Letter from Tacoma #25: April 18, 2016

 The Quarter-Mission Mark has passed and time continues onwards.

AAAAAGH! I miss everybody so much! Everything this week looked so fun in the emails, and I really wish I had been there to join in the fun of the birthdays and Ben's farewell. But 'tis the sacrifice of a missionary. I'm just glad to hear that I'm missed as well.

Hey, Ben! I got your farewell talk from both of our mom's. I think you did an awesome job! I know that everything you talked about in it is true, because I can very much relate. Though, the mission will kick you in the butt in more ways than just homesickness; That's something they told me in my last week at the MTC. But I know you'll do better than I have because you've always been more mature than I ever have.

Also, something in your talk stuck out to me. The phrase, "An instrument of The Lord" is something that I used when I first came out here. It's true, that's what we're doing, but I'll admit that I kind of lost sight of that as I was lost in trying to figure out the ropes of missionary work. An instrument can work, but only if it is working the right way, and the way to know how and what The Lord wants us to do is by following the spirit.

I could ramble on about how the spririt is important, but I think you already know that. But I also know that a problem of mine has been trying to figure out when I receive its promptings. Just pay attention to what you feel and what your thoughts are. The spirit won't guide you where you can easily figure out something with common sense, and if you're hesitant to make a decision, just remember: You have been called by a prophet of God to serve. The Lord trusts any decision you make for the betterment of others. If you can't rely on your judgement, THEN rely on his.

I know you'll do great! Though just FYI until we email again when you're in the MTC:

1.) Really become friends with all the guys in your district. Meetings in the mission are a lot more fun when you've already know a few friendly faces.

2.) Feel free to pig out at the cafeteria... for about the first four days. You're already gonna get fat out in the field so why speed up the process?

3.) Bring your own hangers. They don't provide those in the dorms. Even if you don't, you can buy some at the book store, but it's cheaper to bring your own.

You'll love the MTC. The spirit is so strong the moment you walk in. Have fun!

And KYLIE! It's the end for you! That's so exciting!... But that also means I'll be the only missionary out of the family in the field. That hasn't happened for a while. Great job, though! You've served for three times as long as I have, and now that I look at it, that is no small feat. Hope you still write letters even when you get home!

Anyways, as for me, Transfer Calls came this Saturday, and I'm gonna be going to the Mountain View ward down in Centrailia Stake. That's literally the farthest south I could go in the Wa-Tac. It's actually one of the past areas where my trainer, Elder Hansen, served before, so I'm excited to see some cool people he knew down there. Plus I bet the view of Mt. Rainier is amazing there, hence the name Mountain View Ward.

Lakewood has been alright, but I'm grateful to be getting out of here though. There is never a moment of silence in a foursome, and everybody I talk to on streets here are craaaaazy. It'll be a nice change of scene. I'll be in a twosome again with Elder Jensen, one of the more seasoned missionaries in the mission... Though even as I say that, I realize we won't have many of those anymore and before I know it I'll be in their positions... yeesh.

So yeah, I'll be a bit far from the Mission Office, so I wouldn't send me mail there. I'll email my new address when I get there.

Oh yeah, and Lakewood is full of Polynesians and Samoans, so I got this as a parting gift from our ward mission leader 

I love you all and I can't wait to get started in the new area!

Thanks for reading!

Elder R. Austin Moe