Elder Goss---W:73 Guitar and Unity (Jan 26, 2021)

Unfortunately, not much happened this pass week. We've been trying to reach out to people we don't know, and logically that lead to a lot less lessons. But that's okay. We DID lead the Noche de Hogar (Family Home Evening) last night, and Elder Schlenz really enjoyed that.  

Well, since not much happened this week, I'll tell you a little bit about Elder Schlenz. He has had 3 months on the mission. Pretty green! He's from Texas, he likes acting a lot. He also is a guitar player, so sometimes we'll "play together." But it's not super great. More importantly, I just need to find a Duet piece, but I don't know how common a guitar duet is. I guess we'll find out.  

For this past week's District Council, we talked about Unity, and there is a great talk by Sister Sharon Eubank last October 2020 Conference that I love stupendously. It's called "by Union of feeling we Obtain Power with God." One specific point she states, and I love it, mentions the necessity of mercy if you want Unity. Mercy, huh? I never thought of that. But, it makes sense that your ability to forgive should govern how much peace and empathy you share with someone. If you have hard feelings, you won't forgive, and you won't be unified. A united relationship is a merciful relationship. And I liked that.  

I love you all! I hope you all are staying safe. Take care.

 Elder Goss

Sister Mary Goss---W75: HOME AGAIN ❤ (Jan 25, 2021)

HELLO everyone!!! :D I'm on cloud nine right now because I am writing live from home, sweet home: Riverside, California!! WOOOHOOOO!! My last transfer starts today and after 6 wonderful, blessed, happy months in Murrieta, I am now back with my roots in Riverside to finish. And I couldn't. be. more. excited. Practically jumping up and down in the air right now. But first, let me tell you how this last week in Murrieta went! ;))

Fantabulous!!! Oh it was so, so, so good!!! Life just gets better and better and better. :)) We had an incredible amount of lessons and home visits with our friends because both Sister Henriod and myself are leaving. So our schedule was *packed!!* We also had exchanges on Wednesday/Thursday with Sister Wall! Turns out *drum roll please* that will be my last exchange as an STL. But again, more about that later. :) Sister Wall is amazing and it was so good!! Thursday night we had another lesson with Mary and ate poke together. She has the strongest desire to be baptized, it blows me away! She just keeps saying "I want to be baptized because I don't want this feeling to go away. I want this feeling forever. It's so good." :') She is so amazing. And she came to institute with us right after our lesson and LOVED it! Institute helps me feel the Spirit so strongly; I always come away feeling empowered and grateful for the gospel. This week Brother Decker taught us about the Doctrine and Covenants 3 and the 116 pages. I learned new things and it blew my mind!! I love Joseph Smith and am so grateful for his humility. Wow. 

Friday we had our fun horse service at EQUU8 again, but we invited a less active friend and Lindsey to come! We all got Subway afterwards and it was so neat to see Lindsey take our friend under her wing and love her for who she was. I am constantly inspired by the goodness of the people I am around each day. That night, Sister Henriod asked us to go seeking with faith in Old Town Temecula! We started walking and believe me -I still get SUPER nervous street contacting. It's just not something I'm great at. But we full-sent it and ran into a sweet girl who was a member, hanging out with some non-member friends! It was definitely a miracle and we talked for a good 30 minutes! :)) Seeking with faith works, even if we are scared out of our wits. We just have to do it. :)

The rest of the week was just amazing, as I've already mentioned. All the dinners (Amulek again, Reddish's, etc.), church, our friends (like Ashley who is SO COOL and I love her SO MUCH), the members, my companions, the zone, etc. I love being here. I love doing what I'm doing. And I'm SO EXCITED for this next transfer!! So excited, in fact, that I accidentally flung my phone across the room and it is most definitely broken. The screen does not work. At all. But guess what!! Sister Henriod just *happened* to get a brand new phone for Scotland this week and didn't know what to do with her old phone. So she gave it to me! Talk about tender mercies?! ;) My good 'ole phone has been through more than what it signed up for haha...  

