Trey giving thanks in Medina OH!

Wahoo! Happy Thanksgiving in bundles!

First full week in the new area and I am lovin' it!! I went to a meeting before church on Sunday and met a man from Texas who said that he recognized the last name Toolson as an elder Toolson who served somewhere in Texas. Elder Toolson was finishing up his mission as this man was getting ready to leave on his. they met back up at BYU provo and became business partners. if that sounds familiar to anyone in our family that would be small world story number 3 of people in the cleveland ohio mission who know of the Toolson name!!! I will also try to remember his name next week!

We have been working on working well with eachother and it is coming along beautifully. We had a lesson with a less active gentleman who hasn't had contact with the church in years. We stopped by many times and we never caught anyone home until last week which I think I mentioned in last weeks letter. We met with him and we/spirit NAILED IT!!!! he isn't coming to church quite yet but man we worked like the ice climber twins on Super smash bros! knowing what the other was saying , going to say, the point getting across and had the same mind set. It didn't just come, but we knew what the goal was and prayed REAL hard and we had a great lesson with this man. we have another appointment this Wednesday and are STOKED!! we are thinking about the restoration for this lesson but we will continue and see where the lord takes us on this one! :) his thought are not our thoughts :)
 

One elder I live with who is from Middleton Idaho I think, he and I had a spiritual talk this morning. I know that I have had the experiences in my life so that I can use them to relate, uplift and edify not only those I teach or those I serve, but those I serve with. I was able to relate my high school experience about being TJ's, Tucker's, and Ty's brother and being referred to as Trey seldom but that experience i had helped me find, and see things positively. I learned that being referred to by your brothers name means that they recognize that we love each other, care for each other, and will stand up for each other just as the entire Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints does. we have one purpose and one goal. we have love, peace and comfort in our Savior and want all the world to join us. I know that these things are true. and the world can deny it, apostles may fall into apostasy, but my faith will not be moved, will not be changed. I am set in/on the rock of my redeemer and will stand strong for I know it is true.

Stay the course, fight the fight, and keep the Faith!!
 
Love, and lot's of it,
Elder Toolson3

Goodbye Parma!

 

 

Gonna Miss You Parma Heights!

YEP...it snowed about 3 or 4 inches of snow last night.... although I am getting transferred to a new area tomorrow, which means Elder Jarvis is stickin' around biking in the snow!! I felt bad for him.... WHILE I LAUGHED!!!!!!   Now he and I are even because I got splashed by a car last night as we were biking and he laughed at me, so I'd say we're good :) He stays...I GO!

This week has been amazing!! We decided that we should stop by one of our less-actives we had on our map and records which was out in the BOONIES of our area. we had to cut through the community college campus to get there on time. we got there and took for ever to find the house because we couldn't see the numbers and tried the guess and check method. we found them 1st try!! She looked surprised to see us as we introduced ourselves and offered service. she said something along the lines of, "Hi, how did you know to stop by?" Elder Jarvis and I looked at each other and said, "We saw your name and didn't recognize it, so we just wanted to stop by." She went on to tell us about how she moved from California (Monterey area) and she had no idea where the church building was. She saw us a few days before and tried to yell us down but we were too far away. She wanted to talk and meet with us and get back into the church! It is amazing how the Lord works through us, his broken vessels and somehow he channels his perfect gospel through us and accomplish his will for those wanting!! Such a rewarding find, so worth the extra effort because they are awesome!! This family is young, they have 3 girls the oldest being 7 and she is STOKED to be baptized at 8! Something funny though was that the mom, in conversation, brought up Sisters and if there were any in the area because she liked Sisters more than Elders. There isn't so we told her that we could test run "Elders" and see how the girls react and see if they still want sisters we'd try to work a miracle. We played this one game that is an AWESOME visual for how the spirit works and the girls were going crazy!! They were hysterical trying to find the "Still Small Voice" and loving every second of it!!! Needless to say, they love us ; -) Elders and all our Cooties! We had another lesson with them about the Book of Mormon and bore testimony of it's power and truthfulness. They came to church and her husband is not a member and their nephew came also who isn't a member either!! Elders answered the call... IT WAS SO AWESOME!!

The Lord, Savior, and Redeemer loves you with all that he has. and what does he have exactly? His children...us! Worlds without end, power to create, love, enlighten, uplift, change, and forgive. I know that this 2 year mission is nothing less then a 2 year change in me. I look forward to the changes I will make in who I am as the Lord sees fit. I love this gospel. I love my Savior, the lamb of god, who not only died for me but LIVED for me. He will love us for as long as He will live. I love my testimony because I get to regain it everyday!!

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

Love,

Elder Toolson III

 

Elder TREYS LETTER

Helloooo Friends & Fam!
Another week in the books another week to look forward too!! This next transfer my zone leader Elder Burch will be going home. we don't like to talk about it. His trunky papers came (travel plans) and I wanted to hide them from him!! He has been a great example to me in how to stay focused and serve with everything! He still wants to tract, teach, find, serve and love these people! THAT'S WHAT I WANT TO BE!!

 

This week was so good! We have been setting appointments and been running around like crazy! Elder Jarvis saw me get frustrated for the first time.... he laughed HAHAHA it's funny now but at the time I was TICKED!  Anyway...
 

We had a trunk or treat part at our church this week and it was PACKED!! We had people eating out in the hall way because there wasn't enough room!! Good that there were that many people...but bad because .... they were in the hallway! So me and Elder Jarvis brought another table in and somehow managed to find room. We were also the chili tasters for the chili cook-off competition. Best..... job..... ever!!!!!! Elder's Meza and Burch were the pie judges! it was awesome!! the other 3 elders got shafted!! Trick or Treat!
 

Any funny stories this week? Oh Ya.... ELDER JARVIS RAN INTO A FIRE HYDRANT!! HAHAHAHAHA it was hilarious!! He's fine.. a little muddy but fine! His brakes are GONE... LITERALLY so there was no stopping it!!! He was trying to slow down on the grass while he was doing "the serpentine" and just NAILED IT!! flipped over the handle bars and everything! I swear Elder Jarvis has ridden bulls that didn't buck that hard!! Oh man what I guy! We have had some great times!! I've been learning so much about myself and others! I love the love I feel  out here!!

I got an email from my stud of a brother Ty and I'd like to quote him, "I kinda think of angels and missionaries as SWAT Teams. The missionaries walk up to the door lure the enemy real nice and close and then right when that door opens the angels just bust the door down check to make sure the spirit is there and then they just let you boys come in with AR15's blazing "piercing the hearts" of your investigators... I truly believe you are in the worlds largest religious army. you've all been divided to your separate areas now CONQUER!"

I could not have said it better!! Alright chumps, le's do this!!

Fight the fight, stay the course, keep the Faith

Love from yo boi :)

Elder Trey Toolson