Life is good.

This week has been SO GOOD. I feel like Sister Luker and I are figuring it out, that we're teaching in unity and blowing up Beulah, and that life is just good again. My last week email was a little melodramatic, and I'm proud to admit that I'm slowly adjusting to my new life as a trainer. I don't feel like gagging when I call myself that anymore, so that's really progress! Man, it's just been good. We've taught amazing lessons and had good talks and just got to know each other better- and I'm realizing that's the real secret to success in a companionship. It's all about just loving each other and seeing each other the way Heavenly Father sees us. Makes all the difference, people! Go home and just love everyone. That's the take away this week. When it's hard and when you feel prideful and stupid (basically, when you have a Sister Robinson moment, haha), just look for things to love and things to be grateful for. Keep a gratitude journal. Smell the flowers. Rejoice in that fact that it hasn't snowed in North Dakota yet, yahoo! Life is just good, and we are all so blessed to be ALIVE! 

Alright, I'm done being cheesy. It's really been a good week, if that intro paragraph didn't give it away. I'm learning to let go and let God (Barb's catchphrase, dontcha know), and it's the best. I highly recommend it. But anyway, let's chat about this great week.

We started off with p-day last Monday, nothing too crazy to report. We emailed and did our laundry and went shopping before heading over to the Lee's to make some fancy Norwegian potato pancakes. They're called letsphia (spelling totally wrong I'm sure- I'm useless without google!), and they were delish. It was this whole crazy process, and we only came over for the rolling out and cooking process- it was a party! 

We headed back to our apartment after that, cleaned for a spell (I'm a recent convert to lavender Pinesol- thanks Sister Finlinson! So luxurious!), and then headed over to the Martinez fam for dinner. It was a blissful appointment, complete with trying their massage chair. I feel a little weird about it in retrospect, but she offered and I just jumped without a thought. Deep tissue massage, people! You can't just pass that up!

We ended our Monday with a crazy all the missionaries bridge call, because there's a lot of things changing in the mission and they want us to be prepared. It's all good stuff, and I'm grateful that President Hess is willing to be a mover and shaker...just crazy. It'll be great, it'll be good.

Tuesday was exchanges, yahoo! I stuck behind in Beulah with Sister Mansell and Sister Luker headed up to Bismarck to chill with Sister Steiner, and it pretty wonderful. Really, I just love Sister Mansell. We're so alike, and I feel like hanging out with her is like looking into a magic mirror. It's my future! I like, don't even have a problem with that. She's a total rock star. We kicked off the day by meeting halfway between Bismarck and Beulah and trading comps before morning study. We headed back, studied together like pros, ate some food, and peaced out of that apartment. 

We started off our day by teaching Luv on his doorstep- it was sweet! Sister Mansell just goes for it, and I love that about her. I would've been all awk and make Luv feel weird about us not being able to come in without another sister...but she just taught right there and avoided the awk like a pro. She's a pro. We tracted for a spell before heading over to Britany's...ugh. Britany. She told us that she doesn't believe in the idea of peace, and that she doesn't really think peace is attainable. She's at peace with herself but doesn't feel complete peace- it's because you're not living the gospel, golly wolly! It was still a solid meeting, and we talked about the Atonement and the spirit was definitely there...I just hope that she does something about it eventually. I don't know, I don't know.

We did some contacting and met some crazy people (always the best) before going over to Becky's. We helped her shred up clothes for her rag rug, and I discovered that ripping up old pairs of jeans brings me a lot of joy and purpose. It's just so relaxing! We chatted about 12 step casually while ripping, and it was sweet. We talked to Luke about the Sabbath day, and I'm getting more and more convinced that his baptism is going to work everyday. It's still kinda crazy, and we still might push it back...but he's ready. It's so amazing to teach someone so ready for the gospel. I just love that Luke!

We dined at the Whitley's and headed over to Ariel's with my fave Liberty- and it was a great lesson! We re-explained the Book of Mormon and taught him about baptism...and he said that he would be baptized once he knows it's true! Yahooo! Now he just needs to keep some commitments, haha. He told us that he would read the Book of Mormon everyday- we'll see, we'll see.

We had a great Wednesday, kicking off the day by re-exchanging and getting back to norm. We chatted the whole car ride back, and it was just good. The minute you resolve to love someone, things get better. It's crazy but true. And, lately, Sister Luker and I have both been more resolved to just love each other and get to know each other. It's making all the difference! We had great studies that morning, and then we headed out to an Ashley lesson. 

