March 20, 2013
Dear Family,
Elder Taft Robinson will
be entering the Wisconsin, Milwaukee mission on July 24!? That's so
crazy to think about! It's weird to think that there will be another Elder Robinson
out there...So while I'm here in the D.R. dying of heatstroke year
round Taft can be dying of hypothermia there in Milwaukee. haha He'll
probably get tired of seeing snow while I would pay money to feel a cold
breeze. haha. No enough comparisons, seriously the Wisconsin, Milwaukee
mission is the best mission in the world.
Katie and Gabe are going to Ohio and then Virginia so us Robinsons
are all spread out. It's good that Parker and Alaura will be returning
to the happy valley. it'll be cool to have them close when I arrive
there as well.
The first week in La Vega has been interesting. coming from 4 months
in the countryside to the loud city of La Vega is a little different.
There is constant noise and more drunk people than I've seen up until
this point in my mission so that's sad, kinda scary, and also a little
funny.
My comp is awesome. Elder Castro knows a ton and is a great missionary and we are already great friends!
Time
is running short. sorry mom that these letters seem to be getting
shorter and shorter but there are a lot of people that write me and a
lot to write. I hope you understand.
It's hot and sweaty and happy
Elder Robinson
Thursday, June 13, 2013
Email letter dated March 13, 2013 'I'm a Step-Father!'
March 13, 2013
Howdy Y'all!
I am currently in Conani, La Vega. that's right folks, today is transfer day and I learned in zone meeting Yesterday that I would be leaving good old Cotui to come her to Conani which is actually pretty close to Cotui which is really nice because I didn't have to travel a ton and I still had a full P-day. I am Elder Castro's step-dad which means that I am his second comp in the mission field. He just finished being trained by his dad Elder Grover. I am senior companion and am worried that I might not be a good senior companion...
Conani, like Cotui, is a branch but from what Elder Castro tells me it is a little more organized than Cotui in the fact that there are more callings filled and that the members aren't as busy working in the mine because the mine is in Cotui. From what I can see it is a good area. Upon arriving I see that it is busier and bigger and there are more people here and there is more movement which means more noise. I'm still kinda out in the boonies but I'm not really out in the countryside anymore, which has it's pro's and con's: paved streets (it's harder and hurts your feet to walk on rocky dirt roads all the time), closer to internet centers, smaller house (less house to clean ya know), house on the second floor...the con's are that I'm not out in the countryside anymore and I liked being out there with less noise, and more nature sounds and lots and lots of stars.
I didn't really want to leave Cotui and I was hoping and thinking I would be there for one more transfer so it was a surprise to me when they told me I was leaving. I packed all my stuff like a white tornado (do you remember those mom? haha). I didn't want to leave Cotui because Juanirsy is getting baptized this Saturday; ronald, roelin, domeiris, and possibly juanirsy are going to the temple to do baptisms at the end of the month and I wanted to be there when they get back to talk to them. I also wanted to stay for Robert Samantha, Rosi, Pablo and Issaury, Roelin, Ronald.... As you can see it is the people of each area that make it hard to leave. The very people with whom you have talked with, taught, cried with, comforted, laughed with, cooked with, and worked with.
A few days ago Ronald brought a bat to our house that he caught in his house. it was the first time I had ever seen a bat up so close and they really are little rats with wings...but kinda cute. I think he has a broken wing and can't fly so that's really sad. We put him in a laundry hamper and covered it with a t-shirt so he could be in the dark. When we got home later that night he wasn't in the laundry hamper....not sure how he escaped...yesterday Elder Villanueva found him and put him back in his little cage. Not sure what Elder Villanueva will do with him but I hope he doesn't die but if he can't fly I'm not sure how he will live...
Despite the sudden change of scenery i am positive and happy.
Elder Robinson
Howdy Y'all!
I am currently in Conani, La Vega. that's right folks, today is transfer day and I learned in zone meeting Yesterday that I would be leaving good old Cotui to come her to Conani which is actually pretty close to Cotui which is really nice because I didn't have to travel a ton and I still had a full P-day. I am Elder Castro's step-dad which means that I am his second comp in the mission field. He just finished being trained by his dad Elder Grover. I am senior companion and am worried that I might not be a good senior companion...
