May 6, 2013

 Dear FAMILIA, 

I'm so lucky to be here. I don't think you even realize how beautiful it is! I have taken a bunch of pictures of the marshy-type things that are grass at low tide and water at high tide. I just don't think that any of them will do it justice. The only thing that worries me is that if a hurricane or something hit, we would be completely under water! Haha probably not, but just a thought. It really is a place straight out of your dreams - unlike any other place I have been in my life! Add Emalie Ingram on Facebook. I think that she's taken some good pictures of what it looks like. Maybe we'll go out and take some pictures today for P DAY.

Apparently one of the girls from American Idol is in the top 3 and from Beaufort, so everyone is VERY excited about that!! Everyone here that I have met is incredibly nice and, as they put it, Beaufort is PARADISE. It had been raining since I got here, but the sun came out this morning and it's even more amazing than before. It's a blessing to be here!!

As for the work, I'm not really sure what to be doing. We have been organizing our maps and rosters to try to go out and find part member families and unbaptized children to start and then work around that. I am with an English speaking companion right now and I'm just figuring that I will probably be working mostly English and talking to Spanish people along the way. I met a member named Sister Mendez from Mexico this week. As far as I know, she is the only member that doesn't speak English. We met with a couple other members, but haven't been seeing a ton of success YET. Keep in mind though that it's only been like 4 days :)

I had one of the most amazing experiences I have ever had yesterday  morning. We went out to a place called Parris Island to do a sacrament service and Sunday school for the recruits that are training to become Marines. They are so amazing and humble and willing to listen. They understand how much they need God because of how crazy hard their training is, so there are quite a few non members that even attend. We had a powerful testimony meeting yesterday and I was amazed by how much faith they all have. After sacrament meeting, I was able to go and give blessings to the ones that wanted them in a separate room (with a member that looks just like Zedd) and then teach an investigator class to the non-members. One of them is getting baptized on the 26th. It's kind of hard to explain the situation of what the Parris Island experience is like, but it was incredible to say the least!

It's called Parris Island because all of the Beaufort area is divided up into literal Islands. There are bridges everywhere and bays and you can see the Atlantic Ocean from some spots. It's seriously beyond beautiful!! Especially when it's NOT raining for 4 days straight :)

My new address is 2205 Southside, Blvd. Apt. 11B Port Royal, SC 29935 

Look it up on Google maps just to see how interesting this town is set up! Emalie lives just outside of Beaufort on Lemon Island. It's technically part of a town called Okatie and they go to the Ridgeland Ward. They live about 15 minutes from our apartment though and I was able to see her right when I arrived! We stopped by and talked for a few minutes with her family. They are some of the nicest people I have ever met and they're kids will seriously be best friends with you the first time you meet them. A lot to say this week about the area, but not a ton yet about the work!! Pray that we will be led to the elect and members that need the most help :)

Love ya'll so much :)

Elder Moore