It's Official

If receiving the white envelope in the mail is the symbolic start of a mission (it actually starts years before that), then giving your "homecoming" talk is the symbolic end of a mission (even though it will continue for years).  Today, Hermana Tonini gave her homecoming talk not once, but twice. 

In her home ward, Minot 2nd, she was the concluding speaker and spoke about King Lamoni's father as an example of repentance and shared a quote from President Kimball about forgiveness:  we are required to forgive all; it is not conditional upon the offender to ask for forgiveness first.  For both principles, she was able to illustrate with an example from her mission.  I have always enjoyed it when she speaks in Church because she is so comfortable when she speaks which enables the Spirit to testify of what she is teaching. The meeting was threatening to run over so she simply ended her talk in such a way that no one know (other than me and her mom) that she still had one more principle to cover.

In the afternoon, we attended our original ward, Minot 1st, and this time, she was the first speaker.  As she started, Bishop Clark whispered in her ear to take as much time as she wanted.  In addition to the two principles she taught in her first talk, she now had time to tie in a third principle, the value of trials.

After the service, a member of the high council came up and told her what a powerful message she had taught:  she taught a principle, backed it up with scriptures, and used examples from her mission to illustrate the application.  If this had been the format of the talks that all return missionaries gave (as opposed to travel logs), there might still be such a thing as homecoming talks in the Church!

Another Box Checked

As a stake leader, one of my favorite agenda items on our Stake High Council Meeting is when we have a recently returned missionary gives his/her report of their mission.  Tonight, we were supposed to have TWO such reports, Hermana Tonini and Elder Ringen.  Unfortunately, Elder Ringen (who had served in India) was sick leaving Hermana Tonini as the only missionary on the agenda.  In retrospect, it was a good thing because it allowed Hermana Tonini to take as much time as she needed to report.  President David Parker (first counselor in the stake presidency) was conducting the meeting from Williston while Hermana Tonini and her mom were in the High Council Room at the Stake Center in Minot with the stake president, President Tyson Williams) and a few members of the high council.  I was in Houston so I was also participating by phone (which allowed my brother to listen in as well).

I was surprised, but not surprised, by the example she chose to illustrate how her mission had impacted her life.  I knew it would be one of two people - and both are very near to her heart.  By going with the one she did, I think she kept the more sacred experience to herself.  I will admit that I have been coaching Hermana Tonini since she left on her mission for this night.  I don't know if that helped or not, but she was AMAZING.  She articulate.  She was sincere.  She bore heart-felt testimony of the Savior and of the restored Gospel.  She answered questions from the high council as if she had walked in the answer already written in front of her.  To conclude, she bore her testimony in her mission language (which fortunately, my Portuguese enabled me to understand).  As parents, this absolutely put the cherry on top of her mission!

I sent her text later that night to let her know that she continues to set the bar higher and higher for the young man who aspires to be her eternal companion!

Mission Completed

The following post is from President Hammon's California Riverside Mission blog:

Redlands Temple

The days have flown by since the last blog. I will use this space to write about the outgoing missionaries and then the blog that follows about the new missionaries coming in.

We had a Mission Leadership Council (MLC), the last for several missionaries who are going home. We talked about “Living up to Your Potential,” “Ministering to Your Zone Members,” “Working with Ward Councils,” and “Being Accountable.”

MLC July 2018

One of the most difficult things we do is to say goodbye to outgoing missionaries. We bid a teary, happy, fond farewell to the 27 missionaries who are going home to their families! Prior to their going, I sat down with each one of them to review their My Plans, their post-mission strategic plan. All of them have planned well and know what they are going to do.  

All outgoing

As part of the outgoing missionary plan, we are able to go to the Redlands Temple with them. The Redland Temple was beautiful and peaceful. Outgoing included: Sisters Palmer, Harper, Hernández, Ruggles, Tonini, and Wilson; Elders Medearis, Cox, Steed, Frisby, de Mare, Hale, Lewis, Watson, Tobiasson, Osberg, Dew, Balls, Sorensen, Bailey, Holyoak, McCracken, Eldridge, Avei, Holloway, Rose, and Day. The session was packed. I greeted them as they each walked in. What a wonderful feeling it was to greet each of them. There is something celestial about doing this. When Sister Hammon came in, she went around and shook the hands of the elders and hugged the sisters. What a great day. Later, we all went outside and took pictures.

