The Chinese missionaries together again!

Hey Mama!!!

Well time does go by fast! I felt like I just Skyped with you yesterday!! It was so good to see everyone!!!

 

I love my bros!

 

So I hope you will get a special letter coming in your way. Hopefully it will arrive safely. I sent Ron and Traci my broken missionary tag too. Hopefully they get theirs soon. They call me their missionary. They are two of my favorite people!

So after skyping with you, we went to eat out with a few members.  The food was good until they kept feeding me too much. I was sick for 3 days afterward. I feel better now :)

 

So I spoke in sacrament yesterday that was fun!! I wasn't nervous at all. 

 

On Friday we went to Elmhurst, I am a pro at subway and walking now so I knew where I was going. 

 

Me and Sister Robertson.  I go on exchanges with her when I go to Little Neck.

 

 I decided to take things to a new perspective. I decided I am going to practicing listening to Chinese, I noticed that I am starting to understand Chinese little by little and actually understand what they are saying.

Sister Hironaka and me

Thank you  for developing my faith and keep pushing me forward. I am really grateful for all the youth who want to serve missions! That just makes my heart be filled with joy! We are now at war! We live in a generation where we live in a scary place. It's time to put that armor on and fight that battle by sharing our testimony, being an example to others, going to church, reading the scriptures, going to the temple! I know we will be blessed!

 

I know the Savior lives and through him, we can become better and stronger in all the things we say and do! I know if we just hold on a little bit longer, the Lord is going to bless us with joy and love!

I love you mom and thanks for everything that you have done for me!

 

Love,

Sister Moore

Hey Mom!

Sister Johnson was being transferred so we opened our Christmas gifts a few days early.

 

 

 On Monday, Sister Johnson and I stayed up till 1 in the morning. We talked, made some videos, took some pictures. She didn't want to leave for Brooklyn. She wanted to stay for one more transfer.

 

Sister Johnson and I ran out of toilet paper and we
 were too lazy to go to the store.  Thank you for sending us this.  Hahaha!

 

 

We had a really fun ward party and I got to see Santa!  I also got a Christmas gift!

 

 

 

 

 

Sister Johnson, Sister Hironaka, Sister Lee, and I ate out at IHOP it was really good!  Transfer came and went. Sister Johnson and I tried to put on our tough face and left each other. Sister Johnson went to Brooklyn. I stayed here with Sister Wang. 

 

To be honest, it was really hard for me. I had so much love for Sister Johnson and it was like my heart just completely shattered into pieces. She taught me how to speak better Chinese, how to laugh through my problems, how to daydream when walking, how to enjoy PBJ sandwich and tofu hot chocolate, how to talk on the phone and be confident, how to be more outgoing and socialize, taught me to voice my opinion, taught me to learn how to take the lead, taught me to enjoy life more and taught me how to believe in myself.

 

We heart -attacked someone's house.

I have such huge love for the people that I felt alone when Sister Johnson left. I couldn't eat or show as much as love as before. I am trying to cover my heart because it hurts when people leave. Or investigators leave, or people lose their testimony. 

I spoke with the young men yesterday and it went really good! I enjoy speaking to all of them. I could totally feel the spirit in the room. I am also speaking to the young women on Saturday about personal progress. If you have some ideas, throw them to me.

 

This is the bulletin board I am doing at the church.
It is a work in progress.

On Saturday we had a miracle happened. We were outside from 12:30-3:30. It was really really cold. My feet were frozen. But sharing the gospel kept me warm. As a zone we went to a hot spot where we can find many people. We showed the video, "He is the gift." We showed 239 people that day. We have 593 for the week and we are trying to hit 700 by the end of this week. We wrapped Books of Mormon in different languages and passed them out as Christmas presents. Many people wanted it and we ran out of BOM in all languages. We also did free gift wrapping too. We grabbed a lot  of attention from people. It was cool. Some of the sisters didn't bring their gloves so I sacrificed my gloves for them. All the sudden my hands became warm in the cold. It was like being sheltered by an angel.

 

 

 

So my plan is to either Skype or FaceTime with you on Thursday at 12 which is 10 at your place. I am thinking about calling dad first at 11 which will be 9 there. I will talk to him for an hour and then I will talk to all of you. I am so excited! One thing I request is hearing Papa's voice from the Christmas story. I am so excited, I can't wait to see all of you!!! I will talk to you more about a lot of other cool things that happen here in the mission. I could go on talking forever! Thank you for being my best friend!!!

I love you mom with all my heart!!!

