I Know That My Redeemer Lives!

Today, April 6, we celebrate the reorganization of the Lord's church in 1830! (D&C 20) We also learn from that section that April 6, 1830 was "1830 years since the coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in the flesh." Overall, thank goodness for revelation! J What an awesome day! 

This Easter week has been such an incredible experience to be a missionary. I was able to see so many little miracles that just continue to keep me more and more motivated to do all I can to bring the gospel into people's lives.  Easter weekend was absolutely incredible! We tried to change our approach of contacting on Saturday & Sunday by asking people what Easter Sunday meant to them and then testifying of what Jesus did for us and how they can know for themselves and have a further witness through the Book of Mormon.  It was an incredible experience for both Sister Mandla and I as we bore testimony from our heart of what we know to be true, and that's why I love missionary work!  For Jesus Christ truly did suffer for us, each of us, personally.  I want to testify that I KNOW that he suffered for me, for everything I've been through; for the sorrow I feel when I make a mistake, for the heartache I felt when Grandpa and Claye passed away, for the longing I feel when someone doesn't accept the gospel, He has felt it all so that He can help me feel clean, comforted, and renewed.  Christ not only died for me, but He rose for me as well, as He did for you!  How wonderful this knowledge is and how comforted I feel that He loves me enough to die for me!

To my week….first, Mike Slade is rock solid and is such an amazing soldier as one of Heavenly Father's children. We had such a powerful lesson before conference and he shared with us some of his missionary experiences in defending what he knows to be true! He is such a great example and I just love seeing his unwavering testimony. He is so excited for his baptism this Sunday. He has just the greatest testimony and I have loved the opportunity to teach him, as well as learn from him!

We were able to teach Aaron Drake about the Godhead and really help him realize that there is a Heavenly Father who loves him.  It just broke my heart as we were talking with him as he described his feelings about God. He just doesn't understand and I am so grateful that I had the chance to bear my testimony to him and share my feelings of how much our Father in Heaven truly does love him.  He is special.  He is someone and not a 'no one'.  He literally has no family or anyone... Just his poisonous, flesh eating pets-haha! He said he would pray next time we see him. Remember... YOU ARE LOVED! 

Some exciting news, remember how I said that people joined in on our lesson at the group home last week?  Well... Let me introduce you to a man named Jeff Tipper. Jeff is AMAZING! That day he walked in soaked from being outside and sat in the corner listening to us. Towards the end of the lesson, I knew he was listening to us teaching the Plan of Salvation, and I knew we needed to talk to him-the minute he came inside the room door. Our first lesson was amazing--He told us how he is in the group home because he was protecting his wife and two little girls from his brother who was intoxicated and got in a fight... Jeff got sent to the group home away from his family. One day it tore his heart so bad being away from his family (in the group home) that he walked back to the house, just to see his two little girls and to hug them... But his wife called the cops since he wasn't supposed to leave and got sent to jail for a short time. While he was in there he shared of a life changing experience.  He prayed and prayed fervently--on the third night, his prayer was answered.  It felt as if he was being hugged by his two little girls again. He told us that he had never experienced that and he wept for hours in his cell.  As he was telling us this story, he was in tears. He loves his little girls SO much! I have never seen anything like it. 

As we shared the Restoration with him, he told us that he felt like he was Joseph Smith at one time while trying to search for the truth! After reciting the first vision we sang "Joseph Smith's First Prayer", he said he found the truth.  He knows it to be true! As I invited him to be baptized, he began to cry again and said, "Yes, yes... I know it's true!  I will!" So... All in all, his baptismal date is May 3rd! We taught him the Plan of Salvation last night and it went amazing. He is so excited to read from the Book of Mormon and guess what! On the way out he told us that he stopped smoking! What?! We haven't even taught him the Word of Wisdom and had done it on his own! He is incredible. Such a tender heart and I know--from the bottom of my heart--that we were meant to meet him. 

