Sweet Ellie from South Shore

Hey Mama,

Ready to hear about my week?

Last P-Day we decided that we didn't want to sit around or do things we wanted to do. We wanted to serve. So we looked for service opportunities in our ward and decided to hang out with the members. The Weidlers invited us over to help with Grandma Lugo's backyard and we moved the log to the curb. Then Grandma Lugo treated us to IHOP and it was so good to have IHOP again. Then we went over to Shyla Bradshaw's house and helped with yardwork and it was fun hanging out with the kids. I love doing service with all my heart. It makes me happy, it increases my love for others especially when we do it out of unselfishness. Today we also hung out with members. We went over to Shyla's to help around the house and we are going back tonight for FHE. We also went bowling with the Dybers and it was so much fun! Members are super awesome here. I love them soooo much!

The Dybers

M has been an investigator for a year but won't commit to a date. She knows that the gospel is true but it just didn't click in her head. We taught her on Wednesday.... She told us that she really wanted to go to the Celestial Kingdom. We told her that baptism is one of the first step to go to the celestial kingdom. We could tell that she is truly changing and will be committing her to a date this week. Pray for her as we teach her about the gospel. It's gonna be hard because she is going back to school as a teacher this week. 

J and M had their baptismal interview on Thursday. One thing I have noticed is that Satan is working super hard with M this week. Satan knows that she is going to make the first covenant with God.  A and J helped M remember her purpose and kept her safe from the situation. M felt incredible. Thursday M and J had their interview with President Reynolds. It was an incredible moment because they both passed and they danced and they were filled with joy. President Reynolds smiled so big. Sister Reynolds said, "This is the sweetest thing I have ever seen." We were helping them prepare and more temptations came along but M stayed strong and firm. Last time we met with her, she went to the hospital and told us something was wrong with her ears, that she cannot go under water for a week. But she knows that the Lord will take care of her ears. J went with her father for the weekend and he found out that she was getting baptized.... She said that he might come and try to ruin the baptism. Let's pray that he doesn't. Hopefully everything works out. They deserve to be baptized. They know the truth. I love them and I know they are ready.

People are just so awesome. My leg was torn up by scratches and terrible bug bites. I may have a little bit of a reaction to the bug bites but it leaves behind scars and people pity my leg. I love the members, they would do anything to help take care of my leg. They brought me lotion, medicine, and my leg is just healing up quickly by taking care of it. They texted me and asked me if I have been using the medicine and stuff. I just love them.

I had two embarrassing stories happen to me this week:

Story 1

I got called to be a trainer again and president wanted me to go to the meeting the next day. So we exchanged companions and all got into one car. So there is Elder Pena who is driving, Elder Clair, Sister Ostraff, Sister Layton, and Me. Sister Larsen and I didn't get breakfast earlier so we got a smoothie. The drive to the city is about an hour away. All the sudden I had to pee. I have been holding it in for twenty minutes. I freaked out and told Elder Pena to get off the highway to find a bathroom.... He wanted to but then Sister Ostraff and Layton was like.... No she can do it. Then they started saying waterfall, and drip, drop and tried to torture me.... I felt like I was going into labor. They all were laughing at me. So we finally got to the office and we jumped out and ran and all the doors were locked....'ugh.'so we went to the house next door where the sister missionaries live. As we walked over there all the sudden I tripped and fell and injured my knee. It's pretty messed up. That's what you get for wanting to pee SOOO bad. I had a hard time walking but now I am good and alive :)

Story 2

The elders have been working with this Less Active named J. He came to church and I was being nice introducing myself to him. We taught Gospel Principles yesterday and J was there. Afterward J said "When you were teaching the class, I felt something special for you.  I like you... A lot." Sister Moore: "Thank you, Sister Larsen and I appreciate that!"  J:  "No..not her..I like YOU ...A LOT...come on baby..I have come a long way."  Sister Moore: "That's great....you are becoming what Heavenly Father wants you to become by coming to church." J:  "You have the cutest smile and I just like you....A LOT!" Sister Moore:  "Ummmm thanks." He wanted to shake my hand and he just pretty much held on to it. Elder Watson came up and saved me and I walked away from the situation. A solid member came up to me and said, "I have a secret for you..... You can't tell anyone.... I like you too." Great.... 

We had a BBQ yesterday with a member. Four of our investigators came and one of our Recent Converts, Linda was there as well. Linda is getting a surgery so she asked for a priesthood blessing. She was an incredible example because it led to two of our investigators getting a blessing and two members getting a blessing. The spirit was powerful. Priesthood power is so phenomenal to me. It changes lives, it helps us with everything we are facing, it proves that Heavenly Father loves us, it help us open our eyes to a new world, it helps us receive strength and answers through all things, and etc. I am forever grateful for those who hold that priesthood.

