Elder Goss---W-42 Buenos Dias! (Jun 23, 2020)

Hey hey hey, what's cooking, everyone? TRANSFERS, that's what. However, neither Elder Hopkin or I are going anywhere, but we do get some extra modifications. First, Elder Hopkin and I are now District leaders, ... again! This is kinda weird, considering that I don't think the Spanish elders in Linda Vista have ever been DL's before. But I really enjoyed being a District leader in Bonita, so I have high hopes. 

Secondly, in addition to the Linda Vista 3rd Spanish Branch, we will ALSO be covering the Pasific Beach Mid-single Adult Ward. Wow. I had a bit of experience with them before I left Linda Vista my first time, and let me tell you, they are wild. For good and for bad, it's going to be interesting trying to work with them through videocalls and all that stuff. 

I wanted to let you all know, that if there is ever a perfect time to be a missionary, it's now. Right now, members are the best at finding good people need some emotional and spiritual help, and they are ALL OVER. Please, if you ever thought to yourself that you should do some missionary work, but never got around to it, please do so now! Now is a great time to tell your friends that God loves them, and you love them, and he has a plan for everyone. Please do your part to share the peace and comfort of the Gospel. 

Thanks everyone! I love you.

Elder Goss

Sister Goss---W44: Hello, Corona!!! (Jun 22, 2020)

WOW I have a lot to tell you all!!!! Get ready!! ;)

This week we saw so many miracles and are absolutely thrilled!! For starters, we called this one number in our area book and the lady said, "you have the wrong number." We said, "oh we're sorry! We'll make sure not to call you again." But to our shock, she said "no you can call me again! What missionaries did you say you were?" After clarifying our church, she said "I thought so! I really respect you and I'd love to talk more. I know a little bit about the Book of Mormon but not much. When can you call back?" :O Oh my goodness gracious wow!!! :D No way!!! That's never happened before and I was honestly floored. When God says He'll place people who are ready to receive the gospel in your path, He means it! ;) Her name is Ann. 

We also contacted a family who hadn't been to church in over 5 years and they want to start coming again! They have 3 sons, ages 10, 8, and 7. They want to relearn the gospel and we are so excited to teach them!! We can't wait to help them get super involved in the church again. :) 

Transfers are today, and I've got BIG news to share. Sister Clyde and I have been both shouldering STL life and Social Media Specialists, so we recommended to President that he split responsibility (because it's a lot to handle, let me tell you!). On Saturday, right before we found out transfer boards, President called us to give us fair warning. I was not anticipating AT ALL what he said! He first said, "Sister Clyde, thank you for all your help as a Social Media Specialist! You'll be released this transfer from that and you can focus on your STL work." I got so excited because this means I get to go to a new area, be released as STL, and focus on social media work! Yayyyyy!!! But then he said, "Sister Goss, you're going to take the Social Media Specialist mantle and open a new STL area and train your companion."

... 

OH my word... You're kidding me. :O NO WAY!!! There are 5 STL areas in the mission, but President decided to create a 6th and I will go double in with my new companion and train her on both STL and Social Media work. As daunting as this feels, I am BEYOND EXCITED!!! This is going to be such a GREAT transfer!!!! And guess what?! My new area is a Young Single Adult ward!!! :D I've had this dream to serve in a YSA ward ever since I became a missionary and I'm STOKED!!! We're quadrupling an Elder's apartment (that's right--I'm going back into a 4-man!!) and doubling Elders out of the YSA ward. So pretty much the craziest situation possible. But I am soooooo thankful and can't wait. It is seriously going to be such an amazing transfer!! :)) Hopefully my companion doesn't get too stressed out haha! 😂

Anyway, I've got to go finish packing and leave in 10 minutes, but I love you all lots and have a great week! :) 

Love, Sister Mary Goss

Elder Goss---W-41 Back in Linda Vista (Jun 16, 2020)

Yup. Another week. This past week, Elder Hopkin and I have been working mostly with the Branch's members. With the Carona virus, quarantine, and everything economical and political going on right now, the Spanish Branch has been really struggling. So, we're hoping to work hard to help those members get back on their feet and then in turn help their neighbors. Hopefully, it will go alright. 

It has been pretty fun to come in contact with all the people I knew before I left. 

