Hellloooooo! I mean Hi!
So on Thursday this past week... I.... hit... my... 6 Month
Mark... and I am NOT HAPPY about it. There is no way that I am the missionary
that I want to be and I am seriously concerned that I am beginning the 1 year
countdown. Despite my feelings of sadness that 1/3 of the best part of my life
is over, I have a few thoughts on the progress that I have seen.
6 months. 6 months of my life already given in service to
the Lord. While I feel amazed at how far I was enabled to come, I am also
extremely determined to be a better missionary than I have been. I feel like my
life is changing drastically right now... most definitely for the better. At
the beginning, I was bugged and prideful about having to be reminded to change
to fit missionary standards, Now however, I am trying to humble myself and do
my very best to be exactly obedient, and live so I can look back on my mission
for the rest of eternity with satisfaction and peace. This time is precious and
sacred. I believe that how I finish my mission will determine the rest of my
life. This next year I am going to double my efforts and give it ALL I have. My
focus has been reset on my purpose to bring souls unto Christ, while becoming
fully converted myself.
Aside from the mind boggling fact that I have been living my
life as Hermana Tobler for 6 months. We had some serious MIRACULOUS MOMENTS
this week. WOW. Here goes:
Mellie-
My 1/2 companion Hermana Godoy and I were just finishing our
lunch one day when we got a frantic telephone call. Because I am in charge of
the phone this transfer, I picked up the call to a woman speaking 90 mph in the
blessed language of SPANISH. For those who have had to learn a language, while
in the process of learning, it takes every single ounce of my focus to
understand about 70% of what the person is saying. With a little help from my
native 1/2 companion, I learned that a woman had found our number online while
desperately searching for people from a church to come help her. We prayed to
know how we could help the woman, and felt that it was best for us to go visit
her.
The home was relatively decent but pretty run down, and all
of her four children were sitting outside playing with a ball. Each of them had
dirt streaked skin, clothes that probably hadn't been washed in weeks and
tangled greasy hair. My heart ached. She lead us inside her home and we were
astonished to see absolutely nothing. Her home was completely empty of
furniture, food, and hope. Except for a few black garbage bags in the corner, a
box and 2 bar stools, there was nothing. She ushered us to sit and we perched
precariously on the tiny stools. She sat on the box, and looked up at us
hopelessly. Her eyes were heavy and unfocused with exhaustion, and tears
streamed down her cheeks.
Her story goes as follows: Her husband had a
relatively stable job for awhile but little by little his paycheck began to be
cut. Soon, the family of 6 was living of $1,000 a month.. In California...
Because his income was not nearly enough to pay for their needs, bills, and her
dialysis treatment, they were in the process of being kicked out of their
house. She told us that she never let the children inside because she didn't
want them to be continually reminded of their circumstances. She said the
police were due to come by any day to kick them out and after that she assured
us that they had no place to go.
We listened in silence, and I wracked my brain and heart to
think of something that would help this woman at this time. While our purpose
does not entail providing for people's material needs, we were more than
willing to offer spiritual encouragement. After a few humble words of
testimony. Hermana Godoy and I invited the whole family inside to pray
together. The children shyly shuffled into the room and we all knelt in the center
of the bare living room. My companion offered a lovely prayer and we felt the
strength and peace of the spirit wash over us. I felt a change come over the
family as we prayed, and by the time we were finished, a few lines of worry had
released their hold on Mellie's face. She still looked tired, scared, and
stressed but there was a tiny light of hope in her eyes. I know that God will
provide a miracle for them. I felt his love for this sweet family as we prayed
together and I know that each of us are very important to our Father in Heaven.
I am grateful to have had this beautiful and sacred experience.
Gerardo-
Every Member a missionary. This story is a perfect example
to me of why we need to be member missionaries. This darling old man, called our
Bishop last week asking for us to come visit him because he had a friend who
shared his testimony. Gerardo traveling a difficult path right now. He recently
lost his dearest companion on the 30th of December. He is desperately lonely
and absolutely heartbroken. Gerardo's friend shared with him his testimony on
how the gospel enables us to be able to live with our families for eterninty.
This simple act gave Gerardo hope that there was more to this life, and that
God is aware of him.
My companion Hermana Jordan and I sat in his clean, well
kept home and listened to Gerardo's story. Gerardo told us of his wife's quick
passing to a heart attack, and the grueling difficulty of living a life
completely solo after nearly 50 years of marrige. He grieved her loss of
companionship and wept bitterly as he described his life without her. We felt
impressed to share a bit of the plan of salvation with him and I can honestly
say it was one of the most spiritual lessons of my life. The spirit was there
and it testified that life continues and families are forever. Gerardo came to
church this Sunday and loved every second. The ward wrapped him up in their
arms and he is in good hands.
I AM SO THANKFUL FOR MIRACLES.
I LOVE MY MISSION
Stay Safe& God Speed
Love, Hermana Tobler
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