My Plane Landed

My new companions!

 Hey!!

Coming home from a mission is a lot more new than I thought. In all honesty, I have just been so incredibly happy. My whole mission I heard all these horror stories about coming home. Here are a few things that I have found false for myself:

Myth: You feel the spirit so much less when you come home.
Reality: As I have studied the scriptures, gone to the temple, and spent time with my family; I have had the voice of the spirit just come clearer and clearer.

Myth: It's so much harder to share the Gospel when you go home.
Reality: So far its been way easy! I have been able to go to lessons with the missionaries to teach and it is so great. I also still find joy in just opening my mouth and meeting new people everyday.

The trip home was hectic but fun! My flight was the first one to leave. President went in with me and was helping me get through (around) the line. Elder Taylor was the next flight so we got to go through TSA together. We met this cool Chinese guy that didn't speak much English and gave him a mormon.org card.

I was the last one on my plane and they were about to leave without me. I got on, and all 23 rows of people were staring at me. It was cool though. Being 20 in a suit and a name-tag, I am used to being inquisitively stared at. I met this cool girl from Queensland, Australia who was sitting next to me. She had just visited Yellowstone and stopped into temple square while she was in Salt Lake. She asked some questions about being a missionary and prophesy of the last days. Luckily I knew all about being a missionary, but I knew less about the last days... We don't normally teach that in the discussions.

This awesome family from Salt Lake took me to Chick-fil-A during the layover of my second flight. They were the family I was praying for during the first flight because they had a baby that cried the entire 45 min flight. They noticed that our flights left close to the same time so they invited me to come eat with them. All I ate for breakfast was a granola bar and a cheese stick, so they were definitely listening to the spirit. I thought I would never get hooked up as a missionary again. I was wrong. I went out with a bang and a chicken biscuit sandwich for my last hookup.

While I was sitting at the gate and getting on the plane, things started feeling like home. I saw camouflage hats, boots and belt buckles and it was extremely refreshing. On the plane, I met a school teacher from Seattle that grew up in Omaha. I could see why she considered herself a Seattle person, but there was definitely a part of her that was still Midwest. When I saw the Tulsa skyline, things started to really become real.

My plane landed, I walked down the hall while finishing some conversations, and the next thing I knew I was through the sliding doors with my family. I felt like I never left. Everything since then has been a blur and I have loved it all.

I have been spending time with my brother and screen printing with my dad. Eating good food is part of my family culture, so I have been doing a lot of that too. I don't know how this works, but this morning I saw that I have lost 10 pounds... It's probably all muscle. I just need to do more morning workouts. I don't have jump ropes, cinder-blocks and old dumbbells anymore, so I am going to have to figure something out.

Being a missionary was one of the best things that has ever happened to me in my life. But now, I am thinking that being a returned missionary is one of the best things that has ever happened to me because this is where the Lord wants me to be. Life is so amazing whether its missionary life or life as a tee shirt disciple.

3 Nephi 5:13
 "Behold, I am a disciple of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I have been called of him to declare his word among his people, that they might have everlasting life."

Love,
Brinton Moe

"I Am Not Done"

 

Aug. 7, 2017

I feel so amazing! I am so blessed! This has been the best experience of my life so far. I am so so so grateful to my Heavenly Father for all the blessings these two years. 

I don't even really know what to say. Being able to be a tool in the hand of the Lord is the most amazing experience of my entire life and I am not done doing that after these two years. If you have desires to serve God you are called to the work. That is not going to be limited to my full time service. I am a disciple of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I am exited to be a disciple of Jesus Christ at school and at home and for the rest of my life. I feel so excited to apply all the things I have been learning here on how to serve and love, follow the spirit, work hard, be diligent, obedient and bold. I am exited to share the gospel everywhere I go. I am exited to hand out copies of the Book of Mormon and do all the things I have been encouraging people to do here in Salt Lake. 

Some things I have learned:

- The minutes and seconds you have on your mission are more valuable than anything in this world. If you want to be happy, if you want to be a better person, if you are depressed, sick, or want to give up, go find someone to testify to that Jesus is the Christ and that the heavens are open and God speaks to a prophet today. This will fix the world, and this will change you. Forget yourself and go to work.

