Elder Taylor Ferguson-- Dec 31, 2012

Parental Units (cone heads)

HOW art thou?

It was really awesome to see everyone (and mainly my gun! jk) I am great and happy, I'm glad you noticed, but I am dying right now......,my hair is waaay to long! I feel like I need to get it cut all the time! haha

Yeah the Brawdy's said Brody, are super great, they helped us out a lot, then after we (Elder Cooper and I) finished skyping we went and ate some deelish BBQ! And they all loved the Baked bean the most! haha who wouldn't though right?  But right as we we're finishing up our luncheon ( I feel old saying that) we got a call from one of our recent converts. But since we were at the meal we did'nt pick it up. Then the Bishop (brother Brawdy's father in law, whose house we were at) got a call from him too, so he answered it, and we found out that our recent convert Eric, died Christmas morning. Eric was a 20 year old guy, who was a little sickly both mentally (not enough to be unaccountable though) and physically. But not sick enough to die, we were very surprised as to his sudden passing. He had a really rough life, he and his family are very poor, he didn't have many friends, he didn't work. He had a rough life. While it was obviously sad, at the same time it was a very very faith building experience for us. The reason being, that Eric was a missionary find from this last spring. He was baptized on Jun 25 2012, and died Dec 25, 2012. Less than 6 months after he was baptized he passed away. Eric though his life like I said it was rough, however through all that stuff he always had a VERY firm faith in Christ. He was always searching for a church where he felt Christ wanted him to be, and one day he was blessed to find it.  He took action and was baptized. Now the faith building portion of this story is this, that obviously there is no such thing as coincidence. And the fact that he was always searching, then finally found Jesus Christ's church, then passes away being released from some pretty heavy stuff shows that God is preparing people for us to share the gospel with, not just us missionaries, but everyone! It shows that we CANNOT judge people, because believe me if you saw this guy you'd never guess he had  faith like he did/  I love that you and dad both talked about Pres Monson's talk in your emails cause it's exactly what I learned this christmas.

love your child!

Elder Corbin Moore--December 31, 2012

THEY CAME! Well this week was absolutely amazing. We were able to have a couple lessons with M and E. They were really powerful, and we got them to commit to come to church and to start reading the Book of Mormon. They came to church and had a really great time. They were excited to go to the gospels principles class, and when we got there the teacher wasn't there. So it turned out that I taught the class, and they still enjoyed it. We found a new investigator through a family in the ward. They are kinda less active, and so we went over there to teach the 18 year old son, and then his little, 9 year old, sister was there. We invited her to sit in on the lesson and she said yes. Then mom came in about 10 minutes later and said that she wanted to talk about getting C.  (the little girl) ready for baptism. What a miracle. We went to the Visitors' Center with them and and a wonderful time, looking at the christmas lights, and listening to music. We also were able to have a lesson with Norma this week. We had Hermano S. come with us, and it turned out really well.

So we were able to speak on Tuesday. It was nice to be able to hear everyone's voices, and to talk with you all about how things are going back home. I hope eveyone is having a great holiday season, especially because today is New Years Eve. Don't party to hard. That means you too, Mom. I know your are turning 41, but you'll have to take it easy. Hahah. Mom hope you have a great birthday that is full of fun, and laughter. Have a martinellis for me. So what are the big plans for this special day? As for us we are going to be have a zone activity. But it'll just be the elders because the sisters are all performing tonight. So all the elders are going to be playing basketball, and then going out for some food. Then we will head up to the Visitors' Center to support the sisters in the zone. Should be fun.

This past week we had transfers. Elder Garrett got transfered down to Redondo beach, and so I stayed here in Penmar. My new companion is Elder Casper. He is from San Antonio, Texas. He came out the transfer before me, and I served in the same zone with him, when I first came to the mission. He is the second oldest out of 5. Both of his parents served missions, in Brazil. He is a hard worker, and we have had a lot of success since he got here. It should be a really great transfer. Well that's about it for this week. Hope everyone is well.

