I'm 6 Months old!!!!! - Monday, October 8, 2012

Wow! What a week! So much has happened, I don’t even know where to start!

On Tuesday, we got up, got ready, and went to the La Paz chapel for Interviews with President Rodriguez! We had a great meeting with the Hermana while Pres got started interviewing people. Ha. We finished up with our meeting and our weight/blood pressure taking at around 1 pm. I will have you know that I have lost 15 more pounds since our last weigh in 3 months ago… After the seminar we got some lunch, and then went on a short intercambio with Elder Ramos and Elder Rodriguez cuz it would’ve cost 100 pesos to go back to our area, and it would’ve been lame to sit in the chapel and do nothing for 4 hours while we waited for our turn to be interviewed. At about 7 P.M. we were finally interviewed, and then got out of there at around 8! It was a long day! But I was grateful for the interview! It’s good to feel safe and be able to speak freely about anything and everything! Our President sure is a good guy!



Our final district meeting. 10/3/12
Back row: Elder Laifson, Me, Elder Rodriguez
Front Row: Elder Alba, Elder Carter, Elder Ramos

Wednesday was fairly normal. But as we all know, Fairly Normal in the mission field = Full of Miracles!   We taught Kenia and Ruca, and we asked Kenia about her reading and asked her to share something she’d learned. Well she told us she read from Alma 7, “like we told her to,” but I honestly can’t remember leaving that with her for homework… Ha. Anyway, we ended up having an incredible discussion about the Atonement, and she cried. It was AMAZING! I am so grateful for the Spirit and his ever guiding light!

Thursday I turned 6 months old in the mission, and my companion turned 21 years old in real life. Ha. It was a happy coincidence. We celebrated.

In the morning we had a Zone Conference, and all the missionaries went to lunch afterward, but my companion wasn’t feeling like eating Pica Pollo for the 92828743523762398th time, and the Hermanas in our Zone refused to eat there, so Elder Ramos, Elder Rodriguez, the Hermanas, My Companion, and I all went to Pizza House and ate birthday pizza. Ha.




I made my companion Pan"Cakes" for breakfast (thank you Elder Cabrera!) 10/4/12



Our Birthday lunch. Hermana Sweeney and I 10/4/12



Hermana Rodriguez and My Companion.

While were eating pizza Hermana Sweeney saw a cockroach, and said “why did God make those things???” I told her it was because somebody had to clean up all the garbage and leftover food that humans make, and it might as well be the Cockroaches. Ha. Well as weird as it sounds, that short conversation about the world’s most disgusting insect got me thinking about some pretty deep stuff. Lol. I asked myself what cockroaches think about humans… I mean really. If you think about it, we are the reason they are so nasty, not to mention the fact that we are constantly killing their brothers and sisters and friends. Lol. Weird, but I felt a sliver of charity towards those little bugs…  Well, that little perspective change made me think about how I need to look through other people’s eyes ALL the time. If I have an argument with my companion, all I have to do is take a step back and look at his perspective, and suddenly the argument isn’t an argument anymore. If I am frustrated with an investigator that just isn’t progressing, I just have to step into their shoes, and magically I understand what they are feeling, and I can better see their needs, and how I can help them. So my challenge this week is for everyone to check their perspective! Whether it be an “out of date parent” that just doesn’t “get” how the world works these days, or a stubborn teenager that wants to go to the sketchy party at the boyfriend’s house, or a mission companion that wants to work your area in a way that really just doesn’t make sense to you… Look through their eyes; try to see them as Christ does. Miracles will happen. I promise!

After lunch, we came home and still had some time to burn before our first appointment, so I called the Colmado and had them bring me some flour and some sugar, and I made BROWNIES!!! Ha. Our oven is ghetto, and has to be lit with a lighter, and it only has options one through five on the “how much gas it will emit” scale. I chose number three, and then checked it with the “poke the knife in, and if it comes out clean...” trick at 30 minutes. Ha. Apparently number three is pretty hot, cuz the brownies were a bit over done, but not to worry, we enjoyed them anyway!

Brownies

Then we had some great lessons to make a good day an even better day! Plus, in our last lesson of the day with Josefa and Kimberly, Josefa (the mom) surprised us with Mangú (a mashed potato like substance made from green (as in not ripe yet) plantains) and scrambled eggs for Elder Alba’s Birthday dinner! Ha. It was SO good!

Elder Alba with Joséfa and Kimberly and his Mangú 10/4/12

 

Me with Joséfa and Kimberly and my Mangú



Mangú

 

The Burning of the tie 10/4/12



Then we came home, and ate some more brownies while I participated in the burning of a tie ceremony to celebrate my 6 month mark. Ha. We didn’t have access to gasoline, but we happened to have a bottle of rubbing alcohol in the bathroom, so when the tie wouldn’t light up on it’s own… We improvised!! Ha. So much fire! So much fun!



 

 

Elder Suaste and I on our Intercambio 10/5/12

Friday was another good one! We had intercambios with the CCM again, so Elder Suaste and I were reunited for one last time before his birth into the mission field! I took him up to Café again, and we had some incredible lessons! I would bet my bottom dollar that that kid is gonna be an assistant someday. Ha. I learned a TON from him in the two (last Friday and this one) short days we spent together!

Elder Carter thinks he's funny 10/5/12

Also, while we were at Oliva’s she was cooking dinner and introduced us to “dumplings.” Ha. They are boiled balls of dough. Kinda like pasta, but more dense. Ha. They were surprisingly delicious.

After we sent the CCM kids back to finish out their sentence, Elder Alba and I headed to teach AnaMaria (my first baptism, if you don’t remember). After our lesson, AnaMercedes (AnaMaria’s twin) brought out some refreshments. Ha. It was saltine crackers with Sweetened condensed milk. Sounds sorta weird, but I highly suggest that you all try it! It was SO good!  

