Anything Is Possible!

It was an amazing week! We saw so many miracles happen everyday.  I love sharing my experiences each week because it reminds me of how truly blessed I am to be a missionary and how much my Heavenly Father loves me. 

‪First off, Elder Cardon last week talked about praying with our investigators. We had a lesson with Pamela and felt that we should read from the Book of Mormon with her. She finally read out loud with us!  I was so happy to hear her read because she told us that when we first started teaching her that she will never read out loud or pray in front of us, but that has changed!  As we read from Enos with her, the spirit was so strong.  At the end of the lesson, Sister Shurtliff and I knelt and I told her that we would love to hear from her as she closes our lesson with a prayer.  I then just folded my arms and closed my eyes.....waiting and waiting.  Finally, Pamela began to pray! She said one of the simplest and loving prayers.  It was such an amazing lesson to me! I have learned that if I put my whole trust and faith in Heavenly Father... Anything is possible!

Putting on a big smile for the day!!

‪Friday was exchange day! I was with Sister Felix again but it was just the two of us this time and we stayed in London. Exchange days are days of miracles. We did service for Pamela by sanding her metal trailer so she can prime it before winter hits (which might be soon unfortunately). It was fun to be able to see how excited she got when we told her we would come back another time to help her finish up her trailer (which will be tonight). Sister Felix and I met some people and were able to set up appointments with them right then and there on the street! Overall, we had some great success and it was so fun to lead another missionary around London for a day.

‪I have to say that I have met some of the craziest people here in London! I have gained a "Love for London"!  I am so grateful that I am in a bus/walk area.  I have heard that bus contacting is one of the hardest things because you are surrounded by people and the atmosphere is quite different, it's hard to explain, but I LOVE bus contacting.  I split off from Sister Shurtliff and go sit in the back by some random stranger and start up a conversation!  It has been so fun and I look forward to getting on a bus whenever possible.  Let me tell you about a neat experience this week while bus contacting...

‪It was Friday night. We were heading home for the night and needed to take a bus. Right when I got onto the bus the spirit hit me like a brick wall.  I looked immediately of where I needed to sit and it was next to this man. I smiled, sat down next to him, and opened my mouth. His name is Charles.  He looked a bit intimidating with his hoodie and tattoos but that didn’t stop me. I asked him how his day has been going and he said, "alright" and looked out the window.  I began to ask him why it was just alright and he said, "I don't know, just a boring day, it seems like everyday is the same day and that something is missing."  I then lit up and said, "Well, Charles, I can promise you that I can make your day better and I am pretty sure I know what is missing.  My name is Sister Robb and I am a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints..." We than began to talk. I pulled out a Book of Mormon and bore my testimony of the truthfulness, and that it was another Testament of Jesus Christ.  He shared with me his tender feelings for Jesus Christ. We had a really sweet, tender conversation. As I got up, Charles got up! We both got off of the bus and I then asked him, "Is it okay Charles if we say a prayer before we split off?" He said yes.! I then said a prayer on that corner street in the dark and afterwards he just sat there in silence and then asked if he could walk with us for a bit and we said yes. I then felt prompted to talk about baptism with him. "Charles, how would you feel if you could be completely clean again and have all of your feelings of guilt and shame washed away?" Silence. He then said, "I can't even imagine. That would be so... amazing. I can't even imagine." We then reached a corner of where we would be splitting and I turned to him and told him that he could be cleansed from all of his sins.  He would have a new start of a new life. That he would receive the Holy Ghost--which is a gift from our Heavenly Father--to constantly guide us everyday in our lives. Then... I invited him to baptism.  HE SAID YES! I wish I could put into complete words the feelings I felt and the experience.  [I will update more next week on what happens] Sister Shurtliff was a bit confused so I caught her up afterwards and told her more about Charles and our conversation. What a blessing it is to be an instrument to Heavenly Father and by helping him bring people unto Christ!  I am so grateful everyday to be a missionary!

‪I loved the Women's Broadcast that was on Saturday, it was amazing! I learned about being prepared for the temple, remembering the covenants that we have made to our Heavenly Father, more about temples, how we need to obey His law/commandments through obedience, and how we are SO loved by our Father in Heaven. I loved it when President Uchtdorf said, "Return to our Heavenly home with honor." So live the gospel joyfully and with determination!  If we keep the laws, commandments, and be joyful... We will find our real selves. I feel like I have found my real self here in Canada.

