Pero I am glad kamo (y'all) are getting some rest time. (Also at the MTC, they are shoving it down our throats to "SYL" which means "speak your language" so we must ask permission to speak in english as well as use as much hiligaynon as we can in our sentences so it is really weird to type in all english and I feel naughty doing it hahahha I asked one of my kaupod if I could speak Inggles to you so at least I got permission) Anyways, I do not remember what it is like to have "rest time" because for the past like two months, I have been going going going and it will be like this at least for 18 more months. But I absolutely love it. I would not wish for any more down time than I have, because I am constantly learning and constantly growing. I love that y'all are eating healthy. For every meal I can, I have been doing low carbs and I already feel happier and lighter (literally). So it makes me malipayan (happy) as well as motivated to know you are doing it with me!!
And I am glad you liked my video!! Sister Bergman and I laughed that mom has shown it to everyone, because we watched it ourselves yesterday, and it is such beginner stuff that we barely knew what we were saying but now could say so much more. I can not even express to you how real the gift of tongues is. I know so much and have memorized the First Vision, Moroni 10:5, the baptismal invitation, and Our Purpose as missionaries. As well as a bunch of vocab kag (and) tasks, meaning I can testify, share a scripture, extend an invitation and follow up, kag more. It is just amazing that it has only been a week and I can teach a whole lesson without having to just memorize a bunch of lines.
Speaking of, me and ko mga kaupod (my companions) have taught like lima (5) lessons to our investigator, Julius. So tyler and matt may know this, but they tell you it is a real investigator so you will take it seriously and being the trusting person that I am, I totally deeply believed it so we took it very seriously. But they pay members to be investigators (when it is in a different language other than english) and we found that out yesterday, when our "investigator" came into our classroom and put on his MTC teacher badge hahah. We all kinda had a fit and felt betrayed because all our other teachers kept telling us he was real. But "Julius" was one of this teacher's investigators in the Philippines so the concerns the teacher was bringing up in our lessons were actually someone's concerns. And this teacher told us he integrated some of the problems and questions he had as well, so it really did help him and increase his faith in God. ANYWAYS on wednesday, which ended up being our last lesson with him, we taught the First Vision and HOLY SMOKES guys I have never felt the spirit testify of the truthfulness of something so strongly before. It was absolutely amazing. He started crying and told us through these lessons, he has felt the love of God through us. It was just the most amazing thing in the world. I love missionary work, it is so real. My companions and I just were beaming. The quotes that say teaching about the first vision automatically brings the spirit is SOOO true. It is all so true: the gospel, Joseph Smith, the pagbayad-sala ni Jesucristo (atonement of Jesus Christ), all of it!!!
I love it here. There is no bad in the MTC. If there is every a hard time, it is only a learning experience and a way to get closer to God through relying on him. And to me, that means there is no bad at all. There has been one day in particular that has brought me to my knees in prayer asking God to give me more Christ-like love in my heart and I have felt His answers already. I do not look back on that day wishing it was different, because I gained more of Christ in my life that day, and that is a beautiful thing. I love my district soooo much and I know we are going to get so close because we already are on our way. I love saying hello in hiligaynon to everyone on campus as they just give me a blank stare because they have no idea what I said hahaha. I love everything here. I am so happy.
And WOW Texas is hot. That is insane. No one here knows about visa's because apparently the Philippines JUST changed their criteria for getting a visa so the mission office has been really behind with Philipino visas, because of that change. Sooo we are all just relying on the Lord because his plan is perfect and I know it will all turn out just as it needs to.
As for any more things I need, a few tide pods would be helpful, so I don't have to buy them every time at laundry. Also, maybe more G2 pens or just pens in general because I realized I will run out of ink quickly. I write a lot here. Weird how that works when technology isn't everywhere around you. Full size scissors are something I do not have either. But all of those things are really not necessary, just a few thoughts during the week. But please do not feel obligated whatsoever for any of them. Thank you for being awesome mom. You are always so thoughtful.
And aw Elise's EFY experience makes me so happy. AND "The Savior Stood Beside Me" was sung this past week and I cried because I love that song so much, so thank you mom for bringing that up. I did not even know you knew that about me but Sister Bergman and I agreed it is like our favorite song ever. Just really makes you contemplate how you would act if you could see him standing near you. I know I would be better for sure, so I want to remember that as I go throughout my days.
Oh man, that is so sad about Pio. Seriously. I did not know him very well, but the few conversations I had with him, I could feel his sweet spirit within him. I always loved that he showed up in jeans and shirts, yet the members of our ward never even gave a second thought to it. Just loved him for who he was. He will be missed, but I know he is so happy in Paradise right now.
Okay final thing I must tell you. Me and ko mga kaupod were sitting next to some elders at dinner, and HAHAH we got talking about where we went to school and mascots and one of the elders go "My school mascot is the darts" and I DIED. I was like no way I wish I could show you this stand-up bit. And I told him all about it and of course he is from Utah so it was the same darts in that video and I kept going "the pointy ones" with the hand motions. Anyways, he got a kick out of it and I told him I would tell my pamilya that and he said go ahead. Pretty funny.
I will end with a small message. One of my favorite things I have heard here (even thought there is so much to choose from) is "Pray like everything depends on God and work like everything depends on you". I just think that is so profound and I want to be that kind of a person. Of course, both God and you have an impact on your life, but if you keep the mindset while praying that everything depends on God, those prayers will be the most powerful prayers ever. And if you work like everything depends on you, you will witness miracles, because miracles happen when you work your hardest, because God loves rewarding those who do their part. Anyways, thought I would share that.
Here is my simple, yet very real testimony:
Kabalo ako nga matuod ang simbahan. Kabalo ako nga matuod si Joseph Smith kag Jesucristo. Kabalo ako nga Manluluwas si Jesucristo. Sa ngalan ni Jesucristo, amen.
(I know that the church is true. I know that Joseph Smithg and Jesus Christ are real. I know that Jesus Christ is the Savior. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen)
Sa pagpalangga (with love),
Sister Robertson
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| Picture of ko mga kaupod (me and my companions) pointing to Bacolod! |
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| Picture of my district with "Julius" / Brother Rutherford (he is the one with curly black hair with the white nametag) |
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| Sunset from the MTC (because you know me) |
