13th Letter: Go Elder Ty Toolson!

Ty, in your farewell you said you have been a missionary since you were 12. I want you to know that you have been a missionary all of your life, you are just realizing and seeing it now more prevalently. A missionary invites other to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and his atonement, repentance baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost and enduring to the end. you have done all of these things ever since I can remember. I know you have done these things, because you have done them unto me! You have been my missionary, my friend and my brother. When I listened to your talk I could feel your love the the people in Honduras. Amazing, you already love them! That is the mark of a missionary that is prepared to serve with every part of yourself. you make me want to be better and you have been that way your whole life. I love you Elder T4. I love you my brother. you're going to kill it!!

 

Tiara, you have been called to lead because you lead naturally. people want to follow you and want to be with you because they feel loved and happy when they are with you. I witnessed it time and time again. I know that you will do an amazing job Tiara!! If you ever need anything T, turn to those that love you. You do remember who loves you? :) RIGHT!?! ME!!!! I want you to know Tiara that I love you with all of my heart. You are one of the greatest blessing that I count everyday. I love you.

 

So you know that one week when I broke all of the bikes. I kept thinking, of that scripture that is in Alma that talks about how the sons of Mosiah had endured they're afflictions with patience. Their afflictions weren't, "Aw man my bike got a flat, Oh not a big problem, I can fix it..." their afflictions were, "So you want to kill me? How about I serve you? maybe until the day i die." So you just threw me in prison and left me there malnourished and bound with strong chords for most likely months on end, how about I teach you how God loves you and I serve you?" You know what... I HAVE BEEN A PANSY!!!!! So I decided to "buck up" and just deal with the fact that I have used, broken bikes that aren't easy to fix. After afflictions there are blessings though right? YES!!! WE FOUND AN INVESTIGATOR!!!!!! His name is Ronny!! He has 3 daughters and the oldest is about 8 I think. He wants to understand who Christ was along with his daughters. we are so excited for this opportunity and thank our Father in Heaven for it.

 

Also, My trainer, Elder Houser is being transferred and has been called to be a zone leader. It has been a sad week but an amazing one as well. He and I just really clicked this last week and we have truly come to love each other for who we each are individually. I have learned so much from him and he has learned from me. We had dinner with a family, the Andersons, the guy who gave a talk last week that loves UFC, we were leaving a short message with them and were saying our goodbyes with Elder Houser. The Spirit was so strong as we were with them in their home. They told us something that almost brought me to tears. they said, "All missionaries are great, but you two, are such a great team, a dynamic duo." Then they also let us know that if we ever visit that we should feel free to stay with them during our visit. sister anderson reminds me of my Mother :) Whenever you leave you feel more loved, uplifted and positive. Sister Anderson is another one of my mission moms for Parma.

So going along with how Elder Houser leaving that means I will get a new companion. President Vellinga has asked me to be a trainer. I am so excited for this opportunity and nervous at the same time. more excited but still. Actually I don't know if it's nervousness or just hoping that I raise him right, which I guess could be considered nervous.

 

I know that this is the work of god. I feel so often the help of angels. pushing me forward when I feel I can't go on, lifting me up when I want to collapse, and filling my heart, mind and mouth with the things I need to say, feel and do. I know these things to be true. I know This church is gods only true church on the earth today with his authority and power.

 

Fight the fight, stay the course, and keep the Faith

Love,
Elder Trey Toolson