Axel's Baptism 10//6 12

 Saturday and Sunday Rocked! On Saturday night between the 2nd and 3rd sessions we had Axel’s baptism! He asked me to do it… Which of course I was happy to do, but I dunno if he was so happy about it after it was over… Ha. I had to baptize him 5 times…. SO funny, and SO sad at the same time! The water was FREEZING, so he really just didn’t wanna go under. So every time I tried to dunk him, one of his appendages would come up. Ha. Finally I just said the prayer, and then bent down and laid his back on the floor. Lol. Poor kid. But hey, at least we can be sure that he’s COMPLETELY clean! Ha. 

Also, as I’m sure you’re all aware, it was General Conference Weekend! We had at least one investigator attend all 5 sessions so we got to go to 4 of the 5! Sadly, we watched conference live, and because our time is 2 hours ahead of SLC time, Priesthood session ended an hour after missionary curfew… So we didn’t go. But the other 4 sessions were AWESOME!!! This church is true! I know it just from hearing our prophets’ voices!! Conference was exactly what I needed! I love how perfectly those talks apply to ME!

I almost peed my pants when I heard President Monson say that the ages to leave on missions have changed! Ha. I had to turn to my companion and have him tell me again to make sure I didn’t misunderstand!!! That is SO awesome! I hope and pray that each and every one of you that can now serve a full time mission will waste NO time! Get those papers in!!!

As for my conference report… yes Nana and Granddad, even though I moaned and groaned about the family get together every 6 months, it really has become a part of me that I will probably never let go! My favorite talk was Jeffrey R. Holland’s talk on Sunday morning. He talked about the disciples, and how they went back to their fishing after the Savior died… I love how he recounts the stories of the Bible, it seems so REAL! I vote we all pay him a bunch of money to narrate the whole thing! Ha. Anyway, his talk hit me pretty hard, cuz even though I still have three-fourths to go, my mission is pretty short… I only wear this plaque for 2 years…. But really, my calling as a disciple of Christ will never end! I will love Him and serve Him till the bitter end! I will NEVER go back to those nets! 

Then… Last night at like 10:20 we got Transfer Calls! And it’s good news!!! Neither of us are moving, but we are both getting new companions and they are splitting our HUGE area into two much smaller areas! My new companion’s name is Elder Maner (the spelling is based on my Dominican companion’s Phonetic skills… So I will include the correct spelling of his name in my email next week), he is American, and he has been in the mission for 13 months. Ha. At this point that’s all I know. Our new area is the east side of Independencia. The side that doesn’t include Café….. :( I’m sad about it. But I will still be in the same ward, and I will DEFINITELY be present for the baptisms of Oliva, Mulk and Prenda! I am excited to keep working here in Independencia, and I am sure that Elder Maner and I will continue to see all kinds of amazing miracles!

Anyway, My time is far spent.

I love you all! Keep the faith, and NEVER return to your nets!

Love,

Elder Cade Mooney

Cool houses 10/5/12

Doninican style laundry

Some Yuca (it's a root, kinda like potatoes, but SO not) and chicken I made. Ha.
I'm basically Dominican! 10/7/12

 

Another Week Gone Like a Flash! - Monday, October 1, 2012

Hey Guys! 

I can hardly believe that it's already P-Day again! Ha. Not that I'm complaining...

I've been hearing all about how fall is in the air back in the states, as well as in the Czech Republic, and other parts of the Northern World.... Sadly, it is still boiling hot here. And it still rains a lot. Just as bi-polar as ever. Ha. The only possibility of a change in weather here is maybe a few extra drops of rain in the semi-daily rainstorms. Ha. No fall for Elder Mooney!

Apart from missing my favorite season, I have had a good week. It's been a roller coaster, as always, but a fun one!

On Tuesday we passed by Guarionex (one of the Investigators that's been taking the discussions since before I arrived) while we were doing some contacting in his neighborhood. We asked him if we could pass by sometime during the week, and then he sorta just went quiet. He proceeded to tell us that he wants to "take a break..." ha, it kinda sounded like a teenage boy that didn't want to hurt his needy girlfriend's feelings. He told us that it wasn't our fault, and that he knew he would lose a lot of blessings without the gospel in his life, but that he needs some time off to rest and to think. It was hard to say goodbye... He was one of the very first people I taught in the mission field.... But I am SURE that his heart has been touched, because I have seen the changes he's made in his life. Now I will just hope and pray that another pair of missionaries find him in the future, and that when they do, he will be ready!

On Wednesday we found an investigator that strengthened my testimony on "planted seeds" and lifted my spirits after losing Guarionex. Her name is Prenda, and what I mean by "planted seeds" is thus: She is 28 years old, and is living in Café cuz she's studying at the WAS (a near by university). Her family took lessons from the missionaries when she was a little kid and all she remembers about the Mormons is a foggy memory of two young men in white shirts and ties. So when she saw us in the street, she told her cousin that she needed to talk to us. So her cousin, the next time she saw us walking by, stopped us and swapped info with us. We called, but to no avail. So we pressed on. But then a couple weeks ago, we were hiking to Café and Prenda was standing on the sidewalk with her cousin! So we met her, and set a time to stop by and meet with her. When we stopped by, she wasn't home... So we left a pamphlet with our number on the back, but didn't hear anything of it.

Then, this last Wednesday we were walking by her house and had some extra time so we decided to go see if she was home. She was! We had an incredible first lesson with her, and she explained that she had something unexpected come up the other night, which is why she left us hanging, but that she really would like to get to know our church, and the things that we believe in. She had all kinds of good questions, and we talked with her for almost an hour!

