Monday, June 6, 2011
Sam's Homecoming
Sam will be returning from his mission July 20th. His homecoming talk will be Sunday July 24th at the Village Way Chapel in Alpine. 100 S (Village Way)1000 E at 9:00 am. We have a very active early-bird ward, so I suggest you arrive a little early if you want to sit in the benches. We will have a little something at our house after the meeting.
Week 6 of transfer 16
Good news everyone! We had two investigators at church this week! The first one was Jean, who I believe I have told you about. If not, she is the girl friend of one of our members and she is really a wonderful girl. She is honest and has a real good understanding of how to be a genuinely good person. I really respect her for a lot of the decisions she has made in her life that she has told us about. Anyway we had a lesson with her and the Koszyk family on Sunday about the plan of salvation. It was pretty good. Jean was excited about all the literature she has received from the church. She could pretty much start a Mormon library. lol. She likes coming to church and she likes all the church movies and she loves her boy friend and so I feel pretty confident that it’s all just a matter of time. Unfortunately we can't meet with her as often as I would like, and I think she feels a little cornered in our lessons, but hopefully all will go well anyway. We will do our best to help her feel comfortable next time, so the spirit can be more easily felt.
our other investigator was a blessing sent in the form of a book of Mormon media referral. His name is Corey and he is 19 and LOVES music. In fact at church i was very impressed because he sight read all three hymns and did them perfectly (even with accidentals!) it was like he had been singing all the songs his whole life. He was interested in getting a copy of the B.O.M. because he is going to be studying to become a minister. He is Lutheran and discovered that there is a university that does a music major for people who want to focus on music as a ministerial device. I thought that was pretty cool. He seemed to feel very strongly about pursuing this course and feels It’s what God wants him to do. I think that's awesome! He wants to study all religions and their books (he has already read most major religions books and knows the bible really well already) and so now he said its time to read the B.O.M. We told him that we pray to meet people like him. I’s true, we do. Well he enjoyed church, it was definitely different for him but he was exited for us to come back and see him on Wednesday and told a member he would probably be coming back next week. :) We might send him to the YSA branch so he can get better fellowship, we are still discussing that. He is great! He also had his friend there named Erik who is a music major and is currently interning as a psychiatrist! Ha-ha. He was really cool and open minded as well! Both have legitimate Jobs at young ages and are well educated and clean cut! It is refreshing! Erik didn't come to Church, but he plans on being at the lesson Wednesday.
Well, here is more news, I'm training. Tuesday I get my newborn. I'm really glad we have some new investigators to work with since I'm training. It also helps that we are currently covering two areas! You would think we would have more work to do. Elder Gibbs and I are sad to part but excited for the new challenges. Elder Gibbs and I made a list of all the people we should be visiting and it was actually a lot bigger than I was expecting. I think the reason why we have such low numbers is because so many people jewk lessons and cancel and because we are so spread out that we forget about people. Now that is sunny and summer, I'm sure we will talk to more people and find more people home. I'm excited. It should be a good last 6 weeks training in Bayshore. We'll see how that goes. Ha-ha.
-Elder Samuel Austin Morris
our other investigator was a blessing sent in the form of a book of Mormon media referral. His name is Corey and he is 19 and LOVES music. In fact at church i was very impressed because he sight read all three hymns and did them perfectly (even with accidentals!) it was like he had been singing all the songs his whole life. He was interested in getting a copy of the B.O.M. because he is going to be studying to become a minister. He is Lutheran and discovered that there is a university that does a music major for people who want to focus on music as a ministerial device. I thought that was pretty cool. He seemed to feel very strongly about pursuing this course and feels It’s what God wants him to do. I think that's awesome! He wants to study all religions and their books (he has already read most major religions books and knows the bible really well already) and so now he said its time to read the B.O.M. We told him that we pray to meet people like him. I’s true, we do. Well he enjoyed church, it was definitely different for him but he was exited for us to come back and see him on Wednesday and told a member he would probably be coming back next week. :) We might send him to the YSA branch so he can get better fellowship, we are still discussing that. He is great! He also had his friend there named Erik who is a music major and is currently interning as a psychiatrist! Ha-ha. He was really cool and open minded as well! Both have legitimate Jobs at young ages and are well educated and clean cut! It is refreshing! Erik didn't come to Church, but he plans on being at the lesson Wednesday.
