Cleaning Up in Honduras

Hey Everybody:)

So this week here in Honduras was Woman's Day!!! Nothing really happens you just says "Felicidades" to all the grown women... but it was a great way to talk to a bunch of people in the street! Me and my comp were shouting to every female we could see felicidades, felicidades FELICIDADES!! It was more than anything a good way to have fun and to get to know the people in our area.

This week my comp and I decided to "clean up" our area, or stop teaching the people who aren't going to church or who aren't reading the Book of Mormon or Bible, or aren't praying. It was a rough week but an amazing opportunity to show our faith and go out an talk to all the people we could :) We have found a ton of people and we are praying that they all progress along with the other two people we kept! My highlight was probably being able to get to contact one dude who is from Bangladesh! He talked about the repressive government and how the gospel should be something liberating. We talked about the liberating feelings that come from living the commandment and being able to wake up every day without addictions and with a clean conscience.

I love my mission more than anything in the world! I also love receiving emails from all you guys, I'm so sorry if I dont reply I only have a certain amount of time to write! Anyways the basketball game looks awesome even though BYU lost and I am so stoked to see Jake and Conner and other family memebers:) I know that families are forever and that there is nothing better than the knowledge that I will always be with my family!!!

Hey Bishop, if you would ever like to see it in writing, in preach my gospel it says that we should 100% put specific goals, and although that may be talking about just full time missionaries, here in Honduras, EVERYTHING in the church is based of a SET GOAL standard. I know that my personal goals that I have right now make me work hard and dilligently to take my energy and put it towards a set goal that is a number that can be accomplished but only with the help of the lord. The ward mission plan looks excellent I'm all in with it:)Pops I know that this church is true:) That those numbers are people not just numbers and you can clear that up with the people. I know that you received revelation about those numbers that came directly from the Lord.

Today we went to hangout with a bunch of monkeys that was really fun!! As for my comp, we are working real hard!! I know that we can always do better but i have looked at these past weeeks and I can say that I have come home every day DEAD TIRED and ready to sleep for a few minutes ha ha. That's all it feels like.

Shout Out! Shayne Davern wrote me this week that was awesome. Did you know he was the MVP of the Idaho potato bowl game??? He had 112 yds on 12 carries and two touchdowns hahah man i miss football so much.. I have been SO GOOD at not looking at ESPN or anything of sports. Thanks so much mom for the stats and news on the Oregon/Ohio State Championship! Love all that sent me info on it :)

My comp and I are loving life! I am starting to enjoy the mission more and more:) Its a lot harder to enjoy the mission when you dont have more than just your companion to talk to, sure its awesome and everyhting but every once in a while its good to talk to other people. So me and my comp are just learning to get along and hangout sometimes:) We NEVER SLACK OFF so we used to come home, plan, pray and sleep, but now at night we talk about our families, what we enjoy about the mission and what our plans are in the future:) My life is bomb diggity and right now we are working as a team and really just praying to find more solid people looking for Jesus Christ and His gospel!

So Tony is going to the temple AGAIN this week and Luis taught priesthood and it was AWESOME! Waltercito is passing the sacrament like a champ every week and we are teaching his mom as well:) Elder Colindres speaks a little bit of English and he always asks me "what time is it" he has that frase down! One of these days he will learn a couple more haha but he is a boss and i learn so much form him every day!

Have an amazing week everybody! Never be shy to shoot a quick email to me, its free ya know;) and I Love IT!

Love

Elder Toolson

Great Stuff in Honduras -

Hey every body!:) GREAT WEEK, GREAATTTT WEEEKKKK!

We had interviews with president and it was great to be with him for a few well, couple minutes, I truly know that he is called of God as is any other mission president or leader in this church, he was given inspiration for me at this time that I needed! He likes us as a strong companionship. We had two ROUGH days where everything fell through, but we ended the week with a ton of spiritual experiences one being with a great investigator named Pamela. She has been reading the Book of Mormon diligently to receive an answer if it is true or not and sure enough she did!!! It was great because she didn't realize it was the spirit testifying to her that it was true until we read a few scriptures describing how the spirit helps us come to know these things.