She explained her memory of the missionaries that visited her family when she was a kid, and told us that she wanted to feel what she felt when they were there AGAIN! It was cool to see her desire, and her hunger for light and truth! It was also a huge testimony to me that the seeds I'm planting right now (Guarionex for instance) will probably not be harvested while I'm here, but that some day, even if it's 20 years down the road, God will find a way to prick their hearts and bring them back into the fold!

On Friday we had Intercambios with the Elders from the CCM again. Ha. It always takes me back to that first intercambio that I did with Elder Zorn and Elder Jensen! Good Times!

Anyway, I was paired with Elder Suaste for the day, and we had a blast! I hope that he and I are companions some day! He is from Mexico and has been a member his whole life! He knows SO much doctrine, and is already an INCREDIBLE teacher! We had a great lesson with Oliva where we confronted some of the road blocks that stand between her and baptism; the greatest being that she wants to be baptized with her husband... But seeing that he doesn't have any interest in talking to us at the moment, we explained to her that she was ready to be baptized, and that she shouldn't procrastinate the day of her repentance! Also, that she would be much more effective at inviting her husband to be baptized if she herself was already baptized! She agreed and committed to pray about being baptized on the 6th of October!

On Saturday we had a pretty chill day. I also had a few more Dominican food experiences... Ha. We went to Pizza House for lunch with Elder Ramos and Elder Rodriguez and we ordered a gigantic pizza that was sectioned off into 3 parts. One was of Pepperoni, one of Ham, and one of... Corn! Ha. It was kinda weird, but surprisingly tasty! So if you wanna try something new, skip the pepperoni, and go with corn on your next home made pizza!

After lunch we had a few visits and then we headed to the Elders Quorum activity! We had three investigators planning on attending the activity, so we got to accompany them! It was great! We went to an underground lake that is in the top part of our area, and while we were down there we had a devotional about unity within the quorum! It was awesome! Ariel, the Quorum Pres, told us that we need to be like lead. Ha. He explained that Doctors put lead vests or blankets on the people being x-rayed to protect them from the damaging effects of said rays. He said that according to his doctor, the vests had to be made of lead because of all the elements, the atoms of lead are the most "unified," and they are so closely aligned that even the smallest bit of radiation cant get through. I vote we all be like lead! Whether you be a missionary that needs to work on his companionship unity, or a family that isn't so consistent with Family Home Evening. Change it! Be more like lead!




Underground Lake Trip 9/29/2012



The group: Back row: My companion, Ariel, Natanael.
Front Row: Me, Carlos, Broulio, Mulk, Antonio, and Dímar. 9/29/12




9/29/12





9/29/12



Me and the lake 9/29/12



The Group Underground 9/29/12

 My second food experience was called a Chimi. We went back to the church after are spelunking excursion, and Ariel met us there with a bag of Chimis and some grape soda. Ha. A chimi is a Dominican hamburger. I don't actually wanna know what kind of meat it is... but the texture wasn't quite the same as beef. lol. But it was good! I think besides Utah, the only place in the world that believes in fry sauce is the DR! And they COVER their chimis in it! Other toppings included: Tomato, cabbage, and pickles.

My Chimi 9/29/12



Mulk and I 9/29/12




Antonio and I 9/29/12



The group eating Chimis



Then, after a few visits Saturday night, we headed home. When we got there I called Oliva to see how her prayer went. Her answer: I want to be baptized on the 6th!! Woo Hoo!!!!


Sadly, because of complications with the communication between our mission leader and our bishop, and some cold feet on Oliva's part, the Baptism has been postponed. But I will have you all know that God does answer prayers! Not only did he confirm Oliva's inquiry to her baptismal date, but he answered my prayers as well! You have no idea how hard I've been praying for her to receive an answer, and to have the desire to be baptized! And finally, due to a divinely planned and guided lesson with Elder Suaste and I during our Intercambio, and much study and prayer on her part, Oliva wants to be baptized!!! I'm SO happy!

Due to the fact that transfers our on the 8th... I dunno if I will be here for it. But I know that her baptism will be one glorious moment for EVERYONE involved!
In other news: Our drain is still clogged. Ha. We talked to the owner of our apartment this week, but he didn't have any solutions. He said we'd have to call our mission office, and they will have to take care of it. So until they get some time to come check it out, we will continue washing dishes in a bucket. Ha.
Anyway. I gotta go. I love you all! And I know this church is true! I know that through faith and prayers all things are possible! And also, that we are constantly planting seeds of faith though our words and examples! So be careful how and where you plant them!

God speed.

-Elder Cade Mooney

Some pictures of the beautiful place where I live. 9/29/12

Hey Family and Friends! - Monday, September 24, 2012

How are you all doing?? Well I hope! 

We are doing really well here in Independencia! We're happy and we're working hard. Ha. Actually "hard" is an understatement... I have never been so tired in my whole life... I added it up the other night, and found out that we walk an average of 10-12 kilometers every day.... Add the sun, and a back-pack with a triple combination, a bible, an umbrella, and a water bottle... Ha. Yeah... When we get home at night, it takes just about all I've got in me to plan, write in my journal (and my gratitude journal), and then take a quick shower to rinse off the sweat and dust before I crawl into bed. 
And some how, some way, I'm still bright-eyed and bushy-tailed at 6:30 am the next morning! There's some sort of support going on from the other side! I'm sure of it!!

Anyway. This last Tuesday we had Intercambio round two. Our district leader has to do one with each of us at least once a transfer, and apparently he wanted to get them done within one week. ha. He came with me to our area, and my companion went with Elder Rodriguez to La Paz (their area). It was a great day! We had TONS of appointments planned, and they all went really well!

