April 17, 2022 Lovin' it in Christiansburg

 Hey everyone,

This week was awesome I got transferred right next door to Christiansburg! I'm not upset though because I love this area and I love my district so it's kind of a win win. 

Other than that crazy news it's been a interesting start. I met a member in our ward who plays for VT for football and he's just giant guy but they are an awesome family and they have been helping us out with one of our investigators. 

We also got to do some serves which was fun.  A lot of young college kids work there, and we were able to just talk to so many people which is always awesome. I also got to see the Larsons who are just awesome, and Dad knows them really well. 

Anyway, this week was cool I'm excited to work in Christiansburg and meet all the people that will cross our path and I’m excited to serve them!

Love you guys 

- Elder Toma

April 4, 2022 General Conference Weekend

Hey everybody,

This week was great.  We invited everyone to watch conference. And a lot of them did! 

This general conference was super awesome. All the talks really hit home with me but to be honest my favorite thing was President Nelson's address on being a missionary and on how important it is to serve with all your heart might mind and strength. 

I also loved Elder Holland's talk on suicide because it really just testified of the importance of living this life to the fullest of Christ-like potential. 

Anyway, I hope y’all had some awesome feelings and answers to questions that will help your testimony become so much more amazing I know mine has! But remember to make it your own. 

Love you guys and thanks for the support and friendship and keep it awesome and keep working hard.

-Elder Toma

March 28, 2022 Ultimate Missionaries

Hey everyone, 

This week has been kind of cool.  Actually we ended up meeting with a lady who we met on Facebook. She tried to bash us, but Elder Oldem and I are just the ultimate missionaries and were able to evade her attacks.  But in all seriousness, it was actually good conversations and I think the Spirit taught her a lot of cool and new things. 

Other than that, though it has just been a lot of member lessons and meeting with new members as well. And this week is just as full. But I'm not complaining it is a lot of fun being able to talk with the ward and... the Larsons. 

But also, to answer your questions, the Lord has taught me a lot this transfer about acting on the promptings of the Spirit more and also that I need to be the instigator when it comes to following prompting not my companion. Don't get me wrong when my comp gets spiritual revelation, I need to listen, but I also need to listen and act on my own revelation. I sometimes need to drag my comp and that's OK because it helps me become a better leader and friend for others who might not act on feelings as much. Anyways that's the main lesson I've learned so far.

Love,

Elder Toma

March 20, 2022 My new companion: Elder Oldem

 Hello everyone, 

Sorry for not emailing last week.  It has been hectic but also slow at the same time. Which I thought could not be possible, but I guess it is. 

Anyway, the weeks have been alright. I just got my new comp Elder Oldem.  He is a really awesome guy who likes to serve the Lord. He also did swim team in high school; he likes movies and also animals, so we got along pretty well.  

Also, to answer your questions, the most important attribute a missionary needs in order to be a good missionary is to be selfless and diligent in that order because that is the foundation for all good missionaries. 

Also, the answer to your other question is, I think my testimony grew in the fact that patience is the biggest lesson the Lord teaches you and that through it and diligence and effort you can do many mighty things. 

Anyway, sorry for the short email but like I said slow weeks but also crazy ones.

 Love you guys

-Elder Toma