Friend Letter: Miracles Await You If You Ask In Faith

March 22, 2009

Greetings Sister Bruno,

It sounds like you are learning a lot and making strides in the language. I finally started having Gigi forward your weekly emails. I have received the last 2 or three. It doesn't sound like you enjoy the MTC very much. I LOVED the MTC. I had many sweet experiences there. It got a little wearisome there but looking back on those memories as I walk by the MTC on occasion only brings back the best of feelings. Enjoy that wonderful place while you can. It is probably the closest community to Zion in the entire world. At anytime there are thousands of missionaries there ALL engaged in furthering the same cause. You have all things in common, meaning that each man and woman receives according to their just wants and needs. You are all striving to live the gospel principles. You all even live within the same acre. It's a pretty sweet place.

Many miracles await you if you ask in faith. I know that you will have many precious moments you will remember forever. I know you are keeping a journal. Keep that up! I kept a journal. I only wish I had written in it more often.

So, funny story...I SAW YOU AT THE TEMPLE!

I went to the temple before classes like two weeks ago. It was on a Monday. I had been doing sealings and had to leave to get back for breakfast and class. As I was exiting, I passed by the clothing rental and beheld two sister missionaries. One of them looked very much like YOU. It was just around 8:30. I paused not knowing whether to say hi or not. I just stared at you and was confident it really was you. It was fun to see Sister Bruno. Obviously, you know that I didn't say hi. My initial reaction was just to leave you be. Looking back I wish I would have said hello. I knew you had preparation days on Monday but it never crossed my mind when I made plans to go on Monday morning. I guess, I also didn't realize that missionaries that had their preparation day on Monday would have to go while it was open 7am-10am I'm glad you are doing well. You looked like a stellar missionary.

My classes are going very well. I have about a month left of classes and then I'll be in Houston for the summer to work. I'm trying to find a job. I'm guessing it isn't going to be easy because of our recent economy.

Thanks for the pictures. I was bragging to Felicia. It sounds like I might have gotten you in trouble with her for not sending pictures to her. Hehe Please don't hold that against me. I like pictures.

Please stay safe and let me know how you are doing. I look forward to future communications with you.

Your buddy,

Matt

Friend Letter

22 February 2009

Dear Sister Bruno,

How is missionary life? I was excited to get your pictures and your drawing. I am glad you are learning lots. I bet you are being a wonderful example to your district. Good idea on making friends with other districts to keep that Elder in check. He needs to read "Lock Your Heart" by President Kimball. Would you like me to send that to you?

. . . School is going well. I am enjoying my classes. I'm staying super busy. I'm enjoying them for the most part.

I still haven't written Rachael back yet. I could just send her a copy of this letter but this one has been WAY too personalized to you. You should feel special. Although, I am typing this letter. YOU ARE the Only one that is going to receive it.

Anyway, I just took a picture of myself and it appears that I have been putting on some weight. What do you think?

Anywho...1Corinthians 2:11 is a great scripture to use with investigators. I have been studying the NIV version of the Bible which is supposed a better translation than the KJV excepting the JST of course. Let me quote the NIV version: . . .

3/1/09

So I did it again. I started a letter and then took like 2 weeks to finish it. At least, this one isn't like 5 sentences long.

Anyway . . .

School is going really well. I have decided to be an RA next semester, I'm still waiting to interview for a summer job as a Conference Assistant here. I'll either go home or stay here.

Anyway, I know you are doing awesome. Keep up the good work. Love your teachers. I just saw one of my MTC teachers the other day. It was amazing.

Take care!

Matthew Moses

Friend Letter: Seize the Day

1/31/09

Sister Bruno-

Ni hao

Well, helloooo my friend! How are you! It sounds like you are doing well from your last letter. I hope you got that address. I sent it through dearelder.com Let me know if you didn't get it and I can resend it. By the way, I hope you won't be mad at me but I umm...well remember when I told you to delete all of our chats and that I would resend them to you when you got back?..well umm...do you remember how I'm always like 'seize the day' 'carpe diem'...well um..hah.promise not to be mad? Haha jk. However, you should always 'seize the day' on your mission. Whenever you are afraid of doing something and you will be (not that it is bad--I was too at first, as well as every other missionary I knew) just remember to seize the day. Remember that the answer will always be 'no' unless you ask!

