for most of the day and then all of a sudden start pouring rain. Oh Sipalay(: I am making progress in the language everyday and getting more and more comfortable every day. Oh also! We got a referral and he is SUPER prepared. Like asked a million questions (which is how you can tell if someone is really interested or not) and read the whole pamphlet we gave him and remembered to ask about the restoration and just wanted to know every detail! He is super prepared and I am so excited to see how things turn out for him! He also has a family so that is very good. Happy days!
As for my spiritual insight, I just want to say I LOVE ALMA 26. I think it's my mission chapter. It's Ammon speaking about how hard missions are (which the missions of the Sons of Mosiah were way harder than mine) but how much we have to rejoice in the Lord. He says over and over how much we have to rejoice over because God is so good. And that is SO TRUE. That is exactly how I feel. I want to proclaim it to the entire world how true this gospel is. I wish everyone could feel how amazing it is like I do everyday. If everyone understood the doctrine of the gospel and how happy it makes them like I do, people would be lining up at the font, because I know this church is the one true church on the earth and wow it just makes me so happy. Even the best missionaries in the Book of Mormon, the Sons of Mosiah, got depressed and wanted to go home. Feeling heavy because missions are hard are normal. And Alma 26 reminded me of that. BUT if we have patience in our afflictions, God will make it all worth it. But WOW my favorite scripture in that chapter IS SO GOOD! GET READY!! Hahaha it's truly just such an accurate description of how I feel about this gospel. It's Alma 26:16, which reads "Therefore, let us glory, yea, we will glory in the Lord; yea, we will rejoice, for our joy is full; yea, we will praise our God forever. Behold, who can glory too much in the Lord? Yea, who can say too much of his great power, and of his mercy, and of his long-suffering towards the children of men? Behold, I say unto you, I cannot say the smallest part which I feel." Like wow right? I literally cried in companionship study when talking about that verse.
It's so true. I cannot even say half or part of how grateful I am for this gospel and for my Savior, Jesus Christ. He does sooo much for me. Has has done so much for me. And he continues to be so good to me even though I am so weak, just as verse 12 says. Just everything I feel, Ammon conveys so well in that chapter. Yeah missions are hard. This is the hardest thing I have ever done, but how amazing the Lord is everyday! He watches out for me and constantly sends his love my way. I am so so so so grateful for my knowledge of the truth. I am so so so grateful for my Heavenly Father and Savior, Jesus Christ who are so merciful to such a weakling like me. Every hard thing is worth it in life because we have a loving father and loving brother who cares for us so deeply. Anyways, I could talk forever about it, but I don't want to make this a novel. But truly. I am so insanely happy that I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. There is nowhere else on this earth where you can find so much happiness. And I know that because I am living it everyday. I see the happiness it is bringing this people in the Philippines. I love this gospel. And I can't say that enough.
I love you family!! I love every one of you back home who is supporting me!! I miss you all deeply. Keep spreading the light to the world!
Sister Robertson
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| Princess all dressed in white!! |
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| Princess and a few members and then Elder Jarvis who baptized her! |
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| Me and my companion yesterday at Church |
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| Me and my cute companion last Sunday (: |
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| I found the cutest little tiniest banana ever!!!!! It was yummy too! |
Monday, October 29, 2018
Week 15 - Our ward primary program
This week is called "Souls Day," where everyone visits their dead and "communicates" with them, so a little like Day of the Dead and a little different than our halloween. So I will miss seeing cute costumes on everyone! We will have an early curfew because of all the drunks on those days. It's funny to hear you talk about the water issues in Austin because those are two very regular things here -- boiling water to make it clean and allow us to cook in it, and rain. Two things I don't really think about anymore cause they are just part of the everyday experience. So its cute that y'all are experiencing a little of what I experience everyday!!!
