End of a Transfer...

Hey everyone!! I hope everyone enjoyed the 4th of July! I know I did! Sister Velasco and I celebrated by singing the National Anthem to the sisters in our house and having a mini BBQ!!! Woohoo!

so I am beyond sad to be ending this transfer, I feel like it just started. I need more time with Sister Velasco, and with training! I'm not ready to not be in training!!! It's basically a 90% chance that I get transferred now that I am done with my training but I will find out for sure tomorrow! 

Buuuut, I couldn't have asked for a better way to end this transfer! Yesterday we had a baptism!!!! Wooooo! Super super good! It was a baptism for F e L (mother and son). It was a real miracle that we had both of them there. During the week we found out that L would be at his dad's house on Sunday and that his dad wasn't going to let him get baptized because the "mormon church is satanic". so we were completely bummed. But still really excited for F. We went to go pick her up for church and she walks around the corner with her 1 year old son J. Super ecstatic!!! and 5 seconds later L popped around the corner!!! Sister Velasco turns to me and we both instantly high five each other and whisper "milagre!!" Uggh super awesome!! 

The baptism was really really good. It was the first baptism at the church since the church has been under construction. Sister Velasco and I spent the 2nd and 3rd hour of church cleaning the font because the workers didn't clean it before they left. But we got it done! It was funny because when F got baptized the water was still too low. so she sat on the ground in the font and basically just lied down in the water! Kind of funny! Never seen it done that way but hey, it works!! 

Other than that not much has really happened, we were really focusing on making sure they were both ready for the baptism and did a lot of contacting this week. I'm getting better at inviting people to be baptized while we are contacting. Its actually kind of fun! 

Anyway, that's basically my week, not super super crazy. But really really good!! 

Eu sei que este igreja é na igreja de Jesus Cristo, e que ele estableceu este igreja aqui na terra. sei que Joseph Smith foi um profeta de Deus e que ele restaurou na igreja aqui para nós em esse últimos dias. sei que o Livro de Mórmon é palavra de Deus e pelo poder de Deus Joseph Smith traduziu este maravilhosa livro. eu sei que Jesus Cristo é meu irmão e Salvador do mundo. Que ele sofrou para cada um de nós. E que nós temos uma oportunidade a viver e crescer mais perto de nossa Salvador e Pai Celestial. Eu sei que este igreja é único caminho para nós a viver com nossa Pai Celestial de novo depois desta vida. Sei que Ele conhece todos nós pessoalmente e nós ama pessoalmente. Eu estou muito feliz para servir meu Senhor e ajudar na obras dele. Eu amo este evangelho e muito grata por meu conhecimento de o plano de Deus em minha vida! Eu amo vocês com todos meu coração! 

Boa semana pra vocês!

Com amor,

Síster Moss

 

Week full of Milagres and Eleitos!!!

Hey y'all!!!

 

So this week was actually really good!! I saw so many little miracles this week, it was incredible!

 

So first off, we are teaching a mother and her son, F e L. They are such eleitos (elect). They are both on date for baptism this Sunday after church, I am so excited for them. F was baptized almost 10 years ago but never got confirmed, and it was actually a miracle that we found her. But that is a different story. It's so fun teaching them. This week we taught them the first lesson, and when we went back to see how praying went and if she thought this was true she explained to us that she knew it was true but couldn't explain how she knew. She knew she had received an answer to her prayer but couldn't explain it. Which is really cool, that's honestly how you know they really received an answer. Most times we expect something super great to happen, when actually it is the small things that mean the most. In the Book of Mormon it says that spirit is a still small voice, but is so powerful. That this still small voice, pierces to the very soul. Ugh how amazing!!! The fact that a simple sincere prayer, and we can receive answers that pierce to the very soul. Milagre #1!

 

Also, Sister Velasco says my Portuguese is sooo much better. She says I sound more comfortable speaking, which is really good because I don't feel super comfortable speaking yet! I really see the progress this week. Milagre #2!

