Sharing the Gospel is Everyone's Work!

What a beautiful week it was! From a mind-blowing MLC, ESL, Heavenly Father bringing people to us... It was an incredible week!

The Weston Zone Missionaries

MLC was inspired. Everything has been refined and I know it's exactly what Heavenly Father wants done in this part of the vineyard. I have prayed about what President Clayton has shared with us and I know it's truly inspired. The Work of Salvation is HERE! In our weekly planning, we not only focus on people we are teaching, but recent converts and returning members as well! I love how sharing the gospel is everyone's work! The time is now to gather as many as you can and share the gospel with them. We know how much the gospel has improved the quality of our lives and the blessings we have received individually from it. I love sharing with the people I meet the specific blessings I have been able to see from specific principles of the gospel. No matter where you are, there is someone that is in need of your testimony, love, and light that you have. Reach out to those who may not know. Maybe your friend or neighbor who hasn't been to church in a long time or may be struggling. Reach out to family and loved ones who are looking for something, that something can be you. The Work of Salvation is for everyone! We all work together to help each other. We are all children of a loving Heavenly Father--as brothers and sisters, let us love one another and reach out to one another. I really love helping everyone here in Canada! It has strengthened my testimony of how much Heavenly Father loves each of us.

Sister Stranges is a recent convert of six month and is trying to strengthen her testimony of tithing. We talked with her and just listened to what she had to say. In the end... I said, "Sister Stranges... We are here to help you. Let's link arms and help you get to the temple!" She had the biggest smile on her face and began to tear up. She committed to put her faith in Heavenly Father and pay her tithing at the beginning of next month, even though her situation will be really hard, I know that Heavenly Father will pour out blessings for her sacrifice and faith  She is doing great!
Sister Jensen and I had an appointment with one of our investigators and it fell through. Just as we walked down his driveway, a car pulled up next door. We decided to go talk to them! We went over and talked to this cute young couple who moved in not too long ago. They said they weren't interested, so we asked who needs help or would be interested in the message we share and the man said, "Our neighbors look like they are struggling with some yard work, I think you two could try and see if they need help!" We smiled and said thank you and went to knock on their next door neighbor's door. A man opened up the door and was surprised to see us. His name is Pias and is from India! We began talking and he said, "Wait... You're Mormon's... Right?" We explained a bit of why people call us that and he said, "I've been to Utah and have seen your temple in Salt Lake City. Even though I couldn't go inside, it was beautiful." They asked if we wanted to come in... YES!

So we went in and began talking with their cute, adorable family! Pias, his wife (Sharron) with their two daughters we met (Manuala and Lanette). Pias then said, "What would you like to drink? We know you don't drink alcohol, coffee, or tea... Would you like some juice? Is that okay?" We said yes. We sat down and began talking about eternal families and temples! We will be going back this Tuesday to be helping them with yard work. They want to pay us and we said no, so I

said, "How about we pay you with a short lesson afterward?" They smiled and everyone laughed. We are so excited!

We have also been teaching Karolina (a young woman who is a recent convert of one month and is Polish) and she has decided she wants to go to the temple on September 5th! We had a great lesson on family history and temples! It has been a huge change in her way of progression and we are so excited to work with her towards the recent convert temple trip. She doesn't talk at all really, so going by the spirit has been great for her lessons. She is giving me hugs whenever she see's me now. I just love her!

We also met a former investigator named Ed. He is SO awesome!! He saw sisters in the past but stopped after two lessons. We called him up and was so excited to hear from us and wanted to meet with us. We met with him and he is so incredible! He told us some incredible stories of his faith that keep him firm in who he is today. About 10 years ago, Ed fell from 20 feet off of a construction site onto some cement steps below. He suffered many physical problems and it has taken him eight years to not have as much short term memory loss. He loved the Restoration and says that he truly does want to be baptized someday and just wants a new start to life. It was such a special lesson! He asked us for a chapel tour and we will be giving one to him tomorrow! He has never really been to church before and is a bit nervous, but is excited to make a change in his life!

