Fear No Man!

Hey-oh, team! This week has been another crazy one...man oh man, miracles all around! I think it should be officially stated that Grand Forks is simply the best- I feel like the luckiest missionary in all the land! I am in constant awe of the pure goodness of Heavenly Father, of His infinite love for each of us...He truly does hear and answer our prayers. I've been trying lately and praying lately to be fearless, to be bold, to be braver than I am- and I've felt such power flow into my life as I've done so. There's this crazy letter, written by a missionary eons ago about his crazy trainer, and it has be all inspired to be a better person and a better missionary...but anyway, in that letter, Elder Riccardi (the crazy trainer) says to himself in the mirror every morning before going to work, "Fear no man!"- kinda cheesy, haha. BUT, I've been finding myself saying that more and more lately, trying to gain the strength I desire and the courage I need- and, slowly but surely, I'm becoming fearless. It's the best! My heart, as it talks about in 2 Nephi 17, is being moved, and letting faith take control...and, because of all that, miracles are pouring into this little section of the vineyard. Fear no man, my friends! It makes all the difference in the world!! 

So, it's been a beautiful week. We've taught and testified and dispelled fear left and right...and I am truly happy. My heart is full, even unto bursting! 

We started this most beautiful week off with the normal p-day shenanigans, such a party, and hung ten with the Orozcos to finish it all up- the best!! We watched "The Best Two Years" and ate Jimmy John's and found the strength within ourselves to have a gorgeous Monday...and then we proceeded to have the craziest Monday evening of all time!! Huzzah for Israel!! 

We first saw Rodeen once our pday came to an end- love her!! She made us chili and we talked about the Word of Wisdom and the Law of Chastity...she kept telling us that she's too old for that stuff and I kept laughing obscenely every time she said it, haha- it was just the best. Rodeen is the best!! We chatted a bit about baptism, and she let us know that she officially got her apartment in Fargo and is moving on the 26th...so I think her baptism will end up happening in Fargo. The good news is that Fargo is just a second away (kinda, lol) and that she's so prepared- just needs to read her scriptures a bit more and stay for three hours of church. So close!! 

We saw Linda next thing- the best!! We went over obedience and the Ten Commandments and left her with 2 Nephi 31 to read...I just adore Linda. She is so prepared!! We're still working hard to figure out who her fellowshipper should be, but she is so dang solid. I am consistently in awe of the fact that we're teaching Linda, that she remains so interested through all our tomfoolery- she's just the greatest. Totally obsessed!!

And THEN, we taught good ol' AJ about personal revelation and it was so beautiful. He told us that he's been praying to know if he should be baptized but hasn't really been reading or going to church...and it was cool to watch the pieces connect for him, for him to realize that it takes a bit more to receive answers. Love that AJ! His friend Aloysius also sat in, and became a new investigator- yahooooo!! 

We finished up our Monday by teaching Cheska, the love of our life...man oh man, such a crazy Monday! We brought Jerris along with us and went over the Plan of Salvation and how Joseph Smith received the revelation he did- so good! Cheska totally believes that the Plan of Salvation is true, but she's not sold on Joseph Smith yet...so we're working on it. She's the best- it's been amazing to see her change and really want to know. Love her! 

(also, her and Audrey had a dance party post lesson and I almost exploded over their cuteness.)

On Tuesday, we hightailed it to Bismarck and MLC'd away- such a party. We had oodles of ice cream and I hung ten with all my favorite people and it was a glorious time for all. My favorite bit was the temple, of course...ahhh, nothing beats it! The peace felt there is incomparable, and I am so grateful to go- it's truly the best place on earth, dontcha know. Slowly, MLC is becoming part of my life and not some crazy thing I fear endlessly- back to the whole fear no man thing, I suppose! I'm realizing too, five transfers into all this leadership business, that I am actually good enough, that I have something to offer, that I am capable of being an STL...better late than never, haha! So, the conclusion here is that MLC this time around was so pleasant, so delightful, and so stress-free...it was just the best. I think I'm figuring it out, huzzah!! 

Once back to homebase on Wednesday, we rushed off to the Africans to teach Safee...but he wasn't home. BUTTT, AJ was and he let us teach him- the best! We read through 3 Nephi 11 and talked about baptism- such a good lesson. He's still not ready to be baptized, but we talked a lot about it and answered his questions- it was a good time. Love him! 

