January 5, 2015

Dear Family and Friends,

Linda got baptized last week so of course it was a great week!!!!  She was freaking out before the baptism,and really didn't think the ear putty stuff we got for her would work.  Sister M and I prayed like there was no tomorrow, and turns out everything went great!  She was confirmed yesterday and she is now a member of the church!  Woot woot!  The Spirit was so strong in the room when she got baptized.  Linda has such a strong testimony of the gospel, and she really felt the Spirit bear witness to her that she was making the right choice!  I am so grateful I am able to be a part of her journey.

 
We also started a new year!  So far this year has been pretty good.  I was able to keep the tradition going and I made a fruit pizza on New Year's Eve!  We have so much junk in our apartment that we decided we aren't going to start the "New Year Diet" until later :), plus our gym is STILL not ready!  Ugh.

Sister M and I are doing well together.  We are working hard, and finding people to teach.  The days are long, but fulfilling so that always makes you feel like you're doing something right.  We have set some goals for this transfer including meeting every single person on the ward list, so we have become professional stalkers :)  Our motto is, "We gon' find you".  But seriously, we are going to find everyone!!

Have a great week and a happy new year!

Sister Moon

Pictures:

Fruit Pizza 2015
This week I saw my life flash before my eyes :/
Linda's Baptism!

December 29, 2014

Dear Family and Friends,

Last week was great!!  We had a very Merry Christmas!!  We had 13 lessons which is a very special number as most of you know :).  There were a lot of people that went out of town so we didn't have as many as we normally do, but this week should be better.

We did service for Linda last week, and met with her a lot.  She had her interview and she's good to go!  She is planning to get baptized this Saturday at 11:00.  She is a little worried about water getting into her ears so please pray that we'll find some good wax for her ears so she'll be baptized :)  she's really scared...

 We had a great dinner with the D's for Christmas Eve and they even read the Christmas story in German since that's their tradition.  I didn't even have to serve a foreign mission to experience that...awesome! 

We did have a great Christmas and I got to Skype with my family!!  We opened presents and guess what I got?  I got tickets for Taylor Swift's concert in September!!  I am so excited so that just made Christmas morning great...then we had breakfast with members, then we visited Linda, then we Skyped our families, then we ate Christmas dinner, then visited the nursing home, then we watched The District for 2 hours!!  What a great Christmas right?  We really did have a great week.

Oh and transfers are today, but Sister M and I are staying together in Ontario!  We are looking forward to the next 6 weeks!!  Hope everyone is prepared for the New Year.  Everyone ready to set goals?  Our gym still isn't open so I can't set any exercise goals...bummer...oh I'm heartbroken.  Have a great week!  Love,

Sister Moon

 Pictures:

Service at Linda's
Christmas: Taylor Swift Tickets!!
Christmas orange banana breakfast
Not a good picture, but look at those matching California T-Shirts
I need a house like this, but replace Lakers with Taylor Swift

December 22, 2014

Dear Family and Friends,

 

Merry Christmas everyone!!  This past week was pretty good.  We had 18 lessons and found a new investigator!

Linda is still doing great.  She is scared about the change in her life, but she knows she needs to do it.  She has a testimony of the gospel, and she is doing great!!  She came to church yesterday and sang in the choir for our Christmas program! 

We had the opportunity to go volunteer at the Old Folks home, and we got to help them with Bingo.  Probably the funniest thing that has happened in a while.  During one of the rounds this guy won, and this old German lady (probably like 90) started yelling at the guy.  She said, "Stop cheating!!  You are looking at my card.  He doesn't deserve to win.  STOP IT.  CHEATER!!"  Oh boy, it was the greatest thing ever.  I'm surprised they let her keep playing.

