20 Years Old 11 Months on Mission! ;-)

Hello family and friends!  

First off, THANK YOU FOR THE BRITHDAY WISHES! I did not get to reply to you all but please know that I am SO GRATUFL AND FEEL SO LOVED! It made me cry tears of joy of course to feel the great support I have and the love I have for all of you is not really explainable. Thank you. 

The sisters helped me celebrate my bday real nice! They decorated the house and made muffins for me and my mom sent a nice package it was great. And even one of our investigators, Katu, I had joked with her that she should make me a cake and she actually came through and made me cupcakes! She is a cake decorator for her job she also has five kids and I just love her so much! 

And also I hit 11 months on mission today too! I can't believe how fast time goes. People will make comments about how it's a long time and it doesn’t really hit me much but when I stop and think I get amazed by the wonderful almost year I’ve had on mission. Still have 7 more months to do my best! 

This week was another good one. 

We again had exchanges but this time I got to be with another one of my old comps! Sister Ekhueorohan! We had a good time and I ALWAYS learn so much from her. She is almost done with her mission and I will miss her. On Wednesday we got to go and visit Karen and she fed us shima, chicken and spinach cooked! It was the best shima I have ever had. I know I say that every time but tis true. 

Okay and also we had TWO MORE BAPTISMS THIS WEEK! Remember that couple I talked about a couple weeks back? YEP! So Brother Chiyo was able to stop smoking cigarettes 8 days straight and is still going strong. Honestly it was a miracle. We were so so proud of him! On the day of their baptism we waited and waited and even we had SO MANY MEMEBERS THERE TOO! They really came to support. We finally got ahold of the Chiyos and their toilet had flooded so it had put them behind schedule and they were still on a bus to get there. At 10:40 they finally arrived and bishop made us rush the baptism so that Sacrament meeting could start on time but it was still a great service. They both bore POWERFUL testimonies. The church has really changed their life. I hope one day you get to meet them because it doesn’t do any justice describing them in an email. I know though that there is so much ahead for them! I look forward to the day when they will go through the temple and hold callings and have children in the church. Its juts amazing we get to be a part of it. 

Also this week I wanted to share a scripture we studied in Relief Society (women’s class) on Sunday:

Proverbs 31:10-31 but the best verses to me are- 

10Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. 

25 Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.

26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.

In Relief Society we were discussing with the young women what can help us become good mothers and wives in the future. And we listed so many attributes from these scriptures of good mothers and wives. But virtue, honor, wisdom and kindness were what stuck out to me. I had never studied this chapter so much and I loved how it gives us the perfect example of what to become. We can’t be perfect that’s for sure but we can strive to become better in our qualities, gain more knowledge and remain virtuous so that we can be  good examples to the world. Even I think about Sister Kaunda- the wife who was baptized- and I think about the example she will set for her children of overcoming challenges and acting on faith to do what is right. I’m so grateful for the examples I have in my life of virtuous women. My mom, my grandmas, aunts, friends, the list goes on. So thank you! Keep it up! 

Anyways I hope all is well where ever you all are. 

Thank you again. 

with lots and lots of love, 

Sister Moulton 

Inspired Lessons and Prepared People

Hello! Hope August is treating everyone well over there! Its going amazing here in Woodlands.  

So this week we had such a great experience with our recent convert Innocent. So last week we taught him about temples and he understood until we came to the part about baptisms for the dead. For those of you who don’t know about baptisms for the dead in the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we believe that inside temples we can perform ordinances such as baptism for our ancestors who have passed on. We do proxy baptisms. We do the work for them but then they will have the opportunity to learn the gospel and accept it in the next life IF THEY CHOOSE. Even in 1 Corinthians chapter 15 Peter explains why baptisms for the dead are so important. 

Well, Innocent, when we explained it to him it didn’t get it. He said that it didn’t makes sense because according to what he knows, "the dead rise no more" as he thinks the Bible says (We found out later that if you read the whole chapter it says the opposite because CHRIST ROSE AGAIN!). He said that it didn’t work in his mind. He was okay and said he would come to church but we told him we would go and study more to help him understand. So, that’s what me and my comps did. I read that chapter so many times, I prayed to know what it was talking about because it is confusing to be honest, and we discussed it together. I have such a strong testimony of the temple and I wish that I could help these people understand it. It is more difficult as well because the temple is far away. One day they will be able to go to the temple, so it’s up to us to prepare them! 

