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

hahhah i mixed some cement this week which reminded me of fiji!!!

we had SHRIMP!! it was sooooo yummy.

we had a fun primary activity that we were in charge of and the kids were so cute! sac races!!

beautiful sunset

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

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!

more soakyness

SOAKED

PIESTA YUM!! We barely ate anything compared to how much we made hahha

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

some members that fed us this week (:

Companionship unity at its finest (: accidental matching!

oh yes this sweet friend decided to join us in our study room. GROSS SO HUGE, bigger than my hand

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!!

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!

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

Princess all dressed in white!!

Princess and a few members and then Elder Jarvis who baptized her!

Me and my companion yesterday at Church

Me and my cute companion last Sunday (:

I found the cutest little tiniest banana ever!!!!! It was yummy too!