Last one

Photos:
1753: Ramey family <3
1715: Wichita Zone!
1718: A senior couple, the Jensens. They came to inspect our apartment
the other day.
1721: Maxine! That was baptized on 11 Aug. How cute is she??


Dear Brothers and Sisters,
It's hard to believe that this is my last email to you. My parents
have all sent short little blurbs this week basically saying nothing
but "we are excited to see you!" I am really tired and we have a full
couple days before I get on the bus on Thursday. But I wouldn't have
it any other way. I plan on going out to thrash nations as D&C 35 puts
it and end strong. Sister Jones is an angel and is helping me stay
strong and not lose my mind.

Maxine's baptism on Saturday was so sweet. Her entire family was the
program. Her granddaughter spoke and it was so touching. The whole
family had been praying, hoping, and working for over 30 years for
that day, and it finally came. I know that miracles happen. I know
Heavenly Father's blessings. That's why I was called, to learn of
them. We are gearing up for Debbie's baptism. She is more than
prepared! She has just dove in to getting involved and the ward
continues to make comments to us "she just belongs here! She fits
right in!" I am SO grateful and excited to see her be baptized on my
last night in Hutch. What a blessing.

We have 2 solid new investigators. One was found by member referral.
One of the bishopric counselors in the ward does a call-out at the
prison every Sunday night and has been for over 19 years. One young
man is finally off of parole and probation and is serious about
getting involved. I'm excited to hear from the sisters how he
progresses. We felt inspired to contact a potential and found his
sister in law who was basically waiting for us. As we shared a brief
summary of the restoration she started to cry. It was a beautiful,
touching moment. The Spirit was strong. I so love serving as a full
time missionary and it will be hard to leave, but the memories and
experiences I have had, and who I have become will forever stay with
me. I know my Savior lives.

This week is going to be full of emotion and hard work. We have many
commitments and are so excited to see so many change their lives. I
don't really know what to type since next Monday I'll be in Oregon.

I know that faith is the underlying principle of everything within the
gospel. Without faith, we can see no miracle. But I have learned to
expect miracles. They happen each and every day in everyday
situations. People change. I am a witness of that. I have experienced
that myself. The fact that we can literally have a change of heart
through the principles of the gospel is miraculous in and of itself. I
have become so much more of the woman my Father in Heaven wants me to
be. I know that I have more to experience after I am released. I have
made several commitments to myself and have made many decisions on how
I will live returning home. I know I cannot life the same lifestyle
completely as I have to focus on other things. But I do know that I
can serve God in all I do. I invite you all to find a way you can
serve God, and to execute it. Most of the time it involves other
people. Being able to study and experience parts of the Savior's life
has deepened my views on following the perfect example of Jesus
Christ. We learn from doing. We gain testimonies from experiences. We
first must trust in Him. I know the Jesus of the New Testament is the
chosen Messiah; the Savior of mankind. I know He came to show us the
way home to eternal life and to perform His Atonement. I know it is
real. It is true. As is the church that was restored by the prophet
Joseph Smith.

I am moved deeply as I reflect on the past 18 months. I really can't
portray adequately what happened, but I hope and pray that who I have
become will give you an idea.

I love you all so very much. I wish to thank you sincerely for all
your support. As we end one phrase of life, we are expected to start
another and give what we've got. So, shall we not go on in so great a
cause?

Always,
Sister Moore

1660: Exchanges with Sister Dalsing!
1657: President and Sister Keyes
1693: Our homemade cherry pies!
1679: Sister missionaries of the Wichita zone
1682: Oregon cherries!!

Heyo,

It has been a really fast week. Looking back on what I did I feel like
that was "forever ago". Last P-day I "dejunked" a bit and got rid of
clothes that I will never wear again because I'm sick of them. Today
I'll do that with other little objects that I am acquired over the
mission. After leaving the computer lab, we were walking to the rest
room and some guy kept staring at us. Walking back from the restroom,
he stopped us and asked if we were Jehovah's Witnesses. We told him
who we were and sat down and taught him in the library. New
investigator! Woohoo! Tuesday was exchanges with the sisters in Valley
Center, and I stayed in Hutch while a new missionary, Sister Dalsing,
came to Hutch. It was great as we were busy with appointments all say.
We also had interviews with President and Sister Keyes beforehand. It
was so sad for me! There's another elder in the zone going home at the
same time I am and President's remarks before the interviews commenced
were geared towards us. I think President is trying to make us trunky,
haha. No, he really does care about his missionaries and wants us to
be sure he knows he appreciates what we have done and continue to do.
It made me sad, but it was good. I felt very comforted by the fact
that I still have time left as a missionary and that things at home
will be okay. Wednesday was crazy being the first day of August. Not
okay! Sister Anderton, who has a baptismal date for August 15th, my
very last day as a missionary in the field, taught us how to make
fruit pies from scratch, and she made us aprons!! She's the best!!!!
When we confirmed her baptismal date, she replied, "Yippee!!" Too
cute! On Friday we had a cool miracle. The membership clerk of the
ward gives us lists of unknown members to contact to see if they are
still at that address, etc. We put in an address into the GPS and it
led us to a back road on one side of the highway... the wrong side.
There was one house there. We started to drive away thinking we'd just
go to the other side of the highway to find it, when I had a very
strong spiritual impression to "go back". I told Sister Jones and we
did, knocked on the door, and an older woman answered the old. She
said she was baptist and not interested but we continued to just shoot
the breeze with her as I prayed in my heart for a door to open for us
to share the gospel. She randomly decided to let us in and offered us
water. We met her 13 year old daughter, and her husband came home
while we were standing the living room. Then, the door: "what do you
guys believe, anyway?" Bam! We taught the first missionary discussion,
testified, and the 13 year old daughter accepted a Book of Mormon and
sat down to read it before we could end our visit. They also gave us a
referral and we found a mother/daughter pair looking for a church from
that. Miracles. If we didn't heed that spiritual prompting, we
wouldn't have been able to give them an opportunity to hear the
gospel. I'm still in awe over that day.

What else... a lot has happened. We helped a lady in the ward move and
during it her van's battery died. I knew exactly what to do! We
knocked on the neighbor's door, got cables, and got her up and
running. I felt so self-reliant. We also got a call to go see a LA
young adult in the ward. She had made some poor choices and is so
down. She came to church for the first time in several months. It
really concreted my testimony of living the commandments. They really
do protect in emotionally, physically, mentally, and spiritually. And
Sunday was great. We had 5 investigators there, we taught gospel
principles about the Word of Wisdom, and had a wonderful lesson in
Relief Soceity about missionary work. That day we taught several
lessons and the Knapps so graciously fed us. Things are great.

This week we have a baptism on Saturday as well as the blood drive. I
can't donate blood as a missionary I guess but a couple of our
investigators have offered to help. I LOVE SEEING THEM GET INVOLVED!

This church is Christ's church! This is the restored gospel of Jesus
Christ. I know Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah, the Savior. He atoned
for all my flaws and imperfections and gives me true and lasting faith
and hope. This is where we all need to be, and I am so grateful to
know this... to feel this. I love my mission and I will finish strong!
I pray that I will have become enough of a saint through the Atonement
of Jesus Christ that you will notice a difference in me at the airport
in a couple weeks. Christ lives!

Always,
Sister Moore

January 30

1638: Lunch with Debbie and her friend/parents.
1653: See the bruise on my forehead? Funny story of how that
happened... ask me later! :)

Hello family and friends!
I speak to you today... exhausted. Haha. What else is new?
Things are going really well in Hutch. Sister Jones and I made a
baptismal goal of 4 for the transfer. We've seen one. I've been trying
to achieve that goal and the Lord is fulfilling His promises. We have
2 that committed to baptism this week! On the 11th, so I'll get to see
these two dear sisters baptized before I leave Hutch. Debbie and
Maxine. I'm amazed at the mercy that the Lord offers to us as we
follow His commandments. I was reading Alma 37 and 38 this morning and
Alma preaches again and again to his sons to keep the commandments of
God and they will prosper, and if they will not they will be cut off
from His presence. We see that again and again in the Book of Mormon,
and I know that to be true in my own experience. The Lord lives!! What
else matters? He has eternal glory and everlasting joy that He wants
to give us. All we have to do is keep His commandments. Why is that so
difficult?

