Week 52: Blessings from on High

FAM JAM,

Let me tell you that God knows His children. 

Richmond is full of new challenges, the biggest being that we are a transit area, so no car. Which is fun and a great way to meet people, figuring out all the bus routes and times is just proving to be difficult. I'm super blessed though because we live .2 seconds away from the chapel, which is also the mission office, and President and Sister Burt live probably 15 minutes away. SO THANKFUL FOR MY MISSION MOM AND DAD.

Sister Gartside is from Maryland, and has been out for almost 5 months now! She really does have the biggest heart!

Super sad to have left my last area, but I know that God has more in store for me. Super quick recap on our last lesson with Mark and Brianna in Port Moody-

It was wonderful. We had it at Emily's home, with Sister Macindoe as well. We watched the Restoration video and Emily bore such great testimony. She didn't mind saying that she had been LA, by her own, not because she ever doubted for a second that the gospel was true, and that she has learned that "there is nothing that this world can offer you, that is better than what Heavenly Father can." It was absolutely amazing. 

That is something that I have been thinking about a lot lately. This past Sunday we talked about sacrifices in sunday school. Sacrifice means giving to the Lord whatever He requires of our time, our earthly possessions, and our energies to further His work. It's being willing to be submissive to His will, and being willing to make changes in our lives to draw us near to Him. 

People always talk about serving a mission as such a big sacrifice. The amazing thing about everything God asks us to do is that, we are blessed 10 fold in return. Loving God turns sacrifices into blessings, and I know that everything we are asked to do, is for our own benefit. This past week has certainly been evident of that. 

It was hard to leave Coquitlam/ Port Moody, and continues to be, but I know that God knows us exactly. He knows what we need, and He is trying to bless us. 

In 3 Nephi 13, Jesus Christ teaches his apostles that same principle. Trust in God, trust that He knows you perfectly, and that every sacrifice you make is really for your gain. 

25...Therefore I say unto you, take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?

26 Behold the fowls of the air, for they sow not, neither do they reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?

 27 Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?

 28 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider thelilies of the field how they grow; they toil not, neither dothey spin;

 29 And yet I say unto you, that even Solomon, in all hisglory, was not arrayed like one of these.

 30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, whichtoday is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, even so willhe clothe you, if ye are not of little faith.

 31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat?or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we beclothed?

 32 For your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.

 33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.

I know that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ love us! They know exactly what we need and when we need it and everything they do is for the salvation of men. They want us to be happy and to be able to reach our fullest potential. I know that even though life is still full of challenges and trials, and starting this new area is a little bumpy, but that God's plan is perfect, and He just wants to bless me, and each of us. 

I had the opportunity to eat dinner with Sister and president Burt last night. It was absolutely wonderful, and God knew what I needed. I was sacred half to death because we had to share a message, but the spirit was so strong. I know that the gospel of Jesus Christ is true, and that like Emily said, there is absolutely n o t h i n g that this world can offer us that is better than what God can. He loves you. Trust in Him. 

I sure love ya'll and am forever grateful for the way you have made an impact in my life and others!

Love always,

Sister Robertson 

Pictures for this week:

1) The infamous Mark and Brianna. LITERALLY LOVE THEM

2) Emily <3 We had our lesson this past week at her house and it was absolutely amazing!

3)Goodbye house

4)laughing to mask the sadness of leaving

5) Sister Seiter is training a new baby and they pick them up in Richmond (which is my new area) so she got to stay with me and my new companion for 2 days while she waited for her baby to get here. TENDER MERCIES

6/7) Found a GORGEOUS park on the outskirts of our area. So I actually live in Richmond (which is a huge city), but I also cover Ladner and Tawassen.

8) Sister Gartside

9) Super terrible quality photo, but GUESS WHAT!!!! Micahel, Sima's husband who I taught in the beginning of my mission, got baptized! My heart could not be more full. 

Week 51: God loves us with all His heart, might, mind, and strength

 Lol. This basically sums up Canada 

HEY FRIENDS

So we did get transfer news....

Sister Seiter is staying here in Port Moody, and training a new baby. Looks like I am a Grandma x's 2 now! I love it. I am heading to Richmond, which is essentially the biggest pocket of Chinese people ever, so looks like I'll be picking up some Chinese lol. My new companion is Sister Gartside (sp?), who actually came out from the MTC with Sister Seiter.

This past week has been wonderful. We haven't been able to meet with quite a few of our investigators for a while now, but it's amazing to see how God is still working in everyone's lives. He is so aware of our individual needs and circumstances, and I can promise you, that if you don't think He is aware of you, or listening to you, or real at all, that He is. 