Last incredible miracle,
After much fasting and prayer last Sunday, we saw an incredible miracle yesterday. A cute young women named Caryn sent us a text last week about church and where it was at! We told her we would love to give her a chapel tour before church starts and guess what... She came!! We gave her the tour and she loved church!! Her family really aren’t church going people and we asked what drew her to go and she told us that her best friend passed away last week and she knew she needed to begin to come closer to God. She is SO cute!! Also, another girl randomly walked into the church building and she said a man on the bus last week invited her to come to church and she felt she should. That man on the bus was a member from the ward!! Neat right? Her name is Camilla and she is from Kazakhstan! She is so cute!! She loved church as well and is excited to meet with us this week.

Heavenly Father truly has blessed us in SO many incredible ways this past week. I hope each of you know that we do indeed make such a big difference in such a big world. There are people out there that need YOU. Whether they are those who we don't know, those who are struggling, or anyone inside or outside of the church. Become a beacon of Christ's light that you have to shine to those who need you.

Until next time... Sister Robb

Mississauga....An Incredible Place!

I have so many incredible stories to tell and hope I can be able to fit everything in today! 

Marilyn Monroe Twin Building Apartments

Mississauga is such an incredible place. It is one of the most diverse places I have yet served! I have talked to soo many Chinese, Filipino, Indian, Italian, Polish, African, and Spanish people! I am serving in the GTA (greater Toronto area) where Mississauga is a giant city that's full of so much diversity. I get the chance to be over a companionship of Chinese sisters... So we'll be going on exchanges next week and everything will be in Chinese. That will be so much fun!! I am with Sister Jensen and she is just the cutest, most perfect girl ever!  She is from Alberta, Canada (another companion from Alberta, yea!).  The work has been going great here in Mississauga. 

‪My first day in Mississauga was so much fun even with a boiling 104 degrees!  That night I had the opportunity to teach an ESL (English Second Language) class for free and 20 people from different places around the world showed up. I LOVED TEACHING ENGLISH! It was so much fun! We teach ESL every Tuesday and Saturday for an hour and a half and the people love it! Teaching brings me so much happiness and to be able to see the joy on their faces when they can say a new word they didn't know, Wow!  We teach a topic where we define about 10 new words and then put them into a sentence.  At the end, we have the opportunity to share with them the gospel and invite them to church. I had no idea that I would do this and it is the BEST thing. J 

‪On Sunday, I was fasting for our area and praying that we would find people for this transfer. On a side note, sacrament meeting was so neat! It was fast and testimony meeting and we had testimonies shared in different languages today. Even thought I didn't know what they were saying, the spirit was so strong! The Chinese pianist for sacrament meeting will be gone for the next two weeks and picked me to play the piano! So mom, piano lessons are paying off! Anyways... Back to my story!

‪While I was sitting there in sacrament meeting, the last 15 minutes, I saw a cute, young lady come in and sit in the corner on a bench. After the prayer was over, I told Sister Jensen we should go talk to her. Her name is Adi and she is SO cute! I would say she is in her mid/late 20's and is a bit Indian. As we began talking with her and walking her to Gospel Principles class that we were teaching that day, I asked her what brought her to church today. She said, "My parents just got baptized about six months ago in this church in New Jersey and I was talking with them and they said I should go to church sometime in Mississauga. So I came to see today." I couldn't stop smiling!  She is just so incredible and she felt the spirit so strong as Sister Jensen and I were teaching about the sacrament in Gospel Principles. 

‪Later on that day, we felt like we should stop by Brian’s, a former investigators home, and he let us right in when he saw us!  He loved us and loved talking about his relationship with God and his beliefs. We told him that we have sports every Saturday night at the church and he got so excited! We are excited to introduce him to some members in the ward and have them really fellowship him and help him learn more about the gospel J

‪Later on that night, we got a text from a kijiji, a referral from a lady named Liz, and asked us to see her that night for service that was advertised.  Sister Jensen had no idea that there was a kijiji referral with our number on there, so we met Liz and began talking with her. She broke down and cried after we started talking, telling us of how she is taking care of her parents who are getting old and are in denial that they can't do things. Her car broke down. Her kids don't talk to her anymore. She is struggling with her job. I just felt for this woman as she talked to us, even though I didn't know her, I just loved her! We talked to her and we will be helping her this week for some service and she loves the scriptures we text her everyday J So on Sunday, we found three new investigators!  It was an incredible day!