So, the inevitable truth is that I am going home soon. I have been
asked about it from members and investigators for several weeks now.
it has been announced over the pulpit already... haha. We live with
the Knapps and Brother Knapp is in the Bishopric. He came to me last
night as we were coming in and told me he's trying to be home for when
my parents come out. He is supposed to be at a youth temple trip. That
just melted my heart. The love I feel from the ward is unreal. I don't
feel like I deserve it. I am here to serve them. I am here to serve
God. I am doing my duty and laboring with love. It's heart wrenching
to think of having to leave all these people I've grown to love so
dearly. I don't want to leave my companion. She and I have SO much fun
together it should probably be outlawed. But, Sister Jones and I were
talking about it the other day. I feel at peace about coming home. I
feel like the timing is right and that I have done what I can and more
importantly, have become who I was supposed to. I don't want to be
like some missionaries that fall back into old bad habits when I'm a
civilian again. Our mission is supposed to change us for the better. I
plan on taking the heart that has been refined with me home. I didn't
come out and serve for 18 months just to go back to who I was.

Oh man, I don't even know what to write about. We have interviews with
President Keyes tomorrow as well as exchanges. Our investigator,
Debbie, makes the most AMAZING homemade pies and offered to teach us
how to make the dough. SCORE! So we are going to do that this week as
we teach her one of her lessons. haha. I'm going to come home and
amaze you with my pie making abilities. I probably won't be able to
reach Henry's ability though. :)

Life is so great. I'm so happy. I'm sad about leaving. Excited about
the baptisms coming up. Grateful to see family and friends soon. It's
been a wonderful journey and I can't wait to see what happens in the
next 2.5 weeks! Miracles are just around the corner. I can feel it.

I know Jesus is the Christ, the chosen Messiah. he is our Savior. He
has given us a way to rid ourselves of the natural man and be healed.
That is where I gain my peace. That is where we all can gain peace. I
love my Lord and Savior. I love my Heavenly Father. I feel that my
capacity to love has grown and I am so grateful for that. I know that
the restored gospel is true. I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet of
God and that we have a prophet on the earth today; Thomas S. Monson.
This gospel has saved my life is countless ways.... and I will serve
for the remainder of my days.

Shall we not go on in so great a cause?

Always,
Sister Moore

HAPPY BIRTHDAY THIS WEEK MOMMY!!!! And happy anniversary Will & Kimberly! :)

ugh. Time is measured only unto man, but it sure does go by quickly.
it's the end of July... where is my mission going?!
We had been seeing a lot of baptisms here almost every week, but Satan
is out to get us. A lot of our investigators have had issues. Serious
issues. I'm trying to work as diligently as I can and I am SO tired.
All I want to do when I get home is sleep. There's a bed ready for me,
right?

It's unreal to me that my mission is coming to a close. As I keep
saying I'm trying to make the most of it. I feel like there is so much
so do and so little time to do it. The heat is a major factor that we
are trying to be careful of. Sister Jones and I made a goal of 4
baptisms this transfer. We've seen one. I'm learning just how willing
Heavenly Father is to grant us such blessings and to see divine help
in our lives. I can't adequately express how in awe I am on the
matter. For example, there is a couple here that we are teaching. For
a while, the wife was going to get baptized. She has gained a
testimony and absolutely loves learning from us. Her husband is less
than excited but really enjoys us, so he's listening. She's slowly
starting to soften his hard. One Sunday they stayed for just Sacrament
and told us they had to go home to talk about church. NERVE RACKING.
We went back ASAP on Monday and that lesson was so guided by the
spirit... We ended the lesson by reading Moroni 10:4-5, Moroni's
promise to all of us in these last days to read the Book of Mormon and
then to ask if it is not true. The wife read it, and said, "Oh! So, if
you want to know how to say a prayer you can just read it right out of
the scriptures" and then recites verse 4 in a way that she is speaking
in prayer, asking for an answer. As soon as she ended, the Spirit
penetrated our hearts. It was so unexpected and the joy that filled my
heart was indescribable. I looked up at Sister Jones, and she at me,
and we whispered to each other "did you feel that?!" Never before in
my life have I received an answer so direct to a question. It was
memorable, for sure.

On Friday we had a special zone training where the zone leaders taught
us for about 3 hours of things President Keyes wants us to start
focusing on. it was so good!!! One of the zone leaders said something
about taking home keys. When you board the plane to go home, how many
keys to the Celestial Kingdom will you have in your pocket? It was
intense. I want to go invite everyone to be baptized now!!!

Sister Jones and I sang in church, a song called "I'll Find You My
Friend". There wasn't a dry eye in the audience. Every time I do
something in Sacrament the congregation cries. I hope that's a good
thing!

Let's see let's see... We really felt inspired to see a less active
girl. When we got there she was very kind and said she is not Mormon
anymore but is going to another church. We asked for referrals and she
said to try the house down the block. We did and found a family to
teach!!! it was really neat. When we follow the Spirit, we know we
can't go wrong because the Lord always fulfills His end of the deal.

More and more do I see how true this gospel is. It scares me deeply to
have to go back into the world soon. I know things will be okay, but
after hearing about so many evil things happening, and SEEING so much
as we enter into people's homes, I can't help but ask, "Why don't
people hearken to our words more?" The Iron Rod leads us to safety. it
leads us to have hope in something real and reliable. I know that
embracing and immersing ourselves in the teachings of the prophets and
the restored gospel is the only way to happiness. That is God's plan
for us to be happy. There is no other way. None. Zilch. Zero. The
gospel is true! I will shout it from the rooftops! I can't wait to be
a missionary for the rest of my life. How blessed am I for the gospel
in my life.

Brothers and sisters, I know in my heart, by the power of the Holy
Ghost, that these things are true. I'm eternally grateful for the
gospel and all that have helped me see the beauty of it. Thank you all
for your love and support and investment in me. I want you to know
that I am trying to choose the right.

Always,
Sister Moore

(The picture is of an investigator. His birthday was last Saturday and
we made him cupcakes. :) )

Happy Birthday, Grandpa!

I remembered.

Been a good week! Sister Jones has been sick and so we have been in a
lot sadly... so not a lot to report, other than we had a baptism!
Heather was baptized on the 14th... the same date I got baptized 4
years ago. It was SO special... At the baptism, there was a great turn
out. Heather had been wanting to invite her dad and a few friends not
of our faith and they all told her they were coming. Then, the day
before they all told her they weren't coming. We were so sad for her,
and worried. But she told us that she wants to be baptized. She wants
to press forward, and she did! So while her friends weren't able to
come, the ward came and supported her and it was beautiful. Sister
Jones gave a great talk that set the tone for the Spirit to dwell,
then our ward mission leader baptized Heather. I was so overcome with
the beauty and power of the Spirit. I felt the same on Sunday when she
was concerned. I cry all the time now! She's so great and is so happy.
We're so excited for her! Our RC Richard had been MIA for a could
weeks, but then he showed up Sunday in a white shirt and passed the
Sacrament for his first time! WOW! It melts my heart to see them
serving.

I gave my talk in Sacrament and it was alright. I was so nervous,
which I find odd because I knock on strangers' doors and expect them
to let us in, and do many other things. I don't really remember what I
said. I was asked to speak on my conversion, my mission, and what they
mean to me now. I remember sharing a song's lyrics from The Work: A
Nashville Tribute to the Missionaries. I might be too lazy to type it
up... we'll see if I have time. I got so many kind comments
afterwards... I was swarmed. I very much so felt the ward's love and
was so grateful for that. The Spirit helped me do that. I know that I
am strong when I have him.

So, here's a cool little "small world" story. Our ward mission leader
and his family had us over for dinner last night... the Williams
family. They have a son on a mission in Longbeach, CA. They were
telling us that he had a companion from KC, MO. They then showed us
pictures. I recognized their son's companion! It was Sam Bischoff, who
is from the Odessa ward. I fell in love with his parents and his
brother's family out there. They were so tickled that I made that
connection. Just little tender mercies from the Lord. I love it. And
here's a funny story: We live in the basement and study in a couple of
recliners because we don't have a desk. Sister Jones couldn't breathe
sleeping in her bed. One morning I woke up and my companion was MIA.
It was the scariest thing! She moved out to the recliner... haha.
Well, one night right before bed I suggest that we put the recliner in
our room... it was pretty funny watching us carry that recliner into
our bedroom. It barely fit through the door. It's so much more funny
if you could see what we did! So now she sleeps at the foot of my bed
in a recliner.