Other than that it was another fantastic day, with my fantastic comp in my fantastic mission... ha ha. Don't get me wrong with my sarcastic nature and humor, I DO find this all Fantastic!! There is nothing harder than a mission, it's a bit stressful for sure and only a couple times do the leaders tell you you are doing a good job, you are on your own as a companionship so much and so you have to rely on how you think/feel and seek inspiration ALL the time. I am in the mission for moments like those that Pamela had, where the spirit testifies in an undeniable way that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is true and the gospel of Jesus Christ brings JOY. I know that it is lasting, I will forever testify that God loves us and that for the same reason he calls prophets in our day. I know that Christ is pleading our case to the Father in every passing moment and that he is my brother:) I hope that you all have an amazing week and look for the spiritual experiences in life:)

I'm doin' good mom and dad, keep praying for me when you have those promptings, who knows maybe something would've happened... actually if you guys had the prompting its most surely that something was going to happen! It's a little sketchy at the break of the day as we head out. The trail that we take to go to the gym is known to be dangerous but we still walk on it maybe it was that but there was not anything that I know of that I needed protection sooooo... it must have been of protection! :) It worked whatever the reason! Prayer is powerful and I feel you Mom & Pops! I'm doing great and there isn't anything too crazy that has happened :)

I am grateful to be here another transfer and the bishop told us this week that he wants us here for the next change as well (what? ha ha ...he likes us and knows we are working hard) I don't know if that will happen but its nice that the bishop asked that my comp and I stay here for another change :) I love the work and this week we are gonna find at least one more solid investigator in these following days to baptize! Right now we also have five people with set dates, the only thing is they need to come to church these next three weeks! but we know God's taking care of us. Thanks for always caring. I love you all so much and I promise that I am doing great:):) Have an amazing week. Hey mom and Tawa, I'm loving your HILARIOUS emails. I laugh and feel like I have to use the gift of discernment to understand the emails when the voice command goes all crazy ha ha LOVE YOU OODLES:)

Love Elder Toolson

Christ is the Reason

Hey world!!

Well its great to see you all in the videos of all the Christmas caroling and tiara singing and wrappin' up some presents! Its always great to see the Christmas spirit in so many people!!

This week was great! One of our converts named Walter got the priesthood!!! WHOOT WHOOT!! Man I am so stoked for that, he is gonna pass the sacrament next week and this week we are gonna baptize a wonderful man named Luis! He is about four feet tall haha but anyways what a great time we have in this season to really settle down and look at life! This week we have had the opportunity to knock on a lot of doors and its interesting to see that the people with Christmas lights on their houses, usually accept us into their houses for a message on Christ! I love how the christmas spirit opens up the hearts of the people. More than anything I know that the Christmas spirit is the pure love of christ. I know that Christ lives and that he loves us! HE IS THE REASON FOR ALL THINGS!

I love seeing people try to tell people that what we are teaching is wrong, but time and time again it doesn't matter what other people say to our interested people, because our people know in their hearts what the Holy Ghost has testified unto their heart, and it stays in their heart. I just want tell the world I know that serving here in Honduras is the work of the Lord, I love giving my all to Him. Although most days I feel tired, I feel an even greater strength coming form an unseen power. That power is real, it is the power of God, I will always remember the promises of the Lord, if we do what he says, he blesses us. Yes that is TRUE, its pretty darn simple.

I got a cute letter from Tuck and Sarah and it was great to here from the latest addition to the Toolson family! She is a keeper!:) Anyways I love you all, Oh so much and desire that you all enjoy your Christmas! Mine will be FILLED of tamales and chicken and Chancho haha!

Merry Christmas and may we always remember the promises the Lord has given us, like the nephites to the promise of samuel the lamanite... read that story again please, great scripture reading for a quality Christmas!

Love,

Elder Ty Toolson

Elder Ty went to the Beach!

Deuces

So this week was absolutely fantastic, the highlight being that we will be having baptisms coming up this Christmas season!!! To be honest no an incredibly abnormal week, but still i loved every second of it. Today we went to the beach and took tons of photos and man Honduras has its own type of beauty haha. One highlight is we had an incredibly powerful lesson and we have an investigator that is going to get baptized on the 27th but he has had an amazing life that has prepared him for these decisions:) Last night a random person that Im almost positive is not catholic, tried to throw holy water on me and give me a blessing. He tried to convince us he was a messenger of god and was catholic, but when we started asking where he attended church and if he knew the pastors name (who happens to live on our street) and this dude was crazy. But he didn't finish his blessing and he started yelling at me and stuff that I was denying a blessing from god... in the end, something we all need to be aware of is our own decisions!!!

