Famous Chinese jumping picture

  Oh Mama!!

 

I want to talk about you on this email!

 

My mom is the best mom in the world

My mom is the funniest mom in the world

My mom loves me soooo much

My mom is my number 1 hero!

My mom is the best cook

My mom loves everyone

My mom loves to serve others

My mom taught me a lot of things

And I hope to be like you!!!

My heart is filled with joy for you!

Let the storm rage on!!!!
The cold never bothered me anyway.

 

Well the weather is not that cold. The picture made it look like it but it's not that bad. But we are having one of the worst blizzards in New York history tonight and tomorrow. It's called Blizzard Juno. So wish me a luck! 

 

Well sad news, looks like one of our investigators who was supposed to get baptized this Friday and was so ready stopped meeting with us, and she didn't come to church yesterday. Every time we call her she says, "I'm busy." My heart broke for her. I have been here for almost 4 transfers. A few weeks ago I had a feeling that I will never witness a baptism of my investigators. I know my investigators will be baptized, I just won't be there to witness it. That's ok. I hope she will accept it soon.
 

One thing I was also sad about was a member gave us a family's information contact because they were interested. The elders were teaching them and decided to give the family to me and Sister Wang. It's a mom and a dad, and a little girl. So we contacted them. I talked with them at a church party, I sat with them at sacrament. I felt really good about them and I love them and then all the sudden the other set of sister missionaries decided to take them from us and called them their own investigators. So they are their investigators now. I was heartbroken. I know they will do great with them and hopefully accept baptism soon!

The cover of my Book of Mormon

 

So one of our solid member's birthday was yesterday and we went to Sister Chen's house to celebrate. They put on Frozen and we watched it.... 3 times. It was playing on the tv while we talked with others.... Guilty rule breaker haha!
 

Sister Chen tried to scare me so I was talking with Elder Johnson and Sister Chen said, "I have something for you." I held out my hand and she put a big fat dead cockroach in my hand. Gross... They both laughed at me. Gotta love Grandma Chen!!!
 

I finally was able to learned how to do a rubrick's cube!! Party time!!! Actually I am almost there.

Nothing much happened this week. Just the same thing over and over again with investigators and less actives.



The Flushing Chinese district

 

Turns out that I still have good skills with youth. All the youth in the branch love me and the parents want me to help them since a few of them left or are such a huge trouble maker.... I love kids so much!
 

The Bishop loves to tease me! I really love the bishop. He pulled me aside and said seriously, "Sister Moore, I am heading off to priesthood training meeting. Wanna come?" I stuttered and he laughed and said, "I'm teasing you!!"
 

Love the sisters

 

My companion told an embarrassing story about me.... We were walking down the street and I was trying to say Heavenly Messenger in Chinese. She said that I need to be careful with the tones because if I said it wrong then it would be "Angel Poop" really? And she told it to someone else... Ugh! That's ok, made me laugh too!
 

It's true!!! I finally went to the Brooklyn Bridge last week!!! Yay!!! It was the best!!!!

Finally...the Brooklyn Bridge!!!!

Manhattan from the bridge

 

I know the gospel is true and I know it's the only way to true happiness and love. I know the Savior is walking with me every step of the way. We must be obedient not because we want blessings or miracles but because we love Him! I have been through a lot on the mission but it was needed and I am slowly changing into something better. I am learning about patience, diligence, obedience and so forth. My faith is increasing and I am learning how to act on the faith I have. I love this gospel so much!!
 

 
 

I love you mom and I am doing really good! Thank you for being my mom! I am glad I chose you as my mother and you chose me as your daughter!

Ismael sent me this!

 

Love,

Sister Moore

 

PS.... Even more sad new... My special ring broke :(

How can I do fast offerings??? I am clueless haha.

 Dear Mama,

We had a great experience this week with one of our members.  Helen is amazing and taking classes to major in respiratory therapist. She struggles a lot with life and her son but has strong faith and hope. We talked to them about building their faith in the gospel of Jesus Christ because the gospel is the only way to true happiness. We talked to them about the 5-5-5 family plan. It's when they come up with a goal of who they want to bring to church, baptism, and to the temple in one year. We explained that ever member is a missionary and being a missionary is one of our responsibilities to make sure the members know they are the main point of bringing others to come unto Christ, they are the main people to build up the kingdom of God. Helen is helping her son learn how to be a missionary. They challenged themselves to a few goals and asked us to follow up with them on Friday. I am super excited. She said to us, "I don't know if you know this but I needed you two here at this moment. People put on their happy face but really inside they are struggling. You guys should visit more members" I felt like I followed the prompting of the spirit along with Sister Wang. Such a cool experience!
 