Well, here is more news, I'm training. Tuesday I get my newborn. I'm really glad we have some new investigators to work with since I'm training. It also helps that we are currently covering two areas! You would think we would have more work to do. Elder Gibbs and I are sad to part but excited for the new challenges. Elder Gibbs and I made a list of all the people we should be visiting and it was actually a lot bigger than I was expecting. I think the reason why we have such low numbers is because so many people jewk lessons and cancel and because we are so spread out that we forget about people. Now that is sunny and summer, I'm sure we will talk to more people and find more people home. I'm excited. It should be a good last 6 weeks training in Bayshore. We'll see how that goes. Ha-ha.
-Elder Samuel Austin Morris
Irony
Well, one of you must have prayed that I would be humbled. If you did, it worked, are you happy? Last week I used many strong phrases. Like one of my companions once told me, "you are all bark and no bite". We had basically all 0's this week. On top of that I’ve had some experiences that reminded me just where i really am on the path to perfection.
It’s kinda weird how the more you know the more you realize you don't know anything. To me that applies in a major way to Christ and his atonement. I try to learn it and use it, it works sometimes and that grows my testimony, but then I get to a point where i realize i don't really know or understand it at all. Christ is unsearchable. I can't pretend to know anything. Really on my own I’m pretty worthless (this isn't a self beat down, don't worry) because God grants unto each of us all that we posses. He gives us our very breath. So when you are doing something against God’s will, you are doing it with the power he granted you. When you do something in line with his will you are doing it by the abilities and power He gave you. Glory to God. Do everything you do for the Glory of God to the best of your ability and even then as the Book of Mormon says we would still be unprofitable servants. However the Grace available to us because of the atonement will help us to learn and grow and fulfill the requirements for heaven. I'm so imperfect. I'm a sinner too. I know though that when I trust in the lord and accept his Grace I will be able to accomplish his will. That will make me happier than accomplishing any other thing. Gods plan for us provides an endless happiness and joy here on earth. Satan likes to please us temporarily to get us hooked and to get us to think that his way will bring us happiness, but it won’t. like alma 30 says he does not protect his children but doth speedily drag them down to Hell.
Thank you for all of your support and trust and love. Have a great week!
I hope Dad and Risa had happy birthdays!
Love,
-Elder Samuel Austin Morris
It’s kinda weird how the more you know the more you realize you don't know anything. To me that applies in a major way to Christ and his atonement. I try to learn it and use it, it works sometimes and that grows my testimony, but then I get to a point where i realize i don't really know or understand it at all. Christ is unsearchable. I can't pretend to know anything. Really on my own I’m pretty worthless (this isn't a self beat down, don't worry) because God grants unto each of us all that we posses. He gives us our very breath. So when you are doing something against God’s will, you are doing it with the power he granted you. When you do something in line with his will you are doing it by the abilities and power He gave you. Glory to God. Do everything you do for the Glory of God to the best of your ability and even then as the Book of Mormon says we would still be unprofitable servants. However the Grace available to us because of the atonement will help us to learn and grow and fulfill the requirements for heaven. I'm so imperfect. I'm a sinner too. I know though that when I trust in the lord and accept his Grace I will be able to accomplish his will. That will make me happier than accomplishing any other thing. Gods plan for us provides an endless happiness and joy here on earth. Satan likes to please us temporarily to get us hooked and to get us to think that his way will bring us happiness, but it won’t. like alma 30 says he does not protect his children but doth speedily drag them down to Hell.
Thank you for all of your support and trust and love. Have a great week!
I hope Dad and Risa had happy birthdays!
Love,
-Elder Samuel Austin Morris
Paint New York
Unfortunately complacency becoming a remedy for failure is like today's medical world overriding natural selection. We'd be better off with a little pain to prevent generations of problems. However, if asthma killed my forefathers then I never would have experienced what it is like to not be able breath when all the flowers decided to procreate. I'm not sure what eternal lesson I've learned from all my problems but I'm sure I'll understand when the veil is removed. Here in Bayshore English we have had a very consistent low. I feel like I've just rewound my life to the beginning of Huntington. I guess president thinks I can turn Bayshore around like Elder Mitchell and I turned around Huntington. The problem is I have 6 weeks less here than I did there. :S ruts are hard to recover. I've got to do it though or I'll feel average and unsuccessful.
