Last Week!

Sticky! An adorable Gecko! 

I can't believe that this is my last email home! My heart is full of love, and gratitutude for these last 18 months of service! I can say that I have never been closer to our Savior Jesus Christ, and to his teachings.

I have learned so much, and I hope to continue to learn, and to grown that relationship with my Savior for the rest of my life! 

I will think of my mission for the rest of my life, and how grateful I am that I have these last few days to serve my heart out! I am so looking forward to the miracles that happen everyday as a missionary! And I am so grateful for the people, the culture, and the love that the people of Canada have had towards me, and others. I am eternal blessed from coming on my mission. 

A few years ago, I remember talking with some friends, and swearing off a mission, and saying. "The only time I am going to go on a mission is if the Lord straight up says; 'you are going on a mission.'".. and He did. haha. :) And I am so glad that He did so. I have learned, and grown so much. And I know that the Lord has given me, and those I love so many blessings, because I am here. 

I could not have done this alone, when I lost my mother I was carried by the love of family, friends, and Angels. I love them so much. Our Savior Jesus Christ makes it possible for us to live with our families again. This is something we all yearn for. An eternal family, not just one that is loan, but one that is lasting through the binds of the Priesthood. I am so glad to have this knowledge. 

Jesus Christ helps me know that everything will always work out, when going through a difficult time, it will work out. In the happiest moments on my mission I have felt our Savior's love for me, and I have had an increase amount of love towards others. 

A beautiful Regina sunset!

Being on my mission I have truly learned to serve my fellow men, by more than simply doing things for them. But by helping strengthen their relationship with our Savior Jesus Christ.

I love the Lord, I know that He loves us. and knows us individually. 

Joseph Smith is His prophet in these latter days, and that President Thomas S. Monson is our prophet today. How blessed we are! Our families can last beyond the grave, and the weight of sorrow, grief,and sin can be uplifted through our Savior Jesus Christ. 

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This week has been super duper exciting! 

Rebecca's boyfriend moved out!!! And she is close to divorcing her husband, so her excited and all of our prayers in helping her make, and keep baptismal covenants is getting closer! Prayer works, especially praying for miracles! 

We also have been able to contact a referral from the stake President, her name is T. and she is really kind, she has six children, and is really so, so kind. She also is looking forward to developing a stronger relationship with Christ. 

I would say something that Sister Alder and I have been learning recently is that even though we have trials the Lord will always bless us. And sometimes the longer we have to wait for those blessings, the more grateful, and humble we become. Because we realize how much we rely on the Lord, and how much He guides the work. 

Sunsets here are to die for!

Oh something funny, I almost got attacked by a bird. Sister Alder and I were coming out of a supper appt. when we hear a baby bird tweeting.. it actually scared us at first haha, but then the bird proceeded to run out into the middle of the road. So me thinking.. it's going to get squished by a car if he decides to hang out in the middle of the road. I go to save the day! I don't want to touch it, so I'm crouched down trying to herd this baby bird back onto the sidewalk.. and just when he is about to reach the sidewalk.. momma bird decides to step in! AHH! .. remember I am crouched down looking at the bird. .. and Sister Alder is on the sidewalk watching this happen. When we both hear this terrible bird cry! Ahh, I about died.. haha, so I had my scriptures in my hand. and I lift them up to protect my face, and I have pass along cards in there.. they scatter onto the road.. and I am in the car faster than you can say BINGO. Haha, I was sitting there, and Sister Alder was dying, because she was laughing so hard, on the sidewalk.. and momma bird is up there yelling at me, and is so upset. I was just trying to help her baby back onto the grass! And so Sister Alder being a champ picks up the cards, and comes into the car. Haha. It was so hilarious! So lesson learned, when helping baby robins back onto the grass make sure momma bird is out of sight! 

I want to again say thank you for all those who have supported me while I have been here on my mission. And I am so grateful for the Lord and all that He has done for me! I love you! 

Love Sister Tomkinson!

Give Back to the Lord

This week was so good! It was hard at the same time ha ha. Our one investigator.R. is pregnant, and is now living with her boyfriend, and her divorce isn't final.. needless to say her baptismal date dropped, but we're still wanting to keep her motivated, and on the right path to repentance.. I mean these children of God don't really realize that they're breaking the commandments until we teach them! So we're really praying for her a lot. And she's been really sick, so it's been hard to met with her.. :( But she's super prepared, and she has a huge desire to follow Jesus Christ! 

