Merry Christmas & Jefferson Got Baptized!

It was so awesome to see everyone on Christmas day! Thank you for all the love and support you've shown me. I hope that everyone had a wonderful Christmas! We had a good Christmas and I can't believe that it's my last one in Peru! 

We had a really cool experience baptizing Jefferson on Christmas Eve! He is such an awesome kid and I know he's going to be such a strong member of the church.  His older brother Jordy baptized him.  But what was cool about this experience it that Jordy, who was baptized not too long ago, got to use the Aaronic priesthood to baptize and bless his little brother's life. They were both so happy! You could feel how strong the spirit was.  Jefferson bore his testimony afterwards and said that "He would always keep the commandments!" Such a great experience to be apart of.  

The other investigators we are teaching are doing good.  Dari just needs a little more help and Juan is almost there.  We continue to look for new contacts daily.  We know that there are people to find.  

Reflection of the week:  With President Silva's challenge to contact at least 20 people a day you would think that it would get really easy to go up to any person and start a conversation about the gospel. And you would think that the fear wouldn't be there.  But I believe that the adversary is always working on us and can make it tough.  You have to be brave and choose faith over fear. I love you all so much! Tell Sarah Happy Birthday on the 28th! I love you Sarah! #doitforjesus

Love,

Elder Moss

Jefferson's Baptism - Huanuco, December 24, 2016

Multi-Zone Christmas Celebration - Huanuco, December 2016

Jefferson & Jordy

Elder Moss - Huanuco, December 2016

Jefferson's Baptism-Huanuco 2016

Multi-Zone Christmas Celebration - Huanuco, December 2016

Multi-Zone Christmas Celebration - Huanuco, December 2016

Training in Huancayo Was a Success!

Hey family! It's hard to believe that Christmas is this coming Sunday. I'm excited to Skype with everyone! When you're a missionary you kind of forget about Christmas (and other holidays) especially when the weather in Huanuco is in the 70s. 

We had a really great week with some miracles!  Monday we traveled to Huancayo in a car for 6 hours! That was really long and hard! We passed through La Oroya......it brought back some great memories while serving there. It is a long and winding road to get to Huancayo. We passed by the road that goes up to Cerro de Pasco. Elder Burt and I stayed in the mission home that night and the next day we had training with President Silva and the other ZLs.  The training was awesome! He talked a lot about the importance of opening up our mouths and talking to everyone.  He assured us that when we are brave and bold that something good will come of it.  He told us that the whole purpose he's here as our mission President is to help us to know who God is and that he's our Heavenly Father. The Spirit in the training was really strong. 

I had a great interview with President at the training. It was a really spiritual experience for me and him to talk one on one about the progress in the mission. I thanked him for sending me to Cerro de Pasco and told him that was the hardest experience I've had and that I really learned from it. We both had tears in our eyes and he gave me a big hug and really felt the love I have for President Silva. President has challenged all of the missionaries to make 20 contacts per day. Last week Elder Burt and I contacted 141 and by making and exceeding that goal I feel like I have grown closer to my Heavenly Father. We have seven new investigators and two of them are progressing fast. Their names are Antoni and Enrique. We contacted Enrique in the street last week and he told us to come back. So we returned and got to know him a bit more and his cousin Antoni as well. They are 20 and 21 years old. We taught them about Joseph Smith, the Book of Mormon and how to pray. We invited Antoni to pray and he gave one of the most sincere prayers I have heard. You could truly feel the Spirit as he prayed with all of his heart. Since Thursday we have seen Antoni three times and he has advanced with his reading in the Book of Mormon. Talking to everyone has really shown us that the Lord has prepared people for us to teach. I have really felt my work ethic growing here as we set and strive to hit goals and I've truly enjoyed it! Jefferson is set to be baptized on Saturday. Not sure on Dari or Juan...they've been hard to find lately so not sure what will happen with them. But we have a ton of work to do here and the zone overall is doing great!

Reflection of the week: I love the scripture in D&C 82:10 "I, the Lord, am bound when ye do what I say; but when ye do not what I say, ye have no promise." Elder Gonzales would always quote this scripture. I know if we follow President's goal of 20 contacts per day that we will have baptisms. I have seen the Lord's blessings as we've been diligent in working. #doitforjesus

Hope you all have a Merry Christmas! I will see you on Skype on Sunday!