OH! Another miracle from Sunday. We had been seeing this LA woman,
probably in her 50's. She joined the church over 23 years ago and
hadn't really been back since. We had invited her to church on several
occasions and she said she'd see us there, but every Sunday some
excuse would show up on our phone. Well, her visiting teachers visited
her this past week. We were having dinner with the RS president when
she got a call. "Will you pick up Diann for church?" The LA woman,
Diann, came to church for the first time in over 23 years, and wept as
she partook of the Sacrament. She referred her son and his fiance to
us and is doing great. It's a miracle. The power and importance of
visiting teaching. We as missionaries can only do so much. We need the
members to get involved to see progress and retention.

So, it's been good. We are headed down to Wichita today for zone
p-day. It's hot. Another heat wave came in. I love this work. I love
having a purpose and seeing the power of God each and every day.

I was going to type up the song, but I kept my journal at the house.
Maybe next week.

Well, I love you all. I know through my own experience that Jesus
Christ is the Son of God. That He has taught a gospel, and the fulness
of it is back through a modern day prophet. I know the Book of Mormon
is true. I know the Atonement is real and has the power to transform
us. Life is beautiful. Let us go forward with faith and discover what
we have waiting for us.

Always,
Sister Moore

I LOVE MISSIONARY WORK.

I LOVE MISSIONARY WORK.

It's been a crazy week! I thought I was being transferred since my
mission president told me I was... haha. But I stayed and will finish
my mission is Hutch. It's kind of disgusting to think that I'm on my
last transfer. But one cool thing is I'm still with Sister Jones. I
started my mission with her and now I will end my mission with her.
How many missionaries can say that?! And I'm really grateful to stay
in the area because we are working with 5 different groups of
investigators that all have a desire to be baptized. We are just
working on the repentance progress. 3 of the 5 have to get married...
but one set is getting baptized this Saturday, the 14th, which is
cool! Anyone remember why? I was baptized on the 14th 4 years ago!
She's so ready, too.

The 4th of July was fun. I was sick but the ward did a breakfast from
7 to 9am for the community, so we attended that for a little bit and
went over to watch the parade. We had a couple of investigators and
members in it so we went to support them. We got a referral for an 88
year old woman who wants to be baptized. Her daughter and her family
joined years ago, but she never did. Her daughter came to her after a
lesson in relief society the other day and said, "if you are given a
fair chance to accept the gospel here, and you don't, you can only
make it to the Terrestrial Kingdom". She decided that she has better
get baptized. How cool!!! She was in the hospital for the 4th, but we
visited her, sang a hymn for her, and should be seeing her this week.
We got invited to 3 different dinners... all of them were hamburgers
and hotdogs. As we would drive to appointments we would see fireworks
and I was just loving it. We studied about how America was preserved
for the Restoration of the Gospel and how this land and Constitution
were divinely created. it's amazing, because the Book of Mormon
prophesies of that. So, the 4th was good. The next couple days were
hot and we had several appointments. At one appointment I found myself
getting ill... and I tried to motion to my companion that we needed to
leave. She wraps up the lesson and we quickly say bye, and as I walk
out of the house, I threw up in their front yard. Gross, I know. I
don't think I've ever done that. They were so kind, calling that night
and the day after to see if I was okay. I had caught a virus and
unfortunately gave it to my companion, but that was kind of the
excitement for Friday! Thursday was also transfers. We didn't get
transferred but had a zone meeting so went to Wichita anyway. I
attached a picture of all the sisters at the Wichita transfer bus.

The Andertons that we are teaching are so great! They went out of town
and we were afraid that we weren't going to be able to help them
progress since we couldn't see them for a week. We finally got a hold
of them yesterday and as we sat down to share a message, Sister
Anderton says, "I'll listen to anything you have to teach me". So
cool! We just have to commit her for baptism! her husband is less than
excited about the gospel, but learns because he likes us. We are
praying and fasting for him to open his heart to the Spirit. We just
LOVE them!

We were expecting several people at Sacrament yesterday, and as the
meeting started no one showed up. It was sad. 3 came in after the
sacrament though. But we tried to check in with the ones that
committed and didn't come. We found out one of our investigators had a
miscarriage. We are heart broken for them. We are going to see them
tonight, but if you could please keep them in your prayers.

We got a new ward mission leader, and he and his family are just
awesome. They had us and the Ramey family over for dinner last night
and wow, we had a blast! They are so funny! They have a son on a
mission in Longbeach, Cali, a daughter that just got married living in
Utah, and then 3 other teenagers. They knew the Rameys from when
Sister Ramey joined the church several years ago and both families
just ended up in Hutch. Awesome! We shared the 3rd new member lesson
with them all for the Ramey boys and they are so dang smart! They
understand the gospel! I'm so in love with those little boys, haha.
The oldest just turned 12 and has been passing the sacrament. My heart
melts every time!

So, things are good. We've got a lot of good things going here. We're
trying to heal and work hard to make it the best transfer of our
missions. And it will be!! I was asked to speak in Sacrament this
Sunday about my conversion and mission and what they mean to me. I'm a
pro at this topic! I'll let you know how it goes... hopefully well.

I pray for you all every night. I know the Lord is watching over you.
I would exhort you to be faithful and come into the gospel to see of
the goodness here. I may not be a full time mission forever, but I'll
be a missionary forever. I love my Savior. He lives. Stay true!
Always,
Sister Moore

It's been a good, HOT week! We had 2 baptisms on Saturday and they
were confirmed yesterday. if anyone remembers the Ramey family... the
family with all the boys that we taught... the oldest boy passed the
Sacrament for his first time. As he left the table to go pass, I was
so filled with the love of God, and just how much love his Father in
heaven has for him. Brother Knapp was conducting and announced over
the pulpit that this could be my last Sunday with everyone and invited
me to bear my testimony. Oh man, my heart stopped. It's not set in
stone that I am leaving as I won't know until tomorrow, and now if I
show up at church on Sunday that could possibly be embarrassing... but
I got up and took the boy that was just baptized on Saturday and his
recent convert sister up with me, and we all bore our testimonies. I
had to say I might still be here.... haha. But it was good. I could
feel the love of the ward and am grateful for the 3 transfers I'd had
to serve in hutch. Maybe a 4th one will be in the cards.

The 4th of July is coming up! The ward here does a Community Breakfast
and Flag Ceremony so we'll be going to that, and then migrate to the
parade. I'm so excited for it! We have lots of appointments to teach
this week and I'm stoked to go testify!!

This is going to be short because I'm running out of time, but I'm so
grateful for the church. Yesterday we stopped by an investigator's
home and chatted with her because it had been a while. She told us she
had a dream about good vs. evil in the world today, and we ended up
talking about the war in heaven and agency. It was pretty neat. I
walked away from that just thinking how grateful I am for the church.
The church teaches us how to be in the world but not of it and how to
potentially avoid serious mistakes and how to work through adversity.
Where else can you find strength like that? Nowhere. I know the gospel
has been restored. I know Jesus is the come Messiah and that He lives
today. I'm so grateful!

Transfers are this week so we'll see where I serve my last transfer.
I'll let you all know next week. Thank you all for your support and
love. I'm determined to serve and finish strong for the remainder of
my mission. The last 1.5 years have been the most sacred experience of
my life, and I owe a part of that to you. Thank you.

Shall we not go on in so great a cause?
Always,
Sister Moore

June 25

Howdy,

It has been another great week in Hutchinson. We literally see
miracles every day, and big miracles at least weekly. I still wonder
why I am so blessed to be able to see the Lord's hand in this work so
apparent. We stopped by a part member family's house because we hadn't
seen them in a week and wanted to see how they were doing. They asked
how the work was going, we said it was well and that we have a few
people who are preparing for baptism. They said they had another to
add to that list. Amazing!! Their 15 year old son, Charles, went to
youth conference in Wichita last week and really wants to be baptized.
He's a big football fan and he told his parents that he would rather
go to Youth Conference than football camp next year. Wow! He's had all
the lessons, we had just been waiting for when Dad would give the
okay. We are planning the baptism for this Saturday. And the
non-member mother wants to give a prayer at the baptism!! Miracles!!

