Week Sixty-Four: Monterrico

Hey fam!

Congrats HAM!! The first to graduate college! Hai Estamos!! 

We had the Christmas conference and it went really well. First, a few missionaries gave some talks, then we heard from the president and his wife, then we heard the testimonies of the missionaries that are finishing their missions this transfer. So I got to see Elder Lemus give his testimony, which was cool. 

I have some good news and bad news. The first is that as I was talking with Elder Lemus he said that I have a package in the offices. He said it's a big bag. I asked if there was also a box (I imagine the first you guys sent was a box) and he said he wasn't sure. But there is one! The bad news is that I don't have it lol. The assistants thought the zone leaders were going to bring the packages and the zone leaders thought the assistants were going to bring them so no one brought them lol. But it's all good. I'll get it in a little bit! We had the gift exchange and this time everyone left with a gift lol. I got a cup for mate so it was a success. The song went well. I was nervous as crap though, even though there was only one other zone there. I have never done anything close to a duo before so I was nervous. But I got a few compliments afterwards. That stuff is nerve racking! I don't know how you do it Katie! 

Jorge understands the importance of not chewing coca. Coca is still in the form of a leaf so it isn't as strong and pure as cocaine. It doesn't have the same affects but none the less it's a problem. The many years of drinking nonstop has had an affect on his mind and we have to explain things very simply so he understands. So we are waiting until he really understands everything before he gets baptized. 

This Sunday there wasn't any bread for the sacrament so we used cookies! We broke and blessed them like normal and it seemed like the members enjoyed them lol. It was pretty interesting to use cookies instead of bread so that is going the history books. 

I'm keeping the letter a little short because we are going to talk this week! I love you guys! Kiss the puppies for me! I'll see you soon! 

When Elder Moore started his mission and when he will end.

Week Sixty-Three: Monterrico

Hey fam!

Man it sounds like ED was a job and a half! But thankfully you guys don't have to worry about that stress of setting everything up anymore! But I bet everyone is freaking out because without the Moores everything is going to be a lot different. Man, Cam and Hails are graduating?! That's nuts! What are their plans now? When do the kids come? Lol. 

This week Jorge was not able to be baptized because he was still chewing coca. So we have to push it back another week and see how it goes. But the lesson we had when we found out he was chewing coca still was actually really spiritual. He was actually chewing it when we showed up and I really didn't know what I should say. So as my comp was saying the prayer to start the lesson I was saying another one to have the help of the Spirit. And long story short... GOD ANSWERS PRAYERS! It was another experience where I can't tell you what I said because they weren't my words. I can only tell you that the Spirit in that lesson was hard to miss. As we were teaching I felt the impression to give him a blessing to help him with this problem. We gave him a blessing after the closing prayer and we left. We came back for our next appointment and I never saw him so excited and happy before. He was talking more than before and you could tell that the Spirit had touched his heart. He has another date for this Saturday, the 17th. The interview is planned, we just need to make sure he stays busy and doesn't fall into temptation. 

We also had a good Sunday. There were a lot of people, more than I have seen before. We prepared the sacrament like we always do and it turns out that we ran out of water. We had to prepare more and bless it. It was awesome! The branch president leaned over to us and said, "There are a lot of people here, good work elders!" That thought never even entered my mind that we were the cause of the amount of people that were there. I looked around the room and realized everyone that was there were people and families that we were teaching and helping come back to the church. But there is no way I can take the credit, everyone has their time whether it's to accept the gospel for the first time or to come back to it. We as missionaries are not the turning point for these people. Rather we are the mouth piece of the Spirit. It's the Spirit that turns lives around, never us. I just do what I can do to have the Spirit with me and then He takes the reigns. 

Also I gave a talk in sacrament meeting about being the light of the world and how we can and should always share this great message we have with everyone we know. With the experiences and stories I shared, it was hard not to get a little emotional through the Spirit. 

This week we have the Christmas conference with the president so I will let you guys know how the song went lol. I think that's about it for my week but I hope you guys have a great week! I'll talk to you guys soon! Kiss the puppies for me!!