I will relieve all of you who are worried by saying we did eventually get our money, and we are replenished now and eating again(: Thank you for all the prayers that made that possible! Surely a miracle(: And my blisters are healing and feeling better(:
This week, not much happened, but one funny thing did happen. So yesterday, Sunday, it was the "primary program" in our ward. I was so excited cause thats like my favorite Sunday of the whole year! So after the sacrament, the branch president got up and announced that the primary program will take place and then announced the closing hymn and closing prayer. After that, we looked around waiting for the primary to get up. It took like 5 minutes for them to gather them together which was an awkward 5 minutes cause no kids wanted to get up cause they were all very shy. They finally got up, sang like three songs very quietly (there were like 10 of them) and then two kids recited scriptures, then they all sat down. The pianist played the closing hymn, and the closing prayer was said. Hahaha so sacrament meeting was closed at 9:30, when of course its supposed to end at 10:10. and we all just looked around really confused at what to do with all the extra time, and none of the branch presidency did anything about it. So yeah, after starting 5 minutes late (because "Filipino time") we had a 25 minute sacrament meeting. And proceeded to our classes after that. Hahaha the branch is so not organized and made me grateful for our ward that is complete! Hopefully it will get better and that won't happen again cause it was very awkward!!
But other than that, we got one referral this week to someone who asked how he can join our church so thats very exciting!! Hopefully he sticks out his desire. As for people at church, no one showed up except one of our candidates who's dad wont let her get baptized because she's young or something idk so we are trying to figure that out. Everyone else with a baptismal date didn't show up to church, so not really sure what to do about that. I will keep at it(: God has perfect timing so all in his timing!!
Other than that, not a lot to update on. I am working everyday and loving the work no matter how hard or maybe disappointing it gets. I know God has a perfect plan for all His children and I feel that everyday here on the mission! I love the opportunity I have to be here and serve the people of the Philippines. Missions are the greatest opportunity of a lifetime seriously. There is nothing better in this whole world!!! Everyone needs to go on one!!! They're the best. They're not easy, but life isn't easy because salvation isn't a cheap experience!!!!! Keep up the amazing work!! I LOVE YALL!!!!
Sister Robertson
I will relieve all of you who are worried by saying we did eventually get our money, and we are replenished now and eating again(: Thank you for all the prayers that made that possible! Surely a miracle(: And my blisters are healing and feeling better(:
This week, not much happened, but one funny thing did happen. So yesterday, Sunday, it was the "primary program" in our ward. I was so excited cause thats like my favorite Sunday of the whole year! So after the sacrament, the branch president got up and announced that the primary program will take place and then announced the closing hymn and closing prayer. After that, we looked around waiting for the primary to get up. It took like 5 minutes for them to gather them together which was an awkward 5 minutes cause no kids wanted to get up cause they were all very shy. They finally got up, sang like three songs very quietly (there were like 10 of them) and then two kids recited scriptures, then they all sat down. The pianist played the closing hymn, and the closing prayer was said. Hahaha so sacrament meeting was closed at 9:30, when of course its supposed to end at 10:10. and we all just looked around really confused at what to do with all the extra time, and none of the branch presidency did anything about it. So yeah, after starting 5 minutes late (because "Filipino time") we had a 25 minute sacrament meeting. And proceeded to our classes after that. Hahaha the branch is so not organized and made me grateful for our ward that is complete! Hopefully it will get better and that won't happen again cause it was very awkward!!
But other than that, we got one referral this week to someone who asked how he can join our church so thats very exciting!! Hopefully he sticks out his desire. As for people at church, no one showed up except one of our candidates who's dad wont let her get baptized because she's young or something idk so we are trying to figure that out. Everyone else with a baptismal date didn't show up to church, so not really sure what to do about that. I will keep at it(: God has perfect timing so all in his timing!!
Other than that, not a lot to update on. I am working everyday and loving the work no matter how hard or maybe disappointing it gets. I know God has a perfect plan for all His children and I feel that everyday here on the mission! I love the opportunity I have to be here and serve the people of the Philippines. Missions are the greatest opportunity of a lifetime seriously. There is nothing better in this whole world!!! Everyone needs to go on one!!! They're the best. They're not easy, but life isn't easy because salvation isn't a cheap experience!!!!! Keep up the amazing work!! I LOVE YALL!!!!
Sister Robertson
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| Just a picture of me on the island. |
Monday, October 22, 2018
Week 14 - I ran out of money
I would like to start off with mentioning the movie "Christmas Vacation". Of course, our family knows this movie quite well. So remember the part where the daughter's eyes are shut closed because of the ice? And the dad's response is: "It's all part of the experience"? Yeah, that was my week this week. I had a very "its all part of the experience" kind of week. Hahah let me explain why.
