Heartbreak Warfare.

Mon 9/14/2015 1:13 PM

I'll be honest here.

 This past week was the stinkin' pits! Take it however you want. 

 Satan.. Gosh. Satan totally sucks!!

 Regardless of how it all went, it was a huge eye opener to me. 

Huh, we sometimes have tough weeks, and tough experiences to actually learn something? Say what? Yep. It's super easy to look at these things like burdens rather than lessons, and to allow it to teach us a thing or two. Maybe even to count our blessings more, and recognize what we could possibly improve on. Anyone can easily be the first to ask God, "Why me?", and I'll be completely honest, I questioned that. However, it humbled me down a bit, because I realized that I was wrong. That the Lord was giving me a few trials as a blessing so that I could grow. I repented immediately.

 

With that said, I'll share a bit of what occurred.

All of our progressing investigators dropped us. Okay, I'm not lying at all, and totally laugh at me if you will, but this was the worst break up of my life!! Gee, I never thought.. Don't wanna go there, but let me tell you, when you really love your investigators and they drop you, gosh. It hurts! So bad. I don't think I've ever hurt that bad. It totally sucked. It was "the pits"! (Sis Griffith taught me that phrase, and I'm probably using it in the most incorrect way, but..) 

 Dylan. I'll probably binge on some chocolate after I express what happened with him. This was easily the toughest one I've had. He was doing so well! But when one is doing so well, and is drawing closer and closer to God and Christ, Satan taps on our weaknesses per say, and takes advantage. He doesn't want us to progress, and that's probably one of the toughest things for me, ever. (Like, I'm just so stoked for the Millennium!) Dylan was on this spiritual high, and was ready for his baptismal interview, when Satan knocked on his door.. I don't need to go into any further description, but he shot us a text expressing that he made up his mind after some thought and contemplation, and that he doesn't want to enter that straight and narrow gate- baptism. 

 

I truly felt like Satan punched me in the stomach. We were so heartbroken and distressed. It was the toughest thing. So much opposition all in one week. Don't think I've ever been on my knees begging God to help that person we'd so dearly come to love that much in my life. We were constantly praying for him, and at that point, I didn't even care the least bit amount for myself. I just wanted him to progress and allow God to help him so badly. I didn't understand why this was happening especially when it was for a good cause, but in my heart I realized that I shouldn't doubt God's plan or question His ways. I felt selfish. That he knew better, and knows what was best for Dylan. At that point, I realized that I needed to repent, and accepted what was happening. It hit me how powerful God is and how His way is always better. That this is His work, not mine. I felt as if my Savior's arms were around, comforting me and helping me recognize that we didn't do anything wrong, that it was all okay, and that Dylan would be okay. 

That night, we received a text from Dylan. He expressed that he has a lot going on right now, and that he needed to take things slower. He has a lot of personal things going on in his life, and it's just something that he wants to take slowly, which we understand. The Lord just needs to work on him a little bit more. We're here for him, not us. 

He hasn't kept contact with us since..

 

James. Now he seriously became a brother to me. He's progressed so much, but due to a few things, he's going to have to move. He left yesterday for Oregon. He came to church for his 3rd time and after we had a "Second Sunday Supper" after church, he took us off to the side, and told us that meeting with us has really helped him. That we needed to help his relationship with God grow, and we had done just that. He's felt and noticed that more, thus why he wants to improve that, and the best way for that to happen is by moving elsewhere. He told us that he knows the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is true, and that he wants to find out his answer for baptism. We just love him so much! We've been able to see the Spirit guide us in every possible way to help him and guide him. It's been incredible. We gained so much charity for him, and we're just so excited to find out about his baptism. We were sad that we couldn't be there to teach him and watch him get baptized, but we realized that other missionaries may need him in their lives and need this experience more than we may, which we accepted. He also told us he was taking us Salsa dancing after he's baptized. Total inside joke, but it was hilarious. He was such a miracle. When we bore our testimonies to him, he bore one to us, and he totally cried. It was so tender. We're excited for him. He has a bright future, and it makes all the difference in our lives when we could help our investigators realize that.

 

We realized this past week that a ton of our investigators are in it for the wrong reasons, so we've passed them off.

