For behold the field is white already to harvest ...

Today I feel healthy pride in knowing that my dear daughter is serving God with dedication and devotion. Also know that her testimony about this work is growing and becoming stronger.

Now behold, a marvelous work is about to come forth among the children of men.

 Therefore, O ye that embark in the service of God, see that ye serve him with all your heart, might, mind and strength, that ye may stand blameless before God at the last day.

 Therefore, if ye have desires to serve God ye are called to the work;

 For behold the field is white already to harvest; and lo, he that thrusteth in his sickle with his might, the same layeth up in store that he perisheth not, but bringeth salvation to his soul;

 And faith, hope, charity and love, with an eye single to the glory of God, qualify him for the work.

 Remember faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, brotherly kindness, godliness, charity, humility, diligence.

 Ask, and ye shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. Amen.

 

Hoy siento sano orgullo al saber que mi querida hija esta sirviendo a Dios con dedicación y devoción. Además de saber que su testimonio sobre esta obra está creciendo y haciendose fuerte

He aquí, una obra maravillosa está a punto de aparecer entre los hijos de los hombres.
  Por tanto, oh vosotros que os embarcáis en el servicio de Dios, mirad que le sirváis con todo vuestro corazón, alma, mente y fuerza, para que aparezcáis sin culpa ante Dios en el último día.

   De modo que, si tenéis deseos de servir a Dios, sois llamados a la obra;

  pues he aquí, el campo blanco está ya para la siega; y he aquí, quien mete su hoz con su fuerza atesora para sí, de modo que no perece, sino que trae salvación a su alma;

   y fe, esperanza, caridad y amor, con la mira puesta únicamente en la gloria de Dios, lo califican para la obra.

  Tened presente la fe, la virtud, el conocimiento, la templanza, la paciencia, la bondad fraternal, piedad, caridad, humildad, diligencia.

   Pedid, y recibiréis; llamad, y se os abrirá. Amén.

 

Raspberry picking at the Conants'

 

 

One of the sisters in our branch had a baby shower. We ate El Salvadorian food. "Popusas" y platano frito (plantains). I felt fat. Totally worth it. Oh, they also had Yuca frita! Reminded me or Peru. HEAVEN.

 

 

We went to this family, The Gowers' for dinner. They live in a log HOUSE. Not cabin, as Bro Gower insists. DREAM HOME.

 

"I Believe In Miracles...!" (Taken from Sister Robles' email Monday 7/28/2014)

Miracles are being thrown at me each day! I love it! The Lord must be a fan of me, as I am of Him, 'cause he's been blessing me with them!

So, I've been trying to convert myself. We must convert ourselves if we'll be doing so to others, right?

I studied about conversion a lot this week. I know. Me, studying? It's hilarious, but it's happening! I learned that conversion is a process, not an event. One becomes converted as a result of righteous efforts to follow the Savior. It's not just a change in our behavior, but also a change in our very nature. Powerful. I've slowly, but surely seen that in myself throughout my time here. I've seen myself become a little more like Christ as time passes. Sure I'm not perfect, but I'm trying to be more of an example of him. After all, I am representing him each and every day as I clip on my plaque. It's an honor, really.

I've seen this conversion in Jose. I know he's the main focus of my emails, but he's truly a miracle. I've never seen anyone so spiritually hungry, and want to draw as near to the Lord as he has. Here's where the miracle came into play. As many of us know, we pay 10% of our income towards tithing. Well, Jose has struggled a bit financially, and I expected him to be a little unsure about tithing like most new investigators are. We can all be stingy with out money. I know I used to be at some point. Hermana Walton and I prepared ourselves to hear him be hesitant towards it, but as we taught him, he stopped us and told us he understood. He understood that it's not about the money, but an act of our faith. It's helping build the Lord's kingdom, and that's what he truly wants to do. He understands it's a commandment, and that it'll help guide us towards the eternal presence of our Father, and that he's more than willing to do it. Well, my jaw dropped. It's difficult for him to understand what we teach due to lack of education, but he hit it out of the park! Not only that he understood, but his willingness. He is d.e.d.i.c.a.t.e.d. We taught him about the law of fast, and fast offerings, and guess what he did? 'Cause my jaw to drop AGAIN. Jose's the bomb! He's so ready for his baptism this upcoming Friday, and I'm so ready to eat the cake he's preparing! Not only that, but I'm ready to watch his life change for the better. I cannot wait to see him become "clean". He's so excited, as am I! He already told us he wants to do member lessons, and go out with the missionaries! I could repeat the fact that he's a miracle 'cause he truly is. Another amazing thing. Remember how I mentioned that he had to be moved out before his baptismal interview? He found a temporary place to move into until he finds somewhere permanent because he wants to be baptized, and sees the importance to follow the Lord's counsels. I could explode with happiness. I AM SO EXCITED FOR AUGUST 1ST!

