God is Good

Oh man OH MANNNNNNN, this week has been SO good! SOOOOO good!!!  Like, GUYS. I thought life as a missionary had reached nirvana somewhere back in Grand Forks, but life continues to just be unbelievably beautiful. God is just so good, and I can't believe how completely and totally He blesses us- even when we don't deserve it. Especially when we don't deserve it. It's all giving me hope that my inevitable return home will also bring joy and meaning and purpose...even if I don't quite trust it yet. I am just so in awe of the grace and goodness of our Heavenly Father, and the living reality of His Son, Jesus Christ, who are both so acutely and completely aware of us...I am so blessed to know of Them. Man oh man, it's been a good week! One the best, really!  I just adore the sweet calm that comes as we understand that God will continue to be good even when we become aware of our own nothingness before Him, our complete inability to ever repay Him...that's what humility is all about, I suppose. Learning a lot about that these days! 

But anyway, let me tell you about our crazy and gorgeous week- so many miracles!! Heavenly Father is truly leading us to the prepared and it is the happiest thing...He truly does answer our prayers. We are being so blessed in Bismarck, and I'm learning all over again that the secret to true happiness is living the gospel, doing everything in our power to make ourselves right before God...and that's why being a missionary is the greatest thing around. For 18 months to two years, we are given the opportunity to live the gospel as completely as possible, to perfect ourselves by learning to rely on the Atonement- best thing ever! 

Alright, I'm gettin' all excited over here- let me tell you about our week, haha. It's been such a good one! We started it off with our most pleasant Tuesday pday (because we already chatted last week about Monday, dontcha know), full of errand running and emailing and all the normal things...good times, good times. We ate dinner with the lovely Steinmans and taught Jeremiah about baptism and confirmation- I seriously adore that kid. He's the cutest! 

Also, navigating snowy Bismarck proved to be quite a struggle...Jeremiah's road wasn't quite plowed so we had to park down the street and trek to his place...here's a picture 

of that adventure for your entertainment, haha.

So much snow, man oh man! 

On Wednesday, we taught Sis. Gray in the morning and ate some lunch with her- sweetest lady ever. Man oh man! We read from the Book of Mormon with her and had some frittata and it was just the greatest...I really love her. Hopefully she'll become a permanent fixture in our Bismarck adventuring! 

We did some 12 week next thing, tried some peeps, and headed over to the office to grab Sis. Brough, who was on her way from Beulah (hollah!) to Rapid and needed a place to crash for the night- such a gem!  She spent the rest of the evening with us and it was pure perfection- I adore that Sis. Brough! Rapid is way lucky to have her!!  

We taught Brianne next, who casually dropped us and told us she'd call when she's ready...and then we ate dinner with the lovely Sis. Barnett- such a dream!! We had Wendy's salads (so fancy!) and chatted about humility and living the gospel...and she offered to teach us how to make skirts come pday, huzzzzah!!!  We've got the best mission nurse around- total homie. Love her!!

We finished up our Wednesday by helping the Hales plug in their family history...best thing ever, man oh man! Jim had like seven generations back all recorded, so we got in all the computer and printed out his fancy charty chart...I felt like such a superhero at the end of it all, haha. Family history is becoming my favorite thing- it's seriously the greatest. The Spirit of Elijah is so real!! 

Also, check out these crazy icicles. Crazy, crazy! 

On Thursday, we had another lovely day...even with weekly planning, yahoo!! We endured to the end because of glorious mail- from the Perkins, AHHHHHH!!! 

 It came this beautiful puffy purple envelope and it was shoved full of lovely Christmas notes...pretty much the greatest thing ever. Shoutout to the best people I know for sending such blessed mail- it made my whole day! 

After all that goodness and planning, we headed out to try the peeps...no dice, haha. We ended up teaching Jeremiah about the Word of Wisdom and Law of Chastity, so uncomfortable...but he eternally swore off his Lipton tea, haha.  He's the cutest kid ever!! 

We tracted for a season next thing and it was a bit discouraging...not too many people were having it, man oh man. We had tracted out about four apartment buildings with thirty minutes left until dinner...so we decided to go to one last building and finish the job. We got to the very last door of this very last building, feeling all downtrodden and such...when we met the GREATEST PEOPLE EVER, AHHHHHH!!!!  Ammar answered the door, and told us that his dad was sleeping...but Sis. Larson started chatting with him like a pro and his dad popped outta nowhere and started asking us questions...it was sweet. He initially told us that he is Muslim and not interested, but we got to know him a but better and found out that he actually believes in Christianity, too- coolest thing ever!! His name is Ali, and he's a refugee from Iraq...basically, he's the real MVP and teaching him is my new favorite thing. He accepted a Book of Mormon on Thursday night as we chatted with him at his door, and we scheduled an appointment for Friday morn- and it was the single greatest lesson EVERRRR. OH MANNN!!!!  We brought the too cool Lexi Bower with us, and Ali taught himself the Restoration while Ammar looked on with total comprehension and enlightenment...it was one of the most amazing experiences of all my mission. They both testified that what we teach is true by the end of the lesson, and we have another appointment with them next Wednesday...they're totally going to be baptized. Like, 110%. Ali and Ammar are officially my new faves- I adore them so absolutely! I feel so blessed to be teaching them! 

But anyway, we ate dinner with the Gunns after that most blessed tract, and spent the rest of our evening totally on cloud nine...it was seriously the best. I love being a missionary!!

