Tuesday, January 29, 2013

1/28/2013

Well, SURPRISE!!! Elder Hoffman and I had a remarkable weekend! :D Hopefully these pictures show it! 

In each picture, it's 
L-R: Me, Adrian, Andrew, Elder Hoffman.

I baptized Andrew, and Elder Hoffman baptized Adrian



We had a pretty cool week!! Nothing too exciting happened...Well except that I went back to Weldon Spring for the baptism of Adrian and Andrew!!!! :D It was so awesome!!!!!!! 

Actually, I found that out, right after I finished emailing last week, so I've been keeping it in till now! :D They are awesome young men and the service went very well. It was great to be in the presence of so many familiar faces, and I truly enjoyed my opportunity that I had there. The talks were really awesome and the service just went really well...They are going to be great members and examples for their family.

This week has been great. We met a young man(who is actually sitting next to me right now...I'll explain in a min), who called us out of the blue last Monday. Neither one of us had met him before, but he took the lessons previously. He has some issues that he is dealing with. He has split personalities, and it causes great confusion for him in his life. We taught him the importance of Jesus Christ, and how through Him, the power to conquer fears. He is here talking with us about things as we email haha. He desperately needs to know that God hasn't forgotten him, and we've helped him a lot so far this week. It's been interesting though.

Yesterday, we had a nice little ice storm that cancelled church. I've never had church cancel before, but we made good use of time and went tracting, which was a lot easier because we could just slide from house to house, instead of having to walk :) jk but we put in our work for the day...about 6 hours haha. 

On Saturday, before the baptism, I was in the office and was able to do a bit of programming. I got some interesting things done and there is a bright future for the new program :D I don't know if they are going to continue to pull me into the office every weekend or not, but it's a lot easier for them now because they have 3 missionaries there this transfer. Nonetheless, the work is progressing here in Waterloo, as well as in the office. I think it's quite the feat :) Anyway, that has been an interesting experience!

On Friday, we had an awesome dinner with a family, where the father and daughter are not members. It went really well, and they made us some awesome Pork Steaks. We got to know them pretty well, and at the end of the dinner, we asked if we can watch some videos real quick. The father has never been open to learning much about the church because he doesn't agree at all, but he consented and we watched the Mormon Messages DVD I got for Christmas. As we watched, the Spirit came in with so much power. They are some of the greatest tools for opening and softening hearts of those who have been closed off for so long. We watched the fathers heart change as we watched the videos...I think there is a bright future for their family, yet :)

I heard that Utah had an interesting ice storm this week....Welcome to the mid-west! :) Just kidding. Actually this is only the second ice storm I've been in, and neither one was really very bad... definitely not like the one my mom described. They are pretty crazy. Usually most people stay home when they happen, just because there really is no way to travel on the roads when there is an inch layer of ice.

Anyway, we have to get going to our lunch soon! I thank everyone so much for your prayers and love! Stay busy and look for good in all things! I love you all!
Have a great week!
Elder Tyler Robinson

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

1/22/2013

I was messing around with one of my puzzles that makes a cube, and got this :)

Our district! :)
L-R: E. Taylor, E. Hunter, E. Beaumier, me, Sister Cornick, Elder Cornick.
The Cornicks were just visiting...they actually are in Steeleville.
Hello World!

I'm happy to report that this week was not nearly as big of an explosion of events as last week :)

To start off, I'm not leaving Waterloo this transfer. Another 6 weeks with Elder Beaumier to be exact :) We are going to rock this area, this transfer. We only have 5 weeks, but we can make it the best transfer, with all the great potential that has been laid down for us so far.

As far as the work we've done this week, we taught the Stop Smoking Workshop to Connie and Danny. It did not go as well, as we hoped...they chose not to keep all 15 steps, and I think it was partly due to their lack of faith. We are going to teach them the Plan of Salvation today. We are going to help build their faith up in such a way that they may be able to accomplish anything the Lord commands, especially quitting smoking.

I did go to the office Friday and Saturday. I don't know if I explained what they had, before...They used excel, using 12 workbooks representing the months, where data was added, and 9 workbooks representing the 8 zones and mission, that layed out the data that was entered in the 12 workbooks. It was a mess. Now I can't say I made it any better...as far as the amount of places that data is juggled, but the new version of the zone workbooks is way simpler, and I only needed to make one, which then I copied to make 9, and it works great...It was dreary work, but I felt good about what was accomplished.

