Also, we met LeDawn last week who just started a non-profit pony rescue so we started serving and helping her out this week. Lots of shoveling horse poop....but we got to feed them treats afterwards which was an adventure.
Monday, April 30, 2018
Caballitos pt 2
Soooooo, a kitten snuck in the house while we were unloading Sister Davies's stuff.
Also, we met LeDawn last week who just started a non-profit pony rescue so we started serving and helping her out this week. Lots of shoveling horse poop....but we got to feed them treats afterwards which was an adventure.
Also, we met LeDawn last week who just started a non-profit pony rescue so we started serving and helping her out this week. Lots of shoveling horse poop....but we got to feed them treats afterwards which was an adventure.
Caballitos
It's been a great first week with Sister Davies!! I love that girl so much, it's going to be a good last two transfers with her up here in Anza.
Our recent convert lesson with Samantha was INCREDIBLE. We had given Brother Boyd a list of the things that still needed to be taught so he just straight up asked Samantha which one she wanted hear. You want to know what she chose? Missionary work. Precious. It was really cool because the Boyds are both converts and so they shared their conversion story. Brother Boyd asked me why I am out on a mission. After I responded, he turned to Daniel and said, "Now why aren't YOU on a mission?"
So good.
So we talked about that for awhile. But then they asked them for Samantha's conversion story and Daniel told it from his side....AND HE STARTED CRYING. I have been in COUNTLESS lessons with that guy and I have never seen him cry. Ever. It was such a tender moment. And then Samantha cried when she told her side. It was just so so so good.
Speaking of Samantha, WE WENT TO THE TEMPLE!!! I have never seen someone so excited to go to the temple before. It was so neat to be sitting on the bench with Sis Bryant as tears rolled down our faces watching someone we care SO much about doing temple work. I can't wait to be back in the temple with Samantha in a year!
ALSO, ANOTHER MIRACLE. So we have been trying to stop by this less-active EVERY WEEK for almost all of last transfer. He's super duper nice, but was always busy at the time he told us to stop by. Even too busy for a two minute video, which was one of our tactics. I was determined to get in with him. On Wednesday though, we finally did it!! Poor Sister Davies, I was so flipping excited when he said he'd meet us around the side of the house...I walked over there like floating on cloud nine. Persistence had PAID OFF.
We also found a new investigator this week which was another miracle because I think it had been a couple of weeks without finding anyone...
AND THEN WE FOUND ANOTHER INVESTIGATOR. SO MANY MIRACLES. His name is Hector and he SPEAKS SPANISH. He seems super solid and we are really excited to start working with him!
Love,
Hermana Tonini
Our recent convert lesson with Samantha was INCREDIBLE. We had given Brother Boyd a list of the things that still needed to be taught so he just straight up asked Samantha which one she wanted hear. You want to know what she chose? Missionary work. Precious. It was really cool because the Boyds are both converts and so they shared their conversion story. Brother Boyd asked me why I am out on a mission. After I responded, he turned to Daniel and said, "Now why aren't YOU on a mission?"
So good.
So we talked about that for awhile. But then they asked them for Samantha's conversion story and Daniel told it from his side....AND HE STARTED CRYING. I have been in COUNTLESS lessons with that guy and I have never seen him cry. Ever. It was such a tender moment. And then Samantha cried when she told her side. It was just so so so good.
ALSO, ANOTHER MIRACLE. So we have been trying to stop by this less-active EVERY WEEK for almost all of last transfer. He's super duper nice, but was always busy at the time he told us to stop by. Even too busy for a two minute video, which was one of our tactics. I was determined to get in with him. On Wednesday though, we finally did it!! Poor Sister Davies, I was so flipping excited when he said he'd meet us around the side of the house...I walked over there like floating on cloud nine. Persistence had PAID OFF.
We also found a new investigator this week which was another miracle because I think it had been a couple of weeks without finding anyone...
AND THEN WE FOUND ANOTHER INVESTIGATOR. SO MANY MIRACLES. His name is Hector and he SPEAKS SPANISH. He seems super solid and we are really excited to start working with him!
Love,
Hermana Tonini
Saturday, April 28, 2018
Facebook Post: April 28, 2018
The rich young ruler asked the Savior, "What lack I yet?" (Matt. 19:20).