Our other investigators, Earnie and Amanda, are doing well! Earnie and Amanda got together about 9 months ago (they are about 30 years old) and Amanda has a little one year old boy. They both have such rough life's right now and only have each other to keep living. They know a lot about the gospel and have had some great spiritual experience that have helped them so far in life. Earnie loves listening to the Book of Mormon on his smart phone and Amanda loves the idea of eternal families. So the neat experience this week with them is that we watched the Restoration Movie with them.  Earnie said that he felt the spirit and got the chills. They are excited to continue to learn and gain spiritual experiences! He said that he hasn't been inside a church for years because he is scared to go back, but said he would come this Sunday to the special fireside that we are putting it on. So that was a neat experience, and yes, no matter how many times I have seen the video... I always feel the spirit is well J It's true!

Here is a funny experience! We did service at a long-term care home and we helped people with bowling! J I would wheel them up (in a wheel chair) to the miniature table and they would take the 'fist-sized' soft ball and roll it down the table. There is a lady named Emma who would yell at the pins that fell, but then tell me that she forgot their name... Haha. I just laughed and laughed. It was fun! We will get a chance to go back and to do that more often!

Our investigator, Johnathan, is engaged to a returning less-active member. They live on an Indian reservation (since Johnathan's whole family is native) so that's interesting! They have a little 2 year old and they are awesome! He is waiting to get baptized when they confirm some things with their leaders and such, but we read in Jacob and he just LOVES the Book of Mormon! Everything that is talked about is found within his native family roots of history. He tells us about the tribes, history, and traditions, and many more are found in the Book of Mormon. My favorite... His ancestors talk of a "bright, white man who came and visited them" which was Jesus Christ himself. I am so grateful for the evidence of the Restoration by the Book of Mormon. I love that book with all of my heart and know that it's true. Christ truly did visit the people in the America's! What a glorious and joyful message that is to tell the world! He LIVES.

A BIG thank you for all the birthday wishes I received! My birthday was amazing!! I mean conference on your birthday, while on a mission is just amazing!! The phone rang at 10:20pm, it was President and Sister Clayton calling to sing Happy Birthday to me!  I about cried.  I felt so loved the whole day by so many. J THANK YOU FOR THE LETTERS, PACKAGES, AND LOVE. It was felt.  I have the best family and friends ever……I love you all so much!

Conference was absolutely amazing. As I have been serving on my mission, I have realized and experienced that the gospel is real. We need it in today's world--protect yourself with the armor of the gospel. I know that it's the greatest shield against the most terrible forces that Satan and his followers throw at us.  Cling on to the truth you know!  Embrace it & Share it! I know that the gospel has been restored through a young man named Joseph Smith. The world is forever changed because of a simple, fervent prayer of faith. The light will never grow dim as the world grows darker. I know this to be true with all of my heart... I love being a missionary J 

Until next time...

Sister Robb

Lovin' Brantford!

What a glorious week in Brantford! It is truly a place of miracles, and I just love being a missionary in this area. There is never a dull moment in the day and we are always so busy! We taught 21 lessons  this past week (less-actives and investigators) and are helping each of them become reactivated and prepare for baptism. My new companion is Sister Mandla, she is from Australia and she is just a powerhouse!  She is a professional singer who will perform on Broadway and has just the sweetest spirit J Sister Mandla has 17 more weeks left on her mission. I will only be with her for 5 more weeks! Her last 2 transfers she will be training (that's what President Clayton is having all of the people in leadership do, train their last 2 transfers of their mission... It wouldn't be smart to be a Sister Training leader for the rest of your mission!  So, I will most likely do what she did, be a sister training leader for 6 months and train the last 3.  I am grateful to learn so many things from her this transfer and refine myself as a missionary to whom Heavenly Father wants me to become.

To begin, I want to tell you about a man named Mike Slade. Mike was found about 3 months ago by the sisters, and we had a lesson with him this week, it was so powerful! Mike is 23 years old and is amazing. We taught him and he is so excited to be baptized! APRIL 12th is the big day J and His last day to smoke is today!! We set a goal to stop on his birthday and we called him last night and were just singing to him and motivating him.  He is amazing.  Mike is prepared for the gospel in his life and I am so excited to continue to teach him and to help prepare to be baptized!

