Last week of 2013

                                                                                                                                December 29, 2013

Family and Friends!!!

Limited time on the computer is really hard lol. So I am copying and pasting my letter to my mission president, well part of it. I hope everyone had a great Christmas and will have a great New Year! I'll be partying it up in my dreams lol. Tis the season to be happy... always.

My week has been great, the church is true! And Heavenly Father answers prayers and cares. I have two neat experiences to share. The first was earlier in the week during my personal study, my goal for the week was to finish Preach my gospel chapter 1 and I did. Well as I was finishing the last activity of the chapter I feel like Heavenly Father gave me a little gift. This is what I wrote in my journal...

"I am studying preach my gospel working on an exercise on pg. 11 I was about to start reading Alma 8:14-15 but I had the thought to start with Ether 12:13-15 instead of Alma, both were listed in the same activity but Alma is listed first. Either talked all about faith and that it is through faith that miralces are brought to pass. then I started to cry a little because I thought, "Have I been a good missionary? Am I doing all I can? Do I have that faith?" then I turned to Alma and my Heavenly Father responded with Alma 8:15, "Blessed art thou, Alma; therefore, lift up thy head and rejoice, for thou hast great cause to rejoice; for thou hast been faithful in keeping the commandments of God from the time which thou receivedst thy first message from him. Behold, I am he that adelivered it unto you." I personalized the scripture and changed his name for mine. The Lord is more aware of us than we know. yes He will let hard times happen but He has to because He loves us. When we listen and let Him , He will show us He is here. -Tender mercy from the Lord"

Another really nice experience happened yesterday. A member pulled me aside and told me something she had learned from her time as a missionary. What she said was what I needed to hear. She is moving and last Sunday was her last but I was grateful for her listening to the spirit prompting her to talk with me. She gave me a hug and told me all would be okay. I am so grateful for Heavenly Father and the knowledge that I, that we are never alone. This week I have felt His love so strongly and I'm very grateful for that. That is one of the many things I want to share with the world that we do have a Savior and a Heavenly Father that they love us so much that we don't have to do anything alone. I know we all have struggles but that is what we are here to experience and it's during the difficult times that we become strong, the refiners fire, not water. Ether 12:6 is in my thoughts more strongly today.

Sister Sloan and I also saw more miracles as we pushed ourselves to meet our goals for the week. We talked to more than 50 people in the last two days to meet our goal and becuase of the dilligence we should Heavenly Father opened doors. We received numbers and even had someone tell us he would be coming to church on Sunday, and two people say they would come to English class. We taught street lessons which are starting to scare me less. My testimony on stretching ourselves has really grown.

These are the most important experiences from the past week. The more I really let myself and try to see the Lords hand in my life the more  I see it. Sometimes I have experiences like the ones above where it is obvious but other times its more subtle. I know Heavenly Father loves each one of you and know that I love you and I am grateful that you are in my life. Let's make some goals this coming year not only to improve our own lives but to help others. I know missionary work is hard, it's hard going up to complete strangers and trying to talk to them about the gospel but this is the greatest thing in my life and the biggest blessing I want others to also have this opportunity. Good luck this coming year I'm sure it will be filled with great adventures! :)

Love Always,

Sister Tovar

Third week

Family and Friends!

 

So another week has gone by, or should I say flown by? They really do go quickly! So this week we had a few miracles and I'm so excited to share them with you!

 

Wednesday so this week started off with Zone Meeting and Pizza School. Their pizza is actually pretty good :) I decided to not be brave and get regular old cheese :( lol It's okay I didn't regret my choice becuase it was really good.  During our meeting I learned that we must be happy missionaries because we are messengers of joy. If we aren't happy how are people going to believe we have a message of joy right? After our meeting we went to a poetry reading of sorts for a less active in our ward, so cool!!! There was traditional music and everything!! Loved it! Sorry I probably overuse the ! it's okay though. After the poetry reading we went to dinner at a members house and it was so much fun.  She told us about her conversion story, how her father in law set her up with her husband, and her proposal! Such cute stories all of them! I wish I could type them all super fast but I don't think there is time :(. I'll say this about her conversion story her mom is amazing!! Her mom wanted her to meet the missionaries because she thought they were cute and wanted her daughter to practice her English so the member met with the missionaries and then left for school. Two months after she gets a call from her mom and her mom tells her she has been baptized and that she has to meet with the missionaries! How awesome is that!! I love it! The member has a brother and there mom offered to buy him a car if gets baptized, so funny. Well he did but he is no longer active :( sad day but funny story.  Anyway so that was a great way to end the day :).