Linda and me

Literally President Reynolds and I are best friends. He called and told me that I am still gonna be a trainer and I leave in 5 weeks. The Lord is truly testing my patience. I am super excited to train. It's funny because I'm going to die as a trainer. It's a dream come true. I am super excited for this great opportunity. Another transfer, a new start.

Keep praying for us. Miracles are still happening. God has shown us soooo many tender mercies and we are just filled with joy and gratitude. I love you mom! You're my best friend!

Sister Moore

                                                      Hiking last p-day



Whew.... What a crazy week.



I found out that I got assigned to serve in Dyker Heights in Brooklyn on Monday, and then on Wednesday I got a text from President Reynolds to call him soon as I can. I was with Sister Beecher on an exchange. I called him. President answered and asked how I was doing. He also asked how much I love the area Terryville. I told him that I loved it. He then explained that the Lord had changed His plan. My trainee had been delayed. He said that he didn't know if she was coming or she is not so therefore he asked me to stay another transfer in Terryville or until if she decided she is coming mid-transfer. When people found out I was staying, they were filled with joy because we all had a connection with each other. I love this ward. In fact, we are going to hang out with members today and have fun. I just love them.

Yes, Sister Larson is still my companion. This week is the last week of the transfer and she has a feeling she is leaving because she has been in this area for 4 transfers. So we will see.  We both want her to stay.  I learn so much here. I feel that I am changing a lot here in Terryville. I feel so much closer to Heavenly Father and am relying on Him for everything. I will always be forever grateful to be here.






















It was hard for me. Being in the English program has been hard for me.  I would be out of the Chinese program for 4 transfers but I understood that this was the Lord's plan for me and her. I have seen many answers as to  why I am needed here for a little bit longer. Three of my investigators will be getting baptized in September. They wanted me here for their baptism so bad that they did admit to me that they prayed for me to stay haha. M and J should be interviewed by President Reynolds this week and if they pass, they will be baptized on September 6. A already passed her interview so she will be baptized on September 13. I am so proud of them. They have come sooooo far. It's incredible!

Another answer that I have received was that someone texted the Flushing sisters to see if I was around. They passed that person to the South Shore sisters and asked for me. The South Shore sister passed her number to me. I texted this person. I came to find out that she was an investigator that Sister Johnson and I had once taught. It was a year ago. It's crazy because I haven't seen her or talked to her for almost a year. She worked this hard to find me and it was cool to see that. She explained that she had moved to Long Island. I think God had prepared her mind to receive the gospel and that's why she was looking for me. We are going to try and Skype with her and teach her. I am just amazed with this miracle.

Also, the elders and us decided to open pool with each other of the Chinese people and try to get a head start on how to open a pool of Chinese people. It would be a long shot but it's preparation for the future.  So I know I am needed here for few more weeks :)







I had two cool experiences at the temple. I went for my one year mark this week because the temple was closed in July. Guess who got to drive in the city?!? Me! It was so much fun. I feel comfortable driving here haha. I went with Sister Beecher and Sister Anderson to the temple. I really needed that experiences because I was asking Heavenly Father why I was needed in the English program. Why I was asked to stay a little longer. I felt a feeling that everything will be okay and that I am going on the path that He wanted me on. That's when I started receiving answers why I needed to stay.  If any of you have doubts, fears, questions, in need of inspiration or happiness, the temple is the place to go.





































That second time we went to the temple we were taking Cara to do baptisms for the dead before she heads back to China. We woke up at 5 am and left. Exhausting I know.... Cara loved it. She felt the spirit soooo strong. She is such an incredible example. We decided to check out the church in the temple and seriously it's the coolest. There was one hallway with a bunch of pictures so Cara and I were looking at the pictures in the church. Sister Cutting said we had to go. I turned my body and I saw a girl I once knew. But I wouldn't believe it because she lives in Utah but she walked closer to me and it was her and we both embraced each other in hugs and just cried. Oh how much I love her. I have missed her so much. Brother Cutting was like, "This is the coolest thing ever! So emotional." We went out to eat lunch and Cara, Sister Julia Price, her friend, and I just spoke Chinese with each other and man, it's crazy! When I was in college, I became friends with a girl from class. This girl found out that I got called to NYNY South mission Chinese speaking. She introduced me to her roommate, Julia that was called to Taiwan for her mission. She lived above me in the same apartment. We talked a few times and then we went to the MTC.  We had the best of times there. I remember we both struggled with our Chinese at that moment because we were starting haha. We both left for our missions. In January, Julia was in a bike accident and broke her leg.  She was sent home and had surgery and physical therapy to walk again. She was visiting her friend in New York who she served with in Taiwan. She had a feeling to go to the temple and there she found me. It was so amazing. We just talked to each other in Chinese 85% of the time. I needed Julia at that time to help me recognize the Lord's tender mercies.