We shared Ether 12:6 with Ashley and talked about faith...but she's still not convinced that she wants to meet with us. I think, more than anything, Ashley is super lonely. Like, lonely beyond lonely. She likes us coming over because she likes having people to talk to, and because she likes the way it feels when we come over. Hopefully, fingers crossed, she'll read the Book of Mormon this week and start progressing. Ugh, ugh, ugh. Agency is just the pits.

We headed over to Halliday after that, where we tried a few people and tracted for a spell before heading over to Faye's. Oh, Faye. The love of my young life. The reason we use up all our miles on going to Halliday. Faye. Last week, there was all this drama and she didn't want to meet with us...so we brought Sister Thueson with us, prepared for all kinds of crazy questions. But, turns out, Faye just thought Warren Jeffs is our prophet (#ewww )- easy peasy! Man, I was sweating but we were able to talk to her about the spirit and trusting our feelings, and it turned out to be a sweet lesson. Faye, no matter her doubts, knows the spirit and knows what truth feels like. It's pretty amazing to watch her just know when people are good and that all we really have is the spirit. She's just a boss.

We went to dinner at the Thueson's after that, and it was so good! We had an adorable FHE with their fam and it was just a good time. We left Halliday in high spirits, and it was just a good day. Ashley! Faye! Yummy navajo tacos with one of my faves!

Thursday was SO GOOD. Usually, Thursdays are my least fave because planning is just the pits, but it was actually really nice today! We planned in record time and spend a few hours trying people, tracting, and scheduling appointments. It was sweet! In the heat of the day, with nothing much to do, we felt like we needed to see the Rowe fam. They moved here recently from Utah, and they've been on my mind lately- and it was exactly where we needed to be. Sister Rowe just needed us to come by and give her some love and comfort, and it was such a cool experience. I forget sometimes just how inspired this work is. Being a missionary is just the best! You get to be the Lord's tools (yo Dad, you're a tool) and do the work He can't do- it's amazing!

We headed over to the Rice's for dinner after that, and it was just perfection. I always felt like Sister Finlinson and I just couldn't reach those Rices...turns out, they just needed Sister Luker in all her quirky glory. It was sweet! We shared Moroni 10:3-5 with them, and it was just the best. Pure perfection! They all shared their personal experiences with prayer, and we ended the evening by eating yummy cake and playing a beautiful game of Headbandz (I dominated, obviously. Ain't nobody taking me down at that game!). All in all, great Thursday!

Friday was just pure bliss. We rode with the Dunkleys to Dickinson, and those hilarious girls all call me, "Robinson" these days. I love it so much. I got shotgun on the way there, and Sister Dunkley told me how her and her husband met- I just wanted to sob. SO SWEET! It was like watching "Sense and Sensibility". Those sublime levels of joy. AHHH, I just love the Dunkleys!

We had a great district meeting- totally new district with transfers, ahhh- and I really like our district leader, Elder Dillender. He's just a hoot. It's going to be great! We headed to Wal-Mart after that and bought all the necessities...plus snowman thank you cards and a journal. I have my priorities! I'm slowly coming to terms with my insane love for Wal-Mart. I always wanted to be a little too classy for that store, but the mish is changing me. Wal-Mart is the bomb! All the things you need plus pretty paper and cute cards! It's just such a happy place.

We drove back to Beulah after a beautiful Wal-Mart trip, with just enough time to drop our groceries before heading to dinner at the...any guesses? It was at the Dunkley's! What a glorious day! We got there a tad early with the intention of doing some tracting, when we got this random call from someone we tracted into during exchanges! It was crazy! We ended up teaching Randy the Restoration over the phone before dinner- totally bonkers! Being a missionary is just so cool!

Dinner at the Dunkley's was just the best. I love that family so so much! They're just a total pile of happiness. We laughed and talked favorite movies over dinner, and Brother Dunkley and I bonded over our mutual love of "Super 8". Basically, Bro. Dunkley is super cool and I have somehow been grandfathered into the cool club. I think it's because of my super cool movie buff parents that cultured me well as a young sapling. Such a tender mercy!

Saturday was yet another beautiful day. We did the morning routine before trying Michelle, who the Elders taught earlier this year and we've never been able to get a hold of. She was heading off to lunch, but I think she's interested. We shall see, we shall see. We tried a few more people in Beulah with no luck, so we decided to do some tracting in Golden Valley. We hit just a couple houses and surrendered to Halliday- it was calling our name! 

We first met with the Youngs, and it went super well. We shared Ether 12:6 (the scripture of the week, it seems) and talked about faith. It was sweet! Yahoo! Lauren even brought her fam to the Branch Party on Saturday night, and you can tell that she really does want it. She's not 100% sure what she wants, but she's trying to be active. She even invited us to an eventual dinner, yahoo! It was just good. My faith in Lauren grows with every meeting!

