Ponce, Puerto Rico: Week 3

Family and Friends what a week we had in Ponce. I really like it here and I am so grateful for the opportunity to serve here and be able to know these people and be able to work in this ward. 

This week was a great week for us we are finding new people and teaching la resturación, I have come to know this really well. 

This past week we were able to find a family of four well sort of a family it was 2 Sisters one of the Sisters husband and then a friend they are really cool one of them speaks English but of course she knows Spanish so we teach in Spanish but the cool thing about them is that they want us to come back they had to change our cita and they felt really bad and they said come back and teach us. 

This week also I had the opportunity to have any intercambio with Elder Velasquez he is a Zone Leader it was the night of the "STORM" the only bad thing that happened is we didn't have power at all the next day. But thats ok we still went out and worked and sadly it rained but we were prepared with our umbrellas, after the rain had stopped we thought we were good to go walking again so we started and as we were walking my amazing companions didn't tell me to watch out and out of nowhere a car hit a puddle of water and drenched me in water (Yes it is the same thing that dad does when he sees a puddle just not with people around) so I got to go the whole day like that and because of that I basically lost my voice yesterday and I still have a small cold so it made my weekend really fun.

I am loving it here, Puerto Rico is really nice I can't wait to come back and be able to participate in normal things but I know that I am here right now to focus on the Lords work, He has called me and he needs me now. 

I love this quote because really I am called of God and I am here to do his work!!!!!

 

 

I want you all to know that I love you and I miss you so much and I know that the Lord is watching out for you guys in all that you do. Please know that the "STORM" was nothing here and We are all ok no need to worry about us. We are where the Lord needs us (Us is all missionaries in the World) the Lord will take care of all of us if we do our part. 

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

Con Amor 

Elder Musgo

P.S. This Thursday will mark 9 months since I left all of you guys time is flying!!!!!!

 

 

Excerpts from letters to Mom and Dad...

To Mom:

Ok first off that was no storm I have seen worse in the States the worst thing that we had was wind and it wasn't even that bad but it did hit Dominica pretty bad I heard 36 or so died but here in Puerto Rico it wasn't so bad. [From abcnews.go.com this morning 8/31/15: Rescue crews are continuing to search for more than 50 people still missing in Dominica after Tropical Storm Erika caused flooding and mudslides on the Caribbean island. The death toll in Dominica has risen to 20.] Please pray for the island of Dominica.

But we should have some more coming this way and I want that!!! We need it so bad people are going 4 days without water and 1 day with water. I am lucky to be where we have water everyday but there are people and missionaries without water we need more.

This week was great we have a lot of people to teach I can't name them because I would be here for a while ;) but we are doing good with people to teach.

And I have three months before a year I have time!!!! But yes my time is going by really fast!!!! I love the mission and everything about it, I have a lot of things that when I come home not to change and I love it!!!!!! 

The Scriptures are great I am in Mosiah 4 in Spanish and I am learning a lot.

Mom I love you so much and miss you like crazy!!!!!! I can't wait to talk to you in about 3 months on Christmas just think after Christmas call I will have one more left before I am home!!!!!

 

 

To Dad:

Ok Thank you for everything!!!!! I am doing great here I was a little sad at first but I am ok I love Ponce for me I just have to get to like the area and I am good!!! The only down side to all of this here is it is SUPER DUPER HOT it may only be in the 90's but the humidity is also in the 90's on some days and it sucks.

 

Thank you for controlling my money for me and teaching me the importance of using my money. 

 

I am so glad that the Lord helped you throughout you talk, I know what it feels like to prepare for something really important and change it a lot that is how our planning seccions go every night we are always trying to find the best way to do things. 

 

I love Mosiah 3:19 it shows that the child is the way to be, we have very little children in our ward but they are so fun they always have fun and are so inocente (sorry I don't know how to spell that in English).

 

You are my hero and I am so grateful for everything you have done for me, I look up to you everyday and I really do want to be like you. You are always helping everyone no matter what and I love that. I am grateful for the example you are to me.

Questions and Answers

 

Mom: What has been your biggest challenge this week?

Elder Moss: The biggest challenge for us here is trying to get to all of our area to work we have such a big area!!!!

 

Mom: What has been your biggest concern?

Elder Moss: My biggest concern is, the lack of water for the Island we are still short water

 

Mom: What has been your biggest success?

Elder Moss: Our biggest success for us was to have 9 investigators in church yesterday!!!!

 

Mom: Who has been your favorite person this week? Why?

Elder Moss: This is a weird question I like everyone here they are really nice and help me a lot.

