Hey friends and family. Just so you know this week I didn't struggle so badly. Elder Moyers and I are beginning to become more united and get to know each other better. We talk more now than we did before. We teach pretty well together I would say, which surprises me because of our situation but I know it is because we are following the spirit. I have thought of something I needed to say to someone and then he said it. Often while I am teaching Moyers will nod his head like, "yeah! That’s what I was thinking!"
I have learned a lot from Elder Moyers already and I hope he can say the same thing. Hopefully I have more impact on him in a positive way then in a negative way. I could imagine why he would think I am crazy or not the perfect example of a missionary.
Well its funny to me that this week we taught the average amount of lessons I taught a week with Elder Kiser... I feel like with Moyers we struggle to know how to schedule our day. With Elder Kiser it was difficult some days to plan our next day, but not as bad. I've been disappointed lately because we have gotten home late and then had extremely long planning sessions! Basically I get no wind down time cause once we are finished planning I've got 5 min to get to bed, ugh. We have made it a goal to do better about keeping our planning concise. I think it will be a lot easier when we finish the project we are working on of making a book of maps with all our members and contacts on it for each area. That way all we have to do is say "Where do we want to work tomorrow?" and then one of us will say, "Nesconset!" and the other will say "OK, sounds good. Here is a list of people... lets schedule them in for before lunch!" etc. :)
Well we started a new thing. We are going to be attending the ward members Family Home Evenings. We will either participate in the lesson or share a lesson with the family and maybe a game or something. This way we are getting more time with the members so we can build trust with them. We will also help them to take the next step in their family’s missionary work. This doesn't mean asking for referrals, that's like opening up the goose to try to get the golden eggs inside only to find there are none and you have killed the goose! If the members trust us then they will introduce their friends and family to us. What we will help them do is teach them ways they can be good neighbors (by helping them rake their neighbor’s leaves with them) or helping them think of ways they could invite their friends to activities or family bbq's, or how to share a testimony with a colleague. Or how to help the kids prepare for missions etc. Its not about numbers, its about love. Our examples as members and our friendships (not dependent on whether or not our friends join the church) can mean more than anything. When our friends and family know we love them and just want to help and will still love them even if they don't accept our message they will probably be more willing to listen the next time they get some missionaries knocking on the door. Ha-ha.
We had an amazing miracle night last Monday with Judy. We ate dinner at the Dyber’s and Sister McGibney was there as well and Judy came too. Well the spirit was super strong and everyone was testifying and Judy ended up getting a blessing and we sang a hymn and the words "I feel terrific" came from her mouth. Wow. I've never heard her say anything of that manner. The best think I've ever heard is "I'm OK" and usually It’s "Terrible, just terrible". Well I was convenced she was going to accept a baptismal date with the way she skipped to the car afterward. She has an amazing support system at church that extends beyond church friend status. She comes to church every week anyway... so it just seemed like this week she would tell us she wants to be baptized. Well she didn't. But Its still a miracle that she is happier and lighter. Baby steps are good when they are made in the right direction. Also, last Monday Grace called me. It was so nice to hear her voice. We talked and I was relieved to find out she still has a testimony and knows what she needs to do to be happy. She knows she needs to keep reading the scriptures and find a way to church. So this week I tried to get many members involved to try to contact her. She has been hard to contact especially cause she works in Riverhead and doesn't want people to stop by the house cause her sister-in-law that she lives with doesn't know she is a member and doesn't think she would respond to well to the fact.
Most of the work has been look ups of less active members and tracting, but we were able to contact a media referral this week! Woot! She is an amazing Jamaican lady who was referred to us by the LA temple visitor’s center. Her name is Parlin Johns and she is an international new born Nanny! Ha-ha. She goes all over the world for months at a time to take care of new borns. She gets literally piles of requests sent to her. She was awesome and so accepting of the message. Unfortunately she didn't make it to church but she was very sincere about reading the book of Mormon and knew what she had to do to find out if it was true. She told us she would keep us updated and wants to really know because she really wants to go to the temple. :) She couldn't make any appointments with us because she never knows when she has to leave the state, but told us to come by anytime she was home. So that was pretty cool. :D
The fall colors are starting to be scarce. Many of the trees are bare now. There were so many pretty colors, there are still a few trees that are vivid, but mostly brown now or fallen. We helped rake Sister Mcgibney’s lawn and it took a few hours with 6 of us plus her. We bagged over 100 bags and put them on the street! Ha-ha. There are still more leaves to fall, but thankfully for her not much more. We made a huge pile and jumped in it. Ha-ha. I filmed it so you all can see it later. Also pictures by the bags piled; I've never seen so many. And we packed them tight too, especially me! I sat on mine and/or got inside and stomped around while more went in. Ha-ha. It was fun. :)
Well, Imma hop now.
