Thursday, December 8, 2016

#LIGHTtheWORLD

As an update, I celebrated Thanksgiving 7 times. Only 3 of them were on Thanksgiving day. 2 of them included serving the homeless/elderly. 

The day after Thanksgiving, we started handing out the next #LIGHTtheWORLD Christmas pass-a-long cards. I preferred Restoration tracting because it is a lot easier to get into their doors. But there has been some success with the cards. We went to a grocery store in Hammond while we were going down to the church with all the other missionaries in the district, and we ran into Elder Moody(one of the senior couples) as he was on his way out. We grabbed the forgotten ingredient for making pizza, and then we went to check out. While we were checking out, the cashier asked us if we were Mormons, and then proceeded to show us the #LIGHTtheWORLD card that was given to him only a few minutes prior from Elder Moody. The Cashier said that he will definitely watch it now :) It's one of those just really funny things that motivates me. A few months ago, I gave out a Restoration pamphlet to a guy at Walmart names Amos and told him that there was a scripture in there that was from the book of Amos. We talked to him a few times after that. 

Shout out to Sister Scott for placing a Spanish #ILUMINAelMUNDO card to a spanish woman in Independence. 

It has been raining the past few days, and people think that we are crazy for tracting out in this weather. 

Also, my camera just died so, next week, there will be pictures! 

Also, if you are going to my Mom's wedding, I will be skyping in, so feel free to say Hi!

Love Y'all!
Sister Toomey


Tuesday, November 22, 2016

2 Investigators

This has been a great week! We have been focusing more accomplishing our weekly goals and making them happen. On during Saturday's daily planning session, we realized that we had not found a single new investigator all week. So we were determined to find the 2 that we had set as a goal. So on Sunday, after church, we were going to find an investigator who had moved, but he only gave us a bad description of where he was moving too. So, we park our car in an empty parking lot in the middle of the hood, and as soon as we got out, this guy comes out of his house and yells, "Are you a Jehovah Witness?" Sister Scott yelled, "No" and tried to walk away, but I know that when people ask us that, it always end up with us either teaching them a lesson, or at least us giving them a pamphlet or Book of Mormon. So, we walked over there and told them that we were with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and were NOT Jehovah Witnesses. Then there was this drunk neighbor who came out and sat on the bed of his truck and talked to us (he ended up being the cousin of the investigator we were looking for) and then there was a mini van full of other neighbors and as soon as we talked about prophets, a woman from the van tried to anti us and it was weird. But, we did get to talk to A and made a return appointment. He seems like a nice humble guy who really wants to learn. 

As for the 2nd investigator, we went tracting down an inspired street, and at first it looked like it was probably a short street full of abandoned houses, but as we got past the curve in the street, we found another 2 houses, and meet R. At first he thought that we were crazy for going all the way down his street and made comments on how white we are. But, we did talk about the gospel and got a return appointment. So, that was exciting!

We got in contact with a less-active member of the church, and she invited us to help out with a new charity that she started. So on Friday, we spend a few hours feeding the homeless and elderly Thanksgiving dinner. It was great. Since she had so much family, we just greeted people at the door and all of the people were super surprised when we held the door open for them. It was a lot of fun!

Also, my Sister Amanda is coming home this week on Thanksgiving day!! If you see her, give her a BIG hug for me!! There is so much to be thankful for!!! 

I hope that everyone has a great Thanksgiving and eats a lot of delicious food! I love y'all!!

Sister Toomey

Samuel the Lamanite

Mom's note: Sent on 14 November 2016.

Does anyone have any non-typical tracting/finding ideas? Amite is a work in progress. 

I have been thinking a lot about how I can teach the restoration a new way, like Samuel the Lamanite--who is my scripture hero. Samuel was a prophet, and God sent him to a wicked city, was rejected, and while he was on his way home, God commanded him that he should go back and tell them to repent and be baptized. Samuel knew that he could not go back like the 1st time that he was sent. So he found a new way in and climbed up the wall, and taught them the Gospel of Jesus Christ. They threw rocks and arrows at him, but they did not hit him because he was protected by God. Then the people realized that Samuel really was sent from God and they repented and were baptized. Helaman 13-15. He truly is inspiring as a missionary.

