Week 68: Brother Joseph

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! (again)

I love you all so much and hope that all went well this past week (:

We got Transfer news again this past weekend... seems that is always sneaking up on me!

I will be staying here in Prince George as a solo STL and I will be training a brand new missionary! I'm very excited to continue to learn and grow and to be able to catch some of that greenie fire again! 

As for this past week, Heavenly Father blessed us with the perfect white Christmas. Not only was there snow (shocking I know), but Brother Joseph was baptized! He was so excited and has been waiting for this day for weeks now! Joseph has the kindest heart and I can't wait to see how God continues to work miracles through him. And a HUGE shout out to our sweet ward members here in Prince George who absolutely adore him and support him in every way. I couldn't be more grateful!

Love you all so much!

Love always,

Sister Robertson 

Pictures:

1) last district photo of the transfer

2) JO JO and our ward mission leader, Brother and Sister Anderson!

3) Joseph and his bffs, the Marks

4) secret sister presents, sorry the sock monkey slippers are cut off :(

5) :) :) :)

6) s/o to a fabulous family THANK YOU FOR SPOILING ME ROTTEN

7) Christmas with our newest fav member ;-)

8) lol. Welcome to Prince George

Week 67: Many are Cold, but few are Frozen

HEY YOU GUYS

First off,

M E R R Y   C H R I S  T M A S

I know it's a little bit early, but next week it will be too late! 

This week has been so amazing! We have been able to teach Joseph every day this past week and will be until his baptism on Friday! He is truly amazing, and has such great faith. The members in the ward are happily surprised by how readily he accepts everything, but Joseph says, "he really does know that God led him down this path, and he is so grateful to have this strong connection with God back in his life." I am so happy for my dear friend, and for the special opportunity it is to have a baptism  on Christmas Eve Eve. What better way to celebrate the birth and life of our Savior Jesus Christ, than by watching someone take that first step in following Him!!

I love the Gospel of Jesus Christ so much, and I am forever grateful for the short time in which I have to share it as a missionary. I know He lives and loves us! 

Love you all so so much! Have a wonderful Christmas!

Love always,

Sister Robertson 

Pictures:

1) Tried to do a cute 15 month pic... didn't work and didn't have time to fix it. 

2) tracting :-)

3) OUR FAV JOHANNE. She is a convert of over a year and was actually baptized by Sister Rachel Travers! She is literally a blessing from God and is so rock solid. 

4) There is a saying for missionaries that goes, "Many are called, but few are chosen." When President and Sister Burt flew  up here last week they said, "Many are Cold, but few are Frozen." That's Prince George for ya!

5/6) Current weather conditions. It has been -20 these past two weeks!

S/o to mom and dad for the new snow boots ;-)

Week 66: What think Ye of Christ?

Hey Ya'll :) :) :)

This past week we had the opportunity to hear from a member of the Quorum of the Seventy, Elder Nattress. What a sacred opportunity it was. He recently spoke to us in October's General Conference, and the spirit was even stronger as he taught us face to face. Before I get into the things that I learned, I just wanted to quickly share a miracle update on Joseph.

This past week we followed up and reviewed the Word of Wisdom, which is a health code for the benefit of our bodies. This past weekend Joseph got sick with a cold, and previously when that happened he took a couple of shots of brandy to clear it up, an old trick he learned while working cruises and he doesn't believe in medicine. Well this weekend he got sick again, and to our surprise we received a text from him that said, "I bought some nasal spray for the cold and Vicks. Last time when you asked me to stay away from brandy I was paying attention. I will not drink brandy for cold no more." 

Needles to say we were thrilled, and he is so looking forward to his baptism at the end of December! 

At Zone Conference we discussed the question proposed in Matthew 22, "What think Ye of Christ?", with added questions of, "When did you know," and "when did you know that you know?"

What a special spirit that was there as we each had the opportunity to bear testimony of our Savior, Jesus Christ, and I would suggest that each of you take the time to watch this video and ponder these questions yourselves. 

https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2014-01-001-christlike-attributes?lang=eng

I would like to briefly, in the best way that I can, describe the feelings that I had that day, and my thoughts on those three questions.

