June 8, 2015

Dear Family and Friends, 

Last week was pretty average.  We contacted a lot of people, and made several appointments for this week.  Hopefully we will find new investigators this week!  We did have 11 lessons last week, and we have several progressing investigators.  

Stacey and Brittany still want to be baptized on June 27th, but are still working through some problems.  Prayers for them would be great.

Joe, our Jewish investigator, came to church and there's no way he didn't feel the Spirit, even though we were in a church and not a synagogue.  Testimony meeting is the best!

Well, since I don't have much else to say I have some interesting quotes for you!  Gotta love California Crazies!

  

Quotes:

"Samoans and Tongans are different!" -Bishop Smith  

"Yeah, but they're from the same tribe of Israel so it doesn't matter!" -Brother Caldwell

"I believe Jesus Christ is my Savior, but I also believe He is a false prophet." -Joe

"My sister got a duck at the Chino Swap Meet." - Roy

"Why do you have some much old furniture?" -Me 

"My mother passed away, but right before she passed she said, 'If you love me you'll take care of my furniture'" - Sister Frank

"You can come back and we can have a beer." -Random guy on the street 

"We don't drink.  Thanks though." -Me 

"I can show ya.  It's really quite fun."  *smiles real big with approximately 2.5 teeth left*

Have a great week, and pray I don't get transferred!  Love,

Sister Moon

Pictures:

People have the weirdest things in their yards....

June 2, 2015

Sister Moon included some information in the email to her parents this week that I wanted to share! 

And guess what day it is?!?!  It's not hump day, but today is my 10 year mark for reading the Book of Mormon everyday...I guess I shouldn't stop now :)  June 1, 2005 was when I started reading everyday thanks to Sister Burger!

She received a challenge from a Primary teacher to read the Book of Mormon for 10 minutes every day for a week!  Now she is celebrating 10 years without missing a day!  I can honestly say the Book of Mormon has changed our entire family!   Because of Lauren's great example, the rest of the family started a regular reading program also!  

All because of an amazing Primary teacher!   

We love you Sister Burger!

June 1, 2015

Dear Family and Friends,

Last week was AMAZING!  We have been praying for miracles and let me tell you something THEY CAME!  We were able to find 4 new investigators last week, and we taught 12 lessons.  

The highlight of our week was Brittney and Ryan.  We found them last week and taught them the Restoration.  Ryan was crying and said he was always emotional when it came to religion, and he didn't know why, but he does now.  He said this religion makes so much sense.  Brittney said she's been doing a lot of research and she agrees with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 100%.  They both came to church yesterday and loved it.  We are teaching them tomorrow!  Keep them in your prayers!  Thanks.

We are also staying in a member's house in an upstairs room, and it gets pretty hot up there.  They don't want us to use the AC at night so we open our windows.  One night we came home and it was so hot in the room that we decided to take the screen out of the window and nightly plan on the roof!  Best Decision Ever!

And last week we had the opportunity to try cactus and eggs.  If anyone offers it to you just say no...it was so weird!  Unfortunately we were with a potential investigator so we couldn't say no.  The good news is that he became an investigator after that!

Well, that's about it for last week.  Hope you are all enjoying your summer!  Happy June!  Love,

Sister Moon

Pictures: 

More from the hike...

Cactus!

May 26, 2015

Dear Family and Friends,

Last week was quite the week.  We had A LOT of ups and downs, but we did find a new investigator!!  Joe is the only investigator we have found in this new area so we are quite excited about that!  He really has a desire to learn about the gospel.  He said he has a Book of Mormon, but he hasn't read it in 15 years, BUT he still has it!!  We committed him to read the Book of Mormon and he accepted that commitment.

I also went on exchanges last week with Sister B.  Exchange miracles are real.  We left a card on someone's door and HE called US.  That is the first time that has ever happened to me!  We went by his house later that day and he showed us around his yard.  He has over 1000 plants!  We have an appointment with him this week so we'll see how that goes!

We hiked Mt. Baldy yesterday and almost made it to the "Ice House Saddle", but we had to turn around when we were .4 miles from the top because our Mission President said we had to be back at 4:30 and it was 3:15.  We decided being obedient was more important that making it to the top. We were blessed when we got down because we DIDN'T get a parking ticket and other people did.  We didn't buy a day pass...oops.  But all is well!!

Well I hope everyone had a great Memorial Day.  Love you guys,

Sister Moon

Pictures:

But we DIDN'T get a ticket...

Tracting...story of my life

Lots of plants...

