Following the Spirit

Sister Tuney!! She feeds both the elders and sisters 

every week and feeds us waffles and ice cream 

for dessert. She is incredible!!

All is well here in Brantford! The weather is still a bit chilly and it snowed randomly at the beginning of the week!  I was able to go through the coldest February on record and now some snow in April.... I love Canada! J

I was able to go on two exchanges this week! 

The first one with Sister Dröge in Hamilton Mountain East.  Sister Dröge is from Germany and was baptized three years ago!  She is just so cute and amazing! They are sharing a car with the west elders right now, so for more than half of the day we rode the bus! J  It was such a good feeling to get back on the bus and just start talking to people. To make things fun, I challenged Sister Dröge to hand out Book of Mormons on the bus.  She loved the idea and had so much fun doing it!  We were able to find two new investigators that day for them! What a miracle day. When we were getting the car back from the elders, they asked me how to contact on the bus!  I told them, "Be yourself, Have fun, And just do it!"  I handed them two Book of Mormons and challenged them to give them out while on the bus.  I heard yesterday at church that they were able to find new investigators by doing that.  It's awesome!

One particular lady we found was a red head like me and I told Sister Dröge that we needed to talk to her. We started talking to this lady named Chris and I showed her the Book of Mormon in my hand and she said that she had that book! The first question she asked us was, "When does Christ visit the Americas again in the Book?" She is awesome!  The sisters will be teaching Chris next week. So cool.

With Sister Mamarova, Having so much FUN!

The second exchange was with Sister Mamarova in Simcoe.  Sister Mamarova is from Bulgaria and is a convert of 2 years now!  She was in my zone last transfer in Oshawa and has been out for 11 weeks now.  I just love her to death and she'll be my cute, little Bulgarian friend.  Even though all of their appointments fell through, we found so many people who are interested in the gospel!  Simcoe is a cute little town (it reminded me of Kaysville's downtown) out in the middle of nowhere. So, here is a hilarious story! 

We were coming out of the little town library after trying to meet with one of their investigators and walked to the car. When I got to the car, I stuck the keys in the door to open up the car (since Sister Mamarova can't drive I did).  I tried and tried and it wasn't opening!  I looked up and saw tinted windows and looked at Sister Mamarova over the car and said, "Um... Sister Mamarova, this isn't our car...!!"  We quickly shuffled away and found our car a couple parking slots away. We got in the car and couldn't stop laughing.  I felt bad that I accidentally tried opening another car and was just bright red in the face. It was hilarious J

Now to our area!  Here is a cool story of the week:

Yesterday, we still hadn't found at least two new investigators this week (which was odd) and needed to find people!  We prayed and prayed that we would find people who need the gospel. Miracles did happen!  We first ran into a lady whose name is Michelle.  I began to bear testimony of the Book of Mormon and how it can truly help her with whatever she is struggling with and a tear rolled down her cheek. The spirit was so loving in that moment and testified to me that the Book of Mormon is truly a gift and I felt the spirit bear witness to me that everyone needs the Book of Mormon!

With my companion, Sister Mandla, at a Relief Society Dinner

Another... After we visited a less-active, we didn't know where we needed to go.  We stood there on the sidewalk and I asked Sister Mandla, "Where does Heavenly Father need us right now?" We just stood there and came to the decision that we had no idea so we asked Heavenly Father. We stood there on the sidewalk and I said a prayer to Heavenly Father to guide and lead us to someone who we need to see that needs the gospel at this time.  After I said the prayer, I looked up and saw a tree the next street over between two houses and said, "Let's go there." 