We had another week of around 6 lessons. When I started the mission in Bushwick with a dying pops and a dry teaching pool we taught around 20 lessons a week! Here we actually have a pool. We have tons of names to look up, yet consistent low numbers. "But elder Morris" I hear you say, "Don't you know that numbers aren't what measure success?. I say to thee, "Quiet You! Know you not that these things are of great importance? Why else would we have them? The numbers reflect people and are Key indicators. The Key indicators are a way for us to meter where we fall concerning our purpose.
My purpose is to invite people to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, Repentance, Baptism, and receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost! If I'm not teaching lessons or talking to people I'm doing that only by my example (I am effecting people by simply being in the area dressed the way I am). That's not good enough for me, because that's the job of our members. I'll get the chance to be a good example the rest of my life as a regular member.
Right now however I've got about 50 something days (my comp told me) until I go home. I am not going to go home diminishing and saying to myself "oh, well, it was a hard area". This is not my purpose and the lord did not train me in that way. So Take that! Amen and Amen! Halle-fricken-lujah!
ahhhh 40 seconds left!!!! email more later!~!!!!! ahalhl;kashd;flhasdl;
I got the last two min of my companions email time so i get to sign of now.
This week we painted a Spanish members house, hence my subject. It took a long time, but we were able to talk to her son who isn't a member and also her friend. So that was great.
We also met with Jorge (George) and had an awesome discussion. It was way too long, it burned us all out. But we needed to be there for him, cause he has no one else he can discuss this stuff with. He knows we care.
-Elder Samuel Austin Morris
We had another week of around 6 lessons. When I started the mission in Bushwick with a dying pops and a dry teaching pool we taught around 20 lessons a week! Here we actually have a pool. We have tons of names to look up, yet consistent low numbers. "But elder Morris" I hear you say, "Don't you know that numbers aren't what measure success?. I say to thee, "Quiet You! Know you not that these things are of great importance? Why else would we have them? The numbers reflect people and are Key indicators. The Key indicators are a way for us to meter where we fall concerning our purpose.
My purpose is to invite people to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, Repentance, Baptism, and receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost! If I'm not teaching lessons or talking to people I'm doing that only by my example (I am effecting people by simply being in the area dressed the way I am). That's not good enough for me, because that's the job of our members. I'll get the chance to be a good example the rest of my life as a regular member.
Right now however I've got about 50 something days (my comp told me) until I go home. I am not going to go home diminishing and saying to myself "oh, well, it was a hard area". This is not my purpose and the lord did not train me in that way. So Take that! Amen and Amen! Halle-fricken-lujah!
ahhhh 40 seconds left!!!! email more later!~!!!!! ahalhl;kashd;flhasdl;
I got the last two min of my companions email time so i get to sign of now.
This week we painted a Spanish members house, hence my subject. It took a long time, but we were able to talk to her son who isn't a member and also her friend. So that was great.
We also met with Jorge (George) and had an awesome discussion. It was way too long, it burned us all out. But we needed to be there for him, cause he has no one else he can discuss this stuff with. He knows we care.
-Elder Samuel Austin Morris
End Soon
Well.... I'm not really sure what’s wrong with me, but it turns out I'm an uncontrollable speaker. Last week I was assigned to speak in church. So yesterday morning Elder Gibbs says to me, "Hey, aren't you supposed to give a talk in church today?" And then I say "Oh no! OH NO! I forgot!" So we go to church and it turns out that it is High Council Sunday and I am the only other speaker. So I ask the high councilor what his talk is on and he tells me hope and says if my talk isn't good that he will have nothing to build off of and will be forced to tell everyone that there is no hope (it was a joke, but he was serious about building off of me. He knew I hadn't prepared so he suggested charity). Well I talked about charity. For 25 min, Ii talked about charity... I don't know how I did it. I made a list of scriptures and quotes I wanted to use and that was what my brief outline consisted of and somehow that kept me talking for 25 min! Well... I saw some people starting to not pay attention anymore and that's when to my left on the pulpit is slipped to me a note. Simply and hastily written, "End Soon" . I laughed out loud. Everyone knew what happened. I then finished the quote from PMG that I was reading and then bore my testimony and sat down.
