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| My Comps and I at the Big Map |
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| District 51-E |
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| My Comps... Ready for the day!!!! |
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Letter dated 3/13/12
March 13, 2012
Dear Family and Friends,
Well the time has nearly come to leave this great country to the
land of heat, humidity, and spanish. I'm very excited and a little
nervous but I know the Lord will provide a way for me to over come all
the difficulties and succeed.
Mom I 'm not sure if you are aware but you used the word legit in
one of my letters. I just thought that was so funny. my mom is hip and
happenin. haha.
Thanks for not sending the jacket, I would
have just sent it right back home. The last week has been really nice.
It's another warm day and it's official: Spring is on the way. I have
printed some pictures and will send them home today. The rumors are true
I will be able to call home in the airport. this is my flight schedule:
Thursday 3/15/12
6:05 a.m. leave Salt Lake
9:50 a.m. arrive in Dallas
11:30 a.m. leave Dallas
3:10 p.m. arrive in Miami
7:05 pm leave Miami
9:10 pm arrive in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic!
I think these are all the local times of where I will be. I will
call home during my lay over in Miami so sometime in the afternoon so
get ready. I'll call mom's cell phone. I bought a pay phone card so I'll
use that. This is very exciting and i can't wait. I'm going to start
packing today.
sounds like the D.R. group mom is a part of is really
cool and very informational. Thanks for all the advice and info. I'm
sure it will help a lot.
Katie sent me a letter
and unfortunately I don't have her address. But it sounds like all is
well with her and the baby is fine. She said something about a tornado
which is scary and fortunate that it did not come any closer to them.
Sounds like they are working hard and living the life. Thank you Katie
and Gabe for the letter and all the love. I'm sure Gabe is right and
I'll learn much faster in the Dominican Republic.
Claire guess what?! I found someone here that knows the
turtle song and he gave me the rest of it: "my turtle swims sideways
your turtle swims upside down, my turtle swims sideways your turrtle is
dead..." I like our version better because turtles are cool and I want
them all to live and we just laugh hysterically after the first line. I
cut that part of the box out and kept it. It's on my desk in my room.
I'll talk to the rest of the clan in my handwritten letter I'm running out of time and I want to share some spiritual things:
I've
been receiving a lot of personal revelation about prayer lately. It
seems that no matter what class or what meeting I'm in we talk about
prayer.
In 1 Nephi 2 verse 1 i think (trying to hurry here) it says that
Nephi "spoke with God" and I have found myself too often talking at God
rather than co nversing with Him. I 'm not confident that many of the
prayers I've said in the past have made it past the ceiling of my room
because I just rattle off a bunch of routinish stuff. I want my prayers
to penetrate the heavens and make it all the way to Heaven. As I've been
trying to do this more I've had great experiences so I want to
challenge all of you and ask you When was the last time you SPOKE with
God? the last time you really and truly bore you heart and sould to God
and like the King of the Lamanites Cried Mightily unto God. he was
willing to give all he had just to know if God was real and he was not
disappointed and I know that God will answer our prayers when we cry
with all our might unto God.
Dad you were right there are many that are here are not
ready and not in the right state of mind to be missionaries. It's
difficult to work with these individuals because they just don't
understand. It 's frustrating and I'm not ruling myself out either. I
need to be better and eliminate distractions in my life and stay
focused and it is difficult.
out of time again!!!!!!!!!!!!!! gRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR.
I will tell more in a written letter which by the time you receive it I'll be in the D.R.
Love Elder Robinson
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Letter dated March 6, 2012 (2)
March 6, 2012 (Handwritten letter)
Dear Family and Friends,
Thank you all for the packages and the letters you have sent. I love to receive mail and it seems that I have too much to read. There's just not time. I tried to just email this week but there's just not enough time! Mom and Dad thank you for your many encouraging words and experiences. They lift me up.
I never thought trying to stay together as a companionship would be so hard. There are 3 of us so that makes it that much harder. But Elder Montgomery kinda lives in his own little world and goes off with Elder Timmons a lot. We could potentially get in a lot of trouble. I've talked to him about it and we are communicating better. Elder Shimamoto talks a little more and is going to be starting the lesson tomorrow. I made flashcards for him and we've been working on memorizing words. Right now we are trying to teach and work in unity so that we all have an equal presence and not one person (usually me because I know more Spanish) dominates the lesson. It's gonna take time to figure this all out but I know we can do it.
