Good-bye MTC

Aloha everyone!

The time has finally come when I get to leave the MTC!! Yayyyy!!! I can't believe I'll have been here for a month. So, I think many of you were confused about my Visitor Center training. We don't actually go live in Salt Lake, just on Wednesday (this past wedenesday) and Saturday (tomorrow) we go to temple square all day and give tours, then come back to the MTC. So yeah, just thought I would clear that up!

 

This week has been so crazy. I cannot even believe it's almost over!!! So, on wednesday morning I had to say goodbye to my disctrict...lets just say, it was a good thing it was early in the morning so I didn't have any mascera on to run down my face. Bah, but they are all going to be so amazing in Independence, MO and in Nauvoo! So now I have a new companion, who is pretty much the best thing in the world. I don't know how I have been so lucky or blessed to get such amazing companions, but I'm sure glad. Sister Halle Johnson and I are now companions; being that we are both going to Hawaii together. We have been freaking out just ready to go already. During personal time we find ourselves drawing and coloring pictures of the beach and of palm trees in our planners...hah, whoops. She is from Salt Lake, and also goes to BYU, and is just so cute and bubbly. We've kind of been weirded out with how similar we are. We tend to say the same things at the same time, all the time, as well as for the past two nights when we are saying our prayers we just so happen to finish literally at the exact same time. It's so fun.

 

So let me tell you a little bit about the Visitor Center training! So on Wednesday we went to temple square, and were given a short little tour, and then we went t and had the VC director talk with us. He was so awesome. He helped put the mission, as well as serving in the VC (Visitor Center) into perspective. When we got back, we went to the TRC (Training Resource Center) with our companions, where volunteers came in as investigators, who acted as if they were walking around the VC. We were to get to know them, answer any questions, share a brief lesson and testimony, then invite them to commit to whatever we felt they needed in their life. It was pretty cool. Sister Johnson and I are praying that we get to be companions at least once in Hawaii, because we teach so well together, and feed really well off of eachother.

 

When we did TRC again yesterday, we taught these two girls wanting to know more about the gospel. One of them said that she didn't believe in God, because if God loved us, He wouldn't let bad things happen to us. We gave her an analogy to think about. We asked her if she remembers when she first learned to ride a bike. She said yes. We then asked her if she remembered falling because her parents let go of the bike. She said she had. So then we asked, why would your parents let go if they knew you were going to fall the first couple of time? She then said, well, I guess because if they never let go, I wouldn't be able to learn how to ride a bike. She was totally right. So we then explained how our parents, or God, our Heavenly Father, don't just let us fall or get hurt because they don't care. We fall and skid our knees a couple of times so that we can learn to ride on our own, but knowing that our parents are there to support us and patch up those scratches. God is the same, if we rely on Him, He will be there for us when we fall, but we must know sorrow to know joy. That seemed to really hit home for her. It was pretty much amazing. I don't know if I was able to explain that very well, but when the spirit is teaching, I feel like everything comes out so perfectly in the moment.

 

Along with Sister Johnson and me, is Hermana Rivero and Sister Baniato! Hermana Rivero is from Uruguay, and just the cutest, most spunky, and sassy person I have ever met! She is trying to  teach me Spanish, and enjoys telling me how bad I am at it, haha. But she continues to teach me more and more every day. It's pretty cool. Today she told me she is only going to speak to me in Spanish. Then Sister Baniato is from Kiri Beit (I think I spelled that right...?), they are islands near Hawaii. Pronounced Kiri Bess. YUP!!

 

I wish I had more to report, but it's just been more training and such! But I am determined to get a lot of letters sent out today! I love gettting letters from everyone and just hearing about whats happening on a day-to-day basis. Thank you everyone for your prayers and as always, your love and support!  My next letter will be from Hawaii!!!! ALOHA until then!!!

 

Week 3 at the Missionary Training Center

Aloha!