I'll try to briefly explain the whole car door incident. 

So we went to a lesson I had to each in all Spanish. We didn't have any Spanish speaking members available to join this family we were going to teach. When we arrived, the father invited his brother in. Let's say he thought he was looking for something we weren't. Awkward because poor Sis Ballif didn't speak any Spanish, so she didn't really know what was going on. She did however, know how to read body language, which I'm grateful for. As I was teaching the Restoration, homeboy was just asking irrelevant questions on my personal life. Haha don't know how many times I had to express that my purpose as a missionary doesn't align to whatever his intentions were. Normally I wouldn't mention something like this, but it was hilarious. So I'm teaching about Joseph Smith and I asked him what he thought that Joseph did to receive an answer from God. his response, "Pray, but that's what I've been doing. I mean, I'm praying to find the right girl, and I know you're here for a reason.." and I'll end it at that. No further need to explain more. I expressed that just like he prayed for answers to his prayers, Joseph did just that, and shot straight into reciting the First Vision. After the lesson, I felt so uncomfortable, and his brother expressed that he knew his brother was attempting to flirt. We expressed it's not our purpose, and so now we're handing him off. So here's the best part. I was complaining about it to Sis. Ballif on the way out and filling her in on what happened that whole lesson. i was so annoyed, and as I was talking to her, I yanked the car door open so hard, and the edge of the door hit me straight in the eye. If I were any taller, it woulda knocked my eye out! So that was a humbling experience for me, and everyone thinks Sis Ballif and I duked it our in comp inventory or something. So there's a laugh for ya!

 Anyway,

We're so heartbroken that our progressing investigators left, but we realized that it's all due to the Lord's will, and he knows them best. It was such a privilege to be able to view them as God would, and love them as He would. It makes all the difference when you view them with eternal, spiritual eyes, rather than our physical mortal eyes. You grow to learn what charity is about, and I can testify of the truthfulness of that from the bottom of my heart.

 I was certainly humbled down this past week, and I realized it's another opportunity to trust my Heavenly Father more. I know this experience will help me down the road, and I'm grateful for the blessing I've been given to learn. 

 Again, I invite you all to continue to build your relationship with him. Pray to him. Ask him if He loves you. What he thinks of you. I've done that, and I can't even explain how sacred of an experience I had with that.

 

I love you all so much!

En realidad. Have a great week. I'm praying for you all.

 

Con amor,

Temple Spires.

Tue 9/8/2015 12:30 PM

THIS PAST WEEK WAS THE BEST EVER!

 

Really, every week on my mission is. Easily the best time of my life. Why? 'Cause I've given it to the Lord, and he's molding me.

 

I've felt so exhausted this past week, and words cannot express how good it feels! I don't know. I feel good about my efforts when I get home, get ready for bed, and am able to pass out within seconds. I feel that that's when I've completely given my time to the Lord and he helps me recognize that I did enough that day.

 

So, cool experience. I so made a gangster cry. Actually, it was the spirit that did it, but I was an instrument, and I just thought that was cool. We were working in Spo-Compton one night, and our appt with Dylan fell through, so we just walked around. We found this guy named Raymond, and he was just up to gangster stuff. Spoke to him about the Plan of Salvation, and he softened his heart, and totally cried due to the Spirit. He's trying to quit drinking, and we invited him to quit. I asked him of I could take his bag filled with alcohol, and he said, "You ain't takin' my alcohol from me." We had a good talk about alcohol, and he committed to quit. It was gnarly. So yeah. I felt legit, nbd.

 

Oh my heck. Dylan!!! Ah!

He has just been battling with Satan like crazy! He's been trying to cut down and quit smoking, but each time we leave a lesson, the Spirit comes in knocking on his door and tempts him. We helped him recognize that, and we've just been doing all we could possibly do to help him. We call him every 4 hrs to help him, and stopping by to give him the friendly reminder. It's super cool because our ward including himself and other of his supporters in the area prayed and fasted for him. We've been praying for his desire to smoke to completely leave him so that he'll progress and be able to be interviewed for baptism this upcoming Saturday. He called us Sunday night and told us he went down to just 1. We knew the Lord was answering our prayers. We received a call from him yesterday and he said, "Sisters, I can do it. I'll be able to quit before Saturday. I'm losing my desire to smoke, and I know that trusting God has played a role in this." We couldn't believe what we heard. We totally did a little victory dance as he was telling us about this. Dylan, is breaking the chains of temptation, and watching him go through this has been such a great testimony building experience. With God, everything is possible. He is loving the Lord, and has turned his heart to him. 

