Sister Alex Hartvigsen-- December 6, 2011

Dear Familia, I hope that everyone is doing well and that no one got blown away in the last batch of crazy weather. Things here are really good. I love my branch (congregation that I'm working with) and all the people are so loving. I hope to be able to stay here for a while. We find out transfer news this Saturday and the chances of a new comp are pretty high especially because Sis N is going home. It will be interesting.
This week has been really good. A few weeks ago we were driving in an part of our area that we normally are not in because it is far away and we have a very small miles limit on our car. We were inspired to turn on this little street and we spotted a family outside their house. We jumped out and started talking to them This family is actually about 4 families living in 2 apartments right next to each other. This sounds kinda familiar huh? We invited them to come to meet with the ward employment specialist on Tuesday night and they all ended up coming (about 12 people) We met with them several times this week and taught the restoration and also the plan of salvation. We had a noche de hogar with them last night with our former branch president in the his home. We invited them to come to church on Sunday and 12 of them came and seemed to really enjoy it. We invited them to be baptized but they feel like they still need to learn more first and we challenged them to continue to read the Book of Mormon and pray to receive an answer. We are really excited to continue to meet with this family.
This last week I studied the doctrines in the Plan of Salvation especially the Atonement. As I studied it hit me once again that even though the Savior did pay the price for our sins it did not eliminate our personal responsibility. We have to accept the Atonement into our own life by doing the things that he is asked us to do in the Doctrine of Christ 2 Nephi 31. If we don't do this we don't have claim to the Atonement. God will not force us to be happy or to accept Him. My job is to help people understand the Atonement and then its is up to those that I teach to apply it and make it a part of their lives.
I love you both so much. Have a great week.
Love Alex

Elder Corbin Moore-- December 6, 2011

Subject: Transfers


Well its been six weeks and is now time for transfers. They will be this wednesday, so yeah just getting everything ready for those. Who knows if I will be staying or going. Well this past week has been pretty good, we have been working a lot with the Silva Family, and they all came to church expect for two of the daughters, because one of them is pregnant and sick, and so obviously someone had to stay behind and help her. But they are progressing great. They are all working towards baptismal dates and are getting really excited for those. One of the daugthers is friends with a member, you just turn 8 and got baptized this saturday. So she attended the baptism and now really wants to get baptized pretty soon. It's so great to be able to begin to teach someone and as you continue coming back, you start to notice a change in them. They just start to seem happier and such. Well it was a good week for them. We are shooting for the 18th of December with them. This week we also had the opportunity to talk with Veronica. She just returned from vacation. So we sat down with her and had a conversation about the gospel. And wow was our minds opened. We had so much light shed on her situation. So we will continue to work with her. She even invited us over on tuesday to have dinner, and to talk. This week I have also had a pretty cool experience. I was able to finish the Book of Mormon. So overall it took me three weeks to read it, and now I have started it in Spanish, maybe i'll be able to finish it in spanish, by the end of the year. I also finished Our Search for Happiness, written by Elder M Russell Ballard. And started the Doctrine and Covenants again. I have had a lot of study things going on this week. Its so nice just to be able to sit down and read more and more stuff about the gospel. (Oh and speaking about, gospel. I also finished Gospel Principle this week too.) jajaja. I many of you know I hate reading, but I have been doing so much here in the Mission field. Yes hear in California we did have some crazy wind storms also. But it was only one night that was really bad. Oh and I was in my first earthquake. It was very small, but still cool to experience. With all of these crazy "Mother Nature" things going on. It makes you think really how close the second coming really is. I have been reading a lot about that lately, and when I start to think about we need to get prepared, because the hour is soon at hand. Getting food storage is an important thing, because there will come a time when we are going to have to have something to live off. The world is slowly starting to spiral into a wicked place. So we just have to be on our toes. "Wo be unto those which shall say all is well in Zion." Satan is working his hardest, because he knows that soon enough he will be bound for 1000 years. Be alert, be ready, and be active in the gospel. If we are continually putting our trust in the Lord and following the counsel of the Prophets we will have nothing to worry about. Keyton thanks for the e-mail, it was funny because I got the one that you sent this week, and then also randomly I finally got the one that you sent on the 30th of October. jajajja. Sounds like you all have been having some crazy times with the wind there in Utah. How about the snow? Mom thanks for the package I finally got that. And thank you to all for the e-mails. Sorry I don't have enough time to write everyone individually, but I really do appreciate all of the emails. Bryson hope that you had a good birthday, and Brayden stay strong to the end. What a blessing it will be when you can say that you gave it your all, every single day of your mission. Make sure you don't forget after you come home that you will always be a missionary. You may not have the badge, but when we were baptized with took his name upon his. Hope that all is well, and that everyone is doing great. I'll let you know about transfers. Mom, not really sure what I'm going to need in the Christmas package. I let you know as soon as I think of anything. Well my time is running thin. As this Christmas season approachs I hope that everyone won't get to caught up in the commercial side of Christmas, but to be able to really think about why we celebrate this time of year. CHRISTmas.

