Week 12 - Oct 16, 2017 - Pereira Week 6

Q&A

Q: How is the work going?
A: It's going good we are working hard and seeing fruits of our labor.

Q: New words that you have learned this week?
A: Despacito = Slower haha!!!, Olvidar = Forget, Fin = End, tratar = try, Corazon = heart, Arbol = tree, Deseo = desire

Q: Favorite scripture study that you have had?
A: Ether 12, 6, and 7

Q: How our your investigators?
A: They are doing good they are progressing and come to church on Sunday! We had 16 investigators at church, 5 different families!

Q: Favorite food that you ate this week?
A: Arepas con Huevo (Arepa with Egg)

Q: Did you get transferred or did you get a new companion?
A: I am staying and I got a new companion E. Olson from Ogden, Utah

WEEKLY RECAP

So first off we had transfers today and I am staying here in Pereira. I got a new companion E. Olson he is from Ogden, Utah, but he is a recent convert, he is super cool.

So another cool thing that happened this week is that I found this American store that has all kind of American food so that I can cook something besides rice.

We have been doing a lot of running in order to make it to all of our appointments and FHEs. Sometimes its due to bad planning on our part and we end up climbing up the same hill three times a day. So hopefully we can plan out FHE and appointments better so we are more productive. From all the running I hurt me knee earlier in the week, but it is feeling good now. Other then that everything is going good. I love you guys so much and can't wait for the package next week. I am going to have to go get my pants tailored so that they are smaller, they keep falling down even with a belt. We had some really good lessons this week and had a very productive week. My companion left his clothes in the washer and ended up flooding the whole apartment, so we got to clean the water up. Had an awesome birthday parties with members and our district. We taught this awesome family who really love what we are teaching, however they don't believe they will be able to keep the baptismal covenants and so they don't want to be baptized yet. We had to stop teaching a few families because they were not doing the things we asked, they love having us over but they are not reading or praying so we had to move forward because we are really busy.

So here is a really funny story sort of, we went to lunch today with this family and this lady loves American missionaries so she asked what we wanted to eat so I asked for pasta, it was good. She also made us some juice and she was like I think it needs more sugar. Then she sat the pitcher down and left the room, she was gone for a long time, so I went and decided to help out, I opened up the jar that said azucar (sugar) and started shoveling a few spoon fulls into the pitcher and my cup of juice. After I started to drink it I realized it was salt and not sugar, it tasted so bad, I ruined the juice.

So we always try to take roads that we know cops are on so we are more safe. Although I don't know why because the cops here don't really do anything. Everyone calls them Avocados, I thought it was just a missionary slang word for them but its a Colombian slang word for them because everyone says it. I think because they have green uniforms and just sit all day doing nothing. Anyway we walk along this rode and everybody comes out in their Colombian soccer shirts, there was a game tonight Colombia versus Peru. My companion is from Peru, so we had to be a little careful. Anyways there was a stabbing on this road, so I guess its not as safe as we thought.

So at district meeting I was talking to E. Dawson and he is ready to go home, he leaves this transfer. Anyway he is from Arizona also and we were talking about him going home and what he is going to do. He said the first thing he is going to do is go eat some Barro's pizza, I am so envious of him. He is so trunky though and is super excited to go home and see his family.

We taught this one Hermana, she is awesome and feeds us really well. We taught her some really good lessons and she likes it a lot and she felt the spirit. We went and did some service at Hermana Olga's house. She is a super nice lady and I love teaching her. We had another lesson with Gina, and her mom is awesome, she is not a member but she helps me out a ton teaching the lesson. She is the best. We had a really good week this week and taught had some really awesome lessons and Family Home Evenings (FHE). It was good to see the Lord's hand in the work.

Love and miss all of you!

Elder Moore

My new companion E. Olson

E. Olson and my filters on my camera

E. Olson isn't he dreamy?

Beautiful picture of the Savior

E. Dawson made it home to Beautiful Glorious Barro's Pizza!!!!

Week 11 - Pereira Week 5 - Happy Birthday to Me!!!!

First off, I want to say thanks and give a shoutout to all of you who sent me birthday wishes, I love you all!

Well of course since it's my birthday today the computers here at the internet cafe are not working that good. I will try to send you pictures but it's not working very well and having issues.