The atonement of Jesus Christ is such a dear thing to my heart. It is something that I come to understand a little bit more and more each day of my life. What I would do to see my Savior, and to thank him face to face for all that he has done for me. Jesus Christ is someone I have been lucky enough to learn about from a very young age. I have always believed in him, but I admit, I don't think I truly understood the gravity and the power behind what he did until I was faced with adversity in my own life. I can still so tangibly recall a specific day in my life in which I had been hurt by someone I deeply trusted. Up to that point, I had never felt so overcome by emotion and so debilitated in my life. I remember praying, and just pleading with Heavenly Father for strength to get through that day. I couldn't do it on my own. Seconds later, I felt the weight of those feelings lifted and I knew without a shadow of a doubt that my Savior understood me. That He had felt what I had felt, and that because of Him, I didn't have to do it on my own. The next day I woke up, with the same problem to face, and with many of those same hard emotions restored, but my faith had grown. I knew that I wasn't alone, and I knew that I could overcome all of it. How grateful I am for that experience, the first time that I can truly pinpoint feelings of being lifted by my Savior, Jesus Christ. Since then, I have had numerous experiences with my Savior. I have come to understand of the true miracle that He is to us. And that is what I think of Him. He is my miracle. He gave his life freely for each of us, and we have the opportunity to be forgiven and to change when maybe we don't deserve to be otherwise- simply because He loves us, and simply because He wants us to be able to return home. I know and testify that Jesus Christ is each of our personal Savior. He knows and loves you, and He will do anything, and has done everything for you. 

What a sacred opportunity we have this time of year to cherish the birth of our Savior and to remember His sacred gift to each of us. 

I am grateful for my parents and for all others who have influenced me in my life and have taught and led me to the Savior. Thank you. You each have done and are doing more for me than you know. I also wanted to include a link to Elder Nattress's conference talk below. It was a wonderful one, and just adds to the gratitude that I have for those who work so tirelessly to raise and guide children in today's world, and who lead them to their Savior. 

I love you all and hope you have a wonderful week!!!

Love always,

Sister Robertson 

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2016/10/no-greater-joy-than-to-know-that-they-know?lang=eng

Pictures for this week:

1. My companion is hilarious

2. We knocked into a Robertson family. He said, "No way! You are part of my clan. Send this book to your dad it talks all about our heritage." So Merry Christmas Dad. Also, we will be seeing them again this week to teach them more about Jesus Christ so #blessed

3. Just casual Christmas House lights

4. The drive to Quesnel

Week 65: from -20 to 212

HEY  HOME,

Yes it is actually freezing here now. We hit -20 degrees this week. Pray for me. 

And speaking of degrees, when Elder Holland came to the mission he talked about water and how it hits it's boiling point at 212. He said that the water is plenty hot at 206 or 209 or 210, but at 212, water not only changes in degree but in kind. 

I know that that's what each of us need to do everyday, and what we need to do here in our mission. Not only work harder, but become changed and truly work according to the will of the Lord. He is after all, the master of the plan. 

This past week has been a huge opportunity for me to experience some of this change, and I'm so grateful for a loving Heavenly Father who allows us to change, and for my Savior, Jesus Christ, who makes change possible. I know that no matter who we are, or where we are in life, it is never too late to change and to experience more of the joy that God has in store for us. I know that He loves us, and that He knows and loves each and every one of you. My testimony of that principle is strengthened every day as I talk to people and watch them learn and grow in the gospel. 

This past week has been such a special one, aside from feeling a lot of inadequacy for many reasons, God blessed me with more than I deserve and helped me to see the miracles that can come as we trust in Him, and allow ourselves to be tools in His hands.

This past week our church held the creche (which is a Christmas event with 500+ nativities set up that the community and ward members absolutely adore.) It was such a wonderful opportunity to remember the real reason for this season, and to help our investigators to see that as well!

We saw Kat and Coral twice this week! I missed the lesson on Tuesday because of exchanges with the Nechako Sisters, but Saturday they came to the creche and then we taught them the Restoration. It was amazing. Both Coral and Kat really connected to it. They each said a prayer during the lesson, and their prayers were so honest and sincere. While we were teaching Coral said, "I always love meeting with ya'll. It's so refreshing, I always feel such peace." and Kat texted us later and said,  " I really do feel good about all of this and want to learn more and want my daughter to be baptized too." I am so grateful for the power of the Holy Ghost that leads us to truth and helps us to feel comforted and feel God's love.

