Training Assignment

We received an email regarding Emily's new assignment from the mission secretary today. We can't wait to learn all about how she's feeling about being a Trainer tomorrow!

Where's My Cape?

This is Emily's email from April 23rd. It's been a crazy week at the Moran house so posting here got moved to the back burner. We sure love hearing from Emily every week!

Hey everyone! 

A lot has happened so I'll just try and be super brief Haha. 

Okay, so I've seen a lot of people in movies having seizures but this week I saw a real, alive and non-actor person have one. It was so crazy because at first, I thought she was just crazy and dancing around (we get a lot of those on Temple Square) but I was wrong. Thank goodness there were so many people around to help. God was in the timing of that for sure and he loved that lady who was having a seizure and made sure there were people watching out for her.  After that was over and we were walking away, Sister Broadbent said "Wow, it's like were heroes or something" and I would agree with that statement. Someone send us some capes;) 

Also, they announced some renovations for Temple Square. I'm not sure how I feel about them tearing half of my mission down but I know that in the end it will look so good and be a way better place for everyone to come and learn more about Christ:) 

Also, I love people who are anti. They just make my day (can you hear the sarcasm?). But for real, usually I don't mind them because I can shut them down easily enough or just leave but yesterday I got a really, really bad one. So there I was in the south Visitor's Center and this guy comes up and asks me questions and of course I am answering them and at first, all is well and then boom he starts just like yelling and interrupting everything I say and asking like the dumbest things I have ever heard. So like a very calm missionary, I raised my voice right back and told him to stop interrupting me. It didn't work very well. Eventually, I just talked over him and told him to have a blessed day and walked away. Then I went to the bathroom and cried/yelled for a hot minute to a poor sister who followed me in to make sure I was okay. When Sister Broadbent showed up, she told me she could hear me yelling from around the corner. Anyways, people who come to just tear you down and hurt you don't deserve the time of day. He wanted to hurt my testimony but he didn't so joke's on him. 

I know that this is Jesus Christ's church on the earth today. I know that He lives and He loves each and every one of us, Including the mean anti guy. And I know that with the enabling power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ I can be nice to the mean anti men, even though it is hard. 

I love you all! Have a great week! 

Sister Moran 

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Okay, so a lot a lot of stuff happened this week. First of all, on Wednesday, Sister Broadbent and I were going home around 3 for weekly planning, as we do every Wednesday. When we got to the stoplight to cross the street I see this lady and she looks like she is just dancing on the bus stop bench and I didn't think anything of it because we have lots of crazy dancing people on the Square but then I looked again and I said "guys she is having a seizure" and then we proceeded to run and help. Another guy got there right as she was falling off the bench and made sure she didn't hit her head. Sister Broadbent held her hand and I put my jacket over her and called medical security. Eventually, the paramedics came (aka some cutie firemen... sorry dad) and helped. Then we went home but they took down our names because we were witnesses! So what I am saying is that I am a hero. Just kidding, the Spirit is a hero because I was going to shrug it off like nothing but the Spirit told me to think twice. Always listen to the Spirit people!!! 

Also, this week was the announcement of what they were going to do with the Temple and Temple Square. There is a big theater in the north visitors center and if you didn't have an assignment you could watch it live... so Sister Broadbent and I watched it live. It sounds like our mission will only be halfway destroyed which is good. There is still a lot of time before anything happens but I am nervous. I wish they just would do it after I am done with the mission so I don't have to be here during all the change but I guess it is cool to say it happened while I was here. 

The same day as the announcement we had exchanges and I was with Sister Barcellos (from Brazil) my district leader. I have NEVER had more awkward conversations on the Square. It was actually really funny. She just kept talking about how broken her English was and how she wished she could speak Portuguese but her English is really good and she is such a good district leader. She is humble but motivating and you can tell that she really cares and loves about all of us. I learned how important it is to share your testimony with everybody, even if you think it's going to be awkward because they will remember your testimony. I will be doing that more from now on. 

