Week 5 of transfer 8
Hello. I am a missionary for the New York, New York south mission and I struggle to do what’s right. I know I am in the right place at the right time. I also know I have a lot to improve upon, but what a better place then in queens. I would not want to be anywhere else right now. I really miss some of you, but that won't stop me from trying to magnify myself and taking advantage of this one shot I have at being a NYNYC South missionary. I don't think my current numbers would reflect my hart. This week I got the lowest numbers of my whole mission. I don't feel that the fact I am an office elder, or the fact we had a busy week justifies anything. However I still have at least one more transfer to get balancing mission office work and missionary work.
I saw a dead bird the other day. The scriptures tell us that God knows that bird and that he knew when It fell and why it passed away. Like I told an 8 year old and a 5 year old member last night and like my Dad always taught me, "If God knows about that sparrow falling from the sky, then why would he not know who you are?" I think that statement was just as much for myself as it was the kids. I believe when someone speaks by the spirit the people listening and the person speaking are instructed.
You know the saying "whatever floats your boat", or "whatever tickles your fancy"? Well, I thought of another variation. :D "Whatever tumbles your tumblers"! I like it, what about you.
Well, The Hiltz boys are pretty much a no for baptism for a long while. There mom does not cooperate with us and the kids have very little desire to come to church. I don't know if I would either if I were in their shoes. They kind of use their mothers doubt and the fact that their parents are separated as their own advantage and they get away with a lot. Its odd to me that a legally separated couple would still live together in the same apartment and sleep in the same room..... But, it’s not really my concern I suppose. :S
Vishnu. :( Man, he has had bronchitis all week. When I called him to talk to him and see if we could help or maybe give him a blessing and coughed his lungs out and struggled to breath. He is on antibiotics but he still is struggling. We plan on bringing him a Nepali B.O.M. probably tomorrow, maybe tonight. We really do not want him to fall through the cracks, because we really were led to him, he really is prepared.
Well, this week we did a lot of service. We moved two families this week; the Bangeters (which mad me sad; Alpiners going home...) and this lady in our wards sister. Her sister had a mental breakdown because of an extreme case of bi-polar disorder (A time bomb of an episode apparently). It was a lot of work but It felt good to help. We sweated out of our eyelids it was so humid and sunny. This week we also took a missionary into Manhattan for a doctor’s appointment. Well, after the appointment the missionary found a news paper called Gay City. He read an article from it and all three of us were shocked. I thought you all might want to know the kind of things that are going on in the Homosexual community so you can know what kind of battle is in store for our families.
1. There are councilors that help the unfortunately heterosexual to become Gay. It is said that 85% of heterosexuals can become good gays or lesbians.
2. There is a church that believes that Jesus Christ won't return for the second coming until everyone is homosexual.
3. One woman praised Jesus for helping her to learn that girl-on-girl action was right for her.
4. One man expressed his joy that God was happy that he was Gay.
5. There was talk in a community of Gays that they were happy that they were all able to learn to be "full-humans" because of their homosexuality and that they felt sorry for those of us who are continuing to be heterosexual.
The missionary we were with said some hateful things concerning the people who wrote these blasphemies. I want to encourage you all, right now, DO NOT FALL VICTIM TO HATE. These things these people believe may be evil, the family is definitely under attack and yes we must defend it... But we have to remember that God loves all of his children the same regardless of their actions. We do not want to be the reason that some person hates the church. If we are seen doing or saying hateful things to people we will be viewed as the bad guys who persecute others and force our beliefs on others. We have to remember that the churches stance on Homosexuality is that it is a temptation for some people just like alcoholism or stealing might be for someone else. These people have believed their own justifications because it feels better than to feel the natural guilt that comes from doing what is contrary to the will of the lord. We all have the light of Christ. So, Love people. Love and serve them until they see our sincere desire for their well being. Hate the sin or transgression not the person, and realize that everyone has weakness.
Well, I have to go, my companion is getting restless.
I hope you all have a good week.
Love
-Elder Samuel Austin Morris
Monday, June 28, 2010
Monday, June 21, 2010
WOW
Ok, so one of the AP's (Assistants to the president) in my mission is named Elder Cascardi. He is from Brazil but is Italian in his blood. Anyway, his older brother was BJ's (Elder Warner) Current mission president’s (President Traveler) first AP. So, I thought that was pretty funny. So before he goes home BJ you should ask him about Elder Cascardi and tell him that his brother is the AP of my mission. Ha-ha.