 

Something I forgot to mention  Wednesday we met this guy on the street and he starts talking to us in English and then he says I want to go to church and we were both a bit stunned and taken aback. I got so excited, imagine the dorky guy from the best two years, yes this is how I felt lol. So we give him our information and the English class info by the time we think to get his number he's gone :(. But Friday\Sun he calls us! Thankfully we had a dinner appointment for later that night with a member and the elders. We refer him to the elders because that is what we typically try to do if they are male. Well the appointment ends up taking a good three to four hours! I was so nervous that it took too long, but it ended up being great. He got taught the first discussion with the help of members and extra missionaries! And he ended up coming to church on Sunday!!! So exciting.

 

Saturday we ended up going to a relief society luncheon at 11:30. The lunch was orginally supposed to be at the church but then got moved to a really nice restauarant instead and I later found out the Bishop paid! So kind right?! It was cool the food was well, Korean of course :). We got done with the lunceon at about 2:30, yes typical Relief Society :).

 

Sunday was awesome!! Okay I sang in church, no so great but the whole thing wasn't so bad. We sang Silent Night, the first verse in German (german elder sang it with his companion), the next in English and the last verse in Korean of course :). After church we had the usual dinner my ward puts on every Sunday. Super spicy!! I was sweating and my fingers tingled, and I got a bit dizzy because of how spicy it was but I am happy to say I finished all of it! :) Yay! After the dinner we met up with an old investigator who contacted us after three weeks of silence. So exciting because he has a friend with him. We met them both and the guy gave his friend his copy of the Book of Mormon and we gave him a hard cover he had requested. They are both now are new investigators!! So exciting. We are helping them both with English and with the gospel! And one of them set a baptismal goal for one month from yesterday! So exciting and they were both so cool and super nice!

 

I love the message from zone meeting because it's true we have so much in our lives to be grateful for and so much to smile about. I'm so grateful I get to share this message of joy with the world. Yesterday I was asked why I came on a mission and I was able to testify that I know this gospel is true and that I've seen the happiness it's brought me and my family and I want to share it with the world. I was also able to testify that I know that my call comes from Heavenly Father and I know I'm here for a reason, probably many. I'm learning so much and no missions aren't easy but every minute is worth it. I wouldn't want to be anywhere else or doing anything else. I'm so grateful to have such a wonderful family and such incredible friends thank you so much!

 

Love Always,

Sister Tovar

Happy Thanksgiving

December 2, 2013

Hello family and friends!!

I think I actually prefer hand writing this letter lol so maybe I'll
go back to that. Anyway, my second week in Korea has been crazy of
course!! Sorry no pictures this week either, hopefully next week:).

Thanksgiving was this past week!! Hope you all had a wonderful
Thanksgiving! We have an army base in my mission and the incredible
members of that branch hosted all of the missionaries in my mission!!
So crazy but so nice. The apartment I went to was really nice and they
had all of the Thanksgiving favorites, including my ham! Yay! They
also had every pie you could think of! And they let us take tons of
food home. I was so grateful that these wonderful members let us into
their home and let us share the holidays with them.

That night I also went on my first exchange and it was great! I
learned a lot, I learned that being a senior companion is not easy.
Sorry during the exchange the other sister came to my area so I was
senior companion and that meant I took the lead in everything. Not
fun!  I don't know the language or the routes so I had to learn
somethings fast. At least now I know how to get home :).

Have I mentioned how much I love my ward?? The members are all so
kind! and we had dinner at the bishops house Sunday and it was
amazing! His wife is an incredible cook! He also used the opportunity
to teach us all some Korean, thankfully!

Things have been great and although I feel like I'm regressing in the
language I know I'm progressing, but it's hard. I've decided to take
on on Christlike attribute a month and really study it and apply it.
This month the attribute I've been working on is diligence. It's
interesting because as I was trying to decide which to do that one
felt right. Well a couple of days after I choose it I was rereading a
blessing I was given in the MTC and in the blessing it talked a lot
about diligence and how much I need to have it lol funny right?
Definitely not a coincidence :). Anyway, I've learned so much about it
and I keep learning more everyday. Diligence is working even when you
are too tired to work, it means not giving up. And it means enduring
EVERYTHING that gets thrown your way in the best way possible. It
means giving everyone and everything your best. I'm trying so hard to
do that because that is what everyone and every situation deserve. It
is hard and I am also trying to remember to be patient with myself but
it's doable. Of course I won't always be great at diligence but as
long as I'm trying and I am giving my all that's all that matters. So
when things get tough I just try to smile and remember all the
blessings I have and that things are great and I can do anything with
my Heavenly Father.