We got a new ward mission leader which we are so excited about! Our
last one was a wonderful brother, but was just always out of town and
wasn't able to help us with the work at all. Our new one moved in 2
weeks ago and is already jumping in. We are so grateful for him and
his family. They are going to be a great addition to the Hutch ward!

I love my companion! She is wonderful! We are working well together.
We are going going going and just trying to stay cool. It is supposed
to be 105* here today. It reminds me of Odessa last summer.

There's a couple that is investigating that we are working with and
through our appointments she has come to know the gospel and church
are true by reading the Book of Mormon. She brought it out at our last
appointment, read a verse from 2 Nephi 30, and then asked, "So, if I
don't unite with your church, I can't go to heaven?" We responded
saying something like "Without those covenants and saving ordinances
by the Priesthood, no one can make it". You could see the Spirit
working in her. I was in awe. She came to church with her husband and
she loved it. They are having us over for dinner tonight. We hope to
see her set a date tonight and that her husband will make that
commitment with her. Miracles everyday!!!!!!!

I love Hutch! I'm excited to see all these people that I've grown to
love make that commitment to Heavenly Father. There really is nothing
better. People keep asking when I'm leaving. I don't know. All I know
is that I am a missionary!! That God lives!! That we have so much to
do in this life and that there is always something better to come!

Yesterday at church we were talking about how we hadn't found any new
investigators this past week. It was weird since we had been finding
up a storm. I had been thinking since Wednesday "we really need to
find". Well, Sunday morning came and I told myself, "if I have the
faith to find, and do what I am asked to do, Heavenly Father will
bless us". Well, before church we were talking to the Relief Society
President and she said she had to go pick up a new sister that just
moved into the area. She has a non-member fiance and that she wanted
to introduce her and him to us. In church only the new sister came,
but she was telling us that in Salina, where they moved from, a friend
in the ward gave her fiance a Book of Mormon, a talk that she wrote,
and bore her testimony to him. A few days later, the fiance comes to
tell the sister "Your church is the true church!!! I have to be
baptized!!!" So, we got a hold of him and the Lord provided that new
investigator for us. Not just a new investigator, but one that will
listen and is sincere. I stand all amazed.

Last Saturday, we went to go see an older couple that has been
investigating for over 2 years. Eternigators.... we get in there and
had planned to basically ask if they would ever see themselves joining
the church because otherwise we weren't going to continue to see them
regularly. We got in there and the Spirit took over. I don't even know
how to explain it... I read a scripture in Alma, asked a question,
they responded, asked another question, etc etc etc. The things that
came out of my mouth were not my own. I could feel the Spirit working
in me and in them. We got out of that appointment, look at my
companion, and say, "what just happened?!" I can't even portray it
well!!! It was amazing! To be an instrument in the hands of the Lord
and to be under the influence of the Spirit like that is incredible!
The gift of the Holy Ghost is so precious... how does one even portray
how incredible that gift is?!

Things are going well here. I'm grateful for this time I have to serve
that Lord with no distractions. I'm grateful for those that support
me. I'm grateful to be a missionary and to serve in the Missouri
Independence Mission. My mission is so sacred to me. God loves His
children. I know this is true.

So my update for the week.... the church is true! What else matters?
I love you. Thank you for your love and support.
Always,
Sister Moore

HAPPY [late] FATHER'S DAY!!!!!

HAPPY [late] FATHER'S DAY!!!!!

Pictures... we found a corn field. had some fun. Epic air, right? :)

It's kind of gross that I only have 2 months to go. but with that
knowledge I have been given a drive to work and have been given
strength. I feel like I have so much more to offer through the
blessings of the Sacrament and the principle of Enduring. The Lord
lives!
It's been a great week!! We are continuing to see the Lord's hand in
our lives and in this work. The ward is super supportive to going out
on team ups with us, feeding us, and giving us rides. I'm grateful for
that. Plus, I have a super awesome companion!!! Life is beautiful. :)

We visited this couple we found on the street last transfer and they
have decided to look into being baptized. While they wouldn't set a
date, they are so great. Walking into their home I felt like they were
active Latter-Day Saints because of the Spirit that was there. I felt
like I already knew them. That happened again as we got a referral
from Salt Lake City on our phone for a single guy. When we get there,
there are 2 families with young kids in the house, all willing to
learn and ready to change. The main guy that referred himself learned
from the missionaries down in Oklahoma 5 years ago, and due to not
being able to kick smoking he couldn't get baptized, but he's back and
on our first visit, he testified to us that he knows this is the
church where he wants to be and that he's not going anywhere. He's
ready to quit and make that commitment. SO AMAZING.

I had some heartbreak this week. One of our recent converts told us
that he doesn't believe he needs to go to church to have God in his
life. To be honest, I got angry when we left. For months he attended
church with his very active and faithful wife and you could see a
change in him. He was happy! He was on the right path! but as soon as
he stopped going, he's blaming the church for his own choices and has
decided to learn away from the only true gospel. I wanted to rebuke
him. I wanted to tell him that he made promises with Heavenly Father.
He let the world in and has decided money is more important than
spiritual peace. We love this brother. I'm heartbroken. But I know we
can't force anyone to do anything. They have their agency and will
make their own choices. We are making a special effort to make sure
that our other investigators can feel the Spirit in every meeting with
us, that a member is always there to be a support, and that they are
reading the Book of Mormon. We're not letting another slip through the
cracks. God loves them. They have to make the choice and come to Him,
otherwise they won't be able to feel of the sweetness of the gospel.
Being a missionary has taught me many things. I've learned to make
good choices. I've learned how to respect others' agency. And I've
also learned the joy as we follow the prophets and the commandments.
Mosiah 2:41.

We did have a baptism!! It was small as many people that committed to
come did not, but the man being baptized was so happy. His wife and 6
year old son came and he just glowed. On Sunday, he was confirmed a
member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and received
the Holy Ghost. He also was conferred to receive the Aaronic
Priesthood later that day. he is ready to serve. And we got an
appointment to come see the wife. We are going to see if we can help
them do this together. I can't adequately express my love for this
work. I see so many blessings in store for these people. We are
laboring for their souls. I'm grateful to understand these blessings.

Yesterday, we ate 3 full meals in 3 hours. I don't ever want to eat
again. Many people invited us over for Father's Day celebrations. It
was a great day. Today we are going down to Wichita for zone p-day.
It'll be great!

I know this work is true. I know that the Church's purpose is to
gather the House of Israel. I know that Christ lives. The Book of
Mormon is true and blesses lives! Shall we not go on in so great a
cause?

Always,
Sister Moore

June 11

How is it June already?! Not okay!
it's been another amazing week in Hutch. Sometimes I wonder why it is
going so well here. We found 10 new investigators last week! That's
crazy!
Last P-day we taught Deonna who we have been seeing for quite sometime
now. She's doing really well, but her hold up was working on Sunday.
She's a single mom of 3 and can't ask Sunday off for some reason.
We've been teaching her, and praying for her for something to work
out. Well, last Monday she told us she has no desire to work where
she's at anymore and is looking at a job that gives her the weekends
off. What?! I just love her. She's the coolest lady.