Well, I feel really stupid and scared right now, because I think I broke the Lap top that the AP's use.... I tried to get into it without using the password so I could email at the same time my companion was emailing, because the AP's were not texting me the password because they were being meanies.... anyway... now when I turn on the computer it says that a certain file is either missing or corrupt and wont boot up. It says that I can repair it if I have a windows installation CD but Elder Saeyang told me that the mission isn't allowed to have things like that and that the church programmed the computers so they couldn't be tampered with... so... yeah. I didn't change anything so I don't know why it did that, all you can change on the system preferences thing when the computer is booting up is like the time and date and language and the passwords... :( I'm so dumb. I hope that all the people in the office don't hate me soon here when they find out. :S If they Kill me, please just put on my grave stone my last words "I didn't mean to" or "I was just trying to do the right thing Alvin".
Yesterday was the longest day I have ever had. My companion for some reason just doesn't talk to me... and when I talk he often doesn't listen. I think he thinks a lot. Unlike me, I just like to think out loud instead... or just do things as I am prompted. Anyway... It’s been really quiet. But yeah, basically we walked around trying to be missionaries from 3 until 8 not really talking. It was a long day.
Ok here is some news. So we have been teaching a Part Member family named the Hiltz. Well the two boys who aren't baptized are 14 and 12. The 14 year old is addicted to World of War Craft. They are way smart and cool. But the oldest one totally lied to us a couple times just to make us happy. They don't mean it. Anyway, we wanted them to get baptized this transfer but it turns out they don't want to be baptized yet and they are soon leaving to go on vacation to Norway for like a month... so... that won't work out anymore but we still plan on teaching them like 2 times a week until they leave and the mom says she is gonna make sure they are going to church in Norway. So pray that the mom's testimony is strengthened and that the kids can develop a desire to learn and be baptized. They really are bright; they understood the plan of salvation in like 10 min.
Ok, here is the really great news. So elder Saeyang and I have been looking up less actives. We looked up this man and he wasn't home so we left a note on the door. That night we got a call from a man named Visnu Singh. Apparently he is the older brother of this recent convert who according to our correlater wanted to go to BYU but couldn't because he was not coming to church.... anyway that’s the side note. This guy left back to Nepal but then a few years ago came back to the states. Vishnu has not spoken to him in that time and currently has no clue where his brother is, but was living in the same house his brother was living in a few years back. So when he called us he wanted us to meet with him and explain what "this is all about". Well, after a small struggle we were able to meet with him in the park! Guess what. He is golden; Really truly. He knows about Christ and his atonement and knows that it is true. He has about a million questions for us and all of them are the amazing questions you practice answering in the MTC. So anyway, we invited him to get baptized in our first lesson with him and he accepted. We just need to set a date now. After our lesson we invited to walk him home but he said no because he wanted to read the pamphlet and the book of Mormon we gave him. So he stayed in the park and read the Restoration pamphlet. Later he called and told us he wanted to come to church and that he had read the pamphlet. I asked if he liked it and he said "Why would I read it if I didn't like It! HA-HA-HA" and then he asked me "So, Elder, do I need to be baptized to receive a full remission of my sins?" "... Well, yes...." I said. "I need to be baptized then!" he informed me. "Well that's what we are here to help you to do." Well, he met us at the Queens mall and then we walked to church together. He really seemed to like church and I think I saw him get a little teary during some of the hymns. He was so excited to take the sacrament. Well, after sacrament he asked me a question that I didn't know the answer to because I had been wondering the same thing. He asked "This was the first time I have taken the sacrament. How come in all the other churches I can not be taking the bread and blood, but in your church I can be taking of the bread and blood? The other churches would ask if I had been baptized and then they told me that I could not until I had been baptized." I told him we would talk about it later, but my real intention was to ask the gospel principals teacher. Well, by no coincidence (because they don't exist), the lesson was on the sacrament. So Vishnu asked the question and we both got the answer. I have always thought it was weird/fishy we allow children under 8 and un-baptized people take the sacrament if they want it. The answer was that it means nothing to them, as far as renewal of covenants and cleansing from sin and re commitment to good in the following week; however it is a personal decision for the parents or the over 8 un-baptized person and its ok, because it doesn't mean anything, but it is a learning thing, like practice. It helps the person to understand more what it means and get excited for when they can take it with a real meaning for their salvation. I'm not really explaining myself very well, but I hope that makes since. So yeah, anyway, Vishnu had to leave before we could set a date for him to be baptized and set up an appointment to see him soon cause he was having trouble breathing. He sounded like he had a bronchitis weez and cough... I hope he is ok. But we will set a date with him this week and teach him the plan of salvation and the gospel of Jesus Christ. :) So that's pretty awesome. People from Nepal usually are not Christian. He is definitely prepared. Brother Tamang should send me his conversion story and family picture so I can give it to Vishnu; that would be super awesome!
