Sou gostoso como um... bolo... de PUDIM

Hey everyone!!! so this week was awesome!! We did a lot of contacting trying to find new people to teach and starting working in a different part of our area. As of right now we're having some really good results, we found lots of really awesome people! We're super excited where this new path takes us and the things we'll be able to do to help them.

Funny story: this week we were talking to a married couple in the street when out of nowhere a giant bug hit me in the face and stung me right under my eye!! Dude I almost fell to the ground, started crying and couldnt even open my eye. Sister Feitosa finished talking to the couple and then we ran to the church building. we got there and my eye was alredy swollen and super red!! We called the mission presidents wife and she told me to just find some kind of cream to stop the irritation. on the way home we stopped at the house of the patriarch and asked for some cream to put on my face. didnt do a whole lot and when I woke up the next morning it was even worse!! It was awful! But at the end of everything my eye is back to normal and theres only a little mark haha. 

Other funny story: so we were working and teaching so much on saturday until we got to the point that we were close to home and sister Feitosa had to pee really really bad. we ran home, and left real quick after. As we were leaving the apartment complex we ran into one of the members of our ward. which was perfect because we've been waiting to mark a day with her to teach her mom. we talked a bit with her and decided that it was now or never. went with her to her moms apartment and finally had the chance to teach her! It was the most spiritual lesson that I've ever been apart of, it was awesome. all of us cried. at the end we marked another day to teach her and as we were leaving she told sister Feitosa that because she gained a little weight on the mission she was even more likeable. and then said that she liked my accent when i talked and said it was likeable as if you were eating a cake of pudding! haha man we died laughing! 

Things are going great here!! Loving every bit of it! Transfers are next week and I'm scared that I'll be transferred... I really want to stay here one more transfer! 

 

But we'll see!! 

Love you all!!

Sister Moss

Portuguese

Ei pessoal! então essa semana foi demais !! Nós fizemos um monte de contatos tentando encontrar novas pessoas para ensinar e começar a trabalhar em uma parte diferente da nossa área. A partir de agora, estamos tendo ótimos resultados, encontramos muitas pessoas incríveis! Estamos super animados com o novo caminho e as coisas que poderemos fazer para ajudá-los.

História engraçada: esta semana estávamos conversando com um casal na rua quando, do nada, um inseto gigante me atingiu no rosto e me picou bem debaixo do meu olho!! Cara eu quase caí no chão, comecei a chorar e nem conseguia abrir o olho. A Sister Feitosa terminou de conversar com o casal e depois corremos para a igreja. chegamos lá e meu olho estava inchado e super vermelho!! Nós chamamos a esposa do presidente da missão e ela me disse para encontrar algum tipo de creme para parar a irritação. no caminho de casa paramos na casa do patriarca e pedimos um pouco de creme para colocar no meu rosto. não fez muito e quando acordei na manhã seguinte foi ainda pior!! Foi terrível! Mas no final de tudo meu olho voltou ao normal e há apenas uma pequena marca kkk.

Outra história engraçada: então nós estávamos trabalhando e ensinando muito no sábado até chegarmos ao ponto de estarmos perto de casa e a Sister Feitosa teve que fazer xixi. nós corremos para casa e partimos logo depois. Quando estávamos saindo do prédio, encontramos um dos membros da nossa ala. o que foi perfeito porque estivemos esperando para marcar um dia com ela para ensinar sua mãe. Conversamos um pouco com ela e decidimos que era agora ou nunca. fomos com ela para a casa de sua mãe e finalmente tive a chance de ensiná-la! Foi a lição mais espiritual que eu já fiz, foi incrível. todos nós choramos. no final marcamos mais um dia para ensiná-la e quando estávamos saindo ela contou para a Sister Feitosa que, por ter ganhado um pouco de peso na missão, ela foi ainda mais gostoso. kkk e depois disse que ela gostou do meu sotaque e disse que era gostoso como se você estivesse comendo um bolo de pudim! kkkk cara nós morremos rindo!

As coisas estão ótimas aqui !! Amando cada momento! As transferências são na próxima semana e estou com medo de ser transferida ... Eu realmente quero ficar aqui mais uma transferência!

Mas vamos ver !!

Amo todos vocês!!

Sister Moss

 

 

Um amigo e um responsabilidade

Hey everyone! so this week went really well! we had divisions which went well, we managed to get a lot done and find lots of really sweet people that we are now super excited to work with them! I got to work a bit with sister Lima, who is super chill, she really just keeps to herself but it was cool to get to know her and work along side her.