 

Mom: What are you looking forward to this coming week?

Elder Moss: I am looking forward to the opportunity to see more people accept a baptismal date

 

Mom: Do you have a goal set for this coming week? Tell me about it.

Elder Moss: We always have goals set that is how we can tell if we are actually working and helping people here.

 

Mom: Which scripture has made the biggest impact on you this week?

Elder Moss: Mosiah 3:19

 

Mom: What service have you been performing this week?

Elder Moss: We haven't had any service this week at all we are more focused on all the work that we have in the area!!!

 

 

 

Ponce: Week 2

Hey family and friends I am so sorry that I haven't gotten a real letter to any of you yet! Here is what has been happening to me here,

First off I am in Ponce 2 it is super hot here and I love it! The ward is really nice and they are old but that whats makes them better!

 

As you may have heard I am in a trio now and boy is it difficult!  Not only do we have to do all the work that normally four Elders would do we have to WALK everywhere and our area is huge! 

Elders Moss and Lopez

Elder Heward

But on the good side we have all the investigators and so we get to help everyone and with that, comes more baptism dates and with that more goals!

As of yesterday we have 9 of our lost brothers and sisters accept a baptism date!

Yes I said it 9!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It is so amazing to see that people are willing to make a goal to change their lives and live the life that Christ wants them to live. Not only Christ but the way that they asked before they came to this earth.

Yesterday in church we had 6 investigators and they all loved it so much! I am so happy to see people changing their lives! 

Doctrine and Covenants was right when it says the worth of souls is great in the sight of God! 

I love the scriptures so much....

I love being able to share this Gospel to my brothers and sisters, I know that what I am sharing with them will bless their lives! 

I know that if they continue to push through all the hard times in their lives that they will be blessed for it. 

I am so grateful for this opportunity to work in the Work of our Savior Jesus Christ.

I want you all to know that I know all of this to be the word of God, I know that I am here to be a representative of Jesus Christ and help all of his brothers and sisters come back to him. 

I love you all so much and I miss you. I know that since I am here and working in this work that the Lord is blessing you guys and watching out for all of you.

Please promise me something when the going gets tough the tough get going!

NEVER EVER SAY I can't because I know that the Lord never said I can't!

I love you all and I can't wait to hear from you all next week!

Love

Elder Musgo!!!!!!!!!

Remember Everyone is beautiful and has there own talents so don't be afraid to let them show! 

 

Elder Moss with a sister waiting for her mission call

Elders Moss and Hervias

Elders Moss and Lopez with Carlos

 

Questions and Answers

Mom: Your companion's name is Elder Lopez. What is he like? How old is he? Please send a picture!

Elder Moss: My companions names are Elder Lopez and Elder Heward we are in a trio now!!!!!

 

Mom: What is Ponce like?

Elder Moss: Ponce is super hot but I love it it is a lot like the states here in Ponce.

 

Mom: How far from the ocean are you?

Elder Moss: The Beach is not in my area at all it is in Ponce 1 but I can see it at times

 

Mom: Compare the towns of Cabo Rojo and Ponce. How are they the same? How are they different? Is there anything you've found/seen so far that you love? Anything you've found/seen that you don't love so much?

Elder Moss: They are actually different a lot Cabo Rojo was more beach here is more City and more like home!!!! 

 

Mom: Are you still walking everywhere?

Elder Moss: In the mission you walk everywhere there isn't a time you aren't walking.

 

Mom: What grocery store do you shop at?

Elder Moss: We shop at WALMART!!!!!!!!!!! That makes me so happy!!!!!

 

Mom: What fast food is near you? Hopefully you won't need to eat there and the members will take care of you!

Elder Moss: All the normal fast food I literally life in the city!!!!!

 

Mom: What does your apartment/house look like?

Elder Moss: It is an apartment not very big at all we have two bedrooms and one bathroom this is the smallest house I have lived in here.

 

Mom: Do you live with other missionaries? Who? Where are the from?

Elder Moss: I only live with my companions it is really fun Elder Heward is from Queen Creek Arizona and Elder Lopez is from Mexico

 

Mom: Are you in an area where there are missionaries you've met before? Like in the MTC, besides your companion?

Elder Moss: I didn't know any of the missionaries before I came here besides Elder Lopez

 

Mom: So, you're in Ponce 2nd ward? How is the ward?

Elder Moss: Yes Ponce 2nd ward it is actually the biggest ward I have been in 

 

Mom: Who's your bishop?

