Dear familia,
I'm so happy that everything went well
at the funeral! That's so good to hear that it was a beautiful service.
I never doubted for a moment that it was going to be anything less
that amazing. Sorry you haven't received your call yet. TRUST ME, I
know how frustrating waiting for that can be!!
Can you believe it? It's MARCH! I will have served
TWO YEARS by Wednesday. IT's amazing how long it's been but how short
it's felt. Yesterday, we had a wonderful experience in sacrament
meeting. I'll have to tell you a little bit of background info leading
up to it though to let you feel how special it really was.
We've been visiting with Sister Carter and her
daughter since my first transfer in Pearson and since the first time,
they have wanted to come, but haven't been able to get to church because
their house is in a little city about 30 minutes from the church and
they don't drive. The only other option that we have been able to think
is her husband, Dale, but he's firmly devoted to the church they attend
regularly. We've been going out there and have started to get to know
Dale a little bit better and it all led up to Saturday. We asked him
how he felt about coming up to Pearson on Sunday morning for church and
he told us that he didn't really want to go, but then we asked him what
about for Sister Carter and Marlena and he agreed to take them!!
So anyway, we were sitting in church and service
started and about a minute later, there Sister Carter and Marlena and
her kids were! It was SO good to see them in church. Unfortunately, we
had to leave the chapel to go and translate out in the foyer, but then
during fast and testimony meeting Sister Carter got up and bore a
powerful testimony. Everyone in the church felt that! She told the
story about us going over there and then said, "Even though it's been
hard and I haven't been able to come to church, I'm proud to say that
I've made it. I haven't been to church for ten years, but I still know
that it is true!" About a million people talked to her after and
thanked her and welcomed her. We couldn't have asked for anything more
amazing to happen! It seems like Dale is really starting to like us
more and more. I'm hoping he opens up and comes in next time they come
to church.
Lesly didn't make it to church this week because of a
miscommunication. (It amazes me that people used to get by without
cell phones.) She's still planning on being baptized this week though.
Friday, March 7, 2014 in Pearson. Be there or be square :) Seriously
though, pray for her!! We made her invitations at Walmart to hand out
to her friends and family. It's going to be an amazing service, I
already can tell. I had a dream last night that we filled up the chapel
with people supporting her. We'll hopefully be able to find a lot more
people to teach through this service! I'll let you know how it goes
the following Monday.
Sorry to say, but I don't think that Uncle Keith and
Aunt Kathy could visit me... They probably live in the Georgia Macon
Mission boundaries though, don't they? Augusta's in our mission. Seems
like a pretty area.
Elder Dearing is still here. He's training an Elder
from Sacramento, CA named Elder Hillier. He told me this week that
before coming out, he had looked at my blog and read over some of my
e-mails! I guess you could say that's "pretty cool!" Elder Munford
moved up to Ridgeland, SC. If you ever get to talk to Heather Ingram,
tell him to treat that Elder extra special. He's the funniest person
once he opens up.
I have been so blessed to be companions with Elder
Allen. He and I have been having a little bit of a struggle without a
car since last Monday, but we'll be getting it back pretty soon
hopefully! According to the shop guy, we should have it by Wednesday
assuming they don't find more problems!
Elder Allen and I both bore our testimonies
yesterday. I was stressed because I didn't really know what to do
because of the translation, so I just had to put it down and go into the
chapel. It was cool because then Judith Merrell told me that she got
up and was prompted to bear her testimony in Spanish without me even
saying anything, so that worked out perfectly! I bore my testimony for
the last time on my mission in fast and testimony meeting. I didn't
expect it, but I teared up a lot. I haven't been so nervous in my life
to bear a testimony.
I know that the church is true. More than anything,
I'm grateful for the change that a mission has made in my own life, and
I hope that I have inspired similar change in others. I know that the
restoration of the gospel came to us through the prophet Joseph Smith.
I know that Jesus Christ is our Savior and knows us perfectly. I know
that his promises are always there for those that obey his commandments
and strive to live the gospel. It's true, what else do I need to say?
Love,
Elder Moore
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Lesly with Santa Claus |
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Giovanna, Lesly, and Natalia |
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Beautiful Sunset in Pearson, Georgia |