Snail mail and bonus email

Hi There. Mom here. We were blessed, this week, to receive 2 extra communications with Elder Moss. We received an extra email (due to lack of time on their scheduled p-day -- 4 elders, one computer, 1 hour -- see below) and a letter that came in the mail. Here they are. Enjoy!

Hey dad I miss you so much!!!!!!!!!!!  I am so grateful for you and the example you set for me! Being out here has really helped me to be able to go to the Lord for a lot especially with the Language!!!! My Spanish is slowly but surely coming along!!!!! My trainer Elder Boggess says that I am learning the language way faster than he did and he thinks that I will be able to have full conversations with the people in Spanish by the end of my first six weeks!!!! I can't wait to be able to talk to the people a lot of them know English so they talk to me that way and I respond in Spanish it really has helped me to learn the Language!!!! I love and Miss you so much and can't wait until May to see you!!!!! By that point I would have been out for 6 months!!!! I love this gospel so much and I love being here everyday I love my district leaders and I love everyone in my district. One thing I wish would happen more that the members would help us out we don't have bikes or cars and it takes us an hour or more to walk to some appointments because no one is willing to help.. So ALWAYS remember to help the missionaries it really helps and makes their day so much better.. I love you and I will talk to you next week!!!!!!

 

Your Only Son 

 

Elder Parker Moss

...and a few highlights from the other emails he sent that day:

-- The other missionaries felt bad that I only got to do the weekly email so they are letting me write today. I am on because yesterday we had a lesson during our P-Day and we make it up today!

-- Mom I am doing great I love you so much, hopefully the letter shows up soon but I also have another one on its way!!!! [His letter took 10 days to arrive here from Puerto Rico.]

Here is my address!!!!! 

Urb. Valencia 2 

Calle Jose Santiago Fernandez

Casa 11

Juncos, PR 00777

 

-- I think you would be very proud of my to see how clean and organized I am ;)

 

-- I keep loosing weight it is awesome Elder Boggess and I get up every morning and go running!!!!!!

-- I got Sister Gardners Dear Elder today and I already have a letter back to her in the mailbox to send out! [Elder Moss would love to receive letters in the mail. He will write back. His address is above, or you can use DearElder.com]

1st Snail Mail letter home

Mosiah 2:17

17 And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.


Matthew 10:39

39 He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.


Luke 9:62

62 And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.

First two weeks in Puerto Rico

Week 1 in the Field --

Oh my goodness this week has been so hard....

My first couple of days here I felt so home sick, I felt as if I didn't want to be here and all those same feelings came back like in the CCM. But the Elders here have helped me feel welcomed and have helped me to begin speaking with others in Spanish. 

Juncos Flag

The field is completely different than the CCM. I am Juncos and it is so beautiful, in our ward there are four missionaries to cover the whole area. There are about 55 members in our ward, this last Sunday there was only like 25 members there. I am so grateful to be here at this time. Makenzie thank you for sharing that story with me about Elder Roberts email [Elder Taylor Roberts sent an email to be read to the Mission Prep class] That really helps me over here. it helps me to know that I don't need to worry about anything. 

I have been here for only a week and we have 2 baptismal dates, 15 investigators, and 2 less actives that are starting to come to church. The people here are so amazing and have blessed my life so much already.

 

Elder Moss at El Morrow

Elder Moss in his first area - Juncos

My companion has only been out for 6 months and is still learning the language as well. The Elders in my house have really encouraged me with the language. One of them said that I should be in full conversations by the end of my first 6 weeks here in the field.

I love you all and hope you all have a great week. I know this gospel is true, I love this gospel with all of my heart, I am grateful for everything I have in my life. I am grateful for the scriptures and all the love and support from you guys. I love and miss you guys so much and I will email next week. 

Elder Moss 

P.S Mom I sent a letter home with my new address on it. I would love to get letters please ;)  

Elder Moss

 

Week 2 in the Field --

**PLEASE NOTE THAT FROM HERE ON OUT - I (MOM) WILL BE USING ONLY INITIALS WHEN ELDER MOSS REFERS TO INVESTIGATORS OR MEMBERS THEY ARE WORKING WITH, TO RESPECT THEIR PRIVACY**

I am so sorry my letters have not been detailed enough I barely get an hour, we only have one Computer for four missionaries!!!!