All of the missionaries at the Redlands Temple

Twenty-seven missionaries came for their last supper, testimony, and companion study with me. I met with a few of them around 3:00-4:00 as I did my last exit interview with them. It was a bit teary. Dinner was delightful! The Tenorio family came and prepared street tacos outside. Delicious! We ate until our hearts content. No records of eating street tacos were broken, but Elder Hale ate 12 tacos, just one shy of the record. We’ll see what happens to the records next outgoing.

The testimony meeting was sensational. Because there were so many of them, they were admonished to deliver “short and powerful” testimonies, and they did.

• E. de Mare—“We come to know our Savior more. Our goal is to become like He is.”
• E. Sorensen—“I learned how much God cares for us and helps us improve. My greatest miracle: How Heavenly Father has helped me change through the Atonement of Jesus Christ.”
• E. Balls—I have seen many miracles. My great miracle: How Heavenly Father has put people in my path to help me.”
• Hna. Tonini—“I know Jesus is the Christ. I am learning to become like Him.”
• Hna. Harper—“Christ is my best friend. He overcame all. Have I not reason to rejoice because of my mission?”
• Hna. Hernández—“My mission has become the most sacred and powerful time in my life. Jesus Christ and my mission have transformed my soul. I am returning home a different person.”
• S. Palmer—“I felt the Savior by my side. He has taken my burdens away from me.”
• S. Ruggles—“I have said so many prayers of gratitude for this past transfer.”
• S. Wilson—“I have been able to act as Heavenly Father’s hands. He can help us become mighty.”
• E. Hale—“I don’t want to take off the tag. It will be written on my heart forever.”
• E. Steed—“If we hearken to His Spirit, it will nudge us to do good things. The Atonement of Jesus Christ covers everything.”
• E. Cox—“I have thought a lot about Jesus Christ. His hand is in all things.”
• E. Holloway—“My mission has prepared me for service. This mission has improved my life.”
• E. Frisby—“The biggest thing I learned  is how much my weaknesses and shortcomings can be taken care of through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. As long as Christ is by my side, everything will work out.”
• E. Rose—“I love another chance to bear my testimony. I cannot deny how I feel about the Book of Mormon.”
• E. Lewis—“I have received an extra dose of the Holy Ghost. I know Jesus Christ lives.”
• E. Bailey—“I am so thankful for Heavenly Father helping me through the mission. I stand as a witness because I have felt the Holy Ghost.”
• E. Osberg—“The Gospel makes us happier people. I have trials, so I can learn from them. I am so grateful to have made eternal friends.”
• E. Eldridge—“Every person in the world has a whole set of experiences. Christ is the way, the truth, and the life.”
• E. Dew—“All things we have done have prepared us for the decades to come. We have divine potential.”
• E. Tobiasson—“We have been able to share the message to help our brothers and sisters to know the truth they once knew.”
• E. Watson—“It’s been a long two years; it’s been a short two years. Serving has been the best two years.”
• E. Medearis—“I know why I am here. I need to embrace my Savior. It’s been an uphill battle, but it has been marvelous.”
• E. Holyoak—“Before the mission, I sometimes ask: What is the gospel? The answer was simple: scriptures and stuff. I know so much more now.”
• E. Avei—“True change can only occur through sacrifice. My mission has done great things for me.”
• E. McCracken—“I can grow my own testimony now instead of just relying on my parents’ testimony.”
• E. Day—“What inspires you? Great miracles have happened. The missionaries inspired us to return to Church.”

All of our assistants who have served with us:
Elders Sorensen, Balls, Dew, and President and Sister Hammon

After the testimony meeting, we had companionship study with each other. We again searched the topic “light.” I love this topic because it “enlighteneth” our minds and souls. We had a great discussion about light and how it helps us see things we have never seen before because it enlarges our thoughts. We spent a bit of time in Doctrine and Covenants 50, 88, and 93. Once we finished, they all went to their respective places to spend the night. Twelve elders came to our home to sleep. They were scattered everywhere on the floor and in the bedrooms.

All outgoing missionaries

Breakfast came early! We rose early, readied ourselves, and then trundled down to the Grand Building where we had a lovely breakfast. Then, we began loading the luggage into the many vehicles. Think of it: 27 missionaries x 3 items each = 81 pieces of luggage. We had lots of places and spaces for the luggage. One member, Brother Keating, brought his truck to help us with the luggage.

We dropped most everyone off at Terminal 2. It was a tough goodbye. Tears were shed by many of us. We couldn’t believe how sad their leaving made us. These missionaries have become part of our family. Like any family leaving, we were saddened; yet, we did feel joy that they were going home to see their families whom they haven’t seen for two years or 18 months. It will be a glorious reunion for sure.

