He Loves Us!

I can't believe how fast this month is flying by. HAPPY ANNIVERSARY KARLA AND SETH CONGRATULATIONS FOR 15 YEARS! And HAPPY BIRTHDAY SLOAN! 

 

This past week was amazing! We were able to see so many miracles, we found another two new investigators which is amazing, because we were able to rely on the Lord to guide us to more people to teach! 

We also stopped teaching the G. family though. They weren't willing to pray, and read about the Book of Mormon. They won't come to know of the truthfulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ if they don't read, and pray with real intent, a willing heart, and a sincere desire. 

This week in my personal study I was reading one of chapters from the Prophet Joseph Fielding Smith.. he talked about receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost. There is a difference. He continues to say something along the lines that many people are baptized, having the laying on of hands for receiving of the gift of the Holy Ghost. Then there is actually receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost. If you have not received this gift, You are missing out. The guidance and comfort that comes from this precious gift of our Heavenly Father. He loves us, and too often do we ignore the Holy Ghost and the gentle promptings He gives us.  He testifies of Jesus Christ, and of our Beloved Heavenly Father.

Also, I am really grateful for my ward Mission Leader in L. ward. His wife Sister M. is one of the strongest women I know. She is a kind, and gentle spirit. And I love the Filipino culture! She came to a lesson with Kim this week. We talked of fast offerings, and tithing. She shared an experience from her mission while she served in the Philippines. There was a woman she taught, her husband was murdered while they were pregnant with their 8th child. This woman's faith touched my heart here in Canada. She continued to attend church, she taught her children the importance of paying tithing.. She literally had no other option but to pay tithing. She was able to budget, and survive with the smallest of wages. As her children grew they are now attending university on scholarship and they are having successful lives. They love their mother, and the Lord so very much! I am amazed at the love, and the culture of the M. family. I am amazed at their generosity, sincerity and kindness. They are struggling with some personal things, but they are relying the Lord to help them overcome their weaknesses. When her and her husband were first married they were married for a month, when Brother M. was sent to Saudi Arabia to work there for two years... they only could talk on the phone occasionally when they could receive a signal. He then came back home, and they had last a baby when he was gone. They had their son and he left when he was three months old. And came back when he was 2 1/2. 

They struggled so hard, and he wants to help his family be supported. They fasted,and prayed that he would not have to go back to Saudi Arabia for work. That's when he moved to Canada, next he brought his family over from the Philippines. It was then he met his daughter. He was so happy. And he is so grateful that his family is eternal. 

They had to put their faith,and are still continuing to do so.  Putting their faith to the test. After the trials of our faith is when we obtain our rewards. They are so kind. So wonderful. I am amazed to them! I am always reminded of a talk that Sister Dabb shared with a few of us young women. She said to live life like a Filipino. They are true disciples of Christ. I love that! I love her! And I hope to have that kind of faith someday. To just trust. Nothing faltering!

I love you!

Thank you so much for your wonderful help in so much that I do. Thank you for your kindness and your prayers. You are so AMAZING! 

Love you!

Love your Sister Tomkinson  

Graffiti & the Gospel of Jesus Christ

                                                            Graffiti here in Regina!!!

This week was amazing! We received a referral from our ward mission leader here in the L. ward, and it was for a family! We headed over there, and when we arrived they were ready to receive our message! J, M, H, J, P, and baby.. who I am still not sure what her name is. They have only referenced to her as; baby. even when I asked, so I guess that's her name. :) 

It was amazing to teach them about the gospel that I love! Sister Alder is working and improving her teaching skills. When we evaluate our lessons, and our practices I always try and encourage her to talk more. I leave pauses, and give her questions to bounce off of. She will continue to grow, and learn in her teaching skills. She has already grown a ton. 
When we practice in companion study, in training she grows tired, and bored of it a lot. So we are now practicing as  "minion" from a animated movie. This sometimes add some reality to the conversation, and gives us somewhere to look. We also will do practices where I will demonstrate, she'll practice, then we'll practice together. That's what we usually do. My teaching skills have improved since I've been practicing more, and hers have too. When they say practice it honestly helps a ton!
We are teaching tons, and we are teaching more members the lessons from Preach My Gospel chapter 3. Then before, because it is a great way to practice the other lessons too. 

How we've improved we went from teaching 11 less active lessons last week to teaching 15. And we were able to have 4 other lessons. We want to be teaching more, and more though. We also are wanting to find a new investigator everyday! We make plans to find everyday. Instead of loading up our day full of less active members, we want to find, teach, and baptize those who are prepared. 

My faith grew a lot this week; in trusting God, and that He always provides a way. And can perform miracles. AKA the Atonement. :) Yesterday I gave a talk on "Mothers" It was a tender mercy from the Lord to do so. 

We also went out to a members farm this week, and that was so much fun! We cut the strings off of hay bails so that when they burn the fields, they don't have to worry about the strings on the bails getting stuck underneath to where the oxygen can't go so the end up not burning. They get stuck in the machinery. It was so much fun! 

We also had a baptism in our District this week. It is always amazing seeing people come unto Christ and being baptized. She was confirmed this week. 