Here on the Square, we get a lot of antis which is cool. I actually don't mind them all too much except for I got a really mean one yesterday. So there I was, at the temple model and this guy comes up to me and asks me some questions so I answer and start explaining the temple and for some reason like my words kept tripping over each other and I just was stuttering and it was the weirdest thing because I literally explain the model like ALL THE TIME. Then he starts going into the law of Moses and baptisms for the dead and just starts spewing all of this junk and questions so I answer them but he KEEPS INTERRUPTING ME so I literally talked over him and was like "sir I am trying to answer your questions but I can't if you keep talking over me so please don't interrupt" and then he shut up for all of three seconds and then he interrupts me again but louder so I say it again but louder and then basically we're talking loudly to each other and some sisters are staring and then other people are staring and it is so embarrassing. I said I've answered your questions I'm sorry you don't like it but my mission president is more than happy to talk to you he knows more than me (president told us to call him if antis won't go away) but he said no he didn't have too much time so I just said okay I'll let you go then, have a blessed day. But I said it in a really mean tone and just walked away. Then I started crying because I was so angry and embarrassed so I ran to the bathroom super quick and then another sister came with me not Sister Broadbent because little did I know she was talking to two other antis and they told her she was going to hell - good times. But Sister Broadbent came and found me and apparently she could hear me yelling in the bathroom from around the corner... whoops. The whole thing was a mess. It turns out that there was a group of about 6 or 7 and they just isolated all of the sisters in the visitors center and just were really mean. Mine is the only one that yelled though so that is good. And, I think I'm the only person that would've yelled back which isn't that good. I deffo could've handled it better but I was just so mad. The good news is that security took care of them all and took them off the Square. It just makes me mad to no end that people like that come to the center of our religion and like just bash us. WE WOULD NEVER GO TO SAY A CATHOLIC CHURCH AND DO THAT. It is just so rude. But it goes to show that our church is really true because these satan people just keep coming to tear us down and yell and tell 19-year-old girls that they are going to hell. Classy, I know. 

After that my day was pretty good though. There is this old guy in a wheelchair named Bob and he is always at the Square and all of us sisters love him. He heard some people talking about what happened and he said some really nice things that I needed to hear. Heavenly Father works in mysterious ways. 

Today was pday and it was so good! Sister Broadbent and I got some pictures developed and then we went on a hike with Sister Rowberry and Sister Page up Ensign Peak. It was like a mile so it was super easy but it was nice and sunny and felt good to hike! After that, we had our district activity and we walked to this park by the capital building with this meditation chapel and we talked and ate food and sang Taylor Swift songs. It was AWESOME. The weather here is getting so much better. I think when I'm older I'm going to live somewhere where it doesn't get cold because I hate the cold with a burning passion. 

Transfers are next week but I honestly think that Sister Broadbent and I are going to just stay companions. We work well together and even though she annoys me sometimes, all in all, we are good and we have a lot of fun. She thinks we're getting split up. Honestly, it's a toss-up. But most likely we are staying together. 

We had a bunch of lessons set up which is awesome and one of them was even Andrew! And then they all canceled. Don't you just love that? 

I like my all sisters mission in a weird way. Like every night is a party. We have people over, or we go to someone's place and yeah it is just fun. 

I love you both so so much! I'm so glad we got to talk on Easter! What a blessing that we get to call home every week and sometimes even more! Also, just a fun fact: my Brazilian district leader can't pronounce my last name right so she calls me sister Moron. I mean she's right but dang it is a brutal world out here. I LOVE YOU BOTH AND MISS YOU SO MUCH! Have a great week and good luck with Abby. For the record, I think you two are handling it really well:) 

Love 

Em 

#ghosted

I received SIX emails from Emily yesterday. Four of them were super short and the other two were her regular weekly emails (one family email and one group email to the rest of the world.) I think she's feeling a little homesick or something. After the excitement of General Conference last week this week was much more quiet and Emily likes to stay busy. 

EMAIL #1  

Okay everyone this week was a little bit sad and I'll tell you why.

First of all, remember those 35 referrals we got last week from Conference? Does anyone want to guess how many we are teaching? Zero. Potentially one but basically zero. 

Also, Linda's baptism date got pushed back so Sister Broadbent and I will most likely not be companions anymore when she is baptized. Sister Broadbent claimed her after the transfer so that means I won't be able to Skype in to her baptism and it also means that it won't count as my baptism even though I helped teach her. Sad. Also her local missionaries aren't very nice to us. I think that they don't think were real missionaries because we are on Temple Square.

Last but certainly not least, my man Andrew who I love dearly GHOSTED us for the past two weeks. Silver lining: he finally texted us but still, we aren't sure how he is feeling at this point. And who knows if I get to keep teaching him after transfers or if Sister Broadbent will keep him as well.  

The point of this is that missionary work is hard. Sometimes it is depressing and you just feel sad because these people that you love so so much and you have taught and watched grow and you get so excited because you KNOW that this is going to change their lives but then it just doesn't work out the way you want it to. But the good news is that Heavenly Father is with you every step of the way. I have felt Him and His Son, Jesus Christ, lifting me up and making me stronger when I'm low. I'm so grateful that I get to meet and teach these amazing people and do the Lord's work. I know that this is what I need to be doing and even if these things don't work out the way I plan, that Heavenly Father has the bigger picture in mind and it will all work out for the best, even if I don't know it yet.

