Letter Aug 4-10, 2013

Family, hey how are things at home. Hopefully good. Hope you all enjoying harvest time. Can't believe it is here. Ha while you guys are all wishing it was over I just wish I could do that kind of work for a while. Ha give it a little change from the work we do. No but things are good here all that stuff will be there when I get back. Only get to do this stuff once. Well we have just been trying to stay busy here. It's been really hot. I might escape my first rainy season with very little rain and no real floods. I do kinda want to experience it at least once. Everyone says is sucks but I wouldn't know yet. This week has been alright a few downers in it but its all good. I'll just start with Monday. It was p-day. Just normal day but my old companion from the MTC found out that his mom passed away from a heart attack. He was having a really hard time with it. We are in the same zone so they came and hung around with us. Then Tuesday, we met a less active member Indiana. he is white and only speaks English. He cam here and married a young filippino so he is what they call a dirty Joe. He is a nice guy. Mark Ingram is his name. Ha I was the only one to really talk my comp went real shy. Ha it was alright though Brother Ingram really likes to talk. I think he gets bored doing nothing all day with no friends to talk to so kinda hard to get out of there. After that just a regular day but we are gonna try and get the white guy back to church. Wednesday not much happened. Thursday Brother bong told us he just doesn't think he can do it and he is so ready so it stinks. We will keep teaching hoping that he will come around. Then Friday first we woke up and went to do a service project for a member. They are building a new house. some rich guy came and said that he is building condo's where there little shack was so they have to move. So we went and helped them lay the cement in and run some wires. Ha things are done a little different here. Ha no matter what they wear flip flops to work in. I think they are all crazy. Ha I wore shoes and they told me I should start to wear flip flops. I have to tell you this part. Before they lay the cement they take a chicken and slit it's throat and spread the blood all over the floor in the house. Then lay the cement on it. The weirdest thing I have probably seen. They claim it is lucky or something. After that they cooked the chicken up and were going to eat it for lunch. We left before they ate. We had stuff to do. Just a normal day but we had a ward party later and they had a ping pong table so it was fun. The Bishop later came up to me and said he wants my comp to transfer. He doesn't like him but he wants me to stay. He said that he can tell that he is lazy. It's kinda true but a little harsh. So then on Saturday just a regular day we taught Brother Bong. He acted a little different after the lesson not sure why but maybe something is changing. Ha later the Natividad family had us over for FHE. They were all singing videoke. Ha Brother Natividad is actually really good at singing. He he will sing even if he is alone just for fun. he is a crazy dude. So that was my week. It had a few ups and downs. That helps you realize that your Father in Heaven will listen if you just ask him. He is always willing to help. well thanks for everything. It means a lot I love you all have a good week. Love Elder Robison.

Letter & pictures August 5, 2013

Family, Hey how is everyone doing?  I hope everything is good.  It's now August so thats crazy.  Harvest time is here again.  Everything will be getting busy back home.  Ha you will all be sitting in combines for the next few weeks.  Hopefully I will get some pictures of it all.  The people here will be amazed at it.  They have never seen anything like that.  The summer kinda flew by.  it seems like everyone will be starting school and football and stuff.  Well why things get busy there they slow down here.  It's the rainiest months so that means that everyone just sleeps.  Whenever it's rainy they just sleep.  I don't know why but thats what they do no matter what.  So trying to teach people doesn't work out so good.  So we teach about half as many lessons and walk a lot.  I'll tell you a little bit about what I have been doing.  On Monday it was p-day.  I just emailed you all.  I am thankful for Jodee so that she can tell you guys that I am on so we can email back and forth. Ha.  Rachels finger was nasty.  After that we went grocery shopping.  Later that night we had a FHE and they fed us goat.  I don't really like it.  There are tons of bones in it.  Tuesday was a rainy day so it was slow.  Only 2 lessons and Diane the one that accepted a baptismal date told us that her dad told her that she can't be baptized.  We will keep teaching until he will soften his heart and allow it to happen.  We will just have to see what Heavenly Father can do.  Wednesday another rainy day so slow but we ordered pizza that night so it helped make it better.  Thursday was a better day for teaching.  We can't seem to get Bong to accept a baptismal date.  He won't decide between being a Catholic or a Mormon so we don't know what to do with him.  Later that night the little girls father agreed to give the prayer at her baptism.  Thats a big step for him because he is really less active.  He will barely pray in our lessons.  He did pray at our last lesson and we could tell that the spirit touched him.  His voice got really shaky and soft.  It's crazy how strong prayer can affect someone.  That is why we should always pray.  Friday was just a normal day.  That night Brother Natividad cooked us dinner.  He does that once or twice a week.  After that we found out that the other Elders baptism won't be happening on Saturday.  They found out that her family are muslim and they called our Bishop and said don't let her be baptized or married or she will be taken and killed.  So they can't do that.  She still wants to go through with it but they can't let her.  It's sad though because she is so ready.  She actually said well I have to die sometime so lets just do it but for now it will have to wait.  President has the final say in that one.  So on Saturday we had our baptism.  Three little girls.  They all chose me to do it so it was good.  Neither of their dads came so kinda sad.  Then we only had 2 pairs of baptismal clothes at the church that would fit so they had to share.  It was good.  They were all excited.  After that we had dinner at our 1st councilors house.  Brother & sister Budua. They are a little richer than normal.  They were having a party so there was a ton of food there.  Then they gave us ice cream and just lots of stuff.  So that has been my week.  A few things have happened so it helps speed up the time.  Well I love you all.  Thanks for everything you all do.  Have a good week at home.  Send pictures of farming and a family picture.  People always ask to see my family and I don't have a picture.  Thanks.  Love Elder Robison