Conani, like Cotui, is a branch but from what Elder Castro tells me it is a little more organized than Cotui in the fact that there are more callings filled and that the members aren't as busy working in the mine because the mine is in Cotui. From what I can see it is a good area. Upon arriving I see that it is busier and bigger and there are more people here and there is more movement which means more noise. I'm still kinda out in the boonies but I'm not really out in the countryside anymore, which has it's pro's and con's: paved streets (it's harder and hurts your feet to walk on rocky dirt roads all the time), closer to internet centers, smaller house (less house to clean ya know), house on the second floor...the con's are that I'm not out in the countryside anymore and I liked being out there with less noise, and more nature sounds and lots and lots of stars.
I didn't really want to leave Cotui and I was hoping and thinking I would be there for one more transfer so it was a surprise to me when they told me I was leaving. I packed all my stuff like a white tornado (do you remember those mom? haha). I didn't want to leave Cotui because Juanirsy is getting baptized this Saturday; ronald, roelin, domeiris, and possibly juanirsy are going to the temple to do baptisms at the end of the month and I wanted to be there when they get back to talk to them. I also wanted to stay for Robert Samantha, Rosi, Pablo and Issaury, Roelin, Ronald.... As you can see it is the people of each area that make it hard to leave. The very people with whom you have talked with, taught, cried with, comforted, laughed with, cooked with, and worked with.
A few days ago Ronald brought a bat to our house that he caught in his house. it was the first time I had ever seen a bat up so close and they really are little rats with wings...but kinda cute. I think he has a broken wing and can't fly so that's really sad. We put him in a laundry hamper and covered it with a t-shirt so he could be in the dark. When we got home later that night he wasn't in the laundry hamper....not sure how he escaped...yesterday Elder Villanueva found him and put him back in his little cage. Not sure what Elder Villanueva will do with him but I hope he doesn't die but if he can't fly I'm not sure how he will live...
Despite the sudden change of scenery i am positive and happy.
Elder Robinson
Email letter dated March 6, 2013 'The Parade'
March 6, 2013
Dear Family,
The carnaval parade was pretty cool. The people go crazy for carnaval and they make big huge elaborate costumes. They make them out of plastic bags, plastic cups, dried leaves, toilet paper rolls.....they put a ton of time and work into it.
Dear Family,
The carnaval parade was pretty cool. The people go crazy for carnaval and they make big huge elaborate costumes. They make them out of plastic bags, plastic cups, dried leaves, toilet paper rolls.....they put a ton of time and work into it.
We waited around for like 2 and a half ours to see the
parade but it was worth it. It was cool. Technically it´s my only
independence day here in the D.R. since I´ll be home for the next one
and it was my first and only opportunity to see the carnaval parade. as
far as independence day goes there wasn't a lot to show that it was
independence day. there weren't any military in the parade. there were a
few flags hung here and there but not like 4th of July back home.
Apparently they go all out in the capital with military parades and it´s
a bigger more noticeable deal but here in small town Cotui there wasn't
a lot to see in that regard.
It´s been a good week. Not a lot of exciting things have happened. I started using sunscreen!
Mom
I know that you´ve always been so proud of your missionary that is not
like so many that only writes two sentence emails on p days but this one
is gonna be short. I love you all and love all the emails and letters
that I get that give me such fun and interesting and needed insights
into your life.
Elder Robinson
Email letter dated February 27, 2013 'Dia De Independencia'
February 27, 2013
Dear Family,
Today the Dominicans are celebrating 169 years of independence! Today is supposed to be a big day for Carnaval and for the country. From what we've heard from members we shouldn't be worried about it being dangerous or crazy or anything. Everyone is off work and all are celebrating with ridiculously loud music and really annoying motorcycles. A lot of people have costumes and there were parades and I think there will be other parades later so hopefully I get to take some pictures of a Dominican parade.
