UV Rays and Homemade Food 5/24/2021

White Rock is getting hotter every day. The UV rays were 11 yesterday. I got the sunburn to prove it. It is only on one side of my neck and my part. I thought I would be fine, but nope. Still sweating like crazy, but oh well. 

We met with Jenniffer this week and invited her to be baptized!! I was really nervous because I was extending the invitation. She seemed really hesitant, so we invited her to pray about it. We bore fat testimony about the blessings that come from reading and praying everyday. We told her that it will be a goal. We asked if she was coming to church again. She said yes, but sadly she didn't show. We did meet this lady Ellen and her daughter yesterday. They came to see the Schramm's departing testimonies. Maybe we will be meeting with them? Maybe not because they are from Española...

We had dinner with the Connor's last night. They are so fun. They have 5 boys ranging from 13-4 and they are precious. They crack me up because they are just like my brothers. Sister Connor is an amazing cook. It's really nice to get homemade meals. You can only eat cereal so many times.

We met with my other favorite family the Blackford's. They are the coolest. Sister Blackford let us film her testimony. I started crying. If you learn anything from my emails, members are the best. Let the missionaries film your testimony or offer to go on lessons with them. Members have the biggest influence!!

Sister Brown and I made bibimbap. Its a Korean dish and I think it's my favorite. See the pictures :)

We are going to Santa Fe today to hang out with the sisters down there. One of them leaves this week :( And the other 2 leave next transfer. This week was transfers. I'm staying here in White Rock. 

Took a picture of ourselves in the mirror because...why not?

Selfie w/ a deer that scared the living daylights out of us

The Connor's made us bread!

The SPIRIT! 5/21/2021

This has been the longest week ever. I got 10 days to recap on. 

Our Facebook ad budget just got doubled. That means more comments and more messages. We were getting about 40 messages every day. Most were not the best. However, we got the Taos elders as assistants. They respond to all the guys, and we take all the girls. It's so nice. Now we don't have to talk to any creepy guys!

We did meet this guy named Frenando. He was cool. Lives over in the Farmington mission though so we had to pass him off. He was really open to talking to us, so we gave him the restoration trailer. He seemed interested, so I hope he keeps meeting with the missionaries. 

We had district lunch last week, and we went to El Parasol. It's a little restaurant franchise that's like authentic Mexican food. The state question is what color? As in what chile do you like. I think I might like red more. I definitely prefer Christmas (red and green chile mixed). The most common food right now...tacos. Everyone gives us tacos. 

In case you didn't know, Sister Brown and I are the furthest sisters. And the only sisters in our district. District pdays and lunches...its just us and a crap ton of guys.  

Elder Alliaud and his wife came to speak to us. They focused a lot on the agency of the people we teach. It was really inspiring. They talked about manipulation vs invitation. We are teaching people not teaching lessons. We were allowed to take off our masks if we have been vaccinated so....BLESSINGS!!! We did have to wake up at 5:30 in order to get to Albuquerque on time. I got to Sister Fronk which was the best! I miss her. 

Please pray for Vivian. We met with her this week and the spirit was so strong in the lesson. We invited her to pray out loud. She gave the most humble prayer. I started crying. There is so much power in prayer. I feel like when you get down on your knees and really pour out your heart, God really does hear you. Anyways, we invited her to pray about baptism. I really do believe she will be baptized. She's going places. 

The more I'm in the field the more I am recognizing the spirit. I noticed it before, but the spirit really does prompt you to say and do things. Lori is on date for baptism, but we may be pushing that back. We are trying to get her to pray. Elder Alliaud mentioned that we can help them pray, but we can't be the mediator. They have to discover that themselves. As we were talking to her, I knew I had to read this quote that is glued into my scriptures. Lori was really touched by it and has asked us for more quotes like that. We might have to push her date back...but I think we are finally getting through to her. 

Jennifer came to church again!! I was so happy!! She is starting to warm up to us. I think she's looking for answers and finally finding them. I mean...the spirit in the lessons is strong. As long as she remembers that, I think she's gonna be baptized!

Sister Brown and I have decided...New Mexico is a whole bunch of old Utah people pretending to be New Mexicans.

