Elder Nathan S Moser

May 22, 2017

This week was, as they say, really really cool.

We started off with an exchange in one of the prettiest parts of our mission, Wenatchee. I was with Elder Harman, who is one of my favorite people to talk to because he is just so cool. Because both him and his companion are spanish missionaries, our entire day was in spanish. We taught a few lessons in spanish with him translating for me, and he taught me a lot about the language. After a year and a half of serving around spanish speaking people, I like to think that I've picked up quite a bit. At least enough to stumble my way through a door approach!

The next day, we made the drive to Omak, which is the nethermost region of our mission. It is probably our favorite exchange to go on because we are light years away from Yakima and we get a taste of everything; Hispanics, white people, Native Americans... it is super fun! I was with Elder Allsop who is literally me in another persons body. We have pretty much all the same interests it feels like. We had an incredible day, and helped a family of three to commit to a baptismal date. We also taught a super cool young couple named Jeff and Amanda who life in the middle of the forested mountains in a cabin. It is beautiful! One of my favorite parts about being a missionary is seeing how the gospel affects everyone's lives differently. In those two exchanges, everyone we taught was sooo different from one another, but they all were drawn towards the same thing. Each of them had their own questions and challenges, but each felt God's love in similar ways. It is seriously so cool. I am so glad that the world is diverse and that people are all different. It is beautiful.

We were out of our area for a big chunk of the week, but we went hard for the days we were back to make up for it. Our investigators are all doing well, and we have been finding people to teach like crazy! I could talk about them forever, but I'll let you know how our lessons go next week. It sufficeth me to say that they are cool.

The work keeps moving forward. One reason why missionary work is so enticing is that it is never finished. Elder King and I have met so many people in just the last week who are ready for the gospel. Yesterday, we met a guy tracting named David who is living at a clean and sober house who is already striving to clean up his life. He is excited to be baptized, and set a date for June 17th. They are all around us. I wouldn't rather be doing anything else than sharing God's love with them!

Peace and Blessings,

Elder Moser

The view from a member's living room in Wenatchee.
The picture doesn't make the mountains look as cool as they really are.

Jeff and Amanda's cabin

The classic Omak picture. The story behind it is too long to explain haha

Stretching the legs.

Monday at the office.

Four Zone Conferences in Four days.

May 9, 2017, Zone Conference #1

All pictures are courtesy of Sister Lewis.

Setting up for ZC #1 this week. Yakima Selah.

Passing out cleaning supplies.

Zone mission photo

Post ZC leadership meeting #1

May 10, 2017, Zone Conference #2

Setting up ZC #2, held in Moses Lake for the Othello, Moses Lake and Ephrata Zones.

Crazy group photo.

Post ZC leadership meeting.

May 11, 2017, Zone Conference #3

Zone Conference #3, Wenatchee with the Omak and Wenatchee Zones

Zone Group Photo, Omak and Wenatchee Zones

Post ZC leadership training.

May 12, 2017, ZC #4

Ready for ZC #4, Toppenish with the Yakima Valley Spanish and Dalles Zones

Zone photo YV and Dalles

Gospel Principles game that Elder King won 4 days in a row.

Some old friends, now companions.

Post ZC leadership training #4.

Zone Conference x4

When Sandra and Hannah (Previously Sister Atkinson and Sister Rasmussen) came back to visit!

Matt, Sarah, Calvin (16), Curtis (2), and Josephine (2 mo.) looking good at church :)

Rainy Wenatchee

May 15, 2017

It was soooo good to see you all yesterday! That was a great Skype call to end on. You all look so good! The handshake was taught to us by Elder Hamblin who is serving in the same ward as us. We still need some practice :)

This is going to be the shortest email of all time because zone conferences were all last week. On Tuesday, we had zone conference in Yakima. Then, we went to Moses Lake that night to set up for the next day. After Moses Lake Zone Conference Wednesday, and after a tender mercy that allowed Elder King and I to see all of our favorite Moses Lake members, we left for Wenatchee to spend the night with the Wenatchee Zone Leaders and set up for the next day. Then we had our Thursday conference, left that night and set up for the lower half of the mission zone conferences in Toppenish.

And then poof: It was Saturday.

On Saturday, I was on exchanges back in the good old Cottonwood Canyon ward in Yakima! Elder Hoskins and I had a super fun time and I also got to see some of my favorite members. I love that ward. Some of the funnest people ever. Elder Hoskins and I, along with Elder King and Elder Hughes, also stargazed out on the trampoline that night in true Cottonwood Canyon fashion. It was a blast.

Sunday was the best. Elder King and I saw some incredible miracles, even though we didn't spend very much time in our area last week. We had 8 investigators at church: Evelyn and her mom, Matt and Sarah and their whole family, a new investigator named Ann, and even DAVID. The Jesus look-alike. We went out of the doors after the sacrament to head to another ward to help with a confirmation, and their was David, sitting with his friend Nina and her uncle, Billy! In that very moment, we flashed back to the moment we met David on his doorstep, when his opening line was "you'll never convince me." We could not believe he was actually there. To us, it was hilarious. But we gladly helped him and his crew find a seat in the chapel! David still isn't interested in the church, but it is so cool to see how the gospel softens hearts and builds friendships -- even if they don't accept it right away. It's the coolest.

After hearing the same message four times at all of the zone conferences, I learned a lot. I could say a lot about everything that was said, but the biggest thing that stuck out to me was how easy it is to feel like a failure on a mission if you measure the wrong things. There is so much good accomplished by every missionary that serves obediently, but most of it is unseen. There is no way to measure success unless you look at your heart. The Savior cares most about where our hearts are. And when ever my heart has been in the right place, that is when I have found the most joy; regardless of whether or not we are seeing the evidence of our work.

Love you all!

Peace and blessings,

Elder Moser