So, my new companion is Elder Lim. He was born in Korea and grew up in Logan UT! :) I can already tell that He is my favorite companion! Ha ha. I can't really quite be 100% myself yet, but that’s ‘cause we are still trying to sink up right now! Any way, he is way great! We got along great really quick... but it didn't seem like that was going to be the case at first. In transfer meeting he didn't stand when he was called. He seemed very sad, and disappointed, and like he didn't want to leave his old pad, district, and companion. He didn't talk much at first, but that was gone once we got home. Elder Williams (from Alpine) gave us a ride to the pad after transfer meeting. The Pad has a way different energy now. But I like it. With only half a week, we got as many lessons as I did with Gourdin in a whole week! I’m realizing now, that the situation I’m in with Lim is far better than the rest of my mission has been. One night we got into every house we tried and they all became investigators. We give really amazing short powerful lessons with lots of testimony! I have been dying to have this! Orr would just hog the whole lesson, and Gourdin was very long winded. Lim and I are equal and to the point! SO AWESOME! and the difference with those we teach is completely obvious! LOL!
I had a presidents interview and we talked about how its so funny that Preach my Gospel and the White hand book really do tell you everything to be successful.... its just we don't apply it! Its so funny.
So, our first night out we were running into a lot of Russian Jews. we were walking around in Kew Gardens, when across the street on someone’s roof was....... THREE HUGE RACCOONS! LOL! They were just hanging out like it was their stoop and they was just chilling! LOL. I saw a lady walking by the house and I suddenly blurted out "watch out they will eat you!" as I pointed to the raccoons. She, jumped a foot and a half and coward. I said "I’m sorry, I’m just joking.. LOL", to which she replied in a Russian accent, "they have been there a since late summer, I'm afraid that they will climb in through the windows and hurt the children!"... Then we tried to fearless her... but it didn't work. I couldn't believe the raccoons though! LOL. Wow. Ha ha.
Elder Lim was in Richmond Hill this time last year until February! So he knows all the members, when he walked in the church Saturday night for our Christmas play rehearsal, there was a collective gasp! Ha ha ha! They love him here. I'm so glad that the lord answered my prayer of sending the right missionary. Right now we could not afford a p-dub or a control freak. Right now we need team players. Elder Lim and I are already sinking so well! :) After Richmond Hill, Lim went to Bermuda and after that to Stanton Island. He got his call to Bermuda when he was here in Richmond Hill. he only has 4 transfers left and I am on my 4th. LOL.
We will probably have a baptism with Zorina in two weeks. We also have a lot of potential with all our new investigators as well as with some of the old. Pray that Elder Lim and I can accomplish our goal of 3 baptisms minimum this transfer. (Wait... I’m not supposed to ask anyone to pray for specific causes huh... idk...)
OK... well, I can't think of much more to say.
oh yeah, the weather here is cold now. the temperature isn't really cold at all (Utah standard), but the humidity and especially the wind make it really super cold! The wind just cuts through you. don't worry about sending me things to keep warm though... I have plenty of long johns now. Ha ha. Oh, maybe I could use a black or dark blue water proof hat that looks conservative but not stupid... maybe some where in between a newsies type had and a Fedora, only, waterproof and covers my ears. :) If you can't find anything don't fret. I am doing ok. :)
The church is true. I cannot convince any of you. But I know that if you will read and pray about the book of Mormon (even if you have before), your testimony will grow. Before my mission I had a shaky testimony of Joseph smith, until right before my mission. it got shook in Bushwick, but after that It was solid. It just doesn't make since for him to be anything but a prophet. It really doesn't. If you don't believe that there is one true church, it’s because you are making justifications because you don't have a testimony of the Book of Mormon or Joseph Smith. I ask all of you this week to pray to God our heavenly father in the name of Jesus Christ if Joseph Smith was a true prophet and if the book of Mormon is true; regardless of weather or not you have done it before.
I love you all! Love Elder Morris! bye!
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Better Than Average
So the goal this week was to have an amazing week 6. Well, we had a good week 6 instead.... but that’s better than average. :D
So for CDM Elder Gourdin and I wore fake mustaches and changed our name tags to elder batman and elder robin (and pronounced it Baitmen and row-bin) basically everyone ignored us.... but we had fun anyway. Also, I showed an elder from my zone one of the songs I wrote and he was amazed, but then he asked me to show him how. I was hesitant but then remembered emulation is the best complement. Unfortunately he learned it and is now playing it all the time... :( even more unfortunate, he showed his companion, who then took it and made it into his own song that’s better. :(
Well, I’m sorry but... I really don't have any good missionary stories to tell you for this week, but I can tell you about the up coming transfer (transfer meeting is tomorrow). My companion is leaving, he is going District leader in Rigo Park. I am staying in Richmond Hill. It’s gonna stink to see half the pad leave while I stay. :( On the up side, I heard that elder swain and elder write are both getting transferred (so its possible one of my MTC mates will be my new companion!)... we shall see though. I just pray its not some p-dub... because this area cannot afford that right now. We need to jump on all this opportunity that’s all around us. I will fill you in next week with how all that goes.
We have so many medias, potentials, part member families, and less actives in this area its really hard to keep track of everyone and people are slipping through the cracks.
Well, I don't want to waste any y’alls time so I will end with a random comment and then a story. :)
Deep fried PB&J's are really tasty, but once you are finished you feel like you just drank a gallon of oil.
So, at our CDM we had a surprise "soap box preaching/street sweep" in Jamaica. In Jamaica you can count the white people on one finger. The church building there is above a food court. Jamaica is so weird... I'll tell you why... its almost fake. it seems like Disney built it to look like a real place, but the energy is so different. The two don't seem to fit together. I had this visual-spiritual dissonance. anyway, Jamaica is full of masons, hee-bee-gee-bee's, Muslims, and everyone else seems to be an ordained minister of their own denomination. When I stood on the soap box I talked about the book of Mormon and its origin and how you can know if it is true. I ran out of material fast.... then an old lady came and asked if she could have the book, when I tried to give it to her she told me she already had one. Ha, ha. It was fun but not effective. I also talked to this lady who seemed like she was into it and listening, but then this guy with a triangle shaved into his head came up and her whole attitude changed... for some reason I told them I was pleading with them to read the book for they didn't know what they were missing... they kind of just said, "Don't you plead with us! uhnt-uh! Then, they snapped into z formation". Then I went and talked to this other guy for a really long time. He told me I had no idea what the roots of my religion were, and that our church pretended to be bible based and wasn't. He also told me that I had no Idea what happens in the temple. He tried to tell me that Joseph smith tried to "run off with someone’s wife" and that’s why they went to go kill him. He was not crazy... just miss informed, so i tried to stick with him and testify. Eventually he let me know he was a Mason. That’s when I understood why he was telling me I didn't know what the church was about. So I tried to inform him that Joseph smiths connection with the Masons was for protection purposes because of all the persecution. then I told him about how Christ’s church while he was on the earth is the exact same church on the earth today, and that similarities with other religions or sects are only because they have pieces of the truth but not the whole truth nor the authority. He agreed, but then... he told me I didn't know. He said our church was good, and that they taught good true things... but that he would not budge. So I shook his hand and went on my way.
Crazy, huh. I'm telling you, if you live in New York as a Mormon you are either less active or way strong, because this kinda anti-doctrine is all over the place! It is hard when your testimony is not strong. But the funny thing is your testimony grows a ton when you hear all this stuff people use to justify their position and put down our church.
I love you all.
Love, Elder Morris
So for CDM Elder Gourdin and I wore fake mustaches and changed our name tags to elder batman and elder robin (and pronounced it Baitmen and row-bin) basically everyone ignored us.... but we had fun anyway. Also, I showed an elder from my zone one of the songs I wrote and he was amazed, but then he asked me to show him how. I was hesitant but then remembered emulation is the best complement. Unfortunately he learned it and is now playing it all the time... :( even more unfortunate, he showed his companion, who then took it and made it into his own song that’s better. :(
Well, I’m sorry but... I really don't have any good missionary stories to tell you for this week, but I can tell you about the up coming transfer (transfer meeting is tomorrow). My companion is leaving, he is going District leader in Rigo Park. I am staying in Richmond Hill. It’s gonna stink to see half the pad leave while I stay. :( On the up side, I heard that elder swain and elder write are both getting transferred (so its possible one of my MTC mates will be my new companion!)... we shall see though. I just pray its not some p-dub... because this area cannot afford that right now. We need to jump on all this opportunity that’s all around us. I will fill you in next week with how all that goes.
We have so many medias, potentials, part member families, and less actives in this area its really hard to keep track of everyone and people are slipping through the cracks.
Well, I don't want to waste any y’alls time so I will end with a random comment and then a story. :)
Deep fried PB&J's are really tasty, but once you are finished you feel like you just drank a gallon of oil.
So, at our CDM we had a surprise "soap box preaching/street sweep" in Jamaica. In Jamaica you can count the white people on one finger. The church building there is above a food court. Jamaica is so weird... I'll tell you why... its almost fake. it seems like Disney built it to look like a real place, but the energy is so different. The two don't seem to fit together. I had this visual-spiritual dissonance. anyway, Jamaica is full of masons, hee-bee-gee-bee's, Muslims, and everyone else seems to be an ordained minister of their own denomination. When I stood on the soap box I talked about the book of Mormon and its origin and how you can know if it is true. I ran out of material fast.... then an old lady came and asked if she could have the book, when I tried to give it to her she told me she already had one. Ha, ha. It was fun but not effective. I also talked to this lady who seemed like she was into it and listening, but then this guy with a triangle shaved into his head came up and her whole attitude changed... for some reason I told them I was pleading with them to read the book for they didn't know what they were missing... they kind of just said, "Don't you plead with us! uhnt-uh! Then, they snapped into z formation". Then I went and talked to this other guy for a really long time. He told me I had no idea what the roots of my religion were, and that our church pretended to be bible based and wasn't. He also told me that I had no Idea what happens in the temple. He tried to tell me that Joseph smith tried to "run off with someone’s wife" and that’s why they went to go kill him. He was not crazy... just miss informed, so i tried to stick with him and testify. Eventually he let me know he was a Mason. That’s when I understood why he was telling me I didn't know what the church was about. So I tried to inform him that Joseph smiths connection with the Masons was for protection purposes because of all the persecution. then I told him about how Christ’s church while he was on the earth is the exact same church on the earth today, and that similarities with other religions or sects are only because they have pieces of the truth but not the whole truth nor the authority. He agreed, but then... he told me I didn't know. He said our church was good, and that they taught good true things... but that he would not budge. So I shook his hand and went on my way.
Crazy, huh. I'm telling you, if you live in New York as a Mormon you are either less active or way strong, because this kinda anti-doctrine is all over the place! It is hard when your testimony is not strong. But the funny thing is your testimony grows a ton when you hear all this stuff people use to justify their position and put down our church.
I love you all.
Love, Elder Morris
Thankful for Punjabis
Dason, our baptismal commit, is more like another investigator now. His wife (sister ram, a pretty active member) called us up Sunday and said, "He goes to his church.", so solid, but yet so mysterious. Kinda like a big oak door on a big scary haunted house.
Interestingly enough, Zorina (a Punjabi), an old lady from Guyana who is a former who has had 2 baptismal dates, came to church, making her a progressing investigator. The funny part was, we were thinking about dropping her because we kinda felt like she had a mental disability and wasn't really all that interested anyway. God has different plans I guess; seems to always be that way.
It’s kinda weird to me how you can feel the spirit so strong with someone, and they tell you about a really spiritual experience where they received a conformation after prayer.... and then they turn around and act like they don't know you.
I had a lot of cool experiences where the spirit guided my words and feet this week. Just with deciding to go certain ways, or walk instead of take the buss, and then we ran into less actives or fearless great people. Also, two men, Jay and Vinny, asked us to exorcise their apartment; basically. Elder Gourdin told me after that appointment that he felt like the junior companion in it. Ha-ha-ha. Some of you know why others don't. But, apparently there is still a problem. Gourdin feels it is one of Jay's family members wanting there work to get done, so they want him to join the church. I like that theory, so we are going to encourage him to become a member and do his families work to solve the problem. :)
Mark (a Punjabi) a member of the branch is the funniest person ever. and not because he means to be. I can't even explain it.... but I am glad I know him. "Sir!!! I would like it if someone could make me a big chicken for the holidays" right in the middle of 5th Sunday 3rd hr. ha-ha-ha. "Straight up!" as I give him stones and say good job. :)
For Thanksgiving we spent the evening at Sister Sookrams (a Punjabi). The people in attendance were: me, Elder Gourdin, Dannielle (Sookrams' 19 year old Punjabi daughter), Sister Springer (the cutest old lady from Guyana you shall ever meet), and Sister Sookrams' sister (a Punjabi, but a Hindu first. Ha-ha.). It was great; there was actually turkey and potatoes and carrots believe it or not. There was also rice and roti and curry. That was the first roti I have ever had. It was great. We talked about everything from what we are thankful for to college to Oprah to gays and blacks; at the same time we watched home a lone twice and some Charlie Brown.
The Murrays (Punjabi part-member family): the girls (10, 11, 14 years old), all really like to feel my hair. The oldest asked us what we wanted for Christmas. :) Ha-ha-ha.
This week we almost got 20 lessons! It was great. (I know what your thinking, "your in NY and you don't have over 20 lessons!". give us a break ok, this was a good week for us.) We hope to end the transfer strong. This is week 6, or in NY-NYCS mission slang "P-week". Gourdin and I don't want it to be p-week; we want to get more than 20 lessons instead.
Does someone want to get me the DSM iv or DSM v for Christmas? (A book on psychosis of people--there are a lot of crazy but nice people here; that way, I could know how to talk to them.) That would rock. :)
Sometimes I think the members don't like me here.
I wonder if I will get transferred or if I will stay in Richmond Hill... :s
What do y'all want for Christmas?
I would like a large honest spoonful of love in long letters. Let no man feel obligated to write me, and if he does, let that man not fret, but instead not write. :)
Anyway, I sure do miss all the Jews from Bushwick, but I sure am thankful for Punjabis. I miss Elder Singh.
I love you.
Interestingly enough, Zorina (a Punjabi), an old lady from Guyana who is a former who has had 2 baptismal dates, came to church, making her a progressing investigator. The funny part was, we were thinking about dropping her because we kinda felt like she had a mental disability and wasn't really all that interested anyway. God has different plans I guess; seems to always be that way.
It’s kinda weird to me how you can feel the spirit so strong with someone, and they tell you about a really spiritual experience where they received a conformation after prayer.... and then they turn around and act like they don't know you.
I had a lot of cool experiences where the spirit guided my words and feet this week. Just with deciding to go certain ways, or walk instead of take the buss, and then we ran into less actives or fearless great people. Also, two men, Jay and Vinny, asked us to exorcise their apartment; basically. Elder Gourdin told me after that appointment that he felt like the junior companion in it. Ha-ha-ha. Some of you know why others don't. But, apparently there is still a problem. Gourdin feels it is one of Jay's family members wanting there work to get done, so they want him to join the church. I like that theory, so we are going to encourage him to become a member and do his families work to solve the problem. :)
Mark (a Punjabi) a member of the branch is the funniest person ever. and not because he means to be. I can't even explain it.... but I am glad I know him. "Sir!!! I would like it if someone could make me a big chicken for the holidays" right in the middle of 5th Sunday 3rd hr. ha-ha-ha. "Straight up!" as I give him stones and say good job. :)
For Thanksgiving we spent the evening at Sister Sookrams (a Punjabi). The people in attendance were: me, Elder Gourdin, Dannielle (Sookrams' 19 year old Punjabi daughter), Sister Springer (the cutest old lady from Guyana you shall ever meet), and Sister Sookrams' sister (a Punjabi, but a Hindu first. Ha-ha.). It was great; there was actually turkey and potatoes and carrots believe it or not. There was also rice and roti and curry. That was the first roti I have ever had. It was great. We talked about everything from what we are thankful for to college to Oprah to gays and blacks; at the same time we watched home a lone twice and some Charlie Brown.
The Murrays (Punjabi part-member family): the girls (10, 11, 14 years old), all really like to feel my hair. The oldest asked us what we wanted for Christmas. :) Ha-ha-ha.
This week we almost got 20 lessons! It was great. (I know what your thinking, "your in NY and you don't have over 20 lessons!". give us a break ok, this was a good week for us.) We hope to end the transfer strong. This is week 6, or in NY-NYCS mission slang "P-week". Gourdin and I don't want it to be p-week; we want to get more than 20 lessons instead.
Does someone want to get me the DSM iv or DSM v for Christmas? (A book on psychosis of people--there are a lot of crazy but nice people here; that way, I could know how to talk to them.) That would rock. :)
Sometimes I think the members don't like me here.
I wonder if I will get transferred or if I will stay in Richmond Hill... :s
What do y'all want for Christmas?
I would like a large honest spoonful of love in long letters. Let no man feel obligated to write me, and if he does, let that man not fret, but instead not write. :)
Anyway, I sure do miss all the Jews from Bushwick, but I sure am thankful for Punjabis. I miss Elder Singh.
I love you.
Monday, November 23, 2009
Here comes week 5 of 3rd transfer
Ok. Woot, here we go; I’ve got quite a list of things that I would like to share so here I go. :)
Thank you grandma for your package you sent me! It just got to me!... its a Christmas package! lol. That’s a little early! Ha ha. So I won't open the presents until Christmas, but thank you for the peanut brittle and the great notes! Yeah!
Ok... so, today we went to the office. While I was there I looked to see if I had mail and..... yes! One from Mclean (an awesome letter!) and one from Rachel, Noah and Paige (also awesome/cute!)! Then I discovered I had packages, the one from grandma, and the one from the Chevriers... I think I was sent the wrong package from the Chevriers though... because the note in it said Merry Christmas with notes to BJ inside of it... So If you would like (BJ and Chevriers) I will just put that in a box and send it to Japan. Maybe you got some stuff that was supposed to go to me BJ! lol. btw, BJ was in my dream last night! LOL
Saturday I got a letter from Mom/dad and from the achievement day girls in my ward! It was awesome! Thanks so much!
So a lot of things happened this week. Last Monday Elder Gourdin and I went and saw Taber and mini in Manhattan! We went to Manhattan because mini had a doctor’s appointment and so it was more convenient that we go to them. We went to this super fancy very tasty Italian restaurant! I had salmon and Gourdin had steak! Taber ordered for us cause we were unsure as to what we should get. lol. Thanks Tabe you’re the best!!!!! Taber’s friend Corey was there, so that was really cool to meet him. He is laid back and easy to talk to. :) After that we walked to Taber and minis apartment that they just sold. it was super nice. Then we got in the car and Taber’s driver took us to the air port. Gourdin loved that! lol. we said good bye and Victor, Taber’s diver from Lima, Peru, took us home to our pad. It was sweet! We got to know victor and we told him that we were missionaries. He was surprised he thought we were college students. Then he asked us if we could give him anything. Ha ha :). So we gave him a restoration pamphlet.
