Aaron 2/25/13

February 25, 2013

Well, it's been another good week! Mostly haha.

The Great news is that I had my first baptism!! His name is Stephon. The amazing part of it is we first met him on the 16th, after he had called us to start taking the lessons! We taught him the first discussion, and it went really well. His wife is a lifelong member of the Church, and their oldest son has been baptized as well (he is 10, they have a 6 year old girl and a 4 year old son as well). They had recently moved here to Newark from California, where Stephon had been attending church some, mostly to just be with his family. They started attending church here about a month ago, and Stephon felt like he was truly ready for the lessons, and to be baptized. Elder Cook and I were the lucky ones to be able to do the teaching, as well as answer his questions and get him completely prepared for baptism and receiving the Aaronic Priesthood. The incredible part of it was that before we really understood how ready Stephon was for baptism, our mission president told us to challenge him to be baptized before that following Sunday (it was Wednesday he told us). As well, we got another prepared couple on date for baptism in the middle of March. So awesome!

Tuesday night Elder Cook and I went to a part member family's house for dinner, along with a recently converted couple. It was quite an experience... haha

To really understand why though you have to understand more about Newark and the ward here. The Newark ward covers the entire northern half of Licking County, which has a definite gradient of social classes. The farther south and east you go, the lower class it gets (In general). In the middle of Newark though there is an area that some call "Little Texas," where it is basically as white trash as it gets. Old, tiny, falling apart houses/apartments, all within 5-10 feet of each other, all crammed in the same area of Newark. As one of the members puts it, "you have to be careful where you walk so you don't step on a syringe." And unfortunately it's true. Lots of drugs, smoking, gangs, and people living entirely off of welfare. We have a few investigator and members that live here, so we spend a little more time there that I'm personally comfortable with. (Though I'm getting more used to it, which is a little scary as well. haha). After getting over the culture shock between what I'm used to and this VERY different lifestyle, I've learned that though many of the people there you wouldn't want to meet in a dark alley (or a well lit one at that), there are some truly humble and good people there. You just have to look past the rough exterior and lack of teeth, and love them like Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ do.

Now that you know more about the area, I'll tell you more about the people we were having dinner with. The Newly baptized couple, Jimmy and Jenny, are jumping head and shoulders into missionary work. They have been called as ward missionaries, and are HUGE in contacting and fellowshipping people, especially in this "Little Texas" area. Jimmy and Jenny more or less grew up there, dealing with the gangs and drugs, so they're pretty well known in the area, particularly Jimmy. They've really turned over a new leaf from that lifestyle though, moving in with another couple from the ward, in a better part of town, so that their kids can be raised in the gospel away from the dangers and rough lifestyle of that area.

Jimmy, Jenny, Elder Cook, and I are working toward getting this couple, Enoch and Cassie, to church and to get Cassie baptized. She believes in the Book of Mormon and in the church, and Enoch has a strong testimony, but they both are struggling with the Word of Wisdom, particularly smoking. Unfortunately, that's a huge problem out here, in both keeping people from being baptized, as well as keeping inactive members from coming back to church, even when that have the desire to.

More importantly than getting Enoch and Cassie to church though is their three daughters, ages 6, 3, and 1. We don't want them stuck in the "welfare cycle" like their parents and most of the people in Little Texas. Luckily Enoch and Cassie are starting to see more of how the church can truly help them, not only in raising their kids, but in them finding better jobs and making sure they are provided for.

We have a lot of families in the area that are more of less that same as Enoch and Cassie. It's something very hard to see, especially when they can't pull themselves out of the mud..

Finding new investigator is something that I've found is really difficult. The mission president really presses the importance of getting referrals from members, but the members in our ward are either not willing enough to step out of the comfort zone, or they've already given the missionaries all or most of their referrals. And it's hard to find solid investigators through tracting, even though for the most part the people here are all really nice!

I hope you all are praying about who you know who may be being prepared by the Lord to recieve the gospel, praying for missionary experiences, and not being afraid to open up your mouths and talk about the gospel! 70% of baptisms come from member referrals, so try to get some of those in :) haha

Something really funny about Ohio.. If you're not an Ohio State football fan, people don't want to talk to you as much. And if you're a Michigan fan, they will (kinda but not really) literally cross the street when they see you coming, pick up dirt-clods or mud, throw it at your head and then key your car. hahaha. So I'm now a big OSU fan. Go Buckeyes!! hahaha

It's really ridiculous though. There is an overwhelming amount of red and grey. Everywhere! haha

Not a whole lot else is noteworthy. I've been sick, but I'm slowly getting over that.

Love you!

Elder Toombs

PS, nice job with the truck Nathan! ;P

PPS The first picture is of Elder Cook and I, along with Stephon (the guy with the beard), and Brother Campbell, the member who baptized Stephon. They both happen to be a couple of the coolest people evah! haha.

The second picture is a good one of my district from the MTC. COOLEST PEOPLE EVER! I miss them already haha.

Kathy 2/25/13

February 25, 2013

Dear Family and Friends--

            Yesterday was just too busy to get a letter written.  Got to church early and for the first time since we have been here, the meeting was started on time.  I think it was because  the stake president was there visiting.  : )  Had a very good sacrament meeting, but when it came to Gospel Doctrine, the stake president was there to make amendments to the lesson given by a man who means well, but still has a lot of his past thrown in for good measure.  (Think, evangelical).  I think the class situation was confusing for some new people that were there.  Lynn will be teaching the class again next Sunday and that will be helpful since he does such a great job. 

