I am 20! ... Well, that came by quick. I feel like I just turned 18. I
had a great birthday, so thanks everyone!
Last Monday, we went shopping (no surprise), and the Elders
kept telling us not to go to the Stake Center (where we as a zone spend pday
afternoons). Obviously I knew something was up. We showed up on the time they
asked us to, and everything was just normal. I thought they were just messing
with me or something, because they always do and are weird like that.
I was hitting a volleyball around with another sister, and
for some reason the lights were flickering on and off. The doors opened, and
all the elders came in singing "Happy Birthday" with a cake and
candles. I honestly thought it was for someone else since my birthday wasn't
'til the following day, so I looked around the room waiting for someone to step
up to the cake, until it was made obvious that it was for me. I was having one
of my moments. You know how it is. Anyway, it was really sweet of them! They
set it down on a table, and to my surprise, did the "Haka" for
me. It was super cool, and flattering. Actually, it was scary. They all just
looked so scary doing it, but I guess that's how the dance is.? No se. The cool
thing is that I got it all on my camera, because Hna. Whipperman is so sneaky,
and she knew what was coming, so she grabbed my camera and recorded it. She
rules. I got an awesome Lava lava from Mama Sosa. She's the mom of our zone. We
just love her so much. She spoils us. She taught us how to do the Hula, so
that's cool. I love how culturally diverse our zone is and how much they love
different cultures. The night of my birthday, the Marshallese Elders called us,
and sang a cool song to me in Marshallese using their pretty little Ukelele. It
was awesome! We have a really close zone- which I love. It's always a good
time!
Sadly, transfer calls are this upcoming Sunday. Honestly, I
feel like I've been with my companion for just a transfer. We might just enter
into our 3rd together. I kinda feel like I'll go English speaking. We only have
3 Spanish sisters, and one companionship has been in a trio a transfer, and I
honestly don't think they'll keep that going for another one. It's pretty
unlikely. We won't get another Spanish sister 'til July. I wouldn't mind going
English speaking though (: It'd be cool.
This upcoming weekend we'll also have Elder Russell M.
Nelson from the quorum of the 12 apostles visiting our mission. We're so
stoked! We'll all get to shake his hand and whatnot. I'm never going to wash my
hand after I shake his. Maybe that's the "extra" that we need to get
all the Latinos out here baptized! Therefor, I'm not jinxing it! My comp keeps
reminding me that I hit 10 months this weekend, but that's just another number
I don't care to worry about. However, it does motivate me to work harder. It's
just a matter of being patient with the work and the pace of its
movement.
I think one of the biggest things that happened this week
was Ruben. We were finally able to get in a first lesson with him since he's
been so busy with doctors' appointments and such. We had Hna Torres with us in
that lesson, and we taught the Restoration. The Spirit was super strong. He
immediately looked at us and said, "I know this is true, and I need this
for my family". He didn't understand some things, so we explained it
again. He told us that missionaries had visited him before and taught this, but
that we explained it so simply and in a way that he could understand it that
made it click for him. For some reason, I feel so strong that I can't let him
go. That for some reason I have to make sure he gains a testimony of this
gospel. I don't know why I feel so strongly about that. It's different than
with other investigators I've had, so I refuse to let him give up. The only
tough thing for him is that he has family who is opposing it, so they've been
taking his copies of the Book of Mormon away. It's so sad, but we just keep on
giving him new copies. We put him on date that lesson for May 2nd, but we may
need to push it back a few weeks due to his understanding of things. He has a
few health related set backs, but it's okay because we're going to be patient
with him (: Teaching the Restoration enhances my testimony of it and this
gospel more and more each time. It's amazing. It's something I never want to
let go of. Everyone deserves to have the opportunity to find out for themselves
if this is true or not.
Have to go, but I hope you all have a great week! I'll be
out in the valley for exchanges tomorrow, so I'm super stoked! I get to see
Jose de Jesus, the Mortensons, and Jose Ramos our Recent Convert! Yay (:
Con amor,
Hna Robles
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