‪I invite each of you to really think and ponder of what questions you have in your life. I can promise that if you write down those questions before General Conference this weekend, they will be answered.  If you don't have any questions, pray that questions will come to your mind....they will!  I know that President Monson is the prophet on the earth today, acting and speaking as God’s mouthpiece!  I know that as a missionary, I am simply an instrument in the Hands of the Lord, not doing my work, but HIS work!

‪Fall is here and transfer calls are next Sunday! I have no idea what will happen... I'll tell you next week! I love you all so much and can’t thank you enough for all of your prayers and support!   Until next time.....

‪Sister Robb  J

The Truth Changes People

Another week has passed here in the service of our Heavenly Father and I have to admit, it was a tough week…but that’s made me all the more dedicated and happy to do the Lord’s work!!! (Weird how that happens, eh?)  I just love that even when trials come, the knowledge of this glorious truth keeps me going and smiling!  For that, I am ETERNALLY grateful J

It has been one of the hardest weeks that I have experienced, yet I have had some of the most tender spiritual experiences. 

An update on Tom... He completely disregarded what we taught him. I won't go into the details of what he told us... but it was one of the saddest experiences. After leaving his apartment, my spirit was so saddened for Tom. I felt like I could relate to Alma in the scriptures where he was saddened by the wickedness of the people. I did just what Alma did... prayed. Sister Shurtliff and I went back to the church to do some things for a bit and I went into a quiet room and prayed out loud to Heavenly Father.  Words cannot adequately describe the experience that I had. It was one of the most tender experiences I have probably ever had. After I had prayed, I just knelt there and felt an immediate peace and comfort. I know that Heavenly Father is always there for us. After asking him questions and pouring out my soul to Him, all He did was just comfort me. He literally is our Father because we are all his spirit children. I know that when we seek for His comfort and guidance, he gives it to us. I am so grateful for that experience and how tender it was for me. How blessed we are to truly know that we can talk to our Father in Heaven whenever we want.  He does hear and answer our prayers, if it's not immediately, it's in His own time. He knows what's best... but he always answers our prayers, no matter what.  I know that Tom will someday accept the gospel and was so grateful I was able to teach him for a short time. I am so grateful to be a missionary! 

Now to the spiritual high, the Mission Tour!!  Last Saturday, Elder Craig A. Cardon came to our mission! How amazing is that! We first started out by writing down two questions we have had in our mind and would like to be answered. What a blessing that was and guess what... they were both answered!  It was one of the neatest experiences because Elder Cardon paused while he was talking and said he felt like he needed to say something and began answering my question, seriously so cool!  The spirit was so strong there. Here are some things we talked about: 

-President Clayton's focus for the mission: "Beginning with the end in mind"

-Coming unto Christ OURSELVES! 

-Elder Cardon: talked about great depths of the priesthood, the scattering and gathering of Israel in 1 Nephi 22, how we are all the seed of Abraham-Abraham 2:9-11 (who has the gospel) and how we are the Lord's arm in that, the Book of Mormon is a sign of the gathering and nothing will knock out God's word.  Did you know that Joseph Smith finished translating the Book of Mormon in 3 months time? That's about 8 pages a day! Crazy! He also mentioned what else Joseph Smith went through during those days.  I love and appreciate Joseph Smith SO much! He was incredible. Elder Cardon also talked about why we invite investigators to make and keep commitments! It was really eye opening to know that we, ourselves, are investigators and we need to make and keep commitments. 

-Sister Cardon: Ecclesiastes 4:9-10. We will always have a companion in our life! We need to develop Christ like Attributes (PMG chp. 6)

Elder Cardon (2): We need to talk about the Holy Ghost after the baptismal invite and then do a Holy Ghost invitation. So amazing! Baptism is a physical act of our faith, confirmation is our personal gift of our faith and is such a blessing. He then did a role play with President Clayton about having the head of the household to say the prayer in the first lesson... it was amazing. 

Elder Cardon then bore the strongest testimony of the Book of Mormon and the Atonement. The Book of Mormon puts the Atonement into context and is found everywhere in the Book of Mormon and testifies of Jesus Christ. It was such an amazing experience to hear him speak and bear his testimony of this gospel. Elder Cardon has such a strong spirit. I am so grateful for the experience that I had and to even present myself to him and shake his hand personally. 

Funny story... I have learned that Sister Shurtliff and I are President and Sister Clayton's "twins". There were even missionaries at the zone conference that were telling us that Sister Shurtliff and I could be sisters! I believe it's just because we have red hair.  It's been one of the funniest companionships for Sister Shurtliff so she tells me. I have heard at least 100 times on my mission, "Are you twins?" "Oh you're sisters!" I can't help but laugh at the reaction that we get when we tell people we aren't. They say, "You've got to be joking..." "No you're really sisters... You've got to be!"