            I did my picture taking after church for the ward directory then Lynn and I got together with a man who is a vigorous 75 years of age.  He looks and acts much younger.  He wants to join the church but he had a lot of questions about eternal marriage, the Celestial Kingdom and what both of those things entailed.  He has a military background.  He says he has a doctorate and has been in West Point and has been a military jet pilot. He is very, very goal oriented and is used to being in command.  He's very right wing politically and socially.  All of this sounds good on paper.  But Lynn talked to a man that knew Doug before he came to the Midwood area and we found out that Doug had been serving time in prison, 41 years worth, because he had murdered his wife!  Doug is adamant that he wants to be baptized, go to the temple and do whatever is needful there, find a stanch committed LDS woman to marry and get on with the business of getting to the highest degree of the celestial kingdom.  He thinks he can get baptized "soon."  We never talked about the elephant in the room because Lynn has never let on that we know about his past and Doug has never talked about it, never brought it up.  At some point the issue will hit the fan and he'll be disappointed to learn it may be awhile before baptism happens.  Can you think of any stanch, committed LDS women that would marry this man?  Oh my.  That was an interesting hour and a half.

            I came home and took a nap, then fixed a small dinner.  We then went to the home/apt. of a dear woman, Claudia Clarke.  I've talked about her before.  That was the sweetest experience.  Then back to the apartment to Skype.  So wonderful to talk to the kids, big and little.  Lynn found out that the second councilor in the stake presidency wanted us to teach early morning seminary for this week, starting tomorrow.  It starts at 6 am.  It's a problem--first off, we've never taught seminary, but I think we'll do fine there.  The issue will be one of sleep for me.  We have a little time after seminary to eat breakfast tomorrow, but then it's off to the temple at 8:30, not coming home till about 6.  We've got FHE tonight.  Then Wednesday we have a zone leadership meeting at another ward building which will last most of the day, but I have to interrupt that for a doctor's appointment (follow-up for the ulcer).  So, little rest for the weary.

            As most of you know we moved into a larger apartment.  It has proved to be a very good move.  I love the extra space in the kitchen and have my Bosch mixer out ready to churn out loaves of bread to give out, and that is exactly what has been happening.   We gave one loaf to our hardworking Super who was extremely grateful.   Still scraping off hardened grease off the underside of the microwave.  The filter was a solid brownish, yellowish, orange-ish mass of grease.  Super yuck.  Took two days of various means to get it clean and now it is.  But, we really feel moved in now.  We just have one more set of elders to move into this building (they are taking over our old apartment) then we'll be all set there.

            Had a district meeting under the somewhat unorthodox Elder Johnson, our new district leader.  He had a great lesson prepared and a lot of fun (threw candy at people that had the right answer) but the meeting took twice as long as usual.  It was worth it.

            This past Tuesday we were scheduled to go to the temple and since we were so new I felt we should be there.  But, it was also transfer day for the missionaries.  I asked one of the sisters the night before how they were going to get all their luggage down to the mission office in the morning.  She shyly shrugged her shoulders and said "The train."  That did it.  I told Lynn we needed to contact the temple and tell them we weren't coming.  They knew we wouldn't be coming every six weeks anyway, but like I said, I thought being at the temple this week was important because we were just learning.  So instead, we loaded up three missionaries' worth of stuff and got it into the car packed so tightly Lynn could not see out the back window.  We went to the transfer meeting and just had a great, great time.  Transfer meetings are the funnest.  We have one more set of missionaries for our ward, making one senior couple and 4 sets of youngsters.  After the meeting was over, we took three sets of missionaries stuff BACK to our building and over the course of the evening, it got unloaded. 

            We were thinking of having Brian (our Super) and his wife over for dinner because they were in a huge mess because they are moving into an apartment on our floor.  But, Brian said they had lots of food and declined.  I told Lynn to ask the sisters to dinner.  He went to the apartment where they were staying and came back to report that they looked so exhausted they were happy to accept the invitation.  So, we had the Spanish and English sisters come for hamburgers.  Two of them are new, one is nineteen!  She's from Ft. Collins, CO.  We squished all six of us around our round table and had a fun time getting acquainted.

            Thursday Lynn went to the mission office briefly and then headed to Manhattan and to some Scout stores and their headquarters in the Empire State Building.  He said the offices were old and not well kept up.  Humm.  But, he got done what was needed.   I spent the day fighting traffic and crazy people going to three different stores to shop and spend a lot of money.  It's SO expensive to live here.  I need to be careful what I get where.  Sometimes Target's food is more expensive than the normal grocery store called Shop-Rite.  Sometimes it's the opposite.  I need to get into the habit of going to the internet for their weekly specials.  Just for an example:  I can get Ocean Spray juice at Walmart in Orem for under $2.  The same bottle at Target, here, is $3.15.  At Shop-Rite, it's $4.15. 

