Chapter 46: Come Listen to a Prophet's Voice

Hello Everyone! 

Such a crazy week and so much to tell so I'll try and give a play by play real quick. The latter half of the week is much more interesting. Literally everyday we woke up thinking that we should have a fairly normal day but that never happened.

Mon: Got a call late in the afternoon that we were having 2 more sisters move in with us so we had to spend the evening in moving furniture and making room for another companionship! Lets just say 2 sisters trying to move couches around in a small apartment is very amusing to watch. Thank goodness for saintly Elders who get permission to come help us. Even if they do break our light in the process.

Tues: Taking a new missionary out for the first time! Sister Carey :) Goodness she's a sweetheart. And interesting thing, she didn't go to the MTC!!! She went straight out to the field. Some new pilot program the church is trying out I guess. Anyways,she was fantastic. She even invited someone to be baptized and they said YES!!!!

Wed: Transfer day. We were safe, but that didn't mean that we were not busy. We got called to help the new sisters get all settled in their apartment and we had to give up our car to the elders for the day. Lots and Lots of walking but that's okay :). The pay off is great from so much walking. 

Thurs and Friday: Filled with Lots of service and planning. We have a big training coming up and lets just say that Sister Cram and I are probably the craziest and most fun STL's in this mission ( not to brag or anything). Our training involves a skit.... and fire.... stay tuned for pictures to come next week. 

Sat: MISSION CONFERENCE WITH ELDER ANDERSEN!!!!! Oh my goodness it was so good. We had great seats because I had to lead the music :) Perks of being a musician I guess :) He is definitely helping us to raise the bar in our missionary efforts here but I'm not too worried about it because I know that God will help us to meet these higher expectations. We also got some really cool promptings that were fulfilled on Sunday.... Also, I got to shake his hand :)

Sun: STAKE CONFERENCE WITH ELDER ANDERSEN!!!! So good again! After the conference we decided to go and visit a Part Member family that we thought about on Saturday and when we showed up they had just experienced a major family crisis and she was so overwhelmed. I guess no one would answer her calls because she just needed to talk about what was happening and at the moment she was about to sink back into her depression, guess who knocks on her door..... us. God watches out for His children. He prompted us to go see her 24 hours in advance because He knew that she would need support. I love getting to be his instrument. This really is an amazing work.

We also met this really cool couple. J___ and H___. They have a little 5 month old but kinda sad/ crazy thing, they are still in high school... but they have such a light and desire to know for themselves if God really is there and wants to help their little family. I am so excited to help them find that... Not sure how it's all going to play out, but I have faith that God has a plan for them and will bless them as they seek out truth. 

There were so many highlights from Elder Andersen's visit that I don't really know what to share! One of my favorite stories was about his grandson. He said that he and his wife were watching them and from the back room they heard the younger one scream. After comforting him they asked what happened. They younger one said " Clayton hit me!!!" Then they went to go talk to Clayton and asked him why he hit his younger brother. " Mimi" he said" I'm sorry, but I lost my CTR ring so now I can't choose the right." I just about died laughing inside when he said this but how often do we say similar things? How often do we blame our circumstances on others? That's why I love repentance. We can own up for our mistakes and try and little harder to be a little better everyday. No one has traveled beyond the reach of divine love. We all can become clean and new again through the atonement of Jesus Christ. We just have to use it. It's that simple. I love that I get to spend everyday teaching others how to access that. Its a very special think and I'm so glad I still have so much time to do it :) I love you all and thank you for your love and support!

Till next week!

Sister Tobler

Chapter 45: Transfers

Hello Everyone!!!!

I know I say this every week, but this week was so crazy!!!! We literally had meetings everyday except for Tuesday and Saturday so that kept us really busy! First off I should probably let y'all know, we got transfer calls this morning and.... I'M STAYING!!!! WITH SISTER CRAM!!!! WOOHOOO!!! This next transfer is going to be so great!!! So excited!! We are getting almost all new sisters in our stewardship! So weird! But I'm excited to get to know these new sisters and feel God's love for them :). I love being a missionary. 

