"Another Week"

Hello family!

         Isn't it weird that in a month you can all give me a big hug?  Anyways, you can all look forward to that!

         This week was...full of meetings...surprise!!! It's kind of ridiculous how many meetings we have...but they are good and I will definitely miss the spirit that is felt there.

         Monday night we had to drive to Staines to stay the night with the sisters there for MLC the next day. It was fun cause there were 8 sisters in the flat, a lot of who I had served around before, so we got to catch up with all of them :)

         Tuesday was MLC. The best meetings as missionaries, I love that I'm able to attend them. President and Sister Gubler talked to us at the beginning and a lot of what they said really hit me. They shared some personal experiences that they have had with the priesthood and as they were speaking it just reaffirmed to me that the church is true. There was a quote from conference that stood out to me by Bonnie L. Oscarson as they were speaking and it sums up how I was feeling. It says:

         "Do we sometimes become so accustomed to the blessings we have been given as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints that we fail to fully comprehend the miracle and majesty of discipleship in the Lord’s true Church? Are we ever guilty of being complacent about the greatest gift we can be offered in this life? The

Savior Himself taught, “If you keep my commandments and endure to the end you shall have eternal life, which gift is the greatest of all the gifts of God.  We believe that this Church is more than just a good place to go on Sundays and learn how to be a good person. It is more than just a lovely Christian social club where we can associate with people of good moral standing. It is not just a great set of ideas that parents can teach their children at home so they will be responsible, nice people. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is infinitely more than all of these things."

         I know this church is so much more than just "good ideas" but it is the only way of living. It is heavenly fathers church, the priesthood is real, and the power of the atonement is real.

         At MLC the ZL and us also had to do a musical number as well...I guess people like to try to make me think I can sing haha. But it was really good, I will send it to you :) part of it we sang my favourite hymn, Jesus Saviour Pilot Me.

         Wednesday we were down in Crawley for a lot of the day for DLC. That was fun.

DLC Selfie

         Thursday we had District Meeting and a member of the mission presidency was there with us, he taught us a lot about the importance of the sacrament and bringing investigators to church. Then that afternoon we had to go to the VC to take care of some STL stuff with the sisters there. I am so grateful for the friendships I have been able to make with those sisters, I love them all so much and know they will all be life long friends.

         Friday we went finding. There wasn't much that happened that day.

         Saturday we went finding again. We had a really good lesson with our investigators Hugh and Joan who are 96 years old. We taught them about the Holy Ghost and it was cool to see how the gospel is the same and they can still feel the Holy Ghost like our 10 year old investigator. I'm telling you, the gospel is the best!

         Well, that's about it for the week. Sorry if you get bored reading this, it is like all the same now. I'm excited to see you all soon!!!

Love you!

Sister Robison xxx

Taunton members I ran into at the Temple this week.  It was a nice surprise to see them!

Sad moment when your face is turned on the board at the office....it means your going home this transfer:(

"General Conference is the Best"

General Conference Selfie at Joannes

Hi!

         So this week was good. The end. I'm kind of frustrated cause I typed my whole email on the train today, then my iPad decided to delete it so I have to retype the whole thing, so sorry if it isn't as specific...I just don't have the patience to type what I did before haha.

         So Wednesday was a day full of finding...at least as far as I can remember. Earlier this week it seems like the only recollection I have from Monday-Thursday afternoon is knocking doors and being rejected as well as a few anti Mormon people tossed into the mixture. We received a lot of opposition this week from people, but you know what? That just witnesses to me that this truly is heavenly fathers work, why else would we receive opposition like we do? When people tell me I'm stupid, following the devil, and wasting my time, I just kind of laugh on the inside cause I know I'm not and I'm grateful for the knowledge:)

         Thursday was the dreaded day...my departing interview (that didn't really feel like a departing interview)...I remember the day Sister Hickman had her departing interview and I felt like mine was years away, well it has snuck up on me and I don't really know how. We had interviews at Presidents house, and Sister Gubler made us yummy homemade cinnamon bread, so that was nice. Then President took me, Sister Moyes, and one of the elders going home with us and talked to us about making goals and plans for back home. There is this great program called My Plan that gives you an outline of exactly what you need to plan for and it is helping me a lot. It is weird being at the end of my mission, cause all of a sudden it is okay to take time to think about home and what you will do there...and it's okay to talk about it too. It is just weird. But I'm grateful for the guidance and counsel President gave us as we start to plan for our futures. I definitely have a lot to think about and will need your help to do everything I have planned to do. It goes into 7 specific areas we need to plan for: spiritual, physical, social, education and work life, digital, family, and missionary. Lots to consider. But doing all these things and having a set plan will enable me to be sure I have the spirit with me as I make important life decisions.