On Tuesday was our Zone Conference. it was incredible. I could feel
the Spirit working within me all day long. We get there after leaving
Hutch at 6:45am and have breakfast. They started the conference out in
the chapel and spoke of an incident that happened in the mission a few
weeks ago. President Keyes gets a lot of phone calls as a mission
president. He got one one day that said two of his missionaries had
been in a automobile accident (I'm getting emotion just thinking about
this story). One was being life flighted to a hospital in Kansas, one
taken by ambulance to a hospital in Independence, MO. He and Sister
Keyes get in the car to go see these elders, praying that they would
somehow end up at the same hospital. Seems like a small thing, but
they needed to be with their missionaries. When they arrived at the
hospital in Independence, they called the other hospital somewhere in
Kansas to ask if a missionary had arrived via life-flight yet. The
nurse said that no missionary had arrived, and none were expected to
come. it turned out, that in mid-flight, they changed course and
brought the other missionary to Independence, to where President Keyes
could see both elders. They were given Priesthood Blessings, and the
Keyes stayed the night. The next day, both elders walked out with a
limp and one in a wheelchair. The doctors were in awe, saying "people
don't just get life flighted in and walk out the next day". The Lord
wanted that to happen. He continues saying that safety is the most
important thing and he and the Church are very concerned about the
safety of the missionaries. It tugged at my heart as you could feel
the love and the Spirit so strongly; it was virtuously tangible. The
rest of conference was great. In the Wichita and Derby zones, there
are only 2 companionships of sisters. So we stood out, haha. I got to
see lots of mission friends and it was so wonderful to be there with
other missionaries. At the end of conference, President Keyes spoke
and talked about 3 Nephi 11. Christ comes and comforts the Nephite
people. once they feel of that love, they cry "Hosanna!" which means
"save us, save us now". What is the next thing that happens? Christ
gives them the authority to baptize. That is our calling as
missionaries. We are to go out, comfort the people, then use the
authority we have been given to save souls. Baptism is so essential to
salvation, and to be responsible for such a great task is overwhelming
at times. But I know, that this is the Lord's work. On a spiritual
high, President then announced that he would like all the missionaries
that this would be their last zone conference to come up and bear
their testimonies. This was my last zone conference. I had already
been weeping all day due to the Spirit and love I had felt. My heart
was about to beat out of my chest; I had to go up. I wait for some
elders to go and follow after them, but they see me and invite me to
go first. I'm thinking to myself, "what in the world do I say right
now....". As I get to the pulpit, and look out over the other 40
missionaries, my mind is blank. I felt numb. The first words out of my
mouth were, "I don't want to be here right now... in front of you..."
And as I struggled, the Spirit helped me, and I bore testimony of what
I know to be true. I know that Christ lives. I know that He restored
the fulness of His gospel through the prophet Joseph Smith. I know
that Thomas S. Monson is a prophet of God. I know the Book of Mormon
is the word of God, and blesses lives. I know the importance of the
family. I know that the work we do as missionaries is true, and that
it is one of the greatest blessings we will have in our lives here. I
don't know what all I said, but when I sat back down, I leaned over,
buried my face in my hands, and wept. The reality of going home soon
is sad. Just the week before, Sister Jones asked me if it was weird
knowing that I was leaving soon. I said very casually that I've
accepted it and that it is inevitable that it will come. But being
faced with me, I really will miss serving the Lord as a full-time
missionary. I was asked to say the closing prayer of the conference,
so I have to get back up there again with puffy red eyes and thank
God. it was powerful. it was a powerful experience for me. I wish I
could portray it better. Afterwards, several other missionaries came
up and thanked me for my testimony and prayer. Their sincerity made
all the difference and all was well instantly. I know that this time
we have is sacred and precious. I will make the most of it. I am
working the best I know how. and I will, until I am told, "well done".

On Wednesday we went out to Turon and watched a wheat harvest!!! And
fellow shipped a part member family. Don't worry, we actually work. I
sent a couple pictures. They let us stand in the middle of the field.
it was so neat. Golden wheat that just went on for miles. Once they
cut it it wasn't very pretty, but I learned a lot. They gave us a
sample of wheat, too. I love it! The rest of the week was just as
great too. We have a baptism this Friday for a guy that called us up
and said, "I want to join the church. How do I do it?" Another guy is
preparing for the 23rd. Same story. Called us up and wanted to join
the church. We have found several other investigators that are
progressing and longing for what the gospel offers them. We are
tremendously blessed. One miracle that happened that I will share this
week was about Debbie.

We found Debbie on the street in front of her house and while she
would always let us come back, she and her husband would never set a
specific return appointment. after an appointment on Thursday, we get
in the car and I had the distinct impression to go see Debbie. We were
not planning on seeing her until the next day. We get there and she's
out watering her plants. We offer to help and she tells us, "I was
wondering when you girls were going to come back. I was talking to
Andy (husband) and I thought 'oh, they're probably going to come
Friday when I'm gone!' and it made me sad". As we continued to talk,
she talks very openly with us and after we ask her how her Book of
Mormon reading is going, she gets emotional and says, "I don't think
I'm worthy". She needs the gospel. We invited her right then and there
to a progressive dinner that the Relief Society was putting on and she
came and loved it. She made connections with the sisters and is
excited to learn about the gospel. if we hadn't have gone at that
time, we wouldn't missed her when she needed the Lord. She left for a
trip the very net morning and is returning sometime this week. I have
a testimony that I know Heavenly Father is so aware of His children.
He uses others to bless them. I am grateful and indebted for the gift
of the Holy Ghost and how we can be used as His hands to bring the
gospel to all honest hearts here in Hutch.

This work is true. Hutch is a miracle area. I wonder what I did to be
so blessed sometimes. To have the knowledge of the beauty of the
gospel and the love that God has for each of us is the greatest
blessing. Please always remember that the Lord loves you. He wants to
bless you. His gospel brings love, peace, joy, and refuge into your
life. I know this, for I am a witness.

Shall we not go on in so great a cause?
Love Always,
Sister Moore

June 4

Hutch is an area of miracles! We see miracles, small and large,
everyday. The elders, after reporting our numbers, are always asking
"what are you sisters doing?!" Haha, we work smart and exercise faith!
This last weekend was the Ramey's baptism, where the older 3 boys were
baptized by their dad. It was so spiritually moving and we even had 2
progressing investigators attend. The baptism was beautiful though.
The boys' grandparents and cousin flew out from California for it, and
both grandparents gave a talk. Brother Ramey, the father, baptized all
3 of his boys. They were just so happy and they glowed! The family
expressed great appreciation for us as the missionaries who taught the
boys but I can't help but think that we had nothing to do with it.
This is the Lord's work. I am to do my part and follow the Spirit and
the rest will fall into place. Their confirmations on Sunday were just
as powerful and brought the most powerful spirit to the meeting. All
of the testimonies borne were heartfelt and melted your heart. The two
oldest boys even got up and bore their testimonies. The oldest
brother's was really funny... he gets up there and with great
enthusiasm says, "getting baptized, receiving the Holy Ghost, and
turning 12 have been a huge slap in the face.... Good, now I have your
attention." hahaha we all laughed. He continued saying, "Now I KNOW
the Holy Ghost will help me for the rest of my life. I KNOW this is
the only true church" Matt got up and bore a very humble testimony as
well, especially thanking us as missionaries, again. I'm realizing
just now much of an impact we make on the youth as missionaries. I
love those boys... I love that family. They have forever changed my
life.

So, it was a great weekend. We got bombarded with referrals on Sunday
from members. We had someone call us last week and said he wanted to
join the church and to continue the lessons. Seriously. This happens
on a weekly basis here. I kid you not. But the work is going well. The
ward is so involved and supports us greatly. We feel very blessed. I
remember sitting in sacrament and being able to feel the love I have
for the people here. They are so strong. Like any ward and any person,
we all have our weaknesses and struggles, but this is a family. They
are committed to the gospel. The Lord is working a marvelous work
here. And I see it everyday.

Tomorrow is Zone Conference down in Wichita. And I am SO excited! It
will be a spiritual feast!! Our car hit 50,000 the other day, so it's
getting switched out tomorrow. I will miss that little guy.

Last Wednesday, a huge, severe thunder storm hit Hutch. We were in the
library with our team up waiting for our investigator when he called
and said he hasn't eaten and wants to meet us at Subway. Ok... so we
start to walk out the door. A man that just came in said, "It's going
to hit us in 6 seconds. You better be quick getting to your car!" We
kind of brushed it off and said, "Oh ok, thanks, we'll be quick!"
Well, literally 6 seconds later we are standing under the overhang and
are drenched. The wind was carried waves of water and the streets were
flooding. It was 6 pm and it was dark already. It was the most intense
thing I've ever seen or been apart of. it was so cool! Sister Jones
and I ran out to the car and quickly shut the doors. We look at each
other and start laughing. It was just so neat! We were told to go in
early after our appointment to let the storm pass. Now I just want to
see a tornado!! Ok, maybe not really, but it would be cool.