Love, 

Elder Moss

Mission Training - Huancayo - December 2016

Elder Moss & Fellow Missionaries - Huancayo - December 2016

Elder Ramirez & Elder Moss - Huancayo - December 2016

Short Hair!

Elder Moss & Elder Ramirez - Huancayo - December 2016

Peru, Huancayo Missionaries - December 2016

It's warm in Huanuco

What's up family? It's Monday morning and Elder Burt and I are finishing packing to head to Huancayo for ZL meetings with President Silva. It's a seven hour drive by taxi to get there. They were talking about having us fly there but not sure what's going to happen. 

I got to Huanuco last Monday and the weather reminds me of California. It's never cold and when it rains it feels amazing! It's a bit humid but nothing too bad. I love being with Elder Burt. He's the best companion ever! We came out in the same MTC group together. We had a solid week....which was really great! President has challenged us to do 20 contacts a day. So Elder Burt and I have taken that serious and we've had a lot of success with it. We ended up with 102 contacts this week and 15 new investigators. When we get back to our rooms at night we are exhausted. It's amazing to have so many people to teach. We have 3 investigators with baptismal dates....Jefferson, Dari and Juan. Jefferson is a 10 year old kid who's brother, Jordy, got baptized a while back. He has a lot of support from his family. Dari, who is 17 years old, is planning on getting baptized also. She was at church this last Sunday and has been progressing well. Juan, was a reference from a member. We were teaching him about the atonement and what our Savior wants from us.  We were taking turns reading in Alma 7. He was reading and he paused and said, "Elders I need to get baptized." We were like, great! We also got a reference from the Sisters in the area to go give a blessing to a lady named Theresa. Theresa's husband has prostate cancer and we taught both of them about the priesthood and the power to heal. We read to them from James in the Bible about blessing the sick. The Spirit was there really strong and we gave her husband a blessing. Everyone felt the Spirit and I hope that we will be able to keep teaching them. 

Our pension is awesome and she cooks healthy, American food for us. It's amazing to see how different the people are here in Huanuco verses Cerro de Pasco.  The ward here is great! People are just happy here.  

Reflection of the week:  I have been thinking a lot this last week on how many blessings we receive when we endure through struggles and challenges. It takes a lot on our part to obtain those blessings. The Lord wants to see our faith and with that bigger blessings will come. I always think of 3 Nephi 29:9, "And when they shall have received this, which is expedient that they should have first, to try their faith, and if it shall so be that they shall believe these things then shall the greater things be made manifest unto them." I love this scripture....it is true. I love you all and hope you have a great week. #doitforjesus

Love,

Elder Moss

Elder Moss saying goodbye to Elder Morales and Cerro de Pasco

Miracles....Rocio's Baptism!

Hola Family! I guess the good weather in Cerro de Pasco couldn't last. We had crappy weather all week and it down poured on Saturday. We had such an awesome week...miracles are real! Tuesday before Elder Morales and I were getting ready to head to zone conference a miracle happened.  Rocio called us out of no where and said, "I'm getting baptized this Saturday. My parents are alright with it."  Holy cow we were so happy! Later that day we visited with her. She was so happy and excited.  We talked about a couple things and set up an interview for her...she passed.  It was so amazing to see that the Lord will make things happen if we just put our faith in him!  

Saturday we had to help move the ZL's to a new room using tricycle bikes with huge baskets in the front.  That was funny! I also had the chance to drink frog...haha! Elder Oyarzun bought it and it tastes like menthol. Supposedly it helps your cough. After the move we had to go set up for Rocio's baptism.  Rocio's parents and siblings came and the members were really good to them. It's was such an amazing experience to baptize her and to see how happy she was!  You could feel the spirit so strong at her baptism.  It's such an incredible feeling to know that I am an instrument in the Lord's hands for these people.  The Savior is the reason why these people choose to be baptized. 

The other news is I'm not going to be living in the cold anymore.  Saturday morning I received a call from President Silva....I'm going to Huanaco to be a Zone Leader, in the Huallaga zone with Elder Burt from my MTC group.  Elder Burt is from Washington and has been out about as long as I have.  I'm really excited!  I'll be leaving Monday morning.  Elder Morales is staying and will be training.  That will be great for him.

