Moore on a Mission in Florianopolis, Brazil: Be Diligent

Well another week in the books, I can’t believe time is flying by so fast. It has been another busy week in the office this week with visas and planning travel plans for the mission tour, and getting things ready for transfers in the upcoming weeks. Even with all the work we have been making it a goal to get out of the office as soon as possible to do work. One quick funny story, was we went to buy some umbrellas for the office, and as we came out of the store it was raining, so I opened up the umbrella and we started walking. We didn’t get very far and it bent from the wind, so we went back to the store and returned it.

Sunday was good, the ward is helping out with missionary work, and helping us bring back the less actives. We had Paulo, Suellen and Vitoria at church along with some others. Things are going good for them and the ward is really helping out with their wedding plans. There are a bunch of Irmas (Sisters) in the ward that are really helping a lot with the wedding, it is great how they are all helping out and are excited for them. We had a really spiritual lesson with them on Thursday at a members house. It was great, I love that family and I am very excited for them.

This week wasn’t that good with visits or contacts. Most of our planned appointments for visits didn’t work out, and the contacts we did weren’t very promising this week. But I have realized that it is our job to just get out there and try to share the message with everyone, they still have the agency to decide if they want to listen to it or not. We did visit a family that their son was baptized about 6 years ago, although they are going through some difficult times right now, they do want to hear more.

Today I had an epiphany and realized it's time for March Madness, wow, I can’t believe it is that time of year. Next year it’s going to be fun for sure to watch and get back into picking the underdogs! What a super exciting time! How’s the bracket shaping up to be? Are there any good underdogs this year, hahaha. NIU or Gonzaga's or George Washington or Butlers?

I wanted to write to any young man and woman who are thinking about preparing to serve a mission! I want to say it’s the best thing that has happened to me! Read Alma 37:6-7. These two verses are probably my favorite scriptures ever. For example we did a small act of helping place a sugar cane (caldo de cana) cart into a parking place and now we have a family that has the goals to get married and be baptized, yes there are trials and Satan always loves to sneak in and try to destroy things. I found some really good quotes from a guy, Vance Havner, who talks about this.

It takes broken soil to produce a crop, broken clouds to give rain, broken grain to give bread, broken bread to give strength. It is the broken alabaster box that gives forth perfume. . . . it is Peter, weeping bitterly, who returns to greater power than ever. [“Broken Things,” an excerpt from Vance Havner]

“Taking it easy is often the prelude to backsliding. Comfort precedes collapse.” This quote explains perfectly what it means on always doing the little things and being diligent

I love you a ton be diligent read the talk by Elder Christofferson and Elder Lawrence they are great.

Love you all very much,

Elder JT Moore