Chapter 27: Transferred!!!!!!!!

Hello Everyone!

So I'm sure you are all dying to know.......... I'M BEING TRANSFERRED!!!!! To Pasco! I will being serving in the Pasco 10th and Columbia Basin wards starting on Wednesday :) And to top it all off, you'll never guess. I'M TRAINING A NEW MISSIONARY!!! AHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!! You can bet that I didn't even see that one coming! We were driving home from an amazing lesson with S____ ( We were celebrating that one for sure :)) and once we get back into civilization ( we were out in the boonies of West Richland) we saw that we had a missed call... From President White. DUN DUN DUUUUUN! For the last 2 weeks I have felt like I'm leaving for sure and Sister Johns was convinced that she was going to be training. Neither of us really wanted to be STL's ( not yet :)) so we were just hoping that we wouldn't get a call Sunday night. First things first, President told Sister Johns not to worry because she was going to stay in the area. Then he started talking to me and it just snowballed. I guess the Lord is ready for me to "step it up" as President put it. I am so excited to get to meet her and help her to become the missionary our Heavenly Father needs her to be. 

So you would think that the rest of the week would be a drag in comparison to last night but think again! Friday night we went to go visit one of our investigators and we happened to show up during dinner and of course they invited us to eat with them. Guess what it was.,..... Shark. That's right. I ate shark meat. and an even greater shock, I REALLY LIKED IT! Sister Tobler likes shark. Now I actually have something to say when people ask me what the weirdest thing I have eaten on my mission is :). I'm very happy :)

Another SUPER exciting thing. I can't remember if I told y'all about B____ G____from Kennewick? 

Ya. He Got baptized :). I loved getting to go back and see him finally make that sacred covenant with our Heavenly Father. Since I saw him 3 months ago he seems so different! Before he was consumed in his pain and sorrow, now, he has so much JOY in having found the gospel. And now he can prepare to do what he has been planing to for years. Now he can get ready to receive the Priesthood and baptize his children. What a happy day :)

One more big thing this week. I'm sure you have heard a little about the changes for missionaries throughout the church but let me tell you a little about it. There we were out in Benton City watching the broadcast. President decided to come and watch it with our zone which was fun. The finish instructing us on the importance of teaching the Doctrine of Christ and then comes the changes. Effective IMMEDIATELY we only report those investigators baptized and confirmed, those investigators with a set baptismal date, those investigators who came to church, and our new investigators. THAT'S IT! No reporting lessons of any kind or referrals contacted, or progressing investigators or ANYTHING! CRAZY!!! And we have a new schedule!!!!! I've attached it below. Now we can get more sleep!!! Woohoo!!!! Amazing what difference an hour makes! And P-day is longer now! Now we really don't know what to do to fill our time so it's super nice! So much freedom!!!! I love it :) So much!

So that it pretty much my week for ya! I am super excited for this new adventure that lies ahead of me. I have always been told that it is one thing for the Lord to love you, because He loves all His children, but it is another thing for him to trust you. God can't trust everyone with His work and for some reason He trusts me to help this new missionary grow and become better :) I am so excited for all that will be coming our way! Pray for me as I am doubled in and TRAINING!!!!!!! Woohooo! I want you all to know that I know that this gospel is true. It stresses me out a LOT, but I wouldn't change a thing about it. I am growing and becoming so much greater than I would be without it. I know that this makes a difference in the eternities and I feel so lucky to be able to share it with all those around me. I love you all and thank you so much for all that you do for me!

Till next week!

Sister Tobler

--Sister Lindsey Tobler

Kennewick Washington Mission

Chapter 26: They Got Dunked!!!

Hello Everyone!

So let me just tell you that this was by far the most stressful week up my life as a missionary up to this point. On the flip side, I don't know if I have ever felt so much joy. I had the privileged of being able to see S____ and G_____ get baptized this week. One on Tuesday and one on Saturday. No one thought they would ever go through with it but over the last few weeks their faith in Christ has grown so much that they knew that this was the next step for them. They seemed to be bursting with joy as the descended into the water and made that sacred covenant with our Heavenly Father. The road was long for each of them and the special occasion was nearly canceled due to freezing rain ( we had to walk to our own baptism) but it happened and now they have eternity to continue to progress and become more like God. I nearly cried when G_____ told us the day before her baptism that she had been praying about it a lot and that she wants to serve a mission in a year. So much joy in my heart. This is why I'm here, to watch my brothers and sisters realize who they are and have a desire to share it with others. I'm not here for the crazy person who yells at me to get off their porch. I'm here for the elect, those who are searching for truth, and I will find them. 

The rest of this week seems like a drag in comparison to the two baptisms. We visited some less active's and visited with some of the old widows in the ward. There were so many crazy ice storms this week that most people have been stuck inside! Lots of people are getting hurt slipping on their driveways to but lucky for me, I haven't slipped yet *knock on wood* :). I think it's the tag that protects us but who knows ;).