Con Amor

Elder Moore

Everything.Happens.For.A.Reason

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

Stay.Fresh

Elder Corbin Moore-- November 26, 2012

Subject: Nothing Like a Good Ol' Thanksgiving Dinner

Gobble, Gobble, oh wait thanksgiving is finally over, now its time for the best part of the year. Yes as you may have guessed I do love the Christmas season, but let me give you a re-cap of the week of Thanksgiving. Well the week started off with a good meeting with the leadership of our zone. We got together to discuss the successes of our zone and to see what goals we could set for the month of December to help us be better missionaries. So that went really well, we were able to generate a lot of ideas, and we will be meeting this tomorrow to finalize the zone goal of December. Tuesday night we were able to go and have dinner with a less active family and to show them the new mormon.org/christmas website. Unfortunately they didn't have it in Spanish so we just watched the video and other things in English. All in all I hope that it was a good experience for them and that they were able to feel the christmas spirit. After that we passed by a members home, and as we were walking to the door, I almost walked right into a spider. Elder Garrett walked just to the left of the spiders web, and I was walking right next to him. But as I started getting closer, I saw something floating in the air. Then I realized that it was a huge spider. I took some photos of it so you will be able to see it.

So for Thanksgiving, we ate in the house of our Bishop. When I say we I mean, Elder Garrett and I, and the other two elders in the ward, Elder Thurgood, and Elder Petrie. Our Bishop is a white man that served in Argentina, where he met his wife, I thought that was interesting seeming how my brother did the same. And so Sister Ma made all the food, and it was so good. We had turkey, obviously, mashed potatoes and gravy, stuffing, yams, macaroni casserole, finnel, and amazing pie. Basically it was like I was eating American food, but with a different family. I was a good thanksgiving dinner, and then after we went over to other home to pick up some food, that another member had made for us. It was a good thanksgiving, just without the board games, and family.

We were able to see M. and E. this week, and then they cancelled the appointment on saturday, kinda a bummer, but M. came to church yesterday which was great. She really enjoyed it, and said that next week her mom is going to come as well. I will be good. We were able to set baptismal dates with them for the 23rd of December, so they are excited about that. Also I talked with Elder Hardman and he said that the M. family is getting baptized on the 9th of December, so I will hopefully be able to make it down there for that.

Well it sounds like Thanksgiving was wonderful for all of you. Are you all getting ready for Christmas, and the spirit of the season. Remember not to get too caught up in the material aspect of things. Brayden congrats on the baby stuff, I'm sure it will all be great. Hope that everyone is having a great time, and enjoying life. Thanks to all who have been writing me emails every week, Oma and Opa, my wonderful parents. Hope to hear from you all soon.

Con Amor

Elder Moore

Everything.Happens.For.A.Reason

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

Elder Corbin Morre-- November 19, 2012

Well this week was a really good week here in Los Angeles. I was able to start speaking more Spanish with the members and the investigators that we have. I came back super quick, and now I'm basically back up to speed. We had a successful week, being able to see a lot of our investigators, and setting return appointments with them if they were busy. Hopefully we will be able to see all of them this week. This week we had MLT (mission leadership training), it was super good we were able to talk a lot about the stuff that is going to be happening for the holidays here in Los Angeles, and some of the stuff that the church is doing abroad. We are going to be trying to incorporate all of that in our teaching, and help our investigators and members, really have a wonderful experience this holiday season.

On Tuesday I was able to teach a member of our ward, his name is A. C. He was someone that Sister Christensen, Justin's older sister, knew when see served in this ward. I you are confused I'm sure Josh can fill you in on who they both are. So that was kewl, because I was reading through a list of names that she gave me, and their family was one of them. Super Kewl. It is awesome how the Lord works. I love it.

So about my companion, Elder Garrett. He is from Beaver Creek, Ohio, and came out to the mission the transfer before me. He is one of four kids, and is the third. Fun fact about him, he started his mission in the MTC, going to the Los Angeles mission, two weeks after his older brother came back from serving in the Los Angeles mission. I thought that that was kinda kewl.

Sorry got to run, Happy late birthday to B-money.

