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 :'-)

Week 60: Get your feet wet

Happy Halloween to everyone down South,

Just before I forget, I finally got my new address up here in Prince George. 

599 Freeman Street #103

Prince George, British Columbia

V2M 2R3

Canada

Or if it is easier, there is always the address for the mission office in Richmond.

8440 Williams Road

Richmond, British Columbia 

V7A 1G6

Canada

This past week has been C R A Z Y. We did two exchanges with our sweet sisters. THEY ARE AMAZING, and also live just a little far away.. :'-) So we spent quite some time in the car. Prince George is amazing and it has been so great to get to know all of the members up here. 

Brandi, for an update on her, is doing really well. We haven't been able to see her much this past week with us being out of town, and our schedules just not syncing. Her baptismal date will be pushed back with her current living situation, but we know that God will provide a way for her, especially with her sincere desire to follow Him.

Recently, in the mission we have been focusing a lot on faith, and not only that, but enduring faith. There isn't enough time to truly explain the change that has happened as a result of these trainings, or the deeper understanding and conviction that I have gained of faith, but with the 10 short minutes I have left, I would love to share a couple of my thoughts. 

Something that I've really come to understand recently about faith is that it isn't a product of miracles, rather strong faith begins with a desire to believe, we only need a particle of faith- just enough to get started- and then as we act according to the faith that we have and are obedient to the gospel of Jesus Christ that faith grows. "Faith comes by righteousness, although miracles often confirm one's faith." In a recent talk given by President Uchtdorf at the General women's session of General Conference, President Uchtdorf discussed the topic of Faith and what is can and can not do. He said many wonderful things, but one thing that stuck out to me was that he said, 

"Until then, we walk by whatever faith we have, seeking always to increase our faith. Sometimes this is not an easy quest. Those who are impatient, uncommitted, or careless may find faith to be elusive. Those who are easily discouraged or distracted may hardly experience it. Faith comes to the humble, the diligent, the enduring."

As I was reading Alma 32 in the Book of Mormon the other day and pondering about the analogy of the seed to our testimony, I realized truly how much work and effort we have to put in on our part to obtain faith, to help our seed turn into a tree. If we "nourish the word, yea, nourish the tree as it begginneth to grow, by your faith with great diligence, and with patience, looking forward to the fruit thereof, it shall take root; and behold it shall be a tree springing up unto everlasting life." Alma 32: 41

I know that that is true, that the fruit that comes from our trees, although they took a lot of work to grow, is more desirable than anything else, and will bless each of us immensely.

God loves and I do to, I hope everyone has a wonderful week!

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2016/10/fourth-floor-last-door?lang=eng

Pictures:

1) Sister Hubert 

2) Sister Cosman :-) :-) :-)..... we didn't realize the camera was so zoomed in....

3) Exchanges with the Quesnel Sisters, Sister Graver (:

4/5) Sister Faleono

6) Our favorite recent convert, Michaela 

Week 59: just pics

I will have a better e-mail next week.

Ps. Elder Holland is coming to our mission in two weeks :'-)

Pictures:

1) Sweet sweet Chelsea Gale. LOVE HER. She is best friends with Bran, and is the one who introduced her to the gospel. She is truly so good. 

2) Zone Meeting in Prince George