- The power of Jesus Christ in our lives is the ability to change. That can be applied to every aspect of who you are. Putting your life in his hands is submitting to his will and being willing to become anything he wants you to be. The second part, when God shows us our weaknesses, is to believe you can change through Jesus Christ, Repent, be baptized, and take the sacrament, yield to the enticing of the Holy Spirit and endure to the end.

Love, 

ELDER Moe

 

"So This Week Was Wow"

July 31, 2017

"Temple square with Raquel!"

Elders Moe, Larson, McKee and Raquel

"With Yao and Lee at Temple Square"

 

I'm sending pictures of my journal entries... I ran out of time.

"I Got Double Dipped!"

Elders Larson, Rawcliffe, Moe and McKee

July 24, 2017

Hey Family, 

Amazing, amazing week. HAPPY BIRTHDAY BECCA!!!!!!!

This week has been the busiest in my entire life to date. We have a new missionary companion now, Elder Parnes. Elder Bade, his companion, had to return home for some health reasons this Friday morning. We showed up at 8:00 AM to meet President and we ran out the door that morning so fast that I forgot to grab a belt. It was sad to see Elder Bade go early. He IS a great missionary and I was so impressed with his positive attitude about it all! I had the opportunity to serve around him up in Zion (Evanston) and we had so much fun.

The apartment was a bit cluttered (HAHAH) so we cleaned it up that morning and got Elder Parnes packed in the car. Our phone wasn't working this morning, and after talking in the office with the ATT guy, the 3g technology is going out of date. The whole mission is having issues with the phones; that was a fun problem to have on the day of a new area and the day of a baptism. We were working with our phone and Elder Parnes's phone to try and coordinate things. We were able to juggle things and get to district meeting on time. We had to have everything prepped before district meeting because it’s now at three. We went straight from that to dinner, then to the church to fit Raquel in a baptismal jumpsuit, and then roll out to East Canyon at 6:20!

The baptism was absolutely amazing! This week she was able to quit smoking. She had quit before but said this time it felt different. We taught a lesson with President about tithing that was super good and we had a really powerful lesson on temple work and family history. The weather was perfect, and even with it being a holiday (Pioneer Day) weekend, it wasn't crowded. The group from the ward and her friends got there before she did, so we stood out on the peninsula and watched for her to come through the canyon. Elder Rawcliffe was there and he played the violin while Brother Smith played the guitar for the opening and closing songs. The water was warm and she had to go down twice because her foot came up the first time. She said, "I got double dipped!!" It was probably one of the most beautiful days of my entire life and one I will remember forever.

"Because she can't give a real hug, haha"

We also had some exchanges this week and I went with Elder Larson this time. While we were downtown, we put together that the first time I met him was when he was Chase Larson, family friends with the Biorns in Cibolo, TX. We were putting things together that he was there for part of our trip to visit the Biorns that one summer. We remembered when he got hit in the throat with a pole while playing waterballon baseball, when I put Dallin’s athletic cup on my face because I thought it was a nose guard, and when he brought over a video game that the cousins weren't allowed to play. He always wore a Manu Ginobli Spurs jersey on p-day activities, so I don't know how we didn't put it together sooner...

Here are the sick picks!

 

Elders Larson, Rawcliffe, Moe & McKee

"Bro. Smith and Elder Rawclliffe playing the opening song."

"A little pop up tent that the Elders Quorm brought. It was the changing station."

"Taco burgers with the Butchers!! So good!!"

"Pick Out A Spot For A Baptism"

July 17, 2018

 

This week in a lesson, our investigator prayed, and as soon as he was done said, "whoa, that felt good." He explained that he had prayed before in the past, but that it never felt like that.

We had another investigator who had a different experience, but it was how God speaks to her. She prayed, and at work saw a shirt that she was hanging up. She felt prompted to look up the writing on the shirt that said, "Living Scriptures." On the website, the first video she clicked on was the cartoon enactment of the chapter she was going to read that night: 1 Nephi 8, Lehi's vision of the tree of life.

Every week we do stake splits and the high councilor over missionary work, Brother Taylor, and I went up to East Canyon Reservoir to pick out a spot for a baptism this Friday! Pray that Raquel can find the strength to stop smoking and have peace in her home.