Okay now it's time for me to tell you about a couple funny language hiccups. In one of the lessons with Hilario, Elder Timmons and Elder Taylor were talking about baptism and they asked him if he would be baptised. And when Elder Timmons asked him, he asked him if he'd be baptised tomorrow. Haha. He responded "Oh, muy rapido!". In one lesson we were teaching I committed him to come to church but when I asked him I asked if he would come to church on Saturday. Haha. I'm sure there will be many more stories like these later on but I thought you might like that.
Thank you for being such good examples to me. The temple is amazing. I've been able to go and do an endowment session and when we came out there was a beautiful sunset. I took pictures and I will send some soon. I think about all of you all the time and know that we will all be blessed as we strive to keep the commandments of God.
There have been some tie trades and I was able to acquire a nice semi-slender red multi-tone striped tie. I traded my orange striped one for it. Elder Shimamoto has a nice green paisley tie that I'd like to strike a deal for but he seems hesitant. We will see...
Just 9 more days until I'm leavin' on a jet plane. If the rumors are true I'll get to call home the day we travel but we'll see. I love you all and pray for you daily.
A Dios (to God)
Elder Robinson
Dear Family and Friends,
Thank you all for the packages and the letters you have sent. I love to receive mail and it seems that I have too much to read. There's just not time. I tried to just email this week but there's just not enough time! Mom and Dad thank you for your many encouraging words and experiences. They lift me up.
I never thought trying to stay together as a companionship would be so hard. There are 3 of us so that makes it that much harder. But Elder Montgomery kinda lives in his own little world and goes off with Elder Timmons a lot. We could potentially get in a lot of trouble. I've talked to him about it and we are communicating better. Elder Shimamoto talks a little more and is going to be starting the lesson tomorrow. I made flashcards for him and we've been working on memorizing words. Right now we are trying to teach and work in unity so that we all have an equal presence and not one person (usually me because I know more Spanish) dominates the lesson. It's gonna take time to figure this all out but I know we can do it.
Okay now it's time for me to tell you about a couple funny language hiccups. In one of the lessons with Hilario, Elder Timmons and Elder Taylor were talking about baptism and they asked him if he would be baptised. And when Elder Timmons asked him, he asked him if he'd be baptised tomorrow. Haha. He responded "Oh, muy rapido!". In one lesson we were teaching I committed him to come to church but when I asked him I asked if he would come to church on Saturday. Haha. I'm sure there will be many more stories like these later on but I thought you might like that.
Thank you for being such good examples to me. The temple is amazing. I've been able to go and do an endowment session and when we came out there was a beautiful sunset. I took pictures and I will send some soon. I think about all of you all the time and know that we will all be blessed as we strive to keep the commandments of God.
There have been some tie trades and I was able to acquire a nice semi-slender red multi-tone striped tie. I traded my orange striped one for it. Elder Shimamoto has a nice green paisley tie that I'd like to strike a deal for but he seems hesitant. We will see...
Just 9 more days until I'm leavin' on a jet plane. If the rumors are true I'll get to call home the day we travel but we'll see. I love you all and pray for you daily.
A Dios (to God)
Elder Robinson
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Letter dated March 6, 2012 (1)
March 6, 2012
Dear Mom,
Elder Robinson
Dear Mom,
My p-day is Tuesday but I only have one more here before we leave
to go to The Dominican Republic!!!! I did get your Dearelder letters and
I am very thankful for them. I feel so loved and i think about my
family everyday. Thank you for the girl scout cookies and the other
package I got last week. Sam sent me a package with a bunch of good in
it and he also sent me a letter so that's nice.
This past week has been alright. More learning and more stress. I'm
working hard and trying not to be a stick in the mud: we're all
missionaries but even servants called of God try to bend the rules.
Elder Shimamoto is learning more spanish and opening up more. He is now
the senior companion and it's been going well. Elder Montgomery isthe
district leader and has kinda been abusing that power: you're allowed to
go on exchanges with another missionary for temporary illness, and
exercising during gym time but he's been going off with Elder Timmons a
lot which is frustrating because we are supposed to be with one another
all the time. It's difficult to be exactly obedient when your companion
isn't on the same page. We've talked about it and it has been better.
Elder Holland came last Tuesday for the devotional. It was amazing!
you should all try to look up that devotional and watch it. He is so
powerful when he speaks. Some quotes: pull up your socks to your armpits
and go to work.
