Dear family how are you doing? I hope good now that Hunter
is home safe and sound! I can't believe that it has been two years already. It
seems like yesterday he left off to Guatemala to be in the MTC. I am so proud
of him. I can't say that enough. He has been such a wonderful example to me on
my mission.
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| Baptized investigators going to the temple! |
How did the homecoming talk go and how is everything going,
I would love to know. Is he surviving Sunday's with nothing to do? Ha-ha. I am
glad Hunter is the Ginny pig for the first time in my life.
You all can figure
out how to help him adjust then you will be professionals for my return! Ha-ha
jk,
I know Hunter is doing just fine and he is already killing it being a
returned missionary. Sorry I just think I am really funny.
This week we find out whether I will be staying here for my
last six weeks or being moved somewhere else? I still don't know how I feel
about the thought of leaving. I know that whatever God wants or needs I will
happily do. However, I would be in heaven with the thought of finishing my
mission in the most wonderful city in the Berlin Germany mission. I don't know
what God has in store though, and who he has for me next. Who I need to meet,
or what I need to learn. I know he has a plan, and as a missionary we become
very aware of that. It always seems that when we get comfortable, or want
something so bad, God wants the exact opposite, and needs to stretch and
challenge us. Without these stretchings and growings though, we could never
learn to trust in him or grow stronger in our testimony of this life and why we
are ultimately here. I have a firm and deep testimony of that. "Because he
loves us he pushes us."
We had a very interesting week. We went on two exchanges,
and they were both so wonderful. I got to get to know both Sister Patterson and
Jensen a little better. I just look up to all these sisters so much. Their
courage to be here, their faith and diligence to be obedient and hardworking
Missionaries. I feel so blessed to be in the presence of such amazing disciples
of Christ. Even though I learn a lot and it is fun to be with someone new, or
in a new area, it always reminds me and makes me thankful for my dear Sister
Stacey. She is an awesome companion, and I have had so much fun with her. I
have been truly blessed with the companions I have had on the mission, and I am
so grateful for all they have taught me and their influences in my life. You
really do learn so much from living with someone 24/7 ha-ha. I hope I can
finish my mission with Sister Stacey, it would be a dream!!
As for the missionary work this week. Man it has been a
little rough. Please pray that we can find some new people. We really have this
little slump and both Sister Stacey and I just want to do everything we can to
finish her last two and my last transfer Strong!! With all our strength and
energy that we can!! I know God has a plan for us, and there is something
waiting around the corner, as long as we do our part. However, now I feel I am
more focused than ever more willing to give it more than I have ever given
because I want to be able to one day look back and say, that yes I did all I
could.
I know my emails haven't been as long and detailed as they
normally are. However, I feel at this point most of them sound about the same
every week ha-ha. I know every day has a new miracle and story, and we really
have seen so many tender mercies and miracles in this last week. We were able
to give Therese a priesthood blessing, (I mean the elders did) however, it was
a miracle in and of itself that we showed up to her home when we did. We went
to an eating appointment on Sunday. Where the family was only supposed to feed
us sisters. However then realized that the elders had nowhere to go and another
lady who was here all alone from America and had nowhere to go for fast Sunday.
So they had all 7 of us over not planning on it including their family making
us 12. With barley enough food and not
much money or time to prepare, they were able to quickly prepare a small meal
for us all. There was just enough soup to fill everyone's bowl one time and
with two small loafs of bread we truly experienced a (Bread and Fish) miracle.
The soup was able to fill us up so much that some couldn't even finish their
bowl. Half of us couldn't eat dessert because we were so full. We even had a
whole loaf of bread left over that she willing gave to us to take home knowing
full well that it could feed her family the next day. God is truly there every
day to show us his had in our life.
I am so grateful for missions, the experience that we face,
to shape and mold us. I couldn't imagine my life without these people, trails,
joys, and mercies all found within the path we must walk to perfection.
D&C 121
7 My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine
afflictions shall be but a small moment;
8 And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on
high; thou shalt triumph over all thy foes.
I love you all have a wonderful week,
Sister Toma