On Tuesday it was "deep clean day" for our zone. we were supposed to clean only until 1... but we were cleaning up a mess that has been here since before I came to New York. We Cleaned all day! I scrubbed and scrubbed. I won’t give you the details so you aren’t worried about us. But just know its cleaner. We even reorganized everything! So now our beds are in a little room (we called it the bat cave! It’s nice and dark :)) and our study room is three times the size (and away from our beds)! The "family room" is better now too cause its reorganized.
So, we decided one night that we were going to cut our hair. I only was going to do a clean up. I cut only the sides and back of my hair but then it needed to be blended. So Gourdin offered to try the comb with an open clipper method... well, you guessed it already I’m sure. A big chunk was taken out of my head, causing me to have to take my hair down all the way to a 2 on the sides and a 5 on top. :( So now I look way different. LOL!
Ok, so as a district we committed on Friday to commit 8 people (as a district) to get baptized. Yesterday Gourdin and I committed one of our investigators named Dason. We have already asked him to get baptized but he told us that the date was between him and the lord. So this time we asked him if he would pray specifically for the 6th of December while we were there. He did. The spirit was very, very strong. Right before he prayed he had told us the restoration story and the importance of authority in baptism. So he is way solid. Ok, so the spirit was way strong and I asked how he was feeling, he said peaceful. we told him we were going to plan for him to get baptized on the 6th and he didn't say no... so its a soft commit, so we are praying that he receives further witness and conformation that the day is right for him.
Ok, well my time is up... so quickly I will say the rest
the sisters borrowed my violin and changed the strings and thought I was retarded because I had it tuned like a guitar. They also think I’m a smart a. lol geez! >:|
we have new finding methods, I'll tell you about them next time.
We have an investigator named Allen, we were going to commit him, but he said he is leaving for Europe..... :(
the end
I love you all!
Thank you grandma for your package you sent me! It just got to me!... its a Christmas package! lol. That’s a little early! Ha ha. So I won't open the presents until Christmas, but thank you for the peanut brittle and the great notes! Yeah!
Ok... so, today we went to the office. While I was there I looked to see if I had mail and..... yes! One from Mclean (an awesome letter!) and one from Rachel, Noah and Paige (also awesome/cute!)! Then I discovered I had packages, the one from grandma, and the one from the Chevriers... I think I was sent the wrong package from the Chevriers though... because the note in it said Merry Christmas with notes to BJ inside of it... So If you would like (BJ and Chevriers) I will just put that in a box and send it to Japan. Maybe you got some stuff that was supposed to go to me BJ! lol. btw, BJ was in my dream last night! LOL
Saturday I got a letter from Mom/dad and from the achievement day girls in my ward! It was awesome! Thanks so much!
So a lot of things happened this week. Last Monday Elder Gourdin and I went and saw Taber and mini in Manhattan! We went to Manhattan because mini had a doctor’s appointment and so it was more convenient that we go to them. We went to this super fancy very tasty Italian restaurant! I had salmon and Gourdin had steak! Taber ordered for us cause we were unsure as to what we should get. lol. Thanks Tabe you’re the best!!!!! Taber’s friend Corey was there, so that was really cool to meet him. He is laid back and easy to talk to. :) After that we walked to Taber and minis apartment that they just sold. it was super nice. Then we got in the car and Taber’s driver took us to the air port. Gourdin loved that! lol. we said good bye and Victor, Taber’s diver from Lima, Peru, took us home to our pad. It was sweet! We got to know victor and we told him that we were missionaries. He was surprised he thought we were college students. Then he asked us if we could give him anything. Ha ha :). So we gave him a restoration pamphlet.
On Tuesday it was "deep clean day" for our zone. we were supposed to clean only until 1... but we were cleaning up a mess that has been here since before I came to New York. We Cleaned all day! I scrubbed and scrubbed. I won’t give you the details so you aren’t worried about us. But just know its cleaner. We even reorganized everything! So now our beds are in a little room (we called it the bat cave! It’s nice and dark :)) and our study room is three times the size (and away from our beds)! The "family room" is better now too cause its reorganized.
So, we decided one night that we were going to cut our hair. I only was going to do a clean up. I cut only the sides and back of my hair but then it needed to be blended. So Gourdin offered to try the comb with an open clipper method... well, you guessed it already I’m sure. A big chunk was taken out of my head, causing me to have to take my hair down all the way to a 2 on the sides and a 5 on top. :( So now I look way different. LOL!
Ok, so as a district we committed on Friday to commit 8 people (as a district) to get baptized. Yesterday Gourdin and I committed one of our investigators named Dason. We have already asked him to get baptized but he told us that the date was between him and the lord. So this time we asked him if he would pray specifically for the 6th of December while we were there. He did. The spirit was very, very strong. Right before he prayed he had told us the restoration story and the importance of authority in baptism. So he is way solid. Ok, so the spirit was way strong and I asked how he was feeling, he said peaceful. we told him we were going to plan for him to get baptized on the 6th and he didn't say no... so its a soft commit, so we are praying that he receives further witness and conformation that the day is right for him.
Ok, well my time is up... so quickly I will say the rest
the sisters borrowed my violin and changed the strings and thought I was retarded because I had it tuned like a guitar. They also think I’m a smart a. lol geez! >:|
we have new finding methods, I'll tell you about them next time.
We have an investigator named Allen, we were going to commit him, but he said he is leaving for Europe..... :(
the end
I love you all!
Fevers and Guns
VOk. Hi, so.... there I was in south Richmond Hill (just north of Ozone Park). I went out Monday night with a fever because I didn't want my companion to be disappointed that we didn't go out. I didn't tell him about my fever. We were on our way to an appointment. We had just gotten to the place where the appointment was when I hear, "hey man, you got the time?" I saw a black kid in a hoodie about my same age. "Why yes I do" I replied in the goofy white cracker way I know best. I looked down at my watch and tried to decipher my analog clock. "It’s... si.... seven.....", "its seven ten" blurts out Elder Gourdin. I look up and what do I see? A gun pointed at elder Gourdin.... "Empty your pockets!" said the hooded hoodlum as he snatched our cell phone from elder Gourdin’s hands. "NO!" is the first thing out of my mouth! the guy points the gun at me sense I'm the one talking "empty your pockets!!!", "No! I don't have anything to give you!", "empty your bag!!!!", "NO! All I have is bibles and book of Mormons!", "empty your pockets", "NO", the boy could see I wasn't going to cooperate so he points the gun at Gourdin, "empty your pockets!" Elder Gourdin drops about 100 pens and pass along cards. the hoodlum sees he is getting some where with Elder Gourdin, "empty your bag!!" he said as he stuck the gun in elder Gourdins face and pushed his face a couple times. "NO! WE DON'T HAVE ANYTHING TO GIVE YOU" I say, outraged that he is bullying my companion in this way. he didn't like my response much. The hoodlum pulls the gun out of his face and cocks it, bringing it up gangster style. Gourdin whips his back pack around, scared that I, Elder Morris, is going to get us killed. Elder Gourdin shows that all he has is books in his bag. I say again "All we have is bibles!" The kid tells his accomplice behind me to go and then walk off leaving me and Gourdin stunned as to what just happened to us. I realize as they get to the corner and say "bit**es!" to myself. I yell to the kid and his friend "Have fun with our phone!" They turn around "WHAT!?" "Have fun with our phone!" I repeat. They turn around sheepishly and shuffle their baggy pants selves off toward the bus.
Tuesday I slept and recovered.
Wednesday was an amazing Zone conference! All the missionaries I came out with (Wright and Swain) were jealous that I got my New York welcome (getting robbed). Ha, ha.
We talked to the Murray family. We told them that we know they already know the gospel is true, so they need to get baptized. They said ok... but we aren't married. so we will work with them some more. The daughters are members so that helps.
Thursday I can’t remember.
I am out of email time. I will fill you in on Friday Saturday and Sunday and this morning with Taber next week! Love you all! Bye!
Tuesday I slept and recovered.
Wednesday was an amazing Zone conference! All the missionaries I came out with (Wright and Swain) were jealous that I got my New York welcome (getting robbed). Ha, ha.
We talked to the Murray family. We told them that we know they already know the gospel is true, so they need to get baptized. They said ok... but we aren't married. so we will work with them some more. The daughters are members so that helps.
Thursday I can’t remember.
I am out of email time. I will fill you in on Friday Saturday and Sunday and this morning with Taber next week! Love you all! Bye!
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Fever
OK. Hi! So, I made that chillie last p-day! It was very tasty! I felt like I was at home when I closed my eyes. It tasted exactly like you make it mom. :)
So, I'm still blown away by the difference between Bushwick and Richmond Hill. I feel like I didn't transfer areas, but missions. Its way different.
You will all be happy to know I have been taking your advice and trying hard to be the clean charitable one in the pad. I got Fabreeze and candles and hand soap and scrubbed the floor and toilet... I also offer whatever I make (food) to the other elders and help them cook their meals. I actually am seeing a difference; the other elders are starting to clean things on their own and are starting to want to cook as a pad. Unfortunately... what always happens when you try to do your best? Yup, opposition and guess what form my opposition came in? Yup, I’m sick.
I'm not as bad now as I was though. Let me describe the week so y'all know.
Tuesday was amazing. we got two new investigators and taught 4 lessons and kept on schedule the whole day, from waking up to following up. Every part of the day had something for us to do.
Wednesday was amazing too, but not quite as fruitful. The whole day kinda got thrown off by the breakfast we had at a member’s house.
Thursday was planning... after planning we had pad time and by the end of pad time I was feeling like you do when you get the flu. you know, achy skin and just way uncomfortable. I just went to bed and told Gourdin to cancel our appointments. When I woke up at 9 pm I checked and I had a fever. :(
I have not slept well a night since. I've been having lots of frustrating, sweaty dreams. >:( They get me just as tired physically and mentally as my sickness does.
Friday I stayed in bed basically all day. Which meant we had to miss cdm, a great appointment and a Dinner appointment.
Saturday morning I felt good enough to go out and work; so I did. When we got back I checked my throat and guess what I saw? a white spot. Then it dawned on me that I was having the same symptoms as I was having last year when I had strep. I felt fine during the day, wasted in the late afternoon and feverish and uncomfortable at night. We stayed in Saturday night. Elder Gourdin had been acting like he was the victimized one. Like I was sick on purpose just to torcher him. pstsh! I even asked him if he thought I was faking. He just said "No, I just want to work", I responded, "So do I."
Anyway,Sunday I woke up and my throat wasn't as sore and my fever was gone, but my body was stiff and I had a really bad runny nose. My nose has been runny ever since. Sunday was Stake conference, it was good, only it was really warm. We were in the middle of the row, so I couldn't get out and here I am with a faucet for a nose. I asked Sister Nelson what I should do... all she told me was less than I already knew. Ha. Take Tylenol for the fever and get lots of rest. Geez.
So today I woke up at 5:00 in the morning after battling not waking up for about an hour from an intense headache; the worst I have had in a while. I think its cause I have been on a crappie mattress all week and so I’m out of adjustment and that’s what gave me the head ache. I looked for a chiropractor today, but only found one for $60.... so... what ever.
Say some prayers for me that I will get better.
Love, Sam
So, I'm still blown away by the difference between Bushwick and Richmond Hill. I feel like I didn't transfer areas, but missions. Its way different.
You will all be happy to know I have been taking your advice and trying hard to be the clean charitable one in the pad. I got Fabreeze and candles and hand soap and scrubbed the floor and toilet... I also offer whatever I make (food) to the other elders and help them cook their meals. I actually am seeing a difference; the other elders are starting to clean things on their own and are starting to want to cook as a pad. Unfortunately... what always happens when you try to do your best? Yup, opposition and guess what form my opposition came in? Yup, I’m sick.
I'm not as bad now as I was though. Let me describe the week so y'all know.
Tuesday was amazing. we got two new investigators and taught 4 lessons and kept on schedule the whole day, from waking up to following up. Every part of the day had something for us to do.
Wednesday was amazing too, but not quite as fruitful. The whole day kinda got thrown off by the breakfast we had at a member’s house.
Thursday was planning... after planning we had pad time and by the end of pad time I was feeling like you do when you get the flu. you know, achy skin and just way uncomfortable. I just went to bed and told Gourdin to cancel our appointments. When I woke up at 9 pm I checked and I had a fever. :(
I have not slept well a night since. I've been having lots of frustrating, sweaty dreams. >:( They get me just as tired physically and mentally as my sickness does.
Friday I stayed in bed basically all day. Which meant we had to miss cdm, a great appointment and a Dinner appointment.
Saturday morning I felt good enough to go out and work; so I did. When we got back I checked my throat and guess what I saw? a white spot. Then it dawned on me that I was having the same symptoms as I was having last year when I had strep. I felt fine during the day, wasted in the late afternoon and feverish and uncomfortable at night. We stayed in Saturday night. Elder Gourdin had been acting like he was the victimized one. Like I was sick on purpose just to torcher him. pstsh! I even asked him if he thought I was faking. He just said "No, I just want to work", I responded, "So do I."
Anyway,Sunday I woke up and my throat wasn't as sore and my fever was gone, but my body was stiff and I had a really bad runny nose. My nose has been runny ever since. Sunday was Stake conference, it was good, only it was really warm. We were in the middle of the row, so I couldn't get out and here I am with a faucet for a nose. I asked Sister Nelson what I should do... all she told me was less than I already knew. Ha. Take Tylenol for the fever and get lots of rest. Geez.
So today I woke up at 5:00 in the morning after battling not waking up for about an hour from an intense headache; the worst I have had in a while. I think its cause I have been on a crappie mattress all week and so I’m out of adjustment and that’s what gave me the head ache. I looked for a chiropractor today, but only found one for $60.... so... what ever.
Say some prayers for me that I will get better.
Love, Sam
Monday, November 2, 2009
Smells and Spirits
So wow! Yes, I was humbled this week. Often living felt very surreal. The Lord broke me down to show me the error of my ways. The many errors I didn't realize I even had. It made me feel pretty crappie about how I had been treating friends and family before my mission. I really realize now how selfish I was and have been. I now have new surroundings, new pad mates, new people to teach, new goals, and new emotions... so therefore a new horizon.
Well, it turns out the horrible smell of rotting food and sweaty boys came mostly from one box. Dad is right, and has always been right. The smell of a banana over powers any other smell. The other elders had received a box full of bananas from the food bank we do service at and it has just been sitting there. Elder hatch and Ledbetter finally got rid of it this morning and guess what!? No more disgusting smell. Wow. Hmmm... This morning the same elders vacuumed and reorganized and threw away all the trash! Guess what!? we have room now! its smells better, it feels better. Physical and spiritual are not separate. Mental and emotional and social are not separate; and are apart of physical.... anyway everything is connected. So basically if you have a problem in your life, then don't look at it as a problem, look at it as a symptom of a problem much deeper. I'll let you all take that little jewel I discovered however you would like. :)
My new comp, well, ha-ha, he is different. Isn’t that funny... everyone is different. I often forget that. I also often for get that other people are real, and that the universe doesn't revolve around me. At times in my life I literally thought I was in a "Truman show" type situation. Can you believe that! Anyway, although things are different, it’s not bad. I now have a new opportunity for growth that I never realized I could have. I can now grow in ways I didn't know I could (or think I had to). I am a goldfish in a bigger tank.
Alright! So, I’m in queens now. HOLY CRAP! Its sooooooooooo different; it is way cleaner here. It’s also way more diverse; interesting huh. I already miss a lot of things about Brooklyn though. I almost feel like how I did in Brooklyn right now (that is "this is not my home, I live in alpine". only now its "this is not my home [queens], I belong in Brooklyn"). lol. Funny, huh. The streets are way different. Instead of a street name and then an apartment number (ex. 185 Marcy Ave.) it’s now the closest avenue followed by a dash and the apartment number followed by the street or road you are on (ex. 101-35 111th St). Let me tell you, I miss hearing "the next stop is Koscuscio St". Its just not the same as "the next stop is 104th St." Anyway, I’ve only got 10 min left of my session.
The branch here is awesome! Member work hear will be much easier. I really like the people here. The president is awesome, and his counselors. One of the guys here looks like and sounds and acts kinda like Erik’s dad. lol. it really surprises me how many people know where Alpine UT. is out here! lol
Last night at our dinner appointment with the branch president and his family we found our that Sister Erazo (president’s wife) went on a mission to Sacramento (or San Bernadino... can't remember). And guess what the best part is!? Elder Gourdin’s grandparents were the mission presidents of that mission while she was there!!!! so she went and pulled out a picture of her self in the 80's all sister missionary like, with Gourdin’s grandparents on either side! lol! Ha-ha-ha. Crazy huh! The world is so small. I love it.
Well, you will be pleased to hear I am being creative with my cooking. I am gonna make moms chillie this week... but I’m gonna try adding carrots and potatoes (since we have a lot of them). OK I g2g
I love you all!
Bye! Sam
Well, it turns out the horrible smell of rotting food and sweaty boys came mostly from one box. Dad is right, and has always been right. The smell of a banana over powers any other smell. The other elders had received a box full of bananas from the food bank we do service at and it has just been sitting there. Elder hatch and Ledbetter finally got rid of it this morning and guess what!? No more disgusting smell. Wow. Hmmm... This morning the same elders vacuumed and reorganized and threw away all the trash! Guess what!? we have room now! its smells better, it feels better. Physical and spiritual are not separate. Mental and emotional and social are not separate; and are apart of physical.... anyway everything is connected. So basically if you have a problem in your life, then don't look at it as a problem, look at it as a symptom of a problem much deeper. I'll let you all take that little jewel I discovered however you would like. :)
My new comp, well, ha-ha, he is different. Isn’t that funny... everyone is different. I often forget that. I also often for get that other people are real, and that the universe doesn't revolve around me. At times in my life I literally thought I was in a "Truman show" type situation. Can you believe that! Anyway, although things are different, it’s not bad. I now have a new opportunity for growth that I never realized I could have. I can now grow in ways I didn't know I could (or think I had to). I am a goldfish in a bigger tank.
Alright! So, I’m in queens now. HOLY CRAP! Its sooooooooooo different; it is way cleaner here. It’s also way more diverse; interesting huh. I already miss a lot of things about Brooklyn though. I almost feel like how I did in Brooklyn right now (that is "this is not my home, I live in alpine". only now its "this is not my home [queens], I belong in Brooklyn"). lol. Funny, huh. The streets are way different. Instead of a street name and then an apartment number (ex. 185 Marcy Ave.) it’s now the closest avenue followed by a dash and the apartment number followed by the street or road you are on (ex. 101-35 111th St). Let me tell you, I miss hearing "the next stop is Koscuscio St". Its just not the same as "the next stop is 104th St." Anyway, I’ve only got 10 min left of my session.