Con Amor

Elder Moore

Elder Corbin Moore-- November 12, 2012

Well as you can tell from the title of this e-mail, I was transferred up to Beverly Hills/Santa Monica and I was put back in Spanish. I was an interesting switch not being in the lovely paradise of San Pedro. I still am doing to Zone Leader thing, which is still keeping me quite busy. I was sad to leave, but I will be able to go back down for the Baptism of the M. Family. I am not in a zone that is mostly made up of Visitor Center sisters. So it is a little different. Now that I'm back is spanish I'm trying to get back in the spanish groove. It was super weird going to church in Spanish again, but im sure that it will come back in with time. Im sorry that the letter is super short. Not much happened this week. We were inside the apartment for a day and a half, because my companion Elder Garrett was sick. I'll write more next week.

Con Amor

Elder Moore

Everything.Happens.For.A.Reason

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

Elder Corbin Moore-- November 8, 2012

Well this week was a really good one. We had ZLC (zone leader council) on tuesday and I really enjoyed the topics that we talked about. One, was the skill of listening and how it is so important as a missionary but unfortunately I feel like its one of those skills that needs to be worked on. And then to top it off, we had a great training on the Book of Mormon. Wednesday morning we went up to the Visitors' Center with the Mireles. It was so awesome. We watched that family video that talks about our view on the family, and how they are eternal, they really enjoyed that. Then afterwards we went on a temple tour with them, where we walked around the temple, and stop at different places and talking about relevant subjects. The spirit was super powerful and we took a picture of them by the front doors and commited them to be sealed in a year. The rest of the week was kinda a blur. We didn't get a chance to see the Mireles because there kids had the flu or something. We did the regular stuff for the week. We went to a baptism this Saturday of one of the companionships in our zone. It was really kewl because I was able to have dinner with this family and teach them on exchanges once. Sunday morning was and interesting one, because Elder Hardman and I had to be up at 4 so that we could get ready and drive to a stake report meeting that we had. It was super early but turned out really good. Then after that we raced back to our area so that we could make it on time to our ward council meeting. That also turned out well because, when we starting talking about the Mireles, everyone started saying that they had seen them that week, and the bishop had already been in contact with them. So that is good to see the ward just reaching out to them and trying to get them intergrated in the ward. After church we were able to stop by and see the Mireles, who unfortunately couldn't make it to church because of prior commitments. We had a good lesson with them about the Plan of Salvation, and we should be seeing them some more this week. We also went to the Departing Missionary Fireside, where the missionaries who are going home on Wednesday, give their last testimonies for all the members and investigators who come to see them. It was good, we had 12 missionaries going home, and so it was a big group. Today for the last P-day of the transfer we went up to President Chen's house. He is a member down here in Palos Verdes, and lives in this huge house, so once a transfer we get to go and just have fun. He has tennis courts, ping pong, billiards table, and a bowling alley. So we did some of that and then had lunch. Super fun.

So what has been going on back home? It is super weird to hear that the stake presidency changed, and that now our Bishopric will be changing as well. Well I wish the best for all those with new callings, and I know that who the Lord calls the Lord qualifies. Its one of those things that I have seen on my mission, that when there is something new to accomplish, or a new assignment the Lord always helps us to fulfill our duties. What else is new? Keyton? Bryson? Brayden? Hope that all is going well and that everyone is enjoying life, even though sometimes we have struggles. Mom & Dad, what is happening? How is my car holding up? Is it still amazing? Oh and is someone washing it every Saturday? Hhaha. Everytime I was the mission car, I think of saturdays with my car. Those were the days. Well I don't have to much more to say. And my time is close to an end. Hope all is well. By the way, what is happening with Josh?

Con Amor

Elder Moore

Everything.Happens.For.A.Reason

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

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 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 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 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 Corbin Moore-- September 11, 2012

Here we are again at the beginning of another week. Hope that everything has been going well for everyone, and that we are all having some good opportunites to share our beliefs with everyone with all the publicity that the Chruch is receiving. Well for us it has been another busy week. We have been running everywhere, and have also had a lot of opportunities to talk to people about the Church.

        We started off the week, with a good Tuesday morning. We had ZLC (zone leader council), with all the zone leaders in the mission. It was a good, long meeting. We received a lot of different trainings and instruction about different topics. Then it was our job to take all of that information and present it for our zones in a Zone Training Meeting. So we tried to soak up all that we could so that we could successfully convey the message. It went really well, but after the meeting I accidently left my backpack at the church. So we went throughout that day thinking that I had left it in our apartment. When we returned home that night to get it, it was not there. Turns out it was left at the church.

