Elder Taylor Ferguson-- October 29, 2012

Well mom, the video/audio clip or whatever it was didn't work. and  I didn't get any other emails from you guys...

The week was good, Tuesday we went on exchanges w/ the ZL's and it was a really cool experience, 

 

I made sure to act/vocalize every promp I got, and in doing so we saw lots of miracles and met some really cool people. Then the last few days were good, on Friday night i ate dinner w/ Brother N, a guy who made gregs "M-Tad" infared system so we talked about that stuff and it was really cool, but this week was bike week, and was suuuuper windy! cause of that hurricane. We're meeting w/ J. U. tonight! He's such a funny guy, acts like a 14 year old surfer bum, it's pretty hilarious/sad that he has'nt grown up. Then on Saturday night the ward had a trunk or treat that was suuuper fun it was for the 4 wards in our area and it was really fun. We're meeting with this family of a suuuper rasta dad and his wife, and their son M . they are really awesome, but right now our teaching pool is prettty small, so we're trying to expand it. 

 

I bought a jacket today cause freezing the last few days! and I don't have any long sleeve things (other than my suit coat.) the work is great, and I love hearing from all of you. Thanks mom for the little Work sheet, and talk, it was one of my top 5 from conference for sure! I'll try to send Brooke and Eli's B-day stuff next p-day, or tuesday so hopefully it gets there on time. I'm happy for ya'll. Keep me posted w/ life. We're carving pumpkins in a few minutes, so i'll take some photo's and send them to you next week, o and tomorrow I'll be on exchanges w/ the Portugese elders so wish me luck hahaha

LOVE YOU ALL

OSCULO!

Elder Ferguson

Elder Corbin Moore-- October 29, 2012

Well we had an amazing week down here in San Pedro. So we did some more exchanges this week, because since we have two new missionaries in our zone we have to go out with them. So on Tuesday I went over to the Redono area. I was nice to get back out on a bike and just getting my legs back into it. Riding up big hills, and then zooming down them. What a great time it was and the great view, just made it. Well the Elders in that area have been doing a lot of tracting and so we were doing a lot of that. One of the streets that we were on, I guess is super popular for Halloween and Christmas, because all the house on that street decorated there house and what not. And for Christmas there is even one house that gets snow shipped in. Usually they bus thousdands of kids into this neighborhood, for halloween, and during Christmas it is a 15 min drive just to the end of the street. So we went around offering to help put up Halloween decorations. After all I do have my fair share of training in that area. Climbing up on the roof, every year to hang up Jack Sparrow. We didn't have too much success but it was super fun.

The following day I was on exchanges with the other new missionary. We had a good day and were able to teach a couple lessons, with some new investigators, and some less-actives. Turned out to be a good day. Then Elder Hardman did a ton of exchanges reports so that we could them up to the office by Thursday.

Ok so now I'm going to tie in the subject for this letter. So on Saturday, Elder Hardman and I were having an interesing day, so we decided to go to 7 Eleven, to get some slurpees. We went in and we standing in line to check out we this kid came up to us dressed in a white robe. He put his head in a cloth and then lifted his face out of it. There was a picture of Christ on the cloth, and he said that he was Jesus for Halloween. We were kinda surprised but then decided to talk to the mother. She said that she was sick of all the scary costumes of Halloween and she wanted her kids to be something nice. We asked them what their plans were for that night. They said that they didn't know, and so we invited them to come to a ward Trunk-or-Treat that we were having. We gave them the address and went our separate ways. Well 30 minutes into the party, the M. family walked in. We were blown away. We got some members to mingle with them and then close to the end of the party, the dad came up to us. He told us that he was an inactive member for like 30 years. He told us that his wife was wondering if we could teach her the lessons. Apparently she had been taking the lessons like 6 years ago. So last night we took them to a musical fireside and they loved it. We are so happy for them, and are excited to see what happens. Miracles do happen, even if you are just getting a slurpee at 7 Eleven. Have a wonderful week.

Con Amor

Elder Moore

Everything.Happens.For.A.Reason

There.Is.No.Such.Thing.As.Coincidence

Elder Taylor Ferguson-- October 24, 2012

Hello!!!!!!!!

So 1st day w/ Elder Cooper during comp study he's like what hymn do you wanna sing? I picked "High on a Mountain Top" and said "check it my great great g pa wrote that" and he was all "wait, wait EB BEEZ is myyyyy relative!" so we're cuzins haha somehow, he's from Taylorsville, and he's been out for about a year and a half and is super cool, he's great. :) I';m glad you all got my letters cant't wait to get my reply's :)

Glad that dad is golfing a lot, still bummed about the Braves but go Tigers!!  That's cool about the bedroom set. Today we drove right by Harry potter land/world whatever haha :)

The work is.....rough right now, but we're doing our best and we just keep plugging away, chipping away. The funny thing is in our area there are soooo many people, its annoying we can't teach even a good portion of them. but we know theLlord has a plan, and is preparing the ones he wants to hear the gospel.