I felt sad cause the High Councilor is one of my favorite speakers and probably my favorite member. (I gave him another reason to not like me, but I still look up to him just the same) he is from Brooklyn and is a very entertaining speaker. He is very relatable and down to earth and I love his point of view. I saw his notes. He had a page or two of notes. I had a list of 8 scriptures and quotes with no notes. He talked 10 min and connected with everyone really well. I spoke 25 min and they had to get me off stage with a Sheppard’s hook. LOL. I don't understand why I did it. Truth be told, I wanted to hear Bro Mansuetto and really only expected myself to talk for 10 min max. But this time and the last time and the last work shop I have given have all been extraordinarily long! I can't be stopped, I'm a monster!
People told me they liked my talk and a few people said that they really appreciated it, but when I brought up the length and how i didn't mean to go so long they had nothing to say to that to make me feel better... ha-ha. It was then confirmed to me that it was too much for them. Ha-ha. Well... I'm not sure what is worse, to be know for talking too long or to short. Anyway; let’s move on.
As far as progress with investigators, right now we have no progress. We do however have many referrals, so we have a lot of work to do with that.
The young men here got in a bunch of fights last Tuesday and that has caused some drama. The weather has been overcast and misty but warm. We have had some rain storms.
We helped a lady move who used to live here but has been in Toole for the last year or so (she didn't like it there and moved back. lol). Well we moved about half her stuff into the house and then she discovered that the bed didn't fit up the stairs. She had us put all the stuff back into the truck and then the next day move all her stuff into another truck for her to take it to a temporary apartment until she finds an apartment here in the Bayshore ward later. So we will probably end up moving her again. lol. Her son though is really cool and at a cross road right now in his life and wants to come back to church possibly. So we will be working with him. I'm excited for that. He likes missionaries a lot and is our age.
I'm trying desperately to get a flame under this area. It’s been consistently underachieving for like 2 years. It’s been very difficult cause I am very tired. We have a lot of potential however, and I'd like to go out with a bang. I'd like to do what it takes to at least get the numbers up here. I want to get the ward acting like a ward, even if it means they don't like me because of it.
We had a great zone conference this week. It was my last zone conference.... so that was weird. But I really enjoyed it and got a lot out of it. It’s cool to have my MTC companion in my zone finally. We went our whole missions apart and now we are ending our missions in the same Zone. There was a really awesome video we watched of President Holland in the MTC. He gave an amazing talk that apparently left all the missionaries in awe and they didn't leave the assembly hall until they were asked to. It was all about being a disciple and how once you are a missionary you are for life; that when Christ calls you, it is forever. He talked about Peter and the apostles and how they went fishing after Christ ascended and he came to them and told them that he meant it when he told them to drop their nets. Anyway, it was really powerful.
Elder Mitchell and elder Smith were telling me that there is a lot of great stuff happening in Huntington. They have some people progressing to baptism and the Hollisters are being fellowshipped. The new investigator we got the week before I left apparently keeps asking about me and telling them that we had a really good link and an understanding. I agree, he is a really cool guy. Andras, I hope he progresses and is baptized. He is so cool.
We had a great meeting with Jack (one of my favorite members here in the ward) and he inspired me and got me thinking. He also helped me to justify a career in music because that would be a residual income if I signed my contracts right. He also got the inventor inside me awake again. It’s a little frustrating to me how all my interests don't seem to work together. They are on separate sides of the working field. Anyway, I don't need to worry about that right now because I've got plenty of time for that when I get home.
I just want to have tons of success but it seems like there is so much opposition. All I know is God is in control and I need to rely on him. I am week but he is able.
Have a great week everyone.