        Well sorry it is super super short, but it have to go now. Bye

 

Elder Moore

Elder Corbin Moore-- September 4, 2012

Subject: Conquer the Bridge

       Greetings from California! Well what a surprise yet again, I had a busy week. It was really good with a lot of activities jam-packed into one small week. We started off the week with some more meetings in our zone, so that we could get our zone goal up and running. I turned out pretty well but had to have another meeting before the end of the week to finalize everything. We also we informed at the beginning of the the week, that our date for President Interviews was moved up. So everyone in the zone had interviews and we had to do all the coordination of getting everyone there on time, at their scheduled time. Overall it was a successful day, that finish off greatly. On Tuesday I was on splits in other area working with one of our District Leaders, it was a really good day. I was able to sit down to a good home cooked meal with them, and while I was there I was talking to one of the in-active daughters who is now and atheist. I was able to bring some really good points with her, and to answer the questions that she had for me. I hope that she can see the blessing of the gospel, and the light that she is missing without it. Then Thursday night rolled around and I was asked if I could give a training in District meeting the following day. Of course I said yes and was able to prepare a good training about setting goals. Hopefully everyone learned something new, because I know I do everytime that I am giving a training. On Friday I was back on splits with other set of elders. I was with one of the new missionaries that just arrived this transfer. He is from New Zealand and is a great missionary. I was so great to see the "Greenie Fire", or so they call it. He was so ready to share the gospel with everyone. We had a really successful day, talked to alot of people and were able to find four new investigators, hopefully we can beginning teaching all of them. We are still looking for new investigators so whoever we can find is wonderful. I was also able to return back to my old area to see A. get baptized. She asked me to speak at her baptism. I was super weird because it was in Spanish, and I haven't spoken Spanish for what seems like forever. It was nice to be able to see her and her two daughters, K and K Who by the way, should be getting baptized soon. We will see what happens.

       Well I had a couple of interesting opportunities this past week. The first happened last Monday after I had written the email and everything. Elder Takogawa and I had the opportunity to go to Vicente Point, which is like this old lighthouse on the cliffs. We took some pictures and really had a blast. Then for one of the nights this week we were able to eat with one of the members that lives basically on the coast. It was so kewl to be able to eat dinner and to see Catalina Island of in the distance through the haze. The other really kewl opportunity that we had was to do a service project this morning. We woke up at 4 20 and headed down to the.....Long Beach Bridge....I think that what the name was. Anyway they were having their annual race on the bridge. So they shut down the bridge from like four in the morning to 11. We were able to work up on the bridge and cheer on all the runners and put down huge mats, on the grates. It was a super good view. Unfortunately I didn't have my camera with me.

        Well I'm glad to hear that everything is going well back home. I bet the boys are excited to get back to school. I remember when I was in school, and it was summer. August just dragged on and I wanted to go back. Then school would roll around and I would want to have a break again. Well I hope that everything goes well for them. Bernie, good luck with the football stuff. Remember if you want to be the best, you have to think like the best, act like the best, train like the best, practice like the best, play like the best, BE the best. Keep it up. Work hard and it pays off. Thomas Eddison didn't make a light bulb in one try. In fact he failed many, many times. And when he was asked about his failures. He would reply,"I didn't fail, I just learned one more way not to make a lightbulb." When the going gets tough, the tough better get going. Peace out.

 

Con Amor Elder Moore

 

Everything.Happens.For.A.Reason

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

Elder Corbin Moore-- Aug 27, 2012

WOW!!! I can't even begin to express how fast this week has gone. I can hardly recall what happened. We have been so busy running here and there, and before we know it, it is time to return to the apartment and plan for the next day. So yeah we have been keeping ourselves pretty busy. We have been out in the streets a lot lately talking to everyone that crosses our path. Just out here looking for the Lord's elect, and we are going to find them too. Well I honestly can't remember what happened this week, other than a bunch of meetings. Stake report meetings, baptismal interviews, baptisms, zone leadership meetings, mission leadership trainings, district meetings. I don't think that I have been to this many meetings in my life. Well I have to go but I will hopefully have a better email next week. Hope that everything is going well for everyone one.

