Dangerous mattress escapades

This past week has been pretty great, but humbling as well. And this coming week will bring a lot of changes. My companion and about half of my zone is leaving, as well as both of our zone leaders. I am interested to see what will happen.

This past Monday night I was at my desk writing when we got a call from the sisters. They had locked themselves out of their apartment, and were going to have to sleep in the church building, but they didn't have any mattresses, so we had to call an investigator who had a truck to come help us. Upon arriving at our Apartment building, I realized that I had locked our keys in our house. So ensued an hour of trying to break into our own house. It´s to the credit of the Costa Rican people that no one called the police, cause it was about 11:30, and we weren't exactly quiet. Since I have a bit of a history in lock picking, I set out to find suitable instruments. I found what I needed and returned to the scene of the crime. After ten minutes of working I was finally able to get the door open (miracle). I strutted triumphantly into the house, threw the lock pick to the side, and struck the Rocky pose, both Fists Held High, immensely pleased with myself. While I was thus posturing, in walked my companion and district leader, laughing hard, holding up the keys to the apartment. While I was searching for my Tools Of The Trade, they had gotten the door open, retrieved the keys, and re-locked the door. What is the moral of this story? What´s the important part? I got that daggumed door open even though those miscreants had set me up. Also don´t trust laughing Latinos. That´s a tad stereo typical, don´t trust laughing people PERIOD. Unless you understand why they are laughing.

My accomplices

But this left a rather serious problem. The mattresses needed to be removed from the church and returned to the apartment. And being the responsible eighteen year old's we are, we put it off till the last moment, until it was Saturday night, with church the next day and no truck to transport them. So the four of us (E. Ferrufino, E. Lopez the District Leader, and E. Medina) waited until it was late so that no one would see us, put the mattresses on our heads, and walked home through the sleepy streets of Santa Cruz with mattresses bouncing on our heads, like Indian women. What culture am I from again? But we got home without any complications (crossing streets was a bit scary since we couldn't really see very well) Adventure ended.

This past Wednesday there was a special conference from Salt Lake, especially for missionaries. Elder Bednar spoke, and many others. It was a wonderful reminder that truth uplifts and edifies, it helps you make a game plan for a better you. We live step by step, we grow step by step. This Saturday an Apostle is coming to Costa Rica, Quentin L. Cook I believe. I´m super excited for it. I´ll tell you how it goes.

Dangerously (just kidding moms),

Elder Noah M. Toney

Not sure what this is about....

... We should all be afraid to ask!

Peter walks on water

January 18, 2015

Hello Everyone!

Someone asked me to tell you in this email about what my pdays are like.  Well, on pday we have a normal morning schedule, so we wake up at 6.30, exercise, eat, shower, get ready, then study for two hours.  After that we usually write emails.  Then we buy food and eat lunch.   If we don't have anything planned, we go to the chapel to play ping pong or something like that.  Our pdays are kind of boring sometimes-- my companion likes to sleep--but they are much needed and I´m glad we have them. We do not do our own laundry, we pay a member to do it. Aaaaaand I'm not gonna answer the question about the last time I washed my sheets...

I tried to withdraw money and the atm wouldn't accept my card, so I´m not quite sure how to do it. I'm gonna ask around to see what I can learn.

So there´s a city here called Limón, and every time I hear the name, I think of Momma J's lemon pepper chicken and get really hungry haha. And then I think of yáll and look forward to the day I´ll get to see everyone again. That being said, the time is slipping out of my fingers like the sand in the hour glass.  Sometimes I worry that I´m not doing enough, that I´m not as good as the Lord needs me to be.

Oh the biggest party in Costa Rica is going on Santa Cruz right now. For five straight days the party rages, in the which NO ONE está en casa. So it makes it hard to teach. There´s bull riding, clowns, dances, it is absolutely crazy. Oh and a lot of drunk people.

I was asked which discussion I teach the most.  There is no competition in my answer.  We teach the restoration a BUNCH because we´re always finding new investigators. And often after the first lesson it´s hard to get a hold of people, so they don´t progress.

Yesterday I was sitting in the chapel during sacrament meeting thinking about when Jesus walked on water, and more specifically when Peter tried.  In my mind I saw a beautifully depicted image, and I wished that I could sketch it out. However, I don´t have the skill for drawing, so I tried to write the picture inside my head.  It is the best I could do--I'm sorry if badly done.

I saw Him walking and I felt a fire within me, a burning desire to do as He does, to be as He is. And in my faith, perhaps ignorance, perhaps arrogance, perhaps ambition,

I stepped out into the sea.