We also had the opportunity to go to Rancho and have our Christmas party!  I got to see Sister Rietz!  Man I miss that sister!!  We had a great time, and we are so excited for Christmas.  3 days!!  We also sang at the Nativity scene in Ontario on Saturday.  It was so cold.  A whopping 50 degrees!  Oh man....freezing :)  We has hot coco and lots of cookies so it made it all worth it.

 And last, but certainly not least...Daniel got baptized!  He is 8 years old, and his mom just got baptized so he's not a convert, but we still taught him so it was a very special day for us!!  He is the cutest kid ever, and he is the newest member of our ward!!

 That's about it for last week.  I hope you all have a great Christmas!  Remember the true meaning of Christmas.  Who is the Gift?  Christ is the gift.  Love,

 Sister Moon

 

Pictures:

 

Sister R and I

Daniel at his baptism :)

The freezing sisters after we got done singing!

 

December 15, 2015

 

Dear Family and Friends,

 Last week was awesome!  We found 2 new investigators and we are excited to continue teaching them.  Linda is still doing great.  She came to church again yesterday, and really enjoyed it!  She still does not have a baptismal date, but we're shooting for January 3rd!

 We received mail this week which is awesome!  Mom sent a cute 12 days of Christmas package for my companion and I so we are enjoying opening 1 gift each day (we started on a very important day of the year...Taylor Swift's birthday...oh ummm I mean my mom's birthday)  Happy Birthday mom!!

 We had our 4 week meeting last week and the Ward Christmas Party so that was exciting!  We had a great time being able to hang out with other missionaries and the Ward members.  Our ward is so funny, which is good especially around the holidays.

 I did cut my hair this morning so that was exciting.  I didn't cut that much off...just about 6 inches.  Now maybe my hair will dry overnight...fingers crossed.

 This week is going to be full of lessons, service, and parties :)  We are looking forward to another great week.  Hope you all have a great week too.  Love,

Sister Moon

 
Pictures:

Before and after my haircut :)

My cute little Christmas tree and my 12 days of Christmas presents!

 So how much is the car wash??

 

 

December 8, 2014

Dear Family and Friends,

 

I DON'T KNOW ABOUT YOU, BUT I'M FELLIN' 22!!!!  That's right...last week we got 22 lessons!  That is a record for our ward!  We worked so hard this week and we saw sooooo many miracles.

Miracle 1: We found 3 new investigators last week!

Miracle 2: Linda (our progressing investigator) came to church yesterday and bore her testimony in sacrament meeting. :)

Miracle 3: When we were teaching one of our new investigators at the library this other kid came up to us and asked what we were talking about.  He had his headphones in and he was sitting across the room, so we thought he wasn't paying attention, but he said he listened to the whole Restoration lesson.  He also said he's trying to find a church and he really wants to meet with us and learn more!!

Miracle 4: We went on Exchanges and I got to be with Sister S!  She is amazing.  We taught super well together and we get along great.

Miracle 5:  It actually rained  A LOT, and we're in a drought!

Miracle 6: Linda said she'd pray about the baptismal date of January 3rd.

Miracle 7: The Christmas Devotional was amazing. 

Miracle 8: Our recent convert's son is getting baptized on December 20th.  He's 8 so it doesn't count as a convert baptism, but we still taught him all the lessons!

Miracle 9: Sabrina came to church!

Miracle 10: Sabrina wants to be baptized so she's going to go to rehab and get better!  She's finally making progress.

Miracle 11: We were so busy that we only had time for 1 dinner this week, so I lost 1 pound :)

Miracle 12: We got to celebrate Sister B's 21st birthday.

Miracle 13: I'M FEELING 22!!!!  Woot woot

 

Well, that is all I have to say for today.  God is watching out for all of us.  He does answer prayers and HE LOVES US.  If you haven't had the chance to see "He is the Gift" then I would suggest watching it now.  It definitely brings in the holiday spirit.  I hope everyone ahs a great week.  Love,

Sister Moon

 

Pictures:

Sister S :)

Linda with us after we sang at the Nativity Festival

 

 

December 1, 2014

Dear Family and Friends,

 This week was pretty crazy!  We met a lot of cool people and got a lot of stuff done.  We had 14 appointments which was pretty sweet considering everyone went out of town.  We also got 3 member present lessons, which has never happened here because the members are always so busy, so that was a miracle.  Tender mercies right?