 

 

 

Helllllllllo Washington! (From Sister Robles' email)

Jose's baptism had been moved to August 1st. Crazy how prayers work. Hermana Walton and I had to cram in 2 lessons a day every day until the 26th. We felt like it was so overwhelming, and Hermana Walton had the impression that we should push it a week back. I felt set with keeping it on the 26th, but I decided to ponder on it, and told her I'd give her my answer the next day. i did what any regular missionary would do. Get on my knees and pray. So i prayed for guidance, and to know if we should push Jose's baptism back or not. The following morning, we did personal studying for an hour. As the hour drew to the end, I flipped open to a random scripture in D & C. I got to chapter 9, verse 8-9 which explained it if something is correct, I'll feel something strong within me. I'll feel right and really good about it. If it isn't the correct decision, I wouldn't feel it. Well, guess what I felt.. Nothing. I didn't feel that baptizing him on the 26th was the right answer, and I immediately knew that it had to be moved. Later that day, we found out that in order for him to be baptized, he had to live the Law of Chastity, but here's what we didn't know. Included in that, two people of the opposite sex couldn't live together if they weren't either family or wedded. He's currently living with his friend and his friend's mom. We realized he'd have no time to find a new place by the 26th. We didn't know how he'd even take it.

Jose is our miracle. He has said "yes" to every invitation we've given him. He's never said "no" to a single thing. He wants to draw closer to God, and he received an answer through prayer that this is the true and restored gospel. When someone realizes the truthfulness of it, they want to follow it and give themselves to it. It's what he's done. The night we had a lesson with him and explained to him that he'd have to move out, he immediately said he'd do it. He doesn't care that it's short notice and that we're pushing his baptismal date back. He knows that with God's help, and putting him first, he'll help him. Jose's conversion and testimony is helping mine grow. I've never seen anyone so spiritually hungry for the gospel and for the Savior's love. He's willing to do whatever it takes to have exaltation and for his relationship with him grow. He's our miracle investigator. He constantly calls Hermana Walton and I "angels sent from God". He told us he wants his 3 year old daughter to be missionaries and be just like us. Greatest compliment I could possibly receive. He's just so receptive, and LOVES church. I've never met anyone who loves church so much. It's great! I love church! Also, he told us he's baking a cake, and bringing it to the baptism.

From Claudia's email

Cannot believe I'll be a missionary for a month in 4 days! 

I know, that's cheesy, but it's exciting! It's been the longest, yet most exciting month!

I love being a missionary. Never thought of this, but I'm not only representing Christ as I put on this name tag each morning, but also my family. That's such an honor to me. Knowing I represent my family as I roam the streets of Spokane Valley each day is such a privilege and major blessing. 

Currently in the Spokane  Valley 4th Branch. We're a small one, but I love our members. All 20-something of them. We're working hard to get those numbers up, & to teach people of the great message of the Restored gospel.

 

I met this cute Mexican family last Monday. The Rodriguezes. We went into their home to share a quick message, and we showed them the Mormon. org video, "Earthly Father, Heavenly Father" (Dad, you'd cry. i did. Reminded me of you. Thanks for everything. Xoxoxo). This cute 7 year old boy, Miguel, loved it! After the video, I sat and spoke with him. He told me he wanted a tag like mine, and to be a missionary. Tears overfilled my eyes. He wants to learn more about Christ and the Gospel. I gave him a picture of my favorite temple (SLC), and explained a bit about it to him. He loved it and told me he'd put it on his wall with a picture of Christ. I told him I loved the sound of Elder Rodriguez, and that he'd make an excellent missionary. I want to work so hard with this family, 'cause they have so much potential, and I know they'd be so blessed! They're struggling, and out message could really soothe them! I gained so much love for them in a visit! 

