Elder TR3Y in -15 brrrrr :)

"Do not delay the time of Rescue!" need I say more? NOPE! but my mom would hate me if my letter ended here so I'll expound a little. :)

Sounds like Stake conference there was great and Pres Monson is so good to quote:  "Some ask in silence because their hands are too tired to hold up." I also liked "Don't put off work that needs to be done now! Hasten the work means now, quickly and urgently."

 

This week was awesome we once again had an incredible lesson with the Cornetts! they have had the Book of Mormon for about 2 weeks or so and are already on chapter 14! THIS IS HUGE! the 14 year old daughter has note cards falling out with questions and commnets, the 12 year old daughter has post-it's with the same and is just getting it! the 10 year old son is awesome and reads even though it is a tough read. He knows something is special about this book! that is the main focus of this weeks work.

 

We shoveled 5 driveways on Saturday and it snowed 10 inches! It is supposed to be -15  (yes negative 15 high) with the  windchill next 2 days and it is terrible to say  that the 26 degrees enjoyed last night was warm!! ha ha... but we are having a blast!! Elder Cummins took a video of the shoveled piles but he can't send videos from his carmera... or we just can't figure it out... haha!

 

As for the weather and church attendance... some people make it an excuse. But we are trying to help the members get more involved in missionary work so they will invite investigators to come to church, then go and be there for support when the friends and investigators come! That way the attendance should sail! AND when you say some people freak with bad weather in California? like what??? some rain clouds and wind? HA!!!! but that's true... just so unbelievable now.  

I did get an email from Paula and pictures of the wedding and now pictures from her baptism! She is solid!! Parma will do well without me, even though I would love to teach Paula's friends and family.  I'm not here for friends and family deals :D  I am here to strengthen where I stand and then the numbers follow! :) I so love this work! 

Thank you for your letters. packages, the warm wooly sweater, the frankincense oil and love that I recieve from many of you! It means so much to hear from you by mail.

 

I don't have too much time today and this is probably the shortest email I have ever sent on my mission...gotta get the video feature figured out for next time or take some more on mine.

 

sendin' my love!!!

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

Elder Tr3y Toolson

Trey's Latest Week in Medina OH!

This week was huge! we have been tracting a TON lately and have found a few people to teach! we weren't able to have a lesson with a gentleman Frank and his family because of the games this weekend but he invited us back later this week so we are super happy and excited for that! We talked with him about families and the importance thereof and he wants to hear about the gospel! PUMPED!!!

 

Then we have a follow up lesson with a lady who would potentially want to investigate the church and she had read the whole restoration pamphlet and had a few questions and comments. she learned that we believe in more then just the first 5 books of the bible! great step! asked about polygamy and dealt with that well as we addressed that concern. asked about all of the "rules" and again felt good and at peace with our answers. We gave her a Book of Mormon and she genuinely seemed excited and looking forward to read it! We are going back with a member this week!! we are really excited!

 

Following that we had a lesson with our investigators the Cornett family! THEY ARE AWESOME!! we had a member come with us there and basically took over the lesson and did amazingly well with it! We couldn't explain things in a way that the family would understand it and the member took a few seconds and they got it crystal clear! MEMBERS ARE AMAZING!! This member is the family who referred this investigator family to us. He found them, taught them before we got there and is still teaching them. this is EXACTLY what the  Lord has asked us as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints to do! We can see it and you can see why when you do it! So Enjoy it :)

 

We were able to find about 4 potentials from these past 2 weeks of tracting and each of them are families!! How blessed are we?!? We are super stoked for that and want to find ways to find more. WE PLACED A BOOK OF MORMON YESTERDAY!!! This lady said she was "roman catholic" therefore "they were good." we testified of they power of the BOM and testified that all that God asks all of us to do is read it and pray to know that it is true. I then testified that I know it is true because accepted the same challenge that we were extending to her. She accepted it, plus a restoration pamphlet and a return appointment this Thursday!!! SO PUMPED!