This letter probably won't be as long, just because I cannot even begin to explain all that has happened this week. I thought I was being humbled last week? Hah, little did I know. As I explained last time, I was switched into a trio with Sister Hodson and Sister Beadles. It has been an interesting transition for sure. But I am happy to say that after a very long companionship inventory everything has been 10 times better. I sat down with Sister Hodson and let her know that I could tell when I do something that frustrates her, and she said not to worry about it. I explained to her that if those things are affecting our teaching or relationship, then they are important. So, she was finally able to open up to me and was able to kindly share some traits, such as being too blunt, or always trying to make everything perfect....and all are true. I've noticed that ever since I have been here, all I want to do is be perfect, and I have to remember that it's good to strive for perfection, but perfection is being charitable, hopeful, patient, loving, temperate in all things....did I mention patience? I loved that she helped me see this! It has been so helpful. So my Christlike attribute that I am working on this week is patience =]   I've already begun to see the difference in my relationship with these two Sisters. I seriously love them so much, and our results in teaching have been incredible.

Last week we taught an Investigator (not an actor), whose name is Sarah. She is about 32 years old, married, and has a 12 year-old daughter. It was our first time teaching together, although S. Hodson and S. Beadles had taught her about three times already.  ANyway, the second we sat down, she just started crying. She said that she had prayed last night for the first time, and had a really good talk with God. Then she realized she was crying, and then just said, "Anyway, just tell me your message..." And my heart started pounding, the spirit was so strong. I just opened my mouth and looked at Sarah, and said, "Sarah, the lesson can wait. What's up?" She said it was nothing and that it didn't matter, and to move on. I explained to her that we are not just here to "preach" to her. We are here to listen, and to help her....and that is what the gospel is about. She just wiped her eyes and then just let us know that it has been a really hard time for her right now. Her sister had been diagnosed with lymphoma  cancer, and that she had only 3 months to live. She didn't know what to do, because she loves her sister so much, and just feels so helpless, and feels so overwhelmed right now. Once again my heart started pounding, and I felt the strongest impression to ask if she would like to receive a Priesthood blessing. She had not been taught what the Priesthood was, so I briefly explained that the same power that Jesus Christ had, to perform miracles, the power of God, was restored just as when his church was restored in these latter-days. She didn't believe a word of it. I then asked her, "Sarah, do you believe in Jesus Christ?" She said yes. I then continued, "Do you believe that when He was on this earth he made the blind see, made the lame walk, rose the dead?" She said yes again. I explained to her that, that is the power of God. The Priesthood power. I then asked her another question, "Sarah, if this power was on the earth, do you believe that Jesus Christ could give it to his disciples or 12 Apostles?" She then said, "Yeah I don't see why not." So I said, well then if Christ's Church that He established when he was on the earth is restored, then why wouldn't the Priesthood power be restored as well?" YOu could tell this one kind of hit her. She just said, "I don't know. I guess it just seems kind of weird!...LIke, does that mean all of these men who are members of your church have the power of God?" WE explained that as they live righteously and in accordance to the commandments and covenants they have made with God, that yes, they are able to hold the Priesthood. I then asked her again, Sarah, would you like to receive a Priesthood blessing? THen Sister Hodson explained how, this blessing could just be a blessing of comfort or peace in her life right now, and had nothing to lose by receiving it. Only God knows what she needs to hear right now. She said that was okay, and very humbly asked, "But, could my sister get one?" We told her absolutely! Her sister lives in Cincinnati, OH so we went on to Mormon.org, looked up the Bishops number, gave it to her, and told her she could call him, and he or the missionaries could go to the hospital and give her a blessing. We explained that we don't know the will of God, but we do know that, if it be His will, and we have the faith, miracles can happen. Even today.

Bahhhhhh, sorry, I just really wanted to share that experience. It was so cool, and I know it was only a glimpse of what I will be able to do and see when I get to Hawaii. Which, sorry that I miss informed you, will be on the 29th. My flight is at 8:30 in the morning, so be expecting a phone call! Keep your phones on please =).