In this time in the office, I went to two baptisms...one of them in St. Charles...a man I met and heard much about in Weldon Spring. I also got to see my boy :) He's doing great! He's going to Moberly in the Columbia district on Wednesday, but he is baptizing Adrian and Andrew this weekend...I'm going to be there, and I'll make sure to get pictures :D I'm excited for them! Actually Weldon Spring has 4 baptismal dates so far, and may have a 5th real soon :) (of course, after Saturday, there will be 2 less haha). It was super exciting!

A side note, Elder Francis was the missionary who replaced me in Weldon Spring. Officially, he has served with E. Beaumier in the MTC, Elder Williams(became my companion the last week in the MTC) was his trainer, Elder Hoffman(my boy) is his current companion, and on Wednesday will be serving with Elder Elkington. Weird huh! He's served with nearly all my previous/current companions! Weird huh! I didn't realize how connected he was to me haha!

Anyway, one interesting thing that happened, is that I saw how transfers work! It was very interesting and I know that the Lord works through President Clark when transfers are being prepared. It's cool! I also was there when the new AP was called. They have interesting traditions when they call a new AP haha.

Another thing that was cool that happened this week was a phone call we received from a former investigator in our area. Neither one of us had ever met him, but he called us out of the blue and asked if we could come over and teach him. We did just that, and had a really spiritual experience with him. He declared that he believes we might be the true faith that he's been looking for. We testified to him, that God would NEVER expect us to just guess that we are in the right faith, nor would he want us to follow blindly towards any beliefs, but if he truly did such a wondrous thing, he provide proof so that we can know...More or less, he will give us fleeces(Like the story of Gideon), so that we can be confirmed in our faith. We then testified that the Book of Mormon is God's evidence that it is truly his path. We then asked him to read and pray and he agreed. Unfortunately, the reason he called us when he did was because he knew he may be going to jail this week. He wanted materials to read, in case he did go to jail. We'll see what happens, but his heart is in the right place.

Last thing I want to share is a cool little success that came from a small act that happened almost a year ago. I'm not sure if anyone would remember without having to pull out the emails I sent about it, but there was a point in time where we were teaching a Hispanic family that lived in a city called Alto Pass. This family was a referral from the Shiloh Elders, who referred Francisco because he loved the lesson they taught so much. If you remember, we went down there but forgot to bring the address, when we were first planning on meeting them, and there is no service down there, so we were blindly walking the town to find this family. We just happened to show up, at the same time as a young Hispanic lady, who was by chance also visiting Francisco. Her name was Theresa if you can remember. She was also with Francisico when they had the lesson in Shiloh, and while we were at Francisco's house, she taught nearly the entire first lesson to Francisco's mom. She was awesome, and we immediate got her referred to Steeleville Elders.

Well after this event, the Steeleville missionaries taught her for a bit, but they were removed from Steeleville and we didn't hear anything about her since. Well, the Cornicks are now in Steeleville, and they have been teaching her! She has gone to church 4 times, and is going to have a baptismal date real soon! Her son is also just loving the lessons! She said that she has been looking for a church that will make her feel good, but she has not found one yet. She has continously felt rejected in other churches, but says our church has made her feel wonderful and welcome! How cool, huh!

Anyway, I just want to say I love you all! I pray for you all everyday and hope that you will seek out great things this week and enjoy the great blessing of life!
Elder Tyler Robinson


Monday, January 14, 2013

1/7/2013

There isn't a ton of time today. We have a trip to O'Fallon to make real soon and so I'll be brief(Which should be ok...I wrote you all on Wednesday last week!)

We had a great week, a midst the short week of it all. We had an amazing lesson with Tiffany and her family, that has brought a huge change for them. We have invited them all to be baptized and they agreed! We now are teaching them every Tuesday, they came to church this week, and they are planning on going to the classes regularly from here on out. They also are seeking to find out if the Book of Mormon is true! This family has been meeting with missionaries for 2 years, but this is the first time that they truly put forth true commitment in the things that we've shared! We are so excited!

Lets see, what else....We have another family that lives about 30 miles east of us, that almost accepted the baptismal covenant, but ended up moving way out there and seems to have just lost contact with the missionaries. We reconnected with them, and she called us to set an appointment. We are expecting to teach them as soon as possible! It's going to be great.

Not really too much else. I've had a very spiritual experience this week with the passing of my Great Grandpa Art. I wouldn't be able to explain it if I tried, but I can promise you that I know that I will be able to see him again...and he will remember me; And I'm super excited for that day. It's not here yet...there is time for me to take care of things I have been called to do during this earthly sojourn, but once all is completed I will see him again. I'm so excited!

