Jake's Update

Dear Family and Friends,

What a wonderful week it's been. Crazy weather, new technology, and a

wonderful Spirit, blessings from above that "denote that there is a God." I made the mistake, no not the mistake but I guess the decision to pray for patience, because I'm so patient I just decided I wanted a little more...umm nope, that's a lie. But patience is something I think most of us

could use more of. Anyways, I prayed for it, and boy did I get it. We were told Wednesday that our Thursday Zone Conference would be moved toSaturday. Normally I'd be like, oh whoop dee doo. But we knew we were getting our new mobile devices. So just like little tykes at Christmas we were a little impatient to receive these new devices. And Thursday came around, and it hit starting with heavy ice then turning into wet snow. We found out that this was a very unusual storm called a nor'easter from Canada and a storm from Atlanta met in the De PA MD area. 8 inches that night then the next day was slush that froze soon after. Needless to say, my patience was tested, but we got through it. 

 

We taught our investigator Megan on Saturday night and we had taught her about the Restoration last week but she has a catholic past, but has since become agnostic. We focused just on God as our loving Heavenly Father and tried to help her feel the Spirit testifying of God's love for her. We committed her to pray to know if God really does exist. E. Allred said "now don't get off your knees until you get an answer. Well come Sunday morning at church, we asked how it went. She broke down in tears as she told us that she had been on her knees the night before for 2 hours straight then she fell asleep frustrated and emotional. She woke up every little while and would pray again, still with no apparent answer. We were heartbroken at her description of her night after we left. So we told her we'd meet with her after church. 

Michael (her member bf), Megan and us walked into a small primary room shortly after the end of the block. We shared some scriptures, thoughts and experiences with her as well as testifying of how prayers are answered. It's tough when we don't understand why God waits to answer our prayers or why He answers them in a specific way, but if we trust in Him all things will work out for our good. 

Then we asked Michael to offer the closing prayer. This was a most sacred experience which testified powerfully of Heavenly Father's plan for us. "Heavenly Father..." And then he continued. He said no more than a sentence, but there was much contemplating, many tears, and an incredible Spirit that kept us all speechless as he expressed our desires that her prayers be answered. I can't fully express this experience, but I am forever grateful for it in making my time here in Smyrna something to love and remember. 

Saturday was a very long Zone Conference and they insured us that we were not here to receive iPads, but that through these devices it is hoped and expected that we will better fulfill our purpose as missionaries, bringing souls unto Christ. So every missionary in the mission received an iPad mini and in the different conferences were trained on them. The iPads are pretty restricted, the mission president gets an email if we try to go onto an unauthorized website or download an app that didn't come preloaded. It is truly a blessing to have this device. We are told not to use paper planners anymore and the hope is that all the area book records etc will be digitalized within a few transfers. We can skype and FaceTime people outside of the mission to teach them, including non member friends back home, with permission. 

I know that The Lord is hastening His work "I will hasten my work in it's time." D&C 88:73 This is part of that prophecy. We have been entrusted to find and teach His lost sheep and bring them back to the fold. I apologize in advance for the fonts and jumbled manner of the email...still trying figure it all out. Haha well I love you all. Seek opportunities to help others and I promise your own struggles and pains will be "swallowed up in the joy of Christ."

love, 

Elder Robins 

You're a ROCKSTAR!

Wonderful Family and Friends,

 

What a relief it was to hear of all the rain CA received this past week. The power of fasting and prayer is so real. We are planning a ward fast the upcoming month of March where different families or individuals sign up to fast each day of the month. We did this in Wilmington in the Elder's Quorum and saw many miracles, so we're hoping it will help end the spiritual drought here in Smyrna.

 

Last Monday we went to visit our ward mission leader's Less active son and his "baby mama" (for lack of a better term) and their adorable kids. They have a 7 year old girl named Jacqueline and 9 year old son named Aaron jr. Both are whiteish blonde and you'd think they're straight from heaven. Big smiles, polite, kind, just everything good. A few weeks ago when Grandpa Mcvicker (WML) brought them to church, I went up to Jac. and called her by her name. Her face lit up and she was like, "You remembered my name!" I wanted to say, Yeah I know, I'm surprised too! Short term memory loss...not my best friend. Aaron jr. has not been baptized, so we hope to spend more time with them and help him ask his daddy and hopefully something will come of the whole situation. It may sound creepy, ha , but kids are just the best! They are literally heaven-sent and they carry such power to change lives and change hearts. There are several such kids and youth in the ward that I have just grown to love.

 

One of them, Andrew, has down syndrome and he's about 11. He'll run up to his primary teacher jump up and wrap his legs around him. Makes you want to laugh, smile, just everything good. And the youth can be wonderful too....some of them that is. We've been doing basketball Saturday mornings and volleyball in the evening. We've had several non-members or less actives show up which is a good, non-threatening venue to still help them feel the Spirit in the church.

 

On Wednesday we had a rather empty day, which is soo daunting when it comes to planning session. But, we went to a volunteer service meeting at the local Smyrna Opera House which is connected to the library. We walked in and said we wanted to volunteer, they literally gave us a standing ovation...we sat down, blushing, having no idea that we'd be so welcomed when most other places won't have much to do with us. We found that we could help put programs together, be ushers or clean or set up or really whatever they needed us to do. It's a nice little venue, similar i guess to the Village Theater in Danville. And several people mentioned members of the ward and asked if we were from their church, so already we're getting good publicity and the people are just the nicest.

