Hello from NYC!

Okay, so I just got here yesterday. Flying was fun, I slept on the plane most of the way. There was 8 of us traveling together and I got to know some awesome people!

The mission home is beautiful. It's in a gorgeous city and it's near where Jay-Z and Beyoncé live. HOLLA! :) Sister Morgan is AMAZING and so is President Morgan. Last night they fed us dinner, you should be getting pictures and a little note soon. They said the best way to send mail is just to the mission home, and then they deliver it once a week. That way I don't have to worry about forwarded mail when I leave... so hopefully ya'll have that.

This morning President interviewed us and told us where we'd be going. Guess what?? I am straight up in the BRONX!! Say what?! Dad, I hate to say I told you so... but... I told you so. :D My companion is Sister White. She is sweet, from Oregon and she was home schooled. Everyone told me that she's an awesome trainer, so we'll see. We had to drag my luggage on to a bus and then up three flights of stairs. We take public transportation EVERYWHERE!

The Bronx is interesting. I'm probably the whitest girl here. No one uses their blinkers and it has a funny smell. I haven't had to use chapstick once today (So weird). My companion put me in charge of the keys... we all know how this is going to end, let's be real. Hopefully I can keep track of them though! I'll be here for 12 weeks, so hopefully I'll get to know some awesome people.

I got the package at the mission home! THANK YOU! Those pre-addressed envelopes are probably the best idea I've ever seen. My fingernails are looking sad and ugly so I'm glad to have something to fix them with :) I can't believe how much it costs to send a package though! Holy cow! I haven't looked at the pictures yet. We had to shove everything from the box into my bags, so hopefully we got everything!

I am so glad to be out of the MTC. The last few days were hard there. I'm glad to be here and to start working. President Morgan talked a lot about expectations, and how sometimes we have higher expectations for ourselves than even the Lord has for us. I think that's why we all struggle so much with insecurities. The scriptures never say that we have to do it all. They do say, however, that we must do all that we CAN. That's why we have the Atonement and Grace. Just think about that, all of you. :)

Next week on P day we get to go to a Yankee's game. Say what? It should be an adventure.. the whole mission is going, so if you see 200+ missionaries on TV, that's me!!

I don't know what else to say. I love you all and I miss you!

Love,
Sister Toone

Week 2

Toone family,
Hello!  I am sending you an email today too.  I thought I'd write you a letter so I can send my SD card home!
Thank you everyone for your letters! Please never hold back details because you think I am too busy.  I LOVE hearing from you and I always make time to read them!  I may not have time to respond to everything but I will try!
Just think. One week from today I WILL be in New York! I've been here one week, and it's been the most intense week of my life.  My first week in New York might also be a little intense so I'll need you all to rally for me then, too.  I know it was all of your letter and prayer that have helped me through.  On Monday I got like 12 Dear Elders!  Hand written letters are awesome too!  I love all of you! 
I know this church is true and I KNOW I need to be here.  I was reading about Samuel the Lamanite in Helaman today.  He wanted to give up and go home, but he didn't. Look at the lives he changed & is STILL changing because he trusted the Lord and used the enabling power of the Atonement to complete the work his Heavenly Father called him to do!
LOVE YOU ALL

Love Sister Toone.

P.S. I totes (totally) found some awesome girls to befriend here.  I'll email you all about it.  Enjoy the pics!

On the way to the temple on P day

 My Companion

 Sister Shelby Boam

 Sister Roe

 Package from HOME

Email home

It's finally P DAY!! my hands are shaking and I am worried that I can't type everything fast enough!! I LOVE ALL OF YOU AND MISS EVERYONE! This past week has been... well.. crazy. SO Crazy even. I love it here, finally. I am working better with my companion. the girls in my group are awesome. I've yet to have a super awesome teaching experience, but I am learning a lot.. Most of all, how to be humble! The temple today was so awesome. I got my flight schedule, one week from today I will be a LEGIT missionary in the fantastic state of NEW YORK!!! I fly out of SLC at 7:15 am on the 28th, then I am in detroit from 12:46-2:15 and then I get to NY at 4:01. So, I know I can call,, just not sure when.

 I got to know a girl in my district that I LOVE and it's been a blessing. I'll talk to you next wednesday! Or in a letter. Or somthing. Just know I am excited out of my mind!
 
One of the coolest experiences I had so far was during a class lesson. Our teacher had us close our eyes and imagine with him. You hear a knock at the door, and you answer it. The Savior is standing there. What does he say to you? What do you say to him? My experience was one so full of love. The Savior hugged me, told me he was proud of me, and encouraged me to continue what I was doing. He also showed me who I had touched by the way I live. It was awesome!! What would your situation look like?
 
We are teaching 2 different people right now. and by teaching I mean preaching the gospel to people that are already members, but whatevs. I told you I haven't had much luck... But I do have a sense of humor about it. One of the ladies is named Sarah. She knows nothing about the church and she almost didn't let us talk to her. My companion and I were pretty nervous, so it started kind of rough. It all went downhill from there. We started word vomitting things to her, my companion brought up the Three Degrees of Glory (this lady has no relationship with Heavenly Father... SHe thinks the idea is creepy) After my comp. brings it up, she get's nervous and can't explain it so she just  turns to me, says "Sister?" And let's me salvage the train wreck that was our lesson. It was awesome.
 
One thing I am learning is the nature of Christ. Even in his darkest hours, he turned outward to heal and to help. This mission isn't about me. Really. It's about the people I met in the Pre-existance that I promised I would help in this life. It's about the people in New York waiting for me... I would encourage all of you to turn outward a little more. Try a little harder to be a little better!
 
I know this is short. Know that I am doing so much better and I am learning lots and that I love you!!!

New York Address

Carlee will be leaving for New York on the 28th. 

Here is her contact information.

New York Here She Comes!

This is Krisan, Carlee's sister.  I am going to be updating you all on Carlee's mission.  The plan is for her to write letters and for me to post them here for you all to see.  You can also leave comments and I will send them to her!

We took a picture of all the girls before Carlee left.

A few of us took the day off to take her to Provo.  We spent some time with her at the Provo temple.

Mom and Dad dropped her at the MTC.  As you can tell, they were a little emotional! 

We are all so proud of Carlee and look forward to hearing from here.  Here is her email and MTC address if any of you want to write to her :)

The address is
Sis Carlee Rose Toone
MTC Mailbox#247
NY-NYCN 0528
2005 N 900 E Provo, UT 84604-1793
carlee.toone@myldsmail.net