On Thursday, we planned oodles for ZTM and had a few gorgeous lessons- the best!! We taught Rodeen after a morning spent planning with the Zone Leaders, and Bro. Smith came along- it ws pure perfection! Bro. Smith was pure perfection!! We ate cupcakes and taught about receiving answers by church, prayer, and scriptures...and Rodeen adorably testified of the truthfulness of the church, and told us that she always feels the Spirit when she goes- AHHHHH!!!  It was such a lovely and tender moment. I adore that lady!! She admitted that she could be better at reading, and Bro. Smith came up with the genius idea of giving her a weekly ponderize...and it was changed her life for good. The best!! She's a ponderizer now, and it's the greatest thing that has ever happened to her. And to us, by association. Haha. 

After Rodeen's gorgeous lesson, we tracted and planned a bit more and ate some Qdoba for dinner- my soul was achy for a burrito after all that planning, haha. The best!

We finished up our night by teaching Ebenezer about the Restoration (just another African, haha) and reveiwing the Holy Ghost and receiving answers with Cheska- such a good time. She adorably told us that she feels the Spirit the most when Jerris testifies- I love her so much. Cheska is the best!! 

And then, it was Friday. We spent our morn finalizing ZTM and then rushed off to the church- and it was a party!! The Assistants made a cameo and I was a bit sweaty over it all...but it went well, haha. The Spirit saved my butt! 

We raced off after ZTM to teach our dear Linda- the best!! Sis. Hutchison came along, and we went over 2 Nephi 31- Linda took notes as she read, yahooooo!!! We discussed baptism and the Word of Wisdom and it was just beautiful. She told us that she doesn't feel quite ready, that she wants to wait at least a year before being baptized...! I think my disappointment was tangible...but I have the feeling that everything will work out. I'm convinced! 

We also saw Joe on Friday, my fave, and ate dinner with the Orozcos...at BWW, huzzzzzzah!!!  I think that place will forever remind me of my favorite fam, man oh man. The best!! I just love them so much, and I am so grateful for them- I feel so lucky to know them. Best people in the whole world!! 

We taught Safee after dinner, just went over the Book of Mormon and read the Introduction together- I love that man so much. He's the best!! He taught us the whole Restoration and it was just the greatest- Safee is the best!! We also totally matched, haha, so we took some pictures and it was a lovely time. Henry and Aloysius got home in the middle of our lesson, and seeing Henry is always my fave- love him!! 

AND, Safee and I were totally matching- such a dream! :)

On Saturday, we tracted oodles and tried the masses and taught Cheska about the Book of Mormon and ate Cold Stone with her and Parker and it was just craziness all around. Such a good day! The best part, though, was our late night African adventure- the best!! We headed over there to teach Aloysius and AJ and Ebenezer and instead found Henry and his new friend Augustina cooking away...so we helped them cook for a minute (and got laughed at as we cried over the onions, haha) until the team showed up. Eventually, they did...so we taught Augustina, AJ, Aloysius, and Ebenzer about the Restoration, with Henry filling in the gaps for us and testifying like a pro through it all- it was the coolest!!  Augustina insisted that we stay for dinner afterwards, so we ended up eating crazy Liberian food from a huge community bowl...and it was straight up delicious! Best African food I've ever had!! AJ wouldn't let us eat the chicken feet, such a tender mercy, and it was just such a party...I had no idea a mixture of cassava leaves, peanut butter, a fancy grinded up combo of peppers, onions, and garlic, and oodles of mystery meat could prove so delish...but man oh MAN, it was so good!! I ate lots, and it was such a party. Being a missionary is crazy town!! 

Crazy African food! :0

On Sunday, we went to Stake Conference in the morn- and Linda came along, huzzzzzah!! Such a party. We sat next to each other and she whispered her profound thoughts by way and it was just the greatest- I love that lady SO much!!!  She's my absolute fave. The best!! 

We also taught Pat (who's moving this week, such a tragedy) and Joe on Sunday, ate dinner with our beloved Orozcos (the beeeeest!!!), chatted with Rodeen for a minute, ate the leftovers of the crazy African food with Henry (during which he told me I should be a business manager when I grow up and that I look beautiful with my glasses and not so much without, hahaha- Henry is my fave!!), and generally rejoiced in the goodness of God- such a perfect Sabbath!! 

