Miracles & Mishaps

This week has been full of miracles and mishaps. 

‪Here's the 'mishap' story:

‪

There we were, Sister Daniels and I, while on exchanges I was driving her back to her area in Welland, driving down the 401 highway, and a car passed us and it sounded like he had a very loud muffler. As the car was driving farther and farther away, the sound didn't go away. I looked at Sister Daniels and said, "I don't think that was his muffler..." She looked at me and we both yelled "NOOO!" I quickly pulled off at the next exit, out in the middle of nowhere,  We had a flat tire! After much prayer, our tire got fixed!  We had to call roadside service and we got the tools to be able to fix the flat tire. Ryan (the man that fixed our car) was super nice, so that was a plus!  Overall, it was one of those experiences where we just had to laugh.

 Here are some miracles:

 Sister Coleman and I felt prompted to stop by a member’s house last week and talk to one of their neighbors.  Sister Coleman was talking to one neighbor and I was talking to the other. I began talking with this man named Darryl and he began asking me lots of questions.  He said, "I don't know why infants need to be baptized... It doesn't say it in the bible.  Why are they?" I began to tell him that infants don't need to be baptized and shared with him the Restoration.  As I was showing him the pamphlet, you could see that he was so focused on what this message was.  When I pulled out the Book of Mormon, he just thought it was the coolest thing in the world!  He hasn't been interested in religion since he quite going to church many years ago.  He knows that God answers prayers.  Many of his questions were answered, he said that this was 'different from the world' and that it 'felt right somehow'. He is so awesome! So on exchanges, Sister Daniels and I stopped by to see him and we shared with him and his wife (Brittany) the Restoration! She is more religious and sat there listening and soaking in everything we said. By the end, I bore my testimony of the things in which we had shared. Darryl said, "I can feel that you know these things to be true. I felt something while you were speaking." We told him he can know the truth of these things by praying and reading the Book of Mormon and they said they wanted to come to church. They are SO awesome and solid.  Here's the mishap: they are moving to Ottawa this week. "NOOO!"  The one place that is just outside of our mission!  They said they want to keep in contact with us and cannot wait to live a new life in Ottawa with their three kids. They said they will go to church on Sunday in Ottawa and that's what makes me so happy J I KNOW I was meant to meet them, It was a perfect time in their life for the gospel, to find the gospel right before they leave Hamilton and be able to hear of the gospel. We are helping them move this week and get to say goodbye to them. I will never forget them! 

Oh Happy Day!  Playing Lacrosse with a members son!!

‪Also on exchanges, Sister Daniels and I taught our investigators Ezra (who is Hindu) and Ricky (who grew up in Iran and was Muslim). We shared a brief message of what makes us happy and shared with them the Plan of Happiness with our life here on earth and the Atonement of Jesus Christ. The kids and both of them loved the lesson! In the end, we taught Rick how to say a prayer and he said one! You could tell that it really came from his heart and it was so nice.  What a great experience!

‪We brought a less-active man in the ward who speaks Tagalog to Santi's lesson! It went SO good!  Santi brought up questions and Brother Dechoiso was able to be a translator for him.  In the end, I looked at Brother Dechoiso and asked him how he knows the Book of Mormon is true.  He then looked down, holding the Book of Mormon in his hands and bore the most powerful testimony of the truthfulness that he has felt and the countless experiences of the Holy Ghost revealing to him that it is true. He then said, "My dear friends, if you want to know for yourself you can like I have. Take it. Read it. Pray about it. It's the truth and link you're missing."  He then gave the Book of Mormon back to him.  What a powerful thing to witness.  I love this gospel and the members so much!

‪Sister Coleman and I said to each other after our studies this morning, 'this is going to be a good week, we can feel it'.  I am so excited to see the miracles that are going to come as I am putting some sacrifices on the alter to Heavenly Father, pouring my heart out in prayer and fast, and working with all of my heart, might, mind, and strength. I know that when I forget myself and go to work, I will become a more consecrated missionary and person, and that's who I know Heavenly Father wants me to be.  My mission has been a very refining experience for me.  I cannot wait to find another Darryl and Brittney who are just hungry for the gospel. I know that there are some of Heavenly Father's children here, waiting.  As I look back to the beginning of my mission, I have grown in ways that are hard to explain.  I love all of the people I have met.  I want to help them have something in their life... And that's eternal happiness and salvation.  I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY.  J

‪Until next time...