Con Amor
Elder Moore

Everything.Happens.For.A.Reason
There.Is.No.Such.Thing.As.Coincidence

Elder Matthew Whittle-- November 29, 2011

Que honda?
comemos pabo y spagetti tambien, pero no celebramos el dia de accion de gracias. solamente comemos por una hora y despues regresemos a la obra. Fue un buen dia. Como estan ustedes? Estoy feliz, y bien! Sounds like you all had a great Thanksgiving. I'm so excited for Cho and his mom. I will write a letter today. I actually have a little extra time today because it's transfers today so we wont go shopping until tomorrow. My companion and I are staying here still of course, but he actually leaves in 3 weeks back home, so I don't know how that will work because transfers are every six weeks.

Tell Elder Terry that he's going insane and he has to snap out of it haha. I love him to death, and yes we are brothers. We will definitely hang out when we get back. Tell him to keep having a positive attitude, and don't let Satan get in his head and discourage him. It's all going to work out.

Jim and the guys at work are awesome. When you see Aaron next time you should tell him that I said hi, and also to tell Jim and Chris hi for me when he gets a chance.

O ya I almost forgot haha. I have a crazy funny story to tell you. The other day we were in Central and we had just gotten out of the car. My companion was getting stuff out of the back seat, and I was waiting for him. I saw a car passing by up the street. The guy was going really slow, and staring at us. Finally he turned around and started driving towards us. He stopped and asked if I was Elder ....... (don't remember what the name was) but I said no, and then he asked what are we studying. (by the way this was a guy that was in kind of an old style gangster looking car, He had the beard and everything going) I told him we are studying about Jesus Christ and the Book of Mormon. That's when it got crazy. He just started going off. I don't think I've ever heard anymore swear words used in my entire life. He just all of the sudden blew up. haha every other word was the f word or something else.

After he got done with his "spill" He said in a demanding tone, "you understand me?" I obviously couldn't understand with all the vulgar language so I just smiled at him and said, "nope, but is there anything we can do to help you?" haha, then he said, "O you a smart ..." and then he just kept going for a minute. (Couldn't understand him again) When he stopped I just said, "ok sir you have a nice day" then I recieved another ".... you" and he sped off. Haha it was so funny/ridiculos. I don't understand some people, but I guess he got his chance to hear the gospel. We always like to joke about saying to people like that as their walking/driving away. See you at the judgement bar haha. I love it out here. A lot of fun experiences, and miracles ofcourse.

Well I hope everything is going well at home. For the package I would love food of course. I haven't really gotten any fatter, but I've gained probably ten pounds since I left. We excersise in the morning, and walk and bike half the week so it's the good kind of weight haha.Keep up the good work. Remember every soul is great in the sight of God. Talk to everyone! I love you all.