 

Oh, yesterday was also another day full of milagres! So generally we struggle a bunch with getting investigators to go to church. Well yesterday we had 7 investigators at church!!! Milagre #3! And even better, two of them that showed up (A e G) I taught once with Sister Udagawa but since they wouldn't  go to church we dropped them as investigators. We visited them one other time before Sister Udagawa got transferred in hopes to get them to come to church but they still wouldn't come. So it was amazing to see them when I walked into sacrament meeting yesterday! Sister Velasco and I will continue teaching them again and hopefully get them on date for baptism soon! Milagre #4!

 

You guys seeing the progress and light in F e L and all of our other investigators reminds me everyday why I decided to serve a mission! Seeing the light of the gospel help these people change the desires of their hearts and have that real desire to follow Jesus Christ and return home is incredible! I really can't explain it, seeing the gospel bring light and life to those in need is a marvelous sight to see everyday!! 

 

I know with all of my heart, that this is the true gospel. And that through the Prophet Joseph Smith it was restored to the Earth in these latter-days. I know that this is the only way for us to return home to the Father and His Son after this life. That we were given a perfect plan to return home, and it's actually a quite easy route. The way is narrow and straight, this is the way! I love being a missionary even if sometimes I don't understand people or people don't understand me. I know that the Spirit works miracles and that is the language that I have in common with everyone! I know that when we pray, with real faith, real intent that we WILL always receive an answer. I love this gospel with everything that I am and am so honored to be serving the Lord and assisting in His work here in Brasil! 

 

Love you all so so much!! Hope you all have an amazing week!

 

Love,

Sister Moss

 

P.S. Super weird writing my testimony in English haha! That took some serious thought! 

 

 

We got the bug!

Oí my peeps!!!

So this week has been really long, we got whatever sickness is going around the entire world. And 2 sisters got sick. so things have been really slow, but still really good! 

 

Sister Bandeira and Sister Velasco have been sick almost all week. I've tried helping but she doesn't seem to want my help. I don't know what else to do for her. So yesterday I started a special fast for her. Hopefully that helps! But she's amazing! I love teaching along-side her! The language seems to be getting a little easier. I study every day!!! We get home at 9 or 9:30 every night, I shower and study until it's time for bed. I'm really trying to learn more and be more helpful during lessons.

Not a whole lot has happened but what did happen was really sweet. And at the same time really complicated! so we had a baptism set up for this week but it fell through. Which was really tough. She's so ready, but says she doesn't want to be baptized right now because she doesn't want to give up the things of the world. guys, shes 12. what kinds of things of the world could be too hard to give up?? I don't understand, but we pushed the baptism back and are hoping it happens soon. Its really devastating to see people who know without a doubt that this is true turn away from it. But we planted a seed, and she is nourishing it more and more everyday. I hope she realizes the importance of the gospel and the need for baptism before its too late. 

also we got to help with a really cool mutual activity for the YW (young women ages 12-17). we acted as Sister Training Leaders and kind of taught them about missions and how cool they are. I didn't do a whole lot for the activity to teach them because I am the newest missionary, but I got to bear my testimony. It was really cool, I also discovered that most of these girls are already such great missionaries, and I hope most if not all of them decide to serve the Lord. It was really cool! I'll get pictures this week and send them next week! 

lessons are going well, people kind of keep cutting themselves from our list of investigators which sucks. but we keep working. trying to find more people willing and ready to hear our message! 

other than that though not much has really happened!! 

eu sei que este igreja é única caminho para nós a retorner e viver com Deus depois desta vida. sei que o livro de mórmon e palavra de Deus, e que um rapaz traduziu este livro pelo poder de Deus. sei que o dom de linquas é real. com todos meu coracão, sei que Deus ama todo mundo e querer que nós tentamos cada dia por melhor nossa vidas. sei que JesusCristo é meu salvador e redentor. que ele sofreu por cada onde nós! e que ele vive! Eu amo Jesus Cristo e estou muito honorado estar representante dele. Eu amo vocês muito muito!!

Tchau família! 

Com todos meu amor,

Síster Moss!

 

Questions and Answers

 

Does anything cool happen when you girls are walking? No not really, haha! sometimes there are street performers which is pretty cool. 