Anyways, the day of the lesson came and Sister Kivalu and I sat down to plan our lesson. In our mission we make lesson plans for every lesson we teach. We came up with questions to ask and scriptures to share. I felt strongly that we needed to reteach part of the Plan of Salvation to help him understand.  So we planned to reteach the part about what happens after death. We had planned the whole lesson and finally understood, even for ourselves, why baptisms for the dead are so important. We get into the lesson and we share with him what we had studied and read the scriptures. We asked him if he wanted his family to be together forever and we talked about how ALL of God’s children need to be baptized in order to have the opportunity to have eternal life.  He stops us and says, " I get it. This is important." He told us it made sense and we even challenged him to fill out his own family tree and learn more about them so that one day he could do their work. He came back the next day and told us he felt the spirit while he was learning and it made him closer to his family. I know that the questions we asked and the scriptures we shared were the ones that we were directed to ask from the spirit. I’m grateful that this work is guided by our Heavenly Father.

Also this week we had another baptism! For our dear brother Lungu! I don’t now if I have ever talked about him before. We met him while knocking gates. He is this super smiley guy. He is actually a garden boy for this big house but he stays in the servants quarter behind the house. The first time we taught him we realized he doesn’t speak English very well but we felt that we needed to keep teaching him little by little and we did. He kept commitments and came to church the first time we invited him. He loved it, and has only missed one week since. We teach him with our ward mission leader and they have become great friends. Brother Lungu bore his testimony to us about the Book of Mormon. He said something like, "When I go to sleep I have this by me. And then I read and I feel peace. Thank you for bringing me this book." And what’s cool too is that because he has been at church he has witnessed SO MANY BAPTISMS since he came and he kept asking when was his and the day finally came! He was so happy and we were too. I’m grateful to see humble people like him become closer to their Heavenly Father. And Lungu, his life is not easy. His boss won’t let us learn in the house so we meet outside on the lawn outside the gate. Sometimes he doesn’t have food when the boss is mad at him and he can only meet when the boss is not around. And he doesn’t have a family and has been married before but his wife divorced him. He has been through a lot but the gospel has really brought happiness into his life and purpose too! I am grateful for the direction the gospel gives to us.

Also this week we were working with the sisters in Lusaka so I got to go with my daughter from way before…Sister Sila on exchanges! We had a good time and even though our appointments fell through we made it work. There was one lady we saw her walking, eating some fruit, so we asked her about it as a way to contact her and she offered us one. We put it in our mouths and IT WAS SOO NASTY but we couldn’t spit it out so both of us just held them in until we got her phone number and then we walked really fast away to spit them out LOL!

Also this week Lloyd’s sisters and cousin said they wanted us to each them but they were busy washing so they let us help them so we could teach them after! So we washed these huge blankets! Cho they were so heavy! I get it now why Zambian women are so strong. Ringing the blankets out took some serious arm strength haha. also Kelvin’s mom let us share our message with her this week and she said she was really touched and wants us to come back again to teach her.... we will see what happens but she is so fun! She is always joking with us and we are always helping her clean, and giving her kids stickers. That family is awesome!

So if this doesn't makes sense or you'd like to learn more about our beliefs on temples, here is some info and also on where we go after this life! 

https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2015-06-1020-mormon-temples?category=topics/temples&lang=eng

https://www.mormon.org/beliefs/what-happens-when-you-die

This week should be good! I can’t believe how fast August is flying by!!!  WOWOWOWOW!! Have a good week everyone! 

with lots and lots of love, 

Sister Moulton 

Sticky Driving!

 Hello!!! What a­ week!  