Monday night we were able to teach Mark and Brianna in a members home. It was wonderful. Brianna was so excited to tell us her recent experience with prayer. She said that she saw the picture in the pamphlet of the little girl kneeling down by her bed praying, and so she decided to do that too. She has been struggling at the kids camp that she goes to, and prayed for help to have fun and to be happy. 

Brianna: " God answered my prayer. The next day I had a good day."

Sister Seiter: "Do you know why God answered your prayer?"

Brianna: " Because He loves us."

It was so simple, but so profound. I know God loves us so much, and because He loves us, He cares about every single aspect of our lives, no matter how big or how small.

Mark also accepted our invitation to be baptized September 24. When we invited him he said without hesitation, "Yeah. let me check my Calendar!" He was like, "it's this next week right?" LOL. He had thought we said August instead of September but he was apparently ready to go! It was so great! Then later this week we were following up with him about his praying and he said, 

"I had a strong feeling in my chest, it was a weird feeling." I am so full of gratitude to see God answering Mark and Brianna's prayers. I really love them so much, and it will be hard to leave, but I know that God sent us to them for a reason. And I know that the gospel of Jesus Christ is exactly what Mark has been waiting for, for him and his family.

Yesterday, while out finding, we met this wonderful Asian woman named Lucy. She said she was already christian and had a lot going on right now and wasn't too interested in talking. Sister Seiter asked if she could just share a scripture about Jesus Christ before leaving and Lucy accepted. 

"He doeth not anything save it be for the benefit of the world; for he loveth the world, even that he layeth down his own life that he may draw all men unto him. Wherefore, he commandeth none that they shall not partake of his salvation." 2 Nephi 26:24

Immediately Lucy opened up and started talking about her love for Jesus Christ, and how she came to know him and how grateful she was for her mom who taught her about Jesus Christ. We showed her a picture of the Langley Temple and told her that God and Jesus Christ love us so much. That's why we came to earth and have been blessed with families, in which we are able to learn and grow together. Families are ordained of God, and God's greatest desire is for each of us to experience joy, and to be able to return to live with Him and our families again some day. We told her that through Jesus Christ and the power of God, that her and her family could be sealed in the temple, for time and all eternity- that even after this life, they would really be able to live together forever. Lucy looked down and started crying. After a couple of minutes she looked up and said, "That is good news." Tears rolled down her cheeks as she fidgeted with her keys, and I noticed a cancer ribbon key chain in her hand. The spirit was so strong, and I could feel God's love for her. I know that God sent us there for a reason. I know that He knows us so personally and he is begging profusely to help us, if we will only let him. 

I have met so many people on my mission. I have seen and experienced so many of God's miracles, and have felt so much of His love for each of us. I have also watched so many turn away from the hope of God's light. I know that God will never desert us. His arms are always outstretched, if we will just choose to come home. That is why He sent us His son Jesus Christ, to set the example and to provide the way. 

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2016/04/he-will-place-you-on-his-shoulders-and-carry-you-home?lang=eng

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2016/04/tomorrow-the-lord-will-do-wonders-among-you?lang=eng

These are two of my absolute favorite talks from April's General Conference, I echo President Uchtdorf and Elder Hollands testimony. I love you all and am praying for each of you!

Love always,

Sister Robertson 

Pictures:

1-5) We spent P-day at Horseshoe Bay. The wind wasn't great for pictures but it was absolutely gorgeous!

 Our District these past two transfers

 The Coquitlam Elders, us, and our Ward Mission Leader, Brother Keeler

 Sister Leighton and Connor

 SISTER MACINDOE. SHE IS GOING TO THE TEMPLE AUG 25

 Sister Leighton <3

 Blitz with the STL's this week <3

 Dinner with our two faves, Helen and Sister Macindoe

Week 50: This week was so good!

This week was so good! We weren't able to meet with a lot of our investigators because they were out of town/ had family in town, but that is pretty much the struggle of missionary work during the summer! Things have still been wonderful though. 

The weather is absolutely gorgeous and we have been able to talk to so many great people! Mark has also texted us several times through out the week keeping us updated on his prayers and scripture reading! Our investigator Clint almost came to church on Sunday, but got really nervous, and after sitting out in the parking lot for 30 minutes trying to decide, ended up going home. He was so sad, but texted us afterwards and said he's not giving up! So, here's to next week! Also, I'm singing in church so I'm sure that'll add some extra motivation to come lol. 