The branch here is awesome! Member work hear will be much easier. I really like the people here. The president is awesome, and his counselors. One of the guys here looks like and sounds and acts kinda like Erik’s dad. lol. it really surprises me how many people know where Alpine UT. is out here! lol
Last night at our dinner appointment with the branch president and his family we found our that Sister Erazo (president’s wife) went on a mission to Sacramento (or San Bernadino... can't remember). And guess what the best part is!? Elder Gourdin’s grandparents were the mission presidents of that mission while she was there!!!! so she went and pulled out a picture of her self in the 80's all sister missionary like, with Gourdin’s grandparents on either side! lol! Ha-ha-ha. Crazy huh! The world is so small. I love it.
Well, you will be pleased to hear I am being creative with my cooking. I am gonna make moms chillie this week... but I’m gonna try adding carrots and potatoes (since we have a lot of them). OK I g2g
I love you all!
Bye! Sam
Sunday, November 1, 2009
hmmmm....
Wed 10/28/09
Ok... so, here I am in new surroundings. the Elders here do service at the library on Wednesdays, so they figured "Hey! Why don't we just do email while we are there to save time on Monday".... I don't agree with this... so I will have to bring it up later; but for now, I am emailing you on Wednesday from the library.
Wow, I felt sooo good yesterday! I was excited, and they called me to an area I really didn't expect to be called to, Richmond Hill, in Queens. My new companion is Elder Gourdin. He is tall, 19, and has grey hair. My email time is about to expire, so I will get back on... but, right now I’m not feeling so swift. :( I was hoping I wouldn't experience the same thing I did going into the MTC, or the first week of Bushwick... but its starting to develop. :(
So... yeah. Ok. Um, the new pad is ghetto; not as ghetto as my first pad in Bushwick, this one has carpet... but the shower is no good. The bathroom and kitchen don't look like they have been cleaned in a while. There is a bunch of stuff just lying around. The first things you smell when you walk into the pad is rotting food (like at the dump) and "smelly sweaty boy" smell. There is me and my comp and 2 others (Spanish Elders). They are cool.... in a southern way of being cool. They are a little p-dub though. They sleep in pretty late, don't study, and they listen to country music all the time. They seem like good elders though; it’s not in my place to judge. I just know already though that I’m really going to miss Elders Haggard, Black, Oliverson (even though he is a little p-dub), Orr, and especially Singh. Its just not the same.
I know the lord has room to grow and stretch me now... but I don't like it. I was soooo happy and optimistic yesterday... but then it started to dawn on me that this is real, I will not see Orr or Singh until after my mission if at all now; also, things are going to be very different. I like my new comp though. :)
I guess I have my work cut out for me. I've got to not only clean up 14 pages of medias, but an apartment, while I try to be myself, learn a new area, and try to work hard and be an example. :(
So, I got mail at transfer meetings! A new record, 9 letters! Unfortunately the subject matters of the letters and the order in which I read them, on top of how I was already feeling made me quite sad. :( I'm starting to feel very confused. I'm starting to think I'm not the person I think I am, and I'm not the person my friends and family think I am. I wonder if I have been fooling myself. I don't quite know how to express my feelings; but know this, I still love all of you, if not more now then ever. I just am reconsidering my life, goals, and decisions. I need to rely on my testimony and past spiritual experiences... only a lot of them seem to contradict how I am feeling and the things people are telling me. Often what people say makes me feel guilty about things I at one time thought were the only things I really knew for sure.
Sorry for being so vague.
I am on the bottom bunk for the first time since July.
I love my MTC companion. I wish I could be with him again. I saw him at transfer meeting, he is the best! We talked. I feel a closeness to him different from any other friend.
I only have 10 min left now, so I'll send this pretty soon now.
Ok, right now. lol I love you all. Bye. Sam
Ok... so, here I am in new surroundings. the Elders here do service at the library on Wednesdays, so they figured "Hey! Why don't we just do email while we are there to save time on Monday".... I don't agree with this... so I will have to bring it up later; but for now, I am emailing you on Wednesday from the library.
Wow, I felt sooo good yesterday! I was excited, and they called me to an area I really didn't expect to be called to, Richmond Hill, in Queens. My new companion is Elder Gourdin. He is tall, 19, and has grey hair. My email time is about to expire, so I will get back on... but, right now I’m not feeling so swift. :( I was hoping I wouldn't experience the same thing I did going into the MTC, or the first week of Bushwick... but its starting to develop. :(
So... yeah. Ok. Um, the new pad is ghetto; not as ghetto as my first pad in Bushwick, this one has carpet... but the shower is no good. The bathroom and kitchen don't look like they have been cleaned in a while. There is a bunch of stuff just lying around. The first things you smell when you walk into the pad is rotting food (like at the dump) and "smelly sweaty boy" smell. There is me and my comp and 2 others (Spanish Elders). They are cool.... in a southern way of being cool. They are a little p-dub though. They sleep in pretty late, don't study, and they listen to country music all the time. They seem like good elders though; it’s not in my place to judge. I just know already though that I’m really going to miss Elders Haggard, Black, Oliverson (even though he is a little p-dub), Orr, and especially Singh. Its just not the same.
I know the lord has room to grow and stretch me now... but I don't like it. I was soooo happy and optimistic yesterday... but then it started to dawn on me that this is real, I will not see Orr or Singh until after my mission if at all now; also, things are going to be very different. I like my new comp though. :)
I guess I have my work cut out for me. I've got to not only clean up 14 pages of medias, but an apartment, while I try to be myself, learn a new area, and try to work hard and be an example. :(
So, I got mail at transfer meetings! A new record, 9 letters! Unfortunately the subject matters of the letters and the order in which I read them, on top of how I was already feeling made me quite sad. :( I'm starting to feel very confused. I'm starting to think I'm not the person I think I am, and I'm not the person my friends and family think I am. I wonder if I have been fooling myself. I don't quite know how to express my feelings; but know this, I still love all of you, if not more now then ever. I just am reconsidering my life, goals, and decisions. I need to rely on my testimony and past spiritual experiences... only a lot of them seem to contradict how I am feeling and the things people are telling me. Often what people say makes me feel guilty about things I at one time thought were the only things I really knew for sure.
Sorry for being so vague.
I am on the bottom bunk for the first time since July.
I love my MTC companion. I wish I could be with him again. I saw him at transfer meeting, he is the best! We talked. I feel a closeness to him different from any other friend.
I only have 10 min left now, so I'll send this pretty soon now.
Ok, right now. lol I love you all. Bye. Sam
Monday, October 26, 2009
Stockholm Syndrome
So, it’s true. I found out last night, I am leaving Bushwick. Dun-da-dun-dun-dun-n-n! It will be nice to have a change of pace, and I know the lord only would call me to another area if he knew it was best for me and the people I will serve. So please pray for me to be strong as I make this change. Before my mission I always thought that you could put me anywhere in the world and I could be just fine with just myself and what ever you gave me. But being on a mission has showed me I am not that person. I am very much the person who likes to stay in one place. I get very stressed out with moving and changing my scenery and the people I am with. It’s very hard for me, I didn't know I was that way. It explains why I was home sick at 5th grade summer camp. Ha-ha. (Nate and BJ will know what I mean. Clear Creak ha-ha.)
Also, I could use prayers for whomever my new comp will be, that my old comp will have strength to finish his last 6 weeks! Thanks. :)
So, I don't know if any one will get my subject line if I don't explain it. It’s a pun. The street I have been living on, the place with the nice pad is called Stockholm. And I think most of you are familiar with the psychology term "Stockholm Syndrome" which refers to learning to like the person who kidnapped you and you don't want to leave them. Ha-ha... well... I let you figure out the rest. They say a joke you have to explain isn't funny... so... I guess that’s why I’m not gonna be a stand up comedian.
Ok well.
I wasn't for sure about if I was going to leave or not until last night. So I really wasn't able so say goodbye to anyone; which was sad. None of our investigators came to church sadly... so... :( the worst part is that Kelvin our recent convert was supposed to get the priesthood and he didn't show or answer his phone... I hope something came up, instead of him being scared or something.
We officially dropped both Shakora and Brittany... yet we told Brittany I was leaving so she promised she would come to church so we could take pictures and stuff... but guess what?
So thank you all for your advice. I think you are right; it was amazing to start with literally no pool, and turn it into a baptism and an excited ward. Hopefully Orr can make it even better with his new companion before he leaves.
Well I have to go now. So I'll let you all know what happens to me in the week to come next Monday!
Love Elder Morris
PS
Have you, Nate and MeClean, and Josh, gotten my letters? I wrote you but still haven't received any reply. It’s been a long time. :( I sent pictures and everything... I hope my mail didn't get lost. :(
Also, I could use prayers for whomever my new comp will be, that my old comp will have strength to finish his last 6 weeks! Thanks. :)
So, I don't know if any one will get my subject line if I don't explain it. It’s a pun. The street I have been living on, the place with the nice pad is called Stockholm. And I think most of you are familiar with the psychology term "Stockholm Syndrome" which refers to learning to like the person who kidnapped you and you don't want to leave them. Ha-ha... well... I let you figure out the rest. They say a joke you have to explain isn't funny... so... I guess that’s why I’m not gonna be a stand up comedian.
Ok well.
I wasn't for sure about if I was going to leave or not until last night. So I really wasn't able so say goodbye to anyone; which was sad. None of our investigators came to church sadly... so... :( the worst part is that Kelvin our recent convert was supposed to get the priesthood and he didn't show or answer his phone... I hope something came up, instead of him being scared or something.
We officially dropped both Shakora and Brittany... yet we told Brittany I was leaving so she promised she would come to church so we could take pictures and stuff... but guess what?
So thank you all for your advice. I think you are right; it was amazing to start with literally no pool, and turn it into a baptism and an excited ward. Hopefully Orr can make it even better with his new companion before he leaves.
Well I have to go now. So I'll let you all know what happens to me in the week to come next Monday!
Love Elder Morris
PS
Have you, Nate and MeClean, and Josh, gotten my letters? I wrote you but still haven't received any reply. It’s been a long time. :( I sent pictures and everything... I hope my mail didn't get lost. :(
Monday, October 19, 2009
And the rockers read.... Rolling Stone?
Oct 18th, 2009
Ok, here I am pday of week 6. Did I mention I may very well transfer? Well, it may happen. I have very mixed feelings on the subject... I have become quite the P-dub however so a new area and companion would probably whip me into shape.... however, THIS AREA IS ABOUT TO EXPLODE. I knew it before... but now I really know it! For some reason yesterday, all of a sudden, the whole branch loved me. Everyone was like "Elder Morris [this]" and "Elder Morris [that]". The members actually all came to the aid of our investigators and fellow-shipped them. Wow, they actually trust us missionaries finally, and now they are getting excited! Also President Roque found out that there is a multitude of single adults attending the Manhattan singles ward who are actually in our boundaries and should be attending our branch! So he cracked the whip and pulled some strings and wrote an email, and as a result, our branch is growing! Wow. It literally is at the tender point and it just needs to be pushed. I really feel like I could make a big difference here. I really feel determined and motivated now. On top of that I am sick of not having the kind of success that I know this area could have. I'm sick of my "greenie" ways being rejected. I have news for you world, the MTC is a place where God inspires teachers and missionaries and teaches them the ways that move the work of God in any location on earth! I am sick of hearing the phrase "well that doesn't work here in Bushwick" or "Well they don't know Bushwick" or "Well the MTC does teach you good things... but they don't teach you how to be a missionary in New York". This mission is not exempt from what works everywhere else. I don't want my Ideas to be shot down. I want to help and serve the people I have come to love. I just figured out this branch! They just figured out that I'm serious and not weird! If I could stay here, I would work so hard to get things to work out. I will be fearless; but alas, the Lord knows best about what should happen with me... It may be I already got my chance and I failed. I know that I am in the right place, and I know where ever the Lord puts me next is the right place. I just need to align my will with his.
OK Sorry for the venting session. I hope I didn't waste anyone’s time.
So. I have written a bunch of you (McLean and Nate and others) and sent you pictures and things.... but it’s been quite a while and I have not received any word. Did you get my letters? Or did the USPS eat another irreplaceable and innocent letter? You had best notify me at once if you have not received any mail from me. I will shout and pound my fists and then write you a new letter. OK?
Guess what? I just got a haircut for only $5! The lady was Spanish and we talked to each other in Spanglish. She even pulled out the razor to clean me up! It rocked and she cut it just how I wanted it! Woot! I was scared at first, but it just goes to show, sometimes you need to trust others, even when it’s hard to understand them.
We cleaned up our branch list a lot this week. Its amazing how there are lists of like 500-600 people who are members and you only get 50 on a good day at church; but like I said, this branch is gonna explode!
I've been pretty bad this week with my journal writing. I have gone through a lot of highs and lows with my mood, drive, and love of my comp. Its really funny how quick things can change, sadly every time I went to write I was either so sleepy I couldn't keep my head up, or I wasn't in the mood. Actually, I fell asleep on my journal and left a big drool mark! lol. Sad day, we had more drama with Brittany this week. You don't need to know it all, but I will tell you she makes promises that she doesn't keep. :( We will be moving her to the back burner. Sadly Shakora too.
WE had a lot of amazing meetings this week that got me excited and a little more confident with my street contacting and my relationships with my comps and my study habits. I’d like to study as well as I did in the MTC.
We have started teaching a lady named Dawn. Her husband died this week. The cause of death is unknown, so she has no closure and is having a really hard time. She has 3 kids all with varying degrees of "a.d.d." Wow. She came to church though! And to my surprise the relief society relieved her! Her kids were taken care of and she was succored! A member offered her a meal Sunday night! And the president’s wife drove her home! Her kids didn't want to leave church! They were given a Family Proclamation! They got treats and candies! I beat up the 7 year old! It felt so good! It was a fiasco at first but I felt soooo good afterward! Kelvin’s confirmation was Sunday too! It made things even better! Gererado a member of the Spanish branch (who is my very favorite member) is going to come over to our branch as 2nd councilor and help strengthen the branch! Its gonna rock.
My mind is all over the place and I am having a hard time writing right now sorry. I don't think I am conveying everything how I am meaning too. There are a lot of details left out I’m sure, sorry.
So... something funny happened, a lady drove by us on her bike while we were waiting fro Kelvin to buzz us into his apartment, and this is what she said, "OH LORD! Its the white man and his evil God!" Can you believe it! lol. Wow. Elder Orr responded, "Wow, that was a new one! Good job." After she left I thought, "What we should have said was “He's your God too'" lol.
That’s about it I guess.
Peace out!
-Elder Morris
Ok, here I am pday of week 6. Did I mention I may very well transfer? Well, it may happen. I have very mixed feelings on the subject... I have become quite the P-dub however so a new area and companion would probably whip me into shape.... however, THIS AREA IS ABOUT TO EXPLODE. I knew it before... but now I really know it! For some reason yesterday, all of a sudden, the whole branch loved me. Everyone was like "Elder Morris [this]" and "Elder Morris [that]". The members actually all came to the aid of our investigators and fellow-shipped them. Wow, they actually trust us missionaries finally, and now they are getting excited! Also President Roque found out that there is a multitude of single adults attending the Manhattan singles ward who are actually in our boundaries and should be attending our branch! So he cracked the whip and pulled some strings and wrote an email, and as a result, our branch is growing! Wow. It literally is at the tender point and it just needs to be pushed. I really feel like I could make a big difference here. I really feel determined and motivated now. On top of that I am sick of not having the kind of success that I know this area could have. I'm sick of my "greenie" ways being rejected. I have news for you world, the MTC is a place where God inspires teachers and missionaries and teaches them the ways that move the work of God in any location on earth! I am sick of hearing the phrase "well that doesn't work here in Bushwick" or "Well they don't know Bushwick" or "Well the MTC does teach you good things... but they don't teach you how to be a missionary in New York". This mission is not exempt from what works everywhere else. I don't want my Ideas to be shot down. I want to help and serve the people I have come to love. I just figured out this branch! They just figured out that I'm serious and not weird! If I could stay here, I would work so hard to get things to work out. I will be fearless; but alas, the Lord knows best about what should happen with me... It may be I already got my chance and I failed. I know that I am in the right place, and I know where ever the Lord puts me next is the right place. I just need to align my will with his.
OK Sorry for the venting session. I hope I didn't waste anyone’s time.
So. I have written a bunch of you (McLean and Nate and others) and sent you pictures and things.... but it’s been quite a while and I have not received any word. Did you get my letters? Or did the USPS eat another irreplaceable and innocent letter? You had best notify me at once if you have not received any mail from me. I will shout and pound my fists and then write you a new letter. OK?
Guess what? I just got a haircut for only $5! The lady was Spanish and we talked to each other in Spanglish. She even pulled out the razor to clean me up! It rocked and she cut it just how I wanted it! Woot! I was scared at first, but it just goes to show, sometimes you need to trust others, even when it’s hard to understand them.
We cleaned up our branch list a lot this week. Its amazing how there are lists of like 500-600 people who are members and you only get 50 on a good day at church; but like I said, this branch is gonna explode!
I've been pretty bad this week with my journal writing. I have gone through a lot of highs and lows with my mood, drive, and love of my comp. Its really funny how quick things can change, sadly every time I went to write I was either so sleepy I couldn't keep my head up, or I wasn't in the mood. Actually, I fell asleep on my journal and left a big drool mark! lol. Sad day, we had more drama with Brittany this week. You don't need to know it all, but I will tell you she makes promises that she doesn't keep. :( We will be moving her to the back burner. Sadly Shakora too.
WE had a lot of amazing meetings this week that got me excited and a little more confident with my street contacting and my relationships with my comps and my study habits. I’d like to study as well as I did in the MTC.
We have started teaching a lady named Dawn. Her husband died this week. The cause of death is unknown, so she has no closure and is having a really hard time. She has 3 kids all with varying degrees of "a.d.d." Wow. She came to church though! And to my surprise the relief society relieved her! Her kids were taken care of and she was succored! A member offered her a meal Sunday night! And the president’s wife drove her home! Her kids didn't want to leave church! They were given a Family Proclamation! They got treats and candies! I beat up the 7 year old! It felt so good! It was a fiasco at first but I felt soooo good afterward! Kelvin’s confirmation was Sunday too! It made things even better! Gererado a member of the Spanish branch (who is my very favorite member) is going to come over to our branch as 2nd councilor and help strengthen the branch! Its gonna rock.
My mind is all over the place and I am having a hard time writing right now sorry. I don't think I am conveying everything how I am meaning too. There are a lot of details left out I’m sure, sorry.
So... something funny happened, a lady drove by us on her bike while we were waiting fro Kelvin to buzz us into his apartment, and this is what she said, "OH LORD! Its the white man and his evil God!" Can you believe it! lol. Wow. Elder Orr responded, "Wow, that was a new one! Good job." After she left I thought, "What we should have said was “He's your God too'" lol.