            But, the adventure wasn't INSIDE the store, the adventure was OUTSIDE the store.  About three times when the light turned green for me to go someplace, people on the sidewalks just would walk out into the street, against the light and think nothing of it.  People walk between cars and cross the street on a regular basis--just normal, just scary!  However, the biggest circus was in the small parking lot at Shop-Rite.  It's a long, narrow lot with parking on both sides of the lot (no space for parking down the middle).  I wanted to get to one spot that had a van leaving.  He was waiting for someone to back out of a nearby spot and leave, except the old man was struggling to get his car going in the right direction.  Meanwhile, instead of other cars patiently waiting for this guy to get going in the right direction, they went around me in the minimum space causing the guy severe problems.  I seriously couldn't believe my eyes.  The man driving the big van also tried to get out of his spot that I was waiting to get into.  Between the old man, the impatient van driver, and the other impatient "I'm coming through no matter what" people, there was a huge bottle neck.  Finally a 20 something Jewish kid in the van got out and started directing traffic, and over a period of time, the knot came undone.  BTW, there was a lot of horn honking to go with the mess.  What a zoo these Jews are!  They can be loud and obnoxious, but I'll tell you, we feel extremely safe where we are living with Jews for neighbors.

            This past Saturday was a busy day.  Lynn and I went to the chapel in Plainview, on Long Island.  This was a normal LDS chapel in a normal suburb type area.  It was great to get out of the city and see lots of trees and yards.  We went to the Plainview building for a mission couple get-together.  We had catered Italian food and a lady who has lived on Long Island all her life gave a history lesson on the church in the New York area.  It was fascinating and we wish we could have listened longer, but she only talked an hour.  We took the Jensen's with us and got caught up with them. 

            Then home to have a short nap, and get ready for an evening of fun at church.  Our ward had their Valentine party, it was just a week late.  The Spanish ward had their party the previous Saturday.  We got there about 6 pm when it was supposed to start.  Very few people were there, just the ones setting up.  But, by seven, most people that were going to come, came.  And despite being late, they brought food with them.  There was a continuous turn-over in food--such a fascinating thing.  We had people bring large amounts of food clear up to 8 pm.  A lot of that was given to the starving missionaries.  One of the members of the ward had a karaoke set up and we had fun with that, eating and just talking with each other.  At 8, tables were cleared away, chairs set up on the side and the line dancing began.  I'd never seen the dances everyone was doing but there were plenty of adults that knew the dances.  They said they learned them by going to the youth activities.  The missionaries could get involved with this kind of dancing and they did.  Lynn and I did our own version of dancing.  We stayed to the very end and beyond to help clean up.  The Spanish may have their parties but our ward knows how to throw a great party too.

            Well, think that is the news.  The church is true, I testify that it is.  I'm grateful for that knowledge.  Grateful for the Spirit which guides my life.  We just got back from visiting a couple in our ward (Lynn is their home teacher) and it was fascinating to hear the stories about the Jews in our area.  I just came away grateful I wasn't an Orthodox Jew.  Much easier to live Christ's rules.  What I heard today made me understand that Christ's burden really is light and one I cheerfully accept.  

Love to you all---Mom/Kathy 

           

Ben 2/25/13

Family,

Wow. Truly an amazing week. We have such an amazing family and that's most important. My capacity to love four people more than I can explain grows everyday. What a week to write in the journal for us all. Nate and the warriors ought to be proud of themselves. I played with those guys and I don't know if I'm the type of person who ever moves on from that. The greatest sacrifice of my mission has been sacrificed. Nate I sent you a letter I want you to open. I love you man and I'm so proud of you! I wore the tie you gave me everyday this week leading up to the state championship! I love hearing about Nate and Kallan, Coach Brown, Gabe and Gines, the warriors live on! Onward and upward! Give yourself the week and then introduce yourself to your new best friend Misi! He'll get you where you want to be I'm very grateful for him. 

Where to begin on my week that was truly filled with Miracles! I guess the best part of it all was the baptisms! They got baptized by Brother E. It's best to have members baptize them. Brother E. is awesome! Picture a mix between John C. Sr and Taylor W.! I know you think they don't mix but just think about the awesome qualities there from both of them ha ha! It was so nice to see these kids make covenants and truly become converted. I wish every 8 year old could have the experience they had. The baptism went smoothly and the spirit there was undeniable. I watched Aida, a proud mother cry as her kids got baptized. Truly one of the reasons I'm here today.

To fill you in on another miracle that happened for them that day- For months now, Aida's only car (Van) has been out of commission and they couldn't afford to fix it. This is just one of the trials they have had to overcome throughout the process of baptism. Her significant other, (Andy Sr), got back into town and spent three days straight working on it and trying to fix it. He took apart the engine and started to fix it til he got stuck. He quit and went and hit the road again telling us that only a mechanic could fix it. I believed him. He is a pretty car savvy Puerto Rican. Elder P. insisted though that we give it a shot. So my companion, with no car knowledge, and I, with even less than none, went to go take apart the part of the engine he got stuck on Saturday morning. We worked on it for an hour or two just getting nowhere really and then after that we were totally out of options, ideas, and strength. We told Ryan (8) that if he said a prayer and had faith that us two big white guys could fix his car. So he agreed and we all prayed that we would fix the car. We worked for a half hour unsuccessful, but then I had an idea to try something Elder P. had already tried, but just do it harder. Now dad, you remember how bad I am with machines and my hands, but after I broke about half their tools I pulled apart the engine replaced the Alternator and me and Elder P. put it back together and it's good as new. Now that is Divine Intervention anytime I'm fixing a car more than destroying it. It was awesome and you should have seen their faces when the engine started. 

I have had so many other cool experiences this week! hmmmm...

