December 25, 2018 - Oh

Christmas Phone Call!!! 3 down - 1 to go!

Merry Christmas everyone! I don’t know how I’ve made It this far to be out for two Christmas’s now but I'm still going strong. Marcaisse is on date to be baptized this next Saturday and is super excited! We've had a ton of fun teaching him. We decided for one of our lessons to read through a general conference talk with him. But we read it in French, it was a disaster for Elder Cathemer and I. I wanted to read it like Spanish and Elder Cathemer wanted to read it like German. It was super funny but the spirit was still so strong. It has been amazing to watch marcaisse progress in learning more about the gospel and also the English language.

We have had quite a bit of time to go out and try and find new people. Many people are not out during the day and many people don't open up their doors. The Lord still blesses us with many people to teach. 

My district has expanded since this past transfer and there are now eight elders in my district. Well this past week we were getting District Council started and we were singing our song. We were so far off and sounded like crap and then President and Sister Tateoka walk in on us. Well we all freaked out and may have peed ourselves a little bit but in the end we got pay back. I made them do a role play and it was sweet. I'm glad that I have the mission leaders I do, they are very spiritual minded and I learn so much from them. (They also took us out to lunch!) 

In the first book of Nephi, the Lord talks about how he might raise up a righteous seed through the prophet Lehi. I thought a lot about this. We are all part of the family of Adam therefore making us the seed of God. And if we let him change us, then he might raise up a righteous generation. We are all here on this earth to learn and improve. The only way for us to learn and grow is through others of God's children. Our greatest example was God's only begotten son Jesus Christ. He was born and we esteemed him as naught. Yet he suffered for every one of us and we turn our faces from him. He loved us like no other could when he went to the Garden of Gethsemane and bled for all of our sins. He was wounded for our transgressions and with his stripes we are healed. The Savior performed the ultimate act of service to all mankind. This Christmas season, let's remember him and the sacrifice he performed for each of us. Let's go and serve as he served and improve one another's life.

 - Elder Robbins

12 months - shirt burning

"Ya'll Need Jesus!"

December 17, 2018 - The Talent Show

Elders Nelson, Feik, Robbins, Tuttle

This past week was absolutely nuts. First off with the title. The Tateoka’s (our mission president) like to do a talent show every Christmas so we can all have a lot of fun together. Well this year since we didn't know what to do, we decided to do a skit. If any of you have seen dude perfect stereotypes this is what we did but for missionaries. The video is hilarious but I can't attach it so just use your imagination. Elder Tuttle was the missionary who drank way too much water and always has to go to the bathroom. Elder Smith was the missionary who gets upset about every little thing. Elder Cathemer was green and didn't know how to do anything. I was the trunky missionary who always falls asleep. Elder Rasmussen was the pretty boy and storyteller. Then Elder Johnson was the missionary who always gets his hopes waaaaay too high then gets mad when it doesn't work. We did this in a meeting setting and it was an absolute disaster but it was so funny at the same time. Everybody loved it.

We also had exchanges, I was with Elder Rasmussen our Zone Leader. He is an absolute stud and knows how to work hard. I always learn a ton from exchanges on how I can become a better missionary and person. Sadly we got transfer calls and Elder Rasmussen will be leaving to Newberg but both Elder Cathemer and I will be staying together here in Salem for another transfer! Elder Cathemer is doing great and is an awesome teacher. We have a ton of fun together and get work done.
We haven't had much time to go finding this past week but we have been blessed for sure with two amazing people. We are working with a guy named Marcaisse, I may have mentioned him last week. He is from Haiti and speaks very little english, so his friend, who is a member also from Haiti, has to translate for us. Well Marcaisse has such a strong testimony of the Book of Mormon and has such a strong desire to be baptized. He is currently on date for December 29th but would do it today if he could. Just a few more things to teach him and the interview then he will be good to go!

We also got a referral from some other elders and she is so solid. She wanted to be baptized a long time ago but wasn't able to. Well now the things that were holding her back are out of the picture and so she is so excited to be baptized here!

The Lord is much more aware of us then we could ever know. He is eager to answer any questions we may have. One big question I have had is how does Jesus Christ know us personally? Well I was reading in the Book of Mosiah and listening to a talk at the same time and I learned exactly how Jesus Christ knows us perfectly. He loves every single one of us and wants what is best for us.