‪Last really neat story is about a man named Anthony. We were walking down the street after having no luck with finding a lady we were looking for and no one wanted to talk to us. Just before we got to our car, I saw this cute, old Indian man sitting on his porch. We went and began talking with him about his neat-medical-curing plants he has and he loves his Jasmine plants. We told him our purpose and he told us that he see's the Jehovah's Witnesses every Wednesday and Saturday and they are nice people. Anthony's wife opened up the door and Sister Jensen began talking with her while I continued with Anthony. He began asking questions of the soul... It was really neat to see him open up a bit, like he was asking for help of some sort. I pulled out the Restoration pamphlet and talked about how we have a living prophet and apostles, how families can be together forever though the restored priesthood power, and how I came to know this was true. As I began bearing my testimony, Anthony began to cry! He was sitting there with the biggest tears in his eyes and after I finished, he pulled out a tissue to wipe his eyes. We are going back on Thursday to give him and his wife, Tamil a Book of Mormon J Just before I walked away and said, "Anthony, I know what you're feeling right now is the spirit..." We shook hands and he put both of his hands into mine and began to cry when we waved to him when we walked down the driveway.  What a great experience! 

‪I remember getting into the car and I teared up as well.  I am so grateful to be a missionary. I love it with all of my heart. I was thinking about this the other day and I was thinking... Even though I haven't seen the fruits of my labors as much on my mission... I can still do things like this back at home. I cannot wait to be a missionary and share the gospel after I finish with my service here in Canada. I really feel that the age change to serve missions was inspired and that there will be so many younger people who are returned missionaries and the work of salvation will begin to spread like wildfire across the world. The member referrals will sky rocket and everyone's friends and family will begin to have the restored gospel in their lives. I love Mississauga so much!!  I can't wait for what's in store these next weeks!

‪Until next time...

‪Sister Robb

Leaving Hamilton

What an incredible time it has been serving here in Hamilton Mountain. Last night we got transfer calls and I will now be heading to Mississauga with Sister Jensen! I am so excited to not only serve with her, but to take everything that I have learned and continue to add upon it. 

We stopped by the fire station and passed out mormon.org cards

I am sure going to miss Sister Coleman so much!  Words cannot put together everything of the past 12 weeks with her. Sister Clayton asked me, "What have you learned from Sister Coleman?"  After trying to put words together for a minute, I said: "I have learned about Sister Robb.  She has helped me in ways that I cannot describe. She has really helped me come closer to our Savior, Jesus Christ... I am just so grateful for her and always will be.  I love her so much."  During our prayer last night after we got the call, we both teared up a bit.  I will forever love Sister Coleman!

We had such an incredible week and worked with so many less-actives!  First, let me tell you about Lester (about 50 years old). When we first called him, he said, "No it's okay sisters... I'm okay... [before he hangs up]... alright sisters, you can come see me, why not."  Last week was our third time seeing him!  He is just the nicest and friendliest man that loves people.  We soon found out that he hasn't been to church since he was 17 years old! But he is prepared to come back J I know it.  As we talked about the restoration a bit, we invited him to read more about it and he said, "Most likely not, maybe. Can't make any promises sisters."  We found out the next time we met with him, he read the entire thing and then bore his testimony to us and told us that he already knew all of this. Yes, we did end up giving him the Plan of Salvation pamphlet and he loved it as well. As Sister Coleman and I were planning on Saturday night, we said, "Let's give him a call and invite him to church!" So we called and he said, "Um... I don't think so sisters... Maybe. That's it!  I can't promise you anything."  The next day, after we performed a musical number to start off the meeting, Sister Coleman and I sat down and she leaned over to me and said, "Sister Robb! Lester is here!!" Sure enough. there sat Lester, three rows from the front, dressed in a suit and tie!  He loved sacrament meeting! After we sang, a man from the ward just sat down next to him and guess what! They began talking with each other after sacrament meeting and it was his scoutmaster. How neat is that! They caught up for a bit. What an incredible experience it was to be able to see a man who hasn't been to church in in over 30 years, feel the spirit at church and make the connections with those he grew up with.  As I sat there. I was filled with joy--a joy in knowing you've helped someone not only now, but for eternity.  I couldn't stop smiling J I love being a missionary!

