FELIZ AÑO NUEVO!

Dear Family,

January 1, 2015

This week we had an awesome time! We enjoyed navidad and today we organized another game of soccer, this time with the Zone leaders. The sisters in my zone had one baptism and two confirmaciones, and it looks like these wards are finally going to have a baptism! We have two baptisms that are extremely sure in January, and we are filling up February rapidly. We saw Ceaser Valdez twice this week, and although he hasn't been able to make it to church His family is still doing very well, and enjoying the holidays. They have plans to be sealed in the Salt Lake Temple, and I offered them a room. I want to everything I can this week so that this holiday time they can go to church again.

The only downside- I don't know if I’ll be here to see all of this success. Translados are Monday, and odds are good that I'll be changed to another area. We had a hope that they would open Palmeras in order to ease the workload to something normal (if that even exists in the Service of the Lord), maybe spilling me and my trainee up to show the new companions the sector. They issue is that they are minimizing the number of missionaries in the mission to only about 200, and with two wards that don't take up a bunch of land and the minimal progressive results in the Work, it may be a long time before they re-open Palmeras. So, in short, odds are good that my newly trained son will stay here enjoying success in a tough part of the mission.

As for food, the only thing special about it was that there was A LOT!

We have found some really cool people to teach ultimately, and they appear to be receptive to our message.

I love this Fully Dedicated service to the Lord, and I am Grateful for the pains, the tiring days, and the heartache that passes in Mission Life. It gives me more joy only thinking in the success one could obtain, and the glory a soul can receive as they make their first covenant with our Heavenly Father. I know that he loves each and every one of us, and has given us this life to learn, experience, and prepare. I know that this is a real physical work that can bring families and influence the salvation of many Children of God. I hope that all is well at home, and I will write on Monday I believe.

Sincerely,

Elder Tobler

Navidad en México

December 22, 2014

Dear Family,

Well, this week went so much better! We found so many new people to teach, and no our days are filling up with work. I am enjoying the Holiday Spirit, after a few tough weeks when my companion and I felt really low, we are extremely grateful to have the Spirit of the Lord guiding us as we put forth our efforts to serve Him.

Well, it has rained a couple times here, and after a dry year for this region of the world, it is good to have precipitation. I would like to snow in Utah as well, but more snow always falls in January. I have had no problem staying warm, a few members gave me some more socks.

Great! Kenzie is working and earning money! With the college life let's see how long she can keep it. Livi, well we all know that she is a whirlwind child, and the holiday time with a school break doesn't help one bit. I'll see how Cami is doing on Wednesday.

I Love this time I have dedicated to our Lord. I know that is a true and real work. I am grateful for the little miracles and whispers that constantly teach us to choose and do the right, and I know that this year we can feel of the Love of God even greater in our homes if we accept His Gift. I know that this church is true and was restored through the Prophet Joseph Smith, and that our Savior Jesus Christ Lives, and I hope to enter into His mansions above. 

Feliz Navidad! I love you!

Elder Tobler

Calcetines

December 15, 2014

Dear Family,

Quickly I want to let you know that This week as extremely tough as a missionary, but the spirit of Christmas has definitely come to México, even though it doesn´t even think about snowing here. We had a multi-zone training meeting followed by a Christmas dinner and activities. It has been he only gay we have enjoyed ourselves as a mission like his, and I AM EXTREMELY GRATEFUL FOR THE LOVE MY LEADERS HAVE FOR ME. Tell me what your plans are for Christmas, so that we can coordinate with the families well with the phone call and the various meals that they will undoubtedly give us. I have received a card from the Beverly’s this week, and I am filling up the tree even more, it is a wonderful idea! I will send you a photo of the tree after Christmas. I am dry, they say I’m healthy, and I am actually skinning up, which is the reverse of what happens around December. Good this it’s almost Christmas, right? Remember to Share the Gift! Through Christ we can be redeemed for our sins. I know that he has risen, and that we can appreciate His atoning sacrifice this winter and put emphasis in life and in the life we can have thanks to him. I love you all, and I am grateful for all of your thoughts and prayers.