 

How far do you walk in a day (approx)? I'm not sure, maybe a good 8-12 miles a day, depending on the day. 

 

What is the walking like? Is it "city" walking, where there's constantly someone to try to talk to or is it like "country" walking where you have a lot of open space? It's kind of a bit of both. again depends on the day. sometimes there's soo many people that we can't talk to everyone, or theres literally no one. 

 

Do you play games to pass the time or do you talk the whole way? Honestly we barely talk.  

 

Did you have a baptism last week? No baptism this week, she told us that she didnt want to be baptized anymore. which sucks because she continues to go to YW activities, reads and studies the BOM and loves church. 

 

Are you still doing baptisms in Brad's pool? Haha yes, they are still fixing the baptismal font at the church. hopefully they finish soon. 

 

Did you get the second package we sent? no not yet. hopefully today.  

 

Do you exercise every day or is your walking what you use for exercise? I exercise every once in a while but generally walking is our exercise. 

 

What are you studying right now? Right now I am studying in 2 Nephi, which is really hard in Portuguese because a lot of it is compared to Isaiah. but I'm slowly getting through it. oh and also this week I've been studying a lot on the Atonement. what an amazing gift that is!! 

 

When are transfers? Transfers are in 2 weeks I think. Maybe 3 haha. Everybody says there is a 90% chance of me getting transfered. Really sad about that.. 

 

How often do you see Elder Alves? I see Elder Alves maybe once a week, twice if there's like a devotional or something. I saw him last night and will see him again today! Love Elder Alves, he's such a sweetheart and so fun!

Heavenly Father knows our needs before we do!

Hey everyone!!! Hope all is well for everyone. Happy Father's day to all the Dads out there!! To my dad, uncles, grandpas, cousins and brother; Super special Happy Fathers Day to all of you. I'm so grateful for all of you in my life and for the influence you all have had on my life. I love you all more than you know and miss you tons!!! Thank you for always showing me how to love and serve others and for always being such amazing examples of true Christ-like love! Hope you all had an amazing Father's Day!! *Virtual hug for all of you*

Okay, so this week has been real difficult for me. Lately I've been feeling like I'm kind of at a stand still in the language and some days that I'm going backwards in progress. I've also really been struggling with thoughts of doubt and failure on my part.. It's been really hard. All of our lessons have been falling through and people turning away from the gospel, and for a while I couldn't help but think that it was because of me. I've been focused more on myself rather than my investigators and their needs. 

Then on Friday we had a 1 day division. I had the wonderful opportunity to work with Sister Hansen again!! Man, she's literally my lifesaver and angel here. Before the division I hadn't really thought much about the feelings I was having and the struggles I was having, but after talking with Sister Hansen, I know that these feelings are not of God. That these are feelings of the devil, and he's trying to stop me from doing what I have been called here to do. (Sister Hansen always knows what to say to me). So glad that she is so in tune with the spirit and follows its promptings, she helps me more than she will ever know!!! I didn't even know I needed to have this talk with her, but I am so glad that Heavenly Father knows me better than I do and knows exactly what I need. 

On the upside, we have a baptism this week as long as everything works out! Her name is E and she's 12. She's so worried that she isn't ready for baptism, and that she has too much to repent of to be baptized.. We're really working to assure her that as long as she is working and striving every day to better herself and her life, and if she truly has that desire to follow the Savior that He has promised us forgiveness for literally everything. What a wonderful gift!! To know that whatever we do, if only we repent, and strive to be better and have that mighty change of heart in our lives we can and will be forgiven for anything and everything. 

Oh and again with the subject, Heavenly Father knows our needs before we do. I had a tough week and received an angel. And then yesterday after church, I was really discouraged about my language again and needed some guidance. I opened my scriptures to a random page and read this in Alma 29--

9 I know that which the Lord hath commanded me, and I glory in it. I do not glory of myself, but I glory in that which the Lord hath commanded me; yea, and this is my glory, that perhaps I may be an instrument in the hands of God to bring some soul to repentance; and this is my joy.