One that was particularly awesome was a lesson we had with a little boy named Axel. He is a 9 (so we thought) year old kid from out in the south, who is now living here in our ward with his grandma (member). She asked us to come teach him while we were at church on Sunday, so we stopped by. It was AWESOME! Children are SO pure! He gave us a solid summary of all the things he has learned about the church from his grandma, and from watching the animated scripture stories. :) He knows it all! Ha. Also, when we finished our lesson, we asked him to say the prayer and the Spirit was SO strong! It reminded me of my little brothers. Definitely a trunky moment, but SO good at the same time!

After the lesson we talked more with Hermana Estefania (Axel's grandma) about the family situation, and it turns our that his dad is a member (in-active, but member none the less), and he actually doesn't turn 9 'til October. So we explained that actually, he doesn't need to take the lessons from the missionaries and that he can be baptized whenever he wants! But she asked that we keep passing by anyway, so that we can help him know all he needs to know. So that's the plan! We left them with all the pamphlets, and they are gonna study them together, then when we pass by he will give us an update on what he's learned, and he can ask all the questions that he wants to know from the missionaries. :) I feel like it's a pretty good deal!

On Thursday we had a combined Zone Conference with San Geronimo. First, all the missionaries in our Zones that are going home in the next two transfers got up and bore their testimonies, which as always was great! Then La Hermana Rodriguez spoke to us about Dengue.... A horrid, feverish disease that a species of Mosquito here in the DR produces and spreads... Ha. definitely something I'd like to avoid. After her, our Mission President talked to us about Elder Corbridge's talk the 4th missionary! He emailed it to all of us a few months back, and has asked that we be studying it! It is geared toward missionaries, but it definitely applies to everyone! I would suggest you all read it!

Then President and Hermana Anderson (our area president and his wife) came and spoke to us! It was UNREAL! Hermana Anderson talked about the baptismal covenant and how great our responsibility is of helping others make such an important step, but also how important it is that each and everyone of us remembers our baptismal covenant. We have each made a promise to Remember Christ ALWAYS. She emphasised the Always, and then read 2 Nephi 25:26 "we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ..." and then went on to say, "If we claim to talk of, rejoice in, preach of, prophecy of, etc. of Christ, we should probably know Him." Then she challenged us to get to know our Savior better. She started the process off for us by going through parts of Matthew 8 and 10 with us, and then explained how much we can learn about Him in the scriptures! It was AWESOME! I have taken the challenge and started reading from James E. Talmage's Jesus the Christ again (something I started in the MTC but sort of put on the back burner when I got out into the field), and I also plan to pick up the study of the New Testament again (also something I was much better at when I had all that study time in the MTC, ha). Also, I'd like to extend the challenge to all of you! Get to know Him! His life is the perfect example of how each of us should live! His atoning  sacrifice is what allows us each to repent, and make changes from day to day! He lives! He has broken the bands of death so that we can all live again, and if we follow him; if we GET TO KNOW HIM, we can all live eternally with Him, our Father in Heaven, and our Families!

After la Hermana, President Anderson talked to us. It also was AWESOME! He opened it up for a question and answer session, and answered each question with something that tied into the Doctrine of Christ (faith, repentance, baptism, the Gift of the Holy Ghost, and Enduring to the End). Then to finish it up, he broke down each of the 5 components, and showed us how all the steps tie in together, and how they all support each other! We cant skip a step! We need to help each investigator go though all the steps, but we cant force anything. We are here as teachers... Our job is to get the information (the TRUTH) to their brain, and then we have to help them have spiritual experiences (though testimony, church attendance, prayer, scripture study, etc.), so that the spirit can take that Truth from their head to their heart. Cuz he is the one and only individual that can transverse that byway between the mind and the heart!

Also, he explained how the reason that they send 19 year old boys on missions, is so that we can come to truly understand Christ, His doctrine, and the Atonement. Which brought to memory what Elder Carter had said when he shared his testimony earlier in the conference. He said, "I have made a lot of changes during my mission. I've grown a lot. But I'm not Changed. Thanks to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, I have learned how to utilize His atonement and I have learned HOW to change." I hope that I can say the same at the end of my mission. I have already seen a lot of changes in myself, but I'm still trying to master the HOW... I think that's really why we're here on earth. Not to be perfect, not even to attempt to be perfect... A general authority (I cant remember which) said "I don't believe in perfection... I believe in Eternal Progression." And I've decided that I agree with him. That's why we're here, and the Gospel of Jesus Christ is the road map to that Eternal Progression. The Gospel is the HOW.
It was AWESOME! Definitely a perspective changing conference!
Our weekend was relatively normal. We walked a lot, and taught a lot, and found several new people to teach!

Then on Sunday we went up to Café. We had a lesson with Oliva, which was great! It was good to touch base with her, cuz she's been super busy this last week helping her daughter who just had a baby, and working. Ha. Also, in the middle of our lesson a big rat ran right across Oliva's feet and under the couch I was sitting on! Ha. She FREAKED out! All kinds of squawking and squealing! It was SO funny! lol. So after our lesson we helped her move the couches and chase the rat out. lol.

Then in the evening, we went to Hermana Atalia's house for the weekly Family Home Evening with the members in Café. It was great. Ariel shared the thought (he is married to the Bort's daughter and lives across the street from them in Café). He had us sing "Love At Home" for the opening hymn, and then he talked about how each of us has a line of anger, and then opened it up to everyone to share their different ways to avoid crossing that "line." When it came around to my turn to share, I told them that the hymn "love at home" reminded me of my mom, cuz every time we would fight as kids she would sing it. And how as a missionary I have really put into practice the suggested technique of humming a hymn when we feel angry or negative or sad.