Anyway, I love you all! Trust in the Lord in all things, and he will have you know what you need to do when times are hard. The Gospel is true...Jesus Christ is real. All things He says He did for you and me is real. I glory in it, because I know that it is the greatest example of God's true love for us! He truly does know us and lived what we've lived! It makes me feel great comfort, know that that is a true principle!

Anyway! Have a wonderful week! I love you,
Elder Tyler Robinson


1/14/2013

So, this is officially the most eventful week that I've experienced so far on the mission. Surprisingly enough, we saw even more success, even among all the things that were happening.

We started the week off with Zone P-Day as I mentioned last week. We just played a handful of games, and it was a lot of fun, but nothing incredibly special as far as what we played. After, we had a combined District Meeting with the Zone, which kept us out till the end of the day, which I stayed in Belleville with Elder Hunter while my companion went back to Waterloo with Elder Beaumier. 

It was Tuesday which was the start of something really interesting. Elder Hunter, last year, was confronted by two 18 year old men, who robbed him and his companion at gun point. Tuesday was the finalization of the guy who held the gun's trial. We went down to St Louis and participated in the whole thing. They thought it was going to be a trial, but the guy already plead guilty, so really it was just Elder Hunter's opportunity to tell him how the event made him feel. He got up, in front of this man, who one year ago, demanded, with a gun in his hand pointed at him, for his things, which he hasn't gotten back yet. He, with an awesome brilliance, told this young man that he forgives him. That he truly has let it go, and that he asks that he let it go as well, and work towards change because he believes, with all his heart that there is a great man behind his choices and that Jesus Christ will give you the power and the ability to change so that he can shine forth out of and above all those choices and mistakes. It truly was remarkable, and I think everyone in the courtroom was touched because of how forgiving and sincere his testimony was to the man who did such an awful thing to him. It was really a great experience to see.

Wednesday, we went to a outer town, called Lenzburg, to teach a family that took the lessons a while back and had a baptismal date, before kind of falling off the radar(probably because of the distance). We had a great lesson, and Ivah, the mother said she really wants to be baptized and that she knows that there are changes in her life she needs to make, but for the first time she feels confident that she can make that change. We now officially are meeting with them every Wednesday. She is planning on coming to church regularly, probably with the whole family. We just need to line them up a ride! We are super excited for them :)

The next bit of news is one that is very interesting and really surprised me. On Thursday morning, I received a call from the Office Assistance. Turns out, that there was a missionary that was in the office about 6 months ago. He created a very complicated system for handling the weekly indicators, and with the new year, it's completely stopped working(it was having problems before). They called me in to see what I could do to address the problem. We discussed several ideas, but came to a conclusion that we may be able to fix the problem, but most likely it will fail again. In comes a brand new project that President Clark has asked that I work on, which is a new system that will work now, and will continue to work in the future, with no weird problems like we saw this year. So, believe it or not, I spent Thursday and Friday, the entire day, programming :) Don't worry...I'm not in the office, I'm still out in the field, but there is a chance that I'll either find myself taking several trips to the office, or I'll be in the office officially for a time. With the new influx of new missionaries, new areas, possibly new zones, the office needs someone who is capable of keeping the work effective and efficient, and I it sounds like the Lord has hand picked me to provide such a path. 

I did fix the original program for temporary means, but it will not last this next two transfers. In a total of 3 months we will have 40 new missionaries, and an increase of probably 10-15 new areas, and that system isn't made to handle those changes at all. I'm super excited to be able to use my talents in such a special way! Something that could expand to even greater depths...maybe even be used in other missions in the future.

Anyway, there is an interesting story to tell, from my experience in the office. On Friday, Elder Beaumier and Rowley joined Elder Facer and I in the office, and Elder Keller had a task for them. I stayed in the office, and Elder Keller, Beaumier, Rowley, and Facer went to the car dealer to get 3 new cars. That meant one missionary per car...you can probably already see the risks of this story haha. Well, Elder Beaumier did not know his way back to the office and while on the freeway, did not realize that the group turned off, and he continued driving. To make things worse, the phone was in his coat, which was in the mission office. Needless to say, he was lost in a city he's never been in, with really no resource. The office started a search party, and luckily Elder Beaumier was able to get a hold of a phone, and called President Clark(who by this point already knew and was looking for him), who came and picked him up. Ughhh...I officially lost my companion for 2 hours...It was weird! He's safe, and there really wasn't any problems...but it was crazy and it had me totally freaked! Haha

Anyway, Saturday, we had interviews with President Clark, who made the very true statement of, "We should of just done this in the office yesterday!" Lol It was good though. I truly believe that I have learned more true principles and developed the greatest change in these last 5 weeks, then I have at any given time in my life. This companionship was so inspired....It's been a learning experience because it's been honestly hard, but not without the great effects that I've been able to see. The change and trials that my companion has gone through are ones that would bring even the elite to their knees, but together we have championed over mountains and monsters of every sort, and we see success! It's so great! I love it! We may stay together next transfer, but whether we do or not, I know I've become a greater man in every aspect because of this short 5 weeks so far. I look forward to whatever happens.