A tree we found on our hike (More pictures to come next week)

May 18, 2015

Dear Family and Friends,

Last week was an interesting week.  We finally moved in with our member so we live in our area now. We are still settling in and it's very different living with a member.  We get the beautiful privilege of living with 2 dogs...:/ who love to bark and smell like wet dog...Let me say it will take a lot of getting used to.

We did teach 8 lessons last week, which was double what we taught last week so that was exciting.  Martha is praying for a baptism date so prayers for her would be great!  We also are teaching Stacey and she's praying about the Book of Mormon and baptism too!  Other than those 2 we are struggling with finding because everyone is super well off and content with where they are at.

Well, my brother, Jared, is going into the MTC in 2 days and I'm so excited for him!!  Other than that I have no other news.  I'll write you all next Tuesday, because of Memorial Day.  Have a great week! Love,

Sister Moon

Pictures:

Said goodbye to our one week roommates!   

May 11, 2015

Dear Family and Friends,

Last week was busy busy busy.  We still have no idea where anything is and we are still learning everyone's name.  I hope this week will be more productive than last week.  We only had 4 lessons last week.

But...I did get to see my family yesterday which was super exciting!!!!  It's going to be the last time we will all get to talk together until Christmas.  I'm so excited for Jared to serve a mission, and I know he'll do great.

We still have not moved into Sister A's house, but hopefully we will be able to do that this week.  It will be really nice to finally unpack and get everything organized.

Well, I don't really know anyone yet, but we do have one investigator, Martha, that you can pray for.  She needs a testimony of the Book of Mormon.  And I will have more information next week.  

Have a great week.  

Love,

Sister Moon

Pictures: 

We got lost, BUT we found Moon Street

Welcome to Atla Loma...home of the rich

Can we pretend that airplanes in the night sky are like shooting stars?

Families are Forever!

May 4, 2015

Dear Family and Friends,

Well, it has finally happened!  I got transferred.  I will be whitewashing into the A W in the U Stake.  My companion is Sister M.  I don't know if you remember, but I was her companion for 6 weeks about 6 months ago.  We have no idea what this area is going to be like, but hopefully we can figure that out soon!

Last week was crazy.  We went on Exchanges and I went to C.  Guess who showed up at our apartment??  Sister S and her family.  It was such a tender mercy to be able to see them!!

Fransisco (Investigator) also came to church yesterday for the first time so that was exciting news!  I'm very sad to have to leave the M Ward.  It has been amazing being able to meet so many new people and to see the gospel bless their lives.  I cannot wait to start all over with this ward and help the people here.

And speaking of tender mercies.  I just heard Taylor Swift...heck yeah!  I am sitting in this computer room and this song starts to play.  I said, "Hey this kinda sounds like Taylor Swift's voice"...then about 30 seconds later I hear the chorus, "I've got a blank space"...and everyone and their mom talks about how Taylor Swift's Blank Space is the best.  Heck yeah...now I can honestly say, "I agree".

Oh my goodness!  Taylor Swift is coming on again.  So far this transfer is AWESOME!

Well, I hope everyone is preparing for summer!  It's going to be a good one.  Love,

Sister Moon

Pictures:

Exchanges with Sister M and Sister B

The D's

My Ex-Ward-Mates

April 27, 2015

Dear Family and Friends,

Last week was AMAZING!!!!  John got baptized and it was sooo special.  Karla's son came down from Utah and baptized him.  John is going to make the best member ever.  They are already planning to go to the Redlands Temple in a year!!!!  Can you say endure to the end?

Valerie and Isaac also came to church on Sunday for the first time.  We extended a baptismal date to Valerie for June 13th and she said she'd pray about that!  Keep her in your prayers.  She has come such a LONG way since I first met her.  She has a sincere desire to do what God wants her to do, no matter how hard it is.  Her faith is so strong!

We also participated in Mormon Helping Hands, now called Just Serve Helping Hands, and we shoveled mulch for 3 hours.  Let me tell you what the first thing I'm going to do is when I get home (besides listen to Taylor Swift)...get a massage!  My back and shoulders are sooo messed up. 

We also had Zone Conference last week.  I got to see the lovely Sister R.  Zone Conference was amazing and I learned a lot about the enabling power of the Atonement.  We have to put forth some effort and do what God asks us then Christ will make the difference.  Christ is like infinity.  Infinity plus anything is still infinity, but we still have to do our part.  What we do is nothing compared to what Christ has done, but we must still do!