What I just wrote above are incredible moments that I received this week and there are more written in my journal.  It's incredible that once we share our experiences with others, or bear our testimony, that's when we are teaching ourselves and recognizing the Lord's blessings. Sister Beecher and I were on exchange and we both were teaching one of our investigators, ML in Terryville. ML knows it's true but has a lot of questions. But what hit her the most was, why is God not answering any of her questions. Why is she not feeling anything special. Sister Beecher, a member Susan, and I bore our testimony one how we can receive those experiences. All the sudden, ML started sharing her testimony without knowing she was sharing her testimony. The more she talked about her experience with her life, the more she recognized that she has been receiving answers all along. She was surprised because God did answer her prayers. She now has more desire to pray and read the BOM to know if this whole thing is really true. Share your testimony with others, that's when you will be closer with Heavenly Father! That's when we will recognize God's Miracles and Blessings. That's when we learn something new. That's when we receive answers.



I love you all with my heart! Thank you for helping me become the person I am today!



Sister Moore

Heart attacking AM

This week has been so incredible! The Lord is showing so many miracles and we have been blessed in so many ways. Sister Larsen and I are just in awe with everything that has been going on. We also have been doing service every single day.

Tuesday was pouring rain and we went to help one of our investigators paint her kitchen and it was so fun. She is amazing and she is K's (from South Shore ward) sister in law. We have been teaching her and we just talked this whole time about the gospel and we know she will be a member one day. She knows a lot about the gospel but just needs to act on it.

There is a goody exchange that happened on Saturday in Plainview. Plainview is about an hour away from our home and lots of miles. People were going to help set it up . Sister Larsen and I weren't sure if we should go because we we felt like a lot of people would be there helping out. We felt prompted to go so we went with a member and only a few people showed up. We were grateful we went because we built the member's trust more and had a connection with the people we were working with. We were there for about 3 hours setting it up.

Wednesday, we helped J with her basement and we made concrete and then poured it down on the floor. It was such a great opportunity to learn new things.

Putting concrete down

Thursday, we helped paint the W's house and I absolutely love the family. I got along with her daughter, C and we are pretty much best friends! She is the cutest little girl ever!

Painting!

Later that night we got to go help in Grandma L's backyard. Remember that there was big storm last week? Well there was a big tree in her backyard that snapped in half and fell on to the electricital wire and pulled the electricity out of her house. So we all worked together to cut trees and drag them to the curb. A few people came together to help out. It was an amazing opportunity because we met a less active, D and her sister, I there. D went less active and doesn't want missionaries visiting and teaching her about the gospel. But that day we were able to gain her trust and she looked at us and said, "You can stop by anytime you want!" We are meeting her on Tuesday. Her sister is not a member. She lived in Utah for awhile and knows a little bit about the church. She likes to follow in her sister's footsteps. She is super awesome! So we will see what happens with her.

Later that night, we went and visited with A. A invited a friend, C, to learn about the gospel and it was a super powerful lesson. Sister Larsen and I felt like A was a member at that time. She testified strongly about the BOM and the spirit filled the whole room. You could see in C's eyes that she was feeling the spirit. Two days later, C admitted to A that the spirit was powerful in her home. Wanna know what makes A more awesome?!? C was A's ex-husband's girlfriend and things were crazy. A later realized that C needed a friend and needed the gospel and A wanted to help her take that step and it was cool that she didn't let anything stop her from sharing the gospel with everyone.

Friday, we got invited to red lobster with Grandma L. Afterwards we went to her home and we got to sing to Grandma L a bunch of hymns and primary children songs. The spirit was soooo strong and Grandma L cried. Grandma L is sick with pancreatic cancer. She overcame it once but it came back stronger than it ever was. She lives her life, and loves everyone. She brings bags of treats to church every Sunday where the kids could grab some and take them home. She has the biggest smile on her face and you can't even tell she has cancer. I love her and she is such a powerful influence in my life.  

On Saturday,  we helped M, J, and A with crafts. One day, we had a lesson and I pulled out my Chinese BOM and it has a book cover that I made with duct tape to protect my BOM. They freaked out and wanted to learn how to make one. We taught them and made it with them. It was so much fun.

