Heavenly Father Will Never Leave Us

i am so happy the kids are at home and love it there... I bet you are so tired!!

this week was a good one for work we have 3 new investigators that show real promise, they are looking for a church to join one that brings peace and comfort into there lives... another thing we had a investigator in church with us!! the second week in a row. they are all progressing well and are excited for the baptism date we gave them. its exciting to be teaching, i really enjoy it!!!

This week for me was a bit hard to speak my português, i could understand and everything but i just couldn't speak, everyone we talked with laughed at my português or called it cute (i don't know if thats a good thing) but i am working and studying everyday to get better... i know its all in the Lords timing.

This week i have been reading in Alma 5-26 and i love it because its all about missionary work and showing forth the power that the Lord has to help his sons and daughters whether they are righteous or the most wicked people there... as a missionary its good to know that even the most wicked (or most difficult) investigators that in our Saviors timing they will accept the gospel. i know that its hard for a lot of people to accept that everything happened in the Lords time and how he wants, it difficult for me but i know that if we just trust him we will never go astray... i pray everyday for my português to be better than the day before, i pray to know exactly what to say and do to help my investigators and my companion.. there is one thing i learned is to ALWAYS turn to our Father in Heaven because he will never leave us.

i am grateful for this opportunity to serve my mission here in Brazil, i am grateful for the chance to learn português no matter how hard it is for me.. i know this is exactly where i need to be!!!

Com todo meu coração

eu te amo <3

My Friend Went Home

Transfers again!!!!

i am staying in Matão with Sister Diniz <3 Sad news about transfers is that Sister Poulsen is gone :( She is returning home, mission completed for her. it's sad but i am excited for her! it was sad when we dropped her of at the bus station Saturday, we said goodbye and she got on the bus but the bus didn't leave, she called us to the window and said it's awkward with us there still. i know she didn't want to cry in front of us!!!

 

 

i am so happy for you guys and i love the picture with the kids, i can't wait to meet them at Christmas!!! its so exciting and i couldn't be more happy for our family!!

 

this week was a slow but good week we gave 2 dates for baptism and they both are progressing very well, and excited for conference!! a miracle - we had 2 PEOPLE IN CHURCH with us.. in 6 weeks here in Matão these are the first to come to church!! it's finally starting to get better the work here, slow but it's coming!! 

 

Conference was great. i like listening in portugues in this moment in my mission because i know everything. i actually understood was what i needed to hear! it was great i was able to watch 5 session (including womens) i can't wait to receive the Liahona for conference to be able to read the talks!!!

 

this week its has been raining for 4 days straight i love it!! but it is becoming summer here and they say it gets way hot here i am not ready for that!

 

i love you all tons have a great week

Sister Moss

 

Sooooccccccerrrr Fieeeeldsssss. Wahhhhhhh! Boooo Hoooooo :-(

 

I pray that I will forget English until I need it!

I am so excited to hear all the good things happening at home it makes it easier to be away!  i am so excited for you guys to meet the kiddos this week, i love the picture you guys sent, i look at it often and im still in shock but i am so happy.. i pray everyday for you all, to feel my love and support from brazil!

its getting a lot easier here, the work is still hard but the language is much easier, i pray that i will forget English until i need it.... i think its finally happened where i can understand and speak, I'm not perfect and i have a lot more to learn but it's finally not my major worry!!

things are going well, i am excited for transfers this week, and to see what will happen. but i am so sad too, Sister Poulsen finishes her mission this week, and the other two sisters in my house start their count down of 12 weeks!! let's just say the people in my house a little trunky (excited to go home)!! but it's all good, they all help me a lot with my Portugues and its wonderful.. 

this week i studied in Mosiah 20 - Alma 1 but i loved Mosiah chapters 23 and 24. mostly in Mosiah. it's about how the Lord will lighten our burdens when we are struggling, he will always be there to help us no matter what, sometimes we don't acknowledge him there but he is and will always be there..

eu sou muito grato por este oportunidade para servir minha missão, eu sei que, nosso pai celestial vai sempre ajudar nos em qualquer coisa no queremos para fazer. eu sei que nenhuma momento passar eu não sinto seus amor pra mim! muito obrigada por todos quem apoio mim aqui em Brazil, eu quero vocês para saber eu orei cada dia por vocês todos. eu amo Brazil, eu amo português e este oportunidade pra aprender<3

Sister Moss

Ether 12:27

This week has been different I'm having a hard time learning the area because it's so much bigger than El Dorado, but it's good...

this week i have been studying in the Book of Mormon too, as a mission we started again this past transfer and we need to read up to Alma 14 before this transfer is over. i am in Mosiah 7 but i read a scripture this week and it stood out for me more than normal, the scripture was Ether 12:27 but the first part stood out "and if men come unto me i will show them their weakness" this week I've seen EVERY weakness that i have - either i realized one or someone pointed it out. i have a lot of work to do to become the person the Lord needs me to be and i know everyday i try my very best to learn and grow more... 