So quick update! Yes - I'm in Riverside, but not only that; Sister Noall and I are the first ASL sisters for the CRM! :O Yes, I am now assigned American Sign Language!!! :D No, I didn't really know it before the mission. Yes, I learned most of it on the mission through ASL classes with the ASL elders. And YES I'M SO EXCITED!! I've been released as STL after 8 transfers :'(, but I am still the chair on the social media team and still heavily involved in both Facebook training and Instagram work! This has literally been a dream since day 1. Dreams come true my friends. :') Again, I'm on top of the world. Also fun fact: it snowed coming home from Walmart! :O

I miss you all so much! I'm going to miss Murrieta and the YSA ward with all my heart, but incredible things are in store and I'm so very blessed. Email me if you have any questions, complaints, thoughts, or whatever! I love y'all!! Have a WONDERFUL week!!! :))

Love, Sister Goss

Elder Goss---W:72 Transfers again??? Whaaaaa... (Jan 19, 2021)

Yup! Here we are at 72 weeks. Crazy! And what is more crazy than Transfers, am I right? Well, as sad as it is, Elder Hubbard has been called far, far away into the Valley, to the same apartment and area I was at! We did a bit of a swap. And now, I have the pleasure to meet Elder Schlenz, who has been out 3 months. Whaaaaattt??? That's right. He's a greenie. And one of those Homeschooled MTC missionaries too. Man, homeschoolers are weirdos.  

Our district and zone have had massive changes this transfer. Our district now only has three companionships. I have also been assigned as District leader, which is cool. I enjoy helping other missionaries. In fact, ever sense last April, I have either been a District leader, or been the companion of the District leader. I got a streak going! It's pretty fun to track. But who's counting? 

I want to remind you all to keep writing in your journals (mostly because I need a reminder myself). Sometimes it is a chore, but there are many hidden benefits from doing so. Upon reflection, I've noticed that writing in MY journal has helped me become more eloquent, and better at putting my thoughts into words. I've also notice that it helps me with a lot of my problems, being able to reflect and evaluate my environment and myself. And I am sure there are more. So knuckle down and get to it! You'll thank yourself later.  

I love you all. Hopefully life hasn't been TOO crazy for the rest of you. Take care!

Sister Goss---W74: Horses, ASL First Vision, big lake time (Jan 18, 2021)

Hey hey hey everyone! Welcome to this episode of Sister Goss's weekly special!! ;) It's been a pretty amazing week and sometimes I can't help but just take it all in and feel SO GOOD INSIDE. :)) I've honestly never been happier in my life. God is so good. <3 <3 <3 

So this week we volunteered at this horse service place for children's therapy! I was absolutely in love with being there and hanging out with the horses (man I miss riding in Virginia so so soooo much!!), baby goats, pigs, doggies, etc. We were there with our entire zone and it was so much to just be out and hanging out with the animals. I got to brush up on my mucking skills and all the good stuff. ;) Woohoo!!! 

We also had zone conference in Riverside and I felt the Spirit SO strongly! Our training, along with both sets of zone leaders, built up to one big role play consisting of finding, lesson planning, and teaching a full lesson! All the leaders had a character play and I took advantage of that to its fullest. Hahaha you know me... ;) It was so amazing to see teaching skills in action and feel the Spirit testify through you and the other missionaries. At the end of zone conference, President Watson said "Sister Goss, can you tell the First Vision event of Joseph Smith in ASL yet?" I said yes, so he called me up along with every other language represented in our two zones (Murrieta and Temecula). The eight of us stood up at the front and starting with English, Sister Searle started: "I saw a pillar of light..." Down the line, we started the First Vision account in our language. It only took a minute and because so many languages were going you couldn't hear them individually (except ASL, of course!). But when we finished and looked up, there were tears in everyone's eyes. The Spirit that was in the room was palpable. Having 8 different languages testify that Joseph Smith did indeed see God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ helped us see the reality of the gospel spreading to every nation. It was a very special moment that I will remember forever. <3 

Big news! Sister Henriod is leaving to Scotland and Ireland next week!! We found out this week and it's been a big sad, but also a big happy!! She's both devastated and so pumped; I totally understand haha. We also had dinner at the Bayles in the Ortega, Lake Elsinore ward! They're YSA representatives so they invited us over along with Sister Gugelman and Sister Gunnell. :) So fun!! The Bayles live way up at the top of the Ortega mountain, so it was a very nostalgic and beautiful drive. :) 

I have so much more I want to say but today is CRAZY so I don't have time to write it out. But let me just say that I'm having the best time, the best lessons, and the best experience ever! God is amazing and He loves you. :) He lives! See you later!!