So on top of that, our "support" or money that comes in on every 1st and 15th of the month, did not arrive on the 15th. So we put off grocery shopping, until the next day. We were super low on funds, but were patient. And then it did not arrive on the 16th so we put off grocery shopping til the next day. At this point, we had no food in our house except rice and garlic and oil. So we had fried rice (or we liked to call it that to make ourselves feel better when we ate the very little seasoned rice, but rest assured it was nothing close to actual fried rice hahha) for lunch and dinner. And then it didn't arrive the next day, so "fried rice" for lunch and dinner again. Nor the next day, nor the next day, nor the next day, and I email you now with completely empty pockets both in mission funds and my personal funds. There is no ATM in Sipalay so the cash I withdrew from Bacolod awhile ago withered away after paying rent and plete or rides from our house to the church. But, again, its all part of the experience right? Little flavored rice for lunch and dinner every day for a week? Bloody ankles? No money for groceries or really anything else? Yeah its all part of the mission experience. Hahaha I truly am not upset over it, but its been quite the week. We still have no word on when we will receive our support or if we ever will this month. So that is something to try to stay positive over(: The church is true nonetheless so thats a reason to rejoice(:
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| My sweet companion who I love |
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| We had exchanges this week and we met the owner of the kind of American restaurant! He is from California and I got to talk up a storm in English with him which is always fun(: good missionary opportunity! |
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| Here is our zone plus the Sister Training Leaders |
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| heres a pic with some of the fun sisters in my zone and Sister Training Leaders. It was a very fast taken picture so we kinda were ready and kinda not hahha |
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| This food was courtesy of our branch president!! WE WILL SURVIVE!! Such an angel honestly |
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| heres one of our like 15 times we had rice. we put meat in this one which was the very last of our money spent. it was kinda tasteless but its all good(: fried rice for daysss |
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| this is a small part of our area where we need to get in that yellow boat to cross a river! it was very pretty! |
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| of course it wouldn't be complete without a sunset picture(: |
Monday, October 15, 2018
Week 13 - The mosquitos here are killer
As for this week- WOWOWOW I LOVE GENERAL CONFERENCE!! I was on a high yesterday from all the revelation and truth that was talked about in Conference. The white screen in our building was broken on Saturday, so that meant 8 hours of conference yesterday. In four hour blocks. So yeah. That was a lot of sitting. But I literally soaked it allll up. I loved loved loved the theme of taking upon us the name of Christ. Seemed like every other speaker spoke about it. It was especially special for me as a missionary because we literally wear His name on our chest and general conference was a beautiful reminder of why that is so important to truly take upon us His name every moment of our lives. I loved reflecting on what it means to truly be a disciple of Christ and how I can represent Him in everything that I do. I loved Elder Holland's thoughts on forgiveness as well. Of course, I have no big issues with forgiveness right now but it was just such a good reminder about how much Jesus Christ went through from the persecutions to the hatred and He still found it in His heart to forgive every one of His persecutors, so if He can do that, we can easily do that as well.
I also just love how boldly President Nelson spoke of the name of the Church and we offend Christ if we use nicknames. As missionaries esp, we need to use the full name of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and honor His name through that. I love general conference so much and am sooo thankful for our modern day leaders that receive revelation for us all. I wish I could just write about every single talk but really I don't have time for that, but know that I would if I could!!! There were so many times that I just sat there thinking- wow this is the true church and there is no way it couldn't be. We have true leaders of our church with the power of God to receive revelation for us in modern times. I know that with all of my heart. If you have not watched all four sessions of conference- drop ANYTHING you are doing and GO DO IT!! You will be so blessed. Whether you are a member of this church or not, there is comfort and guidance in the words of the leaders of this church. They truly speak for Heavenly Father.
