Chapter 18: Happy Thanksgiving

Hello Everyone!

Happy Belated Thanksgiving! I hope you all ate way too much and enjoyed time with family! For those of you who don't know, my family has a tradition of going hiking on Thanksgiving and eating turkey sandwiches ( ya I know, we're a little odd that way :)) so that meant that this Thanksgiving was among the few "traditional" dinners I have ever had. Lets just say that I have never eaten so much in my life I think. We literally left feeling in pain from so much food! Who would have thought that would be a problem! And we "only" went to one dinner. I can't even imagine those poor elders who thought they could handle two... big mistake. Anyways, it was super fun to get to continue to bond with the ward members out here and hear some of their fun stories. I love the C_______ family. We got to head over a little early and help Sister C_____ with the dinner and setting the table. They really are our ward family and it's amazing how we all take care of each other in the church. I don't think I fully realized that until now. 

Anyways, it's been a pretty good week :). Sadly many of our investigators got sick this week so we have been praying our guts out that they start feeling better and also that we will find new people to teach. I have faith that God is preparing people to receive the gospel in every area because if He wasn't, He wouldn't have missionaries go knock everyone's door trying to find them. I know that God will lead us to someone so long as we exercise our faith and do our best.

We started working with this less active girl in the YSA branch named C____ this week. She has been nearly impossible to get a hold of but but by the grace of God ( and some funny timing) we were finally able to meet her. She hasn't been out to church in a long time, almost since she was baptized, but she knows that it's true. Life just kinda got in the way. When we asked her if we could come back she totally agreed and said she would try her hardest to get to church, even if it was just the family ward near her home. Amazing how God has a hand in all of our lives. 

We are also starting to officially work with a less active in Candy Mountain. She has had missionaries just "stop by" for years but we got to the root of some of her concerns and offered to come by weekly, read with her, and send her encouraging texts throughout the week and she was super excited. Since we last met with her she has read a chapter in the Book of Mormon every day and is saying her prays. Anyone who has a desire to come closer to God can and WILL if they put forth the effort, and the missionaries are there to help! We love to serve how ever we can so if that means that we are needed to help you study the scriptures once a week to help strengthen your wavering testimony, we"ll do it in a heart beat. Everyone needs to be nourished by the good word of God. Non member, less active, member, EVERYONE. 

Let me tell you about one more amazing person I have gotten to know better in the last week. Her name is Sister H______ ( pronounced Hershey ( yes like the candy bar (YUM!!!))). She is the Branch Presidents wife out in the YSA and has been such a support to us. Nealy all our plans ( and back up plans sadly) fell through one night so we gave her a call and asked if she would be willing to go our with us to try and find some of the less active YSA in the branch. She came to our rescue and drove us all around Richland and West Richland to try and find these people. Most of them had either moved or gave us fake addresses but she served with a smile on her face and knew that even though we only found one person that night, it was worth it. If ye shall bring one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy in the kingdom of my father. I love her. Also, funny little tidbit, she calls herself our "branch mom" and loves A&W root beer floats ( yes we made an 8:45pm run :)) but above all that, she loves God and serving his children. She is such an example to me to Christlike service. 

I love this work so much, even when it's not the easiest. I know that God has these areas in His hand and that He is very aware of all our struggles. Here's an invitation for ya... Hug a missionary :) Let them know that they are doing so well and that you know that not only are their parent back home are proud of them, but that their Heavenly Father is too. It means a lot :). 

I love you all!!!!! Till next week!

Sister Tobler

One of her "few" traditional Thanksgiving dinners.

Lindsey and Sister Evans with their cute turkeys.

Chapter 17: 'O the Weather Outside is Frightful!!!

Hello Everyone!

If you couldn't tell based on this weeks letter title, it's a little on the cold side.. or a lot a bit! We went from having 50 degree weather to 30 with wind!!!! I was not prepared for that! We think people take pity on us because we have had a few people who invited us in immediately to let us warm up for a minute even if they aren't particularly interested in having a lesson. It gives us an opportunity to share a little more of what we believe though! Amazing how God helps the work to go forth no matter how cold and blustery it is outside :).

