Hey Mama!

I was trying to organize and eliminate sections of this letter because a lot has happened today. I want to write down the bad times and the miracles we have received! Hope you will enjoy it!

Bad Beginning:
We have been working with Lynne, she was doing great until another trial came crashing down. This trial is so hard on her. She said she didn't feel like  God loved her lately. Because the trials keep coming and coming and coming. She wanted to kill herself the night we showed up. We were there from 3-8. Shyla came for 45 minutes and calmed her down. Shyla was super bomb. She commanded me to take every battery out of the phones from people especially this trial who keeps calling and calling. Her daughter came later and talked with her and took Sister Larsen and me to dinner. Katie is Lynne's daughter. We are close but she doesn't open much. When we went to dinner, she opened up so much. My heart hurts for each one of the people we work with and have come to love. These are the trials we dealt with this week.

Happy Ending.

Through all the ups and downs in the beginning. We have received so many blessings in the end. This past week we have received a lot of changes to the mission rules. Sister Larsen and I had decided to obey it with a willing heart. We have seen so many miracles  that come from it. Yesterday was one of the most powerful days I have ever experienced and I know it was because of our obedience to the Lord and our expression of love for others and for our Savior.

Here is a story about my 3rd great grandfather, David H. Cannon. He was a man of great faith. He was called by Prophet Brigham Young to be the St. George temple president. David was hesitant because of his word of wisdom issue which is smoking. His brother George asked David this question, "You have been called by the Lord to do something that you are not ready or not prepared to do. So what should you do about it?" David pondered and then answered the question. "I should prepare myself to do it and I will!" David prayed and asked God to help him stop smoking his pipe. Here was the answer to his prayer, David was gored by a bull, causing both of his collarbones to be broken, which means he had to bound both of his arms to his chest. That answer to his prayer allowed him to stop smoking. His wife, my 3rd great grandmother felt bad he couldn't smoke his pipe and offered to help him smoke his pipe. He said no and to leave it on the mantle and he never touched it again for the rest of his life. He used that pipe as a reminder that he had accomplished something great with the Lord's help he overcame his weaknesses.  I love how George asked his brother that question, "You have been called by the Lord to do something that you are not ready or not prepared to do. So what should you  do about it?" How can I help this person? How can I lead my family? How can I overcome this certain trial? And so forth. My answer to this question is: We have to work for it, prepare ourselves for it, and allow the spirit to teach us and help us become more Christlike.

We visited with our RC Melissa and Jessica and our investigator, Adrianna. Adrianna wanted to wear my missionary tag. She wore my tag and Jessica wore Sister Larsen's tag. We pretended to be investigators and Adrianna and Jessica were missionaries. They taught us about the tree of life and the symbols! It was super bomb. I felt Adrianna's testimony and happiness that comes from living the gospel. She knows it is true even though she is 11. It was so powerful!

Then we visited sweet blind Linda and listened to President Ucthdorf's talk from the recent general women broadcast. It was emotional for Linda. Whenever she cries, it always pierces Sister Larsen and mine hearts. The spirit was in the room. I love what President Ucthdorf said, "We didn't come to earth to be sad. We came to earth to receive joy!" I love it!

Afterward we visited with Annmarie. We were finally able to actually teach her after 2 weeks trying to teach her. Annmarie was at a point that she wanted to give up. We shared a talk by President Ucthdorf's talk from the recent ensign magazine about keeping our torch lit and never giving up. If you haven't read it, you should sometime! It's so good! Annmarie's baptism date fell through twice. She felt like a disappointment to us and to the church. We explained to her that we love her and that we want to help her keep going and keep fighting. Sister Larsen and I feel that the reason why her date fell through was because God wanted her to be making the covenant as a family. Her daughter turns 8 in November, and her husband will one day soften his heart. We all know he will. The spirit was so strong, I can't even describe the feeling. Annmarie texted us saying that she felt the spirit so strong and that this was the right path for her. It was amazing!

We visited Staryl after. This lesson with her was so powerful! Staryl doesn't talk much. She doesn't open up about her life. Sister Larsen and I felt inspired to listen and ask inspired questions. Staryl opened up soooo much which gave us more understanding about her. We went by the spirit and testified often. I felt prompted to tell Staryl how much her Heavenly Father loves her and wants her to be happy. He wants her to feel the fullness of joy by taking the next step. Staryl immediately answered, "Baptism?" Yes baptism. She said, "I have been thinking about it." You should pray about it with a date. She is excited. She knows it will bless her life! The spirit was so amazing. Again, can't describe it! 

Obedience is a powerful tool. When we obey, we show our love for our Savior. When we obey, we will easily receive inspirations, have clearer revelations, easily recognize the spirit, and receive that fullness of joy that Heavenly Father has to bestow upon us. We have been in tune with the spirit and it helped us discern the needs of our people in the pool! Obedience is truly the first law of heaven and it brings blessings into our lives. 

I love you! I am so grateful for you! The mission is the hardest but it is the greatest!

Sister Moore