 Moroni 7:48 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ; that ye may become the sons of God; that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be purified even as he is pure. Amen.

-Elder Robbins

Spanish Elders Robinson, Graybill

Elders Cathemer, Johnson, Rasmussen

December 10, 2018 - Ding Dong

Mission Conference with Elder Cook
Held in Salem

This past week was pretty crazy, but it was so amazing at the same time.

One thing that we try and do every once and awhile is go through the people that have been previously taught and message them over text or facebook. Well one night we both felt super prompted to go and do this so we did. We only had time to message a few people but one person messaged us back almost immediately and said yes please come by tomorrow. We were so excited, usually they don't message us back. Well we go by and we teach this guy and he is so prepared to receive this gospel and absolutely loves everything we have been teaching him.

This week we were planning how to get the ward members involved in Light the World, which this week is Light your Community. So we decided to make some treats and then go and leave them on the porch with “you’ve been lit”! and then the scripture 3 Nephi 11:11, which is amazing by the way, and then instructions for them to go and do the same thing to a few other families and have them pass it on. Hopefully we can get this whole town thinking about Jesus Christ and bring his light into each of our lives.

It has been raining a lot but luckily we haven't been getting too wet and I have thermals to keep me warm otherwise I would probably freeze.

On Saturday we had a very special opportunity to have a mission wide meeting with an apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ. Elder Cook from the Quorum of the 12 Apostles was there and a few other general authorities as well. That meeting was so powerful and filled with the spirit. Something that I will never forget. One thing I loved from that meeting is the power that each of the speakers had as they focused on what the Holy Ghost needed them to say. Also Elder Cook is pretty funny.

We had Stake Conference on Sunday and one of the speakers was talking about a form of art in Japan called kinsugi (idk if I spelled it correctly) but with this form of art they will take broken pottery and use epoxy with gold or silver in it and fix the pottery and it is absolutely beautiful. He then related this to us and talked about how every single one of us is broken in different ways. But as we turn to the Savior and study his word daily and rely more fully on him, then we can be healed through him. The pottery beforehand was beautiful but once fixed with the gold veins running throughout it was much more unique and gorgeous. We are all beautiful children of God. He allows us to struggle and feel pain so that we can feel the peace and joy that the gospel of Jesus Christ bring to us. We too can become beautiful like the kinsugi art and have the peace in this life and the life to come that our Savior wants for us.

I know that the Savior lives and that he loves every single one of us. We can show our love and true conversion through studying his word daily. I love this gospel and the peace and joy it brings. I love the Savior and am glad that he loved me enough to be sacrificed for my sins and pains.

- Elder Robbins

December 3, 2018 - It was a week

MTC Companion - Elder Tuttle

This past week we were crazy busy. We have been struggling to find people with interest over these past few weeks but this week it all payed off! There was a man we were trying to teach named James a while back and we just couldn't get in contact with him. Well a member comes up to us this Sunday and says that he has a friend for us to teach. Turns out it is the same guy we were trying to work with and he is super interested. The member took him to the temple and he absolutely loved it!

One day we were contacting people who were taught previously because it was dumping rain. Well we park and we see the people we are going up to talk to and they close the blinds once they see us. We prayed to see what we should do, we figured we were there so why not go up. We'll they invited us right in and we taught them all about the Book of Mormon. The only question they had for us was "do you guys celebrate Christmas?" It was so funny. They asked us to come back and so we are going back by. I learned that God can prepare people quicker than I thought.

Elder Cathemer and I are getting along really well and have a ton of fun together. He has been doing great and is a natural missionary.

With the Christmas season many more people are thinking about Jesus Christ. Everybody here seems to be so much happier, that is what Jesus Christ can do. He paid for our sins allowing God to be perfectly merciful to all those who repent and follow him through the covenant of baptism and going to the temple.

-Elder Robbins

President Tateoka with crockpots!

