Hello hello! This weeks blog is going to have plenty of pictures, so just be prepared for that. I'm typing this excitedly, as this is the last blog I'll be writing from my home in Utah. I've received my flight plan and itineraries, and I will be flying out of SLC on Monday, the 23rd. So 2 DAYS!!!! I've had waves of emotions all throughout this week, ranging from stress to excitement, which I guess isn't all that different sometimes.......
Anyway! The week started on Sunday, with my missionary farewell. I gave a talk in my sacrament meeting (if you want to watch the talk, click this link ----> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4mJIeCi7pJo) I was so filled with the spirit as I shared my testimony. Our last song of the meeting was 'Called to Serve' and I would be lying if I didn't get teary-eyed while singing in the congregation of my friends and family. Afterwards, we had an open house with a great turnout. So many lovely people who have supported me throughout the years, either as leaders, acquaintances and best friends, or aunts and uncles or cousins, or my own immediate family. All have done amazing things to help me in every way possible and support me. I was so happy I could see them and thank them for the things they've done for me.
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| The Moss FAMILY!!! We are pretty Mossome. |
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The rest of this week at the CTM took a long time as I have been anticipating leaving for the actual mission field. Some days it's hard to sit through Portuguese Grammar when you know you aren't going to be using it immediately on the mission, but I continued to push through, and I actually learned a lot of helpful grammar things that I can study while I wait to go to Brazil. Along with a lot of the working stuff, I have been really really tired. Really tired doing a lot of different things, and preparing and packing and all that jazz. I think I took a nap 6/7 days this week. One of the days I was listening to a talk by Elder Holland, "The Atonement and Missionary Work." Here is the link to listen to it, it is fabulous!!!!! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-uk2KziLVY. The power and the conviction that comes from that man about missionary work is astounding. He is so passionate and dedicated, it just makes me want to get up and get to work when I listen to him. He truly is a man speaking with the power of God. I feel it whenever he talks, just like I do with our Prophet. And also, there's nothing like listening to Elder Holland in a dark room before rolling over and taking the most spiritually fulfilling nap.
Along with that, a lot of this week has been finishing things up and saying goodbye. One of these things involves my gym. I've been going over the last year, and literally the last day I could go was the day that I hit my 100 workouts. They celebrate it and it was awesome. Barely scratched it in there. They were so awesome and helpful to me, and my companion, my mom and Will Thomas always with me!
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| 100 Kettlebell at StayFITT! |
Another thing saying goodbye to was our CTM instructors. Yesterday we had our final workshop and days with our instructors Irmão Morais and Irmã Stéfany. Both great instructors who helped me develop my teaching skills and Portuguese in unique and interesting ways I didn't know was possible. I'm very grateful to them and their abilities to help us feel welcome and validate our fears and concerns with going out into the mission field tomorrow. My district is all leaving on different times this week and next week, but me and another Elder are the first to go, first thing in the morning on Monday. I'm spending this weekend with my family, packing like a mad-man, doing last minute shopping, and anxiously awaiting my flight on Monday.
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| Irmã Stéfany 👀👀 |
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| Irmão Morais VIVAH BRASILLLLLL!!! |
The thing I want to end on is the spiritual note that I've been focused on most this week. Throughout this week, I've been thinking, pondering, and praying a lot, a LOT about the mission and me leaving for the field and everything that comes with it. I'm a little nervous, well, actual quite nervous but also quite excited. On our last day yesterday, we were asked "What makes a successful missionary?" We turned to Alma 17, where Alma runs into the Sons of Mosiah. They all have a lot of great qualities about them, but the one that struck me the most was their care for the people. Verse 9: And it came to pass that they journey many days in the wilderness, and they fasted much and prayed much that the Lord would grant unto them a portion of his Spirit to go with them, and abide with them, that they might be an instrument in the hands of God to bring, if it were possible, their brethren, the Lamanites, to the knowledge of the truth, to the knowledge of the baseness of the traditions of their fathers, which were not correct." And then Verse 12: "And it came to pass that the hearts of the sons of Mosiah, and also those who were with them, took courage to go forth unto the Lamanites to declare unto them the word of God."
I'm ready to serve the people. The people of Florida and then Rio de Janerio, I'm so excited to share this love and happiness I have in the gospel. I'm grateful to my Savior, I have been filled and felt his love for me. I know he is watching over me, even when I'm scared and hopping on a plane soon, I know he will watch over his servants. I know my calling is where I need to be right now. I love God, I love Jesus, I love the Book of Mormon, and I can't wait to share that with the world.
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