So since my audios didn't upload I will have to just give you a quick recap.

The work is going good, we have a lot of investigators that are progressing and coming to church, we are working really hard and I come home exhausted every day! I had some good scripture study and I was able to remember them and use them in the lessons we taught. One that was really good was in Ether, it was on point for the lesson. My knees are hurting but they still work, so I guess we will continue to climb these hills. We didn't go to the waterfall, but we went to a zone gathering instead and it was great, there were like 20 missionaries playing, like both Elders and Sisters. We didn't have time to go out to the restaurant, Gauchos, but instead found this place nearby that had some good chicken. I still haven't received the package, hopefully I will by transfers next week. We got to do some service this week, it was good, I'm loving it here, except for the rice. I only have one more thing of peanut butter so I am going to use it sparingly and make it last until you can send some more. The language is coming along and I am getting better at speaking, I think they can actually understand my Gringo accent!

Love you all and miss you!

Elder Justin Moore

Pday/Bday Gathering, E. Dawson about to go home

Pday/Bday Gathering

Our Zone

They celebrate Mormon Missionaries here, except we don't have bikes

Cool sign to Pereira, The Capital of Eje

Week 10 - Pereira Week 4 - General Conference Week

Q&A

Q: What do you have planned for today?
A: We are going to visit my companions last area and "His" family's house

Q: How is the language going?
A: I'm still learning poquito por poquito.

Q: How is the mission going?
A: It is super fun, I am very happy! There is never a break, we work super hard and the Lord has blessed us.

Q: New words that you have learned this week?
A: Cascada = Waterfall; Caer - Fall; Finca = Farm; Ayer = Yesterday; Enojar = Angry; Conducir = To drive; Bacon = Tocino; Bacon = Tocino; Bacon = Tocino; haha!!!

Q: Favorite scripture study that you have had?
A: If you love me keep my commandments.

Q: How our your investigators?
A: Great they all came to church on Sunday!

Q: Are you eating well?
A: The rice is destroying me, I am so done with rice, rice and more rice. Thanks for the Domino's pizza, that made my day! I have made macaroni and cheese 4 times this week!

Q: Did you buy a new backpack?
A: Not yet, my companion came in clutch this week and sewed mine back up, so I'm still using it.

Q: Did you get our package yet?
A: Not yet, I probably won't get it till the 20th of October

Q: What was that picture that you sent us with your hand, we couldn't tell?
A: Toilet paper roll, I had a little issue because I ran out of toilet paper! hahaha.

Q: What do you have planned for your birthday next week?
A: My companion said we can do whatever I want, so we are going to go to the waterfall, then we are going to go to Gauchos (The restaurant that dad recommend).

WEEKLY RECAP

So first off General Conference was awesome, I think its the first one I haven't fallen sleep! I even took a bunch of notes, you all would be proud. We were able to watch it in a separate room in English so that was nice! It was sad to hear that E. Hales passed away 🙇 My favorite talk was by President Henry B. Eyring, it really talked to me. I liked Pres Uchtdorf's quote "Swimming upstream when needed" meaning sometimes you need to go upstream against the current, because if you go with the flow downstream you could end up going off like a huge waterfall. We heard all about the storms in Texas and Florida, and how people are serving there. I liked the talk by Russel M. Nelson and talking to the tribe guy and how his translator was prepared with a Book of Mormon to give him. That is super important, that we are always prepared to share the gospel especially having a Book of Mormon to give someone because we never will know when the Lord will put someone in our path. One tender mercy I noticed was the great breakfast I had for conference morning on Sunday. I bought some muffins and milk and they tasted just like the Magdalenas at Yaya and Yayo's house (Grandparents from Spain, that I really miss seeing), while eating the muffins I felt like I was in heaven!

Another tender mercy happened after conference when we went to visit a family to have Family Home Evening. I love visiting this family, it reminds me of visiting Grandma and Grandpa's (US Grandparents) house (I really miss them!!!!). Anyways they are like the same age as Grandma and Grandpa, and she feeds us really good like grandma, and she tries to make me happy by giving me really good food, she just knows what I like. Her husband reminds me of Grandpa with all of his stories he tells and his jokes he tells. It almost feels like being at Grandma and Grandpas house. They are recent members, only like a month, but I love going there!