10 And behold, when I see many of my brethren truly penitent, and coming to the Lord their God, then is my soul filled with joy; then do I remember what the Lord has done for me, yea, even that he hath heard my prayer; yea, then do I remember his merciful arm which he extended towards me.

It really hit me. I have been too focused on myself and my struggles rather than the needs of my investigators, and that is why I've been feeling so down on myself. I know that this mission is not about me, I have been called here by the Savior himself, to serve and love these people as He does. Not to focus on myself. I know that I shouldn't be focused on myself, and that I need to trust in the Lord in everything. The glory is not mine so I shouldn't care how good my Portuguese, I need to focus on the needs of my investigators and love them with everything that I am. I know with all my heart that this is my calling of the Lord, to assist in bringing even just one soul home. That my difficulties and burdens will be lightened if I put all my trust in the Lord and do my very very best to fulfill his work. 

I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God, and that we can receive answers from this marvelous book if we just seek them and study the teachings and doctrines of the Savior. I'm so blessed to here and serve as a servant of the Lord, I promise all of you (so you can all hold me accountable), that I will do better to focus on the purpose of my calling rather than myself. I know this is the restored gospel of Christ, and that this is the only way for us to return home to our Father in Heaven again after this life. I love this gospel with everything that I am, and will defend my faith every single day!!! 

I love you all so much and so grateful for my chance to serve the beautiful of Brazil! Wish you all a fanflippingtastic week!!!

Sister Moss

Questions and Answers 

How was your week? My week has been really rough.. literally every lesson I was supposed to be apart of fell through. 

How is the work going? It's alright, a little slow right now. 

Do you have any baptisms scheduled? We have one baptism set up for this Sunday after church if everything works out. Her name is E and she's 12. She's so concerned that she's not prepared for baptism. We have one lesson left to teach her and I hope that she'll start to feel ready for this next step. We're teaching her mom too, but can't be baptized because she's not married but lives with her boyfriend. Which is very common here. No one sees the importance of marriage. It makes baptizing couples much more difficult. 

How's the teaching? Teaching is good. I don't really talk much. I probably teach one part of each lesson and bear my testimony at the end. Kind of frustrating.. 

How's your Portuguese coming along? I don't feel like I'm progressing but people say I get better everyday, I feel like understanding is getting worse but I guess I don't really know. It's been really tough lately momma. 

Have you taught any more English classes? Nope, just the one. 

How's your companion? My companion is amazing! I love her so much. The spirit is so strong when she teaches and testifies. She's such an amazing missionary, I feel very blessed to be working with her. 

When are transfers? Transfers are on July 4 I think or around that.

How was church? Church was good from what I could understand, which was not a whole lot. Yesterday was really tough on understanding. 

What cool things did you do last week? I went on another division with Sister Hansen, have I told you how much I love her?? Because I really do, she's my angel here. No joke. She knows exactly what I need to hear even if I don't know I need it. Again, all the lessons we had in  place for the division fell through but it was nice to get to talk to her and get to know her a little bit more. 

Stake Conference

Hey y'all!!! So this week was kind of special, we had stake conference and President Collioni spoke, and Sister Velasco and I got to help Brad (ward mission leader) teach an English class (he teaches English to basically everyone). Plus all the usual stuff with teaching and working with our members. Really good week! Some difficulties and bumps but that's normal... unfortunately...

Okay so first, stake conference. Not gonna lie, I got a little homesick this week. For some reason for stake conference I got all excited that I'd get to see all of you guys haha! Then I showed up and remembered none of you are in Brazil with me. Kind of really devastating... but stake conference was good nonetheless. At least from what I understood it was good haha. It was really difficult to pay attention, we had C and her little brother A with us and it was very noisy!!! It made it really difficult to pay attention, but I did my best. If I understood correctly each speaker touched on the importance of prayer and that we need to have that connection and relationship with our Father in Heaven. He may already know what's going on in our life, but he wants to hear from us every day. 

Second, teaching English! So it was kind of nice to speak English even though I couldn't think of anything to say in English haha. But we taught a class full of 12-18 year olds who have been studying and learning English anywhere from 2 days to 2 years. We really just got to know them and asked real simple questions but it was really fun. 