We can ask ourselves the same question and the Savior will always respond with:
"Come and follow me." (Matt. 19:21)
We all have different weaknesses and things that are holding us back from our eternal progression. However, as we turn to the Savior and ask in earnest prayer, we will know how we can better "take up the cross and follow [Him]." (Mark 10:21)
We can ask ourselves the same question and the Savior will always respond with:
"Come and follow me." (Matt. 19:21)
We all have different weaknesses and things that are holding us back from our eternal progression. However, as we turn to the Savior and ask in earnest prayer, we will know how we can better "take up the cross and follow [Him]." (Mark 10:21)
Monday, April 23, 2018
Anza Round Three
We had dinner and a lesson with the Sab*** and it was so cute! Lisa said Jack has been so HAPPY since he has started praying!! However, they didn't come to church.....again....we will probably do a church tour this week because nothing we are currently is helping.
And with our lesson with Juan, we brought Brother Boyd who is my fav human on the planet and Juan said the cutest thing ever! He had LOTS of questions about what happens after this life and so we changed our lesson from the gospel to the Plan of Salvation REAL fast. And he was all, "This has GOTTA be true!!"
Our less active lesson with Brother Ow*** was very enlightening. We were talking about the Restoration and he made an interesting comment. Lots of people didn't believe in Joseph Smith and persecuted him. They thought he was lying and deceiving...yet they were looking for the plates? Why would you look for something that doesn't exist?
And that's all I can remember from this week. Sister Bryant is gone-zo. And Sister Davies is coming here. I have never served around her so this will be an adventure.
Love y'all!
Hermana Tonini
I have less than three months left...?? Also, here's what your shoes look like after a day of Anza.
Monday, April 16, 2018
Lovin' it
To be honest....not much happened this week. We found some awesome potential converts that we are going to see next week so we have that to look forward to! We weren't able to get in with any of our investigators this week except for Juan.
He is so precious! We invited him to church and then asked why he thinks we invite him to church. His response in his heavy Spanish accent was, "Because you guys like me....no....because you guys love me!" At first I thought, "Nooooooooo, because it's a commandment! We have to partake of the Sacrament!" However, his answer was still true. We DO love him, and just like his Heavenly Father, we want him to make changes in his life that will make him happy and help him progress towards eternal life.
And what makes US happy is seeing and hearing about those changes. He told us that he found himself singing while he was cooking.....and he NEVER sings. He said he has felt the desire to be better and is happy because he is learning the gospel. It was really neat to step into Heavenly Father's shoes and see and feel what he does....even for just a second.
I am so grateful for a loving Heavenly Father. He DOES love us and wants us to be happy as we progress towards becoming more like Him.
Love y'all! Last week of the transfer....we'll see what happens!
Hermana Tonini
Also, here are some more pictures from the hike last week, San Jacinto Zone, and a lovely road we walked up in dear Anza.
He is so precious! We invited him to church and then asked why he thinks we invite him to church. His response in his heavy Spanish accent was, "Because you guys like me....no....because you guys love me!" At first I thought, "Nooooooooo, because it's a commandment! We have to partake of the Sacrament!" However, his answer was still true. We DO love him, and just like his Heavenly Father, we want him to make changes in his life that will make him happy and help him progress towards eternal life.
And what makes US happy is seeing and hearing about those changes. He told us that he found himself singing while he was cooking.....and he NEVER sings. He said he has felt the desire to be better and is happy because he is learning the gospel. It was really neat to step into Heavenly Father's shoes and see and feel what he does....even for just a second.
I am so grateful for a loving Heavenly Father. He DOES love us and wants us to be happy as we progress towards becoming more like Him.
Love y'all! Last week of the transfer....we'll see what happens!
Hermana Tonini
Also, here are some more pictures from the hike last week, San Jacinto Zone, and a lovely road we walked up in dear Anza.
Friday, April 13, 2018
Facebook Post: April 13, 2018
“Service saved my life. Where I ultimately found my strength to keep moving forward was the happiness I discovered in trying to relieve the suffering of those around me...When I thought about myself, my situation, my suffering and pain, the world became very dark and depressing. When my focus turned to others, there was light, hope, strength, courage, and joy. I know that this is possible because of the sustaining, healing, and enabling power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ.”
Bonnie H. Cordon
I am also so grateful for the Atonement of Jesus Christ and for the perfect example He has set. I know as we serve others we can follow His example and become more like him in our lives. So, who are you going to serve tomorrow? Who will you reach out to? Touch more lives and fill the world and your life with LIGHT.
Bonnie H. Cordon
I am also so grateful for the Atonement of Jesus Christ and for the perfect example He has set. I know as we serve others we can follow His example and become more like him in our lives. So, who are you going to serve tomorrow? Who will you reach out to? Touch more lives and fill the world and your life with LIGHT.