I got my death letter this week, basically telling me my mission is over:(

      Friday we had Specialized Zone Training which was really good. President, Sister Gubler, and the AP's all spoke to us. Sister Gubler spoke to us about how decisions determine destiny and the importance of always doing what's right, even if it's not popular. She talked about the things that as missionaries distract us. She compared the story of Lehonti and Nehemiah. Two great men who were asked to come down off their mountain/wall. Lehonti did, and as a result he was poisoned and killed. Where as Nehemiah's response was "I'm doing a great work and cannot come down". I loved this comparison especially looking at the world today. Us as church members are raised above the world (in a non prideful way). We are living commandments and standards the rest of the world isn't, but it is so important that we never slacken off or let go of those things because the world is beckoning us to come down. Stay firm where you are and be not moved. A very big lesson I have learned on my mission when it comes to obedience.

         Saturday we weekly planned...did some service for an investigator...then drove to the temple to watch general conference. It was really neat to watch conference on the temple grounds, I really felt the spirit as we did so. I loved all of conference so much!  The big message I got from it for my life is that we all have to make a conscious choice to draw closer to Christ. We have been given the tools necessary to draw closer to him and feel his power in our life, but we have to use our agency to act and draw closer to him. I loved President Monsons talk especially and I am so grateful we have a modern day prophet on the earth today.

        Sunday was spent watching conference again :) it is weird being in England with the time difference, but we work it out. We watched one session with Joanne at her house, then went over to the Sorbers to watch the Sunday morning session and have dinner. It was great fun.

          I just looked and saw that Elder Johnson and Elder Kearon spoke in the Saturday afternoon session. Elder Johnson is who we just had a mission tour with, and Elder Kearon I have met before on my mission! It's cool knowing people :)

         Today we went to a place called Polesden Lacey with the Sorbers.  It is an old house that is really pretty, I'll send pics. We are trying to make the most out of the last p-days we have so we are asking everyone we know what we can do in the area!

Poledsden Lacey

         I love you all so so much. Keep up the diligent writing, only 5 more emails then you won't have to email me again. Thanks for all you do for me!

Love,

Sister Robison

I found Lucky Charms at the grocery store one day...Oh how I've missed them!

"I'm Converted...to Vegetables"

Sister Moyes and I

Hello family!!!

         Happy Easter! Our Easter was great. We got lots and lots of chocolate eggs...and now I just freak out every time we enter the flat cause there is just chocolate everywhere and it makes me sick to look at.

         Got to love holidays in England...

This may or may not have been my breakfast one morning…I’m trying hard not to give up on trying to live healthy…haha

       So I don't know if I have ever told you this before. But food here is so good!  Whenever we are at a dinner appointment and the conversation isn't going anywhere, the people almost always get asking us about food in America haha. So this week Sister Moyes and I have been talking a lot about the differences in the food, just cause everyone always asks us. And I've been converted to eating vegetables. I love broccoli, carrots, parsnips, peas, potatoes, etc. They are literally so good and that is pretty much all people eat here, then there is a little side of meat. As I've been pondering goals I want to set for when I get home, I want to teach you all the PMG lessons, and get you eating vegetables. So watch out :)

         Haha but really this week was good, full of ups and downs as usual. Sister Moyes and I are staying together our last transfer. I'm excited to serve another transfer together because we feel like we finally know how to work together! Just pray we can keep our motivation up and keep pushing each other. It is an interesting feeling knowing you and your comp go home at the end of the transfer and your area is going to be white washed...but we know it is what the Lord wants! And we are determined to finish off our missions strong!

