22nd Week Guapiles, Limon - Pococi Ward

Family ~

A beautiful sunny week here in Costa Rica! Almost the entire week was filled with sun which was great! On thursday we had a meeting with the stake president and mission president so we didn't get too much work done and on Friday we had a ward activity! 

Ward Activity

The ward activity went great I was a little nervous because it was suppose to start at 6:30 but there weren't many people there. But everyone showed up late like normal so it was a good turn out and a wonderful night together as a ward!

Saturday we were able to go visit a member who lives a little far away which was great because not to many pass by to visit them.

We went to a recent converts house to eat their chicken that they killed and this was the way to get there. (They live a little far) 

I am excited for these next weeks being able to prepare myself for Easter Sunday and General Conference to hear from God's Prophet and Apostles! 

Thank you for the package! We loved it! 

It's wonderful to be on the mission and help others come unto Christ. To share this message that I've been blessed to have in my life!

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

LOVE Elder Moss

Walking the streets of Costa Rica

I love Guapiles because even though its dry than other parts of Costa Rica and it's not as green right now there is always rain to cool it down and see green

Iguana we saw last night by our house and then on our wall when we were leaving this morning.

21st Week Guapiles, Limon - Pococi Ward

Familia~

This week I had the opportunity to do divisiones with other Elders. On Tuesday I went with Elder Catalan from El Salvador and it was amazing to learn from him. He is new and very quiet but has a sweet spirit and when he teaches you can feel the spirit very strongly.

Then on Friday I went with Elder Ruiz one of my best friends in the mission! He is from Guatemala and we both lived together for 6 months in San Miguel. He is a convert and I loved being able to teach with him again! We were practically companions in San Miguel and we saw lots of miracles together.

When I was on divisiones with Elder Ruiz we had to go to Guacimo to do a baptismal interview. It's about a 30 minute bus ride and after everything was done we went back to the bus stacion to wait for the bus to return to Guapiles. While we were waiting we were sitting down on the bench's when we heard something fall from the ceiling. I looked and didn't see anything but a few minutes later we saw cats trying to eat a huge bug. (I am not sure what it is called but it is big and ugly). We watched with a few other men and the cats couldn't eat it so they went away. But a few guys who were watching with us started looking at the bug and talking about it and during this the bug started climbing on the leg of one of the guys. So the guy started to shake his leg to get it off and I just thought he is going to flick it on me. But I didn't move. Then all of the sudden the guy flicks it hard and it lands right on my thigh and starts crawling up. (The pants I had on that day had a hole which luckily got sewed a few hours earlier). I started to freak out a little because I couldn't get the bug off and it kept crawling up and up my leg. So Elder Ruiz instead of helping me take it off starts to take a video of me. So now there is a video of me with a huge bug crawling all over me and everyone in the bus stop laughing and looking at me. At the end Elder Ruiz finally helped me and got the bug off.

Hopefully I can get the pictures and the video of the bug today and send it to you so you all can see!

Then this Sunday we had a transmission from the states which was great to here from! Especially since we didn't have to wake up at 4:30 to go to a meeting before church.

The work is going great here in Guapiles! Lots of families that are progressing to become an eternal family. I love this work and love being a missionary.

I LOVE YOU ALL!!!
Elder Moss

With Hermano Lopez. A tico that served here in Costa Rica with us but has finished his mission

20th Week Guapiles, Limon - Pococi Ward

Family ~

Another week has flown by! The days seem like a blur and I can't believe that it is already Monday and I am writing to you all again. 

My absolute favorite Gospel Doctrine is the Atonement of Jesus Christ. I have recieved so much joy witnessing and seeing the atonement work in my life and the lives of others. The other day I was talking to a brother of the church who said he can't change the way he is because that is how he has been for his entire life. But I know that he can change his nature through the atonement of Jesus Christ and begin to be in the process of being perfected.

The atonement has been completed for us. We are the ones who let it into our lives so we can overcome our sins, afflictions, pains, sickness, and shortcomings. During my mission and before my mission I have been able to taste of the sweet joy of the atonement. I have many shortcomings! A lot actually, but knowing that through the atonement of Jesus Christ I can become better, and little by little leave the bad things in my life and become born again.

It doesn't matter where we are on the pathway to conversion. The most important thing is that we are in the process of being converted and we are working towards becoming like Christ. I know that my Father lives, that Christ completed with the atonement and that we can overcome whatever obstacle that comes into our lives because of it. 