It was funny the other day we were over in the ghetto and it's like alllllllll black people right? So were cruising down the street looking around and I see a white person walking down the street up ahead, i thought nothing of it, untill we got close and I realized it wasn't a white person, but a "light" black person. and it was then that I realized that about 90% of the people we see out here are black. it's weird, and the funny thing is it's been almost 8 weeks out here, and I'm just realizing it hahaha.

It's great everytime we go over to the Swaseys house for dinner/or a meeting or anything, Sister Swasey either hooks me up w/ a full pineapple, or a nice freshly cut bowl full!! She's so great!!

Keep helping Bronch thanks, I love the photos!

I talked to a guy a few times this week who was.......interesting, his religion is Econcar. (ekkancar) something crazy it come fromhte book "the tigers Fang/claw?". He's nuts, but the first time we met him we taught the restoration and we asked soo do you think this is true?/could happen? and he's all oh yeah totally,II don't think it, I know it. rIGHT? so we gave him some BOM reading, and we go back, and ask him how it was, he said ".....hmmm interesting, we said oh YEaH? how so? he goes well, starts reading reads like a verse and a half, and stops after is says something aboutC hrist telling us to be baptized, and he goes, we don't need to do that! We were like oh yeah, cool, how come? And he's like well we only do it to join a church, not to follow Christ. we can follow him without that, we asked well then why was he baptized? And he said so he could show us what we're supposed to do..but we don't need to be baptized to be saved....a brotha is crazzzzzyyyyy.

Did I tell you about the ARCH ANGEL we met like my 3rd or 4th week out? she was great. hahaha

gotta go, love you all!!!!!!!

Elder Corbin Moore- October 24, 2012

Well to start off I would just like to apologize, for not sending a e-mail last week. We had to go to Pep boys to drop our car off, and it was crazy. We didn't end up getting it back till like 7 30 that night. Well this week has been a crazy one. Elder Hardman and I have been going on exchanges with the elders in our zone. Also we had singing practices, for a choir piece that we sang last night up at the Visitor's Center. I was able to go on exchanges on Friday, and we went to their ward Trunk-or-Treat, it reminded me of the trunk-or-treats down in Bountiful. This weekend with be the Trunk-or-Treat for the San Pedro ward, should be good. So Friday night Elder Hardman got sick, with the 24 hour flu, we think, and then I got it Sunday morning. It wasn't the funniest weekend that I have had here in the mission. But like I said, we did sing up at the visitor's center, seven of the elders from my zone. It went really well, we all sounded great.

Not much is happening with the work right now. We have found a couple of new people but its to early to tell wether or not they are really interested. But one of the things that I have seen these past weeks, is the topic family. I have been working with a lot of people that are struggling in their lives because they have screwed up all of their family relationships. And so because of that I have been pondering on those concerns and problems. I have come to the conclusion that all the problems in the family stem from pridefulness. Someone who will not forgive another, because of something that was said or done years prior. Someone who puts their own selfish wants first. If we fully comprehend the family, and the role that it plays in God's plan for us, I believe that a lot of these "problems" would be eliminated. Let us continue with our lives, by getting over the things of the past, and prepare for the future.

Con Amor

Elder Moore

Everything.Happens.For.A.Reason

There.Is.No.Such.Thing.As.Coincidence

Elder Taylor Ferguson-- October 15, 2012

Note:  Our Bishop knew Elder Zwick was doing a mission tour in Orlando and told him TJ was there and to say "hi" to him. 

Mom,

Today we were informed of transfers. and Elder Costa is leaving! mid training! Yeah it's nuts. His great training skills are really needed in Cocoa Beach and now I'm the "native" in olympia! So it's super crazy here and I don't even know where to start haha. This last week we didn't get much teaching/in cause of meetings and such this week. So it's crazy the mission conf was super great. It really added to my favorite talk from General Conf. By Elder Holland.  We talked about how that applied to needing a good foundation, (a lot) and continually increasing our spirituality. Again i'm out of time. So friday night we're sitting in our apt. at about 9:45 at night and we get a Phone call from Pres. Hall, (he wouldn't call for transfers/training/ responsibilities.) so I literally thought someone died back home, Elder costa talked to them for a minute, then hands me the phone saying: "Elder Zwick": so I'm all "hello?," and he told me he want's to meet with me tomorrow? I'm like surree?? and he says cause your bishop really loves you and he said I should talk w/ you. So we biked over to the temple and had a nice 15-min meeting, then the temple presiden't took this picture of us! It was a suuuuuuuper awesome experience. But I'm glad eli is doing so well potty training, and you all are too haha Let me know whats going on still.