OK so one was I think I told you we ran completely out of copies of the book of Mormon. BOM's are pretty important out here and we had 0. Elder P. was on exchanges and so I was holding down the area with Elder A.(hopefully I get to him). So the lord obviously knew we needed Bom's so when we were praying about our plans for the next day we decided to go visit this former investigator named Paul B. He's Been taught all the lessons etc. So we went to meet this guy and he was old(Blind in one eye, gimp leg from the war) and happy to let us in! So we taught him and then right as we were about to leave, I saw out of the corner of my eye on his desk a bunch of restoration pamphlets and Book of Mormons!!! The missionaries must give him a new Book of Mormon every time they go through their former Gators file. So, since he's blind, We got the Book of Mormons! Except one. I know God wanted me to have those Book of Mormons!

So ya Elder A... One of the new missionaries in our district after transfers. He's from Cape Verde Africa! He speaks Portuguese, Creole, Spanish, English, and French, in that order. What a trip! The dudes first name is Elder and literally his favorite thing to do is read the book of Mormon! Awesome missionary and plus he's black so bonus points. Doesn't really know how to teach extremely well in English yet but he definitely has the spirit there always! He was a good exchange! We also found and taught Debbie our newest serious investigator. She is investigating because her son married a Mormon and she is really ready for the gospel. She would be one of those people that would just make a great addition to the ward. Young for her late forties, nice, interested, etc. The kind of lady that could be a relief society counselor. We taught her the restoration and she agreed to read and pray.

  

Oh, also one of my favorite things is to bike out to the outskirts of our area to see new places. Its beautiful in some parts. A lot like I pictured the south being! Every once in a while you see the confederate flag flying and I love it because it reminds me of Dixie. Home. Dixie to me just really means home and southern comforts. I still hate Dixie high with all my heart but you can't be a true country fan and not appreciate the word Dixie. Not the prejudice of Old Dixie, but the home, loyalty, family, country, those are the values I love about Old Dixie and my Dixie back home. Anyways we were out there and knockin around and we found this lady and she said oh you're not going to have any luck around here across the street is a preacher, which to me is just a challenge. Elder P. really doesn't like talking to preachers/ministers and I see why so we don't bash of course. But it doesn't sit right with me if we just pass their house and don't at least go bare testimony. So I just walked there and he had to follow me. Sure enough, just picture like a 6'8 Mr. Bundy on steroids answers the door and he was mad! I just bore testimony and cleared up some misconceptions and we were there and he was pretty red faced for about a half hour. He tried to bully us but I didn't back down. It was a good experience and he let us leave him with a prayer.

Also, later that night we saw three African Americans playing ball at a park and we challenged them to 2 on 3 if we won they had to hear a lesson if they won they got something off the dollar menu. Which technically..... Anyways we won of course by a lot and it was fun to sweat and have a little pressure on in the church clothes. I worked hard on D covering two guys and got some blisters from the church shoes. But we taught them a lesson and got their info and gave them BOM's. I was amazed when one of them told me he was 18. It was crazy to look at the different places we are in life and its to no credit of mine. I'm just grateful mostly to goodly parents who showed me the right way by example. I'm grateful for little brothers who are the most important thing in the world to me. I'm grateful for good buddies! We got each other in a lot of trouble, but I think we kept each other out of a lot of trouble too. I'm thankful for a girlfriend who was strong and steadfast in her standards. (Ex girlfriend now haha) Mostly for a God who watched over me in so many ways and put those people in my life. I love life and I'm so grateful for my mission. I'm grateful for Dad, Mom, Nate, and Matt. I lucked out to have you guys!!! Thanks for everything you do and let me know if there is anything I can do for you!!!

Will you also please give me the addresses for my friends I asked for. Maybe you just couldn't find them. 

Matt! That picture of you on top of the Red Mountain is so awesome!!! You're havin some good times right now man! Not much better than a pretty woman on top of the Red Mountain! Just ask my ex girlfriend hahahaha! haha no but look at you Matt you're a beast!!! You got a whole swarm of good girls and good friends!!! I love you Big number 54!!! You're the MAN!!! I can't believe you're almost 13!!!! You'll be a man by the time I get home!!! You should see how my facial hair is coming along! I shave every day, but I get pretty impressive shadow nowdays! Drink a glass of whole milk every day while your still young! Let me know if I can do anything for you man you are such a beast! How is LBJ doing? I hear he is doing pretty good!!! Sing your mother an old country song for me! Mamas don't let your babies grow up to be cowboys! or Mama Tried!!! Sing your pops Love without end Amen by Alan Jackson!

Grandpa! I love you and I miss you and you're in my prayers! Let me know if there is anything I can do for you! All the kids in my ward can't pronounce Gottfredson so they just call me Elder G! I proudly think of you every time and what a great missionary you were and are! Thanks!

I love you all! Say your prayers! Kiss your momma!

Elder Gottfredson

Way to go Nate!

Nate's basketball team took 3rd in state!  Awesome job!!

http://www.stgeorgeutah.com/news/archive/2013/02/23/3a-playoffs-warriors-grab-win-3rd-place-at-state-stgnews-videocast/

Nate G's and Snow Canyon Win

Here is a link showing Nate getting interviewed after today's 67-66 win over Ben Lomond in overtime.

Snow Canyon plays Bear River tomorrow night at 7:30.  Good Luck Nate!!

http://www.stgeorgeutah.com/news/archive/2013/02/21/warriors-react-after-overtime-thriller-stgnews-videocast/

Nancy 2/19/13

I don't know about the rest of you, but I.am.sick.of.winter.   Not that it's been that cold (and certainly not enough snow to bury a flea), but it's been DREARY.CLOUDY.DRIZZLY, with not enough sunny, "warm" type of days to count on 1 hand, it seems like.   

