Love Rapids!

(Excerpts from April14th, 2014)

I received your box in the mail. Thank you for that. I love the towel, the ties and all the snacks. .I am very grateful for the people in Rapids!  I feel I have really grown in this area.  I am glad to hear that Gran is doing okay. How is my Grandma?? I hope she is okay. I have been thinking of her lately. Tell her I love her please. I am glad to hear that Ipo is still in church and is singing with the members. I had heard about Chantel's call to Canada, Montreal Mission.  I am so happy for her:) I'm glad that Drew got his call to go to Samoa, Apia Mission.  

This past week I set a record of stepping three times in dog poop while tracking.  Each time my companion thinks about it he cracks up!  LOL.  I find out were I am going next week.  I'm going to have a hard time leaving everyone here.  My interview with President was awesome. We talked about the work and how everything was going in our area.  He was happy to see me as I was him.

I get to talk to you guys on Mother's Day.  I can't wait. Be safe. 

Love you guys,

Elder McMoore

Text sent from Stacy in Wisconsin! (4-10-2014)

"Great having Elders at our house for supper.  Great young men!"

Thank you Stacy for feeding our missionaries.

Family History

(Excerpts from April 7th 2014 Email)

I had a great experience watching General Conference. I really felt the spirit with Elder Aidukaitis talk. We have been blessed TREMENDOUSLY !!!  ALL of our investigators come to watch General Conference at the chapel. I became emotional when I saw our investigators feel the spirit during the  talks.  I had to excuse myself for a bit so that they wouldn't see my emotion. I have a few more weeks left here, I believe in Rapids. It's O.K. I don't know what to expect, but it will be O.K. I trust were the Lord puts me to serve next. I have been serving and meeting a lot of people with Indian ancestry here. I feel like I'm serving the Lamanites, descendants from father Lehi. It's so neat to see their eyes open as they feel the spirit of Elijah when we share and when they read about their own ancestry. 

This week has been going very well. We have been blessed, but my companion and I don't go for numbers, we just simply go for what the Lord will give us. We have been getting a lot of new investigators through using family history as a tool and it works EXTREMELY well. We have been using our own family history to show people how fun it can be to learn about your own family  history. Some are very curious as to what my history is because I have the last name of McMoore but have dark features.
 

Our investigators are doing great. Not one is slipping. We have been fasting and praying for them and their progression. I am really happy here. :) I have recently let go of everything. The talks from General Conference have made me realize that I have much more important things to do than worry about other things after my mission or outside of my mission.  This has brought a lot of ease for me.

 

Love you all,

Elder M.

"I will go and do the things which the Lord has Commanded ..." 1 Nephi 3:7

(Email excerpt from Elder's Email: March 31st, 2014)

Thanks for taking those names to the temple. Can you please keep in your prayers Sister C's Mom?  Well the work here is going great. We have had great miracles happen to us here in the Wisconsin Rapids ward. This week was good and busy.  The K. boys are a less active family that we visit.They are the most teachable kids, very outgoing and humble individuals. I love the boys so much. It would be my greatest desire to see them go on future missions.

My five months out in the field seems to be going good so far. The days go by fast. Something crazy happened to us this week.  We were invited to this family's home.  This family previously could not accept organized religion.  I had a scripture in mind that I wanted to them to read from the Book of Mormon  It was1 Nephi 3:7, "I will go and do the things which the Lord has commanded." Instead I told them to read 3 Nephi 3:7 on accident.  It was the biggest mistake ever.

It read:

"7 Or in other words, yield yourselves up unto us, and unite withus and become 

acquainted with our ^asecret works, and become our brethren that ye may be like 

unto us—not our slaves, but our brethren and partners of all our substance.

It was so bad, we just got up and left. Other than that, my week was good. :) I think I'm being transferred on the 22nd of the month.  President pretty much said as much in my last interview.  I am so looking forward to General Conference.  I am so excited.  Elder Gulliver is looking good in his pictures.  Where is he serving in Auckland?  Otara? 

I love you guys so much. Thanks for taking care of me.

Elder

Blessings of the Lord

(Excerpts from Elder's email: March 24th, 2014)

 

 

My week wasn't that bad. I have had not the best but not the worst.  I had a pretty hard exchange again.  We literally did nothing for 24 hours. I felt really bad.  It's O.K. because today is a new day.  I'm just going to restart and keep going hard. This week we are focusing on rescuing.  We had three inactive families come to church so that was a good thing and four investigators came as well.  The Lord is blessing us.  Spring is almost here (I think).  It got warm and then it dropped crazy fast. I enjoyed seeing Liam's pictures from his game and also seeing pictures of the family at Grandpa's 96th birthday.  I love and miss you guys, but I am happy and well.  Yes, we are being fed!   :)

 

Love you guys,

Elder McMoore

 
The sun is shining in Wisconsin!

