October 25th-October 31st, 2016

Hola friends! Happy Halloween! Well, our party plans fell through when
the pumpkins they have here aren't very good and we couldn't find
caramels to make caramel apples with... so I ended up making chocolate
covered pretzels instead. Ahh well. The rest of Spain has been
partying it up and we've been pushing on with missionary work. :) It
has been a good, happy week, but not too much has happened since I
last wrote.

On Tuesday we had district meeting and I spoke for a few minutes about
the Holy Ghost. Public speaking is going to be a breeze when I get
home.

Once a transfer we have exchanges with the sister training leaders.
They are a set of sisters that have more time in the mission. So on
Wednesday afternoon we went to the bus station to catch our bus to
Málaga and we stayed there for a day. I also got to see Hermana
DeBoard(my trainer) again! It was so weird seeing her because I feel
like we were companions forever ago!

We got back to Granada at around 5:30 so we got back to our apartment
and then left again. We went to one of our lessons later and then by
the time we left we realized we realized we'd be late to our 9 pm
appointment with Windy and Kaomi and we wouldn't have a lot of time
with them. Hermana Twede and I thought about if we wanted to go or
reschedule and I decided we should go. We got on a bus and headed
there and I could tell that Hermana Twede was kind of upset with me.
It was understandable because we would have to sit down, share a short
message and leave right away to get home in time. When we walked into
their home, their living room was decorated for Halloween and they had
a table with donuts (hey Tyler! I like donuts now!) and cookies and
chips just for us! It was so cute! And we got to visit with Kaomi,
Windy and their little sister Sheila and their mom Lenni! It was SUCH
a tender mercy! When we got out I looked at Hermana Twede and I asked
her to forgive me for making us go. :p hahaha. Hermana Twede is just
so great. We have such a fun time doing this glorious work together.
She's such a blessing for me.

On Friday we did weekly planning and afterwards, we had a little free
time so I had Hermana Twede trim my hair! She did a good job. :) and
it was free. Friday night after english class and meeting with the
ward mission leader we went and "heart attacked" (out a bunch of paper
earth and notes) a member's door since her mom's health isn't doing
great. We were just about to leave when she saw our shadows and opened
the door! So that was a bummer we didn't make the great escape.
Service is fun. :)

Well that's pretty much it for this week! I love you all lots and lots!

Enjoy some pictures of my missionary life.

Hermana DeBoard, Matsu, Burrell, Stephens, and Twede

















Hermana Twede trimmed my hair!






















We plan good meals. :) French toast.






















Churros. :)

Love, Hermana Moore

October 18th-October 24th, 2016

Well this week has been a good one. Full of ups and downs like always.
:) I'd like to start out by saying that I believe in God and I know
that He is in control of everything. I don't have a ton of time since
it's been a crazy day, but I'll do what I can to sum up my week in
words and pictures.

Last Monday I bought a few new cardigans, one being a mustard yellow
one (I'm wearing it in the paella  picture). Well when we walked out
of the apartment, the first person I saw was an 80 year old man
wearing the same cardigan. Hahaha. That was awkward. But I bet he was
thinking, "hey look! I'm matching with that cute blonde American
girl!"

Anyways. We had several lessons this week with people we hadn't taught
before. We met them in the last few weeks and finally set up lessons
with them. A few of them thanked us for our time but decided they
weren't interested in hearing more. But that's fine, we're just here
to invite. BUT. We taught a lady named Julia and her family and they
loved the time with us! They are from Argentina and Bolivia and are
such a sweet family. They are also interested in learning English so
we are going to teach them the lessons and teach them a few English
phrases each time. So we have a family to teach! I am so excited!

Every transfer (1.5 months) each missionary had an interview with
President Andersen, the president of our mission. On Saturday we met
him at the church building and I got to talk to him for awhile! And he
also brought me a package from Dad and a letter and a postcard from
Abbey-Dabbey and Melanie.

HERE IT IS! The coolest part of my whole week. What we do a lot as
missionaries is contact. Contacting is where we carry our trusty Books
of Mormon and a card with our number on it and talk to people. In
Spanish. We meet new people and get rejected a lot. We say hello and
people pretend to tie their shoe, check their phone or straight up
tell us ADIOS. Well on Sunday night we were contacting and our plans
feel through so we contacted for an hour. Waking and talking to
people. Well since most people reject us, I was thinking and had a
little conversation with God and asked Him to let me have a really
meaningful experience contacting and to let me feel like I was making
a difference. I got rejected a few more times and then I stopped a man
and started talking to him. He looked really burdened down by life and
I started to talk about the message of Christ we share. I testified to
him that God loves him and they He knows what he is going through. I
testified that the gospel of Jesus Christ can heal every wound and
bring peace to every broken heart. I talked to him for 5 minutes and
don't remember a word of it because I was being led completely by the
Spirit of God. I asked him for his number and asked him if we could
visit him. I know Antonio felt the spirit and I know he could feel a
difference. I saw a change in his eyes from depressed to a glimmer of
hope for better things to come. I testified of the reality of Jesus
Christ and His atoning sacrifice. Christ died to save us from our
sins. This is truly what the gospel does for people. This message is a
message of hope and of happiness. When Hermana Twede and I walked away
she turned to me and said, "Hermana, your mom was there. I felt her
testifying with you." I am grateful for this tender mercy in my
missionary life. Hopefully I'll get to write more about Antonio and
share with you how he is doing!