Joseph is also doing STELLAR. We have been a little worried about him lately, but we had the most perfect lesson with him this weekend. Bishop Campbell came and said exactly everything that we needed. We talked about the BOM being the key stone of our religion and the role it has in our conversion as well as the Godhead and all the wonderful truths that have been restored because of the restoration. Joseph shared several personal experiences about the influence of the Holy Ghost in his life as well as watching meet the mormons and other "I am a Mormon" testimonies recently and just the confirmation he has felt since then about this really being the right path for him. Then he came to church the next morning, and in class they were talking about a lot of different BOM stories and he was like, "I don't know many of these, I better start reading." So he wants to read a chapter of the Book of Mormon every day. We were ecstatic! Then after church some ward members invited him over for dinner, so he went home with them and was back at 5 for the Christmas Devotional. It was perfect.

I love you all and am grateful for the impact you have each made in my life. I am so grateful for this Christmas Season and for the time we have to rejoice in Jesus Christ and in everything that He has done for us. He loves you, i can promise you that. 

Love always,

Sister Robertson 

Pictures:

1) Family Home Evening(FHE) Activity with our Young Single Adults (YSA) and investigator Brittany (she has the pink hair)

2) ME and Britt (: She actually referred herself on mormon.org

3) JOSEPH at the creche

4) All the Sisters and Sister and President Burt at Mission Leadership Council (MLC)

5) Came home after MLC and our sweet Sisters had sticky-attacked our door <3 :'-)

Week 64: Light the World

Dear Chicken Noodles,

HOW IS IT DOWN IN THE DEEP SOUTH? 

Everyone in Canada is still disappointed I don't have a southern accent and laughs at the amount of winter gear I am already wearing... apparently 3 inches of snow isn't actually cold here. And apparently it is supposed to be -25 all next week :'-) Needless to say, P.G still has my heart. 

We haven't been able to see Joseph too much lately, although we had an awkward dinner with him and some members of the ward here on Wednesday. He was 45 minutes late and then the members tried to feed him a lot a lot and were offended when he couldn't eat it all.... Luckily, everything still turned out okay and after we left Joseph was able to stay and to build a better relationship with them! 

We also found this super wonderful woman named Kat, who ended up coming to church, who also has the cutest baby of your life, and who was super involved during Sunday School! I'll tell ya'll more about her next week!

I am always so grateful to be serving a mission at this time of year. As a community, people tend to be way more open about Jesus Christ, and nothing is better than being able to represent him at such a sacred time of year. The church recently put out a new Christmas video called, "Light the World."

https://www.mormon.org/christmas/light-the-world?play=hero

I know that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the World, and he loves y o u. He can lift you from any burdens, heal you from all sorrows and sadness, and give light in the darkest of places.

This morning we were preparing for a lesson and the question came up, "Why if Jesus Christ was all powerful would he allow himself to be crucified?" I know that although "the world, because of their iniquity, shall judge him as a thing of naught; wherefore they scourge, and he suffereth it; and they smite him, and he suffereth it. ye, they spit upon him, and he suffereth it" That Jesus Christ died for us "because of his loving kindness and his long-suffering towards the children of men. 1 Nephi 19:9

I hope each of us allows the love of the Savior into our lives, and that we too will be his hands here on earth and share that love and light with others.

I love each of you so so much, and are praying for you daily. Thank you for all the prayers you send my way and for the support you provide!

love always,

Sister Robertson 

Pictures:

1-3) Merry Christmas from P.G! We love Christmas and we love the Nechako Sisters!

4) We had exchanges this past week and I was with sweet Sister Lybbert. She is from Alberta and has been in the mission field for a week (:

5) QUESNEL SISTERS <3

6-7) Sister Lybbert ;-)

8-9) are you surprised?

10) Sister Tripp <3 <3 <3

11) My former companion Sister Ricks, with my investigator in Port Moody. She was recently baptized and married and now her husband is getting baptized as well. My heart is forever full.

12) See if you can follow this one. The best lookin' trio around serving in my old area, Port Moody. Sister Amat Sokupit (my baby), Sister Ricks (the love of my life), and Sister Crane (my grandbaby). My heart is so full of gratitude for these wonderful Sisters. LOVE THEM!

13) When we see snow....

Week 63: "I really can't stay, President it's cold outside..."

Dear Alabamians (plus some),

LOVE YOU ALL

Sweet Sister Hubert must have been my lucky charm because the moment she left it started snowing and it hasn't stopped since.... needless to say, I am learning how to drive in the snow and may or may not wear 4 pairs of tights a day ;-)

This past week has been fun. I've had the stomach flu and 3 different companions among other things. Transfer week is always crazy but God still blesses us with so many miracles! 