Green chiles and skillz 5/3/2021

People here know how to cook! Let me tell you. We had dinner at the Rushton. They made us soup. It's kind of like beef stew but with green chiles and pork. Then we had dinner at the stake president Stoke's house. They made us French dip and funeral potatoes. The meal had potatoes so I was very happy. We made beef tostatdas and that was delicious. Sister Brown's mom sends us these food kits and they are so good! At the Lemke's house we had hamburgers and fries. I made myself some fry sauce and her husband made fun of it because it is "disgusting". Keep in mind, every meal here is made with green chiles. Most people have them in a dish so you can add it if you want, but some put it all in. Hopefully I build the tolerance for it. 

I am practically a handyman. People hear Idaho and immediately assume you can do all this stuff because you are a "farmer". I ain't no farmer. We laid sod for a lady and Sister Brown was asking me how to do this and all that jazz. I was just going based off of what I've seen others do. Then we helped a lady move and she asked if we knew how to take a TV off a wall. I said no but that we would try. Luckily I know how to work a drill because of La Beaus and my dad. I got up there and got it off the wall! I was low-key really happy about it. Then we had to get the frame off the wall. I had no clue what I was doing, but I just fiddled with it and found the screws. From there it was a breeze. I was super proud of myself for knowing how to do it. 

We got a referral! I repeat! We got a referral! People, this doesn't happen here. Her name is Jenniffer and we get to meet with her tonight! I am pumped. 

We helped a lady named Lori wash her walls. Sister Brown was taking a duster to the corners and she said that she saw a spider. I don't like spiders so I was like huh?! Where!?! Then I saw it. On her duster. Right in front of my face. Aw nah! Not today Satan! I freaked out and Sister Brown started laughing at me. Rude! She was dusting the window and started freaking out about the dead moths. Wait wait wait. Sister Brown doesn't mind spiders...but dead harmless moths freak her out...? How does that work? Oh well. As long as there are no spiders, we are good. 

We met this lady named Dana, and she is my favorite human being (but I say that about everyone). She's a cute little lady from Kentucky. She asked us to come build a fence for her. The elders did that part. Sister Brown and I were just there to talk to her. She knows the 10 commandments and follows those religiously. She also loves the Bible. When we told her about the Book of Mormon, she got really excited. We are meeting her this week to share a message with her. Hopefully it goes well. 

We've been doing a lot of service. Funny thing about New Mexico. Grass doesn't grow well here, so people think weeds are grass. We helped this lady pull weeds and she told us to put them on her actual grass. She told us that she will mow them, and the little seeds in the "grass" will help it grow. 

We had a lot of our lessons fall through this week :( We are hoping that that will change this week. People are so close to being baptized and then they drop off the face of the earth. It's really frustrating, but we are working on it. Just loving these people a lot. 

I don't know if I'm home sick, but everyone looks like someone from home. It's kind of freaking me out. I don't think I am homesick. I love it here (other than the heat). The people here really are amazing. And everyone is REALLY REALLY smart. They have the Los Alamos site out here. Kind of like the INL but with bombs and stuff. Randomly throughout the day you'll just hear explosions. Everyone refers to it as the site, and I keep thinking it's the INL.

After we cleaned out all the dead moths!

                                         Sister Brown and I posing next to " the missionary path" aka the sod.

Sister Brown and I are related!!

Deer in the headlights 4/19/2021

Good morning from...WHITE ROCK NEW MEXICO!  And I'm in the Santa Fe zone. When I go there, you have best believe Imma be singing that song. I have a lot to talk about so bear with me.

When I went through security, I didn't cry so that is a win. The first flight was pretty good but the one going from SLC was bumpy. I thought I was gonna throw up.  I GOT TO MEET SISTET FRONK!!! We ran to each other in the airport so that was the best thing ever. She is the sweetest person. Sadly she isn't in the same place as me :( but maybe in the future.

My companion's name is Sister Brown and she has only been out 3 months (straight out of training). Fun fact: we are the same person. She has a ballet background, loves the same colors and flowers as me, and we have matching skirts (without even planning). There are a lot more but I can't remember them lol. 