Ask the missionaries what you can do to help them and really mean it. They won’t be able to think of anything right away, but offer to teach, tract, and be a friend. This work will open up the windows of heaven, bring a closeness to God, and will fill you up.

Love,

Elder Moe

 

 

 

"Friends Forever After the Mission"

Moe & McKee

July 10, 2017

Did I tell you I ran into the Glews? It’s Rachel Glew's grandparents. Kinda funny. I run into people everywhere its pretty cool. I saw one of Blake Nippers companions from Taiwan. Bishop Jensons son was getting home from his mission there and I got to talk to him about Blake and stuff. His last name was Rosenhans or something like that. The funny thing about it all is that while he was on his mission Elder Gill and I had a family intervention lesson thing at their house while serving in the Murray South Stake. I remembered where his house was and we put it all together when I asked, "Do you have a harp in your living room?" He was like, "Yeah I do!!" Funny the things that happen on the mission.

This Sunday there was also a mission President coming home in our stake from the Morristown New Jersey Mission. It was crazy because all the missionaries that live in the area came to see their mission president and wife speak. There were over 500 people at the sacrament meeting and they all got up and sang "Well Bring the World His Truth." It was amazing to see, and cool to think about this group of people in this mission that I will always have a connection with. President Hillier talks about our relationship in the pre existence. He says we will be friends forever after the mission and I know its true. Before I came out, I remember hearing that the missionary isn't called to a mission, but to a mission President. It has to be one of the hardest and most rewarding callings in the church.

Raquel is still planning on getting baptized and we are looking for a place still! We found some new investigators this week that were total miracles. We taught a first lesson in t-shirt and jeans after some service, and she came to church this week. We stopped in at a member’s home and their non-member daughter-in-law was happy to talk and set up a lesson. We showed up last week at a man’s house who prayed for the 2nd time of his life that day, and then on his low, low, low point this week, we felt impressed to go by again. We talked to him on his porch as a thunderstorm rolled in and he poured his heart out to us.

This week we had MLC and I thought it was my last one, but luckily I have one more left. I didn't feel as spiritually prepared as I should have been, so I was grateful when I got there and found out. One of the biggest and most constant things President Hillier reminds us of is what a council is and how to have a council. I have a whole list of scriptures marked that he has shared multiple times as new leadership is called. I always take something new out of it. I remember hearing Elder Ballard's talks on councils that he gave 2 weeks in a row, and I didn't realize how important it was.

I love you.

Elder Moe

"GOD BLESS AMERICA"

Elder McKee & Moe

July 3, 2017

Dear Family!

To really tell you what happens in a week would probably take another week, and I don't have that kinda time out here. Lately, I have been focusing on obedience, faith, and effectiveness. I've been working to do the little things perfect, and to try to remember the things I knew at the begging of my mission. If I have faith, am diligent and obedient, the Lord will provide a way and open doors I haven't even thought about trying.

Being with Elder McKee is awesome. He is a farmer from Vanderhoof British Columbia. He loves basketball and he has told be about what happens at -50 degrees Fahrenheit. Apparently, when it is that cold you have to heat your home less because the air is so cold at that temperature that it doesn't move and creates a heat dome over your house. We have had a lot of fun together. When we were at the transfer meeting, I knew we were going to be companions for some reason. On July 1st we celebrated Canada day and he made some maple syrup and pancakes.

Our first lesson together was with a new investigator, Chase Lee. She is super cool and made it to church this week. She lives like 3 doors down from Alias. Our ward mission leader, Brother Neal, picked them up and they came together. Neither one of them really have strong male role models in their lives, so Brother Neal is like their grandpa. He is super cool! He served his mission in New Zealand and you can tell it really changed him because it’s been a few years and he still has the missionary spirit. He goes out on splits or just with the ward missionaries and knocks doors in the apartments. That's how we found almost everyone we are teaching. It’s from their faith and hard work.

Raquel is super cool!! She has been coming to church a lot and has been learning a ton. The missionaries first went over there because her daughter wanted to start getting back into coming. We have read the Book of Mormon with them, watched the testaments and have had some fun times teaching. She is thinking about getting baptized and she wants to do it in the mountains! Its gonna be sweet!! The date we invited her, it turns out we will have sacrament meeting outside, so she will be confirmed and receive the Holy Ghost. We told her that and were like, God wants this to be amazing for you, it’s meant to be!