LOVE ya. look to the mail. :)

About Elder Matthew Whittle-- October 13, 2012

Hi Everyone!

Here is a note that was sent to Matthew's cousin, Krista, in Logan, Utah from Matthew's companion.  Thanks for sharing Krista!!!!

From:  Krista

I got a postcard from Matthews Companion Ty Rupp, who I know from high school. Matthew mentioned him a couple letters ago, anyway thought i would share with you what he said!

 

"Your Cousin Elder Matt Whittle wanted me to say hi for him. I thought it was pretty cool to find out that you guys are related. Elder Whittle is one of the best missionaries I have ever served with. All your family should know that he shows his love for people unlike any missionary I have met. So it is an honor to be serving here in Vista with him. We are going through some struggles but with patience, miracles always come through. I love the mission and love serving the Lord with your cousin, he really is a stud."

 

Elder Ty Rupp

Elder Corbin Moore-- October 10, 2012

Hola a todos!

 

       Well wasn't this week just a blast, with a great finisher like conference, why wouldn't it be. So this week was just another week down here in San Pedro. Elder Hardman and I are still in the finding game but had a couple of kewl experiences this week. It was Wednesday night, Elder Hardman and I had gone to visit everyone that we had planned for that day, it was 8 30 and we had half an hour left before returning home. We were trying to figure out what to do and then we just felt like we should go to Office Depot to finish some of the zone goal stuff that we were planning. So we went up there and when we got there we went to the copy center to get some stuff done. As they were doing our order we decided to just walk around the store. As we walked we came across a lady that had a huge dog. She told us that she needed to talk to us, we proceeded to talk with her, she told us that here favorite quote is, "Adam fell that men might be, and men are that they might have joy", we were both amazed that this lady wasn't a member of the church. We told her that we had General Conference this weekend and then explained how she could watch it. She was pretty excited and then we set up an appointment to go back and she her this week. Interesting how all of this came from an unusual impression to go to Office Depot. I will keep you posted on what happens with her.

       So conference was amazing. I was pumped when President Monson annouced that Elders could leave at 18, and Sisters at 19. I can't wait see what is going to happen with all the young people that will be coming out into the field. I imagine there are going to be a lot of sisters coming out. I'm excited to see the effects of this annoucement. So Keyton what were your thought? You could be leaving on a mission in 1 year and a half. Wow it is the most amazing thing you will ever do. There is nothing that will bring you more satisfaction then helping others recieve the blessings of the gospel. I love my mission, it has changed me in so many ways, and I can only imagine the role that it will play in your life. With that said, Bryson you are following right behind. Even though it may seem far away, now is the time to prepare. If there is one thing that you can do, it would be to strengthen your testimony, through reading the Book of Mormon. I can't begin to express the countless times pepole have tried to tell me that I was lost, and wrong. You have to be prepared to stand your ground and defend those things that you know to be true. If you are struggling to know if this is true, take Moroni's challenge, figure it out. The only thing that will bring you through all the struggles you WILL have is your testimony of the gospel. Work on it, do all you can to continue in the gospel and when you get to the end of the road, and you can't see the path in front of you. Take the next step in faith, look for the fruits of the gospel, and ask God. For anyone who may be struggling at this moment in your life, I challenge you to do the same. Don't take one step away from the gospel. It is the ONLY thing that is going to get you through these times. This world is only going to get more trying, and if we are not firmly rooted in it, we will fall. Continue doing the things that you know are right.

 

Con Amor Elder Moore

 

Everything.Happens.For.A.Reason

There.Is.No.Such.Thing.As.Coincidence

Elder Matthew Whittle-- October 10, 2012

Oh man!

Conference was soooo good! I loved it! We ended up missing the sunday morning session because we had to go up to Camp Pendleton to teach the recruits, but the Tapia's recorded conference for us so we're going to go over when we get a chance during a less productive time of the day. We'll see when that happens haha;) It was such a great conference. I can't believe that the age requirements are now changed. Super Awesome! I would have loved to just get straight out on my mission right after high school, but that wasn't what was supposed to happen with me. I was definitely held back for many reasons. I can see that now.

Man we had one of the coolest miracles I've ever seen. So on Friday night we were going to go visit a less active, but we had the impression that we needed to go somewhere else first. So we decided we were going to go to a potential investigator who had told us that she was usually home Friday nights. So we went and stopped by but she wasn't home. Well we felt like there was a reason we were there so we started to walk around the apartment complex, and as we came around the corner we saw a little ways away a group of 4 black guys standing around their car. So we hurried over to them and started to talk to them.