Reflection of the week:  I've learned so much about myself and the work here in Yanacancha.  I've learned how to truly appreciate this place (Peru) and really love the people.  I've been humbled by my experiences and I'm so grateful for that.  This place has taught me a lot and most of all how to love President Silva. He does receive revelation for this mission.  At times I was truly challenged personally in Cerro de Pasco but I never gave up and pressed forward. The blessings came. I will always love Pasco! I love you all! #doitforjesus.

Love,

Elder Moss

Rocio's baptism - Elder Moss and Elder Morales

Pizza Hut never tasted so good!  Elder Moss & Elder Morales with pension family

Pray For Rocio

What's up Family? I hope your Thanksgiving was wonderful.  I forgot it was Thanksgiving on Thursday until my pension mentioned it to me around 8 PM. Things are great here in Pasco! Because there hasn't been much rain in the last couple weeks the cost of potatoes has gone up and people are starting to freak out about it.We had a decent week. We've been contacting a lot and this upcoming week will be even better because we have some new investigators to teach.  

We've been teaching a lady named Julie, who's 24 years old. She's really cool and is studying to become a lawyer. Julie was baptized about 3 years ago but has become in-active. She is starting to come back to church.  So we have taken the opportunity to teach her some lessons.  She also has been reading the BOM quite a bit.  We've had some really good discussions about the importance of the gospel.  I can see the spirit is working on her and she's starting to change.  She's a big rock fan and her clothes can be quite interesting. She also has a nose piercing.  So on Wednesday when we were visiting with her she wanted to talk about her nose piercing. We explained to her that the prophets have told us that our bodies our sacred and that we should avoid those kinds of things. She told us that she had truly felt the spirit these last couple of days and she just knew that she had to talk to us about it.  After we had that discussion she took out her nose piercing.  That was so cool to see.....the spirit is working on her. Just in the short amount of time that we've been teaching her she has changed a lot.  She wants to come to church, she loves reading the BOM and she's listening to the Spirit. When we left I had the greatest feeling inside knowing that we're helping a daughter of God.  I'm witnessing how the gospel changes lives little by little just as it says in Alma 37:6-7 "Now ye may suppose that this is foolishness in me; but behold I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise. And the Lord God doth work by means to bring purposes; and by very small means the Lord doth confound the wise and bringeth about the salvation of many souls." 

We did get to visit Rocio this last week.  It was a little bit of a let down.  She really wants to get baptized but her parents aren't in agreement.Rocio doesn't need permission because she's 19 but she's very worried about her parents and family and what they think. We shared everything and have really tried to encourage her to be brave with getting baptized. We explained that the Lord wants her to do this now and that she is ready.  She still has a date set for December 3rd....so I guess we'll see what happens.  Please everyone pray for her. She truly wants to get baptized.....she was crying when she was talking to us.  Please pray that she'll be courageous.

Reflection of the week:  This week I was able to read more of the BOM and wow my testimony grows and deepens every week because of this book.  As I read it and see others read it, my relationship with my Savior and my desire to change increases daily. This book does wonders and I love reading it.  I'm now on my 2nd time reading it in Spanish and I continue to discover so many great things.  One of the things my mission has blessed me with is a strong testimony of the BOM and I'm so grateful for that! I love you all! #doitforjesus

Love,

Elder Moss

Elder Moss - Cerro de Pasco 

Cerro de Pasco

Ana Got Baptized!

Happy Thanksgiving to you all! I'm so grateful for everyone's love and support while I've been on my mission.  Family is truly the best! We had another great week without rain....thank goodness! Everyone here is so surprised with the weather because usually it's raining and snowing this time of year. I like it because with the snow Cerro de Pasco just looks really sad. 

Anyways, this week was great! I got to baptize Ana on Wednesday.  We arrived a little early to the church so we could set up for her baptism and fill the font. Luckily they do have a heater for the font, but the water still looks green. We had a wonderful turn out and support from the members.  We had members give talks and then after Ana was baptized she shared her testimony with everyone. You could really see that the gospel has truly changed her.  She said she felt like a new person.  She was so happy!  We went and visited her on Friday and was so excited to be confirmed on Sunday.  She is planning to visit the temple in Lima on December 10th and take some family names with her so that the work can be done for her ancestors.  Ana's heart is truly converted....she already wants a calling in the ward. She's one of the most committed converts I've seen here in my mission.  She loves to read the BOM and the account of Joseph Smith. These truths are what really changed her heart. I know that Ana was prepared by the Lord. I can see that the Spirit worked through us to prepare her and have her ready to enter the waters of baptism.  I'm excited to stay in touch with her and see the joy and happiness that the gospel of Jesus Christ will bring to her life. The next thing we need to do is getting her daughter baptized that lives in Utah!