 

 

It's so awesome the support he's getting from everyone. So many people support and love him. People he doesn't even know!

One of our members came up to him Sunday and gave him a ton of ties from his mission, and told him that every new member could use new ties. It touched me heart. it's awesome to watch the charity we all hold for one another. Dylan is such a miracle. So prepared.

 

I'd talk about James as well and the best lesson we had with him, but I'm out of time! However, he has learned how to trust in God, and through the Spirit we discerned that need of his, and have helped him meet it. It's such a privilege to be a part of all these miracles!

 

I just love being on the Lord's errand all the time. I wouldn't trade it for anything. I hope you all continue to grow your love and trust in him. Have a great week.

 

Con amor,

 

Hermana Robles

The One Where the Love Story Didn't End

Mon 8/31/2015 12:31 PM

I know what you're all thinking,

"Hermana Robles, why are you thinking about love stories?" Or something along those lines and the importance of having a "locked heart" on my mission. 

Pues, si.

But, let me tell you about the greatest miracle EVER first. 

And basically, this may be all I'll email about today. Quizá.

 

Dylan. Oh man.. Dylan! So remember how I mentioned that he was just "so golden" last week? Yeah, well.. So true! Probably more gold than that calf people used to worship back in the days of Moses!

Dylan is literally the walking miracle of the enabling power of the Atonement. He has strengthened my testimony like nothing else. I don't even know where to begin. This last week was just the best. We taught him some of the best lessons this past week. The Spirit was evidently present, and the strongest. I can't even express how I felt in those lessons. So sublime. So sacred. Powerful, and filled with charity. The best thing is that he recognized it in the first lesson. He's so intelligent, and he's recognizing it more and more. 

 After our first lesson with him last Sunday, we returned Tuesday. We taught him the Plan of Salvation, and it just clicked to him. It was incredible how the Spirit taught him. He recognized it off the bat. He expressed that he was feeling the spirit so strong, and that he understood his purpose on earth and the purpose that God has for him. We spoke to him about the temple and Family History and put him "on-date" to attend the temple and do Proxy Baptisms for Oct 2. Right before Gen. Conference and the end of the transfer. He accepted and expressed how excited he was for that. We're helping him see his eternal perspective and looking towards a goal to work towards. Right now, and based off his desires, the Priesthood and the temple.

After that lesson, he expressed a few things regarding the Word of Wisdom. He's doing his best to completely cut cigarettes before the 12th of Sept. We had a few members with us and asked him if he wanted a Priesthood blessing.

Austen, our WML gave him such a beautiful blessing to help give him comfort and strength. I just love the Priesthood! It's been such a blessing in my life, especially on my mission. 

After Austen gave Dylan his blessing, Dylan expressed that as soon as Austen placed his hands on his head, he felt a surge of energy flow through his body. That he'd never felt anything like it before, and that he knew the Priesthood is real, and so powerful.

Since the blessing, Dylan's gone from 10 cigarettes a day, to 7, to 5, to 3, and is slowly but surely letting go of them. THIS ALL HAS HAPPENED WITHIN THE PAST WEEK! We've been at his place everyday giving him things to help him, and our members have too. The guys even brought him church clothes to wear on Sunday and just been in constant touch with him.

It's so great that the ward has been in unity to help Dylan quit. Such a huge testimony builder. I expressed to him that I possibly couldn't imagine what he's going through and the massive amounts of self mastery that he has. In order for me to support him, I was going to give up something that's been a struggle for me too, and that I just love so much- desserts. I found myself committing to that before thinking it through.. but not surprised. I would do such a thing. It's cool cause Sis Ballif also committed to doing it, and that 3 of us are keeping each other on tabs each night and sharing scriptures to help. 

 

Each lesson we've taught him this past week has been so great! I can't even fathom it. 

However, yesterday's lesson taught me and strengthened both my testimony and conversion more than I expected. 