Hope that wasn't preachy but that's just one of the many things I've
been learning.  You know I think even after my mission I want to say
hello to random people and smile at them they seem to like it even if
it is a bit weird. :) Anyway I hope to hear from you and I hope
everyone is doing great! I love you all so much and I am so grateful
to have you in my life. I love being on a mission and am grateful to
have the gospel in my life and my families life.

Love Always,
Sister Tovar

My first week in the field!!!

Family and friends :)

 

So this week pretty much everyone is just going to get a group email becuase today was hectic and I only have about 30 min left online :). So here it goes... biggest news of the week I'M IN KOREA!!!! I finally made it!! This first week has been crazy! Starting with flying solo on Monday. My first flight I sat in the middle of two men and that was a bit weird, but we chatted and one is actually non religious and the other was a member of the church. I got the feeling the non member didn't really want info about the church but we did talk a bit so maybe one day. Then I had my four hour layover and my advice to anyone still in the MTC buy two phone cards! Mine was only good for one call so it was a bit hectic trying to figure out how I was going to call home for the four hour layover, but we figured it out and I stayed on the phone long enough to have the flight attendants rushing me onto the plane :). The plane was huge! It had two decks! Super cool right? And I was able to change seats to the very back where a Korean girl and I had four seats to ourselves it was awesome! We chatted a bit, she helped me with my Korean, and then she slept for about twelve of the thirteen hour flight! I couldn't do that but that's okay oh and I got fed plenty of the plane it was quite nice :). Sorry my sentences are not flowing nicely but I'm more concerned with quantity right now not quality. Next my mission president and his wife picked me up from the airport!! I loved it they are the kindest people ever! His wife is so sweet! She just wanted me to feel welcomed and at home! I loved! I also got to chat with them all the way back to their house. Nope I did not have to the subway like the rest of my group, sorry :( lol. That night I spent the night at their house then had the terrifying first interview with my mission president. It was great! I love my mission president he is an amazing person! And I am excited to serve under him.

 

The next day I was going to meet my first field companion or as they are called more often, my trainer :). But before that I went to a Zone Conference for a different zone because I had to travel with president and his wife. I didn't mind one bit because I got to see Sister Chestnut!!! I was so happy to be able to see her on my first actual day in Korea! I loved it. I then finally met my companion and we were off to our apartment! Holy hana was it hard transporting all my stuff to our apartment by subway! Thankfully Koreans are so kind! My companion and I were carrying my luggage up the stairs when three nice men took the handles and carried them for us! So nice right!! Love it! I'll send pictures of my apartment next pday I forgot my card reader today :( sorry. But guess what?? The rumors are true, we sleep on mats and eat with chopsticks, oh and every meal includes rice and kimchi! Yep!! I love sleeping on mats, honestly I'm not sure I want to go back to a regular bed the only thing I don't like too much is putting it away every morning. I love the rice so good!! Kimchi though well my love for that still needs to develop, lol. It's so spicy!! and fishy tasting. Everything in Korea has a fishy aftertaste except the bread and rice which is why I'm going to be fat lol.

 

Let's see other good news oh I gave away my first Book of Mormon on the street to an older man. We chatted a bit with him and he knew some English which was nice gave him a Book of Mormon and committed him to read the intro page :) Then gave him our number, but still no call. Hopefully some day. I really liked him a lot and hope he calls us. I also met two older ladies one at a bus stop and another on the bus and that was pretty awesome!! They talked to me after I initiated the conversation lol!! One complimented my curly hair :) and then reprimanded me for writing in my journal in English lol she said I should be writing in Korean. I tried speling out Korean in Korean and forgot a character so she took my paper away and wrote her name and a few other things lol I loved it!!! Super sweet and she lives near us so I'm hoping we will run into her again because I loved talking to her!! Another crazy experience my companion got yelled at by an elderly woman, not so much fun!!

