September 23, 2013 "Transfer 2 - Greshlahem"

 September 23, 2013

Dear Family,

Well, as of tomorrow I will have been on my mission for 2 months. I had no idea that I could learn and grow at such a fast pace. It really feels like each Sunday I reflect on the past week and see myself deepen in understanding and experience in the mercies of God and blessings of obedience.

Saying goodbye to Elder Leben was such an odd experience. He's home safe now getting ready to start a semester of school in Germany. I'll miss that guy.

Starting a new transfer I decided to look back on my study journal and personal journal to see how far I've come. I've learned a lot about myself and how God qualifies those he calls. My MTC District President said to me, "When you remove doubt and fear, you have real power." The kind of power that prepares me each day to be a better missionary, a man, and future husband and father.

My new companions is Elder Kevin Muirbrook from Spanish Fork, Utah. He's been out nearly 7 months now and is eager to set a new vision for this district - he's also District Leader. He's a superhero nut so we get talking about superheroes a bunch; Spiderman is his favorite. The area he started in was Elkhorn. When he arrived in Gresham and met some of our investigators he said, "So many old people I'm gonna grow some white hairs."

He was a bit sickly this past weekend but is find now. We were on house arrest because of him being sick so I had a chance to read and study, literally, all day. Especially this week, I learned that Heavenly Father allows us to go through trials because he knows exactly what we need to learn from our experiences; as we learn to overcome the trials in life we are given the opportunity to grow grace to grace.

Glad to hear from everyone. Pray always (D&C 10:5)

I am praying that I get to go to the temple some time on my mission - Elder Muirbrook was able to go in his last area.

I am so excited to hear from you guys about scripture study and prayer; and the way I feel those blessings and prayers answered. I read an article from the General Conference issue of the Ensign that spoke about "Standing in Holy Places"; your letters, emails, cards, and my Patriarchal Blessing are holy places I stand in when I need a loving message from home.

Love,

Elder Taft Robinson

P.S. Oh! I received the package - Thank You :) The pillow case is the bomb.com

September 16, 2013 "Teaching and Miracles"

September 16, 2013

Dear Family, 

Thank you for emailing me. It means so much to hear from you and the family. I read D&C 76 as I studied "Our Heritage". I am overwhelmed with the opportunity at hand - the life that we can have, that we will have because you and Dad were married in the temple. I am looking to the future to share that covenant with some young woman that will stand hand-in-hand with me in the eternities. I read my Patriarchal Blessing and am so grateful for the counsel and motivation it blesses me with - so much power in those words.

I read about John the Baptist just yesterday in the Bible Dictionary. He confirmed to me that no role - however small it may be - is insignificant in the eyes of God. John was said to be a tutor to many of the apostles and yet was forever humble and submissive to the will of the Lord when Jesus called his apostles and John the Baptist himself was not called. Disciples and prophets like John the Baptist and Abinadi gave their whole heart to fulfilling the role they are given yet neither lived long enough to see the full fruits of their labors.

Thank you for the support and love - I couldn't have asked for more dedicated parents; I love you so much. 

 

We've been praying for the Lord to provide us with opportunities to teach people that need something - to teach with the gift of discernment. It happened twice that this miracle was given.

We had a dinner appointment and had a few minutes to stop by a man who we are hoping to teach. We found him kneeling in his yard in worry and despair as he was being tempted to sin. On our arrival he was bewildered as we had shown up at the exact moment that he needed help - we were able to help him and teach him about resisting temptation and the blessings that come from doing so.

An older woman has been struggling with depression as she is stuck in her home due to illness. She mentioned her thoughts of not getting out of bed, the night before we came, and giving up. We shared Mosiah 24 about lifting up one's head in affliction because the Lord will always deliver us. Through tears she thanked us as she mentioned how amazing it was that we had the chance to be instruments in answering her prayers.

Love,

Elder Taft Robinson

September 9, 2013 "Hunting Pattern, Exchanges with Gautavi, Larry's Prayer

September 9, 2013

 

Hey Family,

This has been yet another exciting week in Gresham, Wisconsin. We continue to teach the few investigators we have and search to share our message with everyone.

One of the huge things about this week was the 1-6 Training Meeting where all trainers and their trainees met for a follow-up on how everything is going. I saw my entire district from the MTC and was able to talk with them on how their experiences are. It's reassuring to see that many of us have the same challenges in adjusting to missionary life and look to one another for ideas in finding, teaching, and being better prepared to share the gospel.

