All is well in Missourah

Greetings friends and family,

 

All is well in Missourah. Transfers have come and gone. I was able to see lots of good friends and welcome in 4 new sisters to the VC. Sister Porter and I have stayed together in 4th ward and we're excited about that! We had Sarah's baptism on Friday and it was beautiful. She's such a stellar example to me. And I think she might be reading this right now... Hi Sarah! :) The weather is bi-polar but no snow to be seen. Dad sent photos of the massive snow storm out in Oregon. It's beautiful! But I'm grateful I don't have to deal with it right now. We went out to dinner with a family in the ward for Taco Tuesday. This local restuarant by the courthouse in Independence has tacos really cheap on Tuesdays... it was a great meal.

 

The Kansas City Open House has been announced. April 7-21 will be the open house. May 5 will be a cultural celebration, and May 6 will be the actual dedication for the temple. And we, the sister missionaries, get to take part in that. How neat!!

 

I've learned a lot of things lately. In my studies this morning I read the words of Abinadi found in Mosiah. He told of a redemption through Christ. We need to either use Christ's Atonement or we are subject to Satan. Isn't that intense? If we don't follow Christ, Satan has hold on us. We will be resurrected to stand before Christ one day and we will be judged. If we aren't ready, we won't get to go on and live with our families. I started thinking about that. It's a really intense teaching, but it's true and we can apply it to ourselves right now. Where do we stand? Are we living the gospel and using the Atonement in our daily lives? What evidence do we have of seeing such a change? How have we changed to become better people? That's what I love about this gospel. It's not just a religion. It's not just for us to be a part of and feel good about ourselves because we went to church on Sunday. It's real life. We are God's children living on the earth and our purpose and duty is to learn more about Christ, follow his example, and become better people. It's a daily endevour. I have seen so much change in my loved ones around me, both home and here, because they are listening to the good word of the shepherd. Where do you stand, brothers and sisters?

 

Lately in our training program, I've been trying to help Sister Porter rely on the Spirit and recognize it in her daily life. On Sunday, we finished church and our meetings and were driving back to the VC. We ate, went over our plans, and had to decide if we should study for the training program or go out into our area for an hour. We knelt down and prayed. I felt like we should stay and study. She said let's go into our area. I thought about it and we made the decision to go out into our area. As soon as we did that, we walked out and saw the most intense lightning storm with rain coming down so thick it was difficult to see. We run to the car and start to drive to our area. I felt heavy. I felt constrained. I told Sister Porter that I didn't feel right about going out into the area. I pulled over and we sat there thinking. She said she's trying to decipher what she's feeling. I said let's say a prayer and ask, and then listen. The thought came to my mind "open the scriptures". We prayed, and I grabbed her triple (Book of Mormon, Doctrine & Covenants, and Pearl of Great Price) and she grabbed her Bible. The thought "Bible" came to my mind. I flipped through the Book of Mormon looking for guidance, but I couldn't find it. I knew it was going to be found in the Bible. A moment later, Sister Porter read 1 Cor. 14:30-31, which reads:

"30 If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace.
31 For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted."

 

She looked at me and smiled. I asked her, "did you just flip open randomly to that?" She replied she had, and went on to tell me that she said a prayer in her heart and told Heavenly Father that she trusted me, and asked for conformation on that. She then randomly flipped open her Bible and that is what she read. It was intense. I was so humbled. I know the Lord lives and will answer prayers. We both felt light and at ease when we went back to the VC and continued our studying. We learned a lot that night.

 

I have a testimony of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. The fulness of Christ's gospel is back for us today. We need him, he doesn't need us, but he loves us and wants us home. We can know this by living the doctrine, trusting and having faith in the promises, and testing them out for ourselves. I know God lives and loves us. He has a prophet on the earth today to lead and guide us. His Holy Spirit is here for us. Sacred ordinances such as baptism are here for us. I know these things are true. Shall we not go on in so great a cause?

 

Always,

Sister Moore

The report from Missouri...

Greetings!

 

The report from Missouri... Missouri's weather is very bi-polar. Yesterday it was 66*. This morning, it was 21* with little snow flurries. It's going to get warm again here soon. Or so I'm told. Elder Wells, one of the senior missionaries at the VC prints us out the weather report every week. He's so great! He and his wife are now the "oldest" senior missionaries, just like I am slowly becoming one of the "oldest" sisters in the mission. That's a scary thought. I got told the other day that I look like a grown woman! Yay!