 

I think I mentioned in my short vignette last week that we'd be teaching Michael's (active member) girlfriend, Megan. I was on exchanges with an Elder Wasden in the district and we helped her set up some furniture in her 400 year old house. (not joking there).! We stripped a few of the screws, silently screamed at the cheap Ikea nightstand kit, then voila we finished! I went to put the top drawer in, slid it in and it was completely crooked. They were chuckling under their breaths as I put my face in my hands and sighed. I guess I'll have to hire for the handyman work, or I need a lotttt more training. Then we taught her the Restoration and found out that she is agnostic and has been atheist. Good.!...no wonder the whole lesson went over your head! So we will start from square one next time, with God is our Loving Heavenly Father. She has read up to Mosiah in the Book of Mormon (all on her own with Michael and his parent's help) and comes to church just about every week. AKA dream investigator. 

 

She knows that temple marriage is important to Michael (who has four young kids from a bad previous civil marriage) and so she has been looking into the church. She sees things analytically, because she's a scientist, so we're having to take a different route, but that's what the Spirit is for!

 

Joseph (Liberian living with the Gibson family) has been coming along, missed church yesterday, but he has good questions. There's a tiny bit of a language barrier because his stinkin' Liberian english accent is thick as molasses. He's got a sweet spirit though, and a great family to guide him. I gave several Priesthood blessings this week to ward members for various health issues and a few of them non-members were present for.

 

After a great Zone Training on Thursday, the Assistants came up to me, Elder White put his hand on my shoulder and said "You're a ROCKSTAR, Elder Robins! Thanks for all the work you're doing." I felt loved and appreciated. He asked how the district was doing and how I have been doing. I told them I am just exhausted. Reaching what they call "perma-tired" (aka always tired). And slow missionary work doesn't help. But we still work and pray and have faith. They expressed their trust and love for me and I was glad to have humble, concerned leaders. Too often leadership goes to the head!

 

I appreciate the love, support and prayers in my behalf. I hope I can magnify this sacred calling that I hold for these 2 short years. I've been reading in the war chapters in Alma, which i used to despise. But now I love it, maybe cause I understand it now and am able to find the doctrine. In Alma 50, Moroni and the Nephites strengthen their cities and are blessed as they keep the commandments of God. "But behold, there never was a happier time among the people of Nephi." Alma 50:23.

 

Life happens, and it's not going to be perfect, they didn't have it "perfect" but if you choose to live the gospel of Jesus Christ, you can be HAPPY. I testify of this because I've seen it in my own life and in my own family. We aren't perfect, life will never be perfect, but we're happy. And that's just the way God wants it to be.

 

Love,

 

Elder Robins

The real letter

Family and Friends!

 

California got rain!! Isn't it a miracle to witness the power of fasting and prayer, especially when the Lord's Saints and people come together in humility, asking for His hand to bless their lives. Well on Tuesday we went looking for service around the Smyrna Clayton area. We went to really old folks hangouts, I mean Senior Centers, the Smyrna Opera House, libraries etc. looking for anything and everything we could do to get into the community and keep from knocking doors. It was a balmy 13 degrees with a nice wind chill that brought it probably to 1 or 2 degrees. Boy was that a joy walking around in! Let's just say my jaw froze up and I felt at home like in Rexburg.

 

Wednesday we took the whole day to spend time in Maryland, which is at least a third of our area. It's 32 miles out to the Chesapeake and when we got out there, we were a tiny bit disappointed. The stinkin' Chesapeake Bay was all ice chunks and it looked like a snowy mess. We got gipped, but the little beachtown of Betterton, MD had a nice little beach, so we decided to go for a polar bear plunge! I'm just kidding...Wouldn't do that even off the mission. We planted many seeds in MD, tried contacting several less actives and visited Miguel on his chicken farm. It was a long cold day, but we needed to testify out there, so it was good.

 

On Friday we had the privelege of going teaching with Bishop Deutsch to some less actives and our new member referral investigator from Liberia Joseph. (was that little intro phrase long enough?) We started volleyball on Saturday nights at the church and some of the members have brought their nonmember friends which creates a great opportunity to show them around and help them feel the Spirit. Last night we were teaching Miguel out in Maryland and heard that the Seahawks were just creaming the Broncos. You all know I'm a huge football fan...eehhhh, that's a lie. But my comp is! We are doing well together and seeing the miracles as the Lord blesses us for our faith and diligence. I appreciate all your love and support.

 

Lately we have been asking members simply, What is the Gospel of just Christ? Some will say the standard works, others love and kindness, or a myriad of other "good" things. But what is it that allows us to make this life worth while? Well it all starts with Faith in Jesus Christ and His power to heal us. Which causes us to repent of our sins and desire to change and follow Jesus Christ by being Baptized by someone holding the Priesthood Authority of God. The Lord doesn't leave us alone after this, but blesses us with the Gift of The Holy Ghost which helps us endure to the end along the path to eternal life. I humbly and gratefully testify that this, the Doctrine of Christ, plain and simple, this is the ONLY way we will make it home to our Heavenly Parents. Learn it live it love it. It's that simple! "And he said unto the children of men: Follow thou ME." (2 Nep. 31:10-11)

 

Love

Elder RobinsFamily and Friends!

 

California got rain!! Isn't it a miracle to witness the power of fasting and prayer, especially when the Lord's Saints and people come together in humility, asking for His hand to bless their lives. Well on Tuesday we went looking for service around the Smyrna Clayton area. We went to really old folks hangouts, I mean Senior Centers, the Smyrna Opera House, libraries etc. looking for anything and everything we could do to get into the community and keep from knocking doors. It was a balmy 13 degrees with a nice wind chill that brought it probably to 1 or 2 degrees. Boy was that a joy walking around in! Let's just say my jaw froze up and I felt at home like in Rexburg.

