Dearly Dearly friends I love,
It’s that time again…my hands are shaky, my heart is pumping, my mind is anxious, my stomach is on needles….TRANSFER TIME!!!! And…I’m leaving my sweet Pella Haven. It has been SUCH a blessing serving in Pella with Sister Dixon and the Edwards! I am going to miss this Knoxville Branch so much! People here are already living the Law of Consecration for their membership. They sacrifice SO much to be a member here. Last night the Edwards threw me a Good-bye Non-Thanksgiving Thanksgiving feast! She knew that I have never had Gluten-free stuffing, pumpkin pie crust, and green bean casserole, so she invited a bunch of people and made it for me. Am I spoiled rotten or what??!! I definitely cried and felt so undeserving of such generosity. I will miss the refiners fire of Pella!!
General Conference this weekend was like Manna to my soul!! So many investigators were supposed to watch it with us, but had last minute things come up…which makes me so frustrated at Satan because they REALLY needed to hear those talks! Sis. Dixon and I made up a joke that you might like: “Why were Captain Moroni’s Generals such powerful and spiritual soldiers?” “Because they attended General Conference!” It’s so bad…but we had to have a good joke for this wonderful event! It was a huge blessing to listen to this conference as a full-time missionary–knowing that the members are just as excited as we are about moving the work of Salvation forward!! We are definitely the most blessed missionaries ever to get to see this huge growth! I know SO MANY people who needed to hear Elder Holland’s talk in particular.
Pella had a race for breast cancer, and since there is a lady in our branch who has breast cancer, we were able to run in it! It was so wonderful to be with another member of our branch to support her. 🙂
We taught the Rasmuss Family again!!! I love that family! There is nothing better than teaching an entire family together. Joe watched “Finding Faith In Christ” and every line was perfect for him. Another highlight was exchanges in Ames! We got to see Iowa State University. We taught a Chinese Man for 45 mins. walking, telling him about the Doctrine of Christ. He was very open with us and he said People who believe in God just Hope for Wishes….because that’s what the Chinese Government has told him his whole life!
Rod was AMAZING this week. We visited him with the Bemis couple on Friday. We made him a promise 3 weeks ago that if He read the Book of Mormon and prayed every day for 2 weeks, Heavenly Father would help him know whether or not He should get baptized. When we went over there, we were a little sceptical because He didn’t read everyday…BUT The Lord STILL answered His prayer of whether or not He should get baptized! Do you know what it was? “You have a brain…use it!” Ha! I love Heavenly Father and how he speaks to His children according to their own language. It’s such a “Rod” answer. 🙂
Anyways!!! I’m super excited to tell you about my new area. I love being a missionary. I would have regretted the decision to stay home for the rest of eternity! The MTC prepared me for this mission, this mission has prepared me how to be a member-missionary, and when I’m a member-missionary helping my friends around me, it’ll prepare me to teach those in the after-life!! So I’ll be getting to be a missionary forever!!!! What a huge blessing that is! I love love love seeing people’s burdens become lighter because their faith in Jesus Christ increases after hearing a message. Love you all so much!! Please remember the counsel of our Dearly Beloved Prophet! Work hand in hand with the missionaries serving around you. Remember–It’s the most clear commandment to Preach the Gospel!! 🙂 🙂 🙂
Loves and HOGS!!
Sister Tobias 🙂