Animo Elder!

November 17, 2014

Dear Family,

These weeks, work, joys, Deadbread

It sounds like the pheasant hunt was good, even if it was a little crowded. Randy{s a little crazy at times, but I think if it was that crowded that you probably did nick him a little bit, Dad.  I am going to miss the Vinson home if they do decide to move before I come home.

 To clarify, I am not the big boss of the missionaries- actually, because the Assistants and the Zone leaders are technically in my district, I work usually only over a companionship of sister missionaries. I prefer this perspective in the work, even if it is one of the positions where much is demanded. I am still in the process of creating the DL folder

It sounds pretty cold there! The people here so close to the beach always comment how fresh and cold the air is at times. I just laugh. Good luck with the cold Kenzie there at USU! Livi is growing and doing so many things, I would like to see her in the reading like a maniac that that happens to all and even to hear her play violin. I had a companion who brought his violin to the mission, but he only played it three times, there are very little opportunities here to use it.  I am proud to hear that Cami received her Patriarchal Blessing, I hope she continues to grow in her spiritual well being. I know that we are part of a grand plan that is individual and perfect. It{s sad to hear that Jack died, but I know that he lived a good life and I am privileged to have known him.

Temple completion date- June 2015 Dedication- July 2015

I will always need socks from here on out. I am running low (12) on ties, and with the Leadership responsibilities my time on P-day is a little more limited. If you could send me the ties that I left home that would be perfect. Belts I am fine for now, but if you really want to send me something with the new regulations that is an option. It looks like I am going to buy a suit for 75 Dollars soon.

 “God does not begin by asking us about our ability, but only about our availability, and if we then prove our dependability, he will increase our capability.” This is a very interesting quote, that every one of us should utilize. It rarely matters the result or the reward of our actions, what matters is the process and how diligently we fulfilled our selfless service. I am grateful for this responsibility I have to be a missionary and thankful for the privilege to put forth my efforts in the service of our Lord and God. I know that this is true, that it{s real, and it is a work for everyone. I hope you find the opportunities Christ has given us to serve others, and enjoy this week everyone!

Sincerely,

Elder Tobler

Fetch! Rapidito, este es exio en progreso

November 10, 2014

Dear family,

 Picked up my spider-man packet today. I love Mexican food. I'll read your messages next week.

There was a sister in the ward who has a daughter with stage 4 cancer in San Diego. On top of the other situations that exist in that house of reactivating members, when they had problem with their renter, they left! We helped the sister this week move her things to her new residence, and are trying to teach Pedrin, a non-member family friend, but with the intensity of the family difficulties it is a little tough.

Our ward mission leader of Barrio Los Altos came back from his two month work trip. FINALLY we can coordinate the work in that half of our proselyting area. Wee also finished revising the ward mission plans on Sunday, so we have more support from the members. We are working with a few youth in order that they can serve their missions, one of which is recently reactivated and brought his Mom (who is not a member) to church yesterday.

I am continually making vueltas a las offices of the mission to help out my district, but I love doing it. As a district we increased the number of lessons we achieved, and are bettering ourselves. That is great timing, because we have a Zone meeting and a multi-zone meeting this week. That means we should be super for diciembre and the beginning of January.

I love serving a mission. I know that in reality there is no other place where the Lord needs me to be but here. I know I can achieve great things, and I strive to maintain myself worthy to receive of his blessings. Of the three people who attended church on Sunday not one of them was someone we knew when we woke up that morning. I believe in the miracle factor, but we need to put forth our part in order to achieve the full glory the Lord has promised to bestow upon us I know that this is the church of Jesus Christ. Joseph smith was the means of restoration, and we are the means of bringing to pass the Work of Salvation in these latter days. I love everyone, and have a great week!

Sincerely,

Elder Tobler

Un año en tijuana!