 

Wednesday we took the whole day to spend time in Maryland, which is at least a third of our area. It's 32 miles out to the Chesapeake and when we got out there, we were a tiny bit disappointed. The stinkin' Chesapeake Bay was all ice chunks and it looked like a snowy mess. We got gipped, but the little beachtown of Betterton, MD had a nice little beach, so we decided to go for a polar bear plunge! I'm just kidding...Wouldn't do that even off the mission. We planted many seeds in MD, tried contacting several less actives and visited Miguel on his chicken farm. It was a long cold day, but we needed to testify out there, so it was good.

 

On Friday we had the privelege of going teaching with Bishop Deutsch to some less actives and our new member referral investigator from Liberia Joseph. (was that little intro phrase long enough?) We started volleyball on Saturday nights at the church and some of the members have brought their nonmember friends which creates a great opportunity to show them around and help them feel the Spirit. Last night we were teaching Miguel out in Maryland and heard that the Seahawks were just creaming the Broncos. You all know I'm a huge football fan...eehhhh, that's a lie. But my comp is! We are doing well together and seeing the miracles as the Lord blesses us for our faith and diligence. I appreciate all your love and support.

 

Lately we have been asking members simply, What is the Gospel of just Christ? Some will say the standard works, others love and kindness, or a myriad of other "good" things. But what is it that allows us to make this life worth while? Well it all starts with Faith in Jesus Christ and His power to heal us. Which causes us to repent of our sins and desire to change and follow Jesus Christ by being Baptized by someone holding the Priesthood Authority of God. The Lord doesn't leave us alone after this, but blesses us with the Gift of The Holy Ghost which helps us endure to the end along the path to eternal life. I humbly and gratefully testify that this, the Doctrine of Christ, plain and simple, this is the ONLY way we will make it home to our Heavenly Parents. Learn it live it love it. It's that simple! "And he said unto the children of men: Follow thou ME." (2 Nep. 31:10-11)

 

Love

Elder Robins

ME and Bill, Jackie's husband

 E Allred and a sweet CA pillow

MD border

Pictures

The terrible, wonderful trio. I got nicknamed as the waterboy, hence the tea thing.

I killed my first bird!! It even mounted itself. Yes it's still in the same spot 5 days later...me and birds...mm not the best of Friends

We went searching for the mennonites/Amish in the southern parts of our area, but could only find their church. We saw quite a few in Walmart today though!

The Gospel of Jesus Christ is for YOU!

Dear Family and Friends,

We had a rough start last week as Elder Allred began throwing up shortly after emails and had a bad migraine. So we stayed in the remainder of P-day. The next morning the clouds were dark and ominous and a storm was a brewin'. After about an hour and close to an inch of snow here in lower DE, we got a call from the Zone Leaders that the whole mission had to park the cars for the day to keep us from any snow accidents. But it was another recovery day for Elder Allred, so I used some of the time to study, update the Area Book, clean the apartment (which had been done sooo well by Elders in the past..)etc. 

Transfers ended up being on Thursday and Elder Rabe got transferred to Reading, PA. The mission theme for this year is "Look unto me in every thought, doubt not, FEAR NOT" or the Year of No Fear. At the end of the transfer slideshow was a beautiful, peaceful picture of Christ with that scripture caption at the bottom. I was filled with renewed strength as I thought of doing missionary work not as I want to do, but walking hand in hand with the Lord, serving as he would have me be. 

And the missionary drought we've been experiencing is slowly but surely being cured! We received a promising referral from church Headquarters which we had been praying for for weeks. Her name is Rachel, from Ghana living with her brother and his family here in Smyrna. She had Mormon  friends in Africa that she'd go to church with and they'd ask her when she was going to join the church. Her response was always "I'll do it on my own time!" Well she sought us out and when we taught her and her niece the Restoration, the Spirit was there and prepared her to accept our invitation to be baptized. We're so excited with the prospect of bringing that family unto Christ! What's interesting is the sisters serving in Smyrna had been praying to bring more African American families into the ward... and here we are!

The other success story so far is the Gibson family that was baptized here in Smyrna in 2010. Then they moved to NC and lived there until moving back in september. But they hadn't been coming to church until we sought them out a few weeks ago. They have 5 teenage daughters that could not look more different. The oldest is 18 down to 13 and then they have 2 8-year old twin boys who have not been baptized....This family is golden. But there's more. A family friend from Liberia is living with them now, non-member, and has come to church twice with them now. He took one of the teaching manuals home and was just reading out of it...who does that? Most members don't even do that. But we visited them on Friday after district meeting and dinner with a wonderful senior couple. We asked Joseph what he thought of church and he said "I loved it, I want to be a full member of the church!" We were stoked. And he is just eating it up. So our efforts and less-active work have not been in vain. Our God truly is a God of miracles. "Inasmuch as ye shall put your trust in God even so much ye shall be delivered out of your trials and your troubles...and be lifted up at the last day." Alma 38:5 I know this to be true as I have seen it in my life and just this past week. Just trust Him!

Love,

Elder Jake Robins 

Jake's Latest

Hey Friends and Family! 

Well it's been a crazy week yet again. All I can say is I'm glad this is the Lord's work and not my own. Because I would utterly fail day after day if it was. But I know my God strengthens me day by day. Like when we had an awesome meeting with Karen, the activities director at the Pinnacle rehab where Jackie's at. She was almost in tears she was so happy that such young guys loved the Lord and devoted their lives to preach His word. We started with a prayer and got to talking, then E. Allred mentioned that we needed a responsible male in the large room with us. There were male residents there, but it needs to be a responsible male. So we rescheduled for later in the week. Then we said hi to Jackie and asked if she'd come to church.

Long story short, Karen called us Weds. and told us that we should just stick to visiting Jackie b/c they wouldn't be able to accommodate our need for another male. Which was discouraging because we have been looking all over for service opportunities that keep us from knocking doors. Knocking is just so ineffective, especially in the earlier hours of the day. So service is fun and more effective in getting out into the community. The next day Karen called again and told us Jackie had told the administrator that we'd been pressuring her to get baptized...which we hadn't mentioned for weeks. She asked us that we would not come to Pinnacle at all anymore. The natural man in me wanted to blow up at her, but I waited til we hung up. Ha. This transfer has been one of much refinement. Lost all of our investigators except Miguel, who's not really keeping commitments.