To answer your question, yes, the mosquitos here are killer. I get TONS of mosquito bites everyday. I am constantly itchy and constantly worried about getting Dengue fever cause so many white missionaries get it here. The bug bites here are so much worse than in America. They grow as big as my palm and don't go away for days. I try not to itch them so I won't have scars, but sometimes I will wake up scratching them without realizing. And for that reason, I have a huge two-inch burn on my leg because I itched it so much in my sleep. I use bug spray everyday but still get bit TONS its super annoying but I try to stay positive still(:
As for other questions you've asked, the bathrooms are really gross and I try to avoid at all costs any other bathroom except the one in our house and the ones in the churches cause they are usually cleaner and have toilet paper unlike any of the other ones. I usually do feel clean after my showers but it doesn't take long for me to feel dirty again. If I ever scratch my legs because of bites, I get a ton of dirt in my nails no matter if I just showered or not:/ But its all good. I love it here nonetheless. And no I will never think about cutting my hair end of story(: And it has been superrrr hot this week but today it is raining a ton so yeah(:
Other than that, not much happened this week. It was super sunny and I got a nice missionary tan line on my arms so thats positive cause I expect to come home black(: But I love y'all so much and love every Monday that I get to hear about your lives! Keep up the happiness!
Love,
Sister Robertson
I also just love how boldly President Nelson spoke of the name of the Church and we offend Christ if we use nicknames. As missionaries esp, we need to use the full name of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and honor His name through that. I love general conference so much and am sooo thankful for our modern day leaders that receive revelation for us all. I wish I could just write about every single talk but really I don't have time for that, but know that I would if I could!!! There were so many times that I just sat there thinking- wow this is the true church and there is no way it couldn't be. We have true leaders of our church with the power of God to receive revelation for us in modern times. I know that with all of my heart. If you have not watched all four sessions of conference- drop ANYTHING you are doing and GO DO IT!! You will be so blessed. Whether you are a member of this church or not, there is comfort and guidance in the words of the leaders of this church. They truly speak for Heavenly Father.
To answer your question, yes, the mosquitos here are killer. I get TONS of mosquito bites everyday. I am constantly itchy and constantly worried about getting Dengue fever cause so many white missionaries get it here. The bug bites here are so much worse than in America. They grow as big as my palm and don't go away for days. I try not to itch them so I won't have scars, but sometimes I will wake up scratching them without realizing. And for that reason, I have a huge two-inch burn on my leg because I itched it so much in my sleep. I use bug spray everyday but still get bit TONS its super annoying but I try to stay positive still(:
As for other questions you've asked, the bathrooms are really gross and I try to avoid at all costs any other bathroom except the one in our house and the ones in the churches cause they are usually cleaner and have toilet paper unlike any of the other ones. I usually do feel clean after my showers but it doesn't take long for me to feel dirty again. If I ever scratch my legs because of bites, I get a ton of dirt in my nails no matter if I just showered or not:/ But its all good. I love it here nonetheless. And no I will never think about cutting my hair end of story(: And it has been superrrr hot this week but today it is raining a ton so yeah(:
Other than that, not much happened this week. It was super sunny and I got a nice missionary tan line on my arms so thats positive cause I expect to come home black(: But I love y'all so much and love every Monday that I get to hear about your lives! Keep up the happiness!
Love,
Sister Robertson
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| Here is REY!!! Sister De Leon and I waited for him EVERY night for THREE WEEKS and he never showed up and then finally our persistence and diligence paid off! We found him and have taught him twice since! SUCH A MIRACLE I LOVE THIS WORK |
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| Excuse my nastyyyy leg and my nastyyy foot, I hadn't yet washed off the layer of dirt from the day, but here are just a few of the MANY bites I have on my legs. Oh and they leave scars also so thats fun. Ive never been so itchy in my life! |
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| I bet you are all sick of sunset pictures so ill just attach one this week |
Monday, October 8, 2018
Week 12 - I cried the whole week
I am soooo excited to watch general conference this weekend! Of course, because technology rules the world, word traveled veryyy fast, and I hear, within an hour of the announcement, about two-hour church. This only strengthened my testimony of the truthfulness of Russell M. Nelson as prophet. He is constantly receiving revelation for us and is so in tune with the spirit!! He is awesome! And I am excited to see how that changes the gospel-centered family on Sundays and throughout the week! It will be cool to see that implemented while I am on my mission!
So this was a week of sadness but so much happiness! So today, I said goodbye to my beloved trainer, Sister De Leon. I cried this whole week! We were a mess! We went to do weekly planning yesterday, and we, instead, did weekly crying. Not much planning occurred. Hahaha it was quite a girly cry fest. I don't know what I am thinking getting so close to foreign people who live across the world! Makes my heart ache!! But I know that we will be friends forever, because missions are amazing like that. Missions truly are forever.