Kids playing ball at church

Janna Ignacio

Jem Remerez

Jem & Jea her sister was also baptized

Our 1st councilors house at FHE

Service at its finest

Mixing cement

Laying the floor

Brother Natividad singing away at a church activity

Really nice old dude in our ward

Eating lunch

Elder Medalle finished it all

Salbador family.  They are really nice.  They have no power so we teach by candlelight.  It is cool

Playing games on p-day

Letter

Family, hey everyone how is it all going. I hope things are all good at home. It's getting close to harvest time. That will be fun. I loved grain harvest last year. It's a really nice time of the year things start to cool down a little bit so that's always nice. As for here it should really start raining soon. It hasn't seemed to really rain a whole lot yet. Every once in a while it will rain but only for a few minutes. I kind of like it when it's cloudy here it's the little time you get to not sweat for a bit. So far though things have been alright in the area we have a baptism on August 3 so that will be good. She is 9 years old and we might baptize her 8 year old sister with her. We will see what happens. On Monday it was a boring day. I had to stay home with Elder Medalley cause he was sick and I was the only one who hadn't stayed with him so I had to cause they needed to work in their area and our area is doing fine. Tuesday was p-day. We went to the temple early in the morning. It was nice. I love to go to the temple it's one place that life just slows down and we can get away from everything. In the mission it's the only time you have to get help on anything your struggling with or just anything. I love to go to the temple. So it was good after that we went and emailed. It took forever for anyone to email me back. Then we had a family home evening that night. Wednesday we had a good busy day. We taught a lot of lessons that day. Our investigator Diane accepted a baptismal date on August 24 so that's good. She has quit being so shy so that helps when we teach her. On Thursday was a slower day lot's of appointments fell through but we did teach a little bit not a ton. On Friday we had an early lunch appointment with a less active at 11 so we taught him then came back and did our weekly planning. I was really frustrated with my companion. He didn't really want to do much at all that day. He is kind of lazy so I have to push him to do things. So I got frustrated with him. We ended up having to come back early because he claimed he was sick so Elder Fisher and I went on splits because both our comps didn't feel good. On Saturday it was a busy day so we left early to go teach the people we missed on Friday then we had to review the interview questions with Jem. Her interview was on Saturday too. We did her interview at 4 she passed then at 5 5the other Elders had a baptism so we went to that then there was another baptism at 6 for the other Elder's in our zone. We got out of the church at like 7 then had a dinner appointment. So Sunday I hope everyone will make it to church today so we can get more people ready for baptism. So that has been my week. I was reading in Mosiah this week about Abinadi. I thought it was cool that he only converted one of th people out of the Lamanites. That was Alma. I thought it was cool that that one person then went out and converted hundreds of people and how one person can turn into many. It's a great story. Probably one of my favorites. So this is what I have been doing here in the Philippines. Hope all is well at home. That everyone is doing good. Thanks for all the support and all that you do. Love you all. Love Elder Robison.