So Yes  I am staying another transfer, E. Rabe is getting transferred. Elder Allred and I will be doing some compromising as we have different, very different styles of doing missionary work. He makes things fun, but it's been an adjustment. 

We had a less active family that got baptized in 2011 then moved to NC for a few years come to church. They moved back in September, the attendance jumped by 10 in one week because they have 7 kids and some friends. It was so awesome to see waves of this wonderful Liberian family fill up the chairs in the chapel. And a less active named Albert came to church for the second week and even brought his ex-wife who hangs out with her boyfriend at Albert's house...yeah I know..what? Weird situation, but they were loved and welcomed at church which is just like getting a baptism. I'm learning to love working with less-actives because they already know! They just need a little booster shot! (Which bruise the arm for a week, but in the long run does you good)

However, we visited a less active family who owns a dry cleaning shop in Newcastle, DE. They warmly welcomed us in. We chatted for a solid 20 minutes then left a spiritual message. E. Allred talked about Alma 47 and how Satan slowly but surely entices us to come down off the top of the mountain to lower grounds. This couple is sealed in the temple, he's an RM they have two kids, been less active for only two years. But they were almost disgusted at our question of what they could do to get back to the top of the mountain (the temple). They expressed their beliefs that they didn't need church to teach their kids good values. Then the RM said "I don't need Christ." 

So I'm fine with people slamming the door whatever, but when a returned missionary, sealed in the temple man says that he does not need the SAVIOR and REDEEMER of the world, it was like a stab to the heart. He has his agency, I can't control that. All we can do is invite. And it was awkward, probably one of the more awkward moments of my mission. And there's all these coulda shoulda woulda's that came to mind after the fact. But we invited them to come again unto Christ. And I just love the youth theme this year.

"Come unto Christ and be perfected in Him" (Mor. 10:32)All it is is an invitation. God cannot force us to come to His Son, He can force us to be at peace or to feel His love or to receive sweet forgiveness. Why not come unto the Savior of the world? I love Him more and more every day as I feel His loving arms and embrace. This is hard work, but I know I am benefiting perhaps more than those I'm serving. I know Christ lives. and He can make us whole. 

Love always,

Elder Robins

Eating balot, a Filipino specialty: it's duck egg a few days before it hatches. So you're eating beaks and feathers and bones and eyes. Hope you're not eating! It was pretty...umm... good? I guess. Ha

Haitian Feast at the Riche's from the ward. Second dinner appt that night, i just about had to get rolled to the car.

Yumilicious purple and white sweet potatoes from a less active who works at a DelState Farm where they do genetics tests like that. Tastes normal, color throws you off though

Polar Bear Blast

Friends and Family,

 

What a blessing good weather really is! I feel like I have so often taken the mild, pleasant weather at home for granted. This week was just nutty weather wise. And for your meteorologist report: Tuesday a high of 8 degrees...oh but there's going to be a light breeze of 35 mph to make it a brisk -14 degrees. AKA, perfect tracting weather...if we want our hands to fall off after the first knock. Needless to say, we weren't outside much at all that day. It was just miserably cold. And New York even broke a 118 year record low...my that's cold. Hey but we were able to stay warm. We actually taught our soon to be 91 year old (Happy Birthday Grandma Clyde!) investigator Bill the Plan of Salvation using my wooden puzzle. The visual helped him grasp the whole layout. And the scriptures in the Bible outline the different degrees of glory in Heaven. A lot of times he just expresses his loneliness now that Jackie is gone, and he just waits for the Lord to take him.

 

Other than that, we had a mutual "Drop talk" with our investigator Cardin yesterday. He hasn't been reading or coming to church and he made it sound like he just wants to learn more. Ofttimes we have to help people understand that -this is more than 'Bible Study' this is a life changing process. This is Eternal Life. If only we could just impart that understanding to others that this is so much more than the eye or mind can behold. But, there is order in all things. And I have learned to trust that the Lord is taking care of His people. Whether they drop us or not. So we planted the seed and welcomed him to still come to church and basketball on saturday.

 

Speaking of, with Elder Allred here, we started  basketball at the church on a carpet gym with a half court, but it was still fun and we had a good turn out. And believe it or not, I made a few shots! My teammates were just surprised as I was, guess the Lord can give us a hand in sports too if we're humble enough! Sure wasn't me! Right after basketball at 8am on Saturday, we did service with our ward mission leader, Brother McVicker who volunteers at the Smyrna Historical Museum downtown on Main St. It just involved moving wood and junk from the basement to trucks outside. And we have been seeking to do a lot more service for members and non members and all over the community. It's a much more effective way of getting the name of the church and the name of Jesus Christ out there. I mean, as much as I lovvvveee knocking doors, I think I'd prefer service any day. So no we haven't done much service yet, but we're waiting for applications at a local hospital and Rehab Center, etc. At the museum I got to play my first pump organ, with the two foot pedals that pivot up and down to blow air like an accordion through the pipes housed in the piano looking console. It was quite the multi-tasker's delight! Props to organists in the olden days who had to create their own air! We get off easy Sister Carsten!