WE WENT TO THE TEMPLE TODAY!!!! I have missed going so much and I feel so lucky that we have one so close to us. As I have been able to teach people about God's plan for us, my love of the temple has grown deeper and deeper as I think of these new converts entering it's doors one day soon. We gave both G_____ and S_____ a picture of their favorite temples and now they have something to look forward to. I can't wait to be able to stand beside them as they make those covenants in as soon as a year. So excited!!!!!

We have been listening to this CD called "The Lamb of God" by Rob Gardner. So beautiful. It goes through the Saviors ministry and His death all in music. I highly recommend it. it has been amazing to not only be able to read about the life of my Savior in the Bible, but to be able to really feel all the emotions that came with His work. I am so grateful for all that my Savior has done for me. Because of Him, I am able to share this glorious message of the Gospel. Because of Him, I will be with my family FOREVER. And Because of Him, I can become more than I could ever be without Him. I love this work and I love this gospel. 

I love you all! Until next week!

Sister Tobler

-- 

Sister Lindsey Tobler

Kennewick Washington Mission

Chapter 25: And We Walked....

Hello Everyone!
So much has happened in this last week I don't even know where to start! Lets see... Lets start at the very beginning, a very good place to start :) ( If you sang that in your head you get a thumbs up from me :))
So Tuesday we were really struggling to find a ride. Literally no one would come pick us up from our apartment out in Richland because the snow was so bad. A little background, most of our work is in West Richland which is about a 15 min car ride away. We called just about everyone in the ward and still no luck. Even our district and zone leaders didn't know what to tell us to do. They said that we may just have to sit inside for the day. Well you can bet that we wouldn't hear of any of that. So we donned as many layers as we could and set out to WALK there. We figured that if we left at noon we should be there at 5 for dinner and then we could still have our appointments that night. We walked, and walked, and walked.... it was long... but a miracle happened! After being slushed by a big ol' truck and having a car full of drunk men pull over and offer us a ride, Sister Clifford came to our rescue :). She was just driving past on her way to lunch and when she saw us a look of utter horror crossed her face as she realized what we were doing. You can bet we got a scolding but she couldn't stop laughing at some of our crazy stories from that morning. Moral of the story, walking through hip high snow is really hard and if your Ward Mission Leaders wife catches you walking to another city, you're busted :)
Then onto Wednesday, we had interviews scheduled with our mission president but because of all the snow he got stuck in Hermiston!  All day we had to be ready at the drop of a hat to dash of the church building for interviews. Luckily he was able to make it! He told Sister Johns that she will be staying in this area next transfer and then asked me how I would feel about being doubled in and greenie busting a missionary. We'll just have to see what happens!!
On Thursday we had exchanges with our STL's so I spent the day with Hermana Presscott. SO MUCH FUN :). We got lost a little in Richland but were able to make it to all of our appointments and teach some amazing lessons. She is such a good missionary and even though we had no clue what we were doing sometimes, it all works out. God provides the increase ALL the time :).
On Friday we had one final lesson scheduled with Sidney before her baptism this week and we got a text that she didn't have a ride to the church. Well we wouldn't take that as an answer. So what do we do? Of course, we snatch up a YSA and make the trek out there to get her. We ended up teaching an amazing lesson about temples and she is so excited to be able to go in soon and do work for her own family members. It's so amazing the change that I have seen her since we first met. She has so much light in her eyes. It's incredible! I love being a missionary!!!
So as you can see, it's been an insane week!!! But I wouldn't have it any other way. I am so grateful to be able to serve God with everything that I have to give. This gospel is so true. I love it with all my heart and I love the people that I get to serve here. This work is amazing! I love you all and I'm so grateful for all that ya'll do for me!
Till next week!
Sister Tobler
--
Sister Lindsey Tobler
Kennewick Washington Mission

Chapter 24: Snow Storm!

Hello Everyone!

Ya'll wouldn't believe the amount of snow that we are getting out here! They had to cancel church the other day because it was coming down so hard and fast!  We were expecting about 13 inches this weekend and while I don't think we got quite that much, there was WAY too much for my liking. We were super surprised to get a call yesterday morning saying that President still wanted us to go out and work. We tried our best for about 2 hours and then the member who was driving us around said that this weather was ridiculous and that she didn't care who said what, she was taking us home. That made for a pretty uneventful Sunday. Shoveled driveways for 2 hours that was at least 6 inches deep while it was still snowing. The flakes were bigger than our eyes!!!!! I have never been in so much snow!!!!! It was absolutely insane! That's one for the journals :).