November 26, 2018 - The Greenie

Elder Cathemer

These past two weeks have been absolutely crazy. Sorry I didn't send out an email last week. Our p-day was changed to Thursday and I ran out of time to write one.  First things first, the greenie. I was in a trio with the zone leaders (Elder Rasmussen and Elder Johnson) as I was waiting to pick up my new companion. I learned so much during those few days and also got some more sweet music. (almost 5000 songs haha) my new companion is Elder Cathemer. He's fresh from the MTC but doesn't really need much training. He's from Ogden Utah and he likes to go rock crawling like me! We have a lot more in common but I will spare all of that for later. He is a little bit older so he is much more prepared than I was expecting and ready to get to work. On Thanksgiving, we had 2 dinners and they were both great. At one of them, all of the people were like half my size not joking and so I felt really out of place there but the food was good.

We had a lot of amazing lessons, We have started teaching the Bates family. They are super cool and the dad has been a member for a long time but knows very little about the gospel. They all seem to be really into the lessons but we have to teach very basic principles so we don't give them too much information and overwhelm them. We have taught them about the restoration and they loved it. They have been reading from the Book of Mormon and love it as well.

Brandon still has not been baptized but he plans on it happening soon! We are teaching him a lot but for him it's mostly just a review, he already knows everything.

It has been a long two weeks but we are seeing a lot of success as we do our best to be diligent and follow every prompting from the spirit that comes our way. We have found quite a few people through knocking on random doors. Knocking on doors has been one of the scariest things for me to do on my mission. When you are walking up to someone on the street, you can see them and assess what they have in their hands or if they’re drunk. But with doors, you're standing two feet away from something and you have no idea what they may do. But it turns out most people are really nice and if they don't want to talk then they will just close the door after seeing us.

One of my favorite scriptures from this past week is found in Helaman 10:4-5. It talks about how if we work with unwearyingness that the lord will bless us forever. He will make us mighty in word and deed, in faith and in works. I loved this as soon as I read it and took it as a promise to myself. When I look back on the person that I was before my mission and who I am now, the change is amazing. As I have worked diligently and sought the Lord’s council in all that I do, he has definitely strengthened me a lot in every aspect of the work.

I love this gospel and how much it truly blesses each and every person. Many people do not know that they are looking for the gospel but once they have it, they can't go back without wanting more. 

Sorry this email is kind of a mess. I'm tired from playing basketball with all of the other elders.

-Elder Robbins

Elders Robbins, Tuttle, Cathemer

November 22, 2018 - Thanksgiving Day!

Tyler's P-day was moved to Thanksgiving day, and he didn't write a group email. These are a few things he wrote to me in answer to my questions.

I finished Alma this past week and it was awesome! Now onto Helaman. I was reading Mosiah chapter 14 this past week, actually I studied it for an hour and I loved it. The Isaiah chapters are cool because they make you ponder what they mean. We read it with a member of our church who was a preacher for 25 years and he taught us so much but we were able to teach him a lot as well so it was really cool.

Yes dinners will be changed (members will no longer feed them M-F). It will be weird to implement and apply but we will see how well it works. There pros and cons to it happening. We really get to know the members at dinners and they get to know the people we are teaching at dinners. Kind of wish they weren't changing it but it is for a reason and we will see how it works out. Yes we will get a crock pot. I could use some recipes yes. And our monthly allotment will be increased. They want us out working at latest 5pm till 9 pm. I'm going to have to bring food with us though, I wouldn't be able to make it that long without eating lol.

I am the district leader. There are 6 elders no sisters. My MTC comp, Elder Tuttle, is in my district so that is fun!

This transfer is crazy. We have a mini zone conference this next week to figure out the dinner schedule change. On Dec 8 elder Cook from the quorum of the 12 is coming and speaking to us. On the 14th is the talent show zone conference so it's pretty crazy!

We only have 2 dinners (for Thanksgiving) thankfully. Some missionaries have 4 or more haha.

This past week was kind of crazy and super busy. It was hard not having p-day on Monday and it totally threw us off so that day was rough but we made it through. Elder Cathemer and I get along great and have a ton for fun. He is a great missionary and is very humble and willing to learn! He is brand new from the MTC and he is doing awesome! He is 20. Training is going really good. I was a little worried at first but then I realized I just keep on doing what I'm doing and then explain why and how. He knows pretty well what he is doing already. We have found a few new people to teach.

Love you mom! Tell the rest of the family I love them as well. Talk to you on Monday.

