Tryston O’Toole submitted his mission paperwork in the fall of 2021, eagerly anticipating a call to serve as a teaching missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Six weeks later, he and his family were invited to meet with the stake president, who shared unexpected news.
Because of O’Toole’s Tourette syndrome and depression diagnosis and the medication for both, he wasn’t considered for a teaching assignment. But there was another option if O’Toole was willing—a service mission.
The young man from Corona, California, and his family were initially disappointed. At that time, the idea of service missions was still relatively new. But as the stake president explained the concept of a service mission, a warm, reassuring feeling confirmed to O’Toole and his family that it was a call from the Lord.
Five years later, O’Toole describes his mission as one of the greatest blessings in his life.
“If it wasn’t for a mission, I wouldn’t have anything that I have right now,” he said. “It’s how I met my wife. It’s how I got my first real job. Literally everything that I have up until this point is because of my mission.”
Visit the Church News to read more about the miracles Tryston experienced during his mission.
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