Con Amor

Elder Moore

Elder Corbin Moore-- August 20, 2012

Subject: Speaking Good Ol' English

       Well this past week has been pretty crazy. Tuesday was my last day in Downey so we went to the set appointments that we had and said goodbye to my investigators, and then came home that night so that we could plan for the next day, and then I got right to packing because my ride was going to be there early to pick me up. So I got all of my stuff packed, and it was very surprisingly fast. So the next morning I was out the door and on my way to San Pedro. I arrived early Wednesday morning, and then we got right to it. I brought my stuff in the apartment, and then we ate lunch. After that it was out the door so that we could drive up to Santa Monica to go to the new zone leader meeting. So other than that I have just been trying to get used to the whole English thing. It has been pretty weird lately but I'm sure that it will only get better so yeah.
        My companion's name is Elder Takogawa. He was my zone leader when I was up in LA 6th. He is from Japan, and is a really good missionary. Unfortunately this is going to be his last transfer so I will have to suck all the knowledge out of his brain before he leaves. His whole family are members, except for his dad. His mom is a convert, but he grew up in the church. He came to the states for high school in Virginia, so his English is really good. So we are going to kill it this transfer. Right now we are in finding mode, but it is all good we are just going to tract a lot, and we through the members so that we can find some solid people to teach.
         The area of San Pedro is pretty mixed. We work a lot in some ghettoer areas, but we also have part of the Palos Verdes Estates. So both sides of the spectrum. It is going really well though. They are a lot of Hispanic people down here, so I basically use my Spanish everyday to talk to people on the street, and then just refer them to the Spanish-speaking sisters that cover our area as well. There are even a couple of Spanish speakers in the ward. Returned missionaries and what not. Oh and there is this one brother here in the ward that served his mission in Melbourne, Australia. A couple years before Trent so I talked to him about that. Overall all the ward is really good, and it was weird yesterday to be sitting in an English ward, and not being the only blonde, white person there.
         Well other than that everything is basically the same here. Just our here doing the Lord's work. I am loving every minute of it. Even though there are hard times I just try not to focus on what is going on, rather what is it that I am supposed to learn. Well hope that it is going great for you all. If you need to get a hold of me, you know where to find me. Bernie keep up the football stuff, and hit the weights a little bit. Keyton do something fun this year in school, join a club or something. Alrighty well peace out and I will talk to you all soon enough.

Con Amor
Elder Moore

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

Elder Corbin Moore-- Aug. 13, 2012

 Well this week has been a pretty good week. And it would have to be, because it will be my last week here in this part of the mission. The Lord has called me another way. I will be heading down to San Pedro, the southern part of the mission, and I will be a Zone Leader. So no more Downey and Santa Fe Springs, for right now. I was kinda bummed because I was just beginning to warm up to this area, and the people, and my investigators. But with new changes and responsibilities comes the opportunity to grow and be a better missionary. I'm just going to hold on tight and enjoy the ride. I will no be serving in an English area, but I will have plenty of opportunities to practice my Spanish with the Spanish companionships that are in my zone. It will be weird to go to an English ward, because up to this point in my mission I have only been going to Spanish wards. Overall I'm a little nervous for all the changes but the Lord knows better than I do. So yeah those is the big changes that are going to be happening this week.
       Our week was pretty good we focused a lot on some of the training material that we received and that really helped us to help our investigators. We visited with R and A a couple of times this week. They are doing wonderful, they have a lot of great questions, and are wanting to follow the Savior. A..a is still doing amazing, and they girls are liking the lessons as well. They came to church this week, and really loved it. It was hard for the daughters last week in church, because they are getting used to the Spanish but this week they understood and had a great time. They also went with us to the departing missionary fireside with us last night and they really liked that. Overall it was a pretty good week, and looking forward to another great one this week.
       Well sorry this one was short got to go because there is some stuff that I need to finish up on. Hope to hear from you all, and have a wonderful week.