This past week we were able to teach Joseph twice. He is doing so good and has been reading the Book of Mormon and loving it! He's been out of town for the past two weekends and hasn't been able to make it to church but we are excited to have him start coming soon! When we taught him the Word of Wisdom he readily accepted it and understood that ultimately, "all things have been done in the wisdom of him who knoweth all things." He is so willing and eager to act in faith, it is so amazing! And I know that as he continues to do that, that God will help him to know that the things that we teach are true by the fruits that come from it. 

Besides that, here is a quick look-in to the life of Sister Robertson. So my first week as an STL (Sister Training Leader) they ask me to close off a call, and normally we begin and end each call with a prayer. Well, I can't even tell you how it slipped my mind, but after some closing remarks I said something to the affect of... "BYE." Rookie mistake. Needless to say, that will be following me everywhere for the next transfer+ but hey, people can't be laughing at you when you are laughing with them right?

Anyways, the life of a missionary is always fun and exciting..

I sure love you guys and hope that everyone has a great week! ALSO HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!! Everyone better eat enough turkey for me since I'll be up here in Canada just having a regular Thursday (:

Love always,

Sister Robertson 

Pictures:

1) Us with the Richmond Chinese Sisters (LOVE THOSE TWO).

 We stayed with them last last week before seeing Elder Holland

2) Saying goodbye to my sweet eternal companion. She's going to kill it down in Abbotsford!

3)Welcome to P.G Sister Tripp

Week 62: Kick when you don't want to Kick and Stroke when you don't want to Stroke

HEY CHICKENS

Where do I even start? This past week has been absolutely crazy.

First, this morning I woke up with the worst stomach bug of your life :-) I was so close to surviving my entire mission without getting sick, dang it.

Second, we got transfer news! Sister Hubert is heading down to Abbotsford to be an STL, and I am going to be an STL here in Prince George with Sister Tripp (who was just serving as an STL down in Surrey with my baby Sister Seiter!)

Third, ELDER HOLLAND CAME TO OUR MISSION AND YES HE IS EXACTLY LIKE ALL THE VIDEOS, same pulpit pounding and everything. 

It was absolutely amazing, and so crazy to be with the entire mission.... SO GOOD to see so many old companions ;-)

Elder Holland talked about a lot of different things, but his love for the people  in this world is astounding. He is a true disciple of Christ, and one whom truly understood and lives Christs instruction to, "Feed His sheep."

What struck me the most is how much the gospel, and his mission has meant to him. Not only did he keep saying it over and over, "My mission means everything to me." But you can feel it and see it in his face. His Savior, Jesus Christ literally means the world to him, and it's that single factor that has led him and continues to lead him to every other blessing in his life that he now currently has. 

I know that everything that I have, and everything that I am truly stems from the gospel of Jesus Christ, and from a decision to come on a mission. 

Elder Holland discussed different aspects of missionary work and the adversity that accompanies it. He said that, "often missionaries on occasion ask, Why is this so hard?

You will have occasion to ask those questions. I have thought about this a great deal. I offer this as my personal feeling. I am convinced that missionary work is not easy because salvation is not a cheap experience.Salvation never was easy. We are The Church of Jesus Christ, this is the truth, and He is our Great Eternal Head. How could we believe it would be easy for us when it was never, ever easy for Him? It seems to me that missionaries and mission leaders have to spend at least a few moments in Gethsemane. Missionaries and mission leaders have to take at least a step or two toward the summit of Calvary.

Now, please don’t misunderstand. I’m not talking about anything anywhere near what Christ experienced. That would be presumptuous and sacrilegious. But I believe that missionaries and investigators, to come to the truth, to come to salvation, to know something of this price that has been paid, will have to pay a token of that same price.

For that reason I don’t believe missionary work has ever been easy, nor that conversion is, nor that retention is, nor that continued faithfulness is. I believe it is supposed to require some effort, something from the depths of our soul.

If He could come forward in the night, kneel down, fall on His face, bleed from every pore, and cry, “Abba, Father (Papa), if this cup can pass, let it pass,” 16 then little wonder that salvation is not a whimsical or easy thing for us. If you wonder if there isn’t an easier way, you should remember you are not the first one to ask that. Someone a lot greater and a lot grander asked a long time ago if there wasn’t an easier way."

I know that this not only applies to missionary work, but like Elder Holland said, to all those who strive to be continually faithful in the church. This life is so hard, but it's that refining process that allows us to blossom into the people that God needs and we want to be. 