So first off this week the mission couple in charge of the cars told me that I needed to come to the office to learn stick because on Wednesday they would take my Ford Ranger away and would give me a stick car. I knew this day would come eventually because our mission president had been warning me and trying to give me opportunities to learn stick shift but this time it really happened. BUT I HAVE NEVER DRIVEN STICK BEFORE ESPECIALLY IN A FOREIGN COUNTRY. For three days I had some good driving lessons with Sister Jones (the senior one). The first couple of times were rough and I almost wanted to give up but I couldn’t really so I was doing my best to be persistent. I don’t even know the number of times I stalled haha but I guess I can say I can do. Now I have been driving all week now and yes I still stall once in awhile –one was even in a round about!  But hey we survived because Heavenly Father is protecting us and giving me the gift to drive! 

So this week we followed up with Lloyd and Kelvin. They both shared with us powerful experiences they had with the Word of Wisdom. So for those of you that don’t know in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints we believe in modern day revelation. Part of that revelation is a health code that helps us keep our bodies healthy and clean. We refrain from partaking of alcohol, tobacco, coffee, tea and illegal drugs or harmful substances. So this week Lloyd said he had an experience when his friend offered him a cup of coffee and he was about to drink but something told him NOT to and he couldn’t describe it very well but he knew it was the Spirit helping him keep the covenants he had made at baptism. He told us how it really strengthened his testimony of the Holy Ghost being there to warn us. And strangely enough we go and visit Kelvin and he had a similar experience. It really just showed me how Satan is smart and he knows what weaknesses we have but Heavenly Father has blessed us with all we need to resist. I am so grateful for the gift of the Holy Ghost that I received after my baptism that has comforted me, guided me, and taught me ever since then. It is what drives our missionary work and its what helps those we teach know the truth. And even for Kelvin and Lloyd I know it will continue to help them stay on the right path. Even this Sunday they were both able to receive the priesthood. Kelvin was supposed to work but he made the decision to skip so he could come to church. The church is true everyone. 

Also this week while we were at church I realized something. As I looked out and saw all the people it just hit me how grateful I am to be here in Zambia. I get to meet SO MANY PEOPLE and even the ward, I just love them all so much. Our bishop is great, the recent converts are the best, and the ward is just so interesting to see who will show up to church.  The church is again true everyone. 

I added some more pictures of Kivlau and I helping Lloyd’s sisters wash dishes and also of our Sisters Night on Sunday. It was the best! Also there is a picture of a little boy named John in our ward who was baptized this week! Oh and also me at the church jumping into a pile of leaves haha 

Anyways hope you all have a good week! 

with lots and lots of love 

Sister Moulton 

Bring It on!

Hey family and friends!  

So this week we were called by President Kupu and  told that Sister Kivlau and I have been reassigned and will now cover both the Lusaka and Woodlands zone as STLs (Sister Training Leader). That means we will be exchanging with 4 different companionships during the next transfer and some of the sisters live over 30 min away. Being an STL too means that the sisters come to you when there are problems in the companionship, when they have questions, when they are discouraged and also it’s our job to train them and help them become better missionaries. We are excited for the new assignment but we are learning it’s a lot of work! Sister Kupu, our mission president’s wife, was explaining to us more direction about how be more effective as Sister Training Leaders. She told us how she knows we will be able to do it cause we both have creative skills and we work well together. We can do it! BRING IT ON! It’s so true though. Sister Kivlau and I have lived together our whole mission and so we have really learned how to work together and despite our differences we have grown to love and help each other so much. So yes, there will be more driving and more planning and less time in our area as we help these other sisters BUT I know that Heavenly Father has assigned it this way for a reason and I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve. 

