February 24, 2014

Querida Familia,

It looks like you had a lot of fun in California.  I was wondering where that picture was taken when Judith showed it to us on Friday.  That dinner was way good that she made, like they always are.  The cornbread salad was good too, I'm excited to make it for ya'll.  

That's too bad to hear about Patriarch Brown.  Seems like it was a pretty peaceful experience for them.  I'm happy to hear that Sister Brown sounds good too.  I'm sure it's still hard for her.  I'll be praying for you two for Saturday!  

That's so exciting about Ryan and Ali as well!  You should tell them congratulations from me and that I hope I get to babysit their new baby sometime like I did with Sadie!  That's a priceless smile she's got there.

This week we met a man named Kiel that isn't a member of the church, but the rest of his family is.  He told us that he wants to be baptized, but we might need to wait a little while for that to happen.  Anyway, he took us out to the swamp on their property the other day to try to show us some alligators, but unfortunately we didn't see much.  There was a fish swimming down the path we were driving on though..  His family also gave us the best cupcakes I've ever eaten.  They got them from a cupcake bakery in Valdosta.  

That's Kiel's son, Kielex (I don't know if that's how you spell it..)  

We also got to go over and do some service for the Carters this week.  He's been doing pretty good.  He says he's been trying to quit smoking for the past month, and that's about the same time that we've been over there visiting him.  We watched the Prophet of the Restoration with Olivia this week and we taught Lesly the Plan of Salvation yesterday after church.  That was a lot of fun!  We played Plan of Salvation Pictionary with her after.  Way too easy, but she learned all about premortal life, our earth life, death, resurrection, the spirit world and the degrees of glory.  She was going to get baptized this weekend, but we moved it to next Saturday so that more people plan on coming.  I'll have to get a picture of her!  

Elder Munford left us this week..  The house hasn't been as fun as it was when he was here.  Good and bad, I'd say haha.  

Here's a picture of the four of us posing like we're a bunch of models.  Haha.  The funny thing is that it wasn't planned, as you can tell from Elder Dearing in the back there.  

I can't believe how fast that week went by..  It'd be fun to see a bunch of people at the airport when I get home, but I'll be fine if you and dad just want to come..  If you do end up inviting other people, you should definitely include those people and Nick Jones.  I think it'd be awesome to do a fireside with Jordyn as well.  You can tell them I'd be OK with doing that!  

I love you a lot!  Hope you have a wonderful week.  Look!  Blossoms in Georgia!

Love,

Elder Moore

February 17, 2014

Querida familia,

NEWS FLASH!!

Soo...  The verdict is........  I'M STAYING WITH ELDER ALLEN TO THE END!!!!!!  We both had a couple of the worst days ever on Friday and Saturday anticipating the transfer phone call on Saturday night.  We were pretty convinced he was going to be leaving Pearson and neither of us wanted it.  We waited for the names to be read and when his wasn't, we just screamed and ran at each other and hugged so hard I almost broke my back haha.  It was the most excited I had been in a long time!  On Friday night, we were both feeling pretty rotten and couldn't sleep, so Elder Allen asked me to say a prayer for us, so I did and then we sat down next to my bed in the dark and just talked until like 2:00 in the morning.  It was the best conversation.  I honestly was pretty convinced we'd be staying together after that night.  We decided then that we are going to do all we can to make this the best transfer of our missions.

This week, we didn't really have a ton of appointments.  We had a lot set up, but most of them fell through.  We were able to teach Lesly a couple of times and she has been doing awesome.  She came to church again this week with her cousin.  Her cousin's name is Diana Araujo.  I just wanted to let you know that she is amazing!  We call them every Sunday morning to wake up the family to church and she comes every week, even this week when she was up until 2:00 Saturday night because her baby was sick.  But anyway, Lesly came and I was a little bit worried that she would be uncomfortable alone because her other cousin didn't come, but she ran off to primary by herself without saying a word!  She loves church!

We didn't get to teach Olivia this week because we went down to Valdosta on Wednesday night for a baptismal interview.  We'll be teaching her over at the McDowell's this week again on Wednesday night.  She's awesome too.  I talked to an Elder in Valdosta that's going home today.  He said that he'd be going to the St. George Visitors' Center Tuesday morning to study and go to the temple.  So, naturally I told him to take a picture with Charlotte and send it to me haha.  He's from St. George and from what it seems his family's all really close to the Sisters at the visitors' center or something.  I guess we have at least one thing in common :)  

So, we're planning on baptizing at least 3 people and having at least twenty Hispanic people come to church before the transfer is up.  I don't really know that I have much more to say about this week, but we're going to be seeing lots of miracles in the coming weeks, so be prepared for some good news the next six weeks!  I'm only slighty trunky..  Haha.  WAIT!  I'll tell you this - last night some members wanted to say goodbye to one of the Elders that's leaving us in Pearson and they showed us a video of the Brother's homecoming from his mission.  Now, THAT was a trunky moment.  