White Rock puts every ward to shame. Every member here is involved in the work AND everyone offers to feed us. I have met some really nice people. They have such a light here and it's really hastening the work. We got a lot of referrals this week, too, so we get to do more service!! This area is also tiny. We can probably drive the perimeter of the town in like 8-10 minutes. 

Now you are probably wondering why I titled my email as "deer in the headlights". Wellll....I got to New Mexico and sat through orientation. Turns out this is a bilingual mission... so home girl has to learn Spanish.  Please pray for me. Those that have learned a language please message me tips or tricks. AND I am an SMT (social media trainer). That means Sister Brown and I are over the Facebook page for the zone. Usually there are multiple missionaries over a page, but it' "just the 2 of us...we can make it if we try". Sorry lol. It was a lot to swallow the first couple days. I was getting really frustrated with myself, but I could feel a lot of help from the other side. 

Because we are over Facebook, we get to meet a lot of them before everyone else. We met with this guy named Rino and he's awesome. He has already had an amazing experience with prayer and reads the Bible. We are going to be meeting with him soon to pass him over to the elders in his area. Then there's Bruce. BRUUUCE. He's a cool dude. We have to teach him everything very slowly, but he's progressing very well. Ah I just love these people. 

Sister Brown's mom sends packages of food and we made it this week. It was delicious! We were supposed to have Italian seasoning, but the package was empty. We made do though. 

With Facebook, I can only respond to my family, but I can see the videos and messages you send. 

Shout out to JESSE who turned 15 yesterday! My baby is all grown up :(  Oh and did I mention...it snowed. Guess it's not as hot as I thought.

the first time meeting my mom aka Sister Brown

#1: the girls I arrived with and the 2 in the middle are the STLs.

#2: another picture of us... right before we found out who our comps were.

Our Zone!!

A "squirrel" and some potatoes 4/26/2021

We started out this past week with Zone Conference. Which meant we were doing car inspections. Sister Brown was explaining it to me. All I heard was "prizes", and I was in. We vacuumed our car like crazy. We wanted to win so badly that we took a lint roller to the inside too. We drive to Albuquerque singing and asking questions. You know...living it up! When we got there, we had to check the car obviously. Sister Brown doesn't know anything about cars, but your girl was taught by her dad. I told her to just wipe down the car, and I will take the tires and the dip stick (I taught her how to do it so she could do it in the future). We popped the hood, and Sister Brown screamed. I thought she had touched the engine or something. She said" oh my gosh is that a squirrel?!?" Nope. It was a rabbit...just chilling in our engine. It was there for an hour and a half!! Anyways the elders came running over and caught the rabbit. Then they chased it for about 5 minutes. I don't know why...boys are weird. That was entertaining. 

We didn't win the car inspection because there were 2 brand new cars. How are we supposed to beat that!?

We have been teaching this lady named Debra and she rejected us this week. That was really sad. We called her to check in and right off the bat she told us not to talk religion with her anymore. We are "dripping" on her because she gets in these moods. We set up a time to call her again, but she didn't answer. She texted us the next day and was like "we set up a time, but I didn't hear from you." She's sassy. 

We're also teaching Bruce. I talked about him a little bit in my last letter, but he's a pretty cool dude. We have to teach him each point individually because he can't remember. Last night we were teaching Joseph Smith's first vision. Right before we shared his account, his wife comes out!! His wife is very opposed BUT she joined our lesson! She made comments and prayed for us. That was REALLY awesome. We asked if we could come to teach both of them and they said yes! Sister Brown and I are very excited!!!

I've been having withdrawals. Everything here is red or green chille, but no potatoes. I'm so sad. I got some fries this week...which was nice. Sister Sims fed us last night, and she gave us potatoes (she asked us earlier if we were craving anything and I said potatoes lol). We taught the Conlin family and the dad asked where I was from. As soon as he heard Idaho, he just went "YES! The potato capital of the world! I love potatoes!" After the lesson, they gave us a hot homemade loaf of bread.. I think I just found my favorite family ;) 

I got to meet Sister Taunia and Sister Bergauer. Both of them have amazing testimonies. When you talk to them you can tell their relationship with Christ is SOLID and STRONG. I started tearing up in both lessons. I would come back here just to visit them. Wow. I wish you could meet them.