Cheers to the brave daffodils.  Some around the neighborhood have already bloomed!  Ours are on the verge, and hopefully two weeks from today, I'll be playing a different tune.

Happy Valentines Day to everyone, especially those I didn't get around to wishing if officially.   I love you!  (Happy Birthday tomorrow Scott).

Emily and I went to Starbucks using their "buy one get one free."   I hate to say it, but I like my homemade hot cocoa better.  But it was nice to have some time alone with Emily, which is always rare.   One of her friends apparently works for Norwegian cruise line, and is encouraging her to apply to work on the ship.    Emily gave me some Dove chocolates - they put me in heaven!     She bought a bunch of roses and I got some balloons to put on the grandgirl's graves.   I've been to the cemetery several times this week, and it never fails to "get" me.   I wish I could visit Cheri's - Brett and Matt, you'll have to go for me - take some pictures - I've never seen her marker (how did we fail to go there this Christmas?!?!?!)

Got my Roku set up last night - finally - so now I can watch BYUtv while I'm in the kitchen! I can't believe how many channels there are!  I'm not going to miss Time Warner Cable, at all.

I got my old Schwinn bike put into shape, with the help of a Groupon and an additional $80.  Now I have another way to get exercise!  And speaking of bikes, I was on a busy street on the way home Friday and while I was at the light, two missionaries zipped across on their bikes!  Only, a moment later one of them was on the ground next to a car!! Oh no!!  After a tense minute the guy put 2 thumbs up, hopped up and hugged the horrified driver of the car.   Guess he was ok!  

Because Feb. 11 and 18 will forever be significant days in my life, I decided from now on, I will make a trip to the Temple during this time.   I started over a month ago looking for some company on the trip - it was announced in Relief Society, and found no one, which won't stop me.   The weather was supposed to be kinda bad in the eastern part of the state, and there were even flurries in Clemmons when I left.   When I got to Siler City it looked like a feather pillow was ripped open and dumped out!  I loved it - but I was too far to turn back, so I kept going and the snow turned back to cold/drizzle stuff and made it to the temple just fine with beautiful music from my Tim Janis Iheart station on my cell phone.

This is the end of my news for the week - Meriden, feel free to edit for the blog.

Now, for something more personal, and this far outweighs the above in significance for me.    If you don't want to read it, just make a "mom" file and save it for later.  This is about temple worship, for want of a better term.

Raleigh NC Temple

I'll be honest and confess that for the past several years I've had lull/lapse in what I hoped to gain from attending the temple.   I NEVER fail to be inspired and feel the Spirit there, don't get me wrong.  And I always feel good for doing service for others. 

But I've been kinda frustrated feeling that I wasn't learning/feeling/experiencing all I've read that one can learn from the temple.   And I've been feeling guilty, knowing that kind of knowledge comes from the Holy Ghost by revelation, which said to me that I am lacking some way.   AND to be honest, for most of my life I've attended the temple with the primary goal of obtaining guidance for situations/problems in my life (which is appropriate and fine), but as I look back, perhaps it was at the expense of understanding the symbols and other things there are to learn from temple worship.     

I made a point to do some reading this week - I listened to a WONDERFUL talk (House of the Lord)  by Truman Madsen on the commute to work.  (Those of you who aren't familiar with TM, he is an absolutely amazing - he is a scholar, but he also comes totally from the heart).   From there I looked for a classic talk by John Widstoe (look him up), and found it on a fantastic web site at work.  (This site is a gold mine about the temple-http://www.templestudy.com/). And then I revisited a book on my bookshelf,  House of Glory, by S Michael Wilcox, which discusses how to how to find personal meaning in the temple.

http://deseretbook.com/House-Glory-Finding-Personal-Meaning-Temple-S-Michael-Wilcox/i/2875292

http://www.amazon.com/House-Glory-Finding-Personal-Meaning/dp/0875799701/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1361375344&sr=8-1&keywords=house+of+glory+by+michael+wilcox

So yesterday I went with the attitude of just learning one (or more) things.   Like so many spiritual experiences I've had, the meaning of a couple of things was quietly, almost imperceptively, brought to my attention.   And the more I thought about the symbols the bigger it got, with one thing leading to another and another, and of course, leading to Christ.   I was amazed! How could I have missed it these past 40 years??  It was just right there!  And today during the Sacrament song it jumped off the page and hit me between the forehead!  

But that's not all---let me go back to Wednesday, which is always a sweet day when I have my counselor appointment followed by the parent's group meeting.   I came to my appointment with Carol without an "agenda" in mind, which I usually do.   Instead we got started talking about experiences I had recently that didn't fit the "mold" I developed for myself throughout my life.   As Clayton Christensen (author of the Innovators Dilemma - look him up; I was in the Honors Program with him at BYU), would say my idea of myself was being "disrupted."   (here's another link which talks about disruption http://magazine.byu.edu/?act=view&a=3120; WANT TO BE HAPPIER? DISRUPT YOURSELF  ).    And perhaps - the mold I created for myself wasn't correct, and realizing that it is really full of holes, and perhaps,  there's is much more to me than I thought of myself before - is really thrilling!!

http://www.amazon.com/Innovators-Dilemma-Revolutionary-Change-Business/dp/0062060244/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1361375452&sr=1-1&keywords=innovators+dilemma

http://deseretbook.com/Innovators-Dilemma-Revolutionary-Book-Will-Change-Way-You-Do-Business-Clayton-M-Christensen/i/5066154

NOW, back to today - I was reading more in Bro. Wilcox' book, and a flash hit me - just as there is so much in the endowment to learn,, there is more to ME to learn about  because I've existed for thousands of years!!  Heavenly Father knows about the endowment, because he gave it, and He also knows all there is to know about me because He is my Father!   And just as we find more and more meaning in temple worship, there is more to learn about ourselves!   And we can disrupt the "mold" that we have created about ourselves and our purpose in life in favor of a true "mold."