The work is just fantastic! We had a lesson with a YSA aged gal' named G_____. A little back story on her, she has been close to being baptized twice and both times backed out the day before/ an hour before because of some anxieties she has. Our lesson with her this week was truly inspired. We talked about the Restoration but emphasized how God helps us to overcome our anxieties and shortcomings. Joseph Smith only had a third grade education. He was persecuted nearly his entire life and through it all, he relied on God. God gives the increase when we have nothing left to give. Amazing to see the wheels turn in her mind as it made sense that if she really wants to be baptized, God will help her because it is a righteous desire. We invited her to be baptized on December 24th and she got so excited ( in fact, she threw her hands in the air :)) and accepted. She is so excited to be baptized on Christmas Eve and then to receive the best gift ever on Christmas, the Holy Ghost :). I can't think of a better way to spend the holidays.

We have also been teaching this lady named J___. It's incredible to see how God humbles and prepares people to be baptized. She said that she already knows that she want's to be baptized to show God her devotion to Him and really want's to be baptized on her birthday( in three weeks). We know that if she truly wants this and exercises faith unto repentance, she can be baptized even in that short a time. I think it's amazing how we aren't really even doing anything with these people. We are literally being led to them at the exact moment when they are prepared. God is amazing :).

I went on exchanges this week and I can be honest and say that I was terrified! When I have gone on exchanges in the past I always left my area and went to the Sister Training Leaders area. This time, I stayed in my area and had to be the leader and make the plans and everything. You could say that was a little frightening especially since I had been here a week at that point. Sister Evans was great and helped me plan out the day and everything and then Sister Nessen was amazing in helping me navigate the area via map and her memory ( she used to serve here). We were truly blessed and we relied on God and went where He needed us!

I love this work with all my heart! I'm sure that I say that every week but I really do. I have seen so many times when I felt so low and only God was able to pick me back up again. When I wake up and I feel so sick and tired he gives me to strength to get up, throw on some sweats, and go run either a 1/4 mile or half a mile ( just depends :)), and head out and get to work. I know that I don't have the strength on my own, but He gives the increase. Always.

I love you all!!! Have a great Thanksgiving!!!!!

Sister Tobler

Chapter 16: Let Him Heal You

Howdy Everyone!!!

So I'm serving in Richland now! Land of.... well I don't actually know what... I have no clue where I am... ya... but I love it here :). By far my favorite place to tract in in Candy Mountain Estates where all of the streets are named after different candys :). We tracted Milky Way yesterday and I think we will be tracting Starbust Ln tomorrow :). Super fun. The people here are very kind and even though most aren't interested they listen and take a pamphlet. We have even had a few people say that we can come back in a few days to check up on their reading. Little do they know what will happen if they pray :)

It is really interested serving in YSA branch. Kinda weird since everyone is around my age. My worlds collided a little yesterday when we were greeting people as they walked in for church and someone from my YSA ward up at BYUI walked in. My mind kinda exploded and I wasn't really sure what to say so me being my awkward self just said "Hi!" and gave her a hug and tried not to stare at her through all of church. Now y'all have a glimpse of what happens when missionaries worlds collide. You're welcome :) It is fun though to have a part in helping them bring their friends into the Gospel. There is a young man in the branch who was just baptized a few months ago and is now serving as a branch missionary. Earlier this year if you asked him what he believed he would have said that he was an atheist. Amazing how people can change with the light of Christ.

We met the most amazing lady this week! Her name is G____. She's 72 years old, never been married and quite possibly never made a mistake in her entire life ( just kidding!). Sister Evans met her nephew several weeks ago and we were finally able to meet her! Turns out she has been reading the Book of Mormon for over a year!!! I asked her what she has thought of it and she said "Oh, I know it's true. You will learn when you get to be my age that there is no way that any man could have written this book. It is a book from God". She was first exposed to the church as a young girl through cousins but in her tiny town there were no church members. She remembers that when she had that first exposure she made a promise with God to follow him always. She has "lived the Mormon lifestyle" (that's how she put it :)) all her life and wants to be baptized. She is now preparing to be baptized in December :). I love her so much and I'm so excited to watch her continue to progress towards our Heavenly Father.