We "homecourted" him at our Stake president's home. The McCombies are seriously my mission parents. They remind me of mom and dad. It's insane. After church, we all went to their home and had dinner followed by a lesson. We taught the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Easily the most powerful lesson of my mission. Wish I had time to really go into detail. We spoke about how living the Gospel of Jesus Christ is a lifestyle- the lifestyle to real happiness. The spirit once again stronger than ever. I remember just powerfully testifying and saying things I wasn't planning to say, or even expecting. I knew the Spirit was working through my companion and I to Dylan. When we checked for understanding, he in return taught us through the things he said that he learned. He recognized that without the Lord, we are nothing. That the best and most intelligent thing we could do is let God take hold of the steering wheel in our lives, and TRUST. He understood that repentance isn't an event, but a process. it clicked! Everything clicked.

 President McCombie asked him why baptism. Why does he want to be baptized. He shared the most touching testimony and my heart was just so filled. I bawled lie a baby. This man WANTS Christ and God, and he recognized that he NEEDS them. How they will help him and strengthen him throughout life's perils. He is deeply rooted in to the Gospel. He's tasted of the fruit, and has received a witness that it's good and delights him. He expressed, "Well, baptism would be a love story that doesn't end." Poet. He said that he knows how sacred and serious of a covenant baptism is and that he's in. His heart, mind, will, and actions. He wants it. 

 

 

THE ATONEMENT IS SO REAL. 

 I've been praying to find someone like Dylan that i could help bring closer to Christ, and the Lord has answered my desire. I recognized that sometimes we have to push further and be at that last point before our prayers are answered. That is how God teaches us. He wants us to learn something throughout the process. Proves how loving God is. 

 

This is something I have such a strong testimony of. I know that God loves each of his children and is working in their lives. That his plan is better for us than what we think ours is. That our wants and desires should always point to him. I love him with all I have in me, and he surely has the streering wheel in my life.

 

I invite you all to allow him in your hearts if you haven't.

 

Have a great week!

 Con amor,

 

Hermana Robles

"It Was the Best of Times; It Was the Worst of Times"

Mon 8/24/2015 12:25 PM

I don't even know where to begin!

My heart was so full this last week. Full of love, humility, happiness, and also smoke.

 

So there's 30 active fires in WA right now. It is insane! The state is like on fire or something. Baptism by fire.. Hahah no. But this last Friday was probably the worst. There was heavy smoke everywhere. It was so difficult to breathe. I think I understand how smokers feel a bit now. Or maybe I don't, because these "Washingtonians" were still out smoking their joints! I don't understand how, but okay.

 

Anyway, there was ash all in the air. I've never dealt with anything like this. Never had trouble breathing in my life, but hey. There's a first for everything, right? President Dymock instructed everyone in those areas to immediately go inside and update things unless we had set appointments. In that case, we could go to those. We found a way to get into people's houses. We wanted to keep teaching! The air quality was hazardous. He also instructed us all to prepare 72 hr kits in case we needed to evacuate. Sis Norcross (roommate) and I were on it that night. I tried to throw my whole closet into a carry on bag. No comment. So yeah. People are fasting for the fires to cease and all that. It's been really neat to watch everyone's faith enhance through such a humbling experience.

 

Oh yeah. I got my darn "trunky papers" that day. It was the saddest thing of my mission thus far.

 

Not only did that happen on Friday, but such a huge blessing occurred that day too. Thus, making it the best day of my mission. Jose de Jesus. He went into the temple for the first time! Easily the happiest moment of my mission. I had waited my entire mission for this to occur. He took a few of his family names with him. I got the opportunity to do proxy baptisms with him too, so I took some of our family names. I had him do the male names on our behalf. I was so happy that he got to do it! He was the only male there so he had to do 15ish names. Poor guy wasn't even expecting it. As he was "dunked" for the 10th time, he asked "Are we done yet?" One of the temple workers asked him if he was doing all those family names I gave him, and he turned to me, pointed and said, "I'm just doing her a favor". He also referred to that worker as "Mr. Clean" because he was bald and in all white. I cracked up so hard. There was a special point right before I went, that I was waiting and talking to him. I asked him how he felt and he explained that it was a peace he has never felt before. The way he felt outside of the temple compared to the inside was drastic, and that he didn't wanna leave. I about cried for the millionth time. The Spirit was so strong at that moment. Music to my ears. He was excited to find out there were further covenants and ordinances he could make in the temple. Easily the greatest, sublime, moment of my mission.