Good news: one of our members Sister R is successfully in the middle of the Stop Smoking Workshop. 

Anyways, that basically sums up the week. I hope that you all enjoy this super-dramatic painting of Samuel the Lamanite! 

I love you!!
Sister Toomey
 
I hope that you all enjoy this super-dramatic painting of Samuel the Lamanite! 
 
 

Wednesday, November 9, 2016

Waterfall

Congratulations to my Mommy for now being engaged to Kent!!!! 💍🔔😀 While all this is happening, I'll just stay here in Louisiana in my little branch. 

So funny story, a few days ago, we have been telling M that if he just invited his friends to meet with us, then the false ideas would be cleared up and that they would be able to understand why he is trying not to break the word of wisdom and why he is also trying to keep the 10 commandments. So, his friend C went to his house Sunday morning, and told M that he wanted to go to church with him. So, the joke is now that C took M to church, and everyone was super friendly to him and he really like the fast and testimony meeting. We taught gospel principles...well, that will be another story for when I come home...but anyways, I learned a life lesson at church: If you really love somebody, then you can tell them what you know will be best for them and that they need to pull themselves together because you know that will be thanking you down the road. There is an analogy that my mission president taught us a few weeks ago: Imagine yourself, sitting on the side of a river, dangling your feet in the water, and then you saw someone you love, (i.e. investigator, companion, family, friend...) and they were enjoying themselves in a tube floating down the river, and you saw a big waterfall downstream. Now what do you need to do? Do you not want to tell them because they are happily enjoying themselves on the tube and it might inconvenience them? NO! That is not going to help them. You need to tell them to get out of the dangerous river and then help them to safety. You may think that is it the nice thing to do to just leave them there and not bug them about what is going to come ahead, but really you need to tell them to get out before it's too late. The same thing goes with your friends, or in my case investigators, who are straying from the strait and narrow path that you have showed them, and it is your job to straight up tell them. 

This week have have done a lot of tracting (door approaches) with lots of success. We have been told nearly countless times about how beautiful we are, and it is hard to find people who are really interested in the gospel and committed to learning more, not just learning more about us. So, that is our struggle. 

Also, I will be sending out Christmas cards soon!! So if you want one, then send me your address, and I will get one sent to you! 

I love y'all!! 

Sister Heidi Toomey


I'm a little time crunched right now

Mom's Note: She sent this on 1 Nov 2016.

I'm a little time crunched right now, because we told a member of the church, who hadn't been to church in a very long time, that we would play basketball with her and all of the other missionaries in Hammond. So here is a bunch of pictures with some explanations of what has been happening here in Louisiana:

-The only place that I have seen in America, where the fire danger is low.
-My companion wanted to make cookies, and she blew the outlets in the kitchen with the mixer, so she unplugged it, and went into her clean bathroom and continued mixing. It was also the night of her first hard Louisiana rain storm.
-I saw both of my MTC companions at the Zone meeting and I didn't think that would ever happen it was a 1 in (4x4x4) 64 chance. 
-Also, in our zone, there is are 2 other "To" sisters, Sister Toner and Sister To'o [Too] and I was not going to miss that opportunity to have a picture with some awesome missionaries who have a similar last name to mine. 

This week, we have been chasing people down, only one was literally, and for others, we have been using out missionary skills to the MAX. We have spent a lot of time doing addiction recovery and the stop smoking workshop. We have set goals and have great plans for these people. We went tracting in a trailor park, and we had a lot of lessons within the hour or two that we had there. 

The past few weeks, I have been reading in 3rd Nephi, and wow! It's crazy to see how far some of the people go before they repent, and there is so much gray space, and it always goes downhill from there, then the prophets/missionaries go and call them to repentance, and then they prosper, then...there is this huge pride circle going on, just read the Book of Mormon and you will understand it. But what I wanted to point out, was that even the smallest things, or acts of rebellion, offend God, and if you think that you can repent later, you can, but it is going to be VERY HARD and is not worth it. To quote someone whom I cannot remember, "wickedness never was happiness." 

Anyways, stay on the strait and narrow path! Happy November & I love y'all!!

Sister Toomey

The only place that I have seen in America, where the fire danger is low.