We did complimentary street sweep and we haven't done that for 2 months. Elder Johnson was in charge and he knew we needed to do this, at that moment I felt a change come over me. I was happy and enjoying life. I was complimenting everyone I saw and sharing the gospel and I was truly happy. I then realize that the gospel is the only way to success and happiness. Serving those around me gives the best feeling to me. I moved on from some of the negativity and anger I had been feeling. I learned how to repent daily this week, whether I sin or not. I did want to change to become a better person and it does make a difference. Faith does lead to repentance.
 

I was having a really hard day last week and I received a letter in the mail from Clair Pilling. Her letter was exactly what I needed. She wrote a little note about a specific letter and said, "This is a letter from Heavenly Father" I read the letter and my heart was full of peace and love. I know Heavenly Father was looking out for me in that moment. Sister Pilling knew I needed this somehow. I am forever grateful for this experience. Best letter ever!
 

Sister Wang and I have been working really hard and  we just accomplished our goals three times in a row now. Ba Bam!!
 

I love that Sister Wang has been cooking Chinese food and that we can get our food from the nearby Chinese markets instead of walking a mile to Target like Sister Johnson and I use to do. I told Sister Wang about the msg and she makes sure I get the right food that doesn't have msg in it.   I still got a headache and dizziness but good news, I am doing a lot better.
 

One of our investigators has changed her baptism date to Jan. 30 so her son could come to the baptism. I am so excited!! First baptism.

 

Another of our Investigators has softened her heart to the gospel and I can see a change. She always asks hard and profound questions but we were able to answer them. We met with her 4 times already and she finally kneeled down to pray with us. Really cool lady.

 

A lady texted us and showed up at the church and we met her for the first time. She was so eager to learn about the gospel that she stayed for the Chinese branch AND  the English Branch. She is awesome and eager to learn.

 

One of our members invited two of her friends to church and introduced them to us and they were interested. The work is hastening on!!!
 

I arm wrestled with my missionary grandma Tina Chen. I bested her three time and she beat me one time. That one time I kind of injured my wrist and I also snapped my finger and now it's purple :) I am truly taking care of myself.
 

So Chinese New Years is coming up.... I am in charge of choreographing the dance with Sister Hironaka of Hip Hop and Elder Johnson is in charge of lion dance and cha cha dance. We are doing a parade and wearing costumes and it's gonna be one of the biggest event here in Flushing! I am super excited!!
 

I will hit my 6th month mark this week :) I will be going to the temple with Sister Hironaka and Sister Johnson for their one year mark next month. I am excited!!
 

I am going to the Brooklyn Bridge today for sure! A few weeks ago all the missionaries were at a member's house for one of our elder's birthday. Elder Johnson didn't want to eat this one specific food and asked me to eat it. I said no because I was soooo full. He said I will do something for you if you eat this... Ugh.... I told him he has to take me to the Brooklyn Bridge and that is what we are doing. Yay!!!

I love you!

 

Love ,

Sister Moore

 

P.S. I will send pictures later. I promise.

Dear Mom,

New York is starting to get cold. I can't wait for summer! Thank you for sending the boots to me and the blender. They both are working good!
 

On Thursday we didn't have any hot water in our apartment. I really needed to shower but didn't want a cold shower so I went back to the olden days- the pioneer days haha! If you ever get cold in the house or the heater is not working, here is what you can do:

All you need is: Pot, Bucket, Heater (can be stove or fire), measuring cup or any kind of cup.

1. Pour water into the pot and boil

2. After boiling put it in the bucket

3. If you feel the water is enough for you to clean yourself, take it to the bathtub 

4. Get the measuring cup and pour on yourself. Don't burn yourself. Wash your body and hair and you're all clean :)

Do you know what is sad? The hot water came back right after I finished my boil water theory. But hey, I am not that blonde :)

 

 On Friday, we had our interview with our mission president... That man..... I honestly love him. He has such a big heart and he gave me great advice. He knows my struggles.  He was explaining that I have the gift of charity and love. If I am in the room with him, the whole environment changes and he feels such great love. He looked into my eyes and said, "Never ever let anyone take advantage of you with your gift of love and charity." I was taken aback and it was like Wow!
 