Love,
-Elder Samuel Austin Morris
Monday, November 22, 2010
I Miss the “Mis-mis”
Well, it was a rough week. The first two days i missed Elder Kiser a lot. I felt like my best friend had just died or something. I really struggled to keep us busy. It was tough. I realized that for the first time on my mission I was completely in charge, and not for just one day siked but the next 6 weeks minimum. I was really worried that Elder Moyers would think I was just a big slacker missionary. Then to top everything off not only do we have very little to do but I was going off of memory for directions and since I was in the hot seat and my old comp with a map for a brain was gone I myself out and sent us on some big unnecessary detours a few times. We were late a few times too and on splits only one member showed up and he didn't have anyone he wanted to look up or any home teaching to do so I had to improvise. It all turned out ok... and I am comfortable now as far as not being so stressed or feeling so pressured. Our numbers were the lowest I've had in a long while. :S
I thought it was interesting that Todd in his mission just had the same thing happen to him as what happened to me. That is our companion left to go to the office and we both got a greenie in his place. Man... I never understood what the old missionaries were talking about when I was younger in the mission. I felt like I wasn't any different than anyone else, and I really defended greenies when old missionaries would talk about their frustrations. I understand now. Not only is Moyers super green but he spent the last part of his mission in the Korean program. In the Korean program they are kind of Isolated from the rest of the mission. They kind of have their own culture and everything. Don't get me wrong, I have no problem with elder Moyers. He is really easy to get along with and he and I seem to teach pretty well together. He has a really funny innocent grin he puts on ha-ha. It’s really funny. Also I'll get lost in thoughts sometimes and he thinks I’m ignoring him or am angry or something and tries breaking the science but doesn't know how. Ha-ha. Sometimes it’s really funny to just watch him when its obvious that there is something he wants to tell me or ask me but instead he just walks around or attempts to talk multiple times but then doesn't say anything. :) Ha-ha. I kind of feel bad for him. Ha-ha. He asks me the silliest questions sometimes like about how to do something or if he can do something that no one cares about (probably because he doesn't want to offend anyone by his actions... but he forgets he is in a pad with Mitchell, Ledbetter, Judd, me, and Paulson. There are probably few other pads that are so laid back). He often won’t do something until I do it or give him permission to do it with the exception of the car heater.... ha-ha. He’ll adjust the temperature really fast and make some little noise that sounds like a mix of awkward and uncomfortable then check up with me to see if I'll say anything.
Anyway, ha-ha-- hopefully he'll learn to relax, I think he is in this pad to learn that he can really do a lot of good and still be obedient and he doesn't have to focus on each rule but on the objective and his purpose as a missionary.
He is sitting right next to me and he keeps looking at my screen to see what I am doing as if he is nervous that i am going to go on to a porn sight or something. Well, moving on.
We had an amazing Zone Conference on Friday. I really felt the spirit. And Thursday we came up with some really good plans for this week. I hope we can be more successful this week.
I'm really sad about our recent converts. Particularly Wayne cause he is being a punk lately about coming to church. Grace really wants to come to church and told me in a text last night that she is "proud to be Mormon" but her boss won’t let her have the schedule she was having last month with work. I wish I could give her a bunch of money or find her a new job so she could get to church on Sunday. Harold was coming but he didn't come yesterday. I was thinking maybe he was going to start becoming less frail in terms of his activity since he had a long interview with bishop and was sustained to receive the priesthood. Last time I called him he was all weird on the phone and I think he misunderstood what I was trying to say. i just wanted to check up on him and see if he was going to come to the new member classes but I think he thought I was harping him. I felt bad cause I really, really like Harold and I want to be his friend and keep in contact with him after the mission... but i think he liked elder Kiser better cause Kiser knew more about movies and stuff, anyway....