 We did have a sad story for this week.  We went to teach Joey and he was walking outside when we were walking up to his door.  He said, "Hey I have to go grab some milk for my mom, but I'll be right back".  We waited for 30 minutes and he never came back.  "Run Joey run"...that's now our theme song haha.  I guess we'll just have to find someone else to teach the gospel too :)

 We had a great lesson with Brandon this week, and he really wants to learn more.  Linda also came to church yesterday and had a great time.  They are our main 2 investigators so keep them in your prayers!

We had a great Thanksgiving on Thursday!  We had a ton of food and a ton of pie.  We had 28 pies, I believe.  We ate with our Bishop's family and they had a lot of people so we did it at the church.  It was fun, and I ate a ton.  I am grateful for a lot of things but most importantly I'm grateful for my family, temples, the doctrine and knowledge that we have knowing that families can be together forever, the scriptures, and of course Taylor Swift...whom I did hear today in the store for 5 seconds.  Tender mercies again...  Well I hope everyone has a great day.  Love you all,

Sister Moon

Pictures:

Pie...and lots of it.
Welcome to Ontario

The cutest family that we visit in a nursing home :)

 

November 24, 2014

Dear Family and Friends,

I got my new companion this week and her name is....Sister M.  She is pretty awesome.  Her dad's in the Army (yeah the Air Force is still better) so she's moved around a lot too, but currently she's from Maryland.  She loves to run, so we'll be doing a lot of that.  She is excited to be here so we are going to do work this transfer!!

 

Funny story:  So I went to the training meeting before we figured out who our companions were and 4 of the new sisters came up to me and said, "Are you Sister Moon?"  I said, "Yes".  They said, "Oh cool.  We met your mom in the MTC."  Now that is crazy!!  I told my mom I was training and she said she'd find my companion...I thought she was kidding, but sure enough she found her!  Mom said she's never met anyone going to Rancho until that day.  Coincidence?  I think not.

We had a great week, and we found a new investigator yesterday.  Her name is Linda (now we have 2 investigators named Linda) and she truly has a desire to know if the Book of Mormon is true.  She is awesome.  We are excited to continue working with her. 

Also, we had a ward activity and we watched a slideshow with pictures of the ward and all the things they've done this year.  So this slideshow had music....and guess what?!?!  I heard Taylor Swift!!!!  That's right I have now heard "Shake it Off" and I approve.  Gotta love those tender mercies :)

And I think my mom wins the award for the most creative package.  She's awesome.  I got some turkey jerky, baked potato Pringles, stuffing, mini apple pies, crasins, ect.  The box was perfect.  Priceless.

 

Well, I think that's about it.  Hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving!  Love you all,

Sister Moon

Pictures:

Sister M and my mom

Sister M and I (2)

 

Thanksgiving Package

 

November 17, 2014

Dear Family and Friends,

 Well transfers were this morning and I am staying here in Ontario, but Sister M is leaving to go to Rancho Cucamonga.  I have Sister H as my temporary companion for 2 days because I am training again!  I will get my real companion on Wednesday straight from the MTC.  I'm pretty excited, but also really nervous.  I will have more information next week. 

 Anyways, last week was definitely a week of service.  We did over 18 hours of service which consisted of: helping 3 families move (different days), stacking hay, wrapping birthday presents, shelving books at the library, and hauling 75 pound planks of wood for 5 hours.  It was quite an eventful week, and I am definitely stronger because of it.  We did teach 9 lessons this week aside from the service. 