 

Anyway, I think that's all for now next time hopefully I'll have more time. I'm so excited to be in Korea and I am working really hard to learn this language. There is a scripture that says that the gospel will be taught to everyone and in their own langauge I want to help be part of making that prophecy come true and I really hope to be able to I just have work hard! I love the people of Korea they are so kind and patient with my horrible Korean. I love this gospel and my Savior. I know that if we let Him He will mold us to who we are meant to be and who we can be. I know He loves all His children becuase that is why I'm here across the world bringing them His gospel! I love this work and for my friends and family at home please be part of it we can't do much without the help of the members, you are vital to work. I'm so escited to continue on this crazy adventure! I'll let you know how it goes! I love you all so much! Thank you for your love and support.

 

Always,

 

Sister Tovar :)

November 3, 2013

Family and Friends!

Wow the past week has been an adventure! =)
So awesome! A few things have happened  a)I got my travel plans =) b) I stepped out into the real world as a missionary =) c) there was a great devotional Tuesday =) d) Apparently feet are more important than I thought, who would a thought?

I'm sorry its been about two weeks since I last wrote its just been super busy. Okay so I'll start with my feet first. I had been having some pain in my feet top and bottom so I made an appointment with the foot doctor and apparently I have hyper mobile feet and at some point in my life, not now, I will have to have foot surgery.  It is very common so its not too much of a concern but thanks to it I had to get orthotic shoes.  So much fun =), no they really aren't that bad.  Well this is where going to the outside world comes in.  To buy the shoes my companion and I went to Modern Shoe. It was so odd to be in the outside world! A man came up to us and said, "Hello Sister." Small thing but it was so cool to be called a sister! I'm so grateful to be grouped as a missionary it really is an honor.

Okay so now for the big news........drumroll..... I leave November 7 for Korea! That is 4 days from when I am writing this.  Crazy right!?!? I'm so excited though and I know it will be great! I don't know the language but I know Heavenly Father will help me because this is His work.

Speaking of missionary work a few days ago I went to infield orientation and found out that only about 2% of all members do missionary work =(. How sad is that? I know I was included in that 2% before my mission but I hope never again. As a missionary I've been able to see how much we really do need members.

The scripture that has been in my head a lot this week is "Lean not unto thine own understanding but trust in the Lord with all thy heart, mind, and strength" (sorry if its not quoted 100% right. Bu the main idea is that we put all our trust in the Lord and our faith in Him.  We must learn to lean on Him.  Fear is not faith and we have nothing to fear if we have faith in God and if we are doing what we can to show our faith. Enduring to the end is our, is my goal.

I am sorry this is a short letter but I'm sure I'll have more to say next week.  I am so grateful for all my friends and for all my family.

Always,

Sister Tovar

October 20, 2013

Family and Friends,

Sorry I skipped a week of writing it is just chaotic here sometimes.

So this past week we had a visit from the Oaks. =) It was awesome to hear both of them talk.  It's funny I thought I would get more from what he said but I was wrong.

Sister Oaks told a story about when she was in the MTC in Hawaii! So cool right? She told us about one experience she had and what she learned. While she was at the MTC she was learning Japanese because that is where she was headed. For those of you who don't know the dynamic of it here is a quick overview. At the MTC you have your bedroom and then you have your classroom which is your home here. Second only to your companion your class or those in your class are the ones you spend the most time with so they are like your family, because of how much time you spend with them. Back to the story, Sister Oaks tells about when her class, all but me, finished their language book and they all understood it, al but one. Because of this they all began to celebrate, cheer and clap and be happy they had finished, he ran out of the room in tears.  Their teacher immediately stopped their celebration and said, "Don't you get it? If one of you fail you all fail. You came here to learn to as Jesus Christ love."

That line, "if on of us fail we all fail," really hit home.  We have not been put on this Earth to compete with one another we are all together because we are meant to help one another. I love  Mosiah 18: 8-10 because it tells us what our baptismal covenants are. If one fails we all fail! But we must remember President Uchtordf's  talk, we must respect agency. Some may choose to not accept our help or love which is always heartbreaking but not something we can change.

Which brings me to the next part I loved about her talk, "we are here to learn to love as Heavenly Father (and Christ) love." What does that mean? Well I'm still trying to figure it out but what I understood this weeks is that maybe it means we treat everyone as though they were family. That we care for and about them as if though they were family. Because they are someone's family here on earth and they do have spirits rooting for them just as we all do.

My favorite scripture is 2 Kings 6:15-17 because to me it reminds me of all those fighting for us with us and helping us.  Although we may not see them. For me I specifically think of my brother Ramiro David. That is my goal to love all as family to search for them as though they were lost family, to help and succor as though they were family because they are family. God love us all as His children and we must love one another as brothers and sisters.

