We Rocked It!

Elder Moore with Elder Bingham in the MTC


HELLO FAMILY!!!!!!!

How are you guys?? I'm fantastic as always, just really enjoying life here at the MTC. Today is P-Day as you are already probably aware, but this one was a bit different. We woke up at about 5:40 in the morning and set out for the temple at 6:30. The temple just opened back up on Monday so this is the first chance we had to go. I have to say. It was really cool. The Provo temple is HUGE! Three floors including a basement. I was just amazed with the sheer size of the place. I was also kind of nervous I'd mess some stuff up because I didn't have any help, but I did OK, which was a huge blessing.

How goes/went Oregon? I hope you guys had a good time. I hope that is you still plan on picking me up that I can make your stay in the Philippines enjoyable. Did you get my pictures?? I'm looking to take and send more really soon.

We got a new district on Wednesday, because the older one just left Monday afternoon. And Josh Waite is in it! I'm not sure if you know him at all. Sarah might. He went by Kale when he lived in Vegas. But that was super legit. Also we had an Elder come in from Samoa. I asked him if he knew Apaau and he said he did, but I'm not quite sure he understood me.
I'd actually like to take a sec and tell you about Elder Tamale. The Tongan Elder. He's 24 and the only member of his family that's a part of the church. His faith is amazing. He's a huge example to me, I don't think I could do what he's doing. My point in telling you this is that his home is far away, and I'm not sure how thrilled his family is about what he's doing. Therefor,he doesn't get many letters. Elder Yost's dad wrote Elder Tamale a letter, just expressing love and support for him, and that letter means so much to Elder Tamale. I would really love it if you guys would send him a letter. Just to encourage him, support him, and help him feel loved. His address is the same as mine, just with Elder Tamale instead of Elder Moore. I know it would mean so much to him to get a letter from someone.

For Mom! I'm so glad you got to use Preach My Gospel! It's so fantastic. Everything you could ever want, you can find in there. I know that if you try to use it for your lessons they'll get super easy. Especially since you don't have to teach in Tagalog. For Dad! I asked about the whole names thing, and we don't get new ones. They'll just use ours, but the way they pronounce some will be different. In Tagalog, when you have two vowels that are the same right next to each other, you pronounce them both. So you'd pronounce our last name Mo-ore. I actually had a cool little story. I was down on the second floor of our residence (I live on the fourth, but the rest of our zone is on the second for some reason) and I heard some Elders talking about how they get different names when they go to Korea, and they were wondering how that happened. So, because of the last letter you sent me, I popped my head in and told them "When my dad was in Korea they did this" and explained it to them. It was really cool.

As for things I need. Food is not one of them. I figure I'm averaging about four packages a week. So I'm getting plenty of snacks. Make sure to send Carol a huge thanks from me. She put a little note in one of the boxes I got and it was really nice of her to do that. I do need more black socks. For some reason I don't have enough. Black Nike socks. Like the ones I have. A pair of mine have a hole in 'em. Sad day. A Camelbak also sounds like a great idea! I can definitely use that when I get to the field. I still haven't gotten more shirts, which I really do need. I'm having to wear the same one like three times in a week. Nasty.

I'm totally starting to miss my music. Like it kills me because I can't even remember half the lyrics to a lot of songs! GRRR!!! CURSE MY HORRIBLE MEMORY!!!

I'm so glad to hear you guys are doing OK. That everything is going well. I pray for you guys every night. Actually basically all the time. Mahal ko ang pamilya ko. (I love my family)

I actually am starting to feel somewhat confident in the language. Elder Johnson and I taught all of lesson 2 Thursday night and we rocked it. It was so cool. Keep sending news from the front! I look forward to hearing from you every week and I look forward to my *cough*siblings*cough cough* writing me.

I love you guys!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! SO MUCH!!!

Elder Moore

Getting letters is BOMB!