On Friday, we headed off to district meeting after our gorgeous lesson with Ammar and Ali- such a perfect way to start the day!  Such a total miracle that we met them, man oh man. I love them so much!!

We ate lunch with the new Mandan sisters following district meeting, Sis. Baadsgaard and Sis. Carlisle...it was the best. Having sisters around is a total dream!!

We taught Jenny next thing, such a gem, and then finished up our planning...and did some 12 week and ate some dinner. Good times, good times.  During our dinner hour, the mail lady delivered and out poured goodness from the beloved Walkers- the best!!! 

Dang flab, my peeps are so good. Love 'em! 

We finished up our Friday by teaching Marie, a former that we got back in with...it was a bit unpleasant. She chatted the whole while and we barely barely barely taught any sort of doctrine- it was rough. But, she's interested and willing to learn...so I think we're going to start teaching her. I'll keep you updated. 

And then, it was Saturday. We started off with some media hour, during which I did my first bit of my plan- AHHHHHHHHHH. 

Here's the ominous screen of it...super stressful. For those of you just hanging ten back home, my plan is the "you're going home at the end of the transfer and you have no idea what you want to do with your life" program...yup. Yup yup yup.  Lose yourself to find yourself, right? Goodness gracious, so much stress. The good news is that this week was just about reflecting on your mission and thinking about all the Lord has taught it- pretty pleasant. I'll let you know how it all goes, man oh man. 

But anyway, we taught Jeremiah in the afternoon and hardcore committed him to come to church- and he totally came! AHHHHH!!! So that means he's good to go for his January  14th date- I am so jazzed!!! Dang, he's just the best. Love him!

He's seriously the cutest. Love him!  

We tracted oodles on Saturday and tried the masses...little bit rough. BUT, we ended our night with dinner and bingo at the Hale's- love them!! Best way to spend New Years ever, man oh man. They're my fave! They even gave us fancy New Years crowns, and we made out like bandits in the bingo times...ha, they're the best. Love them! 

And then, it was Sunday...such a good day!  Jeremiah came to church, Sister Larson gave a lovely talk on prayer, and life was all over way good. We ate some dinner after church (huzzah for one o'clock, yahoo!!) and the Elders called to give us a referral- and we got an appointment with her for seven that night, yahoooo!! We ended up just getting to know the crazy cool Julie and casually getting her on date for February 4- AHHHHHHHH!!!!!!  She's pretty much the greatest lady ever, totally prepared for baptism- I am so excited to be teaching her. We have an appointment with her tomorrow and AHHHH, God is so good. Too many miracles!!

We also, on Sunday night, helped Donita dye her hair...haha, being a missionary is such a party. I love it!

Welp, that was our week- such a good one!  I'm excited to see what this next one brings...it should be a party! The work here is taking off and I feel like we're just watching it happen...it is the coolest thing. Being a missionary is just my fave! 

I love you all so much! Have the greatest week!! 

Love,

Sister Robinson 

Blizzards and Tender Mercies

Hey-oh, team!! Happy Tuesday...sorry that I'm randomly emailing on Tuesday. There was a crazy Christmas blizzard that forced us to stay inside yesterday...and to ditch our car a block away from our house on our way home from Christmas dinner. AHHHHHH!!  It was such a wild ride- we got stuck in a snow bank as we were turning into our apartment complex and shoveled our way out in the middle of a blizzard...and kind people appeared outta thin air and helped us push it out of the snow.  The Washington in me was coming out so strong- I am so ill-equipped to handle blizzards and five foot drifts! But, we were close enough to home that we just hightailed it back and stayed put until early this morn...it was rough stuff. Being stranded in the apartment on Monday is one of the worst things ever- but somehow, we endured and headed out after studies to shovel our car out.  We were both way nervous to check on it this morning, totally expecting our dear Patrick to be buried in a big ol' pile of snow...

but this is what we found. 

Tender mercies of the Lord!! (also, I'm mixing things up picture wise...we'll see how it goes, haha. trying to be less annoying week by week!)  There was seriously a halo of snow around our car and I almost wept with my shovel in hand- Heavenly Father truly does answers prayers. Even those of stranded sister missionaries, haha. 

So, as that intro story probably gave away, this week has been another crazy one- and another totally beautiful one. God is just so good- as seen in this crazy snow picture! Even when we feel alone or abandoned, even when our mission is coming to a close faster than we can comprehend (maybe only applicable to me, lol), even when we feel helpless, God is there. His hand is all over our lives! 

Alright, time for the weekly report- sorry for that rather long-winded beginning. I figured I'd better explain why Monday p-day didn't quite happen yesterday...but there's the story. Haha.

So anyway, this week has been a way good one! We kicked it off with normal pday shenanigans last Monday, full of museum exploring and emailing and general goodness. Such a party!  We learned oodles about the great North Dakota whilst wandering around the fancy heritage center (including that ND was underwater 80 million years ago, totally bonkers!!) 

haha. :)

and we had a grand ol' time- Sis. Larson and I even found a new home, haha! I'll get you our new address soon, lol. 

Oh man, such a good pday. I even bought myself some fancy ND postcards and finally caved and bought a fancy photo album...I'm feeling all kinds of sentimental these days. It's bad. 

On Monday night, we tracted out an apartment building, met a couple new investigators (yahoooooo!!!!), and got in with the adorable Sis. Gray, one of the cutest less actives ladies of all time- I'm totally obsessed. Man oh man.  We helped her finish baking her Christmas cookies and chatted about her conversion- and we have a lunch date scheduled for this Wednesday. So excitable!!

