Pray for Elder Roberts

Hey everybody, how we doin?? I hope we are fantastic, and that we are making time to enjoy this beautiful life we are given. But OOKKAYAAYYYY lets get down to the nitty gritty of the mishiiooooonnn=)

Alright first lets start Wedensday morn, because thats when stuff gets hectic! I wake up and i look at elder Roberts and he has a rash all up on his body and the man has a fever and has pain in his darn huesos (bones)! I just looked at him.... you got the dangue elder... and so we fuimosed rapido to the doctor and she was freaking out saying that my comp was going to die but that is just something I call Honduran exagerration. Something funny was that he had to pee in a cup and take some of his blood for a test and so a dude came and took the blood and pee, or urine for you formal people, and went to a clinic.. but the pee popped open and got all over the guy hahahahhahahahahah ah poor guy, it was some potent stuff i felt terrible for the guy but anyways we figure out that elder roberts has to be hospitalized for three days! But i got a new comp the next day so i was only with Elder Roberts for one full day at the hospital. I Love Him.

It was sad to say goodbye to him but I/we got through it and went to changes. My new Comp is an amazing elder named Elder Meoño! We were in the mtc together but he is my trainer technically so that is absolutely amazing and we are ready to baptize and strengthen our ward! The first couple of days were hard because i had to plan because elder Meoño doesnt know the area, but now we are on a roll! SATURDAY WE HAD A BAPTISM! YESSSS its wonderful to see someone take the eternal step of baptism! It was a wonderful service and we cant wait to get some more people to gain a testimony of the church of Jesus Christ of latter day saints=) 

That's all the time I have today but i know the church of Jesus Christ is truly his church. Faith is the first principle of his gospel and we gain our faith through action! Lets be members and people of action! I love this work and i echo the testimony of every missionary to ever serve a mission that this is his work! I love you all and am praying for all of you! Know you are loved and know that someone is praying for blessings and you are the answer to that prayer! Have a fantastic week!

 

Love

Elder Toolson  

Fw: Ty's week July 24th

 

Hello Everyone!

This week has been another amazing week in the mission! Its been great because we taught a bunch! We had a ton of references and a ton of new investigators and now we will see who will truly progress and embrace the gospel as the truth it is!!! Lets see we had a really good lesson with a guy named Freddy. We had been teaching his brother for over a month and one time we made a point to ask everyone if they wanted to listen to the message, i personally didn't think that Freddy would be interested, but he came to church! Man it was great to have him there! He told me he learned a lot about the spirit so that was great! He was a little timid to leave for teachers quorum but he eventually did. He will for sure get baptized! Another blessing was that we have a baptismal date with a guy named Jose but we couldn't find him for a week at his house. then Sunday rolled around and he showed up! Shirt and tie and smilin:) I say shirt and tie because usually he is wearing an unbuttoned shirt with his chest hair just flowing all over the place. He will be baptized this Saturday! All in all we had 11 investigators at church! That's the most me or my comp have had in the mission:)

The Lord is waiting to bless us everybody! The church is true, christ is our redeemer and Thomas S. Monson is his prophet! Its a beautiful thing to see a testimiony develop in our investigators. We taught tatiana again and she is so ready. She reads every day and even is starting to read about hte church history on the church website, we Told her to be careful with what she reads because most sites are false. She completely understood and told us that she could feel when it was truth or not. She had a lot of question about poligamy and homosexual relationships and me and my companion did great in answering those questions! We talked about the beauty of modern day revelation and how for every generation there is different cautions needed and she just ate it up! What a gal, she has a baptismal date for the 9th of august:)

Something that we are doing is focusing on getting help from less actives. We go over to less actives houses to share the gospel with them and then we ask for references! Its great because as they are helping us they are also building their testimonies! They then come out with us to contact and they always bear their testimony and it makes me just cry. I love this gospel. I testify that the lord qualifies us for this work. I know that i am a small and simple thing, but through small and simple things great things shall come to pass!

I love you all BIGGGG SHOUT OUT TO ELDER SCHENK for being such a stud and being 20! He's an amazing missionary and i hope you all tell him happy birthday! Have a great week:)

Love

Elder Toolson

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 :)