I think that's about enough.   There's more I'd like to share, but at another time.  As always, I invite you to share your thoughts and experiences.

In love,

Mom/Nancy

Aaron's Email 2/19/13

Hello all from THE Great Ohio!

 

It's been quite a week so far, and to be honest I'm still not completely sure how I fell about all of it. Other than the excitement I have! I'll just start from last Tuesday night.

 

Last Tuesday all the Elders going to Ohio (being the procrastinators we are), started packing at around 10:30 at night, though to be honest some of us (not me) didn't start packing until much later! I was one of the first to finish packing, and was able to get in bed by 1:00 am. Unfortunately, we all had be wake up at 3:00 am to catch the bus leaving at 4! Many of the elders just pulled an all nighter. After waking up and making sure our rooms were all clean and emptied, we were told to drop our bags off at the bus, check in at the travel office, and then grab a sack breakfast so were wouldn't have to buy airport food. Turns out there wasn't a bus yet, the travel office was empty, and there was nobody in the locked cafeteria. hahaha.

 

After getting all that sorted out, we finally got on the nice tour bus, drove over the the airport, went through security, and grabbed a quick bite to eat before boarding on our first flight to Atlanta. I napped most of the 3 hours on that flight. In Atlanta, the 24 of us successfully got separated and it took a while to make sure everyone got to the right terminal (since for some reason they didn't show our flight on the departures board). We had about an hour to kill, so I changed my mind about not calling home to talk to you all for one last time before getting to the field. I bought a phone card, and then got a bunch of voicemails ;P. At least I got to leave you a few voicemails!

 

The flight to Columbus wasn't too long (I slept through that one too), and then we got off the plane to be greeted by the bright yellow tornado shelter signs! To my disappointment, Those were always up, and there wasn't actually a tornado nearby. D:

 

We met the AWESOME mission president, President Nilsen, and His wife before we got all our bags loaded into a trailer and went to the mission home. There we had our first homecooked dinner in 3 weeks (SO AMAZING! MTC food kinda sucks) and had a small devotional and interviews before going to bed. The elders slept in the basement, which was filled with about 20 bunk beds. It was a bit of a party. haha.

 

The next morning we had a wonderful breakfast, another quick lesson, and then drove over the the Stake center next to the TINY Columbus temple, where the 24 of us new arrivals had another meeting before being introduced to our trainers. It was pretty sad that we knew this was the last time my district (the 10 other people I was district leader for, and had become SUPER close with) would we all together for more than two years, and possibly for the rest of our lives. But we were all super excited to meet the person we'd have at our side constantly for the next 3 months or longer!

 

My new companion is Elder Cook, from Rockland, California! He's abour 6'1", with HUGE hands and is way into football and backetball. He hopes to be able to walk on with the BYU football team after his mission, which would be amazing. He is a really awesome guy. He's been out for almost a year exactly, and is super kind, generous, and just an all around awesome person.

Transfer meeting went well, and Elder Cook and I were doubled into a ward in Newark, Ohio. I said my farewells to the awesome Elders and Sisters from the MTC, and then got in a cramped little car with only half of my stuff and 3 other Elders all going to Newark (though the others are in a different ward).

 

I still haven't gotten my other suitcase that another area had to take, So I've been having to use the same 3 sets of garments, 2 dress shirts, 4 pairs of socks, and only One suit. It's starting to being rather difficult, especially since one of the buttons fell of off a dress shirt, and my sewing kit is in the other suitcase -_-

 

Elder Cook and I are staying in a members home in the neighboring town of Granville, Ohio. The Lindau's are such amazing people! They have a little more money than most, so they have a really nice home on 12 acres in the woods, and since their 3 daughters are all married and moved out, they love having our company. We basically get the whole basement, including a pretty nice workout room with a SAUNA :D. hahaha.

They also have a super nice theater room/recording studio in the basement. Brother Lindau plays drums and some guitar, and two of his daughters both play guitar as well, so they made the room have "floating" walls to keep the acoustics perfect, and EVERYTHING played in there sounds amazing! Especially through the multi-thousand dollar speakers that have been professionally set up by one of the lead sound engineers of Lucasarts. It's ridiculous.

Anyways, I'm super excited that They have a nice acoustic guitar that they will let me play, so MOM, you need to send me that book of LDS hymns for guitar :) Pleaseeee. :) hahaha

 

After arriving in Newark and dropping my stuff off, Elder Cook and I went with the other elders in the town, Elder Reddish and Elder Pali, and helped the daughter of a member move into her new apartment. I got completely covered in mud in my ONLY suit. -_-. Luckily I was able to get everything out with a wet washcloth.