THE BIGGEST MIRACLES were that there was a goody exchange going on Saturday night in Plainview and we were invited by a member to go but Sister Larsen and I just didn't feel like we are needed there. We talked about it and decided to pray about it. We prayed about it three times. We got this strong feeling every time that we were needed to be there and so we went. We went with a member, Sister W and told her that we felt like we're needed there and we didn't know why. I had such an incredible time being with members from different wards including South Shore people. Sister C came up to me saying there were deaf people there. The South Shore sisters' investigators, P and J were there with three of their deaf friends and F was there as well. There was a presentation and I got to interpret and the spirit was so powerful and I understood everything and interpreted it. P and J and the deaf people felt the spirit and asked for the vp number so they could call us. I met a couple, R and T, who live in Queens. The other lady, V is super awesome. P and J were super awesome telling them about the church. #miracles! After the exchange, Sister W's jaw just literally  dropped and said, "Now we know why you were there." That added to my testimony of how the Holy Ghost can guide us to places even when we don't understand why.

Another awesome thing about the people in Long Island is they love to serve people they have never met. So I was hoping to find a few outfits for A's little baby that will be due in December. People were wondering why I was chilling around the baby clothing at the exchange. I told them about A. They joined me and Sister Larsen for the outfit hunt. We had a garbage bag full of baby clothes and we gave them to A. I am amazed because the people there wanted to help A and they don't even know her. When A found out, she felt so much love. My heart was touched by these people's example.

One thing I was pondering on my mind this past week. There are some Chinese people here on Long Island and many are hidden. About 6 Chinese people came to church yesterday. Some were members visiting, 2 are investigators, and 1 is a recent convert and she brought her Chinese friend, it was incredible to speak Chinese with them again. Some of them speak really good English. I was able to understand their Chinese and speak it with them, it was awesome. I have such a strong feeling that there should be Chinese speaking missionaries here on Long Island in the near future to help set up a Chinese branch one day. Our ward mission leader has the same feeling too. We are going with a Chinese recent convert, C to the temple for her first time on Saturday. It's going to be amazing! I love C and she has such a strong feeling that she will be making a big change when she goes back to China. I spoke with President Reynolds about this. Let's see what he and The Lord said.

We got three people with a baptism date this week. M, J, and A. M and J will be getting baptized in like two weeks. A will be getting baptized in three weeks. They have such strong faith and a desire to learn and improve each day. I am excited for the new covenant they are going to make with Heavenly Father. I have developed such great love for them. Please pray for A, she is receiving a lot of stumbling blocks because of her desire to do righteous things. Her husband, who use to be supportive of her going to church, now is not supportive and that has been really hard. Her faith is super strong and unbelievable. 

Members are amazing and I love them. I love talking with them and strengthening their faith. They take such good care of us and you can really tell they truly love you and want to help out with everything and that is one successful way that really helps hasten the Lord's work. Sister Larsen said that in her whole time serving in Terryville the past 5 months, she have never seen the members love and trust us this much. Well, one way is to serve and love them and they will take such great care of us.

This week is going to be super busy! We have exchanges and since the temple is closed in July, I will be going to the temple for my one year mark with Sister Beecher, then we have sister conference, and then we are going to the temple again with a Chinese recent convert from Terryville on Saturday and then I leave to train. I am super stroked!

I don't know how much time I would have writing you next Monday because that's when my trainee flies in. 7 more days left!!!!

Love you!

Sister Moore

I got stuck in this dress!  Sister Larsen had to help me pull it off...haha!

 

McKenzie and Me

                            

Heyo!!

Ok, last Tuesday was crazy. Sister Larsen and I woke up to a really bad storm around 4:30 am. Sister Larsen heard it and I woke up to the lightning flashing from the window. It was nothing like we have ever seen before! It was like as if a tornado passed through. Sister Larsen and I kept on thinking the 2nd coming was coming but the earth wasn't shaking yet, haha. But cool thing was, we were calm through it all and we were able to sleep peacefully through the storm. The next day, we came to find out hail came through the size baseballs. Wind was blowing 90 mph. More than 1,580 lightnings struck within 20 minutes so that was like 50 lighting strikes within one minute. Roads were closed, traffic lights stopped working, trees are all over the place. It was intense. 

