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

Mission Tour - Day 2

I will admit that as we approached the Games’ apartment tonight, I was a little apprehensive. Neither Hmo or Hma Games speak any English and none of us speak any Spanish so we would have to rely on their kids to help with the translating.  But as soon as we walked in the door, all of those feelings were discarded and we could feel the love this family has for Hna Tonini.  I was admiring the picture of the kids’ baptism (on Hna Tonini’s birthday last year) when he showed me another framed picture of his daughter, Diana with Hna Tonini.  The picture was surrounded by a huge mat on which Hna Tonini had written words of encouragement and her testimony.  It is displayed in a prominent position in their home.  He also showed me a Family Home Evening chart that Hna Tonini had given them.  On the back, she and Hna Sorenson had written (in Spanish) that we want you.  Further below, there was another sentence which read we don’t want you, we love you!  Ah, the joy of being speaking another language on your mission.  They thought it was hysterical.

Hno Games then started to tell us about his conversion experience.  He had been born a Catholic and was very happy to be Catholic.  Hno Games told us that they had been through many missionaries but it was Hna Tonini that helped them to be converted.  Because of the language difference, there was a lot of animation as he tried to communicate with us.  I am still not clear if they always knew when Hna Tonini was coming because she was always running to their door or that she simply walked very loudly.  She was persistent and determined to get them to church – even setting “traps” as he called it.  One Sunday, she and her companion came over to cook them breakfast, and then accompanied them to Church.  But the turning point was when he told the Hermanas that he would be baptized when he got a sign from God.  And he got one in the form of his son, Daniel.  Daniel had always been a shy, reserved boy (he is only ten years old).  When he heard his son pray for the first time and felt the Spirit, he knew that he had received his sign.  Now he plays with the neighbor kids and is confident enough to provide translation for us.


Hno Games then treated us to the song that he wrote for Hna Tonini.  He explained there is even a verse for Hna Sorenson whose Spanish wasn’t very good at the time.  He plugged the guitar into the amp and serenaded us.  He would stop, his daughter would translate, and then he would continue.  All of us were in tears.  He is writing another song that he will sing at Hna Tonini’s wedding (they had told her that she needs to marry a Latino).



They then invited us to join them for dinner. While the food was delicious, it was even better because of the sacrifice I am sure this family made to feed twice the normal number of people.

Afterwards, it was time for more pictures.  We took almost every possible combination of pictures with everyone there.  Hno Games even instructed me to grab another guitar and we took a picture of us playing the guitar and of us serenading my wife.  (I think my mom got it right – he didn’t want the evening to end so the more pictures we took, the longer the night lasted).

Familia Games

As it came time to go, I felt like I needed to say something.  I told them that my wife and I both served missions and that we taught and baptized a lot of people.  As we look back now, we realize though, that there were one or two families that we were specifically called to Brasil to teach.  For Hna Tonini, that family is the Games family.  I told them that we had been in the temple that morning and that the spirit that we had felt in their home tonight was just as sacred as what we had felt in the temple and how grateful we were for their hospitality, their generosity, and their love for our daughter.  We committed to see each other again in a year when they are sealed as a family in the temple.  (My sister later told me that if possible, she would like to come to their sealing as well).  It was difficult to say goodnight to our new family who just a few hours earlier, had been complete strangers.

As I reflect on the last two days, 563 miles of driving in the LA area, and countless hours of windshield time, a couple of thoughts come to mind.  First of all, touring your child’s mission WITHOUT them is so much better than doing it with them.  The people you met share their feelings for your missionary without embarrassing them and I think you can more fully see the love that the members and the companions have for your missionary.  Second, if there was a common theme of the review of Hermana Tonini’s mission by long-time members, converts, her companions, and her mission president, it would be this:  she worked.  And because she worked, she loved those around her and they loved her.  By that measure alone, her mission has been a success.

Mission Tour - Day 1

When we found out that my nephew was getting married in the Newport Beach temple, we quickly decided that we would leverage the trip to southern California to visit some of the areas and people where Hermana Tonini has served (while always maintaining to not be in the same place at the same time that she was at).  I told my wife on the flight out that I was glad that she was coming with me because I was worried that after we made introductions, I didn't know how the conversation would go with the complete strangers that we would meet.  Was I ever wrong - there was no shortage of things to talk about as we talked about Hermana Tonini and how she impacted everyone in every location where she served.