I hope all of you are doing your best! And here's a tip: if you need help with something, (be it emotional or economical or whatever), turn towards your neighbor and help him, regardless if it looks like he needs help or not. We ALL need a pick-me-up every once in a while. But sometimes we have to be the first to give it, even when we need it the most. 

I love you all. Until next week!

Elder Goss

Sister Goss---W43: Wow I LOVE the BofM (Jun 15, 2020)

Good morning friends!! 😊 

This is the last week of the transfer and President Hammon's last week as well. :O WOW. I'm not sure how next week is going to look, but I know there will be BIG changes and I'm so excited!!! :)) I can't wait for whatever's coming!!

That being said, it's surreal to have your mission president leaving. I'm going to miss the Hammon's; they've taught me so much and the mission won't be the same without them. :'( I'm excited to see them again in the future. <3

We had a miracle with our friend Chris! :) We called Chris (mid-60s, retired, used to meet with missionaries) a week ago or so and he was open to having discussions with us. We gave him Mosiah 4 to read, and then called him on the time we agreed. He started our conversation saying how much he disliked the chapter we gave him. He really didn't like it and he didn't want to look into the church anymore. I was shocked! I love Mosiah 4! We asked him his concerns, and he didn't like the way King Benjamin spoke to the people about their worth. I understand where he was coming from, and felt prompted to explain some context. I said "King Benjamin needed to use strong words against the people because they were prideful and didn't think they needed to rely on God." He asked, "where does it say that?" I froze. Why did I say that was the context when I actually have no idea?! I had this pit in my stomach as I told him we'd text it to him when we find it. Hanging up, I felt so worried because as far as I knew there was no record of that context. I had just "made it up" to stand up for King Benjamin. But then again, I knew I had been prompted to say that and God wouldn't have directed me there if it wasn't true. So I started searching. Not 5 minutes later, I read Words of Mormon 1:12-18 which specifically said King Benjamin needed to use "sharpness" and his people were prideful. I could've cried I was so relieved! Even though I didn't really know what I was saying, God did and He let His Spirit guide me. It was scary to be that instrument in His hand for a little bit, but humbling to realize that it was all Him.

After we sent that scripture, along with many other scriptures talking about God's love for us in the Book of Mormon, Chris called us back and wanted to learn more. We told him about the Restoration of The Fulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and he simply said, "it just all makes sense. It makes more sense than any other religion." And we have another appointment soon and he's reading everything we send him. <3 That, my friends, is a miracle! To have someone encounter something they don't like, and then have the Spirit continue to work with them and they realize the truthfulness of it. So they continue pressing forward! Incredible! :) 

Steven hasn't answered us in about a week, but I'm very hopeful. :) We keep working with all the others we are teaching as best as we can! Lots of people don't like to answer their phone, but that is nothing new. ;) The work is still going forward and going great!

Multi-Zone Conference went well! Sister Clyde and I gave another training with some other zone leaders and, besides us getting kicked out of the online meeting as soon as it was our turn, it went great! ;) Not the first time it's happened. Haha! Besides that, the week was pretty normal! Oh funny story--our friend Adrian (22 yrs old, small mental disabilities) joined our mission devotional on Sunday, but he was only on for the last couple minutes. We asked him what he learned and he said "that tomorrow it's a fun day to clean our apartments." 😂 Hahaha!! That's for us missionaries cleaning our apartments on pday in preparation for transfers. LOL too funny!

Again, I always say it, but I miss and love you all! Thanks for your constant prayers and support! Keep being bearers of light and living as Christ would; uplift others. :) Study your scriptures - there is so much in there. They really do open the door to revelation. Anyway love you! Keep on keepin' on! <3

Love, Sister Mary Goss

1) A candid picture we somehow took from a musical number we did! Haha check out my Mission story archive on FB

2) soccer with the Elders today!

3) Adrian's text hahaha 

Elder Goss---W-40 Emergency Transferred! (Jun 9, 2020)

Hi everyone! I have to make this super quick, because I'm about to pick up a new companion! Elder Diether and I got a call last Wednesday from the Assistants to the President, and they told us that new Missionaries were coming in today, and I was going to be emergency transferred back to Linda Vista! My first area. 

