Becoming a Mormon

Tue 10/28/2014 3:15 PM

It's been such a great week. Each week on the mission gets better by the second. I am so in love with the mission and the work. I cannot believe how much time is flying, but I'm doing my best to enjoy every moment of it. 

 

We've been working with this family. The Novelo family. We were on exchanges this past week, and I was with a sister who doesn't speak much Spanish. I was left to teach an entire lesson in Spanish, and I was fine with it (: We taught the Intro to the Book of Mormon. The Spirit was so strong. The sister I was with felt it, and she said she understood everything somehow. Here's the funny part. Marco turned to me and asked, "When I become Mormon, does that mean I need to stop doing the stuff I do now?" My comp that day and I looked at each other wondering how to to let him down since we assumed he was going to bring up things we didn't wanna hear. Suddenly, he said, "So like using Facebook, and all of that?" He thought we couldn't do those things! We explained to him that we're totally normal, and that he could still be a normal human being. He was content. We explained that the gospel just adds to his happiness and will help him become his better self. 

 

Daniel and Kristina have still been coming to church. They are so involved with church activities and everything. We went to a wedding reception over the weekend, and Kristina told me, "i cannot wait to go through the temple again" as we passed the temple. I am so excited to help them reach that goal. Sadly, Daniel told us he doesn't know how to tell his family that he's attending church with us, because he's afraid of their reaction. If anyone has advice I could give him, please let me know about it! Mom, what did you do?

 

Also, I'm so grateful for the card Aunt Ariela and Uncle Cesar included in that package! It was so sweet!

 

Oh, Jose de Jesus came to church this past weekend! He loves it! We're seeing progress with him! He loves listening to us and having us over. he's slowly understanding the lessons. We learned that he's a visual learner, so we have been doing object lessons and teaching him the lessons all over. Es okay though (:

 

So I just wanna brag about how great out branch members are. 2 quick examples. We went to our Branch President's house for dinner, and as soon as we stepped in, we said, "President! You need to go outside. The sky looks so pretty!" His response, "But not as pretty as Lacey." (His wife). I just love seeing the men in our branch treat their wives so well, and with much respect.

 

 

Example number 2. We went to another member in our branch's place for FHE last night. Dru and Ashleigh Lopez's family are the cutest! They taught us the Restoration, and it was so good! The spirit was so strong, and it's always possible to feel it when one goes to their home. Their cute little 5 year old boy Beckham recited James 1:5. It was the cutest thing, ever. Made me realize how important it will be for my home to be centered on the gospel some day. Every family in our branch teaches me what i want for my future family. I love it. They're such great examples. Missionary work is hastening in the homes. So family, I want you to know that i love you so much, and I'm grateful that mom and dad have always managed to keep the Spirit in our home. You've done great jobs, and I admire

 

i hope everyone has a great week!

 

Con amor,

 

Hermana Robles

 

Job Offers

Mon 10/20/2014 2:02 PM

Well, I got a job offer this week.

Who knew that would happen to missionaries.?

We went to visit Jose this Tuesday, and I met a nice man who so happens to work for broadcasting here in the Valley. Especially for Latinos. He knows Selena's dad. You know, the famous, "Bi-di-bi-di-bam-bam" "El chico del apartamento 10512" Selena. 

Anyway, he asked me what kind of stuff I was hoping to study after the mission since I explained what missionaries do to him. I told him Dentistry or broadcasting of some sort. Maybe something in the communication industry. Here's the real compliment. Apparently I'm "photogenic". i laughed my head off when he said that. If people haven't noticed from the pictures I already send home, I'm kinda.. Well, actually not. I got a good laugh. Poor sister Shook was on exchanges with me that day, so she had no idea with what was being said in Spanish. She just said, "No hablo Espanol." and smiled a lot. She's great. Long story short, I got a job offer for a co hosting position. It was interesting, but I had to turn it down. It was a cool experience! The only job I'm content with is being a servant of the Lord (:

 

So that sweet old churro man I was talking about last week.. So adorable! He's like our little mission grandpa! He still doesn't understand exactly what we do, but he counsels us a lot!

 

 

We got to watch Meet the Mormons! A member sent Pres. Mullen a copy of the movie, and we got to watch it in the gym during Specialized Training. It's funny. I prayed, and had asked God to allow me to feel of his love more, because i felt that I needed it especially that day. I like to think that by Pres. surprising us with it that it was an answer to my prayer (: The movie was so good! I recommend it to those who don't know what Mormons are about and do. It was so uplifting, and it shows that we're totally normal (:

 

I've seen my testimony continue to grow! I'm almost done with reading the B.o.M the second time around, and I've really seen my testimony for it grow. I love that book so darn much! It's helped me out with questions I have!

 

I've seen my heart grow more for those I serve! I love offering service! We decided to randomly go around and rake a ton of yards this weekend. That's where the pictures of us jumping in leaves came from. One of the people whose yards we raked caught us raking, and he was so grateful. I just love helping others!

 

Sorry for the short email, but I hope everyone has a great week!

 Serve someone in need (:

 Con amor,

 

Hermana Robles

Improving Each and Every Day

Mon 10/13/2014

Hola!

This Saturday marks my 4 months out! It's gone by quick, but at the same time, I feel that it hasn't been all that long. I know I'm always saying it, but I love being a missionary! I can't express it!