Never let anyone pressure you into doing something that you KNOW is wrong, your ability to choose is not something that is simply given.. it was planned for by our loving heavenly father and paid for by our brother Jesus Christ. I know that he lives and that the atonement is real. I know that Thomas S. Monson is the mouthpiece of the lord and that the lord of lords Jesus Christ is the head of his church. His authority has been given to us in these latter days to fortify and build up the kingdom of God! I feel so blessed to be able to participate in the marvelous work. I know that we are saved by grace but as it is best said by one of his prophets "we are saved by grace, after all we can do" I know that our heavenly father waits anxiously to bless us but we must work anxiously to receive those very blessings!

I hope you all have a great week:)

Love Elder Ty Ty Toolson

Photos

1. No this is not my companion, I did splits with Elder Cotoc form Mexico City! He is in our district, great guy:)

2. A shot of the beach and city all in one.

3. My District:My Companion... hoy fuimos al puerto  mira mi zona Elder Colindres is in the blue & white Honduras jersey is tall, dark and oh so handsome the girls all say!

HERRO

Hooowwwsss it going everyone???

This week was a reaallll keeper to be honest with you:) The highlight was that Hugo (who has had the missionaries for years) has come to church for the first and second time in his life these past two weeks:) His wife and family are the definition of disciples of Christ and from the first time we met this family, we knew that they would soon be an eternal family. We still haven't gotten him in the baptismal font, BUT ITS COMIN!!! We feel the spirit so so strong when we teach its truly beautiful.

Another great experience was that we went to visit an old investigator to see if they were ready to progress. We came in at an essential time when she truly needed a message of help and support, which 100% the purpose of the message of the gospel of Jesus Christ. With all of us in tears from the first prayer, we shared simple scriptures of the book of Mormon and testified of the mercy of Christ and the endless love he has for his children (which we all are) Today in the night time the ZLs will tell us if my comp or I have changes, we are kinda caught 50 50 on if one of us stays or goes. :(

Last night we were blessed to attend a meeting for Young ones preparing for the mission and Elder Alonzo of the seventy came and spoke powerfully of the importance of the conversion. He spoke of the difference between a testimony and the conversion to a gospel principle. I testify that elder Alonzo is a special witness of Jesus Christ and that the importance of the mission is not describable. IF YOU HAVE DOUBTS OFTHE MISSION, simply pray to your heavenly father and ask if it is right if you should go on the mission, if you receive YES, GO!!

Other than that the highlight of my week is that we had the most lessons this week than any other week this change! I love my life here in the mission! It is not the easiest i will admit but it is truly the best time of my life. I love the lord and ask that all of us simply look for the little blessings in life. Like shade! Man i love shade (its pretty hot these days) And seein little bunnies and receiving my Christmas package from my fam!!!! I love all that little stuff hahah have a fantastic week you are all children of god!!! Look for what he truly wants for us, know that he will never leave us alone, he knows us and talks us to us by name. Have a great week errybody

Love, Elder Toolson

Fw: Tys Week of Bigs!

Herro Familia,

First and foremost, BIGGGGG SHOUTOUT TO MY OLDEST SISTER MICHELLE!!!!! I love you so much and your age doesnt matter to me, you will always be you and artsy and alll that good stuff haha! I cant wait for the moment when we can all be home and celebrate these birthdays in person!

Well this week was absolutely amazing! It was an up and down week but a week with no ups or downs means its a dead one. There are definitely no boring days in the mission even if you are stuck inside for the half the week killing the families of animals in your houses. Cockroaches in honduras are BIG! Like WHOOO thats big. So apart from being bored in the house due to the fact that my comp has been sick for the whol week i found days to leave to proselyte with certain people! We had the opportunity to find great new people to teaach and i truly hope they progress.

One of these people we found is named Elmer. He is 37 and lives with his wife and daughter. His dad recently got baptized and it sparked elmer´s attention because his dad has always been a hard head to attend a church, so we were contacting elmer and when we came across and asked if we could enter, he said yes. It seems that the lord has put a number of people in his life to lead to the church and now i hope elder lopez and i can take this advantage to get him ccloser to his heavenly father.

Well thats my week really i hope you all look for an opportunity to share the gospel or listen to the missionaries. Their message is divinge and will help us all live a better life if we listen and act according with the demands and commandments of our fatther. I know that christ lives, that he leads and guides his church and that through a living prophet we receive his guidance and counsel.

Love

Elder Toolson