Week Sixty-Two: Monterrico

Hey fam!

Man it sounds like everyone has been crazy busy! But the Christmas season is always super busy right? But it sounds like you guys are kicking some major butt setting everything up and just doing everything! That's one of the problems being a Moore, we are just so awesome so everyone needs and wants our help lol. I got the video of Grace and Katie singing! WOW!! They sound incredible!! Seriously!! I am very impressed! I have no idea what is going on with the mailing system here. But please don't worry about anything! You already sent two packages and I don't know if they are lost or not. I don't want you guys to have to spend so much money. I think it will be best to wait a little bit to see if i get the packages and if more rules change. Please don't worry about me, I am and will be fine. I know you guys are bending over backwards to do everything at home and make sure I have a good Christmas too. The fact that you guys have already sent two packages means a lot to me! 

So now I'll tell you about my week. The weather is getting pretty warm but we are entering the rainy season, so it's hot for a few days then it rains a lot and repeats that process. Jorge is still going good. He actually has a baptism date for this Saturday. There are just a few things we have to check for before he can be baptized. But there is a possibility that he will be able to be baptized this week, unless he isn't too ready. I would much rather have him understand everything and be sure that the drinking isn't a problem before he is baptized. Yesterday in church his wife, who is a member, bore her testimony. She is really shy so everyone was pretty surprised. She started out normal then she started to talk about her husband, Jorge. She said that for years and years he has been an alcoholic and has never been able to quit, and basically how bad of a man and husband he has been over the years. But then she said every since he has been talking with the missionaries everything has changed. He hasn't drank in over a month and now he is changing completely and trying to repent. Then she looked at us and thanked us for helping her husband to change. Honestly it felt nice to be thanked like that and know that we are making a difference in his life, but I really didn't feel worthy of such high praise. I don't think of myself as anything special or able to make such a big difference in someone's life. I feel that this is really his time and we have been blessed to help him find the faith and hope to change. 

Also this week we started to practice singing a few Christmas songs as a zone for when we have the Christmas conference with the president and other zones in the mission. We were singing a song when they decided they wanted to do something a little different. They wanted to add a solo and well, they picked me to do it. It's not a solo of an entire song but just the first few lines and then we sing the chorus together. But I kind of chickened out and now its a duo. I was just a little too nervous to do a solo! I don't remember what the song is called but it's the one where you sing "gloria" for the majority of the chorus. I don't know how you do it Katie, but that is some nerve racking stuff lol. I think that's about it for my week! I love you guys! Kiss the puppies for me! I'll talk to you soon!

Week Sixty-One: Monterrico

Hey fam!

I'm glad to hear that you guys were able to have some fun this week! Hollywood sign is always a lot of fun! Sounds like Thanksgiving dinner was a success! Our Thanksgiving was a lot simpler. I sent a video but because it was longer it had to be sent a different way, so tell me if it works. But actually I had completely forgotten that it was Thanksgiving until one of the sisters in my district sent a message to the whole district wishing them a happy Thanksgiving lol. So my comp and I made some last minute plans. We bought some sandwiches, apple flavored soda, and candles lol. So we were able to enjoy Thanksgiving here in Argentina too! It was actually really fun, I really enjoyed it. I felt like we were really celebrating Thanksgiving. 

This week our district meeting was a little different. The assistants came to be a part of my district meeting. Why? I'm not really sure but it was nice to see Elder Lemus and because I know him pretty well I wasn't nervous or stressed so that was nice. After the meeting Elder Lemus and one of the zone leaders came to our area to do exchanges. I was with Elder Lemus for the afternoon so that was pretty fun teaching and working with him. He also served in Monterrico so he already knows the area and the members. Really the only difference was that now I am able to talk a little more in the lesson compared to when I was with him about a year ago lol. We are able to teach a good amount of people each week but I think one of our main difficulties is finding new investigators. Yes, we are finding each week but not that much. The fact that I feel like I have talked with just about everyone here doesn't help either so I am letting my comp guide us to which house we should knock. 

