13th Week Liberia - Guanacaste Province

Family ~

This week I have been trying to focus on Diligence and Enduring to the End. With it being the end of the year and everything it is difficult to focus on the work of the Lord and keep working everyday strong.

But as I was able to have great spiritual experience with J. and his family I was able to see how great of a work this is. J. is a great example for me. He knows what he has to do for his family and that the Lord provides everything. Even though he doesn't have much money at all he still pays tithing and goes to church and this shows me such great diligence. 

One scripture that I found during my studies that I love is Alma 32:41-43. 

41 But if ye will nourish the word, yea, nourish the tree as it beginneth to grow, by your faith with great diligence, and with patience, looking forward to the fruit thereof, it shall take root; and behold it shall be a tree springing up unto everlasting life.

 42 And because of your diligence and your faith and your patience with the word in nourishing it, that it may take root in you, behold, by and by ye shall pluck the fruit thereof, which is most precious, which is sweet above all that is sweet, and which is white above all that is white, yea, and pure above all that is pure; and ye shall feast upon this fruit even until ye are filled, that ye hunger not, neither shall ye thirst.

 43 Then, my brethren, ye shall reap the rewards of your faith, and your diligence, and patience, and long-suffering, waiting for the tree to bring forth fruit unto you.

In this scripture it mentions diligence and patience three different times. Emphasizing the importance of these qualities. For all of us to grow our Faith in Christ we have to work on it everyday with diligence. This means that we give the Lord our all and never let our grip become loose on the straight and narrow path. 

Life is difficult. Life isn't meant to be easy. We are here to be tested and tried and to grow our Faith in Christ. I know without a doubt that Heavenly Father is here to help us. We just have to get on our knees and talk with Him. Read His words in scriptures. Attend church to renew our covenants with Him. We have these resources to help us throughout life! So why not use them?

I am so grateful for this opportunity to serve the Lord and His children and grow everyday. Its not easy but it is soooo worth it!

I love you all and wish you all a Happy New Year!

Love Elder Moss

12th Week Liberia - Guanacaste Province

Family ~

Advent Calendar from Mom

I can't believe that it's already been about 4 months on my mission! It feels like I just left last week and I feel as if my mission is too short and I need more time!

I wish you all a Merry Christmas and remember the true meaning of Christmas. And make time for Christ by reading scriptures, praying, and going to church. He has given us so much and only asks for little in return.

This week has been humbling. God has given me a gift. He has given me the gift of the Gospel to share and also the gift of a wonderful family. I am honored to have a family that loves one another and helps one another. This week I have run into families that need help physically and spiritually. It hurts me to see the pain and the troubles that they have. And I have gained such a deep love for them as I have served them just like Christ served us. 

Christmas decorations from mom

"He is The Gift"

John 3:16 Porque de tal manera amó Dios al mundo que ha dado a su HijoUnigénito, para que todo aquel que en él cree no se pierda, mas tenga vida eterna.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Baptism

Christ came here to Earth to fulfill a purpose for all of Gods children. He loves us and serves us with his atoning blood and sacrifice. I have learned of the powers of the atonement and the love Christ has for me. I testify that he lives. That he is a glorified resurrected being. He is the Light and Life of the World. And I have no doubt in my mind that he leads and directs this church. That we have the priesthood keys here on the Earth and have a living Prophet Thomas S. Monson. I testify of these things in the name of Jesus Christ Amen.

I love you,

Elder Moss

Family Baptism

Baptism

Baptism

11th Week Liberia - Guanacaste Province

Family ~

We all are here on Earth for a purpose. We have come to learn everyday and to also use our agency. This week has showed me that I still have a lot to do here on the Earth and that everyday I need to learn more and more and show my Faith in Christ.  

The family that got baptized, this is outside their home
I do not think that the pic justifies the view.

My new companion Elder Tistoj is great! He has 19 months out and is very smart. I have learned lots from him everyday. But one thing in particular that I learned was when we were teaching one of our investigators. My companion started doing a demonstration that I had never seen before. It was about Faith and how we have to do works to grow our Faith. He had a pen by him and asked the investigator if they had Faith. Faith that they could do all things through Christ and if so to move a pen. The investigator said yes I have Faith but I don't know how to move that pen. Then my companion asked me the same thing and I was a little nervous because I  didn't know how I was going to move the pen. Then I realized that I have to do something about it to change it that I can personally move the pen! Like it says in Santiago (James) 2:17 That faith without works is dead!

Then later that day we were looking for an investigator that we could never find home for almost this whole week! We asked around the neighborhood and we kept getting sent to look for him at a different house. After about 3 houses I kind of wanted to give up especially since we were late to an appointment. But I had been praying super hard and had Faith that we would be able to find him to help him resolve his doubts. So I told my companion lets give it one more try and I walked down the street and he was about 20 meters away from us the whole time sitting down but we couldn't see him. It was a miracle and we were able to help him resolve his doubts and prepare him to gain a stronger testimony of baptism.

I have learned so much and and going to keep learning everyday!  I have been able to grow my Faith everyday like the seed in Alma 32:28-43. I am truly honored to be able to Represent Jesus Christ here in Costa Rica and to spread His Gospel throughout the World. I know that He lives and He suffered for us in Gethsemane. That we too can be resurrected and live happily with Heavenly Father again. I know that Families can be eternal and that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is the true church here on earth. In the name of Jesus Christ amen. 

LOVE YOU! SEE YOU NEXT WEEK ON SKYPE!

Elder Moss

10th Week Liberia - Guanacaste Province

Family ~ 

This last week has been amazing! We started out the month with baptisms - remember the family we found, they were all baptized and we are ready to prepare more and more to be converted unto Christ! This week Elder Cardon will be here training the leaders in this area to become a stake! Super exciting to see this happening and to see the branches grow into wards here!  

We had cambios this week and I received a new companion. His name is Elder Tistoj and is from Guatemala! He is super nice and I can't wait to get to work with him! Although I will miss my old companion I am excited to see what is ahead of me.  I am still in the same area the San Roque Branch (Ward) in Liberia, Guanacaste.

Something I learned this week is the power of prayer. During the MTC Elder Scott talked about the prayer and growing your relationship with God.  I was talking to one of our investigators about prayer and he said that every morning he goes out to this little shack and prays. At first I thought that was a little weird. But then I thought about it, that he goes to his personal place and talks one-on-one with God. He strengthens his relationship everyday and literally talks privately with God. I learned so much from him and am trying to strengthen my prayers everyday.  I hope all at home tries to do the same!

I love you all so much!

Love Elder Moss

9th Week Liberia - Guanacaste Province

Family ~

It's great hearing from all of you on the adventures back home with Jacob coming home and Parker leaving tomorrow! This week has been amazing with the wedding of a family who is getting baptized this weekend and baptisms!

Wedding Day!

One of my favorite things to hear from investigators in prayers or testimonies is them talk about this great change in their life. For them to be able to come unto Christ and feel the joy that it has. To apply the atonement in their lives and to come unto Christ. It never fails to make me smile when I hear these words! I love it sooo much!

As we start the month of December I love the focus that we have on Christ and His life. He came here as the only Begotten Son of Heavenly Father. He taught us. He suffered for us. He died and was resurrected so that we too can live with Him again. He did all of this for us without complaining. I am so grateful for Christ and His atonement that I can become clean of my sins and live with God again. 

I am so excited to see what this month brings with investigators and members here in our branch. I can see them growing and coming unto Christ and it's a marvelous thing. I love the Gospel and I am so grateful to have this gift in my life.

I love you all!

Elder Moss

Dangerous spider here in Costa Rica