They were super nice, and they were all Marines. So as we were talking to them one of them asked, "So what's the word for the night." So we said, "Well have you all ever heard of the Book of Mormon?" A couple of them had heard of it. So we explained how it was lost scripture that was found around 1820 by someone named Joseph Smith who had been called by God to be a prophet, just like Moses and how the Book of Mormon is what helps restore us to the truth. After that, one of them asked, "Ok so how did God call another prophet?" Hhe was kind've being disbelieving) That was the key question. So we started by explaining how Christ set up his church, and how he called apostles and gave them authority to baptize and teach true doctrines. We then went into the Great Apostasy.

They were really getting into it as we explained it. Well we got to the story of Joseph Smith and we slowed down a little bit. We explained the background and what was happening to Joseph Smith at the time. Then we shared the experience of the first vision in Joseph Smith's own words. Everyone got quiet and the spirit came in and testified that it was all true. They all believed it was true and were blown away by the experience that Joseph Smith had. Then we continued to explain how the Book of Mormon was written here in the Americas by prophets, and how it started with a family that left Jerusalem. We explained how it contained the fulness of the gospel and how there are 12 apostles and a prophet today on the earth. O ya and after all of this a member of the church pulled into the parking lot with his family. The dad came over and started talking to one of the guys, B., and testified of the restoration of the gospel. B. really liked it and they ended up exchanging phone numbers so that they could keep in contact and talk more.

Well to make a long story short, they all asked us if they could have a Book of Mormon, and if we could come by and tell them more. It was AWESOME! Then we stopped by on Saturday night. They were all there. We talked about General Conference. B, the one that was super interested, had already read in Moroni 10:3-5 and had already prayed and said he felt good about it. Then we showed them a Mormon message on mormon.org, and invited them to General Conference. Bidney came on Sunday and loved it. He sat down with us, pulled out his notebook, and began to write down all these notes from what the prophet and apostles were saying. It was incredible.

We had a member there as well for fellowshipping who invited him over to dinner at his house right after. So we all went over to the members house and ate dinner together. Bidney lives right in the same complex as the members, and said he really wants to be baptized. So ya that was a pretty cool miracle I would say:) The Restoration is true!! Boo Ya!

Well considering that miracle took up all my time to write. I kind've have to get going, but I love you all! Thanks for having such strong testimonies of the Gospel. Keep praying for missionary opportunities, and looking for them.

Con Amor,

Elder Whittle

Elder Matthew Whittle-- Oct. 2, 2012

Tuesday, October 2, 2012 4:34 PM

 

Que Honda!

 

Vista is great. It's not super hot like up in Orange County so that's good:) Elder Knavel is in our Zone. He was actually just made the AP. We have 22 in our Zone with the assistants. It's the biggest Zone as far as missionaries go, so it's super fun to get to know everyone. We had a pretty stressful weekend, but it was really good. So Sunday morning we got up at about 5:40 and headed up to camp Pendleton to teach the Marines. After church services up there we had two baptisms. It's crazy because the marines are only up there for like 4 weeks, so we have to teach them lessons 1,2,3, and 4 pretty much all at once, and then get them baptized. It's crazy how it works, but really cool.

 

What we do is we have usually 5 of us that head up, and then the Marines that are members invite their friends to church and then after we all split up as missionaries, and take a couple of the recruits and go and teach them and try to get them to be baptized within the 4 week time period. Last sunday we had I think 8 investigators we taught at Pendleton. It's amazing how much Boot Camp humbles these people as well. There's one that I was teaching that had just finished reading the Book of Mormon, and he said he wants to be baptized. So it's really neat. The week before I talked to him about baptism and he said he wasn't sure, but then he finished the Book of Mormon during the following week, and recieved his answer that he needed to be baptized. The Book of Mormon is so powerful...... So after teaching up at Pendleton we came back to Vista and went straight to our ward. It was the Primary program. I love those! Made me think of 3 nefi 9:22. Good stuff. So after sacrament we taught Gospel Principles, signs of the second coming, and then after that there was a combined ym/yw class that we taught on the Book of Mormon. It was cool. We challenged everyone to share a Book of Mormon with a friend of theirs in the next two weeks, and gave them each a copy. So Sunday was pretty crazy, and then on Monday morning we had to get up again around 5:30 to finish preparing a 3 hour Zone Training that we gave Monday morning at 10. It was a pretty intense weekend, but super fun:) I've been learning a lot since I got here.