I actually haven't really thought about it until last night, but singing or humming a hymn helps me SO much! Cuz really, if we have a hymn playing in our head, we have the spirit with us, and if he's there, Satan can't be! It was cool to realize that. :)
Then this morning, I got up, did some chores, and then took our sink apart... Ha. It has been clogged for the last month or so... Every time we use or kitchen sink it fills up with water, and then takes hours to drain... and as of this last week we've been having to scoop out the water with a bowl, put it in a bucket, and then dump it down the drain out by the washing machine... Ha. SO gross. Anyway, I took the pee trap apart and a ton of NASTY smelling water came pouring out. Ew. Then I shoved a hanger down the pipe to try and unblock it, but there was nothing there.... I think the problem is out back by the washer where there is a huge concrete box that the pipe empty into before it goes to the sewer... Sadly I don't have a jack hammer... So I think we're gonna have to call some one.`lol. Until then, we will be doing dishes with a bucket. :) I'll keep you posted!

Anyway. We gotta go! We have a Noche de Hogar tonight with Axel and la Hermana Estefania!

I love and miss you all! This church is true! Never forget it!

Love, Elder Cade Mooney




Back row, left to right: An Elder that had health issues and was staying in the office... I can remember his name, Elder Mejia, Elder Thomas, Elder Finlayson, Elder Briener, Elder Rodriguez, Elder Reeder, Elder Brimley, Elder Alba
Third-awkward-half-Row: Elder Zorn, Me, Elder Ramos, Elder Sanchez
Second Row: Elder Talveras, Elder Haroldson, Elder Adams, Elder Reidhead, Elder Chlarson, Elder Bautista, Elder Laifson, Elder Carlson, Elder Carter
Front row (seated): Hermana Rodriguez, Hermana Schweeney, Hermana Anderson, President Anderson (our area president), President Rodriguez, Hermana Rodriguez

P.S. I cant promise that any of those names are spelled correctly. Ha. I did my best.



Two goofy pictures of me with Hermana Rodriguez, and Hermana Schweeney.

Hey Guys! - Monday, September 17, 2012

Another week down! Ha. I really can't believe how fast time flies! 

This week has been really good! We've been working hard, and having fun!
The first part of the week was fairly normal. We had a District meeting, and we taught some people the Gospel. ;)

Then on Thursday we went up to Café and had an awesome lesson with Oliva. Ha. She is SO great! We talked about the law of Chastity, and she had some really good questions. One of which was "Do Mormons really put Chastity belts on their kids? Cuz that's what my friend told me.." hahaha! We told her that it's not true, but some people joke about it cuz the youth in our church wear a "chastity belt" in the sense that they choose to abstain from sexual relations before marriage. Then we discussed how much pain and sorrow can be avoided if we live the law of chastity.

Afterwards, she told us she wishes that she had found the church earlier in her life cuz of all the things that could've been avoided if she had been keeping Gods commandments, and that even though it took a long time for the Good Word to get to her, it's better now then NEVER! ha.

How great is our responsibility? There are millions of Olivas out there, that are going through life lacking what we have to share! The Gospel truly can, and will change people's lives for the better. We just have to share it with them!
On Friday we got up, had our normal study sesh, and then took a public car over to the La Paz Elder's house. Then my companion and our District Leader Elder Ramos went back to work in our area for the day, and left me there with Elder Rodriguez. Ha. We had a pretty good day, and taught some first lessons, and then in the evening we went to one of their progressing investigators houses and had a good lesson with her. As we were finishing up the lesson with her, her older brother walked in the house and sat down with us. Ha. Then he started asking questions... lol. The man was BRILLIANT. He knew all kinds of crazy doctrine about the Bible, and had tons of theories that he had studied. The cool part was that he explained how the Bible was translated, and how many translations it went through before it reached it's current state in Spanish... It was kinda hard to follow. ha. But it made me think of the 8th Article of Faith (at least I think it's the 8th... ha. Primary was a long time ago..) that says that we believe in the Bible "as far as it is translated correctly..." How awesome is it that God knew that his word (the Bible) would be twisted, and changed in translation, and because of that He had a prophet bury an inspired collection of gold plates in a hill, which would later be found, translated with the CORRECT AUTHORITY, and brought forth to dispel the extreme confusion that the Bible had caused. I think it's incredible. And after talking with that crazy smart guy, all about the SUPER CONFUSING theories that theologists have about the Bible, I'm just really grateful for the Book of Mormon, and for the living prophets we have today that hold the Authority to correctly interpret the Word of God.
I know the Book of Mormon is true. There is literally no way it couldn't be.

Yesterday we had Stake Conference, which was awesome. Our Mission President gave a great talk about missionary work, and encouraged all the members to introduce their friends to the Full Time Missionaries. So hopefully they'll take that to heart, and bring us some references!

The last speaker was Elder Anderson, our Area Seventy here in the Caribbean. He shared an awesome story about a woman that was saving money so that her and her family could make it to the Temple. She had a little café, and she would make a batch of food in the morning with the ingredients she could afford from what she made the day before, and then serve it til it was gone. She had been doing this for years, and providing for her family. Then she had an interview with Elder Anderson (stake president at that time) and told him about her dilemma; that she had been saving for months to get her family to the temple, but with the day to day expenses of running the café and feeding her family, AND paying her tithing, it was relatively impossible to save anything. They said a prayer together, and decided that she needed to take the little savings that she had, and buy ingredients to make 3 times the usual amount of food for the following day. She thought it was crazy, but with the same faith she'd exercised in paying a full tithe, did it anyway. Ha. At about 1 o'clock the next day, 3 BUSES FULL OF PEOPLE (tourists) pulled up on the side of the dirt road in her little town, and unloaded into her little café. She fed all of them, and even had to send someone to get more food to provide for them all. Ha. She made enough money in that one day to pay for her the trip to the temple to get her family sealed! So cool! The Lord is good!

