Lessons Sister Robinson Learned in the MTC

A week from now I'll be leaving on a jet plane for HONG KONG!

The District! We got our new Canto nametags, but you can't really tell...

I couldn't be more excited, but I still don't think it feels real yet! When you're in the MTC for this long you begin to think that this is all a mission is and that you'll just be doing this forever! Can't wait to get out there and get to work!

This will be my last email home from here, so I figured I'll just a few of the many lessons Sister Robinson learned in the MTC!

1. It IS possible to ball too hard on the basketball court. We were playing lighting this week and I tore a big hole in the fabric part of my shoe...

2.  Which leads me to lesson #2. Anything can be fixed with duct tape. Really I've been taught this from a young age (thanks dad) but it's now been put to the test and it works! So far so good. My shoes are holding up just great! I figure I'll just get some new ones in Hong Kong. :)

3. There's this thing in the residence called the give away box, and it's essentially the DI of the MTC! It's the best! I've acquired some pretty great things... I got this awesome Hawaiian wrap thing that makes for a pretty good cape on some nights. I also got this sweet huge vase that I filled with a mega bag of M&M's that a Cambo Sister left me. It adds some personality to our room. I also found a Magic 8 ball which is pretty entertaining. No ugly sweaters have yet to be found, but I still have 7 more days here, so keep your fingers crossed.

4. Everybody's trying their best and that's just something that's important to remember. Easy to forget, but important to remember. Patience is something I've never been very good at, and something I'm working real hard on improving. Remembering how patient and forgiving our Savior is has helped me realize how much better I need to be.

Cleaning with the Bubble Gun…definitely a highlight

5. HAVE FUN!! We're missionaries, but we're still people! Be obedient, but have fun! Wear crazy socks in the residence. Have fun with the service assignments. My district is amazing and we've found a great balance of having fun and staying focused and working hard! And if you ask me, that's about the only way to do it! Laughing is what has got me through the MTC. I laugh at everything. And some people make fun of me for it, but sometimes you just have to laugh about it or you'll go crazy!!

KaeLee Rawson sent me WAFFLES!!! Along with tinfoil and handwarmers to heat them up!
Not to netion a pair of sockss from Alaska.  Let's just say she knows me too well!

6. There is incredible power in bearing your testimony! I knew the gospel was true before my mission. I thought I had a pretty decent testimony. I think I was pretty prepared for how hard this was going to be, but I don't think I was really prepared for how much my testimony would grow! I think a lot of that is due to the opportunity I have to share my testimony very frequently. I mean that's basically all we do! And the knowledge that I've already had has been solidified through the constant bearing of testimony. Create opportunities to bear your testimony!

7. One of the most powerful way to bear your testimony is through your actions. John H. Groberg (spelling??) came here and gave a devotional where he talked about the different ways that we can share testimony. He said, "Sometimes the best ways to share your testimony is to see something that needs to be done, and to just do it." Great power comes from looking to act, rather than sitting around and waiting for the Lord to change your situation.

8. Missionaries can't do ANYTHING without the spirit. We can't teach, we can't testify, we can't learn, we can't speak Cantonese. We aren't even any good at four square without the spirit. You laugh, but I'm dead serious! The companionship of the spirit is the key to success in EVERYTHING!

9. "You know you're speaking by the spirit when you learn something." -Kevin J. Worthen (Yes, I understand I'm quoting the president of BYU.) But it's true! There have been times where I'll be talking and I'll say something and think, "Hey, that was pretty good! I should write that down." And those are the moments when you know that you're talking by the spirit! It's a super cool thing. The Holy Ghost is amazing. Certainly someone that I don't think we give enough credit to or fully even begin to understand. But I'm so grateful for Him in all His roles! All are very much necessary!

All the Canto Sisters

10. Learning Cantonese is hard. Gama! (Duh) It's all good though, because the Lord's got my back! He's got everybody's back! And with His help, everything is possible! He wants us to succeed and if we're willing to put in the work, he's willing to make sure to help us succeed.

11. That being said. Success isn't always what we think it is! If we keep his commandments He promises to immediately bless us. We don't get to choose those blessings, but they always come! Same with success. If we work hard, we will always have success, but we don't always get to choose the success. 

12. The answer to everything is hard work. Tired? Work harder. Can't figure out how to speak the language? Work harder. Homesick? Work harder. When we are using our agency to act and work our very hardest, the Lord will bless us! Like I said. He's always got your back!

13. The Lord loves everyone SO much!! I've felt His love for me and I've been able to feel just a little bit of His love for others. His love is infinant. We are not able to fully comprehend it, but it's there and it's real and it's available to everyone!

Next to Scott Wilcox a friend from USU

Next to KJ Adachi another USU friend

Well there you have it. I could never even begin to tell you everything that I've learned here. Basically I'm just filled with gratitude for this opportunity to come closer to my Savior and help Him in His work, which is to help His children come unto Him. Next time you hear from me I'll be in HONG KONG!!! AH. So stoked. Thanks for all your love and continued support! The Church is true! The Atonement is real! God has a plan and it's a real good one! He always knows best! And everything always works out!

Joi gin!! Ngoh ngoi leih deih!

Love,
Sis Rob