On Tuesday, we helped the Hales hang their Christmas lights and wrap presents...and they fed us the cutest little brunch ever. Man oh man, I love those Hales! Such good people!! 

After all that adventuring, we went on an epic less active hunt and did some 12 week...and then ate dinner with the Taylors. OH MAN, they are the greatttttttest!!!  Their daughter Tessa is leaving for her mission on the morrow and they are probs the classiest people I've ever- they even gave us fancy gloves for Christmas. They are such lovely people! We ate fancy Olive Garden soup and chatted all about missions and AHHHH, I just adore them. Totally people I needed to meet!! Yahoo for the Taylors!! 

And then, we tracted out the town and met a couple cool peeps- way good Tuesday. Total party- all because of the Hales and the Taylors. I'm loving the Bismarck life!

On Wednesday, we took a media hour in the morn and scheduled oodles of less active lessons- tender mercies all around. We also got in with the way cool Ulmers on Wednesday night after trying all the peeps and generally feeling discouraged- Heavenly Father truly does watch out for us. 

AND THHHHHHEN, after all that craziness, we met up with the Orozcos for dinner- it was the BESSSSST!!!!!  They were in town to pick up Nathalie for Christmas, so we went to dinner at Mackenzie River and had the greatest time...best people I know!  Dang flab, I love them so much. All time faves!!! It was especially lovely to see Audrey- such a home slice. I adore that Shrub so much!!

the whole gang- I've missed Audrey so so much!

My sweet Orozcos, all dressed up for winter- the best! :)

Goodness gracious, I love my Grand Forks peeps. Best people ever!! I am just so grateful that I've been able to see so many of my favorite people lately- Heavenly Father is taking such good care of me. Love Him! 

After that most lovely dinner, we headed back in and chatted all about those lovely Orozcos- Sister Larson is also totally obsessed with those homies of mine. They're the greatest!!

And then, it was Thursday. We weekly planned away and met a couple new LARCs to teach- the best!! We got in with Sis. Red Horse, an adorable old lady who is absolutely converted but can't make it to church, and the Millers, the cutest newlyweds of all time who think they're active...it was a way good day. We're slowly figuring out how to Bismarck, yahooooo!! 

On Friday, we had district meeting in the morn and found even more less actives to teach- and we got in with the beloved Jeremiah, yahooooo!!! Dang flab, I love that kid so much. We taught him about tithing and fasting, and he adorably filled out a tithing sheet as we chatted- he's the cutest. Man oh man! I took a sneaky picture of him because it was the cutest thing that's ever happened...he just kills me. Love that Jeremiah!!

Goodness, he's so cute. Love him!!

And then, it was Saturday- Christmas Eve!! We taught Jeremiah about missionary work and took a family history hour and spent the bulk of our day caroling at nursing homes with the peeps- such a party. We ate dinner with the Hess' and watched "It's A Wonderful Life"...never thought I'd hang with the Hess', man oh man. So surreal! I think we're officially homies, though, so excitable...and weird. Bismarck is just crazy, it turns out! Man oh man!! 

But, once back home after all those shenanigans, we jumped into our Christmas jammies and headed off to bed to wait for Santa...such a party! 

I'm getting pretty good at carrying people in pictures, haha. Christmas is the best!! :)

AND THEN, it was Christmas- the best!!  We opened our presents in the morn and headed off to church- such a lovely time. Man oh man, I just love Christmas. I am so grateful for the knowledge I have of our Savior Jesus Christ- He truly was born to save us all, to provide a way for us to return to our Heavenly Father. His birth and His life is what makes this Christmas season so magical- I feel so blessed to be His missionary, to have that knowledge of His reality. Jesus Christ lives and knows each of us...we are so blessed. Christmas is just the best!! 

Oh man, Christmas. Such a good time. We caroled a bit more after church, ate lunch with the Hales, studied away for a season, and then ran off to see our fams- it was the greatest!! AHHHHHHHHH!!!!  Dang flab, I adore those peeps of mine. So good to see their cute faces and chat with them about my North Dakotan adventures...and to get a wee bit more excited about the eventual return home. I forget sometimes how nice it is to have people who truly know you, who understand you and love you no matter what- it was just so nice. I love that family of mine!! Best people I know!! 

And then, we ate some dinner with the lovely Millers- I really adore them. They made Christmas so magical and it felt like being at home...just the best. Such lovely people!! 

We ventured home next thing and then had all of our car adventures- thank goodness that our car works and life is good. Man oh man, Heavenly Father totally protected us! But, we had to trudge through some knee deep snow to send this sucker out...haha, North Dakota is crazy.

Yup. Pretty crazy. :)

But anyway, haha, it's been a way good week...God is just so good. I am so grateful for that knowledge- I truly have seen the hand of God on this frozen plain!  I'm getting a bit antsy as we kick off my last transfer as a missionary, but I know I've done the work I was sent here to do- and that there is still work to be done in Bismarck. And I'm jazzed to tell you all about it in the coming weeks! Yahooooo!! 

Welp, I love you all so much! Thank you for all you do- Merry Christmas!!

Have the greatest week ever, my dear friends. I adore you!!