Sincerely,

Elder Tobler

No sé que debo poner como titulo este semana...

December 8, 2014

Dear Family,

Well, this week went well. There was a ward baptism on Monday, my district just about abandoned me due to their responsibilities as sister training leader and Zone leaders, my companion is on the brink of revolt if we don’t baptize someone soon, and the few investigators we still have are battling with the Word of Wisdom. It is awesome to say that we are well into December, and this week we have a president’s training meeting and a zone meeting. This should be awesome!

As for food, I found sweet potatoes in México! This ward feeds us well, there is no problem about staying nourished physically here.

Do not worry about the gifts distracting me- you could have sent me a real Christmas tree if you wanted :P I thought it was really great. I also thought this would've been my first year where I could eat all my Halloween candy before Christmas came. I was wrong. I am going to finish off the candy corn tonight, I think. There has not been problems with the packages yet- If there is one, I am positive you will hear about it. Thank you so much for all of the candy and gifts. This week I received my stocking and a package from the Hallorans. If Liz Halloran only knew how many dogs roamed around here in Tijuana, she might just move here! I notified you as soon as I was informed that it could be an issue, and in part that was why the President timed it so perfectly- no enormous packages in size or number for 2015.

Well, imagine walking around in 70 degree weather when everyone is telling you to put on a coat. I have been borrowing my companions sweaters and wearing my long-sleeve shirts just so the members amongst other people don't give me a huge parka. Christmas does not feel the same here, but I imagine that the Cross Country just came back from their Footlocker Mt. Sac trip. Say hi to the coaches if you have the chance. I would ask Cami, but she is almost as awesome as a Jaguar over there in South Jordan. I am glad that the Madrigals passed by once again, that always is really special. Sharing the Gift has helped me feel the Christmas Spirit more and the Christmas devotional the church does was cool to see. 

I am grateful for this great responsibility I have to be a missionary and I am proud to represent Our Lord, who came down in the innocent form of a babe, lying in a manger. I have found great joy raising my voice in testimony to many children of God, so that they too can take part of the saving ordinances that only this church has. I love each and every one of you, and Feliz Navidad de Tijuana a Utah! Reciban un saludo!

Sincerely, Elder Tobler

Hay de todo- Él es la Dádiva

December 1, 2014

Dear family, 

This week, there was a little bit of everything. To begin with, we helped out a family that is troubled with their health, with a son struggling for a job. Because we are working between two wards, we arranged that two young adults who are hiring for their jobs and one is a registered nurse (o algo asi) to support this family better. Well be sticking around this week to see if any problems arise. It is also extremely entertaining to see how my trainee is having new experiences in the mission. We had one with a drunk that meant us no harm but would allow us to leave, we went on divisiones or splits for the first time, and he had his first thanksgiving in México, but without turkey. It is truly an inverted experience, think that one year ago I was finishing my preparation in the CCM of Provo, having passed for experiences similar in my first month in the mission. I have to help out with a baptism of a member today.

Yes, many families here in South San Diego celebrate Thanksgiving, except the ones we visited that day. We were busy trying to keep a few investigators progressing towards their baptisms in December and helping one of them find an apartment. But I have eaten tortillas and Turkey en the same meal before.  We really like pizza and Tortas my companion and I. Yesterday I ate ceviche, but this time it had octopus.

I did get your packages, the one with a Christmas tree and candy, and the package from Grandma y Grandpa Tobler with stickers and socks. Thank you for your love and for sending a piece of Christmas to start the season right. Weirdly I was actually singing Christmas songs before December 1 this year, it must have been a long time since I last had a normal Christmas. 