 

In the mean time, we have spent more time with less active members, especially one man named Bro Churchill. We found him on the roster several months ago and began visiting. Got him a home teacher and taught him a few lessons. Then yesterday, I saw him walk through the church doors. And seeing a less active member walk through those doors is just as exciting and heartwarming as a baptism. Because it's a lost sheep coming back to the fold of God! I love it, and we knew that our efforts the past few weeks have not been in vain. Although we have no progressing investigators right now, we know that the Lord is preparing people. Ha, I may not see the fruits of my labors...but, the seeds have been planted. Well we have an investigator, Miguel (Spanish Speaker in Millington with the chickens)  But he's not really progressing because he's not keeping commitments like coming to church and reading. And we don't have them do it for us. It's all to help them come unto Christ and learn for themselves whether or not this is God's restored true church.!

 

We spent some time inside this week because I've had a cold and was coughing, then E. Allred kind of caught it and it was just a little rough. My companions had to force me to stay in because I'm stubborn like that, but as I thought about it, the passage in Mosiah 4:27 came to mind. "It is not requisite that a man should run faster than he has strength." I liked to think that missionaries were invincible, because we're "on the Lord's errand" which we are. BUT, we're still mortal/human/subject to all manner of afflictions. Soooo, I learned my lesson. I like to work myself to the ground, and I'm sure you can all atest to that. But..the Lord taught me in a personal way, that I need to take care of myself first so that He can make me a more powerful instrument in His hands. "And it is expedient that he should be diligent [but not crazy] that thereby he might WIN THE PRIZE {eternal life}." I love you all and pray for you and feel your prayers as well. The Lord sustain those who love and follow Him. Have a wonderful week and know that someone in Delaware loves you!

 

Love,

 

Elder Jake Robins

And this is why we love knocking so much!

Can't remember what it's called, but it's a 400 year old desk that was used to hide Bibles because it was against the Law for people to have or read the Bible

Perfect surfing weather, a balmy 8 degrees.

A New Year, A New Life

Happy New Year Everyone! Let's make 2014 the best yet!

 

We had a fun New Year's Eve get together at the Hengst's with some of their in-laws and what not. They had tons of food and desserts and unfortunately I just wasn't that hungry that night. Neither were my companions. It was weird, probably the least food I've eaten on New Year's Eve since birth...ehhh,,, probably not. But you get the point. The in-laws were visiting from AZ and asked each of us what sports we played in high school. I was last and as usual told the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth...So I told 'em I was starting quarterback in High school. Then out of the blue Brother Hengst (quieter 60 year old man) blurted out, "Elder Robins? Yeah right! You were probably the waterboy!" Wow thanks pops! We all got a chuckle out of that as we all know I made it onto the BYU football team for my mad skills. So now I'm nicknamed the waterboy. Good. Great reputation to leave.

 

After the Hengst's we went to the Poquita's (Filippino family in the ward who are awesome member missionaries!) and there was even more food that we kind of just looked at and nibbled. I was disappointed that I just didn't have an appetite. That night I woke up at 12 am and was like, "Huh that worked out nicely. Automatic alarm clock!" Then within the minute there was dozens of gunshots going off outside and geese and ducks scurrying all over the sky. Not the typical California pots and pans and illegal firecrackers I'm used to.

 

New Year's Day we spent the day in Maryland, wanting to get all the way out to the Chesepeake Bay (partially because we just wanted to say we got out there) But we did spend some time in Millington, having prayed to Heavenly Father that we were going to find a family. A family that doesn't just say yeah come back, and then stand us up.A family that is ready for Christ to really be a part of their lives. So we went searching. And knocking. We visited Miguel (Spanish speaker from Mexico with the family that's all members, ps I talked in spanglish to his pretty daughter on the phone and she is waiting for a mission call, which is awesome for all of them!) and he showed us the chicken farm again because Elder Allred hadn't seen it. I'll send a few more pics. Came out covered in chicken dust. Could have deep fried me and called it Southern cookin. He's busy working the machines a lot, which is his excuse for not coming to church or reading the Book of Mormon. But we are patient with him and hopefully helped him see the need for the Book of Mormon.

 

We did find a man named Bernie in the nicer, main housing development in Millington. He immediately let us in and we talked for a few minutes. He readily accepted the Book of Mormon and invited us to come back on Sunday. (which we did and it was a no show appt). But he has seen the corruption in so many other churches and showed an interest and said he would have his family listen in as well. Then we went up to Galena MD (which is about 8 miles NE of Millington) to scavenger hunt for a less active. The neighbor couple gave us their address and we got so excited, like we just got a 4.0 or something. Galena is even smaller than Millington and I guess i must've blinked because I definitely missed it the first time through. Elder Allred is a huge hunter. He is just loving the geese and all these hunters we're working with. So he's in heaven and the couple liked that he was a hunter and invited us to come back anytime.

 

We finished New Year's Day with a very formal chinese dinner at a member's home. They bought take out and made the whole set up really fancy. The Christian family lives in a decent mansion on 3 or 4 acres and their kids are just awesome. Noah Christian actually met or knew Grant Ganschow as he was leaving the Colorado Springs Mission and Grant was coming in. PS, has anyone seen The Saratov Approach? The movie about the missionaries in Russia that got kidnapped? Sister Christian headed the only playing of that movie on the east coast in Middletown, DE. So that was a big deal out here.