We also met this lady named J____ this week. She immediately invited us in and it was evident that she had been crying all night. She opened up to us and told us of the hardships she has been facing and she felt like God had abandoned her or was punishing her for all of her sins. All I could do was testify of the love that God has for her and that I knew that it was no coincidence that we knocked on her door that night. I'm not sure if I have ever been so bold or direct in my entire life but there was a power behind my words and know that she was able to catch at least a glimpse of the love that God has for her. I know that God's love is real and is available to all who will reach out to Him. He knows each of us individually. He knows us BY NAME. He knows all of our trials, struggles, heartaches, and everything in between. Rely on Him and I promise He will give you strength to do all things. 

Another exciting thing, we had Elder Zaballos come and do a mission tour here!!! So much fun to get to hear from a general authority of the Lord and everything that he hoped that we can become as missionaries. I feel ready to go and help the work continue to progress. He compared missionary work to an apple. You never know how many apples you will get from a single seed. In the same way, you never know how many lives you will touch through your service. He was the only person in his family that joined the church but now his children have all served missions, taught, served, and spread the love of God to hundreds of people. Christlike service does bring forth "apples", even if we never know how many we get :). Also, get excited to the 2016 Christmas initiative the church is doing. We got to preview it :) I wont give anything away but get ready for it :) So excited!!!!!!

I love this work so much, with all of my heart in fact :) It's amazing how the Gospel of Jesus Christ is true no matter where you go. You can go to Kennewick, or Richland, or Texas,or Thailand and it is the same. God is the same no matter the continent and His work will progress. Every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess that Jesus is the Christ and I look forward to that day when He will say " the work is done". Until that day I will serve Him with all of my heart, might, mind and strength. To all of you within the sound of my voice ( and email :)), Give your life to Him in serving your fellow men and you will see His hand in your life DAILY! I have seen in. I have tested Him and He has proven true every time.

 I love you all and thank you for all of your love and support!!!

Sister Tobler

P.S. The choir I directed for the mission conference, FANTASTIC!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)

New companion, Sister Evans!

Chapter 15: Trust in the Lord with all thine heart...

Hello Everyone!

First off..... I'VE BEEN TRANSFERRED! How nutty is that?!? I'll be the first to admit that I am very sad to leave the people that I have met here but I know that God has a plan for me. I know that there are lives that He needs me to touch and by golly I'm going to go and serve with all of my might :). Have I kept you in suspense long enough? I am being transferred to Richland WA! I'll be serving in a YSA ward as well as the Candy Mountain ward ( Yes that's the name of the ward and I'm kinda loving it :)).  In the words of Sister Miner, "This just means that  you get to love more people." and in the words of Nephi, " I will go and do the things that the Lord has commanded." I'm so grateful that God trusts me to help the work progress in another area and I can't wait to meet all of the people there! 

So onto the work! We have been working our little tails off! We found 4 new people to teach this week and they are just incredible. When we met F____, I'll admit that I didn't think she was interested. She shut down a little bit after she said she was a baptist and not interested in looking for a different church. Sister Miner jumped into the restoration and I had no clue how far she was planning on going with it. 20 minutes later we are still there on her doorstep and I'm sharing the first vision and she accepts a copy of the Book of Mormon and says, "so how does this work? do I give you my phone number and can you come back on Tuesday?"  We had to try to keep our jaws from dropping to the floor! She is so elect and prepared to receive the gospel! So amazing!

Another lady we met, T_____. So we also met her husband, S______, and they are from Texas ( my sweet love :)). Yes they have a very thick southern accent that I just love ( Sister Miner and I may have spent the next hour speaking in southern accents wondering if we were convincing at all :)). We taught her the first lesson and when we started talking about baptism she said that more people should take baptism more seriously. Right off the bat she accepted a baptismal date of December 10th :) I can't wait to hear more of how she progresses with her family. 

So another fun thing ( kinda sorta missionary work related), this missionary choir that I have been put in charge of... It's amazing!!! It is so powerful to stand in front of 50 missionaries and direct them in songs of missionary work. A few of the elders and sisters had some really good suggestions too so it sounds just incredible. One of the elders from my zone ( who turns out is very musical) came up to me afterwords and said that he has been in some very dull choir rehearsals and really appreciated how I made it fun and light to practice for 2 hours. It was nice to hear that :). Nice to know I'm choosing a good career post mission :).