Love, 

Sister Robinson

Opposition in All Things

Oh man, this week has been a crazy one...and a beautiful one. So many miracles and tender mercies, even in the bitter cold of North Dakota- God remains so good, my friends. It's funny, though, because this week has also been one of the hardest and roughest in a while- you gotta have the bad to know the good! I've so learned that on my mission- you have to experience sorrow to know joy. You have the have bad days and interviews with President full of weeping and goodbyes all around to comprehend the pure happiness of bringing others to Christ...and I think that's what makes missions so magical and lovely. This is been the hardest thing I've ever done, but I never been happier, never been more content, never felt so much joy- it's so tricky! This best part of all, though, is that God truly does have His hand in our life, and that every little thing is guided by Him...I just know all over again that I am exactly where I need to be.

Alright, sorry for that mega cryptic intro...I'll explain as we go, haha. I promise that I'm okay, that life is really good and I really am happy- just humbled by the fact that I alone am not capable of being a missionary. The Atonement is crazy real, man oh man! I'm totally outta strength to do this incredible work day by day, and I rely so much on Christ to make up the difference that I don't even realize it anymore...until reality smacks me in the face and reminds me that I'm barely functioning. Man oh man, I am so grateful for the restored gospel and for the strength that only Christ could give me. I couldn't be here still if not for Him. 

Okay okay, let me tell you about our week now. Haha.  I'm just way excited to tell you all kinds of random things today, it seems! This week really has been a good one- God is so good. Bismarck is so good! 

We started the week off with normal pday times, nothing too excitable...Christmas shenanigans all around, dontcha know!  Once our pday came to an end, we ate some dinner with the lovely Southams and went tracting for a spell- during which, we met the super cool Klein, who we taught the Restoration and it was just the sweetest. I love Africans, man oh man!! Favorite people ever! Klein is from Burundi, which is pretty excitable...now the trick is to get back in with him, haha. I'll keep ya updated. 

On Tuesday, we tried the masses in the morn and prepped up for our Zone Conference adventuring...and then we headed up to Minot! Yahooooo!! We had a Christmas party on Tuesday night at the fancy new Minot stake center, full of ugly sweaters and bdubs and white elephant gifts and jeopardy...it was such a good time, man oh man!

ugly sweaters for the win! :)

And then, on Wednesday, we had Zone Conference...way good time. My favorite part was the Assistants' training on the Godhead, all about how the Holy Ghost brings us to Christ and Christ brings us to Heavenly Father- and how our job as missionaries is to introduce the Holy Ghost to the light of Christ already within the people we teach. So profound!!

also, so good to see old friends. I love missions!! :)

After all that partying, we visited some of Sis. Andrus' peeps in Minot and headed back to Bismarck in style, with the traveling assistants hanging ten in the car with us- such an adventure, haha. Once back to Bismarck, the Hess' called and invited us out to dinner- at GRAND JUNCTION, AHHHH!!!  Best night of my LIFE, man oh man!! Dang, I love those sandwiches. Bringing me back to the good ol' GF days, haha! 

That night, after our date with the Hess' and the Elders, Sister Tucker came to Bismarck and spent her last night as a missionary with us- it was the GREATEST!!! Ah man, I love that Sis. Tucker. It was so good to reminisce and laugh and chat...she is one of my all time favorite people. I've missed her so much!! 

love her!

On Thursday, we had interviews in the morn and weekly planned the rest of forever...it was a good time. President spoke such peace to my troubled soul and randomly told me to call Em to congratulate her on her engagement- best five minutes ever, haha! It was just so lovely to chat with her for a minute- exactly what I needed in the midst of sending Sis. Andrus and Sis. Tucker home, man oh man. It made for a pretty rough day! Imma miss those two hooligans...and it made it SO real that I'm headed out sooner than I'd like to consider. BUT, talking with Em and hearing Mammy's voice as she talked with Sis. Hess (to get Emily's number, ya know) reminded me just how much I miss my family, even if I've learned to live pretty well with the ache. I alone am not capable of being a missionary, I'm tellin' ya! 

But anyway, after dropping our peeps off at the mission office and saying goodbye and weeping all over the place, we got some candy cane oreo blizzards and ate taco pizza for dinner- it made us feel a bit better, haha.  It's just so weird to be in a companionship again, to be missing our sweet third member- I still can't quite believe that she's home. It went so fast!

Also, on an unrelated side note, taco pizza is just the greatest thing EVERRR. Man oh man!! Totally in love- and we've been eating those leftovers ever since, haha. Yahoo for members that buy you pizza!! 

And then, it was Friday. Such a good day!! We had media hour in the morn and finished up weekly planning and ate some lunch...during which, the Grand Forks sisters texted to tell me that Henry was going to the temple on Saturday, AHHHHHH!!!!  I called around and got permission to go, then called Henry and talked with him for a minute...best man I know, goodness gracious!! Going to the temple with him was one of the sweetest joys of my whole mission- such a tender mercy that I'm in Bismarck, man oh man!! That news made our whole Friday magical- and our Saturday, too!! YAHOOOOO!!!! 

We spent the rest of our Friday teaching the adorable Jeremiah about prophets (the best!!) and chatting with the Hales about family history amid oodles of tracting- such a lovely day! The Hales are total faves- Jim randomly got oodles of info about his genealogy, yahoooo!! So dang converted. ALSO, he made me the cutest war bonnet earrings ever- Jim is just the greatest, man oh man!! He knows me too well!!  I'm totally obsessed with them...who knew I needed handmade war bonnet earrings, haha!! 