Being the Coordinating Sister has been one of the biggest blessings ever right now. I am seeing talents that I never knew I had. A couple of the sisters have been having a really hard time, and for whatever reason, I have been able to bring them some peace and hope, and advice to the best of my abilities. Apparently it has been exactly what they have needed. I have never felt so influential as a servant of God. Oh! Speaking of!!! Sister Kailee Jensen is in my Zone!!! What are the chances?? SHe is a super good friend from BYU-I and her Aunt and Uncle are Brother and Sister Thompson from the Zionsville ward! She is serving in the Jacksonville, FL mission!! Cool stuff. Not surprised at all, she was called to be the new Coordinating Sister for when I leave. She is going to be so awesome.

Oh, wow. How could I forget!!! Elder L. Tom Perry (one of the 12 Apostles on the earth today) spoke in Devotional on Tuesday! I was able to sing in the choir as well. It was cool because I had met him at the mall just two weeks before! He talked about the Priesthood....coincidence? I think not! Heavenly Father knows what He's doing. And I know that He has a plan for each and every one of His children. I love this gospel, and I know with all my heart that it is true. I know that everyone can come to know this by asking in prayer for themselves.

Well, I should probably get going, but once again, thank you everyone for your letters and prayers. Keep them coming, and I promise I will try to keep up!! I love everyone so much, and am so grateful for my wonderful family who have helped me become the person I am today. Seriously, I wouldn't be able to do any of this if I wasn't able to learn from you and from all of the advice you have provided for me my whole life. Love you all!

Aloha!

 

Sister Annie Moyes

Week 2 of the MTC / May 12, 2012

Aloha!

Yes, looks like I am still alive !! This letter might seem a little sporadic , but I have so many things to say. Where to start? Well, first off, Thank you everyone for the letters!!!! You have no idea how much they mean to me. Seriously, they make my day so amazing and great. It is my P-day today, so I will make sure to write as many as you back as I can. I also want to thank everyone for your prayers, they have made all the difference, and I can truly feel them everyday. Mom, thank you for the Allegra, I am sleeping much better at night now!

I don't know how to put everything into words, I guess I'll first tell you all how much I LOVE my companion, Sister Garner. She helps me be a better person every single day; she is so patient with me, and has seriously become my best friend. We are able to laugh at each other when we do dumb things, and every day our ability to teach the gospel increases as we put the Lord first. I know that as we have focused ourselves on the Lord, we have been able to draw closer to each other. We have started counting as to how many people tell us or ask us if we are twins or related in some way, and that total is now 9! We don't really see it, except our blondness and shortness, but we think it's pretty funny. 

I know I mentioned how I have been able to feel your prayers, but I truly have. The first couple of days here were really hard for me. For some reason this has been a really difficult change; especially feeling tired ALL the time!!! But I am happy to say, I am back to my old self, energetic and happy ;) and couldn' t be feeling better! Haha, in fact, Sister Garner and I were getting food for lunch in the cafeteria, and this Elder walks up to me, and says,"You look like a very happy person!" It was kind of weird, but pretty funny. Then when the ZL's and I were training the new district,  Sister Garner and I were asked to demonstrate a companionship inventory. When we were talking about challenges or conflicts, Sister Garner just said, "I don't knowwww! I seriously can't think of anything!..."(don't worry she did eventually).   And then one of the Elders in the new district said, "Well, I can understand why, she hasn't stopped smiling since she walked in the room!" Haha, Heavenly Father has blessed me soooooooo much since I have been here; so much, that apparently I am smiling all the time. This is because as I have done as President Hinckley has said, "Forget yourselves, and get to work," how can you not be smiling when you have the knowledge of the true and everlasting gospel! To know that I get to be with my family forever; to know that as I am living in accordance to what we have been asked of, we can do ANYTHING! God, our Heavenly Father, wants to bless us, and wants us to know how much He loves us, so let us be happy, and rejoice that we know that our Savior lives. Let us rejoice in our trials, as they help us become stronger and help us gain an eternal perspective!