Letter 7/15-22/13 & pictures

Family, hey how is everyone doing. It's Sunday morning here so I think your all probably standing in line at Brenan's reception. Well when you get this that will be old news. Ha and your probably glad it's over so everything will calm down. Well I hope your all doing really good and enjoying your summer. Before you know it you will be back to cutting grain but that's always a fun time of the year one of my favorites. July is about to come to a close then into August. That's when the flooding is the worst so they tell me. It hasn't rained a whole lot here just every once in a while. I am waiting for a really big storm still. So on Monday it was P-day and we went to a mall to go eat but our support hadn't come so we just ate at McDonalds. We didn't need to travel that far for that but it's all good. On Tuesday we just had a regular day of work but there was a lot of commotion behind our apartment. There were news people everywhere. They thought a kid was kidnapped at first but the kid got locked in a car and died. He was only 4 and was in there for a really long time. The parents claimed they couldn't see anything in the car because the windows are so dark but we saw the car and you could see through the windows so we think they did it on purpose. On Wednesday I went on splits with my District leader. He wanted me to come help him find some new people in their area. We found a lot of new people and walked a ton but that's alright I am used to it by now. On Thursday we were told to find a new apartment so we spent the most of the day doing that. We found a few. We should be moving out of here on September 1st that would be nice. This place has a lot of problems. Friday the couple missionaries came and checked out the apartments we found then I went and worked with Elder Fisher because his comp was sick and they needed to work in their area so I went with him and my comp stayed with his. On Saturday we had a lot of appointments so it was a busy day. We taught a lot. Our last appointment was with Brother Bong and his dad was there. He is a less active. We taught about the Book of Mormon. I looked at his dad and he was crying. The spirit was so strong and it really touched his dad. At the end of the lesson the dad said that his family will all be at church. It was really good so hopefully we will see them later today at church. So they didn't all end up going to church the dad did which was good but Bong didn't come so not sure what happens there. So I guess we will try to get him there next week. Sounds like all is good t home your all enjoying a new boat sounds like so thats fun. Ha I was a bit surprised to hear that he bought a boat but that will be fun for the family to enjoy together. I would like to see some pictures of what you have all been doing. As for me I'll be in the Philippines trying to survive the floods. Well thanks for everything you all do. Love you all. Thanks again Lover Elder Robison

A mouse we caught in our apartment there are a lot more

A brown out

My MTC comp Elder Vea's first baptism

Catching a ride on the back of a jeep

Elder Fishers baptism

Letter 7/15/13

Family, hey how is everyone doing? Your probably all enjoying your nice summer. Farming has slowed way down probably. Ha I am sure your all enjoying the cabin as much as you can or you might all just be busy getting ready for the big day. By the time this letter gets there Brenan and Alli will be married so that's pretty crazy. it didn't take long. Tell them congrats for me and that their wedding gift is all my clothes Brenan has took. Every picture I see I can tell he has been in my closet a lot more then his own. That can be his gift. Other than that you summer seems to be flying by and it will be harvest time before you know it. Mom send pictures of the farm. Sounds like your Martin's Cove trip was good and that you had a few problems. I have learned since I have been here that things will work out so don't stress to much. As for the Philippines things are good. The new area seems to be doing alright. We get fed a lot more here. The members are always wanting to feed us. That's one good thing. As for my whole week nothing to crazy went on. We have been teaching a lot of people. So we will see if they come to church like they say they will. People will tell you anything but they don't always do what they say. We found an investigator named Bong. He came to church last week. he is progressing really well. He has lots of weird questions though that really don't matter but they really matter to him so it's alright. There are a few others that we have contacted so we will see what happens today at church. The best part of the week was Saturday. We got to go to the temple for one of Elder Millora's converts that was being sealed together. We went through an endowment session which was good because I haven't been able to go. Then after we went to the sealing. The spirit was so strong there and just a happy moment to see two people sealed to their family. They were so happy. Even though I didn't know them it made me happy for them. It made me so grateful that we as members of the church have the opportunity to be sealed and live with our families forever. You could feel the presence of the Lord there in the room with us all. I am grateful that I will be able to have that opportunity one day when I get back. It truly is a blessing to all of us from our Heavenly Father and I believe that nothing makes him happier then when two of his children are sealed for eternity. That was a great part of my week. I am very grateful for the temple and am blessed to have one in my mission that we can attend and back home we are blessed to have two temples so close and we need to take advantage of that opportunity. There are many people here that are a good 10 hours from a temple or just can't get to one. We are truly blessed. So that was a great part of my week. Other than that nothing to crazy has happened. Try and keep me updated on how things are going and how the farm is. Thanks for everything you do and for all the support. It means a lot. Love you all Love Elder Robison