Even better than a baptism... Kazherin Munoz (a recent convert) is finally going to the temple this Saturday! AH! I am so excited for her!  When I first came into Hamilton, we talked with her and she was not ready... After time and strengthening her testimony, she is ready.  That is one thing that I loved this transfer is helping three recent converts go to the temple for their first time.  I am so grateful to have that 'beginning with the end in mind' these past two transfers and help several less-actives and recent converts. 

Lastly, here is a funny story.  So there we were, at a recent converts home (Mary St. Onge), when her son Roni came walking out. Roni is in his early 30's and isn't baptized--he loves science and doesn't do too much with religion. When he walked out of his room and saw us, instead of listening to us, he went back in his room and came out with 'numb chucks' and chains with daggers on the end. He smiled and said, "Sisters, I have a challenge for you." He then explained if we can spin the numb chucks, he will read whatever we ask him to. So challenge on!  He showed us some really neat tricks and after showing us what we had to do, we gave it a try. So we would stand there with one numb chuck in one hand and spin it around the hand and catch the other end.  Sister Coleman and I passed his challenge.  We were both able to do it and committed him to read The Book of Mormon!  He accepted and said he would begin to read it!! That's HUGE!! So it was a safe and fun way to share the gospel J Who knew! 

Overall, I am so grateful I had the chance to be able to serve here in Hamilton. It is an incredible area with incredible members and people that have blessed my life so much. Hamilton Mountain will always be one of my homes in Canada.  I am so grateful for the two transfers which I was able to really come to know my testimony and my Savior, Jesus Christ.  I know what Helaman said is true, that we need to "remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall." I know the gospel is truly where we will have a firm foundation. As we link arms with Christ, we come to know this, that his atonement is the greatest act of love, that his grace is real, and that we are never alone. I know this to be true! I cannot wait to link arms with the Savior in Mississauga and be serving in a city J 

Until next time...

Sister Robb

Exchanges, Exchanges!

What an incredible week of spiritual experiences!  I had the opportunity to go on three exchanges with the sisters! J

The first one was on Tuesday, with the St. Catherine sisters! I had the opportunity to go with Sister Bell, who has now been out for 5 weeks in the mission.  She is just the cutest girl!  Even though she is really quiet... she leads by example and you can see Christ in her countenance. One incredible experience we had was when we were teaching a man named Kiern, who believes that there is a higher power and wants to learn more about Jesus Christ.  He has had a really rough life growing up and said sure he would see the sisters while he was quickly passing by.  It was the sisters first time teaching him and it's so hard to describe his countenance change during the lesson. He was so intrigued when we began talking about President Monson and really just began to love what we were saying.  He wasn't making comments anymore and he began to ask questions.  Questions of the soul, it was so incredible!  As we were teaching him at the park, another man came up to us and asked if he could sit in.  Come to find out, he was taught years ago by missionaries and thought that they were crazy.  But that day, when he saw Sister Bell and I teaching Kiern, he said it touched his heart and knew he needed to sit in and listen again what we had to say.  Kiern and Barry both looked at each other at the end of the lesson and said, "Hey I don't know you, but how about we both go to church on Sunday and check it out."  It put the biggest smile on my face and I looked over and saw Sister Bell's jaw drop and couldn't help but chuckle. We saw so many little miracles throughout the day! We taught another one of their investigators and she prayed for the first time! So that was so fun J

Lastly, we visited this 91 year old lady who is a member and guess what happened….On the way out, I saw a book in a huge pile on her table and knew it was a Book of Mormon.  So I pulled it out and guess what! When I opened it on the inside I found a gem.  I found a black and white photo of a family named the Allred’s that live in Kaysville!  Can you believe that! Under their photo is their testimony with their name and address in Kaysville. She couldn't remember exactly who they were and we were wondering if that was one of the missionaries who baptized her! So that was SO special and she told me that I could take it.  It was incredible!!