My companion wanted to make cookies, and she blew the outlets in the kitchen with the mixer

I saw both of my MTC companions at the Zone meeting

I saw both of my MTC companions at the Zone meeting

Tuesday, October 25, 2016

Fall Fest

This past week, we have been working hard to keep our investigators progressing. We have been teaching M, and we taught him the Plan of Salvation. We figured that it would be a more spiritual environment to teach him at the church, so we drove our car to his house. Parked it. Then walked to the church with him. We carried our little 2x3' white board and drew on it like a time line. It helped him to really understand it. Now we just need to figure out how to use the white board for the Addiction Recovery Program. He also came to church for the 4th time! We still have a ways to go, but I am really excited to be apart of it! I hope that I don't  get transferred next week. Also, I wont be emailing until Tuesday

Yesterday, was the annual Primary Program, and we had 63 people at church!!!!!! The branch almost doubled! and we had to bless the sacrament twice to give it to everyone. It was the best problem ever! One of the members, brought their non-member niece with them, and even though she didn't even know any of the songs, she still joined all of the little kids on the stand and sung with them. They had poser-board with the words written on it for the kids :) I love those good-ole days 💘

On Saturday, we had  the branch's annual Fall Fest consisting of a hog roast cajan style, a hay ride pulled by a tractor, gumbo, lots of other southern food, and games, and we had investigators come with their friends, and it was awesome! 

And now, I am sitting in Southeaster University's Library with my district emailing y'all. 

This past week, has just been great! and I hope that everyone has a Happy Halloween! also, know that missionaries are not allowed to go tracting on Halloween night. There have been people who dress up as missionaries and rob people. So know, that it is not them. 

Two days ago, it dropped from the 90's to the 60's and I am freezing! The humidity really does make things cold! I will miss the heat. Luckily, I get to stay out for 2 summers and only 1 winter!! I hope that everyone stays safe this week!

Love you! 

Sister Toomey

Tuesday, October 18, 2016

Godly Qualities

Hello Everyone!

This week, we have had a lot of progressing investigators, which is VERY exciting!! We had 2 investigators come to church this week!! 1 of them wasn't at the church when we first got there, so we walked to his house, and told him to do it for the Lord and we came back feeling somewhat accomplished, but still a little sad, and he told us that he might come later. I don't like maybes. You are either there or you aren't. There is literally no inbetween when it comes to church attendance. So, Sacrament ended, then we went on to teach Gospel Principles (Sunday School) and he still wasn't there. Then we got a text from Elder Moody, who was on his way out to another branch, also stopped at his house unplanned, told him to go to church, and lo and behold, he came to church in the middle of Gospel Principles, and it was so exciting! He also stayed for Priesthood meeting! 

Also, this week, my companion has been sick, so for the past few days, we have been going out is to see people with appointments. Also,  because I refuse to sit around and do nothing, I have been reading old Ensigns (church magazines/we have a stack about a cubit(18") high). I read Our Search for Happiness by M. Russel Ballard and he said that God wants us to develop every godly quality. That hit me. Every. Godly. Quality. I did not know that was a thing. But it makes a lot of sense of why our loving Heavenly Father even put us here on this earth. Without being here on the earth, then we could had never progressed, and become the person who we originally wanted to be like, God. And while we are here on this earth, we need to get ourselves together and with God's help, then we can have every, godly, quality. So, I have taken this opportune moment, to figure out what God wants me to do by praying, pondering, and reading my Patriarchal blessing. It's really nice not having any distractions, and thus far, it looks like I am outlining a research paper. 

I love everyone of you!
Sister Toomey


This was definately one of the most sketchy Bible refferals that I have ever gotten in my life. Nobody was there.