‪Sister Robb

A Testimony Is Most Precious

Yesterday was Victoria Day in Canada! There were a lot of fireworks and parties going on. It was so fun to try to talk to as many people as we could yesterday and hand out Book of Mormon's!  I wanted to share some fun things that happened this week:

We went to a member’s home for lunch and they said that we were going to have "mystery meat".  Sister Coleman leaned over to me and said, "God has mysteries... Meats should not have mysteries..." After we were almost done eating, the members told us it was CAMEL MEAT!  It wasn't bad at all. 

With the warmer weather and no air conditioning in our apartment, we have been fighting flies in our apartment like crazy.  We catch them with a plastic container and let them free outside off of our balcony.  The things we try to do to get our sleep……

Here are some exciting things that have been happening in our area!  Everything in our area is rising! 

-We got Kerry (our 'eternal' investigator of 3 years) a quit date for smoking which is huge! 

-Toni (our investigator) has a baptismal date and wants to be baptized, but is overcoming a huge hurdle of changing his work schedule with his boss to have Sundays off.

Exchanges with Sister Chelson, an amazing missionary!

-We are helping Kareem (recent convert) prepare for a patriarchal blessing, which is huge! He is just so nervous of even doing family history and we have helped him in finding comfort little by little in overcoming the anxiety that he has.

-We will be teaching Chrissy Pope's (recent convert) 14 year old daughter.

-We went on exchanges with the Oakville North sisters! Sister Chelson came here to Hamilton with me and we did some service for our investigator named Jo'Anne... let me tell you a neat story about her!

Jo'Anne: When Sister Coleman and I first came into Hamilton Mountain, we were going to visit a former investigator down the road and I decided to park down the road to walk there. On the way, we saw this lady gardening in her yard and we decided to talk to her. Jo'Anne was wearing a big, wooden cross around her neck and is a 'nature' woman. She is Christian and is a 'primary' worker in her congregation. I held a Book of Mormon in my hand and we began to explain to her about The Book of Mormon. She wasn't too interested... But I book marked the page where Christ visits the people in the Americas and gave it to her. A week later, Sister Coleman said, "We should visit Jo'Anne." Later that day we knocked on her door and asked her if she'd read any of the Book of Mormon and she said, "Well, yes I have! I read 3 Nephi 11 and found it so interesting... But I didn't know where Bountiful was and just decided to start reading from the beginning. I got to 1 Nephi 17..." After picking Sister Coleman's jaw off of the floor (haha) we went in and began to talk to her.  She loved how the Book of Mormon explained the Sermon on the Mount more clear to her. On exchanges, we went over and did service with her of painting canvas's for her 'primary' kids.  She asked us what holidays we celebrate and we told her about Easter and Christmas, I than began to tell her about a special event that occurs every six months, and that we get to hear from a modern day prophet.  We told her about general conference and tied it in with the restoration. She found that very interesting!  She is not ready for sit down lessons, but Sister Coleman and I really think that if we do service and short visits... She will let us know when she is ready to have formal lessons.  SHE IS AWESOME! Someday she will be baptized. We know it. J  It is the little seeds that every member has an opportunity to plant along the way!

This morning in my personal study, I read Acts 4 and it was so incredible how Peter and John refused to give up their testimony or hide it in any way.  I was simply thinking about how precious my testimony is to me, what I know to be true, and being a missionary, a representative of Jesus Christ doesn't mean I push my religion on people, but I have the sacred opportunity to declare what I know to be true, without hesitation and invite all to find out for themselves. I would deeply recommend reading Acts chapter 4 and see what revelation you receive for your personal testimony or missionary work.

