Ty's Week 5 alive!

HELLLLLOOOOO to ALL!

Yaayyyyy :) Did you say you sent a package... Any package by itself will be amazing! OKaaayyy what a week! My camera has problems uploading pictures but im pretty sure it is all these crappy computers, but don't worry everyone, one day I will send you all the pictures I have taken. You are gonna Love them :)

Well this week was absolutely wonderful! It was frustrating as well.  Sometimes I look around and feel like I'm home, but then sometimes I realize that my bed has been infested with ants, that I have sweat more in one day more than how much I would sweat at football practice, or sometimes I realize I smell funny all the time... Hahaha! True but this is where the Lord needs me and Im trying my hardest to Love and Serve as he would! Can't wait to get wet!  We only had four investigators at church today which was pretty depressing for us because that's the lowest number I've had! But whatever we will keep goin'! So this week was great because President Dester came to our zone to do interviews, MAN that guy is inspired. I love hearing the advice he had for all of us. As a mission we all have to start putting together 72 hour kits, and buy more water and even set aside more money for our emergency fund... signs of the times??? President said he loves the work me and Elder Roberts are doing and even our ZL's pulled me and Roberts aside and told us we were doing great! that was amazing to hear. I love my leaders in the church, not because of the praise but for their leadership and counsel, they are all inspired and called by God:)

As For teaching it was a rough week. It turned into a lot of contacting and a lot of lessons with people who didn't want to progress. One lady who is a gem feels like she cant break away from her religious roots so that was a bit of a bummer even though we tried for the better part of an hour to listen and make some sense for her. She wants the membership of this church and knows it's the full truth but feels torn. We still have about 4 super great investigators that are choo chooin along (get it its like a choo choo train =) 

On Thursday i was super thirsty so we went to this tiny snow cone shop and i casually bought two little bags of water. we then went behind his shop and sat down in some chairs.. then the guy comes out and says: 

guy: "y'all Americans?"

elders: " you bet your bottom dollar we are!"

guy: "im from Pasadena, born and raised"

We all had a nice chat, it was great to talk to the guy in English. He had a Texas accent and everything it was great! We are gonna go teach him sometime at where he works so I'm excited to talk to him again! it reminded me of Nic Mastergeorge who is serving in Houston. He's gotta teach a ton of hondurans because everyone here says that they worked construction in Houston haha.

Well, that was just about my week! It had a ton of ups with very few downs and that's what I love on the mission, there's never a way down when you are focusing in the service of our Lord =) We have sooooo much service and work hard but if you guys could pray for all the missionaries to find new investigators that would be amazing! We really gotta start teaching more:) I know the church Of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the church Christ established on the earth. it is true and that the Lord is hastening his work! Something we should all ask ourselves is if we individually are hastening the Lord's work? I hope all who are reading this can know that Our Heavenly Father Loves us, that he is the only one that knows us better than we know ourselves and he sent his Son to help us. I know that our past is just that and we can start anew every day if we take the Lords yoke upon us. Have an attitude of grattitude this week and the lord will bless you for it! I love you all!

Love

Elder Toolson IV

You and dad blessed me with your great advice this week...I love it and this is exactly what I have needed to hear! I love how the lord answers our hearts desires through loved ones, it makes the answers much more close to my heart and they penetrate me:)

I've changed, I am not perfect, but over the past year I finally have a testimony that is undeniably my own, that is set in Christ and his atonement. My life is beautiful because of the beautiful things Heavenly Father has given us. I miss you all more than ever but I am starting to truly love my mission.

Well, I dont have a lot more time to write you but I love you. Im going to refer to that awesome story from the Rookie you sent last week. It is crazy to hear about Bear Lake and see all of the pictures, Elder Jones one of the elders we live with has a ranch right by bloomington lake! I showed him the picture of Tiara and the swing and he freaked out haha! Home Sweet Home! And TIARA is  OFF to efy, am I right momma? Gooooooooo TTTTT -You Got This!!!

Week 3 for Ty ~ Dads birthday =)

Whattup everyone!!!

Its been another FANTASTIC week in the San Pedro Sula West mission! I still cant speak too well, but I've learned if you smile and shake peoples hand and listen really hard and then agree at the end, people like you! =) Its crazy how much just listening does!