About the new video, we just got it in Spanish on Friday. We have cards to hand out, we talk with people, and also we are giving some to members so they can share them with friends and family. I just saw it like 10 minutes ago and it's awesome!! Man, the church knows how to make great videos! 

Things are going good with my comp and the district. The sisters are hard workers so my job is a lot easier, but there are still a few small things that we can improve on. Tomorrow we have interviews with the president so I'll try to see if he has some info about the packages. I think that's about it for my week! I love you guys! Have a great week! Kiss my puppies for me!!

Week Sixty: Jujuy

Hey fam!
The time really seems to be flying by! I feel like with being a trainer and district leader my mind is always thinking of the people we are teaching, the sisters in my district, or my comp. You really don't have time to think about anything else and when you are always thinking about other people and not just yourself. You really do get lost in this work and the time just flies by! The weeks and days go so fast now, it's nuts! The time went fast before but now it's even faster. 
It's crazy that Logan is getting married. Man, everyone is getting married or going on a mission lol I like it! Everyone is taking important steps towards our Father in Heaven and eternal life! 
Thinking a little more about the car and looking at the pics, I like the name Duke. It seems fitting lol. But if you think of a better name I'm all game for it! 
Thanksgiving isn't a thing here, you guys already know. But my comp and I are talking about what we are going to do. I think we are going to buy sandwiches but we will see lol.I was thinking about the Christmas call, and I realized that no investigator or member has ac computer. Well, actually one investigator has one but I'm pretty sure its older than I am lol. But a member does have a camera for a computer (I don't know why he has it since he doesn't have a computer lol) so we are going to borrow it and use the computer in the church. I guess thats what the missionaries always had to do here. 
Moterrico is a humble place. We have to wake up really early and go to the Centro. We have to do some type of paper work and registration to be able to get packages so I don't mind. I guess the new president here changed some things and said that the mission can only take out packages 5 times a year. But our mission president worked some magic and made it where every missionary can take out a package five times a year. So that's why we have to do some individual paper work. I still don't know too much about it but if I learn more I'll let you know! 
This week was pretty good. We were able to teach a good amount of people. But I think the biggest thing that happened was in our apartment. My comp and I get along well but there have been a few bumps. 
Jorge is doing really good. He came to church and hasn't had a drink in two weeks now! He really wants to improve his life and it's a privilege to help one of the Lord's lost sheep come back to the fold. 
I don't have the plans yet of when we are going to talk but I'm thinking about it. But if you guys can find out the time difference, that will help. I can't remember if it's 3 or 4 hours. But I think that's about it for my week! Everything is still going great! I love you guys! I'll talk to you soon! Kiss the puppies for me!

Week Fifty-Nine: Jujuy

Hey fam!

Wow new car!? I thought the search was put on hold for a while but wow the Explorer looks awesome! You have to send me pics of the inside! You guys have to tell me if it's a boy or a girl. If it's a boy two names came to mind. Duke and Wade. Idk if you like them but it's just the first thing that popped in my head lol. 

So our apartment is all back to normal now! We have hot water, power, a fridge, and nothing is leaking! The drainage pipes for the shower, sink, and the butt washer thingy all connect and the connecting joint of where all the pipes came together broke. So they had to break up the floor and replace the pipes. It took three days, so the first day we didn't bathe. The second day I washed myself in the other sink we have. And the third day, the hole wasn't filled yet but I showered in the shower anyway lol. The whole experience of replacing the pipes made me SO grateful for Dad!! We were told these men were "professionals" but within the first two seconds I knew they were not! It was a very easy fix, something that really only takes maybe an hour or two when dad is working. But it took three days for them. They didn't clean anything when they made a mess and just from looking at it, it wasn't quality work. Dad, I now understand how grateful all of your clients are to have you work on their house! Me, the family, and all your clients thank you! 

This week we talked with the brother that came to church asking us for help. His name is Jorge. We set goals and made plans with him to help him stop drinking. It's a new experience for me, setting goals and plans to help someone stop drinking. But I for sure felt the help of the Spirit. 

There's another sister, Celeste, who we haven't been able to meet with yet. She didn't show up to the appointment but we actually saw her yesterday walking in the street so we made an appointment with her today. 

