ASL Tender Mercy

Hey family I am doing really really well this week Ha ha! We don't have any time this week. But a miracle!

Thank you so much for emailing me, I really appreciate all that you have done for me. The miracle this week.. 

We had our Regina city temple trip-  there was a deaf member from Winnipeg coming to visit the temple, I was able to meet up with him,and actually help him in the temple. I am so grateful for that experience. They actually played the ASL video. It was wonderful, because of the tender mercies of the Lord. 

I love the Lord so much. I am amazed by his Grace. I also read this AMAZING article in the 2009 Jan ensign. "Witnesses of the Prophet, Joseph Smith" 

I love you!

Love Sister Tomkinson 

Eating Balot

Me eating balot. (a developing duck by embryo that is boiled). I have a video that you all will be able to see when I get home ha ha.:) I am so grateful for the M. family for having us over, and for always being so kind to me. And all the other missionaries. This was so much fun! I mean it was a little gross, minus the little. ;) But I did it!!

We also are moving this week! Ah so crazy! I am so glad though that we are physically and spiritually able to move.:) I am so blessed to have that strength!

This week we went on exchanges to Moose Jaw! That was so much fun! They have a tri-pan there, so Sister Smith went with the other two sisters, and I was with Sister Simpson. They're absolutely lovely sisters.And it was wonderful to go back to Moose Jaw! I always forget how small it is there. I am so blessed to have the opportunity to have served there.  And I get to go back! 

Our mission will be downsizing exponentially this next transfer. After next Wednesday our mission will have 102 Elders, and 20 Sisters. That is so small! They will be having 2 Sister Areas. 

  We also had a huge party for our Ward mission Leader. L. M.. He and his wife give everything, and make every opportunity a missionary one! I love the Filipino culture! They are so genuine and Kind. I love them so much! They had loads of friends from work there, and they had us give a spiritual thought. We played a game where they were lead into a circle of metal chairs. And they had to get out.. the way though was if they asked for help. then we went inside and watched a Mormon message. "Hope of God's Light" that is an absolutely wonderful video! If you haven't seen it,. watch it!http://www.mormonchannel.org/blog/post/discovering-the-hope-of-gods-light

!  I also had balot that is some crazy stuff! But we also had adobo?IDK how to spell it. ha ha. I love it though! And am so grateful for the many opportunities to meet so many people on my mission. I love the Lord so much! And I know that a mission is what I need to be doing. I love the Lord so very much! And I hope that you all have a great time this week! And Mother's day is coming up! What a wonderful day! 

I actually forgot all about it.. :/ ha ha thank you Dad for reminding me. ;) 

I love my mission,and I am doing so well! Thank you for all of your prayers, thoughts, and kindness. I am eternally grateful for you. You have helped me to have strength to do hard things. Please let me know what I can do for you. And can pray for. :) I love you!

Love, Sister Tomkinson 

 One of my worst fears in life.  The last thing you want to see on exchanges.

 Elder Norfleet, Elder Baker, Elder Dotson, Elder Wallace, Sister Smith and I. 

This Part of the Lord's Vineyard

Hello! 

This week has been so crazy! :) 

We went on exchanges with the W. Sisters, and that was wonderful I love Sister Jacobs she is a great missionary!

W. is an investigator of ours. She has been in the hospital for over a month now. As she has been struggling with very personal difficulties. I am amazed at the strength that our Heavenly Father gives me,and my companion. I am not a counselor of any kind, I am not a great helper.. ha ha. But being able to represent the Lord Jesus Christ has helped this wonderful daughter of God feel peace, and love in her life. She is so wonderful. And she has a heart that is pure. With the divine help of our Heavenly Father through the Holy Ghost, W. Has been able to change slowly, but surely. She wants to be happy, and she wants to feel love in her heart. She knows that this is possible through our Savior. I am amazed at her example. And that Heavenly Father allows me to be apart of this. 

Another thing was we were able to help out with the primary activity here in the L. ward, and our ward mission leader is Filipino, and so is his wife. And they are the most giving, and loving people I know. I am so grateful to be their friends! They also make really delicious food!