That’s about it I guess.
Peace out!
-Elder Morris
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
And then we were all wet...
October 12th, 2009 email
And the Pad was P-dub, but the work did pres forward. Unfortunately the spiritual High from Conference just made me trunkie for home and not excited for missionary work. However, it did strengthen my testimony a lot! :)
Sometimes people are crazy. Sometimes Cops abuse power. Sometimes the scariest looking people are the nicest. Sometimes there are streets in two different parts of town that have the exact same name and both cross a particular Ave.. Sometimes people you expect to do certain things don't do them. Sometimes people you don't expect to do certain things do them. Sometimes People rock! Sometimes people die. Sometimes there’s nothing you can do for someone but pray. Sometimes you catch on Phire. Sometimes you spell the word fire with a ph if you want to be funny. Sometimes people say exactly what you said a few minutes after and get a different response because of who they are, and no one really seems to notice. Sometimes the people forget accountability is not a one way road. Sometimes people use words like "unsuccess" and not as a joke.
The truth is things happen. Unfortunately you have no control over what others do. Actually I believe most people consider themselves the main character of a movie called Life; the funny part is everybody is in that movie. Sometimes no matter how hard you try, it just isn't going to happen the way you want. Fortunately when you do what is right because you know its right, even when it seems so silly or stupid to do it, or you will be unpopular if you do, you will be blessed. Unfortunately we don't always recognize certain things as blessings until some time has passed. Sometimes we cause ourselves physical problems because of stress (if you want proof, just ask the mission doctor of any mission). Sometimes someone else knows better than you do. On the converse, there are some people you believe they know better than you, when they really don't... in those times you Stand up for what you know is right. Sometimes things that have always worked for you in the past suddenly don't work.... what happened differently?.... Sometimes we have to know how to sew. Sometimes the very thing you hate is the very thing you love; sometimes that thing is a city called Brooklyn. Sometimes life unfolds in a way that will surprise you. Sometimes you do things you didn't know you could do.
I bet your all pretty sick of me saying sometimes now huh. Let me switch things up.
Always, your trials are for your gain. Always, your trials help you to better relate with others or better have empathy for others. Always, God loves you. Always, God wants us to be happy and successful.
Good news:
I had my first baptism! LOL! Ha ha. This really was one of those cases where you know you had nothing to do with it. Kelvin Cintron fell into our laps. It was God who prepared Kelvin, and it was his spirit that converted him. I baptized Kelvin. I was really nervous that I would accidentally say the baptism for the dead prayer... I was also nervous I would drop him or fall over. Everything worked out great. :) I was planning on playing the hymns for the program..... That stressed me out! I was soooooooooo relieved when The District President showed up and started playing prelude music! lol..... wow. I was relieved from playing piano and could focus on just the baptism. Kelvin Gave an Amazing testimony afterwords! Wow. He has been alone in that apartment away from people and contact for soooo many years! Yet, he stood up in front of everyone and told them how he wasn't used to talking in front of people but that he would do his best. Then he told them how he has been a lone wolf his whole life, but recently he has felt more like a lost sheep. He knows he has been brought back into the fold. He thanked the people for welcoming him into the family! his growth astounds me. Not only spiritually but socially, and only in 4 weeks!
Some more good news:
We have figured out that Shakora responds to texts! so now we can get a hold of her anytime!
We dropped Brittany on Friday! but then..... Last night we moved her from dropped to progressing! LOL... we just dropped by her house... I don't know why cause we dropped her! lol... but I’m glad we did cause when we got there she acted like old times. She told us that she could tell the difference in her life when we were teaching her and she was going to church and when she wasn't. She committed to read the book of Mormon and she says she feels better about baptism than she did before. She asked us to give her test on the reading assignments we give her! LOL.
Anyway, my time is up. I love you!
Elder Morris. (Sam)
P.S.
Someone threw an egg at us this week. Don’t worry it wasn't a direct hit, and everything came off with a baby wipe. ;)
And the Pad was P-dub, but the work did pres forward. Unfortunately the spiritual High from Conference just made me trunkie for home and not excited for missionary work. However, it did strengthen my testimony a lot! :)
Sometimes people are crazy. Sometimes Cops abuse power. Sometimes the scariest looking people are the nicest. Sometimes there are streets in two different parts of town that have the exact same name and both cross a particular Ave.. Sometimes people you expect to do certain things don't do them. Sometimes people you don't expect to do certain things do them. Sometimes People rock! Sometimes people die. Sometimes there’s nothing you can do for someone but pray. Sometimes you catch on Phire. Sometimes you spell the word fire with a ph if you want to be funny. Sometimes people say exactly what you said a few minutes after and get a different response because of who they are, and no one really seems to notice. Sometimes the people forget accountability is not a one way road. Sometimes people use words like "unsuccess" and not as a joke.
The truth is things happen. Unfortunately you have no control over what others do. Actually I believe most people consider themselves the main character of a movie called Life; the funny part is everybody is in that movie. Sometimes no matter how hard you try, it just isn't going to happen the way you want. Fortunately when you do what is right because you know its right, even when it seems so silly or stupid to do it, or you will be unpopular if you do, you will be blessed. Unfortunately we don't always recognize certain things as blessings until some time has passed. Sometimes we cause ourselves physical problems because of stress (if you want proof, just ask the mission doctor of any mission). Sometimes someone else knows better than you do. On the converse, there are some people you believe they know better than you, when they really don't... in those times you Stand up for what you know is right. Sometimes things that have always worked for you in the past suddenly don't work.... what happened differently?.... Sometimes we have to know how to sew. Sometimes the very thing you hate is the very thing you love; sometimes that thing is a city called Brooklyn. Sometimes life unfolds in a way that will surprise you. Sometimes you do things you didn't know you could do.
I bet your all pretty sick of me saying sometimes now huh. Let me switch things up.
Always, your trials are for your gain. Always, your trials help you to better relate with others or better have empathy for others. Always, God loves you. Always, God wants us to be happy and successful.
Good news:
I had my first baptism! LOL! Ha ha. This really was one of those cases where you know you had nothing to do with it. Kelvin Cintron fell into our laps. It was God who prepared Kelvin, and it was his spirit that converted him. I baptized Kelvin. I was really nervous that I would accidentally say the baptism for the dead prayer... I was also nervous I would drop him or fall over. Everything worked out great. :) I was planning on playing the hymns for the program..... That stressed me out! I was soooooooooo relieved when The District President showed up and started playing prelude music! lol..... wow. I was relieved from playing piano and could focus on just the baptism. Kelvin Gave an Amazing testimony afterwords! Wow. He has been alone in that apartment away from people and contact for soooo many years! Yet, he stood up in front of everyone and told them how he wasn't used to talking in front of people but that he would do his best. Then he told them how he has been a lone wolf his whole life, but recently he has felt more like a lost sheep. He knows he has been brought back into the fold. He thanked the people for welcoming him into the family! his growth astounds me. Not only spiritually but socially, and only in 4 weeks!
Some more good news:
We have figured out that Shakora responds to texts! so now we can get a hold of her anytime!
We dropped Brittany on Friday! but then..... Last night we moved her from dropped to progressing! LOL... we just dropped by her house... I don't know why cause we dropped her! lol... but I’m glad we did cause when we got there she acted like old times. She told us that she could tell the difference in her life when we were teaching her and she was going to church and when she wasn't. She committed to read the book of Mormon and she says she feels better about baptism than she did before. She asked us to give her test on the reading assignments we give her! LOL.
Anyway, my time is up. I love you!
Elder Morris. (Sam)
P.S.
Someone threw an egg at us this week. Don’t worry it wasn't a direct hit, and everything came off with a baby wipe. ;)
A New Pad
Elder Sam Morris email September 28, 2009
This week we moved. The new place is very, very nice! It’s probably the nicest pad in the mission now... well at least the zone. It’s by two schools and in a nice neighborhood. It’s really close to the train which makes things nice. Unfortunately it’s not very close to a supermarket. But the library is right next to it! (Sorry about spelling, I’m in a rush and I’m not a good speller. you know what I mean though.)
This morning I cut my hair. Ha ha. I left the top again but cut the back and sides, cleaned up around my ears and my neck. It’s starting to look a little emo! lol. :) I'm excited. I will part it when I am out in public, so it will just look like a very clean hair cut with a part, kind of early 50's looking! I’m just glad the sides aren't poufy now, I’m sick of having a 5 year old's hair cut! lol. It really doesn't help my cause of people thinking I’m 13. I'm considering asking pres if he will let me grow a mustache so people will quit interrupting my testimonies to ask how old I am!
So I have had 2 or 3 people at church ask if I was giving the lesson and when I said no, they were disappointed and said, "Oh, ok, that’s ok. Maybe next time." lol. It made me feel pretty good.
on Saturday (I’m kinda going in reverse order here! lol) we went to our investigator Kelvin's house. Last time we showed him the Testaments. So when we walked in and said a prayer and were about to get into lesson 3 he said "so, last time you showed me one of your favorite movies so now I want to show you one of my favorites!" we couldn't turn him down! it was like if we did we would offend him! he said "its kind of about the same subject as the one you showed me!" he showed us the cover as he put in the movie and started it, "The Robe" with Richard Burton. lol. It was 2 hrs and 15ish minutes! wow. Ha ha. it was good though. kind of like Ben Hur or the Ten commandments. Only it was about the Tribune (roman soldier) who crucified Jesus and gambled for his robe. He turns into a Christian; it’s worth seeing. :)
On Friday we had a CDM. It was good, I took a lot of notes for the workshop "faith in place of doubt" it was good. I will send them home maybe... some main thoughts I liked were "Actions Speak Louder Than Words", "Faith is a principal of action and power", "If you think you cant, you won't", "be like Nephi and say 'I don't know how its gonna work, but God does' and then do it!" and the last one "how many Major blessings are we missing out on by not following the little small/'stupid' rules. Like the story of Naaman and Elijah"
On Thursday I realized a lot of little black girls wear. I organized my desk.
This week we were going to go to a potentials house. I said that we should call to see if she was even home so we didn't waste time going over if she wasn't even interested/at home. Elder Orr said that we should just go over anyway. I said ok. so we headed over there. We didn't even get to where we were heading, but on the way a lady stopped us and told us that the spirit told her to ask us for a bible! Wow! While she talked to us she said that the spirit was there while we talked to her! Can you believe it? If we would have done what I said we would have never met this lady. The lesson I learned from this was be in the right place at the right time. Don’t get lazy with the work with your cell phone and such. Just go forward in Faith and God will pave the way!
Tuesday and Wednesday were basically packing cleaning and moving. so nothing really to talk about. Only, we stacked a bunch of mattresses princess and the pea style! And I got pictures of Elder Haggard jumping through the air like superman on to them! Cool. I swept up a dead mouse that was by where I was sleeping and I didn't even know it! >:P Also, I swept up a lot of rat poo. I found like 30 ties! so I sprayed Fabreeze on them and numbered them in the order that you could sew them together into a skirt! Cool huh! I'm gonna send them to kitty! It could be pretty cool. :)
So I didn't get much time to practice violin this week.... but last week I was able to play a d major scale and place a few songs sight reading from the hymn book! :)
This week I was able to play the piano! Woot! and I was feeling very creative because I had just talked to a 6 foot 10 guy (no joke) who talked to me about creative energy and love and how man a woman were once one spirit creation and then God separated them into male and female (kind of like how he did with our physical bodies) and that’s why when we are united in with our spouse their is love! Because love is created from the energy made from reuniting those spirit creations in the flesh! And a whole lot of other crazy stuff I didn't understand fully! He had a very, very progressive way of speaking! he would change subjects with no notification of doing so! lol. He had a very, very positive energy about him! His aura must have been 12 feet in radius! It was like a sci-fi movie! I turned around and boom he was there talking to me about the most cosmic of subjects in the most advanced of ways. He truly was the perfect example of someone operating on a separate plane of existence, reality, and mindset. I practically had a paradigm switch just listening. They way I felt around Him was nice, I felt expanded... anyway. With that way of feeling and playing the piano, I was kind of on a spiritual high. Unfortunately it didn't last the whole week. I wish I knew the way to get myself to feel like that in my own personal study; any way, I should probably go.
I LOVE YOU GUYS! Really truly, I am trying my best; but I need extra prayers right now... is that cool? Thanks
Love Sam
This week we moved. The new place is very, very nice! It’s probably the nicest pad in the mission now... well at least the zone. It’s by two schools and in a nice neighborhood. It’s really close to the train which makes things nice. Unfortunately it’s not very close to a supermarket. But the library is right next to it! (Sorry about spelling, I’m in a rush and I’m not a good speller. you know what I mean though.)
This morning I cut my hair. Ha ha. I left the top again but cut the back and sides, cleaned up around my ears and my neck. It’s starting to look a little emo! lol. :) I'm excited. I will part it when I am out in public, so it will just look like a very clean hair cut with a part, kind of early 50's looking! I’m just glad the sides aren't poufy now, I’m sick of having a 5 year old's hair cut! lol. It really doesn't help my cause of people thinking I’m 13. I'm considering asking pres if he will let me grow a mustache so people will quit interrupting my testimonies to ask how old I am!
So I have had 2 or 3 people at church ask if I was giving the lesson and when I said no, they were disappointed and said, "Oh, ok, that’s ok. Maybe next time." lol. It made me feel pretty good.
on Saturday (I’m kinda going in reverse order here! lol) we went to our investigator Kelvin's house. Last time we showed him the Testaments. So when we walked in and said a prayer and were about to get into lesson 3 he said "so, last time you showed me one of your favorite movies so now I want to show you one of my favorites!" we couldn't turn him down! it was like if we did we would offend him! he said "its kind of about the same subject as the one you showed me!" he showed us the cover as he put in the movie and started it, "The Robe" with Richard Burton. lol. It was 2 hrs and 15ish minutes! wow. Ha ha. it was good though. kind of like Ben Hur or the Ten commandments. Only it was about the Tribune (roman soldier) who crucified Jesus and gambled for his robe. He turns into a Christian; it’s worth seeing. :)
On Friday we had a CDM. It was good, I took a lot of notes for the workshop "faith in place of doubt" it was good. I will send them home maybe... some main thoughts I liked were "Actions Speak Louder Than Words", "Faith is a principal of action and power", "If you think you cant, you won't", "be like Nephi and say 'I don't know how its gonna work, but God does' and then do it!" and the last one "how many Major blessings are we missing out on by not following the little small/'stupid' rules. Like the story of Naaman and Elijah"
On Thursday I realized a lot of little black girls wear. I organized my desk.
This week we were going to go to a potentials house. I said that we should call to see if she was even home so we didn't waste time going over if she wasn't even interested/at home. Elder Orr said that we should just go over anyway. I said ok. so we headed over there. We didn't even get to where we were heading, but on the way a lady stopped us and told us that the spirit told her to ask us for a bible! Wow! While she talked to us she said that the spirit was there while we talked to her! Can you believe it? If we would have done what I said we would have never met this lady. The lesson I learned from this was be in the right place at the right time. Don’t get lazy with the work with your cell phone and such. Just go forward in Faith and God will pave the way!
Tuesday and Wednesday were basically packing cleaning and moving. so nothing really to talk about. Only, we stacked a bunch of mattresses princess and the pea style! And I got pictures of Elder Haggard jumping through the air like superman on to them! Cool. I swept up a dead mouse that was by where I was sleeping and I didn't even know it! >:P Also, I swept up a lot of rat poo. I found like 30 ties! so I sprayed Fabreeze on them and numbered them in the order that you could sew them together into a skirt! Cool huh! I'm gonna send them to kitty! It could be pretty cool. :)
So I didn't get much time to practice violin this week.... but last week I was able to play a d major scale and place a few songs sight reading from the hymn book! :)
This week I was able to play the piano! Woot! and I was feeling very creative because I had just talked to a 6 foot 10 guy (no joke) who talked to me about creative energy and love and how man a woman were once one spirit creation and then God separated them into male and female (kind of like how he did with our physical bodies) and that’s why when we are united in with our spouse their is love! Because love is created from the energy made from reuniting those spirit creations in the flesh! And a whole lot of other crazy stuff I didn't understand fully! He had a very, very progressive way of speaking! he would change subjects with no notification of doing so! lol. He had a very, very positive energy about him! His aura must have been 12 feet in radius! It was like a sci-fi movie! I turned around and boom he was there talking to me about the most cosmic of subjects in the most advanced of ways. He truly was the perfect example of someone operating on a separate plane of existence, reality, and mindset. I practically had a paradigm switch just listening. They way I felt around Him was nice, I felt expanded... anyway. With that way of feeling and playing the piano, I was kind of on a spiritual high. Unfortunately it didn't last the whole week. I wish I knew the way to get myself to feel like that in my own personal study; any way, I should probably go.
I LOVE YOU GUYS! Really truly, I am trying my best; but I need extra prayers right now... is that cool? Thanks
Love Sam
Monday, September 21, 2009
Life in the Hood goes on
Mass Email from Sam September 21, 2009
Ok fools! jk. I love you. This is mine own mass message to all concerning the things of the week I just concluded.
I am sorry. I didn't get out the pictures like I said I would this last week. But I did end up making prints. some of them turned out dumb... I’m sorry, but I will be sending them this week sometime. I won't be sending Nate’s or Mclean’s pictures however until I receive a letter from them first. heh heh.
So... September 11th in Bushwick was weak status. If I had no idea what the significance of that day was, then I would have thought that it was just a regular day, because I saw no special memorials or events going on. No tee-shirts, no flags, no parades, no singing. people just did what they do everyday. pee in elevators, cuss and yell at each-other about race, and ride public transportation with their ipod in. so Alpine, Utah, 2000 miles away, did more to remember September 11th in a patriotic way than the people I saw in Brooklyn. The sad part is, a lot of people from Brooklyn had lots of connections to that event. the only two things I saw concerning 911 was a mural on a wall (that was here before I got here) and an add for an insurance company that helps people claim compensation for ailments still apparent in people that are supposedly caused from the 11th. For example wheezing and stomach aches could entitle you to compensation.
wow. I am sick of racism. Someone has either yelled to me that I was a racist or a cracker, brought up race in the middle of a lesson, or come up to talk to me about stuff in a drunken anger expelling frustrations based on color, every day this last week. It really sucks. the people who care so much about race are the racists. I don't care at all until they bring it up, and then it just makes me sad that they are limiting their success and their relationship with God based on some ridiculous thing. It’s so sad.
I saw something in big white letters this week on a fence, "Obama's Fed tax is killing our businesses!" it made me laugh a little bit. The reason why is because most of the people here voted for him because he was black. They all have pictures of him in their business windows... yet, he is making it harder for them to succeed in their businesses. Sad huh.