 

Like the title explains, I've been improving in different ways each day. This whole running thing? I'm actually liking it. I've seen myself improve each day. When it gets tough, I seriously tell myself "I can do hard things" . I can though! It's all about the mindset and attitude. That's how it works with everything.

 

It's great. I was telling Sister Haynes while we were on exchanges that I don't feel that I've given my all as a missionary unless I come home at the end of the night physically, mentally, and spiritually exhausted. She told me to pray and ask for that. I've done just that. Guess what's been happening to me this entire past week? I've felt exhausted in every possible way. I'm seeing improvement. It's great. I come home, we do our accountings, and plan our stuff out the next day. After we finish, I make it to bed, and just pass out 'til 6:10 the next morning for exercise. The Lord answers prayers. Even when they're "silly". I testify of that. Hahah

 

Kristina and her boyfriend came to church yesterday. So did Jose de Jesus. It was such a great meeting. Here's the best part. It was fast and testimony meeting. The testimonies were so good, and the Spirit was super strong. I looked over, and saw Kristina and her boyfriend Daniel crying. Daniel is the opposite of a crier. I was amazed to see him crying. I leaned over to him, and told him what he was feeling was the Spirit. He knows it is, and that it was his first time really feeling it. Witnessing him feel the Spirit for the first time made me feel it. It made my testimony of missionary work grow even more. This is what I love. Watching people feel the Spirit for the first time in their lives. He told Kristina that he feels this church is more true than any he's been to. Including his former church. We had actually taught the Restoration the night before, and he agreed to pray and read form the B.o.M. We're so excited for him. Kristina is such a great influence on him! . She's helping him a lot. We're actually going to a branch FHE with them tonight. Our members are so great with helping. 

 

We met this awesome man who we've been teaching. His name is Armando. He gave us great advice. Always to take time to make a churro. He offered to let us use his churro making machine so we can make some, but we told him we didn't have the time to. He told us we would someday look back and regret not making a churro, so sometimes, we need to take time to make some. Basically, that we need a pause and make time for those important little things that make life worthwhile. It was so nice of him.

 

We found out that Jose our Recent Convert watched conference! It brought so much happiness to us! Even though he now lives 3 hours away, he himself went and sought out the missionaries, and is seeking for their help to keep progressing. We actually get to see him tomorrow, since he'll be in town. I'm stoked.

 

I hope everyone has a great week! Seriously watch that Meet the Mormons movies. The money they make in the box office is what the church is donating to the Red Cross. Isn't that awesome? That's something I love about that church!

 Con amor,

 

Hermana Robles

Because I Have Been Given Much, I Too Must Give (9/29/2014 - 10/6/2014)

Mon 10/6/2014 1:41 PM

This week went by too quick! I honestly can't really remember what happened except for the fact that we had conference. I'm so proud to be one of the 88,000 missionaries serving!

 

I will tell you that I had one great post conference experience!

We spent some time on the computers to print off talks, and I had the chance to go on family search. I decided I'd check out my family tree and see what was on there. As I went through my family's details, I felt the Spirit so strong. Nothing I had felt before. I knew it was the Spirit of Elijah, and that I need to continue to do family history work. I really want to get into it, and I realized the importance of doing so. It's something I will continue to work on. I'm so excited.

 

So we've been inviting everyone and their dog to attend conference. Jose de Jesus came, and it was hilarious. We told him the President of the church would speak. As soon as Pres. Eyring was talking about the "President", Jose thought he was talking about Pres. Obama. He kept asking, "Obama is coming? He's speaking?! He was so excited, but we had to explain to him that President Monson was speaking, and that he's cool like Obama as well. Is true!

 

That night, we saw Kristina and her boyfriend. They were so excited for conference! They told us they went out to buy her boyfriend church clothes so that they could attend! Cutest thing ever!! 

 

We went to the Lacasse's home with them and the Mortensons for Sunday morning session. It was so good! Sister Lacasse spoiled us with snacks and stuff! Good thing Hermana Walton and I go running each day for our exercise time! Yeah, I know. I'M ACTUALLY GOING RUNNING. I'm as surprised as anyone else.

 

 I had so many of my questions answered during conference. What I got the most out of it was the fact that I can and need to improve. I want to become a better disciple of Christ, and I finally know how! I just love conference! Every talk was so good. I'll share a few thoughts that stood out to me about each talk.

 

Lynon G Robbins: Courage is the form of virtue at every turning point. Boldly defend your standards. We should always remember whose disciples we are and which way we face.

 

 D Todd Christofferson: The gospel opens the path to what we can become.

 

Robert D. Hales: We won't fall nor fail if we build our houses upon Christ.

 

Pres. Thomas S. Monson: Our homes should be a heaven on earth. 

 

Richard G. Scott: Fam prayer should be a non- negotiable priority in life.

 

Carlos Godoy: We need to consider our options with the end in mind. Are we willing to pay out price for our decisions? Just because things are going well, doesn't mean we don't need to stop and see if there's anything we need to change.

 

Allan F Packer: Fam history is more than just the past. It includes the future. Don't fight the change- embrace it.

 

Hugo E Martinez: We're provided what we need to help reach our divine potential.

 

David A Bednar: We do not receive prizes or bonus points in a heavenly contest. We give & want to give that thing that has helped us to other people. 

That's why I'm a missionary! I wish more people knew that. We do this because we love the people, and want the best for them!

 

I hope everyone has a great week! Feast on the words of the prophet and his apostles! They're here to help guide us back to our path back to our father in heaven!

 

Con amor,

 

Hermana Robles

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