So, I was talking to E. Cottam, he said Pereira is the best part of the mission, that it has the best missionary apartments. He told me to enjoy it, because on the coast it is hot and the members feed you twice as much rice. Please pray for me that I don't get sent to the coast! Quick funny story; E. Cottam bought a machete when he was on the coast, so today as we went walking in the jungle we found these purple bananas so we cut them off to take home. As we were walking I had the machete and he started throwing the bananas up in the air and I started playing fruit ninja except it was live and not a game on my phone. It was awesome, the bananas when split open were like white sparkly crystals. 

All of our investigators are doing awesome, we are working super hard and the Lord has blessed us. It is nice to see the Lord's hand in the work, as long as we are doing our part he will do his! We still have our ups and downs, but it is awesome to be teaching the people here in Pereira!

It was a great week,

Love you all,

Elder Moore

Painting the lady that I talked to last weeks house

This ain't no bull!

I could see myself eating some of these with RICE!

Not sure if these are investigators or members - DAD

Not sure if these are investigators or members - DAD

The TRUTH!

Thank you guys for buying me Domino's, at least it was one meal without rice

Our short little climb to the top to talk to the families we are teaching

My new friend who accepted the Gospel

He is ready to become a missionary!

New word I learned this week, Dilema = Running out of toilet paper

Me and E. Castillos traveling to his old area to visit "his" family

Week 09 - Pereira Week 3 - Baptism

Q&A

Q: How is the food, have you become used to it?
A: I am trying to, I don't think I will ever get used to eating all this rice! I usually cook some eggs and bacon for breakfast, and then I eat too much pastries and bread at the bakeries

Q: How is the language going? Do you teach a lot during the discussions?
A: Not a ton, I speak a lot before and after, I understand it though. Its on and off thing speaking Spanish, it's a process.

Q: How is the work going?
A: It has its ups and downs, it is like a roller-coaster

Q: New words that you have learned this week?
A: I don't remember, I just learn them, but I don't remember what I learned<

Q: Favorite scripture study that you have had?
A: I read a lot in Alma this week, really enjoyed it

Q: Our you enjoying and loving your mission?
A: Yes, I am really learning a lot out here and I am loving it

Q: Have you eaten at Barro's oops sorry I mean Domino's Pizza?
A: :(((((((((((( I miss Barro's so much, E. Dawson and I were talking about it, he is also from Arizona

Q: How is the weather is it cold or hot?
A: It's either nice weather or it rains on us hard, I am so glad I have the jacket you bought, thank you so much its a life saver.

Q: How are you sleeping?
A: I get cramps during the night from walking so much, but I am starting to get use to them

WEEKLY RECAP

So on Tuesday, I talked to this guy on the hill as we were heading to the Tokio neighborhood, we taught him a little and now we have a time set up to teach him tomorrow. Later that night we taught some awesome families. Then we went to Margarita neighborhood and taught Jessica and her family. JT we used the object lesson you taught me with the knives on the cups. On Wednesday we had soup and meat with one of our ward families.I bought a bunch of bananas for my leg cramps. We do a lot of walking going up and down hills and steps. Since my comp is new to the area we do a lot of walking trying to find places. We talked to the guy I met up on the hill, it was good. Then we went up another hill that missionaries haven't been to in a while. There was a few people that were like, its been a long time since missionaries have been up here, and they wanted to be taught. So we scheduled for lessons and service. We offered to paint their house, and help her friend with a roof issue. We ended up teaching a few more families that night. We were walking down the street and we say some Jehovah Witnesses (JW) on the other side, just as they saw us, a group of people stopped us and started talking to us and asking questions. It was awesome. I overheard a young boy from the JWs asked his mom, "Why isn't it that easy for us, why can't people come up and talk to us?". I almost started laughing out loud LOL. The group that stopped us setup an appointment to teach them. We taught some more lessons in Veracruz, I did most of the teaching and I think they understood me. All of this walking is making my legs hurt and cramp up at night. We had a great FHE with a family. Then on Thursday we went and taught Jessica, and thy have these really cute cat, I found out that I am allergic to cats. Then we taught this other family and I talked to the husband and joked around with him, he is not interested in the church, but I have built a good relationship with him, that he likes us coming around. On Friday we taught a bunch more lessons. We also ran into theses kids and they were playing mind craft. Anyway he was like hey I went to church and you didn't say hi to me. I was like I didn't even know you were there. A lot of the people here want to be invited to the church because they think it is really cool looking. So we ended up teaching him and his two friends. Then on Saturday we had some baptisms, it was awesome. I got to baptize Junior Andres, it was super hard because the baptismal font didn't fill all the way and the water was like only to my knees. So it was a little difficult. On Sunday we had a good amount of investigators at church and it was a good day. Then on Monday we went to go look for this huge waterfall, however after traveling we found out it was another 2 hour hike. So we just took pictures down by the river, and E. Dawson dropped his camera in the water, and we couldn't find it. We looked and looked, finally he was like its whatever, I'm leaving in a few weeks.