Con amor,
Elder Whittle

Sister Alex Hartvigsen-- November 29, 2011

Hi Everyone, I hope that you all had a wonderful Dia de Accion de Gracias. (Thanksgiving) I know that I did. On Wednesday I was with English Sisters in their area because Sister Nishiguchi was on exchanges. We were able to talk to many different people as we walked around. Sometimes we would even be driving and if we saw people we would park the car and jump out and talk to them. It was fun. We talked to a member that way and somehow we got on the subject of poaching in other peoples area which just means when you teach someone that other missionaries should be teaching ( like English missionaries teaching in spanish and using and Interpretor rather than letting the Spanish missionaries teach.) This member said that it was a big problem in his area because all the Spanish Hermosas would always take it. It made me laugh because he mixed up Hermosa ( Beautiful) for Hermana ( Sister) I am a Spanish Beautiful and thats the way that I like it. haha... towards the end of the day we stopped to talk to a couple teenagers who were sitting on the street corner. On of them, mentioned that he is Peruvian and said that we could come over and talk to his family. We went by their house later in the week but they weren't home. We are going to pass by again. On Saturday Sister Nishiguchi and I were in a part of our area where we normally don't go. As we turned on down a street we saw a group of people outside of their apartment. We went over and started to talk to them and explain who we are. One of the ladies had known some members back in Nevada who had invited her to come to church but she couldn't go because it was all in English. We told them about our ward and invited them to come. We also set up an appointment to come back and teach them. When we went by on Sun night we taught about the restoration and the Spirit was very strong as we taught about the First Vision. It was a really cool experience and I feel like we were definately led to these people. There are 3 families there that share 2 apartments next door to each other. We are really excited to teach them again this week. I was in the VC on Sun getting ready to leave when a women in SPanish asked me to do the Christus Narration for her ( the words that are played in front of the statue of Christ) I played if for her and bore my testimony that I knw that she was loved by Jesus Christ. I then asked her if I could do anything else for her. She then told me that she wanted to learn more about the Bible and the purpose of life. That wasn't exactly what I was expecting but I was really excited to be able to help her get in contact with the missionaries from her area. I was even more excited when I realized that she lives in my old Spanish ward. I am excited to see her progress.
Have a wonderful week
Love Alex

Elder Matthew Whittle--November 22, 2011

Que onda!

Mom did you really just say "stoked"? haha I think you need to start listening to my country music more;) haha that rap music is getting to ya. Speaking of music, could you send me some more music? I can listen to music that talks about Christ, and that isn't disruptive. So a couple songs I would like; Jesus take the wheel, and like raise it up (from august rush) Those would be aproved. So I guess you could have Brando help ya pick out some songs or something:) Thanks.

It was so good to see TJ! I'm so excited for him to go on a mission! He's going to love it. It's so much fun to go out and try and find people, and help them change their lives. Yesterday we invited 75 people to learn about the restoration of the gospel. We got a couple potentials so we'll see how it goes.

I'm so glad they finally got a hold of Cho! You need to work with the missionaries, and try and help them in any way you can. I've learned the power that comes from working with the members. We have a lot more success when we work with members. Please have the missionaries talk to Cho's mom and make sure and tell her that I know that this is the true church of Christ, and that it will bring her more happiness than anything else in her life. Tell her I wouldn't have left her, Cho, and my family if I didn't know it was true. Tell her I love her and that I want her to find out that's it's true too because I know the blessings, and joy it brings into my life. Thank you for working with that. Everyone is a missionary.

Well there have been a lot of crazy things happening here in Oceanside. We got a hold of Luz again (finally) she's been really busy, but we're going to go visit her today. Hopefully she still wants to be baptized. I have a feeling that she does. It was crazy last Sunday. We had two investigators that showed up that we weren't even expecting. One was a man named Leo. His wife is a member, but he's not. He just decided to come with his son that's 10. It was so cool. He's been taught pretty much everything, and just needs to decide to be baptized. He's such a cool guy. Very humble, and honest. We also had Carmen come. She has been srtuggling with getting a new job that doesn't work Sundays. She wanted to come to church so bad that she called in and said that she was sick and then came to church.... Not the best solution and we told her that, but kind of cool that she wants to come that bad. She's a great lady. All her children are members de la iglesia, and she see's how happy they are. She wants to be a better mother to them as well. There are so many miracles going on that I can't even pick one to tell you about, but I guess one day I can tell you more.. Hopefully that day doesn't ever come;) haha.