 

So we learned something really neat from President Cook. Ever since the Great Apostasy there began to be all these incorrect Paradigms about God, and many other things, But if you think about History God has been planning for a very important paradigm shift. The paradigm shift of the Restoration of the Gospel. Think about the incorrect paradigm of the world being flat in the 15th century. Everyone thought that the world was flat and that limited exploration, because people feared they would fall off the earth. So think of that and then think of the Book of Mormon. Christopher Colombus believed in God, and said that he was moved upon by the Holy Spirit to explore the seas. There are many other things that took place. Many paradigm shifts such as the printing press, the nicean creed, the reformation, etc. All these things that God was doing to prepare for a huge paradigm shift. The restoration of the Gospel. There were four paradigm shifts that ocurred with the restoration. The first event was the 1st vision. That event answered the WHO we are. We are children of a loving Heavenly Father who has a body of flesh and bone, and His Beloved Son is a separate being of flesh and bone as well. The 2nd event was the restoration of the fulness of the everlasting gospel throught the Book of Mormon. That event answers the WHOSE we are. Because of Christ's sacrifice we are His. We know that it is not only by works alone, or by grace alone that we are saved, but we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do. The 3rd event was the restoration of the Priesthood. That event answers the HOW we get back to our Heavenly Father. It is through Priesthood Ordinances such as baptism, the Sacrament, etc. that we can be saved and make it back to our Father's prescence. The 4th and final Paradigm shift of the restoration of the gospel answers the WHERE. Where do we go to recieve these ordinances. The church was restored and again organized upon the earth, and we now have a place to go to recieve these priesthood ordinances. It's amazing to see how much preparation our Heavenly Father put into this. The Restoration is true, and I know that we really do have a Loving Heavenly Father and He's given us the fulness of the everlasting gospel once again.

 

Wellp don't have much time, but thanks for everything. Love you all. Keep praying and looking for missionary opportunities and you'll have them. Thanks for sharing that cool experience mom. Keep it up. That really made me feel good to know that you're doing missionary work too:) Love you!

 

Con amor,

Elder Witle!

Elder Taylor Ferguson-- Oct 8, 2012

AAAAYYYY MAMMY, (benchwarmers way)

conf. was da bomb. haha i left my notes at home :( but it was like a 1/4 of that blue journal it seemed like haha. it was really good! (Refer to dads email abt the age change)

we had a few investigators at conf. but the problem is they just moved out of our area and even though their bap. date is on the 21st we have to pass them off :( i;m bummed out but it's ok i';m sure there is a reason for it. Elder Costa;s B'-day is november 4. i;m sure he'd like ties (probs no a skinny.) haha, pancake batter/mix whatever ya call it. the dude loves them. and makes some almost every day, he likes those 4 color pens (BIC) the ones with like a blue and white body that grandma used to bring us. he loves those. haha, or maybe some of those twistable colored pencils...etc i dunno crap...stuff like that ;)

I'm glad eli is growing a mind of his own. with the ootes otes, haha we had dinner w/ some members last night, and they had a 3 year old little girl, and she was killin me. she reminded me of eli so much it was tough.but all is well :)

REFER to dad's email abt potty training as well :)

Finding investigators....it's kinda crappy here, cause the rich wont talk to us, and the poor can't get to church, and our ward is kinda having issues (kinda a lot) with getting up and DOING anything. so it's very frustrating. For example the ward asked us yesterday if we had any investigators that would bring a member to church, beacuse no one in the ward would. rediculous. i know. but we're working on it. and i'm not saying the ppl in the ward aren,t great ppl. they jsut don't understand why they need to do things. and that they need to help out. but whatevs. we'll get there. 

But back to finding, it's not only tough cause of the $$ diferance, but the fact that the ward/stakes have the Keys to finding, but won;t give refferals. so we can talk to ppl all day and it dosn't ammount to much. so meh, we're workin on it. 

It's the last week of the transfer (weird cause that means i only have 16 left!) time flies.(not in greg's sense tho) and this week we have a Mission Conferance, with the 70' Elder & Sister Zwick (sp) so that happens on wed so i'm excited for that!

I'm glad ya'll can be safe(ish) sorry, about steves team/coach scenario hope it gets bettah. glad you could have fun in PC sorry it's getting cold, but send me some good fall pics!

LOVE YA'll a butt load :) 

AELSTE Ferguson

 

Danish I think haha

(The Tropical air is good for Elder Ferguson's facial hair)

Elder Taylor Ferguson-- Oct 8, 2012

Paps,

What's funny is you said we, and i already knew it would be all the ppl listed haha! mmmmmmmm steak, i'm jealous. but since my diet change too much red meat kind of makes me sick. hahaha i know i'm dissapointed as well. It's funny cause Out here they have salad almost every meal, so lucky me i get to go to chow town on it. BLeck. I can handle it w/out gagging it down when it doesn't have any dressing but w/ dressings I pretty much want to die. I only drink water, OJ(cause i;m in the orange state hahah) and Diet V8 juice stuff, cause if i drink much else i start to feel kinda sick. it's a weird change. but i have loads of energy so it's alright. 