 

 

Learning to Lean on the Lord

(Excerpts from Elders email: March 17th, 2014)

It brought an amazing burn to my heart to read that my dearest egg of a friend Afa, now is a Priest.  I am very proud of him.  This I know he knows.  I am so happy to hear that my cousin (Elder Gulliver) is now at the M.T.C.  I am excited and very happy for him.  He looks good in the pictures you sent.  The uniform suits him!  haha.

 

T.  is going great. She has been converted to the gospel and not the missionarys. I love it so much here in Wisconsin Rapids.  It's going to be hard to leave here when and if I transfer.  Something truly amazing happen to us this week and it is truly remarkable. We got a call on a cold Friday morning from a former investigator.  She had a lot of worry in her voice.  She explained that she was worried for her and her children's current situation.  She needed help by the way of groceries to feed her children.  At the time I was very nervous because it was way out of my reach.  We cannot shop until Pday (Monday).  I called Bishop and he didn't answer, so I got really scared.  I didn't know what to do.  I prayed very hard for help.  Later that day, my companion and  went to see a less active member.  She pulled out a bunch of groceries and said that she bought them for us because she didn't want us to starve!  This was an answer to our prayers!!!  We took those groceries knowing they were meant not for us but for this sister and her children.  She cried and was filled with much gratitude.  It was crazy cool!!!  I silently said a prayer of thanks to Heavenly Father for blessing us with a way to help.  1 Nephi 3:7 "I will go and do the things which the Lord has commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way or them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them." 

 

Don't worry about me.  All is well.  I am learning to lean on the Lord and to ask him for things.  It is a humbling experience.  I love you guys. 

 

Happy birthday Liam you egg! Your brother loves you.

 

Love,

Elder McMoore

 

I Love Missionary Work!

(Excerpts from Elder's email: March 10th, 2014)

This week was great.  We were blessed to set a date for another investigator and her name is B. she is 61 years old and she is plan for april 26th.  She has such a great spirit to her and I was thrilled to hear that she wanted to get baptized.  :) She started to bear testimony of the Book of Mormon. The spirit is something she said, she wants to feel for the rest of her life.  I was so touched. I love missionary work.  We had another investigator come to church for the first time and he was very touched with what he had experienced.  We also had found a new investigator through a less active who wants to come back to church.  The lord is truly blessing us for our obedience.
 

Thanks for the pictures of Kyla's Fiafia night.  I was very proud of her.  Her dress and head set was beautiful.  If I was there I would have danced with her, but I am happy to be on my mission. Be safe and stay cool! It's a heat wave right now of 54 degrees and it feels so good. I love you guys soo much muahhhh 

Elder McMoore

 

A joyful day!

(Excerpts from Elder's Email: March 3rd, 2014)

The week was awesome.! T. was baptized! It was amazing! I felt the spirit so strongly. She is really someone I truly care about. She had to go under about 3-4 times because her toe kept coming up. Bishop Black (who baptized her) just said "O.K., let's just get on our knees and do this."

As for the rest of my week it's been good. We visited with B. yesterday. We sat and talked with her and she said she was going through a hard time. She said to me and my companion with tear filled eyes that whenever she has a problem, she finds the answer right in front of her when she reads the Book of Mormon. I became very emotional myself, and explained to her that when we want to talk to God we pray, but if she wants God to talk to her, she must read the scriptures.  I believe our visit made a difference, we will continue to work with her.

 

I am glad to hear that Kyla is the senior class treasure. She will do good for her fellow Hurricanes.

Grandma sent me pants and a scarf, they are awesome. I have to get them hemmed on the legs. Time is going fast and its not in my favor. Richie and I write. He's looking good. I miss that guy so much but hes doing good for himself.  I love you guys so much!

 

Love,

Elder McMoore

It's Almost March!

(Excerpts from Elder's Email: Feb 24th, 2014)

 Questions for the week.

1)  How is T. doing? T. is going to be baptized this Saturday.  We are very excited!

2)  Does your companion do most of the driving because of the snow?  It looks kind of scary to drive in.  Yes, my companion does the driving because he knows how to drive on ice.

