SISTER MOORE WAS STRESSED OUT SO MUCH! 

EXCHANGES WITH SISTER LAWSON

Family-

Ms Simmons was baptized! 

MS SIMMONS

Baptisms are always stressful but worth all the craziness for sure. 

We had troubles finding the right dress for Ms Simmons so Saturday we had Claire and Suni with us for 6 HOURS and we ended up taking a road trip to Pine Bluff to pick up baptismal clothes. 

ROAD TRIP WITH SUNI AND CLAIRE

Saturday night we taught one last lesson to Ms Simmons and gave her clothes and had everything set and ready to go and we tell her she needs to be at the church at 8:30 getting ready. She tells us "okay that works, my grand kids perform at their church at 8 so after that I'll  head that way"..................

We knew that wasn't going to happen. The ward mission leader was real nervous too. The ward told us if she isn't there by then, then it'd be postponed. So we left the house bright and early and ended up following  ms Simmons to the Baptist church to wait for her outside while she watched her grand kids. We pulled into the parking lot at 8:10. We told her she has 10 MINUTES until she needed to be back in the car driving to the baptism. 8:20 came...8:30... Still nothing. President has discouraged us going to other churches. So we had no idea what to do. The ward mission leader was texting us asking where we were, we were texting Sister Wakolo and President telling them to tell the ward to not postpone, and we decided we had to go in after her. SISTER MOORE WAS STRESSED OUT SO MUCH.  We talked to the security guys and told them we needed to find Ms Simmons (we left out the part about her baptism into our church..he he) after sweating bullets and waiting and waiting finally her grand kids thing ended and she came out. We ran to our cars and flew to the church. Pulled in at 8:49 and the program started at 9. WHEW. Good heavens. BUT worth every ounce of stress! Ms Simmons is now Sister Simmons! Bishop Tobler baptized her, President confirmed her and all is well in Zion. 

With the baptism we hit the FULL SOE! 

WALK AND WALK AND WALK

Sunday night we needed one more date. Again, it was one of those senior year 4th quarter 10 seconds on the clock moments. We were scrambling all over to our investigators and praying to know who is prepared for a date. We had the thought to visit Ron, a member had given him a Book of Mormon and he wanted time to study before taking lessons. He was home and we got to talking about baptism and he said "I've never been baptized; all the churches kept putting me on waiting lists so it never happened. I know I need to though"  God is so good. And ... SOMEONE IN THE SOUTH THAT ISNT BAPTIZED?! So we set a date in July. So exciting! 

 

SUNI AND CLAIRE

Some other good stuff: 

-Sister Jackson is gone for 3ish weeks so we got to stay in the mission home this weekend. (in fact we are having lunch with them right now!) and will spend the rest of the time with the Hermanas :) 

IT'S PRESIDENT'S BIRTHDAY THIS WEEK!

-We hiked Pinnacle Mountain with Rosa this week! 

PINNACLE MOUNTAIN HIKE WITH ROSA

-We taught a FHE in the mission home Monday 

-We instructed at zone meeting. Our zone is awesome!

- Oh another reason God is so good: we were in an apartment complex and I see these gorgeous little kids and I asked where they were from....guess where they are from?? ST CROIX. AKA VIRGIN ISLANDS. I showed them pics of Dad, Rus and Kam in St Thomas and they got all excited. What are the odds? A cute little family all the way from St Croix in Little Rock! 

-Jarvis! Remember Jarvis?? He came up to me this week "Ms Moore! I just got out of my interview with bishop about me getting the priesthood!" Oh my goodness he was just glowing! So excited for him! 

Today we are going hiking with the AP's investigator. She gets baptized in 2 weeks and has plans to move to Utah in January for school. Cool right?? 

"GOD IS TOO GOOD!"

SISTER BEHESHTI

I was all excited to type this email this week thinking it would be short, and then LITERALLY EVERYTHING HAPPENED IN THESE LAST COUPLE DAYS. IT’S BEEN THE BEST WEEK!!!

So the first great thing that happened, one of our investigators, Ms S chose a date! June 26th! After months of praying and trying to get answers she finally felt good about a date! We were SO EXCITED! 

So the next morning, we had to take some Sisters to interviews with President- (Side note, we were able to discuss with President and pray over some changes made with some companionships. We prayed and received revelation as to where a sister should be moved to. I got a small glimpse of what happens when President decides transfers. The spirit was so strong and clear. Super neat experience.) 