I'll be praying for you and also for the Browns!   I'll be forever grateful for the wonderful Patriarchal blessing he gave me.  Give them a hug for me!  I don't know if I ever told you, but while I was in Beaufort I sent him a thank you note for giving me my patriarchal blessing because one of the members told me that was his favorite part about being a patriarch - when people would thank him for being worthy and inspired to give blessings.  I love you a lot!  

I can't wait to see you on March 31st!  Love you!

Pictures:

 This is Elder Allen, Jonathon McDowell and me.  (Elder Moore - your son)

 This is Elder Munford with the White family.

 This is Diana Araujo and her daugher, Mariana.  Aka cutest baby in the GMM.

Love,

Elder Moore

February 10, 2014

Linda Familllllia!  

It's been an eventful week!  We started off on Monday talking to the Araujo's cousins, Lesly and Alex.  It was a lot of fun!  I thought you would appreciate hearing that we showed them how to have an FHE and at the end we ate cake and played BUCKLE BUCKLE BEANSTALK!  Haha.  They all loved it!  We went back later that week to teach them again and they wanted to play again because they had so much fun last time.  It was like being at home again!  We set Lesly up that night to be baptized on the first of March and she was very excited about it.  We stopped by one last time on Saturday before church on Sunday and told her to just ask her cousins for a ride to church even if Alex couldn't drive her and she did it!  Sadly, Alex had something else going on, so she didn't come yesterday, but Lesly was there and told us that she had a lot of fun in Primary with Giovana, her cousin.  

We haven't been able to meet with Olivia all week because her great uncle was passing away so everyone was spending their free time with him in the hospital.  He passed away Saturday at about 2:30 in the morning and the funeral is today.  We were able to go to the viewing last night to meet a lot of the family.  Mormon funerals are so cool!  Not saying everyone there was Mormon, but a lot of them...  There wasn't too much mourning or sadness, everyone was just enjoying being with their family.  That's the way they should always be!  

On Wednesday we went over to talk to a less active member, Laura, and her husband, Dale.  We had the longest lesson of my mission, but we invited him to read the Book of Mormon and pray about it of course and he agreed.  We talked to him about what the voice of the Lord feels like and read 3 Ne 11:3 without knowing that's the scripture that converted Laura to the gospel many years ago.  She has told us a lot about how much she wants to come back to church, but she lives about 25 minutes from it and she doesn't have a ride...  We're hoping to be able to get them both coming to church by this week or next!  The lesson itself was actually pretty cool too because he kept pulling out scriptures in a way that we thought were totally just going to be contending against what we were teaching, but they all just pretty much testified that what we were teaching is true.  Thanks Dale!  He's a dry Mormon like most people, he just doesn't realize it yet!  

This week on Friday we also got to do two fun things.  We went over to the Merrells' for their son Ammon's birthday party and watched some investigators of ours cut up a pig!  That was disgusting, but still cool haha.  Between the pig and the party I hit a tiny little deer in our car..  It felt like we hit a big rock or something, so I just slammed on the brakes and we went over to check it out and before I could get a picture, it got up and struggled a little bit and then ran off!  We can just call it animal cruelty day.  I'll send you pictures of the pig before and after.  You probably don't want to see in between :) 

Sorry if you've all been scarred from seeing those pictures!  Haha doesn't the result look delicious though? 

 

We went to a Catholic baptismal reception full of Latinos and their relatives!  It was a lot of fun talking to people and we got a person's phone number to come teach them..  Is that ok to do at a Catholic party??  It wasn't at or near a church!  Haha.  

Transfers are next week!  Only one more transfer..  Mind blown!!  It's going to go fast, but I'm sure that the Lord has great things in store in these last 6 weeks.  I honestly hope that I can stay companions with Elder Allen.  It's been a huge blessing to be companions with him!!  He's awesome :)  Have a great week!  You both look GREAT in that picture you put in for your application!!  Keep up the good work and the shenanigans, Dad!  I wish I could have been there for your piano solo.  Mom - you're doing a great job at being a missionary!  Keep it up :)  I'm sure that the Lord will bless you as long as you're prayerful and faithful to the end!  A lot of times as a missionary, the most elect person that I find in a day is the very last one at 8:55 at night!  

Love,

Elder Moore

 

(That's the sunset from Friday night when we hit the deer.)

February 3, 2014

What Elder Moore does after he's fed a delicious meal at a member's house.

 

Dear Family:

Mosiah 5:2 (Scripture Mom asked "who knows the scripture that talks about 'losing all desire for sin'"?)

Miraculous fast Sunday!  I had such a powerful experience yesterday!!  It's not the first time it's happened with fasting, but it still strengthened my faith in the Savior SO much.  I wrote down all the things that Elder Allen and I were fasting for and then prayed I would be able to remember them throughout the day.  I forgot to mention that I was having a pretty awful week and felt "encompassed about by temptation.."  It was just rough, so I fasted for that very thing you just asked about!  One of the things I fasted for was to have no desire to do evil but to do good continually.  Anyway, some of the things I wrote down were that, "Olivia - conversion / get testimony / progression, Adrian - have a softer heart / receive an answer, focus on mission, courage to talk to everyone.."  A couple more too that I can't remember.

