I'm headed to Brantford....Exciting times ahead!!

What an incredible week!  First, here is the transfer news... I am now a Sister Training Leader!! J I will be heading to Brantford with Sister Mandla.  I am so fortunate to be serving as a leader over 16 other sister missionaries.  President Clayton called last night and told me that he needs me to help the mission and wants me to be a sister training leader.  I am so excited and feel so trusted by our Heavenly Father with this leadership position.  I cannot wait to serve with the other sisters and to learn and grow from them, and to stretch myself more than ever before. 

My trainer, Sister Shurtliff, with me and my Trainee,Sister Turley

This week we had zone conference!  It was so inspired and the spirit was so strong.  We also had the opportunity to attend the temple this week as a mission! The missionaries who are an hour and a half away from the temple were able to go this time, how grateful I was for the chance to be in the temple! So it was a great day, of course J We also helped a couple in Pickering move that the elders are teaching! We had a relief society activity to celebrate relief society in which I was able to help out with a musical number that went really well. There were a couple of non-members in attendance that teared up and it was obvious they were touched by the spirit when we were talking about struggles.  At the end we were able to talk with them and we asked if we could teach them and the two of them agreed!  They were taught a while ago, but the spirit works wonders!  Lots of fun little things that happened throughout the week!

We had a really cool experience with a member referral this week! We had dinner last week with Sister Ernstberger, an elderly Scottish lady, she couldn't think of anyone for us to teach while we had dinner with her.  At the end of a short message, we asked her again and she said we could try her next door neighbor named Anita. Why not?  So for the past week we have tried visiting her and her husband Rocky, who on the third time trying to speak with them, no one answered.  As we were walking away we heard someone calling out to us and we came back.  Anita was standing at the door. She then started to explain that she thought we were Jehovah's Witnesses and on the third time she knew that we weren't and wanted to talk to us. She said, "I told myself... There go those girls again. They must need to tell me something I need to hear." When she said this, my heart almost leaped out of my chest. I began to bear my testimony on the Restoration and eternal families. The spirit was so powerful that I began to tear up and her as well.  She said, "I know nothing about your church, but now I want to learn more. When can you come back?" I told her that was the perfect question J So the sisters are seeing her tomorrow! I am so excited for them. I truly am so grateful we had not given up on her, even if it was just a simple referral... I know each member referral is precious. Who knows, if we wouldn't have gone back again and just assumed they are never home... She wouldn't ever have the invitation to learn more about the gospel. I am so grateful for the promptings of the spirit in leading me what to say and to do. I have learned to never give up. EVER!! 

We also were stopping by some less-actives that we didn't have a phone number for, and ran into Shemar, a young black boy, probably 18 or 19 years old. He told us that the lady had moved and he is attending school right now. We told him our purpose and asked if we could come back to share a message and he agreed! We came back and began talking with him, planning on teaching the Restoration, he brought up how he just wishes life could be fair. We began talking about what he meant and he began to explain that his grandma, who had raised him like a mom, passed away two years ago. He misses her so much and just wishes he could bring her back and see her. Change of plans... The Plan of Salvation!  We taught it and it was such a great lesson! He was so comforted and said that he felt so peaceful during the lesson. In the end, I extended a baptismal invitation and he said yes!  So, we then passed him off to the YSA Elders--we had to. But you know what, I knew that the spirit was there testifying not only to Shemar but to me as well of the truthfulness of the Plan of Salvation. I know that the Plan of Salvation is truly the path that Heavenly Father has given us to return back to his presence. Without Christ being apart of the plan, there would be no plan. I am eternally grateful for our Savior, Jesus Christ, who suffered and died for each of us, so we can return back to live with our Father in Heaven. I know it to be true. 

I am so grateful I had the opportunity to serve in Ajax. I have learned so much about myself, but more about Jesus Christ.  There have been many, many times where I have been on my knees... relying on him and pouring my heart out to him. He does listen and answer our prayers. Ajax is so diverse! As I look at every person that I talk to or see on the bus, I see each of them as a child of God... My brother and sister. One of my favorite things about being a missionary is watching people discover who they really are - a son or daughter of our beloved Heavenly Father.  That relationship with Him is so personal and it fills me with so much joy as I see my brothers and sisters here in Ontario discover that relationship for themselves. I love how my "extended family's" experiences allow me to obtain greater strength in my testimony!  For that, I'll be forever grateful!

I love the gospel with all of my heart! It brings so much peace, joy, and happiness to my life and gives me purpose to everything I do. What a great week J I cannot wait for the many experiences, learning opportunities and people I will meet in Brantford!  Onward and Upward!!

Until next time...

Sister Robb

We're All Shepherds

This week has been a bit of a slow week.  On the bright side, the weather has warmed up a bit, which  

has been so nice! Even though it's March break here in Canada, we are going full force spreading the good news of the gospel.