Also this week KELVIN FINALLY GOT BAPTIZED!!!! Okay but how he got there is crazy! This poor guy haha! So earlier this week his boss gave him a promotion. He is now in charge of the weekend shifts. He doesn’t have to work them every time but he has to make sure people are not skipping for no reason cause I guess its a common problem. Well, you see, he was scheduled to work on Sunday and he tried asking his boss for it off and she basically said no... and so we left the decision up to Kelvin what he would do and he told us he was willing to miss work for it. So Sunday morning came and he tells us there is something holding him back and he has to report for work but he thinks he can still make it but wants us to stop by his work before we go. The baptism was going to start at ten hours, our bishop suggested we do it before church so that they could get confirmed that day. Oh yes!  I forgot to mention... Kelvin’s friend, another one of our investigators, was also getting baptized that day his name is Lloyd. Okay but Lloyd was fine and was gonna make it there. So we get all ready to go to church and then we go to Kelvin’s work on the way and he tells us that his supervisor is making him stay... then while we are standing there talking to him he says, “Wait I have an idea!” AND THEN HE BRINGS THE SUPERVISOR (this young adult) OVER TO OUR CAR AND WE HAVE TO TALK TO HIM. So we tell him how important this day is and how Kelvin has been preparing for this day for a long time and that all he needs to miss is two hours of work to get baptized and confirmed and then he can come back. And the supervisor is still not convinced. So it’s quiet for a good minute and then I ask, "Have you been baptized? What was that day like for you?" He tells us that it was awesome. So we say, "Alex (his name) we want this day to be awesome for Kelvin too so will you please allow him to leave for two hours and then we will bring him back?" And he agrees.....so Kelvin starts to prepare and then meets us at the church. Meanwhile we have to call Lloyd to grab Kelvin a towel and a change of clothes so that Kelvin doesn’t have to go home! Once everyone arrived at the church, the baptism started! It was such a nice service. Kivalu and I even sang a musical number and we had many members there to support. Bishop baptized Kelvin and our ward mission leader Brother Jean Jaque baptized Lloyd. It was so cold, the water, but they were smiling so wide as soon as they came up. It was the best. 

I haven’t really talked much about Lloyd. He is Kelvin’s friend, and we have been teaching him for a while and he is honestly one of my favorite people EVER to teach. He asks the best questions and loves the Book of Mormon and when he comes to church he talks to EVERYONE! He will just go up and start being friends with them and he even helps our other investigators. 

Okay but back to the Sunday so after the baptism it was time for church. Bishop confirmed Kelvin and gave him such a powerful blessing that he would be able to be an example to his family and one day bring them to the truth and even one day serve a mission and marry in the temple to a worthy sister. Lloyd was confirmed by another member of the bishopric and he was blessed with strength to overcome temptation and one day serve a mission and get married in the temple too! They were some of the most powerful blessings I have heard and I hope that these two brothers can live up to them. 

Okay but after the confirmation Kelvin and Lloyd got to bear their testimonies. Ah man! That was the greatest feeling ever! I have seen these two grow so much and learn so much and to see them stand up there and bear witness of it was the best. Right after the testimonies we took Kelvin back to work. Because he was a member now we can drive him in our car and so we took another member sister in the ward (that’s also the rule) and drove him back to work and then went back to Sacrament Meeting. It was crazy cause we barely got him back in time, but now we can say both Kelvin and Lloyd are baptized! FINALLY! 

Also this week there was a huge tender mercy. So on Friday we were working with a member. And things weren’t going so good because all our appointments fell through and our back up was finding and so my companion feels we should go to this one part of what we think is our area and so we go and we are talking to this guy and trying to understand him because he doesn’t speak English and we are about to just keep going and try to talk to people when all of the sudden two dudes popped up that Kivalu knew back in our area. They had never been taught before and they said they wanted to learn. We said,  “Well where do you stay?” and they said, "RIGHT THERE!" Literally two houses down, so guess what? We finally got to teach someone. Two people in fact. I know Heavenly Father put those two there at the right moment just when we were getting discouraged and wanting to give up he showed once again he is always there.

I am so grateful for mission. There are hard times. Good times. Fun times. Boring times but at the end of the day it will be the best. Kivalu and I were saying yesterday we aren’t going to remember the number of people we had on date or the number of people we found in week two of transfer 8. Those are just numbers we report to our president but we will remember the baptisms and the people we came to love and the spiritual moments that seem to happen everyday. 

I hope you all have a good week! Shout out to my best and favorite brother who leaves on mission this week to El Salvador! Good luck!!!!

with lots and lots of love ,

Sister Moulton 

ps. Kelvin gave us Lungu T-shirts (He is the president of Zambia and we love collecting stuff with him on it cause we feel Zambian haha)