Sister A. and I are doing great things here in the Lord's Kingdom,and we are so excited to be teaching! We are wanting to teach and find more people! I just hope to have and to continue to develop stronger faith. Faith in the Lord, and His miracles. Also in humility, because I cannot do this alone.  The fact that I've grown so much in the last 16 months is crazy! I am so grateful for the Lord, and that He is always there for me, whenever I need Him

One of my most favorite scriptures is.. Doctrine and Covenants 88:84. :) 

Love you! 

It was amazing to see so many of you yesterday for Mother's Day. Thank you for all of your love, and support. I am so grateful for you, and the love you have for me, and the Lord. This work is true, Our Savior Jesus Christ loves you so much! 

In our apt. with our Moo- moos. A less active member was like.. do you want these African dresses, I never wear them?.. We were like.. We will make the sacrifice and wear these beautiful things to bed.. :) #Adventureofamissionary

Love, Sister Tomkinson 

I AM TRAINING!!!.. Again? :D

This week has been soooo crazy! I am so excited to be here on my mission! 

So, why has it been so crazy! Well.. I will tell you...

First it was transfer week, so I AM TRAINING!!! What the..? .. Again??? 

Yes, yes.. again. 

Anyway, and soo... my companion Sister Smith is home now. :( But I am so happy for her. She is so hard working, and diligent. Hopefully for those in the Orem, and Provo area you can meet up with her. She is pretty great! I am definitely going to miss her. And with so many missionaries leaving our mission now, our missionary quota of Elders, and Sisters Sits at 81 Elders, and 19 Sisters. So.. our mission just keeps shrinking. Luckily we have no Sisters going home this next transfer :) And a Sister coming in! So we'll grow. ... then the next transfer is in July... I'm not exactly sure who goes home in July.. ;) One of my dearest companions, and friends also went home Sister Davis. She is pretty great too! 

Also this week we moved at the end of the month... right when transfers were! AHHH! So crazy! BLESSING! Because we were having transfers though, I had a Sister from Moose Jaw, and Saskatoon come down to Regina to be with me, while we all waited for our new companions to join us from Winnipeg! 

And so we passed our inspection.. at our new place we replaced Elders.... dun, dun, dun!!!!!!!

I am actually so grateful those Sisters were here in town, they helped a ton with cleaning,and organizing.. it was disgusting! but now it is beautiful! #sogratefulformagicerasers... #onlyiftheycoulderasethememories

 #whatisthat?shouldneverbeaskedwhilemovingacouch 

Then finally transfers arrived! YEAH!! And I met my new companion in person. I "met" her at the transfer meeting via SKYPE on Thursday, but met her on Friday! It is so much fun to be with a "Greenie" I am going complete verse from last companion to this companion. Her name is Sister Alder, she is from Pleasant Grove Utah. She is really excited about the work, and can hardly wait to get going everyday! She is pretty great at Basketball too! And enjoys all sorts of sports. I love her! She is 19.. about 1 1/2 years younger than I am. It's crazy how fast time is going! She was born in 1996, and is on a mission? What the?? The babes are going on missions!

I am so happy to be going into a new transfer, with a new companion it brings new things to the field. And I am very grateful for the help that our Heavenly Father has given me, and Sister Alder already. She is ready, and eager to teach.:D I can't complain there. She is progressing well. We are excited to really get into teaching this next week. We have three lessons lined up for this evening, and we are going to be doing a portion in ZTM tomorrow. She is a spiritual powerhouse, and hopefully at the end of training I hope to help her, and I reach a new level of spirituality. I don't know.. a spiritual powermansion??

Many miracles are lining up, you can just feel the spirit in the air! Earlier this week we were able to attend a funeral of a beloved member here in Regina. Sister Smith sang, and I signed. I am amazed at the peace you can feel at a funeral. Talks were given, and I felt the spirit almost radiant off the pulpit as a sister shared a verse from Alma 42. The Book of Mormon is true, everytime I use it, I study it, and I think about it. My heart cannot deny it's truthfulness, because the Spirit tells me it is true. 

Missions are the best things ever!! I love them so much! 

Kim is doing wonderfully! She is such a powerhouse I love her! She is praying. and reading. She is also wanting to get her patriarchal blessing... she is one of my closest friends. And I wouldn't have met her if I hadn't had come on a mission, if she hadn't been prepared by the Lord, and if members had been afraid to share the gospel. All those involved, and many others that we don't even know about have been influenced by those who open their mouths.  

We are also going to be teaching a few Filipino families in Regina. That's something! There are loads of different cultures here in Canada! I absolutely love it! 

I am learning so much every single day, and I am so blessed to have such amazing support, and love from those back home! I am amazed at your diligence, and dedication to the Lord. And for your heart felt prayers for me. 

I want to share something with you all. I am very blessed to be a missionary, and to have my mom often times help me in my lessons. I have felt her near as I have shared my testimony, and helped others come unto Christ. The Holy Ghost has guided me, and encouraged me to push a little harder, and to teach a little better everyday. And I know that it is by prayer! Thank you so much for all that you do! I love you!

Love, Sister Tomkinson!!

oh, P.S. I will see some of you on mother's day!!!

Picture below..is a Canadian treat!!! slurpee, with ice cream!! so bad, but soo soo good! 

And my new companion!!!! Sister Alder! 

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