A question I heard for the second time this week was, "If you were the only one on this Earth do you believe Christ would still have gone through the atonement?" The answer I know to be true is "YES", if I were the only one Christ would still have come down and atoned for me.

This is my testimony that has only become stronger while here. Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ are aware of me and each of us and I know He loves each of us and that he knows us individually.  Heavenly Father has helped me so much, if I didn't have a testimony of Him of His love, of the truthfulness of His gospel I would not be serving a mission. But, I am and I do know this is His gospel, I know Joseph Smith was His prophet and that He restored the fulness of the gospel that Christ had established in His lifetime.  I know President Monson is a true and living prophet. I know that everyone can have this knowledge for themselves if they pray sincerely and with faith.  "Knock and it shall be opened, ask and ye shall receive." Nothing is easy its not meant to be, but it all will be worth it and we can all find joy in the journey and at the end.

I dont mean to be preachy but this/these are all things I have come to learn and are learning to apply in my life right now.  Remember you are never alone, I am never alone.  Trust and have faith in Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.


Always,
Sister Tovar

P.S. I leave for Korea in 2 /12-3 weeks! (as of her writing this letter, as of today she leaves in less than a week!!!!!!) Two letters from now I should have travel plans to write to all. =) (She leaves Thursday to Korea)

Conference Weekend

Family & Friends!                                                                                                            October 5, 2013

Hello all, hope you are all doing amazing!! We just finished watching conference (saturday session) and it was amazing! I would love to hear what your favorite talk was and your thoughts please! I hope you are all okay with me sharing thoughts and feelings about conference.
               Before that I'll update you on what's going on at the MTC that way I'll end this with conference review and on a spiritual high =). We got 22 newbies! =) So exciting! It's nice not  being the youngest/newest district. We got one newbie from Australia! And one from the Philippines =). The incoming missionaries this wednesday totaled 590!! And last week it was 500 so its been like 500 every Wednesday! Super cool huh! 80,000!!! I was so excited to hear that! What else is new? Well I leave for Korea in 5 weeks! So excited. This Wednesday I will have been on my mission for 1 whole month!! Crazy right?!
Earlier we had our district  meeting/discussion about conference and someone brought up Elder Hollands talk and being positive. I have a question......when they brought it up they said we should all be more positive but my comment was that we all have different ways of being positive/negative and so what may be negative for one person may not mean anything to another. My question is: What does it mean to you to be positive?? It is a matter of opinion? I would LOVE your input please??

Conference:

I’m not sure I had a favorite but they all said something I needed to hear.  If I had to choose a favorite it would be President Monson during Relief Society. The reason I like His so much is because it reminded me to pray. One part in particular hit me, when he referenced the hymn “Did you think to pray”. My mind continued the title/sentence……Did you think to pray when you were feeling alone, discouraged, sad, helpless, hopeless, joy, happiness, overcome by the spirit, etc?  I think this really touched me because it reminded me how essential and comforting prayer really is. You don’t always have to be on your knees or voice your prayers out loud.  He can hear the silent prayers in our minds and in our hearts and He will answer our pleas. He would never abandon you if you call for Him. How beautiful it is to know that if we reach out our hand, open the door and literally ask for Him, He will help.  That is not to say He will take away our burdens or make the world perfect, no that is not how He works because He loves us. We are meant to struggle but we are not alone. He will strengthen us, comfort us, He will help us do the impossible-even learning a foreign alphabet and language.  He will guide you and that knowledge gives you hope, that comfort helps hug you and touches you when you feel nothing else can, the strength He gives you help and you keep going even when you feel like you have nothing more to give.

            This is why I’m here to bring the world this joy and comfort that they/we are never alone.  That we and all have a Heavenly Father who loves us so much. He gave His only begotten son. That we all have a Brother who gave His life that we may return with Heavenly Father and that we could never have to bear things alone.  He suffered, bled, and died for each one of us for our sins, for our sorrows, for our illnesses, for us.  This knowledge and truth has made all the difference in my life and in the life of my families.  Because of this blessing this truth has been in my life I cannot help but share it with the world and with those I love.

            I think that is a good thought to stop on until the end of tonight’s conference.

Okay so I could probably go on and on telling you about my conference experience and feelings but I will spare you and my hand =)(handwritten letter). But I will share snip-its and one short though of each maybe. 