On a more positive note, sister Lin (from Taiwan) taught me and a bunch of other sisters how to make dumplings so watch out world, I'm cultured now;) 

Love you all!

Sister Moran 

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EMAIL #2

Hey guys! 

So as I said on the phone we were fasting as a zone so that we could meet our baptism goal. Unfortunately, our companionship goal of 2 looks like it will not be achieved. No worries though, next transfer! It was also so funny because I was kinda hangry before we talked and then after we hung up I was so happy and not hangry anymore! Talking with family brings miracles! Also exciting, our zone leaders got pizza for when we broke our fast so you KNOW I just ate three slices in about 2 minutes. I know, I know l, pretty good. I even impress myself sometimes. 

What I said on the phone about family dynamics and how it's super different with our family and Sister Broadbent's family is like blowing my mind. It is just so different. I am so glad that my family is the way we are because I would be flipping out if I was in her family... they are too easy on their kids and don't seem to push them really at all. So I'm glad I'm in a family that makes me work and tells me straight up and has rules and isn't soft. I bet you're freaking out that I said that but there you go. Thanks mom and dad for being good parents! 

Another cool thing is that one of the senior couples, the Sheanshangs, invited us over for food and games and it was so fun! There were like 20 people in there and we played Cover your Assets. It was a good time:) 

Also, with the end of training coming up and knowing that Sister Broadbent and I are splitting up I just feel kinda bittersweet about it. I love Sister Broadbent, she is awesome. But she is also really a pain in my neck. I'm excited to get a new companion and learn what I need to learn from whoever she is. What makes me the most anxious is that we are going to have to split up the people we are teaching. Honestly, her taking Linda is making me want to scream, especially after she got her date moved back because now it won't count for me and like that would have been my first baptism. I have decided to take Andrew if it is the death of me. I swear if she tries to keep him I am putting my foot down and I will not let her. If she gets Lindsay who is actually getting baptized then I get Andrew who might not, but I get him. That might sound mean but its brutal out here, especially because we aren't going to a different geographical area so it's not like you don't have a choice about who you teach and who you don't after transfers. It's the fact that we do have a choice that makes it hard. 

We went to the temple this morning! It was so so amazing. I love the temple. This is the longest that I have ever not been to the temple since I have been endowed and I can feel it. I've been needing the extra boost so this was perfect. It's kinda funny because I explain the temple like everyday but then going inside is so much different and better. 

I'm so excited for transfers. I'm gonna die. I hope my next companion is obedient and hardworking and makes me grow. Wow I still have two weeks left with Sister Broadbent and I'm already like freaking out over getting away from her haha. Then again, maybe President will keep us together for three transfers. He does that sometimes. I hope not though. Like I said earlier, it's too comfy with her now and I need some not being comfy so I can grow! 

Love you so much!! I hope you'ere having fun in Mississippi dad! And have fun being a single parent for the rest of the week mom! Miss you! 

Love 

Sister Moran 

EMAIL #3

Hey mom, I love you! I think you're the best mom ever. I just thought I'd let you know. Thanks for all the updates.

Love and miss you always.

Em 

EMAIL #4

Hey just thought that I would say hi again. I guess I just miss talking to you. Like sometimes I just want to call you and tell you everything that happened and how I feel but for some reason that is against the rules. Thanks for always listening to me and loving me! 

Love 

Em 

EMAIL #5

Heyooooo I miss ya mama. Okay this is the last email I promise. 

EMAIL #6

Hehe tricked ya. Love you! 

Hunger Games

General Conference is the busiest time of the year in the Temple Square mission and Emily survived her first Conference weekend. General Conference brings people to Salt Lake City like nothing else does, so Emily was lucky enough to see several family friends and even some family. It's such a blessing to our family to know that she's got people who love her enough to take the time to stop by Temple Square and say hello to Emily. Bonus points to anyone who snaps a picture and sends it our way or who records a video for her on one of her roommate's phones when she's busy at Zone Conference (looking at you, Frandsen fam!)  

Hey everyone! 

This week was GENERAL CONFERENCE!!!! otherwise known as the craziest week on the Square. Just imagine 21,000 people times 4 times in two days on 35 acres of land.... yup good times. Also, General Conference on Temple Square is like a bigger deal than prom for a high school girl. We woke up at 5:30 so that Sister Broadbent could put on her eyelashes #allgirlmission

At first, I was not excited because I knew it would be like all members but turns out that when there are a lot of members around you can ask them for referrals! In Relief Society the week before, President Fisher said he was "eager to see who could get the most referrals, but it isn't a competition". My brain of course only heard "you have to win and get the most referrals" and so that is what we did. 