I love this work so much and I can truly say that. It is the hardest thing I've ever done. The idea of leaving Kennewick and Sister Miner and all of the members I've come to love here scares me a little, but God is giving me the increase that I need to press forward in faith. This morning I was studying Joseph Smith's account in Liberty Jail ( D&C 121 & 122). If anyone had to show faith in God in the midst of adversity, it was Joseph. For those who aren't super familiar with the story, Joseph and a few other church leaders were thrown into Liberty Jail which was a little room that was about 6x6x6. They stayed there for a very long time under terrible conditions. During this trial Joseph cried out wondering where God was amidst all this heartache. Joseph was told to have peace and that these afflictions would be for but a small moment ( I'm paraphrasing of course). I have no clue what is coming my way. The opposition we face daily is very real. Satan wants to keep this work from progressing and if he can "get to" the missionaries or make the members believe that they can't talk about what they believe because its not "PC", then he has won. We can't let him win. Have faith that God will carry you through the ups and the downs. Put your trust in Him and you will have the strength to bear whatever is put before you. I know that I have seen that as I have relied on Him.

I love you all so much and thank you for all of your prayers. I promise that I feel them :). Y'all keep me going :) I love you will all my heart and keep praying for missionary experieces! God will put people in your path!!!

Hugs!!! ( only for the sisters :))

Sister Tobler

P.S. I think next week I'll be emailing on Tuesday because of a Mission Conference so don't be looking for anything on Monday! 

Last car wash together

Lindsey's zone goofing around

the Kennewick Zone

Sisters in the Zone

-- 

Sister Lindsey Tobler

Kennewick Washington Mission

Chapter 14: You Know You are a Missionary When...

Hello Everyone!!!

Happy belated Halloween! Let me first just say, I now understand why missionaries don't go inside at 6 everyday. We would go stir crazy! For the first hour we seriously cleaned the apartment and then sat around and twiddled our thumbs because we didn't know what to do! It was hard to think about all those people out and about and not being able to to talk to them! But I do understand why it had to be so. A few people gave us some funny looks the closer we got to 6. I think they thought we were trick or treaters... sigh... no tricks here. just truth :)

Anyways, this week has been just fantastic! Sure there were lots of ups and downs, but the ups were so much greater than all of the downs combined! We talked to so many people this week and most of them told us to come back in a few days! Amazing! It truly is incredible how when some people decide that the gospel isn't for them, God puts new people in our path who are so elect! I love this work :). 

Fun thing, I went to Hermiston this week for exchanges! So fun to get out of the tri-cities bubble and head on down to Oregon! I'll admit, it felt a little weird to get on a highway and just drive through literally the middle of nowhere for a solid 30 minutes, but I loved getting to meet new people and make new friends. I met a recent convert of about 2 months who is now a ward missionary and she is just on fire! None of her children approve of the decision that she made to be baptized but she has embraced everything completely and is one of the best ward missionaries I have ever met. And Sister R_____ was amazing to serve with, even if it was just for a day. We met a lot of interesting people and heard some crazy things, but it was so fun to have that change of pace and to get to help the work move forward in another area :)

This Sunday we had members of the high council speak in both of our wards and it was simple amazing. President M____ talked about how when he was flying planes in the military off of carrier ships way back when, they had what they call ACLS ( Automatic Carrier Landing Systems) to help them with those tricky lands. He said that most of the fatalities they had every year were due to the pilots NOT trusting those systems and deciding that they could make the landing on their own. In life we have our own ACLS ( Automatic Celestial Landing System) here in this life. God has given us so much to help us on that journey home and to "land" in safety with God. Think of the Iron Rod.

Hold to the rod, the iron rod

Tis' strong and bright and true

The iron rod is the work of God

Twill safely guide us through.

We have to trust in all of the tools that God has given us to be able to return to Him again. Don't think that you can do it on your own because trust me, you can't. Simple as that. Study the Book of Mormon DAILY. Pray DAILY. Remember your covenants DAILY. And I can promise you, as a representative of Jesus Christ, that you will see miracles. You will see the heavenly open up and pour out blessings upon you and they will be so numerous that you wont have enough room to receive them all :). I promise :).

 I love you all and thank you so much for all of your love and support! Pray for miracles! Trust in God and believe in good things to come :)

Sister Tobler

-- 

Sister Lindsey Tobler

Kennewick Washington Mission

Photos From Last week

Baptism

The whole family

Lindsey says she loves being "that" missionary that 

gets so much mail!  Thanks awesome family and 

friends!!!

Chapter 13: Let Your Light So Shine

Hello Everyone!