<Mom note: In his letter to Sister Moss, her dad made it clear that she was missing one really important part of that scripture (it's always easier for us to see the "negative" first, isn't it?) Here is his response to her: 

...and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them. Ether 12:27 

Highlights from his first paragraph... I have never had to worry about you... incredible person... biggest heart... care about people - and about what the Lord thinks and wants... The Lord has blessed you with so many strengths... natural leader... every coach that watched you play told me so; they said they wished that everyone on the team had your heart, your kindness, your willingness to listen and to learn.

Here's his complete second paragraph: Sis, listen to me now - they Lord is ready to show forth his power in you, today is the day that you start believing that Jesus Christ can make more out of you than you can ever make of yourself. All you need to do is get out of the way and watch the miracles happen. Everyday I notice my weaknesses as a husband, father, brother, son, friend and bishop. But then every single moment I notice that Jesus Christ is taking over, giving me EVERYTHING I need to the person he needs me to be. That is not the perfect person, just an instrument in His hands that day to accomplish what He needs.

It is time to stop worrying about what you cannot do and see what Christ can do with you. 

End of Dad's response.>

The language is becoming easier but I still struggle everyday, as well. everyone says 6 months is where it makes sense and you should be good, so i am hoping within the next 3 weeks i will finally get it!! i have faith!

we have only 2 investigators they are progressing very well, only thing they need to do is come to church, it's so frustrating when they don't come because we will have to cut them soon, and i don't want to do that because then they wont care to keep learning and growing. i am loving the mission and the sisters i live with help me so much! my companion tries really really hard to stop me from speaking any kind of English!! i don't speak it a whole lot, just when i forget a word or out of habit to say an English word... hahahah

i love you all so so much and i hope you all know that i miss you and pray for you all everyday <3

com todo meu coração eu amo tu <3

Sister Moss

Sister Moss did not send pictures this week, so here's our family's message to all of you...

Sister Moss has received this same message!

I gave my first talk in Portuguese (in Sacrament)

This week was good and rough at the same time. We have had lots of rain and that makes it easier to get into the homes of people! haha! We have 3 investigators really progressing and have 3 baptism dates for this upcoming week.

We had meetings with Presidente Scholz this week and though it went well, we talked about the first 12 weeks how I'm feeling, if I see progress and the progress he sees. It was good. I got a blessing this past week as well because I am becoming more and more impatient with myself, in the language. it seems to be getting hard to understand. We did a quick splits again this week and I was with Sister Poulsen again, haha it was fun, and it gave me a heart attack at the same time. This time we stayed in my area and I was in charge of planning the day and who we would see and what we would teach and I about died!! It ended up being a good day but still scary. We got lost quite a bit... these roads are all the same and in circles. 

Oh I did the most terrifying thing in my whole life yesterday...Can you guess what it was?

That's right I gave a talk in sacrament meeting in Portuguese!!!! Definitely a good experience though. I think it went well and it was a easy topic - How can missionary work change your life?

Well that's simple and I'm so grateful for missionary work, I told this story about the most amazing woman and how missionary work changed her life. I love you mommy and I'm glad missionary work can change our lives.

I love you all and I'm am so grateful for my call to serve the Lord.

Sister Moss

Baptism!

Hello!

 

This week was difficult for me in the language but I got through it and was able to see my family this week, which gave me more motivation to be better. the family looks great, and I was able to Skype Kenzie too!!

For work this week we had our first baptism which was exciting, weird thing we (4 missionaries) sang at the baptism, it was different, but so cool. the baptism was different than at home., everyone was in street clothes and it was more of a party setting, balloons, and cake - different but cool. haha 

as for other investigators we are teaching 4 brothers and they are French and don't speak a lot of Portuguese which is funny because we kind of do a half French lesson and half Portuguese lesson. We had a couple with so much potential and we might have lost them due to a disagreement on something, we will have to see they left town for a little while. 

