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

He hears me!! 2/20/17

Buenos diassssss!!!

Truly a joy and a pleasure for me to share a few things that happened this week because it was really great.

To start off, we have been working really hard with our dear, darling, and sweet GOLDEN investigator Olga. She is such a trooper because she has been SICK AS A DOG 🐕 the entire week. We organized members to bring meals to her and her 7 children throughout the week, ensured that she got a priesthood blessing, and also found members to take her to the emergency room on Saturday night. You can imagine our concern that she would not be able to come to church when she was diagnosed with bronchitis at the doctors late Saturday night. However, we prayed and prayed and lo and behold, Sunday morning before sacrament meeting she walked in with one of her daughters. QUE FUERZA?! She stayed for the whole three hours, loved it but was suuuper drained by the end of Relief Society. I am certain that she was enabled by the Lord because she was so determined to be there on Sunday. She is learning everything so fast and loving all that we teach her. March 12 cant come fast enough. Her daughter also agreed to baptism yesterday as well and so she will be baptized the week after her mother. BLESSINGS GALORE. I know that Heavenly Father heard our pleas for help and also know how anxious we were to finally get her to church. 

If the successful church experience wasn't enough, Hermana Hernandez and I experienced another miracle after church. We had received about 6 referrals earlier that week from the English Elders and after calling all of them, all but one rejected the message. We set an appointment with the one for Sunday after church and were anxiously hoping that he had a family and that we could teach them all. (De hecho, we have been praying and fasting to baptize a family of 5 for several months and I know they are waiting for us somewhere!!) After a few complications of streets, house numbers, and a few phone calls, we found ourselves seated around a big family table with a father, mother, a son and two daughters. (5...!!!) We taught a short and powerful lesson of the Restoration and we see SOO much potential in them. There will be a few hurdles but I KNOW that the Lord gave us that family and that we were able to build up our teaching pool so much this week. I dont know if it is THE FAMILY OF 5 of which we are searching, but I know that the Lord heard our prayer. 

As if the day couldnt get better, I got to go back to Jurupa and see the baptism of Erick Jimenez, the oldest son of a family I was working with when I was there last summer. WOW it was such a great baptism. The spirit was really strong and I got to see SO MANY beloved faces of members that are so dear to me. What a rewarding privilege it was for me to go back for that. Erick has made SO MUCH PROGRESS and I am so grateful that as missionaries we have the chance to see people come unto Christ and repent. Seriously nothing more beautiful. I dont know how I will ever be able to find something more fulfilling after this! 

As far as personal spiritual progress... I came to know the Savior through revelation this week at multi-zone conference. I had a strong spiritual experience with the training that President Mullen gave about afflictions. He talked about how afflictions are good, important and necessary for our growth and how we can come closest to the Savior the best during our times of affliction. The source of our afflictions can either be because of our own sin, or just our loving Heavenly Father testing us. I have been beating myself up over things that are sometimes out of my control, letting my afflictions consume my focus. However, I learned in the training that in order for me to overcome these afflictions I must first examine myself personally and repent of all the errors, faults and mistakes that I am making to cause these afflictions, then I take the remainder of my burden and lay it at the feet of the Savior. He has already carried this pain and if it isn't a sin that we need to repent of, we need not worry. Our afflictions can truly be but a small moment  if we give them to the One who has descended below them all.

Oh the icing on the cake this week was face timing home to see my baby sister OPEN HER MISSION CALL. She will be serving in the Ohio Columbus mission I will get barely a month of her presence before she leaves. What a blessing. 

Well I hope everyone has a wonderful week and take care.

Be Safe&God Speed.
Love, Hermana Tobler

 My 2 babies!! <3

Albert from 17 miracles at our multi zone conference!!

Breakfast with my babe

 Erick's baptism!!

Week in a blink 2/13/17

Bueno!

SO really quick! This week was lovely! 

Monday:

- Yay because I finished the BOM AGAIN and I absolutely loved it. I nearly died of joy but also sadness because the ride is over. Time to start again! I have the strongest testimony of that book because I have received my testimony of the truthfulness of the gospel as I have read it. It truly testifies of Christ on every page and I am so grateful for the opportunity I have to testify of Him and this beloved book every day. Keep turning those pages folks!

- My little Sis went through the temple! 😍

Tuesday:

- Interviews with President Mullen. I learned about Repentance and why we simply MUST repent everyday. It is absolutely essential!! 

- An Hermana made some DANG GOOD Tortilla soup with lots of chipotle and pupusas tambien. So good but the best part was seeing the poor elders sweating and crying because it was too spicy for them. The members appreciate the fact that we hermanas like lots of chile 😅 LOL

Thursday:

- Awesome Zone Meeting

- President Mullen came out with my companion and me to teach our lessons. It went really well despite a few initial set backs. I am pretty sure I prepared the way for lots of grey hairs to appear in a few short years. YAY. We taught Olga about repentance and it was such a powerful lesson, she reads, prays, and talks about her baptism like there is truly nothing greater and boy is she right!