Love your daughter,

Sister Moore

 

We just keep all the holiday decorations up you sent us.

Dear Mom,

This week has been interesting. I woke up one morning and felt inspired to make Sister Johnson breakfast. I made pancakes and orange. I brought it to her in her bed and she said, "Sister Moore..... I never had breakfast in bed before thank you." I sat on the top bunk with her and we just talked and talked and talked about everything. We laughed through memories and photos. 

Sister Johnson has been talking about how bad she really wants to go to Brooklyn. She was hoping to get called there the next transfer. We received the transfer call late Saturday night. Sister Johnson has been called to go to Brooklyn. Sister Johnson then admitted to me that she didn't want to pack to go to Brooklyn. She wanted to stay here for one more transfer in Flushing with me for Christmas and New Years. Also to experience two baptisms as a companionship. After the call I pretty much cried. My heart has been full of love for her. You know that in my patriarchal blessing it said that I have the gift of love.... Sometimes I don't like that gift because my heart gets too big for the other person and it gets too attached and when I leave or when the person leaves my heart has a big hole and feels like something is missing for at least a week. My heart has been having a hole for Sister Johnson. It really hurts for me to see her go. I don't want her to go. Sister Johnson almost wanted to call the president and say that she was staying in Flushing and that she is not leaving.

Since we knew transfers were coming,  we made a deal. If she was moving to Brooklyn we would open our Christmas gifts the night of our transfer call. We love our gifts mom! Thank you so much!!! Means the world to us. I love the bracelet and outfit and pjs and everything. Love the calendar. Sister Johnson loves the scarf and the bracelet!!

One thing I am grateful for was that Sister Johnson and I were able to work with two miracles on Saturday. I was fortunate enough to be with her. We went to the temple twice that day.  We went to a Spanish session of baptisms. It was kind of funny but cool!  It takes about 30 minutes to get to the temple by subway ride. So we spent a lot of our time on the subway and we were exhausted. It was a miracle to experience that with Sister Johnson. I felt like it was the first time I actually accomplished something in our companionship. Another cool thing happened, Elder Johnson called us for our numbers of accountability. He was amazed with our goals. Sister Johnson and I have doubled the lessons than what all the other missionaries have combined. We have been great with lessons this week so that is a great ending to our companionship.

EXHAUSTED!!!

 My new companion will be Sister Wang from China. She is pretty cool and I like her.  I know that my Chinese can improve like a rocket. We will probably be together for 3 transfers.   I am taking the lead in all the finding, calling, lookup since it's Sister Johnson's and my pool. So I will have to help Sister Wang meet everyone we are working with. After transfer calls, Sister Johnson made a plan for me. She sent a bunch of projects to me and I have billions of people to work with and accomplish the goals she gave me. I am determined to accomplish those goals.

 When I first came here to Flushing, the Bishop almost asked me and Sister Johnson to be part of the young women presidency.  Now they have a good young women presidency but we met with one of the women  who was part of the young women presidency yesterday... She asked me to be part of the young women personal progress program so I am in charge of that. It's great because I love young womens so much and I know I can help all the girls and have a connection with them.  I have a good feeling.

The Young Men president asked me to speak to the Young Men next week about building the kingdom of God and how we can do that. The Bishop also asked me to give a talk in sacrament in two weeks about Christmas and Jesus Christ. So I've been given a lot of assignments. I am also in charge of the bulletin board for our ward and a lot of things and plus I also  print the program out for sacrament meeting.

In our Chinese ward we have one bishop and a counselor. A young men president with one counselor and can you guess who that is??? Our district leader Elder Johnson. One good news, we have a sister coming  from Brooklyn... Love her a lot she is amazing! She is coming to Flushing.  I can learn from her and develop that talent. 

During Companionship Inventory, Sister Johnson and I talked a lot about stuff and how I can be a better missionary. She told me what I needed to work on and everything and so I am excited to accomplish those goals. She told me that she didn't know who I was because she is use to people saying, "No! I'm not gonna do that!" "I am not gonna follow that rule!" "Don't tell me what to do" she was use to having people giving her attitude and I just sat there and listened and told her that I will improve and work on my bad habits. She said the past two transfers she noticed that I've been humble and that it was my best quality of Christlike attribute. I really needed to hear that.

One thing I am grateful for is that Sister Johnson  believes in me. I know because of her I am able to develop my faith and am  increasing the gift of hearing on the phone. I am starting to understand others through the phone in English and Chinese. It's crazy! A deaf person has the ability to talk on the phone in English and a different language.