        A big miracle/highlight of the week comes from the one and only Joanne :). She is still doing great and got called to be a young women's advisor this week! Yay! It's fun seeing converts grow in the church :) but we have actually been able to have dinner with her family twice this week. They had us over Thursday night, and then again on Easter, and they are just the best!  Her mum has taken us in like we are her own daughters and it is just such a lovely feeling being around them. Sister Moyes and I both feel like a big reason we are staying together is because of them. We haven't been able to necessarily teach them anything yet, but we are happy with the friendship we have been able to gain with them. And her mum makes the BEST roast dinners! So good! And she always has the best herbal teas for us. She has actually gotten me to kind of like herbal tea :) I'm slowly turning English. Haha

         This week we were also able to go on exchange with Sister Dollman and Sister Manage. I was with Sister Dollman, and I love her so much! She has been in the Crawley zone the whole time I have been in Sutton, and now she is getting transferred to be STL out west, so I'm sad to see her go :( But we had an awesome exchange full of finding! We were able to use the Easter video the whole time and I was so full of gratitude that I was able to testify of Jesus Christ each and everyday. It seriously is the biggest blessing ever!

         Pretty much this week has been finding. Sutton is a resting place for me, I have constantly been in the finding stage here, except for when we taught Joanne. But it is good and we have faith we can and will baptise next transfer. It will be good!

         This morning I spent a good chunk of my personal study pondering general conference and preparing myself with questions I need answered for it. President Gubler sent us a great letter this week to help us prepare for conference and I wanted to share part of it with you

         “Dear Sisters And Elders,

For this week’s letter, we want to focus on the upcoming general conference and how it can strengthen our faith and testimony, giving us greater power to fearlessly and tirelessly serve our Lord during this season of harvest. Conferences have always been a part of the true Church of Jesus Christ. Adam, Moses, the Savior (in Jerusalem and America) gathered and taught the people. The Lord’s pattern has always been to reveal his secrets to His prophets (Amos 3:7). The first general conference in these latter days was convened just two months after the church was organized and conferences have continued to this very day. The Lord has said that these are My Conferences (D&C 124:88), directed by His Spirit (D&C 46:2), and are My Words (D&C

1:38).  In our day, living prophets and apostles are authorized to speak, teach, and direct with authority from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. The Savior said to the Prophet, “What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken, and I excuse not myself; and though the heavens and the earth pass away, my word shall not pass away, but shall all be fulfilled, whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same” (D&C 1:38). The messages in each general conference are given as a gift and a blessing from heaven specifically for our personal life situations. President Uchtdorf said, “As you prepare for general conference, I invite you to ponder questions you need to have answered. … There are messages in each general conference given as a gift and a blessing from heaven specifically for our personal life situations.” Speakers are not assigned specific topics. Over weeks and months, often through sleepless nights, they wait upon the Lord. Through fasting, praying, studying, and pondering, they learn the message that He wants to give. The leaders have paid the price…done their “homework”! The real value of conference depends on whether we receive their words under the influence of the same Spirit by which they were given to those servants (D&C 50:19–22). Just as they receive guidance from heaven, so must we.  And that requires of us the same spiritual effort. President Eyring said, “I remembered the counsel a loving and kind President Harold B. Lee(1899–1973) had given me earlier with great emphasis  “Hal, if you want to get revelation, do your homework.”. These are messages from the Lord meant just for us! On the day the church was organized, the Lord commanded us to give heed to these words as if from His own mouth in all patience and faith; and promised if we do, that the gates of hell would not prevail (we won’t be conquered by Satan); that the Lord would remove darkness (remove the destructive D’s) from our lives; and cause the heavens to shake (He would pour out blessings upon us) for our good (D&C 21:4-6). If we will listen to and obey the words of the Lord that will be spoken this weekend we will be strengthened, protected, guided, and receive these amazing blessings!"

         It truly is such a blessing to have a modern day prophet on the earth today and I know that if we faithfully follow him we will be kept safe amongst the tribulations of the world. I hope you will all take time to prepare yourself with questions you need answered at general conference, because I know if you do you will receive answers.

         I love you all so much! I cannot believe I am starting my last transfer...but here's to the best 6 weeks of my life!

Love,

Sister Robison xxx

My District

"Tender Mercies"

Hello again!