Monday, April 9, 2018
Goat Tell it on a Mountain Part 2
Tuesday was WHACK. If you're wondering what a day in Anza is like, here it is:
We went seeking in an area near where we live, but we knew we had to be careful bc it's near the Indian Reservation. We looked at the map and we knew we just needed to stay away from Quinones Rd because that's almost the border. Well, we went seeking heading south, but as we were on this dirt road we decided to turn back because we didn't feel good about it.
So we went back up and headed back east and tried going south again. There we met a lady named Joelle. I was talking to her about her dogs that were out and she asked if we wanted to come in the gate and see them. Well, yeah!! Anything to get inside and more time! So she took us around back and we sat down on her bench. As time went on we got really uneasy....I mean some pretty funny stuff happened in the midst of it all. We told her what we do as missionaries and she started singing at the top of her lungs "GO TELL IT ON THE MOUNTAIN" and forced Sister Bryant to sing it with her which I got a kick out of. She also looked at me and said, "I like your curly and hair." Then she turned to Sister Bryant and said, "I like your straight.....forwardness." it was super funny but also the Spirit was like "GET OUT OF THERE."
So we left as soon as we could, headed back up, and started east again. We turned south again and we were walking by a bunch of horses when we heard a pop, sizzle , and then a bang. It sounded almost like a firework....but I have NEVER seen a firework since I have been here because of the high probability of wild fires. We had no idea what it was, but it was close and didn't sound friendly. We immediately turned around and headed back up and returned to our car. There were even spooky sounds we kept hearing which REALLY quickened our pace. What was interesting though was that when we turned the corner from the explosion street, we saw a sign we didn't see the first time. The sign said Quinones. And we had been stopped the three times we tried to go south.
The Spirit truly does warn and protect us, and my testimony of this role increased so much. I don't know how close we actually got to the Rez, but I do know that I felt my Savior's love for me.
There were other crazy things that happened buuuuuuuuut, we can talk about it later :)
Wednesday was fire. We had three lessons, one with Juan (who we have been trying to meet since Sister Bryant has been here), with John S***, and with the SA***. We talked with Jack a lot about revelation (thanks general conference!) Because he's never really prayed much in his life. They were able to read one chapter in the Book of Mormon and they are going to get back in it! I love that family!!
Sooooooooo, we got a text from Daniel that night and cancelled our temple trip with Samantha for Thursday...stuff went down in her home again. It broke our hearts....she just wants to progress in the gospel SO BAD. And then we heard from her a couple of days later and it looks like she's moving out in a couple of weeks....it never ends..
BUT, WE SAW A MIRACLE! A family in our branch in Idyllwild invited their friends to come to church....and they did!!! They seem super interested! They already had a Book of Mormon and have gone to a couple of activities. It's been a work in progress, but it is paying off! They are the sweetest couple ever! Now, I know that doesn't seem like a big miracle...but with our branch of only three families??? It NEVER happens. We can't wait to see what happens next!
Love y'all!!!
Hermana Tonini
So we went back up and headed back east and tried going south again. There we met a lady named Joelle. I was talking to her about her dogs that were out and she asked if we wanted to come in the gate and see them. Well, yeah!! Anything to get inside and more time! So she took us around back and we sat down on her bench. As time went on we got really uneasy....I mean some pretty funny stuff happened in the midst of it all. We told her what we do as missionaries and she started singing at the top of her lungs "GO TELL IT ON THE MOUNTAIN" and forced Sister Bryant to sing it with her which I got a kick out of. She also looked at me and said, "I like your curly and hair." Then she turned to Sister Bryant and said, "I like your straight.....forwardness." it was super funny but also the Spirit was like "GET OUT OF THERE."
So we left as soon as we could, headed back up, and started east again. We turned south again and we were walking by a bunch of horses when we heard a pop, sizzle , and then a bang. It sounded almost like a firework....but I have NEVER seen a firework since I have been here because of the high probability of wild fires. We had no idea what it was, but it was close and didn't sound friendly. We immediately turned around and headed back up and returned to our car. There were even spooky sounds we kept hearing which REALLY quickened our pace. What was interesting though was that when we turned the corner from the explosion street, we saw a sign we didn't see the first time. The sign said Quinones. And we had been stopped the three times we tried to go south.