-Elder Samuel Austin Morris
I felt sad cause the High Councilor is one of my favorite speakers and probably my favorite member. (I gave him another reason to not like me, but I still look up to him just the same) he is from Brooklyn and is a very entertaining speaker. He is very relatable and down to earth and I love his point of view. I saw his notes. He had a page or two of notes. I had a list of 8 scriptures and quotes with no notes. He talked 10 min and connected with everyone really well. I spoke 25 min and they had to get me off stage with a Sheppard’s hook. LOL. I don't understand why I did it. Truth be told, I wanted to hear Bro Mansuetto and really only expected myself to talk for 10 min max. But this time and the last time and the last work shop I have given have all been extraordinarily long! I can't be stopped, I'm a monster!
People told me they liked my talk and a few people said that they really appreciated it, but when I brought up the length and how i didn't mean to go so long they had nothing to say to that to make me feel better... ha-ha. It was then confirmed to me that it was too much for them. Ha-ha. Well... I'm not sure what is worse, to be know for talking too long or to short. Anyway; let’s move on.
As far as progress with investigators, right now we have no progress. We do however have many referrals, so we have a lot of work to do with that.
The young men here got in a bunch of fights last Tuesday and that has caused some drama. The weather has been overcast and misty but warm. We have had some rain storms.
We helped a lady move who used to live here but has been in Toole for the last year or so (she didn't like it there and moved back. lol). Well we moved about half her stuff into the house and then she discovered that the bed didn't fit up the stairs. She had us put all the stuff back into the truck and then the next day move all her stuff into another truck for her to take it to a temporary apartment until she finds an apartment here in the Bayshore ward later. So we will probably end up moving her again. lol. Her son though is really cool and at a cross road right now in his life and wants to come back to church possibly. So we will be working with him. I'm excited for that. He likes missionaries a lot and is our age.
I'm trying desperately to get a flame under this area. It’s been consistently underachieving for like 2 years. It’s been very difficult cause I am very tired. We have a lot of potential however, and I'd like to go out with a bang. I'd like to do what it takes to at least get the numbers up here. I want to get the ward acting like a ward, even if it means they don't like me because of it.
We had a great zone conference this week. It was my last zone conference.... so that was weird. But I really enjoyed it and got a lot out of it. It’s cool to have my MTC companion in my zone finally. We went our whole missions apart and now we are ending our missions in the same Zone. There was a really awesome video we watched of President Holland in the MTC. He gave an amazing talk that apparently left all the missionaries in awe and they didn't leave the assembly hall until they were asked to. It was all about being a disciple and how once you are a missionary you are for life; that when Christ calls you, it is forever. He talked about Peter and the apostles and how they went fishing after Christ ascended and he came to them and told them that he meant it when he told them to drop their nets. Anyway, it was really powerful.
Elder Mitchell and elder Smith were telling me that there is a lot of great stuff happening in Huntington. They have some people progressing to baptism and the Hollisters are being fellowshipped. The new investigator we got the week before I left apparently keeps asking about me and telling them that we had a really good link and an understanding. I agree, he is a really cool guy. Andras, I hope he progresses and is baptized. He is so cool.
We had a great meeting with Jack (one of my favorite members here in the ward) and he inspired me and got me thinking. He also helped me to justify a career in music because that would be a residual income if I signed my contracts right. He also got the inventor inside me awake again. It’s a little frustrating to me how all my interests don't seem to work together. They are on separate sides of the working field. Anyway, I don't need to worry about that right now because I've got plenty of time for that when I get home.
I just want to have tons of success but it seems like there is so much opposition. All I know is God is in control and I need to rely on him. I am week but he is able.
Have a great week everyone.
-Elder Samuel Austin Morris
Week 2 of Transfer 16
Well, we had a better week numbers wise than last week; even though Tuesday night I got really bad allergies that turned into a cold that kept me in on Wednesday. The weather is starting to get pretty nice, which is good.