Ok. um... my comp is waiting for me, we have been here an hour longer than we planned because I had to go after Saeyang instead of at the same time.... oh, btw, while I was typing this the Ap's came in and they were not mad at me, just sad because we might loose all the files. :( I’m an idiot. Elder Olsen (my brother who is an AP) is good with computers and thinks he might be able to save it, when he reloads windows xp by dividing the hard drive in half. Wow, all this work because of me. Let this be a lesson to all. Do not try to beat the system, because the system will then beat you.
Love, Elder Morris
Well, I feel really stupid and scared right now, because I think I broke the Lap top that the AP's use.... I tried to get into it without using the password so I could email at the same time my companion was emailing, because the AP's were not texting me the password because they were being meanies.... anyway... now when I turn on the computer it says that a certain file is either missing or corrupt and wont boot up. It says that I can repair it if I have a windows installation CD but Elder Saeyang told me that the mission isn't allowed to have things like that and that the church programmed the computers so they couldn't be tampered with... so... yeah. I didn't change anything so I don't know why it did that, all you can change on the system preferences thing when the computer is booting up is like the time and date and language and the passwords... :( I'm so dumb. I hope that all the people in the office don't hate me soon here when they find out. :S If they Kill me, please just put on my grave stone my last words "I didn't mean to" or "I was just trying to do the right thing Alvin".
Yesterday was the longest day I have ever had. My companion for some reason just doesn't talk to me... and when I talk he often doesn't listen. I think he thinks a lot. Unlike me, I just like to think out loud instead... or just do things as I am prompted. Anyway... It’s been really quiet. But yeah, basically we walked around trying to be missionaries from 3 until 8 not really talking. It was a long day.
Ok here is some news. So we have been teaching a Part Member family named the Hiltz. Well the two boys who aren't baptized are 14 and 12. The 14 year old is addicted to World of War Craft. They are way smart and cool. But the oldest one totally lied to us a couple times just to make us happy. They don't mean it. Anyway, we wanted them to get baptized this transfer but it turns out they don't want to be baptized yet and they are soon leaving to go on vacation to Norway for like a month... so... that won't work out anymore but we still plan on teaching them like 2 times a week until they leave and the mom says she is gonna make sure they are going to church in Norway. So pray that the mom's testimony is strengthened and that the kids can develop a desire to learn and be baptized. They really are bright; they understood the plan of salvation in like 10 min.
Ok, here is the really great news. So elder Saeyang and I have been looking up less actives. We looked up this man and he wasn't home so we left a note on the door. That night we got a call from a man named Visnu Singh. Apparently he is the older brother of this recent convert who according to our correlater wanted to go to BYU but couldn't because he was not coming to church.... anyway that’s the side note. This guy left back to Nepal but then a few years ago came back to the states. Vishnu has not spoken to him in that time and currently has no clue where his brother is, but was living in the same house his brother was living in a few years back. So when he called us he wanted us to meet with him and explain what "this is all about". Well, after a small struggle we were able to meet with him in the park! Guess what. He is golden; Really truly. He knows about Christ and his atonement and knows that it is true. He has about a million questions for us and all of them are the amazing questions you practice answering in the MTC. So anyway, we invited him to get baptized in our first lesson with him and he accepted. We just need to set a date now. After our lesson we invited to walk him home but he said no because he wanted to read the pamphlet and the book of Mormon we gave him. So he stayed in the park and read the Restoration pamphlet. Later he called and told us he wanted to come to church and that he had read the pamphlet. I asked if he liked it and he said "Why would I read it if I didn't like It! HA-HA-HA" and then he asked me "So, Elder, do I need to be baptized to receive a full remission of my sins?" "... Well, yes...." I said. "I need to be baptized then!" he informed me. "Well that's what we are here to help you to do." Well, he met us at the Queens mall and then we walked to church together. He really seemed to like church and I think I saw him get a little teary during some of the hymns. He was so excited to take the sacrament. Well, after sacrament he asked me a question that I didn't know the answer to because I had been wondering the same thing. He asked "This was the first time I have taken the sacrament. How come in all the other churches I can not be taking the bread and blood, but in your church I can be taking of the bread and blood? The other churches would ask if I had been baptized and then they told me that I could not until I had been baptized." I told him we would talk about it later, but my real intention was to ask the gospel principals teacher. Well, by no coincidence (because they don't exist), the lesson was on the sacrament. So Vishnu asked the question and we both got the answer. I have always thought it was weird/fishy we allow children under 8 and un-baptized people take the sacrament if they want it. The answer was that it means nothing to them, as far as renewal of covenants and cleansing from sin and re commitment to good in the following week; however it is a personal decision for the parents or the over 8 un-baptized person and its ok, because it doesn't mean anything, but it is a learning thing, like practice. It helps the person to understand more what it means and get excited for when they can take it with a real meaning for their salvation. I'm not really explaining myself very well, but I hope that makes since. So yeah, anyway, Vishnu had to leave before we could set a date for him to be baptized and set up an appointment to see him soon cause he was having trouble breathing. He sounded like he had a bronchitis weez and cough... I hope he is ok. But we will set a date with him this week and teach him the plan of salvation and the gospel of Jesus Christ. :) So that's pretty awesome. People from Nepal usually are not Christian. He is definitely prepared. Brother Tamang should send me his conversion story and family picture so I can give it to Vishnu; that would be super awesome!