Today is the first day of a new transfer. Two of the sisters in my district got transferred but my comp and I stayed the same. It's very likely that I will leave next transfer. The next one ends on December 27th. So I will be here for Christmas but in another area for New Years. Everything is going good here. It's getting a little hard to find new investigators. Monterrico is very small and I feel like I have knocked on just about every door here. But the search continues lol. Really everything I do is now in Spanish: read, talk, think, and dream all in Spanish. Really the only English time I have is when I am reading your letters and writing. Are Justin and Kendall going to be home for ED? I know that you guys do just about everything so I can imagine that they will be a great help! But I love you guys! I'll talk to you soon! Kiss the puppies for me!

Week Fifty-Eight: Jujuy

Hey fam!

Sounds like you guys had a great week! Dad's bday, the puppies' bday, and 25 years of marriage!  I was only able to go the LA temple once before the mission but I for sure want to go again with the family! I bet that was an awesome experience seeing the sealing room where our eternal family was started! Recently we have been teaching a little more about temples. Teaching and studying about temples just makes me want to go to the temple so bad! And I definitely want to keep my goal and visit as many different temples as possible. I'm up to 8 different temples, but there are 150 in the world so there is a lot of room for improvement lol. 

To answer a few questions, we have power now and a fridge! Our water heater is fixed, but now for some reason there is zero cold water so the only water we have comes out super hot so we are still bathing with pots of water we heat on the stove. It's actually not as bad as you think. When we didn't have power, bathing wasn't too bad either because there is a hole in the roof in our bathroom so we were able to bathe with light lol. We have no idea why but the last couple of weeks our water has been dropping from the ceiling in the church under our apartment. It's actually pretty bad. There is water everywhere and the paint is peeling off and it's not too pretty. Everyone thinks that we are the problem because we are the ones that live above, but we have been using little to nothing of water recently. Also the paint is peeling off in some parts of our apartment too. Some people came to look at it and they came to the conclusion that a pipe must have broke in the wall or under the bathtub. So they have to break everything to fix it. Remember that everything is cement here... So we will see how it goes lol. I'm not saying this as a form of complaining, just as information. Still no complaints here lol, all is fantastic! 

As for the packages I still have zero information but I'll try to learn something this week. 

I was definitely able to feel your fast this week becayse we saw some miracles happen on Sunday! An investigator that we haven't taught in a long time came to church. We haven't taught her because she is almost impossible to get a hold of and she lives on a farm. (When someone says they live on a farm it is almost impossible to find them. There are hundreds and hundreds of farms here. All Monterrico is farm. So that is why we can never go to her house to teach, she has to come to us. And I'm sure you can imagine that's easier said than done.) But when she came, we talked with her and she said she has been reading the Book of Mormon and wants to keep listening to us. We have an appointment today so we will see how it goes! Also another miracle happened on Sunday. We were in priesthood when the father of a part member family randomly walks in out of no where. He sits down and just listens for a little. most of the members know him because his wife goes to church. Then out of no where he stops the class and while crying he asked us, the missionaries, and the rest of the priesthood for help. He is an alcoholic and he really wants to improve his life. We attacked that opportunity as fast as we could. We set an appointment and talked with him, trying to motivate him. And we are going to have a lot of help from the members with him so we are pretty excited! 

To Hailey and Cameron, I'm sorry about the English. It's actually worse than I thought lol. We had a zone training meeting on Friday and one of the new elders got really sick in the middle of it. At the end, he asked for a blessing. Me being the only elder in the zone that speaks English, one of the sisters suggested that I give the blessing and that I should do it in English so that he could understand all of it. So I gave it in English, well at least I tried. Lol I had to pause and think quite a bit to just try an remember some words in English, like health, comfort, priesthood, example, Atonement, and more. It was not the prettiest blessing. And everyone said that my English is really bad lol. You guys will probably see it when we talk for Christmas lol. 

I think that's about it for my week! But I love you guys! I'll talk to you soon! And kiss my puppies for me! But kiss both Chloe and Theo 9 times for me because "I'm nine years old!"