It was a great week,

Love you all,

Elder Moore

The Two Young Men that were Baptized

My little cat friend, who I am allergic to

Walking to Tokio Neighborhood

Living and Loving it here in Colombia

Los Gringos

Me and E. Dawson

Los Gringos in Colombia

Week 08 - Pereira Week 2 - Climbing those Hills

Q&A

1. How is the work going?

A: I am still learning and have a lot to learn, but the work is going great!

2. Are you serving in two wards or just one?

A: I am serving in solo una (just one)

3. How are you eating?

Good, I found some really good food here to buy and make, and the members feed us well, its just we always have rice, rice, rice and fried bananas at every meal.

4. What did you study this week?

I was studying and it I really learned that JESUS LOVES ME and KNOWS ME PERSONALLY!

5. New words you learned this week in Spanish?

 Lets just say we were teaching about a certain subject matter and I really didn't want to learn any of these words, but I guess you kind of have to when teaching about this subject and the investigators asks questions about this subject.

WEEKLY RECAP

We did a family home evening and taught them how to preserve to the end. We used a great object lesson with flowers and water. We had them write down their goals on this paper and made flowers out of them and put them in the water and it slowly opened up. Props to my Big Bro JT Moore for sending some great Object Lessons. I have used a bunch already to help people and kids understand gospel doctrine.

E. Dawson is leaving home in a few weeks and he said he would give me his cool "Plan of Salvation" teaching lesson. It is this wooden objects that teach the Plan of Salvation, showing where did we come from, why we are here, and where we are going. It is made out of wood and is really cool, I am super excited to get that from him. He is from Arizona and is super cool.

SIZE

So my companion is from Peru (He is a super awesome missionary and great teacher), but next to me he is super short. Also must Colombians are also short in stature. Anyways whenever we go to anybodies house they are always calling me a giant and are always talking about how big I am. They always ask how tall I am, I am not sure in the metric system they use. Then they see how big my feet are and start saying funny stuff, like did I float in my shoes here, or did I take a few steps to get here. I have lost weight though, so I am not as BIG as I used to be.

CROCS

So one cool thing is that I brought Crocs to walk around in at the apartment on the mission. What is even cooler is that Crocs are the style here, everyone wears crocs down here, so I am styling with the Crocs trend that is going on down here in Colombia.

Drugs and Danger

So dad you know how you said Pereira was a bad area of the mission from what you read on the internet. Well I was like talking to everybody and my comp and they were like no, Pereira is a very safe place. So I am like O.K., I even started carrying around a decent amount of cash in my wallet and not worrying to much. Then on Wednesday we were walking home on this road that we always walk on going home and we saw a bunch of police cars and ambulances. So we asked some people what happened and they were like, oh somebody got stabbed and killed. So what I have learned is that most people get paid this week, which increases the drug business and it has become very busy for police officer and ambulances with all the drug business. Then after a few days it all calms down.  

Transportation

So here is what I have learned about transportation. The cheapest is "Pirate" taxis. These are just your average Juan that wants to make some money but is not an official taxi. When you find one of them you agree upon a price and he takes you there as fast as he can. Next is the official taxis, they have the meter running and charge by the distance. However they are tricky and will try to drive you all over the place and take the long way there so you have to pay more. Then there is the bus, it is cheap but it some areas they don't go to, they might get you close then you have to walk a few miles but at least you don't have to walk the whole distance. Our area is pretty huge so we use a lot of transportation, and we always try to get the "Pirate" taxis because they are the cheapest and the quickest.