         Well, that was really weird yesterday seeing Alan and Lisa.  I was walking into sacrament meeting and looked at the main door and saw 4 people coming in. I turned to sister Moyes and was just about to tell her that one of the guys looked like my cousin Matthew...then I realised that it was Matthew and I had a little freak out! It was so good to see them and I really needed it. I have learned that Heavenly Father loves us and answers our prayers in many different ways, sometimes in small simple ways, and sometimes in bigger ways (like family showing up at sacrament meeting!).

         So a bit of background from this week so you will understand why this meant so much to me. This week has been one of the harder weeks on my mission, just feeling inadequate and feeling really alone here. I have been worried a lot about going home and scared that when I get home I won't know anyone or know what to do. I have tried to fight this so much this week, but as hard as I tried I just couldn't get it off my mind. Well, I decided I needed a blessing, so I was going to get one on Thursday after zone training, but some things came up with the elders and I didn't end up asking for one, and for some reason I just felt I needed to wait until Sunday to get a blessing.

         Well, going back to Sunday. As soon as I saw Alan I realised that that is why I needed to wait till Sunday to receive a blessing. He gave me a blessing and it was exactly what I needed. Seeing them actually made me feel very peaceful about going home. It helped me realise that I still do have people at home that love and care about me (obviously I know you love me, but sometimes it's hard to remember who you are cause I've been gone so long). So it was a greatly needed visit, and has actually helped me to concentrate a lot more. I am so grateful for my loving Heavenly Father and the way he hears and answers prayers. I am also so grateful that I have the loving family that I do. You are all just the best!

It was so nice to be able to see family!
 I loved that they surprised me and came to my ward!   

Alan, Lisa & family were able to meet Joanne at church!

So other events from this week!

         We did a work over (where both me and sister Moyes go to the other area) in the VC this week and I was able to be with Sister Bills and Sister Hansen (she was my STL in Taunton). It was so cool to be with Sister Bills again. We were able to go teach the restoration to a family and it was so cool teaching with her! She has changed a lot and grown a lot. She is amazing!

Sister Hansen, Sister Bills and I

     We also had zone training this week, which was so good! I wanted to share something which we did and which really hit me. We focused on Jesus Christ and how he has changed each of our lives and had a mini testimony meeting as a zone. We watched the Easter videos and then shared how Jesus Christ has changed our lives. As I was pondering this question this week, I had a very strong feelings about how I have found new life in Jesus Christ.

Crawley Zone

          On my mission I have found new life by simply being changed by him. He has changed my priorities in life. He has helped me to see what true happiness is. He has helped me change how I view myself and others. He has helped me love. He has changed me. Here are a few quotes and scriptures I have found the past week as I have been studying about the saviour. Enjoy!

         "If you turn to Christ and repent of your sins, He will forgive you and cleanse you and change your heart. This is the redeeming power of the Atonement. If you turn to Christ when you face challenges and need capacity beyond your own, He can strengthen you and magnify your capacity. This is the strengthening power of the Atonement."

         "There is no sin, no guilt, no shame, no fear, no loneliness, no heartache, no loss, no depression, no sadness, no terror, no pain, no challenge, no weakness that Jesus has not experienced and overcome. He has all power over all things."

         "The great truth of the gospel is that we have a Savior who can and will save us from ourselves, from what we lack, from our imperfections, from the carnality within us, if we seek his help."

         "Now, the atonement of Christ is the most basic and fundamental doctrine of the gospel, and it is the least understood of all our revealed truths. Many of us have a superficial knowledge and rely upon the Lord and his goodness to see us through the trials and perils of life.

But if we are to have faith like Enoch and Elijah we must believe what they believed, know what they knew, and live as they lived."

         I want you all to know that I know my saviour lives. He died and was resurrected on the third day for me, and for you. Because of him I have hope and joy in my life. Because of his gospel and his example I know I can successfully return home to live with my family forever and with God. I love my saviour and I am so grateful for all the opportunities he has given me in my life to learn of him and learn from him.

         I love you all and am so extremely grateful for all of your support. I hope you have a great Easter and remember the true meaning of why we do everything. Remember him. That's the best advice I could give someone today. Remembering him changes everything.

Love you!

Sister Robison xxx

3 of my 4 companions left in the mission!