We learned about how faith in Jesus Christ and repentance were the means by which the war in heaven was won. As missionaries we are reminding people of the faith they already have but need to walk by. President Cutler is one incredible teacher.

Elder Leben said something absolutely hilarious about the Sister missionaries at the training meeting. (A sister that I lent $5 to in the airport for luggage paid me back after the meeting - Leben didn't know what was going on.) In response to the many young sisters coming into the field he coaxed, "They're in your hunting pattern, Elder." He goes home on the 18th and I'll miss his jokes.

I went on an exchange to Wisconsin Rapids - which reminds me of Sugarhouse - with one of the Zone Leaders, Elder Gautavi (Nah- tuh- vi). We made a commitment to talk to literally everyone we saw on the street and saw miracles happen. We ended up teaching 4 lessons and scheduling 2 return appointments within 3 hours. Gautavi is focused on teaching through love because that is from God. In our success, however, we taught a family who is in despair of their extended family - it breaks my heart to see people cry and mourn for their families. Yet, we were able to invite them to church and promised peace through faith.

We had a chance to teach Larry again and prepare him for being baptized - he's the football fan. Going over the baptism interview questions he is getting closer and closer to the goal - he has a hang-up with prophets and the Word of Wisdom but he is making subtle changes each week. He prayed verbally for the first time with us and it was a special moment. I have this profound feeling that he will, in fact, be baptized into this church and continue to progress. By small and simple things, right?

I am so grateful for this experience. We drive in the car a lot and I have some time each day to reflect on my life and all the special experiences that have influenced who I am today; I think back to Heather Christensen's sacrifice, High school, scout camps, disneyland trips, and moments with my family members. Literally every time I feel down or unwilling to do something I start counting my blessings and my desire to serve grows stronger than it's been.

Thanks,

-Elder Taft Robinson

PS. Let me know if these emails are too lengthy.

September 3, 2013 "Big 19, Some Crushing, and Loving This"

September 3, 2013

 

Dear Family

 

This has been an eventful week. Some exchanges and notable experiences that build testimony.

I was in Antigo, on exchanges with an Elder Parker (yes, somehow he comes from the Parker family), we were walking down the street and both had the impression to talk to a man we passed by. We both looked at each other and agreed to go back. We did and ended up teaching a short lesson on eternal families and agency.

I've learned that a little 6 year-old girl named Elaynna has a huge crush on me. Each time we go over to teach the family she pulls out every coloring book, dress, and dance move that she can. We colored a Dora the Explora coloring book and she drew with blue crayon on my pants - can't wait to have kids, right?

Elder Leben told me a joke, "Elder, how far away is that airplane? About 300,000 feet. Nope, 2 years." He's the best.

We tract a little bit in cities around with little success - knocking doors is not all that effective here.

I was assigned to teach Gospel Principles for Sunday school this past sunday on Honesty. I read through it, thought through it, and prayed about it; preparing the best I know how. I said things in that lesson that I hadn't prepared; thoughts that came and concepts explained in ways I hadn't thought of previously. The Spirit guides the lessons; and should, always.

My birthday did not land on a P-day. Sad Day. However, my birthday was an absolute party. I've been here little over a month and 2 families through 2 separate birthday parties for me! We had a service opportunity for a man named Ivan (he looks like Don Knotts) with continual storm clean-up. And a huge nerf war with Grandma's great-grandchildren. Such a humbling day.

We've had the opportunity to work with investigators and such but a lot of time, as of lately, has been spent helping less-active members and looking for referrals. Nourishing the Saints. Wayne, a new investigator is reading, Larry has a baptism date, and we are continuing to look for new people.

The work is progressing and we continually look to share it.

-Elder Taft Robinson

August 26, 2013 "Tornados and Exchanges"

August 26, 2013

Dear Family,

This has been a week of service. Last Wednesday - the day before zone conference and exchanges - a tornado blew through Gresham. Don't worry, everyone is fine. (It was actually the coolest storm I've ever seen.) Our APs drove through it to get to Grandma's where we all enjoyed some SunDrop and a nice farm grown dinner.

The next day we had Zone Conference and took off on exchanges. I went to an area that is gigantic; called Rhinelander. I served with Elder Aubrey - he's an older brother of my friend Elijah Aubrey who leaves for Russia within the next few weeks. We taught a man on agency and the blessings that come through making the right choices. The best experience, however, came when we were serving in an elderly home for the day and I was thinking about the family. I felt the impression: everyone is fine; they'll be there when you get home.

As great as exchanges were it was really nice to be back in Gresham with Elder Leben. We went and celebrated a member's birthday and I ate three pieces of cake (don't be surprised if I'm chubby when I come home, they just keep feeding us).