I love being a missionary and I testify of God and His son, Jesus Christ.

Enjoy some pictures from the week. :)

Narrow Spanish side streets.

























Paella! When I get back I will make you all paella. All you need to do is invite me over to your kitchen. 
















We ate a granada (Spanish word for pomegranate) in Granada!
























My Dad is the best. He sent me pink BYU pijama pants with hearts on them.






















Pazooki!

And to make your week better, here's a picture of your favorite missionary in Spain with a baby kitten. :)








Love, Hermana Moore

October 11th-October 17th 2016--What are you doing here?

Well before I get on to the rest of my week I have to tell you about
my Sunday. Yesterday was one of by weirdest days of my mission. I woke
up and got ready like usual. While we were eating breakfast, we got a
call from a man from our ward asking us to go to the church earlier
and set up a table. With just a teeny bit of grumbling we went. Once
we set up the table we had 20 extra minutes and so we stood near the
door waiting to greet people coming in. Well all of the sudden I
looked at the door and and there were two very familiar people walking
through. They had rolling suitcases and their names were Benjamin and
Carli. I just stood there stunned as my missionary life collided with
my "regular life". Benjamin held his arms open and I just said "qué
hace aquí??" (What are you doing here?!) and hugged him. For those of
you who don't know, it isn't recommended that family visit
missionaries. But Benjamin called my mission president and asked for
permission. 6 months ago I hugged them goodbye and it was supposed to
be 18 months til I saw them again! So thanks for the fun surprise
Benjamin and Carli!

To make the day even weirder, on the way home from church a guy
stopped me in the street and said "Mujerrrr sabes qué? Eres muy guapa!
(Womannnnn you know what? You are very beautiful!) And waved his hand
in two inches from my faces. I brushed that off because we get that
sometimes. But thirty seconds later another guy stops me and starts
blowing kisses at me. Does this mean I should dye my hair black?? It
was just a weird weird day. I'm writing these emails from the church
building and I still don't believe that my brother was here yesterday.

Anyways. I'm going to rewinds to Tuesday. I'm finally getting into the
missionary groove apparently because Monday and Tuesday night I had
dreams I was teaching a lesson and I woke up because I sat up in bed
and started to teach someone how to pray. Then I wake up, realize what
I'm doing and where I am and then lay back down.

This week has been one of adjusting and readjusting as a
companionship. Hermana Twede and I have really similar backgrounds
(Mormon families, went to BYU, play piano, like to eat ;) ) Because we
are so similar, we are really good friends but sometimes it we talk
too much about home and it distracts us from the work we are here to
do. We are both perfectionists and just want to be perfect, obedient
missionaries right now. After several days of imperfection despite our
efforts, we had to take a step back. We realized that we really are
progressing, just not as quickly as we would like to be. But our
direction is towards the Savior and our hearts are filled with real
intent. We have had many lessons that have failed us which has led to
frustration, but God is good and has given us miracles to show us He
has not forgotten us.

On Wednesday the ward had a cultural fair to celebrate the national
Spain holiday Dia de naciones (Dsy of nations). The members in the
ward come from a lot of other countries and so each country
represented had a table. Each country was presented and then we all
shared food. :) Hermana Twede and I only had time to make no bake
oatmeal cookies... but the elders pulled through and made some
brownies.

Halfway through the presentations the Chileans show up and hang up
this ridiculously huge flag and put out food. Oh Chileans. They're
always late, but they go the hardest. :) It was a fun night and we got
some time with our investigator Kathi (She came to church for the
first time on Sunday!).

We have been doing a lot of contacting and have had several lessons on
the street but no new investigators yet. Poco a poco. (Little by
little).

Well the weather is taking a turn downhill here... It's been raining
on and off and it been pretty chilly. I have my winter jacket out and
am using it a lot. And I'm starting wonder if it's going to be warm
enough for when real winter comes! Eeksies. I remember telling Dad
when we bought it that I wouldn't need such a big jacket because it
doesn't get cold in Spain. Well, I just so happen to be spending my
only winter here in the only city in southern Spain then gets snow.
Dad, you were right and I was wrong. As usual... hahaha. So the
cardigans and scarves are coming out.