 

 

 

 

This whole past week was so filled with miracles.

Edgar. He is soooooo golden! He has the greatest sincere desire to change and become better. He knows that the way is through Christ, and that's what he wants to change. He had so many crazy events lead him to this point, and he expressed that he knows we're here to help him and how he's so blessed for that. He thinks we're "angels". He is just so ready!!

 

Dylan. He's a YSA referral we received. Holy smokes. I have never met anyone so hungry for the gospel and baptism in my life! We texted him to contact him and he immediately said, "I want to be baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints". I know this is my answer and the way for my eternal happiness. We put him on date via text for September 26th. He said he was so ready and he wanted to know everything he needed to do to make it possible. He said if he needed to be abstinent on whatever, he would do it. We met with him yesterday, and confirmed Sept 26th. He had met with missionaries before, and when we taught the Restoration, he knew EVERYTHING. He asked what he needed to do to have the Priesthood, cause he wants it so badly. It was incredible. The Spirit was so strong, and he easily recognized it. He told us it's testifying of complete truth and that he can't wait to grow his testimony and be baptized. This was such a first for me. Never met anyone so ready like he was! We're meeting with him tomorrow. Our members who were at the lesson were so impressed bu him and his desire. He blew each of us away!

 

Transfer calls. Okay so get how crazy this is. We get transfer calls Sunday night. President Dymock called me Saturday night and asked me to go off speaker. Asked me how I was doing. Told him I was nervous now that he was on the other line. He laughed and said that he wanted to personally deliver my transfer call to me via phone. He told me that after much thought and prayer, he needed to put me with Sister Ballif. An English speaking missionary. That he confides in me and knows that I need to be her companion. He's had quite a crazy last transfer and that he wants me to second train her. I'm excited to have an opportunity to grow. It's such an honor that President thought of me. With that said, I'm staying in Cheney YSA English and in Southwest Spanish. Solo STL of 4 sister companionships, and doing Spanish work by myself since my comp doesn't know Spanish and wasn't assigned to serve in Spanish. I'm so humbled and grateful.

 

Here's a quote that has been my motto the past few weeks.  "To thine ownself, be enough" -David O. McKay.

 

The key is to follow the Spirit and obey it with exactness. That's when we know we're successful. Whether we are or aren't missionaries. In order to grow and progress, we must follow the Spirit and learn to do so. That's why we have all these commandments. To make it possible to do that.

 

The Lord doesn't care if we baptized a million or none. He cares that we did our best. In and out of missionary work, and that we followed the Spirit. I testify this is true.

 

I invite you all to cut something that hinders your communication from recognizing the Spirit. I know you'll recognize miracles and wonders.

 

Love you all! 2 more transfers to learn and serve my Lord. Wow.

 

Con amor,

 

Hermana Robles

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cloud 9.1

Mon 8/17/2015 12:30 PM

It's a beautiful day to be a missionary in the WASPO mission!

I miss President Mullen saying that..

It really is though! This past week was just the worst in spite of the smoky air I inhaled each day.

The air was just so dusty, and the sky was just so gray due to all the fires that have been occurring. Now add that to the heat we've been getting. It's a hot mess.

I don't get allergies whatsoever, but I don't know what was in the air that caused my eyes to itch, and for it to be difficult to breathe. It was probably weed. It's legal here, so I wouldn't be surprised.

But really. I found my eyes watering and super itchy this whole week. It was tough for me to look "professional". 

 Aside from that, I've been

 

on Missionary "Cloud 9" all week. or, "9.1" as I call it. So many miracles. It's been incredible.
 

If you couldn't tell, yesterday was the best Sunday, ever. Why? I'll tell you why. 

Jose de Jesus. Ah! The sisters in the Valley told me the week previous to this last, he passed the sacrament. Yesterday, he blessed it! Happiest news ever! He wore his white shirt and black slacks, and a tie! A TIE!!! Apparently his was too long, so he had to wrap it around his neck like twice. So adorable.