Huge trees

This week was FANTASTIC! We had a lot of work this week. We have 5 amazing investigators, we have a farmer who is atheist but in our lesson we made a huge step with him. in the beginning of the lesson he said he didn't believe in God, and then a couple minutes latter he told us that he believed in a higher being and then by the end of our lesson he said that he believed in God! It was so amazing. His name is FM he is such an amazing guy and the Lord has really touched his heart since we started teaching him. He told us that he really appreciates and admires everything that we are doing. We teach him in ENGLISH!

M and P: this is a mom and daughter P (the mom) works at a bar on so we have lessons with her once every week. She has a Word of Wisdom problem but we are working with her. She is an outstanding person she is super nice to us! We teach her in ENGLISH! Her daughter M is awesome, she came to mutual [the mid-week youth activity] last Thursday and is really interested in the church! She is only 13! We teach her in ENGLISH! We recently contacted her brother and we will begin teaching him as well! He speaks Spanish though!

Another one is M he is such a great guy he is a security guard for a school. He let us eat there and talk with him and we have been able to keep visiting him, He tricked us into giving a piece of food to this dog and the dog followed us for two miles and stayed at our house for a night...but back to M! He just isn't sure if he is ready for the gospel in his life but we are going to keep working with him and hope he changes his mind. He is so nice to us he said he really appreciates what we are doing. We teach him in ENGLISH!

Our last investigator is named J, he is so sweet. He has been working with the missionaries for a while but he is now progressing he really does want to be apart of this true gospel! He has a Word of Wisdom problem but he has agreed to give up alcohol and hasn't had a drink in almost 1 week and a half! Yesterday he also came to church and he participated and was really enjoying it! Things are going great with him and he has really progressed since I have been here! We teach him in Spanish!

We have a less active that is starting to come back to church her name is G and she is 20 she met with the missionaries last year and within 15 days was baptized she is what we call a golden investigator. She had stopped going to church because of work! But has made it to church for 3 weeks in a row now, She is wanting to serve a mission but her mom won't help her finish the paperwork!!!! But she turns 21 here shortly and will finish them herself! She wants to read the whole Book of Mormon before she goes to General Conference and before she goes to the temple in April! She is in Alma 48 and Elder Boggess and I told her we would also read with her and finish the Book of Mormon by April!

Our ward is outstanding! They are 50 members strong! That is the biggest here in Puerto Rico! A lot of them speak English which helps me a lot! But I have the opportunity to do a lot of talking in Spanish here!

Elders Moss And his Trainer Elder Boggess

My Companion is Elder Boggess and he is from Alpine Utah. He has only been out on his mission for 7 months! His Spanish is great but we still have some troubles talking to the people because we are still learning the language, but luckily in our house we two fantastic Latinos who are really helping us. They help us during companion study Elder Boggess and I practice our lessons with them and they tell us what to fix and how to pronounce the words! We are helping them with English as well so starting this morning they started to speak English to me and I respond to them in Spanish and it really helps me to understand whats going on!

I love you guys so much and I am so grateful for the love and support and all the prayers! I know this gospel is true and I know that I am here for a specific reason and I am here to help others feel this same happiness. I love this gospel and I love everyone!

Elder Moss

The view!

Our missionary has arrived (in Puerto Rico)

Hey guys I love you guys soo much I am safe and love it here already! I also have the card in my wallet. I love you guys and my p-day is Monday.

Love,

Elder Moss

Dear Moss Family,

We are so grateful to have your son in the Puerto Rico San Juan Mission. We appreciate the sacrifices he is making to serve The Lord and we recognize that it is a sacrifice for you as well. We know that as he is obedient and works hard, he will be blessed.  You will receive blessings through his service also. We already love him and look forward to getting to know him better.