We ran over to Faye's after that, where we chatted about the Holy Ghost and having faith and baptisms for the dead. It was sort of cray cray, but it was always so guided by the Spirit and exactly what she needed to hear. It was perfection. Following the spirit is the only way to teach, I'm learning. It just doesn't work any other way. I was feeling like we should bring up the temple...but my logic was flipping out hard core...but sometimes you've gotta just roll with it and pray it comes out the way it needs to. And, today, it was amazing. I love Faye!

We headed back to Beulah after that, checked our mail (the heavens opened and all the mail poured out, yahoooo!), and high tailed it over to the branch party. We ate tacos in a bag (another North Dakota classic- a bag of doritos with taco meat and toppings piled inside) and did cute Book of Mormon activities- it was so fun! 

We ran by Ariel's to remind him about church after the partay and then headed over to Brother Lee- it's been three weeks since we've met with him! AHHH! But, despite all my nervousness, it turned out perfectly. It was a great lesson! We talked about prayer and reading the Book of Mormon and invited him to come to church...and he totally came! AHHHH!! I think he's actually going to do it this time, like really and truly. I'm feeling confident beyond reason and it's so exciting! Good things are coming for that Brother Lee, I can feel it! It was such a great end to a beautiful Saturday.

Oh man, one more day to go. Sunnnndayyyyy! It was such a great Sabbath, such a delight. I've found myself praying on Saturday night for a delightful Sabbath (yup, total cornball. I don't even care) and it makes such a difference. I'm just more grateful and more humble and more willing to make it a delight. And it truly was wonderful! We had a great day at church, studied for a spell, and did some contacting before dinner. I love days where I truly talk to everyone about the gospel- nothing makes you feel more like a crazy missionary! We walked around neighborhoods and enjoyed the amazingly warm November weather and met some incredible people- it was just a good day.

We ate dinner with the Roundy's, my absolute faves, and it was the greatest. Liberty painted my nails white and we shared a sweet scripture and life was just good. Our last stop for the day was Becky's, where we chatted about the Atonement and Sister Luker bore sweet testimony- I just love my comp! She's rock solid, a total natural, and I am so grateful that I get to train her. I feel like she's actually training me, but whateves. It was just a good meeting and a delightful Sabbath.

And now, here we are! Yet another glorious p-day, and another great week ahead! I love you all so SO much, and I am grateful for all you do! Thank you for the mail and the emails and the support- I couldn't do this crazy thing without you!

Love, 

Sister Robinson 

Headbandz with the Rices   

Walmart is gearing up for CHRISTMASSSSSSS (50 days as of last Friday- time is flying!)    

tacos in a bag at our Book of Mormon fiesta! 

me and Liberty being nail twins. It was a great week!     

Me and Tabitha (total BFFs)    

Adventuring with Sister Luker!

Monday, November 2nd-

Oh man, such a crazy week. It's been the longest and also the weirdest and generally the craziest...it's a party all around. I'm chilling with Sister Luker these days, an Idaho native fresh outta the MTC. She's a hoot, and she makes me laugh like no other- so this is going to be a good transfer. Training is maybe the weirdest thing ever, and I'm a little uncomfortable...but there's no growth in the comfort zone, right? I'm learning so much and loving the senior comp life, even though it's really just mountains of responsibility. MOUNTAINS. But alas, Sister Luker is a rock star and I'm really just being trained by her. It's been a week of changes and reacting to said changes and figuring it all out. I think I can do this crazy training thing, even though it is crazy, crazy, crazy!

Sister Luker and I (selfie-ing away) 

Monday was such a good day. Even though the call came in and rocked our world, we had a blissful p-day in Bismarck with Amanda. I got snow boots (yahoooo!) and we went to Target- basically, my perfect day. We even salad bar'd at Ruby Tuesday's and life was just good. For a split second I forget about the craziness coming and we could just enjoy a nice day. We stopped by Barnes and Noble on our way outta town, and I picked up a spankin' new journal. I'm going through journals faster than I ever expected. I'm almost through journal #3! AHHHH! Such a crazed mission journaler! It was just so fun to go with Amanda and get to know her better. She served her mission in South Korea and we're pretty much kindred spirits- I just love her a lot. We're pretty much destined to be BFFs and soul sistas, so that'll be fun. Bismarck day was just the greatest!

Me and my boots! 