Just the other day a lady stopped me on the bus and said that she loves our red hair and that we are lucky to be sisters.  I then told her, "Believe it or not, we aren't sisters!" She then freaked out.  I thought this would be a perfect opportunity to share the gospel!  I said, "Well... Even though we aren't blood sisters, we are sisters in spirit. We are all children of our Heavenly Father. He loves us so much that he has blessed our families with the gospel..." I then shared my testimony of the Restoration and she asked for our card just before we got off. Sharing the gospel in so many ways is SO cool! I LOVE IT! 

I say this every week... But I am truly grateful to be a missionary. I know without ANY doubt that this gospel is true.  I was talking to someone on the bus today who said, “you know this is true, don’t you?  I can tell on your face that you wouldn’t come out here and share this message if you didn’t know it was true.”  It strengthened my testimony about this truth and it’s impact!!  If you know it’s true, people can see that you know!  I love getting on the bus and sitting next to some random person and comparing their face at the beginning when they’re looking at me really strange to the face they have when we leave each other, because it changes them!  The truth changes peoples lives, and I am so honored and humbled by the opportunity to be here in Canada sharing it with people!   I would never trade this experience for anything. It will truly be the best 18 months of my life.  As I have put myself in the Savior's shoes... I am so overwhelmed by the love I have for people. I know that this church is true and I am so blessed to represent Christ to the best of my abilities. I love it!!

Until next time...

Sister Robb

 A Mission Tour picture! I am on the second row just to the right from the centre.
It's only half of the missionaries in our mission!

"I'll Go Where You Want Me To Go"

I LOVE being a missionary!  I love it when I get ready in the morning and finally get to put on my nametag!  I know it sounds cheesy, but seriously, it is a constant reminder of who I am serving, that I am indeed, a set apart missionary for my Savior Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father.  Yesterday in Gospel Principles, we talked about missionary work and why we do it.  We came to the conclusion that it is the most rewarding work in the world, because it’s the reason we are here are this Earth.  It doesn’t matter what our circumstances are, we can ALL share the gospel! I believe it was Elder Bednar that said “If you are not a full-time missionary with a name pinned on your chest, now is the time to paint one on your heart.”  I love serving, and I am so grateful for the help and support of many that allow me this opportunity.

This week has been one that has been filled with so many spiritual experiences, excitement, and funny experiences. 

First I have to start off talking about our newest investigator named Tomas. We got a media referral saying that he wanted a Book of Mormon, so Sister Shurtliff and I went over and gave him a Book of Mormon and set up an appointment with him for Wednesday... Not sure if anything would really come of it, since a lot of people have done this to us. When we went over to his apartment (that is conveniently right next to the church), we sat down with him and he began to flood us with questions!  He told us that he read up to 1 Nephi 10! Crazy huh?  He began to say how sorry he was that he didn't get very far and would probably have read half of it already if it weren't for his crazy work schedule this week. He then told us that he has never read any scriptures that are so modern before... What? We asked him what he meant and he said, "Well... Lehi and Nephi are always like... Uh... Yeah I make a book from my father or like... Yeah... I killed Laban...". I couldn't help but smile.

Tom is very curious about religions. He doesn't really have a set religion but he LOVES to read. When he saw that we give out "free books/scriptures" he just knew that he had to read it and would love to put it with his collection of books. He is quite knowledgeable and very intelligent and just a super nice, friendly guy. After we answered his questions we began to teach him the Restoration and it was SO cool! He said that everything makes sense and even asked me about my personal feelings about prayer and Joseph Smith. At the end we asked if we could meet with him sometime this week and he said he would love to meet with us tomorrow at the church! What?! Tom is seriously the coolest guy ever! Overall... It was one of the neatest Restoration/first lessons I have taught so far on my mission.

The next day we met at the church and gave him a church tour.  He loved the church paintings of Christ and told us the styles and what he loved about each picture. We ended off our church tour by the baptismal font and bore our testimonies of the truthfulness that we share. We then watched the Restoration video with him and he said it makes sense. We then bore our testimonies again and asked him how he would feel about being baptized. He said he will think about it and even pray about it! He then knelt with us in prayer, which he said he wasn't going to do in our first lesson the day before. AH! I just wish I could put in words my feelings about this guy! Can't wait to meet with him again soon!