We helped a member paint her house. I got to do the floorboards and up by the ceiling. Didn't get a single drop on the floor or ceiling. No tape. Nothing. I have watched my mom do it a hundred times and I copied her technique. However, I am still a mess and spilled my entire glass of water all over her table. That was embarrassing. She was super nice about it though. We got to help several other people with their yard work which was fun and hot. I'm sure the temperature says like 70° but the humidity plus working hard...not a good combo. We did get to know more about this area and about winter. Let's just say...mom you probably want to send the coat. I've had multiple people tell me that it snows quite a bit. Who knows though. I could be further south come winter. 

We got to do street contacting!! We have to walk to church because we are going OVER miles. On our way back home, this guy pulls over next to us. He's got tattoos and gages. My first thought was he's about to cuss us out. NOPE! He talked to us and introduced himself. We've been talking to his wife and now we can connect the dots. Then this old guy was walking his dog. He stopped to talk to us too! And he lives across the street!! Sister Brown and I are planning to go heart attacking in that neighborhood. #blessings

Oh!! Have I got a story for you. We go to this old couples house to do housework for them. I was sent to the kitchen to sweep. I drag the broom under the dishwasher. Bruh. It was just black. These tiny little black dots. I do the same thing and get even more. It was mouse poop. A lot of it. I was like "hallelujah I am wearing a mask right now." Then the old guy comes into the kitchen and walks through my pile. Now I know how my mom felt. I also wiped down their counters because they were also covered in little mouse poops. 

BTW...Saturday was my month mark!! 

Shout out to my home girl ELISE! it was her birthday on Friday! Love you gürrr <3

#1: The "squirrel" chilling in our car. lol 

#2: Helped a lady do some weeding. You couldn't see those plants when we started.

#3: We went to Fuddruckers after Zone conference with the STLs

In the Beginning

Amanda's badges came in the mail and she couldn't wait to try it on!

Endowed with Power: Idaho Falls Temple, February 17, 2021

L to R: front Mom, Amanda, Kristen Jensen. 2. Joe & Amy Despain, Dan Bryan, Dad, Elise Moser, Brad Moser, Eric and Jana Browning. Brent & Susan Houghton, Leon & Kerry Moser. Grandma and Grandpa were not able to attend due to having Covid-19.

Dan & Becky Bryan, Amanda, Mom

Brent & Susan Houghton, Dad, Elise Moser, Brad Moser, Eric & Jana Browning

Kerry & Leon Moser

Amanda was set apart as a full time missionary by President Troy Goodwin on March 23, 2021 at 9:30 pm at the Blackfoot Northwest Stake Center in the High Council room. He was assisted by her dad and brother Brad.

Amanda set up her classroom in the heart of the home. Here is her desk. Below is her desk with the beautiful bouquet of flowers her friends from work (Kitties Kitchen) sent her.

THREE DAYS DOWN AND THE NUART IS HAUNTED

March 27, 2021

Bonjour!

I have made it through my first 3 days as a missionary!! What an amazing journey it has been so far. My district is actually the best, and my companion....ahhh even better! Sister Fronk is also from Idaho, and she's going to the same mission!! Maybe we'll be companions....*crosses fingers*

Home MTC is a really cool idea. Not only are you in a place you are comfortable with, but your family can see change first hand. The way I describe it is it's like all day seminary, but with more participation. They tell you that if you participate that it shows the Lord you are willing to learn. #invitethespirit Speaking of participating, we did a pushup competition. Home girl busted out 15!! Not gonna lie, I was a little impressed with myself.

Sister Fronk and I are already signed up for all of our TRCs (just a fancy way of saying teaching experience). We have been working really hard on focusing on the people's needs. It's just amazing hearing another person's insight on the same person. They can teach you so much!

I received this bouquet from Hallie and Kam! It has been a nice view since all I look at is the kitchen...and that reminds me that I am hungry....Really hungry. 

Now, you are probably wondering what is the nuart, and why it is haunted. The nuart is the theater in town that we do plays at. It's super old and they have been doing renovations to it. Well, today mom, dad, and I painted the stairwell. The entire time I kept hearing things like footsteps or cupboard doors closing really softly. When we finished, this pile of pencils on the table...Perfectly. In. Order. All of them were placed nicely. Mom took a picture, but it wasn't there when we got home. #picsoritdidnthappen 

We are a week out from General Conference!!! I AM PUMPED!!! I encourage you all to participate in #starttoday to get ready for this Easter season. Today is how you prepare for General Conference. 