And then, it was Saturday. Because of negative 60 degree weather with the wind chill, we were confined to our apartment for the majority of the day...expect for our glorious President approved exception at the temple, yahooooooo!!!!  Seriously one of the happiest days ever- if I didn't take pictures I wouldn't even believe it actually happened. It felt like some gorgeous dream!! AHHH, such a happy day. I even had a family name to take, thanks to the lovely Sis. Andrus, and it was just so surreal...Henry Tamba is just the greatest man I know. I had nothing to do with his goodness and the strength of his conversion- but I am so grateful to have seen it happen and been there for it. After doing baptisms, we chatted about life and it was just the best- being able to talk with him was probably the best part of the whole trip. I love him so much!!  He's doing so well and I am so grateful to have been changed by him- Henry is the best. He made me promise I'll call when I'm home and that I'll keep writing all the time...I miss him so much. He kept telling me that same thing, and it was just breaking me heart- he finally said that President should just cut me up and put me all over the mission, haha. I just can't wait for the day that I can take my family back to meet that adorable Liberian bestie of mine- I never imagined that I would be blessed to know someone like him. I love that Henry so dang much- such a tender mercy to see him again! And chat with him at the temple! And watch him do baptisms for the dead!! AHHHH, such goodness all around. HENRYYYY!!!! It was pretty much early Christmas here in Bismarck on Saturday- best thing ever!!

best day EVERRR!!!! :D

As we were leaving the temple, I also randomly ran into Sis. Schellenberg from my Beulah past- the besssssst!!! Goodness gracious, God is just so good. Tender mercies of the Lord left and right!!! 

After that gorgeous morning (and almost getting frost bite as we took pictures, haha), we returned to the apartment and tried not to go crazy in the subarctic temperatures...thank goodness we got to leave once though, haha. The perks of serving in North Dakota!

We finished up this crazy week with a most delightful Sabbath- such a perfect day.  We went to church and taught a super passionate missionary man from Ghana and ate dinner with the Russons and taught Jeremiah- such good times all around!! The Russons are pretty much the greatest people I've ever met- they even gave us Christmas presents and it was just the best. Such lovely people!! Jeremiah is also the best- we went over the ten commandments and helped him set his new alarm clock for church next week. He's the best!  We casually asked if he knows the story of Moses and he waxed eloquent for a good twenty minutes all about Moses, starting from Joseph coming to Egypt...that kid never ceases to amaze me, man oh man! Coolest kid ever, haha.

such a cutie! :)

Welp, that was our week...it was such a good one. And a hard one...but mostly good. I am just so grateful to be a missionary, so grateful for all I've been blessed with all these amazing people in my life...especially Henry. God is just so good! And, it's practically Christmas- so excitable!! 

I love you all so much- have the greatest week ever. Merry Christmas!! 

Love ya!

Sister Robinson

It's 16 below, yo!

Hey-oh, friends and fam! This week has been pretty good...just really really REALLY cold. Like, colder than I thought I could even be. Is that dramatic? All I know is that many are cold but few are frozen...

And we're definitely frozen up here in the great North Dakota Bismarck mission. Man oh man! This week has been full of icy roads and office babysitting and exchanges and teaching the coolest eight year old known to man- and trying, all the while, to not freeze to death. It's only been 16 below in the morn times, but it's still pretty ridiculous. Goodness gracious, North Dakota is chilly!

SO. COLD.

But anyway, other than the intense winter descending, life in Bismarck is pretty beautiful. We've partied hard this week and seen the hand of God on this frozen plain...I am just so grateful to be a missionary. Even in the colder than cold state of North Dakota, haha. Somehow, even when my toes are crazy cold, I adore this amazing work. God is good and life is beautiful! 

Alright, let's chat about the week. It's been a good one!! We kicked it off with the usual pday shenanigans, full of Christmas shopping and general tomfoolery...and Sis. Andrus and I totally bought ourselves some "Uffda!" beanies, haha!  Best purchase EVERRR!!! I've been wearing it all through studies lately, because gotta maintain dignity whilst out and about...but it's the greatest hat. So obsessed!! 

hehe!

On Tuesday, we got uber snowed in again...it was rough. We attempted to leave and almost got stuck- and then our dear and beloved ward told us that Bismarck sent out another no travel advisory because of the zero visibililty...no good. We ended up collage-ing and calling the masses and planning...I'm becoming quite the expert at collages, haha.  My recent fave is to make 'em in the state of North Dakota- I even made one for Sis. Andrus, haha. Snow days aren't all bad...just mostly, man oh man. Way annoying. 

But THEN, we got to leave on Wednesday and return to doing the Lord's work- such a dream!!  We tried the masses and took a media hour and taught our dear homie Jeremiah- I seriously adore that squirt. He's the best!! We went over the gospel and changed his date to January 14th- so excitable!!!! AHHHHHH!!!  Jeremiah is just the best- most prepared eight year old EVERRR. I'm in total awe of him. It's funny that teaching him makes life meaningful- even when the work is a bit slow, meeting with Jeremiah makes me feel successful. Goodness, I love that Jeremiah!!

We also went on an epic less active hunt on Wednesday to find some peeps to teach...with no luck. Little disheartening- but I think we'll find 'em soon. 

On Thursday, we did some weekly planning and then exchanged away with the Dickinson sisters- such a party! We met up at the Beulah exit and brought Sis. Luker back to Bismarck with us...she's just the best. I adore her!!

exchanges!

We taught Aiyana and Chris on Thursday night, and stopped by the Hales as well- such good people. We finished up our night by seeing Sis. Stucki, who we thought was less active...no such luck, haha.  We ended up sharing the Christmas video with her and chatting about her less active hubby and daughter...she's such a strong lady! We're definitely gonna hang more with her in the coming weeks. She's a gem!!  Stuckis are always just the best, I'm learning! 