Then last night, we had another Family Home Evening with the members in Café. We talked about Gratitude, and it got me thinking. Ha. Really, I don't thank my Father in Heaven nearly as much as I should. Nor do I have an "attitude of gratitude" like I should. I say my prayers, and I thank Heavenly Father for "everything I have," but sometimes it's just routine... I'm not actually feeling grateful for ALL that I have. Ha.
Just the other morning I was complaining about the 3 cockroaches I had to chase out of my bed during the night... When really, my thoughts should've been more like "I'm so grateful for the bed, and the clean sheets that I have for those cockroaches to infest." haha. Ok, maybe that example is a little extreme. But you know what I mean.
I had a fellow missionary challenge me to keep a Gratitude Journal, and write down five things I'm grateful for every single day. And I'm gonna do it. And I'd extend the invitation to any and everyone that would care to join me. Gratitude is the best way there is to keep our thoughts positive, and live happier in general. Be Grateful!! :)

Then today rolled around. Yet another P-Day. Ha. All the older Elders have told me time and time again that P-Day is just kinda normal.. But I just couldn't imagine how they could be so un-excited for P-Day. Ha. But today P-Day was "just kinda normal." ha. Maybe that means that I'm actually a missionary now? Or maybe I'm not a greeny anymore? lol. I dunno.
It was a good day though. We went shopping, and while we were in the meat section, my comp found Molleja de Pollo, which he was SUPER excited about. ha. So we bought it, and took it home. While he cooked it, I went and found my Spanish to English dictionary... Turns out, Molleja means Gizzard. hahaha!!! I definitely ate Chicken Gizzard for lunch today. It was really tough, and chewy, but other than that it was alright! I cant say I loved it, but it wasn't inedible! :)

Anyway. I am out of time yet again.
I hope this last week has been fantastic for all of you, and I hope the same for the week to come.

I love you all! Keep the Faith! and BE GRATEFUL!

Love,

Elder Cade Mooney

Hello beloved Family!! - Monday, September 10, 2012

This week has been solid. Ha.

Last Monday we sadly did not get to learn how to make Spaguetti from Hermana Guzman. She had a last minute visiting teaching appointment. Ha. She's hardcore. But we rescheduled for Friday, so it worked out... More or less. Ha.

On Tuesday morning we got up and went to our District meeting (we are now in La Paz district, cuz they stole all the other Elders that made up the Independencia district, and sadly we cant have a district of just the two of us, ha), our district now includes our DL Elder Ramos, his companion Elder Rodriguez, and the ZL's (Elder Carter and Elder Laifson). It was cool. :) I'm definitely a fan of the District.

On Wednesday we had Zone Conference, which ROCKED! Our Zone Leaders are "by far the best in the mission" according to Elder Brimley (Assistent to Pres). They talked to us about working with members, and our ward missionaries, and introduced a paper to use with members so that they can set goals like "invite a friend to church," "have a neighbor over for FHE," "attend a baptism with a non member," etc. So that members feel more responsible for the people they can and should be sharing the Gospel with. Also, so that when the people they invite/introduce to the church meet the missionaries for the first time, they will already have a friend, and a basic knowledge of the Church. Ha. It's a pretty rockin' idea.

Then they had President Ramirez (works with missionaries at the CCM, and is the Branch President in his Branch) come talk to us about utilizing our members and how important it is to take time out of our schedule to visit and build friendships with the members of our ward. Cuz so many missionaries are just used to stopping by a members house and asking for references that sometimes we forget the importance of sharing the gospel and testifying of its truthfulness EVEN to those that already believe! It was really motivating, and really cool to hear from someone who understands both the missionary's and the member's point of view.

Then, we went and ate with Elder Ramos and Elder Rodriguez at their place for lunch, and then hustled home to get ready to go out and teach. As we were pulling up in the city car, the Assistants called us and announced a surprise Intercambio... Ha. I'm all for surprises like Christmas presents... But having the assistants show up just doesn't quite invoke that same excitement and anticipation. haha. Anyway, we hopped in their truck, went and dropped Elder Mejia off to do his Intercambio with the Zone Leaders, and then Elder Brimley (the more chill of the two) came back to our area with us. Ha. It was a ROUGH day... We had 6 appointments set up, and they ALL failed us. It was AWFUL. So we ended up contacting for 2 hours. haha. I guess it's normal tho, cuz Elder Brimley said that whenever he does intercambios, that all they do is walk and contact, and that usually it rains. lol. So I guess we can count our blessings that we were walking and contacting under blue skies.
Then, because missionaries can never be alone, we had to go with Elder Brimley to pick up Elder Mejia, and when he hopped in the car he said "do you guys have any appointments right now?" didn't wait for an answer, and then said "good, cuz we've got errands to run, and we don't have time to take you home at the moment." ha. So we went with them to the office to pick up the office Elders, to give them a ride to their area, which is NO WHERE NEAR our area... Ha. So as we were pulling out onto the main road, Elder Mejia stopped the car, and said " would you guys mind walking home from here, it'd would just be inconvenient to take you guys AND the office Elders to your areas." ha.... Yeah... Even cutting through Mirador park, it's like a 40 minute walk home from the office.... But lo and behold, it came from the assistants mouth, so that's what we did. haha.
But it was cool, cuz we saw a real live Tarantula crawling across the path on our way home. Ha. Sadly my companion kicked it into the bushes before I could snap a picture, but we really saw one! I promise!! ha. It was about the size of a coaster (those things you put your drinks on to keep the table from getting wet). Super cool!

On Thursday we had a miracle lesson with Oliva (the lady I talked about a couple weeks ago). We were up in Café close to her house, and randomly decided to stop by cuz we had some extra time. She answered the door and was grinning from ear to ear when she saw that it was us. She explained that Saturday (our original next visit) wasn't gonna work for her, and that she had lost our number, so she couldn't call and tell us. But we just happened to show up when she wasn't busy, and had a few minutes to talk to us. Ha. Tender Mercy number one.