Please don't hesitate to contact us if you have any concerns. Letters and packages for him should be sent to the mission office: Urbanization Jardines de Caparra, 500 Calle Marginal Norte, Bayamon, Puerto Rico, 00955

Love, President and Sister Boucher

Elder Moss with President and Sister Boucher

My Last Week in the MTC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (Letter from 1/9/15)

Holy Cow this is my last week in the MTC. I can't believe that. It's soo crazy!!!!!!!

My friends at the CCM

Friends from the CCM

This past week has been amazing!!!!! This last week was full of amazing things. My favorite part was Last Friday all the missionaries that have been here for 5 weeks had the amazing opportunity to go out into the field. I had such an amazing time!!!!!!!! My companion was Elder De Long. He was a great example for me, he talked English and Spanish which really helped me. While we were in the field he got to talk a lot about what its like in the field he said it was a lot of fun. We had 5 appointments and we walked everywhere!!!!!!!!! In every appointment I had to say the prayer because I was new!!!!!!! My prayers are getting better, it was really hard for me to understand what was going on in the lesson, but my companion would say something near the end and then look at me and say "I just told them that you will share with them your testimony." I could feel the spirit so much and I had the littlest amount of Spanish possible. I am so grateful for all the opportunities I have had here in the CCM. I am so grateful for the opportunity I have to be a missionary. In the field it is way different than here in the CCM - I am not in a gated area!!!!!! The people are so nice here and always listen to what we have to say!!!!!!!!

 

Silly Elders!

 

Elder Moss and Elder Ahanonu

One thing that hit me and has helped me this week is this poem:

Footprints in the Sand

I dreamed I was walking along the beach
with the Lord..

Across the sky flashed scenes from my life..
For each scene, I noticed two sets of

footprints in the sand,
one belonging to me, and the other to the Lord..

When the last scene of my life flashed before me,
I looked back at the footprints in the sand.

I noticed that many times along the path of my life
there was only one set of footprints.

I also noticed that it happened at the very lowest
and saddest times in my life.

This really bothered me 

and I questioned the Lord about it:

"Lord, you said that once I decided to follow you,

you'd walk with me all the way.

But I have noticed that during the most 

troublesome times in my life 

there is only one set of footprints.

I don't understand why 

when I need you most you would leave me."

The Lord replied:

"My precious child, I love you and would

never leave you.

During your times of trial and suffering,

when you see only one set of footprints, it was then

that I carried you."

 

I am so grateful for everything I had back at home, but I am glad I have this opportunity to serve a mission. I am so grateful for all my family and friends!!!!!!!! I know with all my heart that this gospel is true. I am so grateful for the scriptures and everything they have helped me with since I have been here. I am grateful for this opportunity to serve a mission and be able to learn Spanish.I am so grateful for this poem because it has helped me so much. It shows me that my Savior is always there for me and helps me always!!!!!!! I love this gospel and I love all of you!!!!!!!!

Elder Moss

Hi there, it's me - Kara ... Here are some other answers/replies that Elder Moss sent this week:

Mom:  Kenzie and Kadie have asked boys to go to MORP.

Elder Moss: Kadie did a great job on asking!!!!!! Kenzie didn't tell me )or show me pictures) who and how she asked!!!!

Mom: Shannon went to a meeting tonight for HIGH SCHOOL -- yes, HIGH SCHOOL!!! Crazy, right? I can't believe how grown up she is getting.

Elder Moss: Tell Shannon that she can't go to High school - I FORBID IT!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mom: You've never really mentioned any of the Christmas presents you got. 

Elder Moss:  The Christmas Presents were amazing. Thank you so much. The marshmallow shooters were amazing. We have made some secret attacks with them on the other district that came in with us.

Mom:  Did you get any pics with Elder De Long?

Elder Moss:  No. I will get some tomorrow because I get to go out again.

Dad: I am so excited for you to be going to PR next week.  I know it might be scary but know that all things are possible with the Lord and He has promised to be on your right hand and on your left.

