January 19, 2015

January 19, 2015

We had a pretty good week this last one! We have been working hard to find lots of new investigators every week in all of my time here in Las Villas, and the work is paying off. Of all of the investigators we have found, 12 went to church yesterday! Another 4 went from Las Villas 2 (the other missionaries), so a giant chunk of the people in church Sunday were non-members! The sad part was that another family of 4 arrived a little late to church, during the sacrament, so they just left to go shopping haha. But we have been finding lots of families recently!

And... Married families too! A couple weeks ago, I talked about the W family (two of them went to church this Sunday). On the same block that they live, we have been teaching 6 other families! It is great, and a lot less wasted energy when you only have to walk to the next house to reach the next appointment. So we are working a lot with the block so that they can all start to go to church together! That is our goal for this Sunday.

We have one investigator, V, who has been excellent. He wasn't able to go to church on Sunday (he has to work), but he has been super receptive to our message. He reads the Book of Mormon and the other things that we give him, and is always excited when we drop by. However, although he is married, he is separating from his wife; they just don't seem to get along after 20 years of being married. They have kids and even a grandchild in the house, so we are trying our best to help them to get back together. So keep V in your prayers!

I know that when we are patient in our trials and problems, and if we keep exercising our faith and persevering, God will help us. We have been patient these past few weeks, and now we are starting to see the miracles in our area. I know that the Gospel of Jesus Christ exists to help us to life happier lives, and I know that the happiness that it provides is real. Have a great week!

Elder Toombs

foto: Zona Soacha!

January 12, 2015 Hi!

January 12, 2015

I have got to be really quick this week!

Last Monday, I decorated my agenda with...the coolest temple in the world! (See Foto)

And, last night, after a pretty long day, my companion was a little tired haha (See other foto)

I have learned a lot this past week. On Tuesday, all of the district leaders were in reunions from 9 in the morning until almost 8 at night; it was a great day, and I am going to be able to apply a lot of the things I learned to my area and my mission.

And yesterday we had two less actives,  and E P (siblings), come to church for the first time in forever! They had a great time. C is a return missionary who has a strong testimony but got lazy, and E has forgotten everything about the church and we have to teach her like to an investigator. But it was fantastic to see them there!

I know that sometimes the mission can be hard, but it is meant to be that way. God wants to see how we react to difficulties and challenges in our lives, and then he helps us. I have started to look at the challenges that I have as opportunities to receive more blessings from God if I do well! And I know he will bless us with miracles here in Las Villas. Have a great week!

Love,

Elder Toombs

Nathan's Agenda

January 5, 2015 Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!

Hi everyone! Feliz Año!

I have to be quick this week. So our work has been improving this past week, now that less people are busy and some are starting to come back from their vacations. However, some of our best investigators are still traveling, but will be getting back this week and the next.

It looks like one of the biggest problems we are facing with our investigators is that...almost nobody is married!!! We have been finding a lot of new families recently, but almost none of them are married. It looks like we will be teaching the Law of Chastity pretty soon.

And... I said Almost none of them are married... because we found one that is! The W family (W... I know, very latino, right?) is a family of 4 that we found this past week. The parents are married, and in the past have searched other churches to find the truth, but haven't found it. Now they will!

I know that there is only one organization with the fulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, with His Priesthood Authority and with all of the steps and ordinances that we need to take and make to reach the Eternal Life. It is an incredible opportunity that I have to be able to share this message with the people here in Colombia, and I will be grateful for the rest of my life for this time I have to dedicate everything to the Lord. I hope you all have an amazing week!

Love,

Elder Toombs