When you come back I want this to be so ingrained and imprinted in you that nothing will ever take it away.
Be
your first investigator and your first convert and don't you dare come
back without being changed. And don't you dare hang up your mission like
a used towel when you get home.
"This is Real Life, this is the closest you will ever get to REAL LIFE!"
Alex
Boye came on sunday and shared his conversion story and he sang for us.
It was so cool. He is so amazing and funny! you shoud try and look up
the fireside so you can watch it. it was sooooo good.
One of my teachers: Hermano Russell said something that
I thought was really profound: "That badge is the heaviest thing I've
ever worn, but the hands that hold you up are the strongest." He is so
wise and is a really good teacher. Spanish is still hard and I don't
know if that will ever change. But I'm determined to work hard and learn
as much as possible.
I got my travel plans and we leave March 15. We fly to
Fort Worth Texas Elder Montgomery's home town) then we fly to Florida
then to Santo Domingo. So I'll get to write one more time before I
leave. Don't send any letters or packages unless you know for certain
the will make it to me before I leave. I assume they will send me an
email with my address in Santo Domingo but I'm not sure. I will let you
know. I'm so excited! This is really happening. I know it will be hard
because this will total and complete immersion into spanish like I've
not experienced. It will be good though.
So our first investigator that we taught probably 5-6
times has now become our teacher. Hilario is actually Hermano
Defigueiredo who went to Nicaragua on his mission and taught, converted,
and baptised, the real Hilario. It was a cool experience and good
practice. we are now going to be teaching Hermano Russell who will be
playing the part of Antonio who we assume he taught on his mission. This
place is awesome. They really have this whole teaching thing down to a
science.
Well i have only a minute left to send this email. I
only get 30 minutes every p-day. so I will send a letter as well with
more information and less rushed, scatter brained thoughts.
Friday, March 2, 2012
Letter - dated 2/28/2012
Hola mi familia!
Almost a week in and the days seem like weeks. I've been working hard and doing my best. I've learned a lot and have taught 3 lessons in Spanish to an investigator. I always get really nervous and scared. I need to have more faith that God will help me as I do His will.
It's strange to think that not even a week ago I was in the temple with Mom and Dad. Time has really flown by.
This has been the craziest, most difficult, hard and emotionally draining thing I've ever done. It's this crazy emotional roller coaster and at one moment I'm so happy to be here and the next I'm about to cry because they just told me I was teaching in 5 minutes. Needless to say I find myself being humbled all the time.
I know more Spanish after 6 days in the MTC than I learned in the 2 years of Spanish class I took in high school. I memorized the missionary purpose:
"Invitor a las personas a renir a cristo al ayudor las que recibeh el Evangero restaurado mediante lafe en Jesu Cristo y so edrianion, el arrepentimiento, el bautismo, le recepcion del don del Espirito Santo y el preseverar hasta el fin." (please excuse the spelling, etc).
I'm working on memorizing the first vision. It's a little harder and longer. I've learned to pray and to bear a basic, simple testimony.
Mom and Dad, thank you for the letters, and everyone else too: Alaura, Mom, Dad, Noah, Nikelle, ... I feel so loved by all of you. I got 11 letters yesterday. Well, it was 11 separate sheets of paper that had continuing letters on them. The point is I love to hear from you all and I promise I will write back to you.
Did you go see Fiddler on the roof? How did Jeremiah do? How is school going for everyone? How is Katie feeling? We're almost in the last term of the school, right? Are Taft and Claire still getting 4.0's?
Doctrine & Covenants 31: 1-2. This is a good scripture for me because it helps me remember where my focus needs to be and to trust in Heavenly Father. Yesterday one of the MTC teachers from the class next door came to our class and got me, Elder Shimamoto, and Elder Montgomery because she has a trio companionship in her class and they needed to practice teaching - which we were okay with...then she said that we would teach them too. This was all in Spanish by the way. When she said we would teach we all rejected the opportunity and shied away from the chance to teach. She kept saying "Where is your faith?", "Where is your faith?" She told us we could teach in English so we said we would do it. We went and taught and were taught and it was a good experience. Elder Brusco taught me some really good things about the Atonement: I need to let go of all my pride, fear, nervousness, anxiety, discouragement and any other negative feelings I had and give them to Christ. He atoned for me: my sins and my negative feelings. He will help me every time I just have to ask.