Welp, that was my week! Crazy, beautiful, full of lovely Liberian friends and delicious food...it's been a good one! My heart is full! 

I love you all so much- thank you for all you do!! Have the greatest weeks!! 

Love, 

Sister Robinson

My dead shoes :(

a perfect sign! :)

Moses Obsession and Spiritual Weeping

Hello, my favorite people!! It's been another gorgeous and delightful week here in Grand Forks- life is beautiful and God is good!! I'm currently listening to Elder Holland's talk during Priesthood session and am ever and absolutely obsessed with Conference, man oh man! We are so blessed to have the words of living prophets and apostles at our fingertips- we are the luckiest people in the whole world!! So, my dear friends, keep soaking up the glory of Conference and listen away to all your faves again- my recommendations are Elder Holland's talk (duh, lol), Elder Bednar, and Elder Davies...goodness gracious, such goodness all around! 

Alright alright, onto the subject at hand! Although Conference has me in a flurry of gratitude and love for living prophets, I've also currently been obsessed with Moses, who I have come to believe is the coolest man of the Old Testament...he's the best!! I've been reading Exodus these days, and my life will never be the same. Moses is the main man! He got a solid six references during General Conference- never doubt the power of faith, my friends. We've been jamming all week to the "Prince of Egypt" soundtrack and spent our pday watching that most beloved feature film...AHHH, I love Moses! I've been telling everyone about the coolness of Moses these days- we'll be teaching the Restoration and I'll say, "You know Moses, how he parted the Red Sea? That same power he held is back on the earth today. We have a prophet who can work those same miracles!" AHHH, Moses. Study him up, my people! It'll change you for good!! 

But anyway, haha, it has been such a crazy and magical week. We've seen miracles and testified of Moses and swapped Moses insight with all our favorite people...such a good week, man oh man! 

We kicked it all off with Monday, full of pday shenanigans and "Prince of Egypt" watching. Motion picture masterpiece! Once pday came to an end, we sprinted off to the church and taught Linda, my current fave- I adore her so much!! We taught the Plan of Salvation and she accepted it without blinking...she has so much dang faith. Teaching her is one of the most humbling experiences of my mission- she has been so prepared to receive the gospel and I am sincerely obsessed with her. We taught her again on Friday, and Sis. Smith came along...and, as we taught the gospel, Linda just wept. The Spirit was undeniable and her eyes were filled with hope and love- being a missionary is truly the greatest thing! I think Linda is going to be baptized- it's inevitable! Anyone who weeps in a lesson is destined to be a member, I do declare!

We finished up our Monday by eating some pozole with the Orozcos and getting Cherry Berry with the Ah Pucks- best night ever, man oh man!! 

The Ah Pucks are the best!

On Tuesday, we taught Joe and Cheska and Chalis and AJ- such a good day. We also did a midday Dale stop by to swap Moses insight, helped Sis. Hutchison clean her house, and ate dinner with our beloved Ah Pucks...and ended our day with some spearmint tea at the Orozco's. Ultimately, it was a beautiful day- God is good. Our path is guided!

The great Chalis!

I think the coolest bit of our Tuesday was teaching AJ- we had brought Audrey over to teach Henry, and AJ ended up casually making a cameo at the end of Henry's lesson...it was crazy! He brought with him his Muslim friend, Ebenezer, and we read with them about Christ's baptism- which created quite the scandal for all the other Africans sitting in, haha. Henry testified like a pro, Audrey sat in awe, and we tried to get the lesson back on track...with no avail. Sundaymah, Henry's adorable wife, even butted in and testified of prophets and prayer- and, at one point, testifed that Moses was a prophet because he knew for sure of God and Christ, haha! It was a crazy time for all involved- but Ebenzer scheduled a return appointment and we found ourselves a new investigator, yahooooooo!!  

And then it was Wednesday. We had apartment inspections with the Staceys, and taught Rodeen in the afternoon times...ah, she's the best! We all narrowly avoided chatted about baptism times and talked instead about following the prophet and General Conference- it was a lovely time. She made us some bran muffins and we chatted away about her current life drama...but I worry that she's slipping a bit. UGH. We have an epic game plan of chatting this coming week with her about baptism on Oct. 22...but we'll see what happens.  I'll keep you updated on the Rodeen front!