Teaching was a little different this week, we did a lot more searching for people than anything else. We got a list a couple weeks ago with people who were baptized but never confirmed, so we've been searching for those people and trying to get them back on track for confirmation or baptism again. We found one who was really interested in going back to church but when we went and picked him up for church he was like he was a totally different person. Super sad to see him turn away from the chance to become more like our Savior... Then just a regular investigator, a mother and daughter. V and E, we taught on Friday night, and V had some questions about why good people suffer so much and feel so much pain. So we taught her the plan of salvation and explained that all people struggle, as much as that sucks everyone suffer with their own difficulties. And that through the endless undying love and mercy of our Savior we can overcome these trials. All we need to do is take that first step of faith and ask for help with our struggles. I know it's difficult to ask for help sometimes because we don't want to feel like a burden, but if we humble ourselves and ask for help, Jesus Christ will help us, and he will lighten our burdens. It's been promised to us, if only we act first and ask. We felt the spirit so strong during this lesson. V was crying and Sister Velasco was on the verge of tears. It was such a good lesson. We committed E to baptism next week and are still working with V for baptism. But I am very optimistic about it. 

You guys, I know with all my heart, that if we just ask for our Savior's help, he will lighten our burdens. He is with us every step of the way. He atoned for our sins and felt every pain and struggle we will ever feel. He knows every bit of pain we have, and with a small act of faith on our part He will without a doubt be there to help us and support us through our struggles. I've seen the blessings of this tiny act of faith, I know that without Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost I would be unable to fulfill my calling as a missionary and representative of Christ. I know that if we just ask, Heavenly Father, our merciful Father in Heaven will bless us with the most amazing help. The help, love, and support of our perfect, loving brother Jesus. 

I love you all, and am so grateful to have you all in my life. Each of you has blessed my life in some way or another and I can't thank you all enough. Have an awesome week, até próximo semana!!!!

com todo o meu amor,

Sister Moss

 

Questions and Answers

 

What did you do? This week we did a lot of searching for people. we got a list of people in our area who were baptized but not confirmed so we were trying to find them and figure out why they never finished the ordinence. 

 

What are you studying in the scriptures right now? Right now I'm studying in 2 Nephi. All in Portuguese so it's a really slow process. But it's really really good. I've decided my favorite thing to do is read about our Savior and his work here on earth and his words to us.

What songs give you peace? I love all hinos!! I really enjoy singing and learning them in Portuguese! 

 

Tell me ALL ABOUT your new companion... So Sister Velasco is amazing!!! I love her!!! She's so fun!! She's from Texas and is a band geek (her words not mine). She did marching band and plays the flute. She's an only child, is 21 and almost 9 months into her mission. She is so direct when teaching, it's awesome! She teaches so well and always by the spirit. I love listening to her teach.

 

What was the hardest thing you had to do this week? The hardest thing this week was probably finding and trying to get in contact with those who were not confirmed. They don't think its important to receive the Holy Ghost... devastating really... 

 

The easiest? The easiest is loving the people, I don't know why it's so easy, but I know these are my brothers and sisters and they need help finding the path home. 

 

Why does every day feel like Christmas in Mossoró? Everyday is like Christmas in Mossoró because there are so many little blessings everyday. Tiny miracles everyday. It's amazing!!!

Package from home

Baptism - Sister Moss and Elder Alves

Sisters Moss and Velasco

My zone

Divisões e Skype!!

Alright, so this week was a little different. We started the week of as normal and then on Thursday we found out we would be doing a quick division. Sister Udagawa left me and switched with Sister Hansen, who is my STL (Sister Training Leader). She's amazing, by the way, and I'll tell you why.

So Sister Hansen and Sister Udagawa switched Thursday morning and switched back Saturday morning. I was actually really nervous to work with her. at first i thought the division was because I had bugged Sister Udagawa enough that she asked for a break (still not sure if that was the reason) but I am so grateful for the division. 

