17th Week Guapiles, Limon - Pococi Ward

Family ~

This week I've realized how much I need to rely on Christ to be able to do anything. From a conference we had a little while ago Elder Christensen from the presidency of the seventy he shared a story of a missionary who wanted to go home because he couldn't stand his companion, the house, the rules and many more things. And Elder Christensen said you know what it is true. You can't do this work, you can't handle your companion, you can't live in this little apartment, you can't obey the rules of the mission. Alone. You need Christ and His Infinite Atonement to be able to do anything.

I have come to a conclusion this last week or so that it is true! I can't do anything without Christ in my life! To be able to overcome the trials that I have in my life I need to rely on Christ and His Atonement. I know it's real. I know He lives. I can feel it everyday that the atonement helps me do things. Because without it I wouldn't be able to fulfill my purpose as a missionary.

One of my favorite scriptures that teach about Christ and what he did for us is in Alma 7

11 And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.

12 And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities.

I know that this life is hard and that sometimes we feel alone and we feel like we can't do anything. But I also know that through Christ and His atonement we can overcome any challenge that is placed in front of us whether it be sickness, afflictions, death, pain, or temptation.

I love you all and hope you have a great week!

Our journey we took

16th Week Guapiles, Limon - Pococi Ward

Family ~

Sorry I know I haven't written for awhile but I want you to know that I love you all and that I am safe and sound here in Costa Rica!

Thank you so much for the birthday wishes! It was great I got to spend my birthday with an apostle. Elder Cook! I learned so much and could feel the spirit so strong!

From Elder Branham: "I got to catch up with Elder Moss

I talked to dad about coming here to pick me up. SO talk to him about it and choose which one you would like to do.

I LOVE YOU THE MOSTEST MOMMY!!!

I have pictures of a beautiful waterfall we went to today! Will send them next week!!

LOVE Elder Moss

13th Week Guapiles, Limon - Pococi Ward

Familia ~

I remember when I was younger I asked my mom what she wanted for mothers day and for her birthday and she responded that I obey her. I would ask her again seeing what I could get her like flowers, chocolate, or a bear. She would always respond that she just wants me to be obedient. I never understood why she didn't want anything else until this past Sunday.

As we were sitting in our Sunday School class we were talking about God and our relationship with Him and how we can better our relationship between our Heavenly Father and us. I thought of a scripture in John 14:15 "If ye love me, keep my commandments."

Not until then did it hit me that my mom was teaching me a life long lesson. That if I love her I would keep her rules and obey her. Just like if we love our Heavenly Father we will obey His commandments. Even if we don't fully understand them we should be obedient to every command that He has given us for love and protection.

We can show our love for our Heavenly Father by keeping the sabbath day holy and partaking of the sacrament. We can show our love by loving one another and serving them. We can show our love by following the example of Jesus Christ and make covenants with God that will give us salvation.

I know with all of my heart that we have a loving Heavenly Father and that we can return to live with Him once more. Every day I understand a little bit more of God's plan and how I can better myself and obey His commandments to express my love towards Him. I know that all these things are true and that this is God's Gospel. His only true doctrine here on the Earth and that through the covenants we can make with Him we too can live with our families forever. I know all of these things to be true in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Love you all and have a great week!
Elder Moss

We went to an island today! It was great President gave us permission to go on a public boat so we went through a river in the jungle to an island where turtles go to lay eggs! Super beautiful and a member lives on the island and he invited us to his restaurant and we ate there too!

Look Close and you will see a crocodile.

11th - 12th Week Guapiles, Limon - Pococi Ward

Familia ~

This week was great with some great spiritual experiences and a few funny ones too! 