 

This week has been the most humbling week of my life! Elder D. Todd Christofferson, of the Quorum of the 12 Apostles, spoke to us at our Tuesday devotional, and what hit me hard was when he spoke briefly on repentance. The whole devotional was focused on Jesus Christ, and the purpose of His life on this earth. When he began talking about the Atonement, then speaking about Repentance, he said, "Repentance is turning your whole being to God." I loved that. Jesus Christ suffered for our sins, so that we can repent and return to our Father in Heaven; we are to become perfect. In order to do this, we must, as Elder Christofferson said, turn our whole beings to God. How blessed are we to have God's promise, that if we are willing to do those things He asks of us, the blessings are infinite. They are not to hold us back. My favorite analogy: Try flying a kite without something or someone holding down the string...The kite will fall .But, if there is someone to hold that string down, the kite has the ability to fly until the string is let go of. The commandments and covenants we make are to hold us up, to let us fly high, to reach our potential. When we follow those guidelines and commandments, we are submitting our will to God's and He will never let go of our string!

On a different note,  let me tell you a little bit about some general things. So my voice is completely shot, and is always hoarse from teaching investigators all the time, and probably more from laughing so much. The Elders and Sisters in my district and zone are HILARIOUS, and definitely have become my family! I love them so much!! The Elders are so solid and I continue to learn from them constantly, even though they do dumb things like have 25 minute staring contests!! Haha, true story. I have been able to see Elder Luther Gill a ton, and that is so fun! I get to see a lot of friends who work here from my BYU ward, and it is seriously a tender mercy. Every time, it is always when I go the wrong way, or I have to go back somewhere because I forget something, but then I always end up getting to see someone I know, and it helps me realize that I am still on earth, and not in a different world! Haha, it is so weird being at the MTC. Of course my whole life I have known about it, and what it is, but I feel like it is ten times bigger than I ever would have imagined it to be, and I love it so much. It is going to be sad on Monday, because Sister Garner leaves to do here Visiting Center Training, and so I will become a trio with the other sisters in my district. But ttttthen my whole district leaves next Tuesday, and I am still here by myself for Visitor Center training. It's okay, though, I'm sure I'll meet a ton of new Sisters...soo I'm not too terribly worried. It is just hard losing my companion. If we ever have to be separated for whatever reason, it feels so weird. I'm already having signs of companion withdrawals, haha. 

I have never been so emotionally, spiritually, and physically drained in my whole life, but I go to bed feeling so good and so accomplished in knowing how much I am growing already and learning. Sister Garner and I have been teaching so far,  four investigators, and one older couple who are less active. The couple who is less active are hilarious, because they aren't very good actors, hahaha. If Sister Garner and I ever get stuck, they say something like, "Oh don't worry about answering that. How about you teach us this?" Yeah not really helping us, but that's okay. It's the experience that matters. Alright, well I am probably boring all of you, I am just in love with this work! So I guess I will leave it at that. Thank you everyone for your love, support, and prayers, I know I wouldn't be able to do this without you! Love you All, and hope to hear from y'all soon. 

Lots and lots of love,

Sister Annie Moyes

ALOHA from the MTC

Aloha!!! I am on my third day at the MTC and absolutely loving it. The first couple of days were kind of rough; missing friends and family, and definitely not getting any rest the first night!  There is so much to tell already! First off, my companions's name is Sister Garner, and she is absolutely amazing and not to mention gorgeous. We are both short little blondes so its fun. She is going to be serving in Nauvoo, is from Vancouver, Washington and we get along SOOO well. I have already learned so much from her. She is so patient with me and my scattered brain, but we are always having such a good time, and I can always feel the spirit when we study the scriptures together. We broke into song the other day, and let's just say that was the defining moment of our friendship! The other Sisters in my District are Sister Hodson and Sister Beadles; they are so nice, and just so much fun to be with. They, along with all the Elders in my district will be serving in the Independence Missouri Mission!!<<<any advice? @Jason Lamprecht? The Elders are seriously so great, and will be some amazing missionaries and I know I have a lot to learn from them. We all get along so well, and do everything together! Our District Leader is Elder Lunt, and I have been called to be the Coordinating Sister for our district as well.... And the there is a lot of work to be done!