Day One started out bright and early - we were staying in Ontario (to be somewhat geographically centered for our events for the weekend) which meant we had an almost two hour drive out to Anza where our first appointment was at 8 am.  Hermana Tonini's grandma and Aunt, who had also traveled for the wedding, had accepted our invitation to come with us.

On the way to Anza, we stopped at this amazing sculpture garden exhibiting the work of Ricardo Breceda.  Here are a few of his pieces:

We had a little difficulty locating our hosts' address but fortunately, Sister Davies and Sister Moffit shortly arrived and we were greeted by Brother and Sister Boyd and the sweet aroma of breakfast.  Helping them in the kitchen was their granddaughter and Brother Moroni (his wife Nancy would join us later).  Soon, Samantha (a frequent subject on this blog) and her boyfriend Daniel joined us as well as Sister Peterson and her daughter Cheyenne.  Brother Moroni even knew of Elder Tonini who, although he never served in Anza, served in this mission a couple of years ago.   

We enjoyed a delightful visit and then went outside for pictures.  When we asked what people did who live in Anza, Brother Boyd replied, "they get away from Los Angeles."  Daniel also pointed out the horticulture projects (marijuana farms) that were in view from the Boyd's patio.  We also talked about Hermana Tonini's driving record.  Apparently she had recorded a number of "harsh incidents" on the in-vehicle monitoring system and her status had been down-graded to "yellow" in the mission office.  (Had she had any more, she would have been "blue" and would not have been able to drive the rest of her mission).  Sister Davies also told us about "the jump" that Hermana Tonini liked to take every time she came to the Boyd's.  Instead of taking the paved road, she always took the dirt road that had a pretty good change in elevation.  She took it so often that Sister Davies didn't realize that there was a paved route to the Boyd's that was much simpler!  After we said our goodbyes, we followed the Sisters and Daniel and Samantha to "the jump" before proceeding to Anza.  One of my ancestors was on the Anza expedition so it was neat to be able to see some of that history.  We were all amazed at the beautiful chapel in Anza - not bad for a small branch.  The return trip was through Idlewild and we were treated to fantastic vistas of the valley below as we descended from an elevation of 4,5000 ft.

As we made our way to Moreno Valley for our next appointment at 1, we realized that we were going to be driving right through Perris, Hermana Tonini's current area!  We decided that we would make a quick detour and go leave a note on her door.  Our quest was foiled because she lives in a gated apartment complex (thankfully!) so we had to settle for a quick selfie to prove to Hermana Tonini that we were there.

Our next appointment was at the home of Hermana Berumen and once again, as we entered the door, we were greeted with the aroma of cooking food.  This time, it was authentic Mexican food - sopas and ranchero beans.  We were joined by Hermana Sorenson (former companion from Corona) and Sister Stanley (they were on exchanges) for a delightful lunch on the back patio under this huge tree.  Next to the shade tree was a fig tree and we all enjoyed our first experience with fresh figs.  It was better than we expected and tasted nothing like fig newtons.  We posed for more pictures and fortunately ran into one more member and her family before we had to leave for our last appointment of the day - President and Sister Hammon.

Familia Berumen 

Familia Tenorio

 As we left, Aunt Sheryl commented at how attentive and polite the young women were.  They helped serve and clear the table and were delightfully engaged in the lunch conversation.

President and Sister Hammon were presiding at a zone conference in the Jurupa Stake Center.  Wow - what a beautiful building!  The building was the same design as the Lubbock Stake Center (for any of you who are familiar with that building) with a full court gym, beautiful artwork, dark hardwood throughout, and security cameras!  We arrived a few minutes after 3 but based on the lack of activity in the parking lot, we could tell the conference was not over.  We sat in the foyer and listened to the soon-to-be-departing missionaries bear their testimonies before Sister and President Hammon spoke. It wasn't hard to imagine that we were listening to Hermana Tonini bear her last testimony.  (In fact, President Hammon later told us it was too bad we had not been at the Zone Conference they had yesterday because we would have been able to hear her do just that.)  We were getting a little anxious because we were supposed to be at a wedding activity by 6:30 and it was now 4 pm.  We discussed just leaving a note but we lingered long enough that we were still there when the conference ended.  Raena and I walked into the chapel and met Hermana Harper (a companion from the Mexico MTC) and then the mission president.  I wish I could remember the exact number but he said there is a huge exodus of members from California due to the high cost of living and demanding regulations.  As a result, wards are being collapsed and even a couple of missions.  Hermana Harper told us that she had begged President Hammon to have her be companions with Hermana Tonini but he said no way.  "If I put two strong missionaries like that together, the rest of the mission would simply sit back and watch them work."  It was a very nice complement.