Ok. um... my comp is waiting for me, we have been here an hour longer than we planned because I had to go after Saeyang instead of at the same time.... oh, btw, while I was typing this the Ap's came in and they were not mad at me, just sad because we might loose all the files. :( I’m an idiot. Elder Olsen (my brother who is an AP) is good with computers and thinks he might be able to save it, when he reloads windows xp by dividing the hard drive in half. Wow, all this work because of me. Let this be a lesson to all. Do not try to beat the system, because the system will then beat you.
Love, Elder Morris
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Hear ye Hear ye
Well, Sam says to you all "What a shame... What a shame it is" For he missed last weeks email. It is the first time he can recall missing an email report home his whole mission (please don't correct me if I'm wrong).
Ok... um. Well, we had Zone conference this week. a man named Steven B. Allen came to our mission. Maybe you have heard of him. He is over all the missions in the world. Well he had some good things to say. He told us we aren't baptizing because we have decided not to (based on our goals). So he has asked us to re-adjust our visions and make sure to set goals ("0's" are not goals). Also, he told us that if he was allowed to be a mission president again and he was allowed to choose a mission he would come to the NY-NYCS mission. He made sure to tell us that he has never said that before and that he does not say that to anyone. He told us he would come here over the Philippines or Peru (those missions are baptizing 200 a month). The reason why is because he has never seen so many prepared open people in all his travels. (Mind you this is based on two exchanges with missionaries; so two days working Queens). Anyway, he says we have no Idea what we are sitting on. We are on a gold mine and we don't even realize it. I will admit, I am seeing the people differently since he said that. It really is true; people here may seem hard and callus on the outside. But they are softer and more genuine than another people I have met. It’s true that they really are open about talking to random people on the street, especially about things like religion. I have felt like I have loved the people I have served but I really have felt an increase of love for them lately. I love them more than any of you at home... so I have decided not to come home. JK. Ha-ha! But really I have had a increase and I like it. New York grows on me a little more every day. I can honestly say the cliché thing every return missionary says "I love my mission. It’s the best mission in the world. I love the people there".
Well I learned a lot at zone conference. I actually went to 2 this week cause I am an office elder and we had to go help them and bring packages. Also we did a "car swap". We took all the cars in the mission and played hot potato. We took all the high mile cars and gave them to the missionaries who drive the least and all the low mile cars and new cars to the missionaries who drive the most. We did this to buy us some time before we have to sell cars (since we sell cars when they get to like 55,000 miles or something like that). Well, people have been texting us and requesting certain cars and stuff. Ha-ha. Well Elder Kosaka and Elder Thiot the English elders in Staten Island (I love those two) they kept asking for a Subaru. So I printed off the Subaru emblem and taped it on the Toyota symbol front and back. Ha-ha. They loved it and said that I am the "Best elder in the mission". Lol, we all know that’s not true, but it felt good that they liked my joke so much. :)
I enjoy the office. It’s hard sometimes with my companion because he doesn't communicate very well with me, but its getting better. We have a lot of inside jokes which is nice. My favorite part about being an office elder is how I get to see the whole mission and talk to all the elders.
I had a really nice interview with president and he told me some really good things that are helping me. :) Then he gave me a blessing to have joy; also to find joy in the work. It is working. That night I fearlessed a lady and it didn't even really go anywhere but it made me so incredibly happy. :D He also instructed me to stop looking at my weaknesses in the wrong context. He told me that God accepts the whole package and that he looks on the heart. He told me that the lord allows him to see his missionaries' hearts. He told me and had to convince me that I can not base my worthiness on my weaknesses when "the other parts of me are so great". It felt good to have President and my parents and other missionaries support me and tell me that i am good and they love me. Especially since I had such a rough week last week and had so many people tell me other things contrary and Satan really worked overtime to discourage me and make me feel a lot of guilt.