So on our first night here we had the opportunity to teach some investigators. One of them, who's name is Mark was not role playing, but really a is a non-member...so the pressure was on! It was so hard because He already felt close to God, and didn't feel the need to draw any closer, yet, he had so many questions. It was interesting. What I felt was most affective was using personal storeis of how our lives have become better by accepting the gospel of Jesus Christ, and the happiness and joy it brings through our obedience and through God's love. We challenged him to pray to know if this is the religion he needs to be living, and he finally accepted; it was neat. Soooooo frustrating, but really cool. I know that if we rely on the spirit, we will be lead to know how to teach. I also know that this Missionary Training program has been set up to make and build me to become the best servant of the Lord that I can be. That is what it is all about. I'm still getting used to being called Sister, and only shaking hands with ELders, but obedience will be my best companion.

On our second day, it was really neat. I woke up still feeling anxious and nervous with doubts whether this was where I was supposed to be. I said a prayer, and then kept a prayer in my heart that I would feel and come to know my purpose and have a confirmation that I am doing the Lord's work. It was amazing to see this prayer answered throughout the day. The first class we attended was all about knowing our purpose as Missionaries for the Church of Jesus-Christ of Latter-day Saints. I could not have asked for a better answer. The best part is, it doesn't stop there. Later last night, we finally met our Branch President and his counselors. They are AMAZING! I am so blessed to have them as my leaders and examples. President Wenn took us individually into a room and got to know us a little bit. I explained to him how I had been feeling nervous and overwhelmed, and he just told me to concentrate on two things: 1. Loving those you serve 2. Teaching what means the most to you...aka: the Doctrine of Jesus Christ. I felt at peace as I began to focus on those two things instead of the kajillion other things about the mission. I know that he has been called to be my Branch President for a reason. He has already taught me to be humble and to make sure I take each day as it comes, and to commit each day to do my best. If those things didn't answer my prayer, I don't know what could have. I know that Heavenly Father is preparing me for the people of Hawaii. And I know that I have been blessed with leaders and teachers who will help me be the best I can be!

Today we taught another investigator. Her name is Allie. She is such a sweet girl, who is just trying to find a purpose in her life. We invited her to pray to God, to ask to know that He has a divine plan for HER, Allie Miller. She accepted, and hope to progress from there. We probably should have invited her to read from The Book of Mormon, but this is a learning experience; all we can do is learn, and do better next time! On the plus side, she appreciated that we really got to know her, and said she loved how smiley and bubbly Sister Garner and I were...so thats good! I know that with the amazing support of Sister Garner, and help from God, I can do this. I know that I am here for a reason. The Lord knows us and loves us so much, and has a plan for each and every one of his children. I love this gospel so much and I love my Heavenly Father and His Son Jesus Christ. I cannot wait to see what more blessings are in store, and absolutely cannot wait to push this gospel along. Until next week! ALOHA!!

 

p.s. I haven't figured out how to send pictures from the computer yet, but know that they are coming!

Sister Moyes Begins Her Mission

Yesterday, on May 2nd, Annie entered the MTC.  She was accompanied by her brothers Nick, Devan, Zack and sister, Lauren.  She called me (her MOM), about an hour before leaving, and of course, we had a tearful good-bye.  From now until next October 2013, I have been commissioned to add to this blog.  I will be adding Anne's emails once a week, and keeping everyone posted with her current address.  Any notes or emails you would like to send to her just either write them on her fb page, here on this blog, or send them to my email:  nancynmoyes@sbcglobal.net and I will forward them on to her (w/o reading them, of course). 


Her current address at the MTC until May 23rd will be---


Sister Anne V Moyes
MTC Mailbox #172
HI-HON 0529
2005 N 900 E
Provo, UT      84604-1793