 

 

We also had our investigator Adan come to church! He looked like a total Priesthood holder with his white shirt, tie, and black slacks! I just couldn't get over that. HE NEEDS TO BE BAPTIZED! He was so engaged during the meetings. Sung the hymns. Read 3 Ne 18 during the sacrament, took notes, participated in class, and made friends with everyone. It was just the best. the spirit was suuuuper strong!

Oh, and we got 3 of our less actives at church! It was so awesome!

Josh. Okay, he's so cool. It was quite some time since he last came to our ward. Before I even came into the area about 4 months ago. We had a super awesome lesson about the Atonement and charity and how that correlates in with our lives and personal conversion. This happened Friday night. We invited him to church and he said, "I was planning on going this Sunday. It's been too long. I need to be there." So yesterday morning, we came by, and he had me pick out his tie. I chose pink cause Sister Flores and I were rocking that color for the day. That's beside the point though. He let whatever was holding him back (Satan) go, and put God first. It was cloud 9.1 indeed. Yesterday was the best Sunday.

 I'm pretty out of time, but this week is the last week of the transfer. So weird. Doesn't seem real. Time is just obscure to me. I feel that I'm getting transferred out. Been here a good chunk of time. Crossing my fingers I get transferred to the valley. I feel that this will be my last area, and it'd be the greatest to "die" with my Recent Converts. It'd be a great end to a great journey.

 

Oh, and we met this awesome golden latino named Edgar who really wants to change and grasp in everything we're teaching him. Watch me get transferred out.. Haha
 

Love you all! Have a great week (:

Con amor,

 

Hermana Robles

 

Ways the Atonement Strengthened Me This Week

Mon 8/10/2015 12:30 PM

So we received this phone call last night from the APs. It's very unlikely for them to call unless something is going on. I answered the phone and they asked me how I was doing. Well, of course I wasn't doing fine at that moment because I knew something was going on. They told me that President felt strong about this and that my companion and I were getting swept out of our area. We needed to be packed and out of our place by 6:30. I about fainted. My heart shattered and I had to gasp for air. I couldn't believe what they were telling me. A million things ran through my mind and I didn't know what to think or what to do next. Who to call to arrange everything. I asked the APs if they were serious, and I heard one of them laughing his head off in the background. The other said, "Nope, but we'd like for you to give a training at Zone Conference on Tuesday." That's our APs for ya. By giving me a huge scare, they eased their way into making me say "yes" over training 3 zones combined at tomorrow's Zone Conference. They're cleaver. 

 

 

 

P-day wasn't that long ago, so I don't have that much to update on.

However, I had a really neat experience while partaking of the Sacrament yesterday that changed a lot for me.

It's vital that we always remember and focus on the importance of the Savior's Atonement and what that means in regards to taking his name upon us and remembering him always. We tend to just take the bread and water, and call ourselves good for the week, and let the Atonement help us start over. Yes it's important to recognize that, but also to ponder on the significance of the sacrament and what exactly that means. It's the only ordinance we repeatedly do for ourselves. We can't take that for granted. If we do, well, I invite you to wholeheartedly repent and change that (: I'll be the first to admit that I've had to do that several times. Now remember that repentance is not a negative thing. It's simply humbling ourselves down and allowing for the Atonement to change us once we make restitution with our imperfections.

 

With that stated, I whipped out a sticky note and titled it "Ways the Atonement Strengthened Me This Week." It was incredible to be able to instantly jot down what it was that made it possible. I'll share a few things. I had the strength and will to let Mark go, I taught lessons with power and authority, I gained charity for each person I spoke to because I asked for it, I was enlightened through different missionaries and at MLC through the Spirit. I was able to remember the things I needed to train on at Zone Training on Friday, Self mastery became more of a possibility than struggle, and I was able to repent through partaking of the sacrament. By the end, I felt so good! So relieved. I then thought to myself, "Well, I've recognized these things, but now what do I have to stop doing, and begin doing?" It was great to recognize that instantly and let go of anything I held back in my heart from the Lord. So I invite you all to think and really ponder, "What do I need to quit doing, and now start doing?". You'll recognize your answer. 