 

Tracting is not very effective, but it is sometimes the only way to find. If this work is going to hasten, it needs the WHOLE church, the WHOLE stake, the WHOLE ward and the WHOLE family. I know this is true. Please share what you know with those around you. Everyone needs all of this gospel. It doesn't have to be a long testimony, simply stating that you are a member could be all they need to hear to ask a question that they are dealing with. It is happening all the time and I see it here in Medina.  Lift where you stand :) 

 

I love this work I love you all! God is Good!!

fight the fight, stay the course, keep the faith. 

 

Con amor (don't remember that much spanish)

 Elder Trey Toolson

Elder Toolson's Cool Week!

Helloooooo Everyone,

This week was so cool!!

Yes, both in temperature and level of awesomeness!! Monday and Tuesday, we weren't allowed outside because with humidity and wind chill it was -40 degrees... at first I thought that was stupid but it makes sense, but they don't know the armor I got! However, Getting the mail was RIDICULOUS in that weather and We found a frozen deer in the dumpster... anyway on to the other important cool stuff.

So Wednesday we FINALLY get to go outside and we got to tract! (I usually dislike Frozen Tracting but I was just HAPPY to be out) so we are knocking and some people accept a card :) We get into a house and go straight into the restoration and the Book of Mormon. Elder cummins asked if she would be interested in reading it and praying about it, she said Yes!!! We are going back tomorrow so we are stoked!!

Later that day we were tracting again and we talked about the Book of Mormon again and this woman said that she was willing to read and pray about it and she accepted. she was a little hesitant to give us a time to meet becuase it is hard to catch both her and hubby home while they both work but we are determined!! Then Sunday, we are almost finished with tracting and we are in a nice neighbor hood and the people's attitudes were as nice as the nieghborhood which was awesome! Even when we got turned down you weren't struggling to find "the possitive" because they were super nice about it. Anyway, we get to one of the last few houses and we talk with a man named frank. Elder Cummins, because of the boss that he is, he started to talk about family's because we had been feeling the impression to talk about familes in this neighborhood. Elder Cummins talks about how the family is very much central to god's plan for us and he says WE COULD COME BACK AND TALK ABOUT IT!!!! SUCH A GOOD WEEK FOR TRACTING IN OH!!

I hope and pray they all will come to the Lord and will hear and feel the holy spirit influence their hearts and minds to listen to and obey the commanments of the Lord.

 

We also had 3 lessons with investigators and solid members were there with us sharing their spirit and testimony of the gospel.

I love this work and love this ward!! This is his work and glory and I'm so happy god lets me be a part of it.

Fight the fight, stay the course, keep the faith!

Love

Elder Trey Toolson

Having Lunch in Rexburg with Paula from Ohio!

 We were so blessed to meet the infamous Paula that Trey has always talked so much about. It's not very often that a family of a missionary gets to meet an investigator before their son is even home from a mission! We love you Paula and thanks for taking the time to come meet us at Pizza Pie Café!

Fw: Frozen in Medina :)

 
WHAT!?!?!?!?!? HOW!? WHERE? WHEN? These photos of you all with Paula are so cool!? Isn't she awesome!!! How is she? Hey...are you guys at Pizza Pie in Rexburg!?!? THIS IS RIDICULOUS!! I can't believe my eyes! Paula has such a strong and good spirit. I'm so glad you met her.  She will be and do amazing things as she nourishes her testimony. She needs a patriarchal blessing asap. (4 months from baptism) Please tell her to get that soon. She is amazing!! I think of her and how she is doing moving from OH to ID often! She is so ready to get wet!! When is her baptism now? As we taught others together I would say, Wow Paula!!! She is very strong in her feelings of the temple and eternal marriage so I know she will be a great wife and mother! :)

Please tell aunt Mick that I've been talking to elder blue (cousin Levi in Washington). He sounds so good!!

Well that was cool so now on to the work. Earlier this week I was watching the bible video about the man who was born blind was given his sight by Christ and faith. after one of the apostles asks Jesus which of the 2 sinned, the man's parents of he that he was born blind. Christ explains that he was born blind so he could use him as an instrument to work the works of God. he then says. "I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day..." John 9:4 I LOVE THAT!!! It is still day. therefore I must work the works of him who sent me!! If it is possible I'd like to change my missionary plaque scripture, if not, totally cool :)

 

This week was AWESOME!!! WE RECIEVED 4 NEW INVESTIGATORS!!! They are a family who are friends with members of our ward. The mom has already been reading the Book of Mormon and she knows that baptism is essential for salvation and wants her kids to receive the blessings that come with it! They have been prepared for this message for such a long time!! They are awesome and they really want to know what God wants them to do!! WOW... truly the Lord's work is his glory!! And I can feel his love fill my soul as I count the blessings that I have been given throughout my life thus far!