So Sister Hansen and I stayed in the house until 4 the first day. She was re-explaining all the numbers and stuff for our planner because she figured i didn't understand when it was explained the first time (she was right). so we went over that (in really slow Portuguese) and i finally understand them. Then she asked how i was doing.. I told her how much I've been struggling with the language and understanding people and just all the struggles I was having. I finished talking and she said she needed to share her experience of her first 12 weeks. She told me that everything I was and still am struggling with she had all the same issues. She felt the exact same way. It was so refreshing to hear that i wasn't the only one with these struggles. I know I'm not, but it was nice to hear and talk to someone who has overcome these struggles. We had a really touching and really needed conversation. Some tears were shed, and hugs were given and then we got to work. 

The first day we made 31 contacts. And met some of the most amazing families! They were all so open and excited for the message we had. She had me do a lot of the talking for some of them and helped me along the way. My favorite was when we were talking to this small family of 3 and she started to talk about the Plan of Salvation, then she looked at me and started asking me questions about it to explain the Plan to them. it was really cool, I could feel the spirit so strong while we were talking with this family. I had the chance to explain the importance of family in this plan and started crying when I shared about you guys and the kiddos, and how important this plan was if i wanted to be with my family forever. it was really cool. 

Then the second day we did a little bit more contacting, not a whole lot because we already had 31. But did a few more, saw some of the families we met the day before and committed 3 people to baptism. then we were headed home and Sister Hansen  told me the next desefio (contact) was mine. So i started looking around trying to find someone who i thought was ready. just trying to see who stuck out to me. we passed this guy sitting on the curb and Sister Hansen says that that's who i needed to talk to. we walked over and i started talking to him. I committed him to church and then his friend came over. I committed him to church too. and then she tapped me and told me to try baptism. So i explained the importance of baptism and stuff with a little help from Sister Hansen making sure they understood me. and then asked them both to be baptized! both said yes!!! it was so sweet! 

it was a bummer because when we went to confirm with them for church and stuff we couldn't find them.. but we'll keep looking. I know i just needed that experience for confidence. 

after this week with Sister Hansen I've been reminded of what kind of missionary i want to be and the kind of missionary i know i was called here to be. She has been such a huge inspiration to me these last few days. She probably doesn't know how much she has helped me, but there's so much i feel. so much better about after the 2 1/2 days i had with her. literally am so grateful for her and i know she was sent to me for divisions for this exact reason.. she was definitely an angel for me this week. 

and then I had the amazing opportunity to talk to my family over skype, so nice to see all your beautiful faces and hear your voices again. Glad to hear that everything is going well back home! overall i had a really good week. i feel so much more confident and more like myself after this week!!

eu sei Deus sabe nós pessoalmente. eu sei que esta igreja é verdade. eu sei que Deus envia anjos e responde nossas orações. eu amo este igreja com meu todos coração e prometo minha vida para compartilhar esta mensagem maravilhosa com todos mundo.eu amo vocês muito!

<<I know God knows us personally. I know this church is true. I know that God sends angels and answers our prayers. I love this church with my all heart and I promise my life to share this wonderful message with everyone in the world. i love you very much!>>

much love,

Sister Moss

 

GUYS I REALLY AM A VAMPIRE!!!!

Haha, so I'm sure the subject line is a bit confusing for some. If you want to know the full story ask my parents or siblings. Haha.

But no, seriously. You know how in Twilight when one of the vampires exposes their skin to the sun and they sparkle? Yeah, well that's how I look after 10 minutes walking around here in Mossoró. I literally glisten with sweat it's honestly so gross! 

Okay, so this week has been really tough for me. I think, minus saying goodbye to people at the CTM, this is the first time I've actually cried. I struggle a lot with understanding people still, I know it's only been 2 weeks, but it's still really discouraging. And I can feel Sister Udagawa growing impatient with me. Some days are better than others but still. On maybe Wednesday or Thursday, we were doing companionship study and she asked me a question, I had no clue what she said and had her repeat it 3 or 4 times. Still didn't get it, then she rephrased, still didn't get it. eventually she just gave up and got down on her knees to end companionship study.. 

and then it was fast Sunday, which usually isn't too hard. but going 24 hours with no water and walking around in the heat here is killer. I felt like i was going to pass out after only an hour into our fast. it was so rough!!! 

then in 2 of our lessons this week, I was teaching the Restoration and the first vision. I've never had a problem teaching this but both times the investigators said they didn't understand a word I said and had sister Udagawa reteach the whole thing... again, really discouraging... Missionary work is really hard guys, I knew that before but I'm really noticing it now. 