 

This week we had splits which was nerve wracking because I can barely understand my companion so how am I supposed to go with a sister I don't know and be able to talk, and help her in any way? well the answer is simple, I was put with sister Poulsen who is American!! She is the STL (Sister Training Leader) and she felt like she needed to be with me this week to talk to me about how I am truly doing, IN ENGLISH... it was much needed, and she gave me some great advice, and really helped me, I am so grateful for her. She also was able to explain more of the language that I was struggling with in English which helped a lot too. 

I am so grateful the Lord knows me and what I need exactly when I need it, he definitely is a huge part of my life. so happy to be serving our Savior 

I love you all so much, and Happy Mothers Day <3  

Love,

Sister Moss

Week One in the Mission Field!

My area is so big and we do so much walking, I'm going to have good calves after my mission :D hahah but for real, we do have a lot of work, like 41 investigators and 11 baptism dates. My companion is great we get along great too, she is so patient with me in not being able to understand a whole lot.

Yesterday was probably the hardest day for me because I wanted, so badly, to know what they were saying in sacrament and I couldn't, so I just sat there and cried!

I live with 2 other sisters - one from Idaho and one from around Natal area. I can't remember the name. We are in the house till round 12 then have lunch with membros, and then go back to the house for a few more hours of studying. We tend to leave at 4 and don't come back until 9 at night. So it's much different than I thought! 

This week has been good one being the first in the field. It definitely hasn't been easy adjusting to being in the field. I didn't know what to expect but this wasn't it! hahah it's great, I had a really hard day yesterday, being my first Domingo in all Portuguese, in sacramento I just sat there and cried. I think my companion <Sister Hernandez> is awesome and I love her, she is so patient with me in the language and in all things, she has been a great help too me. The other sisters are great too, we all get along, though most of the time I don't know what they are saying but I try.

It's been great meeting our pesquisadores, there are so many I'm still learning names! The most of them seem to be doing good, but again I´m not 100% sure what exactly goes on and, is said in our lessons, but I am starting to say more in them, whether it's my testimony or sharing a scripture - I am slowly starting to do more.

This week for me has been centered on just listening and learning from that, there are some many different accents, and people that makes this difficult. One thing I like is the help and patience from the people we teach when I say something I can see them perk up a bit and will help me with the idioma, which is cool!! I am so excited to be here and grateful for the opportunity to serve the Lord, I love him with my whole heart!!

I am looking forward to this week, to learn so much more. 

BTW President and Sister Scholz had a son Serve in Surprise, he was in the Sun City and Kingswood Park wards, he just came home in January!! He told his mom that he knows the Moss's which is cool!

Anyway, I love you and miss you tons!

Love,

Sister Moss <3

 

A letter from President Scholz 

Dear Moss Family,

 

We are excited to have your daughter, Sister Moss, in our mission. This will be a great opportunity for continued growth and development as she serves faithfully here in the mission field.  She will meet, teach, convert and touch the lives of many people who are seeking to know, understand and live the truths of the restored gospel. Your daughter will have the opportunity to grow closer to the Lord and better understand how to recognize the promptings of the Holy Ghost. Through her continued study and application of gospel principles, we pray her testimony will increase and her love and obedience to Heavenly I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up. Father's revealed truths will forge a pattern for the rest of her life.

 

Your daughter has already been assigned to her first area. She will be working in Eldorado in the city of São José do Rio Preto, and will be trained by Sister Hernandez. The area is very blessed, and your daughter’s trainer is a reliable and responsible missionary. Your daughter will certainly have much success and great spiritual experiences.

 

Along with missionary service come many new and interesting demands and challenges.  Your daughter will continue to learn and adapt to new and interesting customs, cultures and foods, as well as a new language and schedule. As parents, you play a very important role in the well-being of your missionary.  Your continued love and encouragement will give her the support and help she needs. Please write her regularly, sharing your testimony and love of this great gospel plan and help her stay focused on this sacred work.

 

Trust the Lord’s watchful care as you pray regularly for all the missionaries throughout the world.  Remember the Lord has said, "I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up."  (D&C 84:88)

 

My wife and I are very grateful to have your daughter serving by our sides in this great missionary effort. The lives of many will be influenced and blessed because of your daughter’s great service and dedication. We will do our best to help your daughter succeed in her service to the Lord. Thank you for preparing a daughter, that is willing and ready to be of service in this part of the Lord's vineyard. May the Lord bless you for your sacrifice and help in this important and eternal endeavor.