Another advice from Chinese people: two of our investigators said, "Sister Moore, you need to write right handed! You'll be more smart.  You can't teach us English or the lessons unless you write right handed with us." Okay sounds good.... Sorry if I came home right handed. I will be talented with both hands haha.

Also if Chinese people keep complimenting you, you have to say thank you. If they say the same thing over and over again, you have to say thank you over and over again. You can't blush and say, "no no no" or "stop it" because I get too flattered easily and they kept complimenting me over again that I wanted them to stop. 

Another cool thing Sister Johnson found an English Book of Mormon in a room she was cleaning and the first page of the BOM has a picture of a couple and they wrote their testimony. Turns out they are from LaVerkin, Utah. Out of millions of places, a BOM from Laverkin is here??? I wondered if you know Fred and Irene Llewellyn or someone related to them? That's the name of the couple. It will be the first BOM I will read in New York. 

I've started reading the New Testament. It's funny because I felt like I'm doing the same thing with Elder Holyoak. Great minds thinks alike especially from afar! I love the New Testament. I have learned so much from the New Testament. I planned to finish reading it this transfer. This past week I learned a lot about how to be unselfish. In Matthew/ Mark, it was story about how John the Baptist was beheaded. Jesus's best friend, cousin, his "companion" who  was doing the same purpose as him spreading the gospel. When Jesus found out what had happened, He wanted to mourn for John. He wanted to be alone.  He didn't want to teach the people at the time but as "Jesus went forth and saw a great multitude and was moved with compassion toward them because they were as sheep not having a shepherd and he began to teach them many things" (Matthew 14:14 and Mark 6:34) through those two scriptures combined I learned that I need to forget myself and go to work. I noticed the past few days that my mind is slowly focusing on the work of the Lord and not myself and the future and what will happened and everything. I am learning how to focus on the people here and understanding their needs and how to help and teach them. No matter what situations happen, whether it is something going on a home, or discouraging words people say to me, or a little tension in the district, I need to move on and not let that affect me. I need to go forth and teach these people who need the gospel. I have the gospel in my life and I need to help others receive that joy and peace. Jesus Christ is so humble and caring. He is our loving Savior and King. He has His Arms open for us, He is asking us to "take up his cross and follow me" (Matthew 16:24) let us follow Savior. Let us find our weakness and turn it to strength. Let's us start now to strive to become more like our Savior! I can start to see myself change for the better! One thing I am going to work on is having Diligence in all I do and say. I love being a missionary no matter how hard it can be! I could go on forever of what I learned this past week but I'm gonna stop here for now.

I know this is the true church! I love this gospel so much. My heart is full of joy and happiness. I have a huge testimony of the gospel even when I go through hard times. I can feel the huge love the savior has for each and everyone of us. 

I love you mom! Can't wait to talk to you in 10 days! It went by sooo fast since we last talked. Sorry you aren't going to meet Sister Johnson on Skype :( Mission times do go by fast. I wish that it could slow down. Thank you for being my best mama.

I love you mom!

Love your daughter,

Sister Moore!

Dear Mom,

 

Winterfest sounds like it was a success!! Justin the Frosty Man sounds fantastic. Honestly he can hit off anything! He is one funny cool guy and I am proud to call him my brother! I think we need to thank Chuck E Cheese mascot time. Of course Justin would do every event in a mascot!!! That's funny!

 

Wow you're at Brandon's! I miss everyone and hope everyone is doing good! Harper is so dang cute, can't wait to hear her ramble on forever when I get back!

 

Thank you for sharing your temple experience. The temple is an amazing place. Filled with love and peace.  You're right, faith without works is dead. President Calderwood always reminds us that without obedience and work, we don't exercise our faith and miracles will not happen. The Lord cannot help us unless we give our 100% best.

We do have a lot of police all over town. There is not a minute that goes by without the sirens going off. I hear it everyday, all day.

Yes we got the Christmas box! Sister Johnson begged to open her Christmas gift from me and I gave up and let her open it! She was filled with joy and loved it! She kept saying I was the best companion ever. I took a video of it and it is awesome.

This week is the last week of transfers, I am really hoping Sister Johnson and I go through one more transfer. If not that's ok too. I really want to spend Christmas with her and we have a baptism lined up for January 18 and I want her to be my companion at that time.

 

It was my first time doing look up on subway ride to another town. It was fun, we went to Forest Hills and I actually felt like I was in New York in that area. I felt comfortable there.

 

 

During street sweep, I've been told to go back where I came from, why was I here and it's not worth it. I can say it's not easy but it's worth it. I learn to laugh through what people say. The Mission is helping me to grow up, learn,  and be bold but loving.