We had a family from Moose Jaw move in our ward, and they had baptismal dates, but they slept in the past two Sundays, and haven't been able to make it to church. And they're not reading the scriptures.. so we had three baptismal dates dropped this week, and from our 5 progressing investigators, we now have 0 and we only had about 20 lessons this week. :( But we still had twenty lessons, we found 2 new investigators, miracles are a daily thing, and we still have great attitudes! We're really excited,and motivated for this week! 

Miracle though is that we were able to meet a couple while doing some street contacting! They have been married for 41 years, and she has breast, and bone cancer. We were able to testify about the plan of Happiness.I am so grateful for this plan, and that it's only possible because of our Savior Jesus Christ. He loves us so much! and He loves our Father in Heaven.

This morning in my studies, I was reading a talk by President Uchdorft; And a part of it really stuck out to me this morning.. In the Bible we read of Christ’s visit to the home of Simon the Pharisee.

Outwardly, Simon seemed to be a good and upright man. He regularly checked off his to-do list of religious obligations: he kept the law, paid his tithing, observed the Sabbath, prayed daily, and went to the synagogue.

But while Jesus was with Simon, a woman approached, washed the Savior’s feet with her tears, and anointed His feet with fine oil.

Simon was not pleased with this display of worship, for he knew that this woman was a sinner. Simon thought that if Jesus didn’t know this, He must not be a prophet or He would not have let the woman touch him.

Perceiving his thoughts, Jesus turned to Simon and asked a question. “There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: … one owed five hundred pence, … the other fifty.

“And when they [both] had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most?”

Simon answered that it was the one who was forgiven the most.

Then Jesus taught a profound lesson: “Seest thou this woman? … Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.”²⁴

I think that this a powerful statement; because I love immensely. I am not perfect, we all are not perfect. But as we come unto Christ. As we have faith,and repent we can truly begin to understand His plan for us, and we will see how wonderful the life He can give us can be! I love this gospel so much! BTW: "The Gift of Grace" April 2015

And I remember something my Bishop said; He said.. " I look for opportunities to give back to the Lord."  And that has stuck with me since I've heard to. I want to give all I can towards the Lord. 

I pray that you all had a great week. And I am so glad that I am able to serve this last couple weeks here in Regina. We had the beautiful time at the temple this week! I love the temple! It truly is Heaven on Earth! 

Thank you so much for all that you do for me, and all that you are willing to do for the Lord. I am so grateful for your prayers, and support. I am so grateful for our Savior Jesus Christ. He lives, He loves us. And He is so kind.

Love, Sister Tomkinson 

CANADA DAY!

I hope that you all had a wonderful time this week too! I love you all so much, and I hope that you all know that I am so grateful for all of you, and that you guys are the best! 

I can't believe how fast time is flying by! Although the week seemed to go a little bit longer than usually. Sister Alder, poor thing was sick. :( But we would go out for most of the day, then have to come back in, because she would literally be so exhausted. She is such a hard worker! I am so proud of her! We went to the Dr's. and it was nothing really serious, she just needs to have fluids, and rest. :) I love her so much!

This week there also have been CRAZY fires here in the Providence. Last I heard there were 120, but I think they've have more control over them, because there's actually a sky now! Last week after emailing; Sister Alder and I went outside, and the sky was gray. thick, and full of smoke. And it stayed like that almost the entire week. The only time it went away for about a hour was when we had some really great lightning storms! 

Caesar Salad with Alligator meat!? (and some chicken)

With the work! We are still super excited for R., and A.,and T. for being baptized. A., and T.'s mom is also working towards baptism, her and her common-law husband need to be married before she's baptized, and she needs to quit smoking. They're so prepared though! They have been reading the Book of Mormon, and have been praying! It is so amazing to be a part of this life changing event! I love you all so much! 

They're all preparing for July 18! I am so excited, we also are planning on going to the temple this weekend, so with that in mind. We know that this is going to be a really, really great week!

I love the wards here by the way. I love the L. family.They are wonderful! 

Taco Time in Canada

I love you all so much, and I hope that you all enjoyed your holidays this past week! I am sorry I didn't start off with a HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!  and.. HAPPY CANADA DAY! 

I really hope that you all are having a great summer! And that you are able to see the hand of the Lord in your lives! I love you all so much! And I want you to know again, how grateful I am for each and every one of you!

Love, Sister Tomkinson

Sometimes smokey skies

Usually Beautiful Sunsets!