President Monson (again = he is the Prophet after all) “Never did he dwell on what he lacked but he was grateful for what he was given”  (warning: not exact quote)

Also like the poem he shared at the end.

It is easier to be selfish and have self-pity but this life isn’t about doing the easy things, going through the refiners fire is not easy. We must learn to turn outwardly especially in the hardest time.  That is what Christ, our ultimate example does.  I am trying to do this everyday but I fall short everyday.  But my stake president told me before I started my mission, “you never fail until you stop trying”. As long as I do my best and keep trying really trying then I have not failed.  This is true for everyone. 

My own personal thought from Elder Neil L. Anderson:  “The testimony of a mother will bless the lives of her children. You are important and a vital part of our kids spiritual future.”

This is time for all women and father/men/boys/girls. Our testimonies are key for our posterity so lets not let them down.

Kevin Hamilton: “When you start to consider commandment options you are in danger.” Let’s be who we are meant to be.

Russel M. Nelson: “Decisions determine destiny”

Goes perfectly with Elder Hamilton’s quote above. It also reminds me of a scripture. “Choose ye who you will serve as for me and my house we will serve the Lord.” Sorry no scripture reference, but look it up.

It is true though with every decision we make we choose whose side we are on and what our future will be. Or what type of consequences we are exposing ourselves to.

Always,

Sister Tovar

Third letter from MTC

                                                                                                    September 29, 2013

Hello Family & Friends,

   I hope you are all doing well and I hope you are in my prayers. Guess what? By MTC timing this is my third week! My fourth starts Wednesday, crazy right? By my calendar its only 2 1/2 weeks and three weeks on Wednesday. We were looking up our departure date and it is only 5-6 weeks away, crazy?! I don't know if i'll ever be ready but, ready or not here I come.....=) The reason I'm thinking about my departure date is because its exciting, but also because tomorrow at 3 am about 30 missionaries from my MTC zone are leaving for Korea. I'm thrilled for them but also very sad because I've gotten close to some of them. But we've exchanged contact info and write in our journals (yes like a year book) Time flies by, it really does.

What has happened since last sunday?? Well I started the week feeling sick but now feeling just great :)
I organized a zone picture because I wanted one of my zone before everyone leaves tomorrow. This was quite a task because my zone is the second largest in the MTC w/74 people :)! Cool huh! Well the picture should already be up hopefully. These are amazing fateful missionaries and we are all ready to do his work.

So every Sunday and Tuesday we have devotionals that feel like mini General Conference. Well each of these devotionals are life changing and wonderful! My patriarchal blessing has never come more to life than during my mission and especially during these devotionals. They also help me know what type of missionary I want to be and what type of person I want to be.

We found out last Tuesday that there are a little over 85,000 missionaries right now.
Last Tuesday, I was fortunate enough to hear to hear from Elder Clark my now favorite member of the Quorum of the Seventy. I could not help help but cry, tears rolled down my eyes as the spirit filled my heart. One story touched me more then any other story has.

A man who had heard about the missionaries and the church looked out his window and saw the missionaries coming towards his house, he saw them knock on each door and get closer. He ran to set up a table with the bible asked the kids to sit around the table and his wife to open the door when the knock came on their door. They waited , and waited, one minute went by then two, three, four five etc. The knock never came. It would be another 7 years before they joined the church. As this story was being told and every time I think about this family my heart breaks.  This family was ready to hear this wonderful message. It is my hope to never be that missionary. In my journal I wrote always knock, and before you go home pray and listen to the spirit.

There is so much I learn in the devotionals I have filled many pages of my journal. I will try to include as much as I can.

Please bare with me as I open my heart to all of you. I have an unshakable testimony of the  truthfulness of the Book of Mormon, of this gospel. I know that President Thomas S. Monson is a living prophet I know that we will always need a living prophet. I know how much The Lord loves his children because I've felt it. I have felt a small percent of his love for the people of Korea and it's not only grand but beautiful beyond words and description. I say I've only felt a small amount because I know His love is greater even than what I felt. I know He loves each of his children individually.

Never forget or doubt God's love for you and that H
e gave his son for you. Jesus Christ died for each one of us. He died that we may forever live with God. He died for our sins but also for our sorrows. This is the toughest thing I've ever done in my life but I am learning to give it up to him. He paid the price but only we can accept his sacrifice. You are never alone. Never be afraid to open your mouth and share your own testimony. It is our duty always. Thank you for the letters and emails they are amazing. I love hearing from all of you it means so much! I'll write again soon.