The next day (Friday), Elder Cook and I did weekly planning with Elders Reddish and Pali, where they helped us to know who all of the investigators and potential investigators in our area were. We then went and visited some of the less active members, one of the more solid investigators, and successfully got lost for a while. (Oh I forgot to mention, It's definitely a driving area, and I'm designated driver since Elder Cook was in a Car crash last year. I drive a Chevy Malibu, 2010 or 2011 I think). A member gave us a gift card to Bob Evans for dinner.

 

That night both Elder Cook and I got a little sick. I got over it by morning, but Elder Cook is still recovering.

 

I taught my first discussion Saturday after a meeting with the ward mission leader. The investigators name is Stephon McLaughlin. His wife and kids are all already members, and he already knows the Book of Mormon is true and Wants to be baptized!. Needless to say it went really well. haha

 

We forgot to get gas in the car on Saturday, so Sunday night we were way past running on empty and were stranded at the Lindau's house. Luckily they had already signed up to feed us dinner, so we met one of their daughters, two of their son-in-laws, and two of their grand kids. They are such an awesome family!

 

Last night Elder Cook and I had an amazing experience. Thanks to the previous Elder in our area who helped this Catholic couple move, we went and had dinner with them and with friend. Having dinner with 3 non-members only is a pretty rare thing out here. haha. The couple are very well off financially, so they had this gorgeous home and the meal was definitely a very formal three course meal. (Thanks for teaching me good table manners growing up Mom and Dad! haha). We were able to leave the couple and their friend each with a Book of Mormon, with the promise from each to read it!

 

Also, the first time I went tracting I had a door slammed in my face, and it wasn't even all that bad! haha

The second time tracting, we were walking up to the first door when the Owner drove up, and after talking with him a little he invited us in and we then made an appointment for next week with him. Two doors later, we were able to make another appointment with the family who lived there. I know it's not typical, but it was definitely an uplifing experience for me to see how the Lord truly does prepare people!

 

Nathan: 27 Pushups, 35 Situps, 0 pullups (there's not a pullup bar anywhere).

 

Basically it's been an amazing week, with a lot more to go. The Bishop, Ward Mission Leader, and the other Elders in the area have all told me that the Lord is working something amazing in Newark, and that it is essential to be EXACTLY obedient so that we can be an instrument in his hands as the work explodes here! The Great Ohio Columbus Mission is the fastest growing mission in the world right now, and our goals are skyrocketing upwards. Two years ago the goal was less than 400 baptisms for the year. Last year was 500 (and they got 501), and this years goal is to get more than 650!! I know we can do it, especially with the strength of the incredible Elders, and as much or more so the Sisters, who come out into the field with me. The Work is Hastening, and the time is now! Being a misisonary is incredibly hard work, but it is all worth it because of the happiness I know I am sharing to the people of The Great Ohio. Keep me, and all the missionaries, in your prayers, as I keep all of you in mine!

 

Oh yeah, my address is:

Elder Aaron James Toombs

670 Welsh Lane

Granville, OH 43023

 

I Love You All!

Elder Aaron Toombs

Kathy's Letter 2/17/13

February 17, 2013

Dear Family—

            Typing on my new computer.  This will be the final one since I can’t return this.  It’s an HP with Blu-ray.  Also, Lynn installed a new Word software that is more compatible to receiving some kind of documents (like the kind my mission president sends me) that the other version didn’t have.  So, I’ve been frustrated at all the changes that I can’t stand.  I want the old style back.  Sigh.  Will just have to get used to it.  We haven’t returned the other HP to COSTCO yet so now we are a three computer family with two people.  : )

The biggest news is that we are moving to a different apartment on the same floor.  So we’re moving to 5A and 5H (our current place) will be given to the younger missionaries.   5A has another bedroom, the kitchen is about twice as big, there’s another bathroom and there is a small balcony—all big pluses.  The downside is that the floors are a medium brown and old (5H has new light bamboo floors).   The apartment does face Ocean Parkway and we discovered that there is traffic noise.  The 5A was left a filthy, dirty, greasy, moldy mess in the kitchen and bathrooms and we have spent 3 days cleaning and cleaning.  Every square inch of the kitchen cabinets were rubbed hard with Comet and other cleansers.  They are laminate, so they could take the scrubbing.  All the appliances needed serious attention but with hard work, they look like new.  The 5A kitchen really isn’t that old, it just was never cleaned.   I have thought long and hard about making the move, but just the thought of having the extra room so we could have family come visit was too tempting.  

So, now that we have the room, we’d love to have you come and visit us in New York!

The missionaries are going to help us move in tomorrow.

Tuesday the temple reopened and Lynn and I went back to our responsibilities there.  Unfortunately the lady who is my trainer injured herself and was not able to be there.  They were shy 3 workers and so I was left to my own to figure out what to do.  It became a problem at one point when I couldn’t understand what my schedule was telling me to do, no else could figure it out, they guessed, and when I tried to find someone that could help me, there was no one to be found.  I finally got to where I was supposed to be (initiatory) and from then on, everything went ok.  I did get two hours to do memorizing while sitting in the elegant hall off the Celestial room and had a quiet chat with a lady with a heavy Spanish accent who was a worker there.  So many faithful people work at that temple at great sacrifice to themselves.  One lady comes in three days a week but lives 100 miles away and takes a bus to get to the temple!!!  Which means she also takes the bus home……..