Well, we are going to invite everyone to be baptized and they are going to commit themselves to get baptized. Cool right?!? Remember that God loves everyone even people who murder, or live double lives or whatever. Also, we are all kind of hypocritical so we really can’t call others on their hypocrisies. you know what I mean? Also, don't make justifications. I'm gonna take this a little deeper, If you feel bad about something don't justify it by putting others down or by being a hater on whatever it is that bugs you. If you struggle with something hold on to the part of your testimony that is strong and focus on trying to find the positive and good in your situation or person or thing. You'll be happier, you'll help those around you be happier and you will have less stress... and you will get over your trial sooner (or at least with the right attitude you'll learn what you were supposed to learn better). None of us is perfect, but that’s what Christ's atonement is for.
Love Elder Morris
Ok... um. Well, we had Zone conference this week. a man named Steven B. Allen came to our mission. Maybe you have heard of him. He is over all the missions in the world. Well he had some good things to say. He told us we aren't baptizing because we have decided not to (based on our goals). So he has asked us to re-adjust our visions and make sure to set goals ("0's" are not goals). Also, he told us that if he was allowed to be a mission president again and he was allowed to choose a mission he would come to the NY-NYCS mission. He made sure to tell us that he has never said that before and that he does not say that to anyone. He told us he would come here over the Philippines or Peru (those missions are baptizing 200 a month). The reason why is because he has never seen so many prepared open people in all his travels. (Mind you this is based on two exchanges with missionaries; so two days working Queens). Anyway, he says we have no Idea what we are sitting on. We are on a gold mine and we don't even realize it. I will admit, I am seeing the people differently since he said that. It really is true; people here may seem hard and callus on the outside. But they are softer and more genuine than another people I have met. It’s true that they really are open about talking to random people on the street, especially about things like religion. I have felt like I have loved the people I have served but I really have felt an increase of love for them lately. I love them more than any of you at home... so I have decided not to come home. JK. Ha-ha! But really I have had a increase and I like it. New York grows on me a little more every day. I can honestly say the cliché thing every return missionary says "I love my mission. It’s the best mission in the world. I love the people there".
Well I learned a lot at zone conference. I actually went to 2 this week cause I am an office elder and we had to go help them and bring packages. Also we did a "car swap". We took all the cars in the mission and played hot potato. We took all the high mile cars and gave them to the missionaries who drive the least and all the low mile cars and new cars to the missionaries who drive the most. We did this to buy us some time before we have to sell cars (since we sell cars when they get to like 55,000 miles or something like that). Well, people have been texting us and requesting certain cars and stuff. Ha-ha. Well Elder Kosaka and Elder Thiot the English elders in Staten Island (I love those two) they kept asking for a Subaru. So I printed off the Subaru emblem and taped it on the Toyota symbol front and back. Ha-ha. They loved it and said that I am the "Best elder in the mission". Lol, we all know that’s not true, but it felt good that they liked my joke so much. :)
I enjoy the office. It’s hard sometimes with my companion because he doesn't communicate very well with me, but its getting better. We have a lot of inside jokes which is nice. My favorite part about being an office elder is how I get to see the whole mission and talk to all the elders.
I had a really nice interview with president and he told me some really good things that are helping me. :) Then he gave me a blessing to have joy; also to find joy in the work. It is working. That night I fearlessed a lady and it didn't even really go anywhere but it made me so incredibly happy. :D He also instructed me to stop looking at my weaknesses in the wrong context. He told me that God accepts the whole package and that he looks on the heart. He told me that the lord allows him to see his missionaries' hearts. He told me and had to convince me that I can not base my worthiness on my weaknesses when "the other parts of me are so great". It felt good to have President and my parents and other missionaries support me and tell me that i am good and they love me. Especially since I had such a rough week last week and had so many people tell me other things contrary and Satan really worked overtime to discourage me and make me feel a lot of guilt.
Well, we are going to invite everyone to be baptized and they are going to commit themselves to get baptized. Cool right?!? Remember that God loves everyone even people who murder, or live double lives or whatever. Also, we are all kind of hypocritical so we really can’t call others on their hypocrisies. you know what I mean? Also, don't make justifications. I'm gonna take this a little deeper, If you feel bad about something don't justify it by putting others down or by being a hater on whatever it is that bugs you. If you struggle with something hold on to the part of your testimony that is strong and focus on trying to find the positive and good in your situation or person or thing. You'll be happier, you'll help those around you be happier and you will have less stress... and you will get over your trial sooner (or at least with the right attitude you'll learn what you were supposed to learn better). None of us is perfect, but that’s what Christ's atonement is for.
Love Elder Morris
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