So many miracles this week! We took the V____ family on a temple tour yesterday and the spirit there was so wonderful. We have been struggling to help them to finally pick a date for their baptism but she was able to finally decide. It may not be as soon as we hoped, but I know that God will continue to prepare them for August 18th. God is all over this and He knows exactly what they need and the timing for their family. We are so excited for them. Their are adopting a little boy in July so even he will be able to be there on their special day. Eternal families are so amazing and its awesome to see them desire that. 

Can I just say how grateful I am for members and their willingness to help with the work? We have been working with the L____ family ( returning Less Active family) for a while and we love them so much. They do so much for us and when we were looking for fellowship for J____ and her family, they were the first people to come to mind :). And they were so willing to help. A hour with both families at the L____ farm and there started a beautiful friendship between the families that will totally help them to feel comfortable coming to church and all. Members are so needed to help with the social conversion because it takes BOTH, spiritual and social conversion, to help a convert stay active throughout their lives. I love the members for all that they do to help our investigators grow in the gospel. 

I love this work so much. We have been talking a lot about obedience this week in the mission. Of course we always talk about it, but with Elder Andersen coming on Saturday, there's a HUGE focus now :). President gave an incredible thought about obedience. In this mission, we are known for being VERY strict. We have lots of little rules and many don't make a lot of sense, but we obey because we want the blessings. President said " Ya know, I don;t think wearing logos will keep you out of the celestial kingdom. It just wont... BUT. Your attitude behind the rule ( commandment) will." When we disobey because a commandment seems silly or not of eternal significance, we are turning away from God, and that is the bigger sin. It made me think about what I can do better. I may not be disobedient ( I promise I'm not!!!! :)) but what more can I do to hand my life over to my Savior. What more can I do to be a better servant. I am so excited to see the changes that come in myself as I do so. 

I love you and I love my Savior for all that He has done for me. Thanks for all your love and support! Till next week!

Sister Tobler

Chapter 44: 10 months!

Hello Everyone!!!

I literally have no clue where to start with this week. In short, it was full of ups and downs. LOTS of them. But it has been really cool to see that through it all, God supported us and the work in our area. So many miracles happened this week! I'll try to keep it concise :)

We had 2 lessons with J____ this last week! Funny thing, we discovered that her husband isn't actually an evangelical missionary... he actually went to jail..... that was weird.... and then at our second lesson he was back. Still have no clue whats going on there, but anyways! So neat. She is searching for truth and really wants to make the right decision and come closer to God. After teaching the restoration and asking her thoughts she immediately said that she knew it could happen. She knew that this was good and that we were sent from God right in the moment that she needed help. We taught her and her kids how to pray and the spirit in her apartment totally changed. it was incredible. 

I got to go on exchanges with Hermana Malone this week and man i wish that I had remembered to take a picture!!!! Most of you probably don't know, but we went to girls camp and everything together! Grew up in the same stake :) How nutty is that!! Anyways, it was super fun to get to spend the day together in Cottonwood and learn from one another. She has such a fire for the gospel and loves sharing it and I felt like I learned so much from her. She's totally gonna take every area she serves in by storm. 

Can I just take a quick moment to second to praise my companion? Sister Cram is literally the best. She is so good at supporting me in all my goals an endeavors. Good companions make all the difference in an area. God is so good and has blessed me with an amazing companion. 

Here's a little thought to get yall through the week. President Uchtdorf said " With Christ, darkness cannot succeed. Darkness will not gain victory over the light of Christ." I totally saw that this week. We have a light about us as followers of Christ and no matter how many people try to bring us down or make us doubt who we really are, the cannot, for light always chases away darkness. When we cant seem to find the light, look to Christ. He is always there. Always. 

I love yall! Till next week!!!

Sister Tobler

p.s. I'll try to have the member take a video of it today, but I'm singing and playing the uke in a missionary talent show today :) SO PUMPED!!!!!!!!!!!!!