Goodbye September!

Mon 9/29/2014 2:00 PM

General Conference is this upcoming weekend! 

You know what that means? Um, it's the super bowl for missionaries! 

I'm so excited to watch uncle Israel sing on tv! Pretty sure I'll be crying, 'cause that's the closest thing I'll get to see of family until Christmas time. I like to think watching him sing is a total tender mercy. So happy that he uses the talents God has given him for the best use (: 

I'll be watching it at our Stake center, but I'll be watching it at the Lacasse's house with the Mortensons and an LA Sunday morning. Hna Lacasse will be making us lunch, so it's exciting. I just love our members so darn much! They help us so much, and I can't express how much gratitude i have for them! 

 

We have been working a lot with Less Actives this past week, and we've seen so many miracles through it! It's so cute. One of our LAs called us the other night and asked for a scripture. He's been going through a hard time and he said he needed a scripture to refer to. I read mom's fav scripture to him. Joshua 1:9. She'd be proud to know I recited it without having to read it out of the bible. We then had a good talk about how much the Lord loves him, and that he's by his side always and especially through hard times. it helped him, but it gets better. I grabbed Hna Walton and made her sing my favorite hymn (I Stand All Amazed)  to him with me. I'm a horrible singer, and I'd never sing to anyone, but I actually did! Apparently he liked it, but I think he was just being too nice. Hahah

 

I really love being as missionary! I've seen the gospel bless lives as people have drawn closer to our father in heaven. I got to experience that as I watched a family feel the Spirit after a long time. That is what makes the sweat, tears, and stress worth it. There's nothing like watching someone realize that the gospel blesses them and that no other worldly thing would ever make them as happy as the gospel would. Sure some worldly things might make them happy, but just for a period of time. The gospel blesses and makes people happy for eternity! It's something I never want to lose. 

 

Something amazing the mission has done for me is be able to find out my self worth. I am a daughter of God, and I love him, but most importantly- I KNOW He loves me. I'm a disciple of Christ, and I know that I want to be more like him. Not just on my mission, but for the rest of my life. I want to follow him, and radiate the love, charity, and meekness he holds for us to those who surround me regardless of their beliefs. Everyone deserves to feel of his great love, and I want to help them feel it. They each deserve to know they're loved and are sons and daughters of a loving Heavenly Father. I know what standards I hold, and I've come to know that someday I'll have the chance to pick an eternal companion. I know that I'll be able to attract someone who has the same values as I do. I shouldn't settle for less than a temple marriage, or of what I know that I deserve. I love that the gospel helps one see what they deserve and be able to really find themselves and realize their divinity and worth.

 

This past week, I encountered this man. We tried speaking to him, and the first thing he said was, "GO AWAY! GET OUR OF MY FACE!" "You are devil worshipers!" I can't remember much more of the other rude stuff he called my companion and I, but he threw out a lot of F-bombs, and used them vulgarly. It was rude, and I won't lie. I cried. I wept a prayer for him, and for his heart to be softened. I came to realize that even though he was rude to us, he is a son of God and deserves to know he's loved. I hope the next time he encounters missionaries, he gives them a chance, and listens to the message we have to share. 

 

Something really cool I'm sure many have heard about is that LDS movie that's coming out. It's called Meet the Mormons. Apparently it's really good. I invite you all to watch it and tell me how it went! 

 

I hope everyone has a great week, and know that I hold so much love for them!
 

Con amor,

 

Hermana Robles

 

Watched Over Mon 9/22/2014 2:44 PM

This week was insane. So much happened. 

 Yes, I was in my very first car accident. SCARY.

I was in an exchange with sister Haynes. Fun fact. She was in my Algebra 2 class Sophomore year, so we know a lot of the same people. Really fun. 

 Anyway, we were driving to our dinner appointment, and I saw this red van pulling out of a parking lot. Looked like they were going to get into the lane next to us. Little did I know they were trying to get into our lane. The car in the lane next to us let them through, but they didn't see us coming, and rammed into us as we were passing by. I was the passenger, and got all the impact. I honestly was shocked. I just remember things going blank. All I remember was seeing sirens go off, and talking to the Elder in charge of transportation about the accident. We pulled into the parking lot and spoke to the police, firefighters and the Elders in charge of the car stuff. We found out the people who hit us are members of a different ward. They were on their way to the hospital. Their little girl had a rock stuck in her ear. So sad. They were totally calm about the accident. They cared more about us because we were crying. So yeah. We were actually on our way to meet up with the Elders in our branch cause they were gonna follow us to our member's place. They helped us out so much, and tried to calm us. It was kind of them.

The accident. Notice that my door wasn't scratched up, but just dented. The door behind me was scratched up. Super weird. All the pressure from the impact affected the door behind me rather than me. I truly was watched over. I am so lucky to be alive! The lord truly watches over his missionaries!!

 

 

I went to the hospital to get myself checked. Super sore and bruised, but I'll be okay. I might get to go to the chiropractor. All that I care about is that I can still go out and work. Apparently I was so lucky. I should have been more hurt due to the impact. We were going 40mph, and the van was about 15. It was a strong hit though. I know I was watched over, and that the Lord was protecting Sister Haynes and I. Same with the other family. I lost it when I was 4 little kids hop out of that van. I really hope they're all okay.

 

Aside from that, everything went great! We met with an investigator. Receited the 1st vision, and the Spirit was sooooo strong. She acknowledged it! We felt the Spirit testify to invite her to baptism. We have a date now scheduled for Oct 25th. We're so excited for Brandy! She knows this is what she needs in her life! She's willing to do what she needs to make it happen.
 