November 12, 2018 - This Week Was Nuts

This past week was absolutely crazy and all over the place. we had our Tempe trip on Tuesday which was great! Wednesday was Brandon's baptismal interview which he passed! Thursday Elder Crafts had a District Leader meeting so I was in a trio with a Spanish missionary. I got to listen to a whole lesson in Spanish and I could understand quite a bit! Friday was district council we did a ton of role plays and then one of the elders told us he would be going home the next day. So Saturday we were supposed to have the baptism but we were also in a trio and it was quite hectic. We hadn't heard from Brandon for like 2 days so we called off the baptism. We had an extra Elder and another area to cover so we were all over the place but we made it work. We got transfer calls that night, I will be staying and training a new missionary. Elder Crafts will be going to Sweet Home. Then Sunday we had ward council, then we went to five hours of church. It was crazy and I was so tired. I was so spiritually uplifted though. As we were sitting in Elders Quorum, I was reminded of something I heard a long time ago.

Back: Elders Peterson, Robbins, Lubbers Front: Elders Johnson, Crafts, Rasmussen

Basically there is this man asking for the Lord to strengthen him. He prays and prays for strength to overcome his trials, all that the Lord tells him to do is go outside and push this boulder. This boulder is huge and no man could push it. Day after day, month after month, year after year he pushes this boulder. It doesn't move an inch, he asks the Lord why he had him push that boulder and not have it move an inch. The Lord then proceeds to tell him to look at himself and the person he has become. His muscles and endurance have grown dramatically over the 10 year period of pushing this boulder every single day. Yet because the boulder didn't move, he didn't feel like he accomplished anything.

Many times we feel like this where we are doing everything we need to be doing and everything the Lord has asked us to, yet we still feel like we are failing. As long as we are faithful, the Lord will strengthen us and make us into the people he needs us to be. We must not compare ourselves to what we accomplish because we will always fall short, but we must compare ourselves to who we used to be and who we are now.

I love this gospel and the person it has made me into! I love the Book of Mormon and the teachings contained within. I'm grateful for all the Lord has blessed me with.

-Elder Robbins

November 6, 2018 - Yep... That Happened

Temple Trip! Elder Robbins & Crafts

Hey everybody! Sorry for not sending out an email yesterday. My p-day was changed to Tuesday so we could go to the temple. It was absolutely amazing and the spirit there is so strong. It’s as if you could cut it with a knife. I got to see a bunch of my missionary buddies while there and I learned a ton as well. Elder Crafts and I had a pretty crazy experience on Monday night. We were going to a lesson for a recent convert, she wasn't there. We visited this other recent convert and as we were walking out we saw these two guys on the ground fighting. Elder Crafts and I wanted to get out of there but our ward mission leader who is barely over 100 pounds decides to try and break it up by flashing lights and yelling. Well all that did was allow the guy on the bottom to push the other guy off and get up. They started throwing some punches then one of the guys shoots a gun straight into the air and the other takes off. So did we, we ran to our car and got out as quickly as possible. I didn't think that would happen while I was on my mission. Now I can count that one off of the mission bucket list haha.

We have been spending quite a bit of time preparing for Brandon's baptism this upcoming Saturday. We are getting really excited for him and he is getting very excited but nervous. He has his Baptismal interview tomorrow and he is so prepared and ready.

This upcoming week is going to be crazy. On Thursday, Elder Crafts has a district leader training so we will have another exchange. On Saturday we have the baptism and then transfer calls that night. It's going to be crazy but so good as well.

One big thing I have been trying to focus on getting better at is my daily habits. There are all sorts of different habits that we can get into good and bad. But some of the most important ones we should start if we aren't already in them is praying and studying the scriptures daily. It may seem harmless to go a day without prayer when we feel that we are doing well. It may seem harmless to not read your scriptures when you are already very knowledgeable in them. The reason why these things are so important to do every day is so that we can remember the Lord all the time. When we don't draw upon his power daily then when we need him the most we won't remember to draw upon his power and be alone. It's been amazing as I have done these two simple things every day, the guidance from the spirit that I receive and how much more I am able to bless the lives of other people.