I LOVE THIS WORK! I really do :). Now true, some days are harder than others, but I really love it. And crazy thing, Thursday is my three month mark! Woohoo! This has been the absolute fastest three months of my life and I am so excited to see where the coming weeks take me! 

This week S___ was baptized. Such a sweet moment. She has given me a few scares I'll admit but she finally decided that this is what she wants, and she was so excited. From the moment she walked down into the water, such a sense of peace came over me. It's amazing how everyone's baptism is different because we are all different, but the Spirit still moves us. The Spirit testifies of truth in all sorts of ways. I think I felt it strongest on Sunday at her confirmation. There is such power in those words, "receive the Holy Ghost" and it was tangible in the room. When she stood up after the blessing she was in tears. She felt it too and it made me so grateful to know her.

That whole Sunday was a crazy rush of the Spirit actually. We attended two primary programs and were able to feel of the Spirit there, Sister Miner decided to tell me 5 minutes before the second hour of church would start that we were actually going to be teaching the gospel essentials class ( don't worry, it went really well surprisingly :)) and we had a lesson with an inactive lady whose story just breaks my heart. I love the people out here so much even though I hardly know them. I can feel the love that God has for them and it just makes my heart feel so full! I would do almost anything for the people here.  

Early on this week we met a man named J___ while out tracting. To preface this story, lets just say that there is one street in our area that we really don't like tracting. It's just a little too busy for our liking but we knew that we needed to knock on these doors because they could be ready for the gospel. It was pitch black and here are two girls running along side the road from house to house. i'm sure it was quite the site but I am so grateful that we did it. We met Jason that night and were able to go back the next day to teach him. It spirit was so strong in that room as we taught about the restoration of the Gospel. We asked him if he thought that Joseph Smith really saw our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and he said that too be honest, he wasn't sure. His biggest question though was if he could be forgiven of his sins. Here was a man who grew up fairly religious with his eyes now welling with tears because he had turned away from his faith for a time and while he really wanted to come back, he wasn't sure that he could. As we taught him about repentance I felt a power come into our words and while I have no clue what we said, he was touched and said that he would like us to come back. I am so grateful for this gospel because we know that God is always willing to have us turn back to Him. True it isn't always easy, but He puts people in our paths to help us along that path such as friends, family, and even missionaries :). 

Another miracle story. We had a lesson with O_____ and her family at the S______ home this week and we were so excited when her mother told us that her husband ( so O_____'s non-member stepdad) really wanted to be there. You could say that getting a text like that is kinda music to a missionaries ears :). We taught about how we can recognize impressions from the Holy Ghost and the power that he brings into our lives. Everyone, and I mean EVERYONE ( including her stepdad in inactive mother) shared stories of how they have seen God warning them through the spirit. Amazing lesson! And it is amazing to see how the example of one little girl is helping her family to build up that relationship with Christ. I love their family and I can't wait for the day that I see a picture of them all outside the temple, because I have faith that that day will come, and perhaps it isn't even too far off :).

Fun thing happened last night, so we got a phone call when we were in a lesson late last night so we didn't get to listen to the voicemail until shortly before we went in last night, but it was a call from Sister Ririe asking me to lead one of the choirs for Zone Conference! And Elder Zabaillos (?) will be there!!!! How neat is that! I am so excited to "let my light so shine" and help with this program. So Excited!!!! 

The work out here is just great. I don't even have words to describe it but it really is just fantastic :). I love all that I am learning and becoming as I rely on God and his mercy. Sometimes, no, correction, ALL THE TIME growing is not comfortable, but God helps us through the growing pains as we become something more. I'm not sure what exactly He is molding me to become yet but I have a few ideas :). When we rely on Him, one day we will be able to look back and be grateful for the struggles, because they helped us to become greater in His sight. I have a challenge for you all. Ready? Get out a sticky note and think/ pray about one think that you want to change to help you come closer to Christ, whether that be saying your prayers every morning and every night or studying in the Book of Mormon a little more every day. Put that sticky note somewhere where you will see it every day, and for a week, write down the blessing that come from the change that you are trying to make, because there will be blessings, I can promise you that because I've seen it. It really works. 

I love you all!!!! Have a great week!

Sister Tobler

-- 

Sister Lindsey Tobler

Kennewick Washington Mission