October 23rd, 2018

Fun fun fun

Dear Friends and Family

It has been a good week!
We have had some super solid lessons with some really cool people. We have been working hard. I go to bed early now, for the most part. We had a lot of random difficulties emerge this week, but the whole time I could only think that it was just minor things that will help us gain experience.

I also fixed our dryer that broke. I had to take the back off and get the knob fixed that gets the dryer moving... It was fun.
I also had to fix a few flat tires, and also fix dinner a few times. We made cranberry chicken, pasta, and rice with chicken. I actually cooked the chicken for that one. We pretty much feed ourselves anymore, but I like it. I also got my hands on some venison from a member.

I have recently been re-reading the general conference talks. They are super good! I definitely sustain the church leaders. The Lord is hastening His work and is preparing us for His return some day.

I sat in a chair and it had some weird sticky stuff on it that stained one of my shirts. It was gross.

We are having another Baptism today. More kids. They are in the other ward we cover, but their story is similar to the last Baptism. Single parent member with some awesome kids. I'll get pictures for my next email.

My companion lost his wallet. That was a bummer. But we got everything figured out I believe. Based on where we lost it... It is gone. Some homeless person or someone probably took it wherever it was dropped at.

I was asked recently if I could ever see myself living in Las Vegas. At first I thought definitely no, but if it was just me and I was just working or something, I could actually see it. I am big and chillax and so nobody would really mess with me in the ghetto parts. They tend to just leave us be as missionaries. Maybe it would be different without the nametags... but I think I'd be okay. I don't mind the craziness.

I weighed myself the other day, and unless the scale is wrong, I think I have lost weight since we started feeding ourselves. Not a whole lot, maybe just a few pounds, but enough for me to notice. We get enough to eat, but we also aren't obligated to stuff ourselves to please the members. It's... nice. Portion control is more likely when we have only so much to eat.

Something a bit more spiritual I have been thinking about is how I pray. I have been trying to ask Heavenly Father to strengthen me and change me to be able to face my own challenges and burdens rather than asking Him to make my problems go away. It has made me feel... good. I'm actually happier since I have started doing that. This is mortality so obviously we have problems and challenges, and quite frankly, they don't really just go away. However I firmly believe we can be changed and be strengthened to overcome them. I know that this is part of the plan. Repentance is change. Trials and tribulations require us to be tested and strained, but this leads to being strengthened. And of course this strength comes from Faith in Jesus Christ. This is one of the most central points of Doctrine. Almost everything is predicated on our Faith. Before we repent, we must have Faith in the Atonement of Jesus Christ as well as His ability to strengthen and heal us. We take the Sacrament every weekend because of our Faith in Jesus Christ and in remembrance of that sacrifice. We make covenants in the waters of Baptism and onwards in the House of The Lord because of our Faith in Jesus Christ and His Gospel. There is a scripture or two I wanted to share that goes along with this...
Alma and his brethren are strengthened in the Lord
Mosiah 24
15 And now it came to pass that the burdens which were laid upon Alma and his brethren were made light; yea, the Lord did strengthen them that they could bear up their burdens with ease, and they did submit cheerfully and with patience to all the will of the Lord.

Alma had a lot of Faith!

And of course Philippians 4
13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

I think I shared that one recently in a previous email, but it is worth sharing again.

I can definitely testify of the power of Christ and His atoning sacrifice. I have been strengthened to do certain things as a missionary that over a year again I would never have thought I could do. The Lord is Real and He will strengthen you in your trials and struggles. I know this to be true.

Well, that is all for now. Thanks for all the love and support!
-Elder Moore