I went into the church and from the very beginning of the service to the end I felt blissful and wonderful even though Olivia was the only one at church (Answer #1).  She has SUCH good questions and is just progressing so well.  

We went over to Adrian's after not seeing him for a week and he was outside cleaning off his couch.  He told us he was busy and to come back later.  I can't lie, I thought things weren't going to ever be the same but we went back later that day and he was extremely nice and understanding..  He told us that he didn't even pray to ask about Joseph Smith being a prophet, so sorry to let you down there, but his heart was softened (Answer #2).

We went out later yesterday to see some people and it was just so much easier to talk to everyone that was out and about.  We met a couple of really cool people yesterday just from talking with everyone (Answer #3).  We left the apartment when we just wanted more than anything to collapse in the house and sleep for a week because of fasting and plain old being tired, so we went out to work instead of giving up (Answers #4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and so on haha).  

We ended our fast around 4:30 and I hadn't really realized until I reviewed the list of things we were fasting for that the Lord granted every blessing that we had asked for.  I couldn't make it through the prayer without choking up.  I had felt so empty and the Lord filled my heart with the spirit all at once.  It was almost overwhelming, but it was so wonderful!  I shared what happened with Elder Allen and later that night we set up goals to continue to have spiritual experiences like that one and to be more unified and exactly obedient.  It was an answer to a lot of prayers, probably from you guys and myself.  

So, I guess I'll tell you a little bit more about Olivia!!  She's amazing!!  She's the cousin of the Ward Mission Leader.  We teach her once a week in the McDowell's home and it gets better each time.  I mean, we've only taught her twice, but between visits she had read and prayed.  She asked us questions about Heavenly Mother.  Ha I don't really know how to respond, but that's the beauty of being in a member home.  She told us that she was reading the chapter we left with her and couldn't really understand much of it, but her boyfriend just told her to pray like we had suggested so she did and then could understand it much easier.  She asked us about the baptism of fire and speaking with the tongues of angels..  Again good thing we were with the McDowells because they were able to explain the speaking with the tongues of angels to her.  It explains it in the next chapter..  I felt sheepish for never making that connection on my own!

We're all having a lot of fun and really enjoying being together.  I love Elder Allen so much!  I hope that he finishes me off to be completely honest!  We've come a long way since week one here.  Whatever happens though, I'm sure that it's what the Lord wants.  

I registered for classes on Saturday.  Chem 106, New Testament (part 2), and Weightlifting.  I was recommended to just take Chem 106 and another general or religion class by the Life Sciences department.  It sounded like a good idea to me.  I'm thinking about doing swimming, but I just want it to be outside so I can get tan haha.  I don't think it would be, so I'll just have to stick with a season pass to Seven Peaks and Tyler and Jaimee and the churn.  (That's ebonics for children or kids :))  

You're amazing missionaries!  I told everyone in the ward yesterday that you're serving a mission and testified about "catching the wave" and how you guys are such a huge example to me of how missionary work can be done in SO many different ways!  I'm also amazed at how on fire our family has been for the past 2 to 3 years because of all of these missions.  I completely agree that we should get something that says "In this family, we serve missions."  I'll make it if you're patient enough to wait until I get home!  I think I could make something cool.  :)  

I'm sure you've seen it already, but I just wanted to invite you to watch this again.  I love it so much.  I get teary-eyed in my heart every time I see it.  :')  http://www.lds.org/training/wwlt/2013/hastening/special-broadcast?lang=eng#media=16902107223790014226-eng

I also fasted to find a family and we found some more potentials, so I'll keep informed on their progress :)  And I also fasted that you'd make inspired decisions!  I love you so much!  I hope that you have a great week!  Keep up the good work!  Have the family ready earlier than the 23rd :)  You could have two or three families ready by then :)  

Love,

Elder Moore

It has scarcely been one year since I announced the lowering of the age of missionary service. Since that time the number of full-time missionaries serving has increased from 58,500 in October 2012 to 80,333 today. What a tremendous and inspiring response we have witnessed!

The holy scriptures contain no proclamation more relevant, no responsibility more binding, no instruction more direct than the injunction given by the resurrected Lord as He appeared in Galilee to the eleven disciples. Said He, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizingthem in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.”²The Prophet Joseph Smith declared, “After all that has been said, the greatest and most important duty is to preach the Gospel.”³ Some of you here today will yet remember the words of President David O. McKay, who phrased the familiar “Every member a missionary!”⁴

To their words I add my own. Now is the time for members and missionaries to come together, to work together, to labor in the Lord’s vineyard to bring souls unto Him. He has prepared the means for us to share the gospel in a multitude of ways, and He will assist us in our labors if we will act in faith to fulfill His work.