There's a lot of emotion, because I'm going to miss Elder Diether, he's been awesome. But I also get to see the Linda Vista branch again, and see Ana and Stacy. They were the two that Elder Rhodes and I taught. 

Anyhow, I love you all so much. I hope you're all safe. Take care!

Elder Goss

Sister Goss---W42: Phase 1 officially (Jun 8, 2020)

Holey moley what a week!!! So much happened!! That's a really good thing! ;)

We officially entered "phase 1" for sending out missionaries on Thursday, so that marked 77 days of being in social isolation. 😶 Wow. Moment of silence. (Nevermind there was WAY too much silence for me!) I'm thrilled we're in phase 1!!! Now you may be wondering what makes phase 1 different than social isolation... Here's the gist of it: we can go to service, we can meet in district-size groups (including for district council! That's <10 people), we can do exchanges in-person, and we can go to homes for lessons IF we are invited and IF the stake president has allowed it. Lake Elsinore has not, so no change there yet. Translate that for me, and it means that we got to play sports today with our district, we can exchange with the hermanas in person, and we get to do one or two service projects this week! That's it, the rest of the day/time we're still inside our apartments, but it's something!! :)) YAAAY!!!

This week we had MLC, two multi-zone conference training preparation meetings, stake missionary correlation meeting, our first in-person exchange in Menifee, got to finally see President in person, started Facebook ads for our pages, and more! Oh it was glorious. All of it was online except for exchanges, but it kept us busy and sane. :)

And Sister Clyde and I started teaching a really, really, really solid person!!! First time in months!! <3 We are beyond thrilled! :D My favorite part of being a missionary is teaching, so this is so awesome. His name is Steven, and we just called him from our old records and he was very willing to talk! We called him in the morning and asked when we could call him again, and he said "how about tonight?" So we called again that night and had a fantastic lesson about the Book of Mormon! He had a lot of concerns, because he loves the Bible and has read several chapters everyday for years from it. We told him what the Book of Mormon was about and read with him out of the Bible (which we also love and read!) and the Book of Mormon. Well we called him again a few days later and he had answered the phone and actually followed through with the invitation we gave! :O We had another fantastic discussion and asked when we could call him and he said, "tomorrow?" Our mouths dropped!! Not only is this man kind and willing to talk, but he follows through on both appointments and invitations and asks to meet the next day!! We are SO EXCITED to keep teaching him. He is so prepared from the Lord. <3 Sister Clyde and I know that we were prompted to call his number as a result of our diligent and consistent efforts to be obedient and keep working hard.

We've seen many other blessings too, because tonight we have 4 scheduled things and tomorrow we have 5. Our nights are PACKED and I could cry I'm so happy. 😊 We are being led to people who are ready to listen!!

So GREAT things are ahead. I found another favorite scripture in D&C 45:62: "For verily I say unto you, that great things await you." They do! GREAT THINGS ARE IN STORE!!! I can feel it in my bones. :)) So keep on keepin' on and smiling big- you've got good things to look forward to.

Love you all so so so much!!! Have a great week!!

Love Sister Mary Goss

Oh also, I volunteered to give Steven some scriptures that the Bible and Book of Mormon teach the same truths, and it was so cool to study that! Here are a few I found. You can access the Book of Mormon at https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bofm?lang=eng or on the app (I'll post a screenshot below). Have fun!

Other sheep

John 10:16

3 Nephi 15:21-24

Knowing through the Spirit

1 Corinthians 2:9-11

Alma 5:45-48, Alma 26:21

Joy in affliction

1 Thessalonians 1:5-6

Mosiah 24:11-15, Alma 7:4-6

Covenant with our Creator

Malachi 2:10

Mosiah 4:21, Mosiah 5:7-8

Pictures

1) Hike with LE hermanas!!

2) Ortega falls

3) The Hammons! In person!! :O

4) The first one I've seen here ;) <3

5) serrrrrrvice

Elder Goss---W 39 (Jun 2, 2020)

Well, we continue to push on in the weirdest year of our lives. This week, another reassigned Elder joined our district, Elder Xiong. He served a lot in Thailand. So, that's cool. 