We were also able to go to a Pow Wow this weekend. A less active, and her two sons were dancing in it. So we went during our lunch hour to go and say hello. It was really interesting and their outfits were absolutely beautiful. Incredibly detailed with beads. They dance the chicken,and the other is fancy. It is really wonderful to be surrounded by so much rich culture here. Which is surprising to me about this area of Canada. :)

Then yesterday as Sister Smith and I were stopping my some potential investigators. I backed her up. Doing so I stepped into some mud, so I was whipping off my shoe in the grass to wipe it off. She proceeded to roll down the window of the car and ask me what I was up to. I told her about the mud.. as I came back to the phone I then came to the knowledge that I had my finger caught in between the window, and the door frame.. oh man, ba-doodle, that hurt ha ha. :) I am so grateful for automatic windows, and for a companion who pays attention to me while I try and express my self... Because I was like my finger, my finger, my finger.. and then I pointed and she understood. :) It was great. :) 

Ha ha, I love this gospel and the work is going so well!

Thank you for all of your prayers, and thoughts I am so grateful for them. I am humbled to be serving the Lord in this part of the Vineyard! 

Love, Sister Tomkinson!

Parka Hair!

 HOLY this week has been so wonderful!!!! Parka hair!

Sharon's Farm

Ashley doing service at Sharon's Farm!

Welcome to the Hood

Creepy Parking Sign

Like my hair?

We had general Conference which is always the best thing ever! And we had the chance to go tot he temple with Kim! What a huge blessing from the Lord! 

I loved how it was mentioned in conference obedience is good, but truly it is by grace we are saved. I think about how much I don't seem to 'make it up to par', but that's not the point of this life. We aren't meant to beat ourselves down into meaningless pulp. But rather we are suppose to turn to our Savior, and He will help us reach out fullest potential. There was a quote I can't remember who said it but, it said.. "Average is the enemy of excellence" That really hit me. I can't just do 'good enough" but I want to do my very best all the time! To truly consecrate myself! And it's hard, but I know that it will be so worth it! 

I had the change to attempt to donate blood, but you need to have a 125 Iron reading level, and mine was 123. So lose, but yet so far. My companion about fainted while donating ha ha. Poor thing I felt bad for her. She got pretty sick,and was weak for about a hour. It was crazy. Just future reference don't do a liquid cleanse, eat half a sandwich and go donate blood. It doesn't work. :) Anyway I got to drive the car all by myself.. with permission from our mission president. It was the weirdest thing in the world! I mean I don't have P.T.S.D., but man I was weirded out. sang some hymns.. I haven't been alone in over a year!!!! It was crazy! :)

KIM!!!! It is wonderful to see her progress, and her faith. She is unfaltering, and so strong! She loved General conference, and she loved the temple! She is now interested in receiving a patriarchal blessing. What a miracle it is to be a part of someone's life like this. I love the being a missionary. And literally being in the front seat of someone's life changing as they are accepting our Savior Jesus Christ more,and more. I am so grateful to be here! I love it!

Sister Smith and I now are really wanting to find, and to find those who are prepared The Lord is so good to us! Kingdom builders, I constantly want to be one, and strive to be an even better and more faithful one! Especially for the temples! Very pleased with the announcement of 3 more temples! I pray that the progress of the Winnipeg temple will continue quickly. We don't have a lot of time, and we must get it going. I mean think of all those we need the temple, not just the living, but the dead, and those who are coming to the earth. 

I am so grateful for the Plan of Salvation. It was all over General Conference. I thought it was neat how last conference at least to me, was all about the Restoration, and this time it was about the Plan of Happiness. I am amazed at the inspiration, and revelation we can receive as we serve the Lord!  

Some of mine was just to keep going! And not being afraid to improve. Troy (my brother) gave me some great advice a few months ago, about how I am not suppose to be afraid of our potential.. And that advice has kept coming to my mind a lot. With that said, General Conference gives me the strength, and helps me build my faith in doing so! 

Scriptures I was reminded of while watching General Conference.

D&C 121 especially the last 20 or so verses.    Mosiah 2     2 Nephi 2     John 15      I wish I had my notebook with me, and I would write the other ones down. But I am so grateful for our modern day prophet. I know that he is a man called of God.  Things I am working on... faith, and humility.. hello always need help with that last one. I know though that we can't do this work on our own, I know that I am weak, but the Lord can do all things. 

I am so grateful to be here on my mission,and to serve the lovely people of Canada! What a blessing! :O I love the Lord! 

Oh and service, I totally need to get back on that court again! ;) 

Thank you all so much for your love, your prayers, and most definitely your support. I would be terribly difficult if I didn't have all of you to help me! And most  importantly if we didn't have the Lord. He loves you, and He knows us all. Hope that you have a great day! And a great week!  Thank you again for all that you do! 

Please let me know how I can help you! 

Love Sister Tomkinson