 

With love,

Peter S. Scholz

Mission President

Week Five - Last Letter from the CTM

Hey,

 

Things are going so much better this week. The first 2 days my Portuguese was great and I felt so good about the progress I have made, and then came Wednesday and I couldn't think of any words in Portuguese or in English. It was a very bad day. YES, Mommy, I got your hug and it came at the VERY BEST moment. I had just gotten out of teaching a lesson (the one where I couldn't speak any language) and I was so frustrated and upset and Sister Fuoco appeared and said she had something for me and she wanted to speak to me in English but couldn't (hahaha) and she just gave me a great big hug and said it was from you and I just started crying! Thank you so much Mommy... It was perfect timing!

This week has been good. We have no more lessons in the CTM and tmw is our last day with our instructors - which is sad because I love them. By the way one of my instructors sent a friend request on Facebook. His name is Gaberial Fatori... 

 

Today, there's not a whole lot to do. It's a São Paulo holiday, so most things are closed, which kinda stinks. I don't know how I am getting to Ribeirão Preto. We find out tmw. Sister Munson is going to RP with me - we are the only two in the CTM that I know of going there. 

 

Temple was great today. Also, today I did a little grocery shopping. I bought shampoo and conditioner because I was out, but that's really all I needed. 

 

I don't know if they will let us (Kenzie and I) have any time Monday, we will be in the auditorio all day listening to people talk, so I might be able to sit by her then, but I don't know.

We sent you a letter on Wednesday. It should take about 2 weeks to get there, so it will be out dated but that's okay. I love you and miss you so much. 

 

Sister Moss

 

 

A Week and a Half in the CTM - ALREADY!

Hello Everyone.

So this is my first full week and it's been all the emotions you can think of! Learning a new language is so fun, and cool, but definitely hard. I am making progress very slowly. I can say a simple prayer and testimony which is, I think, the most important. I don't get to see Kenzie too often but when I do, we hug!! HaHa

This morning I had a kinda cool experience in the temple. So all week I have been praying for help with the language and so when we got into the celestial room I was sitting there and I just felt peace and warmth I knew that my Savior was there and was letting me know that I'm not doing this alone. I just broke down crying. I felt like I was the only one in the room and He was, like, hugging me. I know through the Lord I can do all things.

We had a devotional on Tuesday by M. Russell Ballard. He said something that stood out to me and I want to share that with you all - he said that missionaries are for-ordained to go where they serve. The Lord will not send us somewhere where we can't strive and become the best person He knows we can become. I can't wait to finally get the language down. I am so grateful for this opportunity that my Savior has given me to be here and that He loves me so much that He is willing to put all His efforts on me, to make me become the person He knows I can be.

I know that my Savior lives, and that He is always watching over all His children. I know that He will answer your prayers and that He is excited to hear from you. I am so glad I have come to Brazil, and can't wait to see what is in store for me while I am here! I love you all so much! 

PS. Mommy will you please correct my many English mistakes<3 and I'm OUT of HI-CHEWS <Mom Note: The only mistakes I had to fix were capitalization errors - I'm not sure if the computers in the CTM have the "shift" button! Lol!>

Here is Sister Moss's letter to Mom 

(for a little more insight to her current situation)

Hi Mommy. Yes the girl third from the left (middle row) is my companion, we get along pretty good, still trying to get used to not having Kenzie by me all the time. We barely see each other. but that's okay, my schedule is crazy and always something to do. We wake up at 6:30 and don't stop until 10:30!

Yes today I went to the temple and it was awesome and so beautiful. My Portuguese is okay. I can say my testimony and a very simple prayer now, which is exciting. Most days I can understand some of what they say and others it's just a blur of words. I can read some too, but not a whole lot. The little Portuguese that I know is messing with my English. The hardest part is putting together sentences to say without reading word for word what I want to say. Other than that my district is so great. One of the elders (Elder Mansfield) just became our new zone leader and it's funny because we've only been here 2 weeks, and its been a very long but quick two weeks.

The food is okay - not much taste or flavor to them, so it makes me miss a home cooked meal from you. We aren't aloud to even take pictures until our P-day and it's a very small time gap that we can because we also can't take them out on the streets with us.

Anyway I love you so much and miss you all so much! 

Eu sei que, meu salvador vida, ele morrar por meu. Eu amor o evangelho, ê meu amor Jesus Cristo, En nome Jesus Cristo Amêm

Probably won't translate right because not the right marks with the letters.

Love you all.