I wish they'dve given that news a year ago when i was pumped to go! but i think that it was good they didn't cause now i have a lot more direction for my career path. so it's all good. That sounds hilarious!! haha ooooh potty training...i feel for you dad, I do not envy that part of eli's progression. i'm sure you can find a way to find the funny/cuteness in it tho.

haha fall. here it's still like 75/85ish it is pretty nice, a lil hot sometimes but not too bad. i'm pretty used to the humidity by now, but when it rains and you walk outside and like inhale a liter of water. it's not fun hahaha. it rains almost every day here, and OH MY GOSH it really is the lightning capitol of the world. it's so rad during storms it's pretty much constant. I love it.

glad you could get some tee time going. i dunno if i mentioned my area/ ward is split (right in the middle of the area too, on a main road) between pretty wealthy (millionaires/and multi's) and ppl who have virtually nothing. so there are plenty of G courses in my area, but no one has offered to take us yet haha. on p-days we usually play B ball at the gym which isn't my fav but is good cardio haha. so it's fun. my favorite shot is the no look lay up haha i'm terrible but it's fun.

today i was trying to help elder costa pronounce "BEACH" properly, and everytime he tried to say it, it sounded more like B**** hahahaha, so after about 5-10 minutes of trying to explain it i said...."just say coast" hahah it was great.

Thanks for everything you've done for me dad. i love you. 

ELder Ferguson

Elder Garrett Allen-- October 8, 2012

Dear Mom,

Obvilously the whole coming home at christmas is refering to the next year hahaha. Yea my comp is killing me but if I make it to one year there really isn´t a point in goin home haha. Anyways I am sorry about the whole computer going crazy. Dont worry about it to much. It is ok if everyone forgets about me haha. That is kinda how I feel right now. It is weird to be on the other side of the world...But all is good. All of my friends are busy and all of the rest are living life haha. Also about the pin, that is cool just let me know and the packages I still dont know. Yes I have packages...I just dont know who from or anything like that. They came to argentina but they are just staying in to offices until presdient comes to are zone. That wont happen until the 16th of this month so I wont be able to tell you until after that so yea....Anyways, I hope that they made it and thanks for doing that for gallardo! What did i cost you to do that???  I can get it to him because he is still super close to me. Anyways about packages, THere are things that all need to understand in sending packages. First, Whatever you send me they will charge me for here again. It is how it works here on forgien things for some reason. So if you put expensive things inside you need to hide them some how. Maybe but it in a box of so other cheep thing so they can´t see it and the close to box again in a secert way. I dont know how but you can be creative. Also it will take some time...it is really good about getting to argentina but once it gets into the mission hands that is when it gets tricky....the only get to tucuman when president comes or when the zls go to the offices...so you just need to wait...me to and I hate it. It basically is the same with letters...Now I dont want this to discourage anyone so please dont let it. Every letter and package is like heaven to me. Serious. I am so unbeilevable greatful for every single one! so That is that about packages. Just got to go with it and after the 16th I will let you know how it worked out It is kinda exspensive but that is that.... Anyways about what for christmas I reall have no Idea...I feel pretty good with everything....maybe so treats and stuff. I dont know...It is hard for me to say...I have got super chill to the life here so it just feels normal...i am not sure what I would want...I dont feel like I am missing anything less then american food and you cant really send that haha. um yep letter from everyone and pictures are always a plus. Mostly I just miss you guys and everything else is just there...That is one good thing about the mission....It sure has given me a greater appreation for my family...We will talk about you last comment by the way a little later in this letter. anyways a flash drive would be nice but that will cost a lot if you send it. So if you do that is one thing that you have to hide. Like 4 gbs or something. Also maybe so other stuff...honestly I will let you know haha. I have to think about this...that is a a hard one. but I will tell you next week.

So It has just be a interesting time. plus conference always makes me a little homesick...It makes me think of my old job haha. but conference was amazing...the voice of Holland is still ringing in my ears, "Do you love me?". Luckly I got to see 3 of the 4 sessiones in english so it was all of the more powerful. I dont think that any other conference has hit me as powerfully as this one. I loved it all.  I love the talk by ucthdorf was one of my favorites!!! It was all about making time for the things that are really important and not having regrets. That is something that I think that we could all us and take action in. conference week is one of the best in all of the mission. It is such a great time to learn and get feeled with the spirit and to feel good. It was great to hear all of the stories of emery. She sounds like a big ball of joy haha. It sounds like she likes to play. It is sad that she likes football and not soccer but what can you do haha. Also I like ucthdorf more also bahaha.