We knocked on the first door, but no one was home so we felt prompted to cross the street and knock at another house.  A man opened the door and said we could come in and talk to a group of people there. We talked to them and after 10 minutes, we decided that no one was interested at this time so we left. We felt like knocking on their next door neighbor house because the group of people mentioned a very religious man lived there.  When we walked up to the door and I knocked on it, there was a man that was just standing there behind the closed door. It scared me! He opened it and said, "You're Mormon girls, aren't cha?"  We said yes and then something unexpected happened, he began to weep at his doorstep.  He then told us that his wife had died and was buried just two days ago!  It was soo sad, I began to cry because he was crying.  He misses her so much and feels so wrenched in his heart because he believes that his wife is dead and gone in the ground. We talked to him and Sister Mandla sang Be Still My Soul... I was crying with him as she sang. The spirit was so strong and I got the biggest goose bumps.  His name is Rob and he said we come back so we are seeing him this week, we'll see what happens. 

What a beautiful miracle that was and when we got in the car, we said a prayer of thanks to Heavenly Father for leading us to Rob.  He really needs the gospel in his life right now.  I am truly, so grateful for Heavenly Father's guidance. It wasn't me, it was Him! 

I have learned this week that the Book of Mormon needs to be shared with so many more people in the world!  It touches so many lives.  I have been able to witness this here on my mission.  I am so grateful I had the experience of being lead to one of Heavenly Father's children that needs the gospel and a message of Hope.  I am eternally grateful for my mission.  THE GOSPEL IS TRUE!

Until next time...

 Sister Robb

The Inces called me 'Sister Awesome'
Making new friends at the care center while bowling   

The Book of Mormon is a Gift

What a crazy week! I went on three exchanges last week with the sisters! 

(1) Welland: Sister Womack

Sister Womack came to Brantford and it was probably one of the weirdest exchanges! A man knocked on our apartment door early in the morning saying he was going to change our closet doors, the elevator door opening, and a person downtown asked me if I could contact the aliens in outer space to help him go to another universe... Yes, this really did happen!  Overall, I had such a great time!  We were able to meet so many people and talk with them in downtown Brantford.  There was a lady who stopped me and asked why I was so happy!  It was an awesome exchange and Sister Womack said, "Sister Robb... You better be my sister training leader next transfer!" Ha-ha she's hilarious, and that was such a great feeling. 

(2) London 2nd: Sister Watkins

YES. LONDON!  I went back to my first assignment on my mission! J It was just the best! Here is a funny story! We were walking down the street and I stopped a guy on the side of the road where he was talking to his teenage son.  I walked up to him and introduce myself and you could tell he did NOT want to talk to missionaries. So what did I do?  I commented on his Trojen's Football team hat.  He turned around and said, "You know the team?!" I said, "yes I am from the states and I really enjoy football."  He began to laugh and the conversation started.  He is an atheist and doesn't believe in God but says he only prays that his football team will win. We said a couple of other things and we all laughed.  I then was able to talk about the Plan of Salvation and prayer.  I asked if the sisters could come back next week, and guess what he said?  "Sure! Why not!  You girls are fun and happy!  Maybe I could learn more about God then."  He doesn't know that I won't be there but he said to come back!  Funny huh?  Funny how it all started with me commenting on his Trojen's football hat.  The other sister I was with said, "How did you know that?" I said, "My dad and I like football..." I then just smiled J 

We were also able to stop by some less-actives I used to teach (the Easton's) and Jenneth came out and gave me a giant hug!! She said, "Where did you go? We missed that you didn't come over anymore!!"  I then told her my area shut down and she said, "I am so glad I was able to see you one more time!"  Terry also had a big giant smile on his face.  So it was a really tender moment for me J I told them to do one thing for me and they said what, "Go to church! Your life will change!"  They said yes! They are awesome!

One of the things that really stood out to me on this exchange was how the recent converts and less-actives are struggling, they said that life is just coming down on them!  They need help!  It's when they are going after the light in their life, that Satan is trying his hardest to bring them down.  It was a day of motivating and uplifting those that are hanging down in sorrow.  I told Brother Romero (a recent convert that was baptized when I was in London), "Brother Romero, Say it with me, 'I'm amazing!'..." By the end, he was in tears and standing up from his chair shouting 'I'm amazing!'  It was seriously the best!  I loved the opportunity to come to London!!  It was an awesome day where more memories were made. J

 (3) London Spanish: Hermana Lopez

What a tender day! Hermana Lopez is a recent convert of 3 years and is awesome! She was struggling with things that I cannot talk about.  We had a really tender experience on this exchange.  I am so grateful for her!  She is a sister missionary that I will always hold close to my heart! We had an awesome exchange here in Brantford.  Many tears were shed and hugs were spread. 