So having said that, I wanted to leave off with my testimony of The Book of Mormon.  My testimony is one of the most precious things to me because there is nothing that can bring down someone’s testimony.  Through my mission, I have grown closer and closer to The Book of Mormon. Even though I have never walked with Nephi and his family in the wilderness to the promised land, knelt with Enos in prayer, listened to King Benjamin give his speech, felt the nail prints in Christ's hands when he visited the Nephites in the Americas... I know that it's true and I cannot deny it.  I leave my testimony with theirs of the truthfulness in which they share: Jesus is the Christ, our Redeemer, and Savior. I am so grateful for the beautiful Restoration and evidence of it through this book in which I hold close to my heart. When I share it with those here in Canada, I can feel those people I read about in the Book of Mormon standing with me. Like Captain Moroni in declaring the 'Title of Liberty', Samuel the Lamanite on the wall, and many more spiritual giants in the Book of Mormon.  My testimony stands with them in declaring these things to all of God's children. The Book of Mormon is true! Joseph Smith was a prophet that translated these ancient plates through the power of God so we too, can draw closer to Jesus Christ.

The evidence of Christ's church is here and I love sharing that with every person I come in contact with on the street! I leave my testimony and know these things to be true. Amen.

Until next time...

Sister Robb

Look what I found at a second hand store!

An Eternal Perspective

Happy Mother’s Day to all the wonderful moms in the world! Especially my mom... I love you! I am here in Hamilton Mountain and I love it! Spring is in the air along with the muggy humidity. It's so great! Sister Coleman and I came into this area together, and many miracles are going to happen. I can feel it! 

Sister Coleman and I were able to go to the temple last week for one of her recent converts that was going through the temple. It was such an incredible experience. Temples are truly the house of the Lord. I was able to find answers to questions and peace that is indescribable. "Beginning with the end in mind" is one of our mission motto’s and it’s so true. Everything that we do as missionaries leads towards the temple, It’s the eternal perspective that has truly opened my eyes and finding joy in the work. 

My new companion, Sister Coleman.  She is from
Bountiful, Utah...My mom was her Jr. High counselor!

I love my companion! Not only do we have fun, but we have seen countless blessings. While we were locking up our apartment to head out, we heard this breathing behind us... We were terrified and didn't want to turn around. We both turned around at the same time and found this cute, old Filipino man breathing as if he ran a marathon. His name is Santi and he just had heart surgery. We began to talk to him and he invited us over! We taught him the Restoration and he continued to say he wants to find the 'missing link' and said he will read the Book of Mormon. He is awesome! We will continue to pray and seek inspiration to have the spirit overcome the language barrier. We love Santi! 

We were able to start doing yard work with many people in the ward and I have to say, this ward is rock solid! Probably one of the neatest wards I have yet served in. As we worked together and did yard work for a lady in the ward, you could tell that each of them truly were disciples of Christ and cared about everyone they passed by or saw! It's hard to explain, it was as if I was in Utah for a minute and all of your neighbors get together and help out someone else in the ward. 

What wonderful sisters I get to work with!

We had MLC last week and all I have to say is, THE TIME IS NOW. That's all that was talked about! President Clayton is so inspired and I know that he is receiving guidance for the Canada Toronto Mission. Heavenly Father is telling the mission that the time is now. We now have everything we need and to go and DO! Many miracles will be wrought to pass and we will see many people enter the waters of baptism. I am so excited to see the mission soar! Something that came to my mind was, "We are the author of our own destiny." I love being a missionary here in Canada!  

We had a wonderful and very spiritual week! There were just so many instances we found ourselves where we just needed to be in order to learn a lesson that God needed us to learn. We've been learning so much in our studies, meetings, and conversations about God's Plan for us. My testimony has grown tremendously as I understand and have a greater reverence for the love my Father has for me and the trust He has placed in me as His missionary. So humbling, and I am so grateful. I love you all so much and hope you feel of my testimony as I know that our Savior Lives! This work is not just fun or a good experience or to prepare me for the future; this IS the work of Almighty God and it is to CHANGE the world! "Hastening the work has to do with the excitement we all feel about sharing the message of the gospel. It's a natural process that comes out of love." --Sister Bonnie L. Oscarson

Until next time...
Sister Robb

On The Road Again......