So, because it was an unplanned lesson, we weren't super prepared, but were planning to just wing a lesson on the Law of Chastity, cuz we thought we had left it with her to study in out last visit... But turns out, Elder Mooney forgot to leave her homework, and we had just barely given our last Chastity pamphlet to an investigator... So we couldn't even read through it with her. Ha. All that was communicated with nods, and grunts, as my comp and I frantically tried to think of a good topic to talk about. Ha. So to buy some time, I asked her about how her personal study was going, and about what she'd been reading lately from the Book of Mormon. And BOOM, Tender Mercy number two. She had been reading the night before, and decided to just "let the book fall open and read," and she ended up reading the Ten Commandments from Abinadi's discourse in Mosiah 13. Ha. So we went through them again with her, and had an awesome discussion about the Commandments from ancient times applying to us now days, and how we have a living Prophet today that can interpret Scriptures/Old Commandments and give us further light and knowledge to apply them to these the latter days. Ha. SO cool!!! She LOVED it!

It was definitely a testimony that if we follow the spirit, we will be given the things we need to say, and the things that our investigators need the here, in the EXACT moment that they need to hear them.
Also, I'd like to thank my mom, cuz I used her favorite "if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all" saying and translated it into Spanish "Si no tiene algo bueno a decir, ¡no diga NADA!" while we were talking about the ninth commandment, and Oliva thought it was AWESOME. Ha. She wrote it down in her planner. Thanks MOM!!!
Then after our lesson with Oliva, we hustled to Saul's house. But... He wasn't home. His cousin-in-law, that he lives with, told us that he has moved to live with his Aunt in another city... :( SUPER sad! So we will give his name and new address to the office Elders, so they can send missionaries to visit with him there. I hope and pray that he accepts them as he's accepted us, and that he continues on the path towards his Baptism.

On Saturday night we had a cool lesson with a new investigator. Her name is Ivelís. She was in the internet café when we were using internet a couple weeks ago, and asked me a few questions about what we believe. So I got her contact information, and told her we'd stop by to talk more, and explain more in detail "who are the mormons." So on Tuesday night we met up with her and she showed us were she lives, and we had a quick first lesson with her. Then Saturday, we sat down and had a cool talk about the Book of Mormon, and she shared a cool story about how she ended up back here in Santo Domingo:

She'd been living with her 5 kids in Miami, Florida for the last 4 years, but recently had been being nagged by her kids to move back to the DR. And as she was thinking about it, she went to a church meeting there in Miami, and they talked about people that wanted to move back to their home country, and how if they were thinking about it, that they needed to ask the Lord, and then think about if the Lord had a purpose or mission for them there in their home country. So she did, and felt that she needed to come home. She went on to explain that she still doesn't know about the Mormons, but that she had the same feeling talking to us, that she had when she received the confirmation to move back to Santo Domingo! How cool!
It was a testimony builder that God really does prepare people to accept His restored Gospel!

Then Sunday came. Ha. I love Sundays. Church was great, Winifred, one of our ward missionaries, brought not one, but TWO of her friends to church with her! I give all credit to the paper that the ZL's gave us on Wednesday. We had a meeting with the ward missionaries on Friday night, and had them all write down 3 names to start working with to introduce to the Gospel. Apparently Winifred took it and ran with it! Ha. SO cool!
After Church, we hiked up to Café, had some good lessons, with investigators, like normal. Then we got to Angel and Ani's house (the people we carried the wood pallets down the mountain for), and they weren't there.... Where were they?? At the catholic church up the road having their baby baptized... Ha! Oh the irony... We'll definitely have to talk about that next time we meet. lol. If there is a next time... ha.

Then after a good lesson with Antonio and Roseli, we hiked back down to Guarionex's house. Guarionex is an investigator that has been meeting with the missionaies for the last year and two months... He has had all the lessons more than once, and attends church every week. Ha. But he has been holding off on getting baptized cuz he doesn't feel like he has his family's support. So this last week we talked with them and set an appointment for Sunday night (when they would all be home), to have a lesson, and talk about what their dad was investigating. We didn't have huge hopes, because we (Elder Pemberton and I), and missionaries before us had already tried to meet with his wife, and with his kids. But some how, some way, they were ALL there last night! Him. his wife Rafaela, and his kids; Kayla, Edward and Rosa. We sat down and had an incredible first lesson with them, and they all committed to read and pray to know if the book of Mormon is true! We also put another appointment with Rafaela, and Rosa (the other two kids are in college, so we'll have to get creative with making our schedules match up).
It was SO awesome!! Guarionex walked us out afterwards, and told us how grateful he was, and how happy he was to see them all there together, learning about what he knows to be the True Church of Jesus Christ! It was AMAZING!

Anyway. I'm super out of time. We gotta go to an FHE.

I love and miss you all!

The Church is TRUE!!!

Love,

Elder Mooney

P.S. On Friday night, after our meeting with the Ward Missionaries, we went with our ward mission leader to Hermana Guzman's house for our rescheduled Spaguetti night. But she was out visiting a lady in our ward, that just lost her dad the day before. So we visited with Agustin, Amelia, and Gracie (the kids of Hna Guzman), who are all RM's. We just talked and listened to mission stories. And then Gracie made us spaguetti, with boiled green bananas, and avocado on the side. Ha. I didn't get to learn how to make it, but I definitely enjoyed it!!! And I asked her how she did it, and it's basically the exact same thing that I learned from Elder Brezack. So no worries. :)

We're OK! A Little Wet, but OK!! :) -- Monday, August 27, 2012

Querido Familia,

 This week has been quite the ride!

Monday through Wednesday were fairly normal. We taught lessons, and did missionary things.

