Hello from the iPad!

Well the time has finally arrived! We set up email on our iPads on
Monday. I didn't know that it would be right through the mail ap, so
we set it up and it went straight to my inbox! I saw everyone's
emails, including Billy's announcement! I was so excited. It was SUPER
hard to wait till today to email everyone back, but we made it ;)

We have a baptism this week! It's been weird arranging this one
because in the Bronx the missionaries did EVERYTHING! And here the
ward does pretty much all of it! Angie is so cute and ready to be
baptized. Hopefully her being baptized will be a great example to her
family, especially her mom.

This last week sister Chen and I visited a lot of the sisters in the
ward. So many of them just need someone to talk to. I think I got
myself into trouble with the ward mission leader... His wife was
looking for leather boots so I gave her some shopping tips. Oops! The
pair she wants is only $350 and her husband wants to strangle me I'm
pretty sure.

We also got to spend some time deboning chicken. It was disgusting,
but Sister Font does so much for us! She was letting us have FHE with
an investigator at her house and she made us dinner so it was the
least we could do.

As a district we have been going around and asking people we contact
on the street what they are grateful for. It's interesting to see
their responses. Nine times out of ten they are grateful for their
families... Even if they aren't religious. If only they could see the
impact the gospel can have on their family and all of their
relationships!! I guess that's my job though, huh.

Happy thanksgiving to all of you!! You best enjoy Momma Toones pie for
me :) love you!!

Sister Toone

Hastening the Work!

I can't remember if I told you last Wednesday, but Friday we got iPads! It was pretty crazy. Every missionary gets an iPad assigned to them for the duration of their mission. We have our scriptures, pamphlets, planner and area book on the iPad so we don't have to take bulky bags everywhere! We have the whole gospel library so we have access to all the conference talks and mormon messages! So far it has been super convenient. We are the 9th mission to get them, so there are still a lot of bugs and things that we have to work out. I'm emailing at the library today because they haven't figured out how to let us email from the iPad yet.
Last week was kind of slow work wise because we had so many other things to worry about. This week has been better! Did I tell you that we have a baptism? The first Sunday in December. Her name is Angie and she's SO sweet. She's 8, and her mom isn't a member but she's going to be soon ;)
Yesterday we went to Zuley's house. She's a recent convert of the elders that they asked us to visit. Before we went we felt like we really needed to try and get a member there, even though it was last minute. We called the RS president and she said she could come for a few minutes. We sat down with Zuley and she started crying. Her son's dad had tried to commit suicide while he was watching her son. I'm sure you moms can imagine the stress and anxiety and 'i should have done something' feelings that come with that, but Sister Chen and I cannot. Sister Hearn (The RS pres) was awesome. She told Zuley that she needed a blessing and that she also needed to talk to the bishop. Sister Chen and I did pretty much nothing! I was SO grateful that Sister Hearn was able to come and be there with us! It's crazy how much people trust us as missionaries. Zuley told us that we were the first ones she told about all of this... kind of crazy!
Yesterday we also visited Rose. She's like 80 years old and she's the most stubborn less-active I have ever met! She loves having us come over and talk with her about the gospel. She used to be super active and has been through the temple, but she just stopped coming. She tells us that she's worked it out with God and she just doesn't need to go anymore. She also says that she's too old, her back hurts, etc etc. We offered to have the sacrament come to her and she told us no! What the heck! She told us that she has hope that one day she'll make it back to church. She even told us she'd call us when it happens. She's Puerto Rican... yesterday she handed me her spanish BOM and asked me what a scripture meant... I told her I didn't know spanish and she just laughed at me.
Being a facebook missionary is so interesting. I thought it would help me feel less isolated from everything but it's pretty much the opposite! I see EVERYONE and their dog getting married and moving on with life. (I'm buying a cat as soon as I get home. Don't worry.) I also see people who have changed the course of their lives, usually for the worst. I really appreciate everyone commenting on the things I post. I'm still trying to learn how to not make it so awkward and more conversational... so be patient with me!

Love you all!
-Sister Toone

Transfers!

Good news! Today was transfers and I'm still in Middletown. I'm going to set up camp because I'm pretty sure I'll be here for a while. Sister Chen will probably go back to China Town next transfer and then I'll be here with a new companion for at least 2 more. Anyway....
We found out today that we will be getting Ipads on Friday, so HALLELUJAH!! This is my last time on a crap-tastic library computer. All of our resources will be on the ipad so I don't have to carry my scriptures around anymore either! It will be such an amazing teaching tool... I can't wait!