3) What good thing has happened this week for you and your companion? T. and her baptism is an exciting thing and also F. who has been investigating the church for close to a year.  She has set a baptismal date.

4) Are you eating and being fed well by the ward? Yes, Mom. We are eating well and are blessed to be fed by our members.  Sis. B. is like our missionary Mom out here in the field.  She is awesome and keeps us well fed.  We have great members, like the F's.

 

5) Do you track in the snow storm, or do you wait until it stops snowing?  How does all that work?  If it snows hard, do you stay inside?

We can't afford to waste time in our apartment or car.  Despite the snow we still tract and are out and about, unless really bad!!!!

 

I'm excited for Logan.  Woohoo!  Not long now.  How was Quayd's farewell? I love you guys.  Thank you for everything you do for me.

 

Love,

Your Missionary 

 

One more brother in the field, one left to go!

(Excerpts from Elders email: February 17th 2014)

We have been working hard, and have a baptism scheduled for March 1st.  We are excited! We are also on the verge of committing two more baptismal dates, so the Lord has been kind and gracious. I feel so blessed and joyful to say that I have soon to be, no more brothers at home because they will be all in the field with their eye SINGLE to the glory of God. It feels so good to hear that Ipo turned in his papers to serve! I am just so excited for him. He is getting sent to a very special place because of his testimony. I'm so excited to see 'Elder Kanae' in a SUIT, and I'm excited for my other brother Lindsey heading to the M.T.C. Wednesday.

I wear Dad's old mission tag only because it helps me realize that I have a family that I represent and that I also have a Dad who has gone through what I am going through on my mission. It gives me no excuse to complain or to quit, it helps me. Mom and Dad I love you guys and I'm thankful for what you do for me. 

Love,

Elder McMoore

Elder Lindsey Takeuchi

Thailand, Bangkok Mission
(Serving out of Makakilo Stake, Hawaii)

Aligning with the will of the Father

(Excerpts from Elder's Email: February 10th, 2014)

This week has been going good.  We are teaching, but need to pray and work harder to commit those to baptism.  In my studies I have been learning a lot on aligning my will with Heavenly Father's. I have been trying to do good with this principle but I wanted to learn more. I learned that when we align our will with Heavenly Father we have more joy. Earlier in my mission I use to find it hard to look past people's flaws, at that stage I was only a week in.  The Lord has been teaching me.  Now I sit in lessons with people who I recognize have difficult problems and when I look at them all I see is potential.  We have a new investigator who loves to smoke. Ever since she has allowed us into her home I say to myself, "Elder McMoore, this sister has the potential to be a Relief Society President" or with J. I say "Elder McMoore, J. has the potential to be a Young Men's President." I believe all of these things and I would have never had realize this if I was not striving to aligned my will with God's. For a miracle this week we have been really looking for family we can teach and for people we can baptize. 

Love you guys,

Elder McMoore

Eternal Progression

 (Excerpts from Elder's email: February 3rd, 2014)

My week was for sure a very difficult week for me. Having my trainer leave did take its toll, but I'm back on my feet. I miss the guy but he is living the life. When I got my new soa (companion) it was a brand new experience. It was a very foreign feeling. I feel that the lord has blessed Wisconsin Rapids truly because of Elder Webster. We both teach very differently. I have little knowledge compared to my trainer and Elder Webster but I am very fluent with my teaching and very bold and steadfast and adhere to the promptings of the spirit.

We lost J. but the lord has blessed us with a woman named T.  She is raging with the spirit. She was a referral from a friend and now she accepts the invitation to baptism and is doing great missionary work! She is bringing all of her friends over to the lessons and we are just teaching !!! It feels great.  My current companion is EXACTLY obedient !!! Which is good and his brother in law is Ipo's Uncle.  He's Uncle Q's brother or cousin.  That's pretty cool.  My companion showed me a picture and they look similar accept one is tattoo free.  LOL

My broskie (Isaiah) looks good! I was touched to see the picture of the Samoa, Apia temple because it made me feel very proud to have Isaiah serving the people of Samoa. He gets to experience the light that he can bring to families. I shared with him in our last email to, "start learning how talk to God because he's the only one you will have here." I know the Lord will bless him. Lindsey will have a great experience in Thailand!!! I'm stoked for my brother! He will be a great tool in the field!!
 

I love you guys and miss you guys. Thanks for everything.