But before all of this happens, President tells us "Sisters, after my interviews the 3 of us will go see Ms S together." Oh man, he had us so nervous. We didn't know exactly what his plan was. On our way over we asked what he wanted to teach. He told us he had no idea, that he received the prompting to go visit with her and that we needed to follow the spirit. But we still were confused; I told him I don't like surprises. Ha He also ran a stop sign on our way over, which just made my day. Hahaha When we pulled into the apartments there were some people outside, we divided and conquered and now have 2 new investigators from that. President is awesome. 

So once we knock on Ms S door, she tells us that today isn't a good day, and that she isn't feeling well. President says "Well Ms S we brought you something that will make you feel better." And out of nowhere he pulls out a Fiji water. Haha Oh my heavens Sister King and I at this point are just so confused as to what President has up his sleeve. But it got us in the door. Ms. S had just found out some sad news about her family, President was able to give her a blessing. He told her afterward, "Ms S if that was the reason that God sent us here today, it was definitely worth it." I then realized President really was just following a prompting! He had no idea why we were going over! Afterwards her countenance had completely changed; you could see the humility in her eyes. We brought up her baptism date again, and she said she still feels good about it. SO THEN THIS IS THE BEST PART STAY WITH ME NOW! President explained to her that one year from June 26 she could enter the temple and receive Her endowment. He said that is also the same day that he returns back home to Fiji. After looking at dates and figuring it all out, he said that he would DEFER his release date if needed and that in one year, the 4 of us would all enter the temple together to be with Ms S as she goes through. SO NO ONE PLAN ANYTHING FOR NEXT JUNE 26!!! This will be the very last thing President does on his mission!! Ms S was thrilled!! Is this not the coolest thing ever?? AHHH THE CHURCH IS TRUE AND PRESIDENT WAKOLO IS AMAZING! 

The whole ward can't even believe she is getting baptized. It's been 8 months since she was found! WE ARE THRILLED. GOD IS TOO GOOD! 

On the way home I asked President if he always knew he would be a mission President. He said no, he always was 100% surprised by his callings. And then said, "But I will not be surprised by my next calling...which will be a primary teacher." Haha Best primary class ever!

Another miracle with Ms S, she doesn't have much furniture and was looking for a couch. We had to drive some sisters to Arkadelphia and right outside their apartment door was a couch that someone wanted to throw away. We were able to go back a few days later with the Mommy Van, pick it up, vacuum out all the dead animals and dog bones from it and get it all cleaned up, and then surprised Ms S with it that night. Folks this couch is super old and worn and small, but you would have thought Ms S just won the lottery. She was so excited almost to tears! Oh my goodness it was the best feeling. We love her. Service is the best medicine.

ALSO we hit the Standard of Excellence this week! On Saturday we still needed 4 new investigators by the end of the weekend. We set a goal to get 3 on Saturday and 1 on Sunday. Saturday was crazy and we helped with a yard sale, baby shower (where we met a non member Samantha who we are teaching this next week!), and drove to Arkadelphia so we only had 2 hours to find all 3. We pulled up to a potentials house and spotted a couple walking down the street with groceries in their hands. They willingly accepted our help, and we took the groceries from them and started walking. We figured they lived down the street, but about a mile later we arrived to their little apartment.  Super humble and struggling couple. On our long walk, I had the thought, "man how are we going to have time to find new investigators." And then the spirit said something like "uhh..your walking next to two of them.." Haha so we taught them during the walk and left them with their own set of scriptures! We are going to go see them again tomorrow! 

 

DRIVING TO ARKADELPHIA

I'm enduring this summer so much better than I did the last summer. We chose to bike on the hottest day. It hit 100 degrees. but #blessed because southerners are Jesus people and we were able to get into random homes and they'd refill our waters and give us snacks. And it's a great way to get in homes :) 

If you want to elevate your grilled cheese sandwich game, add blackberry jam. #ThingsILearnOnMyMission

We had an AMAZING dinner with the Whiteley and Beheshti familly for Father’s Day. We are taken such good care of here. We about peed our pants when Elder Beheshti walked in though, we didn't know he'd be there. First time giving a "spiritual thought" to a general authority. 