 

We also had a less active come to church yesterday. She's so great! She knows she needs to come back. She's willing to work hard, and make it happen. It's so cute. She was super nervous, but felt right at home when she came to church. Our branch is full of the most loving people! I love our members soooo much. They're like family to me. Which makes me happy that I'll be serving another transfer (6 weeks) here in the valley (: I know there's a lot of work that needs to be done, and I'm excited to give it my all. 

 

I learned how to play twinkle twinkle little star on the violin. Sister Lacey Lopez is teaching me how to play. I'm learning and doing so many things I never thought I would have back home. I love it. I truly feel that I'm becoming the "woman" I want to be. It's pretty darn cool. 

 

Sister O'Very left this morning. She should be back home by now. It was so sad to have to let her go. She impacted my mission for the better. She was such an amazing missionary. I love her so much. Dropping her off was so tough on me.

 

I've seen my testimony grow and my relationship with God enhance. I am so lucky to be a missionary, and to be alive! I know I have more work left to do, and that this is the right thing to be doing with my life. I love that I can help others come to Christ. i know he lives, and through him, we can all become better each and every day. I love this gospel so much, and I don't know what I'd do without it. It's something I always want to be in mine and my family's life. I KNOW the Lord blessed his missionaries. Truly. I cannot believe how lucky I am. I'm so grateful for the love and happiness the gospel has brought into my life. It's so great! So happy to know families can be together forever! 

 

Hope everyone has a great week! 

 Mucho amor,

 

Hermana Robles

Getting "old" ( Mon 9/15/2014)

I'm really not getting that old, but I hit my 3 month mark this Thursday, and i honestly cannot believe how quick time is passing by!

 

Just a talk that has really changed me. It's by Neal A Maxwell. "The Atoning Blood of Christ". So good. I invite you all to read it. 

 

Super sweet miracle! Our less active who took us to lunch weeks ago randonly shot us a text, and asked us for the church info. Why? HE WANTED TO COME TO CHURCH! Hna Walton and I victory danced. We were so happy! We've been trying to get him there for months, and he finally decided to. He came yesterday (: 

 

Funny experience. We decided to take the bus and use it as a finding activity. We parked our car at the bus station, and made our way. We have a few gospel conversations, with people, and one person was interested. We exchanged info. Well, we soon realized that where we were headed was almost out of our huge zone, so we decided to get off. We didn't really know where we were going, and what bus to catch to make our way back to our car. Oh, we were 4 miles away. We were clueless, so we.. Walked. Sad, but it was the most I've walked since I've been out here. Did I mention it was hot outside. It was one interesting, uphill experience back to our car.

We spoke to several people, but here's a real miracle. This man, Mark called us out from his front porch. We went over to talk to him, and learned that he has a strong faith in Christ. He told us straight up that he loves LDS members. He's worked around them his whole life. He told us how he can see a "glow" about each of us. we explained that it's the Spirit. He accepted a BOM.

 

Sorry. I'm out of time, but I'll bullet what we did this week.

 - Ate Thai food with the District. So good

- Eating Indian food.

 

Well other cool stuff happened, but I'm out of time. So sorry!

 Mucho amor,

 

Hermana Robles

 

 

Gray Hairs..

On Mon, Sep 8, 2014 at 12:25 PM, Claudia Robles <claudia.robles@myldsmail.net> wrote:

Yeah, Hermana Walton found my first gray hair.

I guess the mission is stressful? Actually. Let me rephrase that. THE MISSION IS STRESSFUL.

I found it hilarious that I already have gray hairs. I'll pretend that I'm not inheriting them from dad.

 

I cannot believe that David turns 12 this upcoming week. I thought he was 10.. I miss him so much though! I miss his silly little remarks, and the love he brings into my life. I miss my brothers. 

This past week wasn't too crazy. Compared to other stories I've heard, it was normal.

Funny thing. There's this place called Abelardos. It's like the Beto's or Rancheritos of WA. We would go there to get our little "Mexican fix". Well, we went a few days ago, and it was closed! It was the closest I had to Utah, and poor Hermana Walton was really craving a burrito that day. At Zone training, the Elders found out it got closed from us, and they basically cried. Whenever Hermana Walton and I drive past it, we hold a moment of silence. I think we're funny.

We saw Jose last week! There's this corn bread we absolutely love that he makes, and he surprised us by making us some. THE MAN MADE US OUR OWN BIG LOAF OF BREAD. It's his way of saying "thanks for saving my soul". We're content with it. I know I'm making it sound like I eat a lot and am a fatty, but I'm not huge like I make it sound. I can still ration my food well. You'd be proud dad. 

 

It rained and was freezing the beginning of last week! I realized my skirts don't cut it. I froze like no other. My hair was practically frozen, so I realized that winter here won't be a breeze.

 

This week, I learned to put others first. Especially my companion. It's important to put your companion first. Whomever they may be. A happy companion makes for a happy day, and vise versa. I guess this will come in handy when I get married or something, but one truly does feel better when they put others first, and I've seen my love for those who surround me grow even more. 

 There was this Latin festival over the weekend. There was all sorts of entertainment, and it really makes me proud to be Latina. I love my culture, and how loving we all are with each other. However, it was sooooo hard for me to not get up and dance to the bachata, cumbia, salsa, and all the other good dances.

 

Sorry for the short email, but I'm out of time!

 I hope everyone has a great week!

 

Mucho amor,

 

Hermana Robles