So remember how we taught a Chinese guy last week? He came to church yesterday and loves it! Well the Elders decided to take him away from us and teach him. My heart is saddened because I was so excited to teach him and I know he will retain more if we teach him the gospel in Chinese. There were 6 other Chinese people living in his house and some hardly speak English. So I wish the elders good luck. We got a referral of a Chinese family and again, the elders took that one from us as well. I guess God is testing my patience to see how I would respond to the situation. I hope they will understand what the Elders are teaching them through the spirit.

On Saturday, we got a phone call from M saying that she want to change her baptism date to one week earlier. We decided to visit M, J, and A.  M is the mom, J is M's daughter, and A is J's friend. When we first arrived everyone was going crazy and Sister Larsen and I were sitting on the couch laughing our heads off not knowing how to calm everyone down. At one point M is screaming from the kitchen saying a bad word and sweet eleven year old A screamed, "Language M!" They settled down into their seats and look at us. A has a BOM in her lap waiting for the lesson to be taught. Once everyone calmed down, A excitingly asked if she could say the opening and closing prayer, I chuckled and responded yes. We decided to review the baptismal questions with each one of them. This was A's third lesson with us so we had to explain the 1st lesson clearly. She was amazed when she heard about Joseph Smith and the first vision. She also asked how she can know if the BOM is true and we explained. She then looked at us and asked if she could get baptized. She knows that the gospel is true and whatever we assign her to read, she reads it and loves it. She also explained that she knew a little bit about baptism before and asked her mom permission to be baptized in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Her mother said yes.

A little info about A. She opened up a lot about her life. She had a hard life. Her parent are divorced. Her father just passed away last year. She is staying with M and J for a short time because life is hard at home. She loves her mom and misses her. A stays with her mom and at her grandma's house along with few extended family members and things are crazy over there. She is 11 years old but acts as if she is 17. 

I just want to take A under my arm and show her how much I love her. My heart feels so good when I am around her. She is so special to me and I hope she doesn't go astray when she gets older. I literally feel like I am her older sister whenever we are together. We talk and laugh together all the time and she gives me the best hugs in the world. That would be my last time seeing her before she moves back to Bayshore to be with her mom again. I hope the missionaries there will be teaching her. I know if she has the gospel in her life, she will do many great things! I will definitely keep in touch with that amazing girl who has helped me learn how to become more humble each time I meet with her.

It is crazy to see how the Lord works. We have had so many lookups yesterday but they were either not home or moved out. We arrived to the last house on our lookup list and the people there moved out. Discouraged, we walked back to the car. Out of nowhere, we heard someone yell, "Hey! You Mormons?" We saw two guys sitting in their car drinking and smoking. We walked over to them. Their names are C and K. They have been best friends since 3rd grade. We pretty much talked with them for an hour. If you want to teach a lesson to a drunk guy, it's fun. They say some crazy stuff. K was more christian and C is more of a free thinker and said a lot of anti-mormon stuff. Every question they asked we answered. They were surprised. K loved how we are so happy and he wanted to get that. We started to testify and K was really interested. C was in the background swearing while we were teaching K. It was cool because everything that C was saying was tuning out to a point where we couldn't really hear him. K downloaded gospel library and connected it to his car so he can listen to the BOM. K is pure in heart and hopefully we will be able cross his path one day again.

At church yesterday, I was sitting next to our investigator, M. During the sacrament, I pulled out my physical Book of Mormon and started reading it. She looked at me reading it and then decided to get a BOM from the church bench and read it. You never know who is watching. Be an example that someone can look to and follow.

I love talking with the members. Sometimes we look at them and you see them doing good but sometimes we don't know their real stories. I talked with a lot of members yesterday and came to find out that a lot of them are struggling but were grateful that I went up to them and talked with them. Church should be a place of safety and love. It should be a place where everyone comes together and becomes a big family, supporting one another. That experience really taught me a lot about how everyone is truly children of God. It makes a difference when we take the time to listen and to love them rather than focusing on ourselves.  #turnoutward

We worked so hard we came home and crashed on the floor!

I have never been more obedient as a missionary than at this time. I learned so much from Sister Larsen this past week. Everyday, I have been getting up on time, exercisng, keeping my body healthy, doing all studies including my language study, work when needed to work, plan when needed to plan, and etc.  I recognize I am more happy and more receptive to the spirit when following the missionary rules and commandments. I love the feeling of working hard and being obedient during the day and going to bed happy, and being tired from working hard. I love going to bed being filled with the spirit. It's incredible to be in that process of changing my life to match with the Lord's will. 

My view while doing language study.

 I love you and I am grateful to have you in my life.

Love,

Sister Moore

Saying Goodbye To South Shore!

Having fun at the Deaf BBQ!

  

The Sisters of South Shore

The South Shore District