Lastly, Sunday we had Danny, Connie, and Tiffany at church! They were awesome and stayed second hour and really enjoyed it. After they left, we had a discussion with the BML about them and their progress, and the affirmative action that we are receiving from the branch, is so awesome! Everyone is so willing to just love anyone who walks into the doors, and the Melching family feels and knows that. It's awesome!

We lastly, stopped by their place that night and had a pretty informal discussion with Tiffany about questions that she has just never asked yet. She told us, that nothing is going to stop her from being baptized...she's already made the decision because she knows it's true and she knows that God expects her to act on that. She did say that if it is possible to get there without a war with her dad, she would much rather pick that path, but if her dad says it's either him or baptism, she will pick baptism. As hard of a decision as that has to be, I truly am proud of her and her willingness to make such a sacrifice for what she knows is right. I know her mom and Danny, walking the same path, will be a door that will allow her to fulfill that desire. As we were leaving, we talked to Connie, and she told us that she is willing to do whatever the Lord asks her, to get her off of her addiction of smoking. We have just the thing :) We will be presenting the Stop-Smoking workshop this week to help her achieve that. Unfortunately, I will be in Belleville again during that lesson :( Exchanges can be a great thing, but sometimes they just land in inconvenient times lol. 

Anyway, Friday and Saturday I will be in the office again, which will be fun and exciting :) I look forward to telling you about transfer calls(I'll know on Saturday, what's happening). That does mean that I may be leaving Waterloo next Wednesday, so plan on mailing to the mission office this week to be sure the mail gets to me :)

I love you all! Have a wonderful week! :D
Elder Tyler Robinson

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

1/2/2013

Whew!! I've got some catching up to do!

First off, Merry Christmas! Happy New Year!!! I've made it past all the many parties and days off and officially am back on a regular proselyting schedule :)

There are quite a few things about the fun we had, that I wanted to share. First, where I left off last time, we had a party at one of the Mission Counselor's house. We played a bunch of games, and made some cookies for our investigators. We then watched some church videos and he shared his testimony with us. It was really fun!

That Thursday, we drove to Springfield, Illinois. It was on a day of a really nasty storm, but we faired out, left early and rocked the drive. We then, had an awesome white elephant, game time, and watched a movie(Snowball Express or something). It was a lot of fun...we then had an awesome musical run through of the story of the Birth of Christ. We then drove home at a very mild speed, and got home around 1 in the morning. We saw in that drive, probably 13 or so cars(mostly semi's) flipped, spun, tipped, and all other manners of wreckage. It was pretty nerve wracking. We made it though :)

Of course, Christmas Eve was a day off, as well as Christmas day. We watched Disney movies Christmas Eve with a member(Approved only for these two days), and we had an awesome time with the Dossett family and the McCann family on Christmas. Of course, it was really cool to get to talk to everyone again! The video was great! It was so cool!

We had a decent week between then and New Years, having met our expectations, knowing many people would be busy and gone. New Years Eve and New Years were also days off. We played games on New Years Eve, and New Years we cleaned our apartment and wrote a ton of letters(They'll be on their way soon!). New Years Eve, I downed a whole bottle of sparkling cider to start off the new year! :)

Just so everyone knows, our mission met the goal that we were working towards this year. At the beginning of the year, they set the goal for 365 baptisms this year. This is after the year before, where the goal was 345 and they were 8 short of the goal. We counted up our baptisms at the end of the year, and we had 372! :) We rocked it! I guess we'll have to set the goal much higher this year! :)

Anyway, that's really all for us at the moment! I love you all!! Hope you all had a wonderful holidays!! I definitely did!! :)

Love,
Elder Tyler Robinson

Oh yeah, I forgot to send my address :)

230 E Mill Apt C
Waterloo, Ill 62298

We are planning on moving soon, but we don't know where yet. We are apartment hunting.

I haven't stopped playing portal since I left ;)

I haven't stopped playing portal since I left ;)

The source of heat in our apartment

My desk and wall

My desk and wall

The stocking we got from President Dossett lol