Alright. Here we go. I seriously miss good food. Like a ton. You have no idea. But yes. I am getting TONS of packages. Like maybe four a week. Which is awesome! I'm seriously running out of space on my board to put all the cards, and there is no way I can eat that much food! Even sharing it is hard, because everyone is all oh no I don't want any. Pfft. Lame right? I have gotten the opportunity to do some laundry, which is overall not a horrible experience and I will let you know that you did not waste any money on those shirts. They don't wrinkle at all! So nice. All my stuff is still in once piece and nothing a shrunken yet. So I would say that overall its going well. I doubt I'm missing anything from my suitcase, but I try to not open that one stuffed with the pillow, because its annoying to close up. Funny story though. Earlier this week they called me into the travel office for something to do with my visa. They told me I needed my passport when I got there so I went back to my room and looked in every pocket of every suitcase and I couldn't find it. So I go back there and the guys looks at his paper and goes. "Oh, we just need your picture." I was like. Serious? It was kinda funny. This week has gone by so fast. I swear it was Tuesday yesterday. Its all becoming a blur. Days are over before I know what happened. Tuesday was actually super awesome though. I had the coolest experience at the fireside. It was so spiritual. I wrote all about it in my journal, yes I keep a journal, who knew? So when I get back you can read it. Because I will allow it. The letter from Kyler was super cool as well. I was surprised when I opened up that envelope and it was from him. I wrote him one back but I don't really know where to send it so I'm gonna send it with my pictures later today. So far I've kept every letter I've gotten and I've dated all of them so I know in which order they've come. Something to keep them in would be great though. They're beginning to overflow on my desk. For Mom, I was looking around today for a scripture and the one that I found that really stood out to me was 2 Nephi 4:16. It was really cool and even though it's short I feel it speaks volumes. Today had been awesome. P-day is basically the best day ever. We as a district have decided to hold nightly ninja games and P-Day we do a tournament to see who the sensei is for the week. Today was lame though. Nobody played and it just wasn't fun. I did manage to write a story today though, which is something I wanted to do more of, so that's good. I know it sounds weird, but I really enjoy writing, like just putting my imagination on paper. I've gotten letters from lots of people, and I wrote even more letters today. Like I've just been in a writing mood. Tagalog is getting better. I actually understand how to formulate a sentence now so now it's just vocab. We're teaching new investigators tomorrow I believe so hopefully we can put those new words to use. Teaching is fun when you know what you're saying. Like I said, time here just flies, but I want to get out, yet I want to stay at the same time. Like I don't want my time here to be a blur, but I'm so ready to just get over there and teach those people! When we were cleaning this week, we do service every Thursday and we clean the buildings and stuff, the guy that was in charge of the building I was in went to my mission! So he was telling us that they ate dog, but its stringy and tough. He also said that they have tons of snakes there. So not for Mom. But he said that killing a snake gets you some reputation because Filipinos are really scared of snakes. I thought that was funny. As far as exercise goes, don't worry about me. We get gym time nearly every day, otherwise we'd go crazy, and every night I do push ups with Elder Tamale. He's from Tonga and he's ripped. Like just built. So I do the Tongan workout with him. Its pretty legit. Geez my wrist hurts. This desk is awful. Anyway. How's life in Vegas? I imagine its hot, cause its a tad hot here, but it rained a couple days in a row, which was super nice, but that made it humid. Which I suppose I need to get used to. Oh! I also bought a little secondary journal that I have other missionaries and stuff write in. Its a cool way to remember people you met here who ship out before you or after you and the like. The older district just got their travel plans and they leave on Monday I think and then we get new Filipino meat on Wednesday. I think we're gonna scare them senseless. I'm having a great time! Its weird. I feel totally isolated from everywhere. Like I'm not just in Provo, but somewhere else entirely. Make the kids write me! I want to hear from them! Make Uncle Jim have his kids write me. I get letters from him each week, but not from the kids. I want to hear from them. Make Aunt Holly write me. heck. As many people as you can. getting letters is BOMB! Sorry this letter is a tad random. I'm just going train of thought because I want to use up all 30 minutes of my time.

I love you guys!!!!

Elder Moore

Wise Owl

Mom and Dad MTC Hug













Hey guys!

I finally have my first real P-Day and it's awesome. Ok I'm going to try to do this by letter.

Mom
I love you tons! Thanks for all those packages and letters you send me. It feels great to get mail and know that people are thinking about you. I miss your food, the food here is like trying to eat death. Not that great. Otherwise I'm having a great time. The language is tough but its way cool and all the guys in my district are awesome. I use my Australian accent with Elder Rostdad as much as I can, because he doesn't mind and it makes him feel like he's at home, plus I really enjoy talking like that. I love you! I pray for you guys all the time.

Dad
So nice to hear from you! I know how busy you are. I just wanted to tell you I got a really cool letter from Uncle Jim and he told me all about what it was like when he was here. AY! Mahal Kita Dad! Miss you!