From this experience, I continue to learn and am so grateful for the many opportunities to grow and be shaped to who my Heavenly Father wants me to become.  I have gained more respect for my calling as a sister training leader. The sisters need them!  There are so many things that are going on with these sisters and they need a friend J I am so grateful for Heavenly Father's guidance in what I need to say or do for these sisters. I love each of them so much!

Now for this week's experience:

Just yesterday, we felt like we should drop by an investigators who we haven't talked to in a while, unfortunately she wasn't home.  It was 8 o'clock at night.  We felt prompted to knock on some doors. We went around the side of the home to the other door downstairs and knocked on the door and met a mom named Danielle. We talked to her for a while and she is awesome! We are going to see her this week and teach her.  After 8 more doors, we found a lady named Debbie!  She saw the sisters years ago and guess what?  We were able to make an appointment and are seeing her this week as well!

I have such a strong testimony of being guided to where we need to be. Yes, our investigator wasn't home but there were people in the area we needed to see!  As we went out of our way and had the faith to find, we saw miracles happen! 2 new investigators.

This week I am so grateful for The Book of Mormon. As I have been thinking about it, the Book of Mormon is a precious gift given to us from our Heavenly Father.  Think about a time when you have received a gift from someone that meant a lot to you, It was full of love! That's what The Book of Mormon is! An expression of our Heavenly Father's love.  It is more than just a book, it is a precious gift!  Think about it, as you read The Book of Mormon, Heavenly Father is trying to tell you something!  It is full of writings from prophets and there is always something you need to hear.  I am so grateful for The Book of Mormon, It truly is Another Testament of Jesus Christ and it is proof of the beautiful Restoration.  I hold this gift near and dear to my heart.  I say, "For little or none, it is for everyone!"  I know that The Book of Mormon is true.  I have received countless answers and blessings as I read, pray, and ponder on the messages and feelings I have received. It testifies of the Savior! It brings peace! It is written just for YOU. Share and embrace this treasure daily J 

Until next time...

Sister Robb

*FUN FACT: Joseph Smith held a conference in Whitby where I used to serve! 

A Week Of Exchanges

The sun is shinning here in Brantford and spring is coming! Michael Slade's baptism yesterday was so great! He has the strongest testimony and bore it after he was baptized.  The fireside yesterday we put on went well and was so amazing! 

‪First, I was able to go on two exchanges last week! One with Sister Poettcker [she came to our area: Brampton] and the other with Sister Bottcher from the  Kitchner/Waterloo area. I am so grateful I was able to go on exchanges with these two sisters. Sister Poettcker was my companion while I served in Ajax for one transfer with her.  She really needed a spiritual boost in coming into our area and teaching, and I felt like that was able to happen for her. Sister Bottcher has been really struggling lately and it was such an incredible experience to be with her and that night before our exchange day, we just sat on her bed and talked. She really opened up to me and just poured out her feelings of things that she is struggling with. After we talked, I gave her a giant hug and she just wept into my shoulder. What an amazing experience it is to be a sister training leader at this time.  It really made me ponder and think about the Savior and who He is to each of us. As I am with each of the sisters, these experiences help me have a new perspective on the Savior. He experiences the joys in which we face and the sorrows of mortality. He waits for us to take our sorrows to him and cry into his shoulder. He has felt everything that we feel and paid the loving price for each of us. Yes, we are imperfect, but through Christ, we can find strength, everlasting joy, and peace. I am so grateful to be with these wonderful sisters J They are so amazing and I love them so much!