 Always,
Sister Tovar

P.S. I had the opportunity to host incoming sisters and it was an amazing experience. So much fun! I'll be doing that every chance I get.:)

2nd Letter from the MTC and some pictures

                                                                    September 22, 2013

Family and Friends!

I'm almost done with my second week at the MTC!  Wow does it go fast! First I need to say that I am so happy for the UTES! Go Utah! 20-13 we won! 4 year streak! So happy about that! Yes I was able to hear the crown from the MTC but no I still had no idea what was going on =).  I asked a cafeteria worker this morning and squealed a bit w a fist pump and my Go Utah! Shout out =). Okay I will and can now leave the world behind =). My vice and weakness but now I will turn to much more reverent things.

Two weeks means I have seven weeks left at the MTC and seven weeks before I get to go to Korea! =) I am so excited but also so nervous! I feel like I'll never really be able to say, "Okay I'm ready send me to Korea!" But, I know I will be able to say. "Heavenly Father thy will be done! As long as thy spirit is with me and I have thy help I know I can do this work, thy work!" More and more I am leaning it's not about me this is for and its about Him, our Savior and Redeemer.  It doesn't matter how horrible I am at Korean or how little I think I know because what matters is that they, the investigators feel His spirit.  The more I realize this the more grateful I am because with him all is possible! However, that does not mean I can slack off. There is so much I still have to do. If not it would be like using a knife to eat cereal or use a computer with no hardware or the the wrong one.  I am His tool and I need to be the right one.  Oh I hope I am not confusing you to much.  A better analogy is a filing cabinet, He can help us pull out the right files at the right time.  However, if we have not put anything into the filing cabinet then there is nothing He can take out for us to use.  The miracle comes after the trial of your faith, after you first put in the effort and work.  After we do all that we can He will do the rest.

Having said that I have really tried to study and learn, but I know I have tons more to give.  I have great news I can almost pretty much pray in Korean without my cheat sheet =). I can also read!!! And little by little my vocabulary is expanding =).  Of course I mean being able to say simple prayers in Korean pretty much like my adorable little nieces say their prayers =) only not as cute =).  I can read but it is very slowly and I don't always have the right pronunciation but again little by little, precept by precept. I'm learning lots of patience! Especially in myself.

Another neat thing I've learned is that planning for the future is great, but we have to remember to live day by day. I'm still learning to apply all of these great things.

Sorry that was a small tangent we all know how much I love those. Back to missionary life and Korea. So I can't remember if I wrote this last time but my zone, the Korean speaking missionaries is the second biggest in the MTC we have about 74 I believe. We found out a couple days ago three district (classes) are reporting to Korea in one week! So exciting and also sad because we have all become close. It's bittersweet but wonderful! They are going to Australia, Canada, and Korea! All Korean speaking isn't that amazing!? I'm so excited to go out in the field and start to help His children come to HIm. His work is going forth in full force and I am so grateful to have the opportunity to be part of it.  I'm happy someday to be able to say to Him, "My Savior  was not only blessed to have the opportunity to return to thee, thou hast also blessed me with the opportunity to serve thee. Oh how I thank thee for that!" I want to be able to say I served thee with all I had everyday! We can all do this and say this to Him because remember, "if ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God." (Mosiah 2:17) I can testify of the truthfulness of it now more than ever.

For now that's what I'll leave you with. Everyday is an adventure full of great things =) and miracles. I'll try to write once a week on Sundays =) So seven more and then I'll be in Korea! Oh btw I should be leaving the MTC around Nov 8th =). I'm so happy to be here and so grateful for all of the experiences and opportunities. I have a long way to go and a lot to learn.

I know this gospel is true and I am excited to share this happiness with others in the world. I know my Heavenly Father loves me and knows and is aware of every person in the world.  We are never alone He is always here for us.  We must open the door and when we do He will be there.  Life is never easy but it is ours to make the most out of it.  Be of good cheer.

Always,

Sister Tovar

First Letter from the MTC!

                                                                                                      September 15, 2013

Family and Friends!

    Boy is it nice to write to you and be able share my journey from the past 4 1/2 days.  It really has been a journey. The MTC has been an amazing experience, but also one of the most difficult times I've had. The MTC, like like, is what you want it to be, your attitude will set the mood for your experience. That is one of the first lessons I've learned.