Kakosi everyone!  [That means 'hello' in Yugoslavia]  Yes, I met a man from Yugoslavia and yes, he took two Book of Mormons!  One for him and one for his friend J  

TRANSFER NEWS: I am getting transferred to Hamilton Mountain East!  I will have the opportunity to be able to train a new Sister Training Leader!  We will both be 'whitewashing' [both coming new into an area at the same time.]  We will have the opportunity to be the FIRST Sister Training Leaders in Hamilton!  It is a lot of responsibility, one that I am so excited for, it will be great!  I cannot wait to serve with Sister Coleman!

I went on one exchange this week….

 Sarnia: Sister Nabhan (about 2 hours west from Brantford)

Another fun exchange, Thanks Sister Womack!

In Sarnia, you can see the United States!  It's just right across the river…crazy!  I couldn't believe a river splits Canada and Michigan.  Anyways, Sister Nabhan is just so fun!  She has been out for six weeks now. Our day was awesome!  We went and visited one of their investigators who they haven't seen in a while and felt that we should go! We visited Tenisha and met her boyfriend Chris.  I began asking him questions and after one thing lead to another... We taught the entire Restoration! It was rock solid!  He said, "You mean Christ visited the Americas?  Did he visit anywhere else?  Do you have any more records?!" He got so excited. It was so fun to see someone who you wouldn't expect to be interested at all in the gospel, get so excited! He said, "Everything makes sense, I just need to accept it somehow." I responded, "Well Chris, You can and you're not alone.  Let us talk about prayer!" They both committed to baptism!  It was awesome.  Overall, it was a great exchange except one thing, we had to go to the hospital for Sister Nabhan's cough because it was getting worse and wasn't sounding good at all.  So we drove to London and took her to the hospital finding out that she has bronchitis.  I checked on her yesterday and she is getting better!  I loved exchanges with her! We saw several miracles.

I am sad that I'm leaving Brantford, because so many miracles will come about! Our investigator Matt is going to be baptized in a couple of weeks!! J He is awesome!! I never knew what to expect in Brantford from day to day, as it was always different!  I love the people here so much and the ward is so much fun.  I put my trust in the Lord and know that I am meant to go to Hamilton Mountain at this time to serve. 

This morning in personal study, I was reading Moroni 10:8-18 about Spiritual gifts and how earlier in my life, I wished I had all of them so that I could contribute fully.  But that’s not how it works.  God has given us specific gifts, personal gifts, to help us grow and to bless the lives of others.  One quote I put on my planner for this past transfer was this:

“I dream of being a Moses, an Esther, a Nephi – and despair that I don’t have that Greatness in me.  But then I remember – God doesn’t require Greatness, He requires faith, and some of us must have the faith to follow.”

How I love that!  I am who I am because God needs me that way.  Of course I need to improve.  I’m sure I’ll never be who I want to be, but that’s why He put us here.  If there was no need for progression, we wouldn’t be here.  This life is meant for something, to prepare us to meet Him again, and so with every trial that comes my way, instead of thinking “why me?” I am going to think “why not?”

 I love this Gospel with all my heart and LOVE the chance I have to share it with the people of Canada!  As I wake up each morning, I think to myself:

Wake up and do something more

Than dream of your mansion above.

Doing good is a pleasure, a joy beyond measure,

A blessing of duty and love. ['Have I done Any Good':hymn #223]

One great ward mission leader, Brother
Hemans and his wife

I love that song so much!  It has really brought a new meaning to me in my life. As we work and serve, we will find a joy that is indescribable, one of eternal worth.  I love this quote from our beloved prophet, Thomas S. Monson, he said, "Every day of our lives we are given opportunities to show love and kindness to those around us."

A fun idea that I am doing this week is every time I serve someone, I am going to write it down. I will write down what I did and how I feel.  By the end of this week, I will look back and see the service in which I was able to render.  I encourage you to do the same as well! J You will always be on the lookout to serve and it will be a spiritual experience for you, I just know it. 

Thank you for all you do!  I can't wait for all of the crazy, fun, and spiritual adventures I will be having! 

Until next time...

Sister Robb

FUN FACTS: 

-Brantford is the city in which the telephone was made by Alexander Graham Bell!

-Hamilton City is where Batman was filmed for Gotham City!