This week has been really slow, to be honest. We've been struggling with some personal things. Sister Chen had a very close friend and mentor pass away a week or so ago, and it has been really hard to move on and adjust. We've been meeting with the same less actives and investigators... Two of our most stubborn less actives showed up at church! To the primary program! Sister Chen and I had to sit on the stand and help the kids behave during the program. Seriously, primary is THE BEST birth control! I'm so grateful that I'm a missionary when I'm done helping in the primary. I love the kids but jeez, they have SO MUCH ENERGY!
So, Friday is 11.15.13. That means that I left home 6 months ago! Can you believe it? I can't. I can't believe I am 1/3 of the way done with this crazy mission. Part of me keeps waiting for it to 'start'. Today President Morgan talked about the need to be grateful. He said "if you want to view paradise, look around and view it" All too often I find myself wishing away the time, when really I should be enjoying every minute that my Heavenly Father has given me to be here and to serve Him with all of my heart, mind, might and strength. There will ALWAYS be hard times, but remember, we knew that before we came to this earth.... but, we also knew that by coming here we would be able to return to live with our Heavenly Father. Never forget that the hard times better prepare us for Celestial Glory. "Men are that they might have joy" you know. I don't think that Nephi meant that we would only have joy when things weren't hard or when things were going exactly how we wanted them to. I think it's an invitation to find joy, no matter where you are at on this journey. So stop seeking the bad and enjoy more fully the good. Paradise is ALL around us, we just have to open our eyes and view it!

I'm continually reminded how much this life and this mission is not about me. I've learned how to be charitable and patient and kind (Stop shaking your head... I'm serious! ;) ) and the more charitable and patient and kind I am, the more I can feel the influence of the Spirit in my life.
That was a lot of word vomit. hopefully there is something good in there for someone reading this.. if not, just know that I love you all!
-Sister Toone

Transfer Time Again!

Can you believe I've been in Middletown almost 6 weeks?! By next week I could be in another area. (there's about a 9000% chance I won't be, but still)
It has been another adventurous week here in Middletown! I've discovered we are right on the PE and NJ borders, so I'm on the very edge of the mission again.
We went out with a member last week to visit some of her friends who aren't members. We went to one lady's house and were able to talk with her younger sister. She was SO interested in what we do as missionaries. She told us we were very inspiring... she's my age and doesn't really know where she's supposed to be going in life. We are hoping to meet with her again because she has SO much potential! We spent an hour talking to her about Heavenly Father and his plan for each of us... she has so much faith!
This week we also met with a less active named John. He seems like a grouchy old man but he really is a big teddy bear. (sound familiar?) We taught him a lesson and then he walked us out to the car. As I got in the car he said "Be careful!" It sounded just like dad and I couldn't help but respond with a "yessir!" He's been a member for forever and he used to be really active. I can tell he wants to come back but there are a few things that are stopping him. His wife isn't a member and she has some hard feelings towards the church. I can't help but have a huge soft spot for him!
Another one of our less-actives (that's pretty much all we work with.. :) ) makes jewelry! She told me she would help me find a silver spoon to make a ring out of :) She has a desire to come to church, but her husband isn't a big fan. Progress has been pretty slow with her but the other day we walked in and she said "I have something to show you!" She had bought herself a brand new quad so she can bring her scriptures to church and so she can start re-reading the book of Mormon. I was SO excited for her!
This week we were also able to meet with our Bishop's daughter. When his kids turn 15 he makes them take the missionary discussions so they can gain their own testimony. I think it's an awesome idea! She's sweet but super shy. hopefully we can help her get more comfortable with talking to people, especially about the gospel.
On Friday we went to a mini-zone conference. President Morgan invited all of the youth from our stake to come and hang out with the missionaries! We were able to do role-plays with them and help them prepare to have missionary experiences. President Morgan talked about how a lot of missionaries have the concern of not knowing enough. I think that's a pretty common concern with everyone! He went through 3 Nephi 27 and pointed out parts that talked about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He kept asking us "What do you know about the Gospel of Jesus Christ?" What we know will always be enough as long as we are willing to give our all. The scriptures promise us that as we open our mouths the Spirit will tell us in our minds and in our hearts the things we should say. As you pray to have missionary experiences, never forget that. You will ALWAYS know enough as long as you rely on the Lord!

I met another person with connections in Utah! Her name is Nanette Davis and she's related to the Davis's in Hyrum! That's her sister in law. She was born in Logan and raised in Weber. We have a member who is really excited to feed us for Thanksgiving already. I'm worried that I'll end up eating 3 or 4 meals instead of one that day :)
This was SO long, but I love you all!
-Sister Toone