On Thursday we planned and met with Darcy (our young man friend who has been investigating for about 2 years but never baptized) and had a good lesson with him he said something funny, he referred to the second ordinance of the gospel as "receiving the Holy Gift from the Ghost". so we have been saying it like that ever since and it cracks us up. :) Ha-ha. That day we also met with Raymond who is a super nice wealthy older gentleman who loves the missionaries and was baptized 30 yrs ago but only because he knew the method of baptism was correct. He attends a Presbyterian congregation but will be leaving soon because of drama concerning the church (the church is having lawsuits about changing the church constitution to allow homosexual marriages to occur). We told him if he had a testimony of the Book of Mormon than his decision to come to church and officially be a member would be natural. Great guy, I hope he converts for real this time. :)
On Friday we had CDM and I gave a workshop on inviting people to be baptized and following up. It went pretty well and the missionaries seemed to enjoy it, when people laugh and also get personal insights I know I did well. Also on Friday we met with a great member bro Daley who is a part member family. We had a good talk with him and he gave me great advice about going home and staying active and avoiding temptation and what to do when I get married. Ha-ha. He’s a great Jamaican guy. We also helped a part member family clean out their attic. That was great cause I felt like the "pigmy-plumber/electrician" again. Mom and dad will know what I mean. Also they seemed to be friendlier afterward, so here is proof again that service is a great way to prove you mean well and just want to help.
Well it was great calling home. But for some reason this time it just wasn't the same as it usually is. Partly I think it was cause Mom Dad and I were all low on energy due to colds. Ha-ha. The other part is cause there wasn't as much to talk about as usual. But I’m just glad i got to hear your voices. I love you!
That’s all I got.
Attached is snort-porth
-Elder Samuel Austin Morris
On Thursday we planned and met with Darcy (our young man friend who has been investigating for about 2 years but never baptized) and had a good lesson with him he said something funny, he referred to the second ordinance of the gospel as "receiving the Holy Gift from the Ghost". so we have been saying it like that ever since and it cracks us up. :) Ha-ha. That day we also met with Raymond who is a super nice wealthy older gentleman who loves the missionaries and was baptized 30 yrs ago but only because he knew the method of baptism was correct. He attends a Presbyterian congregation but will be leaving soon because of drama concerning the church (the church is having lawsuits about changing the church constitution to allow homosexual marriages to occur). We told him if he had a testimony of the Book of Mormon than his decision to come to church and officially be a member would be natural. Great guy, I hope he converts for real this time. :)
On Friday we had CDM and I gave a workshop on inviting people to be baptized and following up. It went pretty well and the missionaries seemed to enjoy it, when people laugh and also get personal insights I know I did well. Also on Friday we met with a great member bro Daley who is a part member family. We had a good talk with him and he gave me great advice about going home and staying active and avoiding temptation and what to do when I get married. Ha-ha. He’s a great Jamaican guy. We also helped a part member family clean out their attic. That was great cause I felt like the "pigmy-plumber/electrician" again. Mom and dad will know what I mean. Also they seemed to be friendlier afterward, so here is proof again that service is a great way to prove you mean well and just want to help.
Well it was great calling home. But for some reason this time it just wasn't the same as it usually is. Partly I think it was cause Mom Dad and I were all low on energy due to colds. Ha-ha. The other part is cause there wasn't as much to talk about as usual. But I’m just glad i got to hear your voices. I love you!
That’s all I got.
Attached is snort-porth
-Elder Samuel Austin Morris
Babylon
Well my new assignment is to be with elder Gibbs from alpine Utah. I am his step pops and we are serving in Bayshore (which is on the south shore of Long Island right under my last area [Huntington]). A sisters’ pool recently closed down so we are working both the sisters area and the elders area. Anyway, Babylon is a city here in our ward boundaries; so that's pretty cool that I get to work in Babylon for my last area before coming back to Zion. Ha-ha.
Anyway, yes it’s a ward but it’s actually smaller than Huntington. There is a lot less unity and a lot more frustration within the ward. I found out real quick that each member of the ward council feels like they are spinning their wheels and hitting their heads against the wall while they are at it. Fortunately the young men a growing and doing quite well!
I don't have a lot of time this week, cause we get less time at the library here in Bayshore. Only 15 min left.