Yesterday at church we saw lots of miracles! Not because we had a baptism, not because we had lots of investigators at church but because our Recent converts are progressing so much!! First off, Louise was confirmed a member of the church! And after Irmã Nadja (Mainha) got called as secretary of the relief society, irmão Diomédis recieved the Aaronic Priesthood and their son Gabriel got called as something. I don't remember exactly but it has to do with the Liahona haha! But its so amazing to see them all progressing so much!! To make everything even cooler at the end of the night we had FHE as a ward and the family that was in charge of everything was the Family of Nadja e Diomédis. Man it was awesome!!! they're such a spiritual family its awesome!! 

Beyond all this I don't have much, but i know that without a doubt that this family was prepared for all of this by God. It was their time and now they're going about with everything full on! Its incredible to see! 

Love you all so much,

Sister Moss

oiii pessoal! esta semana nós tivemos divisões que foi bem legal, conseguimos a fazer muito e encontrar muitas pessoas muitos boas que estamos agora super animada para trabalhar com eles! Eu comecei a trabalhar um pouco com a Sister Lima, que é super tranquila, ela fica na sua, mas foi legal conhecê-la e trabalhar ao lado dela.

Ontem, na igreja, vimos muitos milagres! Não porque nós tivemos um batismo, não porque nós tivemos muitos pesquisadores na igreja, mas porque nossos recém conversos estão progredindo tanto !! Primeiro, Louise foi confirmada como membro da igreja! E depois que Irmã Nadja (Mainha) foi chamada como secretária da Sociedade de Socorro, o irmão Diomédis recebeu o Sacerdócio Aarônico e seu filho Gabriel foi chamado como alguma coisa. Eu não lembro exatamente, mas tem a ver com a Liahona haha! Mas é tão incrível os ver progredindo tanto !! Para tornar tudo ainda mais legal no final da noite, tivemos a FHE como uma ala e a família que estava encarregada de tudo era a Família de Nadja e Diomédis. Cara, foi incrível !!! Eles são uma família tão espiritual que é incrível!

Além de tudo isso eu não tenho muito, mas sei que sem dúvida que esta família foi preparada para tudo isso por Deus. Foi a hora deles e agora eles estão correndo atrás de tudo! É incrível a ver!

Amo muito todos vocês,

Sister Moss

 

I made a tie.

 

Semana de Skype!!!

Beleza, então não vou mentir, eu não lembro muito sobre esta semana por causa da skype ontem kkkk. Mas eu sei que esta semana foi tão boa! Falei com minha família maravilhosa ontem e foi perfeito! Tbm tivemos 3 confirmações ontem na igreja e nossa pesquisadora prestou seu testemunho na reunião sacramental. Mano do céu, tinha tanto medo quando ela levantou mas o testemunho dela era bonito bonito bonito! Ela contou como ela nos conheceu e que ela quer a família dela na igreja com ela. Ela falou que ela sempre falava que queria conhecer a nossa igreja e que finalmente aconteceu! Ela amou igreja e já marcamos pra ela e o filho dela vir conosco semana que vem! Estamos muito animadas pra ela e esperamos que temos o batismo aqui logo! Além disso não tenho muitas noticias pra vocês.. mas eu sei que Deus prepara as pessoas por o momento perfeito. Que sem ele esta obra será impossível! Estamos vendo milagre depois milagre e eu sei que Deus está preparando as pessoas aqui!

amo vocês com todo meu coração,

Sister Moss

Google Translate Version
 

Beauty, so I will not lie, I do not remember much about this week because of skype kkkk yesterday. But I know this week was so good! I spoke to my wonderful family yesterday and it was perfect! We had three confirmations yesterday at the church and our researcher gave her testimony at sacrament meeting. Hand of the sky, she was so scared when she got up but her testimony was beautiful handsome handsome! She told how she met us and that she wants her family in church with her. She said she always said she wanted to meet our church and it finally happened! She loved church and we already marked her and her son came with us next week! We are very excited for her and we hope we have the baptism here soon! Besides, I do not have much news for you ... but I know that God prepares people for the perfect moment. That without him this work will be impossible! We are seeing miracle after miracle and I know that God is preparing people here! 

I love you with all my heart, 
Sister Moss
 

 

Sick Again!

Ok so this week I was sick AGAIN!!!! I don't know what's happening with my body ahah but everything will be alright! With transfers and everything it was super crazy this week! So as it happens to all of us, Sister L. Gui went home last week... Man its always so sad to say goodbye to such amazing people! I miss her so much already but I know that I will see her again soon and that we'll keep in contact! My new companion is Sister Feitosa and she's from São Paulo, São Carlos! She has one year on the mission and is crazy crazy crazy! Love her tons! Super super excited to work along side her this transfer, I know we'll see tons of miracles continue to happen here in Panatis!

Beyond being sick we didn't do a whole lot. We left to work just enough to teach and help Diomédis (the dad/husband of the 2 that got baptized last week). Everything worked out perfect and he too was baptized this week! Man it's been such a blessing teaching them all! Their story is crazy and really just proves how much God really prepares people for just the right moment! They've been in contact with the missionaries for 2 years now, and it took their daughter to leave on her mission for them to realize that this is something they need in their whole family! Its a golden family! I feel so beyond blessed to have gotten to know them and love them! They're my family here, and don't want to leave them! 