Love, Sister Goss

Elder Goss---W:71 Hm. Crazy week? Nah. (Jan 12, 2021)

As my detailed title implies, nothing crazy has happened this week. Our friends that we're teaching has been out of contact. HOWEVER, we have been setting a lot of appointments for this upcoming week, so there's that to anticipate. 

Additionally, today was pretty fun. First, we went to another Elders' appartment, and I cut one of the Missionary's hair. Although I've done it once or twice before, this was an actual, honest to goodness, decent haircut (and NO, I DIDN'T buzz him). So that was cool. Afterwards, we took some other Elders who will be returning to their original missions out to drive by the beach, and to get some tacos. That was fun. They are great to hang out with. 

Funny enough, now that I mention it, we didn't go shopping today! Ha ha. Well, we'll work it out. 

Well, for a spiritual thought, I'd like to turn your attention to the scriptures. All scripture, no matter how obscure or uninteresting, has hidden value. In stories, in epistles, in poems, in prophecies, etc. Today, I want to challenge you to find the most boring chapter you can find, and study it. Find the hidden gem. It's there! And if you pray and study with the Spirit, he will teach you something new. 

I love you all! Take care. ¡Cuídense! 

Sister Goss---W73: Walmart miracle (Jan 11, 2021)

Heyo everyone! :)) Happy happy week!

It's been another wonderful week here in Murrieta, Cali! I am so blessed to be here. It's amazing.

Update on our friends: AWESOME. Awesome, awesome, awesome!! Lindsey continues to blow me away with her immersion in the church; she's close to page 400 in the Book of Mormon, comes every week to institute and church without reminders, and is volunteering at every service she can (including Bishop's Storehouse). She just got a calling too! :)) I'm so proud of her and it's incredible to watch her grow so much! <3 Ashley moved to Hawaii and is connected with the Elders in her area (who happen to be the AP's). #soblessed :) Mary, our other amazing friend, came to church this week! And guess what? It was her birthday!! And she still came! She looked like a supermodel and our wonderful Relief Society counselor announced her birthday to the congregation. :)) Mary loved it. ;) She's reading and praying and seeing answers to her prayers! <3 And Sarah!! We got back in contact with her! :)) She wasn't texting us back for a really long time. So finally we dropped off a treat and she was there! She said she doesn't have time for the lessons and doesn't want to feel pressured, but still loves us and the doctrine. :) AND-- she is still reading the Book of Mormon! On her own!!!! <3 Oh I could've cried when I heard that!! YAY!!!! I know I sound super excited and peppy writing about my friends but they are just so cool and I'm so happy God put our paths together. They are amazing. :)) 

We've done lots more service at Western Eagle (where we juggled gum containers), Bishop's Storehouse (where our wonderful district leader made sure I followed through with my goal in drinking more water... I got so waterlogged haha), and more. Service feels so good. I also had two exchanges this week and have come to love the missionaries here so much. <3 Lastly, we attended several meetings on Sunday including zone conf prep, ward council, MCM, stake MCM, church, etc. Being a missionary is the best occupation in the world. 😊

Do you want to hear two quick miracles that happened today? Okay cool. So 1) we went to Panera for lunch and right as I was about to order, a sweet woman walked in and exclaimed "Sisters!!" She was a member of the Oso Oro ward in the Murrieta stake and asked to please pay for our lunch! All 5 of us!! :O WOW that is seriously so nice!! :)) So so so sweet! And 2) we were standing in Walmart and this woman with bright pink hair walked up to me and said, "I don't mean to be rude, but are you from the Mormon church?" When we enthusiastically said yes, she said "do you recognize me?? I'm Darla from the Ortega area! I've met you before!" I was trying so hard to jog my memory, but I couldn't remember meeting her before. I asked if she saw my tag and she said, "no, I just felt like you were from the Mormon church and I recognized you from behind. I want to come visit your church again--my son is a bishop and I still remember everything you've taught me!" We swapped numbers and I promised we'd text her! With further research, turns out she was going to be baptized September 2019 but didn't. She was taught by sisters (including my trainer, Sister Preator) that looked like me! The last time she talked to missionaries was April right during covid, and guess who she talked to on the phone? Me!! But then she got a new number so missionaries lost contact! So yes I'm the last one to have talked to her, but I've never met her in person until today.