We went to go visit one of our investigators the other day and instead
of teaching what we planned about the gospel, she wanted us to talk to
her young daughter about pornography. It was really awkward. We had no
idea what to say because this girl was 9. How does that even happen?!
But as we relied on the Spirit and opened our mouths, it started to
flow. it made me realize just how real the adversary is. I think a lot
of people don't realize that when we don't do what God wants us to do,
we become captive to the devil. it's a scary thought. He wants to take
away our freedom and agency... everything that we fight for! Follow
the gospel and be free.

A thought that really hit me during one of my studies the other day,
too, was "Perfect love casteth out all fear". I know this is truth. As
a missionary, it's scary to talk to random strangers every day. To
just show up on their door step and ask them to let you in to talk
about Christ. it's always scary to stand up to your friend when they
are doing something wrong or to tell them how to feel about something.
When we have perfect love, and strive to do the right thing, we won't
be held back. The Lord is helping me develop charity and I can talk to
anyone I want without fearing their response. I'm learning how to
communicate with companions and trying to bring our companionship into
unity. Also, I read this from Matthew 22:

36 Master, which is the great commandment in the law?

37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy
heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

38 This is the first and great commandment.

39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

Without love, nothing else works.
Remember that next time you approach someone and speak with them in a
manner that shows them you love them. We are all children of God. God
loves us all, who are we to judge?

I know that this is the restored gospel of Jesus Christ on the earth
again today. Christ live and has restored His church. It is lead by a
prophet of God today, Thomas S. Monson. The Book of Mormon came forth
by the power of God, and is true. I know in my heart that there is a
plan for our lives, and it is glorious.
Shall we not go on in so great a cause?
Always,
Sister Moore

Good morning!
Due to the holiday I am reporting to you now.
Transfers have come and gone and I am still in Hutch. Sister Dodd went
to the Jail and guess who came to Hutch? Sister Jones! My MTC
companion. I have now served with all the sisters in my MTC district.
It's awesome, haha. I attached a couple pictures from transfer bus in
Wichita last week. One is Sisters Jones, me, and Dodd, and the other
is Sister Dodd and I with one of our zone leaders who got transferred.
It was really warm that day.

We spent all of last week with our investigators and the members that
wanted to say "bye" to Sister Dodd. We were running around like a
crazy person but it was so good to see that the ward really loves
their missionaries. Went down to transfer bus on Thursday and came
back to unpack and go to some appointments. All weekend we have been
running around and I don't even know what we did... we did go up to a
little town for dinner and to try and contact a referral, but we
didn't have miles for this month and came home. Sunday we were invited
to sing in the ward choir and did so, but as we sat on the stand we
were able to see everyone come in. That referral that we didn't have
miles to see came to church! A less active that lives 45 minutes away
came to church and stayed for 2 hours! An investigator that has never
been to church showed up. it was just really neat. In relief society,
they talked about sacrifice, based on the talk Elder Oaks gave in the
last conference. It was so good! I thought about things such as "Why
do I do what I do? What is my intent?" I also thought that I really
feel like I get more than what I give. I thought, "why?" Sacrifice
makes things sacred, and that is how I can make my mission special.
Sister Jones and I have talked a lot recently about how we can make
our missions more meaningful by being obedient. I try to figure things
out in my mind a lot, and most of the time if not all the time, I can
never figure out what Heavenly Father is doing. I read the scripture
the other morning 1 Nephi 11:17 - Nephi answers the angel, referring
to God, "I know that he loveth his children; nevertheless, I do not
know the meaning of all things"

I'm constantly being humbled and it is so great!! I'm learning what is
really important and what will help me be the most effective
missionary that I can be. We had an experience the other day... on
Sunday we received a referral for a lady that was in detox in the
psych ward of the local hospital. Fun, eh? We get up there Sunday
night and meet a woman who really wanted a blessing. We had to explain
to her that we couldn't do that but would send some brethren the next
day to give that to her. In the meantime, we just talked. She kept
saying over, and over, and over, that she's not a bad person, she had
been sober for 3 years and doesn't know why she relapsed. Her eyes
were full of sorrow and she was reaching out to anyone looking for
hope. In essence, I think I wouldn't been a bit hesitant to be on that
floor and talk to someone there, just from other experiences I've had.
But the Lord used us both in a miraculous way, and taught us something
life changing. All we felt inspired to do was tell her how much God
loves her. As we did, I could feel, in an increased measure, just how
deeply and unconditionally God loves His children. I didn't know this
woman. She had made some bad choices and that is why we was in detox.
But she was still given hope through God's love and the Savior's
mercy. That was probably one of the best experiences I've had on my
mission thus far. It also got me thinking about why a lot of people I
meet everyday are not so fortunate in this life. In my scripture study
I came across this verse:

"Behold, the Lord esteemeth all flesh in one; he that is righteous is
favored of God..."
Remember the scripture those that keep the commandments of God shall
prosper? And then a couple verses later I read this:

"And he did straiten them in the wilderness with his rod; for they
hardened their hearts, even as ye have; and the Lord straitened them
because of their iniquity. He sent fiery flying serpents among them;
and after they were bitten he prepared a way that they might be
healed; and the labor which they had to perform was to look; and
because of the simpleness of the way, or the easiness of it, there
were many who perished."

God wants us home. There's only one way to get home, and God gave us
tools to get there. He is no respecter of persons. He does not love
one group of people more than the other. We are all equal in His eyes.
However, those that are righteous and keep the commandments are those
that are favored.

John 15:10 - "If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love;
even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love."
When we walk towards God, we can feel His love. And that's the difference.

Obedience is the difference. If something is easy, do we just
disregard it? Because of "the simpleness of the way"?

I'm learning heaps, and the more I learn the less I know. And in a
sense that scares me, because I want to take as much as I can here as
a missionary home with me so I can continue to serve there. I don't
know the meaning of all things, but the Lord has promised His children
that if we are obedient and keep His commandments, we'll be able to
accomplish all those things that are expedient for us. I know this is
true. I am a witness to His love.

I love you all and am grateful for your support. I know God loves you
and wants to bless you. Will you place yourself in a position so that
He can?
I know that this church is true, and that the fulness of the
everlasting gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored. I know the Book
of Mormon is true and blesses lives! Continue forward my friends. Run
the race, finish strong. 1 Cor. 9:24 - "Know ye not that they which
run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye
may obtain." Shall we not go on in so great a cause?

Always,
Sister Moore

Greetings!!!!
This week has been crazy. Let's see what I remember...

We started the week with interviews with President and Sister Keyes.
We were supposed to be there at noon but got into town a little early,
so we decided to go to lunch. We pop open the GPS to see what's close
to the church and see Panera Bread. That's the one!! I LOVE that
place. SO we get there and walk in the door to see 3 elders turn
around to greet us. "Oh.. hey!" They had split the zone into 2 groups
for interviews and President took the group before us to lunch and we
just happen to arrive as he was paying for all the missionaries. So...
we got a free lunch and got to eat with all the elders. That was a fun
tender mercy. Interviews were good, too. President said he wants to
get me in the Liberty Jail before I end my mission, but Sister Dodd
has to leave Hutch first. So he told us early what's happening with
transfers, minus who my new companion is. I don't know if that is what
will happen, but my second to last transfer will be in Hutch this
summer... and it's going to be 100* this week. Bring it on!

On our way home from Wichita, we get a call from the wife of a RC and
she wants us over there now. So we go and when we knock on the door,
someone peeks through the curtain, she lets us in and then says, "we
have a crisis". Turns out one of our RC is very nervous about
receiving the Priesthood and serving in the church. It was a very
intense meeting but through silent prayers and turning it over to the
Bishop, all is well. It was amazing though, because it is an hour
drive from Wichita to Hutch. During this drive, our appointment that
we were going to canceled, and 5 minutes later the wife of the RC
calls needing us. We were able to reschedule with the canceled
appointment and the Lord had us where He needed us. It's amazing how
in control He is.

So that was Tuesday. Wednesday we had a prompting to for-go our
morning plans and drive to Pretty Prairie, a 40 minute drive away and
to try this part member family. We found the non-member ehad of the
household and he become a new investigator. So, that was cool. Some
amazing lessons that day, too. There's a PMF (part member family) that
we are now working with the Mom in (the daughter was just baptized)
and our lesson was on the Sabbath Day and the Sacrament. When we read
in the Book of Mormon about the Sacrament, she volunteered the
comment, "I don't take the sacrament because I figure I'm not living
in accordance to the gospel just yet." It was amazing because that was
the Spirit working in her. We hadn't said a thing. She and her husband
(common law) are not married and are planning on doing that within the
next year. We asked if they would do it in August so we can bring our
parents to their wedding... haha.