 

Thursday we went to Zone Training in Dover, which can be boring or fun depending on what they plan...this time was so so. Then we weekly plan right after zone training. Ick. I am not a fan of weekly planning, but I do it because the Lord asks us to and I know He can work with and modify the plans we make to bring people closer to Christ. It usually takes 2-3 hours out of our thursdays. Then we'll take a late lunch. So we usually don't start proselyting til about 4 on thursdays. But we saw Bill (Jackie's husband) who lives alone because Jackie is back at Pinnacle, probably for good. He loves it when we stop by. We picked up the dog crap on the side yard and after talking to him for a bit, he was in tears as he said, "You are true friends." It was a touching moment. But I've never seen someone get upset or tearful like he did when he said " After all these years, I still can't believe they did that to my Lord." I was struck by His reverence and awe at the sacrifice and Atonement of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

 

And the storm started that night. I wasn't expecting much, being in good ol' Delaware. But it started coming down hard and it just kept coming and coming. I was peaking through the windows and opening the door to see the snow. My comps from Utah were both laughing at me and making fun of me, acting like a Californian that had never seen snow before. They give me some flack for being from CA just because the wonderful reputation the state has. We had actually gotten told by the Zone Leaders that President Anderson wanted the whole mission to be in by 6 pm because of the storm. So though I really wanted to stay out in it, we were told otherwise. Trusting he knew what was best. We got about 8 inches here in Smyrna which is a ton for this area. that means the Northern part of the mission got close to 2 feet. And...the next morning we were told on our weekly wednesday Mission wide conference call that only senior companions can drive now because there were like 11 accidents in the mission in the past 3 weeks or something. Ridiculous. Needless to say, I was a little ticked. But.. got over it.

Almost done. Friday morning we get a call from a man in Wilmington whose sister's car spun off the road. REally long story super short. We get there in Townsend and we had been told that a 4x4 truck and all that jazz would be needed to get her out. We laughed when we saw the scene. We gave it a few shoves as she stepped on the gas and she got right out. Ummm, what? It was just an unnecessarily long ordeal, but hey, gotta love the service opportunities! Then E. Allred and I went to Dover on exchanges with a very trunky jamaican Elder who goes home to get married in 2 weeks. Not the most productive day of my mission, I'll say that much.

 

So I love the Book of Mormon. I love the sweet Spirit that quietly, subtley (sp?) speaks truth to my heart. I've read it several times before, but never has the Book of Mormon made so much sense or felt so true in my life. Please take time to read it, even if a verse every day. It will change your life. I say that only out of experience. No I'm not going to come home being gandhi or father theresa. But I'm becoming a better man. A better priesthood holder. Future father and husband and so much of it can be attributed to the spiritual experiences I have with the Scriptures, especially the Book of Mormon. I love what Ammon says in Alma 27:17 about being "Swallowed up in the joy of his God." If we let it, the Atonement and Christ will work to swallow up all that sorrow and misery. All the unfairness and pain in life. We can have peace and joy. Just let HIM in.

 

Love always,

 

Elder Jake Robins

Got chickin?

Once there was a snowman...that eventually melted

A Mile in My Shoes

Freinds and Family!

 

Hope you had a wonderful Christmas filled with warmth and love from above. (Didn't mean for that to rhyme) I had a wonderful Christmas and Christmas Eve. On Christmas eve we got to visit our Filippino family in the ward, The Poquita's and they had a beautiful set up of all these Filippino dishes, which made the typical American ham look kind of odd being on the same table. The food was soo good, things like Stained Glass jello, cassava cake (some sort of potato concoction thrown into a casserole..apparently it's a Filippino dish) Much better than the food was the Spirit we felt. The Poquita's had invited several non-member neighbors over and had planned for us to leave a spiritual message. So we watched the mormon message about the Christmas pageant that turns into the nativity, then shared Isaiah 9:6. I have felt a new peace or adoration this year unlike anything I've felt in the past as I've contemplated the name given to the Savior, "The Prince of Peace."

 

I don't know about you, but this world isn't the most...peaceful place to live. In fact, it's pretty terrible. Pretty gloomy and dark. But this season, I have gained a greater perspective of why we really "adore" a little boy born in Bethlehem around this time every year. It's because He was the one and only answer. The ONLY hope.

 

Christmas morning we woke up at 5 10 in the fruit pickin' morning. I swear even Santa is in bed by that time. The Shahan's wanted us at their house at 6:30 and they live in Timbuktu on the DE/MD border so we had to plan for that. But we had a wonderful morning with them and the Spirit of Christ was their as we shared a message about why we even celebrate this season. The Shahan's got us each grooming kits, socks, a tie, and stocking full of candy and knick knacks. I tried Scrapple for the first time. If you really want to know what scrapple is ask me later. Don't want to make everyone vomit. But it's pretty tasty and there was just tons of food for only 11 people including their kids and another single member. It was fun to see the little kid's faces light up.

 

We ended up going to 5 member's homes Christmas day and they were all just welcoming and wonderful and we felt the Spirit with each of them. It really did feel like "home away from home"

 

Jackie is out of the rehab center and back home with Bill, she didn't make it to church because she wanted to spend time with him. She says she reads her Book of Mormon, but has no clue what she's reading. Ha we went to Cardin's on Tuesday during the day and planned to finish teaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ... but somehow he said he had some issues, then we asked what they were and it took us on a long, in-depth, unplanned discussion on the one and only Law of Chastity. Boy was that fun.  He had several questions and concerns that kept the conversation going, but we were able to help him see that sexual purity is a commandment from God, not the Mormons or Joseph Smith. But God. Kind of a bigger deal that way. He has a really good heart and I'm excited to see where he goes with this. It may take more time than I personally would like, but the salvation of a soul is worth all the time in the world. I'm sure I won't be able to say again that I taught a very in-depth lesson on sexual purity on Christmas Eve...

 

We went out to Woodland Beach area...like 20 feet of beach on the Delaware River..wooohoo! We're not allowed to go on beaches anymore because Sisters posted pictures of themselves touching the water...But we went out there to find. And find we did not. A bunch of uninterested people and a lot of miles to get out there. But we have seen miracles of success with the referrals members give us. They don't complain about the "caliber" of people we're finding, and those they do bring to us already have friends in the church. We got two such referrals last week that we're still working on contacting, but hey it's a miracle that we got them. Our other investigators are either kind of flaky at the moment or we're not sure if they're fully accountable...soo, yeah we need to find. But the Lord guides us as we labor in His vineyard, I can sure attest to that. Some days are better than others. We are having fun and trying not to stress (aka me) but ya know, living the Gospel of Jesus Christ really is the best remedy to all stress, all pains and suffering. And when we are converted, we can be like the Anti-Nephi-Lehies who "never did fall away" as they did "lay down their weapons of rebellion." (Alma 23:6-8) Never fall away, EVER.