We found some less-actives in the ward who want to go back to church!  I felt like we should take some time to visit the less-actives on the ward list who don't have phone numbers and see if they moved.  In doing this, we did find some that have moved, but we found some potentials that we shared our purpose and our testimonies of the gospel with.  We then came across Sonia Merino from El Salvador who wasn't on the ward list, just her husband Luis Merino. When she opened the door after knocking, she invited us in and was just so happy to see us!  We were able to teach her part of the Plan of Salvation about our life here on earth with the Atonement.  She was so moved by the short and powerful lesson!  The spirit was so strong in the room and she basically begged us to come back again!  We visited them a couple of days ago and met Luis who is just the funniest guy.  We are seeing her and her husband again today, so that was a great find.  Sonia kept telling us that Luis and her want to go back to church but it's an on and off thing and they need a bit of help.  I told her with confidence, that we are the right people to help them!

We also met a young man named Andre while tracting.  We basically shared the entire restoration lesson with him on his doorstep and gave him a Book of Mormon that he said he is excited to read fromJ  He said that he has heard of Mormons but never the Book of Mormon!  He is great and we are fortunate to be able to go back and follow up seeing him today which will be great. 

This week I have been thinking about how Christ is a shepherd.  In Luke 15:4-5 it says, "What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing." I am always turned back to the picture of Christ holding the little baby sheep in his arms. I then think, what qualities does a good shepherd have?  We are all shepherds. I know that Jesus Christ is our shepherd and that we are continuing to find our brothers and sisters who are lost.  Are we rejoicing like Christ when we go out of our way to find and help?  Sharing the gospel is joyful! J Truly, it does bring us so much happiness.  I know this to be true because I have never been happier in my life than now.    

This Gospel is so true!  Nothing brings me greater joy! I know that this is God's work, were it not, I would not be feeling the tremendous emotions I experience every day I work harder than I've ever worked in my life.  His Truth is restored, and He wants all to know of it, therefore, I want all to know the Truth as well! Let's share it with each other, for I know that this is the only way that we can return to live our Father in Heaven, and how beautiful that knowledge is!!! We have the truth, now let's go share it with all we know and love!

Until next time...

Sister Robb

One Day, One Person at a Time

This week has been a roller coaster experience!!  

With Louis & Faye at the Toronto Temple

First of all, Louis and Faye went to the temple! I am so grateful and blessed that I had the opportunity to go and be there for them.  The Toronto Temple is beautiful! Sister Turley and I were able to be in the temple for a few hours before the session started (which was such an amazing experience). When we came down we saw Faye coming out of the dressing room--all dressed in white--having done her own initiatory. She immediately came up to me and gave me the biggest hug and began to cry. She kept on saying, "thank you, thank you".  Right then and there, I felt Heavenly Father was telling me "thank you" as well.  It was such an amazing experience, and feeling that I will never forget.

We had a challenge in our district to see how many driveways we could shovel?  Well, Sister Turley and I took on the challenge (we love these kinds of things...) and shoveled 11 driveways in one day!! Haha. Well... It was shoveling and ice picking the driveway more than anything. So that was fun!  My dad has taught me some good skills as far as shoveling goes!  Yes, we also won the challenge! J Yahoo!

Here is a funny experience: Sister Turley and I were tracting one day and it was sooo icy and windy. We were walking down the sidewalk after the first house and I about fell face-first but thankfully caught myself.  After a minute of just laughing, we then trekked onward. When we were on the opposite side of the street, I then hit another patch of ice and fell into the snow and then onto the ground and just sat there on the ground and laughed. I got up and right then Sister Turley slipped and fell... We couldn't stop laughing and laughing and laughing! Afterward, I looked at her and said, "We have to walk like penguins!" She then replied, "That's why penguins walk the way they do." Haha... Yes... We pretty much were in the arctic that day and now know why penguins walk the way they do. I sure love Canada J

P Day visiting some of the sites in our zone.  This is the
McLaughlin Parkwood estate Mansion - used in several movies

 Louis was called on yesterday in sacrament meeting and was able to bear his testimony.  He got up and began to tell of the blessing that he has received in his life and how temples truly are a piece of heaven on earth. The gospel has changed his life and now he knows who he is, what his purpose here on earth is, and what he needs to do to return to live with his Heavenly Father. He testified the love in which we feel as we draw closer to God. We are all children of God--He always has and will always love us--we just need to go to him and He will always show us. He ended off by saying that he couldn't wait to be sealed in October for all time and eternity to his wife Faye. What an incredible testimony!  It made me tear up just seeing someone, who I truly do care about, progress in Heavenly Father's kingdom. Even though we are one, we can make the biggest difference in someone's life. ONE DAY, ONE PERSON AT A TIME. I have such a strong testimony of this and can testify that we are all instruments and are here to help our brothers and sisters. They need us. I pray that you will continue to help our brothers and sisters, No matter where you are.  Pray for opportunities to help and teach others! If we go to Heavenly Father with a sincere heart to help... I know that He will help you as you help him J 

Until Next time......

