December 25th, 2018

Christmas time

Merry Christmas everybody

This email probably won't be too long because I'm going to talk to my family today.
I am in Henderson again. What part of Henderson? My new area borders my first area from a year ago. So I can see my first area from here. However, the homes and apartments are bigger here. We also border the richest area in the mission. They have some big houses....

My New Companion Elder McKee is cool. He was Elder Spataro's companion before Elder Spataro got transferred over to me... but they were in the bottom of the Grand Canyon on a Native American reservation. So, quite the contrast.

We basically have the best mission. To quote my new companion he said "We have ghetto. Then we have really ghetto. Then we have sketch. We have rich. Then We have really rich. Then We have Mike Tyson's house. We also have the middle of no where. And also the Grand Canyon."
It is a pretty diverse mission.

For Christmas this year, I am going to Skype my family, play basketball with my new district, and then get back to work. Missionary Life is the best!

Concerning Christs Birth, the Prophet Samuel in the Book of Mormon prophesied.
Helaman 14
5 And behold, there shall a new star arise, such an one as ye never have beheld; and this also shall be a sign unto you.
6 And behold this is not all, there shall be many signs and wonders in heaven.
7 And it shall come to pass that ye shall all be amazed, and wonder, insomuch that ye shall fall to the earth.
8 And it shall come to pass that whosoever shall believe on the Son of God, the same shall have everlasting life.

The Lord Jesus Christ was indeed born, and not only this, but He fulfilled His mission. And because He fulfilled His mission, we can be redeemed from our Sins and our Downfalls. Because of Him we can return home and be with our families forever. Jesus Christ is the greatest gift that our Father in Heaven has given to us, so we should not be afraid to help others receive such a gift into their own lives. I know that He lives and will return again someday.

-Elder Moore


Elder Moore was able to Skype with his family on Christmas Day. It was fun to see him and speak to him. We know he is doing the Lord's work and we are very proud of him.

December 18th, 2018

Transferred

Hello Friends and Family!

We got transfer calls last night.
I'm headed back to Henderson! I will be serving in the Paseo Verde and Arroyo Grande wards. My new companion is Elder McKee. It is the richest zone in the mission. Elder McKee was companions with Elder Spataro at the bottom of the Grand Canyon before he got transferred to this area. Elder Spataro is also leaving, and will be serving in the same zone. Our trainee, Elder Nielsen is staying and is getting follow-up trained by my previous companion Elder Picinich. Look at all the connections!

So all of that being said, these last few days we had a few funny experiences.
We went to an apartment complex that we visit down the street. While we were there we went to go visit a family we have been trying to teach. When we got there we were greeted by a drunk guy who offered us booze. We declined (a few times) and then he proceeded to tell us that he Raps for God. So he shared a rap song about God with us, drunkenly, in the middle of this complex. It was actually pretty good. And then he sung us a song. He raps better than he sings. Anyways, we decided to stop by another day, hopefully when people were sober.

So then the next day we were headed back to that complex and another guy started following us on the way to this complex. At first he was cussing us out, but then he transitioned into rapping at us. So he followed us around this complex and loudly cussed us out/rapped at us. We ignored him but it was.... funny. He was probably drunk too.

Oh here is something I didn't mention last time. We are teaching a part-member family and things were going pretty good. The husband wants to make God a priority, and his non member wife wants to join the church and also get closer to God. Well, two weeks ago there was a bit of a domestic dispute, and so the wife ended up in Jail. Luckily, she got out of jail and will be coming to church again on Sunday! And then Elder Nielsen and Elder Picinich will teach her again!
So... that happened.

Our Neighbors had a party or were yelling at each other from about 11 o clock to 3 in the morning. It was loud. I think someone either jumped out of a window, or got thrown out. Either way, something hit the ground and someone was yelling. It was tough to sleep!

I decided to tell you about all the random funny/wacky stuff that happens because I will be back in safe and sound Henderson again. Not as wild, but maybe I'll still meet crazy people. They exist... everywhere.

It was fun to train in a three-pack for 5 weeks, but alas now I am the companion to the district leader in the richest part of the mission. I am going to have a good time! It will be fun and I am excited to be back in Henderson.