We had our Zone Conference on Tuesday. It was amazing. We opened up the Conference by listening to President Dieter F. Uchtdorf and his talk "Fear Not, I am With Thee.”  If you haven't listened to it... I encourage you all to do so.  It has changed me as a missionary and has strengthened my testimony in my Savior.  President Clayton also shared 1 John 4:18 with us and explained that we shouldn't fear man because we love the Lord and everyone is Heavenly Father's children. We shouldn't be afraid to talk to people....we need to be excited to share our testimony with everyone! I have seen so many blessings while serving and not being afraid to share my love of the gospel. I second what President Clayton told us! Heavenly Father has truly guided me in talking to those who need to hear about the gospel. I LOVE talking to at least 50 people each day.  I love being a missionary!!

We have been able to teach John Reis this past week a couple times. We read 3 Nephi 11 with him since he hasn't been able to yet but we talked about Christ and bore our testimony.  I think that John is more excited about the gospel now! We brought over the Restoration video for the next lesson and were very surprised to find his niece there with him! They both watched it and liked it! John then told us he will be out of town for a week or two and will be back and cannot wait to come to church!  We will see what happens in the future but cannot wait!

We were able to help our investigator, Steve, move on Saturday. He called us that morning and said that he needed help and wondered if we had a truck or knew someone with a truck. We called a member in our ward and were able to help him move.  He was so appreciative for the service and said that it was the best move ever!  He mentioned that everyone was so nice and caring towards him.  The power of service can go a long way with investigators and in making a good impression.  We will visit him once he gets moved in so we can start teaching him!

Celebrating another Sisters Birthday!!

One funny story, Sister Shurtliff and I were walking down the street to a bus stop, we ran into a man who stopped us and began speaking Spanish. I tried telling him we don't speak Spanish but he just kept smiling and speaking faster and faster. Sister Shurtliff asked where he was from and he just kept ranting and ranting in Spanish until I heard the word "Francisco" and I quickly asked, "Oh! Are you from San Francisco?" Sister Shurtliff began to laugh and laugh. The guy looked at me a bit funny for about half a second and then spoke some more Spanish, shook our hands, and walked away. I looked over at Sister Shurtliff and she was still laughing. "What is so funny Sister Shurtliff? Did I say something?" She laughed even harder and finally told me that he was saying he has a friend that is Mormon and his name is Francisco. We just laughed and laughed for a while. Yesterday at church we saw him! Come to find out... He is in the Spanish Ward and is a member. Good thing I am speaking English... right?

It has truly been such a blessing to be here in London, Canada. I love the gospel and I love being a representative of Jesus Christ. Yesterday we sang 'I'll Go Where You Want Me to Go' and I can't stop thinking about that song. This song depicts my adventure of my mission. "I'll go where you want me to go..." was when I first put in my mission papers--so excited to see where I will be serving for the next 18 months and going in the MTC after I left home to start my mission. "I'll say what you want me to say" is a reminder to me that Heavenly Father truly does connect with us daily.  I am an instrument for the Lord and am always seeking for heavenly inspiration. "I'll be what you want me to be"... I am changed.  I know that Heavenly Father knows us each individually, and He knows who we can become. My mission is shaping me in so many ways that I could never imagine.  I am so grateful to be a missionary!  I love the gospel!  I love working for the Lord! 

Until next time...

Sister Robb

Receiving Divine Revelation

I wish I could adequately describe my favorite moments of the week, but I’ve surrendered to the fact that it’s impossible to get my point across the way I feel it in my heart.  I have had another incredible week serving the Lord here in London!  This week has been a lot better than the past couple of weeks.  Some exciting news and updates from last weeks letter... John Reis wants to get baptized! We were able to go over on Tuesday night and give him his Portuguese Book of Mormon. Words cannot describe the excitement he had. He immediately opened it up and began to read from it! It was so exciting just to watch him. I then realized and gained such a strong testimony of the Book of Mormon and how it is truly a gift in our lives. It is such an amazing tool that we can use daily to bring us closer to our Savior, Jesus Christ.

We were able to teach John about what the Book of Mormon is, where it came from, and I got to bear my personal testimony of the blessings and promises I have received while reading from it. I can testify that it is another testament of Jesus Christ. What a blessing it is to have it so we can read from it every day and build a stronger foundation of the truthfulness of the gospel. I know that Joseph Smith was called of God and through time, patience, and prayer... he received the power to translate the golden plates from God. The Book of Mormon can be applied to us in the Latter Days and can strengthen us as Saints to fight the worldly battles we face every day that Satan throws at us. We are a part of God's army and we are on the winning team. So let us choose the right and fight the fight!