Reflection of the week:  Every week that goes by on my mission I have noticed that I find someway to have experiences that draw me closer to the spirit.  I feel as if every week my testimony grows in the BOM and my desire to tell people about the gospel.  As my testimony grows, I realize I need to share this happiness with others.  The BOM and prayer have been such a big part of this growth. My love for our Heavenly Father grows every week. I know that being here has made my testimony grow and I have learned to love the scriptures, obey, pray, repent and all of that. I feel as if every week my spiritual level changes. As I look back I see the lives I've touched with the help of God. But most of all I see how I have changed. I love the Savior and the ability we have to change and become new people in the gospel. That's the big thing the mission has taught me. I love you all! Enjoy the turkey and think of me as I will be enjoying chicken! #doitforjesus

Love,

Elder Moss

Elder Moss and Ana - Yanacancha Ward

Elder Moss, Ana & Elder Morales - Yanacancha Ward

Ana's Baptism

"Hasta la vista visa"

Hey family...how are you? We had a really great week and to top it off the weather was finally nice. It hasn't rained for several days and it's not feeling as cold. I've been able to just wear a sweater all week....which has been really nice. We found 6 new investigators this week and I feel really motivated to work hard and make the lessons the best I can. 

I love reading the book of Mosiah. I use it a lot when teaching investigators.  One of my favorite scriptures to share with the people is Mosiah 2:41 "And moreover, I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out faithful to the end they are received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness. O remember, remember that these things are true; for the Lord God hath spoken it."

Monday we played basketball at the recreation center.  We had enough kids to play 5 on 5 so that was awesome.  Basketball has really helped have the opportunity to teach. We are teaching a kid named Axel that we met playing basketball. 

Tuesday we taught Axel about the Restoration and he loved it! He told us he's been looking for a true church because the Catholic church doesn't make any sense and neither do the rest of the churches. He accepted the BOM and said he's excited to read it. So please pray for him. 

Wednesday I had divisions with Elder Mathews. He interviewed Ana for her baptism and she passed! She's set to get baptized this Wednesday! We finally saw Rocio who had some really great news! Her parents are fine with her getting baptized. Her baptismal date is December 3rd. She's doing great and keeps coming to church and reading the BOM.

Thursday we had a zone conference and the assistants came.  I spent some time visiting with Elder Mendoza.  I was able to say goodbye to him because he's heading home December 5th. He truly was a great friend to me and he taught me so much. He had a huge impact on my mission! 

Sunday we only had about 60 members show up to church. One of the challenges is that church starts at 8:00 in the morning. We had to give talks last minute.  I talked about the BOM and the importance of it. We also had to bless the sacrament.  I feel like the Yanacancha ward is needing some help right now. We are trying our best to figure out what we can do. Sunday night we taught the Gomez family with a Elvis who's a member.  The mom is an inactive member.  I could tell that the lesson on the restoration really touched her. She really wants her family to be in the gospel.  We've actually had a lot of support from the ward with missionary work....we just need to get them to come to church.

Reflection of the week:  Missionaries have such a huge impact on the people they teach and come in contact with.  We have been teaching a less-active named Juliana.  She is 25 and is studying law. She's always thanking us for leaving our homes and families to come here to serve.  There are a lot of people like her that thank God for our service as Elders. It's so true the impact we can have on people's lives. I love seeing how the gospel has changed and transformed my investigators. It strengthens my testimony of missionary work. I am truly starting to see the fruits of my labor I love it out here even though it has been truly tough at times. But I know all of the hard experiences will payoff.  #doitforjesus.

Love,

Elder Moss

"Hasta la vista, visa" - Nailed it!

Cerro de Pasco - November 2016

Steady Progress With Our Investigators

I love the Book of Mormon! The more I read and study it, the more I realize how much our Heavenly Father loves us. I love being a missionary and sharing the scriptures with people and sharing the happiness that we all have. We were able to get inside of a house yesterday and we taught this family about the Plan of Salvation and how families can be together. As I was testifying to this family, the spirit confirmed to me of the truthfulness of this. I know that I will live with my family forever and that's so cool. 