We got to see Deonna, a newer investigator, last week. We were a
little late and when we knocked on her door she didn't answer, so we
started to walk away. She comes running out of the house and says,
"were you knocking? I couldn't hear you". When we got in the house she
told us how it was just "one of those days" and at one point tossed
her head back and exclaimed, "are they here yet??"/ She had been
looking forward to our visit all day. So awesome! Our lesson was great
because she is SO sincere. She just needs to get work off on Sundays
and she's golden!

On Saturday we tried to contact a referral in a little town called
Marquette, which is an hour's drive. As we were traveling, we followed
a trio of motorcycles and many motorcycles passed us on the way there.
They would all give some sign to each other as they passed. Finally, I
suggested to Sister Dodd, who was driving, to give that sign to the
next motorcycles that passed us. She gets ready to and as we round the
corner we are suddenly in the town.... in the middle of a huge
motorcycle rally. EVERYWHERE there are motorcycles, bikers, tattoos,
chaps, etc. We had to park on a side street and walk to our referral.
We stood out like sore thumbs. It was great.

We got a call the other night from a former investigator from last
year that Sister Dodd and I have had no contact wit whatsoever. He
said he wanted to join the church now and asked how to do it. Um...
awesome. How often does that happen??

Lately we have been stretched so thin. A lot of members expect us to
drop everything when they need us which we are always happy to help,
but investigator appointments are not always so easy to for-go. it's
been very interesting balancing the ward and our investigators. We are
starting to really get the ward involved and it's so amazing to see
connections take place. At church, a lot of investigators that said
they would come didn't, and that was sad. But after church we had
dinner with one of my favorite families out here! Please see attached
photos of what we did after the meal and thought.

Transfers are this week. Sister Dodd is going to the Jail and I am
staying here. We don't know our companions just yet. We are cleaning
house getting ready for it. We have a zone conference on 5 June too in
Wichita. I'm really excited for that. It's my spiritual Christmas!!

All is well! The mission is really hard some days. I was having a
really hard time sitting in Relief Society, tears flowing from my
eyes, and I was done with the things going on and the feelings inside
of me. Right there during the lessons, I closed my eyes and said a
silent prayer. As soon as I said Amen, peace flooded my heart and mind
and all was well again. I know God hears and answers our prayers. Even
for the tiniest things, He is always there. Make Him apart of your
life. He loves you.

I know this is the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. I love my Savior.
I know the Book of Mormon is true and are really "the words of life".
Shall we not go on in so great a cause?
Always,
Sister Moore

May 14

Pictures: 1046 - Sunset north of Hutch.
0996 - KC MO Temple
1006 - Making marshmallow temples with the Ramey family.
1145 - After watching a sister bond someone out of jail, this is us in
front of the building.
1141 - A FHE group of single sisters in the ward. The one in the
center sitting down is 94 years old and actually isn't a member.
1142 - Missionaries stuck in a cell phone...

Greetings one and all.

Talking to Mom and Dad yesterday was beautiful. I find it difficult to
recall other stories that I want to report on since I told them
several stories. We've been really busy this week. I've been working
on diligence in my own life and I feel that the Lord is blessing me to
be able to develop that Christ like attribute. Here are a couple funny
stories...

Earlier in the week we were trying to contact a less active member and
they weren't home. We saw a lady down the street and decided to go
talk to her. She talks with us and won't accept a Book of Mormon but
does tell us we can come back. We'd just have to catch her; she
wouldn't commit to a time. So, we try back the next couple days and
she's not home. Sad. We try again Saturday afternoon and she's home!
She answers the door and she says, "Ok, I guess I have 5 or 10 minutes
today". We turn the corner and see her husband. We go to shake his
hand and we see he has a toilet seat on his lap. We don't ask, but
start to share the first discussion about Joseph Smith and the Book of
Mormon. They said they want to read it. Woohoo! We end up staying and
fellow shipping them. We were there for a good 45 minutes and the
toilet seat never left his lap. Finally, we inquire of it and he says
they just moved in and are changing them. Pretty funny. maybe you had
to be there...

We were doing service for a lady we met on the street who due to a
heart attack lost 3 of her limbs. She only had her left arm. When we
finished with her we get back to the car and see we missed a call from
a part member family. The dad grew up in the church but never had a
testimony. In fact, he mocked it. His wife and 2 daughters are very
nice to us but not interested in the church. We decide to call them
back before our next appointment and come to find out he's not sure
why we had a missed call from them. He asks us to hold on for a second
and in the background of the phone, he yells to his wife, "Did you
call the Mormons????" it was pretty funny. Maybe you had to be there.
We have a good relationship with them as least.

On Mother's Day before we called home, we were out delivering a bunch
of cards to sisters in the ward who have been so kind to us and to a
couple of our investigators to wish them a happy mother's day. There's
one sister in the ward that several years ago was in an automobile
accident involving a drunk driver, and both her husband and 2 children
passed away. She was the only survivor. Due to that she hates Mother's
Day and doesn't want to see anyone. We thought we'd just put a card in
her back door so she'd see it on her way out eventually. We pull up,
and start to make our way back to the porch. As we round the corner of
the house, we see her in her car with the backing lights on. I have
never felt more ninja like as we dart back to the car and drive around
the block. We were afraid she might have sen us but she hasn't said
anything yet! We came back and left the car after she had left. It was
pretty funny.

We have had a lot of funny experiences. We see miracles everyday and
laugh at the quirks of life as well.

On a more spiritual note, we've had miracle after miracle happen.
There's a young man in town from college who joined the church in
September. His mom just had knee replacement surgery and is home for a
month to care for her. His sister has not made the best choices in
life and is a slave to addictions. After a fight one night he shared a
Mormon Message with her and she asked for something to read. He gave
her a Book of Mormon and she's been reading it ever since. Her
demeanor changed instantly. She wants to meet with us. She even came
to church yesterday. That was a miracle.

Ok, to close up my email for the week, I want to share a story that
was shared in Sacrament Meeting.
There was this man whose mother lived 200 miles away. He was on his
way to a flower shop to order flowers to have delivered to her.
Outside the shop he saw a little girl crying on the step. He asked,
"What's wrong?" She replied, "I only have 65 cents and a rose costs
$2. ALl I want is to buy my mom a rose for Mother's Day". The man
tells her, "Well, I'll buy you one." He goes in and orders flowers for
his own mother and buys the little girl a rose. He offers to give her
a ride to her mom. She ends up leading him by pointing this way and
that, until finally they arrive at a cemetery. He watched the little
girl get out of the car and lay that single rose on her mother's
grave.

The story continues as the man went back to the shop, canceled his
order, bought a bouquet, and drove the 200 miles to see his mother.

I'm incredibly grateful for my own mother and for all those woman who
do so much for their own families and the people around them. I know
that I am who I am today because of my mom. She is my light and
strength when everyone else seems to dwindle away.

I know that woman are an important part of God's Plan for the
salvation of His children. He has blessed woman in many ways to be
able to be soft yet strong, compassionate yet driven, beautiful and
full of love. it is a tremendous blessing to know that I am a daughter
of God and have a divine purpose here in life. I can and will make a
difference, just like so many faithful women like my own mother.

I love you all.
Always,
Sister Moore

Singing for the Prophet

My sleep schedule is all amiss from the weekend that is behind me now,
but it was all worth it. I am going to write what I can in the time I
have about my experience this past weekend in Kansas City and the
like. I don't think I'll be able to accurately portray the power and
spirit that has been with me, but I will do my best.