We have a devotional tonight. Every Tuesday night one of the General Authorities of the church comes and gives a devotional. I'm very excited for this.
So far I have done well in heeding everyone's advice: I haven't drank any orange juice, and I haven't had any ice cream bars (apparently they are like potato chips and you can't have just one). I'm working hard, studying hard, and having some fun.
To save paper, postage stamps, and envelopes I included my letter to Noah and now I will include one to Alaura and Parker, assuming they'll be able to view it on the blog:
Parker and Alaura,
Thank you for the letter. I will serve Heavenly Father for you and our whole family. I'm doing well. Please write me again, I love to hear about your lives in the beautiful Cache Valley.
Love,
Elder Robinson
I love you all and will keep you updated on my life and the spiritual growth I am receiving. May God hold you in the Hollow of His Hand.
Elder Robinson
Almost a week in and the days seem like weeks. I've been working hard and doing my best. I've learned a lot and have taught 3 lessons in Spanish to an investigator. I always get really nervous and scared. I need to have more faith that God will help me as I do His will.
It's strange to think that not even a week ago I was in the temple with Mom and Dad. Time has really flown by.
This has been the craziest, most difficult, hard and emotionally draining thing I've ever done. It's this crazy emotional roller coaster and at one moment I'm so happy to be here and the next I'm about to cry because they just told me I was teaching in 5 minutes. Needless to say I find myself being humbled all the time.
I know more Spanish after 6 days in the MTC than I learned in the 2 years of Spanish class I took in high school. I memorized the missionary purpose:
"Invitor a las personas a renir a cristo al ayudor las que recibeh el Evangero restaurado mediante lafe en Jesu Cristo y so edrianion, el arrepentimiento, el bautismo, le recepcion del don del Espirito Santo y el preseverar hasta el fin." (please excuse the spelling, etc).
I'm working on memorizing the first vision. It's a little harder and longer. I've learned to pray and to bear a basic, simple testimony.
Mom and Dad, thank you for the letters, and everyone else too: Alaura, Mom, Dad, Noah, Nikelle, ... I feel so loved by all of you. I got 11 letters yesterday. Well, it was 11 separate sheets of paper that had continuing letters on them. The point is I love to hear from you all and I promise I will write back to you.
Did you go see Fiddler on the roof? How did Jeremiah do? How is school going for everyone? How is Katie feeling? We're almost in the last term of the school, right? Are Taft and Claire still getting 4.0's?
Doctrine & Covenants 31: 1-2. This is a good scripture for me because it helps me remember where my focus needs to be and to trust in Heavenly Father. Yesterday one of the MTC teachers from the class next door came to our class and got me, Elder Shimamoto, and Elder Montgomery because she has a trio companionship in her class and they needed to practice teaching - which we were okay with...then she said that we would teach them too. This was all in Spanish by the way. When she said we would teach we all rejected the opportunity and shied away from the chance to teach. She kept saying "Where is your faith?", "Where is your faith?" She told us we could teach in English so we said we would do it. We went and taught and were taught and it was a good experience. Elder Brusco taught me some really good things about the Atonement: I need to let go of all my pride, fear, nervousness, anxiety, discouragement and any other negative feelings I had and give them to Christ. He atoned for me: my sins and my negative feelings. He will help me every time I just have to ask.
We have a devotional tonight. Every Tuesday night one of the General Authorities of the church comes and gives a devotional. I'm very excited for this.
So far I have done well in heeding everyone's advice: I haven't drank any orange juice, and I haven't had any ice cream bars (apparently they are like potato chips and you can't have just one). I'm working hard, studying hard, and having some fun.
To save paper, postage stamps, and envelopes I included my letter to Noah and now I will include one to Alaura and Parker, assuming they'll be able to view it on the blog:
Parker and Alaura,
Thank you for the letter. I will serve Heavenly Father for you and our whole family. I'm doing well. Please write me again, I love to hear about your lives in the beautiful Cache Valley.
Love,
Elder Robinson
I love you all and will keep you updated on my life and the spiritual growth I am receiving. May God hold you in the Hollow of His Hand.