The next two days was the equivalent of the hunger games. I dragged Sister Broadbent around the square because I wanted to win. We ended up with 35 referrals!!! I don't know if that was the most or if we won but everyone else we asked only had about 3 so I think it is safe to say we were at least one of the top people. Thanks, Dad, for raising me with the mentality that if you're not first, you're last;) 

Well, that was really all that happened. And of course, because it was Conference we actually but mild effort into our appearances so enjoy some cute pics of me and the comp:) 

I hope everyone has a great week! Love you all! 

Sister Moran 

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Mom and Dad,

Okay so we were on the phone so you heard most of what happened already but just in case you forgot about dear old em I'll just write the highlights again here for ya. 

First of all, we got 35 referrals. It was honestly game over when President made it a halfway competition so oof. Sister Broadbent was deffo slightly annoyed and tired but this only happens twice a year so we really have to make the most of it while it lasts..so we did and we now have 35 referrals so hopefully, that means 35 people to start teaching!!! Sister Broadbent says it is too many but I think it is the perfect number. My goal was to get 40 but I guess five off isn't too bad. 

GENERAL CONFERENCE WAS SO GOOD!!!! Not only did I get to go to a live session, but I got to talk to so many people. I feel the most productive as a missionary when I'm on my feet and moving around and doing my thing talking to people. Unfortunately, Sister Broadbent doesn't like that.

What is exciting is that her perspective might have changed!!! During zone conference, we were encouraged to sprint to the end of our missions and Sister Broadbent was telling me that lately she has just been walking and she really needs to be better at sprinting. And I was like FINALLY SHE GETS IT AND SHE IS GOING TO WORK HARDER YAYAYYYY!!!! 

Funny story, today we were assigned to the Assembly Hall before pday started and this guy came in and he reeked of weed. We talked to him for a minute before he just went and sat for a while. What was funny was that I had this feeling that I should go and give him a Book of Mormon. So with Sister Broadbent watching from a distance I went and gave him one and he looked so so happy even though he was high as a kite when I gave him that book. I hope that he reads it when he comes back down from that cloud and comes back to Temple Square to learn more. 

It sounds like you're having so much fun in Portugal!! I'm going to take dad up on that Spain trip for when I get home! Don't get too sunburnt and have a safe trip home. Love you so much! Thanks for all of the emails I love them.... and you too;) 

Love

Em 

Conspiracy Theories

This week was less boring for Emily and she sounds so very excited about the work she's doing. Thanks to her Mission President's Facebook page, we know she was able to participate in a service project this week with her Zone followed by lunch at In and Out and that the Mission President's release date has been extended by six months. Emily is very happy about that news because it means she will be able to serve with President and Sister Fisher for her entire time at Temple Square. 

Hey everyone! Sorry for not emailing last week. Believe it or not, nothing exciting happened. This week though, lots of things happened! 

First of all, GENERAL CONFERENCE IS THIS WEEKEND!!!! There are at least ten different conspiracy theories floating around the Square. A lot of members that come on Square assume that us sisters here know everything that is happening because we are right in the heart of it all. Unfortunately, when I met the prophet a few weeks back I forgot to give him my email so I haven't been getting any updates on the decisions they have been making. But no worries, the next time I see him I'll make sure to give him a heads up because at that point I will have seen him three times so basically we will be #besties. 

This week we got TWO PEEPS TO AGREE TO BE BAPTIZED!!! First is Linda who is just soooo excited about the gospel. It has been so fun to see her change from our first conversation to now. The gospel really does bring people so much joy and I'm glad that I get to share this message with everyone that comes to Temple Square. The second is ANDREW! Andrew came on the first tour I ever gave and we have been teaching him ever since. He is seriously golden and we got to teach him all the lessons so far and he agreed to pray to know if everything is true and then be baptized!!! I cried after he said yes. 

I need to ask Emily if she liked sewing on that Bernina!

Speaking of crying, I cry like every day. I'm going to blame it on the fact that I am surrounded by sisters all day every day but really I could just be emotionally unstable... it's a toss-up. 

I'd like to invite everyone to watch General Conference!!! It is such a special time where we get to hear more about Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father and what they want for us. I promise that you will walk away uplifted so tune in, you won't regret it;) I hope everyone has a great week! Love you all!

Sister Moran 

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Sorry that it cut out when we were calling! Good news is I can just call you next week! Okay so a lot of things happened this week so I hope you are prepared for this overload of information. Please pray for my thumbs because they might fall off by the end of this. 

