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!
Monday, November 23, 2009
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
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