Cumpleaños y otros compromisos mas..

20 años!!.
Bueno, eso fue tan rápido. Me siento como si acabara de cumplir 18. Tuve un gran cumpleaños, así que gracias a todos!

El lunes pasado, nos fuimos de compras (ninguna sorpresa), y los Elderes insistían diciendo que no vayamos  al Centro de Estaca (donde nosotros, pasamos gran parte de nuestro PDAY). Obviamente yo sabía que algo estaba pasando. Llegamos en el momento en que nos pidieron, y todo fue normal. Pensé que sólo estaban jugando conmigo o algo así, ya que siempre lo hacen y son un poco raros tomando el pelo así.

Yo estaba jugando con  una pelota de voleibol por ahí con otra hermana, y por alguna razón las luces parpadeaban y se apaga. Las puertas se abrieron, y todos los Elderes (Misioneros varores) vinieron a cantar "Feliz Cumpleaños" con un pastel y velas. Honestamente pensé que era para otra persona porque mi cumpleaños no era hasta el día siguiente, así que miré alrededor del salon esperando a que alguien pase y se ponga frente a el pastel, hasta que se hizo evidente que era para mí. Yo estaba teniendo uno de mis momentos. Ustedes sabes cómo es… De todos modos, fué muy dulce de parte de ellos!  Ellos lo dejarón sobre una mesa, y para mi sorpresa, hicieron el "Haka" para mí. Fue super emocionante, y halagador. Bueno… En realidad, era aterrador. Todos ellos se veían tan intimidantes al hacerlo, pero supongo que es como el baile es? No sé. Lo bueno es que lo tengo todo en mi cámara, porque Hna. Whipperman es tan lista, y ella sabía lo que venía, así que ella agarró mi cámara y grabó. Ella es admirable. Tengo una lava impresionante Lava de Mama Sosa. Ella es como la madre de nuestra zona. La amamos tanto. Ella nos engríe y mima tanto. Ella nos enseñó cómo hacer el Hula, por lo que es genial. Me encanta que nuestra zona es tan diversa culturalmente hablando y lo mucho que aman las diferentes culturas. La noche de mi cumpleaños, unos misioneros de las  Islas Marshall nos llamó, y cantarón una canción muy bonita de las Islas Marshall para mí utilizando su  Ukelele. ¡Fue increíble! Tenemos una muy estrecha zona- que me encanta. Siempre pasamos buenos momentos!

Tristemente, las llamadas de transferencia son este próximo domingo. Honestamente, me siento como que he estado con mi compañera por sólo una transferencia. Podríamos simplemente entrar en nuestra tercera juntos. Pero siento un poco como que yo iré a servir en habla Inglesa. Sólo tenemos 3 hermanas de Español, y un compañerismo ha estado trabajando como un trío de misioneras por más de un periodo de  transferencia, y, sinceramente, no creo que pasen otro más de este modo. Es bastante improbable. No vamos a tener otra hermana de Español 'hasta julio. No me importa ir a servir en Inglés, aunque (: Sería genial.

Este próximo fin de semana también tendremos a  Elder Russell M. Nelson del Quórum de los 12 apóstoles que viene a visitar nuestra misión. Estamos tan felices! Todos vamos a llegar a estrecharle la mano y saludarle. Creo que nunca voy a lavarme las manos después me estrechar la suya. Tal vez ese es el "extra" que necesitamos tener  todos los latinos aquí para ser bautizados!  No puedo creer que cumpliré 10 meses de este fin de semana, pero eso es sólo otro número que no me importa y no hay  de qué preocuparse. Sin embargo, me motiva a trabajar más duro. Es sólo cuestión de ser paciente con el trabajo y el ritmo de su movimiento.