Fortunately Eugene is strong as ever. He always makes it to church even with his busy schedule. I love I; he is so cool.
Well besides having a nice meeting with President Croft, this week was mostly introducing Moyers to the English program and this area, Zone conference and a disappointing day at church. No one came. Judy came... but no one else, none of our potentials and none of our other investigators. I was really looking forward to seeing Cornell again and hopefully setting up an appointment with him but..... he didn't come and when I called him he told me basically he wanted to do the whole reading the book of Mormon thing and learning about the Gospel on his own. I was so surprised. I've never met someone who was so interested and loved a testimony meeting and believed the Joseph Smith story but didn't want to meet with us to learn more and faster. I guess he's just a really independent person. :S Well I’ve got to go now.
Love,
--
-Elder Samuel Austin Morris
I thought it was interesting that Todd in his mission just had the same thing happen to him as what happened to me. That is our companion left to go to the office and we both got a greenie in his place. Man... I never understood what the old missionaries were talking about when I was younger in the mission. I felt like I wasn't any different than anyone else, and I really defended greenies when old missionaries would talk about their frustrations. I understand now. Not only is Moyers super green but he spent the last part of his mission in the Korean program. In the Korean program they are kind of Isolated from the rest of the mission. They kind of have their own culture and everything. Don't get me wrong, I have no problem with elder Moyers. He is really easy to get along with and he and I seem to teach pretty well together. He has a really funny innocent grin he puts on ha-ha. It’s really funny. Also I'll get lost in thoughts sometimes and he thinks I’m ignoring him or am angry or something and tries breaking the science but doesn't know how. Ha-ha. Sometimes it’s really funny to just watch him when its obvious that there is something he wants to tell me or ask me but instead he just walks around or attempts to talk multiple times but then doesn't say anything. :) Ha-ha. I kind of feel bad for him. Ha-ha. He asks me the silliest questions sometimes like about how to do something or if he can do something that no one cares about (probably because he doesn't want to offend anyone by his actions... but he forgets he is in a pad with Mitchell, Ledbetter, Judd, me, and Paulson. There are probably few other pads that are so laid back). He often won’t do something until I do it or give him permission to do it with the exception of the car heater.... ha-ha. He’ll adjust the temperature really fast and make some little noise that sounds like a mix of awkward and uncomfortable then check up with me to see if I'll say anything.
Anyway, ha-ha-- hopefully he'll learn to relax, I think he is in this pad to learn that he can really do a lot of good and still be obedient and he doesn't have to focus on each rule but on the objective and his purpose as a missionary.
He is sitting right next to me and he keeps looking at my screen to see what I am doing as if he is nervous that i am going to go on to a porn sight or something. Well, moving on.
We had an amazing Zone Conference on Friday. I really felt the spirit. And Thursday we came up with some really good plans for this week. I hope we can be more successful this week.
I'm really sad about our recent converts. Particularly Wayne cause he is being a punk lately about coming to church. Grace really wants to come to church and told me in a text last night that she is "proud to be Mormon" but her boss won’t let her have the schedule she was having last month with work. I wish I could give her a bunch of money or find her a new job so she could get to church on Sunday. Harold was coming but he didn't come yesterday. I was thinking maybe he was going to start becoming less frail in terms of his activity since he had a long interview with bishop and was sustained to receive the priesthood. Last time I called him he was all weird on the phone and I think he misunderstood what I was trying to say. i just wanted to check up on him and see if he was going to come to the new member classes but I think he thought I was harping him. I felt bad cause I really, really like Harold and I want to be his friend and keep in contact with him after the mission... but i think he liked elder Kiser better cause Kiser knew more about movies and stuff, anyway....
Fortunately Eugene is strong as ever. He always makes it to church even with his busy schedule. I love I; he is so cool.