But as for the week of happiness, Sister De Leon and I set a goal to find one new person to teach everyday, or else we can't go home. We wanted her last week here to be awesome. So we set that goal and totally easily accomplished it! It was so cool to see that when we set goals that are within God's goodness, He will help us accomplish them. There was one day, we almost didn't go home, but the first person we opened our mouth to, accepted the first lesson and asked us why we walk around. I got to bear my testimony that I am here walking around in a third world country, because I know this gospel is true. I know this gospel is the only true way to happiness and that every person on this earth needs this gospel. I started crying cause I love this gospel so much. It was such a powerful testimony and hopefully we will be able to teach him again. He works a lot that makes him need to travel everyday for hours and hours. But anyways, it was sooo cool to see the miracle of the Lord working in our work as we found new people to potentially save for eternity. I love this gospel so much and don't want to think about where I would be without it! It is just too good to not have! Truly, I could talk forever about how amazing this gospel is!!!
Today was transfer day, so I am in Bacolod today, so I have fast internet!! Yay!!! I got my new companion and she is from Mindanaw Philippines and her name is Sister Melgaso! It is ALSO her last 6 weeks here in the mission so I will yet again be sending my companion home. I will be leading the area so I am excited about that! She seems super sweet and I am excited to see how the Lord needs me to serve her! I know every one of my companions is who the Lord wants for me! So I am excited to learn lots from her these next 6 weeks.
This week, I finished the Book of Mormon AND Jesus the Christ!! I read Jesus the Christ in 24 days and The Book of Mormon in 2 1/2 months. I love both of those books so much. Like sooo much. I loved reading about my Savior and learning more about all his miracles and sacrifices for us that he did. The most astonishing thing to me that I learned while reading the 735 page book called Jesus the Christ, is just how selfless our brother, our Savior is. He went through the most horrible kinds of torture again and again and mocking and hatred, and yet, he failed not to look outwards and find opportunities to serve. After he went through the most deepest and darkest pain in Gethsemane, he healed one of the guards ears that had been cut off under Peter's anger. He healed a guard that was taking Him to His death. That is so amazing and I want to be like that.
There are countless stories in the Book of Mormon about how charity and obedience brings exaltation and obviously disobedience and pride bring damnation. Without charity, we cannot enter into the Kingdom of God. Without charity, it is as if we are nothing. That is so powerful to me. I want to become more like my Savior by becoming more charitable. I want to, when people hurt my feelings and treat me horribly, turn outwards and serve them. I did that once here about a week ago, where I was feeling angry feelings and wanting to be heard, but instead I got up, wiped my tears, and asked how I could help and found different ways to serve. I immediately felt happier and my tears were dried up and replaced with happiness. I know turning outwards, no matter how much justice you want for someone else's wrongs, will bless you immensely. Try to think about how Jesus would act in that situation and the answer will always be "turn outwards." I love this gospel and if you are not reading the Book of Mormon everyday, DO IT. And if you have not read Jesus the Christ, DO IT. NOW.
I love y'all so much and I am so so thankful for my wonderful family that will be with me forever and ever through the Atonement of my wonderful Redeemer, Jesus Christ.
Love,
Sister Robertson
So this was a week of sadness but so much happiness! So today, I said goodbye to my beloved trainer, Sister De Leon. I cried this whole week! We were a mess! We went to do weekly planning yesterday, and we, instead, did weekly crying. Not much planning occurred. Hahaha it was quite a girly cry fest. I don't know what I am thinking getting so close to foreign people who live across the world! Makes my heart ache!! But I know that we will be friends forever, because missions are amazing like that. Missions truly are forever.