Creo que una de las cosas más importantes que sucedieron esta semana fue Rubén. Al final pudimos conseguir en una primera lección con él ya que está tan ocupado con las citas médicas y tal. Tuvimos a Hna Torres con nosotros en esa lección, y nos enseñaron sobre la Restauración. El Espíritu fue súper fuerte. De inmediato nos miró y dijo: "Yo sé que esto es cierto, y yo necesito esto para mi familia". Él no entendía algunas cosas, por lo que se le explicó de nuevo. Él nos dijo que los misioneros le habían visitado antes y se le había enseñado esto, pero que ahora  lo entendió de manera sencilla. Es interesante que “Por alguna razón, siento tan fuerte que debemos seguir con El. Además que por alguna razón tengo que asegurarme de que gane un testimonio de este evangelio. No sé por qué me siento tan firme acerca de esto. Es diferente que con otros investigadores que he tenido, así que se niegan a dejar que te rindas. La única cosa difícil para él es que tiene la familia que se opone a ella, por lo que he estado tomando sus ejemplares del Libro de Mormón de distancia. Es muy triste, pero sólo seguir dándole nuevas copias. Lo pusimos en la fecha de esa lección para el 2 de mayo, pero es posible que necesitemos postergarlo un par de semanas debido a su comprensión de las cosas. Él tiene unos pocos asuntos de salud relacionado con contratiempos, pero está bien, porque vamos a tener paciencia con él (: Enseñar la Restauración fortalece mi testimonio de este evangelio más y más cada vez Es increíble Es algo que nunca quiero dejar de hacer. Todo el mundo merece tener la oportunidad de descubrir por sí mismos si esto es cierto o no.

Me tengo que ir, pero espero que todos ustedes tengan una gran semana! Voy a estar fuera en el valle de los intercambios de mañana, así que estoy súper feliz! Podré a ver José de Jesús, los Mortensons, y José Ramos nuestra recién convertido! Sí (:

Con amor,

Hna Robles

Birthdays and Other Important Dates.

Mon 4/13/2015 12:30 PM

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 

 

Yo Se Que Vive Mi Señor

Mon 4/6/2015 12:30 PM

It's April 6th, and it's snowing in WASPO. This state is officially more bipolar than Utah. Pues, que puedo hacer pero trabajar?

 

Thanks for the birthday wishes. You're all so great! (:

 

Okay, so I just wanna take a moment and praise my companionship. We are on fire! We got 90 GCs this week, and that's such a huge deal! I've never hit 90 as a missionary, and to do that in a week, well that's pretty huge. However, we decided to completely start all over in our area. 

 

 

I was pondering the other day on how much our area was improving and how many people were coming out of the woodwork, but I just couldn't understand how it completely died down and how suddenly these people just wanted to give up on everything despite all we were trying to help them with and despite the Spirit they were feeling. It takes quite the toll on missionaries when people we grow to love, just give up, but they do have their agency, and we respect that. But we're completely starting all over, and even though it's tough, I have faith that miracles will emerge from it. We've been seeing quite a few through street contacts we've had, so that really strengthens our faith and testimony.

 

 

Conference was so great! I felt so spiritually nourished! I went to conference with a few questions, and something huge I got out of it was that the main purpose of being in this mission and facing the things I have and am are so I could realize my divine worth and through finally knowing of that and seeing what role I play in this plan that God has for us , I'm preparing myself for the future that awaits me. So I could add to the kingdom that my Father in Heaven has awaiting for me, and that I could help others realize that they are of so much worth. Especially in the eyes of God. I realized that I couldn't really help people see or understand that until I myself finally understood it. It just makes sense! I came to the conclusion that I may just plant seeds my whole mission, and drew to the conclusion that it's okay. Because that's how life is. Something may not result how we want them to, and we have other plans or visions in our mind that we want, but our Father in heaven KNOWS what will suit us better, and how we'll learn from those experiences. He knows what will help us reach our divine potential, and we have to trust him and believe that what he has planned for us is much better than what we think we need. We have to align our will to his with a softened heart. I noticed how through doing so, one sees the bigger picture. I cannot believe how stubborn I used to be about those things, and how caught up I was in worldly things before hand, but everything has changed for me. I'm grateful for how putting my life on hold and giving my will to the Lord's has opened my eyes beyond what I expected it to. I'm converted. 