Today, pday, we went grocery shopping. We found this fruit and veggie
market that has a deal that if you spend 10 euros, they give you two
baguettes of homemade bread for free! Then we went shoppingggg and I
bought four more cardigans and a sweater.

I love you all! Have a wonderful week! I testify that God is our
salivation! 2 Nephi 22:2. Look it up.

Love, Hermana Moore

Yep, I'm still not completely convinced this happened.

Kathi and Hermana Twede.


















Our sad table before the elders showed up to add brownies and boxing gloves.

I got a package from Carolin today! :)

October 3rd-October 10th, 2016--Transfers!

Hello friends! I said good bye to palm tree-y Elche and my fantastic blonde trio this week! I am so grateful for my time in Elche and all I learned and the people I came to love. On Wednesday morning I started a six hour bus ride to Granada. It was pretty overtired and stressful but as soon as I got off the bus and met Hermana Twede, I knew everything was going to be great.

Hermana Twede (yes, pronounced like tweety bird) is from Utah so that means 3/4 companions from Utah. She also went to BYU and it turns out we both worked in the art museum there (me as a custodian and her as a security guard). I'm only two months ahead of her in mission time so we're basically just two babies having a grand old time being servants of the Lord. :) Her first trainer was from Mexico and so her Spanish is really really awesome already. We set a goal our first day of all Spanish er'y day and it has going pretty well! If we need to we throw English in too but it'll be good to both of us and help her to not lose the Spanish she has.

Wednesday night on the way back to our apartment I realized I didn't have hangers and would need to buy them so I mentioned it and two seconds later we look at the ground outside a store and there is a bag of... HANGERS. It was just so random.

We haven't had much food in the house but we've been surviving off of the packs of mac and cheese and rice I have in my suitcases from home! Thanks, Dad. That is still one of the best ideas you've ever had. You're always right.

Thursday was weekly planning and it took a long time since I have to get the lowdown (what does that word even mean?? Low down? English is weird) on all the people we teach. There is a lot of work here in Granada and we have a lot of investigators and lots of members to strengthen. I LOVE teaching people about this gospel! One of the things I already love about Hermana Twede is how she testifies in lessons. I've been able to feel the Spirit so strongly in our lessons as we teach with unity.

Fun story: On Saturday night we were taking the bus home. I sat down and Hermana Twede sat down on a seat diagonal from me. It was a little more raised up so she slid down into the seat right across from me. When she did so, the seat made a loud cracking sound and mostly because it was 10 at night we cracked up laughing and Hermana Twede says, "oh! Soy gorda!" Tenemos que correr más! (Oh no! I'm fat! We need to run more!) We looked around and saw a guy who looked exactly like Frozone from The Incredibles (Whereeee is my SUPERsuit?! HONEY, WHERE IS MY SUPERSUIT?!). And he was just dying of laughter with us. A few stops later two guys got on and looked at us (normal) and started talking about us. They sat down a few seats away and then got up and sat directly by us. They started talking in signs of some sort (not normal.) and point at us. Frozone was aware of what was going on. So we got up and walked to the front of the bus and got off a stop earlier than usual. They didn't get off and follow us but we knew that if they had tried anything Frozone would have had our backs.

Sunday. I had my first Sunday attending the Granada ward! There are so many sweet members there and they really love the missionaries! We had fast and testimony meeting (the first Sunday of every month we fast for 24 hours and give the money saved to those in need. The same Sunday our main worship meeting is also opened up for the members to stand and share their experiences and testimonies). At the end of the meeting, the bishop stood up and asked me and another new elder to share our testimonies. So I talked about the love of God and how happy we can be if we become closer to God. :) I got so many smiles from the members and I'm so excited to get to know them.
Contacting miracles! On Sunday night we were contacting near our apartment and after 6-8 flat out rejections I was prompted to talk to a guy sitting on a bench. I tried to push it away and rationalize not talking to him. I felt an almost physical push from the Spirit so I finally went and introduced ourselves. His name is Tasin and he is a Christian but he's really interested to know more about what we believe! So we wrote down his number and we're going to call him in a few days. Once we had taken twenty steps away from Tasin I once again got the feeling I needed to talk to the guy I was about to pass so I did. I think God is trying to get me to be better at listening and trusting in Him. 

Haha... His name is Carlos and we introduced ourselves and he said he is a Christian but has a lot of questions. He even asked us to teach us right there on the sidewalk. Once he asked about why we have so many churches I went into full on Restoration mode. It was so cool and it was my first time having a really successful contact and a lesson on the street. He seemed intrigued and we gave him a Book of Mormon to read. We'll see if he's willing to hear more from us! But Carlos and Tasin were really big miracles for us. :)

Today is Monday and it's my 5 month mark in the mission! This morning we went to the grocery store and bought 40 euros of food. And then went to a fruit and veggies market and bought a bunch of...well.. fruit and veggies! Hermana Twede and I have been really good at exercising in the morning. We go running on Tuesday and Saturday, we run to the park and do the exercise machines on Wednesday, we do stairs on Thursday and Friday is abs day. Anyways. We have some good meals planned this week.
Healthy meals! Homemade mashed potatoes, chicken and broccoli.