Then Thursday rolled around.
We had a normal morning, took a Güa-Güa up to Café, and started visiting our investigators. We visited Angel and Ani first, and that's the first we heard of the “Tormenta” that was on it’s way up from Puerto Rico. They called it a cyclone, and/or a hurricane. Ha. Knowing Dominicans, and their innate fear of storms, rain, water, and anything that has to do with being wet, we assumed they were exaggerating.
After we taught them, we went and taught Antonio and Roseli (the couple I told you about last week). When we called to confirm the appointment on Wednesday night, Antonio told us he had good news, but we had to wait til our cita. Ha. So we went in and sat down full of all kinds of anticipation. Ha. He looked at both of us, and just smiled. Then looked at Roseli and just smiled. Ha. Then said “I got it.” Haha. I was like “Sweet! He got his birth certifícate, like we’ve been working on!” But no… He got his CEDULA OUT!!!! A cedula is like their form of ID. Without it you cant get a job, or buy a car, or a house, OR get married… But the problema with him was that he didn’t have his actual birth certificate, just a photo-copy. So we’d been working with him, and with the assistants, to find a way to get a new birth certificate printed so we could hire a lawyer, and then see about getting his cedula. But some how, some way, he ended up going with his buddy to la Feria, and while his friend was doing his paper work, Antonio decided it was worth a shot to ask about it. AND THEY GAVE IT TO HIM!!!! It was literally a miracle. We’ve been praying for things to work our for the last 2 months. And Antonio and Roseli have been praying for and working at this for the last 5 YEARS! And now, he has it in his hands! They can now get married, and then get baptized!!! Ha. Now he is on a mission to find a job, and earn the money to get married. We put a date for a month and a half away, and he wasn’t super sure it was enough time. But we promised him it would be. And we know it will. :)

After our lesson with Antonio, we taught a few other investigators, and then took the 45 minute trek back down to Keña’s house. Keña and her two boys, Evans and Juan Carlos, have been investigators for the last 3 or so months. They were originally contacted by Elder Brezack and Elder Arias, and then taught for a while by the office Elders, and then landed in our investigator pool a couple weeks back when Pres took the office Elders out of our ward. In our first lesson with them, we did a quick quiz to see how much they knew, and how they felt about the church and about baptism. Apparently the missionaries before us taught them really well, cuz they knew EVERYTHING! Ha. We felt impressed to put a baptismal date with them for the 25th of August. 

So last Sunday, the bishop announced their baptism, and then after church, randomly decided to change it to right after church on the 26th. Ha. We thought he was crazy, but it turns out.. He was definitely inspired! 

So Thursday night, we met up with them at their house, and then walked over to the church to have a baptismal interview with the Zone Leaders. The Interviews went great, and they all passed with flying colors. J

Then, afterwards, while we were walking towards home, the ZL’s told us that the rumors about the “Tormenta” were real. Ha. And that we were to have 3 days worth of food and water in our house, and that we were to get the provisions we needed and go home. And NOT leave our house until we heard otherwise. Ha.

So that's what we did.
We stopped at the grocery store on the way home, got some more water, and some rice, and then went home. Ha. Then the rain started. Ha. It was Hardcore. TONS of water. And it just KEPT coming! And there was all kinds of wind, and thunder, and lightning. SUPER SWEET! Ha. The thunder was so loud, it set off the car alarms all over the city when it cracked! Ha. It rained ALL day Friday, and ALL day Saturday. Ha. So Elder Pemberton and I sat in our house and read books, and made videos on our cameras, and ate food, and waited. Ha.

It was actually a really good weekend. I read Our Search For Happiness, and Our Heritage, AND got a solid chunk of Jesus the Christ read. But really, I was feelin’ for Noah and his family. Ha. All they had to read was the scriptures… and they had to sit in that tiny boat with all those animals for FOURTY DAYS AND FOURTY NIGHTS!!! Ha. I just did 2 nights. Ha. And the only stinky animal I was stuck with was Elder Pemberton. Ha. Jkjk.

Sadly, it wasn’t quite as good for one of our investigator families… Confesor and his family live down in the bottom of a gully where 3 roads converge… And the only drainage for when it rains is a little canal that leads out of the neighborhood. And when it rains, those converging roads turn into converging rivers… And during the storm their house filled with waist deep water… And SOAKED everything. By the time we got up to Café to see them on Sunday, it had already drained, but the after math looked pretty bad… Please keep them in your prayers.

Then FINALLY the rain stopped on Sunday morning, and we were able to go to church, and have an incredible baptismal service afterwards (thank you for following the Spirit Bishop!), and we got to go out and teach and touch base with most of our investigators, and have a ward counsel meeting. It was a solid day.
Then while we were walking home the clouds decided to say their final words… And it POURED on us. Ha. We came home SOAKED, but content. :)

After we changed out of our wet clothes, we got the ominous transfer call from the Zone Leaders…. Turns out, Elder Pemberton is getting shipped out to the South, and I am getting a new companion. Ha.
It wasn’t to unexpected, but it’s still big news.
All I know at this point is that he’s Dominican, and that his name is Elder Alba. Like Jessica Alba. Ha. I’ll meet him tomorrow, and give you the update next week. :)

I love you all SO much!

I hope this finds you all happy and healthy!

Love,

Elder Mooney

The last time we saw the sun on friday at 6:30 a.m.

There was a SUPER awewsome rainbow as the rain started to fall.

I video logged the whole 2 and a half day experience, but the videos won't fit in an attachment... Sorry. ha. You'll have to wait for a year and a half..



Reading by candle light, cuz after about 6:30 it was pitch black outside cuz of the clouds, and we had no power.... ha. 



me reading during the daytime

me reading more by candle light. Ha. just a different book





The baptism of Keña, Evans (the bigger one) and Juan Carlos





Monument we ran to





cool sunrise





Aftermath of the Storm





Road full of water



The incredible sunrise we woke up to this morning. 
It was the sign that the storm was officailly over. ha



photos from our run this morning