It has been a great week, we were able to teach a lot of lessons and we had a lot of people at church. I am excited for this week to come.

Love you all,

Elder Justin Moore

Great quote by Elder Holland

Our kitchen and laundry room

Not Arizona, JT doesn't it look like Brazil!

Week 07 - First week in the Field

Hola Familia,

Arrival Info

Well I am finally out in the field. I am in Pereira, Colombia, which is down on the bottom south of our mission. Our mission is divided mainly into three areas; The Medellin Area - which is the center of our mission and consists of Medellin and all the suburbs, The Southern Area - where I am located right now, and The Northern or Coast Area - which is on the Atlantic ocean side  (Caribbean Sea) up by Panama. My Companion is E. Castillo (Castle) from Peru and he has been out 13 months. He is always smiling and happy and is a hard worker and has been helping me out a lot, and he is training me really good. He is super nice and we get a long good. We are serving in both Los Aples Ward and Lago 1st Ward. Our area is like a gigantic backwards big letter C.

So let's rewind to the day we got here in Medellin. It was super cool, they had this music playing and a bunch of missionaries welcomed us to the Mission. Then we met President Calderon and his wife. He is super cool, they are also from Peru. We took some group pictures and had some fun. Then it was time to find out who our companions were. It was awesome! It kind of had like a game show feel to it and they had music playing and you were trying to figure out who your companion was going to be and where you were going. It was a great day and we finished it off eating Domino's Pizza and Soda. What more could an new missionary want!

Sorry for the lack of audio's this week, this internet place is really old and slow, we will try to find one next week that hopefully has faster computers and internet connection.

RECAP of the Week

So E. Castillo and his previous companion really worked hard here and this week we got to go around and set a bunch of baptismal dates. There is this one group/family that we are teaching that started with just one investigator, Jessica, and now we are teaching a bunch of her relatives and their friends. I had to draw a picture so I could understand how they are all related and connected. It has been awesome teaching all of them. One night we were running late, and so we didn't want to be late getting back to our apartment so we started jogging. Anyways after a short while running down this hill I had a bit of an accident. I tripped and rolled and went down into this muddy area, needless to say my clothes especially my white shirt was very brown. I am trying to make it white again.

We are teaching this other new investigator family, Isabella and family. We just found them and we were able to meet with them twice and teach them the Plan of Salvation. We are also teaching them today and will probably start teaching them about The Restoration.

So today, our P-day, we went to down to our zone leader's area and went bowling. Our Zone Leader is E. Dawson and he is from Queen Creek, Arizona. He is super cool (like really legit) and he helps me a ton, he tells me what i need to do, and he is a ton of help.

So let me tell you a little about my area. Like I said it is a large backward letter C. It is broken up into urbanization or barrios. The bottom of our area is Tokio (Yes there is a lot of oriental names for barrios in my area). It is probably the most humble of the areas. A little farther north is Las Margaritas and that is where we are teaching Jessica and her family.

I love my mission so much, every day is an adventure and learning experience for me. We still eat rice every day and usually large fried bananas. We did go out a couple times this week to restaurants, and of course I ordered hamburgers both times. I am still young and learning the do's and don'ts of the mission. I am glad I am learning it now, it's nothing bad just the best way to use money, buy groceries, cleaning, cloth washing etc. I am happy to be out here and I am learning and growing a ton!

Miss you all and love you,

Elder Moore

Bus ride to airport

Pictures Colombian Style

Me and My Companion E. Castillos

Pres. Calderon and His Wife

Office Elder, Me, and My Companion

View from my apartment

Yes I can cook breakfast, egg-in-a-hole, toast, bacon (its crispy not burnt)

Teaching family and their tree

My plan of salvation drawing

Working with a member

Visiting a family

Week 06 - Last week in the CCM

Well we didn't get much from Elder Moore this week, except a quick email to let us know he made it safe to the Mission Home in Medellin. We don't know who his companion is or where he is going. We also don't know how his last week in the CCM went. I am guessing it went well since he has been looking forward to finally getting out into the field and really start talking to people. It is similar to when he played sports in High School, he wasn't fond of football or wrestling practice but he loved game days or wrestling tournaments! So now that he is out in the field lets see how it goes! Thanks to an returned missionary that is in Surprise North Stake, who just came back from Medellin Mission, we were able to receive a few photos from his arrival in Medellin.

