DING! DING! DING! TIME'S UP!!! 4/10/17

Ladies and gentlemen, please take your seats, we will be taking off shortly.

Please sit back and prepare feel a little turbulence of heart. 

Oh my heavens... It cant real!! I feel an overwhelming feeling that I am suffocating and my heart is breaking. I know it's not goodbye forever for these beloved people and my beautiful area, but you only mission once like this. It is literally ONCE in a LIFETIME. I can't say enough about my mission, but I do want to share a few things that have changed my life and molded me to become a better disciple of Jesus Christ. Here we gooooo...

I learned to RELY ON THE LORD. 

Initially I had a vague idea as to what that meant. Now I understand my specific, individual, dependence on Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ and the role of the Spirit through it all. I know I can rely on the Lord by praying with all energy of heart to my Heavenly Father, He in turn, delegates the answers I need by blessing me with strength from the enabling power of Jesus Christ and an infinite supply of comfort from the Spirit. Understanding Who is specifically helping me and how much strength and comfort I have received, has developed within me a greater appreciation and love for my Heavenly Father. He has NEVER failed me, and I know He never will. 

I have learned that inside I am a Mexican. 

I ADORE the culture in which I was called to serve. I had the opportunity to be a part of almost every Latin culture and experience their love, food, and faith. Three very important things. I never knew my heart would open the way it has for a race that is so different than mine- that being said, it has never been more clear to me that we are ALL children of our Heavenly Father. We were all created by Him. I love my Latino brothers and sisters and speaking Spanish with all my heart. I think it actually might explode. 

I have learned that SERVICE IS THE KEY TO HAPPINESS.

This work is all about how much we give. Spiritually, physically, mentally, and emotionally. I can't count how many nights I have stumbled home in complete blissful exhaustion and fallen face first into the carpet for 10 minutes before I have the strength to finish my nightly duties. The Spirit is the fuel that we need to survive as missionaries. We give it all to serve and in return, the Lord strengthens, sustains, and blesses us. The more I have prayed for and served my fellow men on my mission, the more I have felt my heart grow. The pure love of Christ has entered into my heart and filled me with the strongest desire to continue to keep working so that all my brothers and sisters- missionaries or not- will make it home. 

I have learned that I LOVE DOCTRINE.

I love learning about the gospel. The scriptures are my jammmmmm!! Most specifically as a missionary, my study of the Doctrine of Christ. Understanding and loving the Plan of our Heavenly Father and the Savior's Doctrine has broadened my knowledge and filled my heart with gratitude for Their mercy. I love reading THE BOOK OF MORMON. I know it is the word of God and that it testifies of Jesus Christ. I know it! I know it! The Atonement of Jesus Christ is miraculous, real and POWERFUL. I know this Plan is perfect. Families are forever. This message is absolutely essential for all to hear. Learning the doctrine has given me the drive to do missionary work. 

I KNOW my Savior lives. 

I know it, I know it, I know it. My heart just wants to burst with gratitude and love for Jesus Christ. He has helped me more than anyone ever has or ever could. He feels our pains, carries our burdens, lifts us in enabling strength, and guides our lives through His perfect example. He is truly the Prince of Peace in my heart. He is the strength in my testimony. I know the gospel is true. THIS is the true church that Christ restored through His servant Joseph Smith. He leads and guides his church through a living prophet. I know Thomas S. Monson to be that chosen man. I know this work is the MOST important work we can be doing here on earth. We have all been so blessed with the knowledge of the Restored Gospel, priesthood authority, and all the covenants and ordinances associated with it. 

How can I possibly express the conviction that I have in my heart that if we all live righteously, REPENT DAILY, and follow the Savior 100 %. We will be able to receive ALLLLLL the blessings promised to us. I know it guys. I love you all. I love the Lord. I love this work. It has been a privilege and  an honor to represent His name this past year and a half. 

Thank you for all your support and love. Until I see you next,

Be Safe&God Speed.

Love, Hermana Tobler

Me!!

Cutting my goodbye cake

Last esquimales with my darling, sweet, beloved, best friend, companion and trainee. 

Kate and Olga were confirmed yesterday. #PUREST

BAPTISM of Yolanda and Marlena!!!! Is there a better way to end your mission???

 You'll ALWAYS be my baby <3

Y que tengan un buen dia... 4/3/17

WELP. 