 

Before I forget, transfers are on Thursday and we willl know tonight where everyone is going. Last Friday a bunch of potential trainers got calls (just like I did 6 weeks ago) and we have discovered that if our assumptions are correct, 7 out of the 8 companionships at the VC will be training. 3 are continuing the 12 week program, 4 are just beginning. And with that, we know that about 5 of the sisters are leaving the VC which is always sad. I found out that my P-day will be Wednesdays starting next week if I stay in 4th ward (mostly likely I will). So I will be a day later in emailing next week. Just a heads up! :)

 

Things are grand in 4th ward! We had a baptism last Saturday. These two girls that we have been teaching, as well as past sisters have been teaching, were committed for baptism after the Elders made them lasagna (go figure) and so that was wonderful. The parents had been baptized last May, so now the entire family can work together in living the gospel of Jesus Christ and reaping those blessings. ETERNAL FAMILIES!!! BEST! The dad's parents attended and are interested in learning more about the church because they loved the baptismal service and church the next day. This Friday is Sarah's baptism. She's this incredible girl who has taught us so much as we have been sharing the gospel with her. She's so meek and has such a willing heart to act on what she knows is true. She's one of my heroes. Another investigator that has been taught by the sisters for months and months gave us permission to baptize her 9 year old daughter. The daughter really wants to be baptized. Our investigator is seriously thinking about it too. She's finally becoming spiritually converted by reading the Book of Mormon and coming to church. She's seeing the peace that Christ gives us. We're really excited for them! We found a family to teach yesterday and will go back next week to share more. The Lord is truly blessing 4th ward, as the Elders have several progressing investigators as well. Together, we had 8 investigators at church last Sunday. That is pretty awesome for us! I love missionary work! Nothing brings more joy!

 

On the other side of missionary things, aka the VC, a young man walked into the VC with a ninja turtle belt and a comcast shirt on (this isn't a bad joke, I promise). He wasn't a member but thought the Community of Christ temple was cool so he thought he'd pop in and see what we were all about. We had to explain that their temple is not associated with us, but he stayed for an hour anyway, felt the Spirit, and gave us his information to have the missionaries come share more with him. He's way cool. So intelligent. I have such a testimony that the Lord truly prepares people to accept His promised blessings within the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. Seriously... the Lord lives and is so aware of us! We just have to open our eyes and ask to see.

 

We are playing dodgeball tonight with the youth. We set up a missionary activity for the youth to invite their friends to. So we are going to go play dodgeball, probably get beat pretty badly, and then share a spiritual thought. The Elders are going to help us with that, too. I love the youth. The youth have such power and influence! I would know. :)

 

But things are grand. I can't complain. I'm seeing that when we rely on the Lord and his promised blessings, that we accomplish so much more than we could alone. Growing up I was blessed with a few talents and based on my own ability I have been able to get so far. Soccer... music... school... but out here, I can't go anywhere or progress or accomplish much without trusting God. Maybe that was why Bishop Vocana had me give my farewell talk on Trusting in God...? Very sneaky. :) Very inspired.

 

This gospel is true. Jesus IS the Christ. And he lives. What else matters?

 

Always,

Sister Moore

January 10

Good morning.

Everytime I sit down to write this, my mind goes blank. I was going to send home pictures, but the computer isn't being friendly this morning. It's asking me to format the card. If I do that will it erase everything on the card? However, things have been great!

We have a baptism still coming up and I'm really excited that Sister Porter gets to see one at the beginning of her mission. The weather is dry and clear and crisp and it's beautiful. We've been having some crazy, memorable experiences both in and outside of the VC. This Saturday we are going to training for new missionaries and their trainers at the mission home and I look forward to that. I love learning and I've come to really desire knowledge. That's what led to my mission call! A quote that I have really admired lately is this: "If we pursue knowledge diligently and honestly, our quest will inevitably lead us from the things of the earth to the things of heaven". - Hugh Nibley. I know that's true. Knowledge is truth. Truth in knowledge. And all truth comes directly from God. I'm grateful for this understanding.

 

We were tracting the other day. Knocked on a door, and we hear a car start in the garage as soon as we stepped back from the door. We thought, "they're trying to escape!". As they pulled out we talked to them. Apparently they had some emergency with their dog and couldn't talk. But we found it quite funny. Heavenly Father has a sense of humor, that's for sure! We also tracted into this RLDS lady. She let us in and we talked. She might come to a church service. That would be cool. Another gentleman we were talking to actually let us teach him a brief portion of the restoration and said we could come back when his family was home. That's exciting! I've come to learn that I know that bearing our testimonies will in turn strengthen out testimonies. When we live the doctrine or in the way we know the gospel is true, we can personally see the fruits of it thereof. Bearing teatimony through actions, words, or up at the pulpit on Sundays helps us come to know our much our Savior and Heavenly Father love us. I'm indeed grateful for that.

 

Things have been great. I'm laughing way too much at the VC with the sisters. When we're on shift for 6 hours and only 4 people come in, we have to entertain ourselves somehow. I'm sore beyond belief because I've started to work out with some other sisters in the morning and didn't ease into it. Ha, ok, funny story. Sunday morning, I committed to not eat excess sugar or baked goods in hopes of gaining more energy and whatnot. We had borrowed a car from the mission office and so we parked it, and had to carry all of our stuff to the VC, a few blocks away. We passed by the stake center to where a brother called us over. It turned out to be the Independence 2nd ward Bishop and he remembered me and everything. It was great! He asked if we wanted an apple pie. He goes to his car, grabs a freshly baked homemade apple pie, warm out of the oven, and places it in my hands. I thought to myself, "this is a test, isn't it?" Heavenly Father has a sense of humor! Again! I love it. :) We gave it to the VC sisters and it's gone. Haha.