 

Have a safe and prosperous New Year.! 2014!!

 

Love,

 

Elder Jacob Robins

 

Jesus Was No Ordinary Man

Merry Christmas!

 

Isn't the Christmas Season just wonderful? I feel so blessed to have felt the Spirt of Christmas, or the Spirit of Christ especially this year. I won't be home for Christmas this year, but I have lost myself in this work and I don't want to come home. I love being on the Lord's errand and doing HIS work 24/7. It feels so much more rewarding and satisfying than the day-to-day grind of everyday life...But I sincerely believe that's why the call for member missionary work is being emphasized, because this all around joyful, full, satisfied feeling isn't just for set apart missionaries. It's available to all who will heed a prophet's call to go "To the Rescue" of our brothers and sisters lost in the darkness and confusion in this world.

 

We spent more time with members this week which was fun and felt productive. For instance, on Thursday we went out to Millington, MD and decided to knock and contact because MD hasn't really been touched by missionaries in this area for several years, so we feel there's a lot of soul harvesting to do. And there is we found a humble, pure Spanish speaking woman named Rosalia who lives in the thriving metropolis of downtown Millington (population 20, nah it's several thousand I'm sure). She invited us in, but in our terrible broken Spanglish, Elder Allred and I mumbled that we could not enter without an adult male present, so we set up an appt with her. Yesterday, Sunday, we visited her with a Spanish Speaking member. The husband, Raul, sat in and spoke spanglish to us. We introduced the Book of Mormon, he expressed a respectful disinterest, but she was captivated. We offered un El Libro de Mormon and she grasped hold of it and treated it like valuable treasure. It was heartwarming tto see a humble heart grasp and be so willing to feast upon the Word of God. In the car on the way home, we discussed how she just had a pure Spirit and desire to learn about God. He showed an interest in us coming over to help her learn english, so this could be a good opportunity to help them both feel the light of the gospel. Our God is a God of miracles.

 

I got several packages and christmas cards, thanks to all the families and friends for sending those out, love to hear how everyone's doing. On Wednesday we showed up at Abe's house (the less-active man who found us in the Acme grocery store) and he came outside his door and we talked for about 20 minutes. He explained how his wife is an "elder" in the Methodist church and as such would not even let us into their home. He felt so bad because he wanted to be hospitable as I'm sure most Filippinos are. But, after sharing a scripture with him, the thought came to my mind that I should invite him to lunch with us. So I did and he jumped on the idea and immediately invited us to a dinner party with him and his wife and another Methodist couple at a fancy Italiano Ristorante called Trevi. So come Saturday, after we had dinner with a member couple, we met Abe at Trevi (not so well planned, dinner right after dinner). He greeted us and introduced us to his friends and wife. They were pleasant and inquisitive. As we were sitting in the booth adjacent to theirs, we overheard them asking questions like "They believe in that John Smith guy right? Are they Jehovah's Witnesses?" And several people were glancing at us and then they'd talk amongst themselves. I was tempted to stand on the water fountain in the middle of the Restaurant and start preaching...but, on a scale of 1 to classy, didn't think that'd be very classy. So I refrained of course.

 

Abe told us to get whatever we wanted, so I got a $17 plate of salmon, etc. and boy was it good. We are well treated by our members. That is not mission wide though. Elder Allred just came from a branch in Philadelphia with 19 active members and 6 missionaries meeting in a store front...so, there's a bit of diversity out here.

 

In terms of investigators: We have to transfer Josh to the Dover Elders because he lives in their area, which stinks because he is just golden. But he will still come to the Smyrna ward. Jackie, had a rough lesson with her on thursday with Bro. Keeley. I didn't know where to go with it, she repeated an event from earlier in the day 3 times in 5 minutes and we just walked away feeling shot. It's sad that her dementia is getting worse, but Bishop advised us to keep going towards baptism because she wants it and feels that it's God's path for her. It will be tough because she will need a ride to church from members every week, but she is a beloved daughter of God and deserves the same love and concern as anyone else. So it's been a struggle with her because although we've gone over the Restoration with her 3-4 times, she hasn't a clue who Joseph Smith is other than "a minister"...

 

Brother Keeley and I had a powerful lesson with Cardin where we talked about the Doctrine of Christ and Cardin was teaching us half the time. He is so prepared and spiritually in tune. He said," It seems like in many churches the philosophy is to 'Come as you are' and many people do. But we're not supposed to come as we are and stay as we are. Church is meant to help us change, I think." Well Cardin, you ready to give a talk in Sacrament Meeting next week? Cause it sure does sound like it. The Spirit was there, Bro Keeley was in tears and it was just great. And yeah I may not see him get baptized, but I helped plant the seed.

 

We had our Christmas Devotional in Dover this week, oh ps. the weather last week was straight up CA, HI weather. It was nuts. The 21st of Dec, aka the first day of winter, got up to 71 degrees and sunshiney. It was mind boggling, but hey I won't complain. Such beautiful weather. Just a litttle rainy today. Anyways, we watched (Yes, missionaries watched a movie!!) the new pioneer film Ephraim's Rescue. The Spirit was strong as we discussed it and testimonies were born. They handed out the hundreds of boxes, and then we were taken out to our new car in the parking lot.

 

Why do we celebrate Christmas? Presents? Shopping? Gifts? Food? Money? Trees? Decorations? But why? Just to be nice? The world just doesn't get it.