 

Because I understand things to a greater extent than before, I've come to appreciate Jesus Christ and his Atonement even more than I had before. One of the things I took away from conference that I absolutely loved so much was about the infinite power of the Atonement, thus, making this one of my favorite quotes, "One of God's greatest gifts to us is to try again." How correct and soothing is that!? Sometimes, we don't realize that we can have more chances. That's part of God's plan. That we will make mistakes, but be able to learn from them, let it change us for the better, and not do it again. That's where the Atonement comes into play. Christ was so willing to die for each one of us, so that not only would we be able to live with our families and a loving heavenly father again, but so we can change. So that we can accept his sacrifice and allow for his grace to change us to become like Christ- perfect. Sure we won't be completely perfect; we're all human, but that's the purpose, so help shape us so that after this life, we can be. Our future is as bright as our faith. That's demonstrated through our actions, and our willingness and desire to change our hearts. Our hope for the Savior must overcome our doubts. Whatever they may be. I still can't comprehend how Christ could have been so willing to sacrifice his life, and his will to atone for all of us. He clearly loved God so much that he was so willing to step up to that plate, and "partake of that bitter cup". Christ was obedient. So my question is, why can't we be? This was hot head on during conference. I just have such a deep love for my Savior. He calms my fears, and wipes away my tears. He heals my troubled heart. He's my best friend, and he completely understands. Yo SE sin ninguna duda en mi corazon, que vive mi Señor. That's my wish for all of you, and for the people in this mission. To feel of his love and comfort even more. For our testimonies to be even more stronger. To gain one if we don't have one, but most importantly, to accept our Savior as our redeemer. 

 

I just love the gospel so much, and it really is such a simple gospel. We just tend to make it harder than it really is, and it shouldn't be that way. This gospel is the light that we have on this dark and dreary world. Why do we fail to sometimes disregard that, and continue to walk in the darkness? It's simple. I know that we all have struggles and weaknesses, but it's especially then when we should turn to our Father in Heaven and pray to him. When we should be humble enough to listen to, accept, and act on his counsel. Even if we find it silly. 

 

I love each of you so much, and I wish you all nothing but the best. You're each sons and daughters of a loving heavenly father who LOVES us more than we can comprehend. I just hope we're each willing to comprehend it and take it into our lives as we move through this journey together. Lift the afflicted up, and demonstrate that charity that Christ has for us to them. 

 

I am so grateful for the restored gospel, and for the testimony I have that's still continuing to grow. I'm so grateful for families and the love and happiness it brings into our lives!! I love my Father in heaven and my Savior so much. I honestly don't think I could express it enough, and even though I'm so imperfect, I know they have their arms stretched out to me to comfort, guide, and strengthen me as I learn from my imperfections. I hope you all had a great Easter, and I invite you all to contemplate the bigger picture and think about where your faith lies. I love you all, and wish you a great rest of your week! 

 

I'll be celebrating tomorrow with a good birthday dinner, and with talking to as many people as I possibly could about the joys of this gospel, and on how they can obtain that (: I have an awesome companion who spilled the secret that I'll be filled with a day of surprises and such, so that'll be interesting!

 

Cuidense!

 

Con muchisimo amor,

 

Hermana Robles

He Knows Me Better

Tue 3/31/2015 3:38 PM

Missionary Superbowl is this weekend! I'm so stoked!

 

 

I love General Conference so much! I've already listed like a million questions I have in mind, that I know I'll have answered through the prophet and the General Authorities.

I feel like I just went to conference with my friends just a few months ago. I can't believe it's been a year. It's been a year since I tried my first street taco..

 

We decided to go to the temple in the middle of the week when we realized that it was closing from the 4th-21st, so I didn't get to warn ya familia. Sorrrrrrrrrrrrrry! 

 

So much went on this past week, but I' have like no time to type about it all. Forgive me. 

 

Well, we had a family of investigators who we became close with text us and "take a break" from us. It was so heartbreaking. They were on a good path, and we wish they would give the gospel a chance, but they do have their agency. We pray that they'll find the truth about this gospel and how it'll change and bless their lives for the better someday. We did what we could, and all we could, so we left it at that. 

 

We had interviews with President and Sister Mullen this last week, and it was so needed! They are so filled with inspiration for this mission! I realized as I was talking to them how much I've changed, and my testimony has grown. I never really realized that until I began to testify of what I know to be true, and the divinity of this gospel and how much it has changed my life! I never realized how much my life has been changed for the better. I am so grateful for taking the step and serving a mission. I've learned so much that will help me and does help me. I learned how much I do mean to my Heavenly Father and the huge role I have in building his kingdom. It's a great feeling. i've been able to study my Patriarchal lesson so much this week, and the things I've come to discover have been incredible. It changed everything for me.