Con Amor
Elder Moore

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

Elder Corbin Moore--Aug, 6, 2012

  Well we had a good week this last week. We were able to focus on finding more investigators through using our area book. Working with the formers investigators, and the potentials. We had picked out a couple to focus on this week and then passed by during the week. Well one of the days, it was late out and we decided that we were going to try and contact one more to see if we would be able to contact. So we checked out the address and we couldn't make out the number. We figured it was probably a 3 and then we drove to the respective area. We arrived and knocked the door, a woman answered the door and asked if she could help us. We told her who we were looking for, but she replied that no one lived there by that name. So we just proceded to tell her about our message. She said that she was busy then but that we could try to come back another day in the afternoon. So we found a potential through misreading the number. So the following day we decided that we were going to try and visit the same person but to try the other number that we thought it was. So we parked to the car and started walking to the house. As we were walking down the street, a man that was sitting out on his porch called out to us. He told us that he was a member from a different city. We continued talking to him, and found out that he was actually an investigator from a different mission that had recently moved into our area. He invited us in and we got to know him a little bit more and his girlfriend too. His name is R. and her's, A. He had been receiving missionary lesson up in the Valley, and wanted to continue with the church. Turns out one side of his family are all members and so that is going to help also. Not that he is not already prepared, because this guy has a Quad (the standard works) of the church, and he also has the missionary library and is reading, Jesus the Christ. We are going to be seeing them later tonight so I wlll keep you posted on them.

       Also this week we have been able to continue working with Al., and her two girls. We taught them the Plan of Salvation and they loved it. They had so many questions and couldn't even believe that we actually exsisted before this world. That is now their favorite question to ask their other extended family members, "Do you know where you were before this life?", it is super funny. They are progressing amazingly and are prepared to hear the Gospel. We will continue working with them and help Al.prepare for her baptism, on the 2nd of September. It funny to think that Al. was also from the Valley and just fell right into our hands. Mine I love have a good quarterback that knows how to throw the good passes.

       Well other than that Elder Stinson and I have been doing amazing. We were able to help the Relief Society president with an activity that they had for the women of the ward, and the woman investigators that we have. We are thinking about starting up an english class here in our ward. And just searching for more people along the way. Elder Stinson and I are working out every morning and then to finish the workout, I always have myself a nice smoothie that is pack with protien.

       What's new back home? It was good to hear that you all are still rocking out to that good old 80's music. I love that stuff and miss it dearly. How was the Iron Maiden concert? Amazing I bet, with a horrible atmoshere. How is J-dogg doing? Tell that kid that I want to hear from him. Also if you could talk to Josh, and let him know that I am still waiting for that letter he said he was sending?.....Glad Brayden is doing well. What is next on the agenda for him? Any progress on the papers or anything? Bernie how is the football going? Tell me what is going on. Are you playing running back? Are you playing safety? Are you 6'6", 225lbs, and ready to crush someone? If not you'd better get on that one. You got to get ready for high school ball. That is going to be next year, and you'll want to be ready for that. Make sure that you don't get lazy during the off season. Get out of the house, any from the TV and go running or something. Keyton, what is the story? I heard a little from you but it was only about priest's camp. What is going on in your life? Are you getting ready for your junior year in high school? This is the year you just have to bust you butt, trying to get everything ready, so that during your senior year you can do the things that you want to do. Always remember to keep the grades up, and that you are preparing for a better future. I wish you the best of luck. Study hard, work hard, play hard. Have a wonderful week.

 

Con Amor Elder Moore

 

Everything.Happens.For.A.Reason

Elder Corbin Moore-- July 30, 2012

Whats up!! Well this week was a good one. We were able to go to the visitors' center with a couple of our investigators, A. and her daughters K., and K. It was a super great experience for them and they really enjoyed it. They were super excited to learn a little bit more about the temple, and the role that it plays in our beliefs. The sisters taught about families and tied that in to the temple and how the temple blesses families. The following day we went over to follow up on it and were able to talk with them about a phamplet that we got for them at the VC about temples. They loved it and said that they just want to keep learning more. They both showed up that the church as well. It was nice for them because it was 5th sunday which means that the missionaries were in charge of the sacrament. I didn't speak, but I did get a chance to sing with the other elders. Overall it was a good sunday and church for them. Then after church there was a baptism, so we invited them to go with us. They came and then returned to the church later that night for a fireside that they were having. They are the only investigators that we are working with right now but we are on the search for more.