Wheres Waldo I mean Elder Moore?

New Missionaries to Colombia Medellin Mission

New Arrivals and their Trainers

Week 05 - One week left in the CCM

Questions and Answers

How is the Spanish going?
Little by little, I have actually learned a lot of new words this week. Yes, I wish I would have practiced speaking Spanish at home earlier (like 18 years of it). This one missionary who was born in Argentina but moved to Utah when he was really young was only in here 3 weeks because he was already fluent in Spanish.
What is the favorite food you have eaten?
We had pizza the other day and we had steak, but I need some A-1 steak sauce because their meat is really dry. We are still eating a ton of rice at every meal. I am getting used to the food, it's all right. I like the eggs both scrambled and boiled. Meat is good just dry. The pizza is always interesting.
Favorite scripture of the week?
Moses 1, because we are able to study and learn more about the Temple. I also studied 3 Nephi 24 about tithing, that was really good.
How do you feel?
I am really happy, but I just want to get out in the field. I know it is going to be hard at first, but I am ready to learn on the run. I know I will struggle but I think I will learn better out there than in here.

Weekly Recap

Live from the CCM for this week's recap. So we went out proselyting on Saturday with a missionary (E. Hawk) from the Bogota North mission, and it was awesome! I finally felt like I have a purpose here in Colombia. We went on a bus to get there, it was a little scary because the car next to us was leaking gas all over us, and I thought we might catch on fire. They gave us a small lunch and some snacks to take along. We went and visited the Mora family and the Rueda family and did a bunch of street contacts.As we walked all over Bogota I could definitely feel the elevation, it was a little tiring. During our street contacts, we meet some interesting people. I talked to this one guy who had a Pringles mustache, he was cool and gave us a phone number and name. I talked to another guy on a swing while it was raining. I talked to this guy selling illegal movies on the street. We heard about the Mayweather and McGregor fight, but it wasn't on anywhere we were at. Ate some awesome pastries. Went to another park and talked to this guy who was playing with these kids (they weren't his). We talked to this other guy who I felt really bad for, he was all alone, his dad left him when he was young, his mom just recently died, and his cat just ran away. It was so sad, I just wanted to give him a hug.

Went to the Mora's house and talked to them, the wife is learning English and was way cool. We taught them the restoration, thank you JT for teaching me the parable of the mirror. Those examples from missionary prep are very useful and I am so glad that I went and learned a bunch of them. When the husband found out we were going to Medellin on our mission he warned us to either keep our eyes up to the sky or down on the floor, because he said the girls are really cute there and we would fall in love with them. Hahaha. He said Medellin is way better than Bogota and that the people are nicer there and that we would love it there. He said they don't eat as much rice but eat more beans there. The wife made us some hot chocolate and bread to dip in.

We then went and visited the Rueda family and taught them about the restoration also. We (E. Macdonald and I) gave a blessing to some of the kids in the family. One of the boys got mugged and was injured a little. We also saw a Camaro, E. Hawk said that is the first one he has seen during his mission.

We have pizza Fridays, it is really good. Except if you are at the end of the line. They basically put whatever food they have left over for topping, like raisins, rice, pineapples, and mushrooms. I had one that looked good, but they hide the pineapple under the cheese so I couldn't see it. They have this alien fruit (dragon fruit) that is a little strange to eat, but it is interesting. It looks like a little alien with tentacles.

E. Dumas and E. Justice say Hi!

Love and miss all of you,

Elder Justin Moore

Week 04 - CCM Internet restored!

Now that the Internet is working great I will recap what happened last week.