It's totally fine that the days are limited and that my life feels like it is ending and my heart is about to break! Jk that is a complete falsehood. It's not fine. But it's a good thing that Jesus Christ's Atonement covers the pain of missionaries' broken hearts. 

BUT that is not important right now. 

This week was a CrAzy one and we were running around like crazy! We have been teaching four investigators who will be baptized on the 9th of April. They all come to church no problem but we haven't been able to teach them as consistently as we would have liked. So this week we were teaching machines!!! The only problem is that one of the investigators, Fred, has a smoking problem that hit us totally blindsided! So.... we will keep working with him but it might take a little more time than a week. Yeet. 

The point is, we feel so humbled and blessed to be teaching such great people. Olga's 9 year old son Kai is one of the baptismal candidates for next week. Anddddd...can I just say it is absolutely creepy how smart he is? Literally I tell him.

"So Kai, the Book of Mormon is an ancient book of scripture that was translated through the prophet Joeseph Smith."

Kai: "Yeah! Didn't a guy bury it in a stone box in the ground for Joseph to find and be guided by God? What's his name...... Moroni??"

How ON EARTH does he know that??? 

He is literally nine years old and he dances around in slippers with his chihuahua while we teaching him.. #amazed

We had an incredible lesson with Yolanda yesterday. 

Literally this woman is a hero. She has gone through SO MUCH but she has so much faith!!

Her sister was even giving her a hard time for listening to us and in response Yolanda referred to herself as part of the church already as she defended it. 

Yesterday we taught about the Sabbath day and keeping the Word of Wisdom. Everything went perfectly and she 100% committed. We also closed the lesson by talking about the Book of Mormon. It was a privilege and pleasure to testify of what our prophet had so loving testified just a little earlier that day.

We felt prompted to tell her that she was holding in her hands the tools to be able to make it out of any hardship in the future. That her heart can be healed and that the gospel is here for HER so she can finally find PEACE and HAPPINESS. To me, Yolanda represents the attribute "HOPE". She hopes for happiness, for peace, for rests from her troubles, for opportunities to come closer to Christ, and to make something more out of her life. I have seen that hope develop into faith as she has acted upon the promptings of the Holy Ghost. She has already felt an increase of peace in her life and as she hungers for more, she turns more to her Savior. 

Her closing prayer made my heart want to break out of my chest, she is a miracle story and I CANT WAIT for her baptism!!! 

Multizones was awesome this week! I really had a great time at my last one and I was grateful that it was a review of what Elder Hamula taught. That guy's message from January 2016 changed my life!! I came to know the Savior better as we discussed His essential role in the plan and how because of Him this beautiful work is possible. Jesus Christ is the reason for my mission! If it weren't for Him, I wouldn't even have a purpose here, I couldn't invite people to come unto anyone because there would be no hope. That is why I love my mission so much, because I have been able to come to know the Savior better, and invite people to come unto Him and let Him work His Atonement in their lives. What joy!! 

Specifically, I came to know the Savior better through reading scriptures about His post mortal appearances. I was drawn to the fact that His post mortal conversations with people seemed even MORE loving. He had, (maybe if it is possible and not false doctrine) even MORE love for all after His Atoning sacrifice. Our jubilant Savior played His part in the plan perfectly and as a resurrected and glorified Being, He was ready to make it known.

Well family and friends, this isnt the end offically but either way, I hope you have a great week!

Be Safe&God Speed.

Love, Hermana Tobler

my zone

 sopes and pupusas

a member gave me a new hat! 

my best friend <3

Happy Bappy Baptism (iSI!) 3/27/17

GUESS WHAT????

Yes, Olga and Kate got BAPTIZED yesterday!!!! Oh dream! It was probably the most stressful but also one of the happiest days of my life. Let me tell you why.

Everything was in order for the baptism to start at 6:30. We had already battled out building time and we were put on strict order to have a punctual baptism because there was another one starting right after us at 7:30. Rides, Programs, and every other detail had been attended to so we waited excitedly for Olga and Kate to show up with the member who was supposed to bring them. 

At almost 6:30 exactly, the designated driver member walked in without our dear baptismal candidates. HORROR. In rapid desperation we called the next closest member who lived near by to see if she could turn around and bring Olga and Kate. 2 seconds later she walked in. 