       Im still working on the spanish, it is going really well. I am at the point were I can just speak in spanish and I am fine. I am trying to help Elder Stinson learn it a little quicker so he enjoys the spanish that I throw his way. Elder Stinson and I are doing great together we never have problems, which makes the work easier. The only time that we do have problems is when we get locked out of our apartment. Hahah. Which happened for the first time today. Well we were leaving our apartment to walk down the stairs to the laundry room that we have here in the complex. We shut to door behind us and when we returned we found out that the door was locked. So we tried to play with it for a little, because we didn't have a phone to call the managers. We couldn't do anything so I knocked on our next-door neighboor's door and asked her if she had the manager's number and a phone that we could use. So I called them but there was no one there, I left a message and then we started scoping out to window of the apartment to see if we had left any of them open. None of them we opened except the bathroom one. So we found a ladder and made it work for us. We finally got back into our apartment, it was pretty funny. I am sending some video feed of it.

       Well that is basically what happened this week, not to mention that I had my birthday which was just a regular day here in the mission. I still feel like I am 17 and enjoying life. So we will keep it that way. Well I haven't heard too much about what is going on back home. Just that Bernie is starting football, and that Keyton went to priest camp. Still haven't heard too much from Brayden. or Josh? Hopefully eveything is going well with everyone and I would love to hear from you all. and pics. Well got to go and do some missionary work. Hope eveyone is watching the Olympics I know I would be. Peace out

 

Con Amor

Elder Moore

 

Elder Corbin-- July 23, 2012

Man does time fly by way to fast. I had an interesting experience this past week. Elder Stinson and I were sitting in our apartment doing our weekly planning session. I look up and the big calendar that we have on our whiteboard and it dawned on me that August is in two weeks. Wow, my mind was just blown. I have almost been out for a year and I have no idea where all the time went. I was thinking to myself, I can still remember basically the whole week before I went into the MTC. Going out riding with Papa Whittle, and then the farewell, sitting in my room watching the Office, packing the night before with my wonderful mom, and listening to the Killers. Yet again I'm stuck here trying to contemplate the "mission time", it is unreal. Then to top it all off to think that I am going to be turning 20 this week. Crazy!!! Well I guess I will just have to live up this last year of the mission, and trying to just take everything in.

       Well this week was pretty much, "one of those weeks". Not too much going on, but just trying to stay positive, and laughing at evey chance that I get. This week I have done a lot of thinking about life in general. Although I can't share all my thoughts with you, hopefully I will be able to convey some of the ones I feel are the most important.--Gratitude--Unfortunately us as human beings, sometimes forget this word, and the application that it has in our lives. Being out here in the world and seeing everything that goes on, has really changed the way that I feel about this and how I apply it personally in my own life. Let us all remember that we are subject to a "higher power" and that when we involve gratitude in our lives, God is able to help us enjoy the things that we do have.--Patience--If we understood the full power that this virtue could have in our lives I am convinced that we would all make an effort to posess it. This virtue involves putting the will of God, before our own. When we are able to sucessfully do just this, we will begin to see miracles in our lives. If we read the Book of Mormon, we will find many stories of prophets that are able to work miracles. But in order for those things to have come to pass, these prophets had to align there will with the will of the father. In the Bible we read of our savior who did just that, and the miracles that he was able to perform. When we have enough patience to wait, and to believe that God knows better than ourselves, we are setting ourselves up for an enjoyable life. I didn't say it was going to be easy, no one every did, and yet we all decided to be here.--Charity--In the last book of the Book of Mormon, we read a lot about this subject. We read that it will be well with us in the last day, if we can only have this quality. Unfortunately enough it may not be the easiest to obtain, but we know that it is not impossible. I believe that the secret lies in trying to model our lives after that of our Savior, Jesus Christ. When we study the live of our Savior we will see that this is the driving force of the work that he did on the earth. We will also see that the greatest and most important thing, the Atonement, was also driven from the source of charity. All three of these things are very important in our lives. Especially as we consider the commandment from our Savior, to be "Perfect, even as our Father in Heaven". May we all concentrate our efforts to be more like our Savior. Then will we begin to be filled with the greatest feelings of joy, accomplishment, and self-worth.

 

Con amor, Elder Moore

 

Everything.Happens.For.A.Reason

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

Elder Corbin Moore-- June 13, 2012

Whats Up!

