Alejandro

Hey y'all! LOTS happened this week so I am just going to share one miracle.

So, weeks 2-4 were kind of rough. No teaching pool in Idyllwild. Our only solid and progressing investigator paused us. We hadn't found a new investigator in three weeks. I just felt very discouraged...so I knew something needed to change. I had to do something.

I was down the hill on exchanges and I read a verse during my personal study that gave me hope:

"Yea, he that repenteth and exerciseth faith, and bringeth forth good works, and prayeth continually without ceasing—unto such it is given to know the mysteries of God; yea, unto such it shall be given to reveal things which never have been revealed; yea, and it shall be given unto such to bring thousands of souls to repentance, even as it has been given unto us to bring these our brethren to repentance."  (Alma 26:22)

I found hope because I found a promise...that we could bring thousands, or even just a couple, of souls to repentance.

So when I got home, we did a lot of talking during comp study and I shared my finding with Sister Davies. We set goals of HOW we were going to pray without ceasing, repent, bring forth good works, and exercise faith. We worked on those goals all this week and Heavenly Father blessed us with TWO investigators.

I know that as we prayerfully set goals/make plans and bring them to the Lord, then we can see miracles.


I love the work, including the lows. Anza has for sure taught how to be humble and put my trust in the Lord's timing. Everything is in His hands right now and I'm just ready to do what He needs me to do and become.

It's the last week of the transfer and then it will be the start of my last transfer. It's going to be a crazy transfer with...well...lots of plans. I guess you'll just have to wait and see what they are :)

Love y'all!

16 down, 8 more to go...right?

¡MILAGROS! Hermana Harper Skyped me into the end of a lesson with the Familia Ga*** Monday night because they had an announcement! Hermano Ga*** had paletas in his hand and Herman Ga*** had flowers....HE IS DIVORCED! Turns out it DID happen, three years ago. Now the last hurdle is getting the official papers sent up here so those two lovebirds can get married and finally be BAPTIZED! That should be happening in June if all goes well. It will be the perfect way to wrap up the mission.


I also hit 16 months in the mission which was terrifying. But then I just went back to denial and it got better.

Also, it's looking like I will be ending my mission here in Anza!! A Hermana went home unexpectedly so now it won't be an odd number when Hermana Grover goes home in June. It's hard thinking that I spent 1/3 of my mission in English land, but I know Anza is where He needs me most and I love the people here.


Then, my dreams finally came true!! For Sacrament in Idyllwild we had DONUTS instead of bread. This is why branches are the best.




Sorry this was the most random email ever. Life is same in good ol' Anza, so just enjoy some pictures of our adventures which includes me RIDING A BIKE FOR THE FIRST TIME ON MY MISSION and pday shenanigans.






Love y'all.

Buncha Billy Hillies

WHAT A BUSY WEEK. Can you be out of breath from finishing a week? Because that's how I feel.

So we ran into Juan while we were seeking with fe near his house, and he tried using a word that I taught him in English: Hillbillies.

"You know...up here...all of us are a bunch of billy hillies."

I love that guy.

Then Tuesday was a crazy day in Idyllwild...we legit did a home visit at 9:30 in the morning. That was a first for sure.

Wednesday we had the best lesson we have ever had with Juan!! He is now on date for July 1st! He told us he felt dumb when he went to church with the Sisters before us because he couldn't sing the hymns so he wanted us to practice with him...so we spent THIRTY MINUTES of him reading the hymn, then I would read the hymn so we could follow along, and then we would sing a couple of verses for him.....we were willing to do whatever it would take to get him to church and HE DIDN'T COME 💔. But the other thirty minutes were super powerful and the Spirit was super strong!

That same day we also did a home visit, our first Facebook lesson EVER and it was with Hector, and a less active visit. FOUR LESSONS IN ONE DAY. Which is really actually a normal thing but not for Anza. We are lucky if we get one lesson a day here...

Thursday we did our food group service and pony service AND weekly planning so that shot the whole day.

We had interviews and exchanges on Friday. So, it's looking like a 50/50 chance that I am staying or going for my last transfer. One hermana is leaving and none are coming in....so he will either have to take me down or make a trio. But if he takes me out then there is a domino effect and he will have to change a lot of other things. So, transfers are a mystery once again. I know and have faith that the Lord will let me finish my mission where he needs me the most.

Saturday we had zero set appointments besides a home visit late that night so we just walked for three hours and talked to 3 people.

Mother's Day was SO GOOD. We spent it with the Merc*** Family. We do FHE/home visit with them every week becaue they don't have kids and we temporarily don't have parents. So it was nice to spend time with our "mom". Calling home was so good! You know, I told myself I wasn't allowed to freak out about going home until Mother's Day. I freaked out a little after knowing my itinerary but now my freak out day is pushed to July 4th and now I will go back to being in denial.

OH AND HECTOR CAME TO CHURCH. I was so happy!!! He is progressing!

Whew. I think that's it. I love y'all and thanks for your prayers and support!

Hermana Tonini

P.S. we got roses from the branch even though we aren't mothers? #win

Facebook Post: May 12, 2018

How do we not quit? How do we keep trying and keep walking?

"I would that ye should come unto Christ, who is the Holy One of Israel, and partake of his salvation, and the power of his redemption. Yea, come unto him, and offer your whole souls as an offering unto him, and continue in fasting and praying, and endure to the end; and as the Lord liveth ye will be saved."

Omni 1:26

And the promise stands true:

"Behold, we count them happy which endure."

James 5:11

Wait, what?

Maybe one day I will get over how perfect Samantha is, but today is not the day. After the lesson, Samantha and Daniel asked us what we do for companionship study. We explained, but then our curiosity was peaked. Why?? Well, since Samantha finished the Book of Mormon, she wants to start the New Testament. So her and Daniel are going to read and study it together!! So precious.

We worked with a TON of less active this week and we are hoping to see fruits from all if the effort, love, and prayers we are sending in their direction.

Honestly though, there isn't much. We had a crazy long week. However, in zone accountability our zone leader's asked what we were going to do this transfer to have fun in the work and we decided we are going to take a picture a day....so hopefully lots of pictures make up for my lack of words.

Until next week?

Hermana Tonini

We celebrated cinco de mayo with polar pops because we're too poor to afford the Mexican food up here. At service with LeDawn, she introduced us to her turkey babies.

Itinerary

From: California Riverside Mission Referral Secretary <2012618-REF@ldschurch.org>
Date: Thu, May 3, 2018 at 5:32 PM
Subject: itinerary

Attached is the itinerary for your daughter Sister Tonini.

SisterThorne

Referral Secretary – CA Riverside Mission