Given the tornado we've spent these past few days helping people cut up trees and haul away brush. I've got some pictures of the aftermath - we are so blessed that these massive trees didn't fall on more of these houses. Not to mention the great blessing of service.

We've visited a family in the area that loves having us come by; Lee, Amy, and Abby. They love seeing us but we generally have no idea of what to expect when we stop by. However, they have a game where they have to pay a quarter if they swear in front of the elders - and, needless to say, the quarter jar is filling up. They believe in families can be together forever and I'm hoping we'll be able to teach them.

I've been working studying through Book of Mormon and just read the Savior's ministry. And I thought about Enos learning that he is forgiven - instantly, he stops worrying about himself and seeks to teach anyone he can. That's powerful. As we increase the vision of the Gospel in our lives our desire to share it grows. My desire to serve grows each and every day - and I'd be lying if I said this was easy; however, it's worth it.

I have come to know for myself that The Savior lives. Joseph Smith did, in fact, see our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. The Book of Mormon is the word of God and a testament to us that we can be saved from the gall of bitterness and woe - we need only honor our covenants. I have come to be grateful for the difficult times and trials because I know that God always fulfills his promises; we need only be patient. We are empowered individuals against the forces of the Adversary.

Your missionary,

Elder Taft McIntyre Robinson

Aug 19, 2013 'Nazi Pancakes, RM Marriages and Windows Opening'

 August 19, 2013

Dear Family,

Grandma (Abuela as I call her) has never ceased to amaze me with her plethora of cooking. Potato donuts, carrot pancakes, mystery fruit topping, and even Nazi pancakes. Grandma is the kind of person that will lift you up without you even recognizing it; literally everything she has she knows comes from Heavenly Father. I'm beginning to see the endless blessings that I see in my own life.

I was studying about the law of tithing and found that if we are willing to pay our tithing that the heavens will open and pour out so many blessings we won't have room enough. I see that in our own family life and history - we've had some rough spots but through the Lord we've always managed to make it through. (Imagine the blessings that come through obedience to all other commandments.)

We had an appointment with an older man named Larry. He wasn't all that religious until he was in a bar one night, having bet on a Packers he had guessed the score would be 24-17. The Packers were pushed back to the goal line and Larry yelled, "Please Lord, I'll go to church." Well, lo and behold, the other team fumbled and Larry found himself in church the next morning. Since then he's been interested in the church and we work with him each day. I have this feeling that he'll be baptized soon enough.

Tracting is not easy here in Wisconsin; most people have either been told by their pastors to specifically avoid the Mormons or have already voiced their disinterest. It's difficult to see people close the door on a message that grants eternal happiness. Elder Leben and I discuss a lot about the Plan of Salvation.

However, as difficult as tracting can be, we were invited into one house. Elsie, an older woman with a big family, has such faith in Jesus Christ and we are eager to invite her to read the Book of Mormon. She's been to Temple Square and loved Utah - even likes the Mormons she knows. And she wants to know more!

There is a huge population of Mohican and Manaumani indians up here. They believe in what is called "The Big Drum" that teaches very similar values and principle that Christ teaches. One of the most difficult things that the Indians struggle with is that Christians don't seem to live their own religion. No one is perfect but with every stereotype there is an ounce of truth. So, hopefully, we can change that stereotype. Regardless, the indian people are loving and pretty open to hearing what we have to teach - even if they aren't interested in changing.

We spent a day on our bikes and got really saddle sore - pretty sure my back tire was loose too - but we were able to see a little more of the country here. I'll get some pictures ASAP.

Elder Leben and I continue to grow as a companionship. I've learned a number of things from him: 1) simply looking at someone and not saying a thing is fine, 2) silence is a powerful teacher, 3) being blunt about how you feel is not impolite, and 4) European Soccer is awesome. Leben has this sense of humor that is quick and subtle but gut-busting funny. He and Grandma banter about Nazis (he's cool with it) and her getting old; not to mention Grandma trying to set us up with her Granddaughters. He's headed to college soon and we talked about his plans: he's not a fan of a ginger wife in the future.

I spoke in church yesterday and felt I was able to communicate the reason of repentance; like Alma to Corianton - we need not dwell on our mistakes other than to turn us closer to Christ.

I'm beginning to get a feel for what this place is all about and how to address certain concerns. God always fulfill his promises. And I look at John 14 where it commands us not to be afraid - Jesus Christ has faith in us so let's show some faith in him.

-Elder Taft Robinson