Thursday, October 13, 2016

The Family Proclamation

So, we had 2 investigators T and A, who were taught by the previous Elders about 3 months ago, get legally MARRIED a few days ago! It was the best. There was miscommunication/direction, and we were not able to find the Baptist Church where it was held, but I am so glad that they took that step. Together they have 5 of  the cutest and nicest kids ever! Hours before the ceremony, we went over with Elder Moody, who is also a Sealer and gave they marriage advice and council. Since I didn't really have anything, Elder Moody and I both brought the Family Proclaimation to the World unplanned and we went over a few parts of it:

WE, THE FIRST PRESIDENCY and the Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, solemnly proclaim that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children.
ALL HUMAN BEINGS—male and female—are created in the image of God. Each is a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents, and, as such, each has a divine nature and destiny. Gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose.
IN THE PREMORTAL REALM, spirit sons and daughters knew and worshipped God as their Eternal Father and accepted His plan by which His children could obtain a physical body and gain earthly experience to progress toward perfection and ultimately realize their divine destiny as heirs of eternal life. The divine plan of happiness enables family relationships to be perpetuated beyond the grave. Sacred ordinances and covenants available in holy temples make it possible for individuals to return to the presence of God and for families to be united eternally.
THE FIRST COMMANDMENT that God gave to Adam and Eve pertained to their potential for parenthood as husband and wife. We declare that God’s commandment for His children to multiply and replenish the earth remains in force. We further declare that God has commanded that the sacred powers of procreation are to be employed only between man and woman, lawfully wedded as husband and wife.
WE DECLARE the means by which mortal life is created to be divinely appointed. We affirm the sanctity of life and of its importance in God’s eternal plan.
HUSBAND AND WIFE have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children. “Children are an heritage of the Lord” (Psalm 127:3). Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, and to teach them to love and serve one another, observe the commandments of God, and be law-abiding citizens wherever they live. Husbands and wives—mothers and fathers—will be held accountable before God for the discharge of these obligations.
THE FAMILY is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity. Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities. By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners. Disability, death, or other circumstances may necessitate individual adaptation. Extended families should lend support when needed.
WE WARN that individuals who violate covenants of chastity, who abuse spouse or offspring, or who fail to fulfill family responsibilities will one day stand accountable before God. Further, we warn that the disintegration of the family will bring upon individuals, communities, and nations the calamities foretold by ancient and modern prophets.
WE CALL UPON responsible citizens and officers of government everywhere to promote those measures designed to maintain and strengthen the family as the fundamental unit of society.
I want to challenge all y'all to print it out (you can use the link  above to get a nice format) and hang it somewhere where your family can easily read it often/a high traffic area in your home because I know that it will bless your lives even more than you can imagine. I had it on my fridge when I was in college, and I would read it when I wasn't studying my books. And at my Mom's house, it was hanging up at the bottom of the stairs. In my current apartment, they are just kind of hanging up everywhere, including the bathroom. It was the best. 
A lot of extremely awesome things happened  this week including M! He came to church this sunday and everyone absolutly loved him! I am so excited, we are going to  start the 12-step addiction recovery program with him. The link to a website is below. I heard that the key is to write out all of the answers to the questions on their own. 
I feel so blessed to be here right now! Y'all take care! I love you!
Sister Toomey
 
an out door baptismal font at one of many Baptist Churchs

We found a target while we were with other sisters and we were a little excited about the costumes! Comp Unity!

These are some awesome members in our branch, and we spent most of a day finding members in her quadrant of the branch! Shout-out to her cute boys to being so great! I also had the best shrimp/chinese food of my life with them this week!
 

Wednesday, October 5, 2016

General Conference

Hello! This week we have gotten a lot of Bible referrals from https://www.mormon.org/ and if you want one, please click on the little links at the bottom. You can even get a Book of Mormon and missionaries if you request 😀 and someone like me, will come to your door and personally give it to you. This week, wow. I now have some very interesting stories from some of those referrals that I will share when I come home. 

General Conference was awesome!! Sister Scott and I went to a different place for every session! First, we went to an older lady/members house, and she fed us a delicous lunch. She had enough food for 2 elders and it was great. Then we taught the Restoration to a member who goes to another branch's house's best friend's daughter. And it was awesome and Sister Scott lead it. Then we watched the next session at the member's home, so basically we stayed right where we were, but the member's best friend's daughter has to leave, and we watched general conference with lots of other family and friends coming and going and coming again, and it was pretty cool for them to hear a few words of the modern day prophets. Then the next day, our morning conference plans fell through, so we went down to the Hammond Stake center and watched conference with other missionaries in the area and it was pretty sweet. The members there hooked them up with lots of food, and it was delicious. Then we went over to another member's home, and had spaghetti made by a real italian. 