We had a perfect turnout, the room was packed and full of excited little Latinos waiting for a baptism that would not happen unless we actually had the people that needed to be baptized. Olga and Kate live on the exact opposite side of the whole valley, they literally couldn't live further than where we were having the baptism and still be in the stake. I literally felt my stomach drop.

In a matter of seconds, we decided that Hermana Hernandez would go with one of the Hermanas alllllllllllll the way down to the southern tip of the area and back to bring Olga and Kate. They left immediately and after a brief explanation to the ward that they would have to wait for 30 minutes, I settled into prayer-panic mode. 

As missionaries, you work SO HARD to build the trust and love of the members and when moments like this happen, you begin to fear that all is lost. However, our amazing ward patiently waited 45 minutes while I played every hymn and primary song I ever learned or thought about learning on the piano. The darling little Latinos sang their little hearts out while I poured my anxiety into the hymns. It was actually pretty spiritual! 

FINALLY Olga and Kate walked in the door, they were dressed, and ready to go at 7:20. The weight and pressure of the world seemed to lessen substantially when Kate and Olga were finally baptized. Ahhhh... It felt so good to see their faces lit up with joy and peace as they climbed out of the font. That feeling made all the stress worth it. 

Right after the baptismal ordinance, we moved everyone to the primary room so the other ward could do their baptism. Los Americanos were very patient with us. The rest of the meeting went smoothly and was very spiritual. They both felt SO LOVED and the support of the ward was incredible. I couldn't believe how kind everyone was about having to wait and how loving they were to Olga and Kate. They also had a huge turn out at the after party, which was a huge tender mercy. 

Despite all the craziness, the adversary DID NOT WIN. We persevered through the trial and with trust in the Lord, we saw SO MANY TINY MIRACLES that are too numerous to mention. I have the best companion and I couldn't have made it through any of this without her. It was a day of joy, peace and love. I know Our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ are so please when their children exercise tier faith to come unto Them. Olga and Kate are examples of pure faith and a strong desire to follow Christ. They are both cruising through the Book of Mormon and are becoming more involved in the ward as the weeks have passed. I know they will be a great asset to the ward and building the kingdom of God here on the earth. 

The gospel is so true friends, I am nothing without it. I know my Savior lives, His sacrifice is REAL. 

I love you all and I hope that you have a wonderful week!!

Be Safe&God Speed. 

Love, Hermana Tobler

 Went to the temple with President Mullen and all the exiting missionaries. LOVELY experience. Yes, all who are leaving are sisters. SISTA POWA. 

Sister Ogden <3

Sister Thomas Exchange #2

BAPTISM OF KATE AND OLGA :) <3

FAVORITE people in the world. ​

The adventures of the Lamanite and Nephite continue... 3/20/17

Bueno!

What a crazy week it has been! I know that is literally the MOST cliche, over used and unhelpful start to an email that practically every missionary since the dawn of time has used. I apologize.

Other than the fact that this week was pi day, (3.14) pretty much the normal happened. But then again, is normality even a thing on the mission? Nope! 

This week consisted of 2 exchanges, Zone Development Meeting at which Sister Ogden and I gave a training, teaching our amazing investigators, finding more of them and finally undergoing the most depressing part of the mission.. the EXIT INTERVIEW.... I died a little bit. 

On that sad note, 

I came to know the Savior this week when I was having a really blue morning. Life on the mission is so great right now, but every once and awhile, my heart gets really heavy and sad that this glorious mission is coming to a close. This week I was having such a mournful morning and so I decided to flip through my scriptures to find something about the Atonement that would help comfort my heart. I happened to find one of President Mullen's favorites. Alma 31:31. As I read this scripture for probably the 50th time on my mission, it entered in my heart with so much more force. I remembered that my soul could be "comforted in Christ" as I asked Heavenly Father for peace from the Holy Ghost and strength to keep going from the enabling power of grace. I held on to that scripture and pondered it in my heart for the rest of the week. It has continued to lift me out of my heartache and help me to focus myself on the work. I love the Atonement, I know it truly came to pass. It was an act of pure, infinite and merciful love. I will forever be grateful for my Savior and His eternal sacrifice. 

Yesterday, Hna Hernandez got roped into singing with our little ward choir and as we sat there on the stand, two of our investigators walked in. We had to restrain ourselves from launching off the stand and embracing them. YOLANDA drove her broken car 20 mph to get to church! She loves everything and is so excited for her baptism on April 2. GOLDEN!!!