The nasty river in our area, it smells terrible

the boat we take across the river

The jungle

Ward family home evening

The sealing

The Kabahay or roommates

Elder Fisher being crazy in the street

The deer in the Philippines

The city

Using the pay phone

flooding in our area

Brother Natividad cooking us some food

Elder Medalya not feeling so good

Letter 7/8/13

Family, hey everyone how are things going? It's probably been really nice back home. Hopefully your all enjoying the cabin and the Sutton family reunion. Your all pretty busy with the wedding I am sure so that's good. I am sure it will all be good and turn out really good. I am sure I will receive some pictures of everything that's been going on. That will be fun to see. It's been weird to miss everything and not be apart of anything. So much will have changed. Lots of people will be married and babies running around. I will have missed so much but I guess that is just part of the life of serving a mission. Well let me know how everything is going back home. As for me I am now in the Taguig Zone. It's the city but not he big part of the city. There are lots of people everywhere. I am still lost in the area. It's confusing to get around. My Companion is Elder Millora. We are white washing the area. Both Elders that were here have been transferred so we both are new to the area. My comp served here like a year ago so he knows how to get around at least but we still don't know everyone. The ward just split here too so now there are two wards. This is the first week with the new ward so hopefully all is well. I will have to introduce myself in sacrament meeting. It will be alright. It's crazy I am into my second area. I feel like Heavenly Father has helped us out so much here. We have been in the area for 4 days and we have found 4 really good new investigators. So for a white wash it's been going really good. Two of the four want to come to church today so we are going to go pick them up and take them with us. I hope they really enjoy church and continue to want to learn more. I don't know about the area yet but I am sure it will be good. I hope we have some good members in the ward. I met the Bishop he seems like a cool dude. Ha from looking at him you might think he does drugs but he is a really nice guy. They say he is really good to the missionaries. We have dinner at his house later today after church. We will try to get to know him better. This area definitely has a lot more in it then my last area. There is a McDonalds in it so that nice other than I am probably going to gain all my weight back. I spend a lot more money here. We have an actual grocery store, actually two of them so that alone is a lot nicer. We seem to have more people to teach. The 1st counselor in the Bishopric is a pretty rich guy. He has actual couches in his house. They felt amazing to sit in. They're the first couches I have sat in since I left home. I think the people here have little more money so they have nicer things and houses so that's a change. We have a nasty river in our area the water if black it is so dirty and it stinks like crazy. Hopefully this will be a good area. We have zone interviews on the 10th so I will get to meet the new President. Everyone said that he is way cool so it should be good. I live with a kid from Utah Elder Fisher and another Filipingo Elder Madalye. They are alright. Fisher is a funny dude. Hopefully all goes good. Keep me updated on things back home. I know a lot has been going on so your all busy. Thanks for everything you all do. Love you all. Thanks Love Elder Robison

Shaylee Jacobs who is in the Dominican Republic MTC sent this in her email. They just got a new missionary sister from the Philippines

She spent the day with us because her companions didn't come until late last night. She is the tiniest little lady and so quiet but it was great to get to know her! Guess what... She knows Kaden! Shes from the same city. She said she doesn't know him well but she met him once in the temple she said he speaks very good tagalog. It was so fun to know she knew him though! She speaks English but not a ton and she is super nervous about learning Spanish and here is the biggest kicker, shes 37 years old!! Until now I didn't know sisters could serve until they were 40! Shes super sweet though and will do well. That'd be so hard to be on a mission at that age. She was baptized as a 26 year old. Its remarkable some of the stories of the missionaries here.

June 24, 2013 letter

Family hey how is everything going at home. It should be pretty warm and probably pretty busy. I think you will get this letter around the 4th of July. So you will probably be up at Island Park enjoying the week. Hopefully the fireworks are better this year then last years. If they will even do it. Ha it will be weird to not celebrate it. Here the 4th is just another day. Their Independence day was on June 12th and they don't do anything really. People just don't have to work. But the 4th was one of my favorite weeks so I will really miss it this year. Well hopefully you all have fun. Make sure and tell Matt Happy Birthday. Ha and make sure and go with the Jacobs like last year. Well a little bit about my last week. On Tuesday it was just a regular work day but it rained all day and the town flooded so we were in water up to our ankles not to bad yet but the water is disgusting. It's black and gross. So that was a first. July is the worst time for the rain. Then on Wednesday we had a zone conference. It was good. We just did a lot of workshops and then they fed us a catered meal. It was alright no the best but it was free. Then we had a little goodbye meeting for president and our zone sang a song or a special musical number. We didn't sound good because we had only practiced twice so it sounded pretty bad. Then President and his family bore their testimonies. I am excited to meet the new President and see how things change. Thursday just normal but it rained again and on Friday it rained. Well sorry for another short letter but not a lot happened this week just a lot of rain we did find two new investigators so h9opefully they will got somewhere and want to change their lives. I am still really struggling with the language. I don't know why but it just doesn't click in my head. I can understand a little but trying to speak and put sentences together is really hard and when I do people don't get what I am saying. I haven't found an effective way to learn it yet so I just keep struggling. I wish I could speak so I can at least be an effective missionary and actually help people. I really would like to help these people but I feel like I can't unless I know the language. Hopefully soon. Well thanks for everything tell everyone hi for me and have fun at the cabin. I love you all thanks for the support. Love Elder Robison