And for a moment I stood tall, His gaze sustained me. But then I saw Opposition.

Now come the waves.

And I´m sinking, rain lashes, lightning threatens, water crushes, what supported me looms to finish me.

How could I be so foolish as to believe that I could accomplish this? He set the example, Who Am I but a man of little faith?

Panic chokes me more surely than the avaricious water. Sorrow sets in as I remember when I was divinely called to this work, what little I knew to suppose that I could fulfill it with my own talents and abilities. 
The water is to my chest, salty tears mix with the churning, briny water.

Confusion, why is this so hard? Aren´t I giving my all? Did He not bid me come? And where is He now that I need Him so desperately? Now that I've commenced this fateful and imminently fatal journey? I can´t go back, the boat is up and far away, I know that to look back would render me unfit, but I´m drowning.

Remembrance. I cry, my voice hoarse with terror. I have but to look up, He is here.  The outstretched hand, deliverance waiting. All that is left to see is if we will take His hand And move forward. It seems so simple, yet how often do we reject it.

I am out of time.

Pensively,

Elder Noah M. Toney

Where your heart is

Hello All!

I hath found a scorpion in my room and am ready to declare war on all bug races. Let it be known, they shall die.

Today the letter will be short, sorry.

We have about 50 investigators in total. We find new people by walking down streets talking with everyone. The best situations are when we find a family resting in their house. This is one of my favorite activities, partly because rejection just cracks me up, I don´t per say enjoy it, but neither does it bother me. We found an old woman the other day who was one of the original Costa Rican Saints. She doesn't go to church because she can´t walk, but when we talked to her, we could see that the gospel meant a lot to her. She has about eighty years. Once in a lesson, a friend came over, we invited her to sit and listen and low and behold that ancient sister started testifying like a preacher on Sunday. It was down right nifty.

Our recent convert

In a lesson we always start out with just talking with them, getting to know them, growing to love them. Then we have a prayer and talk a bit about doctrine, usually whatever it is they have questions about. We then leave them something to read, and close with a prayer. I'm really starting to enjoy lessons. What I love is when we´re talking about doctrine and you can just feel that´s it right, the investigators are nodding and agreeing and you just feel this excitement about the truth that makes it all worth it.

Something that I learned this week that is changing me:  even if I do all the good in the world, if it isn't what I want to do, or if my heart isn't in it, it means absolutely nothing, it won´t help me. I need to do things with all of my being, because if my actions are opposite of my desires, I will be miserable. Watch what you put your heart into, because if your heart isn't in the right place you'll only find frustration. And if your heart is in things that are not safe or of value, watch out.

Our Charlie Brown tree

My companion is also the hardest thing about the mission for me. So much to learn, but I believe that some day it will help me be a good spouse.

Succinctly,

Elder Noah M. Toney

Desires of the heart

Howdy howdy all;

Firstly first fruits, sorry about last week and the abrupt ending, as well as exclusion of the customary signature. My companion was feeling sick, and then he was feeling REALLY sick if you know what I mean, and we had to make a hasty egress. 

Unfortunately his pain progressed to the point where we were afraid that it might be apendicitis, in which case going to the hospital was mandatory. The only real hospital was an hour away, and there were no buses running at that time, and unfortunately, driving is not very common here. At least not in my area. Finally we were able to find some one, thank goodness. We made it to the hospital where he underwent multiple icky tests, (Blood tests are those to which I am referring. I do NOT like blood testing, needles...huuh) It turned out to just be a gastro intestinal virus. While we were waiting for the results, my mission president showed up (I´ve no Idea how he got there so quick) And although there wasn´t much he was able to do, his presence was comforting. He marched into the examining room, boldly proclaiming that we were his "boys" and then proceeded to make sure that all was paid for and kosher, although he had to leave (mission president are daggumed busy, apparently) He bought us food, on account of my companions sickness, he was not permitted to eat, so it was with sadness and duty that I devoured his portion in a flat 30 seconds. 

Other than that this week has been uneventful, we haven´t been able to do much on account of my companions sickness, but he´s doing a lot better now. A full day was spent in house, with him resting, and by my bloomers was it boring. I hope I never get sick. Everyone knock on wood for me.

New years eve we spent at a members house, eating the absolutely most delectable ribs I have ever had the pleasure of ingesting. Other than that, we didn´t do anything. It´s a little sad, but not much. I have yet to receive the package from my mother. We are in a ward, in a huge building (well, huge for here) That is church property, in fact that´s where we usually go for p days, to play basket ball and ping pong. It is without boastfulness that I proclaim my mastery of ping pongs over the natives of Costa Rica. (Ok maybe a little boastfulness) The bishop and many members live up to an hour away, so it can be hard to work with them, But I´m very close both with the bishop and with many members. We work a lot with less active members and recent converts. We almost always have investigators in the chapel, at least three, although the mission goal is eight for every companionship.