 

Fun fact: In Greek, the word testament means "covenant". The Book of Mormon is another Covenant of Christ. It tells us what covenants and ordinances we can make and how. I discovered that in my study this week.

 

We have had our numbers increase each day. We had this "blitz" at Riverfront park yesterday with our district, and we all went around sharing Because He Lives with everyone. We got 35 Gcs, and it was awesome! That's 1/2 our goal for the week we got in a day!

 

Love you all!

 

Have a great week 

 

Hermana Robles

Hola Hola!

Mon 3/23/2015 12:28 PM

I can go on a huge rant about how quick time has been flying. Since when was it the end of March?? SINCE WHEN WAS IT EVEN MARCH?! I thought we were still in November.. Too weird!

 

So, i guess you might wanna know about how my week went. Well, I'll tell ya that it was full of pure opposition. I'm not really sure how we survived it. Well, actually, we did through Christ and his Atonement. We were literally filled with trials ALL week. It was awful. It was tough, but it was a great learning experience, because life isn't really filled with rainbows and butterflies. Satan will always attack us. Especially when we are doing the right things! So funny that after our mission decided to up our goals, work efforts, and STRICT obedience (Our mission eliminated somethings that would get in the way of us not feeling the Spirit), that Satan would totally rage. Our zone got together with President & Sister Mullen and talked about this past week and the blessings and experiences we gained through following our mission goal. All these companionships were listing blessings and miracles they'd seen, and my comp and i looked at each other in distress because we were just getting pulled down. We shared our experience and what Pres. said to us really touched us. He told us that through our obedience and hard work, all the companionships in our zone were able to experience these miracles. Most of those miracles came from referrals we had given them and through the outcome of the situations we had faced. It made us look at things differently, and it was so touching. The love we got from both our zone, and Pres and Sister Mullen was incredible this last week. We felt heavenly father's love so strong. It was a great learning experience, and although we faced so many things that brought the work down in our area, our numbers increased so much! It was incredible! I can tell you one thing. Satan sure didn't stop us from working ourselves off. I've never been so physically, mentally, and emotionally exhausted in my life. Luckily, I have the greatest companion by my side to motivate me, and help me work through it. Alongside with that, we have the greatest members ever who have shown us so much love! (:

 

We honestly haven't been seeing much progress in our area, and we were both thinking of just starting completely over with new people and ideas, but as we thought about that on our drive to the last house we were going to try last night, I felt the Spirit prompt me so strongly to pull the car over and talk to a man out by the street. I ignored that prompting because well, I'm still learning to listen to the Spirit, and cause I just wanted to try out this last house before we had to go in for curfew. I felt the Spirit nudge me again, so I turned the car around and spoke to this man. The first thing I asked this man was if he knew of any Latinos in the area. He told us he was! That he was from Columbia. His name was Ruben, and honestly, Ruben didn't look Latino whatsoever. He expressed that he had lost some of his Spanish and is trying to pick it back up. We told him that we were missionaries and our purpose and asked if he'd seen them around. he expressed that he had met with them before, and I honestly felt a little doubtful because the past people who have told us that told us that they weren't interested. Ruben asked me about my background and we told them we were from Utah. He expressed that he had gone there last Spring for General Conference, and what he said next blew me away. He told us that he knows that everything the speakers said were true and that their messages answered some of his questions. We testified of the Priesthood and that we have a living day prophet this day and that Christ's true church has been restored to the world. He was super intrigued, and to be honest, I cannot remember any of the things that came out of my mouth, and I know with all my heart that each thing i said to him came from the Spirit. Everything i said led to a need of his and intrigued/ touched him. We asked him if he was ever baptized before, and he said yes. I honestly thought that he was a Less Active, and we found out that he was baptized into the Catholic church. The next thing he said blew me away! "You know hermana, I've been baptized, but I just feel an emptiness in my soul, and I've been thinking about getting baptized again, but I just don't really know where.." MUSIC TO OUR EARS! We invited him to be baptized if he found out what we taught him was true. That he could have and find that Spiritual nourishment he's looking for in his life through meeting with us. He said yes. What determined it all for us was what we asked him next. He had expressed that he's struggling with Spanish, and is picking it back up and understands it, so we were considering on passing him off to the Elders in that area. We asked him what he'd prefer to attend: and English or Spanish congregation. He replied, "Spanish!" and it became official. We left him with a Book of Mormon, set up a time to meet, and with a prayer. He became our new "golden" investigator. It was the greatest "drive by" lesson I've ever had! Hermana Whipperman and I were super blown away by what had just happened!! We screamed with joy! We KNOW that this was the miracle God had in store for us after a week full of burdens. 