Dear Family,
Today the Dominicans are celebrating 169 years of independence! Today is supposed to be a big day for Carnaval and for the country. From what we've heard from members we shouldn't be worried about it being dangerous or crazy or anything. Everyone is off work and all are celebrating with ridiculously loud music and really annoying motorcycles. A lot of people have costumes and there were parades and I think there will be other parades later so hopefully I get to take some pictures of a Dominican parade.
This week has been good. I've felt really good about the work we've done and the spirit we felt.
On Saturday we hiked up into the hills to help a member plant some avocado
trees in his little patch of land he has. We got the other missionaries
from the other areas in the district and we all went. It took a lot
longer to get there than we thought and we spent a lot of time cooking
food over open flames and got back late but the trees got planted and
hopefully in a few years those little trees will give some big delicious
avocados.
On Sunday President Douglas and his wife came to
attend church here in Cotui. Sis. Douglas played her violin in sacrament
meeting and it was awesome. The meetings were good and attendance was a
little better than usual which was good, I suppose it was because
everyone know President Douglas was coming. He had a leadership training
meeting with the leaders of the branches and district here and from
what I heard it was really good. President Douglas has plans to come
here and work more often so that these little branches can get their act
together and progress. After listening to President Douglas speak and
after talking with him and Sis. Douglas after the meetings I´m stoked to
be a missionary. They both have an energy about them and they are so
excited and animated about the gospel and about the work. Here in a
couple weeks 20 missionaries will be entering the mission and they will
be opening new areas and putting more missionaries in existing areas.
The missionary work is exploding!
Taft sent me an email and I´m so stoked for him! I
know that he´s more prepared than I was thanks to diligence, leaders,
mom and dad and good friends. I´m not saying that I didn't have those
things I'm just saying that I think Taft has taken greater advantage of
his time to prepare himself. I´m excited to find out where he will go.
keep me updated on the process!
Time is flying by and I´m trying to open my heart
more fully to the lord and to the people here so that the spirit may
guide me and I may know how best to help God´s children. Immorality is
rampant and there are many that have made unfortunate decisions in their
lives and are now in less than ideal situations that are very difficult
to change and be liberated from. I feel sad for them and hope one day
they will have the courage and the trust in God to change thier
situation to more fully accept the gospel and the blessings of god.
Everyone seems to be strong and happy keep it up.
smile
Elder Robinson
Email letter dated February 20, 2013 'New Transfer'
February 20, 2013
Dear Family,
Well it is a new transfer and this is our little transfer of just 4 weeks and I have a new comp. Elder VillaNueva. He´s from Mexico and I know him already because we were in the same zone about 5 months ago. He has about 8 months in the mission and talks a little faster than the dominicans so that is proving to be a little tricky. He speaks pretty good English so that´s fun.
Dear Family,
Well it is a new transfer and this is our little transfer of just 4 weeks and I have a new comp. Elder VillaNueva. He´s from Mexico and I know him already because we were in the same zone about 5 months ago. He has about 8 months in the mission and talks a little faster than the dominicans so that is proving to be a little tricky. He speaks pretty good English so that´s fun.
I Got a package from Nikelle and one from home today. THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Life in the mission chugs along........I don´t have a lot to say right now.................
I got a haircut yesterday.
We have a pet beta named shark
we tried to fly homemade kites yesterday but there wasn´t any wind....
look up mosiah 5:12 and then read Ezekiel 36:26
Elder Robinson
Email letter dated February 13, 2013 'For Cultural Night for Missionary Month'
February 13, 2013
Dear Family,
This could be shared with the youth during missionary month:
The Mission is great here in the D.R. The things that I have experienced and seen are manifestations to me of God´s love for all of his children and as it says in Nephi, the Lord cares about the Isles of the sea and the people here. There is no greater joy in this life on earth than to feel the spirit of the Lord in you life. The best way to feel that spirit is to serve and the best way to serve is to Preach The Gospel. No greater joy will be found or no joy that is quite the same will be found in your life that can compare to the joy and love you feel as a missionary.