This is my 3rd week in Honduras!!! Week three was much much better than week two! It was a slower week because of the World Cup and we had a seventy come! Elder Ochoa came and spoke to us about ¨Faith to Repent" It was awesome and I felt the spirit all throughout the meeting! Lets see the next day we had a good day of lessons! I'm so Lucky that our ward really likes me and my comp so we get references all the time and we visit the members all the time! Elder Roberts (my dad in the mission) focuses a lot on the members and then we get a ton of ideas & leads for references. Contacting is difficult because everywhere has been knocked multiple times. We knock for only about four or five huors every week and its usually effective! Lets see Thursday nothin huge happened just another great day of lessons and then my comp started getting intense nose bleeds everyday since then! We have gone to a doctor and gotten a bunch of mediction but we are in Honduras so who knows what will happen. =D This place is awesome! I have learned how to wash clothes by hand. I washed ten white shirts in an hour... thats pretty good so be impressed!

Oh Ya, I was almost violated by a HUGE dog here. Honestly, truly, the BIGGEST dog I've ever seen in real life! We go to a sisters house to wash our normal clothes and garments and she said to repay her we have to wash the dog, we say "Great, no problem!" We wash the dog and the dog was super mellow. Then we finish and my comp takes him back to the front. This dog is LARGE, my comp is 6´3¨and skinny-smallish like 140. So the dog just starts yankin' my comp around the yard and then the dog slips out of his leash! REX (the dog) starts goin crazy and jumpin all over us so I try to calm him down by holding his front legs up when he jumps up on me, but then he just tries to reproduce the earth with me and he alllmmmooossstttt touched my leg with his filthiness!!! When I figured out what was goin on I threw the dog off and just started saying "Que feo! Que feo!!" over and over and my comp was just laughin' his head off!!!

Well the beauty of this week was definitely Sunday. We had 9 investigators at church!!!!! WOW we loved it. The most Elder Roberts has ever had is 10 and we are gonna break that soon... I'm so excited! But ok, I wrote last week about my two favorite investigators and im just gonna stick with them because I'm pretty sure they are gonna get baptized soon! WHOOP WHOOP! I just wanna dunk someone in the water so bad its killin me! NO just joshin' kinda...these people are so ready to make covenants with the Lord and they just soak up everything they can about Jesus Christ and the restored priesthood and church on the earth.  Anyways, so SUNDAY! We had an investigator activity at 4:00pm that was to watch "The Joseph Smith Prophet of the Restoration" man that is one powerful movie and that is one amazing prophet! I love every second of Joseph Smiths life and I'm so thankful for a boy who was looking for the truth and had the faith to find! At the event we had about 15 investigators and about 30 people in all there! thats awesome =)

Today is my comps brithday! What a guy! Everone say happy birthday to him. I call him ¨roroRoberts¨ its pretty great. We are really becomin close, I think.  It's been a great p-day ( FYI preparation day is when they shop, do wash, write home and take care of all personal needs for the week). Because it's Elder Roberts birthday we went to Wendy's which was so nice to taste American food. I only have a couple minutes left so I gotta go but everyone I need to tell you that the Church of Jesus Christ is so true! This is the Church the Savior established when he was on the earth. The priesthood is so real and I know it is meant to bless all of us! Men hold the priesthood but by no means ARE they priesthood without women in their "life giving" calling we are NOTHING! I love every girl out there in the whole wide world=) Know how special you are and know how much Heavenly Father treasures you and dont think you are anything less than a daughter of god! Ever!

Gosh, Tiara in High School? I'm gonna come back and she will be sixteen! HOLY COWI thought the second coming would happen before my little sister would be at the date eligible stage of life haha! She is a light for many and as long as she has friends who will respect her and look up to her for standing by her values and beliefs she will be great! She should talk to Tucker because he was great at being everyones friend but never going anywhere he or doing anything he shouldn't have!  I would say Trey as well but trey had a lot of "good Mormon friends" his age that would completely support his decisions. Anyways, Tiara is my freaking idol she is such a stud, ha ha! Congrats Wave and go LCC Volleyball!

Guess what!!!! We went to a shopping center that is actually pretty nice and there was "Mane and Tail" shampoo and conditioner! There was only one so I sprinted over there and grabbed it and threw it in my cute little cart it was great... haha. 

Is dad at work? Did he have a good birthday? Or is today his birthday?  Mom please, you have to send me all family birthdays on a calendar cause I'm the worst at it! Sweet grams and 2gramps too! Okay I believe I am getting off soon so remember that I love you all ESPECIALLY dad on his birthday!!! I bet he is workin his tail off right now, probably skipped lunch and is just workin as hard as he can so he can go to Bear Lake and enjoy some time with you guys! =) Dad you are the man I cannot believe that you are 52? SO YOUNG! Im so glad you have at least another fifty years to live haha! Just kiddin but at least till all my kids are grown up alright? Your week sounds hectic but fulfilling, like a missionary! Thanks for always being my example. Anyways I love you dad with all my heart!

