Haha. Sometimes Dominicans add an extra 's' to their words in attempt to sound intelligent. lol. It's hilarious!
Anyway. I love hearing from all you people every Monday, just in case you were wondering. I'm so glad to hear that you're all doing well and loving your lives. :) lol. Even if you're not loving your lives, I appreciate the fake enthusiasm and charisma. ha. Fake or not, it makes me happy!
This week my companion and I worked our tails off, and enjoyed every minute of it! Missionary work is SO bizarre... I never thought I could be so tired, and hungry, and sore, and still be happy about everything that happens to me. ha. I'm sorta like one of those weirdos that never stops smiling... I'm sure more than one cranky Dominican has thought "wipe that stupid grin off your face, Mormon boy! No one should be that happy!" haha. I'm sorry Dominican guy... The gospel just makes me smile! It's practically impossible to be mad when you're serving the Lord with all you've got!
As for the update:
We're still working on Spanish. Elder Medrano is doing really well at using all the vocab words we pick out each day. Even the most uncouth like "to peel." haha. Yeah, try using that word while teaching someone about the Atonement. lol.
We actually had a cool gift of tongues experience this week that I suppose I should tell you about. :) It was an answer to many pleas for courage to open our mouths and be blessed with the gift of tongues. But it came in a rather unexpected way. :)
The other night we ventured into the far corner of our area in search of a less active family that another member told us about. We had a vague idea of where they lived... Like the name of the apartment complex and an "I think it's on the 3rd floor of one of the last apartments on the right..." haha. So we went a lookin! The first apartment door we knocked on opened to reveal a fairly average, middle-aged Dominican woman. She told us she didn't know any of the names we were looking for, and then paused and said, "Wait! Where are you guys from?" We told her we were from Utah and she said, "Stay here! I'll be right back." haha. So we waited while she went to get her daughter. She explained that she had just returned from an English program at Utah State, and invited us in. :) Her English was SO good!
Obviously we couldn't visit with her without sharing a message, so we started off with a prayer and then started talking about God and religion. After I made a fool of myself with a couple of phrases like "a marvelous work and a wonder," (ha. I was searching for ANY and ALL English words that had to do with the Gospel... SO bad! lol. It just flows so much smoother in Spanish!) my companion took over, and taught one of the most powerful first lessons I've ever heard. :) His English was clear, and each word he said was exactly what she needed to hear. :)
As we left the house, I looked at him and just said, "Wow." ha. It was awesome! He's been afraid to open his mouth in lessons because he's afraid of saying something wrong... But it was SO cool to see him light up and share the gospel without hesitation or fear. :) Afterwards he said, "Now I've just gotta do that in Spanish!" lol. I told him not to worry, he opened his mouth, and the Lord filled it, and He can do it in Spanish too. :)
The last few days he's been way more open in lessons, and hasn't been afraid to jump in with something he wants to share. The people still comment that "he's still learning," but it doesn't phase him. :) He's a boss!
Anyway. :) We're happy campers. I still can't even express how much I love the people here in Manoguyabo. The members are all awesome! And everyone is SO accepting!
We're still working a lot with less actives. Especially less active families. :) We've found some really cool people that have lost their way, and oh man... I love them! When they talk about their doubts and struggles I just want to hug them and shout, "It's OK, you're not the only one!" Satan uses the same tactics on all of us, and then he tries to convince us that we're all alone so we'll submit to his will... But guess what, WE'RE NEVER ALONE!! That's why the gospel is SO great! When we fall in his trap, he makes it seem like there's no way out... But Christ has promised to take us each by the hand and lead us up and out of whatever hole we dig ourselves into, no matter the width or depth. No sin is to big, and no doubt is too great for Him to overcome. We just have to trust him. :) And I get to go proclaim that happy message to all the world! I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY!!!!!!!!!!!
Our investigators are still chuggin along as well. We're workin with a super cool lady named Elilda right now. She's SUPER sure that this is where God wants her to be, and she's so sure because she reads like 4 chapters of the Book of Mormon every day! She's truly gained her own testimony! We don't do anything! haha.
AND, last night we finally had a lesson with her husband. He's been a little hard to peg down because he's always working, and as Elilda tells us, he's ashamed cuz he's a heavy drinker, and he doesn't know how to read. But last night we got to talk to him and show him that we're not here to judge him, and we're not here to make him do anything he doesn't want to do. We're simply here to help. :) I have high hopes for the family. :) Right now we're working through the paperwork process so they can get married, and then Elilda will get baptized the next day. So... I'll keep you posted.
We're also working with another couple named Paco and Yamilka. They're the son and daughter-in-law of a lady in our ward. They've met with missionaries off and on for over two years, but have recently received their answer, and are putting in there part in order to be baptized. :) Paco got the Principles of the Gospel book like a month ago, and he's already finishing up with the last few chapters! They both have strong testimonies, and I can truly say that it's not because of anything we've told them, it's because they put in the time to study on their own!
From Paco, Yamilka and Elilda's example it's pretty easy to see why the Prophets are constantly telling us to read the scriptures daily! Personal scripture study along with prayers and church attendance are what bring about a true and lasting conversion. Don't forget it!
Anyway. I should wrap this novel up. haha. I hope you all know that I know this church is true. I know that Christ lives, and He loves us more than we can fathom.
I love you all. Keep the faith. :)
Love,
Elder Cade Mooney
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| Me and a tiny banana (its a species found here in the DR and it literally only gets that big. haha) 11/5/2013 |
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| Me and the Jungle 11/10/2013 |
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| Me and a cool bridge over a pond in our area. 11/10/2013 |
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| We may or may not have turned a missionary exercise band into a catapult last night... haha. We launched glass bottles and an old electric razor we found in the house, and then watched them fly! lol. Just keepin life interesting. :) 11/10/2013 |
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