Love,
Elder Robinson
Dear Family,
This could be shared with the youth during missionary month:
The Mission is great here in the D.R. The things that I have experienced and seen are manifestations to me of God´s love for all of his children and as it says in Nephi, the Lord cares about the Isles of the sea and the people here. There is no greater joy in this life on earth than to feel the spirit of the Lord in you life. The best way to feel that spirit is to serve and the best way to serve is to Preach The Gospel. No greater joy will be found or no joy that is quite the same will be found in your life that can compare to the joy and love you feel as a missionary.
Love,
Elder Robinson
Email letter dated February 6, 2013 'Service'
February 6, 2013
Dear Family,
Hello all,
Last Wednesday was spent rendering service to Rosi and her family as they moved into a new house. In my opinion they should have stayed where they were because in this new house there is not water or electricity and there is a giant termite nest in one of the rooms slowly eating everything wooden and when it rains the run off from the roof enters the house due to an unfinished part...regardless of all the set backs they needed to move and we helped. in the morning we went and helped clean the house and in the afternoon helped move all their belongings. The new house was only about a quarter mile away from the old house and they are a small family with few possessions so we thought we could do it no problem. Well after a few hours of hauling all the stuff we regretted not trying to find others to help and not working harder to find someone with a truck to help. We were so tired we could only go a few feet at a time as we carried the very slippery and greasy stove to the house. It helps to have a good sense of humor in situations like that. I'm pretty sure I destroyed the white shirt that I was wearing but that's okay. We helped them get settled enough to be able to sleep in the new house and we made them dinner: rice and eggs. Since then they have organized everything but still don't have water so they bring gallon jugs to our house every once in a while to get water because we always have water. They are borrowing electricity from the neighbors with an extension cord until they can set up a contract with the electric company which seems like it will take some time seeing as how Rosi lost her job last week...the owner of the business she was working for fired her because she just doesn't like Rosi...she didn't even tell her she was fired. she just found and hired her replacement and Rosi heard from a member that works there. Working in this country is very different and the people don't have a lot of rights. it was unfair, unjust and without reasonable cause.
We've been doing a fair amount of contacting this week seeing as we have zero investigators progressing or coming to church. We are continuing to teach Rosi but it is a slow process as she puts all the things of her life in harmony with the gospel. We made several what I thought were promising contacts on Friday and put appointments for yesterday with several of them but for whatever reason all the appointments fell through.....It is necessary that there be opposition in all things but wow that really womps! I've been a little down lately due to all the difficulties here in the mission and especially in Cotui. Cotui is a small branch that needs a lot of help and to be honest it would be hard to say that the church is even established here thus making it hard to do missionary work or at least missionary work in the sense of bringing new people to the gospel and baptizing. I think that missionary work here is to establish strong leaders and help this little branch be stronger and more faithful. It sounds a lot easier than it really is....
Carnaval is in full swing. it's a giant party that happens every year in February and it involves costumes and music and dancing and a lot of other things that I don't know. I hope to learn more about it as the festival progresses. Here in La Vega has the second biggest carnaval celebration in the world and it is international. the number one carnaval is in Brazil. A lot of members condemn carnaval because of all the bad things that happen: drinking, drugs, violence.....I'm sure they are right but I think there should be at least a few redeeming qualities. we shall see....
Life is hot and life is sweaty. enjoy the cold weather and if you complain about it being cold I promise to give you a good karate chop when I get home because I would love to have a little bit of that cold weather.
Elder Robinson
Dear Family,
Hello all,
Last Wednesday was spent rendering service to Rosi and her family as they moved into a new house. In my opinion they should have stayed where they were because in this new house there is not water or electricity and there is a giant termite nest in one of the rooms slowly eating everything wooden and when it rains the run off from the roof enters the house due to an unfinished part...regardless of all the set backs they needed to move and we helped. in the morning we went and helped clean the house and in the afternoon helped move all their belongings. The new house was only about a quarter mile away from the old house and they are a small family with few possessions so we thought we could do it no problem. Well after a few hours of hauling all the stuff we regretted not trying to find others to help and not working harder to find someone with a truck to help. We were so tired we could only go a few feet at a time as we carried the very slippery and greasy stove to the house. It helps to have a good sense of humor in situations like that. I'm pretty sure I destroyed the white shirt that I was wearing but that's okay. We helped them get settled enough to be able to sleep in the new house and we made them dinner: rice and eggs. Since then they have organized everything but still don't have water so they bring gallon jugs to our house every once in a while to get water because we always have water. They are borrowing electricity from the neighbors with an extension cord until they can set up a contract with the electric company which seems like it will take some time seeing as how Rosi lost her job last week...the owner of the business she was working for fired her because she just doesn't like Rosi...she didn't even tell her she was fired. she just found and hired her replacement and Rosi heard from a member that works there. Working in this country is very different and the people don't have a lot of rights. it was unfair, unjust and without reasonable cause.