On Wednesday, Sister Shurtliff and I were able to go eat at a members home and teach them a lesson. With much prayer and thought for what we should teach I received an answer...to use the gospel pamphlets. The pamphlets are such a great tool to use. We have practiced in our District Meetings in the past how to contact on the street with short lessons using these. We decided to use it for this dinner lesson. We taught the Restoration using the pamphlet to the Cortez family and had such an amazing lesson. Sister Cortez even cried while I recited Joseph Smith's first vision. After the lesson we invited them to use these pamphlets and share the gospel with people they know would be interested in hearing more about our church. They realized how simple teaching the gospel is and thanked us for showing them! 

Zone training with President & Sister Clayton

I shared this idea and experience with our district leaders and they immediately shared it with the zone leaders. This idea was then brought up during our Zone Training soon after. Everyone thought it was a great idea! The biggest surprise was when President Clayton leaned over to me during our Zone Training and said what a great idea it was. Yes... President Clayton, he just wanted to visit our zone and stop by! It was one of the most powerful meetings that I have ever sat in so far on my mission. Now he is going to share this idea with the entire mission: share with the members through the pamphlets--it gives the members confidence and shows them how simple it is.  It also gives us as missionaries so many blessings to receive referrals from the members. 

I got on my knees and thanked Heavenly Father for this revelation and idea for us to use. It has been such an incredible testimony builder of how we can receive divine revelation from our Father in Heaven.  He loves each of his children so much and wants what is best for us.  He answers our prayers. It's not always immediate, but I know it's in His time.  He knows what is best and I am truly so grateful for prayer in my life. 

On Thursday, Sister Shurtliff and I were able to teach a man named Bob. He has been taught by missionaries in the past but wasn't as interested. Shortly after he got in a car accident and was sent to the hospital. While in the hospital he talked to his member friend and said he needed to change his life and realized that maybe he needs to hear what the missionaries had to say.  So Sister Shurtliff and I, a couple of weeks ago, went and visited him and we were finally able to teach him. We taught him the Plan of Salvation which he thought was really interesting and said that he wanted to ponder and think about what we have taught.  All I can do is be patient now and to not force or push the Spirit. I know that it's hard to be patient sometimes but when we do, we will be tremendously blessed. I hope and pray that he calls us back to hear more sometime soon!

So now back to John Reis. We taught him the first lesson of the Restoration on Friday and it went well! He is just the sweetest old guy and I just love him to pieces! He loved the pictures we showed him and I will never forget the picture he connected with the most, Christ holding the little Lamb in his arms. I introduced the lesson by showing him this picture and said, "What do you see in this picture John?" He said, "I see Jesus Christ holding a baby Lamb." I then asked him, "How does this picture make you feel John?" Silence. He looked and looked for about a minute, holding the picture in his hand. He then said, "It's beautiful. So beautiful. I cannot describe how I feel... Words cannot express." I then explained that "Christ is holding this little Lamb in His arms and we are sometimes referred to in the scriptures as 'sheep' and He is our 'Shepard'. He loves us so much and holds us near and close to His heart and wants us to return to our Father in Heaven." The lesson we shared with John was so spiritual! It went so well that he wants to be baptized! We have set a baptismal date for September 28th. AH! He laughed and said, "It's never too late to change!" That is so true! We are teaching him tonight and cannot wait!

We taught the Easton's on Saturday about the Word of Wisdom. Sister Shurtliff said that it was one of the most powerful Word of Wisdom lessons that she has ever been a part of. We love and care about the Easton's so much and taught a really simple and powerful lesson. They said that they really wanted to change after the lesson…. agency. We don't have control of their decision but all we can do is have faith and pray for them daily. We will see what happens with them!

Overall, last week was truly a week of strengthening my testimony even more in the gospel. I am truly so grateful for the opportunity to serve a mission. It has been the best thing I have ever done and I would trade nothing in the world for this experience. I have learned that we are children of light. In 1 Thessalonians 5:5, 8 it reads, "Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for a helmet, the hope of salvation." We are part of His army and we are on the winning side :) Let us continue to shine our light. "Remember that your Heavenly Father knows all about you--your strengths and your weaknesses. He knows perfectly who you are, but He also knows who you can become. And with that knowledge, He has placed you here, now--at the exact place and time in which you can do the most good with the talents and gifts He has given you." (Elder Craig Christensen)

I invite all of you to pick a Christlike attribute in Preach my Gospel and learn about it. Strive to live it. Grow with it. It has helped me so much in my life right now as a missionary and have had some of the coolest experiences. I promise that if you'll do this, you'll become more like Christ. 

Until next time...

Sister Robb