We walked out to the foyer and took some photos before heading to the big wedding family dinner.  As we got in the car, we agreed that meeting President and Sister Hammon and Hermana Harper in person was far superior to any note we could have written.  Twelve and half hours after we left our hotel, the weekend wedding activities began.  The original plan to visit the Games family on Friday was rescheduled for tomorrow night after the ring ceremony.

Pics

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

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.

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.

Frazils, Bears, and Searching for Jesus

This week was such a blur...

Sunday was awesome in our little Idyllwild branch! Here are some snippets:

"You don't find time....because you'll never find it. You MAKE time to search the scriptures."

"You can't control what thoughts come into your head but you can control how long they stay there."

"You ARE your brother's keep and it is your obligation to strengthen them." (during lesson on Cain and Abel)

WE HAD THREE SPANISH LESSONS!!!! So we have two spanish families in our Anza branch and we got to do home visits with them and it was SO refreshing. We also picked up a Spanish investigator!!!!! Maria is the sister of one of the members we did the home visits with. We had tried by Maria like a week ago after Sister Ruggles, who served here, referred her to us. No luck. We went by again, and guess who just so happened to be there? Her sister Olga. So our first lesson with her was a member present, which is the best. Plus, we are finally going to be able to teach that family over in Idyllwild this week!!! We stopped by her on Sunday and JUST SO HAPPENED to get there right as she was coming home. Her son is having surgery today so she will be home all week and said she would love for us to come! She has already read the witnesses in the Book of Mormon and I invited her to read the first chapter of Nephi before we come! spanish is truly popping up here....Spanish branch here we come!!!!

Samantha is still perfect and George is off the radar because one of his family members passed away....so keep him in your prayers please!

The rest of the transfer is going to fly by even faster than it already has....temple trip, Samantha's baptism, two missionary farewells, Half-Mission activity, Multi-Zones, interviews, two exchanges, Sister Bryant's birthday......when are we even going to find time to teach?

Thank heavens for grace.

I love y'all so much!

Hermana Tonini

Long seeking days calls for Frazils. Always. 

I was going to explain the rest of my title but it just wasn't working....sorry for the cliffhanger.

4:1

So yes, the ratio of dogs to humans that we see in Anza is 4:1! But I love it! I am truly learning how to appreciate when there is someone outside of their house and how to boldly catch their attention from across their large yard. We do a ton of walking....and we have a goal to walk ALL of Anza. Even if it is half a mile between two houses. We want to find those lost sheep and give them the opportunity to know the gospel. 

We are working with two incredible people. Samantha is perfect in every way and is already in Jacob. Her understanding of the Book of Mormon is fantastic...and I can see she is truly developing a love for it! We just have a few more lessons and then making sure everything is golden for her baptism on March 4! We are also working with George who has such a desire to change! When we met with him, he had stopped drinking for four days!!! It was really neat, because a week before I came out here, I decided to start the addiction recovery program because we were working with a guy In Corona who was a big smoker. I wanted to be able to know how hard it is to stop a bad habit so I would have more patience, love, and advice for him. Well, I lasted about a week until it was transfer Saturday and we went and got ice cream....but I learned an important lesson: yes, I relapsed but that doesn't mean I can't do it. It just means I need to go a little bit longer and try a little harder next time. So it was really neat to share that experience with George! Sis Bryant is doing it with me and we made a pact with George that we are going to overcome our addictions together and keep each other accountable. 

Also, Idyllwild is beautiful with huge pine cones. 

 

Love y'all!!! 

Hermana Tonini

A Primary Christmas

Sorry, I have like zero time to write, but know that I love y'all and that we had a great week! We have a fantastic teaching pool right now and we are just trying to get them all to PROGRESS!!! We had our ward Christmas party which was awesome! We sang with Hno Ga*** and then did another with the Elders.