I am not sure if I ever told you about Tina Chen and Ray Chen. They are the missionaries' grandparents. I absolutely love those two so much! Ray and Tina met on their mission. They liked each other but didn't want people to know but somehow they knew. On the mission for Tina's birthday, the elders wrapped Ray in wrapping paper with a  bow and showed up at Tina and her companion's apartment and knocked. Tina answered and the elders said, "Happy Birthday!" Awkward loving birthday on the mission! Ray is such an awesome guy, very strong and healthy! He is very intelligenct but not a doctor... He explained how eating more fruits and vegetables can cure anything. He said we don't need to eat protein from meat, we can eat protein from certain kinds of vegetables. He doesn't eat meat, or any kind of diary. He is a healthy strong guy.

 

On Friday, Elder Wutrich, Elder Johnson, Sister Wang, and I were on our way to street sweep. We saw a lady running with her cart (here, we call it chino-cart) toward me. Elder Johnson pushed me out of the way and I almost fell. Elder Johnson and the lady started to laugh. Then I realized who the lady was.... Tina! Here is our conversation:

 

Me: 为什么你要杀害我？(Why do you want to kill me?)

Tina:因为我很爱你 (Because I love you!)

Me: 好的。(Fine)

I almost died....
 

The next day Tina came with us to help out with our lesson with Sister L. On our way to the lesson, Tina was talking about whenever the elders have their bikes, she would hang them on a tree... Are you kidding me? She is awesome! Tina is shorter than me but really strong! Before I arrived to New York, Tina had arm wrestle competitions with everyone in the branch and beat them all. Now that I showed up, she and I did arm wrestles and I beat her. She wants to do the competition again so she can try and best me. Tina and Ray have such a strong testimony! I absolutely adore them and can't wait for you to meet them!
 

Earlier this week, I felt like I wasn't useful enough in the mission. I wasn't seeing any changes. I asked myself why I am here.

 

I am going to tell you about Sister L.  We meet with her every week, and every Sunday.  I was very lucky to be able to see the changes in her. Part of her testimony comes from meeting me. Everyone she sees.... She tells about her testimony. She said she was very grateful to have known me. She explained that I was passing out flyers and she grabbed my flyer. If I had not been there she wouldn't have grabbed anyone's flyer. She then has the desire to come to church and learned the gospel. She read her BOM and straightforward told her testimony. It was amazing. She had a baptismal date for February 15. Now she has a baptismal date for January 25. She is so ready!!

 

On Sunday, Nicole Wu taught Relief Society about God's greatest commandment is to love the lord. Sister Wang commented on it, "Sister Moore is deaf and the Lord could have called her to ASL mission but he sent her here because He knew she can love the people here and she can speak Chinese because she loves God." Nicole then bore her testimony of how much she loves me and how I helped her, she was getting teary eyes that made me want to cry. I felt at that moment I was needed there. 

 

Another couple is doing alright.  We teach them every week but they haven't been able to come to church.  They struggle financially.  Pray for them that they can love each other and realize how the gospel can help them.

 

We are also teaching a husband and wife. The elders gave the wife to us and we taught her. She has such a pure heart. We invited her to baptism and she was willing but wanted her husband to join the discussion and accept baptism first so they can do it together. Please pray for her husband.

 

J is one of our English class students, she is a great lady. Something had happened that made her want to learn the gospel. She has lost 3 older brothers and I am not sure what happened. Please pray that she would soften her heart and have the desire to learn and feel the spirit.

 

We met S and J yesterday at church. S is a mom, J is a son. They walked in the church and we taught them. They have such a huge desire to learn, they kept asking, "What's next? What's next?". I felt like at that moment teaching the lesson that I was possessed by the spirit. I was able to speak Chinese. Please pray for her so she can continue to meet with us. When I saw her I saw her as a member present in future lessons. I had a great feeling she will join the church eventually.

 

On Saturday, at the church I saw two ASL sister missionaries. I love those two sisters so I asked what they were doing in Flushing. They told me that they were doing look ups in Flushing for there is a lot of deaf people here in Flushing. They showed me a list and there was a lot. Those two sisters really wanted me in their ASL program. They have an interview with president this week and gonna beg him for me to join haha. The ASL missionaries cover the whole area of New York South and Manhattan. They have about 6 elders and 4 sisters in the ASL program. They are begging for more. Same with the Chinese program.
 