Elder Robinson
Sunday, February 26, 2012
1st MTC Letter
Dear Family,
I love you all and my first day has been long, fun, exciting and sleepy. Haha. I'm in a companionship trio (3 missionaries). My companions are Elder Montgomery from Fort Worth, Texas and Elder Shimamoto from Hawaii. We all have girlfriends...We are all together here for 3 weeks, then we go to Santo Domingo. They are both going to Santo Domingo East. (Hunter is going to Santiago West).
When we first went to class our teacher was only speaking Spanish to us so that was crazy. It made me very happy to have a little knowledge of the language. This is going to be hard but really really good. I like my companions, Elder Shimamoto is kinda quiet so I'm trying to ask him questions and get him involved in the conversation.
My estimated departure date to Santo Domingo is March 15, 2012.
I'm overwhelmed and tired but I am very happy.
With Love,
Elder Hunter Allen Robinson
I love you all and my first day has been long, fun, exciting and sleepy. Haha. I'm in a companionship trio (3 missionaries). My companions are Elder Montgomery from Fort Worth, Texas and Elder Shimamoto from Hawaii. We all have girlfriends...We are all together here for 3 weeks, then we go to Santo Domingo. They are both going to Santo Domingo East. (Hunter is going to Santiago West).
When we first went to class our teacher was only speaking Spanish to us so that was crazy. It made me very happy to have a little knowledge of the language. This is going to be hard but really really good. I like my companions, Elder Shimamoto is kinda quiet so I'm trying to ask him questions and get him involved in the conversation.
My estimated departure date to Santo Domingo is March 15, 2012.
I'm overwhelmed and tired but I am very happy.
With Love,
Elder Hunter Allen Robinson
Hunter's MTC Address
Elder Hunter Allen Robinson
MTC Mailbox #298
DOM-SANT 0315
2005 N. 900 E.
Provo, Utah 84604-1793
MTC Mailbox #298
DOM-SANT 0315
2005 N. 900 E.
Provo, Utah 84604-1793
Dropping Off Hunter @ MTC (Pictures)
Hunter entered the MTC in Provo on Wednesday, February 22, 2012. We went to the temple early and enjoyed a sweet spirit of peace. We relaxed at home finishing up the packing, skyped with Katie and talked to Parker, then the rest of the kids came home from school around 11:00 am. We had lunch together and laughed a bunch, then piled in the car for the ride to Provo. We took some pictures by the temple, then drove over to the MTC where we were met by the host elders. They were all smiles and gave all of us lots of upbeat encouragement. Hunter gave us hugs all around, then a huge smile. He said he was ready to go, and that he loved us. Then he turned and walked toward the building with his shoulders back and a determined step. We were proud, worried, sad, excited, lonely and very happy. It is amazing how you can feel so many emotions all at once.
Mom
Here are the pictures we took minutes before dropping off Hunter at the MTC. The ride from Pleasant Grove to Provo was filled with laughter and the singing.... We all held our breath a little as we rounded the last turn and the MTC came into view. The parking lot across from the MTC was full of cars and families all saying their last farewell. I expected this to be a bit more difficult than it actually was. Hunter was very ready... there were'nt many tears... lots of smiles... very joyful... It's a very rewarding experience to see this happen. Lisa and I are deeply indebted to many family members, friends and neighbors who have played important roles in Hunter's life.
Dad
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| Huh? |
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| Proud parents... |
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| Hunter & The Crew |
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| Well... let's go... |
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| And they checked every car coming in... |
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| Did you bring a cell phone or car keys... you won't need them here.. |
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| I'm ready... |
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| Oh man... this IS it.... Noah and Taft.... give him Heaven |
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| Take care Sis... |
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| Going... Going..... |
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| Gone...!!!!! Yea.... |
Hunter's MTC Address
We received the first letter from Hunter. Here is Hunter's MTC address.
Elder Hunter Allen Robinson
MTC Mailbox #298
DOM-SANT 0315
2005 N. 900 E.
Provo, Utah 84604-1793
Elder Hunter Allen Robinson
MTC Mailbox #298
DOM-SANT 0315
2005 N. 900 E.
Provo, Utah 84604-1793
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Hunter's Address Feb 12, 2012 Young Single Adult Ward
Hunter's Address Feb 20, 2012 Grove Creek 7th Ward
He's on his way....click the link below to view and download Hunter's contact information.
Hunter Robinson - PDF
Hunter's Address Feb 20, 2012 Grove Creek 7th Ward
He's on his way....click the link below to view and download Hunter's contact information.
Hunter Robinson - PDF
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