This week I met with a 47 year old man named Kelvin Sintron. He was born and raised and still lives in the same apartment his whole life. He left Brooklyn once to visit family in Puerto Rico with his mother when he was 19. He collects action figures and dolls and other similar memorabilia. Religion is a "new thing" to him. He studied with Catholics and Jehovah's witnesses in bible studies in his life a couple times though. he has a hard time praying, but he is working on it. He has learning disabilities, and I think he has Slight autism. Yet! he understands and comprehends better the lessons taught him and the things he reads in the book of Mormon better than any investigator I have taught yet. He came with us to both the Saturday and Sunday session of District conference and was "very impressed". I am excited for him. It’s going well.
This week Shakora Wood told us not to give up on her. She came to church finally!!!!!! It was the Sunday district conference! she was excited beyond belief and loved it. She told me she is so excited to get baptized. she cannot wait. I told her about how relief society is the largest women's organization and she was astounded! I hope this will motivate her to get married soon. I don't get how people can be doing everything a married couple is doing and not get married. It’s stupid. They could be saving money at least by claiming the benefits of a legal state marriage. Geez. I’m so excited for her though! :) she met Liz a member going to school in Manhattan who moved here from Nevada (who went on a mission to upstate New York) and they got along really well. Liz chastened us later for not inviting her to lessons with her. She was right; especially because they live on the same street.
Brittany Arner has been seeming to ignore us. She told us last night we could come over if she woke up in time to call us before she went to work. (shake head, no) we ended up having a media referral right next to her house. We debated and prayed weather or not to go over to see her (since she was supposedly sleeping). We walked that way asking the lord to give us a sign. We ran into her brother David shortly after passing her house and seeing her light was on. He told us she was out! we felt like "well that’s our answer, she is just trying to avoid us" about 2 min later we saw her walking toward us. She gave us an awkward hug and began excusing why she was not sleeping. We talked, goofed around; I did the jerk (a dumb dance move to a popular rap). Then we told her it was required that she get work off for general conference. Then this guy came up who smelled drunk, demanding we tell him about the definitions or words such as equality and justice. Then he told us how he had the full armor on. He kept asking if we had the full armor, while he pointed out that his full armor was a red shirt and hat. LOL. What a punk. He has blood armor on.... wow that is trusting in the arm of flesh for sure. I know I have armor. It’s the full armor of God. Brittany surprisingly stood up for us. Eventually he left. We have an appointment with Brittany tonight. I hope it works out.
Funny things that happened this week:
I saw many bearded women.
I learned about how my favorite cartoon when I was little was called "Wacky Races"! I was glad to hear it.
I heard a guy pushing a cart and it sounded just like the wood bin from stage crew! lol.
I saw the 60 year old black version of Ange. That was funny.
I saw a lady with such big dreads she looked like the Star Wars aliens that hang out with Jaba the Hut in the metal bikinis!
President Bangetter talked at conference and it made me feel at home!
I love you all
-Elder Morris
Ok fools! jk. I love you. This is mine own mass message to all concerning the things of the week I just concluded.
I am sorry. I didn't get out the pictures like I said I would this last week. But I did end up making prints. some of them turned out dumb... I’m sorry, but I will be sending them this week sometime. I won't be sending Nate’s or Mclean’s pictures however until I receive a letter from them first. heh heh.
So... September 11th in Bushwick was weak status. If I had no idea what the significance of that day was, then I would have thought that it was just a regular day, because I saw no special memorials or events going on. No tee-shirts, no flags, no parades, no singing. people just did what they do everyday. pee in elevators, cuss and yell at each-other about race, and ride public transportation with their ipod in. so Alpine, Utah, 2000 miles away, did more to remember September 11th in a patriotic way than the people I saw in Brooklyn. The sad part is, a lot of people from Brooklyn had lots of connections to that event. the only two things I saw concerning 911 was a mural on a wall (that was here before I got here) and an add for an insurance company that helps people claim compensation for ailments still apparent in people that are supposedly caused from the 11th. For example wheezing and stomach aches could entitle you to compensation.
wow. I am sick of racism. Someone has either yelled to me that I was a racist or a cracker, brought up race in the middle of a lesson, or come up to talk to me about stuff in a drunken anger expelling frustrations based on color, every day this last week. It really sucks. the people who care so much about race are the racists. I don't care at all until they bring it up, and then it just makes me sad that they are limiting their success and their relationship with God based on some ridiculous thing. It’s so sad.
I saw something in big white letters this week on a fence, "Obama's Fed tax is killing our businesses!" it made me laugh a little bit. The reason why is because most of the people here voted for him because he was black. They all have pictures of him in their business windows... yet, he is making it harder for them to succeed in their businesses. Sad huh.
This week I met with a 47 year old man named Kelvin Sintron. He was born and raised and still lives in the same apartment his whole life. He left Brooklyn once to visit family in Puerto Rico with his mother when he was 19. He collects action figures and dolls and other similar memorabilia. Religion is a "new thing" to him. He studied with Catholics and Jehovah's witnesses in bible studies in his life a couple times though. he has a hard time praying, but he is working on it. He has learning disabilities, and I think he has Slight autism. Yet! he understands and comprehends better the lessons taught him and the things he reads in the book of Mormon better than any investigator I have taught yet. He came with us to both the Saturday and Sunday session of District conference and was "very impressed". I am excited for him. It’s going well.
This week Shakora Wood told us not to give up on her. She came to church finally!!!!!! It was the Sunday district conference! she was excited beyond belief and loved it. She told me she is so excited to get baptized. she cannot wait. I told her about how relief society is the largest women's organization and she was astounded! I hope this will motivate her to get married soon. I don't get how people can be doing everything a married couple is doing and not get married. It’s stupid. They could be saving money at least by claiming the benefits of a legal state marriage. Geez. I’m so excited for her though! :) she met Liz a member going to school in Manhattan who moved here from Nevada (who went on a mission to upstate New York) and they got along really well. Liz chastened us later for not inviting her to lessons with her. She was right; especially because they live on the same street.
Brittany Arner has been seeming to ignore us. She told us last night we could come over if she woke up in time to call us before she went to work. (shake head, no) we ended up having a media referral right next to her house. We debated and prayed weather or not to go over to see her (since she was supposedly sleeping). We walked that way asking the lord to give us a sign. We ran into her brother David shortly after passing her house and seeing her light was on. He told us she was out! we felt like "well that’s our answer, she is just trying to avoid us" about 2 min later we saw her walking toward us. She gave us an awkward hug and began excusing why she was not sleeping. We talked, goofed around; I did the jerk (a dumb dance move to a popular rap). Then we told her it was required that she get work off for general conference. Then this guy came up who smelled drunk, demanding we tell him about the definitions or words such as equality and justice. Then he told us how he had the full armor on. He kept asking if we had the full armor, while he pointed out that his full armor was a red shirt and hat. LOL. What a punk. He has blood armor on.... wow that is trusting in the arm of flesh for sure. I know I have armor. It’s the full armor of God. Brittany surprisingly stood up for us. Eventually he left. We have an appointment with Brittany tonight. I hope it works out.
Funny things that happened this week:
I saw many bearded women.
I learned about how my favorite cartoon when I was little was called "Wacky Races"! I was glad to hear it.
I heard a guy pushing a cart and it sounded just like the wood bin from stage crew! lol.
I saw the 60 year old black version of Ange. That was funny.
I saw a lady with such big dreads she looked like the Star Wars aliens that hang out with Jaba the Hut in the metal bikinis!
President Bangetter talked at conference and it made me feel at home!
I love you all
-Elder Morris
Labor Day and 911 in Brooklyn
Email from Sam Sept 13th, 2009
So there it is, my first transfer is over. (a transfer is 6 weeks. at the end of each transfer you may or may not move and change companions) I will be staying with my new companion, we will probably be moving into that new pad I told you all about on Thursday the soonest. I would love to say that I finished off my first transfer strong, but I can't. :( It was a very rough week. between no one being out on Labor Day, me going on exchanges with the Spanish elders Tuesday, p-day being in the middle of the week, Thursday being planning and having no appointments, Friday being combined district meeting and having no appointments (besides a dinner appointment), and the ridiculous "p-dub"ness in the pad this week, nothing was accomplished. I was the only elder in the pad that got up before 7 everyday this week. I was the only one who tried to make it to bed on time the whole week. It’s really hard to focus and do what you are supposed to when you are basically the only one doing it. On Saturday I kinda just fell asleep on the floor because I was the only one up and it was hard to read scriptures when I was so tired from everyone staying up late making noise. Elder Black compared me to Nephi of old because I’m trying to do what’s right but my older brothers (elders) are being bad examples. Don’t get me wrong, I have learned a lot from these elders, I love them! But this week truly was embracing. Orr said we are starting off this transfer strong. I am going to hold him to it.
Our investigator Shakora has been making up excuses why she can't see us or come to church. We are thinking we have to just drop her and wait for her to attempt to come to us... because we are wasting our time trying to go over all the time just to have her not answer the door or not answer her phone. It makes me really sad because she was so solid; she had a baptism date and everything.
Brittany is still really solid... however she is not committed now. She is gonna need more time than we thought before she gets baptized. So we went from 3 baptism dates to 0.
Thanks for the underwear stretching instructions.
No, I didn't go to the US Open. My comp went with another companion. We made exchanges that day. The reason why is because my comp and Elder Haggered bought tickets. Elder black and I did not. So for that day we switched companions. Yeah... the tickets were $140 each. Plus they got souvenirs. That made me feel a little better about getting something that will last me a long time for 100. The violin is really nice! I was surprised! It came with a really nice case, rosin, a bow, and a tuner. They said if you spent $100 it would be free shipping, other wise it was almost $30 for shipping, so I got nice (replacement) strings. Basically I got really nice $28 strings for $8 if you pretend that I prayed for shipping. So that’s what I did. I actually picked it up faster than I thought I would... I played a hymn sight reading yesterday on it. I'm not good though. I really hope the Lord qualifies me so that I can be useful to his plan for me with this (basically heaven gifted) violin. Otherwise I will feel selfish. Cause the plan was for SammyTells to pay for the mission! Not souvenirs. I don't want to waste precious donations that I really don't deserve in the first place.
Thanks for the advice on the violin. (Advise from mom: Sometimes we are prompted to do things and it isn't until later we really realize why the prompting was so important. The violin is a good example. Listen to your promptings and don't second guess them.)
Anyway, I named the violin Bushwick Baby. It really is very nice. It will be great to learn on. I really did get an unheard of deal. It feels like the Lord answered my prayer. I just feel almost though like I didn't want him to answer my prayer though. anyway. :)
I have a lot of cool and funny pictures to send you all! I will probably send them today. There is this awesome picture of me wearing Violeta's leather jacket (a Spanish member who is very small!) and I'm wet so my hair looks all greased and 50's sexy. That was Friday night. Friday night we went to Geraldo's house (A Spanish member who served a mission in Salt Lake City north) for a dinner appointment. Violeta is his little sister (she is 20... so not little in age just size... and she younger than him). We had amazingly yummy food. They are pretty much the nicest strongest members in Bushwick! They really treated us. When we were ending the DA we told them we were going to go to the Williamsburg Bridge to see the September 11th lights. so they said we will get a van! And they paid for us all to go together! it was super fun even though there were so many clouds that you couldn't see the tower lights. The city looked amazing! The clouds were along the top of all of Manhattan. It was very misty! Really it was Beautiful. For the first time being here I actually thought "I could live here" however it was with the accompanying thought "I would have to live in Williamsburg or Manhattan though. And I would have to be with my wife." I love the mountains and open space too much though to settle down in NY. I could only be here temporarily. It would be fun to visit. :)
ON the way home I put on Violeta's jacket and posed for the camera! I liked the look. Everyone was surprised as to how comfortable and good/natural I looked in it! Ha ha. They were like "Whoa, that’s probably the kind of stuff Morris wore at home!"
Anyway, I can't think of much else right now. I love you all. Thanks Scott and Jen for the pics of your cute baby! Thanks mom for keeping the blog updated.
As far as care packages... just send me anything that’s like homemade. I don't really need other stuff. I would love other stuff, probably not Jell-o unless its already made. lol. I just want mamma's cooking; things taste better when someone else made it with love.
-Love Elder Morris
So there it is, my first transfer is over. (a transfer is 6 weeks. at the end of each transfer you may or may not move and change companions) I will be staying with my new companion, we will probably be moving into that new pad I told you all about on Thursday the soonest. I would love to say that I finished off my first transfer strong, but I can't. :( It was a very rough week. between no one being out on Labor Day, me going on exchanges with the Spanish elders Tuesday, p-day being in the middle of the week, Thursday being planning and having no appointments, Friday being combined district meeting and having no appointments (besides a dinner appointment), and the ridiculous "p-dub"ness in the pad this week, nothing was accomplished. I was the only elder in the pad that got up before 7 everyday this week. I was the only one who tried to make it to bed on time the whole week. It’s really hard to focus and do what you are supposed to when you are basically the only one doing it. On Saturday I kinda just fell asleep on the floor because I was the only one up and it was hard to read scriptures when I was so tired from everyone staying up late making noise. Elder Black compared me to Nephi of old because I’m trying to do what’s right but my older brothers (elders) are being bad examples. Don’t get me wrong, I have learned a lot from these elders, I love them! But this week truly was embracing. Orr said we are starting off this transfer strong. I am going to hold him to it.
Our investigator Shakora has been making up excuses why she can't see us or come to church. We are thinking we have to just drop her and wait for her to attempt to come to us... because we are wasting our time trying to go over all the time just to have her not answer the door or not answer her phone. It makes me really sad because she was so solid; she had a baptism date and everything.
Brittany is still really solid... however she is not committed now. She is gonna need more time than we thought before she gets baptized. So we went from 3 baptism dates to 0.
Thanks for the underwear stretching instructions.
No, I didn't go to the US Open. My comp went with another companion. We made exchanges that day. The reason why is because my comp and Elder Haggered bought tickets. Elder black and I did not. So for that day we switched companions. Yeah... the tickets were $140 each. Plus they got souvenirs. That made me feel a little better about getting something that will last me a long time for 100. The violin is really nice! I was surprised! It came with a really nice case, rosin, a bow, and a tuner. They said if you spent $100 it would be free shipping, other wise it was almost $30 for shipping, so I got nice (replacement) strings. Basically I got really nice $28 strings for $8 if you pretend that I prayed for shipping. So that’s what I did. I actually picked it up faster than I thought I would... I played a hymn sight reading yesterday on it. I'm not good though. I really hope the Lord qualifies me so that I can be useful to his plan for me with this (basically heaven gifted) violin. Otherwise I will feel selfish. Cause the plan was for SammyTells to pay for the mission! Not souvenirs. I don't want to waste precious donations that I really don't deserve in the first place.
Thanks for the advice on the violin. (Advise from mom: Sometimes we are prompted to do things and it isn't until later we really realize why the prompting was so important. The violin is a good example. Listen to your promptings and don't second guess them.)
Anyway, I named the violin Bushwick Baby. It really is very nice. It will be great to learn on. I really did get an unheard of deal. It feels like the Lord answered my prayer. I just feel almost though like I didn't want him to answer my prayer though. anyway. :)
I have a lot of cool and funny pictures to send you all! I will probably send them today. There is this awesome picture of me wearing Violeta's leather jacket (a Spanish member who is very small!) and I'm wet so my hair looks all greased and 50's sexy. That was Friday night. Friday night we went to Geraldo's house (A Spanish member who served a mission in Salt Lake City north) for a dinner appointment. Violeta is his little sister (she is 20... so not little in age just size... and she younger than him). We had amazingly yummy food. They are pretty much the nicest strongest members in Bushwick! They really treated us. When we were ending the DA we told them we were going to go to the Williamsburg Bridge to see the September 11th lights. so they said we will get a van! And they paid for us all to go together! it was super fun even though there were so many clouds that you couldn't see the tower lights. The city looked amazing! The clouds were along the top of all of Manhattan. It was very misty! Really it was Beautiful. For the first time being here I actually thought "I could live here" however it was with the accompanying thought "I would have to live in Williamsburg or Manhattan though. And I would have to be with my wife." I love the mountains and open space too much though to settle down in NY. I could only be here temporarily. It would be fun to visit. :)
ON the way home I put on Violeta's jacket and posed for the camera! I liked the look. Everyone was surprised as to how comfortable and good/natural I looked in it! Ha ha. They were like "Whoa, that’s probably the kind of stuff Morris wore at home!"
Anyway, I can't think of much else right now. I love you all. Thanks Scott and Jen for the pics of your cute baby! Thanks mom for keeping the blog updated.
As far as care packages... just send me anything that’s like homemade. I don't really need other stuff. I would love other stuff, probably not Jell-o unless its already made. lol. I just want mamma's cooking; things taste better when someone else made it with love.
-Love Elder Morris
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Keeping up on the Slang
juked (jew-kt) It means stood up. They weren't there, or avoided you. It's actually a football and basket ball term. When someone fakes you out like they are going one direction so you try to stop them and they go another way. Its a trick to get past someone.
Monday, September 7, 2009
Going into 6 Weeks Ya All
Hi Everyone,
That’s funny that the leaves are changing by the house but not in the mountains... ha ha. How is Ditto?
This week has been a roller coaster. We haven't had very good luck with finding people and we haven't had much luck with getting our investigators to church. But, Brittany got committed for baptism! she didn't come to church so we will have to push the date one week, but that just means we get more of a chance of committing her brother David for the same Day, which would rock! They are so cool. I could see the whole family being baptized.
So there is only one more week until my 1st transfer is over! Crazy. There are 17 transfers total me thinks for English missionaries.
This week we got junked a lot! We only had our appointments go through on some of them. All most all of them were like "um... Who are you?" and We were all like "wtf mate! We taught you the whole first lesson and you were very interested and now you don't know who we are?” other people were just like "umm... I don't know why I told you to come over today ‘cause I'm at work".
The people here are always working. Most people have 12 hr days every day which makes it weird that there are so many people out on the streets.
Fast Sunday was awesome; for some reason I just soaked everything up! To my surprise our small branch full of funny people had a great meeting. There were no breaks. The testimonies were much longer than at home, but they were good. I learned something good from each of them.
I have felt all sorts of weird ways this week in ways I can't explain. I haven't had much excitement or happiness. But I have experienced peace, and comfort.
Last night was my first bad night’s rest I have had. Its been a miracle that I have slept so well. Most of you know that I am a really light sleeper who needs the perfect circumstances to fall asleep. but not since I have been on my mission. The lord really has blessed me in this way. The other thing he has done for me is my dreams. I have had normal dreams! I have only had two nightmares on my mission so far. its refreshing to have dreams that don't weird me out or freak me out or gross me out! Surprisingly, even though last night was rough, I have plenty of energy to do the work today anyway.