We contacted away following our lesson with Rodeen, went to dinner with the Kauffmans at GRAND JUNCTIOOOOOON!!!! and taught Cheska in the evening times...such a good day. While eating with our beloved Kauffmans, Sis. Tucker and I were appointed to be in Sis. Kauffman's Halloween party committee...and we decided that we're going to be nuns for Halloween, haha.  It's going to be the best!!

Our lesson with Cheska was a gorgeous time- I love her so much! We chatted about the Book of Mormon and watched Elder Holland's "Testimony of the Book of Mormon"- such good stuff!! Jerris bore powerful testimony, and it was such a perfect time. We got ice cream afterwards and my heart was full unto bursting- AHHH, love them!! 

On Thursday, we weekly planned away and taught Linda and ate dinner with the gorgeous Orozcos- we're seriously thinking about moving in, haha. They're the best!! 

We contacted away after dinner and met some crazies at the mall...and then, we hightailed it back to the Orozco's to watch Women's Conference with Cheska- such a party!! The Spirit was so strong, and Cheska got a bit weepy over it all...such a good sign.  Making people weep is my fave, man oh man! Cheska headed out to Dickinson on Friday for the weekend, so we also said our goodbyes and hugged away- I've missed that lovely investigator of ours! She'll be back today, and we've got a lesson already scheduled for tonight...ahh, love her!! 

And then, it was Friday. We had district meeting in the morn and spent our lunch hour cutting Audrey's hair...ha, it was a party! After lunch, we tracted and contacted away and then ran off to the Africans'- where we met Buster, a new Liberian to be friends with! We taught him the Restoration as he gutted a fish (with fish scales flying everywhere, haha)...and he politely let us know that he wasn't too interested. BUTTT, he offered the closing prayer and said, "Dear Heavenly Father"...I think the man has more potential than he would like to admit!! We've seen a couple more times since that fateful Friday meeting, and I think he'll be an investigator soon enough- Africans can't resist the word of God! 

(a sister picture after district meeting :))

After that crazy encounter with Buster, we headed over to Joe's to teach Rolly- such a party! We went over the Gospel, and focused on baptism...and Rolly got all kinds of weepy, yahoooooo!!! Love that man! He shared his testimony of the Atonement and we committed him to be baptized- and the Spirit was undeniable. Amazing! Rolly said he would pray to know if he should be baptized, weeping all the while about the promise of being clean again- it was a beautiful lesson. I adore that Rolly! 

We ate dinner on Friday at the Smith's- and Henry came along, yahooooo!! We ate crazy delicious food from Madagascar and taught the Restoration...such a good dinner appointment. I love those Smiths!! Such a lovely dinner!

On Saturday, we anxiously awaited transfer calls...and they never came in. We were pretty psyched, a bit confused...and THEN, we got on to email today and found out that we just got skipped, man oh man. SOOO, Sister Tucker is heading out to train in Sydney, Montana and I'm getting Sis. Ramirez...AHHHHHHH.  At least Conference weekend was still gorgeous, and life is still beautiful- imma miss my Sister Tucker, though! 

Ah man, life is crazy. But alas, Conference was truly beautiful and absolutely untainted by transfer news...haha. I loved it all, loved the focus on Christ and the Atonement- such good stuff all around!! We watched Saturday Conference with Dale and Sunday with the Orozcos- I highly recommend watching Conference with your blind homies if you ever get a chance, lol. Dale's the best!!

We love Dale! :)

(also Audrey went to prom and we came to take pictures with her. hehe!)

We also taught AJ again on Saturday, because he randomly showed up in the middle of Henry's lesson- the best!! We watched a bit of Conference with them, with Buster working his magic and making the TV work for us...it was a party! AJ is the coolest!!

On Sunday, we watched more Conference and partied so hard- our first order of business after soaking in all the Conference majesty was seeing Joe, of course. We watched Pres. Monson's talk with him, committed him to find his purpose in life, and helped him put in his dentures- ha, it was the best! He called us today and told us that, after watching Women's Conference, he's found his purpose- I adore him so much!! 

I love Joe!

We contacting away on Sunday night as well, and miraculously hit our weekly contacting goal just as on time- the best! As a mission this past week, we contact 1,548 people, yahooooo!! Best mission in the world!!

Ah man, such a good week! Times are a-changing once again, but God is still good and He is truly aware of each of us. Have the greatest week ever, my friends!! Thank you for all you do! 

I adore you!

Love, 

Sister Robinson 

matchin' with Audrey! :D