So the whole comp thing has chilled a little. I have resorted to messing with him a little to clean time. Maybe it isnt the best thing to do but oh well haha. It is the only way I can make it...I just have to laugh at all of the crazy parts haha.

Tucuman is going well. Are area is still really slow and I have now learned what the ward thinks of missionaries from the past because of my president. Appearently they had a bad experiene with some elders or something so that is now the new challenge. I am not going to let it affect me. I have a lot of hope for this haha. It use to be a zl area so it had to be good at some time right? I just got to stay nice and positive and that is about it. And thanks for all of the prayers. They are helping I think haha. It is faith turned into power for sure!

sorry about the whole empty nester thing....that has got to be super hard. but you can chose to endure it well. Plus with all of the free time you can do whatever the heck that you want bahaha. so enjoy it while it lasts! and you are totally celestial materail mam. Dont lose faith in that. YOu can do it and the lord wants you there by his side and I want you there. Dont worry about all of the mistakes or anything like that with the whole fam. It wasn´t like anyt of us were angels either. Honestly I have done some pretty stupid things and deserved a lot of the things that happened haha. I had the perfect and only mother for me and her name is Lafon Simpson Allen and I am proud to call her my mother! She is such a great example of strength and hard work to me. She has such power grace and love in her soul.  I love you love and I love the fact that you are my mom. I wouldnt change it for anything. Yes forgiveness is a big part of the family but you should already no that I have forgiven for ever ago and will until we become perfect and dont have to ask to be forgiven haha. we are perfect and that is that. Plus he that doesn´t forgive wont be forgiven so it is basically a commandment to forgive haha. Everyone just needs to stop looking for the fualts and everything that they think is wrong and just go forward with understanding and care but this is something that I have already addressed in this email so you should know that haha.

Anyways the mission is slow but good. You guys are all in my prayers and i am thinking about you a ton. Tell the moms to give my hellos to all of my friends and all of them that are all missions. I miss those guys a ton. Tell josh good luck on the mission for me and that to. I love you all and thanks for all of the support!!!!!

Elder Allen

P.S. Dyc 121(along with the talk from gordon b hinckley at byu)  y 122

Elder Corbin Moore-- October 1, 2012

       Greetings, from San Pedro. Well sorry I didn't get an e-mail off this past week, with Elder Takogawa leaving and all it was super crazy. Well this past week have been a crazy one, like the past transfer. Its so weird that we are starting off another transfer already. The time really is picking up it is so crazy. Well so to start of the week Elder Takogawa and I just did the regular P-day stuff. We had a zone preparation day, and we went to a park that sits on the coast. It was fun we took a couple of zone pictures and then played soccer. Then after we had dinner with the N., it was really good, and then after dinner sister N. wanted us to sing for her. Elder Takogawa and I had sung in sacrament meeting the day before and she wasn't there and so we told her that we would. So for the song I sung the first verse in Spanish, and then Elder Takogawa sung in Japanese, and then together in English. So I sung my part and then when it was Elder Takogawa's turn to sing he started to get choked up and then we sung together. It was super powerful and the spirit was so strong. Sister N.started crying, and then after Elder Takogawa broke down, he was so dedicated to the work and he couldn't believe that it was over that night. Then after dinner, Elder Takogawa said that he wanted to teach someone that night before we went home and so we went over to D's house and had a great lesson, and commited him to keep working towards baptism.

        Then the next day I had to drive Elder Takogawa up to the mission home, and so we went up there and did that and took some pictures, and then I was on splits with one of the other missionaries from the zone, Elder Wilson. We were in his area for the day, and then that night we had a meeting and I read off the transfer report to the zone. So my new companion is Elder Hardman, he is from Murray, Utah. He is an amazing missionary, he was our last AP and so he knows a bunch, about the mission, and zone leader stuff. We get along just great, we are always laughing and just having a blast down here in San Pedro. We have just been visiting a lot of the recent converts and getting Elder Hardman familiar with the area. We are shooting to find a family this transfer so we will keep you posted on that.

        Well I hope that everyone is doing great back home and getting ready for General Conference this weekend. I know that I am pumped and can't believe that it is here again. Last time we had one I was still in LA 6th. So what is going on, Keyton and Bryson? I haven't heard much from you too lately. I know that your junior year and 9th grade year, are more story-packed then you both lead on. Let me know. and Brayden? Peace out

 

Con Amor Elder Moore

 

Everything.Happens.For.A.Reason

There.Is.No.Such.Thing.As.Coincidence

Elder Taylor Ferguson-- October 1, 2012

Tudo Bom?  (portugese)

hello Family!