But as for the week of happiness, Sister De Leon and I set a goal to find one new person to teach everyday, or else we can't go home. We wanted her last week here to be awesome. So we set that goal and totally easily accomplished it! It was so cool to see that when we set goals that are within God's goodness, He will help us accomplish them. There was one day, we almost didn't go home, but the first person we opened our mouth to, accepted the first lesson and asked us why we walk around. I got to bear my testimony that I am here walking around in a third world country, because I know this gospel is true. I know this gospel is the only true way to happiness and that every person on this earth needs this gospel. I started crying cause I love this gospel so much. It was such a powerful testimony and hopefully we will be able to teach him again. He works a lot that makes him need to travel everyday for hours and hours. But anyways, it was sooo cool to see the miracle of the Lord working in our work as we found new people to potentially save for eternity. I love this gospel so much and don't want to think about where I would be without it! It is just too good to not have! Truly, I could talk forever about how amazing this gospel is!!!
Today was transfer day, so I am in Bacolod today, so I have fast internet!! Yay!!! I got my new companion and she is from Mindanaw Philippines and her name is Sister Melgaso! It is ALSO her last 6 weeks here in the mission so I will yet again be sending my companion home. I will be leading the area so I am excited about that! She seems super sweet and I am excited to see how the Lord needs me to serve her! I know every one of my companions is who the Lord wants for me! So I am excited to learn lots from her these next 6 weeks.
This week, I finished the Book of Mormon AND Jesus the Christ!! I read Jesus the Christ in 24 days and The Book of Mormon in 2 1/2 months. I love both of those books so much. Like sooo much. I loved reading about my Savior and learning more about all his miracles and sacrifices for us that he did. The most astonishing thing to me that I learned while reading the 735 page book called Jesus the Christ, is just how selfless our brother, our Savior is. He went through the most horrible kinds of torture again and again and mocking and hatred, and yet, he failed not to look outwards and find opportunities to serve. After he went through the most deepest and darkest pain in Gethsemane, he healed one of the guards ears that had been cut off under Peter's anger. He healed a guard that was taking Him to His death. That is so amazing and I want to be like that.
There are countless stories in the Book of Mormon about how charity and obedience brings exaltation and obviously disobedience and pride bring damnation. Without charity, we cannot enter into the Kingdom of God. Without charity, it is as if we are nothing. That is so powerful to me. I want to become more like my Savior by becoming more charitable. I want to, when people hurt my feelings and treat me horribly, turn outwards and serve them. I did that once here about a week ago, where I was feeling angry feelings and wanting to be heard, but instead I got up, wiped my tears, and asked how I could help and found different ways to serve. I immediately felt happier and my tears were dried up and replaced with happiness. I know turning outwards, no matter how much justice you want for someone else's wrongs, will bless you immensely. Try to think about how Jesus would act in that situation and the answer will always be "turn outwards." I love this gospel and if you are not reading the Book of Mormon everyday, DO IT. And if you have not read Jesus the Christ, DO IT. NOW.
I love y'all so much and I am so so thankful for my wonderful family that will be with me forever and ever through the Atonement of my wonderful Redeemer, Jesus Christ.
Love,
Sister Robertson
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| Our last week together |
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| My new companion |
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| In the striped pink shirt, is one of our new investigators. And then the rest are people we already teach. We taught four different lessons in one hour! |
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| This was us with shiny eyes because we just cried hahaha. Our last night together :( |
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| Branch president and his wife |
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| Matoy and us! He is a fisherman and its really hard for him to come to church because of prime fishing time but he did! |
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| Our Sunday Best |
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| Another one of our new investigators. Her name is Lordes and she feels happy during our lessons |
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| Our cute branch threw a going away party for Sister De Leon! |
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| Our cute new investigator Ben Daito. He is a pastor and so so active in our lessons |
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| this is me doing my wall sit while peeling potatoes hahha. So I usually read Jesus the Christ while I do wall sits every morning or the Book of Mormon, but this morning, Sister De Leon needed my help with breakfast so I helped her while doing my wallsit hahha. I have gotten up to a 3 1/2 minute wallsit!!!! |
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| these were the cute nanay's cooking a lot of food for sis de leon's farewell |
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| Late night selfie. We wanted to take a lot of pictures this week for our last week together |
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| golden hour selfie hahha |
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| You asked for pictures of my apartment. Here you go. This is our living space. |
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| Here is our room! Right is my bed and left is Sis De Leon's (: |
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| This is our office space (: |
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| Our bathroom |
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| Our Shower |
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| Our sink and stove |
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| An obligatory sunset picture. I could take these every day. They're so beautiful |
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