The Corner of Far Out and Way Out

Happy Monday again!

I had a crazy week again. We had another zone exchange and I went with Elder Ward! I had forgotten to mention it last week but when we went to his area on the blitz last week, I had an embarrassing occurrence. I work in English so I don't recognize any body in the Spanish Ward. I also don't know his area at all. We just went knocking doors all the way down the street and ran into a member, Sister Cantu.

The conversation was in Spanish but it basically went like this:

*Knock Knock*

Her: "Hello."

Us:   "Hi. How's your day going?"

Her:  "Good."

Us:   "Have you ever talked to missionaries like us before?"

Her:  "Yeah... I'm a member. I'm Sister Cantu."

At this point I had no idea what to say and it was super awkward. On this week's exchange Elder Ward took me to her house again. She definitely recognized me. I got to be embarrassed again! Oh well.

The next day we rode to a great distant part of his area. It has the best street names (Picture 1). Exhibit A: The corner of 'Far Out' and 'Way Out' (Picture 2). When we got all the way out there, however he got a flat tire. It worked out though because we were nearby an investigator, so when we got a member to come save us we were able to bring them to a quick lesson. It was kind of messy getting the bike all fixed but we had a great time.

We ended the exchange at Monkey Lady's house! The whole zone met to help clear her yard/jungle (Pic 3). She has monkeys and birds all leftover from the zoo she used to own. She used to have wolves and a gorilla, but they are at the Brownsville zoo now.

 In pic 4, we have Rosie, the friendly monkey. She is the most tame so she is kept by the house and we got to play with her. If Monkey Lady was less crazy I would go over there more often.

 

We had Stake Conference this weekend. Because the stake covers Harlingen and Brownsville. Most of the sessions were in Brownsville. We drove down on Saturday for a 3 o clock Priesthood Leader session and an adult session at 7 o clock (both in Spanish [with translation). Then on Sunday there was a Spanish session at 9 (Brownsville) and an English session at 1 (Harlingen). It made for a crazy schedule but it was good. Sister Maluenda spoke Sunday morning and President Maluenda spoke Sunday Afternoon. 

Later in the day we had two birthday meals for Elder Ivey. He turned 20 on Friday!

If it's your birthday, then happy birthday to you. Have a good week.

Elder Larkin Moss

Investigator Blitz!

This week was nuts. 

From Tuesday to Saturday we did something as a zone outside of my area. On Tuesday to Thursday we blitzed some areas. For three hours on each of those days all 10 sets of missionaries in the Harlingen area worked to find new investigators in one area. We found 30 the first day and 50 on Wed and Thurs. In fact those were the number of baptismal dates set. We just went crazy and invited everybody to be baptized.

On Friday we all went to do some yard work for an investigator. (Pic 1) The entire yard was overrun with grass and weeds. We went CRAZY with weed-whackers and machetes and cleared it all out.

On Saturday we did another blitz. It was only 12 missionaries this time but we still set 30 BDs [Baptismal Dates] again. Our goal was 30 and we sat at 29 til the last minute until I sent in number 30 on the way home. Overall it was a wonderful experience. We all gained a lot of confidence. Also, a lot of investigators.

On Saturday evening an investigator, Dimas, invited 12 missionaries to his house for a bbq. It was very delicious and super fun. In picture 2 we see Elder Jardine fulfilling a dare to hug a tree. He said it hurt.

We also had a Nerf gun fight in our apartment yesterday. It ended after two of us got hit in the eyes. It was fun though.

​Everything is great. Texas is great. Have a great week.

I Never Thought 80 Could Be Cool... But It Is

Good day. 

​I went on two exchanges this week. On Tuesday, I went with Elder Acosta. This was his fourth week of the mission so he has a long way to go. However, he has quite a lot of potential. He is very outgoing and he knows his purpose. In fact I learned some from him. 

On Saturday I went with Elder Pope. Reminder: He was my first district leader and on my last day in Mercedes we had a super great exchange. It went just as well this time. We did some great work and had a lot of fun.

They were both super fun and funny.

I'm still alive so I guess things are going pretty well. It is getting pretty sunny but its not bad. It is weird when the sun goes down and the air gets cool, then I realize it is still 80°. I never thought  80 could be cool but it is.

The heat really isn't that bad. The humidity is.

Tengan una buena semana!

Elder Larkin Moss

Six Months!

This last week, I hit my 6 month mark. I have been away from home for over 6 months now. It is just crazy.

​Our investigator Daniel, who was supposed to be confirmed this week was not at church. We went up on Friday and stopped by his house and were greeted by his parents. They told us that he went to work up in Houston for a couple weeks. Without a phone. All we can do is hope and pray to see him when he gets back.

I'm not too worried though. Last Sunday, before he got baptized, he brought his tithing. Most converts take at least a month to get their tithing going. Therefore, I believe he had good reasons to go.

I got fat on my 6 month mark. I made myself a milkshake and made brownies and cupcakes. Watermelon cupcakes. They are quite interesting. I saw them and had to try them. Worth a try.

The area is great, the ward is great, my companion is great, so I have nothing to complain about.

Elder Larkin Moss

I saw a turkey! It lives near one of our investigators.
We found it like 10 days ago. It is there everytime we go.​

 Fat man's diet.

Baptism!

We baptized yesterday. In the first picture we see me and my companion, Elder Boyer and our man Daniel.

Daniel is awesome. He has a great testimony of this wonderful gospel and is so happy with the change he has made in his life. He has had a tough time in life up to now and is finally clean and ready to go on this new path. 

 In picture two we see Gina also being baptized. Elders Galloso and Ivey (left to right) are her missionaries.

This week I got to go on an exchange with Elder Ivey. The whole zone did an exchange and I lucked out and got my first choice. I didn't even have a say, it was simply a miracle. We had a lot of fun and as a zone, thanks to our great zone leaders, we found over 50 new investigators in 2 days (as a zone). 

Also after the baptism our whole district went to our member Nick's house for dinner. Nick Del Angel is the nicest little guy ever. We met his friend Don. Don had a stroke awhile back and has since had the mind of a toddler. Nick takes care of him because he is such a swell guy. 

This work gets better and better everyday and I can't wait to do it some more.

Have fun and love life!

Elder Larkin Moss