The time is ticking too fast. We are having loads of fun and getting lots done. It has been such a huge privilege to be serving in this area. Sister King is incredible; we have been having so much fun together! As we've been applying "take-aways" from Elder Arnold's training we've already seen improvements. I love doing the Lord's work. I know His church has been restored. I know He is the Savior of the world and I've grown to love and embrace his doctrine. 

Thank you for your prayers and support!

Love y'all

Las quiero 

FAWN'S BABY SHOWER

SPEAKING OF SHOWER...I REALLY NEEDED ONE THIS DAY. HAHA I'M SO GROSS AND GREASY!

SISTER SEVERSON MOVES THIS WEEK :(

"IN ORDER TO REACH A HIGHER GOAL, WE MUST DO THINGS DIFFERENTLY!"

Family-

So much has been going on and I'm the worst for not taking enough pictures or writing things down because now I'm here looking back at the week and I can't remember all that happened...days just cram together. 

Some good stuff: 

Some more greenies arrived in Arkansas this past week! All of the trainers were in our area to pick them up so we got to do a lot of blitzing and sleepovers at our house. We do all the planning and chauffeuring, which makes things crazy but we got a lot of referrals so definitely worth it. :)

Sister Jackson went out of town so we had sleepovers at the Hermanas apartment #blessed because I love my Hermana fam. 

 

BIKE DAY!

We took a bike day this week, which is so hard because we still have the car out front and we have to just buckle down and do it. Little Rock is so brutal because if we aren't going uphill we are going downhill. There is no in between. We came back for dinner and had to take showers we were so disgusting. But we did find a family of 4 so it was so worth it! 

 

POST BIKE DAY!

Missionary Fun Fact: the copies of Books of Mormon and Bibles we hand out have a bar code on the back that act as Kroger cards. So whenever we buy food at Kroger we have them scan the back of our Book of Mormon. They think it's hilarious and they just can't turn it down when we offer them a copy. Is there a Krogers in Utah? If there is I DARE YOU TO GO TRY IT! 

Hooray that the church is now officially recognized in Vietnam! God let us celebrate a little too. We were getting our oil changed and a lady came and sat by us. We started talking with her and found out she is from Vietnam! We gave her a card that had a picture of the Salt Lake temple. When we finished talking with her we watched her pull out her phone and get on the website that was on the card. She kept the temple picture in her hand and just stared. She loved it! She isn't in our area, but we got her info and are sending missionaries to go teach! 

I saw Sister Davis from Russellville! I LOVE HER! 

DINNER AND FHE WITH JOHNSTONS & NUTTALLS

(I LOVE THESE FAMILIES)

We met the most amazing man this week- Pista! He if from Hungary. I say this all the time- but easily top 3 lessons I've had on my mission.

Our investigator and her family are still going strong! They got back from a weeklong vacation and we were worried with distance that they may have gone backwards but things are still progressing so well! We've seen so many great changes in them! 

Ms. S came with us to the Stake Adult session Saturday night. President Wakolo gave an amazing talk directed right at all the investigators who attended. President Wakolo was with the AP's when they knocked on Ms. S's door 8 months ago. After the session, he came right towards us and looked at Ms. S and said "Ms. S we know you know that the gospel is true. Do as the Savior did. I would love to baptize you this weekend." Holy moly. This just went on and on and the power of his words was incredible. It was an intense couple of minutes, but it was exactly what she needed. Ms S continues to be a little stubborn, but we could have a miracle baptism this weekend :) 

 

ON OUR WAY TO STAKE CONFERENCE

Elder Arnold was in our mission this past weekend! He spoke at the Saturday night session, Stake conference on Sunday, and then to us on Monday. I got to talk to his wife a lot too. Sweetest little thing. They were called to serve as mission presidents in Costa Rica when they were in their mid 30's with 5 kids under the age of 11. Amazing people. It was such a privilege to learn from them. 

The stake Presidency was all changed up on Sunday. The old stake President, President Beheshti (who is also in our ward), is now Elder Beheshti! So we had 2 general authorities with us! 

SISTER ARNOLD AND WAKOLO

WE WERE GREETING EVERYONE DURING STAKE CONFERENCE WHEN PRESIDENT WAKOLO SAW US TALKING TOGETHER HE GRABBED THE PHOTOGRAPHER AND HAD HIM TAKE A PIC OF US! SO FUN!!