So we always play basketball on P-days and also early in the mornings during the week. We've been inviting people to come play with us and now we're going to start teaching them about the gospel. Every Monday the Atencio family has us over at 8PM for family home evening. Such great members and are always so generous to the Elders. We also had a great lesson with Ana.  She moved her baptismal date up to November 16th. She told me that she wants me to baptize her....I'm so excited! I've personally been so blessed to teach her.  She told us that she really wants to be more humble, patient, and charitable. Perfect....so I turned to Moroni 7 and we started reading. I was teaching her that the key to changing ourselves is to really having that true desire and asking our Heavenly Father with all of our heart. I remembered that chapter in Moroni because I was going on splits in Huancayo with Elder Camacho and we were teaching some investigators and I remember it being so powerful. I asked Ana if we had helped her get an answer to her question and she said, "Without a doubt." Ana is going to be one of my best converts.  Church starts at 8:00am and she arrives at 7:45am every Sunday.

Rocio is doing good. She's in Cusco right now so we will go visit her later this week. Miguel is good! He's working with the Bishop right now so he can receive the Aaronic priesthood.  


This last week they had a VW Bug car race on the main street in our area.  That was really fun to watch. Saturday we had a day full of lessons and Sunday we found a new family to teach! It didn't rain at all this week.....which was really nice. Things are going well in Cerro de Pasco. Grandpa Moss will be happy to know that our street we live on is Micaela Bistadas 310...by the mine. I'm sending pictures of it.  It's the green building.

Reflection of the week:  Fear is something that can hold you back especially as a missionary. When you meet people for the first time, or you feel like you need to go up and talk to someone....I've learned you just have to open your mouth. You will either teach them or never see them again. This week Elder Morales and I had some good contacts and found 4 new investigators.  My mission has given me the confidence to not be afraid to talk to people. I'm so grateful for all the lessons I have learned on my mission. I love you all! :) #doitorjesus


Love,

Elder Moss 

VW Bug Race in Cerro de Pasco

Yanacancha Ward - Cerro de Pasco

This is where Jake lives in Cerro de Pasco

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween!! I hope everyone has a fun, safe night trick or treating!  This last week was good.....nothing crazy happened.  This last transfer every companionship had changes in Cerro de Pasco except ours. I have to be honest with you that being with someone for 3 months sometimes can be challenging. It didn't rain much this week but it definitely got colder.  

We've been able to play basketball every morning this last week....so that's been fun! Monday we sent Elder Hernandez off to Tingo Maria.That's supposedly the coolest area in the mission. He was really happy about that transfer. It will be his 3rd time in the jungle. Later we played basketball, again, at the University. Monday night we were invited do have family night  and have dinner with the Atencio family. They have been members for a long time. They sell Herbalife and always trying to get me to buy some because it comes from the States. 

Tuesday we had a wonderful lesson with Ana.  Ana told us that she wants to for sure get baptized on November 19th...she's so excited! Elder Morales and I asked her some questions for her pre-interview and found that she needed to have more information on Joseph Smith to have a testimony of him and his work.  We had Ana watch the Restoration and the greatest thing about Ana is that when we tell her to do something she's always so willing and actually does it.  She wants to learn and everyday she reads a chapter from the BOM.  We returned on Friday and she was able to tell us all about Joseph Smith and the Restoration. She explained to us how she felt the spirit as she was watched and read more about Joseph Smith. She said, "I know it's all true and I can't wait to get baptized." She also came to church on Sunday. I would have to say that Ana will be one of my best converts!

Rocio also has a baptismal date for November 19th.  She's really prepared but she wants her parents acceptance. She's 19 and doesn't need their permission but it's important to her to have their approval. Ana is the same way and she's 45 years old.

There's a big marathon coming up here in CDP next weekend. Pretty crazy to run 26.2 miles at 14,200 feet.There are signs and banners all over the city advertising it. Maybe we will get to see the runners go by!   

Reflection of the week:  The last couple changes in my mission have been really tough. I'm not going to lie, my mission has been hard and I seem to get put into a lot of tough situations over and over. But I've learned to keep a good attitude and turn hard areas into working and productive areas. I've learned that sometimes you just have to accept the situation and do your best to push forward.  I've stopped keeping track of time and holding onto disappointments.  I've experienced a lot of let downs in my mission and it doesn't matter.  The best thing I can do is just get outside, work and smile.  Having a good attitude can change any situation we are in.  I'm so glad to be here in Cerro de Pasco serving the Lord.  #doitforjesus

Love,

Elder Moss

Elder Moss, Elder Morales, Elder Hernandez and Elder Matthews - Cerro De Pasco 2016

Miguel Got Baptized!