On Saturday, the 5th, we left Hutch to arrive in Wichita at 10am for a
zone meeting with the other missionaries and to catch the bus that
would be taking us to KC. Another zone also met at that building and
we all headed to Salina to pick up 4 Elders and to Juntion City to
pick up the remainder of the missionaries out here. I got to chat with
Sisters Payne and Porter which was great. It was 90*+ over the weekend
and the bus' AC broke. With a motorcoach full of missionaries, mostly
young men, in 90 something degree weather, I quickly wilted... but my
spirit would not! The anticipation for this event has kept me going
for weeks now! We finally arrive in KC at 3:40 pm. As I get off the
bus at the side of the Marriott hotel, I held out my hand to see it
shaking. We probably should've eaten more. We walk around into the
Basse Ballroom on the 2nd floor of the marriott hotel where the entire
mission, all 200 young missionaries, would meet with President Keyes
and the like. It was unreal to think that all 200 missionaries were
there. That doesn't happen in this mission. We are exhausted but the
Assistants ask us to get into our zones and sit down to start our
meeting at 4pm. We would be entering the event at 5pm. Being in the
Wichita zone, we are dead last. but I couldn't have been happier. We
had been practicing "We'll Bring the World His Truth" for weeks now.
President Keyes gets up and could hardly speak due to his emotion of
seeing all 200 of his missionaries together. He tells us they changed
what we would be singing a little bit. Instead of all 3 verses of the
song, we'd be singing the first verse and then the chorus 2 times to
end it. Not only that, he said that the youth that would be performing
right before us will part, like the red sea, for us to walk into the
stadium. We went through how to line up and continued to practice. It
was really moving, but I really had no idea what we were in for. We
received tickets as memorials for the event. President also announced
that we would get to actually watch the celebration. Thanks to Elder
Deschler, the area seventy, he got us seats. One hundred on one side
of the stadium, and one hundred on the other side. Each group of one
hundred would follow one of the Assistants. So we begin our trek.
Since Wichita was the last zone, I was literally 2nd to last in the
army of 200 strong. On our way from the Ballroom to the Municipal
Auditorium, we only had to cross the street really, but our zone got
lost so many times. The first time was walking across the street due
to the light. Second our our way to our seats. Going through the
tunnels was an adventure and I ran more trying to keep up with the
group than all month it seems. The public was starting to come too and
it was difficult to maneuver around them. We get to our seats and
wait. The youth start flooding onto the stadium floor at 5:45pm, and
kneel. Since we were in the nosebleed section, I was trying to see
where the prophet would be sitting since we were supposed to sing TO
him once we got on the floor. Right before 6, the entire stadium
arises as President Monson enters the arena. it was incredible. I was
literally 50 yards above him. He just glowed. They start the event by
having President Monson address us. He spoke of many things, but the
one thing I do remember was how he loved seeing the youth dance
together. To see boys ask girls and to see girls get asked to dance.
How important it was to respect each other and to build friendships.
he said that we might see an event going on. He sees friendships being
made. And then it commenced! Because of where I was sitting it was
difficult to get any pictures. The lighting was bad. I'm sending home
a few of before the event started. That was special. The theme of the
event was "Of One Heart in the Heartland". There were 12 stakes
involved and each was involved in something devoted to the area. The
early saints were mentioned a lot, as well as the early settlement of
the area. The most powerful that I witnessed before going on the floor
myself was from the Joplin Stake. If any of you remember, last May I
took a group of Young Single Adults from the Joplin stake through the
Visitors' Center and instantly fell in love with them. The very next
day, the devastating tornado hit. The youth's program was completely
devoted to the errand of angels in response to the tornado last year.
it hit home so greatly with me. Each dance was introduced with a video
presentation and narration. There were sirens, 911 calls, recordings
of youth retelling their experience of not knowing where loved ones
were located. As the narration played, they came on the floor. There
were wooden frames of houses laid flat on the floor. Eventually, the
EFY song, "Broken Things" started, sung live by Kenneth Cope himself.
Another song called "Rise Up" by Spencer Lee was played during their
performance. And actually, Rise Up is on iTunes and all proceeds to
towards the Joplin Recovery. Go check it out if you can. I was so
moved by the performance I could not hold back my tears. I'm sure I
made the Elder sitting next to me feel a bit awkward. Youth in Helping
Hands shirts came out. A family, broken by the disaster, ran out on
the floor and I saw a little girl jump into the arms of her father.
The stadium went mad. It was beautiful. After this performance we made
a mad dash to the tunnel from our seats to prepare to go on with all
the youth stakes. Again, we booked it, literally sprinted down 3
stories of ramps. Because I was at the end of the group, I didn't get
to see much. But I heard everything. As the army of missionaries began
to move, the crown up roared. We began to sing. The youth parted and
knelt to make way for the Lord's servants and sang with us. As I
entered the floor, I looked up to the video screen and saw President
and Sister Keyes along with one of the Assistants singing. We had
people on either side of us cheering and rooting us on. We stopped,
turned toward the Prophet, who was standing, as well as the entire
stadium, and sang. At one point I had a camera man straight in my
face. As we finished singing... "We will be the Lord's missionaries to
bring the world his truth". We stood there. The feeling of love I felt
at that moment is really indescribable to put into words. The entire
stadium was still in an up roaring, standing, cheering, for several
minutes after we finished. As we walked out the youth stood and
clapped for US. For US! We should be cheering for THEM. President
Monson grabbed his suit coat and tugged at it, and you could see his
face full of emotion from the power of the Spirit. As we left the
stadium, I glanced up at the monitor one last time and saw a side view
of each and every missionary walk past. It was so POWERFUL. We went
back up our 3 stories of ramps and sat down to finish the event. I
can't describe the feelings and power that was there adequately.

We made it back to the bus, they fed us, and we rode all the way back
to Junction City, Salina, and Wichita. I think I had said last week we
were going to stay in KC for the dedication. That changed. We left KC
at 8:15pm. Got to Wichita at 1am. We just all chatted on the bus. No
one could sleep although we were all going loopy due to what just
happened and our minds start to fade. It was wonderful to bond with
the missionaries on our zone. it's great to say that we really are
close and I consider them family. It was a long day. The sister
missionaries that we stayed with wanted to go to church so we woke up
at 6:30am, got ready, studied, and went to a 9am church. I bore my
testimony in that ward. It was bizarre not to be in my own ward. I
missed Hutch. A young couple from the ward took us to Salina where we
watched the 3rd and final session of the Kansas City Missouri Temple
Dedication. It was beautiful. Elder Holland, Elder Rasband, and Elder
Walker all accompanied President Monson. When it was finished, I saw a
returned missionary from the mission. He came back to see it. It was
fun to see him. There were quite a few missionaries that had served in
the MIM come back for either the dedication or the Youth Cultural
Celebration. We got a ride back to Wichita from Salina, where we met
at the brand new Stake Center for the Seminary Graduation, where our
ride back to Hutch would meet us. That didn't get finished until 8:30.
We didn't get back to Hutch until 9:30. We were so tired. We are so
tired! However, before going to bed, President Keyes sent out another
voice mail to the mission. He told us of all the comments we received
of the missionaries at the Cultural Celebration. He told us one
story... when the missionaries marched out onto the stadium arena, the
men in the van that controlled the camera feed to the satellite, for
everyone else worldwide to see were so touched, that it made their job
difficult. They were weeping because of the power and spirit they
felt. President Keyes told us that he arranged for each and every
missionary to receive a copy of the cultural event and we should be
receiving them next month. What a blessing! I'm so grateful for the
church. I'm so grateful for a charitable and devoted Mission
President.

Here is a link that the church put out for the whole deal.
http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/president-monson-dedicates-kansas-city-missouri-mormon-temple
My pictures and words are inadequate for the power that was there. It
was the best day of my life. We may have had a warm bus ride there and
back in one day and not get any sleep this weekend, but I would do it
again in a heartbeat. I know the church is true. I know President
Thomas S. Monson is a true prophet of God. I know that Jesus is the
Christ and that He lives.

I was contemplating what I would answer if someone asked me, "Why are
you LDS?" There are many answers and testimonies to answer that. But
after this weekend, I discovered mroe to the gospel. I discovered more
of the love our Savior and Heavenly Father have for us. I understand
more of the Atonement and the sacredness of the family. So next time
someone asks me, "Why are you LDS?" I reply for them would be,
"Because I believe in beauty. Truth has always been more interesting
to me than fiction".

We are going to be working hard. I will do my very best for the Lord
these last few months. I will stand and I will not fall for truth.
Arise and shine forth, my friends. The day has come.

I love you all.
Always,
Sister Moore