If you ask me that's a huge MILAGRO right there!! Ladies and gentlemen, this is God's work. His Spirit is so very involved!! :) It blows me away to see His hand in the little details; I mean, what are the odds Darla would be shopping in Murrieta, be at the store for hours, and then recognize me when we've never met before? Only the Spirit could've done that. It's the best. :)

I know this email is longer! Thanks for reading and I love you all; have an amazing upcoming week! Catch you next Monday!! 

Love, Sister Goss

Elder Goss---W:70 A brand new Year (Jan 5, 2021)

Hi everyone! This week, it's been great. San Diego's weather has been surprisingly cold recently, but I'm not going the bother comparing it to anywhere else, 'cause, you know. It doesn't exactly compete against VA in a thermostat contest. And windy, too.

But this week, MIGUEL GOT BAPTIZED!!! This is so sweet!!! We were absolutely thrilled. Elder Sorensen (who helped teach Miguel) dropped by to support him (he was in town), and when we asked Miguel which of us he'd like to baptize him, he thought for a moment and said "Elder Sorensen." It was a bit surprising but funny, but we did it! He borrowed some clothes and it was great. I was blessed to do the confirmation of the Holy Ghost. I'm going to be super honest, giving blessings in Spanish is difficult, due to using Tú form outloud and everything we normally avoid as Missionaries. But it was great.

Anyhow, new year, 2021. Cheers everyone! Woohoo. I'm going to be honest, 2020 was a lesson for us. The question NOW is, did we learn anything from it? Did we learn to be dedicated disciples when there was no church? Did we learn how to serve others, even when life was hard for us? I could go on and on. I'd encourage everyone who reads this to reflect, evaluate, and become aware of the lessons of our past. The first step of change is being AWARE of specific things that need change. 

I love you all! Happy 2021!

Elder Goss

Sister Goss---W72: 2021 2021 2021 say it again (Jan 4, 2021)

WOOHOO it's 2021!!!!! I have absolutely no idea what this year has in store for me, but I am so excited!!! :D Who else?? It's crazy to say goodbye to 2020; that will be a year I personally will never forget. 2020 was my blackout year as a missionary and covid. Two life-changing things. ;) I am so grateful for everything I learned and experienced in 2020. Despite being one of the hardest years of my life, I can confidently say it's been one of the best! Crazy how God can do that, right? :))

I was pretty tired last night; this week has been FULL! We are going full-speed 24/7 in our trio, and I'm pretty confident I would die if we weren't together haha... :) With our trio life, we can get 3x more things done! I'm feeling pretty tired altogether (STL, SMC, and having been in this area for 5 months) so it's a huge blessing my companions have tons of fire. God definitely knows what we need! Trust Him on that. :) 

As part of our business, we had two exchanges, got a free-mini fridge to add to our Taj Mahal apartment, became bunny middle-mans, extended baptismal invites for next week, filmed another drive-thru quality post, and successfully finished another Instagram Live! Ashley, one of our friends, is doing so well and wants to be baptized! However, she's going to Hawaii for school this week. We had an amazing lesson with her yesterday and helped her work through the crazy decisions she has to make. We'll see! She sure is awesome! :) 

For New Years we deep cleaned and attended MLC over Zoom. We also treated ourselves to a smorgasbord (which was part of our quality post) of food and it was fantastico. :) So in short, it's been a great week! Also, I'm more than thrilled to start the Doctrine and Covenants for our Come Follow Me studies this year -- it's going to be SOOO good. :D

Thanks for reading my shorter email; HAPPY NEW YEAR and bring on 2021!! :)) 

Love, Sister Goss