On a side note, Sima is still doing so good in Surrey. Her husband Michael is currently being taught by the Elders, and is clean again. YAY. He has a baptismal date for August 28. 

As a mission we are also starting to read the Book of Mormon together from the very beginning and will be finished by Christmas. I'll attach the reading schedule for any who want to join (: Essentially it's 4 pages a day!

Reading the Book of Mormon has been one of the best parts of my mission, and I know that President Gordon B. Hinkley's promise he gave to us several years ago, still rings true today.

"Without reservation I promise you that if you will prayerfully read the Book of Mormon, regardless of how many times you previously have read it, there will come into your hearts the spirit of the Lord. There will come a strengthened resolution to walk in obedience to the commandments, and there with come a stronger testimony of the living reality of the Son of God." 

Love always,

Sister Robertson 

Pictures for this week:

1) Helen's lights didn't work so we improvised. Reading Scriptures in the dark (:

2) We met a woman, not only from Japan this last week, but from Kobe ;) 

s/o to my sister Amanda

3) random bridge

4) Our STL's Sister Chandler and Paxton. THEY ARE ADORABLE

5) Exchanges with Sister Paxton

6) The Burnaby Zone

 

7) BOM reading schedule... I'll send a better one next week!

Week 49: HOME

HOW ARE YA'LL. I hope everything is going well, besides the fact that school just started..... sorry about that. Ya'll should move to Canada really quick, they are all still on summer break. 

Anyways, this past week was wonderful, and full of miracles as usual. I am astounded at how much God blesses his children. He loves us. 

First of all, I failed to mention that sweet Emily Brown, our less active, came to church for the first time! She is incredible, and we are so grateful things are starting to turn around for her. She came again this Sunday and is just loving it. 

Second miracle, last week I wrote a while bunch about the Book of Mormon, because literally it is so awesome. Well listen to this experience! 

So this last week, Sister Macindoe came out to a lesson with us, and we followed up on her scripture study (which she had been doing everyday for about 2 months now). She had already finished the BOM, the Pearl of Great Price, and was just starting on D&C. Well she said that due to some daily routine schedule changes, that she hadn't read the last couple of days. So we asked her, "Have you noticed a difference since you stopped reading?" And she was like, "No."

It was way awkward.... 

like really awkward. I was just not expecting that reaction, and so I basically didn't know what to say. But I know that reading the scriptures absolutely, without a doubt, makes a difference in our lives, and so we recommitted her to read them anyways, and promised her that that it really would make a difference and help her continue to prepare for the temple. 

Well a couple of days later she called us and said, "Remember when I told you that not reading my scriptures didn't make a difference? Well, I lied." She said a couple of days after we had asked her that, she started to notice herself becoming really intolerant and more judgmental of people, and just frustrated overall. And then it dawned on her, 'hey, maybe reading really did have an effect', so she started reading again and things changed. God is literally so good, and now she knows for sure, without a doubt, that his promises are true, and that reading your scriptures is a blessing from God. 

This week we also got to teach a man named Clint and a woman named Manizheh. We met Clint at the bus stop, and Manizheh was a woman that the missionaries had worked with about 2 years ago. We were able to teach both of them the Plan of Salvation this past week and it was absolutely amazing. Clint recently experienced a divorce, and just realized throughout his life he has never felt much happiness or purpose. After teaching him he said, "I want this. I totally believe in this, just no one has ever explained it like this to me before. I want in." Manizheh has a much different story. She is Iranian and comes from a Bahi background. This past week as we were teaching her God's plan for us she stopped us and said, " I feel good when you teach." God's love is real, and his plan for the salvation and happiness of his children is true. I know that He wants each of us to be able to know the truth for ourselves, and the spirit is able to guide us to it. I am so grateful to be a firsthand witness of how God works in each of his children's lives, and how truly, the spirit will lead all of us to the truth and to the blessings that God has in store for us. 

This past week in our District Meeting we talked a lot about opposition. After all, that is a huge part of God's plan for us. As we learn from the scriptures, without opposition, we wouldn't be able to make choices, and therefore we would never be able to learn or grow. We wouldn't be able to experience joy, because we have never known pain. Opposition and adversity come to each of us during our time here on earth. Sometimes due to bad decisions on our parts, others due to the bad decisions of others, and some because God and Jesus Christ need us to grow spiritually. Although some of these hard experiences seem insurmountably impossible, I know that there is still light."We should never confuse local cloud coverage with general darkness." Each of us experiences challenges and trials in this life, but they don't last forever. God will never leave us in the dark. It is as we choose ask, "What can I learn", rather than, "Why did this happen to me?", that our burdens become blessings, and we are able to gratefully accept all that God has in store for us. 