 

       Well it has been another sunny week down here in California, and the work is going forward. We have had a couple of interesting experiences here this past week, with tracting and street contacting. And as always I'm just catching all the sun. So its been awhile since i've written so I'll try to get everything in this email.

       So last monday after I wrote we went down to a park to play some soccer (first time that i've played on the mission). When we arrived, no one was there, so Elder Rosales and I were just standing there waiting. While we were there though a girl about 16, her younger brother(13), and her younger sister(5), arrived at the park, all of them crying. I looked over at Elder Rosales, and we started talking to each other debating wether or not we would try to see what was wrong or to just let them be. We decided to go over and see if there was something that we could do to help them. We introduced ourselves and tried to calm them down. By this time the boy was fine, but the older girl was still crying. We found out that they were having family problems, and had gone to the park to get away from it all. We tried to explain to them that we were representatives of Jesus Christ and that we could help them. But no information came out other than their names and there ages. So we just gave them our number and told them that if they ever needed anything that they could just give us a call. We parted ways that day, but the following day Elder Rosales and I felt as though we should try and find them, even though we had no idea where they were. I told him that J. had told me that they live a couple streets down, and so we went down two streets and just started knocking on every door on that street, hoping that we would find them. We didn't have any luck that day, but continued the search two days later. We finally abandoned the search, but kept our eyes open for them. Well we were out tracting on Monday and we received a call from Elder Kuo. He told us that he had a referral for us. So I pulled out a card and starting writting down all the information that they had. He said that it was a girl probably about 14 years old, and her brother about 11, that they were catholic and that they wanted the missionaries to come by. Elder Kuo explained to them, that they lived outside of their area but that they would send over the other missionaries, which they were fine with. So we had to get going but I asked Elder Kuo one last question. "What are there names?" He said that the girl's name was Brenda, and that the boy's name was Junior. I didn't recognize the boy's name, but right when he said B.I immediately thought about the girl we had talked to a week earlier. I checked out the address and it was over in the area where we had been tracting. We stopped by the house and as we got to the front gate we saw little E. playing in the front yard. It was them! I was completely blown away that some how or another God had placed them back into our hands. It is very interesting how that all worked out, to know that they just happened to be in the other missionaries area and saw them. It is even more interesting when you put Elder Kuo's perspective on the whole situation and what happened to him. Overall I know that that God has a big part in the work that we are doing.

      Well don't have a lot of time left. Hope that Dad and Keyton had a fun trip down here to California. Everything is going good with me, just trying to take everything in. The time is beginning to go by faster, weird. Peace out have a good one.

 

Con Amor Elder Moore

 

Everything.Happens.For.A.Reason

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

Elder Corbin Moore- June 18, 2012

Well another week has come and gone, and I'm still in California in
the hot summer weather. July 4th is rapidly approaching, which I can't
even believe, but that means that it is time for fireworks and
parties. I miss being in all of the holiday atmosphere, but its all
good I'm in the LA hood atmosphere. Finally went and bought myself a
LA, 59-fifty hat. So now I look like I am from LA. There isn't really
that much to say it has only been 4 day since the last time that I
wrote. We have just been doing the regular stuff, going to DDM, giving
training, weekly planning, and coordination. We don't have any cool
stories like we did last week. Elder Rosales had his birthday on
Thursday, so I worked with the investigators we were eating with that
night, to secretly get him a cake, and all that stuff. I think he
enjoyed it so that was what counted.
      Well I'm glad to hear that the boys are going on Trek. It was
super fun when I went, and is a great place to grow spiritually, and
physically, because you going to be pulling a cart all day. But just
enjoy it and learn as much as you can. Im glad you got the index
cards. I still have paper but it was just easier because I already had
them there. Hopefully you all are learning spanish so that we can
"placticar" when I get home. It is a useful language to know. Well I'm
going to split now, hope everything is going well for you all and I
will talk you in a week. Peace Out.

Con Amor Elder Moore

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

P.S.-here is some spanish for you.

Si usted tuvo, un chance, o una oportunidad, para tener todas las
cosas que quiere, en un momento, lo tomaria, o lo dejaria.  (keyton
I'm sure you will like this one)