It was a great week this week and the time flew by! Miguel got baptized last Wednesday!  We spent a lot of time on Wednesday getting ready for the baptism. It was supposed to begin at 5pm but Peruvian time is an hour late so we going at 6pm. Dad would lose it here, ha ha! It was such a great day for Miguel and he was so happy.  His family came and supported him.  Half of his family are members. When Miguel shared his testimony you could see that his countenance had changed....you could see a light in his face! Miguel is 25 years old and he works in a car shop.  His wife left him and he was making some bad decisions in his life...he wanted to change and make his life better.  We saw him a few days after his baptism and he truly was a different person. 

The weeks are flying by here in Cerro de Pasco.  We had transfers yesterday and nothing changed....I'm still with Elder Morales.  Last Monday we had zone p-day and played a lot of board games inside the church because it was raining and hailing. Most p-days we are trying to avoid the rain.  I've decided that I'm not of a fan of rain. Typical day here is it is sunny until about 3 or 4 in the afternoon and then it begins to rain.  

Tuesday, Renald, a member that's from Lima Callao came with us to do visits.  He loves to help us do visits everyday if he can. I've noticed a big difference in the way the ward here supports the missionaries. They are really great people. The Ward Council brought me a cake for my birthday last Sunday! 

On Thursday we had an opportunity to teach a lesson to an inactive family.  They haven't been to church for 12 years.  They're actually the pioneers of Cerro de Pasco...the first family to be baptized and helped others to get baptized.  They said they've been going to another church, which is kind of sad. We talked about their testimonies of the gospel.  I asked them if they knew that Joseph Smith saw Heavenly Father and his son, Jesus Christ? They told me that if we take the Introduction of the Book of Mormon at face value then yes, they believe that Joseph Smith is a prophet. But I asked them "Do you know in your hearts that this is all true?" And they said no and it was sad for us to hear them say that. So Elder Morales and I both bore our testimonies to them and it was the coolest thing. The Spirit was strong and I hope this family felt it. I'm hoping they will let us come back and talk to them more.

I also got great news this week from Mantaro in Huancayo...Jose and Lucero Diaz got baptized! Elder Gonzales and I taught them and worked with them and they got married when I was in that area. It was great to hear they accepted the gospel and joined the church there in Mantaro!

Reflection of the week:  I've been thinking a lot about testimony this past week, especially after we had the lesson with the inactive family. It made me realize how vital a testimony is. I know that in the mission I have gained a big testimony of the gospel. I have seen it change lives...mostly mine. I have felt such a big impact from my testimony and it has helped me understand more about my purpose on this earth. Seeing Miguel on Wednesday and how happy he was changed me a bit. The gospel has really changed his life...and mine as well. #doitforjesus

Love,

Elder Moss

Miguel's Baptism - Cerro de Pasco - October 2016

Elder Moss & Elder Morales - October 2016

Elder Moss & Elder Morales - October 2016

Last B-day in the mission

Family what's up?  Thank you for all the birthday wishes.....I can't believe I'm 20 years old! I'm not a teenager anymore.  This last week was awesome!  Monday we had comp P-day.  We all played pool and then more basketball...so fun!  Like I've said before playing basketball at this elevation makes my lungs want to explode and then the following day I'm really tired.  But it's so worth it to me! Cerro de Pasco has become one of my favorite areas.I have really come to love it and really enjoy everything it has to offer.  

Tuesday, during district meeting, the Elders bought a birthday cake for Elder Chujo and I. Loved eating it and most of all getting it smashed into my face.  Sorry mom, no pic, my camera was dead, but I'm sending a lot of other pictures this week.  

The whole week it rained, hailed, and rained some more. The streets turn into rivers and the man holes blowup and turn into fountains. People get mad because they built a city around a mine and the company wants to expand the hole but that requires abandoning the city.  So the company is slowly buying houses and destroying them. The Peruvian always say, "If the Americans would've stayed (they started the mine) then we wouldn't have a huge city built around a huge expanding hole.  I just don't comment on that.  