We've been doing a fair amount of contacting this week seeing as we have zero investigators progressing or coming to church. We are continuing to teach Rosi but it is a slow process as she puts all the things of her life in harmony with the gospel. We made several what I thought were promising contacts on Friday and put appointments for yesterday with several of them but for whatever reason all the appointments fell through.....It is necessary that there be opposition in all things but wow that really womps! I've been a little down lately due to all the difficulties here in the mission and especially in Cotui. Cotui is a small branch that needs a lot of help and to be honest it would be hard to say that the church is even established here thus making it hard to do missionary work or at least missionary work in the sense of bringing new people to the gospel and baptizing. I think that missionary work here is to establish strong leaders and help this little branch be stronger and more faithful. It sounds a lot easier than it really is....
Carnaval is in full swing. it's a giant party that happens every year in February and it involves costumes and music and dancing and a lot of other things that I don't know. I hope to learn more about it as the festival progresses. Here in La Vega has the second biggest carnaval celebration in the world and it is international. the number one carnaval is in Brazil. A lot of members condemn carnaval because of all the bad things that happen: drinking, drugs, violence.....I'm sure they are right but I think there should be at least a few redeeming qualities. we shall see....
Life is hot and life is sweaty. enjoy the cold weather and if you complain about it being cold I promise to give you a good karate chop when I get home because I would love to have a little bit of that cold weather.
Elder Robinson
Email letter dated January 23, 2013 'Baptism in Cotui' and a Special Phone Call'
January 23, 2013
Dear Family,
So we have been helping 12 year old Ronald prepare for baptism over the last few weeks and this Saturday is his baptism! The is only 12 years old and there is a lot of danger and risk involved with baptizing someone so young if they aren´t getting baptized with their parents or other family members. The risk of going inactive is significantly higher. But as we have taught Ronald my doubts and fears that he won´t be a stalwart active member of God´s true church have disappeared. He´s very smart and is a scriptorian. I hope that he can be a good example to his family and one day his siblings and mom can enter the waters of baptism.
Dear Family,
So we have been helping 12 year old Ronald prepare for baptism over the last few weeks and this Saturday is his baptism! The is only 12 years old and there is a lot of danger and risk involved with baptizing someone so young if they aren´t getting baptized with their parents or other family members. The risk of going inactive is significantly higher. But as we have taught Ronald my doubts and fears that he won´t be a stalwart active member of God´s true church have disappeared. He´s very smart and is a scriptorian. I hope that he can be a good example to his family and one day his siblings and mom can enter the waters of baptism.
On Sunday I got a call from Elder Johnson (my first
comp) and he said that he met someone from my ward that was here
visiting. Kim Hamilton was here for about a week and I was able to talk
to her on the phone for a little bit on Sunday and yesterday. She is
returning home today so you can go ask her about her trip and about the
conversations we had. She came because her old companion´s daughter´s
farewell was on Saturday. This is the same companion that she had me try
to find to give her a letter that Kim sent with me. The very same day
her old comp received the letter she got on facebook and found Kim and
they began to talk. Kim really only needed one good reason to come back
to the country she served her misson and the farewell was it. I did not
get to see her because I´m clear out in the boonies but talking with her
was great.