First of all, ANDREW AGREED TO BE BAPTIZED!!!! well, he said that he would be baptized after his prayer is answered about whether the church is true or not. I'm so excited!! It is so crazy that we got to meet him on the Square during my FIRST TOUR EVER and he really wanted to know more. He is sooooo prepared. We have a lesson with him tomorrow so hopefully, things go well and we can set a date for him! 

Also, MY GIRL LINDA IS ON DATE!!! Linda was a Bible request but she agreed to Book of Mormon and locals and at first SistBroadbentent and I were like uh she isn't super progressing because she is just one of those people who is like "all churches are great because they bring people to Jesus" and while yes that is true, we kind of need her to realize that ours is the REAL one that brings people the closest to Him because it is indeed His church. Welp, the local missionaries worked so hard and we kept calling and keeping commitments with her and follow up teaching and answering questions and she is getting baptized in just a few weeks! She was so excited when we talked to her the other day! She couldn't stop talking about how happy and how excited she was about it all and wow it was amazing to see the change in her. The Gospel of Jesus Christ really does bless and change peoples lives for the better and brings everyone so much joy. I'm so grateful that I got to be part of her journey and introduce her to the joy:) 

This week was Fast Sunday because of CONFERENCE THIS WEEKEND (more on that later). Anyways Sister Broadbent usually doesn't fast for more than one meal but she decided to fast for two with me so like the full 24 hour deal and she almost died. When she finally got some food in her system she felt so sick and we had to go home for the rest of that day. I was frustrated with that because all day she had been tired and slow and complaining about how she needed to eat and then as soon as she got some food in her she said she felt like she was going to throw up and she had to go home. Yikes. So needless to say Sunday was rough but I guess it be like that sometimes. 

Yesterday, we went on exchanges. Sister Broadbent was with our district leader, Sister Barcellos (from Brazil) so I was with her companion, Sister Clark (from Canada) who has been out in the field for almost three weeks! So basically they put two people in training together and let us into the world... it was so good though!!! We had soooo many miracles throughout the day. For example, our scheduled tour didn't show up but that was okay because we met this lady named Maria and long story short we took her to the Christus and she loved it and she wanted a Book of Mormon and she said she wants to go to church in Philadelphia where she lives! I got her contact info and hopefully we can start teaching her! This same thing happened later on when this random security guard came up to us with this 20 year old girl and was like "hey sisters are you headed somewhere right now" and we were like "nope, what's up" (even though we were headed home) and this girl just had soooo many questions for us. She used to be a member but stopped going 2 years ago because she is super liberal and didnt understand why the church had positions that it does on certain controversial topics. We did our best to answer them and actually, between the personal experiences of both sister Clark and myself, I think that she was really feeling it. I asked her when the last time she went to church was and she said about 2 years ago and a big part of why she stopped was because she felt judged  because she had questions and things like that and I just had the strongest feeling that we needed to invite her to our sacrament meeting. Because we have Sacrament meeting and it is all us sisters and that's really it so I did invite her and she said yes immediately. I know that she will feel so loved and will feel the spirit so strongly when she comes, I've never had such spiritual Sacrament meetings as the ones here on Temple Square. I got her contact info and I really hope she comes!!!! Sooooo many more cool miracles happened which included giving out like 4 Books of Mormon and teaching people in 5 minutes or less. Miracles really do happen on exchanges:) 

It was Sister Broadbent's six month anniversary on the mission yesterday which means that she will leave in a year! Event though I get frustrated with her sometimes, I really do love her a lot and it is going to be sad when she leaves in a year. Good thing that is like waaaayyyyyy in the future:) also I got the pioneer dress in the mail today and it is so cute!!!! Thank you so much! 

It seems like dad had a good birthday! What was your favorite part of the day, dad? I mean besides chasing down a thief in your underwear;) also wowoooowow Spencer Swapp is picking up the game. That's a far drive to come out and ask her to prom AND bring dad a present?! Way to get in good with the parents lol. Are they going to Lakenheath prom together or Alconbury or both? Just wondering because it is kinda important. I'm so jealous that you're going to be in Portugal soon. But no worries, I'll be living it up here in Utah during CONFERENCE WEEKEND and doing some mad missionary work. Apparently, Conference is like the craziest time ever and there is some wild contacting and teaching and referral giving going on. So watch out world, here come the sisters at Temple Square ;) 

Well, I love you! And since it was a program glitch they might let us call and talk to you all tomorrow so maybe I'll be able to call you tomorrow! Have a great week and good luck packing and safe travels! Miss you! 

Love

Sister Moran