Semana Numero Cuatro 3/11/19

Well today is officially a month since I got to the field! 

This week we had zone conference. It was pretty good in terms of gaining more knowledge about being a more successful missionary. 

As the days go on, the love I have for these people grows. My companion and I had a lesson with this man named Sergio and it lasted 2 and a half hours! The people are so friendly and love to talk. While we were at Sergio's, he fed us a chicken that still had the organs left in it so I had some chicken liver that was kind of weird. 

We went to this guy's house who is an ex gang leader and drug dealer named Moses and we got him to come to church! That was super cool! 

The Zepeda kids, are getting baptized in 12 days and I'm excited to see them progress! We stopped by the other night and gave them all their own copy of the book of mormon with their names written inside of it. It was really cool to see that as they saw their name written in the top of the first page, the book became more personal to them.

I was able to mow Randell's lawn and do some yard work for him the other day. We were planning on doing some more labor work for him this morning, so we were in our work clothes and went to his house. He wasn't there and we called him with no answer. He finally texted us and said that he'll let us know when he gets home. We went to a dollar store and a convenience store to waste a little time before he called. I then said to my companion that we should go to Carl's Jr. to get something to eat. He agreed and when we walked in, there was Randell! We ate lunch with him and now we're at the library together (again!). I thought it was my stomach telling me to go there for lunch, but I guess it was the spirit!

I know that as I follow every prompting the spirit gives me, blessings will happen for those who needs the missionaries at that time. I love you all! Have a great week!

-Elder Robins

A Porch Full O' Yeehaws 3/4/19

Okay! So this week was pretty interesting! We've been teaching this guy named Randell (Who's actually sitting next to me at the public library right now). Don't worry he can't see my screen. So anyway, we've been teaching him and It's been hard for him to see that God loves him. He's been in accidents that have left his right side of his body mostly immovable and wears a few braces and limps everywhere. I've been able to relate to him on the physical pain aspect, which is why he's been willing to listen to us in the first place. We finally got him to read the book of mormon and he said that he would read it from start to finish! I was also able, through the promptings of the spirit, to promise his full recovery through time as he reads and prays daily. That was super cool!

I was also able to go on exchanges this week. Elder Cloward and I were tracting with a member who actually served in the same mission we served in! He had 52 baptisms while he was serving so we were trying to learn from him as much as he could. There was this lady who screamed at us and said "I DO NOT TALK TO MORMONS" and brother king was like "That's fine, we see that you're not ready to let Christ into your life. When you are ready, let us know."

And she absolutely freaked out at us! She was like 'NO NO NO you listen here! I read from the Torah and I am saved!" And he said "You wanna talk about it?"

Haha it was super funny!

Have a good week everyone!

-Elder Robins

Officially One Month 2/25/19

Alright! so It's officially been one month on the mission a few days ago! I honestly love it so far and the people and the area are amazing! 

So my companion and I had a really cool experience happen to us the other day. We had about 20 minutes of time in between appointments so we prayed about which of the "former investigators" to go to. We went to a couple of houses that didn't answer the door. We then went to a house a little farther than we were but felt we should go there. When we pulled up to his house, he was outside looking through a window. He told us his name was Sergio Jasso and that he locked his keys in his house and he was late for a hair cutting appointment. He was like "You're skinny" as he pointed to me and asked if we could retrieve his keys for him. 

My companion boosted me up to this window, which was covered by a dresser, and I was able to squeeze in and get his keys and unlock his door to the house. 

He then stated that he had recently gotten a DUI and was praying to God for forgiveness and he wanted to turn his life around! What a blessing! 

We set up an appointment for yesterday and it went extremely well! We also have an appointment today as well!

Another cool thing that happened yesterday was that we went over to the Zepeda's house to "bless the house". There was some miscommunication and i guess we were supposed to do that tonight instead. Since we were there, we decided to give a lesson. Joanna and her Husband Moses have been baptized, but Moses is a heavy drinker and kind of abusive. Joanna is awesome! her testimony is very strong and she is the rock of the family! She just got out of jail and is now clean from drugs so that's really cool! They have 4 kids and 3 of them are over the age of 8, so we had a lesson on baptism and got the 3 kids to confirm their baptism date for the 16th of March! I think that their baptisms will help Moses as well!

I love Y'all!!

-Elder Robins 

Hereford 2/18/19

Hello all, I'm in my first area right now! It's a town called Hereford, Texas! (Pronounced Her-ferd)
So Texas is awesome! My area is the beef capital of the world! There are millions of cows here! And it smells like it! My branch has about 40 members in it with about 20 who come regularly. So it's a little different than what I'm used to. Our area stretches a couple hundred miles or so in every direction! We have a bunch of little small towns! 

My companion is Elder Morrison and he's pretty cool! I think we work really well together! When I got to Texas, I slept in some other missionary's apartments for the first few nights and I finally got to my apartment about 3 days into it. The people here are fantastic! Most of the population is Hispanic and the others are straight cowboys! All of them however love to talk! I had an hour long conversation with this guy this morning and I said maybe 5 words!

Also the food is so so so good!

As I've only been here a short period of time I've been able to bear my testimony of the restored gospel. I love my savior and I love all of you! I hope you have a great week! 

- Spencer 

President and Sr. Hales

Last P-Day at the MTC 2/9/19

Alright! So this week was pretty awesome! The MTC added a new program recently where the missionaries go and teach members a little lesson, and then ask for referrals. Apparently the lady in the room we went in didn't get the memo because when we went into the room, we started talking her (as members talk to each other I guess) and she was like "Well I just kind of want to learn more about your church." So it turns out that she was catholic and thought we were there to teach her, so, on the spot, my companion and I taught a 30 min lesson to her and the spirit was so strong! You could see in her eyes that she was starting to get answers to questions she had had. She was very happy and it was an amazing experience! After we taught her, we went up to the front desk and told them what had happened. Maybe because it was a new program that there were some mix ups or something. Anyway, we probably stole an investigator from another pair of missionaries..oops! (Not sorry) 

But yeah! I'm excited to leave in a couple of days! I am kind of nervous but I'll be alright. I've already learned so much at the MTC and It's been cool to see our investigator's heart change right in front of me. Ever since I've been here, teaching and relating to the needs of the people has come very easily to me. A lot of my fellow District members come to me for advice all the time so that's pretty cool!

I love you all!

-Elder Robins

Week 2 at the MTC 2/4/19

Alright, so last week I apparently put my whole email into to subject bar and you guys weren't afraid to call me out on it, haha! It totally seems like something I would do so I thought it was pretty funny!

My week was pretty exciting though! My companion and I set our first baptismal date with one of our TRC's (Investigators) which was very rewarding to see!

I can feel the spirit so strongly here. I'll prepare lessons and then when we get to the appointment, we don't even use most of the material because the Spirit is telling us to do otherwise. I can definitely feel myself and my companion getting better at teaching, and stronger in the Gospel.

Also, my district was assigned to be hosts for the new missionaries on Wednesday, so I get to see a lot of crying moms. Just kidding. But we're really excited about that as well!

-Elder Robins 

First P-Day at MTC 1/28/19

Hey everyone! Today is my first Preparation day, and I wanted to let all of you know that the MTC is amazing! I definitely love it here and the spirit is so strong all the time! 

A couple of days ago I was called as district leader for my district and I love the Elders and Sisters I've been serving with! Actually 10 out of the 12 people in my district are going to the same mission as I am! So we're really getting along and It's great. 

The spirit is so strong here all the time! It makes the classes go by much faster! I love you all!!!! 

Elder Robins