Other than that stuff it's been a good week. Our investigators are progressing well. J, one of the people we have a baptism date for, is really struggling with smoking, he's getting better but has a really hard time giving up those last few.. Sister Udagawa says that if he doesn't progress this week we have to drop him. apparently after 4 weeks if they're not progressing you kind of just move on. We had 6-8 marks show up to church on Sunday, it was really cool to see them all come in. The work here is really good guys, we find like 3 new investigators every day. Some more prepared and ready than others, but still. 

I love this work regardless of how hard it is. It's not supposed to be easy. But i know that it will be worth it for me and for those i have the chance to teach and love. 

Oh and happy anniversary Mom and Dad!!! I love you both so much and am so blessed to call you my parents and my friends. you guys have taught me so much and there aren't enough words in the world to express my love and gratitude for all you guys do for me!! 

Love you all and wish you all a super awesome week!!! 

With love,

Sister Moss

 

 

Saying goodbye at the CTM

 

Week One in the Mission Field!

Okay! So, unfortunately, my companion didn't tell me we were emailing right now, so I don't have my camera on me. I'm so sorry!!!!!!! But I´m here and alive. <Mom note: Pictures from Sister Moss's last day in the CTM are posted below!>

So, my first area is Mossoró (Urick Graff ward), super awesome here! From the mission home it was a 5 hour bus ride, so I'm beyond ready to get to work. But the first week here in Natal has easily been the most difficult week of my life. I hardly understand people - if I understand at all. I'm the only American here in Mossoró - at least it seems like it, but it's been good. Sister Udagawa is my companion and she's incredible! She's so fun, so spiritual and so so patient with my lack of ability to understand her. She's very understanding that learning a new language is very hard and helps as much as she can. She has some of the coolest ways of explaining things to people. she's so sweet and so patient with me. I've been so blessed to have her as my trainer. I'm the only American in my district and there are only 6 of us. 4 sisters and 2 elders. The elders seem really cool so far, I've only been around them once so... but I absolutely love the sisters!! The area is so cool, the people are amazing and so ready for the gospel.

As soon as I got assigned here to Mossoró everyone told me that this is where a lot of the work happens and where everyone is most ready for the gospel. That's definitely proven to be true. Since being here for all of like 5 days we've committed 3 people to baptism. A mother and daughter, and a sweet 11 year old girl. They're all so amazing. The work here is great!

Church was good...I think...I didn't really understand all that much...There were, maybe, a good 70-ish people there, which was a lot more than I thought. But it was really good, everyone is so friendly and they all try and speak English with me. It's great!

We walk A TON. It's hard but super fun. The area is really big, and I'm usually always lost as to where we are. It seems like all the roads connect somehow but I cant figure it out. The weather here is really hot!!! But it's rained 3 of the 5 days I've been here so that's been great.

We eat lunch with the members because lunch is their big meal of the day. IT'S SO GOOD!!!!! I have yet to find something I don't like. The people here eat cough drops as if they were candy, it's kind of odd but I love it here!!

Yes, my stuff got stolen.... it sucks... it was my official second day and I've already lost ALL of my money, my bag, my Portuguese bible and a sweet key chain for Kade's mission... I'm a little sad about it but the blessing is that neither one of us got hurt. Apparently people have been getting assaulted so it could have been much worse. But were okay! Don't worry!!!

Congratulations Parker and Jordan! So happy for you guys!!! Shannon drive safe please, and give the kiddos hugs and kisses for me. Mom and dad, I love you so much and am so grateful to not only call you my parents but my friends. Thank you for, literally, everything!!

I'm so sorry I didn't send pictures, I wish she would have told me to grab my camera... NEXT WEEK FOR SURE!!!!!! I love you all so much and miss you tons!

Sister Moss <3