Well besides having a nice meeting with President Croft, this week was mostly introducing Moyers to the English program and this area, Zone conference and a disappointing day at church. No one came. Judy came... but no one else, none of our potentials and none of our other investigators. I was really looking forward to seeing Cornell again and hopefully setting up an appointment with him but..... he didn't come and when I called him he told me basically he wanted to do the whole reading the book of Mormon thing and learning about the Gospel on his own. I was so surprised. I've never met someone who was so interested and loved a testimony meeting and believed the Joseph Smith story but didn't want to meet with us to learn more and faster. I guess he's just a really independent person. :S Well I’ve got to go now.
Love,
--
-Elder Samuel Austin Morris
Shalom
It turns out we taught the exact same number of lessons this transfer as last transfer. This surprised me. It surprised me because I didn't feel as successful as I felt last transfer. The only real difference in numbers was the 4 baptisms compared to the 0 this transfer. I know what you have already said to yourself, "but Sam, don't you know that baptisms are not the measure of your success as a missionary?" Yes of course I know that. I'm just pointing out that the effort we put in or the amount of lessons we teach is directly proportional to the amount of baptisms. I think they tried to tell me something like that in the MTC... but anyway. I was surprised, like I said, that Elder Kiser and I ended up with the exact same number of lessons as last transfer. I think the focus of this last transfer was strengthening the recent converts. Finding came next. The funny thing about finding is that (at least in my mission) those that are found aren't really found they are given. We do finding activities all day long and don't find anyone but then we get a media referral or someone approaches us and that person is the one that progresses. So it was this transfer; a lot of work with no new investigators to show for it. That being said, I see a lot of potential for next transfer. Our pool is actually being built up. There is work to be done; now it’s up to me and my new companion to be diligent.
That's right, new companion. It’s hard to think of being in Terryville without elder Kiser... but that’s what is going to be happening starting transfer meeting tomorrow. Thursday night we got a text from the Zone leaders telling us Elder Kiser had an interview with president on Friday. A Friday interview before transfers in this mission means you are becoming a District leader, Zone leader, or training. Well I knew it wasn't DL or ZL, because Kiser has only had one area and is still young in the mission (transfer wise). Well that only left training. I was surprised because I was having the feeling that I would be training this transfer. However I was not asked to be interviewed. Well Friday during the interview, the door opens and president comes out and invites me to come into the room where the interview was happening... I walk in and it is made known to me that "the touch of Morris has been made known again" (or something like that). "Elder Kiser will be serving in the office for the next two transfers". Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha. Wow, so I’ve had 5 companions now who have served in the office. Well, Kiser left the room and president interviewed me. Not expected by me. He told me that I would be with Elder Moyers (an elder I picked up from the airport when I was an office elder). Elder Moyers has been in the mission for 12 weeks now and for the last 12 weeks he has been serving in the Korean program. Ha-ha. So in a way you could say this is my 3rd Korean companion. Well, he's actually a white kid (I know--disappointing. Ha-ha) but from what I remember when I picked him up, he is really nice, so hopefully we get along well. So there you have it, I am a trainer in a way because I'm training him to be an English elder now. President wants him to be in the English program now because we have one too many English elders and I suppose he wanted to keep the native Koreans in the program because Koreans are a little racist (at least the ones I've met! Ha=ha Jk, but seriously). I don't think Elder Moyers knows yet that I will be his new comp but I know. President told me essentially that he wants me to work hard and have a lot of fun with him and teach a lot of lessons (Moyers hasn't taught a lot on his mission so far). I guess president sees me as a guy who can work hard and have a lot of fun if that is my assignment. So that's a major complement I feel.
So that's the biggest news. Here are some interesting facts though:
I will be in Terryville for 3 transfers now. The only other place I have done that is Richmond Hill. I've never stayed in an area longer than that. Usually I am 2 then leave. I potentially could be here a long time. I would say the absolute longest would be until march and the shortest would be after this next 6 weeks (which would mean I would be in a new area for Christmas... that's no fun cause then you are at a strangers for Christmas. I think I'd rather be here two more transfers then leave).
I've never had a companion longer than 12 weeks.
As of next transfer I will have lived with Elder Ledbetter longer than any Elder. He dies this next transfer. I will really, really miss him. Kiser is lucky he gets to take him to the airport... But on second thought, that would be really hard for me, so I’m glad I’m not doing it. I will miss Ledbetter.