‪

While on exchanges with Sister Bottcher, we were able to have some fun experiences! We tracted into an Indian woman who has a family, and she let us in and we shared the message of the Restoration.  She said she would call  the sisters when she has more time! We also were able to paint for a member who is known as 'Crazy Sue'! Here's the funny thing... I had met her before! When she opened the door I said, "Hey! I know you!" She smiled and we hugged.  I met her while I served in Ajax when she was visiting a friend there. Small world, eh? Seriously! We helped her paint her kitchen that she is renovating and I was able to screw in some overhead lights. It was awesome! Lastly, we met with a less-active couple who ride on motor scooters who call me 'Sister Awesome' and just laugh and smile at everything I say. As we taught them the Plan of Salvation and sang I Am a Child of God, Brother Ince began to cry.  It was 'awesome'! J  Overall, it was such a fun week for exchanges. 

‪I am so grateful for the experience I get to be able to instruct our zone of 22 elders and sisters and the many teaching opportunities I had throughout the rest of the week.  I was able to instruct on baptismal invitations and how it's such a sacred experience for the investigator and that we are instruments in helping our brothers and sisters gain a testimony to have a desire to be baptized and allowing them to set their own date! YES! It truly does work and I am so grateful for the inspiration I was able to receive for the instruction. 

‪David Heaney is doing well! We taught him the Word of Wisdom and he accepted everything! He said he won't drink coffee or smoke anymore.  We will continue to pray for him to overcome temptation. He gets seizures all of the time, it's so sad. He really wants to be baptized, but he has to get all of the lessons, come to church and other things. His seizures really get in the way of everything and he always gets so sad when he talks about it. He really wants the gospel in his life, but there are physical barriers that stop him sometimes. I just wish I could reach out and take some of them from him so he can have the gospel more! But... I cannot.  It will just take a lot of time, love, and the spirit to help him through his difficult times. He is amazing though! 

‪Mike's baptism was awesome!! His long hair had to be tucked into his baptism outfit, which just made me smile. He is AWESOME. When he came up out of the water, all of his worries and nerves went away, he just smiled. What a glorious experience that was for me to be able to witness. When we were sitting in the chapel after his service and singing the closing hymn, I Need Thee Every Hour, I looked up from the hymn book and felt this overwhelming love as if I was being hugged. I knew that was the spirit filling my heart and I then knew that Heavenly Father was so happy for another one of his children to enter the waters of baptism. Yes, I did shed a tear or two... What a beautiful experience that I was able to be a part of that and guess what! Mike wants to serve a mission next year when he can go J YAHOO!

‪We had the fireside last night--Jesus Christ: The Life and Resurrection--and it went amazing! President and Sister Clayton were there! The chapel was filled, the spirit was there, the music was beautiful, videos were powerful, and testimonies were strengthened of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Yes, many long, hard, and tiresome hours were put into this making, but it was so worth it. The members here want to be more involved and do something like it again sometime! As we were putting this together, it strengthened my testimony in so many ways--seeing Jesus Christ come to life and walking with him during his life. I know that He lives. He truly paid the price for each of us: while He was in the Garden of Gethsemane, the only thing on his mind was YOU. Yes, YOU. This event in history, changed everything for eternity--the ultimate act of love. I am eternally grateful for our Savior Jesus Christ and cannot wait to embrace him.

‪That brings me to a special invitation that we have been giving the sisters and now I give to you. Walk with the Savior! Pick an event during his last moments of his earthly ministry [Garden of Gethsemane, crucifixion, betrayal by Judas, the trial, etc.] and be there with the Savior. Read the event in the scriptures. Ponder what it would be like if you were there watching everything. What would you feel? See? Hear? Remember to record your experience!  I have done this and I can truly say that I have walked with Jesus Christ in a way I haven't done before. My testimony is strengthened in so many ways and I am so blessed to share it with the people here from all around the world in the Canada Toronto Mission. Walk with the Savior this week J

‪Until next time...

‪Sister Robb