Our car got fixed last week so we were on bike for 2 days!  It was the best.  I love being on bike!  Sister R and I have decided that we're going back to A to be on bike :)...hopefully President receives that revelation too.  Transfers ar coming up next week so we'll see what happens.  I've been here for quite some time...I wonder where I'll go?

I hope you all have a great week.  Talk to you later!  Love,

Sister Moon currently serving where it is 91 degrees outside :)

Pictures:

Posterity picture!  My daughter, my other daughter, and my granddaughter :)

John's Baptism!!

Well we went to eat at the Bishop's house and guess who opened the door??  They said, in unison, "Welcome to our humble abode"

April 13, 2015

Dear Family and Friends,

Last week was so amazing!!  I was sick basically all last week, but the good definitely outweighed the bad.  We had 13 lessons...which is always great, but we also had so many miracles!!

I read this story called the Ricciardi letter and it totally changed my perspective as a missionary.  I covenanted with God that I would be more bold and not waste time, but that I'd go out and talk with everyone and find the elect.  I decided that if I was teaching someone and their heart wasn't open and they weren't keeping commitments then we'd drop them for a while until they are ready to progress.

Well, about an hour after I knelt down and made that covenant with God, we went to Linda's and began teaching her a lesson.  She started freaking out and telling us that she was almost as perfect as the Savior, and that we had a lot of repenting to do, but that's not something that she needs right now, along with other interesting things.  Well, I remembered the covenant I had made, and I boldly said, "Linda the Spirit is not here right now, so we need to leave".  Then we closed our scriptures and got up and left her house.  It felt good to leave instead of staying and arguing with her.  I know God's timing is perfect, and now I know I really can be bold.

Karla (returning less active) and John (Investigator) both got blessings last night to help them stop smoking.  The blessings were amazing, and John even said, "Now I have enough faith to stop smoking".  I know they can do it!  Prayers for them would be wonderful!!

Jerome (returning less active) bore his testimony yesterday in sacrament meeting, and I was crying my eyes out.  He said he was so grateful that Sister Martinez and I followed the Spirit and found him because he never knew he as missing anything until he found the gospel again.  He bore testimony that he knew that God loved each one of us and he talked about his kids and how much he loved them.  He is so perfect!  Then his sister got up and bore her testimony about how she had been praying that her brother would find the gospel again, and she's so grateful that he did.  I am SO grateful that he did too because his testimony strengthened my testimony so much I cannot even describe how I feel.  I know that God looks out for all of His children and He loves us.  He gave us His son, Jesus Christ, so we can use the Atonement to get through the difficult times. We can have His Spirit to be with us as long as we are worthy of it.  I am so grateful for this knowledge. 

I hope everyone is having a great day and continues to have a great week.  Love,

Sister Moon

Pictures:

Sister M and I at the mission office!

Someone backed into our car :(

This is by far the weirdest thing I've had to eat on my mission.  It's called a Brazillian hot dog.  Let me explain: It's a hot dog dipped in tomato sauce and grilled green peppers with peas, corn, parmesan cheese, raisins, and crunched up barbecue chips on top.  Oh yes, it was....interesting...

April 6, 2015

Dear Family and Friends,

Last week was pretty amazing!  We had 13 lessons, which is always a good number!  John is still planning to get baptized on April 25th so we are so excited for that!  19 days away!! 

Other than normal missionary work last week was exciting because of CONFERENCE!!!!

We watched all the sessions and there was a TON of great stuff in there, so I'll share some of my favorite quotes:

"No failure needs to be final"- Dale G. Renlund

"If the emblems of the sacrament are being passed and you are texting, or whispering, or playing video games, or doing anything else to deny yourself essential spiritual food, you are severing your spiritual roots and moving yourself towards stony ground." - Dallin H. Oaks

"How we live our religion is far more important than what we may say about our religion." -Robert D. Hales

"Faith in God engenders a love for the Sabbath; faith in the Sabbath engenders a love for God." - Russell M. Nelson

"Godly fear dispels mortal fear". -David A. Bednar

"Are we all just hanging reaching for something to hold, something to grip?  Is our only purpose in life to see how high we can leap then fail, and fall forever?"  ETERNAL NO" -Jeffrey R. Holland

There were many many more great quotes, but that's all I have time for today.  If you haven't watched Conference then you should go watch it, and if you have watched Conference then you should watch it again.  I can't wait for the Ensign so I can study all the talks again. 

I hope everyone has a great week.  Love,

Sister Moon

Pictures:

Our Zone after watching Conference!!