We had our second exchange on Wednesday with the Welland sisters!  One of the sisters I came out with got in a car crash about 5 weeks ago and is still suffering from her concussion and has been in a lot of pain as she passed a kidney stone and two more on the way... the poor thing.  So Sister Coleman and I both went into their area to help them out.  Sister Coleman stayed with the sister and I went with Sister Robison to go out and get lots of things done!  I am so grateful for the power of prayer and to be able to feel of other missionaries spirits while I am out here. You wouldn't believe the power, spirit, and conviction that I felt as we went around and talked with everyone! It was incredible. I will never forget it. 

Our last exchange was on Friday (three exchanges back to back is so exhausting!)  We went with the Brantford sisters.  It was an exchange that was special.  It was a time that I  was able to look back since coming to Canada and see what has refined me, but also in becoming an instrument for Heavenly Father in this portion of his vineyard.  It was really neat to see as I was on exchanges with Sister Vance.  I am so incredibly grateful for my mission! I have come to know Heavenly Father in ways that cannot be described. I do know that he truly does hear and answer our prayers and I am grateful for His trust that he has in His missionaries to teach his gospel.  I am always striving to continually do my best and I know that he knows that.  We taught many great lessons that day and were able to help our ward mission leader with his yard as we talked about the ward. I love Hamilton!

Sister Coleman and I taught this less active man named Lester Mazey. He is so nice and is so neat!  He has a cat that doesn't have ears, wears round circle glasses, and was once a door to door mailman for 25 years. [Sad news... Today is the first day that Canada doesn't have door to door mail... Sad day in history]. He was raised in the gospel and knows it's true, but drifted away when he was about 17 when he ran into some anti information.  His questions were answered and he said he would read the pamphlet!  I am excited to help him grasp the gospel again in his life and help him to one day partake of the sacrament and renew his covenants each week!  He is awesome!

Some exciting news! While on exchanges a couple of weeks ago, I felt like we should stop by this 'unknown' member on the ward list and we met this family from Iran who moved in a couple years ago! Whenever we came over, we always talked to their teenage daughter (Mirna, 15 years old) who is just the sweetest girl. We finally met her mom Lamia and she just loved talking with us. We asked what we could do for her after we told her our purpose she said to help her four kids to go to church!  We are going to visit their family hopefully this Saturday and to teach them for the first time. The mom is super religious and is just the cutest J I am so excited! 

Overall, it was a very great and productive week! I wish I could write every spiritual experience that I have everyday and share them each week. I am just so grateful that I do know this: God truly is our loving Heavenly Father and that his Son, Jesus Christ, is our Savior! I am grateful that our Heavenly Father does call prophets to lead and guide each of his children who live here on earth. I am so grateful to know that I have the opportunity to teach Christ's pure gospel and that I have been called by a prophet of God to share what I know, and I know that the messages we share are true! They really and truly are. The Book of Mormon has helped me know what I can do personally to come closer to Heavenly Father and become more Christ like in my life.  It's such a special gift to know that Christ did in deed visit the people who lived in the Americas and that we are so privileged to

have that record!  What a gift!  I do testify that Joseph Smith did, indeed, bring back everything to its fullness and complete restoration.  I just wish everyone knew this and felt the spirit like I get to do everyday.  They just don't know... I know that when I will try my best, Heavenly Father will know and understand. 

Transfer calls are on Sunday! I can't believe it already that time again.  Thank you for your thoughts and prayers.  Love to all…….

Until next time...

Sister Robb