What I learned this past week:

I learned that I should be eating more like a princess by eating one rice at a time and cover my mouth with my hand when chewing and eat very slowly. I like it this way, I get full easier and am more beautiful.

 

I am learning how to write Chinese characters. My goal is to know 100 characters this year. Turns out that I am more comfortable writing  right handed than left when it comes to Chinese characters and it's more beautiful! Cool huh?
 

I have been sick everyday for the past 3 weeks with headache and dizziness. I am getting a little worried about it. I am trying to push myself through the day and take medicine. I also started to drink more water. So pray for me that I will feel better so I can work harder in the Lord's work.
 

This past week I learned a lot from the New Testament. I think I am in love with one of the disciples named Stephen. He has such a big heart and is full of faith. Through his faith his love for others increased tremendously. He was not ashamed of sharing the gospel. He knew he was going to die eventually by sharing the gospel. He last word was, "Lord, lay not this sin to their charge." (Acts 7) He loved the people and he loved the Lord. I love how the scripture said, "Stephen was a man full of faith" I wish others and the Lord could say, "Sister Moore was a woman full of faith." Throughout this whole week I learned so much about faith and tried to apply it to my life and I have noticed that my hearing improved and my speaking the language improved. I know this is the true gospel!

 

I love you mom and thanks for everything!!!

 

Love, 

Sister Moore

Dear Mama,

I wanted to tell you what I learned this past week. It was a very rewarding week. I do not handle change well, I don't know if you knew that. But we need change once in a while in our life. I heard a song on my iPad by Cherie Call that helped me to realize why we need specific things in our life. My favorite part of the lyrics (the song was called No) was... "God has the power to protect him and never let him grow but he said.... No" I learned that He wanted me to grow and learn from different experiences.

 

President Calderwood said, "The Lord has called you and Sister Wang to be companions." I have no doubt that this is true. There are many good and positive things with Sister Wang.  I love how I can easily make her laugh. I love how she loves to learn new things. The Lord created each of us different with different talents. We are just like the crayon box. We all have different colors within us and together we make a beautiful rainbow.... Or a beautiful masterpiece of  art. That's how Heavenly Father created us!

 

So we were at our recent convert's place on Tuesday. She is a very strong member of the ward. I found out that her husband lives in Singapore and goes to church there. I told the lady that I had a few friends who were serving there. She got her phone out and turns out that Sister Strong from the MTC is serving in her husband's branch. Sister Strong and I ended up talking to each other through this recent convert. Sister Strong is doing really good. Sister Strong wrote me a really really nice email.

 

Living a great life is honestly our choice.... It depends on how we handle it. Life is too short to handle it seriously or negatively. I am trying to make it the best mission I can everyday. I made extra effort this past week and saw the blessings that come from it. I also noticed that satan was working hard on me through different people and events but that didn't stop me from working hard. I also strived to be more obedient and more blessings came in. So I strived to work harder and be more obedient!

 

I really do enjoy my mission. The story you told about the starfish is the best story ever! I first heard about it at Orem YSA from my bishop. Sister Julia Price and I were in that same ward. The bishop gave us a starfish pin to help us remember the story and our purpose. Sister Price wore hers every single day at the MTC. I think she wore it in St. George too.

 

I love the New Testament! I am learning a lot of new things about our Savior. It does really help when you have the desire to have true conversion. I noticed that I am slowly changing for the better when I keep my eyes forward to God. The Savior is truly amazing and He loves every single one of us. 

 

The work here is really slow but I am definitely learning patience through it all. I know I am learning a lot here. Our church schedule changed. So church now starts at 9. Our ward suffered a lot. 1: the Chinese people don't like to get up early 2: they all live too far and don't have a car. It would make them get up even earlier....

 

We as missionaries are working together to support and uplift each other through our obedience and faith. I know blessings will come.

 

I am grateful to be here in this mission. I have learned a lot that I needed to learn and more to come. You're right.... If I wasn't deaf  I probably wouldn't be the same person as I am right now. I wouldn't change anything if I had to start my life over. I have learned how to rely on the Savior and His atonement more than anything! I know He lives and loves all of us!!!

 

I love you mom and I am proud of you!!! Keep working hard. Heavenly Father is proud of you and He knows your heart and your desire. He will give you the blessings you need. You are His Beautiful daughter and he wants you to be happy!! I love how you give service to everyone around you! You're just amazing!

 

Love 

Your daughter,

Sister Moore