And then, it was Friday. We had district meeting in the morn, went out to lunch with the adorable Youngs, a senior couple, and then babysat the mission office for a couple hours- such a party. The office missionaries went to zone conference for the day, so we answered phones and checked the mail- such a dream!!  Dang, I love checking the mail. Few things bring me more joy!

We exchanged back next thing and spent the rest of our day trying peeps and eating with the too cool Bowers and trying to track down potentials...one address led us to a creepy shed on the outskirts of town. It was troubling. Needless to say, we didn't end up trying...freaky! 

On Saturday, we woke up to a 16 below winter wonderland...bad mojo, man oh man! Sister Larson may have licked a pole- I can't confirm or deny, lol. Way too cold to be alive! 

But, even with the extreme cold, we had a pretty rad Saturday- we helped prep for the Christmas party, we taught our number one homie Jeremiah about praying, studying the scriptures, the sabbath day, and obedience...and the Gardners totally came along!!  First member present of Bismarck times!! It was such a lovely visit, and Jeremiah was just the coolest- as per usual, dontcha know. Goodness, I love that kid! We even convinced him (it didn't take much, haha) to come to the Christmas party- AHHHHHH!!!  Jeremiah is such a dream! He loved the party and made oodles of friends and it was just the greatest day- I love Jeremiah! The only bummer is that he didn't make it to church yesterday...but we went by and taught him about the temple (and he taught us about Solomon's temple, man oh man!)- our current game plan is to gift him one of our old alarm clocks, haha. He's the best!! The ward is super supportive and everyone is just about as obsessed with him as we are- Bismarck is truly the promised land. I'm in love!!

love this kid!!

And then, it was Sunday! Yahoo!!  Nothing too crazy happened, just church times and tracting and dindin with the lovely Gardners- way delightful times all around. We finished up our night by seeing the Hales and chatting with them about the Atonement- total faves. Man oh man! Bismarck is just full of the loveliest people- bless the Lord, I am satisfied! 

And ALSO, I got a random Sabbath day package from my beloved Orozcos- BEST DAY EVERRRRRR!!!! Goodness gracious, I love those people of mine. The best!! 

such a dream!!

Welp, that was our week...such a good one. Life is just so good these days! Yahoo for Bismarck and crazy weather and Jeremiah!! And the Orozcos!! 

I love you all so much- thank you for all you! Have the greatest week ever, my dear friends! I adore you!! 

Love ya!

Sister Robinson

Oh, the weather outside is frightful...

Goodness gracious, this week has been a CRAZZZZZZY one. Man oh man! The biggest news of the week is that winter has come- it's been madness over here in Bismarck. Even now, as we speak, it's all blizzardy out and there's no sign of stopping. North Dakota is a crazy place- and it has been a crazy week!!  We were snowed in for a minute, I got to see some of my all time faves from good ol' Beulah, we got our wee investigator Jeremiah on date, we casually crashed a wedding, and I learned more perfectly that the Lord is in the details of our lives- even the random ones, haha! He is truly aware of each of us, and I've come to such a sure knowledge of that while on my mission- we truly are loved. We are remembered- God will never abandon us...even during the crazy winter months, haha. 

But anyway, it's been a way good week. So many miracles and tender mercies to report! We started it off with the usual pday times, running errands and eating Taco Bell and watching "Johnny Lingo"...and THEN, the Assistants texted and told us that, until Wednesday, we weren't allowed to leave our apartment unless to go to scheduled appointments-. I was pretty vexed by the situation, thinking the weather wasn't even that bad...but by the time we got back from dinner (and from exploring the perfectly named "Christmas Corner", a home crazily decorated for Christmas, complete with a ski lift of stuffed animals) the snow was already knee deep and still coming. Yikes!!  By the time we woke up on Tuesday, the drifts were six feet high in some places and we had to shovel our way out of our sliding door and our garage...it was crazy. Turns out, North Dakota really is as cold as everyone's been telling me for 16 months. Haha.   It was bonkers, man oh man! We spent our Tuesday and Wednesday shovelling our neighbors out and calling oodles of people and running off all precariously to a couple scheduled appointments- it was seriously nuts. On Wednesday, the city of Bismarck issued a no travel advisory and we found some gems by tracting out our apartment building...but the real learning lesson here is that snow storms are not fun to endure as a missionary. It was a rough time! At least we had the new Christmas initative to share with the masses...check it out, my friends!  https://www.mormon.org/

crazy snow!

We did, though, teach the super cool Jeremiah on Wednesday amid all the crazy- such a party, man oh man!!  He's one of the most prepared people I've ever taught, even though he's but a wee eight year old...he's a total prophet. We had planned on teaching him the Restoration but he actually just taught us the whole thing and then rebuked us for not starting with a prayer- such a gem!!  Man oh man, Jeremiah is the greatest. I adore him!! 

We also on Wednesday ate the greatest lasagna of all time with the Giffords (random detail but pretty joyful, haha) and indulged in waffle cone Wednesday at TCBY as we did some 12 week- it turned out to be a way good day, even though a bit crazy. Yahoo for Jeremiah and ice cream!!

On Thursday, we were given permission to travel about once more and it was just the greatest- I never thought I would be so jazzed to leave the apartment and do random junk, haha. Such a dream!! 

We started our Thursday off by helping Sis. Hess decorate her Christmas tree in the mission home and then grabbing some lunch with her- so delightful! I love her so much!! 