  I won't be sharing every detail of the last 4 1/2 days but I will share many details of my first day. My first day at the MTC will really paint the picture for how the remainder of the week has been =).

  My arrival time was 2 so my family and I woke up early Wednesday morning and drove from Las Vegas to Provo, UT.  We arrived with just enough time to eat lunch, take pictures, and say our goodbyes.  After saying bye we drove to the MTC and I was dropped off and was greeted by a sister missionary going to Paris, France on her mission. She was very kind and helpful. After she helped with my luggage I got my MTC welcome "stuff" including my ID card, my badge =), and language package.  I dropped things off in my room and then went straight to class. Little did I know getting my stuff would be the easiest and most relaxing thing I would do until today Sunday =). I walked into my class and heard words I did not understand and the teacher just kept speaking in a language that was completely foreign. He never spoke English and hasn't until now except a few words, no sentences.   I was lost from the start and things haven't changed much.  Right after a ll the new missionaries went to  a fireside where the MTC presidency welcomed us.  We found out there were 410 incoming missionaries and we came from 16+ different countries. Right after the fireside/devotional was dinner, then we as incoming missionaries were split up into a few groups and in groups we taught not real investigators, but we didn't find that part out until afterwards.  I believe when we were done with that it was time to be back at the residence hall and pretty much just had time to get ready for bed and sleep.  When I say right after I literally mean right after.  At the MTC they scheduled things this way: Dinner 5:15-5:45, class 5:45-9:25.... etc.

   It probably would have been more simple to just say the MTC is hectic and I've been nonstop busy but I don't think it would have done it justice.  Even with my quick description of my first day it still does not do justice to how busy we are.  Don't misunderstand please I love it! All of it! I wish I had more time to study but thats all. This is one of the toughest things I've experienced but it is amazing and life changing. I've learned more about myself, I'm definitely being humbled, and I'm learning what is important. BTW I do have a companion sister Chestnut and she is amazing.  Everything is inspired by Heavenly Father.  She is from Payson, UT and went to BYU! Yes, its been confirmed I need to be nicer to BYU =) She is 20 and much smarter than I am in Korean.  She took two semesters before getting her mission call. She also has a twin who is also going on a foreign mission.

                                                                                                    September 16, 2013

Sorry didn't have time to finish this letter yesterday but I am determined to finish is today.

I've learned so much, yesterday we were able to watch Character of Christ by Elder Bednar and it was life-changing! You should all watch it! Oh and Lexi our devotional was with brother Tanner who produced "17 Miracles".  I believe this is where I will end my letter for my first week.

I am so happy to be serving the Lord doing His work.  I am grateful He gave me (allowed me) this opportunity.  My testimony and faith in His gospel has grown more and I've seen His miracles.  It's amazing to see the power of righteous young men and women and their faith in God even to teaching a language in such a short amount of time. It is truly a miracle.  I know my Savior, Jesus Christ lives and that Heavenly Father loves each of His children.  I know He lives! I am excited to share it with the world!

Always,
Sister Tovar

1 Nephi 3:7

"I ^awill go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no ^bcommandments unto the children of men, save he shall ^cprepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them." 1 Nephi 3:7

On July 3, 2013 I received my call to serve a full time mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Korea Seoul South Mission. I'll be reporting to the Provo missionary training center on September 11, 2013 :). I am super excited to be embarking on this great adventure and to be able to share with my friends and family.

Disclaimer/opening page :)

"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding" Proverbs 3:5

I've never been a fan of blogging and never really thought I would do it, but like most things in my life here I am. On April 7, 2013 I decided I would serve a full-time mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints which in a simple explanation means that I will have the opportunity to share my testimony of the gospel I love and know to be true, and that I will be able to serve others and maybe if I'm fortunate enough be able to help others accepts God's gospel. I will be able to do this in Korea Seoul for 18 months starting September 11, 2013.

For those of you who know me and are members of the church you know I am bold about my beliefs, my testimony, and my standards. But to those who are not members like most of my family and school friends from home you don't know this side of me very well until now. My hope isn't to offend but to share my beliefs and if I hope to do this for the next 18 months I'm going to start by doing it now. I will be bold and straightforward about my beliefs because that's the only way I know how to explain anything associated with the gospel. It is my hope though that you will continue to follow this amazing adventure I am be embarking on and that you will have an open heart and mind and if nothing else use it as a means to get to know who I am more fully. My biggest fear in sharing this side of me with my family and friends is offending someone because that's the last thing I want to do. Here goes nothing ...