It is good to have cats and dogs

 Aug 31, 2020

This week was nice, we were able to meet with a family with a new litter of 10 kittens! haha, I was also able to race a dog and lost 2 of the 3 times, and even when I did win, I had an unfair advantage.

We had transfer calls, and we got the sad news that Elder Terry will be leaving. I will still be in the Yelm area, but I am sad to see him leave as he was my first companion here in the WA-TAC, Love ya Elder Terry!!!!! We had some amazing memories. If I could, I really want to thank him. One thing he has always been able to teach  me is to best look at things from different points of view. He was also very incredible enduring despite certain circumstances and situations. I honestly wish I could have one full e-mail purely on the things that we have been able to learn and grow from, that would be awesome, though it would take too long haha.

This last week, we were reading from 'Preach My Gospel' and we learned about our special calling to teach others. It was kind of surprising because it taught us not to necessarily learn and study for ourselves because when we focus on our teaching others, we will be, "taught from on high." and, "Sanctify yourselves and ye shall be endowed with power, that ye may give even as I have spoken." (Doctrine and Covenants 43:15-16). It is an interesting concept, but believe it or not, it is definitely helping.

Also, Elder Terry, one day during our studiies, tells me about what he read in 3 Nephi about how the people did not initially hear the voice of God before Jesus Christ came down and ministered to them. He related it to himself and thought about all the things he truly desired, of which was primarily his friends and his family. He then said to me," You know, sometimes we do not realize the consequences of our actions until we are dead." That is a heavy statement, but I hope we can all think about the things we are doing everyday! I love you all and I most DEFINITELY want to be with you for time and eternity! HOW AMAZING would that be???

But repent! Please, and come unto Christ, ask me if you need help with anything.

Love ya!

We learned a lot this week as well. We were able to serve and teach which is always awesome. 

Sincerely,

Elder Morata! HakunaMorata

Wow! That is pretty good

 Aug 24, 2020

This week has been pretty nice.

Elder Terry and I realized that this week was a wonderful opportunity to reflect, especially as we able to have some interviews with our Mission President!

I know all of my e-mails recently have sounded really goofy, but if there is one thing that I wish that all of you could know, is that I sure do love Jesus Christ, and I just want others to to know of Him, His Sacrifice, and His Gospel. I know that the Book of Mormon is one of the best ways to know that for yourself, too. It really does not matter what circumstance you are in, or what your background is, or what you felt like you have done wrong. The Book of Mormon can help you have peace of mind. The other day, I put in my email that one scripture in John. And what is so cool about that, is that I have seen so many people give up their lives, so to speak, just to serve others. I look up to a lot of other missionaries and just to see how invested they are in the work, blows my mind away. They are so focused on loving and helping others increase their knowledge. And they do this without dwelling too much on the lives they had at home. 

Now while I am not saying that should be the basis of what the standard is, I just know that if we do what the Savior would do and repent, or have a refreshed view of God and the world everyday, beautiful things will happen.

I love you all

Sincerely,

Elder Morata!

HakunaMorata

 Aug 17, 2020

Haha, we did not ride an actual roller coaster, just an emotional one 

But! quick shoutout to Perrine (my sissss) for getting accepted to BYU-H, the school of her dreams and for Blue(my bro) for being the best brother, for Cami(my other sissss) for moving into a cool house and my parents for just being loving. 

This week was interesting, but due to a lack of time, Elder Terry and I.But I do want to share one scripture John 15:13 "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." this helps me a lot. Ponder this scripture!

anyway, some goofy pictures of this week and of our singing/cello duet on Facebook! We had a fun hard time haha 

-overly dramatic pictures

- ground digging

-our fancy burrito dinner

"He Sent His Son" ("Come Unto Christ in Lacey" Facebook page video)

 Aug 16, 2020

It is Good in the Goin'!

 Aug 10, 2020

Hi everyone!

I would like to start this e-mail with something that Elder Terry and I just recently realized...

If there is a food pyramid where all the main food groups are, then surely Oreos must be the foundation of that pyramid.

Pinagsabihan ako ng Espiritu Santo nitong nakaraang linggo. :)

Haha, you may need to look that up on Google Translate

In regards to that ^ there was a common theme amongst our zone conference, scripture study and a talk we heard. The Spirit definitely taught me that this is an important work, and I need to work harder. Or, at least, work harder in different ways. That sounds confusing, but regardless, this is a big part of why I am out here. I just hope that someone could increase their faith. I sure do like this scripture in 1 Nephi 5:19 "Wherefore, he said that these plates of brass should never perish; neither should they be dimmed any more by time..." Just like these plates of brass, our testimonies and our beliefs, if we use them, it will never dim or ever perish. Not only that, but we can increase in knowledge and confidence. Power in coming unto Christ!

Other than that, Elder Terry and I have been calling like crazy and getting to know everyone in this area and doing some service here and there. More than anything, we have found joy and laughter in a bunch of small moments we have. It has definitely helped make all the difference in our attitude in the work.

I Love You all! (Hope ya know that)

Elder Morata!

HakunaMorata!

                                                            We made a meme

                                                        It was cold one morning

That same cold morning, we had pancakes

                I saw a dinosaur and a chandelier, and could not help but take a picture

Cool Picture of the side of the road

We had Arrepas with some amazing members :)

We had an ice cream social

Oreos are a little too good

 Aug 3, 2020

Elder Terry and I have been trying really hard to find more people to teach and maybe help out, but we have not necessarily been the most successful, but we are determined to try every honorable means to bless these lives. Because we are determined to bring Heavenly Father's children back home!!!!!!!! But, we have done a lot of service and using that as a means to get to know the members and find, and since everyone here owns farms and sizeable amounts of land, I think I am convinced I may homestead one day in the future, and if not homesteading... Maybe just have a little garden or something, hahaha. But managing land has been fun haha. 

So, I just saw this verse from the Doctrine and Covenants, it reads," Wherefore, beware lest ye are deceived; and that yye may not be deceived seek ye earnestly the best gifts, always remembering for what they are given." (Doctrine and Covenants 46:8).

When I read about the 'best gifts' I thought about how we can all pray for gifts. Like the gift of charity, or the gift of being able to forgive others or yourself, or even the gift of having compassion on others. I have definitely needed these things everyday haha. And while these things you should 'seek ye earnestly,' and work for them. Never forget the greatest gift of all! The Savior and his infinite Atonement for us. My mom shared with me about something she learned from an rm in my home ward that recently got home. That there is a difference in imitating vs. emulating Jesus Christ. I really like that idea, and I am curious what you all think about that.

The Book of Mormon helps us overcome temptation and trials! :)

Sincerely,

Elder Morata! HakunaMorata!

p.s. love y'all

                                                                

                                                               Uprooted a tree!

                                                                       

                                                                    My twin

                                        

                                        Someone called me morpheus the other day

Happy Bday Pete! (Elder Zygmont)

                                                 

Cute kids telling the story of the prophet Abinadi (Mosiah 9-18)

 Aug 1, 2020