Us and Amanda post beautiful Bismarck trip    

Once back to Beulah, we dropped our goodies and ran to Barb's- and we went to dinner with her! She wanted to thank us for helping her with her leaves, so she took us to D'Andreas in Hazen. It was a total party. We laughed and hugged and Barb said her goodbyes to my sweet Sister Finlinson (which was just adorable). On our way outta dinner, Barb answered a phone call and told them that she was just leaving dinner with her FRIENDS. Oh man OH MAN, we're friends with Barb! What a joyful discovery!

We ran by the Nottingham's after dinner to kick off Sister Finlinson's farewell tour, and I began to realize just how stinky transfers are. They're the stinkiest. This week was all about watching my fave say goodbye to the people we met and came to love together, and then somehow getting through my mourning enough to raise up a new missionary. Stupid, stupid. We made the grand goodbye agenda upon getting back to the apartment, and my heart began to just feel sad. Mostly this week I've felt sad. I miss my comp even today, and I wish transfers had been a little kinder to her.

Tuesday was the worst. I just had this never ending lump in my throat and I didn't want this to be real life. We did the majority of the goodbye rounds on Tuesday, saying farewell and weeping obscene amounts. It wasn't real until we went to Sister Schellenberg, where we all just ate banana bread on her floor and cried. It was wee pathetic, but transfers just stink. That's the real lesson learned for this week. Transfers just stink.

But, on a less gloomy note, I realized through all the goodbyes that Heavenly Father really does take care of His missionaries during transfers. We saw everyone on the farewell tour and even got to see Courtney- one lesson amid all the crazy! Everything we needed to do just came together, and it was pretty amazing.

We went to dinner at the Kraft's, where we chatted about living on ranches and their deep passion in fresh milk and eggs. It was a good break from the reality of transfers. We did one last stop after dinner at the Roundy's, and it was a good end to a kinda crummy day. The Roundy's are just the greatest, and they made it feel like everything is really going to be okay. And everything is going to be okay! Everything already is okay! I was feeling a little nervous to send this email, so full of sadness and mourning, but it's pretty cool to already be through the worst of it. This week wasn't my favorite, and I'm struggling with the whole new world I'm living in...but it's good.

My fave Brigham    

Alright, on to Wednesday! Wednesday was crazy crazy...because it SNOWED. AHHHH! First storm of the season on our last day together- it was fated. North Dakota snow is such a party. It falls kind of sideways and never actually sticks to the ground because of the crazed wind here. It just blows around and kind of dances on the road- so pretty. I'm still a tad antsy to drive in it, but it's going to be fun.

North Dakota snow being the coolest    

Our first Wednesday stop was at Becky's. We bundled up tight and headed out into the bleak winter (with my boots, of course!), and it was so worth it! We had an amazing meeting with Becky. She was more honest than ever, and we just comforted her and reminded her that the gospel gives us the strength to get through everything. Really, it's just incredible to see how true that is. The gospel really does change lives, and Becky's heart really is changing because of the gospel...slowly but surely, visit by visit.

We headed back for lunch after Becky, during which we watched "Legacy" and had one more delicious round of apple crisp. It was a perfect last lunch hour. We began the last leg of Sister Finlinson's farewell tour after lunch, stopping first at the Dunkley's...with me still in pretty serious denial that goodbyes were actually requisite. Man oh man, this week would've been about 30 times easier if I hadn't lived in such complete denial (maybe I should just face the inevitable...but it's hard!).

We stopped by Lauren after the Dunkley's, where we chatted about the Book of Mormon and gaining a testimony. It was fine, just frustrating to work with people that are content with their lack of progression. Like, we can't help you unless you want to be helped. That's just how it works. It was nice, but I'm getting to this point with so many of the people we're working with. I just don't know how to help them...and that's probably why transfers are a thing and are happening when they are. Ugh.

We tried Faye after meeting with Lauren and ended up having a nice conversation with Kevin on the porch- but no Faye interaction. We continued on with our goodbyes, stopping by the Leaches and the Thuesons before heading over to Tonya Leach's for dinner.

Oh man, how I love Tonya Leach! She is the greatest. She actually just got back from visiting her sister in Colorado who was recently diagnosed with breast cancer...and she let us whine about transfers and be moody. Like, what a total rock star. Such a dreamboat. She has her own honey business, so we left her house with oodles of fresh honey in all different flavors- such joy. It was all just such a tender mercy after a bummer week. Tonya Leach is the real MVP of my life. I have never met someone so Christlike and so anxious to serve all those around her, even the missionaries. I just love that amazing lady.