Recently we have been sharing a video called "Ask of God" that shows Joseph Smith's first vision. If there is anything that I know that is true, it is the Prophetic calling of Joseph Smith. I know he was a prophet of God and that the Book of Mormon contains the fullness of Jesus Christs Gospel. The Lord speaks to all people and has called a Prophet today to lead and guide His church and His children. I know that by line of Authority starting at the Savior that Russel M. Nelson is the Prophet of God today.

The Church is True, the Book is Blue, and Moroni is still on the Ball.

-Elder Moore

December 11th, 2018

Hey hey hey

Hello Friends and Family

This weeks email is going to be short. Our preparation day is short today because we had a Christmas social yesterday and so we basically just have time to go shopping.
Except for the fact that my district has a temple trip today so I am shopping and going to the Temple and then going back to work. So that is why this email is shorter.

I have a testimony that the Lord is in the details of our lives. In a recent zone conference President Youngblood mentioned how the Lord is in the details and he shared a few stories. I remember writing down notes to pay attention and notice the details. Well, I prayed to see the little things throughout the week. There were a few things that happened like being taken to a 5 Guys burger joint and seeing that the fries were harvested from St. Anthony. I also remember seeing little things here and there such as Snow on the mountains, receiving a bag of bacon from the ward Christmas party, talking to a street punk who likes the Ramones and the Misfits... little things that would only really speak to Elder Moore. No other missionary in this mission would have little connections like that. So... I definitely know that the Lord is in the details. The smaller things are more evidence of a loving God than the anything big.

I know the Gospel of Jesus Christ is true and that this is His church.

-Elder Moore

Elder Moore visited a Five Guys restaurant with a member family
and his companions and discovered the potatoes were from
 his hometown, St. Anthony, Idaho!

December 4th, 2018

Strings of Fate

Hello Friends and Family!

For no particular reason, I wanted to share a scripture first. Thinking about trials and daily difficulties.

Mosiah 24
14 And I will also ease the burdens which are put upon your shoulders, that even you cannot feel them upon your backs, even while you are in bondage; and this will I do that ye may stand as witnesses for me hereafter, and that ye may know of a surety that I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their afflictions.

Last week was rough. It was great by the end. I learned a lot! I learned how to fix spokes on a bike, how to battle sickness, and how to organize a Baptism while the font was double booked... it was fun. Not earth shattering, but it was good. I learned a lot. Life is good!

We had a Baptism on Saturday! It was another part-member family. I think the Lord is trying to teach me to work with kids better because it was another kid. He is hilarious. His name is Kekoa. His mom is Navajo, and they are a super faithful family. But because of certain life events and challenges, he never got Baptized when he was 8, so the mom reached out to us and we taught him. He is a funny kid. He was a lot of fun to teach!

It has been colder lately. It doesn't get above 65 anymore. We've been in the 40s and 50s. I actually wear my sweatshirt now....

I have a picture of me knocking on a wooden plank. It's in front of a door too... that's because when people move out of apartments, they have to plank up the doors and windows. They do it to keep squatters out. There are a lot of squatters in this area. They are generally nice when I've talked to them. Most people steal furniture or the copper in houses. Or they do drugs inside.... either way.

We had a Christmas party in the ward. The lady who lives in the trailer park came to it and she actually worked and helped out the relief society. They loved her help and she is fellowshipped like crazy now. She even went out of her way to make all three of us hot chocolate at the party to bring to us. It was nice.

Elder Spataro was once on the phone with a member because we were coordinating some lessons, and it was taking too long, so Elder Nielsen and myself took a surprise picture.

Transfers are in two weeks already. It's a short transfer because of Christmas...

If you can't tell from the pictures, we are having fun... but busy. Life is good.
I know that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is true. It has changed my life and my perspective on life. Every difficulty and every challenge is an opportunity to be strengthened by the Savior and to rise to a new level. Every rejection is a learning opportunity and every accepting person is a blessing. The Book of Mormon is the word of God. It is rich with Doctrine. This life is the time to prepare to meet God (Alma 34:32). Jesus Christ is the Savior and Redeemer of the World. I know that He will guide us Home with our Families. God be Thanked for the amazing blessings of the Gospel.

I hope you all have a great week!
-Elder Moore