Elder Moss: Everything is going great over here. I am so excited to get into the field. I am really going to miss having a set schedule but I am ready to leave. We leave here Tuesday Morning (1/13/15) at 5:30 AM my time - so 2:30 your time. That is to early.

Dad: I love you with all my heart and miss you.  But I am so grateful that the Lord has provided this opportunity for you.

Elder Moss: I love you and Miss you and please pray for me on Sunday as I will be singing in Sacrament meeting!!!!!!!!!!! (1/11/15)

Elder Moss - Last week in the CCM

Crazy face.

My new knot - the Trinity Knot

Feliz año nuevo a todos!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy new year from the DR CCM

Elders Moss, Orr, and Powell

Elder Moss and the Elders from Haiti

This past week has been amazing and sad all at the same time. We had a group of missionaries from Haiti but this last week they left us. It was so hard to see them go. Those missionaries were so awesome. They had such amazing testimonies and love for this gospel. Other than them leaving this week has been great.

Elders Moss and Grimmer

My companion and I are working great together. We have been able to teach investigators every day. We have been working with these guys for just over a week and we committed one of them to baptism - he said he needs a little bit more help understanding baptism, so we gave him 2 Nephi 31 to read it is such amazing chapter [Nephi tells why Christ was baptized—Men must follow Christ, be baptized, receive the Holy Ghost, and endure to the end to be saved]. My companion is such an example to me.

As we started this week we realized that we are on week 5 of the MTC and we only have one P-Day left in here and we will be off to Puerto Rico!!!!! This is one of the best things that has happened to me. I have been able to gain such an amazing testimony about the gospel. I am so grateful for all the people that have helped me gain this testimony. This experience has helped me to grow and understand myself more. I have realized that the things people say, I can't take offense to. People have come from many different situations to be here. I have had some hard times with some things people have said about me, but I have been able to talk to another missionary here and he has helped me so much with everything. I have had the opportunity to turn the other cheek and just let it go. But I also have had the opportunity to get over it. I realized that I am strong and nothing should offend me. I know that I am who I am because the Lord wanted me this way. I have been able to study a lot on repentance and I am so grateful for this opportunity. I love this gospel. 

Yesterday we got two new groups of missionaries we have a group of native speakers who are going to Santiago and Puerto Rico. We also got a group of English speakers going to the West Indies!!! There is an elder from Jamaica and one from Canada. They came here because one of them is from Jamaica and he hasn't gone through the temple yet so they brought him and 4 others here so he can go in his temple district.  It is so cool to hear about the different places missionaries come from and where they are going. I am so glad that I have this opportunity to serve the Lord at this time. The Lord has blessed me so much since I have been here. I am so grateful that he has blessed me with the gift of tongues. I am so grateful to be able to speak and understand a little Spanish. This week I hit a major accomplishment for me! Normally, I would use a dictionary to translate from English to Spanish but this week I stopped using it and I have been able to recognize what the Lord can do for me. 

I know this gospel is true and I know that we all have a specific purpose on earth and that we all have things to accomplish. I know that the Lord will bless all of those who are worthy and willing to follow the commandments. I love you all and I am so grateful for the many amazing experiences I had at home before I came here. 

This past Tuesday we had the opportunity to watch a devotional from Jefferey R. Holland. Oh My Gosh he is such an amazing speaker. He said a lot of great stuff but what I got most was that we don't know anything. He told us that even though we may think we know something we really don't! He said that while in the field we will always learn more and we will never ever stop learning. I am so grateful for the opportunity I have to serve here and be an instrument in the Lord's hands. Mosiah 23:10 has really helped me through all of this because I know that Christ really does here our cries and will always bless us. 

10 Nevertheless, after much tribulation, the Lord did hear my cries, and did answer my prayers, and has made me an instrument in his hands in bringing so many of you to a knowledge of his truth.

I love you guys so much and I can't wait to hear from you all next week. I love my Savior and my Father in Heaven and I am so grateful for this opportunity to serve the with all my heart, might, mind, and strength. I love this gospel with all my heart. 

FELIZ AÑO NUEVO

Elder Moss