Next is David Heaney. His brother (who was distant) was a member, but committed suicide last year... soo sad. He told us his story and my heart just goes out to him.  He then bore the strongest testimony of how he feels that his brother has led him to the church and he wants to do all he can.  He just got over having a 'on & off' seizure episode that lasted about 2 weeks.  He is doing a lot better now and we can finally start teaching him! We had a powerful lesson about the Book of Mormon and he said his brother would be so proud of him for doing all that he is.  We felt his brother's presence and he just wept. We sat in silence for about 2 minutes, It gives me goosebumps just thinking about it again. I can testify that death is not the end! Our loved ones are not too far and are always close to us. They are nearby and some are waiting for us to help them. What an amazing experience and testimony builder. Brother Heaney is preparing to be baptized sometime in April (he is thinking of April 19th), but we will have to see depending on his health. I know that Heavenly Father truly does love each of his children... He loves YOU!

We were teaching another investigator, Melinda, at a community home and were teaching her about the Plan of Salvation. While we were teaching, one by one, people were entering into the gathering room where we were.  Just before we started, I invited a man named Anthony to join us! J He sat in, and then another... and another!!  So we had three people sit in on the conversation with Melinda! It was so great! We are going back to meet two of them. Melinda is doing okay, she is a single mother and is only 21 and really struggles.  But, she really loved the Plan of Salvation. It brought her so much peace. You could really see it on her face as we talked about Jesus Christ's Atonement and the purpose of our life here on earth. During the middle of the lesson, she asked, "Wait, is there more after we die? Will I be with Christ again someday?" I was able to smile at her and say, "Yes Melinda. Death is not the end... Your Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ want you to come back to them someday. They love you Melinda..." She then began to tear up and smile. What a beautiful moment that was.

There were lots of tears of joy this week with the people we taught, but also a lot of laughs as well J  First off, I want you to picture this man that we met: Tattoos all up and down his arm, eyebrows pierced, shaved head, really baggy pants and long jewelry, and smokes. One day he was walking down the sidewalk with his huge dog with a spiked collar. He was stopped and talked to by sister missionaries last week, so they left us his information.  We went by and he showed us his pet alligator, venomous snake and spiders, and a poisonous giant centipede! His name is Aaron Drake. Yes, I know,  "What is Sister Robb doing?" Well, teaching the gospel! He is actually a really awesome guy and we are going to teach him soon J Deep down inside he does have a soft heart! I just know it.  After walking out of his home, I couldn't help but stop smiling and I said to Sister Mandla, "You know Aaron is a pretty cool child of God." We laughed and laughed.

We had such an amazing week! From meeting new people in a new area, to the women's session, to singing at a baptismal service yesterday, and having a super packed schedule. I am so grateful for the experiences in which I am having! I am so excited to be serving in Brantford J There are so many people here that we are teaching in which we invited them to be baptized and lots of them said yes! Less-actives who we are visiting who are starting to come back to church and being able to help them come back by strengthening their faith in our Savior Jesus Christ.

I am so excited to be part of an amazing fireside that we are putting together on April 12th: The Life and Light of Jesus Christ and Resurrection. It will be a compilation of music, scripture, and bible videos into an amazing event celebrating Jesus Christ's life. We get to walk with Christ more than 2,000 years ago and see his life from birth till he was resurrected. There will be a light of Christ that no one has ever felt or seen before.  I am so excited for this huge event in which we are helping with. It has been put on a couple of times across Ontario and is now being put on in Brantford. The spirit has a way of touching so many through music and this will be one of those really neat productions!

I am so excited for conference this week.  What a privilege it is that we get to hear our beloved Prophet, Thomas S. Monson speak.  He truly is a living prophet! I am SO excited!  HAPPY EASTER EVERYONE! J   #BecauseHeLIVES

Until next time...

Sister Robb

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