That reminds me, today is not my p-day this week....... My companion bought tickets to the US Open on Wednesday (he got permission don't worry) so we had to move our p-day to Wednesday. Today has been a normal work day, only instead of personal study this morning we did laundry, and instead of 3 to 5, I am emailing. :) so I will have lots of time on p-day to have fun. Unfortunately today I will have less time to make dinner. But it is worth it. I feel a connection to you all when I write. It feels as though I am talking to you, but no one is replying.... lol…but then I get replies later! Its weird my memory likes to remember things that have been written to me as if you all have said them to me;its weird.
I think I’m starting to get used to all the trash and smells and grime. it doesn't bug me anymore to lean up against walls or use hand rails (don't worry I have Purell).
Some thing I discovered this week is that racism only exists because of people. That sounds like a dumb statement but 1. God is not racist 2. I don't even care about someone’s race until they point it out to me 3. Some people like to have justifications to act certain ways, they also want to blame their problems on something. 4. It only takes a hand full of people to perpetuate certain mentalities.
I don't know about you... but I don't want to be known for my race but for my actions. I don't want any special privileges because of my race. The only way we can all be equal is if we stop pointing out each others differences.
I really don't understand how race has anything to do with authority or the fact that God is our loving heavenly father or that Jesus Christ has bridged the gap of both spiritual and physical death for us.
Oh well. :) Some people frustrate me so much, yet I love everybody. I think I have been blessed with a certain amount of charity. Thankfully, otherwise some people here would have nice shiners. haha. Jk.
But seriously.
That’s all for now me thinks. I’m sorry if I didn't answer all your questions or tell many stories. :S
The church is true! No doubt about it! there is no denying it.
Love Elder S.A.M.
PS
things are really slow today, I think everyone left town or is sleeping so they can party hard tonight; also... I think a lot of people are over at the parade. Yeah weird huh! The islanders for some reason have adopted Labor Day as Heritage Day, so there are a lot of flags flying
That’s funny that the leaves are changing by the house but not in the mountains... ha ha. How is Ditto?
This week has been a roller coaster. We haven't had very good luck with finding people and we haven't had much luck with getting our investigators to church. But, Brittany got committed for baptism! she didn't come to church so we will have to push the date one week, but that just means we get more of a chance of committing her brother David for the same Day, which would rock! They are so cool. I could see the whole family being baptized.
So there is only one more week until my 1st transfer is over! Crazy. There are 17 transfers total me thinks for English missionaries.
This week we got junked a lot! We only had our appointments go through on some of them. All most all of them were like "um... Who are you?" and We were all like "wtf mate! We taught you the whole first lesson and you were very interested and now you don't know who we are?” other people were just like "umm... I don't know why I told you to come over today ‘cause I'm at work".
The people here are always working. Most people have 12 hr days every day which makes it weird that there are so many people out on the streets.
Fast Sunday was awesome; for some reason I just soaked everything up! To my surprise our small branch full of funny people had a great meeting. There were no breaks. The testimonies were much longer than at home, but they were good. I learned something good from each of them.
I have felt all sorts of weird ways this week in ways I can't explain. I haven't had much excitement or happiness. But I have experienced peace, and comfort.
Last night was my first bad night’s rest I have had. Its been a miracle that I have slept so well. Most of you know that I am a really light sleeper who needs the perfect circumstances to fall asleep. but not since I have been on my mission. The lord really has blessed me in this way. The other thing he has done for me is my dreams. I have had normal dreams! I have only had two nightmares on my mission so far. its refreshing to have dreams that don't weird me out or freak me out or gross me out! Surprisingly, even though last night was rough, I have plenty of energy to do the work today anyway.
That reminds me, today is not my p-day this week....... My companion bought tickets to the US Open on Wednesday (he got permission don't worry) so we had to move our p-day to Wednesday. Today has been a normal work day, only instead of personal study this morning we did laundry, and instead of 3 to 5, I am emailing. :) so I will have lots of time on p-day to have fun. Unfortunately today I will have less time to make dinner. But it is worth it. I feel a connection to you all when I write. It feels as though I am talking to you, but no one is replying.... lol…but then I get replies later! Its weird my memory likes to remember things that have been written to me as if you all have said them to me;its weird.
I think I’m starting to get used to all the trash and smells and grime. it doesn't bug me anymore to lean up against walls or use hand rails (don't worry I have Purell).
Some thing I discovered this week is that racism only exists because of people. That sounds like a dumb statement but 1. God is not racist 2. I don't even care about someone’s race until they point it out to me 3. Some people like to have justifications to act certain ways, they also want to blame their problems on something. 4. It only takes a hand full of people to perpetuate certain mentalities.
I don't know about you... but I don't want to be known for my race but for my actions. I don't want any special privileges because of my race. The only way we can all be equal is if we stop pointing out each others differences.
I really don't understand how race has anything to do with authority or the fact that God is our loving heavenly father or that Jesus Christ has bridged the gap of both spiritual and physical death for us.
Oh well. :) Some people frustrate me so much, yet I love everybody. I think I have been blessed with a certain amount of charity. Thankfully, otherwise some people here would have nice shiners. haha. Jk.
But seriously.
That’s all for now me thinks. I’m sorry if I didn't answer all your questions or tell many stories. :S
The church is true! No doubt about it! there is no denying it.
Love Elder S.A.M.
PS
things are really slow today, I think everyone left town or is sleeping so they can party hard tonight; also... I think a lot of people are over at the parade. Yeah weird huh! The islanders for some reason have adopted Labor Day as Heritage Day, so there are a lot of flags flying
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Missionary Terminology
Trunkie- missing something or homesick
P-dub- Peace of work-nice way of saying a missionary is content with the work they are doing. The connotation is bad, you use it for lazy missionaries or missionaries who break rules.
Old Culture- referring to how the mission used to be. The mission used to be full of P-dub missionaries. They were basically apostate.
Paups- your trainer (first companion)
Step Paups- your second companion
Born- where you started your mission
Died- where you ended your mission
Brother- a missionary your Paups trained before or after training you
Fearless- a verb; to contact someone on the street or in a public place. ex. "I fearlessed a lady who came to church" or "Yesterday we went fearlessing" or Hey Elder, go fearless him/her."
HeeBeeGeeBee- Black guys who think they are the real tribe of Israel. They are the real Jews and they will kill everyone who is not one of them with swards (that they carry around) when the Savior comes. They believe God is black and that the Savior will be black and that Christ didn't exist. They really don't like Mormons.
P-dub- Peace of work-nice way of saying a missionary is content with the work they are doing. The connotation is bad, you use it for lazy missionaries or missionaries who break rules.
Old Culture- referring to how the mission used to be. The mission used to be full of P-dub missionaries. They were basically apostate.
Paups- your trainer (first companion)
Step Paups- your second companion
Born- where you started your mission
Died- where you ended your mission
Brother- a missionary your Paups trained before or after training you
Fearless- a verb; to contact someone on the street or in a public place. ex. "I fearlessed a lady who came to church" or "Yesterday we went fearlessing" or Hey Elder, go fearless him/her."
HeeBeeGeeBee- Black guys who think they are the real tribe of Israel. They are the real Jews and they will kill everyone who is not one of them with swards (that they carry around) when the Savior comes. They believe God is black and that the Savior will be black and that Christ didn't exist. They really don't like Mormons.
Hi Fam, Friends, and others interested :)
August 31, 2009
I'm glad you are taking notes in church, Taking notes truly does help you stay up, and you get way more out of the meetings when you do that; also, if the lord gives you an impression or revelation and you don't write it down.... you are basically telling him you don't care, and then you forget it. That’s why it’s so important to write journals and take notes. The Lord will see we care about the information he is giving us, and then he will be more likely to give us more. I know personally that I need all the help from the lord I can get.
That’s soooo awesome to hear about my cds! It makes me feel good to hear they are selling. Thank you mom for being a great manager for my business while I'm gone! Thanks to everyone who has promoted my cds too. You know who you are; and I know most of you who know who you are.....
So this week I was told that if you have a guitar on your mission then you are pretty much apostate... and that guitars are very "old culture". I decided that I would find myself a violin then! because they are allowed. :) So I prayed a couple times I said "Lord, if it be thy will help me to find a violin/viola to buy or get"; then mid week I realized.... Why do I need an instrument... the lord is trying to use me as an instrument, it will only happen if I do what he has asked. So I have not been very aggressive at all about finding one. But I figure that if the lord wants me to have one then I will find one. As for now, being desperate for an instrument to play, I have created one from a drinking straw. It’s kind of a double reed off tune flute. It makes me explode with laughter every time I play it! It would be amazing if I could find a cheap recorder or something. Then I might modify the recorder into a ghetto oboe that plays only in one key, by replacing the mouthpiece with my double reed straw. (That probably made no sense to any one. I will send a picture if it ever happens.)
This week I went on exchanges with Elder Alder (another elder from the pad) it was interesting and we didn't achieve anything.
I ran out of pens (I used them all up! Ha ha!) So I bought some new ones.
This week we told Shakora to get married and come to church so she could get baptized. So far she hasn't come to church, but it’s because she has had things come up to prevent her from doing so. She is really solid, but we cannot baptize her until she gets married! so we have been trying to help her realize the importance of getting married if she wants to be baptized.
Rufino is an awesome hot dog stand guy who lost both of his children (one to suicide and one to murder) while he was in prison. He has really turned his life around and when he came to church, his answers and spiritually was above a lot of the priesthood holders'. Ha ha. we told him that he is ready for baptism but he said he needs to think about it. we haven't been able to get a hold of him because he is out of town until like tomorrow or Wednesday.
We did a deep clean this week! Wow. lol. Wow. lol. I moped by the door.... oh man; I really do not think it has ever been moped. I will send pictures. It feels much brighter, lighter, and happier in the apartment now. But, sadly, it doesn't matter much because after this transfer the lease is up on our pad. So we will be moving. Woot! the new place will probably be one of Elder Oliverson’s investigators. :) He is an awesome guy! The people in that hood love the missionaries already. It is only two blocks from where we live now, but it is a much cleaner better area. There won't be a problem there as far as druggies and violence go. (its really funny how every block here is a different universe) Its by a block garden (that the missionaries beautified) and two schools, and a park, and a firestaion, and a church (not LDS, but still a big church). So it will be better. It’s got its own washer and dryer and a huge new fridge that has an ice maker!
A guy started talking to me when Elder Orr and I were singing hymns in the subway. Ha ha. :) he was Russian and his name was atone!
I talked to a guy in Spanish.
I was headed to a media with when we heard a young girl say to a guy she was with "you don't call god Jehovah because that’s like calling a king by his first name, so we shouldn't call God by his first name". Before during and after I heard this I felt impressed to talk to her so I stopped walking a turned around. Elder Orr told me later he felt very prompted to talk to her too. We turned around and so did she. Then she said "get over here!..." so we did. Then we had an amazing conversation with her and the guy with her who ended up being the brother. (We talked 2 hrs) and by the end we were best friends pretty much. Since then we have met on Thursday, Saturday, and she came to church Sunday! She is solid and understands everything we talk about. She wants to be a missionary! lol. We have given her a blessing ‘cause she was sick and she felt better right away. She cares about us too which is cool! She told us to call her when we got home so that she would know if we made it home safely! It turns out; she said all that stuff about Jehovah to get our attention so we would share our opinions on the matter. What she got was much bigger than the fact that Jehovah is Christ not Heavenly Father. She has received a lot of understanding and knowledge and faith. we will commit her and her brother for baptism next time we see them. Also, funny thing... the guy who got shot next door to me was one of her friends. small world huh.... especially in Brooklyn cause there are more people in this city than in Utah and its only like the size of Provo. lol.
Today was cool so far ‘cause I got to go to BJ's (its basically like Costco) I will be hungry no more!!!!! I have been feeling like kitty lately... I eat and eat and don't feel satisfied! It really is a horror show. I ran out of everything! lol. Yesterday I ate a fourth of a lasagna in one sitting and didn't feel stuffed. Ha ha.
I love and miss you. I hope my other missionary friends are doing well. If someone could give me an update on Erik, Todd, Kyle, Mclean and BJ that would be cool. I'm already getting updates on Nate and Josh (which I appreciate greatly)
thank you soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo much for your support and prayers, hugs and kisses, good vibrations, and letters/packages. They help more than I ever would have predicted. Letters and personal study are the only things that I have kept me sane. Besides seeing the atonement in others lives.
Peace out!
PS
why does race matter so much to people? and why does Gods color and people on other planets even matter? God is our loving heavenly father and he has provided a simple strait forward way back to him. It’s right infront of so many people and they just don't see how important it is. All we need to do is have faith in the lord Jesus Christ and in his atonement, repent, be baptized by the correct authority, and then endure to the end. Those of us who have testimonies and our families have been unified by these truths (or will be) are sooooo blessed. The difference is clear, large, and specific. I know this Is The true church! I love the knowledge I have. I wish very much that my whole family could realize this, so that we could all be together forever.
-Elder Morris
I'm glad you are taking notes in church, Taking notes truly does help you stay up, and you get way more out of the meetings when you do that; also, if the lord gives you an impression or revelation and you don't write it down.... you are basically telling him you don't care, and then you forget it. That’s why it’s so important to write journals and take notes. The Lord will see we care about the information he is giving us, and then he will be more likely to give us more. I know personally that I need all the help from the lord I can get.
That’s soooo awesome to hear about my cds! It makes me feel good to hear they are selling. Thank you mom for being a great manager for my business while I'm gone! Thanks to everyone who has promoted my cds too. You know who you are; and I know most of you who know who you are.....
So this week I was told that if you have a guitar on your mission then you are pretty much apostate... and that guitars are very "old culture". I decided that I would find myself a violin then! because they are allowed. :) So I prayed a couple times I said "Lord, if it be thy will help me to find a violin/viola to buy or get"; then mid week I realized.... Why do I need an instrument... the lord is trying to use me as an instrument, it will only happen if I do what he has asked. So I have not been very aggressive at all about finding one. But I figure that if the lord wants me to have one then I will find one. As for now, being desperate for an instrument to play, I have created one from a drinking straw. It’s kind of a double reed off tune flute. It makes me explode with laughter every time I play it! It would be amazing if I could find a cheap recorder or something. Then I might modify the recorder into a ghetto oboe that plays only in one key, by replacing the mouthpiece with my double reed straw. (That probably made no sense to any one. I will send a picture if it ever happens.)
This week I went on exchanges with Elder Alder (another elder from the pad) it was interesting and we didn't achieve anything.
I ran out of pens (I used them all up! Ha ha!) So I bought some new ones.
This week we told Shakora to get married and come to church so she could get baptized. So far she hasn't come to church, but it’s because she has had things come up to prevent her from doing so. She is really solid, but we cannot baptize her until she gets married! so we have been trying to help her realize the importance of getting married if she wants to be baptized.
Rufino is an awesome hot dog stand guy who lost both of his children (one to suicide and one to murder) while he was in prison. He has really turned his life around and when he came to church, his answers and spiritually was above a lot of the priesthood holders'. Ha ha. we told him that he is ready for baptism but he said he needs to think about it. we haven't been able to get a hold of him because he is out of town until like tomorrow or Wednesday.
We did a deep clean this week! Wow. lol. Wow. lol. I moped by the door.... oh man; I really do not think it has ever been moped. I will send pictures. It feels much brighter, lighter, and happier in the apartment now. But, sadly, it doesn't matter much because after this transfer the lease is up on our pad. So we will be moving. Woot! the new place will probably be one of Elder Oliverson’s investigators. :) He is an awesome guy! The people in that hood love the missionaries already. It is only two blocks from where we live now, but it is a much cleaner better area. There won't be a problem there as far as druggies and violence go. (its really funny how every block here is a different universe) Its by a block garden (that the missionaries beautified) and two schools, and a park, and a firestaion, and a church (not LDS, but still a big church). So it will be better. It’s got its own washer and dryer and a huge new fridge that has an ice maker!
A guy started talking to me when Elder Orr and I were singing hymns in the subway. Ha ha. :) he was Russian and his name was atone!
I talked to a guy in Spanish.
I was headed to a media with when we heard a young girl say to a guy she was with "you don't call god Jehovah because that’s like calling a king by his first name, so we shouldn't call God by his first name". Before during and after I heard this I felt impressed to talk to her so I stopped walking a turned around. Elder Orr told me later he felt very prompted to talk to her too. We turned around and so did she. Then she said "get over here!..." so we did. Then we had an amazing conversation with her and the guy with her who ended up being the brother. (We talked 2 hrs) and by the end we were best friends pretty much. Since then we have met on Thursday, Saturday, and she came to church Sunday! She is solid and understands everything we talk about. She wants to be a missionary! lol. We have given her a blessing ‘cause she was sick and she felt better right away. She cares about us too which is cool! She told us to call her when we got home so that she would know if we made it home safely! It turns out; she said all that stuff about Jehovah to get our attention so we would share our opinions on the matter. What she got was much bigger than the fact that Jehovah is Christ not Heavenly Father. She has received a lot of understanding and knowledge and faith. we will commit her and her brother for baptism next time we see them. Also, funny thing... the guy who got shot next door to me was one of her friends. small world huh.... especially in Brooklyn cause there are more people in this city than in Utah and its only like the size of Provo. lol.
Today was cool so far ‘cause I got to go to BJ's (its basically like Costco) I will be hungry no more!!!!! I have been feeling like kitty lately... I eat and eat and don't feel satisfied! It really is a horror show. I ran out of everything! lol. Yesterday I ate a fourth of a lasagna in one sitting and didn't feel stuffed. Ha ha.
I love and miss you. I hope my other missionary friends are doing well. If someone could give me an update on Erik, Todd, Kyle, Mclean and BJ that would be cool. I'm already getting updates on Nate and Josh (which I appreciate greatly)
thank you soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo much for your support and prayers, hugs and kisses, good vibrations, and letters/packages. They help more than I ever would have predicted. Letters and personal study are the only things that I have kept me sane. Besides seeing the atonement in others lives.
Peace out!
PS
why does race matter so much to people? and why does Gods color and people on other planets even matter? God is our loving heavenly father and he has provided a simple strait forward way back to him. It’s right infront of so many people and they just don't see how important it is. All we need to do is have faith in the lord Jesus Christ and in his atonement, repent, be baptized by the correct authority, and then endure to the end. Those of us who have testimonies and our families have been unified by these truths (or will be) are sooooo blessed. The difference is clear, large, and specific. I know this Is The true church! I love the knowledge I have. I wish very much that my whole family could realize this, so that we could all be together forever.
-Elder Morris
Monday, August 24, 2009
Challenges and Funny Things
August 23, 2009
Hello family and friends.
This week we had exchanges. That’s where you switch companions for a day. I went with Elder Hatch (a Spanish elder) and stayed at his pad. It was lame. The other elders in the pad are weirdos and were acting like I had no idea what I was doing. I was washing my dish once and they were all standing behind me with this ridiculous look on their faces not saying anything. So I was like, "Is something wrong!?" They said "no.... we just want to get some water" and so I said "wow... OK, ‘cause you were just looking at me like I was doing something horribly wrong..." I was thinking, "Geeze you could have just said excuse me for one sec". Anyway lots of weird things like that happened.