But I just loved to hear the words of the modern-day prophet, and I am so grateful to have one to listen to along with the apostles. I can testify to you that they know what is coming, and I know that they are there to help guide us back to our Heavenly Father. I noticed that they spoke a lot a about the Plan of Salvation, the restoration of the gospel, the gospel of Jesus Christ, and other laws and ordinances of the gospel. I think that they talked about just about everything that we, as missionaries talk about. If I had a investigator record sheet, I probably could had checked just about everything off of it. And you know what? Those basics of the gospel are important. I know that there is a reason why they were talked about because they need to often be re-emphesized to remind everyone of what is important, so that we can build up our faith in Jesus Christ. 

Sister Toomey

Tuesday, September 27, 2016

Amite

In case you were wondering, it is pronounced [a-MEET] and it is in the Denham Springs zone and my area is about 40x40 miles. Luckily, most of this area was not badly affected. Doubling in is super weird. The previous elders did not keep the best of records, so we are nearly starting from the ground up. So, we have been tracting a lot. Usually I do not tract for more than an hour a day, but we have no choice, but luckily it's a lot easier to tell whether or not they actually are interested, so spend our time with those who are ready. I love how straight forward the people are here. Since the culture is so different from Luling, I feel like I am in another mission, but with the same mission president. 

Training a new missionary is pretty fun! Sister Scott is pretty cool, she is from California. Everyone was surprised when we, the sisters took over the area. To quote a member, "you don't sounds like the elders." I can't help but laugh, because I find these members it to be absolutely hilarious. One of the very first people who we called was the branch president, and he said that the Relief Society would be very happy to hear that we were here, and it's true, everyone one of them was thrilled! 

This weekend on Saturday and Sunday will be General Conference, which is where the Prophet and his Apostles talk to everyone of us here on this earth. I have found a lot of answers to my questions during these conferences, and I can promise you that if you have a noteworthy question, that it will be answered if you really listen, especially to the Spirit. 

Pictured below:
Sister Scott's first day in the field. Notice in the background, is a gigantic map, printed out on small pieces of paper and then tacked to a wall, made by a previous elder in our living room. Our apartment has a lot of random fun things in it :) 
Sister Toomey
Sister Scott's first day in the field.

Thursday, September 22, 2016

Take Me To Church!

So, I just found out that I am going to be transferred after nearly 6 months in Luling. Where I am going, to quote Moroni, "I know not," but I do know that I am going to be training a new missionary, and I am going to an area, that has only had Elders in the past, and the Branch President has been asking for Sisters, so we will be "doubling in" and opening up the sisters area. Idk how much this will be from scratch, but I am absolutely thrilled and I feel honored to do this!! and tomorrow, I will be going to Baton Rouge to get my new companion!! Now I can finally see what all the Baton Rouge chaos has been about. 

I seriously love these people, and I am going to miss them, but the Lord wants me in other places, sobeit. 

This week, we gave out a lot more Book of Mormons than usual. We took out out Branch Missionary, but the appointment fell through, so we went tracting at this apartment complex in Bridge City, because it was the only thing that popped into my head of where to go with Branch Missionary, and I knew that we would for sure have at least one or more lessons. We ended up teaching 3 lessons within the hour we had with Him, and these people seem rather promising. I'm glad that he now likes tracting :) (he is planning on serving a mission in the near future). One of the people that we taught was from Porto Rico, and luckily he knew English, and I happened to know the details of the nearby spanish ward. Many of the people that we talk to, just go the the local church, and they just go to which ever preacher they like the most. 

Here is an awesome video, especially loved by recent convert, A:

Also, something I just remembered: Sister Bell and I were teaching at the English and Spanish zone conference in New Orleans, and we talked about inviting people to church. I have come to the conclusion, that people are mostly like to come to church, if a member extends the commitment, because they are always going to be there, and will have that automatic friendship. So what you can do, is invite all of your friends to church. You will never know if they are interested unless you ask them. I can't tell you how many people who I have run into, and they are surrounded by members of other various churches, and they are looking for a new church, but no one ever invites them. Feel free to email me how it goes :) 

I love y'all and take care! 