Love,

Elder McMoore

                                                  (Second from Left: Elder Isaiah Mo'o)
                                Serving Samoa, Apia Mission out of Makakilo Stake, Hawaii

                                   Elder Mo'o & Greenies walking to Samoa, Apia Temple

Meet My District

(Excerpts from Elder email: January 27th, 2014)

This week was a very busy week. We did a lot of harvesting and a lot of planting. This whole week we went HAM, and it was like 2 Degrees!!!! I'd say most of the houses didn't want to talk to us.  This whole past week we have been getting fed by our members every day because my companion leaves to go home in just a few days. Today, I found out who will be my next companion.  His name is Elder Webster. I hope he loves to work. The mission is going O.K. I'm realizing everyday just how bad some of the situations are for some people here in Wisconsin, but that's why I'm out here right?  To help people realize that through Christ all of their bad troubles will go away.
 

This morning during my study I had really felt prompted to read about Joseph, son of Jacob. I could not help but feel the love that poor Joseph had for his brothers who had done him wrong. As I was reading I was prompted to think of you guys. Sometimes mission life can get hard for me, because at times I miss home.  I remember though, that my family is receiving blessings for my service in God's army. This helps me push through down times.
 

My companion is eager to see his family! He is really excited but torn that he is leaving. I'm fine in the field Mom and Dad. How is Liam and Kyla? I miss Ipo, Isaiah, Ike and Kay, but I know that Lord loves us and prospers us while we each are serving.

Meet my district!

Love you guys,

Elder McMoore

Immensely Happy for My Older Cousin!

(Excerpts from Eder's email: January 20th, 2014)

                                                               Elder Logan Gulliver
                                                               New Zealand Auckland Mission
                                                               Reports: March 13th, 2014

I'm glad to see that Logan got his mission call.  I'm immensely happy for my older cousin. I know he will learn what the lord has in store for him.  I am excited for him!!!!

Elder G and I don't run in the snow anymore.The Flinders family felt bad for us, so they let us use their gym. :)  J. and his family are struggling, but we are working on helping them. We have had two investigators come to church and they are reading the Book of Mormon diligently and we are working hard with them. I hope that my next companion likes to work. If not, then we are going to have to work on it. My current companion doesn't mind going home. He knows what he wants to do with his life and he is very motivated. Liz (Sister Kapu) sent me a card so I know hows shes doing. I also got a package from Gran. I REALLY MISS HER !!!  Time is flying by like a bird.  How's Ace and Ipo doing???

Love you, be safe and tell liam and kyla, "WISE CHOICES" LOL

Love your,

Missionary

Soooo cold!!!

(Excerpts from Elder's email: January 6th, 2014)

This week is sooooo cold. We are at -50 degrees right now.  Our Mission President said that we are not allowed outside at all. People here in Wisconsin are all bummed about the football loss to the 49ers.  One hard thing about my week was that we had our very first lesson with a same-sex couple and it was hard.  Well, it was first time for me. I felt that they were waiting for us to say that we believe that marriage is between a man and women.  It didn't go well and we were told to leave.  It's O.K. we move on.

J. and his family are going EXTREMELY strong and we moved his baptismal date to February 15th. They are all prepared and have us over almost every single day. I just went shopping so I don't need anything. Uncle's Vika , Junior and Matt are looking good.  I miss my uncles!! Son likes good as well. Do you know Maka sent me a letter in bold letters saying, "YOU BETTER NOT DARE WRITE BACK AND SAY YOUR HUNGER!!!" LOL I miss my cuz wuz. 

Mum we have tracked just about every street in Rapids! No joke.  Thank you for the early birthday wishes.  I will soon be 19. How weird !! I'm doing well, and love my mission.  I am learning so much.

Love,

Your Missionary

:)

Patience

(Excerpts from Elder's email: Dec 30th, 2013)

My week was great it was pretty cold and now we are in the negatives. Did you guys show the video to Ipo? It was great to see all of you on Christmas and it was cool to see Liam and Kyla! Christmas was great, and the Flinders did a great job at making us feel loved and very welcomed. I love that family for ALL they do for us! Brother Flinders is a doctor and also a jokester as well !!! LOL

 

I go on a lot of exchanges which is fun because my companion is our District Leader. I don't think that I am ready for another companion just right now! I am doing fine, but I know that my next companion I will learn to love him just like the one I have now.

 

It is hitting negatives all week and man that is going to be a stubbling block for us when we work, but it's O.K. The junk thing about this weather is that it is impossible to stay warm. One trial that I am working on is patience.  I realize that I have been very patient this week and continue to work on it.  Being patient with investigators is hard but it its doable.

Love,

Your Missionary

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