Have an amazing week everyone! Its hot out here, people are crazy, I've never been so out of my comfort zone, but I Love it because the church is true and that is all that matters. Share the Gospel with everyone because we all need to know our Savior better.

Love,

Elder Ty Toolson

Elder Ty- Honduras 2nd Week

Ahhhhh Yaaaaaaaa week number two in the books!!! Its been a supperrr solid week! We had 7... I repeat SEVEN investigators at church yesterday! So we got there early just cause and we are talking to some leaders of the ward and we see the bishop so we go over there to say hello, and we were all smilin at each other :)... just smilin:) and he says "every third week we talk about missionary work... elders I need five to eight minutes from each of you"..... and so we just said okie dokie and kept smilin:) It was definitely a rough talk, but man the members and even investigators here are so dang nuice! They all said we did good and that they could feel my spirit and that was awesome I just hope I can really start talking with these guys soon, I love them so much! 

So investigators are great! We have a ton progressing. A highlight is there is a family L and they have 3 baptized and four not. BUT the nine year old said she wants to get baptized and the two men in the family (father and oldest child) came to church and were participating in every class! This family is awesome! The dad is a teacher but he also trains soccer kids and he got a team together and started coaching them and they are now traveling the world playing in intense tournaments! He relates very well to the gospel because he understands everything that is necessary to have a successful team. That also translates into whats necessary for a successful life and family! I have no doubt he will get baptized!! The next dude is named DANIEL! This guy has read the Book of Mormon all the way through... but wont come to church. We even stopped by and woke him up to come to church but he said he was "sick" nah I doubt it. But he is one we wont drop just because he is absolutely golden and the church needs men like him and more importantly he needs the church!

 

Those are my favorite investigators this week! I'll share some investigators every week to get you guys updated. ALLLSSSOOOOO I got a haircut and it will definitely last POR LO MENOSSS! 6 months ha ha its darn short. 1-2 on the sides and about a 3 on the top, but its chillin' I kinda like it!

To everyone who is reading this I LOVE MY MISSION! I know that I was called to Honduras for a reason and no other place is more suited for what my Heavenly Father wants me to learn! A rule we have right now in the mission is to read at least one talk from the past general conference everyday! It helps so much I have sticky notes full of Holland phrases that knock my socks off.

Tara,

It looked like you smacked your face on that trust fall what the heck??? Are you alright? lol I'm so excited to hear about your tournamnet and girls camp and then efy and then the cabin, you are going to love it! And open up your eyes! You always say nothing exciting is goin on but ya know what life is so exciting! I love saying hello to everybody in the streets it excites me! There is always something you can share, ESPECIALLY the gospel! You are the beez kneez the bomb diggity and I love you so much!

Dad,

I love you so much! I love telling everybody that you sereved in guatemala and that we get to serve in the same general area! There are many members here who have served in the quetzaltenango mision y todos dicen que es un lugar maravilloso! I love the suspense I get waiting to see what you wrote!

Mom,

You are truly amazing! I use the oils every day and it helps me sleep alot! I miss your hugs and I really miss Rigoletto for some reason... but Mom you gave me the best gift of all "to Love"! I think I really do love the people and that will help me so much in staying dedicated!!

Alright that's all I got this week but everybody keep your gospel guns locked and loaded and all times so you can let 'em blaze when the time is right.

I love you all!!!

Elder Toolson

Elder Toolson is BACK!

 

What A JOY it is to RETURN TO THE FIELD!


1) The Trio to Start: Elder Toolson :) Elder Roberts & Elder Lorenzana! 

 

2) Greetings at the Airport with the Awesome President Dester & Sister Dester


3) A Few Farewell Photos at San Diego Airport 

 

Elder Ty Ty is Back in Honduras!

Alright kiddos I hope your sitting down cause IM BACK BABY!!!! I'm in HONDURAS! Haha alright... hardest week of my liofe in all honesty, but man O man the gospel is TOO TRUE to not share it! So I'm Loving the challenge. Oh Mamma the language is rough but ya know what, thats okay! Sometimes I'm completely lost but most of the time I hang in there :)Something that is kinda funny that I didn't pick up on before here is people when they say daily factual stuff, they sometimes do a huge gasp when they realize something. They'll be talking and then the person next to them will gasp like their heart broke and then say "Oh I knowww!!!" it's pretty funny and can take me by surprise

Today we were talking with a less active mom and non member children and they asked why I dont have a girlfriend at home or here in Honduras and why I dont call my family everyday or take breaks and I just told them because I want to love you guys! They all smiled and that was  a sweet moment. I desire to Serve them completely.

