Holiday Season!

Hello Friends and Family!                        

These past two weeks have been wonderful, and so full of the Spirit. I don’t even know where to start! Of course, the best part of Christmas, was being able to call my wonderful family and talk with them. I love my family so deeply, and have gained a stronger testimony on my mission of the importance of the family unit in society. I know that family is essential and central to the Gospel message, and I also know that families truly can be together forever. Celebrating Christmas while serving a mission was fun, and more spiritual than any other Christmas I can remember. Simply, I couldn’t have asked for a better and more filling holiday. I am so grateful for everyone that sent me gifts and letters, and the prayers, because everything helped to make my Christmas special. Thank you, and I love you all!  I decided that I would keep my letter, this week, composed of three miracles. I have such a strong testimony of this work, and of this Church. I have mercifully seen the Savior’s hand touch the lives of those around me, and I have felt His touch everyday of my mission so far.

First, Elder Sieverts and I have had the privilege of being able to go contacting a lot these past two weeks. Many of our past investigators dropped us, and so we had the chance to go find some more people who have been prepared to hear the message of the Restoration! We had several days without anyone letting us in (which is always tough, but needed), and then Elder Sieverts said, “Lets pray about who we want to find.” So we did. We prayed that we could find an individual who was interested in the Gospel because of his recent and past experiences, and that had been prepared to hear us. We started knocking an apartment complex we felt strongly about. We knocked on one door, and Norman answered. He came outside, and said quickly, “Wait, y’all are the Mormons right?” We said yes, and then he said, “While, I ordered one of those books (pointing to the Book of Mormon) off the TV! I love it. Once you really get into it, and learn more about it, it’s wonderful.” What an incredible miracle!  I was so touched by the Spirit, and being able to see how Heavenly Father answered our fervent prayer exactly was deeply humbling. I have continued to gain a stronger and stronger testimony of prayer, and having the faith to pray for specific needs.

In that same apartment complex, we felt to save two particular buildings for another day. We didn’t know why, but we just agreed on it. We came back another day, and had just started knocking some doors in the first building, when a woman answered. She let us in, sat down, and said, “You know, yesterday (the day we were knocking the apartment complex) I buried my father. I have been so distressed. I just feel numb. Do y’all believe in life after death?” Her name is Shae. And she is incredible! We talked with her for over an hour, and she explained her past life, her recently difficulties, and how she just needed to find the truth in her life. Reflecting back, it is amazing to see how Heavenly Father had prompted us not to knock that particular building the day before (when Shae wouldn’t have been home). We didn’t know why Heavenly Father had us do that, but we just felt good about it. I’ve seen how miracles often appear in our past, when we look for them, then in the moment.  When we gave Shae a copy of the Book of Mormon, she said, “I’m so excited to read this.  I will pray.  I’ll do whatever it takes. I just want to start and find out what this is all about.” I would hope that each of us could find the same excitement in the Gospel. That each day we can eagerly look through the scriptures, hoping to get something out of them.  I know that the scriptures, and particularly the Book of Mormon, will draw us closer to our Heavenly Father as we chose to draw close and learn more of Him.

At Church on Sunday, Elder Sieverts and I were sitting there, when Manny and Jackie walked in!  This is such a miracle!  As a reminder, Manny was an individual we ran into at the start of November, and his whole family are members in Chile. We have since been teaching him, and his girlfriend Jackie, she in particular, has been very interested in the Gospel. We challenged them to come to Church, and they showed up! THIS IS SUCH A WONDERFUL MIRACLE! Often times we struggle to get people to Church, so to have both of them there just made us so grateful to our Heavenly Father. They loved the service, and hopefully they can continue to come back in the future weeks, and desire to be baptized!

This past week, in my studies, I read Doctrine and Covenants Section 101. The Prophet Joseph Smith received this revelation at Kirtland, Ohio, on the 16^th of December 1833. At the time the revelation was given, the Saints in Missouri had been driven from Jackson County to Clay County. Their homes destroyed, and their property taken from them by the mobs in Jackson County, the Saints were suffering greatly. In verse 16, it reads, “Therefore, let your hearts be comforted concerning Zion; for all flesh is in mine hands; be still and know that I am God.” I have since been deeply moved by the words, “…be still and know that I am God.” Often times, in our busy lives (especially around the holidays), it is difficult to find a ‘still’ moment to reflect on the Love of God for us, and everyone. However, as I have taken the time to find just a few moments to truly be still, and remember my Heavenly Father, I’ve truly seen miracles and blessings from it.  I would encourage each of you this week to just find a quiet few minutes, and to reflect to yourself on the importance, love, and care of our Father in Heaven. I know that by doing this, our testimonies in Him will be strengthened.

I am so grateful for all of you, and I feel your prayers every day. I love being a missionary, and I’ve never been happier.

Until Next Week-

Elder Robb