Sister Toomey

Tuesday, September 13, 2016

CPR

Sister Bell taught me this new saying that she had learned in the MTC:

Church
Pray
Read the Scriptures

and these are the key ways to not only save your life, but to save your soul. SOS! I have noticed that the moment that anyone stops doing any one of these things, is the very moment that they go inactive =>never stop! 

Life is exciting, and our investigators thrill me to the very being of my soul. I love these people! 

We have been continuing 'to weed out' our "Potential Investigators" and I have been praying that it will be very easy for me to tell whether or not so and so is ready and interested; and it really has been working. 

Also, something just popped into my head concerning goals: "I am so thoroughly convinced that if we don't set goals in our life and learn how to master the techniques of living to reach our goals, we can reach a ripe old age and look back on our life only to see that we reached but a small part of our full potential. When one learns to master the principles of setting a goal, he will then be able to make a great difference in the results he attains in this life." -Elder M. Russell Ballard 1981 (or PMG pg. 146). I know that if we make goals that can be measured, then these goals can achieved, especially if we allow the Lord to head it, and make the Holy Ghost the "senior companion."  There is literally no one else who I would rather have to head it. 

I hope that y'all have had just as awesome of a week!
Love ya!
Sister Toomey 
The District. Being an English-speaking Sister Missionary is very rare in New Orleans.

The District after playing "Signs" and each missionary signaling their 'sign'
 

Wednesday, September 7, 2016

Alma 34

So, a few weeks ago, I was a little sad because we had absolutely no one with a baptismal date. So, in week and a half, Sister Bell and I committed 7 people to be baptized with a date. We have also been better at extending the baptismal commitment on the 1st or 2nd lesson, which we haven't been very persistent in the past. We have also been sorting through the 30-40 potential investigators that we found about 3 weeks ago. 

Also, I drank soda for the first time in nearly 6 monthes (before the MTC). I introduced Sister Bell to the World Market store across the Mississippi river, and she stocked up on Japanese soda (the kind with the marble) and she gave me a sip, and it hit me that it was soda (it looked like juice). 

The 3 people who were baptized in July, are still active in the church. ST, who hit her baptism year mark about a week ago, has been preparing to go to the temple, and luckily the temple is open again.

update on flood clean up:

Alma 34. Learn it. Love it. Pray about it. Apply it to your life. It hits on a lot of gospel principles. 

Love ya'll!
Sister Toomey


Monday, August 29, 2016

Sundays over Sundaes

One thing that I love about Sunday, is that it is the one day that has been set apart by Jesus Christ to literally spend the entire time thinking about Him, and going to church, and resting (unless you are a missionary haha then it probably still your favorite day). But, there is one question that may have arised and that may be, 'how can I keep the Sabbath day holy?' I know that Sunday is the Lord's day, and that we should be willing to do everything that He wants us to do. Of course it is going to take a great sacrifice, but it will always be worth it. I've heard this quote from somewhere that say something like, "you have to open some doors to let something's out, to let in the blessing of heaven." I know, I totally just butchered it :) but, the important thing is that if you put the Lord first, then everything will fall into place, the moment you don't put him first, and you tell God what to do, is when your life all falls apart, because He has already told you what needs to be done, and it is your duty to follow through and do it. Here below are some awesome ideas to do on Sunday. I really like #25-doing a talent show for the elderly, is seriously really fun to do. I remember doing this with my family when I was little, and they absoluatly love it (it was treated as more of a FHE). I also love #16, #34, #35, #2, #17, #23, and literally all of them 😸



I hope that y'all have a wonderful week! I love you!

Sister Toomey

Sunday, August 28, 2016

The Rains Came Down, and the Floods Came Up

sent on 15 Aug 2016.

Hey Y'all! Y'all have probably already heard about the major flooding going on. But luckily, my area is safe. It has been raining daily for weeks. But a few days ago, while Sister Bell and I were weekly planning, it started raining a lot more than it does normally. I heard that we got about 9" of rain just in that one day, but luckily, our parish (county) has good drainage systems, and the neighborhoods are spread out enough to have swamps in between which also suck up the water. I have heard of Elders and Sisters saving lives. Luckily, we are all safe, so no worries :) 

Lately I have been really focusing on reading the Book of Mormon, the New Testament and Isaiah. There are so many "nuggets" of golden knowledge in these books. Like wow. I have been trying to pick out the parts that will be useful for teaching. and Wow, they are literally everywhere, especially in the book of Mosiah. I also love reading about how Alma and Amulek begun their missionary work (Alma 11).