 

Sure our burdens weren't taken completely away and scars were left, but like Alma and his people, the Lord knew the thoughts and intents of their hearts as they prayed to him while in bondage form Amulon and his people, and he made their burdens lighter and so they had the strength to overcome them. (Mosiah 24:13-15) Crazy, how we had been teaching that lesson to people this past week too. God made our weaknesses become strong, and I learned a huge lesson this week- to always stick right by the Lord's side especially when we're facing something tough. 

 

I love my heavenly father, and Savior Jesus Christ so much. They are my rock, and my salvation. I couldn't face life or this mission without them.

 

I am so blessed for Christ's atonement, and I am so excited to be celebrating Easter soon. With that, the church has a new initiative. It's the Because He Lives initiative. Just like He is the Gift, we have a video coming out this upcoming Saturday (the 28th) . YOu can go on helives.mormon.org and access the video, adn SHARE it with EVERYONE. Everyone deserves to know the infinite power of the Atonement, and how it heals and strengthens lives. I am so grateful for the knowledge I have of it and how I've seen it impact my own life. I love the gospel, and I and so grateful to be a missionary. I love it with all my heart. I love my Savior with all my heart. I KNOW He lives for all of us. So we can have peace, strength, and comfort in our lives.

 

I hope you all can feel it too. If not, I invite you to seek how you can. 

 

I love you all, and hope you have a great week. Also, Feliz Cumpleanos Mami (En Miercoles) Te amo muchisimo, y con todo mi corazon. Eres lo maximo! <3

 

 

My fav line for the week: (Talking about Johnny Lingo and Mahala's hair) Me:" So is my hair worth 8 cows?" Elder: "No, It's worth 10 cows!" I don't know why my hair is fascinating to the missionaries in this mission.. Oh well (:

 

Con amor,

 

Hermana Robles 

 

Revelation.

Tue 3/17/2015 12:31 PM

So, I hit my halfway mark tomorrow, and I cannot believe that. I just wanna cry. I don't want my call as a missionary to end, ever. I do know that I will continue in the work after I get home in a million years.

 

Our mission had Elder Hamula of the 70 speak to us this last Friday. He taught us about revelation. Something huge I took out of it was how Faith all lies on trust. Here's how faith works to me.

 

Knowledge-> Hope->Action-> Personal Witness. Need I say more? Trust lies in the middle of it all. We need to trust that God will help us. That he answers prayers, 'cause he does!

 

Hence, where my faith has come into play about getting a baptism this transfer. I know what I need to do, and I am, but I'm simply trusting it all in the hands of the Lord. 

 

 

I learned something that's so simple, but finally clicked for me. When we receive revelation, it's not necessarily a huge storm or those things the scriptures may talk about. We have to ACT on our Faith and ask questions that we'll act upon. We can receive it through the scriptures or through someone and something they say. Isn't the gospel just so simple? I don't understand why people make it look or seem harder than it really is. This is God's work and gospel- not man's. That's something huge to realize. Sometimes, it's tough for us to see the bigger picture, but that's why we have to act on our faith and the knowledge that we do already have and let it guide us through. Acting by following God's commandments and doing what we know we should be doping. The right things. 

 

We found out Elder Russell M. Nelson from the Quorum of the 12 is coming to the WA-SPO mission towards the end of the transfer. Our mission is preparing. We're all being 200% exactly obedient, and working SO hard until he comes. I've learned the importance of obedience, and how it draws us closer to God. I have a testimony of it.

 

Gotta go, but have a great week!

 

Con amor, Hna Robles