There are almost always lots of Americans in the chapel, so I get to practice my English bastante.

I learned a pretty huge lesson this week, and it´s that even if I do all the right things, make the right decisions, if in my heart I desire to be doing my own will, I will not be happy. I can do good, but I will be miserable in my heart.

Love Yáll!

Elder Toney being very dainty. With Hermana Terrones, Yerson, y Hermana Brown.

Sagaciously, (chiste)

Elder Noah M. Toney

Don't sacrifice happiness for pride

Hello Everyone!

Jacqueline Anderson sent me a list of Jedi/missionary comparisons, and I just want you to know that I am inestimably happy over that list. I do believe that my life has been made. For some reason my love for Star Wars is amplified here, but don´t worry, the Gospel is ever my focus.

Can I start out this week with a shout out to all the people who are supporting me? Do every single person that has sent me a package, or letter, or email, or love, or nice thoughts, or who has been my friend, I want you to know that you are making a difference in my life, and through me, the lives of many people here in Costa Rica. Although I am not perfect in my giving of thanks, let it be known that from the depths of my heart I am deeply grateful. An I ain´t sayin that lightly! The love that has been shown to me is changing me. I am a better person, and therefore a better missionary, because of all of you. I worry that you don´t know. But I know. This week has been hard, mostly because my trainer and I are struggling. Holy cats Batman the struggle is real. Two people with diverse faults are put together and fireworks result. Between my (at times) intimidating desire to communicate, and his desire to not have conflict, problems have ensued. But I can say with honesty that I love him, and that slowly things are improving. And in this process I am becoming a much better person. All the pride got stripped away and I realized that I am willing to do whatever necessary to be a good missionary, a good person, and someday a good husband and father. That being said, I am one stubborn son of a gun. So here´s the lesson I learned this week: Don´t sacrifice happiness for pride. It sucks.

The mission conference was pretty cool, we spent the night before in the house of the APs with other missionaries. So naturally I initiated a bunch of strength contests. The thing about central Americans is that by nature they are a tad bit small. So I ruled the coop until an older, biggerThr (he weighed like 220 fetchin pounds) white guy came in. Although I lost, respect was founded, and friendships were made. Never-mind the fact that the next couple of days I couldn't move my right shoulder. I´m a manly man. we don´t feel pain (that is for my brothers and Uncle Matthew).

My mission president is pretty darn cool, even though he doesn't speak much English. He´s also very strict. But out here in Santa Cruz, we rarely feel the effect of that. No I have yet to see any missionaries from the east mission. I believe there are about 60 pairs of missionaries, so 120 in all. It´s a five hour trip there and back, which I love. I´m a fan of buses in general, I get to think, and look at the country side. Seats are assigned so there aren´t many proselytizing opportunities. Wanna hear something crazy? Here in Costa Rica, there are certain places where they make you pay to use the bathroom! So you´re paying to eat the food, an payin to eliminate it. The nerve!

Mashing potatoes the ghetto way. I am using plastic bottles!

My APs are pretty chill, I really don´t have much contact with them as a greenie. Christmas day was literally just a regular day, it was strange because it really felt nothing like Christmas, which saddened me, but then I tthought, "What better way to the celebrate the birth of a man who spent His entire life in service, than through service?"

I must sign off for today.

With love,

Elder Toney

Feliz Navidad

Hello Everyone!

We have shortened email time because of Christmas, so this email will be shortened as well.

So I had my first baptism this week!

It was amazing, I wish I had time to describe more, but suffice it to say that I felt warmth in my heart knowing that I had helped bring joy to someone, because I saw in my investigators face (now newly baptized member) a hope for a better life. On the same day there was a wedding and then baptism for two investigators of the other missionaries in our area, and I was told that I would be baptizing them because the man was rather hefty. (Flexes biceps impressively.) I guess all that weight lifting had a purpose after all!