Cool story. We got a bunch of media referrals. We called one up, Cornel-- Long story short, he’s 6'3'' blond haired and blue eyed and looking for truth. He came to church before we even met him and LOVED fast and testimony meeting. He told me he believes in the "Joseph Smith Story"! So I’m way pumped to teach him, he seems way chill! I'll keep ye all posted.
-Elder Samuel Austin Morris
That's right, new companion. It’s hard to think of being in Terryville without elder Kiser... but that’s what is going to be happening starting transfer meeting tomorrow. Thursday night we got a text from the Zone leaders telling us Elder Kiser had an interview with president on Friday. A Friday interview before transfers in this mission means you are becoming a District leader, Zone leader, or training. Well I knew it wasn't DL or ZL, because Kiser has only had one area and is still young in the mission (transfer wise). Well that only left training. I was surprised because I was having the feeling that I would be training this transfer. However I was not asked to be interviewed. Well Friday during the interview, the door opens and president comes out and invites me to come into the room where the interview was happening... I walk in and it is made known to me that "the touch of Morris has been made known again" (or something like that). "Elder Kiser will be serving in the office for the next two transfers". Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha. Wow, so I’ve had 5 companions now who have served in the office. Well, Kiser left the room and president interviewed me. Not expected by me. He told me that I would be with Elder Moyers (an elder I picked up from the airport when I was an office elder). Elder Moyers has been in the mission for 12 weeks now and for the last 12 weeks he has been serving in the Korean program. Ha-ha. So in a way you could say this is my 3rd Korean companion. Well, he's actually a white kid (I know--disappointing. Ha-ha) but from what I remember when I picked him up, he is really nice, so hopefully we get along well. So there you have it, I am a trainer in a way because I'm training him to be an English elder now. President wants him to be in the English program now because we have one too many English elders and I suppose he wanted to keep the native Koreans in the program because Koreans are a little racist (at least the ones I've met! Ha=ha Jk, but seriously). I don't think Elder Moyers knows yet that I will be his new comp but I know. President told me essentially that he wants me to work hard and have a lot of fun with him and teach a lot of lessons (Moyers hasn't taught a lot on his mission so far). I guess president sees me as a guy who can work hard and have a lot of fun if that is my assignment. So that's a major complement I feel.
So that's the biggest news. Here are some interesting facts though:
I will be in Terryville for 3 transfers now. The only other place I have done that is Richmond Hill. I've never stayed in an area longer than that. Usually I am 2 then leave. I potentially could be here a long time. I would say the absolute longest would be until march and the shortest would be after this next 6 weeks (which would mean I would be in a new area for Christmas... that's no fun cause then you are at a strangers for Christmas. I think I'd rather be here two more transfers then leave).
I've never had a companion longer than 12 weeks.
As of next transfer I will have lived with Elder Ledbetter longer than any Elder. He dies this next transfer. I will really, really miss him. Kiser is lucky he gets to take him to the airport... But on second thought, that would be really hard for me, so I’m glad I’m not doing it. I will miss Ledbetter.
Cool story. We got a bunch of media referrals. We called one up, Cornel-- Long story short, he’s 6'3'' blond haired and blue eyed and looking for truth. He came to church before we even met him and LOVED fast and testimony meeting. He told me he believes in the "Joseph Smith Story"! So I’m way pumped to teach him, he seems way chill! I'll keep ye all posted.
-Elder Samuel Austin Morris
Happy Halloween
All right, so, this past week we had a lot of opportunity to do service. It was nice because we were able to gain more trust from the members and ward auxiliary leaders. We had a few switch ups that were different but not all bad. The one bad one was that our ward mission leader is out of town because of a family emergency concerning a grandchild. We pray for him. The rest however were good because we were able to work more closely with the leaders. We met with the Elder’s quorum president and he fed us amazing steaks and broccoli with cheese and apple cider. Then he showed us pictures and videos from his trip to Jerusalem and Israel and Egypt, way cool! ha-ha. Looked like lots of fun. He told us Petra is way cooler than the pyramids, (but both are cool). Then we talked about people in the ward and investigators and service projects and less actives. Basically we have a list of things to do that will be great things to do. Plus we are working better with the elders. Also we will be meeting with him every Saturday from now on and he will be feeding us! Score, his food was delicious and I was totally satisfecho. I hate feeling totally stuffed and uncomfortable and embarrassed that I can't finish the food, and offending people that I didn't eat enough. I'm a small guy! I'm done with that game!
