3rd Letter from Ohio :) Elder Trey

Hello My Family and Friends,

Photos???  Well…my camera is crazy... it keeps malfunctioning so pictures are limited. and I don't think I have the cord to hook it up to the computer... you wanna kill me... Remember, I LOVE YOU  XO    and my slightly new address is:

6235 Stumph Dr
Parma Heights OH 44130

Im in Parma Heights... not Parma... haha
 
Kirtland was awesome with Brother Karl Anderson!! He kinda called me out in front of everyone and asked if I knew Drew Page because that's his son-in-law. He is hilarious! Loved the whole experience. The spirit was so strong in the School of the Prophets!! The "Community of Christ" does a good job keeping the place looking good, but the spirit wasn't as strong as it could've been because they were leading the tour pretty much and let Karl jump in whenever. Karl was talking about how Satan try's really hard to mess us up and then my MTC companion Elder Stucki leans over and whispers, "Satan can SUCK IT!" it was funny because that actually got me pumped for the work!! I also love Pres. Vellinga!!!! (and you pronounce that like a white person by the way) He will be a great mission Pres to work with and learn from.
 
This week has been crazy-busy!! We were contacting on a little trail and we were passing out cards for free Books of Mormon with a picture of Jesus on the front. people love Jesus here so when we say "want a FREE picture of Jesus?" most the time people are like "I LOVE JESUS!!" then we talk about mormon.org and how they can find out more about us as a religion and people will answer your questions.... key word, MOST people. we were having an awesome day, good weather, just positive energy everywhere, so I know we were smiling and we asked this stone faced young man, "Would you like a picture of Jesus?" and he has this walk that is like, "I hate you because you hate me and I am miserable because everyone else is happy" so we thought, "perfect opportunity!" after we asked this question he half smiles and says, "*F* you and *f* Jesus" and continues on his un-merry little way in his unpleasant little world... me and Elder Houser were stunned to say the
least and it literally took a couple minutes for us to realize what he just said!  Gasp! And then… We couldn't help but burst out in laughter, while we felt sorry for the guy,  what he doesn't know is that all of the happiness that he is seriously looking for is what our whole purpose is as a missionary!! So Ironic and Hilarious :D
 
We met this young man Manny who wants to study religions and go to college for it. PERFECT!!! We have met with him twice and he has similar beliefs but slight differences. He respects us and we have more appointments to come. He didn't read any of the Book of Mormon last time but we are comparing our Bibles because his is a different version, the NIV version, and he is starting to feel it, the difference is evident. Elder Houser and I both bore our testimonies about the Book of Mormon and how we have come to know of it's truth, power, and divinity!! The spirit was so strong in that Dunkin' Donuts coffee shop it was incredible!! I Love my Job!
 
Our mission has a song and I love it so much too!! It goes to the tune of the song that goes, "We'll Bring the World His Truth" … first line, "We have been born as Nephi of old..." The first verse is the same then the last 2 are different. One of the lines is my favorite towards the end. "We have been called to serve in the place, where Christ our Savior has shown his face." I know that my Redeemer lives and I stand all amazed at the love Jesus profers me. I am reminded everyday of his power, love, mercy and selflessness. I am in prayer constantly thanking my Father in Heaven for this opportunity to serve in this mission.
 
I don't have too much time left but let me end with this,  I know this work is GODS WORK and I am humbled to know, and still question why, why is it that he does trust ME to share this gospel with these people?
 
Keep the faith, fight the fight, and endure to the end!!
 
Love Always,
 
Elder Trey Toolson