When a Olympic swimmer was asked the secret to his success he said, "Kick when you don't want to kick, and stroke when you don't want to stroke." 

I know that that is something each of us can do in this life and we strive to follow our Heavenly Father and his son, Jesus Christ every day. When things get hard, because they will, keep kicking and keep stroking- never give up. 

I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH and am so grateful for the privilege that I have to serve a mission, and to be able to learn all of these things now. I am grateful for a Heavenly Father who loves us enough to hurt us sometimes so that we are able to be pushed and to become the people we were meant to be. I know He lives and loves each one of you, and that Jesus Christ is the son of God and the only way to find true peace and joy in this life. 

I HOPE YOU ALL HAVE A GREAT WEEK!

Love always,

Sister Robertson

Pictures for this week:

1/2) By the way I past my 14 months...  and apparently carving pineapples is a thing? Lets just say it was a lot tastier.

Week 61: MI CASA ❤😊

MI CASA  

One of my best friends recently sent out an explanation describing the things we do as members of The Church of Jesus Christ, and why we do them, and it was a perfect reminder to me, as many who receive these weekly e-mails are not members either, that I should do the same. 

As missionaries we talk about baptism a lot and baptizing those that we teach. Please know that our church is not interested in gaining membership just for the sake of numbers, rather, as Latter Day Saints we strongly believe we are each children of God, and as such, God desires all of us to return to live with him again. The first step in that process is following the example of Jesus Christ by being baptized. As missionaries we have the sacred opportunity to be representatives of our savior, Jesus Christ and to teach and prepare people to make that promise to God. I love the gospel, as many members do, and desire for others to experience the sure joy and peace that I have felt as I have followed the example of Jesus Christ and become a member of his restored gospel. Please know, that if someone offers to share the gospel with you, it is solely for that same reason. Because they love and cherish you, and they want to share what has helped them and made them happy in this life. 

I sure love each of you, and am always grateful for your love, letters, and support, and for the many things you are each doing in your life to love and serve others, and to love and serve God. He loves you, I promise you that. 

This past week has been a miracle for so many reasons. God has certainly blessed me more then I deserve, and I am so grateful for the strength of my Savior Jesus Christ in enabling me to become more than I am. 

The greatest miracle of this week is our dear friend, Joseph. 

A couple of weeks ago we were calling through a bunch of phone numbers previous missionaries had left behind and just happened to call Joseph. He is originally from India and grew up his entire life going to Mass. He loves his Savior, Jesus Christ. Well this past week we were able to teach him about the restoration, the Book of Mormon, and Joseph Smith. He loved it. Two days later we taught him about the Gospel of Jesus Christ and talked to him about taking that step to be baptized by proper authority. He was thrilled, and will be baptized at the end of November. He shared so many experiences in his life of times when he has chosen to follow God and times when he has chosen not to. He is a living witness that if we, "keep the commandments of the Lord, we will prosper in the land." Alma 48:25

So right after our lesson, the Elders in our ward had a baptism for their friend, Austin, and Joseph was able to stay for it. The spirit was so strong and Joseph knew that this is exactly what he wanted to do. Coming to church the next morning, only confirmed that feeling for him.

The following are many quotes from him throughout that night and following morning.

"I think I'd go swimming in there right now."

"I'm so excited for mine!"

"Why didn't you guys find me sooner?"

I am so grateful to be able to be serving alongside my Savior. I know He lives, and loves each of you. It is never to late to get up and try again. I know that He will bless you as you do, and that each of us can experience the joy and blessings that come as we follow Him and keep His commandments.

LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH!

Love always,

Sister Robertson 

ps. This weekend we get to see Elder Holland, no big deal. Stay tuned for the biggest spiritual highlight of your life next week!

Pictures (: (: (:

1-3 )We are in charge of the Young Single Adult group up here in Prince George... which often is basically non-existent between work schedules. But we were able to mix the YSA kids and young adult couples in our ward and pull together a Halloween Activity this past week!

4) Our sweet 82 year old friend, Trudy Rae. She is a member but can't come to church b/c health.

5) Up in the North all the areas between missionaries are so far apart that for our weekly district Meetings, many of us have to use skype or call in. Welcome to our District Meeting (:

6) The Nechako Sisters and us <3

7) Our m i r a c l e, JOSEPH

8) The Gratton girls, they were baptized in August and we are going through the lessons with them again (:

9) Scenery :'-)