School started in the parishes down here, and sometimes when we go tracting, people think that we are teachers hahaha. We are not exactly the teachers they think we are. We teach the doctrine and principles of Jesus Christ, and the math we teach is for tithing, finding 10% of your income + all of your heart to show your love for Christ and to build up his kingdom. "We are the only tools that the God has to work with," -Brigham Young. 

Have a blessed day and be safe!

Sister Toomey

Thursday, August 11, 2016

Even-Kelled

Hey Y'all!! Every week, we have this thing called missionary coordination, which is a meeting with us, the branch mission leaders, and the other elders in our branch. This week, we talked about having temperance, and how we need to be even-keeled. To be even-keeled on a boat, means that it is balanced, unless everyone and everything go to one side of it, then it will flip over and bang, everything is in the water, and you boat is flipped over. I think that we could all be more even-keeled and temperant. Read this beautiful talk by Elder Watson:


I am staying here in Lulling for a 4th transfer now. I was warned by many branch members that people who start off their missions in Lulling, tend to stay there for a while, so it's not really a surprise that I am still here.

So far, we have been teaching a lot more than just the normal missionary lessons, we have been teaching ARP (Addiction Recovery Program) and newly as of this week, we have been helping someone try to get the Pathway program here in Louisiana. We are also trying to start teaching the Stop-Smoking Workshop. Most non-members here smoke, and they know it is bad for them, and they want to stop, they just haven't had that push to stop.  

While we were in Killona, we were about to teach H, but she had to let her dog out for a minute, so we went with her, and while we were outside, this guy comes sprinting down the street, and at first we thought that he was trying to talk to H, but he was coming for us, and he told us, "give me something to read, give me somethin' to read" and he thought that we were the Jehovah Witnesses, and we made it clear that we were Mormons, and he still wanted something to read, so of course we gave him something to read. We didn't have a Book for Mormon on us, so we gave him a Restoration and Gospel of Jesus Christ Pamphlet, and we got his name and address so we can go back and teach him. It was AWESOME!

Also, while we were in the same town, we tracted into someone, who already knew a member, and she let us right in, we taught from the Book of Mormon, and her grand-daughter, referred us to her other grandmother. We are really excited to see where this all goes :)

LOVE YOU!

Sister Toomey


Wednesday, August 3, 2016

Just a great week

Our church building has turned into a Pokémon hot-spot, which I find absolutely hilarious! We need to set up a table with Restoration pamphlets or something inviting them in to the church for our Sunday services. I keep hearing stories of people going to church historical sites to find Pokémon. The plus that I see to this, is that more people are getting out of their house and going out into the public, to where we can meet them, and teach them about the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.

We have run into at least 2 people that have said that they were praying for answers to their religious questions, and then we popped up! I feel like this has happened a lot. We run into people who God has prepared, and it is their decision to know whether or not what we teach is true. Also, of the many people that we run into, many of them ask us if their baptism, usually into a Baptist church is valid, especially after we teach them about having the power of God, also known as the Priesthood. It breaks my heart to respond, but I cannot beat around the bush, especially when it is so important to understand that we need to be baptized with the priesthood, power from God for it to be valid. But, those people were acting on the knowledge that they knew at the time, and we can only add to it. I know that the Book of Mormon, clarifies doctrine in the Bible (there cannot be so many different teachings one book).

Anyways, next week is "miracle Monday" where we proselyte on Monday, and P-day is on Tuesday, when we will find out whether or not we are being tranfered.