So our investigator Jose, is great! He loves the gospel, and is ready for baptism! We're so excited for him. He calls us his "angels" cause he believes God sent us into his life at the best possible time, and he feels blessed. He has great faith! Hermana Walton and i want to work with him so he could get sealed to his daughter. He'll be so happy to know that he could have that chance! Each week, he travels to this town Wanatchi to visit his daughter, and he always brings us back a box of fruit. He bought us 2 boxes of apricots last week. I wish I liked apricots. Poor Hermana Walton. She has them everyday cause she felt bad. Jose's great though!

By the way familia, I'm not putting my bike to good use yet. We have a car. Toyota, and it's a blessing. It's 100 degrees here, and we wouldn't be able to make it without one. Sadly, our roommate sisters have to ride their bikes everywhere. Pobrecitas!

We did a service for a cute Catholic lady named Anna on Sat. She just had surgery, so she couldn't work on her garden. Hna Walton and I weeded her garden in 101 degree weather. I sweated like a pig, but it didn't phase me. The weather was nothing compared to the happiness we felt through serving her! She was so happy, and we were happy to help. We'll be back at it again this week. We sang her a hymn in Spanish, which she loved. She isn't receptive of the gospel, but that's okay. We just want her to feel the love we have for her, and to know that we want to serve her! 

I found out yesterday that my Branch President is a dentist. No one understands how happy it made me. We spent minutes talking about procedures and "Dental life". It was a gooooooood time.

 

I love you guys! Be examples, and SERVE, SERVE, SERVE. You don't need a plaque to be a missionary (:

Estoy feliz de estar aqui!

Con mucho amor,

 

Hermana Robles

 

From Hermanos Howard:

Hermanos, que privilegio tuvimos, tener La Hermana Robles visitarnos (y comer un desayuno) Ella posea un espiritu celestial y sera una buena misionera - gracias por habernos mandado.

Hermanos Howard

FIRST WEEK! ( Taken from Sister Robles' email)

Hey everyone!

Not gonna lie, I feel pretty popular for receiving so many emails from friends and family. You're all so great. I wish I had all the time in the world to reply to each person, but I'm trying my best to get back to everyone!

This is my first P-Day on the field. I arrived in Spokane last Monday, and it's insane hoe many pine trees there are here. It's seriously Christmas in July. 

On the plane ride here, I sat next to this nice man named Ted (name that show). He isn't a member, but I got to share a message with him, and we got to know each other and become friends. He reminds me of dad, but the American version. He's a cool man. So receptive of everything I had to say. He accepted to investigate and speak to the missionaries more often, so that was a good start off to the field.

 

So much happened that day. We taught a lot, and I gave out my first B.O.M. I'm kind of on a roll. 

I'm currently in a trio. I have the best companions, Hermanas Walton, and Phililpy. They're so sweet, and patient with me. Always encouraging me to go better, and what not. 

We currently live in a cute apartment here in Spokane Valley. We have to cook for ourselves and everything. I need recipes. Eating eggs, yogurt, and salads are getting old. However, I cooked myself a nice plate of chicken, mashed potatoes and veggies. Budgeting is kinda tough, but I'm used to it. I'm assigned to the East mission. 

Anyway,

I'm loving the field, and the work is hastening. Being a sister missionary rules! 

Also, send letters and stuff!

10107 E 8th Ave Apt 18

Spokane Valley, WA 99206

 

Also, If you see Jake, give him a big hug on my behalf. He's such a strong guy, and I'm so proud of him! 

I love you soooo much, and I'm sorry this email isn't so long, but I'll do my best to write letters and stuff. Sorry I couldn't get back to everyone today! I'm working on it! 

Ether12  :27 really is a great scripture that's helped me our a ton!

Have a great week!

Mucho amor,

 

 Hermana Robles

 

 

 

 

Sister Robles Arrived to Spokane Washington Last Monday Continue...