Yes, mom i've been getting your letters/packages/e-mail's so thanks! (if your going to write me try to send it/ expect i won't get it till about 5/6 work days later. is my guess as to when i recieve things. I can send them a lil quicker than i can recieve them. so try to keep that in mind. yeah all should be worked out w/ mail now. haha i love the picture frame/ pictures thanks so much.

You can google the name tapes thing, to find the cheapest ones. but i just got mine from OPS Gear (in north Salt lake) you shouldn't pay more than 9, 10 bucks for 3 of them.

AHH the Swasey's. they are so great, and yes sam her son is very much like I was. Good kid, just trying to decide who/ what he wants to be/do.
funny thing about the Swaseys' is sister swasey is 1/2 japanese. so kind of asian looking, and her licence plate says "SWASIAN" i'll get a picture of it. i love it hahaha


I'm glad I can help ya'll, even from out here! you know you can e-mail me pictures and i can see them and say woo hoo, i'm happy :)

just a thought.


haha the 2nd councelor to the bishop here, is a biiig time foot ball fan, so we talk a little sports when we go on exchanges w/ him and stuff so i hear a little about the packers and the fact that they got ROBBED by the Ref's. MY CONDOLENCES. hahaha is zach gunna grow his hair to match matthews?
  **speaking of sports** dad look up KITE, as a basketball player/coach. i can't remember his 1st name but the dude is rich/tall and i think i heard someting about the celtics and him. so see what you can find out hahaha. maybs i'm wrong. who knows haha

I'm way excited for Conf. it's a few hours later here so like 12 and 4 but we will probs have as many investigators come as possible and it'll be great. it's sad but i'm realizing that i havn't watched like the last almost 2 years of conferance! why? i allllllways happen to be at the farm! it's crazy hahah


ooooooooh look up "love her Mother" mormon messages. i was watching it like "la lala coo coo, then i was like i know her...somehow....then i know her...then i know him... Wait!" you probs already knew about it but i thought it was cool haha try to watch lots of those, i love them! post them to F book, and i promise it'll brighten someone's day.

ELder costa is a wookie. like from starwars. that was for you abby. the dude is seriously soo hairy. it's hilarious because he's only 18 till november!!!! (4th) if you were wondering i think. oooh and abby do you remember T&F? tar and feather haha i thought of that the other day and laughed hard. haha

 can someone hook me up w/ Jesus the Christ?/ the works or whatever they call it. except i have true to the faith. (got it at the MTC)
thanks!

I was thinking the other day and i realiezed. NOBODY should make ANY major decision in life w/out holding(or being able to hold) a temple reccomend. just don't. fun fact haha

another fun fact: the eye of a needle? anyone know the story i know Grandpa does, it didn't actually mean the eye of a "needle" it meant the small like (4ft) door that you had to bow to get through that lead into a city. so a camel getting through that is not exactly easy.

i saw ice cube at the library the other week.(not really, but prob's his twin)

ya'll (especiallly karl/john/ty) would be super jealous of the rain storms we get here they are so sick. plus it's the lightning capital of the world. apparently!
it's cool! oh and you 3 should look up D&C 33:10. i thought of you all when i read it. "GOD WILLS IT"

last week during Black GG's baptismal interview it was funny i was sitting just outside her house (concrete 2 room little house/apt./thing.) while the interview was going on i realized that to my left like 15 feet away there were all these ppl drinkin partying blah blah blah at like 4 in the afternoon on like thursday. that is why there are so many poor people. they wont work. it's not so much as they are downtrodden. it's that. but the funny part of that was that they were doing that whilst black GG was working on starting fresh. i loved the opposites haha.

mom my fave scriptues are 2NE10:23 & 3NE 15:9. i think it seems like they always change hahaha

ooh i glanced at a magazine at walgreens the other day and saw macaulay caulkin died? what the heck?

elder costa doesn't know what ppl of wal mart is. so send me some funny ones (appropriate of course) and we'd love the laugh.

but on Saturday Black GG was Baptised, it was a fairly small crowd maybe  15 ppl, but it was really good. she was crying before she was "dipped" she started saying that all on her own. i'm serious. GG's TWIN! so funny in every way. she calls crying "leaky face" it's just great. but she was very happy, and it was all good. then on sunday i was able to confirm her. which was really cool!!

but now since we baptised 4 of our 8-10 investigators it's all about finding/contacting/ getting referrals from members to start working some others. we're excited though.

I love you all,

ANZIANO Ferguson

(axe kiera/marc what language it is and why i chose that'n.)

Street sign pictures: RUSH HOUR, I always passed lee street. thought it was funny, then one day i saw carter and went "ELDER STOP. I'M TAKING A PICTURE" haha that was for BRONTE/KARL/Ty/JOHN kelly!

and i found that dinosaur thing somewhere in the cabinets and at my triple decker like that thinking of dad/ and eli haha