Friday:

- Exchanges!! I went back to my old area in Jurupa and we taught a family that I was working with last time and now the oldest son is going to be baptized!! It is truly amazing because he has changed SO MUCH!! So many blessings and a super successful exchange.

Welp I gotta go!

I hope everyone has a great week!

Be Safe&God Speed. 

Love, Hermana Tobler

                                                                    making pupusas :p

Jimenez family!! 

Olga <3

IT IS FEBRUARY?! 2/6/17

Wow the time seems to be flying by, I still feel like I barely started but I also feel like I have no memories or comprehension of anything besides the mission life. I guess it comes with the package.

SO the lady Olga, that I reported on last week is doing SO WELL. She is very ready for baptism and we have been teaching her about 2-3 times a week. We asked her why she wanted this so bad in her life and she gave us a really special answer. She told us that her sister is a recent convert in San Clemente CA of 8 months and that she has visited her church with her, read the BOM with her, and has seen a mighty change in her sister. She said that she has SO MUCH MORE PATIENCE and that she is surrounded in peace and that that is something that she wants. Olga has 2 children with autism and other special needs so she is looking forward to the peace and patience that gospel will bring her. Her presence in our lives is truly like a golden nugget of baptism from heaven. We love her so much and are looking forward to baptism on March 12. :)

Some other miracles the fact that one of the people I worked with toward baptism the last time I was here is now preparing to enter in the temple and be sealed to his wife and children!!! I was literally over the moon. He has such a strong testimony and I have seen him change bastante in the short time that I have been away. Wow the gospel is a miracle. 

1.Went and played soccer with some ward members last monday

2.Got my craft on and made some homemade chicken noodle soup. With a ton of Jalepeno of course

3. Our most missionary dedicated member telling her dog to say bye to us. LOVE HER.

4. I was a security guard for service this week at the March Field Air Museum. super legit.

5. Twinning with my babyyyyyy ;)

Alright Everybody I hope you all have a wonderful week!! 

Be Safe&God Speed.
Love, Hermana Tobler

I lub my bebe 1/30/17

👶

Hello everyJUAN!

Life is so good out here in the good ole Moreno Valley. I feel like I've died and gone to heaven every day and that is just missionary life. I found out that one of my dearest friends in the world is going to be serving in Mexico and I literally freaked out. I am so happy, missions change lives. 

We had so many cool miracles this week and I truly saw the hand of the Lord in my life. Here is my favorite one. 

Olga was a referral that we received from the CA Irvine mission and we contacted her very quickly. We set up and appointment for her this Sunday after church. After church was over we had a member in tow to the lesson when she called us and told us she needed to push the appointment back a few hours. HOW CONSIDERATE! She also didn't try the " I will call you back later when I have time" option, she set a new time, that SAME day! Of course we were more than happy to work with her change of plans. Later at the lesson, we were able to get to know her and come to find out that she has been prepared to receive the gospel for a long time. She has attended church with her sister in San Clemente several times and she has finally divorced from her controlling husband so she has more freedom. She was 100% enthusiastic about every single commitment we extended, especially baptism. Her positive response and excitement literally filled my heart to the brim with joy. I nearly flew off the couch and hugged her. Hermana Hernandez and I are praying with all our hearts that she is truly ready and that the obstacles that will arise (because they always do) will not deter her from her goal to baptism. We feel so blessed and humbled, and hopeful as well that her 7 children will follow suite. YAYYA!

I came to know the Savior better this week in an unexpected way. I have honestly been trying harder and harder to repent daily and strive for the constant companionship of the spirit so I may work effectively and in the Lord's way. One night this week, as I was saying my nightly prayer, I felt an assurance from the Spirit a forgiveness from my sins. That experience led me to keep up the effort on my daily repentance and by the time Sacrament meeting came around, I felt so prepared! I ended up having a very spiritual sacrament experience and I felt the effects of the Atonement work in my life. I realized for the first time how much of a diligent process daily repentance is and also what a beautiful feeling comes as a result. I know that by repenting daily, I can receive a full remission of my sins and feel closer to my Savior. 

So we also met a guy who literally lives in a tiny trailer in a literal rancho. He was literally sleeping and eating in an animal pen, it was really sad. We met him early Sunday morning when we were walking around our area by the church before Sacrament Meeting started. At first Crisanto seemed really nice and potentially interested besides the fact that he wanted us to bring a bunch of nice women when we came back to visit him. We invited him to the church that morning but he declined and said he was busy. So we set up a later appointment, wrote down the church address and then we left. Throughout the rest of our walking around the area, he kept driving up to us in his truck and asking us weird questions and telling us the most random stuff. Thankfully he left us alone. Until later. We were sitting in the middle of gospel principles when a member pulled us out to see the dirty and drunk Cristanto hollering and shouting random gross things in the hallway. After a short and weird conversation with a drunk guy he was kindly escorted out and we rejoined our class. HOW WEIRD!

Anyway, lots of great things happened this week. I am loving my mission more than ever and I absolutely love training Hermana Hernandez, she is a dream!! 

Have a great week! 

Be Safe&God Speed.

Love, Hermana Tobler ​

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4IQj5y26Hs