¡Hola Familia! ¡Feliz Navidad!
I can’t believe it’s already here!!! Only 17 short hours and I will be talking to you all face to face! Technology ROCKS!
Anyway. This last week has been another great one! Can I just say: I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY!!! Especially at this incredible time of year! The church is TRUE!!
Ha. Funny story: This week (well this whole month, but this week especially) my comp and I have been missing the snow… To say the least we’ve been “dreaming of a White Christmas, just like the ones we used to know.” Alas, we live on a tropical Island… But according to a drunk man, it used to snow here!! So, we caught a ride home the other night, and this random man jumped in the back of the truck with us (we meet lots of people, from all walks of life, that way). Naturally, as the missionaries we are, we contacted him and struck up a conversation. He mentioned the weather, and how cold it was outside… We told him, “this is NOTHING compared to where we live! If we were back at home, that mountain of dirt over there would be pure snow!” Ha. He responded “It used to snow like that here in Ocoa… But then all the Haitians (Dominicans all have beef with the Haitians for some reason or another. Usually cuz there are so many that illegally immigrate here.) moved in and they burned it all away. Now it doesn’t snow anymore.” HAHA!!!! Alcohol makes you look stupid kids… Don’t drink it! Lol.
Sadly, the Haitians are still here, and even though we prayed for a weather phenomenon, the skies are still clear and our hills are still green… BUT! We prayed, and then put our shoulders to the wheel for another kind of “white” Christmas, and God gave us just what we asked for!! We had 3 baptisms as a companionship this week and SEVEN baptisms as a district!!! It was awesome!! EVERYONE was dressed in white, and just happy! It was awesome! And if things go as planned (knock on wood), we should have an entire month of “white” as soon as January comes!! J Lots of hard work is finally paying off!! J
Also, this morning, Elder Tuanama and I finally realized our transfer long dream of hiking to the summit of the tallest mountain here in Ocoa! We got permission to do an intercambio for the morning (our comps had no desire to hike, or wake up at the crack of dawn), and then got up at 6 and headed out the door. We hiked to Parra and met up with Elder Tuanama’s Investigator Enrique, and his two boys, and then they lead us up to the top! We hiked for about 4 hours (5 hours including the trip to Parra and back home afterwards), ALL UP HILL!! My legs are SO sore! But as you can see from the pictures, it was SO worth it! We got up to the top, and we could see our breath! I didn’t think that would happen again until winter 2014… lol. The view was incredible, and we made some pretty hard core “we hiked to the summit” bonds as a group. J Ha. We came back down and stopped at a colmado for some juice and bread. I think I was just starving, but it was basically the equivalent of going to Café Rio after hiking Timp. Ha.
Spiritual thought for the week: A few weeks ago I sent you all a letter and then printed it out and reread it after I hit send. One of the lines said something along the lines of “half of my calling as a missionary is to love the people.” Well, as I reread that, I sort of confused myself… I assume it was a spur of the moment use of a figure of speech, but it made me think… What is the “other half” of my calling as a missionary? Isn’t my WHOLE calling to love the people? Well, on Sunday in Elders Quorum, I received my answer. We were discussing home teaching (a current focus in our ward), and one brother shared Alma 26:22. It basically breaks down the secret to saving souls. 1. Repent. No one can call others to repentance unless they themselves have repented. 2. Exercise Faith. If we don’t trust in God, and our Savior Jesus Christ, we have no chance in this fight for right. 3. Produce good works. Make an effort to do good, and to help others; laziness does not bring miracles. 4. PRAY. When we pray, we submit our will to the Fathers, and we make it known that we are willing to do what He asks. We also receive strength; Physical, spiritual, and mental.
THAT is the other half of my call. I need to make myself the best I can be so that I can be ready to act as a tool in His hands ALWAYS.
I challenge all of you to do the same. Change those things you need to change, have faith, get out there and do some good, and PRAY! We are all God’s Children that are here on earth to learn, and to help others do the same. Love all as Jesus would, treat them kindly too.
I know this Church is true. I am so grateful that my Heavenly Father sent His beloved Son to suffer for my sins. I know that through Him, and only through Him, we can all repent, and continue toward our Eternal Potential. I know that if we show the desire, and the willingness, God will use each of us to bless those around us. I hope and pray that we all remember that, and search for opportunities to serve during this holiday season.
I love you all, and wish you the Merriest of Christmases from not-so-white Ocoa.
Love,
Elder Cade Mooney
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Sunday, December 23, 2012
From Elder Richard Roberts
FPE Oficinas Administrativas del Area del Caribe
Hola, brothers and sisters – my wife and I are serving as senior missionaries in the Dominican Republic. Our assignment is to work in the Perpetual Education Fund and this morning we had occasion to visit the San Jose de Ocoa Branch here in the Dominican Republic. We met your son and his companion and thought you might like to see a picture of them – taken just after our meetings this morning at the Church building. It was a fun meeting today as it was the Primary program. The elders were in good spirits and it was a pleasure to visit with them for a moment. They had several new converts confirmed members of the Church today in Sacrament Meeting and are have great success with their work. Thanks to you and them for their service here in this part of the Lord’s kingdom! I have also attached some pictures taken of the entire mission last week. We wish you a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Hola, hermanos y hermanas, mi esposa y yo somos misioneros aquí en Santo Domingo. Tenemos el llamamiento de trabajar con el Fondo Perpetuo Para La Educacion. Esta mañana fuimos a la rama de San Jose de Ocoa aquí en la Rupublica Dominicana y tuvimos la oportunidad de conocer su hijo y sus companeros. Pensamos que les gustarian ver una foto de ellos. Ellos están bien y tienen gozo en la obra del Senior. Tambien tuvieron como seis o siete miembros nuevos que se bautizaron ayer. Gracias a ellos y a ustedes por su servicio. Tambien anexo dos fotos que tomamos de todos los misioneros en la misión la semana pasada. Feliz Navidad y Prospero ano nuevo.
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