April 5, 2012
Hola
This week has been good. Last Thursday when we went to the Colonial
Zone we learned a lot about the history of this place and the
significance of all the really cool old buildings and landmarks around
Santo Domingo. We went to the oldest Catholic church in the Americas
which is over 500 years old. I wish I knew more about the Catholic
faith, it seems very interesting to me. We also saw museums and the
house of Columbus' brother. Really cool. I took a bunch of pictures but
my battery on my camera died about halfway through the day...I sent the
sd card home in a letter which had about 300 pictures on it. Did you
get it yet? I've not received the package yet but I am ever hopeful,
maybe today. One thing that helped us all remember that we are
missionaries is while we were at the colonial zone Elder Montgomery was
expressing how excited he is to be in the mission field (the colonial
zone is in his mission boundaries) and President Glazier said, Oh yeah,
how many people did you talk to? And we did not talk to any about the
gospel...Be prepared is what we all learned from that experience, no
matter where you are there will always be an opportunity to share the
gospel.
On Friday we were supposed to go contacting at the university but
apparently there was some huge political riot going on there. Apparently
they happen all the time. Have no fear we didn't even leave the MTC and
all is well.
General Conference was amazing. It's always good to hear from the
brethren and leaders of this great church. There was a big emphasis on
families and teaching them to have spiritual experiences so that they
can learn to exercise their agency properly. I related this to
investiagors: we need to teach them simply as children and provide
special spiritual experiences for them. Now that conference is over SO
WHAT? What are you going to do about it? We have just heard inspired
words from God through His chosen servants and now what are you going to
do about it? I've realized that too many times I've watched, listened,
and read the conference talks and just said "that was a good message"
and done nothing else. That is not what conference is for. The inspired
servants of God have given us messages that God sees are needful for us
and we need to act on them.
Sounds like the Robinson home is hopping as usual with guests and
school and all the other things that make our lives beautiful. It sounds
like Taft has acted on what he learned from conference with deciding to
do trek instead of the play. I know that must have been a tough choice.
I'm not even that in to theater and I want to be in that play. Well
done. You have your priorities straight and know what is truly
important. Keep up the hard work and continue to involve God in your
decisions and you will be blessed and he will help you. Don't stress
about the tests just study hard and try your best.
Claire: Keep singing blondie, fill the house with your beautiful
voice and let others feel your spirit when you sing. I want to try and
use my hymns made easy book to learn how to play at least the top hand
of some hymns wish me luck! Clear Creek sounds like fun, I never went
but some of my friends did and they always said how cool it was. do it!
Almost at the end!
Noah: I'm so happy you are playing lacrosse, do you love it? how do
you play? what position do you like? are you using my stick? how's my
room treating you? it's pretty cool to be downstairs huh? I know
lacrosse can be hard because there is a lot of running but I know you
can do it! I always wished I had played lacrosse. Score one for me. How
was your first game? Keep up the hard work and continue to play cuz your
a kid and that's what you're supposed to do right?
So happy Katie gets to be home for a little while. That should be a
lot of fun, she sent me pictures and she looks great and I saw the
ultrasounds too. That's my nephew!
The Latinos speak fast and usually just give up on us and tell us
to tell them in english if they understand a little english. We will be
persistent and speak spanish and get made fun of I'm sure.
On Monday we were cleaning up the temple grounds for service and
there was this guy there basically soliciting us to buy leather
personalized scripture cases. Well I got some: One for my triple
combination, Bible and himn book. All for get ready to
crinch........$90.....It seems like a lot and it is but they are really
nice and I've seen R.M.s with similar ones and have always wanted
some... I'll send pictures when I get them. On Tuesday we had the
opportunity to go to the store and buy some things with our pesos! it
was fun I got some soap and other essentials and some gym shorts and two
nice ties. I spent about $30 on all of it which in my opinion isn't
bad. But when they were ringing me up at the cash register and it said
$1520 pesos I thought I was rich or something. It's about 38 pesos for
every American dollar. Things cost a little less or about the same here.
After we had purchased our goods we were waiting for our ride and I had
brought a couple restoration pamphlets (be prepared remember?) so elder
Relf and I taught someone while we waited and he seemed interested and
started reading the pamphelt as we walked away and said he would call
the phone number on the back. Cool Experience.
The Temple was good today. I only have 2 more times in the temple
until I come home because since I'm in the Santiago mission I won't get
to the temple once I leave the MTC, the other missions have the
opportunity to go every once in a while and if they have a family or a
couple that they teach come to get sealed they make arrangements so the
missionaries can come and be here at the temple for the sealings.
It was pouring rain when we got out of the temple which is fun, I
love the weather here. People keep telling me that I'll tan and I can
honestly say that I don't believe it for a second.
I've sent a couple letters to Justice, any signs that he has
received them? Will you try to reach out to him and befriend him? I
haven't been a very active friend the last few years and I know that it
has had an effect on him. Please do all you can to help him know he is
loved by many people around him and that God loves him.
Don't send anymore physical letters or packages or anything to me
here at the MTC chances are if you do they will get here after I have
left. I don't know my address for where I will be yet. Unless it is the
mission home for the Santiago mission which I have but not with me right
now, maybe you can look it up online.... sorry I know that's not much
help.
Well another week has gone by and there is much work to do.
I love you and think about you and pray for you often
Elder Robinson
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