Love you guys so so much! 

Sister Moss 

Ok, então esta semana eu estava doente novamente !!!! Eu não sei o que está acontecendo com meu corpo ahah mas tudo ficará bem! Com transferências e tudo foi super louco esta semana! Então, como acontece com todos nós, a Sister L. Gui foi para casa na semana passada ... Cara, é sempre tão triste dizer adeus a pessoas tão incríveis! Eu já sinto muita falta dela, mas sei que a verei em breve e que manteremos contato! Minha nova companheira é a Sister Feitosa e ela é de São Paulo, São Carlos! Ela tem um ano na missão e é doida doida doida! A amo com força! Super super animado para trabalhar ao lado dela esta transferência, eu sei que vamos ver milhões de milagres continuam a acontecer aqui em Panatis!

Além de estar doente nós não fizemos muito. Nós saímos para trabalhar o suficiente para ensinar e ajudar Diomédis (o pai / marido dos 2 que foram batizados na semana passada). Tudo deu certo e ele também foi batizado esta semana! Cara, tem sido uma bênção ensinar todos eles! Sua história é louca e realmente prova o quanto Deus realmente prepara as pessoas para o momento certo! Eles estão em contato com os missionários há 2 anos, e foi por causa de sua filha para saindo pela missão para eles perceberem que isso é algo que eles precisam em toda a sua família! É uma família de ouro! Eu me sinto tão abençoado por ter chegado a conhecê-los e amá-los! Eles são minha família aqui, e não querem deixá-los!

Amo muito vocês!

Sister Moss

 

 

The Fruit of our Division!!

Oí tudo bem? Eu amo vocês muito!!

Okay so this week we had an emergency transfer. Sister Da Rosa is now in Natal, and we now have Sister Banderia! She's so great, I love her so much already!! She's 4 months into the mission, and so much fun! She speaks a lot different then everyone else, its nice, its slower. I understand her so much better! 

This week we have a baptism! My first one guys!! She's awesome, her name is C, she's 12 and so strong in the gospel already. I met her with Sister Hansen (hence the title of this email). She is the fruit of my first division! But when we met her we taught her the whole 3rd lesson (the gospel of Jesus Christ) and when we asked her if she wanted to be baptized she said "its always been my dream to be baptized"!!! GOLDEN!!!! So Sister Udagawa and I worked with her everyday this week and prepared her for baptism! We're also working with her little brother A -  he's 8, and such a sweetheart, every time he sees us he runs up and gives us hugs and asks me a bunch of things to say in English. haha he loves when i speak English. Since he's only 8 though we have to have someone in his family 18 or older to get baptized with him. We're really hopeful for his mom, but she struggles with smoking. She loves us and is so supportive of both A's and C's desire to be members of the church. 

We teach a lot of jovens (teenagers), I'm not sure why, but it's super cool. Out of it we also end up teaching their parents. Good results have come so far. It's really sweet. 

This week was a little strange for church, so our church building is under construction so we went to the next closest building in Mossoró Centro. and only had 2 hours worth of church instead of 3, because it was in the middle of almoço and that's the biggest meal here. I don't know, super weird. 

Oh, mom! that area you showed me on dad's phone over Skype is not my area. that's Mossoró Centro. and yes there's a skate park there. I'm in Urick Graff. about 15 minutes or so by car. quase <almost>! 

anyway, its been a good week guys! I feel like I'm very slowly (very slowly) but surely progressing in the language. understanding is still hard, but I'm really listening with love and hope that i can get enough words and figure it out by context. work in progress! but i know it will come!

Eu sei que o dom de línguas é real. Eu sei que minha missão será difícil, mas será tão vale cada luta no final. Eu amo cada minuto aqui em Brasil e eu nunca muda por qualquer cosia. Eu sei que Jesus Cristo é meu Salvador e Redentor e Ele sofreou para mim. Eu sei que A Igreja de Jesus Cristo dos Santos dos Últimos dias eram restaurar aqui na terra, e que é verdade. Eu amo este o evangelho com todos meu coração. E estou tão honrado pela minha oportunidade de servir como um instrumento nas mãos do Senhor.

<<I know the gift of tongues is real. I know my mission will be difficult, but it will be so worth every fight in the end. I love every minute here in Brazil and I never change for any reason. I know that Jesus Christ is my Savior and Redeemer and He has suffered for me. I know that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was to restore here on earth, and that it is true. I love this gospel with all my heart. And I am so honored by my opportunity to serve as an instrument in the Lord's hands.>>

Eu amo vocês muito! <<I love you very much>>

Love, 

Sister Moss 

My nice tan lines.

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