Leaving KY With A Bang W81

Well, I've been a full-time missionary for 570 days now. Who's counting? (If you don't read all of this just read my testimony below!) Thinking about taking off my badge on Wednesday makes me sad. Sorry, that was dramatic! But it's true. I've been doing this for so long, I forget normal life. I've been with the people of Kentucky for 18 months and this has been my home. Lots of mixed emotions over here. 

Let's just say I went out with a bang on Sunday. Definitely top 3 most chaotic days of my mission. We had so many friends at church. So, we were trying to make sure they all had a place and everything. During church our friend Tasha looked at me and said, "I'm really gonna miss you." And a tear streamed down her face. It was so tender. Our friend who is in a wheelchair needed CNA assistance.... luckily a missionary close by used to be a CNA. So, she rushed over to help her. About 20 minutes later our friend Amy starts shaking and saying she doesn't feel well. She starts throwing up all over. A member rushed her to the hospital. I didn't get to say bye to the members because it was so chaotic. Then we had about 4 lessons back to back with people who talk a lot, haha rushing from place to place so I could say bye to everyone. During one of those lessons an old man tickled my foot. I don't want to go into details. Also, our friend told us she was homies with Tom Cruise and told him about the LDS church and she's going to invite him when he comes into town. So there ya go! 

I've never had SOOO much food in my life. Besides Tuesday, we had lunch and dinner from members or friends every single day this week. Everyone wanted to feed us before I left! I got to see the Verdonis (from Crestwood)! They took us out for pizza, and I got to see their new baby. I got to see Amie (from Lexington)! Every single day we came home at 9pm with our arms full of food, treats, and gifts! I love being a missionary.

I felt this absolute fire in me this week. I wanted to leave my mission with no regrets. So my companion and I decided to act on every prompting. We've met so many new people and introduced the restored gospel to lots! We just started tracting again in this mission, so we've been knocking lots of doors and actually finding quite a bit of success. I'm just trying to make Jesus proud! Monday night we were supposed to make some phone calls but I looked at my comp and said, "We gotta knock doors" so we got up and both looked at each other and said, "that one!" We knocked it and met Charlotte!! She was so sweet and excited for us to come back and worship with her! Miracles after miracles this week. Wish I could stay to teach these people. We found Shannon, Charlotte, Cindy, Kenneth, Alvin, Evan and Leroy! All from just knocking on their door or talking to them in the streets. It's all about the one. I'm glad I won't have any regrets!

There are no words I could use to accurately describe to you what these past 18 months have taught me. It's been 18 months of growing, stretching, being uncomfortable, and changing. The source of all my changing has been Jesus Christ. It's Him I've leaned on throughout my whole time in Kentucky. It's Him I'll continue to lean on as I strive to become a lifelong disciple of Him. He truly is my strength beyond my own. Being a full-time missionary for His church has been eye opening. I know it's His church and His gospel because I've read the Book of Mormon, felt the spirit, prayed about Joseph Smith, taught the restoration over and over, and tried to live the gospel. Where there is truth, there is always opposition. Receiving opposition has allowed me to feel even just a sliver of what the Savior felt when he suffered all things. I know He understands me, and His Grace is what has enabled me to become the person He wants me to become. I'm grateful for repentance. I'm grateful for fresh starts. I'm grateful for my mission and the way it has set the rest of my life up for success. I will always remember my time in Kentucky. These people are my family and it's been a privilege introducing them to restored truths and helping them along our journey back to our Heavenly Father. 

I'll see y'all soon! Thanks for the support it has meant the world! I'll put my homecoming info below in case you want to join. Should have a zoom link soon too!

Love, Sister Robbins! 

1541 North 1300 West Pleasant Grove, Ut 84062 (February 26th @ 10:30)