Sarah
We def have to go see Harry Potter, I need it. My teacher actually went on a date to go see it last night. He's crazy. Basically my day consists of waking up at 6:30, then usually we eat breakfast and go to class, which is three hours, it's like being in school again. Awful. Then lunch, maybe gym - we get gym every day but it's always at a different time, and then we get 30 min to shower and get ready and go back to class. That's really about it. All the rest of the time is personal study or something like that.

Parker
Seriously? Thats all you got for me? Weak. That was like two sentences. But glad to hear you enjoy the room, its probably the best one in the house. Football is awesome and bleachers are hard, but you haven't gone through hell week yet so don't start complaining now. It honestly is one of the best times you will ever have. I asked Uncle Jim to, but I'll ask you too. Make a list for me of all the stuff I miss and then me and you will have to go through and check em off when I get back.

Meagan
Even though you didn't write I just want you to know I love you. I heard you gave a talk last Sunday and you did awesome! Wish I could have been there!

EVERYBODY
Ok, just before Mom starts freaking out. I have been taking pictures. I'll just print some out and send them home in a couple days or so. Sound good? Awesome. Like I told Dad, please write me letters, I don't have enough time to read them though email!! GRRRR. Anyway. I just want you guys to know that I love you so much, and I wish I could be doing all these fun things with you, but the Lord has called me to serve and so I'm answering that call. BTW. Most of the Elders in my district have seen my family photos and decided you guys are a good looking bunch, so we'll see what comes of that. We also played a huge ninja tournament today and we all got names, I'm the Wise Owl, I believe its because I'm the only one of us wearing glasses. Oh, well. Getting to be great friends with everybody here and I love just hanging out with them and playing volleyball and stuff. It honestly is super cool. So just wanted to let you know that I'm always thinking about you and I really love your letters, but we're only supposed to write back once a week, so don't overload me OK?

I LOVE YOU GUYS!!!!!

Elder Moore

First EMail!

Arriving at the MTC





























Kamusta po kayo!?

I'm having a wonderful time here at the MTC. Still no sign of Mitchell but I did manage to run into Nick Urban, he's going to Oklahoma! Since Mom probably wants to know, the only mail I got so far was from her. Slamat po for that by the way, those cookies are AWESOME! I'm not sick. At least I don't think I am. My arm was sore for about a day after I got that shot but, its all better now. Sorry to hear that Meagan is though. Or was. Not sure. Also glad to hear that Parker finally got what he wanted for all that time. Ask him if it's worth it for the sun coming through the window every morning. I miss you guys tons! But I know that you're all safe and sound. I believe it was President Waite that told me that families with missionaries out often receive blessings that they don't notice just for having a family member in the field, so I would like to know if you spot any random blessings while I'm away. As for right now I'm only allowed to e-mail family, so if anyone else would like to write make sure they write a letter. Usually I have P-day on Fridays, but since this is my first week at the MTC they gave us like a little half P-day today. So look for letters on Friday. Tell Sarah that I've been playing sand volleyball during gym time, since the actual gym is closed for reflooring, and I find myself doing pretty well considering I don't really play except for with her. My first companion, who will be with me the whole time I'm here is Elder Johnson from Blackfoot, Idaho. He went to BYU so we have a bit of a schooling conflict, but I still love the guy. He's very funny, but knows when to be serious. He's already our district leader! We have another Elder in our district from Tonga, Elder Tamale, or Hot Tamale as we call him, and then another from Queensland, Australia, Elder Rostad. He does these really funny high pitched hiccups. All in all I'm having a great time. The food is at least edible, some of it is much better than others and the meat is ALWAYS dry, but they do have coke, it's just caffeine free. My teachers are awesome, Brother Day and Brother Welch, they always talk to us in Tagolog so it can be hard to understand, but thankfully they know lots of hand signals to keep us informed. After just three days of being here I already know that this is the Lord's errand and I'm really excited to get over to the Philippines and teach those people.

I love you guys tons and I miss you tons and I promise I'll write every week. I'd like a little more letters though, Elder Johnson has already gotten about 6. So persuade some people to write me if you could.

Love you guys!

Elder Moore

P.s. Those Tagolog word I put are "Hello, How are you?" and "Thank You"

Into the MTC

Alex entered the MTC on July 6th, 2011. Get your letters in the mail now!

Elder Alexander Bagley Moore
MTC Mailbox # 161
PHI-SAN 0905
2005 North 900 East Street
Provo, UT 84604


PS - the 0905 means he leaves for the Philippines on September 5th.