Thursday we had division with E. Paragsha and then we went and slept in Elder Hernandez and Elder Matthews place...that was great!

Friday was my B-day.  The ZL'S brought me my package. We went and did some visits in the rain. Miguel passed his interview! He's suppose to get baptized this Wednesday.....he's so excited! Keep him in your prayers. That night we went and visited the Victors family. Marisa (the mom) made a cake for my b-day.  We ate it with them and they sang to me.  It was a fun evening! We left and headed back to Noemi, our pension. She bought a Tres Leches cake for me so we ate it with her and her two kids, Jarom and Joseph.  I opened my package and I felt so loved....thank you to everyone! It was such a great day......it was filled with so much happiness! I can't believe this is my last b-day in the mission...that's CRAZY! 

Saturday we had the opportunity to do division with members and I was able to go with some members from another ward.  They took me to their friends house, Fernando and Isela Alvavez. They have 3 daughters. I shared with them lesson 1 and you could feel the spirit as I testified with Hermano Oscar and Hermana Liz about the gospel.  They were really interested and we have a return date with them.  They were so amazed at how fluent I was in Spanish.  They kept asking me how I learned and they told me I speak like a latin...LOL!  Hermana Liz commented about how my mom and dad must be so proud of what I'm doing. She testified of the importance of having good parents in the gospel. I truly realized in that moment how much my parents have affected me. It was all true what she was saying.  Parents are the key to learning in the gospel. I'm so grateful for my parents. 

Rocia and Ana are doing good. Rocia fasted on her own...that was cool to hear! I know she'll be getting baptized soon. Ana will probably be getting baptized at the end of the month. She wants to make her own decision when to get baptized.  So we are waiting patiently.  We have great support from the ward.  President Silva called me on Friday to wish me a happy b-day.  I think that was probably the best part of the day....honestly my heart was racing.  Such a great week with a lot of success!

Reflection of the week:  I have sincerely learned to love these people. In my interview with President Silva, he told me how important it is to love as we do the work and that it should be the first thing. I've been praying for help to be able to show my love towards these people. I love the members and the people we teach. This last change has brought me more laughs, smiles and hugs. It's true that when there is love there you will have success in your work. I have a firm testimony of that. I love you all! Thank you again for all the birthday wishes! #doitorjesus

Love,

Elder Moss

Elder Moss birthday celebration with Victor - Cerro de Pasco

Birthday cake for Elder Moss - made by Marisa Victors (investigator)

Elder Moss celebrating his last b-day with the Victors family
(Altenor, Marisa, Victor and Pamela)

Thanks Noemi (pension) for the yummy Tres Leche b-day cake

Cerro de Pasco flooded streets and man hole fountain - Oct 2016

We Moved & Then Moved Back

I think my body has finally gotten use to the cold temperatures here in CDP. We had an adventurous week.....moving twice and interviews with President! Time really is going by quicker each week.  P-days come around fast.  And transfers are fast approaching.  I can't believe that Zach got home!  It seems like yesterday I was saying goodbye to him. I hope he's adjusting back to real life.

This past week was crazy but good.  We didn't have a lot of proselyting time, but we did have some solid teaching,  Monday we were able to play basketball for a couple hours at the University in our area.  We played with some members and students.  That was fun!! Not gonna lie it's so hard playing b-ball at 14,000 feet......your lungs and body can feel it! But it was so worth it to play basketball.  

Tuesday we moved into our new place.  We thought it was going to be great.  Well turns out this place has no water or lights!  We had to talk to the landlord and ask for our money back....which he gave us.  But then we had to ask our Pension if we could come back to our old place?  Because she loves us, she let us come back.  So we moved back on on Thursday....such a pain.  I fixed the shower in the old room and we rearranged the furniture....so now it looks a little nicer.  I know I need to get the address for Grandpa Moss so he can find it on Google maps since he loves doing that!

We had interviews with President Silva on Wednesday.  I gained a lot of respect for him.  He shared a great scripture with me in the Doctrine and Covenants about loving the people first who we teach.  If we don't love everyone around us then it's harder for the work to move forward.  Sometimes it's hard being an American here because the people have a harder time accepting you.  I also gained a greater appreciation for President in that he treats his wife with so much kindness and respect.  I have never heard someone talk so nice to his wife on the phone. What a great example. 