Dad of course I've been to a Spanish ward haha I go to one every Sunday. It's a great ward. Kind of small, but it's growing pretty quickly. It's fun to speak Spanish, y misteco tambien. Misteco is a language from Oaxaca. (not sure on the spelling) but we ask people en la calle como se dice oraciones como de donde es. En misteco: dasho ni ka ku. It's so fun to hear them speak it.

I'm glad Elder Terry is recovering. Hopefully he'll come to Carlsbad CA haha. Tell him to stay strong and remember that the lord has it in control. I'm so happy for Garret! sounds like he's doing great. Tell him to keep it up. Well I have to go. Hope everything is going ok at home. I'll make sure and pray for Dave. I love you all!

Con amor,
Elder Whittle

Elder Corbin Moore-- November 28, 2011

Hola to all those who have the wonderful chance to read my email this week. Im glad to hear that everything is going the way that it should be going in the good old state of Utah. I miss being there for this time of year, because as everyone knows this is my favorite time of the year. I don't know what it is about this time of year but everyone is just happier. It is unfortunate though that it only lasts from the beginning of December to the beginning of January, and then everyone goes back to there old ways. I hope for all that read this, that you can try and continue the feeling of Christmas, or the holidays. Look around yourself and be grateful for the things that you do have, in this world of twisted ways and a descending morale scale. That is one thing that I've learned in the short time that I've been here on my mission, that I was so ignorant of those blessings that I have in my life. As one that has seen both sides of the spectrum, and heed my advice. Always give thanks for those things that you do have, always remember that it could be worse, and that there is someone in the world, who in fact does have it worse than you. Well to the events of this week. Well as everyone knows this has the been the week of thanksgiving. Everyone is wondering what it was that I ate. Well I tell you that it wasn't turkey. We had spaghetti for our thanksgiving meal. Jajaja. The members house that we ate at, they don't like turkey. So yeah it was nice to have something that was different. We have been able to work more with the Silva family. They came to church yesterday all but one, Connie. But she was able to attend a baptismal service that we had after church. They are all pretty excited about learning more. Hope they will be able to enter the waters of baptism in December. As for Veronica she has been on vacation this whole week so we haven't had a chance to talk with her. This week I also had an interesting experience, I was able to give a training session in District Meeting this week. I was weird that they asked me because im new but it was a good experience. As for my Book of Mormon reading. I am in the book of Mormon. The actual book within the book. haha. Well got to run because i don't have anytime left but I hope that everyone is doing great. I would love to hear from you all. Happy Birthday this week to Bernie. Love you all

Con Amor Elder Moore

Everything.Happens.For.A.Reason
There.Is.No.Such.Thing.As.Coincidence

Sister Alex Hartvigsen-- November 21, 2011

Dear Family This last week has been really good. We met with a recent convert family. We taught them the plan of Salvation as part of the new member lessons. We went over to an investigator's house with a member of the primary who brought the family cookies and she invited the family to come to church. We had a lesson set up with a recent convert. We taught her about the Restoration of the Gospel. Met with her later in the week as well and read with her and her sister in 3 Nephi 18 and talked about prayer with them. On Sunday we went by an investigator couple to see if they were going to come to church. They have said that they were coming before but something has always seemed to come up. We decided to ask them if we could get a ride to church with them. They said that would be fine. The women and her daughter drove us to church and then told us that they needed to go and pick up her boyfriend from work. So they promptly dropped us off at the church and drove away. It wasn't exactly what we had in mind. We are probably going to be giving them a break for a while until they are a little more prepared.
The Christmas lights come on on the Temple starting on Thanksgiving and we are really gearing up for the big crowds that aways come this time of year. It will be crazy for the next six weeks but it will be a blast.
Have a great week and a wonderful Thanksgiving. I am thankful for the chance to have all of you in my life.
I love you
Love
Alex
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