Elder Moss: Obispo Rafael Caraballo Rodriguez

Mom: What are the members like so far?

Elder Moss: The members are so old!!!!!!

 

Mom: Do they help the missionaries? 

Elder Moss: We are slowly changing the ward they are slowly helping us more and more

 

Mom: How big is your Primary? YW/YM programs?

Elder Moss: The Programs are so small because this ward is basically Sun City West ward ;)

 

Mom: Have you been able to explore Ponce at all? What have you seen? Have you seen the famous fire house?

Elder Moss: No I have not we have been busy working we have all of Ponce 2 and it is massive 

Mom: How's your Spanish coming along?

Elder Moss: My Spanish is really different I am able to understand almost everything just a little bit more and I am good.

 

Mom: Where will you be sending emails from? Library? Church house?

Elder Moss: In a library it is small

 

Mom: What have you been studying in the scriptures?

Elder Moss: I am now in Jacob 5 and I have been reading it all in Spanish!!!!!!!

 

 

Week 6 in Cabo Rojo and Week 1 in Ponce

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

I am here in Ponce now and I love it. I love it here!!!!! I am speaking a lot of Spanish but in the house there is an Elder From Arizona as well so we talk in English it is nice to get to know him. His name is Heward he is from Gilbert he is really cool!!!!

My new companion is from my MTC group so we knew each other before hand.

Ponce is really hot but I am grateful for this opportunity to serve here in Ponce we have been blessed with rain for the past couple of days.

I love you all and  miss you so much. I have to go - really short on time. I love you 

Elder Moss


Elder Moss sent this to his little sister:

"You are never taller than when you are on your knees. if you need help, pray to the Heavenly Father. He is there for you!!!!!"

Elder Moss on the beach with a storm in the background

Elder Moss cutting the grass with a machete.

Elders Moss and Noble

Moss and Noble on two different paths - Moss in Ponce and Noble CR

Moss and Stinchfield on intercambios (splits)

Moss painting a house

Moss and Stinchfield on intercambios (splits)

   

 

 

Week 5 in Cabo Rojo

Well my time is flying by I have been in Cabo Rojo for 5 weeks now that is so weird. Transfers are this next week and there is no saying what could happen it is very possible I could be leaving Cabo Rojo but it is very possible I could be training a new missionary here in Cabo Rojo I will let you know next week what happens. As for this week.

It was another hard week we were supposed to have 3 baptisms but all three fell through but I know that in some time these kids will get baptized it may not be with me or Elder Noble but I know that they will get baptized. Additional information about the baptisms from a different email: They didn't happen because we couldn't get an interview and their mom didn't have a free day this weekend.

I am so grateful for all that I have been blessed with especially the Book of Mormon. 

Right now I am reading it again but this time it is only in Spanish and it is really helping me with my spanish. This week we had the opportunity to have a Reunión de la misión (Meeting of the Mission). Este fue bien chevere (this was really cool) sorry my Spanish kicked in for a second. But this meeting was really cool we got to share our testimonies about the Book of Mormon, and boy were there a lot of missionaries that wanted to share their testimonies. Additional information about the Reunión de la misión from a different email: I got to see my whole group from the MTC yesterday and all but three of us shared our testimonies and it is weird to hear how different we all speak the language after 8 months (that is today 8 months) it was really cool to see everyone.

Elders Beecroft and Moss

Elders Orr, Beecroft, Moss, Fox, and, in front, Flores

Elders Moss, Grimmer, and Orr - Buddies from the MTC

Yo quiero testificar sobre El Libro de Mormón, yo se que este Libro es la palabra de Dios, yo se que este Libro esta aquí para ayudarnos en nuestro vidas y también este Libro esta aquí para enseñarnos que no hacernos como los personas con sus corazones endurecidos. Este Libro es mi Libro favorito. Yo se que este Iglesia es verdadera, yo se que José Smith fue una profeta, yo se que Thomas S Monson es nuestra Profeta hoy y el fue llamarlo para ayudarnos en este tiempo. Te quiero familia. Yo extraño mucho.

[Because we don't speak Spanish,  I put his testimony into Google Translate - It's a beautiful testimony...]

I want to testify about the Book of Mormon, I know that this book is the word of God, I know this book is here to help us in our lives and this book is here to teach us not become like the people with their hearts hardened . This book is my favorite book. I know this Church is true, I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet, I know Thomas S Monson is our prophet today and was calling for help at this time. I love family. I miss her so much.

Con Mucho Amor

Elder Musgo

 

Free meal for the week - They get a free meal each week from a very kind restaurant owner!