It’s really funny to me that they do exchanges with missionaries who are assigned to different languages...its also funny to me that the elders who are assigned to a language put themselves up higher than the English elders.
While I was on exchanges I felt like I did the first two days of the MTC and when I was doing my personal study every little thing that was even slightly spiritual made me want to bawl!!!
I’m sick of people referring to me as a "greenie" and acting like I have nothing to offer. I'm just going to ignore them. I am super thankful for medias (media referrals) because that’s where we get like 90% of the people we see. All of our contacts have come from medias or finding someone on the street near one of our medias. The lord really is behind all of this.
Not to say anything negative about my companion, but its kind of frustrating how he is so "my way or the highway" about things. He isn't really interested in talking about anything that I am really into talking about. Like theories and that kind of stuff. He often says things so matter-of-fact that it kind of hurts. I am very grateful for him though. When I came back from exchanges and walked back into my pad with my own companion, it was one of the most wonderful things I have felt on my mission. It was sanctuary. I am so grateful for my pad and how we have 6 elders in it. Life is so much better like that.
So I was at a fireside on Thursday... and I saw this guy who looked exactly like Bro. Chevrier would if he were a Dominican. LOL! It was sweet... but it also kind of scared me. I liked it. :)
I am very certain that I got called to this mission for two specific reasons. 1. to humble me and 2. to toughen me up. I'm sure you can all gather why from my letters and emails.
Wow, I feel like a machine ‘cause I am already almost through my 4th pen and I have had a loaf of bread a week. I have gone through like 2 1/2 dozen eggs, 2 1/2 cartons of milk, and much more; crazy huh?
On Saturday I discovered that Song of Solomon is not an inspired scripture 1.By reading it and 2.Because Joseph smith said so.
This week we were able to commit 8 people to come to church and 2 people to get baptized!!!!! Only 1 person showed up for church though.... and only one baptism has a date. But she is solid! she will be baptized at the end of September. The guy who came to church is solid too. He is our other baptism, but he doesn't have a date yet. So I’m pretty sure I am the elders’ teacher now. Ha ha...geeze.
So I was really surprised when I got the package. I was really expecting my hoodie to smell like home. I was excited to smell home and remember it.... but no. I smelled it and was all like "WHAT THE!?" It didn't smell at all like I remember home smelling like. Oh well... I'll live... I'm just curious now though... is that what home smells like? or did it change while is was getting shipped?
I love the hair stuff hilly sent me. It reminds me of going to her salon and visiting her and getting hair cuts. It makes me very happy. :) I'm confused though mom, what was she saying to me? Does she not want me to get hair stuff from you? Does she want me to buy my own here in NY?
I'm excited; the weather is starting to change! It feels good to have a cold breeze and rain. It’s such a nice change. For the first time in my life I was relieved that it was raining.
Unfortunately I didn't find a place to play a guitar. Apparently there is another elder in the mission that has a guitar…but I hear it’s a big hassle around transfer time.... :( BTW I am half way through the transfer! Ha ha. I hope I stay in Bushwick one more transfer.
To answer your question about miracles mom, he meant here in the field. I guess he just means how quickly we are getting a "pool" when we were both "blinded in". Meaning we started from scratch; also, because we have found a lot of really cool solid people.
I was eating a PB&J last night and it had a piece of glass in it!! >:( Earlier in the week I dropped and broke my jam jar. Elder Orr was raised not to eat food that that been in a glass container that had been broken because of the risk of eating small pieces of glass. He told me that was ridiculous because this kind of glass breaks into big pieces. I have been very "follow the leader" with him because I don't want to fight him, so I did as he said and ended up biting down on some glass. I didn't get cut or anything, but it worries me that I may have ingested glass during the week.... not to worry anyone.
So some funny things:
A black man came up to me looking very angry and said "go proselytize somewhere else!" and some other things like "you church didn't even think blacks was human!" and the f word a bunch. He kept saying a lot “proselytize somewhere else!" while we just stared at him like he was crazy. Then Elder Orr said while he was walking away "We will proselytize where we want to thank you!" ha ha. So now we say "proselytize" to each other instead of “proselyte" or however it’s spelled. lol.
Another funny thing, Elder Orr dropped his umbrella and a lady asked if she could have his umbrella (jokingly) and he said yeah. And she said, “Just kidding,” then he said, "Come to church with us." She was like "yeah! OK!" lol. We talked to her a bit and figured out that she hasn't been going to church since she was very little. She has two kids and has been considering going to church. Ha ha. So the spirit really did put words into Orr’s mouth.
I am starting to understand the area now... sometimes I think I understand it better than Orr, which is kind of cool. I'm really bad with how things are connected though. I know areas pretty well; I just have a hard time connecting them in my mind. If nothing else I understand north east south and west better. lol.
any way, I have been writing a long time now, so I better email this. I love you all so-o-o-o much!
If I will serve the lord he will bless me in the ways I need to be blessed and, he just might bless me in the way I want to be blessed!
Love, Elder Morris
Hello family and friends.
This week we had exchanges. That’s where you switch companions for a day. I went with Elder Hatch (a Spanish elder) and stayed at his pad. It was lame. The other elders in the pad are weirdos and were acting like I had no idea what I was doing. I was washing my dish once and they were all standing behind me with this ridiculous look on their faces not saying anything. So I was like, "Is something wrong!?" They said "no.... we just want to get some water" and so I said "wow... OK, ‘cause you were just looking at me like I was doing something horribly wrong..." I was thinking, "Geeze you could have just said excuse me for one sec". Anyway lots of weird things like that happened.
It’s really funny to me that they do exchanges with missionaries who are assigned to different languages...its also funny to me that the elders who are assigned to a language put themselves up higher than the English elders.
While I was on exchanges I felt like I did the first two days of the MTC and when I was doing my personal study every little thing that was even slightly spiritual made me want to bawl!!!
I’m sick of people referring to me as a "greenie" and acting like I have nothing to offer. I'm just going to ignore them. I am super thankful for medias (media referrals) because that’s where we get like 90% of the people we see. All of our contacts have come from medias or finding someone on the street near one of our medias. The lord really is behind all of this.
Not to say anything negative about my companion, but its kind of frustrating how he is so "my way or the highway" about things. He isn't really interested in talking about anything that I am really into talking about. Like theories and that kind of stuff. He often says things so matter-of-fact that it kind of hurts. I am very grateful for him though. When I came back from exchanges and walked back into my pad with my own companion, it was one of the most wonderful things I have felt on my mission. It was sanctuary. I am so grateful for my pad and how we have 6 elders in it. Life is so much better like that.
So I was at a fireside on Thursday... and I saw this guy who looked exactly like Bro. Chevrier would if he were a Dominican. LOL! It was sweet... but it also kind of scared me. I liked it. :)
I am very certain that I got called to this mission for two specific reasons. 1. to humble me and 2. to toughen me up. I'm sure you can all gather why from my letters and emails.
Wow, I feel like a machine ‘cause I am already almost through my 4th pen and I have had a loaf of bread a week. I have gone through like 2 1/2 dozen eggs, 2 1/2 cartons of milk, and much more; crazy huh?
On Saturday I discovered that Song of Solomon is not an inspired scripture 1.By reading it and 2.Because Joseph smith said so.
This week we were able to commit 8 people to come to church and 2 people to get baptized!!!!! Only 1 person showed up for church though.... and only one baptism has a date. But she is solid! she will be baptized at the end of September. The guy who came to church is solid too. He is our other baptism, but he doesn't have a date yet. So I’m pretty sure I am the elders’ teacher now. Ha ha...geeze.
So I was really surprised when I got the package. I was really expecting my hoodie to smell like home. I was excited to smell home and remember it.... but no. I smelled it and was all like "WHAT THE!?" It didn't smell at all like I remember home smelling like. Oh well... I'll live... I'm just curious now though... is that what home smells like? or did it change while is was getting shipped?
I love the hair stuff hilly sent me. It reminds me of going to her salon and visiting her and getting hair cuts. It makes me very happy. :) I'm confused though mom, what was she saying to me? Does she not want me to get hair stuff from you? Does she want me to buy my own here in NY?
I'm excited; the weather is starting to change! It feels good to have a cold breeze and rain. It’s such a nice change. For the first time in my life I was relieved that it was raining.
Unfortunately I didn't find a place to play a guitar. Apparently there is another elder in the mission that has a guitar…but I hear it’s a big hassle around transfer time.... :( BTW I am half way through the transfer! Ha ha. I hope I stay in Bushwick one more transfer.
To answer your question about miracles mom, he meant here in the field. I guess he just means how quickly we are getting a "pool" when we were both "blinded in". Meaning we started from scratch; also, because we have found a lot of really cool solid people.
I was eating a PB&J last night and it had a piece of glass in it!! >:( Earlier in the week I dropped and broke my jam jar. Elder Orr was raised not to eat food that that been in a glass container that had been broken because of the risk of eating small pieces of glass. He told me that was ridiculous because this kind of glass breaks into big pieces. I have been very "follow the leader" with him because I don't want to fight him, so I did as he said and ended up biting down on some glass. I didn't get cut or anything, but it worries me that I may have ingested glass during the week.... not to worry anyone.
So some funny things:
A black man came up to me looking very angry and said "go proselytize somewhere else!" and some other things like "you church didn't even think blacks was human!" and the f word a bunch. He kept saying a lot “proselytize somewhere else!" while we just stared at him like he was crazy. Then Elder Orr said while he was walking away "We will proselytize where we want to thank you!" ha ha. So now we say "proselytize" to each other instead of “proselyte" or however it’s spelled. lol.
Another funny thing, Elder Orr dropped his umbrella and a lady asked if she could have his umbrella (jokingly) and he said yeah. And she said, “Just kidding,” then he said, "Come to church with us." She was like "yeah! OK!" lol. We talked to her a bit and figured out that she hasn't been going to church since she was very little. She has two kids and has been considering going to church. Ha ha. So the spirit really did put words into Orr’s mouth.
I am starting to understand the area now... sometimes I think I understand it better than Orr, which is kind of cool. I'm really bad with how things are connected though. I know areas pretty well; I just have a hard time connecting them in my mind. If nothing else I understand north east south and west better. lol.
any way, I have been writing a long time now, so I better email this. I love you all so-o-o-o much!
If I will serve the lord he will bless me in the ways I need to be blessed and, he just might bless me in the way I want to be blessed!
Love, Elder Morris
THANK YOU
2nd Email Aug 17, 2009
Thank you so much to everyone who has helped me by sending me packages or letter or has supported me by buying things for me to use on my mission or has paid for a part of my mission. Also thank you for all those who have bought my cds. I just want to let you know your love, prayers, and money are making a difference and I really, really appreciate it.
Have a wonderful rest of August!
-Elder Morris
Thank you so much to everyone who has helped me by sending me packages or letter or has supported me by buying things for me to use on my mission or has paid for a part of my mission. Also thank you for all those who have bought my cds. I just want to let you know your love, prayers, and money are making a difference and I really, really appreciate it.
Have a wonderful rest of August!
-Elder Morris
Why the HECK did you do ThHAT
August 17, 2009
So what I said last week about mailing things to me... yeah, just sent everything to the Elmhusrt address, it takes a day longer to get to me, but it will be worth it cause then you all can just memorize that one and never have to worry about where you sent my letter.
We were talking to this lady a couple days ago and she had a lot of really good knowledge and just needed to understand that the Book of Mormon is true.... however there seemed to me to be this contentious feeling, so I stopped the conversation and gave her a pass along card and said nice to talk to you see you later. We walked away and when we were far enough away the lady couldn't hear I was going to say "sorry I just felt like she wasn't elect yet" or something like that, thinking he would say yeah that’s cool or yah I agree. Instead he said "WHY THE HECK DID YOU DO THAT!" and so I said it felt kind of like the feeling of a bible bash. And he said "you don't even know what a bible bash is! You’re just a greenie!" then he didn't talk to me the whole way home. He kept making frustrated noises and clenching his fists and then spreading his hands wide in frustration, then walking really fast. I said to him waiting for the train "I didn't see anything wrong with what I did, but obviously there was, but how will I know if you don't tell me?" He basically just told me that she was a perfect contact and that I screwed it up. Then he said "I don't even care" and "it doesn't matter". Then he acted like nothing was wrong.
There have been lots of things like that. I just feel like he doesn't like me sometimes. So we talked about it in companionship study. After we talked about it things were much better and we got along better. But he said something that seemed really funny to me; funny in a queer way not a ha-ha way. He told me that not once have I said something positive to him when he has asked me how a lesson went, and that I am always criticizing him and focusing on the negative things.
I have never considered myself a negative person. But I guess I am. So I am going to try harder to look on the bright side. Also I think the reason I was saying things like that to him was because there were/are lots of things I wish we could do better on. ‘Cause my lessons with Elder Wright were like amazing in the MTC, we got along so well. I mean Elder Orr is my trainer, so I guess I was expecting it to be even better. Anyway, I am learning a lot from him, and he is the reason for like 95% of our contacts. We actually get along a little better than I think I make it sound.
Thank you for your letter mom. It was really nice. I'm glad you are going to send me a paper version. :)
Thank you everyone for your letters they mean so much to me.
People have funny reactions sometimes to my smiling at them.
I saw a 4 year old being ordered by his mom to pee (with his naked body showing) on the bus stop; that was the weirdest thing ever! "GET AGAINST THE WALL" and also telling the older sister to help him....
Elder black, a Spanish elder in my pad, told me that kitty is really pretty! Ha-ha. I was all like "I know!" :)
Its really funny how older people like in their 50's and even some people who are like dads age, go around dressed like gangsters, with bling and flat brim ball caps and baggy pants around their butt. There are some really cool styles here; but there are a lot!!!!! of really ugly cloths here too. Ha-ha.
I cut my comps hair. I accidentally took a chunk out behind his ear. Ha-ha. you cant really tell though, don't tell him--Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha.
There are a ton of babies and kids here, and a ton of moms. I haven't really seen any dads.
I know you just sent me a package mom... :( but I'm thinking It would be nice to have one more short sleeve shirt, no emergency though.
We lost one of our best investigators (a couple), because they talked to their Pentecostal bishop about it... and he told them that they absolutely must not even speak to us any more. That was lame, and sucked. but we have at least planted a seed in them.
I think I have done really well with my money, ‘cause I still have like $80 left for this month, and I don't even really need to get more food; cool huh!? :)
Today is p day, and I don't want to play foot ball and that kind of lame stuff... so we made an exchange to day! I am with elder black! we are going to go eat someplace and try to find a music store that will let us play their guitars! WooooT ha-ha-ha. rock on! It’s gonna hurt ‘cause I think I have already lost my calluses.
Anyway... I can't remember what else I wanted to talk about so... I love you all; and some of you I love even more! He-he. :)
-Elder Morris
So what I said last week about mailing things to me... yeah, just sent everything to the Elmhusrt address, it takes a day longer to get to me, but it will be worth it cause then you all can just memorize that one and never have to worry about where you sent my letter.
We were talking to this lady a couple days ago and she had a lot of really good knowledge and just needed to understand that the Book of Mormon is true.... however there seemed to me to be this contentious feeling, so I stopped the conversation and gave her a pass along card and said nice to talk to you see you later. We walked away and when we were far enough away the lady couldn't hear I was going to say "sorry I just felt like she wasn't elect yet" or something like that, thinking he would say yeah that’s cool or yah I agree. Instead he said "WHY THE HECK DID YOU DO THAT!" and so I said it felt kind of like the feeling of a bible bash. And he said "you don't even know what a bible bash is! You’re just a greenie!" then he didn't talk to me the whole way home. He kept making frustrated noises and clenching his fists and then spreading his hands wide in frustration, then walking really fast. I said to him waiting for the train "I didn't see anything wrong with what I did, but obviously there was, but how will I know if you don't tell me?" He basically just told me that she was a perfect contact and that I screwed it up. Then he said "I don't even care" and "it doesn't matter". Then he acted like nothing was wrong.
There have been lots of things like that. I just feel like he doesn't like me sometimes. So we talked about it in companionship study. After we talked about it things were much better and we got along better. But he said something that seemed really funny to me; funny in a queer way not a ha-ha way. He told me that not once have I said something positive to him when he has asked me how a lesson went, and that I am always criticizing him and focusing on the negative things.
I have never considered myself a negative person. But I guess I am. So I am going to try harder to look on the bright side. Also I think the reason I was saying things like that to him was because there were/are lots of things I wish we could do better on. ‘Cause my lessons with Elder Wright were like amazing in the MTC, we got along so well. I mean Elder Orr is my trainer, so I guess I was expecting it to be even better. Anyway, I am learning a lot from him, and he is the reason for like 95% of our contacts. We actually get along a little better than I think I make it sound.
Thank you for your letter mom. It was really nice. I'm glad you are going to send me a paper version. :)
Thank you everyone for your letters they mean so much to me.
People have funny reactions sometimes to my smiling at them.
I saw a 4 year old being ordered by his mom to pee (with his naked body showing) on the bus stop; that was the weirdest thing ever! "GET AGAINST THE WALL" and also telling the older sister to help him....
Elder black, a Spanish elder in my pad, told me that kitty is really pretty! Ha-ha. I was all like "I know!" :)
Its really funny how older people like in their 50's and even some people who are like dads age, go around dressed like gangsters, with bling and flat brim ball caps and baggy pants around their butt. There are some really cool styles here; but there are a lot!!!!! of really ugly cloths here too. Ha-ha.
I cut my comps hair. I accidentally took a chunk out behind his ear. Ha-ha. you cant really tell though, don't tell him--Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha.
There are a ton of babies and kids here, and a ton of moms. I haven't really seen any dads.
I know you just sent me a package mom... :( but I'm thinking It would be nice to have one more short sleeve shirt, no emergency though.
We lost one of our best investigators (a couple), because they talked to their Pentecostal bishop about it... and he told them that they absolutely must not even speak to us any more. That was lame, and sucked. but we have at least planted a seed in them.
I think I have done really well with my money, ‘cause I still have like $80 left for this month, and I don't even really need to get more food; cool huh!? :)
Today is p day, and I don't want to play foot ball and that kind of lame stuff... so we made an exchange to day! I am with elder black! we are going to go eat someplace and try to find a music store that will let us play their guitars! WooooT ha-ha-ha. rock on! It’s gonna hurt ‘cause I think I have already lost my calluses.
Anyway... I can't remember what else I wanted to talk about so... I love you all; and some of you I love even more! He-he. :)
-Elder Morris
Ma and Pa
I finally got your letter yesterday! (8-12-09) Thank you for sending it.
I liked you motto, so I wrote it on my calender, the "smile & life will smile back" one.