Saturday and Sunday we had regional conference in
the church and on Sunday we watched a live broadcast of the conference
from the capital with Elder Russell M. Nelson. I´m the only American here
so it was in Spanish and I was very proud of myself to be able to
understand the translators and David L. Beck and Elder Zwick who didn´t
need translators because they both speak Spanish. It was a great
conference and a cool opportunity to see and hear (kinda) from Elder
Nelson. Sis. Hamilton told me a little about the opportunity the young
men and young women had to meet and talk to L. Tom Perry last week. How
was that?! What did he say?!
Things are going well and the work has shifted from
trying to find investigators to trying to find less active and inactive
members. We've seen some pretty tough situations with less actives. The
key is to never be less active. Never even think about it. if you decide
to just take one college class every otherSsunday, or play baseball on Sundays or you get a job working Sundays that´s it. It´s begun and if
you´re not careful you´ll be inactive. It surprises me how much a person
can forget of the truth if they've been away from it for a long time.
Some of the less active members are more lost than a lot of non
members....
Life is good.
Elder Robinson
Email letter dated January 17, 2013 'Another Week'
January 17, 2013
Dear Family,
It´s p day again huh? wow I feel like I was just here. The weeks are really flying by. It´s really weird....
Dear Family,
It´s p day again huh? wow I feel like I was just here. The weeks are really flying by. It´s really weird....
Yesterday we received news that Elder Neil L. Anderson will be coming to the mission in February! pretty cool!
Yesterday we finally were able to have a lesson with Samuel and
Magalis, it´s been really difficult to have lessons with them because
christmas vacation is over and all the school and college and work
schedules are returning back to normal making time for the missionaries
hard to come by...the result of our lesson wasn´t great...we just didn´t
have the same feeling we did when we first started teaching them. They
just aren´t as into it as they were before. As we left we didn´t put
another appointment to return but I stopped Elder Chalas and we went
back and put another appointment and left them a chapter in the book of
mormon to read. I´m not giving up on this family yet.
We put a baptismal date with Ronald for 26 of this
month. He is smart and has been coming to church even before Elder
Chalas came to Cotui so that´s at least 5 months of attendance in the
church and he went to the temple when the primary made their temple trip
in December. We are still teaching his mom but she is a little slower
to progress and we are hoping that putting the baptismal date with
Ronald and baptizing him will help motivate her and the rest of the
family. Ronald has a brother that could potentially be baptized. They
are a great family and I want to help them so badly.
On sunday I finally heard the cotui birds
sing!!!!!!! ¨cotui, cotui¨ honestly if no one had pointed it out to me I
never would have known that that is the bird or that is the sound. It
really does say ¨cotui¨ but you have to know what it sounds like and how
to recognize it. Now I see them all the time and they are constantly
reminding me where I am ¨cotui cotui¨ haha the pictuer is of the cotui
birds.
We are working more with less actives and it
is hard...everyone has what they think are good excuses but none are.
God always provides a way. If we have faith and do everything possible
he will make it possible to carry our cross and keep ALL his
commandments. I will never work on Sunday. Period.
Alright alright, I´ll own up and say that it does
get cold in this country. but only in the mornings and at night. during
the day it is not as blistering as it usually is in summer but it´s
still hot.
If you´re gonna send me a package, don´t send me
pretzel m&m´s. I know it´s a shock but I still have a ton. send me
peanut butter m&m´s instead. haha.
Elder Robinson
P.S. I completed my deck of cards from the street!!!!! For those of you who have forgotten about my silly goal, I will explain: in my first area I decided to start collecting playing cards that I found in the street to see if I could form a full deck and ladies and gentleman we have done it!!!!! many are from different decks and many are really gross from being in the gutter or out in the rain or who knows where. I don´t like to think about it because I touched them...but regardless the task is complete.
P.S. I completed my deck of cards from the street!!!!! For those of you who have forgotten about my silly goal, I will explain: in my first area I decided to start collecting playing cards that I found in the street to see if I could form a full deck and ladies and gentleman we have done it!!!!! many are from different decks and many are really gross from being in the gutter or out in the rain or who knows where. I don´t like to think about it because I touched them...but regardless the task is complete.
