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
Monday, July 16, 2012
Happy Birthday, Grandpa!
Monday, July 9, 2012
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
Monday, July 2, 2012
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
Monday, June 25, 2012
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
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
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
Monday, June 11, 2012
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
Monday, June 4, 2012
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
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