My study desk. I still have to hang up pictures from home but I didn't get to buy tape until today. 

Granada at night!


















Elevator selfie! Sorry for the lack of pictures this week.. Lame-o ka blame-o.


Love, Hermana Moore

September 27th-October 2nd 2016--Pomegranate!

Sooo this week has been an exciting one! I knew that I was most likely leaving Elche at the need of this transfers and transfer calls were supposed to come on Saturday. However, on Wednesday afternoon I got an unexpected call from Hermana Andersen. She said that PRESIDENT wanted to talk to me. Hyperventilating, I started to talk to him and he said how much he loved our blonde trio and how great we were doing in Elche and how much he has loved reading my weekly letters. At that point I thought he was going to tell me he'd be keeping us together as a trio another transfer. But then he said that the Lord needs me to leave Elche and to GRANADA to finish the training of Hermana Twede.

I'M TRAINING AND I HAVE 4.5 months in the mission! Eaackkghhhhhhh!

I started hyperventilating for real and my eyes were popping out of my head at Hermana Højholdt. I accepted and President Andersen promised me the Lord's guidance! Granada means pomegranate in Spanish and also granade so that's fun. :) Granada has mountains and it SNOWS there! Granadaaaaa! I'm so excited. So, for those of you who don't know, when a missionary gets into the mission, their companion for the first 12 weeks is called their trainer. They are the senior companion and they are in charge of showing them how to be a good, obedient missionary! Hermana Twede has been here for 6 weeks so she's half way through her training.

Hermana Gibson is also training here in Elche and Hermana Højholdt is going to be a sister training leader in Jerez so it's been a huge surprise for all three of us!

On Friday I went to Murcia for a meeting called trainer's training. I am now a trainer but I need training. I spent the first hour of the meeting thinking about how inadequate I feel I am to train. These feelings continued until I let the Spirit speak to me and let me know that God didn't assign me to do this because of what I have done so far, but because He knows my potential and knows what I can do. What a loving Heavenly Father we have. He sees my potential and I just have to reach as far as I can and then trust in my Savior to help me reach my full potential. My best effort + Christ =perfection. God doesn't just want us to return back to Him and to our innocent state we came from. He wants us to be PERFECTED in Christ so that we can be like God. Christ paid the price to help us fill the gap between our imperfections and the perfect standard of God. He is the Mediator and I am so grateful for His role in my life. I am now ready to train sweet Hermana Twede. :)

Apart from that crazy news, it's been an incredible last week as a trio. On Tuesday we went to Alicante and went to the Vikings museum there. It was really neat and it was especially fun because most of the artifacts came from Denmark (Hermana Højholdt!).

We had a lunch with some members and on Thursday all of woke up with food poisoning. So that strengthened our trio unity. Hahaha. But we're all feeling better now.

 We have a new investigator named Juan and he's from Ecuador. He loves to talk and he has a lot of faith. 

General conference was wonderful! General conference is a world wide conference that happens twice a year. We get to hear from God's true prophet and apostles on the earth. It was an especially sacred time being here on a mission. I gained so much inspiration for the people I am teaching and what i need to do to better myself. The biggest tender mercy happened during the Priesthood session. Eddy, our investigator from Nigeria came and watched the session with us in English and just two days before, we had a lesson about the word of wisdom with him. He didn't understand the reasoning behind no tea or coffee and he's still having doubts about President Monson. And what did President Monson talk about? THE WORD OF WISDOM. It was so cool! 

There are a lot of things I took away from conference and I have lots and lots of notes I will be studying. My testimony has been strengthened and I know that God loves us and that He has given us a plan to return to Him. That plan is called the Plan of Happiness and it is centered around our Savior, Jesus Christ. Through this plan we can know where we came from, why we are here, and where we are going. I am a child of God and I know that all my questions can be answered by the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. 

I am overwhelmed and excited and grateful to be a missionary! I've never been this happy consecutively in my entire life.

I love you all :)

Here's my new address. I'll most likely be there until the end of December. 

Hermana Christy Moore

Calle San Antón 

Nº70, Esc. Derecha 4°C

18005, Granada 

España

Love, Hermana Moore

On the way to Murcia with Hermana Gibson and Hermana Højholdt

A happy, blonde trio in Elche.

Watching General Conference.

This is how we sleep. :)

Love, Hermana Moore