Elder Goss---W12: Transfers today!

This week has been pretty wacky. Some of the days, Elder Rhodes and I have been rather idle, and then other days we have activities lined up back to back. Last.... Friday?.... Elder Rhodes went to Departures (a day-long activity for leaving missionaries), so I basically got to go on Exchanges with Elder Phelps. He is really fun, and we had a good time. We had a dinner appointment in the evening, and we were going to teach the Plan of Salvation. During the entire day, Elder Phelps and I role-played the heck out of the Plan of Salvation. We probably spent a total of 2 1/2 hours role-playing. But it was good, and the the lesson went really really well. It was awesome. And Dinner was awesome, too! Tacos. Authentic tacos. Authentic BEEF tacos. Yum. 

Today, Elder Rhodes and I get a new companion! Due to the fact that Elder Rhodes leaves on the 18, it became expedient that the Linda Vista 3rd Spansih Elders receive an additional member; for behold, the most senior companion departs in time not far off, and behold, without a companion, the Junior companion, namely Elder Goss, would be left desolate. (For those who speak English, we need another companion, so when Elder Rhodes goes home, I'll still have one). So today, we go to the Stake Center to pick up Elder Vaca, or Elder Smith. We're still not sure which. But soon, time will tell!

Well, this week we tried several times to arrange for Ana to visit the Mormon Battalion, which is sweet, but it hasn't worked out. Which is sad, but hopefully she'll get the chance this week. 

Something that I leaned a lot about from being Elder Rhodes' companion, is that God has a plan for each of us. So we don't need to worry when life gets hard. In fantasy tales, the words "happily ever after" don't come until the very end. And yet, when we're reading, we don't worry if the good-guy will win, or if things turn out alright. We know that it all turns out OK. And when the hero makes an honorable and valiant attempt, we cheer him on. Many other characters in the story may not like our hero. They may not be bad people, but rarely does the hero receive praise and recognition from jubilant throngs as he walks though Hogwarts Academy, or Murkwood Forest. And yet, WE cheer him on, because we know the hero's heart. So my invitation to YOU is to be the hero in YOUR story. It will be hard, and you'll receive much opposition. People will mock you, and stand against you. But when the words "happily ever after" finally do come, you will be filled with such joy, for you did it! And when life tried to tear you down, and Satan and his whirlwinds, and your natural man all combined to destroy you, how great shall be your joy when you can say, "I did it. With the Sword of the Spirit I slew my dragons; in the strength of the Lord I vanquished my enemies." And you will stand next to Nephi and Maroni and Moses. And all will be right. 

Have a good one! 

Elder Goss

Sister Goss---W14: Piano embarrassment, Super Smash, "Golden Plunger" award

Hello everyone!!

This week I hit my three months! Woohoo!! Only 15 more to go! ;) Among the many things we did this week, we: packed a full semi-truck of shoes in boxes, visited UCR's Botanical Gardens, taped boxes for Feeding America, talked with our Russian neighbors, ate some of Sister Shirley's amazing chocolate chip cookies, attended zone conference (and won cleanest apartment "golden plunger" award), and more! It has been quite the week and a great one overall. :)

On Thursday night Elder Abraham, an elder in my zone, called and asked if I would play the piano at a baptism the next day. Of course I said yes! What I DIDN'T know was that the baptism was for the Spanish ward, so no one spoke English. The opening song went well so I sat down for the rest of the baptism. While we were waiting for the baptized person to return, they were saying something in Spanish and the next thing I know everyone is looking at me! Finally Elder McLaughlin explained they wanted me to play hymn #73, "I Believe In Christ" while we waited. First off, the hymn book numbers are different for English and Spanish and second off, #73 in either book is not "I Believe In Christ." So I just flipped to "I Believe In Christ" and attempted to play. I've never practiced this song before and I was messing up SO BAD. I got through the intro and started playing the first verse and no one was singing!! I kind of awkwardly stopped playing and faded out, and then Elder McLaughlin said "sorry, I meant 'I Know That My Redeemer Lives.'" NOW you tell me!! Hahaha whoops. One of many embarrassing experiences I've had on my mission... But Hermana Grant said "you have an English name tag so all is forgiven." ;)

We were able to build better relationships with Tony and put him back on date for February 29th (yes, leap year!). We were at Lynn's this week and we could tell she was very tired. So we showed her sons, Julian and Jeremiah, some Inspirational Messages and then played two rounds of Super Smash Bros. To everyone's surprise (including my own), yours truly won both rounds. ;) That's pretty good for someone who never grew up with video games! Hahaha... We've also had lots of referrals from others and we're excited to meet them!

If you'd like to hear a quick inspirational thought, read on! :) 1) For zone conference they quoted Elder Uchtdorf: "We gain spiritual self-reliance as we center our lives on Jesus Christ and understand it must be an eternal focus. Do things intentionally." How are you spiritually self-reliant? How can you increase your self-reliance? 2) "God does not begin by asking us about our ability, but only about our availability, and if we then prove our dependability, He will increase our capability." -Neal A Maxwell. I don't know who needs that quote, but I know it can apply to all of us in one way or another. 3) We are all working on discipleship. As we work towards this goal, our persona will literally change. We will exude more light! People will notice you are brighter and happier.

Thank you all for your support! It means the world. :) I didn't realize what a sacrifice it is to go on a mission until I'm on one, but I would happily give up this time to my Savior who's given up all His time for me. It is a privilege and an honor to serve Him this way! I only get 15 more months to be His set-apart witness! I am so blessed!! 

HAPPY THANKSGIVING and check out LighttheWorld.org! Let's light the world this season!!

Y'all are amazing! Love you so much!!

Sister Mary Goss

The 4-man winning both golden plunger and cleanest car 👌

 

Our clean Corolla

Riverside sisters

Riverside zone (the best!!)