 

"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and...his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6

 

I've done the nativity what, 18 times, but never before has it meant so much to me. Never before have I felt the supreme, gentle love of our Savior Jesus Christ. President Anderson pointed out that "it requires a great discipline to focus on Christ during the holiday that celebrates His birth, because almost everything we see as we celebrate pulls our attention in another direction." But He isn't called the Prince of Peace for nothing. (sorry for being preachy) He is the very source of peace. No not a nice date night or a break from work. But true, lasting, eternal peace.

 

Ponder on that babe in Bethlehem. What does HE mean to you? What we must have been doing watching that moment in heaven, rejoicing in the fact that yes, we would have a chance to make it through. We would have a chance to become something. We would have a chance to come home.

 

I love Jesus Christ and know that He does indeed live. I know He is the only way. I love you all and wish you a very Merry Christ-centered Christmas.

 

Love always,

 

Elder Jacob Robins

If the Savior Stood Beside Me

Dear Family and Friends!

We got our third companion last week on Wednesday instead of Tuesday because of the storm that hit the east coast. President didn't want us all travelling in the storm. It was a pretty rough storm although here in Smyrna we only got like 2 inches of snow...wet, heavy, snow, the kind that gives bruises in snowball form or that would soak you if you were to make snow angels in it. Anyways, Elder Allred is from guess...... Riverton, UT! He is quite the character. Really spices things up in the companionship. He and I get along and the 3 of us have just been having fun. Our first day together we were walking down the street, and I was like "No no, stop, this is too much, there are too many of us!" It just felt like a wall of missionaries walking down the street. Takes Men in Black to a whole new level. I'd be intimidated!! 

We taught our very first lesson together as a trio to Cardin, and it was just kind of weird. We're all decent teachers, but it will take some practice to work with each other. With the help of the Spirit we have improved a lot already. I also went on my first member split where I went alone teaching with a member and it felt bizarre being away from companions for more than 5 minutes. But we had a good lesson with a woman named Dehdo who had met with missionaries 10 years ago and was warm and welcoming. She is from Liberia and her husband is a pastor at another church. We found her by knocking near a less-active, so we've had some miracle finds in the recent past. We just hope that we can do our part to turn these into miracle conversions. The Spirit will testify to their hearts of the truth of our message and they have the choice whether or not to act upon that. 

Speaking of, we met with Zack on Tuesday and he had just woken up so he was a little loopy. But we talked with him about baptism and Alma 7 which talks about the Atonement and where your heart needs to be before baptism. I was being a little impatient with him, but Elder Rabe would always bring the Spirit back into the lesson as he explained the need for repentance and the Atonement in our lives. It's not just Mormons that need the Atonement of Jesus Christ, it's all of God's Children. We simply cannot make it back home without Jesus Christ. Zack told us that he was considering getting baptized in the Catholic church....umm that's great, but did you not understand anything we taught you? The need for the Priesthood authority from God. He essentially wants something for nothing by getting baptized without actually changing his life. He had not showed up to our appt with him last Saturday and he told us Tuesday that he got arrested that night for drugs and DUI. Zack, we love you, but really? I asked him about the Spirit that we had definitely felt with us before in multiple occasions and at church. He denied that he had felt the Spirit or said that he just had felt good. I was speechless. I had grown to really love him and still do. But with him flat out saying he's not ready to repent and make these changes in his life, it was kind of a stab-to-the -heart for the day. Yes we recognize their agency, yes not everyone will see that this is the truth, but when you have that friendship and love for a person like that, it can be just heartbreaking. So that's the story with Zack.

Elder Allred and I went on a scavenger hunt for the less- active named Abe that we had met at Acme. It was a miracle to see the hand of the Lord literally guiding us from one house to the next until the pieces of the puzzle fit together and we found that he had purposely given us a phony address. But we found him! And in his Filippino accent he exclaimed "You found me!" We could tell on the inside he was like,"Darn it, the Mormons found me again!" Professional Stalkers. Check. We will see him again this week.

Jackie didn't come to church or the ward Christmas Party because she has been down in the dumps. She really wants to go home to her husband Bill and get out of the Rehab Center she's in. I don't know how much we could do about that, but trust that all things will work out. We found a man named Harvey and his wife Tinita the other day. We had gotten through most of the Restoration when Tinita walked in and showed an interest. Elder Allred introduced the Priesthood power of Sealing families here on earth and that really hit Tinita. She began tearing up as she told us about her mom and brother recently passing away. We asked her if she would like to learn about how she can see her loved ones again, with tearful eyes she gently nodded as she whispered "Yes. Yes." We gave her and Harvey a copy of the Book of Mormon, the Spirit worked His miracle by touching their hearts and preparing them to accept the invitation to be baptized by that proper Priesthood authority. Both accepted. We left feeling the Power of God move quietly, subtly, but indefinitely through the hearts of the children of men.

Just as Alma and Amulek experienced in the Book of Mormon, "angels are...preparing the hearts of the children of men to receive his word." (Alma 13:24) Such is the truth. I read a quote that the work of the angels of God and the full-time missionaries is one in the same. Some are seen, the others just go unseen, but we do the same work. How humbling it is to know that THIS is God's work. 

Cardin and his wife Tynequah and 2 kids and his sister made it to the ward party. The ward was so welcoming and wonderful to them and Cardin was just smiling the whole time, the kids had a blast and it was a wonderful event. We had to set up more chairs and tables because more people than was expected showed up, a good problem to have! So yeah he may not get baptized while I am serving here, but I do not doubt that the Lord has so much in store for him and his cute little family.

I love you all and am getting excited to talk to the fam on Christmas! Remember to remember our Heavenly Father always. He will always love you. Always.

Love, 

Elder Robins 

Creative stocking made by our Zone Leader's mom

The Nesbit/Cook Family baptism from last week. Such awesome people

The Tripanionship- Allred, Me, Rabe