In the scriptures we learn about so many who face opposition. This past week in our district meeting a simple story from 1 Nephi was shared. I will never stop learning from the prophet Nephi. He is the perfect example of obedience and grateful submissiveness to the will of the Lord. 

I am running out of time, and won't be able to explain everything, but I would encourage each of you to read through Chapter 18

https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/1-ne/18?lang=eng#

Like Nephi, we can all "praise God" for our challenges and trails.

Pictures for this week (sorry I know there have been few and far in between lately)

1/2. I hit my 11 month last week. Monday was British Columbia's birthday, and the day after was my 11-month, so we figured we would celebrate both with some cake (: 

3. Laughing Selfie

4. My baby is 4 months <3

5. Got to paint Sister Macindoe's house. We forgot to take the picture before I changed... but still. I absolutely adore this woman. She is rock solid, and determined to follow God's plan for her. 

6. Got an update from Thang and Van (my Vietnamese investigators I taught in Surrey). Here is their sweet baby girl. She is getting so big! Thang and Van also finally met with some missionaries out in Vietnam and are getting baptized. My heart is so full. 

7. We gave Mark and Brianna a church tour this past week. Our member, Sister McIvor, taught Brianna a small song really quick and before we went she played it for her dad. 

Week 48: BOM(B) WEEK.

To all the chickens,

Some quick fun facts about BC. The other day we were driving with on of our members to a lesson and on the side of the road we saw a coyote. We were like, "Sister Strachan, did you see that Coyote?" She said yes, and proceeded to talk as if nothing had happened. Then, a couple days later we were out knocking and a woman driving by stopped and told us to be careful because there is a black bear roaming around, yes in broad daylight. It was a little concerning how normal that was for her. Anyways, all is well.

Sorry I didn't e-mail yesterday. It was British Columbia's Birthday so our P-day was moved. This week has just been absolutely beautiful. Which means no tights, and more people outside to talk too ;) We had lots of miracles!

Sister Seiter was talking to someone at the bus stop and right as she was getting out a mormon.org card to hand him, another man walked passed and said, "Hey, can i get one of those?" She was like, "Yeah." And then they proceeded to talk and exchange numbers. George even texted us before we got the chance to text him. We haven't been able to meet with him this past week, but hopefully we'll get something scheduled for this week. Then on Saturday, we started talking to this way cool woman on the side of the street. She absolutely LOVES Jesus and we were so excited. I mentioned the Book of Mormon and her face practically dropped, but we kept sharing it anyways and left one with her. Well later that night we got a random phone call from this lady named Jalen. She was calling to tell us we left our bible at Tim Hortons. Sister Seiter was like "oh, it's okay. You can have it if you'd like." And she was like, "Really?" Sister Seiter explained who we were and what we do as missionaries, and Jalen was like, "i could really use that." So hopefully we'll get to teach her this week! 

Brianna has still been at her moms, way lame. But we'll get to see her this Wednesday (: Mark however is still doing good. On Tuesday we read from the beginning of the Book of Mormon with him, he still hadn't really started it so we decided to jump-start him. Well, guess what? OF COURSE HE LOVED IT. When we gave him the commitment to finish Chapter 1 he was like, "This is so good. I might finish the whole thing before you come back." And guess what? When we saw him last night he had read up till Chapter 10!

I know that the Book of Mormon is not only a good read, but is the word of God. It has the ability to feed starving souls, it has done it for me, and for so many others that I have taught on my mission. If you ever question Gods love for you and for the welfare of his children, read the Book of Mormon. For He truly sent his only begotten son to the world, " that whosoever believeth in Him, should not perish, but have everlasting life." The Book of Mormon, another testament of Jesus Christ, has, alongside the Bible, strengthened my faith and testimony of my Savior, Jesus Christ. I know that He lives, and that He loves us. 

​

I love you all and am forever grateful for all the love and support. 

Love always,

Sister Robertson

Pictures for the week

1)S/o to all my companions <3

 2/3) Funny story. We were out knocking, and this random boy came up to us and was like, "You gotta help me out." He came to his girlfriends house to surprise her after work with an icecream sunday from Dairy Queen. She wasn't home yet and the ice cream was already melting so he practically begged us to eat it for him. Turns out he is actually a member of our church. It's a small world. Anyways, he then supplied us with some water bottles and napkins because he was driving "mom's car, and she is prepared for everything." It was a real tender mercy because it was b u r n i n g that day,and Sister Seiter and I had forgotten our water bottles.