He is the Gift. Él es la Dádiva. This is our privilege and responsibility to share the Gift this Christmas season with everyone! If we still receive the ENSIGN, there should be nine (9) little cards that will assist you to talk to our friends and associates about the Salvation we can experience thanks to this Gift sent from our Heavenly Father. I invite the four of you in West Jordan (Mom, Dad, Cami, Livi) to hand out four before Sunday, and the other five before Christmas. On Sunday the church has bought the headpage of YouTube in addition to the webpage in order to show this video with the world. christmas.mormon.org and navidad.mormom.org are the select WebPages created by the church.

Did I forget to tell you how many dogs are running loose here? Well, maybe it{s better if I don’t, but I am more familiar with the dogs on the street corners than the few petes the members and investigators own. It is good to here that you had family time, and frankly Dad your school district likes to take it easy, with a lot of vacations, no? It is so nice seeing the Christmas season flourish now that December is here.

I know that this is the true church here on earth, and I know we are all very blessed to remember the birth and the sacrifice of Him who redeemed us all. I am proud to be a representative of the only church fully restored by the hand of God, and I know that Joseph Smith was selected to be the means to end a dark time of apostasia. I do know with a certainty that the Book of Mormon is the convincing evidence of this, and we all have the opportunity to read its words, comprehend its doctrine, and feel the Spirit of God as we continue persevering to the end. I love this privilege I have been given to expand His kingdom here on earth, and to serve the Lord very personally and very profoundly.

Sincerely,

Elder Tobler

Hambre? jajaja [Hunger? lol]

November 24, 2014

Hambre? jajaja [Hunger? lol]

Hay vamos, mejorando

November 24, 2014

Dear Family,

The Elders of Palmeras didn't come! Which means that my trainee and I will continue to work between two wards. We are doing pretty well, Elder Ruiz is very excited to be fully capacitated to be autosuficient as a missionary. The President talked on this theme about a week and a half ago, how it is up to oneself, the responsibility to depend on no one or to blame others when something unexpected comes along the way. We embarked on one of our great many journeys to find the 'lost members', with a few results. Many are in poor conditions, and in two of the smallest wards in the mission there are A TON of less active church members.  We are working with a few of the families, one in particular that has several living in the house that are not members of the church. We also worked a lot with the members of Palmeras this week, but we are still having an unusually high difficulty with our appointments falling through. The sisters in my district are doing well, they have bettered their teaching skills, and now the senior companion is a Sister Training leader for the first time. She has a lot of new questions, and I can answer a few of them.

This week we found an awesome corner restaurant that sells Tortas, but as for food that's it.

We have four investigators who are progressing very well towards their baptism. One is learning how to live on his own and never really agreed to the religious beliefs of his mother. Another is a little crazy, has been here for one year and talks to us in Spanglish. Third, is the best friend of the L'ider misional de Palmeras. And the final one is one of many who are doing everything he can to be reunited with his family in California. All of them have baptismal dates in December and I hope that the find the spiritual experiences that comes in this special time of year.

The Americans and gringos here are having difficulties understanding me... I must need to teach more English to my companion. We had interviews with the mission president, and he told me that I can utilize various options that are available in the zone and gave me many specific tips on how to continue training my companion. The number of incoming missionaries is dropping back to normal, which means there are many parts of the mission that are crossing their fingers, hoping that they can retain the missionaries in their wards. I am actually excited to see what the new Plan de Area por México 2015 will be.

I am so grateful for this privilege and honor I have to serve the Lord here in the City of Tijuana. I know that he is working right beside me, and that at the end of the harvest I will be proud to look at my labors. I know that this is the true church, restored through Jose Smith. I know that we are guided by a living prophet in these latter days, and above all I trust in the Lord Jesus Christ, and I know that I will be resurrected to an incorruptible form in the kingdom of our Father in Heaven. I love this work, and I am grateful to have this chance to raise my voice in testimony for these two years. 

Thank you everyone,

Elder Tobler