 

Family and friends I loved the Christmas Cards!! It is always great to see everyone and how they are doing!

 

I don't have much time this week to email so this one is shorter! Yes, we were given strict orders to email home briefly, do our grocery shopping and go into lockdown for at least 2 days with this Crrraaaazzzzyyyy Frozen Frigid Weather! But we are happy and warm enough... :)

 

I miss and love you all!!

 

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

love,

Elder Trey Toolson

Elder TR3Y - Good Things in Medina, OH

 

GOOD NEWS FOR 2013 to end on~

1) Toolson boys got GUNS for Christmas - Because Tiara is getting Way Too Pretty!

2) Thank You for the Missionary Stocking Cardiff Ward and Good Friends - So GOOD to hear from All of you! Thanks for thinking of me, sending support and a some holiday cheer! Love the Cards too even though I am getting them late because of my transfer...they all went to Parma. Ha ha

3) Skyping with the Fam - facetiming in TJ/Michelle, grandma and grandpa Toolson w/my grandpa Strong and fam in Bear Lake!

 

There were 2 awesome experiences to add to the Good News this week!!

1st off REBECCA FLOWRY, YOU ARE AWESOME!! Rebecca, who is from Canton Ohio (in my mission) visited her sister in Wadsworth which is the ward right before Medina! It was so good seeing her and the best part was, I kept my head in the work. I always thaught it would be awkward if running into Good Friends were to ever happen but it was so cool and I am still feeling like a missionary!! I think it was easy because I use a lot of examples from my life that came from my time at BYU-Idaho so it was more natural then anything else!

 

Awesome experience number 2! So we were tracting and it was the last door on this street, (that's why it is classic) and a man answered saying that there was nothing that we could do to help him understand that there was a god, he used different terms but that was the jist of it. elder cummins asked what his MOS was because he was wearing his army hat. that broke donw a layer of ice and he then started talking about how 3 years ago, his son who was about to turn 19 the months from the day he died. he looked at us, and said as he fought back tears that he was just like us. he was our age. he challenged us to give him a difinitive answer of why god, if he exhisted, would do that. We tried to explain that we don't know god's plan and things  happen according to HIS will, but he wouldn't take that answer for comfort. He turned us away but as we shook his hand, he looked at us with pain in his heart but was thankful that we tried. We tried to see him again last night but he wasn't home. We are going over again with alma 14 in hand and mind and also the plan of salvation that is the most wonderful and beautiful and AMAZING thing that has ever before and ever will be given to us for our taking. He will not be forgotten.

 

God is our Father. he loves us so he sent his son. his son loved us so he suffered, bled, and died. If that was it. if that was all. we would not ever have a life after this. but there is another part of the atonement that all too often gets over looked. HE IS RISEN!!! he lives. i know it and i teach ith with tears in my eyes because His love fills my heart. there is nothign greater then this love that so completely encircles each of us. as we accress the power of the atonement, we are freed, empowered by love, strenghtend by and enlightened by this eternal love that we can not come close in this weak mortal frame to comprehending. it is truely eternal. My testimony of this grows stronger everyday. please, come to know your father. come to know you are everything in the sight of you father in heaven. he loves each of us equally. Christ our savior and our Father in heaven know we are in need of this paln and love and our Reddemer is there waiting for you with open arms, and yes, tear filled eyes because he knows your pain. he knows your sorrow. He loves you more then we can ever comprehend on this earth and i plea with each of you who read this testimony of the Savior and his love and would like to know if these things are true, to pray to your father in heaven who loves and cares for you, if it is true. There is a place in heaven for each of us if we seek it. I love this!!! Words are nothing more than a barrier in my attempt to express my complete joy and love that fills my entire system with light and love for my Savior, the atonement and this plan.

 

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

Love,

Elder Tr3y Toolson