Starting this week we will have a lot of changes with the young missionaries.   It will be very hard to let some of them go, they become a part of you.  We had the Spanish missionaries to our place for breakfast this past Wednesday.  Had the same menu as I did the week before but this time everything went a lot better because I had already practiced.  The Spanish speaking missionaries are very impressive.  Two of the elders are the zone leaders, the other two, the district leaders and then there are two sisters.  The difference in deportment and talk was much more mature—these missionaries insisted on cleaning up and discussed mission issues like adults.  Not all missionaries are created equal. 

Lynn and I went to the Midwood 2 ward (Spanish speaking) Saturday night for that ward’s Valentines “party”.   They were trying to raise money for their scouting program so they had a small yard sale inside the church.  They had a professional type photographer taking pictures.  And they had a nice dinner and small program.  Everything cost money.  But, that was the idea.  I think they did pretty well financially.  Lynn and I did our share to help the cause.

Lynn also went to Flushing Meadows area via the train in the morning.  There was a Chinese New Year parade happening there (it’s the year of the snake) and he wanted to be part of that experience.  I had way too much to do and felt like I couldn’t make it.  It was nice to stay home.  Two of the missionaries came by and helped move a few things that we could live without.  (We would have moved into our apartment on Friday but we didn’t get the electricity on when we had hoped—finally got it turned on yesterday.)  Then more missionaries, first the sisters, then some elders, came by just to chat, hang-out, express some frustrations and they needed a kind, sympathetic, listening ear.  One of the sisters wasn’t feeling well so I got her some medicine which did the trick.  We may be the member support missionaries, but much more than that we are the parents to our “kids.”  One thing they did say, and I’m not surprised, is that the two Midwood wards are THE most difficult areas in the entire mission.  It’s super hard to get baptisms here and after people get baptized, they go inactive within a month.  Our job is to help those newly baptized people but since we’ve been here there have been no baptisms.  A few people are starting to come back and that’s the good news.

But, those that do come, that are active, are so wonderful.  They are lacking experience in the church and there are, as I mentioned before, way too many single adults. There is exactly one family that has a father, mother and children of either Primary or YM/YW age.  There are a number of married couples with grown children and two married couples with one baby each.   And yet, the members come, and they are devoted and they are sweet to get to know.

Lynn gave the lesson in Sunday School lesson today, on the 4^th article of faith and he did his usual magnificent job of teaching.  Being a teacher for a profession prepared him well for today’s class.  : )

On Valentine’s Day, I got a beautiful card and bouquet of flowers from Lynn.  I told him I wanted to try a real good Jewish deli for dinner, so we went to one street noted for just that, found a very nice place and found out that the prices matched the nice place.  We bought the most expensive sandwiches we’ve ever bought; however, the pastrami was excellent.  We got two pickles with that, the completely sour, and the half sour.  Both were the best pickles ever!  The young men behind the deli counter all wore their little caps and had their Brooklyn accents. 

The gospel is true and I am grateful for that knowledge.  Grateful to Jesus Christ and his atonement.  Grateful for the Book of Mormon—I love reading and studying it every day.  And I’m grateful for uncounted blessings from God.  After Lynn and I went to visit his home teaching companion in his little hovel of a place, he is a dear man with health problems, we came away really realizing how unbelievably blessed we are.  It’s wonderful to serve the people here and get to know a whole different culture. 

Enjoy your week.       Love, Kathy/Mom/Grandma

Toombs' Family Letter 2/17/13

February 17, 2013

Dear Family:

There really isn’t much to write about this week, so this will be short and sweet.

Most of my time was spent in school and studying.  It’s a whole lot of work to take 14 math hours.  Wow!  I did go up to the temple on Wednesday.  I always enjoy going to the temple.

Nathan continues to do well in school and he’s enjoying track.  A few mornings a week, Nathan gets up at about 4:30 in the morning to go out in our garage and work out.  We have a bunch of weights out there.  Then he goes to seminary, school and track.  He does get out of school early, so he usually goes to a friend’s house to study or do whatever until it’s time to go to track. 

I don’t know if I’ve mentioned this, but every Friday afternoon, Nathan has an internship at BE Aerospace.  Here is the link to their website:  http://www.beaerospace.com/.  I don’t know exactly what he does there, but I know it’s a great experience for him.

Valentine’s Day was uneventful, except that Nathan brought me some flowers!  It made my day.  Nathan bought some chocolate and valentines for girls who don’t have boyfriends.  I thought that was nice of him.

I didn’t sub this week.  I’m at school on Tuesdays and Thursday, then went to the temple on Wednesday, and studied Monday and Friday.  Actually, on Friday, I ended up helping Nathan with a scholarship application that needed to be in by 3:30. 

Jim is feeling much better, thankfully!  He continues to do well in NY.

Hopefully, most of you have seen the blog.  Please send me info!  Also, if you want to help with it in any way, let me know.

We have a short week this week.  Tucson celebrates the rodeo the last Thursday and Friday in February.  So, no school those days!  Yay!

Have a great week!

Meriden

Toombs' Family

February 17, 2013

Aaron finally made it to Ohio.   His address (well, the mission office address) is:

Elder Aaron Toombs
Ohio Columbus Mission (I'm guessing you don't need to put that on the envelope)
19 Clairdon Dr.
Powell, OH  43065

This is a picture of Aaron with a young man from our ward.  He went to the MTC 1 week after Aaron and is going to Hong Kong, where his dad is from.


Nathan was recognized at yesterday's Vail Pride Day (a big day to celebrate the school district's accomplishments) for becoming a National Merit Finalist and for having a ACT score of 29 or higher.  (He actually scored 35/36 on the ACT!)