We also tracted this week and were able to find some good service opportunities as well as potential investigators. We talked to one man (the last house we knocked on) for a half an hour. His name was rick and he is a long time practicing Catholic. We gave him a book of Mormon at the climax of our surprisingly intellectual and spiritual discussion, at which point he expressed a sincerity to actually read and pray about it. He told us that history is written by the victors and there are billions of Catholics so he wouldn't be surprised if there are other things out there.
I had a burger Saturday at Frank n' Burger! ha-ha. It's a Halloween themed burger place open all year round! What a gamble right!? Well he has been open a whole year now and has amazing customer service for New York, not to mention his burger was really good! It was Huge, i couldn't finish it. The bun was amazing! Big all encompassing bun! Hardly any drip-age or slippage of the innards of my burger. It all looked good (all the choices) but there was one (that I'm sure was tasty) that I just couldn't go for-- A zombie dog--it was a deep fried wiener with honey and whipped cream on it. All I could imagine when I saw it was eating some part of a zombie...... well you don't want to hear about that do you.
Halloween was an odd Sunday. We helped a man named Bob Lugo out. He is taking care of his dad while his mom is in the hospital and he himself really should be taken care of. His wife is out of town and he has an amputated foot from diabetes. He is a wonderful guy with a strong testimony. Well it’s tough for him to stand up and sit down repeatedly and walk around. Since its Halloween and not Utah there were trick-or-teat-ers. So we handed out candy, answered the phone, and attended to Grandpa Lugo while Bob took a break and did some things he needed to do. I was quite surprised how many kids didn't even dress up! Most did, but a surprising amount did not. The More surprising thing was that the kids had to be coaxed to say "trick or treat!" Can you believe that! We had to ask "What’s the magic words?" or something to that effect nearly every time! Ha-ha. Well we went home and spent the rest of the afternoon and night inside (mission rule not be out after 5 on Halloween). I felt bad we could stay and help bob out longer and so did he. But he was thankful for the time we were able to give him.
Love you peeps, chow.
We also tracted this week and were able to find some good service opportunities as well as potential investigators. We talked to one man (the last house we knocked on) for a half an hour. His name was rick and he is a long time practicing Catholic. We gave him a book of Mormon at the climax of our surprisingly intellectual and spiritual discussion, at which point he expressed a sincerity to actually read and pray about it. He told us that history is written by the victors and there are billions of Catholics so he wouldn't be surprised if there are other things out there.
I had a burger Saturday at Frank n' Burger! ha-ha. It's a Halloween themed burger place open all year round! What a gamble right!? Well he has been open a whole year now and has amazing customer service for New York, not to mention his burger was really good! It was Huge, i couldn't finish it. The bun was amazing! Big all encompassing bun! Hardly any drip-age or slippage of the innards of my burger. It all looked good (all the choices) but there was one (that I'm sure was tasty) that I just couldn't go for-- A zombie dog--it was a deep fried wiener with honey and whipped cream on it. All I could imagine when I saw it was eating some part of a zombie...... well you don't want to hear about that do you.
Halloween was an odd Sunday. We helped a man named Bob Lugo out. He is taking care of his dad while his mom is in the hospital and he himself really should be taken care of. His wife is out of town and he has an amputated foot from diabetes. He is a wonderful guy with a strong testimony. Well it’s tough for him to stand up and sit down repeatedly and walk around. Since its Halloween and not Utah there were trick-or-teat-ers. So we handed out candy, answered the phone, and attended to Grandpa Lugo while Bob took a break and did some things he needed to do. I was quite surprised how many kids didn't even dress up! Most did, but a surprising amount did not. The More surprising thing was that the kids had to be coaxed to say "trick or treat!" Can you believe that! We had to ask "What’s the magic words?" or something to that effect nearly every time! Ha-ha. Well we went home and spent the rest of the afternoon and night inside (mission rule not be out after 5 on Halloween). I felt bad we could stay and help bob out longer and so did he. But he was thankful for the time we were able to give him.
Love you peeps, chow.
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