Cafe Rio after zone conference

 

Soles 4 Souls: loading the whole truck!

Elder Goss---W11: Let it Go (no, not from Frozen)

Hola amigos y familia! 

This week, Elder Rhodes and I went to temple shift, where we stand at an information booth outside and talk to people or take pictures for them from 10-3. Because it was a Monday, the Temple was closed, and not very many people  were here. I am excited for Christmas time, when all the lights are up and there are so many people to talk to. That sounds like fun. 

We also had a Mission President Devotional this week, which was pretty cool. A lot of recent converts talked about how much the gospel blessed them. It was pretty awesome, and there were a lot of super cool songs. I was actually able to be in the choir. It was fun to sing. 

This week has been slightly more difficult for teaching. We missed Armando a couple times, Ana is going through some trials, and some appointments fell through. But, two years is a long time to expect everything to go perfect. And all rough times will end with time. I like to say, if it is outside your sphere of influence, don't worry about it. Somethings we can't control. It is surprising how much we CAN influence our circumstances, but after you've done all you can, let go. Do your best, and then sit back. Whatever happens, God knows, and is his plan. Whatever situation you are in, it is the one that God knows you will grow fastest in. 

Anyhow, I hope you all enjoy your lives, endure your trials, and embrace the Gospel.  Keep your chins up. The battle isn't over yet! When life gets hard, stare it back in the eye. 

Love you all! See you later!

Sister Goss---W13: Birthday blessings

I want to start my email with a huge THANK YOU for all your birthday wishes and support!! You are so wonderful and I honestly had an incredible birthday!! :) Thank you for being so selfless and thoughtful! Love you all!!

This week was fantastic! We had a lot of solid lessons, found new people to teach, and saw many little miracles! Our lesson with Harminder went well; our ward mission leader was there and we showed Harminder that by exercising a particle of faith, we will see the results just like any scientific experiment (Alma 32). We are involving Lynn with the ward more and she is starting to have some great conversations with others too! We are now teaching Kim and she is enjoying reading the Book of Mormon with us, especially 3 Nephi 11. We're also meeting with Elizabeth and helping explain a lot of the stuff she's heard. Her experience has further shown me how important it is to have accurate sources! If you have questions about the church, go to the church website or ask a trusted church member. They will give you the correct information. :) 

Friday we had exchanges and I went with Hermana Weston to the Spanish area. The entire night was full of lessons with people that spoke zero English and I speak zero Spanish. Haha! Poor Hermana Weston, she had to talk the whole night. She did wonderful and I was surprised how well I was able to follow along. It was a really neat experience to have three full Spanish lessons and listen to them talk! :) My goal is to understand it well enough so when Hyrum gets home from his mission he won't be able to secretly communicate with my Mom and Rachel... ;) Hahaha

Last night I had two neat experiences (#birthdayblessings)! :) 1) We were going to stop by Zach, a high schooler Sister Miles and I found a while ago. As we were pulling up, I started to feel really scared and nervous about my ability. I paused, wanting to listen to the Spirit in case He was telling me not to go. He had warned me in the past. But immediately after pausing and contemplating, these thoughts ran through my head: 

"What are you feeling?" My answer? Fear. 

"Do I ever make people feel fearful?" No- God warns, but God doesn't bring fear. 

"Who wants people to feel fear?" Satan! 

It suddenly occurred to me that the feelings of nervousness I was having was different than when the Spirit warns me. They were feelings of inadequacy, like "maybe we shouldn't go because I'M not good enough tonight." Knowing that, I realized Satan was probably using one of his tactics to try to dissuade me from the work that I needed to do. If anything, Satan was fearful of the results God was willing to provide! So we knocked on the door and Zach answered (after 5 previous times of not answering), and we are meeting with him again! I am so grateful I have the Spirit to help me discern what I should and should not do, even with Satan's attempts. 

2) We had a lesson with Tony and brought our ward mission leader. When we walked in, he walked into the kitchen and started talking to Tony's mother, Suzie. He invited her to listen in and she accepted! We had an amazing lesson and Tony wanted to reschedule his baptismal date to Leap Year Day. And then Suzie started sharing her story and said she'd been wanting to come back to Jesus again. She'd stopped going to her church when her husband died and didn't feel comfortable in any church since then. She said, "the only church I've felt true peace in has been yours, and I want to feel that again." We invited her to be baptized and she said yes!! She promised to pray about it and read the Book of Mormon. I was so thrilled; what a way to end my birthday!! A new person, a baptismal invite, and and accepted invite all at the same time!! God truly prepares us for where we need to be and what we need to say at the right times. I am so excited for Suzie and her willingness to learn more. 

Every day I am more and more convinced of God's love for me and for His children. He loves us so much He's given us more scripture. He leads us with a prophet. He sends missionaries out to declare His truth. He is with us and turns our lows into highs. :) I have seen this firsthand and I know that God attends us. The Spirit is present and miracles abound. Because God is with us, that further confirms to me that our message is true. I'm so grateful God answers prayers! And God knows when we are ready! 

I wish I could keep writing and share all the insights I've learned in my studies, how amazing my roommates are, and everything else, but all in due time. :) Thank you again for the birthday wishes (it's CRAZY BEING 20!!!?!!!?!!)!! I love you all so so so much!!

Love, Sister Mary Goss

Hermanas Weston, Thompson, and Sister Preator made this awesome cake!! (I know it looks like I'm turning 2. The Oreo is the 0. 20, get it? ... Who am I kidding?? I feel like I'm 2... 😂)

Botanical Gardens photo shoot :))

Birthday picture!!

Sister Preator and I pretending to be in Singing In the Rain with no rain

Botanical Gardens again

A gem I don't think I've shared yet (Afters ice cream!)