Last week, we went on a little hike, which was fun to get out. Actually, not going to lie, it was super lame. We basically were just walking down an overgrown path right behind the backyards of an entire neighborhood. It was very dusty and there were lots of dried shrubs. 

I know that this time is scary. There's a lot of anger and suspicion and fear. Whether or not it's validated, it's there. Perhaps it's true. Perhaps it's not. But one thing is certain: if ye are prepared we shall not fear. The world around us is not prepared. Physically, emotionally, morally, you name it. There's chaos and hate. But you only need to worry about YOU. Are YOU prepared? Could YOU survive a disaster? Or an emotional disaster? Or a spiritual one? If not, NOW is the time to prepare. The Prophets have been telling us for a long time, be prepared. And we a beginning to see the disasters coming. But there will be more. So prepare yourself, and fear not.

See you all next week!

Sister Goss---W41: Beaches, Elder Pearson, and sacrament (Jun 1, 2020)

Hey hey hey!!

I'm going to dive right into my week, starting off with finding the beach for Lake Elsinore. :) Last pday after I sent my email, we explored a little and found Elm Grove Beach, a surprising nice little beach at the edge of the lake! There were a decent amount of people there (considering it was Memorial Day), but BOY was it nice. :) Sister Clyde and I just laid out on the sand and enjoyed hearing the sounds of waves crashing and seagulls and feeling the California sun on our skin... :)) We're going back today, you can bet on that!! ☀️🏖️

We were also SO BLESSED because a General Authority (leader of the church) was able to visit our mission via Webex!! Elder Kevin Pearson came and first talked to the MLC (zone leaders and STLs) and then addressed the whole mission. Wow this man knows how to speak powerfully and get missionaries on their feet!! :) He also shared lots of stories, including "the soldier who stood by" (Alma 44:13) and Civil War stories. This guy is right up my alley. ;) I loved what he asked us to do as an MLC: 

"Lead by example. 

Lead by faith. 

Lead by skill. 

Lead by sheer force of will."

It's good to know that we have that power - sheer force of will - within ourselves. He said simply, "if you set goals with the steps I gave you (email me if you want to know those steps) and the Spirit, you can do anything." I felt that! I really felt that I could do anything!! It is awesome!!! <3 Oh he also told the MLC, "you're going to live through things that make COVID look like a joke." All the more reason to know that with God, you can do anything. Right? ;)

We had our first two exchanges of the transfer and they are going SO much better than last transfer! Missionaries are now used to it, our internet works, we're used to it... So that's a super great plus. :)) I already love the hermanas in Menifee and Lake Elsinore. Yeah there's actually no sisters in our zones - they're all Spanish haha! I love Spanish land!!

And then yesterday we were able to partake of the sacrament!!! <3 <3 I've never gone so long without it! Our bishop and his first counselor came to our apartment and blessed and passed it to us. One companionship of hermanas also joined. As he was breaking the bread, we sang a hymn and it was the first time in 2 months I sang harmony with others!! It sounded so good and the Spirit was very strong. :) The last time we were able to have the sacrament was mid-March, and we finally got it the day before June. Yay!!! I know that taking the sacrament is so important because it helps us remember the Savior and the promises we make with Him in ways we wouldn't otherwise be able to. Taking the sacrament is such a privilege!

Last but not least, we were again invited to join mission prep class via Zoom for our stake yesterday, and the teacher Sister Ruggles had a surprise! After starting the meeting, she introduced Elder Groberg and had him say a few words to us! :O For those of you who don't recognize his name off-the-bat (like myself), Elder Groberg used to be a General Authority and is who the movie The Other Side of Heaven is about! He talked about both his missions (as a missionary and mission president) and his wife also talked. The class then got to watch The Other Side of Heaven 2, although we as missionaries had to leave. It was way cool to hear him!! I'll include a "selfie" we took haha!

Thanks for all your constant support and reading my emails! I miss y'all so much. Keep on keepin' on!! See you in a bit!

Love, Sister Mary Goss

1) want to go to da beach beach beach 

2) Lake Elsinore, est. 1888

3) getting mail wooohoooo

4) hit my official halfway!!! YAAAAY!! Also I have a countdown for my brother because why not and I miss him ;)

5) Brother and Sister Groberg! 

6) Waiting for the sacrament <3