Sister Robb

The Wheels on the Bus go Round and Round....

Having a little fun in the snow!

I can say that I have survived the coldest February on record here in the Toronto area! With the wind chill, it is about -33 degrees Celsius on most days! Once this past week it hit -36... Now that's cold. But, all is well here in Canada for me, I have learned to “bundle” up and dress in multiple layers!

Some exciting news for this week!  I will be able to attend the temple this Thursday (March 5th) with Louis and Faye to receive their Endowments. What an exciting time it is!  I have been looking back to when I first met them in November... what an amazing opportunity it has been for me to be able to see them grow in the gospel and to apply those principles in their lives. They are so spiritual, and truly have the light of Christ shinning through them. They continue to tell us that they are so blessed to have the gospel and realizing this, has got them so excited to attend the temple and make those sacred covenants with Heavenly Father. I am truly so blessed to be able to have shared this experience with them and with the Savior, helping them walk to the temple. They are so excited and counting down the days to when they will be sealed for all time and eternity in October J  I love them both so much!

‪This week has been a test of my faith, but all is good.  We are working hard, trying to build up the area here in Ajax and it has been a bit difficult for some reason, I just can't seem to figure out why. Swaney (the man that came to church last week in the hip suit J) texted us the middle of last week and said that he would not be meeting us anymore, which is so sad; it happens though. So what do we do? Keep pushing forward and TALK WITH EVERYONE, ALWAYS. I looked at Sister Turley during planning and said, "Lets go crazy on the bus and talk with everyone tomorrow."

‪We boarded the bus and throughout the day I always carried a Book of Mormon in my hand.  While on the bus Saturday afternoon we began sharing the gospel and we were able to hand out 5 Book of Mormons within two hours!  I met a man from Nigeria, his name was Isaac.  I began telling him about the Restoration of the gospel and he looked down in my hand and asked what book I carried? I told him it's the Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ. I began to show him the pictures in the front of the Book of Mormon and explain to him what it is, why we have it, and my testimony. During this time, a French man who sat not too far from Sister Turley in the back, was so upset at what I was doing he got up, walked to the front of the bus, and started talking to the bus driver in French. The driver just shrugged his shoulders and kept driving. The man walked back to his seat and sat down. Isaac and I didn't even seem to notice anything that was happening around us! Sister Turley told me about this after we had gotten off and I just couldn't help but laugh.  I am so grateful for the spirit that was felt "to block ourselves from the world" in a sense while I was having this teaching moment with one of Heavenly Father's children.  He began to tell me he lives in Whitby, so I gave him the church information for there and the sister missionaries information.  He said he will read 3 Nephi 11 and give the sisters a call when he's done. 

‪I also talked to an Italian lady on the bus and she said that I looked familiar and that I knocked on her door a while ago.  Funny huh! She's Italian and I was able to try and teach her again.  She took a Book of Mormon and got off the bus. Who knows what will happen! I love going on buses. They are the best!  I felt that each person I was able to give a Book of Mormon to was uplifted spiritually. It was so fun just to make people smile on the bus and help them enjoy life. Everyone was cold and it was dead silent on the bus, while I was standing up,  I looked at the Asian couple next to me and asked, "How has your Saturday been?" Everyone just looked at me. It was fun, because soon people started joining in on the conversation and telling me how their day was... The bus came to life J  I learned a valuable lesson, just by saying hello to people and noticing them that you can make a difference.  No one does that anymore.  It seems natural and easy for me, so that was fun. 

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Helping the Elders in our zone clean out
the Oshawa South apartment that shut down

I just love being a missionary!  I truly wish that I could convey in words the joy that I feel as I serve my Savior, Jesus Christ. So unlearned, young, simple, and unqualified, God has called me, He has called you, to share His Gospel with all others. I was learning more about the Stripling Warriors. Did you know the word "stripling" just means young? I always thought it meant they were very strong. But young is all it means! I love how they had never fought before and had no experience yet they just knew that what they were doing was the right thing to do, and consequently, they conquered their task at hand with the help of our Heavenly Father. It doesn't matter how young or how unqualified or insecure or whatever else our stumbling block may be, if we own up to our task at hand with the help of our Heavenly Father, with our faith in our Savior evident in our words and deeds, we WILL conquer! How simple it is! Alone; we fail. With God; we win, every time. I don't know about you, but I'd like to win, especially if it means eternal life in the presence of our Heavenly Father. How sweet that knowledge is!

I am so excited to go to the temple this week and to continue to help my brothers and sisters by sharing the gospel.  The gospel is good news and makes me so happy! It gives me purpose and perspective.  I'll continue to do my best to help find those who are prepared for the gospel here in Ajax!  A quote I love from Gordon B. Hinkley says, "Our Eternal Father lives. He stands as the great God of the universe, ruling in majesty and power. And yet, He is my Father, to whom I may go in prayer with the assurance that He will hear, listen, and answer." 

‪Until next time...

‪Sister Robb

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