The Spirit truly does warn and protect us, and my testimony of this role increased so much. I don't know how close we actually got to the Rez, but I do know that I felt my Savior's love for me.
There were other crazy things that happened buuuuuuuuut, we can talk about it later :)
Wednesday was fire. We had three lessons, one with Juan (who we have been trying to meet since Sister Bryant has been here), with John S***, and with the SA***. We talked with Jack a lot about revelation (thanks general conference!) Because he's never really prayed much in his life. They were able to read one chapter in the Book of Mormon and they are going to get back in it! I love that family!!
Sooooooooo, we got a text from Daniel that night and cancelled our temple trip with Samantha for Thursday...stuff went down in her home again. It broke our hearts....she just wants to progress in the gospel SO BAD. And then we heard from her a couple of days later and it looks like she's moving out in a couple of weeks....it never ends..
BUT, WE SAW A MIRACLE! A family in our branch in Idyllwild invited their friends to come to church....and they did!!! They seem super interested! They already had a Book of Mormon and have gone to a couple of activities. It's been a work in progress, but it is paying off! They are the sweetest couple ever! Now, I know that doesn't seem like a big miracle...but with our branch of only three families??? It NEVER happens. We can't wait to see what happens next!Love y'all!!!
Hermana Tonini
Monday, April 2, 2018
Holland Way
Hey y'all!
On Tuesday we were able to SKYPE INTO DISTRICT MEETING. Usually we can only make it down twice a transfer for district meeting because it takes us 45 minutes to get there....not to mention we have limited miles. So now we can make it to every meeting, every week! Which is nice because now we might be able to go to a few pday activities and get some human interaction. It gets kind of lonely sometimes, but it's worth it.
We also had a lesson with Samantha on the gospel of Jesus Christ. We asked her how she has come to know that she has been forgiven of her sins and she talked about a weight being lifted off her chest. That's the beautiful thing of repentance!! We can be free from guilt and sorrow that comes as a result of sin. What a beautiful gift we have, all thanks to our Savior.
Then we had John S*** on Wednesday and he had LOTS of questions for us. He talked to his pastors and friends about us and the Book of Mormon and had a couple of concerns. We were able to utilize the Book of Mormon and the Bible to answer his questions and he said he is going to read 1 Nephi 1! He sure is one funny guy!
On Thursday we were over eating at our branch mission leader's house and we got a text.......FROM JACK AND LISA!!! We had been trying to call and text them since Sunday with no response. They wanted us to come over next week once their family leaves and goes back home. It was a miracle and we both had to hold it together because we were praying for them so much. We have plans to go over tomorrow and we ARE BRINGING SAMANTHA WITH US!! So pumped.
Then we went to Idyllwild on Friday and found a new investigator named Jessica!! She is the sweetest person I have ever met and she accepted baptism!
And then conference was perfect as always. My favorite part was sustaining President Russel M Nelson as our prophet. Tear filled my eyes as I raised my right hand and gave my sustaining vote. God still speaks to us today and Christ is truly the head of His church. They are not passive, and neither should we as we follow the prophet.
Love y'all!!
Hermana Tonini
We also had a lesson with Samantha on the gospel of Jesus Christ. We asked her how she has come to know that she has been forgiven of her sins and she talked about a weight being lifted off her chest. That's the beautiful thing of repentance!! We can be free from guilt and sorrow that comes as a result of sin. What a beautiful gift we have, all thanks to our Savior.
Then we had John S*** on Wednesday and he had LOTS of questions for us. He talked to his pastors and friends about us and the Book of Mormon and had a couple of concerns. We were able to utilize the Book of Mormon and the Bible to answer his questions and he said he is going to read 1 Nephi 1! He sure is one funny guy!
On Thursday we were over eating at our branch mission leader's house and we got a text.......FROM JACK AND LISA!!! We had been trying to call and text them since Sunday with no response. They wanted us to come over next week once their family leaves and goes back home. It was a miracle and we both had to hold it together because we were praying for them so much. We have plans to go over tomorrow and we ARE BRINGING SAMANTHA WITH US!! So pumped.
Then we went to Idyllwild on Friday and found a new investigator named Jessica!! She is the sweetest person I have ever met and she accepted baptism!
And then conference was perfect as always. My favorite part was sustaining President Russel M Nelson as our prophet. Tear filled my eyes as I raised my right hand and gave my sustaining vote. God still speaks to us today and Christ is truly the head of His church. They are not passive, and neither should we as we follow the prophet.
Love y'all!!
Hermana Tonini
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)