And away they go!

We want to thank all of outgoing missionaries for their missionary service and for being such great examples and leaders in the California Riverside Mission. Their incredible legacies will live on! Their missionary service has literally prepared them for their next transfer. Their gospel foundation has increased. Their testimonies have grown and are strong. They are becoming who they need to become. Thus, our message to them is this: Follow your My Plan, stay close to the Lord and Heavenly Father, and stay on the covenant path. If you do, the Lord will bless you exceedingly.

Home

Yes, you could say that we were literally counting down the hours until Hermana Tonini returned.  Church Travel had sent us her complete itinerary so we were able to track her flight status all day long.  Even though her flight didn't land until 10:50, I was ready to head up to the airport by around 10 - just in case they caught a really good tailwind coming up from Denver.

In addition to her her whole family (she would have to wait twenty-four hours to be reunited with Jacob and his family) some of her friends from high school were also there to greet her. 

Unbeknownst to Hermana Tonini, President Williams was out of town and was unable to release her so that privilege fell to me as his second counselor.

And by 6:30 the next morning, we were on the road to Utah to attend Brooklyn Van Bibber's sealing in the Provo City Center Temple.

Welcome home, Pioneer Girl!

I Still Have One More Transfer, Right?

I'm sure you are all wondering how I am feeling right now. I feel like Ecclesiastes 2:17 sums it up quite nicely,

"Therefore I hated life.."

Hahaha, just kidding. But it really has been really rough, but I am getting ahead of myself.

LAST WEEK OF THE MISSION:

So on Monday we saw a tender miracle. We did a noche de hogar with an active family how has less-active family members. We shared a message about how the gospel has blessed our families and asked them to each bear their testimonies of how they have seen the gospel bless their lives. The less-active son usually NEVER lets missionaries share messages with him so just the fact that he was sitting at the table with us was a miracle in itself. This was his response:

"I know I am not where I need to be right now...but every time I have found myself in a bad situation I never ended up crossing that line. That line was because of the gospel."

He talked for like ten minutes and it was SO POWERFUL. Inspired questions are SO IMPORTANT. It was very interesting, because he talked about how it is one thing to talk about how God has blessed you. That's easy. Everything you have in life is because of Him. But when you answer how the gospel has blessed you, obviously the blessings still come from our Heavenly Father, but they are blessings that are only received through obedience and living the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Wednesday was the "My Plan" interview with President Hammon. At one point in the interview, tears just began to roll down my cheeks and President started tearing up...I seriously have the best mission president and I am so grateful for him.

Thursday was our outgoing temple trip!! Of course it was super emotional. The room was PACKED. We have 27 in our outgoing group PLUS our rides! I think the most tender part was sitting in the celestial room with Ken, my brother's convert. It was evidence of the fruit of missionary work, and I loved being able to have a piece of my brother with me.

We had an appointment that night with Ana, Abelina and Aurora and I lost it...man...I just love that family so much and we have only met with them three times. We read Alma 2 with them since they hadn't read in the Book of Mormon.  When we asked if they had even a small desire to see if this was a good seed and increase their faith and Abelina responded, "I have a LOT of desire!" I knew that was our last lesson, but I also knew there was a chance it was going to be my last lesson as a missionary. I cried all the way just yearning to have two more years or months or even weeks...

Saturday....wow. Hermana Sorensen and I got to go the temple with HERMANA AND HERMANO GA***. Seriously, I could not have asked for a better way to end my mission. Hermano Ga*** was able to be baptized for his son and then Hermana Ga*** was baptized for Hermano Ga***'s mother. I will never forget hugging Hermana Ga*** after she walked out of that font. I talked to her afterwards in the dressing room and one of the things she told me was that she had goosebumps the whole time, but that she wasn't cold. On the way to the temple, they excitingly told me that they have been starting to recognize more and more the promptings and feelings since they received the gift of the Holy Ghost. Another thing we talked about was trials. When we first starting teaching the Ga*** fam, they were going through a rough time. Hermana Ga*** told me that before we started meeting with them, she would always feel angry at God and ask him why. Why is this happening to ME? But everything changed. For once in her life, her first reaction in facing trials was gratitude. She said that if it weren't for that trial they were going through, she would have never converted. It was during that time that she realized she needed help and support, so she gave us a chance. If their family wouldn't have passed through that challenge, she wouldn't have been standing in the temple with me at that moment. It was so powerful, and we were both in tears.