Every night for the past week I've been having weird dreams that I was coming home on a medical release. I sure hope that doesn't happen.

I ate pig ears, belly, and other strange stuff that I didn't want to find out what it was.

I love you mom! I'm proud of you and pray for you every day. I still wear the special ring on my finger and think of you. Thank you for being my motivator and being my awesome hot mama!  Thank you for being my best friend! Can't wait to skype with you in 17 days! Wow it does go by fast!

Love your daughter,

Sister Moore

 

PS I am really developing the gift of tongue slowly. I am also understanding what another person is saying little by little.

 

Hey mama!

Thanksgiving was really good. We played football with the whole mission and played zone against zone. I didn't play at all. But when it comes to the Flushing Chinese District against the Dyker Chinese District, I played. I scored about two touchdowns, and they were amazed that I was athletic. It's official, the short girl showed her hidden talent. We then went to our bishop's to eat some food, it was so good.

 



Thanksgiving Dinner at the Bishops

 

 

The next day the district got together for lunch to eat a bunch of leftovers the people gave us. Literally it was alot of leftovers. Someone gave us a chicken and we tore the head off. Elder Wutrich said, "Sister Moore, I will give you money if you kiss the chicken's head." I accepted the offer. I kissed the chicken's head and I can tell you it was bad. So I said to him, "Where's my money?" He laughed and said,"I have no money." Tricky

 

I kissed the chicken, but it didn't turn into a prince :(
 

 

On Saturday we had a thanksgiving party at the church. Lots of cool/embarrassing things happened. Many of our investigators/ less actives came to the party. It was awesome. It was fun to talk to all of them and get to know them more. That was pretty cool. I feel like I'm starting to understand them little by little. We also watched 17 Miracles, the English version with Chinese subtitles. The elders in our district worked on the subtitle part for a few weeks so I am sure they are happy to relax now.

 

Embarrassing moments:

 

-I talked with one lady with a boy, "Is that your grandson?" "No that's my son." Oops

- One of the recent converts said I need to pulled my eyebrows off, they are too bushy. Tweezers here I come.

- one of our potential investigator asked if I have a boyfriend. I said no, she said, "I will pray for you to have a boyfriend." Well at least she is starting to pray!

 



I get to be Elder Johnson for the day!

17 Miracles was amazing as always! I wish I was there at that time period to help them through this. But then I realized that we are pioneers of this generation. The world is continuously attacking us with words, actions, items, photos, video, and etc. The world would do anything to destroy our confidence, faith, and standards. Don't! We are carrying this great legacy of our people who have travelled across the plains for us. We need to keep pushing forward! Hold on a little longer. The Lord asked us to bear our afflictions with patience! He will give us His promise by filling our heart with joy and send us blessings! I know that it's true! We are God's great warriors on earth!

 

We started, "He is the Gift" initiative. We were told it was gonna be big, all over YouTube, worldwide, time square. It's insane. Our responsibility as missionaries is to spread the word about it, share the video, pass out pass along card, discover the gift, and embrace the gift. We need to remember the true gift of Christmas. It wasn't wrapped, it didn't have a bow, it wasn't fancy or rich! It was Christ who was born in the stable in swaddling clothes. Our King who has come to redeem us through the Atonement so we can return to live in God's presence again. Christ is the real amazing reason why we can repent and receive the fullness of Joy.

 

 

 

Some of my wonderful friends

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I am also known as the strongest sister missionary. I don't know if that is a good thing.

 

Guess what? Sister Johnson and I made a deal.... She is not allowed to talk and just signs to me and I have to talk in a British Accent. A lot of people believed I was British. The district couldn't help but laugh at my awful accent. It was funny! She did good signing.  Sister Johnson has become my family.  I think she's awesome.

 

So Dkyer didn't think it was fair we beat them at the turkey bowl so they asked us to go to Brooklyn and play again. Obviously we are going to beat them again ;)

 

 

This Elder loves to take pictures of himself and put it as my background wall screensaver on my iPad

I know the Gospel is true. I love it with all my heart. It's hard to forget myself and go to work  but I'm slowly getting better at doing that and it's getting easier to get busy.  I love the Savior so much and I know the power of the Atonement is true. Once I get on my knees to talk with Him and take my time, I can feel His love more powerful! It's real and it's true! I can't deny it!

 

I love you! You are such an amazing person with a powerful testimony!! 24 more days till I get to talk to you in Chinese and with a Bristish accent!

 

Love,

Your Daughter

Sister Moore