I've probably been too emotional this week I cried in every lesson and just tried to teach through the spirit. Luckily I dont have any wild dog stories... Whew! Those were some scary times. Well this place has a little more wealthy families and homes are more cared for than the old area but yup, its basically the same as where I was when I left, it's pretty funny.

OHHHH! Something cool is that I was at a dinner last night and everyone knew Uncle Danny even though they were from Honduras, Guatemala or The Dominican Republic and everyone started saying "wo wo wo wo wo wo wo" its something they do here, its pretty funny haha and then the dude from the Dominican Republic (elder Estevez) said he was baptized by Dennis Pitta! He played for BYU and plays for the Ravens in the NFL its pretty sweetttt! I wish I could see Andrew Bertha and hear about his mission...He's HOME, that's crazy!

Thank you family and Kailee for your letters they were a wonderful surprise and made me cry. I was incredibly homesick at first as expected until I realized that I am truly doing what I want to do, the Lords work and that these people need me and the service I can give.  And just as importantly my family needs me more here in Honduras to be the best Missionary I can be and best example of Christ as possible.

If you look above (tourist voice) you will notice a picture of the "trio" unfortunately it has already been terminated. Elder Lorenzana (only has six weeks out in the mission) was ET'd to Dos Caminos Uno. Its another awesome area and he is a fantastic missionary so now we are down to a normal companerismo! Elder Roberts (the one in the middle) is my trainer, he is an AMAZING missionary and man Oh man we are gonna get work done! A UTAH boy, 6'3" that weighs about 140 haha but he knows so much and has a soothing personality that can get the point across without shoving it in your face. I have grown to love him for his kind but hard working ways. We already have one baptism date and will definitely get some more this week. I'm really embracing what Dad wrote in his letter to me to pray for and EXPECT miracles. The weather is SOOOO HOT and SOOOOO RAINY! It has rained every day this week and its usually when we are out walking but that's OK,  these ballin' Nike golf pants from Dicks are keeping me dry ;) (thanks mom, kiss for you. a big one!)

Tiara!!!!!!!!!!! Take it easy with the good looks, your killin me! These Graduation photos are amazing, you chose the right dress and look like a Goddess! Sister Rhodes is really happy that you and Lexy (her daughter) will be at the same school, you guys should be friends, she is a sweet swaggin gal!

Fathers day looked so fun! Darius Rucker looked like he was killin' it and your superman apron made me smile and laugh alot. Great Fathers Day gift for Pops!  Again tiaras grad pictures looked gorgeous and the instagram of grndpa and Dad was great. TJ I love you so much!!!!!!! And micheley you too;) Teejerrello you didn't write me this week, but i understand its hard to write when a birthday comes around and your'e in the bishopric at 23.. you stud you!

Any ways this week is going to be a good one! I really hope to get some baptismal challenges rolling and watch the hand of the Lord move people away from their struggles and into His Peace.

To anyone who is reading this I testify that the Church that Jesus Christ is on the earth today never to be taken again. I love this gospel with all my heart and am trying to learn to fully give my heart to the people of Honduras and do the work as He would have me do! Something I read this week in a past general conference said "The gospel is easy, Life is hard!" That blew up my world! ha ha! Its so true... how did I not figure that one out the first time I heard it! :) Well I love you all and hope to get some cool stories to share as I go forward but for now everybody be safe and know that I love you all!

Once Again, I'm BACK!

ELDER Ty Toolson :)

Fw: Ty's first letter from Honduras!

HOLY COW IT'S HOT! haha this place is hot, really hot, but I'm here!

 

My companion is Elder Juarez and he is from Guatemala City and hes around 5 ft! We live in a tiny house and there are four of us! The other two are Elder Permann who is about 6' 3 and big in tubbines and his companion Elder Chanchavac is about 4 ft 10inch! It's ALL pretty shocking actually! I never understood the standards of living my dad talked about on his mission but now I know!! The houses are tiny and basically, they are ovens! It's so hot inside... but its all good because I walk around with a hanky! Its cool because all the missionaries have them. We are dripping wet from sweat at the end of the day and our washer is a wash board! Just like the movie Far and Away (Tom Cruise & Nicole K) I get to "plunge and scrub" ha ha!!!   

 

It's crazy how poor this place is!