Question and Answers

No, I am not ready to leave the CCM, I have trouble understanding some of the Latinos, for example, some of the Venezuelans are hard to understand for me. Spanish is coming along but I still sound like a Gringo. Hopefully one day I will be able to speak without a Gringo accent. Yes, I am really bored of eating rice daily, today is the 43 time we have eaten rice, it also hasn't helped with the digestive system. I guess I will have to break my rules and eat some of that green stuff. My favorite scripture this week that I study was in Doctrine and Covenants where it talks about the Godhead, I really liked it and it clarified things for me. Also, I have written down some awesome talks that the CCM president has spoken. My teachers are really good, I learn so much from them and they help me out a lot. The schedule is good, I don't mind getting up early, it is just tiring sometimes because we are in class so long. Yes, I am loving the mission, but I do understand how you say it is hard sometimes. Yes, a different "hard" then when I wrestled. So we are going to the Temple today for P-day, I love going so much. No, I am not cold at all it is like California weather, I don't even put on a sweater. Bro Watkins wrote me, I am very thankful that I had him as a leader.

Recap of Week 3

So we were supposed to go get our visa, but there were some issues with our paperwork so we didn't go. We went over this one missionaries letter with the CCM president, it was a really sad letter where he just talked bad about his companion and how complained and said how much they didn't get along.  I think his mom just emailed it out without reading it. The CCM president asked the missionary why he was talking bad about his companion and asked him if he knew his story and where he came from. The missionary said no, and the President challenged him to truly get to know him. Once he stopped criticising his companion and tried to really get to know him, they really started to get along. When his mission was over he wrote our CCM president and said thank you, that once he got to know him he ended up being one of his best companions he had on the mission.

On Saturday we went out proselyting with a missionary from the Bogata South mission. I think he was the Assistant to the President (AP), he was a great teacher and example to us. It was awesome, we got to knock doors (throw rocks at the door) to track out people. We went and talked to a young man whose name is Javier. He missed his baptism date because he had to work the past few Sundays. He lives in a one room place with just a bed in his room. We talked and the AP shared some scriptures and recommitted him to baptism, it was awesome! The only thing that sucked that day was that we were fasting and we walked down a few streets that had food vendors all over and it smelled so good, it was pure torture.

In class, they talked about really understanding our investigators and being their friend. This is covered pretty much every class. It is really cool and you understand that it is essential in the Lords work. I know I would be really good with this if I was an English speaking missionary, but obviously, there is a reason I need to learn Spanish. Maybe one day I will be able to speak really good Spanish. It might take all 23 months but hopefully, by then I will speak like a real "Spanish" person and you will all be impressed.

So for our recreation time, bump out (basketball) has overtaken four square. Some of these Elders are over competitive and don't know how to lose. They play a little too aggressive and take it to serious. I got bumped out by a sister missionary (she is really good) and I was like nice shot Sister. Some of the other Elders started giving me a hard time but I just laughed, it didn't bother me at all.

Recap of Week 4

We did a lot of service this week, it was really fun and we got to do different stuff. Well, all of the Latins and the 6 week Nortes (Americans) left the CCM for the mission field. E. Macdonald and I switched rooms and we thought we were going to get a big room but ended up with a small room. We got some new Latinos in our room and they are really cool. We had hot dogs and Doritos today, it was so great to have "American" food. It wasn't as good as Costco, but I ain't complaining. Everybody complains about the eggs here but I really like them. So we had a little miracle the other day. We were at breakfast and usually, the best thing we eat is we dunk this bread that is really good that they bring in from a Panaderia (Bread Store). Anyways we get to breakfast and there is no bread and everybody is all sad, and we begin to eat our breakfast all disappointed because we didn't get our manna from heaven. Then all of a sudden (cut camera to slow motion) in walks the ladies from the bread store, (pan out to the cafeteria) everybody jumps up screaming and applauding, giving thanks for the little miracle of the bread! The bread ladies are our heroes! We had salmon for lunch the other day and it was really good. We had "English" day this week, where we teach the Latinos Book of Mormon stories in English and teach them new words and sentences. Macdonald gave a talk in church and he was stellar! He did awesome! We went and did our immigration papers. We listened to a talk by E. Holland and he talked about when we return home we need to continue to grow and progress in the church. Don't think that we are done, because we have arrived, we need to continue to progress. He said that like 30% of returned missionaries become inactive, so don't be one of those. I couldn't believe it, I was like how is that even possible.

Well that is all for the week,
Love you all and miss you,
Os Amo mucho!

Elder Moore

Our view of Bogota from on top of the mountain Monserrate

La Iglesia at Monserrate

La Iglesia at Monserrate

My Canteen

Post card of Monserrate

Emailing on P-day