November 3, 2014

Dear Family,

To celebrate my one-year mark, We sought out root beer and vanilla ice cream, and are going to have root beer floats. This past week was okay, but after an awesome conference for district líderes I lost my district binder. That was a bummer, and then when we ended our day early on Halloween our lesson count was the lowest of the year. We do have various prospects in baptism for the end of this month, but we need to shift it up into high gear in order to baptize in December. My companion is really awesome, and is learning everything rapidly- menos inglés, necesitaremos mejorar en esto. But the reality is I love being district leader, and wish to continue dedicating my service to the Lord in this position. With the change of month, we adjusted to work more in Palmeras, and instantly we see cooperation from the ward. I know that the Elders will be very blessed to open the area in the end of this month.

Breakfast continues to be one of my favorite meals, but there are still many tasty things the members have been providing me with. 

Dad could you send me more ink for the wooden pen I made? I ran out a long time ago, but that would be a cool thing to send me. If you have a particular list of souvenirs this would be the perfect time of year to look for them. Keep writing on the blog please; there Kenzie and a few friends can continue to see how I am doing without absorbing my time writing them on Monday.

I know that the Lord loves each and every one of us. I know de desires to see our happiness, and if we demonstrate our loyalty to him he will bless us and guide us through the rough spots. I know that this church is true and was restored through as young boy who questioned the chaotic world in which we live in. I know, little by little, we can continue on to live in the presence of our heavenly father and be like Him. This is my greatest desire, and I hope it is also yours.

Sincerely,

Elder Tobler

Los Altos y topes en la calle...

October 21, 2014

Dear Family,

This week we worked really hard with the investigators that we have right now- with little result. Though we visited just about everyone and cordially invited them to just attend church, we only had two in attendance yesterday. On Wednesday we contacted a nice couple, and we will verify this week if they still would like to listen to us, and that evening we had a Family Home Evening with Ceaser. That was so fun! His wife had the baby on Saturday, so it was completely acceptable that he didn’t make it to church. We do have some Investigators with a baptismal date. One was deported about two months ago, and the other one we just barely got to know him yesterday! Our main goal this week is to find and invite new investigators to attend church. On Saturday Elder Solano came to my Sector in interchanges. This Zone Leader is from Uruguay, and taught me many ways to utilize my leadership capabilities to direct my district. The Sisters in Libertad baptized this weekend, and the baptismal interview went so much easier that the first time.

Food this week was great! Hermana Alma gave us some ice cream with a fried tortilla chip, Huraches are pretty good, but I love my breakfast. We have french toast occasionally, eggs and hot dogs, guacamole, I never get bored. This Tuesday when Beto Arredondo gave us money to eat, we contacted a less-active member (surprise) and are trying to include her family in the ward activities.

These photos took FOREVER to send, but I couldn’t find a simpler way. I will send more when I have time. 

I want to close quickly and say that I love my savior and I love this privilege I have to serve a mission here in Tijuana. I Trust in him, and know we can accomplish all things if we actually exercise this faith we posses. I know we can rise up and soar, and that we must never fear. I know that God is our Father in Heaven, and that he has an individualized plan for us. I know this church is true, and that we are directed by a prophet today. 

Sincerely, 

Elder Tobler

Several pictures from the first year of his mission

Que paso con Los Altos?!

October 20, 2014

Dear family,

This week was not extremely different, but there were very little physical results of our efforts. On Friday I had my first baptism interview, and it went well, a little long, but he was a shy Asian youth. My companion is doing well, and it is very funny to see how the people of Tijuana interact with chilangos. Speaking of which it was his birthday on Wednesday! We ate the pudding that you sent me. That was a really good idea, I wouldn't mind if you found room for some more pudding in the next package. I taught my companion how to contact this week, which is fairly simple, because he understands the doctrine and only needs a little nudge to hasten the work here. Our convert Ceaser is still doing super well, we are going to have a family home brunch with him on Wednesday. We have some more ward members who are willing to join us in our visits- the issue is that we are running out of people who are progressing, and we need to find A LOT of new investigators. We had the chance to contact a few people, but many were references that lived in other parts of Tijuana or when we went to visit them their information was insufficient. The major accomplishment in the work of salvation was we came closer to a finalized ward mission plan for Palmeras, so the elders can return and proselyte there.