The Church is true!! I love you guys!!
Sister Toomey

2016Aug1- Sister Bell & I

2016Aug1- eating crepes

Wednesday, July 27, 2016

The Promised Land

We had another 2 baptisms and confirmations!!! Congratulations to F and O!!! Their baptismal service and confirmation blessings were both beautiful!
After church on Sunday, Sister Bell and I went to untouched territory, meaning that Mormon Missionaries haven't ever been there, or at least in the past few decades, but probably not, to a small town called Killona, which is on the edge of our area boundaries. We went there originally because someone went on Mormon.org and requested missionaries, and even though we were not able to teach those who requested us, we were able to get 14 new investigators within a few short hours. I am still shocked and in the 'what just happened' zone, so I would like to thank the Spirit for helping prepare the many people we have been teaching and have just recently found. I am still convinced that this is the promised land.
I went on splits with one of the Spanish sister training leaders in Kenner, and I ate so. much. Hispanic. food. I thought my stomach was going to explode quite literally and from deliciousness while we were on our 2nd lunch.

I have decided to dedicate Sundays /or/ P-days to studying Isaiah, and I feel like really studying it, and applying it to my life is enriching it, even if you are not a missionary, you can still apply these principle to your life.  

I lauve y'all!

Sister Toomey

2016Jul23- Luling Baptism



Wednesday, July 20, 2016

The Harvest

Hey-O! It's Sister Toomey-O! This week has been pretty exciting, we have had to our senses, and have had to drop some people because they have not been progressing. At all. And because our time is limited and precious, we are suppose to find those who are ready to be taught. We are not suppose to make people ready, the Lord does that through the Holy Ghost in His own time.  So, we have had to move on, and try to find people who are ready. This week alone, we have found 9 new investigators, and we will see where everyone goes, and if they really are ready to change their life to become closer to God. It's not easy, and it's not always fun, but it sure is worth every moment of it. I know that the Lord, is the Lord of the Harvest, and the only people that He has to work with, is us. That also brings me to another thought, if you see a need, or if you feel prompted to do something, do it as soon as you possibly can. If you put it off, then you could miss the boat, and once it sails away, it may not ever return, or at least for a very long time. Catching the spiritual boat, is like eating, you don't want to put it off, and if you do put it off, then you may be hungry for a very long time before the boat comes back, if it does. Who would want to be hungry, or why would anyone want to be spiritually hungry?

Remember the Pagan I was talking about last week, for this email/blog post I will call him D, and D came to church yesterday, which is a totally Hallelujah moment. We have taught him the Plan of Salvation, and the restoration, over the course of multiple lessons of course. I think that he will keep progressing, and I am really excited to see where He goes.

For the most beautiful crepes I've ever had, just make the crepe (1 c flour, 1 c milk, 2 eggs, 2tbs melted butter, whisked together, then spray a pan with cooking spray, and cook for 1 minute, then flip it over and cook it for 10 seconds or whatever recipe you want), then flip it over again and half-way melt shredded mozzarella cheese on it, then sprinkle on some pesto with a spoon, then let it melt a little more more, then put on baby spinach, then fold it in half, and eat it like an ice cream cone, or it it's too messy, then with a fork on a plate. I almost live for these things.

I hope y'all have a blessed week!

Sister Toomey

The Refiner's Fire

sent 11 July 2016.

I have now realized that the mission, now refines you in ways that you didn't even know that you needed to be helped with, or were even a thing, or even possible. I have found that sometimes, the only way to do things, is to turn to the Lord, because He is the only one who can fully help you. The atonement makes that possible for not only me, but everyone else. 

Sister Bell and I are still working on our many investigators, including Recent Converts and Less Actives to build up this small and strong branch of Zion. Note that I am matching one of the members, who is about to move to Utah, so if you see her, know that I know her and she is pretty awesome! 

I have never had so many appointments in my life, especially in the past few weeks. I have been trying to meet with our investigators more frequently through out the week, and we have had almost no time to tract. i absolutely love tracting. i think that it is so much fun!! Anyone who knows me know that I love to meet new people, even if they do not accept the restored gospel of Jesus Christ, I still love them. 

We started to teach a Pagan who we found on an inspired street. Paganism is especially different in the south, because it seems like everyone here strongly believed in Jesus Christ. 

I have also learned, that I actually do like shrimp, which I did not like before, at least if it was cooked in yellow eggplant, then it is actually quite delicious, thank you to Sister LH! 

With all of the crazinness going around Lousisana, we have to in our appartments by dark, unless we are in a safe area..., which luckily we have a car, so we can be out a little later than the biking elders. 

Hope y'all are having a blessed day!
Sister Toomey



2016Jul10