"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