We did some family history next thing and then commenced our weekly planning- ugh. It eventually came to an end and we ate some dinner before heading off to teach Aiyana and Chris- such gems!! Man oh man!  We read 1 Nephi 4 with them and acted all that drama out- they loved it, haha. Such a party. As we were gearing up to leave, the Hales threw some pie and Coke our way and we ended up teaching them, too...I love those Hales a ton. Such good people!!  We chatted about going to the temple and doing baptisms for the dead and it was just the best. Jim got all real about the priesthood and Donita got all real about bearing her testimony...it was perfection all around. Such lovely people!!

And then it was Friday- such a party! We had district meeting in the morn and then taught good ol' Patience and Jeremiah. The best!!  We chatted with them about baptism and got Jeremiah on date for December 19th- YAHOOOOOOOO!!!!!! We were so dang jazzed, but then he didn't show to church...so we'll have to move his date back a bit. BUTTT, still way exciting. Man oh man. Jeremiah is just the coolest kid around!! He told us that he has his own choices to make in this life, and that he knows that baptism is part of that path- such a profound eight year old. Like, it's unreal. I could seriously chat with that Jeremiah all day and it'd probably get deep- he probably would be able to answer all the questions of my soul. He's the best!! 

We also ate dinner with Brianne and Kevin on Friday, such a dream, and then taught Aiyana and Chris about the Plan of Salvation...and their Catholic foster mom Tami got a bit heated about it all. Man oh man...thank goodness for Sis. Andrus and consistently saving the day, haha! 

On Saturday, we tried some peeps in the morn and landed ourselves some return appointments...and met some more gems in our building! Such a party!! 

(we also climbed this snow mountain after shoveling our car out. good times. :))

And then, after eating lunch and doing some 12 week, we raced off to Irene's wedding- SUCH a party, man oh man!!!  It was a tad awko, because Irene showed up thirty minutes late to her own shindig and we were left to contact all of her groom's peeps as we waited...haha, the life of a missionary. Never a dull moment!  The good news is that Irene eventually showed and the wedding was great...and we all left with stomachs full of fancy wedding food and a newfound appreciation for the Restoration and the temple- the apostasy was so strong in that ceremony, my friends. SO strong. We are so blessed to have the restored gospel and the power of God on the earth today- it's heartbreaking to think that so many people have no idea what they're missing! We got to tell a few of them though, so it all worked out. Haha.  Such a party!

Parties at an apostate wedding! :)

We tried some peeps after that crazy adventure and then ate some dinner before running off to the Christmas concert- such a party! The Bismarck Stake put it on and and bunches of other denominations contributed and it was such a gorgeous time for all- and my beloved Sister Roundy performed in it!! AHHHHHHH!!!  She was perfect, of course, and seeing the Roundy clan was just the sweetest joy of all time- I love them so much!! AHHHHH. I could've hung ten in that chapel for eons longer, but it was so good to see them for a minute and chat about life. They're just the greatest people I know- thank goodness for missions!! And unexpected family reunions!!  

THE BESSSSST!! :D

And then, it was Sunday. Such a good day! We chatted with Patience and Jeremiah and went over the Plan of Salvation (and Jeremiah adorably asked where we could ride horses and unicorns and get free food, haha ), ate more food than we probably should've, and watched the Christmas Devotional- way good night. Way good week!!  God is just so good, my friends...and so is North Dakota. Goodness gracious, I am so blessed to be right where I am. I've been thinking about that a lot lately, how I thought I would never even like it here and now it breaks my heart to think about leaving...I think North Dakota will always feel like home. Even when buried in more snow than my brain knows how to comprehend, haha.  In this perfect little place, I have come to know Christ and my Heavenly Father, I've been transformed and refined, and I've become converted to the restored gospel...and there's still more miracles to experience. My heart is just so full! God is so good!! 

I love you all so much- thank you for all you do! Have the greatest week ever- stay warm, haha!! 

Love ya!

Sister Robinson 

A Most Magical Week

Oh man OH MAN, this week has been such a magical one. Goodness gracious.  Bless the Lord, I am satisfied!! I'm still moderately achey for the blessed land of Grand Forks, but we're meeting such amazing people here...I know this is where I'm meant to be. With these two crazy comps of mine, haha. It's a party! I think, above all else this week, I've been reminded of the infinite goodness of God, His matchless love and compassion...God is just so good. So many times this week, right when I was ready to give up, we experienced miracles beyond belief and the most unexpected of tender mercies- it's been a good week. The church is true and the work is magical! 

Oh, and also...it's officially winter up here in Bismarck. AHHHH!!  So excitable. We got a good ten inches or so in the night...goodness, I love winter. Such a lovely time!! 

Snap!

So anyway, let me tell you about our week. SO good!! We started it all off with glorious p-day times, full of eating burritos and shopping at Walmart and napping for a season...such good times. Goodness, I love burritos. 

After p-day came to an end, we dined with the Shrubbs, a delightful couple who work at the temple and converted to the gospel when they were newlyweds- amazing people! The Spirit in their home was unreal, and it was so magical to hang with them for a minute. AHHH, so much goodness in their souls!! 

We tracted for a season next thing, scheduled a few appointments, and finished up our Monday by teaching the Hales- man oh man, I just adore them. Such lovely recent converts!! Donita was working away on her granddaughter's pow wow moccasins when we came by, and Jim was cranking out necklaces for the upcoming craft show- so much talent! I'm just in absolute awe of those two, man oh man. It's amazing! 