I hope you enjoyed UEA weekend, if everyone was healthy. It sounds like nearly everyone was sick, especially Mom. I hope you are all feeling better!

This week was WAY AWESOME for food. First, for lunch on Tuesday the member served us a dessert bowl that included banana, cottage cheese, apple, cinnamon, honey, and jello. The next day the same sister served us a beverage that was a blend of lemon, spinach (spinacha), and strawberry. That day she gave us crepas for dessert. Yesterday after church we had subway, and this afternoon I just ate with the Zone Leaders at a pit barbeque where we ate buffalo burgers! They didn't have any elk meat at the time. Also, this week we have been munching on pomegranate in the apartment. I hope got her fair share of fruit this summer! This upcoming week I would like to find some dead bread to eat.

Exactly how awesome is your new grill, Dad? And how does it go with the Cub scouts? I'll tell you, I am not in the same physical shape as before, and worse that I'm at sea level saying this- just wait until I am back to my mountainous home. The Wilson's project sounded humongous, did you finish it? And I hope you continue to progress in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Mom, How are you doing? If I am right, the first quarter of school is coming to a close. Halloween is nearly here, and many people are thinking about Christmas, even here. We are compiling pictures as a mission and creating a disco of memories to remember our accomplishments this year.

To close, because the computer guy gave me my 2-minute warning, I am grateful for this chance I have to serve my brothers here in Tijuana. I know that Jesus is our perfect example and we can always look to him for strength. I know with a certainty that God loves us, and wishes that everyone of us can take the step to return to him. I have changed so much as a missionary, and I hope everyone who reads this progresses in their personal spiritual journey to the kingdom of our all-powerful Lord. This is my testimony I leave with you this week, and I hope you understand the love I have for each and every one of you.

Sincerely,

Elder Tobler

Trick or Treat

October 13, 2014

Dear Family,

Wow! This week was difficult, but there was so much spiritual progression for me part, the part of my companion, and for our investigators. We invited many to come to church, but only two showed up. Palomas was terribly sick, and she could barely answer the door when we passed by to see her. The members are very supportive, and we have the full confidence of the ward mission leader and the bishop en palmeras, y there are many chances to hasten the work of the Lord here.

This morning was one of the best transfers ever! And I am not saying that because Elder Castellanos se fue, but because so many things happened, and there is nothing to impede the work currently. To explain, my district leader had only one transfer left in his mission and is training a missionary from the Butcher family (who moved into uncle mike’s house, the one that got hit by lightning). I was obvioso that my companion was going to leave, and so when the phone rang we asked first to hear what would happen to me. That’s when I found out the president is making many changes in the mission! Trick or treat! My district leader and Elder Butcher went to Rosario, they put Hermanas en that sector, My companion went to Mexicali (not extremely surprising) and I am left to train a greenhorn and be district leader over the Hermanas. BOO! Well, not exactly what I expected but it’ll be good

This morning after my companion left at 6 this morning, I spent half the day with a member. He looks like Jesse, he served in the same mission as Alex Baggaley, and our minds are completemente en spanglish, or cebras segun Lubbick, Texas. We went to eat an awesome Mexican breakfast in the Pancake Place en centro, washed and cleaned, and chilled as he shared some sweet experiences from his mission.  Unlike Jesse, he drives a little better and has never been hunting- although he does want to go sometime. 

When does Jayne come home exactly?

Elder Rauiz is the name of my new companion, and he is Chilango! Only by pure definition, someone who lives in the Mexican Federal District, but his family is actually from outside the district. So far there is nothing extreme or obnoxious about him like the rest of the Chilangos that I’ve heard of, but these next 3 months will be fun!

I love you all, and I hope every one of you enjoys this week! I know that God loves us, and that through his son we can be made perfect. We must always endure, persevering forward to our goal- to live with him someday. I trust in the plan God has for us, and hope to serve my brethren honorably. 

Sincerely,

Elder Tobler