Thursday was crazy, too. I felt anxious and nervous the whole way to Bismarck, man oh man. In the morn, after personal study, Sister Finlinson and I exchanged cute cards and gifts and had one last good weep about how much transfers stink. We hopped in Greta and rode off to Bismarck to face our futures and drive out into the sunset. Or like the sunrise. Something picturesque or whatever. Mostly, I just adore my sweet comp. I'm grateful that we at least had three months together, and that I continue on with this stupid amount of love for her from now on. Pen pals for life!

Our transfer presents (isn't Sister Finlinson the sweetest?) 

one last selfie for the road   

Once in Bismarck, we ate sammies and met our new companions...and tried to be social with them while enjoying our last moments together as companions. And suddenly, before I knew it, we hugged one last time and I was off to Dickinson. I dropped Sister Anderson, Sister Shutt's new companion, in Dickinson, and then Sister Luker and I were off to Beulah. We dropped her luggage, picked up some milk and eggs, and went over to Courtney's for dinner.

Something I never really realized about transfers is that everything changes immediately. No nice transition, no moment to take a breath...just into this new companionship and this new experience with no time to recover from the old. I'm slowly learning how to reconcile my love for Sister Finlinson and getting to know Sister Luker. She really is amazing, and we're going to party hard together, but my heart is still a little achy and tender for my bae. I was just so grateful for dinner with my kindred spirit, Courtney, complete with a chill gospel chat and minimal amounts of stress. I'm learning that the only way to be the trainer and senior comp is to let people help you. It's tricky, but I'm getting there.

We stopped by a few potentials in Beulah before heading back home to get Sister Luker all unpacked and settled. It was a chill evening, wherein I realized that being a trainer is just crazy. This newbie still needs her trainer! I'm ill-prepared to do this crazy thing!

We planned on Friday and got all orientated with the area (and each other) before running by the Wielands. I introduced Sister Luker to my faves, and then we headed over to the Crane's for dinner. It was a nice dinner, but the Crane's just aren't super interested in living the gospel right now. Such is life. We shared a nice scripture and bore our testimonies about coming to church, but they just weren't in the mood. It's all good though, because we ended the day with a perfectly perfect lesson with Luke and Becky! It made the weird day of planning so much better.

We taught the Moorheads the Word of Wisdom, and they committed to live it! YAHOOOO!! It was so good. My heart is just full of Moorhead pride. They're progressing, little by little, and I think Luke will be ready to get baptized on the 21st. I'll keep you updated. We craved pumpkins with them, and it was just so nice. I love that sweet fam!

carving pumpkins with the Moorheads! 

My cute pumpkin (and my cute face!)    

Saturday was great! I can't believe that Halloween has come and gone, and that I'm braved my first official mission holiday. I don't know if Halloween actually counts, but it was still pretty exciting. We kicked off our day with the norm morning routine, and then we headed over to the Lee's for lunch. It was a total party. Everyone is so anxious to meet Sister Luker, and it's fun to watch her figure it all out. We headed over to Halliday after lunch, where we stopped by the Thueson's and tracted for a spell. We were going to see Faye, but she dogged on us (lol, just typed that.) last minute. We called her up and scheduled an appointment for next Wednesday, so hopefully it'll work out. Fingers crossed!

We ran back to Beulah after that, where we met up with Ashley and taught her the gospel. It went really well! She told us that she feels something different when we come by, and that she wants to find out if it's true- yahoo! I am just so grateful to be teaching such amazing people like Ashley. She's the bomb, my friends.

We headed over to the Maupin's for dinner, and we ate chicken alfredo pizza. It was the jam. We had a sweet message about prayer and read part of Enos with them...but Brother Maupin is not budging. He's been inactive for the past few years and no one is really sure why...but we'll keep poking it. We'll get there.

Our last stop of the night was Barb, and it was such a good lesson. She asked us questions about heaven and out beliefs, and we had a really nice conversation about the Plan of Salvation. Good things are coming with Barb, I can just feel it!

We had a most delightful Sabbath yesterday. Nothing too crazy, just a little bit of finding before dinner at the Humphrey's. We met with Lisa and Devoe after dinner and chatted with Lisa about growing up in Utah- turns out, she's read the Book of Mormon before! I don't know why we haven't chatted with her about that before, haha. Amateur hour over here. I think she could be interested, and we invited their fam to our Branch Party on Saturday- we'll see what happens! I'm jazzed!

We did one last stop for the Sunday at Becky's, and she has been living the Word of Wisdom! What the what! I am so excited for her, man oh man. It's going to be so great!

Welp, this week has been long and crazy. It feels like it's been a few weeks and not just seven days...but next week will be better. I love you all so so much! Thank you for all the mail and love and support!

Love,

and me and Liberty being nail twins. It was a great week!     

Sister Robinson

our pumpkins for all our neighbors to see