Anyway we have amazing recent convert young men; I’ll tell you more about them later. Also a ton of less actives a high amount being "do not contact" it’s really sad. It’s maybe worse than Huntington. :S
We have a lot of potential. Also it helps we have two areas to work. The son of a member family we spent a lot of time with this week actually brought 2 of his friends to church yesterday (who told him that they like us, so that was cool) and one has a lot of questions. Also 2 youth permigators came; so that will be awesome if we can get things going with them.
I've been trying really hard to apply all the lessons I've learned and ideas that have worked in the past to this my final area. Some of them kinda back fired in some ways but also have helped a lot. This week was one of the saddest numbers weeks I've had, but Gibbs and i have had good unity from the start, so that helps a lot. We wish to have our optimism and excitement and unity to rub off on the ward. Mostly I believe a lot of what will help them is a perspective change. So we are working on a plan to change the paradigm of a whole ward body. Ha-ha. Wish us luck!
Things are good don't worry about me. But I would appreciate prayers to help me stay focused and work hard until the end. It’s kinda hard not to think about how close the end is, sometimes that motivates me, other times it doesn't. I'll be honest. Ha-ha.
I love you! Thanks for your love and support, I'm sure it’s helped in ways i won't understand until the next life!
-Elder Samuel Austin Morris
Anyway, yes it’s a ward but it’s actually smaller than Huntington. There is a lot less unity and a lot more frustration within the ward. I found out real quick that each member of the ward council feels like they are spinning their wheels and hitting their heads against the wall while they are at it. Fortunately the young men a growing and doing quite well!
I don't have a lot of time this week, cause we get less time at the library here in Bayshore. Only 15 min left.
Anyway we have amazing recent convert young men; I’ll tell you more about them later. Also a ton of less actives a high amount being "do not contact" it’s really sad. It’s maybe worse than Huntington. :S
We have a lot of potential. Also it helps we have two areas to work. The son of a member family we spent a lot of time with this week actually brought 2 of his friends to church yesterday (who told him that they like us, so that was cool) and one has a lot of questions. Also 2 youth permigators came; so that will be awesome if we can get things going with them.
I've been trying really hard to apply all the lessons I've learned and ideas that have worked in the past to this my final area. Some of them kinda back fired in some ways but also have helped a lot. This week was one of the saddest numbers weeks I've had, but Gibbs and i have had good unity from the start, so that helps a lot. We wish to have our optimism and excitement and unity to rub off on the ward. Mostly I believe a lot of what will help them is a perspective change. So we are working on a plan to change the paradigm of a whole ward body. Ha-ha. Wish us luck!
Things are good don't worry about me. But I would appreciate prayers to help me stay focused and work hard until the end. It’s kinda hard not to think about how close the end is, sometimes that motivates me, other times it doesn't. I'll be honest. Ha-ha.
I love you! Thanks for your love and support, I'm sure it’s helped in ways i won't understand until the next life!
-Elder Samuel Austin Morris
Blossoms and Buzz Cuts
The weather this week was Bi-polar. We experienced all sorts of weather: Rain, Cold, Hot, Humid, Breezy, Fog, Mist, Sun Shine, Dark Clouds. Yesterday we had all those things. It was cool when we woke up Easter Sunday to see dense fog that slowly turned into a clear sky with sun within an hour or two. It was hot and humid enough after church that we had to take off our jackets. Later it was a down-pour; I had the wipers wiping at top speed and still had minimal visibility.
Anyway, I’m sure none of you care much about the weather. Let’s get to the weightier matters.
I'm getting transferred. This means I’ll have one more area before I return to the land of my inheritance in a big metal bird named Delta. I have 12 weeks left and was not interviewed for leadership or training so that means I’ll be learning a new area as a regular missionary out on the Island not in the City. It is still likely that I will end with my last 6 weeks training. We will see how it all unfolds. My guesses are that I am not going far, chances are I’ll be with an Alpiner. We shall see.
Jenny and Sister Catron didn't make it to church. Sis Catron is sick :( and jenny was with the rest of the family at her grandmas for Easter.