This is the way ;)

I love you I love you I love you

Sister Moser

Mom and I went for a walk

Painting at the Nuart

District pizza party and being spiritually swole    April 3, 2021

I've been suuuuuper bored this week. You can only sit in a chair for so many hours...and I think its getting to me. Plus I've played solitaire with myself too many times. It was really nice to have Hallie Sue over to be my companion for a hot sec, but I lost several rounds of uno... I think it'll be nice to be in the field. You and your companion are in the same boat, and your family isn't watching TV in the other room. (No offense to my family, you know I love you)

My family is at the cabin this weekend for Conference. Hasn't it been amazing?!? I love them. The way they speak plus the doctrine they preach/teach is beautiful. That has been one of my goals this week: to speak slowly when teaching TRCs. The excitement of teaching someone makes my voice speed up. Earlier this week we had to teach another district, and they told us that our speed was perfect. I think it's going well :)

My other goal is to get analogies from other people. If you have an analogy that teaches about a doctrine, feel free to write me back or DM me. I'd love to use it in New Mexico.

Yes...I have started a countdown for New Mexico (9 days!!), and Sister Fronk and I are going to be on the same plane there!! She gets to SLC about 2 hours into my layover. I'm so excited to meet her in person!!

Know that God loves you!

This is the way

I love you I love you I love you

Sister Amanda Moser

It's so Hard to Say Good-bye

April 10, 2021

I had to say goodbye to home MTC. I'm going to miss Brother Moody and Sister Nielsen so much!!! Brother Moody left us earlier this week and gave Alma 8:1 as his excuse. He was really just going to St. George to see family. Rude. We had a sub for the last 2 days. Enter Brother Jezek. He was chill. Sister Nielsen made us play jeopardy...and I'm really competitive. I lost which was STUPID! But it was really fun. There is a lot packed into Preach My Gospel. I think everybody should read that because it is AWESOME!!! Will you read PMG? lol

My dad pointed out that this is the last year for my mission president. That means that I am going to be saying goodbye to him, too!!

Sister Fronk and I taught this lady named Chey Ann and she was actually the coolest! She was so open and asking us these great questions. It was the best experience. However, we taught this guy named Stuart last night. Lol that was a little bit of a trainwreck for me. Sister Fronk did great. I'm so lucky to have her as my companion :)

My district said goodbye by sharing our favorite scriptures and bearing our testimonies. See the picture for their scriptures.

My district might be sweet, but they are also chaotic. We got threats with a one direction water bottle and arguing about whose baby pictures are cuter. Right now we are having our zoom pizza party and award show. But I love these guys. They crack me up. 

I started my pday off in the state hospital south cemetery. We were tearing up the edges around the trees, so we could put the cement rims around the base. My pinky hurts from gripping my tool and picking up the cement. Then we were tearing up the grass so we could layer it against the sidewalk. The story is so cool though. There were bodies buried in the cemetery, but a road grader came through and took down everything. They have spent years rebuilding this cemetery and giving the patients proper graves. They will have flower beds, trees, and benches. I think it is super sweet. 

I have started packing, and I am convinced that my room represents my brain right now. A disaster and packed. How are you supposed to fit 18 months worth of things in a couple of suitcases? Anyways, my room is a mess, my bed is covered in things, and I am supposed to talk in the ysa ward tomorrow. It'll be fine. I got time...hopefully.

I leave Monday morning! Wish me luck. The next email will be in NEW MEXICO!!

Know God loves you

This is the way

 I love you I love you I love you  

Sister Amanda Moser

April 12, 2021

On April 12 , 2021, we arrived at the Idaho Falls Regional Airport and were all checked in within a whooping 5 minutes. Then we waited for Grandma and Grandpa to show up for final hugs.

The family minus all the older siblings.

This Daddy hug has to last 18 months!

Here she comes, Albuqueque! 

Take good care of our girl as she tries to gives you Heaven!