Also, the Primary gave all of us missionaries a HUGE Christmas. Our ward is combined with the English ward for Primary and all of them brought like food or shampoo or soap or gift cards....all of it individually wrapped! I have never opened up so many presents before in my life! Here is the loot we brought home with us, I love those guys! We also stopped by the infamous fruit stand in Corona and of COURSE we had to document the event. Transfer week AND last week of training.....LETS GO.

No se olviden de iluminar el mundo, k?

Her Plans Went Down the Toilet

So uh, Hermana Sorensen dropped her planner in the toilet.

It was pretty funny, not going to lie. She wasn't laughing nearly as much as I was though. She is doing GREAT. The language is great, she is teaching more in lessons, and we are getting along great :) I love this girl so much and I am praying that we get to stay together another one. For 12 weeks this week SHE gets to be the "senior companion" so hopefully it will be a growing experience for her. It will be hard to step down and let her take the lead!

Guess what??? WE ARE GOING TO THE TEMPLE ON FRIDAY WITH DIANA TO DO BAPTISMS!!!!!! Also, we just so happen to be gemelas (twins) at church, so of course we took a pic!

(shout out to Hna Moran's mom for the scarf she sent me)













This week was so crazy....mainly because we wanted the Familia Ga*** to go to the Stake Christmas play but it was all going to be in English! So I made a TON of calls, got my hands on a script, and translated the twelve page script into Spanish with some help from Elder Carrillo (he's from Mexico). All of this in less than a week's time. He also helped out with the actual translating, and we had a lot of fun with it. The Ga*** parents loved it, they cracked up at our enthusiastic translating.



Well, I love y'all.

ILUMINA EL MUNDO

Hermana Tonini

Dia de la Accion de Gracias

Well, Thanksgiving was a success! It started with football in the morning with two other zones. Our zone, the Corona Kings, KILLED IT OUT THERE. Then we had Thanksgiving dinner with the Familia Ga*** and our Spanish Elders in our ward. To answer your question Dad, we ate birria instead of pavo. Some Hispanics do turkey, others tamales, and in our case, whatever they wanted :) We went out and taught them how to play futbol americano and we even played a little baseball with a plastic bat.

So, last week we invited to Diana to think/pray about when she wants to go to the temple and when we followed up yesterday she told us the 9th of December! Ha, she won't even have her membership record in time for that, but we think we will be able to do December 16th!!! We love the fire in this family. The Familia Ga*** is going to invite a non-member over for a family home evening in a couple of weeks after we do a FHE role play with them next Monday, so we are pretty impressed. MEMBERS won't even do that most of the time. Daniel LOVES the Book of Mormon. He always has questions, and when anyone mentions the iron rod or something that he has a read about he gets SUPER EXCITED.

Well, I love y'all.

#birthdaybaptism

WOW WOW WOW, WHAT A WEEK!!!!!

First of all, Elder Keetch came and did a mission tour, which was AWESOME! I want to share all of my insights and thoughts about what he shared, but then it ended up into my own little general conference talk and I don't have time for that. I will share one little story though:

Elder and Sister Keetch went up to Northern California after all of the fires and they said that there was nothing left of some homes.....just ashes. However, they found a small pot that had survived the flames that was just sitting in the middle of ashes. Why had the pot survived when everything inside the house disintegrated? Because pottery goes through the kiln, it has already been through the heat so therefore it was able to withstand the raging flames when they came. The refiner's fire, this kiln, not only shapes us into something beautiful but it PREPARES us for bigger flames to come.

"For, behold, I have refined thee, I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction." 2 Nephi 20:10

So there's my spiritual nugget for the week. My birthday was AWESOME!! We did four hours of service in the morning and the Ga*** kids were baptized! It was an incredible baptism service.....I felt the Spirit stronger than I ever had at a baptism. We were able to do a musical number at the end with the parents and we sang "Mas cerca, dios, de ti" and there were very few dry eyes in the room. I love this family SO MUCH. I told them the other day that I am planning on coming back when Diana gets married and sealed in the temple and when Daniel leaves for his mission. (He said he wants to serve in Mexico (': )

Oh how I love this work. I wouldn't want to be anywhere else in the world than here.

Three Geneations

Diana and Daniel

Big 20

I hit ten months, what is going on?

Bonus Pictures

Please enjoy a victory by Hermana Tonini with our loot from Cici's Pizza and our zone in matching tshirts.