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!

 

 

 

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

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

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.

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.

https://www.lds.org/topics/family-proclamation?lang=eng

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. 

https://addictionrecovery.lds.org/?lang=eng

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!