Sunday...WOW. After church, the ward threw us a despedida/pachanga and it was SO AWESOME. There were members from all of the mission to come see us. There was legit a Hemet table, a Corona corner, and a Moreno Valley bench. Abuelita brought some bomb tres leche, Hermana Beru*** brought pupusas, and Hermana Aza*** brought chile relleno. Let's just say that my Two Days 'till Sexy went out the window.

We had a lesson with Guillermo and it was so fantastic. We tried putting him back on date and we had the best baptism rejection ever. He still doesn't understand the need to be baptized again despite multiple attempts trying to explain it. BUT, he was all, "How about I make you a compromiso?" And he said he will go to the Book of Mormon class on Friday, church on Sunday, AND read and pray about the book of Mormon this whole week. DEAL. The trick for the Elders will be to just focus in on him gaining a testimony of the Restoration because that is the only way getting baptized again is going to make sense for him. I have high hopes for him!

So, that lesson ended at like 8:45 and we still had to do personal study and Hna Hernandez was stressed about packing...I got in the truck and started getting emotional because that was it. But Hernandez was like, "Nah, let's go find us a miracle." Man, you should have seen my face. My eyes got really big and they lit up. So we prayed to know where to go. After like a solid three minutes, a random name came to my mind: Roberto. I had no idea who that was, but I found the only Roberto in the area book planner app, and when I showed it to Hernandez, she was all, "I felt something about him too!" So we sped off, but then after a couple of minutes Hernandez was like, "Hey!!!!!!! There was a lady sitting by herself outside of her house and I feel like we should go talk to her!" So I flipped a hard U-y and we went back. It was super dark outside and it was just about to hit 9:00. SHE LET US TEACH HER. We did like a ten minute lesson with her and we testified with everything we had in us. MAN IT WAS AWESOME. We walked away from her house glowing. We got in the truck, drove home, and sat in the truck, and sobbed. We soaked in every bit. We just felt SO GRATEFUL that we were able to end our missions on such a good note. I felt my Father's love for me and I basked in it.

It was a perfect week. A perfect week to end this 18 month journey. I just want to end one last time with my testimony.

I know that Jesus is the Christ and that He is the head of His church here on the earth. I know that Joseph Smith truly saw Heavenly Father and His son Jesus Christ in the Sacred Grove. I know that the priesthood has been restored here on the earth and that President Russell M. Nelson holds the priesthood keys to be God's mouthpiece for His children. I am so grateful for a modern day prophet that receives revelation to help us in these latter days. I know the Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ. I have come to know Him as I have searched and applied the teachings found in that treasure. I know this is the Lord's work here on the earth. I have loved being able to dedicate this time to Him to bring souls unto Christ. I love being a missionary and I love the Savior.

One last time,
Hermana Tonini

Watermelon Shenanigans

SOOOOOOO, HERE ARE THE HIGHLIGHTS:

Fourth of July lived up to the one we had last year. We did lots of watermelon shenanigans that I shall not disclose in this email....but I can say that one of them including putting rubber bands around them until they exploded. Just like last year! :') we also did water balloon volleyball....until Elder Gregory broke the net and we went crazy having a water balloon fight. It was perfect!! I spent the Fourth with ALMOST all of the people I love...what more could I ask?

That day we also ate with the Gonza*** fam X2 and took a cute pic since Ivette and her mom left for Mexico and won't be back until after we are all gone.

I GOT TO GO TO THE TEMPLE WITH RUBEN!!!!!! It was incredible! We taught Ruben during my training and he is so incredible! It was the perfect way to end the mission, by going with your convert to the temple. To see him in the Celestial room....wow. Like, words can't even describe it. Lots of tears were shed, if that helps.

On Monday we found the cutest fam ever!!! The two sobrinas just came from Guatemala...four months ago....on their own. They are only 16 and 17 years old. Their story is INCREDIBLE!!!! We are going to teach them not only the gospel but English as well! One of them had a smile on her face the WHOLE LESSON. It was so cute!!

I had my last exchange this week....and it was awesome! Sister McDaniel is the sweetest thing ever and we got to have a lesson with this guy who legit had a whole notepad filled with things to bash us with/questions to ask. Thank heavens for the Spirit that lead and guided us in that lesson! She killed it in there!

I finished all of My Plan this week. I had to do the dating and marriage section and I wanted to barf. Just kidding, it wasn't too bad.

We also had MLC and it was really neat because all of the members of MLC that are going home were put on a panel and we were asked questions about the role of faith on our mission. Then, at the end, we gave our 2 minute advice for all of the leaders in MLC who are staying behind. And I only limited myself to two slices of pizza, are you proud of me Dad? #1weektosexy

Tanya went to the Book of Mormon class on Friday and Mayra, her sister, came to church! Our area hasn't had someone to church for a couple of transfers now...so that was a miracle!