I needed a haircut. I described my haircut frustrations to Axel (a 19 year old in the branch who is pretty cool, very nice, and stylish) he told me that he understood and knew what haircut i was seeking and that he could to it for me. Well to make a long story short I climbed through some windows and got clippers and went to Axel and the clippers were broken and Axel was nervous and lost his confidence and well... what I ended up with wasn't missionary appropriate... so... we took it all off. Axel used a 1. My hair is really short now. LOL. Axel felt super bad. I told him to forget about it cause it was just gonna grow back. lol. I look really different. LOL. its really short. It’s really nice though in terms of not needing any styling and it dries really fast and its supper fuzzy like a teddy bear! Ha-ha. Woot! :) I’m just trying to walk confidently and not let the "hair wear me" even though there’s not much hair up there to be... well, you understand! I'll send a picture maybe. Ha-ha. It gave me the idea to go 0 when I get home instead of the original plan to grow out my hair. Ha-ha. I’m sure that’s a relief for some of you and devastation for others. I do what I want! LOL.
Tito is the bomb! He is getting a calling soon and he is now wearing a white shirt and tie to church! He looks really good in it. He is progressing and learning well. He knows the doctrines so well and he is so honest and tries so hard and asks the most sincere questions! his prayers sound like any LDS youth's might too. :) I love him. He was the only one who showed he sincerely would miss me. I told him that we would see each other again and if not we would meet in the millennium. He smiled pretty big and said he was excited for that day. I told him that I’d see him there. Also, we had a great hug; I felt real love in it.
The branch is both improving greatly and digressing simultaneously. The good news is our coordinator bro Mills is doing a great job and getting the branch council pumped up. There are plans to involve the Hollister family the branch and fellowship them. I'm excited; they will be a great asset to our branch.
Anyway I’ll tell you next week who my new companion is and where my new area is. :)
until then, farewell.
--
-Elder Samuel Austin Morris
Anyway, I’m sure none of you care much about the weather. Let’s get to the weightier matters.
I'm getting transferred. This means I’ll have one more area before I return to the land of my inheritance in a big metal bird named Delta. I have 12 weeks left and was not interviewed for leadership or training so that means I’ll be learning a new area as a regular missionary out on the Island not in the City. It is still likely that I will end with my last 6 weeks training. We will see how it all unfolds. My guesses are that I am not going far, chances are I’ll be with an Alpiner. We shall see.
Jenny and Sister Catron didn't make it to church. Sis Catron is sick :( and jenny was with the rest of the family at her grandmas for Easter.
I needed a haircut. I described my haircut frustrations to Axel (a 19 year old in the branch who is pretty cool, very nice, and stylish) he told me that he understood and knew what haircut i was seeking and that he could to it for me. Well to make a long story short I climbed through some windows and got clippers and went to Axel and the clippers were broken and Axel was nervous and lost his confidence and well... what I ended up with wasn't missionary appropriate... so... we took it all off. Axel used a 1. My hair is really short now. LOL. Axel felt super bad. I told him to forget about it cause it was just gonna grow back. lol. I look really different. LOL. its really short. It’s really nice though in terms of not needing any styling and it dries really fast and its supper fuzzy like a teddy bear! Ha-ha. Woot! :) I’m just trying to walk confidently and not let the "hair wear me" even though there’s not much hair up there to be... well, you understand! I'll send a picture maybe. Ha-ha. It gave me the idea to go 0 when I get home instead of the original plan to grow out my hair. Ha-ha. I’m sure that’s a relief for some of you and devastation for others. I do what I want! LOL.
Tito is the bomb! He is getting a calling soon and he is now wearing a white shirt and tie to church! He looks really good in it. He is progressing and learning well. He knows the doctrines so well and he is so honest and tries so hard and asks the most sincere questions! his prayers sound like any LDS youth's might too. :) I love him. He was the only one who showed he sincerely would miss me. I told him that we would see each other again and if not we would meet in the millennium. He smiled pretty big and said he was excited for that day. I told him that I’d see him there. Also, we had a great hug; I felt real love in it.
The branch is both improving greatly and digressing simultaneously. The good news is our coordinator bro Mills is doing a great job and getting the branch council pumped up. There are plans to involve the Hollister family the branch and fellowship them. I'm excited; they will be a great asset to our branch.
Anyway I’ll tell you next week who my new companion is and where my new area is. :)
until then, farewell.
--
-Elder Samuel Austin Morris
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