Because of all this terrible weather, our lessons have been spotty. Lots of last minute cancellations because people cant even get out to meet up with us but we have just used this as an opportunity to serve. We've shoveled lots of driveways this week. Lots. Just envision two gal's from Texas out trying to figure out the most effective way to use a snow shovel without killing their backs. It's a sight to see :).

G____, G_____, and S___ are all doing really well :) Just trekin' along to be baptized! We have had to adjust their dates a little bit so that they feel confident in their ability to live the gospel/ make sure the family is all in town for the occasion but they are doing so well. I feel so lucky to have been placed in their paths and to be able to help them build these relationships with their Heavenly Father. I don't know what I did to deserve to know them in the pre-mortal life, but I feel so lucky :).

Hmmm... What else..... Well I guess that's pretty much it for our week. Just trying our best to work out in this crazy weather! I'm getting good at driving on the snow! Who've thunk!!!!

I finished the Book of Mormon this last week again and every time I have read it I have gotten that same feeling of it's truthfulness. I know that this book is more than just any other book. I have seen this book change lives as I have been a missionary and even more than that, I have seen it change my life. Sometimes it seems boring or mundane to sit down and read it every day over and over again but it is different every time. We see it's stories differently and it really does help! I has given me so much strength and helped me to see the love that my Heavenly Father has for me. So... go read it!!!! Take a little time for it everyday and I promise, your life will change for the better :) Go to it!!

Love you all! 

Sister Tobler

Wow!  Is that a walking stick or an icicle?!?

All bundled up for the day!

Beautiful girl!

Chapter 23: Snow. Sweat. Slim.😊

Hello Everyone!!!

So I'm sure Ya'll are all wondering about the tripan :) Well let me tell you, when Sister Cox joined us we were told it would last 5 weeks. 5 days later we got a call from President White saying that she was being transferred to Pasco! Crazy! So since I have last written she has come and gone. She was so sweet though. Sister Miner and I took her out her first night in the field back when I was still a greeney so it was fun to have her even if it was just for a little while. 

This week was kinda all over the place. I managed to get a concussion ( don't worry Mom. I'm okay :)), our garbage disposal broke ( and no, the maintenance people haven't fixed it quite yet), we had to move G____ baptism back ( she had a little too much fun on New Years eve) and to top it all off, the night it snowed about 2 feet, we were told that we weren't allowed to drive the next day. I know, sounds like not such a good week. But there were miracles left and right! First off, our schedule just worked out so that I was able to do quite a bit of resting so now my head is all good! Miracle! Even though G_____ wont be getting baptized this week, she still wants to as soon as she can! We are going to help her come up with a game plan to overcome hard things even if she has to do it alone :). stay tuned for that next week :). And even with all the snow,  we were able to keep our spirits up by taking pictures and laughing along the way. There is a good element to every hard thing. Well, I still haven't found out the good in not having a working garbage disposal but I am grateful that we have one at all:).

So let me tell you more about yesterday and the snow. Seriously, it was so bad. It made me realize why missionaries always have a car in our area. It's HUGE! We had a lesson with G___, shoveled her walk,and then started making our way our to talk with S___. We left G___ house at about 4:30 and trekked through snow up to our knees. Along the way we pushed someones car up a hill and offered service where we could. After an hour and a half of "high knees" ( you wouldn't believe how hard it is to walk in that much snow), a truck of angels came to our rescue. A family from Yakima saw us and knew that we had to be missionaries because no one else would be crazy enough to be out in that weather and so they gave us a ride :) And keep in mind that this is the exact moment that we thought we couldn't keep going. We were spent. Amazing how God gives us those tender mercies when we need them most :). We spent the rest of our night then walking to the church ( More snow, lots of sweating from all the walking, and we hope that means that we'll be slim by the end of winter), having S____ baptismal interview (SHE PASSED!!!!!!!), and then getting a bite to eat. crazy CRAZY night :) But I wouldn't trade it for anything. 

Lets see, what else....The work is just going great here. We are keeping busy which is great. Once school gets back in it will get even better but for now, I am grateful that the holidays have come and gone so that peoples schedules go back to normal :). New Years was super fun. We went in, ate BBQ for dinner, and drank Italian soda which watching Mountain of the Lord :) It was a fun way to end the year!

I love being a missionary with all my heart. It is the hardest thing that I've ever done, but I've seen the rewards and I've even been able to reap a few of them myself. I feel so lucky to be able to serve God with everything that I have to offer. I know that He is pleased with my efforts, even if at times they seem like not so much. "When ye are in the service of your fellow being, ye are only in the service of your God". Find ways to serve those around you this week and I can promise that God will be please with you. Look for those opportunities and the blessing will come pouring down! I love you all! Thank you for all your love, prayers, and support! Have a fantastic week!!!

Sister Tobler

-- 

Snow up to her knees!!!

The District with their Toblerone bars.

Sister Johns, Sister Cox, and Lindsey