I'm sorry my email wasn't very good. I didn't really include any stories or experiences in it. Today (8-13-09)was actually rainy and wasn't hot! It was really nice! I wore my suspenders for the first time in the field today. My comp thought it was weird, but whatever. :)
My comp is Elder Orr... So its Morris without the "M" or the "is." Funny huh. He said that I am spoiled because I've seen so many miracles already. We have seen every type of investigator too. Its crazy to me that I have been out here almost 3 weeks already!
OK well, I sent you some pictures! YaY! I hope you like them!
This week I'm gonna try to make a list of stories to write home with in my email. I hope I can remember everything. Maybe I will photocopy my journal and sen it home. Ha Ha.
I have gone through two whole pens on my own now! Isn't that cool! I'm working on the 3rd now. I like NY, but I would never live here after my mission. Utah really is "the right place."
Well I G2G Love you two so-o-o-o much! Your the best parents anyone could have.
Love, Sam
I liked you motto, so I wrote it on my calender, the "smile & life will smile back" one.
I'm sorry my email wasn't very good. I didn't really include any stories or experiences in it. Today (8-13-09)was actually rainy and wasn't hot! It was really nice! I wore my suspenders for the first time in the field today. My comp thought it was weird, but whatever. :)
My comp is Elder Orr... So its Morris without the "M" or the "is." Funny huh. He said that I am spoiled because I've seen so many miracles already. We have seen every type of investigator too. Its crazy to me that I have been out here almost 3 weeks already!
OK well, I sent you some pictures! YaY! I hope you like them!
This week I'm gonna try to make a list of stories to write home with in my email. I hope I can remember everything. Maybe I will photocopy my journal and sen it home. Ha Ha.
I have gone through two whole pens on my own now! Isn't that cool! I'm working on the 3rd now. I like NY, but I would never live here after my mission. Utah really is "the right place."
Well I G2G Love you two so-o-o-o much! Your the best parents anyone could have.
Love, Sam
Monday, August 10, 2009
Yo, Yo from Brooklyn!
Mon 8/10/09 2:14 PM
So, Thank you very much for the emails. Thanks for the update on Sara Scott and Jen! Thank you bishop for the email as well, its good to hear about the support coming my way.
Thank you mom for your letters; they made me happy and laugh. That’s great you are loosing inches! When I get back you will be all fit and sexy! lol. I am actually 115 now. so my drivers license isn't lying anymore.
I have been praying for everyone back home in all my prayers, even Ditto. That’s sad he is slowing down. I think he just needs someone to play with him! :) so maybe Kitty should. Ha ha. That’s so cool to hear that she watched harry potter with you! that made me happy.
Thanks fro keeping my blog updated. That’s sweet my Cds are doing well. I'm glad kids love them; that was my goal. Its so cool to have that feeling that what you are doing actually matters, and that its making peoples lives more fun, and effecting them.
The last week has felt like a month easy, if not a year. (chuckle....) The pad here is disgusting. I have been cleaning (cleaning has never made me happy until now) Just for all those families back in Utah who think their house is gross and dirty and for Dad, you have not seen Brooklyn! GROSS. there is trash every where... and not just like food wrappers but stuff you wouldn't expect, bras, whole boxes of doughnuts, dead animals, feathers, dog crap, urine, pogo sticks, car parts, broken bottles..... the list goes on. The funny thing about My area (Bushwick) is that one part will be ghettotastic like my street, and a few streets over will be really nice fairly clean apartments.... weird.
So, its really funny.... this area, the people, everything. Everyone is so different. Sometimes Its hard to believe that people are different in Utah, but in New York, you can be certain that everyone is completely different in likes and religion; with one exception, everyone here is a bad driver and most people are inconsiderate.
I have heard a car alarm go off everyday from someone driving by with their stereo so loud you feel it in your chest when its up the street. I have heard someone yell at someone else everyday. I have seen someone pee, spit, or toss something in the street everyday. I have seen mean and inconsiderate things. But God has blessed me with an unusual love for these thugs.
Don't get me wrong, there are wonderful, select and elect individuals here! there truly are. Miraculously I have met and taught some of them, and miraculously we have 8 investigators (despite the fact my comp and I were blinded in) Please pray for these people.
There are great loving families here. We met one last night. you could just tell. and the dad was showing the picture of Jesus we gave him to the baby. he he. I want to be a good dad one day.
So, I need a few things. I was hoping (you don't need to send it right away) that you could send me my hoodie that zips up and is gray. the one Kitty gave me for Christmas. Also, baby wipes (if you don't send them I will figure it out). And I used my face cloth to clean a mirror and it got stained and so maybe I can use that as a rag if you send me a new face cloth.
So my plan is to send you pictures every now and then that I write on the back of. But I have two 2 gig sim cards and an extra small one, so I'm going to send those to Kitty to put on my lap top, and then you guys can see them all on the laptop and print the ones you want. then you can send me my sim card.
Now, you said you wrote me a letter on Sunday, and I'm sure kitty has written me too.... but I haven't gotten any yet. So...... part of the problem is it takes a few days to get to the mission home and then and extra day to get to my pad. and the weekend just happened and no one is at the mission headquarters on Saturday so.... If you sent anything I should get it tomorrow. I will let you know the day my letters arrive, so that you can know how long things take to get to me.
Send all my mail letters and packages to the mission headquarters address.
I love, love, love you all! but I g2g... even though I didn't tell you any stories... :( sorry.... neither did I finish my list of things I need I don't think.... sorry. :(
I forgot my planner which had all my notes of what to write in it. Its hard to remember everything I want to tell you folks!
Sam
So, Thank you very much for the emails. Thanks for the update on Sara Scott and Jen! Thank you bishop for the email as well, its good to hear about the support coming my way.
Thank you mom for your letters; they made me happy and laugh. That’s great you are loosing inches! When I get back you will be all fit and sexy! lol. I am actually 115 now. so my drivers license isn't lying anymore.
I have been praying for everyone back home in all my prayers, even Ditto. That’s sad he is slowing down. I think he just needs someone to play with him! :) so maybe Kitty should. Ha ha. That’s so cool to hear that she watched harry potter with you! that made me happy.
Thanks fro keeping my blog updated. That’s sweet my Cds are doing well. I'm glad kids love them; that was my goal. Its so cool to have that feeling that what you are doing actually matters, and that its making peoples lives more fun, and effecting them.
The last week has felt like a month easy, if not a year. (chuckle....) The pad here is disgusting. I have been cleaning (cleaning has never made me happy until now) Just for all those families back in Utah who think their house is gross and dirty and for Dad, you have not seen Brooklyn! GROSS. there is trash every where... and not just like food wrappers but stuff you wouldn't expect, bras, whole boxes of doughnuts, dead animals, feathers, dog crap, urine, pogo sticks, car parts, broken bottles..... the list goes on. The funny thing about My area (Bushwick) is that one part will be ghettotastic like my street, and a few streets over will be really nice fairly clean apartments.... weird.
So, its really funny.... this area, the people, everything. Everyone is so different. Sometimes Its hard to believe that people are different in Utah, but in New York, you can be certain that everyone is completely different in likes and religion; with one exception, everyone here is a bad driver and most people are inconsiderate.
I have heard a car alarm go off everyday from someone driving by with their stereo so loud you feel it in your chest when its up the street. I have heard someone yell at someone else everyday. I have seen someone pee, spit, or toss something in the street everyday. I have seen mean and inconsiderate things. But God has blessed me with an unusual love for these thugs.
Don't get me wrong, there are wonderful, select and elect individuals here! there truly are. Miraculously I have met and taught some of them, and miraculously we have 8 investigators (despite the fact my comp and I were blinded in) Please pray for these people.
There are great loving families here. We met one last night. you could just tell. and the dad was showing the picture of Jesus we gave him to the baby. he he. I want to be a good dad one day.
So, I need a few things. I was hoping (you don't need to send it right away) that you could send me my hoodie that zips up and is gray. the one Kitty gave me for Christmas. Also, baby wipes (if you don't send them I will figure it out). And I used my face cloth to clean a mirror and it got stained and so maybe I can use that as a rag if you send me a new face cloth.
So my plan is to send you pictures every now and then that I write on the back of. But I have two 2 gig sim cards and an extra small one, so I'm going to send those to Kitty to put on my lap top, and then you guys can see them all on the laptop and print the ones you want. then you can send me my sim card.
Now, you said you wrote me a letter on Sunday, and I'm sure kitty has written me too.... but I haven't gotten any yet. So...... part of the problem is it takes a few days to get to the mission home and then and extra day to get to my pad. and the weekend just happened and no one is at the mission headquarters on Saturday so.... If you sent anything I should get it tomorrow. I will let you know the day my letters arrive, so that you can know how long things take to get to me.
Send all my mail letters and packages to the mission headquarters address.
I love, love, love you all! but I g2g... even though I didn't tell you any stories... :( sorry.... neither did I finish my list of things I need I don't think.... sorry. :(
I forgot my planner which had all my notes of what to write in it. Its hard to remember everything I want to tell you folks!
Sam
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Send Mail to:
Sam's address for letters is:
Elder Samuel A Morris
New York New York South Mission
85-69 60th Dr
Elmhurst, NY 11373-5547
Elder Samuel A Morris
New York New York South Mission
85-69 60th Dr
Elmhurst, NY 11373-5547
Sam new posts will happen every Tuesday!
Sam will email us on Mondays and we will get letters probably 4 days later; so to be sure I have had time to post his communications, look at the blog every Tuesday for new post.
For those of you who's emails I have, I will mass email you that there is a new post.
Sam is still selling his Fairy Tale CDs SammyTElls through me and off his other blog. SammyTells.blogspot.com if you have a paypal account. If you want to use your visa, go to stylesystemssite.com to online shop--then books and products to purchase. You can always mail a check to our house as well make the check to Sam Morris, then mail it to 278 S 800 E Alpine, UT 84004. Go to the blog for more information and to listen to samples of the CDs.
For those of you who's emails I have, I will mass email you that there is a new post.
Sam is still selling his Fairy Tale CDs SammyTElls through me and off his other blog. SammyTells.blogspot.com if you have a paypal account. If you want to use your visa, go to stylesystemssite.com to online shop--then books and products to purchase. You can always mail a check to our house as well make the check to Sam Morris, then mail it to 278 S 800 E Alpine, UT 84004. Go to the blog for more information and to listen to samples of the CDs.
Arrived Safe and Sound in New York
8-3-09
Dear Mom & Dad,
I arrived safely. I'm writing this from the mission President's home. We just got here. I just finished eating. It was pretty good, chicken, rolls, salad, corn, and a potato type casserole. New York is not what I expected; there are way more trees than I expected. The mission president told me not to get used to it, cause I got assigned to Brooklyn. :)
He told me my trainer is a great missionary. When we landed we were half an hour early, but the plane just drove around for like an hour before we docked. Its really humid here,. But the weather is nice right now. It smells really good. I kinda feel like I'm where I am supposed to be. The Elders here all seem really laid back. I am happy and I feel good.
I find out who my trainer is tomorrow. Tonight we sleep here with all the other new missionaries. Then at 1:00 pm tomorrow we have the meeting to get our trainers.
I really don't know what else to say...
I love you!
I wish I was a better musciaion. There is an elder here playing a piano really well.
Sam
Dear Mom & Dad,
I arrived safely. I'm writing this from the mission President's home. We just got here. I just finished eating. It was pretty good, chicken, rolls, salad, corn, and a potato type casserole. New York is not what I expected; there are way more trees than I expected. The mission president told me not to get used to it, cause I got assigned to Brooklyn. :)
He told me my trainer is a great missionary. When we landed we were half an hour early, but the plane just drove around for like an hour before we docked. Its really humid here,. But the weather is nice right now. It smells really good. I kinda feel like I'm where I am supposed to be. The Elders here all seem really laid back. I am happy and I feel good.
I find out who my trainer is tomorrow. Tonight we sleep here with all the other new missionaries. Then at 1:00 pm tomorrow we have the meeting to get our trainers.
I really don't know what else to say...
I love you!
I wish I was a better musciaion. There is an elder here playing a piano really well.
Sam
Leaving on a Jet Plane
8-3-09
Sam called us today as he was waiting to board his plane for New York. What a great birthday present for me--to get to talk to him. He called 1/2 hour early at 8:00 am. Kitty arrived at 8:15 and Hillary arrived at 8:30.
It was great to hear his voice and get immediate responses to our questions. Like what is the name of your blog you set up?
He said he had conquered the homesickness until he went by our of-ramp and saw the mountains--then it hit him a bit--then when I had Ditto say hello and listen to Sam talk to him he said he got a little more homesick. I glad I followed the prompting to not go to the airport like we did when Hill left for Guatemala.
Sam told us he has put on weight--but it is only muscle weight. Boy would I like my weight to be only muscle weight. The first 15 missionaries for his mission left 2 hours before him--the remaining 5 including him are on his flight. Apparently they ran out of seats on the first flight. So he was in a companionship of 3 and not with his MTC companion. He was excited to be heading to his actual mission and little nervous as well.
After chatting with us for 45 minutes. We all said our good-byes; Hill gave Sam some good advise about not holding back because he will be the trainee, but take the lead if his companion ends up being a slacker--she didn't and she wished she did. He hung up to call his dad (they talked for about 8 minutes) and then he got something to eat and boarded his flight.
Too bad I din't post this the day I talked to him, I would have remembered more.
Posting from Camile Sam's mom
Sam called us today as he was waiting to board his plane for New York. What a great birthday present for me--to get to talk to him. He called 1/2 hour early at 8:00 am. Kitty arrived at 8:15 and Hillary arrived at 8:30.
It was great to hear his voice and get immediate responses to our questions. Like what is the name of your blog you set up?
He said he had conquered the homesickness until he went by our of-ramp and saw the mountains--then it hit him a bit--then when I had Ditto say hello and listen to Sam talk to him he said he got a little more homesick. I glad I followed the prompting to not go to the airport like we did when Hill left for Guatemala.
Sam told us he has put on weight--but it is only muscle weight. Boy would I like my weight to be only muscle weight. The first 15 missionaries for his mission left 2 hours before him--the remaining 5 including him are on his flight. Apparently they ran out of seats on the first flight. So he was in a companionship of 3 and not with his MTC companion. He was excited to be heading to his actual mission and little nervous as well.
After chatting with us for 45 minutes. We all said our good-byes; Hill gave Sam some good advise about not holding back because he will be the trainee, but take the lead if his companion ends up being a slacker--she didn't and she wished she did. He hung up to call his dad (they talked for about 8 minutes) and then he got something to eat and boarded his flight.
Too bad I din't post this the day I talked to him, I would have remembered more.
Posting from Camile Sam's mom
Last words from the MTC
8-1-09
Mom,
So :( when I asked what I should do about my missionary pack being too full, I really didn't expect you to send me a new pack. Hopefully you can still get a refund cause that doesn't hold all my stuff or have a place for my camel back.
I put my old scriptures in here and some of my letters I've gotten; could you put those in my storage?
Thank you for caring about me and sendin me all you did! I will take the vitamines; I'm already taking some. I remember most days. I will talk to you more at the airport so there no need writing now.
I love you! Hug Dad and give him kisses! Ditto needs a hug from me too.
Elder samuel A. Morris
An ordained minister in the true Gospel of Christ!
PS
Will you put Mrs. Charles from Missouri on the temple prayer roll please?
Mom,
So :( when I asked what I should do about my missionary pack being too full, I really didn't expect you to send me a new pack. Hopefully you can still get a refund cause that doesn't hold all my stuff or have a place for my camel back.
I put my old scriptures in here and some of my letters I've gotten; could you put those in my storage?
Thank you for caring about me and sendin me all you did! I will take the vitamines; I'm already taking some. I remember most days. I will talk to you more at the airport so there no need writing now.
I love you! Hug Dad and give him kisses! Ditto needs a hug from me too.
Elder samuel A. Morris
An ordained minister in the true Gospel of Christ!
PS
Will you put Mrs. Charles from Missouri on the temple prayer roll please?
Dear Dad
7-28-09
Dear Dad,
So Elder Van De Merwe (a missionary in my district) was telling me about how his brother had IGA naphropathy (commonly known as IGAN - glomerulonephritis) which is a genetic immune disorder (very rare). There are only 2 people in Utah and around 13 people n the whole United States who have it. What happens is the kidneys attck themselves. His brother was diagnosed with strep originally. Just like you!
So I told him your story about your kidneys back in the '70's when you were diagnosed with strep, and how it attacked your kidneys. We wondered together if maybe you actually had IGA nephropathy and they mistook it for strep (like Elder Van De Merwe's brother,) because they didn't know about it back then and because its so rare. I thought you would like toknow. So maybe you could google it or shomething. It sounds to me very much like what you were healed from. It's do cool how people's lives interconnect. Its p;ossible that this is a blessing for you to kow as a result of my service. Its possible you got this imune disease IGA nephropathy as a result of the radiation you got in the Navy.
Were you a seventy? (yes Roger is) For some reason I think you were...
Anyway, you missunderstood me. My copanion was on the phone because we were at the R.C. The R.C. is the Referal Center. Its like the churches telemarketing center. We call people to send them Books of Mormon and stuff. Also they call in to order them and other church media. Its for non-members but sometimes members call. He talked to a guy who had lots of questions--they guy was from New York.
The other day I called someone and shared a scripture and bore my testimony. She cried and thenaked me twice! I hope she was helped by me. I hope she comes to the gospel.
Any way, I love you. Thanks for yourletters! I love them way much!
Elder Morris
Your Son :)
Dear Dad,
So Elder Van De Merwe (a missionary in my district) was telling me about how his brother had IGA naphropathy (commonly known as IGAN - glomerulonephritis) which is a genetic immune disorder (very rare). There are only 2 people in Utah and around 13 people n the whole United States who have it. What happens is the kidneys attck themselves. His brother was diagnosed with strep originally. Just like you!
So I told him your story about your kidneys back in the '70's when you were diagnosed with strep, and how it attacked your kidneys. We wondered together if maybe you actually had IGA nephropathy and they mistook it for strep (like Elder Van De Merwe's brother,) because they didn't know about it back then and because its so rare. I thought you would like toknow. So maybe you could google it or shomething. It sounds to me very much like what you were healed from. It's do cool how people's lives interconnect. Its p;ossible that this is a blessing for you to kow as a result of my service. Its possible you got this imune disease IGA nephropathy as a result of the radiation you got in the Navy.
Were you a seventy? (yes Roger is) For some reason I think you were...
Anyway, you missunderstood me. My copanion was on the phone because we were at the R.C. The R.C. is the Referal Center. Its like the churches telemarketing center. We call people to send them Books of Mormon and stuff. Also they call in to order them and other church media. Its for non-members but sometimes members call. He talked to a guy who had lots of questions--they guy was from New York.
The other day I called someone and shared a scripture and bore my testimony. She cried and thenaked me twice! I hope she was helped by me. I hope she comes to the gospel.
Any way, I love you. Thanks for yourletters! I love them way much!
Elder Morris
Your Son :)
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