So this past week we had what is called the week of sacrifice, where we get up, have shortened studies, and work hard (hard) from ten in the morning to 9 at night, with a shortened lunch break of 20 to 30 minutes. For most of the week I was with one of the mission leaders in my area, called splits. It´s a great opportunity to learn from someone who´s been here a lot longer than I. I absolutely loved working with him, although at the end of the day I fell into my bed, absolutely dead. I also got a wonderfully deep sunburn. Now to all those mothers out there who at the very moment of reading this are shaking their fingers and saying in an exasperated voice "Why in Heavens name did you not wear sunscreen you silly boy?" I would just like to say that I have been here a month and a half and not ONCE have I needed sunscreen. The sun just had it out for me this week, Okay? I may happen to look like an over ripe tomato, but I am not (overly) stupid.

The last thing we did that was a lot of fun was for the ward Christmas party. You will have to refer to the picture because there is absolutely no way I can describe it, but golly was it funny.

What strengthens my faith when I´m down? I leaned something in my studies this week, it´s that faith is a process of patience. My faith most certainly is not perfect. I lack almost too much of that which a good person should have. But when in doubt, I fall to my knees in the most sincere and honest prayers I have ever offered. To my intensely logical mind, I love the fact that faith is testable. Meaning that by doing things like attending church, praying, reading in the scriptures, we can see if the seed of faith is good by watching to see if it grows. If we have feeling of peace and love in our hearts. That helps me :) Unflinching honesty in the face of our faults.

Love Y´all.

Oh fine. Feliz Navidad. I hope you´re happy.

Indomitably,

Elder Noah M. Toney

December in Santa Cruz

Hiyah;

December is HOT. It is a bit of a shock when I look at the calendar and see that it´s December, and that I´m sweating while I do it! Okay so Santa Cruz is a mid-sized town, about the size of Avon I think. The people are very laid back, at times that is a significant obstacle in getting them to attend church. There are muuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuchas fiestas, which is a bummer because that means that all of the people are out drinking in the streets, and no one is in their homes to receive us. But the people are also very friendly once you get to know them, and that´s when I love this work. I realized something (finally) this week. It´s that I really love this people. I really want to do everything I can for them, and as I tell them, I´m here in Costa Rica because I found something in the Gospel of this church that took my life and made it better. That gave me hope, and a much brighter future. I found a better, happier way to live. I´m here to share that. The point is happiness, more than that - joy. I love that simple truth. That we can, and even are supposed to, be joyful.

Transportation? By the incredibly cheap form of walking. I´m glad walking is good for my health, because there is an inordinate amount of it. My apartment is pretty groovy, but also ghetto. Our toilet doesn´t have the seat part, nor does the bathroom door stay closed. There are also bugs EVERYWHERE, but EVERYWHERE. Flipping tiny ants get into absolutely everything. I have no doubts that I have accidentally ingested more than a few. As I write that I realize how nasty that is...Oh well. For breakfast there´s eggs, rice, and beans. Lunch is always good because our cook knows what he´s doing. Dinner is usually at 10:00 o´clock at night and generally consists of rice and beans. And tortillas. Did I mention rice and beans yet? But seriously I love rice and beans cause they are cheap and plentiful. Christmas here usually involves lots of food (THANK GOODNESS) It´s also celebrated on the 24th for some reason. On the 22 we´ll travel to San José for the mission Christmas thingy, I honestly have no idea what that consists of. Because of that I´m not sure when I´ll next be emailing.

How am I surviving? Things are improving. I´m a lot more excited in the mornings now, because I know how important this message is and I dunno, I want to share my happiness. Even though many people are going to reject me, some (hopefully) won´t. And maybe this message will help them. Speaking of which, I learned a little about faith this week. I have always been a tad confused about it, it´s a rather elusive subject. But I think it works like this. It starts with a simple desire to know if all this jazz is true. That´s it, just a desire. How easy. And then we test it. When we do things like reading in the scriptures, pray, attend church. How do we feel? If good, then perhaps the message is true. We continue experimenting, our faith grows "if" it is true. What a simple way to know. This logic appeals to my intensely logical mind. If it´s true, our faith, and desire to do these things, and happiness, will grow, if the message is false, then okay, we don´t need to waste more of our time. But if it is true? How wonderful :) It would mean that there is a well defined way to Heaven, where a God that loves us is waiting. Nifty.

You know sometimes I´m frustrated cause I want to share more, and sometimes I´m sad because right now, I don´t have the blessing of being an active participant in the lives of those I love more than anything. But in some ways, it´s because of that love that I´m here. Know that you all are in my thoughts and prayers, and that I´m working on becoming the best possible missionary (and person) in part for all of you.

Frankly,

Elder Noah M. Toney

P.S.- I have gotten complaints about my use of big words for my closing salutation (mainly from my older brother, who is a third grade teacher. Why is he a teacher for third graders you might ask? Because any word over five letters is "big" to him, love you big brother ;)