Olga and Kate will be baptized NEXT WEEK!!! Stay tuned for photos of people in white jumpsuits and two exhausted missionaries smiling ridiculously. 

Have a great week everyone!

Be Safe&God Speed.

Love, Hermana Tobler

Sister Ford!!

Sister Padilla!!

Menudo round...2?!? 3/13/17

For Pete's sake, Sunday has just turned into the Menudo day! Of course it has to be our investigators feeding it to us every time. I promise, it is literally undying charitable love that I have for these people that I was able to eat that. Whewwww...

This week was another great one! We were able to find and pick up another family of 6 and they seem LEGIT. I love it when the parents are 100% on board and they are so supportive. Butttttt... they might be English because the kids are struggling with the Spanish thing. We shall see. 

Olga, Kate, Yolanda, Marlena, and Fred are all doing great! We are trying to keep our pipeline building before this bunch gets baptized. Literally the Lord has provided so many miracles I have no idea how to handle it. Heavenly Father loves us so much!

MLC was this week and wow, every time I leave that meeting on a spiritual high to go and baptize every person I talk to. We talked a lot about Repentance Obedience, and consecration. However one thing that The Spirit taught me that sunk deep deep into my heart was that with the Atonement we can live our lives/serve our missions without regrets. Of course we all know we can be better or we worry that we are never going to measure up to all the expectations surrounding us, but as long as we are doing our best and repenting all the way, they Lord will enable us to live a life without regret. I know that to be true. Focusing on the good, learning from our mistakes, and repenting every day like your salvation depends on it (because it does) is the key to having success and joy in this life. 

I came to know the Savior this week by studying the topical guide about the names of Jesus Christ and all the associated scriptures starting with Jesus Christ, Advocate. I learned a lot of interesting things about that and how He is the Great Intercessor and our Advocate with the Father. I came to understand that when we stand before God to be judged, if we come unto the Savior through faith, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost and enduring to the end, he will plead our case before the Father. The better we come to KNOW the Savior in our lives, the better our judgement will be because we have truly allowed Jesus Christ's Atonement heal, cleanse, and enable us.

I seriously love my mission. Where else would I find a weird excitement and joy than sitting in random people's living rooms, throwing my planner to the wind and following the spirit, playing the piano every week in Relief Society to my beloved Latina Hermanas singing, testifying of the gospel to everyone I see, being fed fit to burst every day, and crashing before my head hits the pillow every night. I am doing this work because I love the Lord and I love my brethren and I want to see the gospel work it's miracle in their lives. The greatest work for me to ever do right now is to serve with everything I've got here in the California Riverside Mission. 

It has been the BEST 17 months of my life and I am looking forward to these last few weeks to finish strong. 

I hope you all have a fantastic week!

Be Safe&God Speed. 

Love, Hermana Tobler

The feet of Him that publishes peace 3/6/17

WASSUP WASSUP??

Whew what a week!! SO MUCH HAPPENED. Literally I could probably write a better email about all the stuff that did not happen, that would be a lot easier. But the most important thing is that the work is going REALLY WELL here in Moreno Valley CA. We have been building up our area hard core and we are super excited that we started this transfer on the right foot. We were able have 4 of our on date investigators come to church and 2 of them are preparing to be baptized on the 19th of March. I honestly feel that the Lord is peering at us from above with a big bucket of blessings and pouring them all over us. Honestly, we haven't done anything. It has all been Him. 

The four investigators that did come to church today had a great experience and loved it all. The only down side to lots of investigators at church is that you are running around like a chicken with it's head cut off to make sure every body knows where they are going and what they are doing. THANK HEAVENS for members. However, we were kind of nervous in Relief Society  when a notoriously bold Hermana gave the lesson on modesty. We had two investigators in the class and one had pants on because she cant afford a skirt. We prayed the whole time in our hearts that the sister wouldn't say anything offensive. There were a few bumpy parts and a couple of tears but it all worked out okay. PHEWW.... 

A few other exciting moments of the week included our apartment door getting vandalized and sealed shut with glue. They also put a quarter ponder in a McDonalds bag labeled: BRYAN on our step? We were a little confused. But the next day we got a new door knob, and that solved everything until it broke again two days later. So we went through 3 door knobs this week. WOWZERS.