 

We also had a goodbye campfire district dinner since most of our district is leaving.  We roasted hot dogs and had a good ole' time.  It was cold outside, but we managed to get through it.  I'm going to miss our awesome district!

 Well, we did have a Mission Conference and Elder Golden was able to come.  He spoke to us a lot about the importance of sacrament meeting attendance and we put into practice what he taught us and Linda came to church for the first time!!!!  We now have 1 progressing investigator and we are looking forward to seeing her this week. 

 Sister H also gave a great training on effective studies and she gave us tips on how to stay awake during studies.  She said, "Well, I have heard from several people that Sister Moon has a great way of staying awake during studies.  She paces around the room while she reads her scriptures!"  Yes, I do walk around during personal study, BUT I have yet to fall asleep during studies soooo I guess I'm doing something right.  It may be weird, but hey it works :)

Well, that's about it for today.  I hope everyone is staying warm and having fun. 

 

Love,

Sister Moon

 

Pictures:

 You are now entering the mission field :) Wow who would've thought?

 Awesome District Dinner

 The B's.  man I'm gonna miss them (They're moving)

 The Hesperia crew reunited!  Sister R and C

 

November 10, 2014

Dear Family and Friends,

This morning we had to opportunity to help someone move.  It was a great way to start our P-day haha...we moved a ton of furniture and boxes down into a U-haul.  It doesn't sound that bad right?  Well, she lives on the 3rd floor and they don't have elevators soooo yeah.  My arms are still shaking.  I'm so weak :)

 Last week was eventful.  We did a lot of work, and met a lot of cool people.  We met 3 potential investigators and set up lessons with them for this week.  We also met with a few part-member families.  One of the less actives in our ward, Lisa, came to church yesterday!!!  She hasn't been in like 7 years, so that was a big step for her.  We are meeting with her on Wednesday and she's feeding us dinner.  She is awesome!

 This week we have a lot of meetings, but they're the good meetings so it should be great.  We have zone meeting and a mission conference!  Who knows maybe we'll get iPads...haha yeah not gonna happen.  But the end of this week is transfers!!  Who knows what will happen.  I'll let you all know next week.  Hopefully it's good news :)

 And one last thing.  This is a great quote and my motto for missionary work:

 "If you could only see the vision I have.  I wish I had your bodies to do this work.  I would run from house to house telling everyone of the gospel, and after I lost strength to run I would begin to walk, and after I  collapsed from walking, I would begin to crawl, and after my knees were so bloody that I could not use them, I would use my arms to drag myself, and once the muscles in my body were gone, I would begin to yell, "Oh, only if you could see the vision as I have".  -President Kimball

 

Have a great week.  Love,

Sister Moon

 

Pictures:

Service at the Food Bank
The Hesperia missionaries that came to Ontario...we've been together for forever!
Our District :)

November 3, 2014

Dear Family and Friends,

 

Last week we had 15 lessons which is the best we've had so far in Ontario!  We are going through the ward list and trying to figure out who's moved.  There are like 700 people in our ward, but only 100 that come to church.  We need some serious help.  We did meet a few part member families last week so we will see where that goes!!

 

Great news!  The treadmills in the gym started working again so we are back to exercising intensely everyday!  Birthday candy + Halloween = we really need those treadmills to work!  That was a miracle we experienced last week. 2 miles every morning...check

 

Also, I GOT TO GO ON EXCHANGES WITH SISTER S.  We had so much fun together!  We both decided that we want to be companions again haha.  We told President so we'll see what happens...yeah not gonna happen.  We had a great time in Chino together.  We got to celebrate my 9 month mark together!  She is seriously the nicest person ever.  I love Sister S!  We are a bit crazy when we're together so we've got some interesting memories.  Anyone wondering what I'd look like with black hair?  Or S with brown hair??
 

We are looking forward to another great week.  Stay warm everyone!  Love,

Sister Moon

 

Pictures:

 Sister S and I

Crazy Halloween house and another Sister S!