 

I apologize for not having much to report. Things are good. I'm exhausted at the end of the day. The work is progressing. I'm coming to know my Savior every day. I can feel the Spirit with me and with my loved ones. I know Jesus is the Christ, and that he lives. I know this gospel is what we are all searching for deep down inside. We just have to act on it. We have to choose to let it bless us. I am who I am because of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and my Savior. This church is true. I know it. Shall we not go on in so great a cause?

 

Always,

Sister Moore

2012

Greetings!

I cannot believe that it is 2012! I was supposed to graduate college this year. Instead I'm doing the greatest work known to man... I love my mission. :)

Things have been great! The other day it was almost 70* outside. This morning it is 22*. Missouri can't make up its mind. And we have not really seen snow yet. Maybe I'll luck out my one winter in Missouri.

 

We had a miracle fall into our laps in the form of a referral. We met this girl one night a couple weeks ago and she was in her PJs, so she asked us to come back. We were able to meet with her and ask her to read and pray about the Book of Mormon. The next meeting we had with her she told us that she went into it with an open mind and before she read just prayed and asked Heanvely Father to let her know if it was true or not. She continues.... "I read it... and I know it's true". I was sort of speechless. The joy and the spirit just overcame us and we were so excited that she was able to feel the love her Heavenly Father has for her. She had friends growing up who were LDS and she was always very impressed with the way they acted, their morals, and their families. One of her best friends served a mission in Brazil and came back to tell her all about it. That friend now is attending BYU but she's flying out here to Missouri for her baptism. Talk about love! We're very excited for her and for alll the things she will teach us. :) Her name is Sarah. And she's awesome.

 

We've had a few other great investigators. We don't get that much proselyting time unfortunately due to the VC and the training program, but the little we do get is quality. I know I am so grateful for these blessings that Heavenly Father has given us. My understanding of His love is just expanding left and right. That's what should keep us moving forward; that love. Because he has so much of it to share with His children.

 

Sunday night was the President's devotional. We invited Sarah to that and were able to hear 6 or 7 powerful testimonies from recent converts as well as President and Sister Keyes' share a beautiful message. It was PACKED. I got to see some mission friends again and that was so great! I love the missionaries I serve with! The spirit was so strong there. I read this talk about how learning the doctrine is not going to convince someone that it is true. The Spirit of God is the only one that can change people's hearts. How true that is. That is why we teach the basics and teach by the Spirit. In that talk, it also brought about a new outlook for me about the meaning of the Atonement and why it was necessary. W. Cleon Skousen gave this talk back in 1980 and 31 years later it has converted me even more. He talks about how everything in the universe follows a law. Laws of nature, laws of God. Things follow a certain pattern until they are told to do something else. He explained the gospel and God's creations into atoms and molecules. How the Priesthood truly can move mountains when authorized because it's God Science instead of something mystical. You'll have to read it to completely understand where I'm coming from because me paraphrasing it will do nothing for you. However, it has given me a greater appreciation for science and specifically chemistry. God exists. He lives. His Priesthood is real and helps us follow those laws. The creation is very real. Things are organized for a reason. I'm grateful for this planet that we have been sent to and for the beauty of it all around. But the Atonement was indeed necessary. And it only happened because Jesus Christ chose to do it for us. Not for himself, but for us. For me. For you.

 

Guess who came and visited me last Friday night...? None other than Ethan! I hadn't seen him for I think 2.5 years. That flew by. It was great to see him. I got back from proselyting to eat something and one of the sisters says, "someone from BYU-Idaho came by to see you. He said he just got back from his mission". My mind started racing. Who in the world could that be? I asked his name. When they said hesitantly, "...Ethan maybe?" I rushed right over to find him and his parents on tour. It's odd to see worlds colliding, I think. But it's always fun. And it's nice too because I'm learned how to focus. Maybe too well... and the only reason I say that is someone will ask how my morning went and I draw a blank. I've truly learned to stand where my feet are and live in the moment. My mission only happens once!

 

My knee is well. I'm back and running and working hard. I come home every night exhausted, which I love. Because I feel that I am fulfilling my purpose, and that is when I'm happiest.

 

If there's anything that I know, it's that Jesus is the Christ. He lives today. That his Atonement is real and the power it has to take about the burden of sin, sorrow, and sadness from us is true. The Book of Mormon is the word of God. God has called a living prophet today. This gospel is true. And nothing can take away that truth. I love serving my Lord and Master. I love seeing his love for all of us. Thank you to all of you who support me and the many other missionaries serving our Father in Heaven. I can't express adequately how grateful I am for you. But thank you. A thought for the week: "When you are compelled to give up something or when things that are dear to you are withdrawn from you, know that this is your lesson to be learned right now. But know also that as you are learning this lesson, God wants to give you something better." -Elder Busche

 

Shall we not go on in so great a cause?

 

Always,

Sister Moore