How is the language going? I bet you are learning lots and helping others. Remember don't let it go to your head! I have two exams coming up this week. (Accounting 210 and Church History 1805-1844) I did a lot of homework yesterday and today (Saturday) as well as studying so hopefully this week will not be too bad. I'm actually kind of excited to see if I'm doing as well as I thought. So every other Thursdays I have been going to the temple. It's kind of like my Temple Thursday thing to help boost my spirituality. I realized I haven't been going as often as I should be so I am repenting. Remember, repent often.

My ward clerk calling has been going well. We have a audit coming up next month. I pretty much have everything in order. I'm excited to that and get it over with! He he. Now that tithing settlement is over, once I complete the audit I'll have basic things to do the rest of the semester.

So you probably have already heard about Felicia and I but just so you can't say that I didn't tell you, Felicia and I are officially going out now. It's been such a relief to finally have all of that sorted out. It was really consuming being in the limbo stage with her. Te he he

I finally decided that this summer I'm going to be a conference assistant in the dorms and take a class each semester. They only let the CAs take 4 credits and the classes have to be between 1pm-4pm. I also put my resident assistant application in for the next year. It should be exciting to see how all that turns out. When I finally decided with these plans I felt a great amount of peace...which I hadn't felt in a while since I've been worrying about all of these things. I think it was peace from response to prayer.

Well, I hope you enjoy this package. I miss you lots! Keep working hard. I am sure you are familiar with a lot of the MTC resources now. My favorite things were service and teaching appointments. Although, during one teaching appointment I remember getting really frustrated and sad so I ended up crying like hardcore. I felt so stupid. I had to let my companion teach the ENTIRE lesson. Haha! Spanish just wasn't coming for me at the time. It was a very humbling experience but the Lord can do mighty miracles when we are humble. You must be brought down before everything! I look forward to hearing from you.

Later gator,

Matt

Friend Letter: Sunday Best Day in MTC

So I started writing this letter and guess who started talking to me on facebook?! YOUR MOM! haha...but seriously.

So you went into the MTC today. I hope you are loving it. The first few days were really long for me. Sunday is the best day. After that it goes by SOOO Fast. Enjoy every minute! There is joy to found in the journey.

I got another letter from Rachel today. I'm probably reading too much into it but it was kind of a weird letter. haha

Rachel: "Please know that this isn't a message to say I expect you to keep on writing. I am just grateful for what you shared with me. I really don't deserve you as my friend, Matt. You deserve so much more than I could give. I hope you find someone who will treat you much better than I treated you."

It was a nice thought I guess. I probably am reading too much into it. I'll probably write her back later on.

I didn't see Felicia today. I decided it might be good to have a day off. We texted a bit and I'll probably call for a few minutes later tonight. Thanks for talking to me so late before your BIG DAY.

Speaking of your BIG DAY...how was it? I'm sure you adjusted fine. And I'm STILL sure that you are companions with that girl you said you weren't going to be companions with! The Lord works in mysterious ways, ehh?

I'm going to try and be a good writer. I'm off to a great start if I say so myself :)

Anyway, I know this letter is short. But just remember that it would be shorter if I wrote it. PLUS, I talked to you less than 24 hours ago.

So there isn't too much to update you on. Especially, since I haven't seen Felicia.

If you are wondering what I've decided...I'm just going to follow your advice, "Trust in him." Then trust he'll tell you when it's wrong. Until then go forward in faith. Don't fall from fear."

That text pretty much changed my way of thinking about this situation along with several other things. You're awesome. Good luck! I look forward to hearing from you.

Matt