 

I love the concept of "self government". President has made that a huge thing in our mission this past week. We're adults. We can govern ourselves and make decisions to help us grow, so now we're putting that to the test. We have boundaries in this mission, but he's allowing us to govern ourselves and pick our own consequences. He trusts us. That's how our Heavenly Father is. He does the same. He wants us to grow and develop ourselves. 

Mom and dad, I know you both have gone through that a ton the past year.With me leaving on a mission, and now Danny moved off to college. I get it. I finally understood. You've "trained" us and guided us to make the right decisions based off the doctrines and principles of Jesus Christ's gospel, and you trust that we'll make the right choices and ultimately be happy. You've done your part, and now it's up to us to either follow it, or stray away. I can tell you that I've learned the happiest, and easiest way is through God and Christ. Through their gospel. It's the ultimate key to happiness. So thank you.

 

I hope you have a great week, and pray that I don't mess up on this training tomorrow. Training a zone is do-able for me, but 3 combined.. I don't know. I'll probably trip over myself or something. 

 

Love you all!

 

Con amor,

 

The Recovery.

Mon 7/20/2015 12:30 PM

Cómo están?

So nothing too crazy happened throughout this week. I mean, my greenie and some members took over the area for several days, so I'm proud of her.

 

Both Dr. Lopez and President Dymock wanted me out for 5 whole days! FIVE! What is this?! It was just a little surgery.

So, I was just out for 4 and a half, and called it good (:

I felt so ineffective because all I got to do was lay, sleep, write in my journal, and watch LDS movies or anything of that sort. I watched Meet the Mormons like twice. Almost went on my 3rd time, but I realized something huge in the midst of all this.

 

Firstly, how amazing our members are to aid one another when someone's in need of help. I was with the Burnetts and McWhirks and rotated days. It was so great to be with them and counsel each other on different things. Our relationships certainly deepened. Their families spoiled me more than I deserved to be. 

 

Secondly, how I cannot let myself sit around and do nothing with my time when the time comes to go home. Time is such a precious gift that God has given us, and if we're wasting it by doing nothing productive and just sitting around, what does that say about our gratitude? I am so guilty of this. That's all I did before the mission. I could have done so much good in this world, but hey. We all learn from our mistakes, don't we? That's the beauty of the Atonement. 

However, I did have the chance to talk to the Hygienist and Dental Assistant about the gospel, as well as the Pharmacists and everyone we encountered while I was out. Sure I looked all bummy with my face swollen and my bummy clothes, but I think my name tag may have added some sort of power to it all. Just because I had to be on rest, doesn't give me an excuse to not be a missionary. The point is, we shouldn't be "sleeping through the Restoration". 

 

 I think the funniest thing was text my companion once I got out of surgery and said, "Tell President Obama I'm okay." When I meant to say "President Dymock". 

 

Thirdly, I think this small time was set apart for me to take a breather and figure out what to do with my future. It was highly needed. I was able to contemplate, study, and pray on what steps I need to make, and I'm a step closer on deciding on a few things. It's incredible how much God is willing to help us when we follow his commandments and simply ask and act. 

 

So Leo and Leoniel were baptized this past weekend! They had waited so long to do this, and they were finally able to do so. Coralia isn't in the picture anymore, but I can bet you 100 blessings, she's baptized by now as well. It was so great to watch Hno Candelario Lopez baptize them both. The Spirit was so strong!

 

Oh my gosh. So President Dymock is allowing the Spanish missionaries to take turns and do a Spanish temple session. We were the first ones to get to do it over the weekend. Everything was weird to listen to in Spanish. It was great! But I love that I got to be with the members from both the branches I served in. It was such a highlight. I couldn't stop grinning. I was able to gain guidance through that session. If I can remember correctly, D&C 88:116 was my answer. One of my new favorites. It's so important to trust God and his plan. 

 

Also, President and sister Dymock ask that you check out our mission FB page: Washington Spokane mission President Dymock.

 

We also have roommates now, so it's a "spiritual party".

 

Alright, eso es todo.

 I invite you all to really trust God, at whatever point your relationship is with him.

 

Love you all!

 

Happy Birthday Danny! I haven't forgotten!! <3

 

Con amor,

 

Hermana Robles