I love this video of modern-day prophets and apostles testifying and teaching about the atonement of Christ and how it can help us in our lives. It has helped me become a better child of God and missionary.

Lifting Burdens

I am so very grateful for the opportunity to share this fruit with others here in Costa Rica and see how it can help them become better people and experience this joy that I too have been able to experience!

I LOVE YOU ALL

Elder Moss

19th Week Guapiles, Limon - Pococi Ward

Family ~

As a missionary you come upon many people from many different backgrounds. Rich people, poor people, humble, proud, and from young to old. Throughout the last year and a half of being a missionary I have come to a conclusion.

That almost everyone I have met on the street are searching for true happiness.

I've been thinking lately about how can someone, no matter who they are or what has happened to them. Be TRULY happy.

Then I thought about the plan of happiness. The plan that God has created for us so that we can TRULY be happy. An eternal happiness that anyone can obtain no matter where they come from.

Happiness

Heavenly Father desires that we find true, lasting happiness. Our happiness is the design of all the blessings He gives us—gospel teachings, commandments, priesthood ordinances, family relationships, prophets, temples, the beauties of creation, and even the opportunity to experience adversity. His plan for our salvation is often called “the great plan of happiness” (Alma 42:8). He sent His Beloved Son to carry out the Atonement so we can be happy in this life and receive a fullness of joy in the eternities.

Testifying of God's “eternal purposes,” the prophet Lehi taught, “Men are, that they might have joy” (2 Nephi 2:15, 25). Many people try to find happiness and fulfillment in activities that are contrary to the Lord's commandments. Ignoring God's plan for them, they reject the only source of real happiness. They give in to the devil, who “seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself” (2 Nephi 2:27). Eventually they learn the truth of Alma's warning to his son Corianton: “Wickedness never was happiness” (Alma 41:10).

Others seek only to have fun in life. With this as their main goal, they allow temporary pleasure to distract them from lasting happiness. They rob themselves of the enduring joys of spiritual growth, service, and hard work.

As we seek to be happy, we should remember that the only way to real happiness is to live the gospel. We will find peaceful, eternal happiness as we strive to keep the commandments, pray for strength, repent of our sins, participate in wholesome activities, and give meaningful service.

My favorite part is at the end where it says "the only way to real happiness is to live the gospel" I know that God wants us to be happy and that Satan wants us to be sad. I have been able to start living the principles of the Gospel during the mission and I've been able to find true happiness. It isn't easy to obtain. We actually have to put our part. Develop our Christlike attributes and live the plan of happiness. I can't express how beautiful it is to see someone find this true happiness. You can see a change in them and you can see the purpose they have found in their eyes. I hope we all can strive to become truly happy and live the Gospel .

I LOVE YOU ALL!!!

Elder Moss

This is "Grandma" and her grandson with his family. Grandma is 95 years old and never misses church. She walks to the bus stop and goes on a bus for about an hour to get to church! She is great!

We are working with her grandson and his family who we've been able to see the spirit touch their hearts and see them gain a testimony of the Restored Gospel

18th Week Guapiles, Limon - Pococi Ward

I am not sure if you have received any emails from me this last Monday but they told me that the emails didn't work Monday (15th) and that we have to resend the emails. I hope you all receive my emails that I just re-sent.

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

Love, Elder Moss

(Resent on 18th)
Family ~

A very busy week for sure! Tuesday we had baptismal interviews to do so we didn't get to work in our area as much as we would of liked. Then Wednesday we went to the District Meeting and after the District meeting we had to leave early to go to San Jose because they were going to close the mountain that we have to pass through in the afternoon for all of the rain. We stayed in San Jose until the afternoon Friday and came back and worked a little bit. Then Saturday we worked until a baptism in the ward. 

A super busy week for sure but it was great because we learned a lot and had the opportunity to have a few meetings in San Jose with a member of the seventy. 

I cannot explain how much I look up to President Hayes. He has taught me so much and has helped me understand how I can be a better missionary, person, future father, future husband, and member of the Church. I am so grateful for this opportunity to be a missionary and share these simple beautiful truths with those here in Costa Rica. It has filled my heart with love and has helped me to become more and more  converted to His Gospel everyday!

I love you all so much!

Have a great week!

Elder Moss

after our journey, the reward.

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