Sunday....oh man...Mayra was sitting between both of us and we BOTH FELL ASLEEP DURING SACRAMENT MEETING. Having two comps that are going home together is not a good idea...we are so exhausted! But we also both love working hard, so that is what we are going to do: FINISH STRONG.

Well, email is being dumb, so I will send the pics on a separate email. Love y'all! I will be sending my last email next Monday, so stay tuned!

Hermana Tonini

Spiritual Time-Outs

WOW WOW WOW. What a week. It has been the longest and shortest week of my LIFE. Hermana Hernandez and I were talking about how it felt like we had been companions for like a month...but it had only been like five days. But it also went super fast because now I only have two weeks left which is surreal. I still feel like it's forever, in a good way. There is still PLENTY of time to find, teach and baptize.

On Tuesday, my comp and Hermana Peters' comp had to go to Riverside for their appointments so Hermana Peters and I had a mini exchange and we saw so many miracles! We were able to find four new investigators, went seeking for three hours, and found three potenciales. IT WAS AWESOME. One lady we found, her name is Mayra and she is so precious! She is from Guatemala and has so much fe aunque she has had SO MANY TRAILS. SO MANY. It was incredible...she told us her whole life story and was doing it with a smile on her face....which on my face my jaw was dropped because this lady has SERIOUSLY HAD A CRAZY LIFE.

With the other three we found, Jose is super elect. He said that the message of the Restoration just made SO MUCH SENSE to him. He is so excited to read the Book of Mormon!!! When I asked him if he had ever wondered why there are so many churches if we all believe in the same God, he was like..."YES!!!" However, the other two family members broke my heart. It was his sobrino y la hija de su sobrino [nephew and daughter of his nephew]. I went to give a copy of the Book of Mormon to Ana and she flat out shook her head at me. She refused to take it, and that broke my heart like no other rejection. Like, people reject us in the streets all the time...but I have never had someone reject me after them letting me in to teach them about the Restoration. They are very very set in their beliefs....but they said we can come back? So we will see what happens with those two.

We had a lesson with our investigator Guillermo and he went to la clase del Libro de Mormon con nosotras el viernes! He had LOTS of questions...and it turns out that he knows nothing about the Bible. He didn't even know who the Jews were when we were reading in 1 Nephi 1. So we have made plans in how we are going to adjust our teaching to meet his needs.

Multi Zones....my last one...wow. I couldn't even begin. I had two trainings, and I think they went pretty well. We all gave our outgoing testimonies...all NINE OF US. Just from two zones. Got some crying out of my system so that was good. I wish I could just write a whole email on everything that happened that day buuuuuuuuut, no va a ser posible [that's not going to be possible].

On Friday I had my exchange with Hermana Chase and she is SO MUCH FUN. I love that girl! We were able to find a family together so that was awesome!!!

Saturday was super cool. During planning, we felt inspired to set a goal of finding someone who would come to church....and the first potential we tried by, Victoria, straight up told us she was going to come to Church on Sunday. Like.....WHAT??? Okay, so she didn't end up coming but it was still really cool to see how fast Heavenly Father answered our prayers. She has a TON of potential and we are going to stop by and teach her this week!!

Then, we decided to go try Eloisa...and they didn't answer the door. So we decided to walk to another potential that lived a couple of streets away. We both felt prompted to knock on the door of this little house, and as we were walking towards it, we realized it was on the same property as Eloisa. There was a woman outside, who was 92 years old AND ELOISA'S MOTHER. She was sitting outside of her other daughter's house (the one we were going to knock on) and so we also met Luz. She said she would come over and join us in the other house. Well, Eloisa ran away from us....literally...when the abuelita [grandma] let us in the garage door. So we decided to go back and try Luz and she let us in!!! She just wants guidance for her two daughters and we had an awesome lesson with her! We can't wait to see her again today :)

Elder Cousineau said this yesterday, "In an apostasy, God puts His people in a spiritual time-out." I am so grateful to help people come out of their state of apostasy and find LIGHT, PEACE AND JOY. I am so excited to soak up every minute of my last two weeks here in the field. There really is no place I'd rather be.

Love y'all!!

Hermana Tonini

P.S. My parents came and toured the mission and I about died. I was going to send a picture but I couldn't decide between all of them.

P.P.S.

My fav little future misionera. 

My two favorite things are my truck and Hermana Chase

My cutie pie companion