Email letter dated January 9, 2013 'Some Sad News'
January 9, 2013
Dear Family,
Last Thursday we got a very urgent call from President Douglas. He said that he was here in Cotui and that he needed to talk to us immediately. We were clear out in the middle of nowhere but we told him we´d be at the chapel in 15 minutes. The whole time we were walking there we were talking about what it could possibly be that was so important that President Douglas came all the way from Santiago personally to do. When we got to the chapel President Douglas took Elder Chalas into a separate room to talk. i sat outside trying to occupy my mind by studying the scriptures. After about 15 minutes President Douglas opened the door and invited me to come in to give my companion a blessing. As President Douglas pronounced the blessing he talked a lot about the plan of salvation and at one point said that Elder Chalas´ Dad is now with Heavenly Father. At this point I understood what had happened and I began to cry. After the blessing I talked with President and he explained to me that Elder Chalas´ Dad passed away that same day. He had been sick for awhile and he passed away. Surprisingly to me Elder Chalas was very positive and upbeat as he always is which was really strange to me because I know that if something like that happened to me I would be completely destroyed. He explained to me that 6 months ago he had a dream that someone in his family was going to die while he is in the mission, after studying and praying a lot he said that he has been prepared emotionally and spiritually for this to happen and I know that is true. He is such a good example of faith, strength, love, and trust in our Heavenly Father. In the days since there have been some very sweet and somber moments as he has remembered his dad and has told me stories about him. All in all I think he is very positive. He has had a few moments of sadness but for the most part if I didn´t know what had happened I would never be able to guess. That same day he called home and talked to his mom, his sisters, his aunt and his grandma. Many of them wanted him to go home. He has decided to stay. And I am very grateful for him. He´s a good missionary and a great comp.
Dear Family,
Last Thursday we got a very urgent call from President Douglas. He said that he was here in Cotui and that he needed to talk to us immediately. We were clear out in the middle of nowhere but we told him we´d be at the chapel in 15 minutes. The whole time we were walking there we were talking about what it could possibly be that was so important that President Douglas came all the way from Santiago personally to do. When we got to the chapel President Douglas took Elder Chalas into a separate room to talk. i sat outside trying to occupy my mind by studying the scriptures. After about 15 minutes President Douglas opened the door and invited me to come in to give my companion a blessing. As President Douglas pronounced the blessing he talked a lot about the plan of salvation and at one point said that Elder Chalas´ Dad is now with Heavenly Father. At this point I understood what had happened and I began to cry. After the blessing I talked with President and he explained to me that Elder Chalas´ Dad passed away that same day. He had been sick for awhile and he passed away. Surprisingly to me Elder Chalas was very positive and upbeat as he always is which was really strange to me because I know that if something like that happened to me I would be completely destroyed. He explained to me that 6 months ago he had a dream that someone in his family was going to die while he is in the mission, after studying and praying a lot he said that he has been prepared emotionally and spiritually for this to happen and I know that is true. He is such a good example of faith, strength, love, and trust in our Heavenly Father. In the days since there have been some very sweet and somber moments as he has remembered his dad and has told me stories about him. All in all I think he is very positive. He has had a few moments of sadness but for the most part if I didn´t know what had happened I would never be able to guess. That same day he called home and talked to his mom, his sisters, his aunt and his grandma. Many of them wanted him to go home. He has decided to stay. And I am very grateful for him. He´s a good missionary and a great comp.
Our golden family, has kinda fallen
off the face of the planet as we´ve tried to have lessons with them. We
set appointments and when we go by they aren´t home or are too busy...so
that´s tough. We´ve decided to try and focus more on inactive members
because there are a lot! If we can help the inactive and less active men
be more active in the church and pay a full tithe we could see a ward
and eventually a stake here in Cotui. President Douglas has expressed
his vision and desire to see a stake in Bonao and La Vega before 2014.
That´s not Cotui but it´s close and if those wards and districts are
growing and become a stake I´m willing to bet that Cotui won´t be far
behind.
I got letters from brother orton, the Bruderers, and
Megan Butler lately along with a package from Uncle Kerry and Aunt
Marilyn. And of course letters and emails from home and Nikelle. Thank
you everyone!
Elder Robinson
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