We went to Guacimo to go do a baptism interview and we were walking to the bus stop when I saw a lady who just fell on the ground. So I ran to go help her up and when I got to her there was a bike and two bags of groceries on the ground right next to her. So we helped her up and got all of the groceries together and picked up the bike. We asked her if she was fine and she was so we started walking with her to where she was going. I was walking with the bike and a bag of groceries and my companion with another. We walked about 150 meters until a man came up to us asking where we were taking the bike. I told him I don't know where ever the lady goes with the bike and my companion asked if it was her bike or not and she says no I thought it was yours! So we look at each other and the guy told us thieves take it back! So I ended up picking up a bike that was on the ground and a bag of groceries that didn't belong to the lady who fell and "stole" it from someone. We walked back and left the bike where it was so luckily we got away with it ha ha

Zone before all the changes

My companion has changes today so he will be heading to his new area! My new companion will be Elder Muñoz from Honduras. He was in my zone before in La Paz and he is great so I am excited to start working with him! 

But in all it was a great week even though it was the Holidays and New Years eve. We were able to work and enjoy the time and be happy as we served our Heavenly Father and His children!

I Love you all!!

Elder Moss! 

Cool frog we found

10th Week Guapiles, Limon - Pococi Ward

Familia ~

I love you and will see you in two days on Skype!  (To Mom) Can't wait to see you too! It will be the third time and only one more to go! I hope you enjoy these next few days and can enjoy the time with the family!

The skittles were great! Thank you so much! 

Elder Moss

Here are some pictures from this week!

Santa at church! 

We saw them gutting this pig so we had to take a picture with them!

Cutting a pipa with a machete - the head, feet, and everything else!

We are teaching this great family with 9 kids.

Elder (Hermana) Toledo!

9th Week Guapiles, Limon - Pococi Ward

Family ~

The week started out great being able to go to a meeting with President Hayes! I always learn so much from him and I feel bad for those who aren't here from the mission that don't get a chance to learn from him. He has so much knowledge of the scriptures from years and years of teaching religious classes in the University. He taught us about a story in the Book of Mormon and how Satan is searching to attack our weak part so that he can conquer us and that we need to strengthen all of our areas against Satan so that he doesn't enter to destroy us.

Wednesday we went to an Elderly home to be able to spend some time with them and serve them lunch and sing carols to them. It was amazing to take the time out to be able to do something like that! I loved it so much and loved seeing the other missionaries find joy in helping others.

Us at the ward christmas party and a couple we are teaching. They are great! They have taught me that I really am privileged to be here in Costa Rica. They are the best! 

Then Saturday we had the ward Christmas party. We started making tamales in the morning and it was really fun and exciting! It was great to learn a little more about the Latin Culture and find a love even more for the people here in Costa Rica!

Mom the other day we made tamales in church! We made about 250 so I had time to practice for when I get home! I wasn't able to take the picture of all of them lined up because my camera died but they turned out great! 

The Mission Christmas party is Monday and that will be fun! We will be using the camel for it!  We also used the camel this last week for a service project in an elderly home!!

Our little friend!

I love you all and hope you have a great week! And remember why our Savior was born and be able to serve one another!

LOVE YOU 

Elder Moss

Here is a letter Coleen received in the mail...............

8th Week Guapiles, Limon - Pococi Ward

Familia ~

This week we had changes and about half of the zone had changes with a lot of new faces! Wednesday we went to San Jose to go help the sisters carry their stuff to the buses and to their areas. Well my companion and I got stuck with about 4 suitcases, 3 backpacks, 2 purses, 2 umbrellas, and a big package. It was super hard carrying everything especially in San Jose! But we were able to do it! I can only imagine what everyone was thinking watching these two young guys carrying around all of that stuff in San Jose struggling! 

I made no bake cookies! reminds me of Jordyn

It's been great here in Pococi! With the rain still going strong I am loving it! (Keeps the dirt wet so that the wind doesn't blow it up in your face).

The Christmas tree with all the gifts! Thanks mom and dad!!

Other than that the week has been normal! Seeing miracles every day as we go and  teach God's children the restored Gospel. 

I love this Gospel, Love what it's done for my life and family, love Christ and His infinite atonement, and love life!

I hope you all have an awesome week!

LOVE Elder Moss