-Elder Robbins

October 29, 2018 - Inspired of God

Elders: Johnson, Crafts, Rasmussen, & Robbins

On Tuesday we had Zone Conference and it was all about the Book of Mormon and how truly important it is in people's conversion. My testimony of theBbook of Mormon has grown so much as I have applied the teachings of it to my own life. In the Introduction, Joseph Smith says that the Book of Mormon is the most correct book and that a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts. This has for sure happened to me, on average it says Jesus Christ every 1.7 verses. There is no way it can't be from God. I got to see a bunch of MTC companions and past companions while I was there. It was a good time and filled with the spirit. James who I talked about last week, we have had a really hard time getting in contact with him. Pray that we can because he is ready to receive it into his life!

Sunday was Stake Conference and the speakers talked about relying on Christ to get through trials. One of my favorite scriptures is Helaman 5:12 which talks about making Christ our rock and when the temptations of Satan come upon us we will have all power to resist it. It was a very powerful conference.

Also on Sunday we got a call from a member saying he has someone who wants to hear the gospel. We go and visit these people and turns out Elder Crafts had taught them before but they just disappeared over night and they lost contact. They were all talking about how they want to be baptized and be sealed in the temple. The father is a member, he has been teaching them all about the gospel so they are already super knowledgeable. It really showed me that even though sometimes we may struggle to find new people to teach that he will lead those who are prepared to hear the gospel right to us.

I have been studying in the book of Alma this past week specifically the story of Ammon and King Lamoni. The one thing that impressed me is the love that Ammon had for the king even though he was going to persecute him. He served him to the best of his ability and never faltered from the gospel. We can all learn from his example of living the gospel everyday and being an example to those around us who may not be members of the church yet. As we truly love and serve all of God's children, we are serving God. We and they will be blessed for the efforts that are put forth. These blessings may not come immediately but they will come whether in this life or in the life to come. Be faithful.

-Elder Robbins

MTC Roommates: Elder Nelson & Feik

Elder McElmurry

Elder Hinck

Elder Pouwers

October 22, 2018 - Miracle and No Time

I am very short on time so this will be a short one. We saw a huge miracle happen this past week. We were at dinner with some members and he received a text that a man we have been trying to get in contact with. His names is James and he is from Africa, his wife was baptized but has since gone inactive. He came over and was in shock that we were there. We then taught him about the plan of salvation and restoration and he loved all of it, it all made so much sense in his head and he is a smart guy. It was amazing to teach him and we have another lesson set up to go back and teach him. Best part, is that he said he would be baptized once he knows more. We have been working with members a lot and have seen many miracles come from that. Thanks for all the support and love! I hope you all have a great week! - Elder Robbins

Exchanges with Elder Lubbers

Playing baseball

October 15, 2018 - Faith to Drop, Faith to Find

Elders: Rasmussen, Johnson, Lubbers, Peterson, Crafts & Robbins

This past week we have been doing a ton of walking and talking to people. We had quite a few people when I first got here but we soon after found out that many of them aren't willing to repent or act on the things we teach them. It's sad to see from our perspective, we know how much this can bless their life if only they could see it. We are working hard to find those people that the Lord is preparing us to find. One of the people we are working with named Brandon is awesome! He is currently on date for November 10th and is working hard to make that date! We teach him twice every week and he soaks it all in. He loves being at church and loves all of the people there. We are also working with the Bates family. The father is a member with very little knowledge about the church. They seem to be super prepared and want to be baptized! Both Elder Crafts and I are very excited about them and how much their lives are about to change for the better!

As we were walking one day we were waiting to cross the street. On the other side this guy just starts walking across the street even though he shouldn't be and about gets hit by multiple different cars. We aren't sure what this guy was on but he walks up to us and just asks who is younger? I was so I said I am and he throws this nasty shirt at me and then walks off. It was so weird, I threw that shirt away and washed my hands as quickly as possible. This other guy at a bus stop (he was about half my size) starts telling us how he heard Joseph Smith was on drugs and that's how we got the Book of Mormon. Now he was yelling all of this and spitting all over the place (he was way too close also). And so we wanted out of there, we had no idea what this guy was going to do. We addressed his concerns and gave him a Book of Mormon. Thankfully a bus pulled up and we were able to get away.

People here in Salem can be kind of crazy but I know that the Lord will protect me as we are diligent in keeping the commandments and doing what the Lord wants us to.

 -Elder Robbins