We had a cool experience on Sunday.  We were walking to church to go to ward council and I saw a couple sitting and talking.  I didn't think much of it but then the Spirit told me we should go talk to them.  Honestly I thought about ignoring it and then I remembered what Uncle David had told me last year about acting on every impression of the spirit.  So we stopped and went back to talk to them. Their names are Jose and Stephanie.  Jose used to go to church 10 years back and the Elders visited him 5 years ago but then stopped.  We had a great conversation with them and talked about their family.  They're still interested in coming back to church.  They were glad to see us and know that there are still missionaries in the area.  It was a great experience for me with listening to the promptings of the spirit. Who knows if they will progress but the greatest part is I listened and obeyed and that strengthened my testimony of following promptings from the Spirit.  

Reflection of the week: I have a strong testimony of fasting.  If you remember a few weeks back we fasted for Miguel to help him overcome his casual drinking.  We visited him on Saturday and he's doing so great and a lot happier. We set a goal with him to read two pages of the BOM each day. It might not seem like much to some, but that's a big step for him. He wants a new life and wants to change. Every time we see him he asks us about baptism.  He truly is a person looking to repent of his sins and it's so amazing to see the Spirit working through him. Something that I have learned from Miguel is as children of God, we don't need to be perfectly prepared to take on a change in our life. We just need to trust in our Savior and know he will guide us.  Miguel is not 100% ready for baptism but his desires and willingness to change is so strong. He's willing to leave the past and start over again in his life.  Pray for Miguel so he can continue to prepare and learn. #doitforjesus

Love,

Elder Moss

Elder Moss - Cerro de Pasco - October 2016

Elder Moss - Cerro de Pasco - October 2016

Elder Morales & Elder Moss - Cerro de Pasco - October 2016

Elder Moss

Cerro de Pasco

Another Great General Conference!

Hey Family....How are you all?  So crazy that it's October! This last weekend was so great watching General Conference.  I can't believe that this was my 3rd conference in Peru.  General Conference was so awesome....the messages really got to me and my heart. I was able to have questions answered.  I have truly learned to appreciate hearing from the Prophet and the Apostles.  I got to watch Conference in English with 6 other Elders. We were in a small room in the church and we were so lucky that the Bishop turned on the heat!  I want to finish out these last 9 months of my mission with doing my best.  And most importantly I really want to focus on my personal relationship with my Savior.

P-days are getting really limited on the things we can do.  It's challenging to find interesting activities when we are limited with the new rules.  We can't eat in restaurants now and our Zone P-days have to be approved by President Silva.  Last Monday we did play soccer and pool with the members. We did find a new room to move to and the plan is to move on Tuesday. I'm happy about that!

Tuesday we had a great lesson with Rocio, who has a baptismal date for October 15.  We did find out that she's feeling a bit scared because she wants her parents to accept her.  We assured her that she can pray for strength.  I shared with her a scripture that Aunt Carol had shared with me a few months back.  It is Matthew 19:29 ....And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.  Rocio is going to talk to her parents along with us.  She wants to invite them to come to church with her.  Please pray for her and her parents.

Wednesday we taught Ana a wonderful lesson.  Ana is 53 years old and is really prepared. After challenging her to obey the ward limits a few weeks ago, she has seen the blessings of obeying.  I promised her if she was obedient in following the ward limits that she'd be bless and she recognized that blessing.  She reads the BOM everyday.  She really wants to feel ready to make that commitment to be baptized.  I told her that she is ready but she needs to pray to receive her own manifestation. She showed up to watch General Conference...which was really cool!

Reflection of the week:  Two messages that really caught me were from Elder Meurs and President Eyring.  Elder Meurs talked about how we can make the sacrament be more meaningful in our lives. He talked about 5 things that he knows will help us.  My favorite one was paying attention to the hymns and lyrics.  He said as we do that we invite the spirit to be with us.  I was always one to not pay attention but after teaching about this most important ordinance it has made me cherish it more. President Eyring said, "The greatest blessing is the feeling of forgiveness we obtain from partaking of the sacrament."  I know that Christ died for us.  I see his atonement work in other people's lives and in mine.  I feel it as I write....I know this church is true.  I know it in my heart.  I love this gospel and our Savior, Jesus Christ. I feel his divine love when I need it most.  I testify that Joseph Smith is the Prophet of the Restoration and the BOM is the true word of God.  I love you all and I'm so grateful for your prayers.  #doitforjesus

Love,

Elder Moss