And then, it was Tuesday. We tried some peeps in the morn, took a media hour, and did some contacting at the mall...where we met Tez, a way cool new investigator! It was sweet!! We gave him a copy of the Book of Mormon, taught him about the Restoration, and scheduled a return appointment...goodness, such a tender mercy. Yeehaw!! 

We ran off after that to an appointment with a potential named Eric...and ended up teaching Honorine instead, yahoooo!! It was kind of random, because we went to Eric's apartment and Honorine is who actually lives there- and she already had a Book of Mormon! Turns out, Honorine's husband Soshi got a BoM from their member neighbor and have been praying for months for someone to come and teach them about it- amazing! Honorine is from Rwanda and Soshi is from the Congo, and they are just so prepared to receive the gospel. The best!! We taught Honorine about the BoM on Tuesday and then went back on Thursday to teach her and Soshi the Restoration- it was just the best. The Spirit was so strong and they asked gorgeous questions...baptism is inevitable, my friends. Stay tuned for more Honorine and Soshi updates in the coming weeks!! 

After that most gorgeous lesson, we ate some dinner with the Gunns (and took pictures with their adorable daughter, Tofu...so cute!!) and spent our evening trying the masses and doing some 12 week- such a party! Greatest Tuesday!!

cute Tofu!

On Wednesday, we lost our keys for a minute and spent our morn trying to find them...and eventually found them at the Gunn's. Haha. It was a bit of a rough start, but we taught Patience and Jeremiah in the afternoon- and it was amazing!! Patience is from Liberia and Jeremiah is her eight year old son...so prepared! We chatted with them (and Patience's recent convert mom Doris, who's visiting from Rhode Island for a minute) while Patience cut some okra- we totally bonded over my love of fufu and Liberians, haha.  The best!! We found out that Patience was about to be baptized back in the day but wasn't quite ready...but she's ready to learn more and be baptized! Yahooooo!! Jeremiah is super anxious to be baptized as well- so exciting. He's the cutest! AND, Patience also has a four month old baby named Ava...I just about die everytime I see her. AHHHHH!!!  Cutest baby in the whole world. 

We ate dinner with the Southams on Wednesday night- such good people! Love them!! We had waffles and it was just such a magical time...I adore Bismarck. So many good people!! 

We finished up our day by teaching Aiyana and Chris, the Hales' grandkids...such a party! Aiyana is 12 and Chris is 9- such adorable munchkins. Man oh man. We've taught them a couple times now, just BoM reading and general shenanigans. They're great!!

After we taught Aiyana and Chris, we decided on a whim to try some less actives on our list...and we ended up meeting Brianne and her nonmember boyfriend Kevin, yahooooo!!! Such a blessed time. They're pretty much the cutest couple ever, and we chatted with them about personal revelation- such good stuff. They're incredible- so excited to be working with them!! AHHHH!! 

And THEN, it was Thanksgiving!! Yeehawwww!!!  We seriously had the greatest day- my heart is still so full about it all!  We started off by studying away and then running off to Mandan for some service- it was the best. Last week, we tracted into Joe, who sponsors a free Thanksgiving dinner every year and invited us to help out- and it was the greatest!! He was pretty shocked that we actually came, but we learned how to use a fancy dishwasher and served food and chatted with all of Joe's homies about the gospel...such a beautiful time!! Man oh man!  It was just such a perfect way to spend Thanksgiving...and Joe even gave me the recipe for his killer lemon tarts. The best!!  I think I made more lifelong friends through that random service than I ever have before...we even took a big ol' group picture and hugged before leaving. Such a magical time!!

the best!

We weekly planned for a season after that and then ate more Thanksgiving with the Gardners- such a lovely time. They're great!! 

We finished up our Thursday by teaching Honorine and Soshi- the best! I adore those two so completely!!  Soshi translated for us and it was amazing to watch them both come to understand the Restoration...I just adore Africans. Greatest people on earth!! 

On Friday, we ate breakfast with adorable members and went to district meeting and finished up planning away- such good times. We also taught Aiyana and Chris and ate some pizza for dinner...nothing too crazy to report. It was a good day. 

On Saturday, things got real and we got super lost all over Bismarck- haha, it was pretty bad. We managed to teach some lessons in between and Sis. Andrus taught us some family history (I found a name for the temple, yahoooo!!!!) and I ran into Sis. White and Sis. Richards as they walked about the temple- SUCH a tender mercy!!! AHHHHH!!!  Running into faves from the past is truly the greatest part of being a missionary...or at least one of them, haha. I think serving in Bismarck is going to provide lots of blasts from the past- so exciting!! I adore Sis. White and Sis. Richards!!!

:)

And then, it was Sunday. Such a good day!! We went to church and tried the masses and ended up getting back in with Irene- such a lovely lady!! She's moving to Michigan next week and is getting married this Saturday- we all lamented the fact that we met too late in the game. Such a tragedy!!  But alas, we were able to teach her more about the Book of Mormon and answer her questions about marriage and families- and she totally believed and bore her testimony of eternal families! It was amazing!! We're totally going to her wedding on Saturday (she even showed us her dress, yahooooo!!) and then referring her to the missionaries in Michigan...she even asked if we have a branch out there!! Goodness gracious, she is so prepared. Yahoo for Irene!! 

So, all in all, it's been a totally magical week- we're figuring out how to Bismarck! It's the best!! 

I love you all so much, and I'm so grateful for all you do- keep being amazing!  Have the greatest week ever, my dear friends!! 

Love ya!

Sister Robinson