 

AND THE DOGS! Watch out for the dogs, a saying here is (about dogs) "Tiene hambre por el Hombre!" (Hungry for Man!) I am telling you people I almost died from this vicious dog!!! LOL...ha ha  It's actually gonna be a great mission story someday but I had about a 64.3 second, death defying bout with this crazy dog! So me and my companion had found this magazine of temples and were showing them to recent converts and there familys and told them about the covenants and blessings available and such and as we would walk from house to house I rolled it up and used it as a baton because USUALLY with the dogs if they come close all you do is reach down like your grabbing a rock or in my case lift up whatever is in your hand as if you were about to strike at them and they just scurry away. But ... today I met the Alpha Male in San Pedro Sula (SPS) and he spotted the gringo, (me, new little white boy) about 60ft before I got to him and he was all crouched down and slowly inchin toward me but I thought nothing of it. And so the routine goes on I lift up my magazine like I'm gonna hit him and he just GOES FOR IT!  He Shot straight at me, jaws opened wide and I was able to tap him on the nose and move out of the way. And so the legendary bout began! Time after time I dodge and in time he lost interest but we couldn't really move away because there are literally probably 6 or seven dogs for every road and so once one goes beserk they all do! Me and Juarez were back to back with the words of the prophets raised in our defense (A Book of Mormon and the temple Ensign magazine). We must have looked too scary because they slowly all backed away and man my blood was FLOWIN... biggest adrenaline rush of my life!!! I thought I was gonna get bitten to pieces! ha ha

 

But our lessons have been good! I was able to share my thoughts and my testimony effectively! For a gringo people say my Spanish is good, which is great for my first week here! :)  I hope I'm slowly progressing but in the mornings I have no idea whats going on cause I'm just waking up and pretty tired ...and  I never imagined Spanish could be spoken this fast and be the normal pace, haha they just blahblahblah all day! It's funny because in the morning I have NO idea what's going on but by night I can talk to anyone under 40. Past forty its too quick and mumbly jumbly! haha What's worse is old women! They speak twice as much haha!! but I'm getting by and I hope people like me here because I'm trying my hardest to just love them all!  

 

 

I'm actually doing great now! This is really where the mission begins. The ccm was a piece of cake compared to this... we walk probably at least 8 miles a day and sweat about 4 gallonsa day as well. Everyone here wears usa shirts like 'I love NY' shirts and they love Pepsi and Coca Cola and what not haha. but sadly I cant send pics because there was so much writing and reading going on :) but next week I'll send it I got to "plunge and scrub" and walk a ton... ughhhh, I feel like dad!!! The houses are TINY! and the people aren't as small as I thought but still pretty darn cute and small... haha this place is the PROMISED LAND! We watched the movie "The Testaments" last night and everyone was saying that it takes place in Guatemala and in Honduras! A fun fact is in the famous picture of King Noah and his court with Abinidi in it, right above Noahs throne there's a sign of Guatemala Elder Juarez loves that stuff!!! :)

 

How beautiful was conference! My favorite speaker was Edward Dube! I could feel every word coming out of his mouth in my soul.  I was crying the whole time! This conference was so centered on doing the LITTLE THINGS! Memorizing the thirteen articles of faith, loving the women in our lives and honor the priesthood, read the scriptures daily and so on! It was also pretty cool to have the old BYU quarterback and the Australian Seventy ...haha that was a great way to mix it up! The best thought for me was from our prophet, Pres Monson's thoughts and feelings over recently losing his wife. He is such an inspiration to us all! Every word that comes out of his mouth is scripture! HOW BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!! When we talk to people about the purpose of the prophet today in our lives they all light up and quickly agree! These people know truth when they hear it, the question is can they follow their heart with being lost in the mist of darkness of poor choices! And boy is that mist thick! HOLD FAST TO THE ROD, THE WORD OF GOD EVERYONE!

 

Please pray for me and my companion! We need the support!

 

I love you all and I hope you know how lucky and incredibly blessed you all are to be in the US and live where you do!  

Have an amazing week :)

 

Get off your booty, on your knees, then on your feet and DO!

Love,

Elder Toolson the 4th

Happy to be In Honduras!

Dear Parents of Missionaries,
 

This is just a quick note to let you know that your missionary arrived safely today in Honduras!  

 

We are delighted to have 22 new missionaries in the mission today.  We were able to talk with them, eat dinner with them, and enjoy some very special moments with them this evening.  President Dester interviewed all of the new missionaries and is excited to have the energy that each of them brings to the mission.  Tomorrow the new missionaries will be assigned to their new areas and start working.  We are sending you a photo of your missionary in the airport.  Thank you so much for entrusting your missionary to us and for all of your support.

With kindest regards,

Sister Dester and President Dester