Olga, Kate, and Yolanda and doing AMAZING!! We actually had a great Sunday lunch with Yolanda at her house. She made menudo... (cow intestine soup). I courteously tried a tiny little bowl but I left the real dining to my companion who absolutely goes nuts over it. So a ham sandwich with papaya and banana worked out a lot better. BUT it was so wonderful to be there with her and just hang out with one of the most important people in our lives. 

This week I came to know the Savior by a special experience I had at a home visit with our bishop. Yesterday evening we visited with our bishop, his wife, and their son who is investigating the church (not in our area). We focused our message on the Atonement of Jesus Christ and got some lovely comments, testimonies, and participation from them. The Spirit was present and all was well. Then to close, Hermana Hernandez offered her testimony of the Atonement, and literally the Spirit was SO STRONG. Hearing her words helped me think more deeply about Jesus Christ as my Elder Brother and how I have contributed to the pain that He felt in Gethsemane. I cannot express the gratitude I have for Him. After Hna Hernandez's powerful witness, and a few closing remarks, Obispo Perez asked me to say the closing prayer. I haven't always felt 100% at ease praying in Spanish because of my lack of ability to express myself fully, but in that prayer, I feel like the words just flowed straight from my heart. As I expressed specific appreciation we all felt for Our Savior's Atonement, His life, His example, and His gospel, I felt the Spirit so strongly that there was no way I could deny the truthfulness of it all. By the end of it the prayer, we were all in tears and words could hardly be spoken because of the strength the Spirit had in that room. It was a lesson that I will never forget and a moment that I will cherish for the rest of my life. 

Well friends, thanks for all you do! I hope you have a great week and are still enjoying the cold weather ;)

Be Safe&God Speed.
Love, Hermana Tobler

my gurl YOLANDA and me

enchiladas on the real

 cute comp pic

 MENUDO?? #gag

Tea party with a tea cup chihuahua and a Chihuahena 2/27/17

Hola Friends!!

This week has been one for the books with a lot of good work and amazing miracles! I am absolutely loving my time as a missionary. Truly is there a better calling??

A few of this week's highlight's consisted of finding a SUPER ELECT LADY named Yolanda.

Actually my comp found her washing her car one day when I was on exchanges and turns out that several years ago Elders in Arizona were teaching her. She was so close to getting baptized but she was having a little trouble with some of the commandments and her timing wasnt quite right. But now after many trials and heartache since then, she is humbled and ready for prime time! Whoop! So basically we have taught her a few lessons and she is accepting everything thing 100%. She is ready and willing to be baptized on April 2. It was a privilege to teach her this week about her worth as a special daughter of a loving Heavenly Father.. Wow when we were talking about that the Spirit just crushed us, it was like the best suffocating feeling ever! She is a miracle!!

We also had the amazing opportunity to go to the temple this week!! Literally going to the house of the Lord felt like a refreshing drink of cool water after wandering in the dessert for 6 months. Simply walking in those doors gave me so much strength to lift my head a little higher and work a little harder. Going to the temple as a missionary is literally an experience never to be forgotten. Everything is so clear and perfect. It was a huge blessing to go and feel of the Spirit in such a magnitude. 

OLGA! Olga and her daughter Kate are progressing right along! We had wonderful lessons with each of them this week and they are so ready to be baptized it is insane. Our font in March is going to be more hopping than a public pool in the middle of August! AHhh JK but really it is going to be a fabulous month. After one of our lessons with Olga she made us this little tea party and we got to sit on her bedroom floor with her, Kate, her Chihuahua named cookie, a Yorkie named biscuit  and eat cookies and biscuits with tea. It was so much fun!! I love them! 

I came to know the Savior better this week when we went to the temple. I have been learning a lot of amazing things about the Savior in Jesus the Christ and one thing that really resounded with me was Jesus when he rode into Jerusalem on the donkey before the Passover. I not only love all the symbolism associated with that, but I love the emotional detail noted. Jesus Christ was very sad during this supposedly glorious procession, he was weighed down by the sins of His people and the upcoming sacrifice that He was going to make. When I saw a painting of this procession in the temple, I was struck hard by the expression on Christ's face. He really does look sad! I know that He loved His people and His mortality so much and it saddened Him to know that so many of these people would never turn unto Him and accept Him as their Savior. I never want to see that expression on my Savior's face, I want Him to be smiling when He sees the work that we are doing and our efforts to help all of God's children turn to their Christ. It makes me want to work even harder!!

Have a great week everyone!

Be Safe&God Speed.

Love, Hermana Tobler