 

SISTER KING GOT THIS SWEET SHOT

After a lot of preparation the day finally came! On Monday Elder Arnold spent the first 2 hours with STL's and Zone Leaders and then the rest of the mission joined and we spent all afternoon learning from him, Sister Arnold and the Wakolo's. We had been preparing and studying A LOT to be ready for this meeting and it was so good! A main theme was "In order to reach a higher goal, we must do things differently." So he just threw down on things that we are not to do anymore, and things to start doing right now! We've been able to apply those things and it's already making a difference for us in the work. Lots of good changes are happening. He is pretty bold and we just eat up every word because he is just amazing! We focused a lot also on teaching repentance a lot better. “At the closing of the day, he started our 24 hour mission fast with a prayer that the whole mission will find someone that will be baptized in the month of July. 

AR SIDE WITH ELDER AND SISTER ARNOLD

HAPPY FATHERS DAY! I LOVE YOU DAD! 

All is well in Pinnacle Mountain. :) We are staying real busy! I love it here, I'm happy! I love this work, I love these people.  Love my Savior. His gospel is perfect and simple and when I live it my life has purpose and I just can't help but be so happy! 

Love y'all

Las quiero

 WE'VE SET A GOAL TO HAVE A SPOONFUL OF ICE CREAM EVERY DAY! 

MY PERSIAN BFF!

So I have my new compy!

I LOVE SISTER KING. We immediately started picking out tons of things we love that are the same like Disney and ice cream and Zupas and the list goes on and on. Haha it's been so fun! She is from Sandy and has been out for 9 months. She spent her first 9 months in a itty bitty branch and so Pinnacle Mountain has been a whole new world! It was a little crazy for me to take over the area and train a new STL, I've wasted so many miles because this area is still confusing and I get lost going everywhere. But she really is amazing and so patient with me and we have had so much fun together already!

SISTER KING

 

TWINS!

We've set a goal to have a spoonful of ice cream every day. Haha Yesterday (Sunday) we had to hope for miracles because we knew if our dinner appointment didn't have ice cream then we wouldn't be having any...but they did! #soblesssed And we told them about our goal and let them knew we appreciated them "following the spirit" haha and then in the closing prayer the little boy prayed that we would be able to have ice cream every day. Haha

 

We had interviews with President this week. He had us stand and bare our testimony of the Savior to him. Amazing experience. The spirit filled the room and it was a powerful experience to look President in the eyes and bare witness of Christ. 

 

BRYANT SISTERS

Oh also my P-day will be Wednesday next week. Elder Arnold is coming for a mission tour on Monday and Tuesday. We have a truck load of things to study and have prepared for his arrival. Should be good! :)

Random fun stuff:

-Sister Wakolo came teaching with us!

-We watched Meet the Mormons with Ms Simmons

-I got to see Hermana Macfarlane! She is going to Memphis with Hermana Lewis! and Hermana Madsen is now in Little Rock:)

BABY MAC AND SISTER BROWN

-We get 8 new missionaries this week in the ALRM!

-Sister King can do an awesome "Stitch" voice from "Lilo and Stitch" 

-We found this facility that homes women who are overcoming addictions. We've had some really cool conversations and hope to start teaching a bunch of them! 

 -Our investigator and her family are going out of town for a week...makes us a little nervous :/ Our other investigator is still chugging along as well. I think Sister King will be the magic touch that she needs. 

-We have loads of potentials we are trying to get in contact with right now. Sister King and I are both fast paced and it's been a busy few days :) 

Highlight story of the week:

15 months in, visiting less actives isn't anything new. But with each area I've found a certain less active family that I immediately connect with. Often they aren't people that necessarily "return" but I feel a direct pull with certain families. This week we were visiting a less active family and they brought up to us right at the get go that they hadn't been consistent in church attendance. We asked them why. They didn't want to go into details in front of their kids. Without knowing the concern I just began to testify and fight for this family. I got emotional and felt a small glimpse of God's love for them as words just flowed from my mouth. I would do anything for this family to return and enjoy the blessings of the gospel. I am grateful for these moments when I truly feel like God's literal instrument in rescuing His lost sheep. 

 

SISTER EVANS AND MENDICINO

I LOVE MY MISSION 

Love y'all

Las quiero (yes I still know Spanish ;) 

Sismana Moore 

SAYING GOODBYE TO SISTER EVANS