Singing the Star Spangled Banner in sacrament meeting is the best! Today there is a ward member that does "the Cul-de-sac of Fire” that we are going to go to. Then, the fourth, Elias and Cindy invited us to watch them light fireworks. Don't worry we wont be lighting them. We will also be going to a lot of ward breakfasts. It’ll be the best!

GOD BLESS AMERICA

11 And this land shall be a land of liberty unto the Gentiles, and there shall be no kings upon the land, who shall raise up unto the Gentiles.

12 And I will fortify this land against all other nations.

13 And he that fighteth against Zion shall perish, saith God.

14 For he that raiseth up a king against me shall perish, for I, the Lord, the king of heaven, will be their king, and I will be a light unto them forever, that hear my words.

Love,

Elder Moe

"Service Project!"

Elders Moe & McKee with Elder Nelson! "He came back to visit someone he taught in this area."

Moe & McKee

"Finishing My Mission in the Big Cottonwood Stake"

June 26, 2017

Dear Family,

This week flew by and we were both super thrown off because we thought we had two weeks left... SUPRISE this was the last week of the transfer. So, I will be staying here and finishing my mission in the Big Cottonwood Stake in Holladay, Utah. Its kinda crazy how fast this has been. There was a night this week that I woke up at 3 am and my mind was flying. I had so many thoughts about the mission and the goals that I wanted to accomplish before I go home. Its gonna be amazing. President Hillier told us that if we keep pushing we will accomplish some of our greatest work these last few months!

We spoke at a homecoming this week. That’s a weird experience. There was so much energy and excitement; I couldn't believe it. He had gotten home this Friday and was sitting on the stand next to his stake president. You could tell he had worked hard and came back different.

This week we...

- Ended up running down Highland Drive in 90 degree weather to get back to the car in time to get to dinner

- Alias didn't get baptized, but he is super exited to and will be soon!

- We had a miracle when I asked and awesome person to use the bathroom and we taught a lesson instead.

Inspired goals are an opportunity to find the vision God has for us.

Love,

Elder Moe

"So I am staying and Elder Rawcliffe is leaving. It's crazy knowing this is my last area! I'm super excited!!

Elders Rawcliffe and Moe

"Our Own Church History Experience"

"Holladay and Spanish Zone activity"

June 19, 2017

Hey! Glad to hear Nauvoo went awesome! We had our own church history experience on Monday visiting all the grave sights of the modern prophets! 11 of the 15 prophets are buried there. It was cool to see them all and really made it real.

We had a giant Spanish zone and Holladay zone barbecue afterwards at a park. There was like a ton of yard games, but we just had a giant group and played SOCCER! It was epic. President Hillier had to come over and tell us to come eat when the food was all done. We were just going to keep playing. At the end I played spike ball with Elder Alkema, Meyers, and Palomeque. Elder Meyers said we were practicing for Provo... lol

Lizzie got baptized this week! She is awesome. Her dad was able to baptize her and it was such a special experience. This Sunday she got confirmed and her brother got interviewed to receive the priesthood. We are going to be planning a temple trip with her dad and brother soon!

"Lizzie got baptized this week!"

Elder Moe & Rawcliffe along with the ward missionaries. 

So the picture you got was actually someone who is not a member of the ward who let us help her! We were so grateful to do it! Send me the pictures! We ask so many people if we can help them and they never say yes...

  

Elders Rawcliffe and Moe doing some service!

We had dinner last week when I was on exchanges with Elder Mickelson. He is from Idaho and is super cool, but doesn't do spicy... There was a spicy side and a non-spicy side. Elder Mickelson took from the non-spicy side, but Idaho non-spicy and Acapulco non-spicy is different. haha

The work goes on!!

We were over in Glendale for a lesson with Elias at his other grandma’s house and we saw some people sitting on their porch. The spirit prompted me, and I went to talk to them real quick. They immediately asked if we could pray with them. I said the prayer and looked up and the girl was like, "oh my goodness" and ran in her house crying. We gave them a copy of the Book of Mormon with mormon.org written in it so they could contact their missionaries. I have to admit the West side was pretty cool.

Love,

Elder Moe

P.S. I am gonna be able to grow a sweet stache when I get home.

Elder Moe & Opificius at Temple square with an investigator.