Better Than Average

So the goal this week was to have an amazing week 6. Well, we had a good week 6 instead.... but that’s better than average. :D

So for CDM Elder Gourdin and I wore fake mustaches and changed our name tags to elder batman and elder robin (and pronounced it Baitmen and row-bin) basically everyone ignored us.... but we had fun anyway. Also, I showed an elder from my zone one of the songs I wrote and he was amazed, but then he asked me to show him how. I was hesitant but then remembered emulation is the best complement. Unfortunately he learned it and is now playing it all the time... :( even more unfortunate, he showed his companion, who then took it and made it into his own song that’s better. :(

Well, I’m sorry but... I really don't have any good missionary stories to tell you for this week, but I can tell you about the up coming transfer (transfer meeting is tomorrow). My companion is leaving, he is going District leader in Rigo Park. I am staying in Richmond Hill. It’s gonna stink to see half the pad leave while I stay. :( On the up side, I heard that elder swain and elder write are both getting transferred (so its possible one of my MTC mates will be my new companion!)... we shall see though. I just pray its not some p-dub... because this area cannot afford that right now. We need to jump on all this opportunity that’s all around us. I will fill you in next week with how all that goes.

We have so many medias, potentials, part member families, and less actives in this area its really hard to keep track of everyone and people are slipping through the cracks.

Well, I don't want to waste any y’alls time so I will end with a random comment and then a story. :)

Deep fried PB&J's are really tasty, but once you are finished you feel like you just drank a gallon of oil.

So, at our CDM we had a surprise "soap box preaching/street sweep" in Jamaica. In Jamaica you can count the white people on one finger. The church building there is above a food court. Jamaica is so weird... I'll tell you why... its almost fake. it seems like Disney built it to look like a real place, but the energy is so different. The two don't seem to fit together. I had this visual-spiritual dissonance. anyway, Jamaica is full of masons, hee-bee-gee-bee's, Muslims, and everyone else seems to be an ordained minister of their own denomination. When I stood on the soap box I talked about the book of Mormon and its origin and how you can know if it is true. I ran out of material fast.... then an old lady came and asked if she could have the book, when I tried to give it to her she told me she already had one. Ha, ha. It was fun but not effective. I also talked to this lady who seemed like she was into it and listening, but then this guy with a triangle shaved into his head came up and her whole attitude changed... for some reason I told them I was pleading with them to read the book for they didn't know what they were missing... they kind of just said, "Don't you plead with us! uhnt-uh! Then, they snapped into z formation". Then I went and talked to this other guy for a really long time. He told me I had no idea what the roots of my religion were, and that our church pretended to be bible based and wasn't. He also told me that I had no Idea what happens in the temple. He tried to tell me that Joseph smith tried to "run off with someone’s wife" and that’s why they went to go kill him. He was not crazy... just miss informed, so i tried to stick with him and testify. Eventually he let me know he was a Mason. That’s when I understood why he was telling me I didn't know what the church was about. So I tried to inform him that Joseph smiths connection with the Masons was for protection purposes because of all the persecution. then I told him about how Christ’s church while he was on the earth is the exact same church on the earth today, and that similarities with other religions or sects are only because they have pieces of the truth but not the whole truth nor the authority. He agreed, but then... he told me I didn't know. He said our church was good, and that they taught good true things... but that he would not budge. So I shook his hand and went on my way.

Crazy, huh. I'm telling you, if you live in New York as a Mormon you are either less active or way strong, because this kinda anti-doctrine is all over the place! It is hard when your testimony is not strong. But the funny thing is your testimony grows a ton when you hear all this stuff people use to justify their position and put down our church.

I love you all.

Love, Elder Morris

Thankful for Punjabis‏

Dason, our baptismal commit, is more like another investigator now. His wife (sister ram, a pretty active member) called us up Sunday and said, "He goes to his church.", so solid, but yet so mysterious. Kinda like a big oak door on a big scary haunted house.

Interestingly enough, Zorina (a Punjabi), an old lady from Guyana who is a former who has had 2 baptismal dates, came to church, making her a progressing investigator. The funny part was, we were thinking about dropping her because we kinda felt like she had a mental disability and wasn't really all that interested anyway. God has different plans I guess; seems to always be that way.

It’s kinda weird to me how you can feel the spirit so strong with someone, and they tell you about a really spiritual experience where they received a conformation after prayer.... and then they turn around and act like they don't know you.

I had a lot of cool experiences where the spirit guided my words and feet this week. Just with deciding to go certain ways, or walk instead of take the buss, and then we ran into less actives or fearless great people. Also, two men, Jay and Vinny, asked us to exorcise their apartment; basically. Elder Gourdin told me after that appointment that he felt like the junior companion in it. Ha-ha-ha. Some of you know why others don't. But, apparently there is still a problem. Gourdin feels it is one of Jay's family members wanting there work to get done, so they want him to join the church. I like that theory, so we are going to encourage him to become a member and do his families work to solve the problem. :)

Mark (a Punjabi) a member of the branch is the funniest person ever. and not because he means to be. I can't even explain it.... but I am glad I know him. "Sir!!! I would like it if someone could make me a big chicken for the holidays" right in the middle of 5th Sunday 3rd hr. ha-ha-ha. "Straight up!" as I give him stones and say good job. :)

For Thanksgiving we spent the evening at Sister Sookrams (a Punjabi). The people in attendance were: me, Elder Gourdin, Dannielle (Sookrams' 19 year old Punjabi daughter), Sister Springer (the cutest old lady from Guyana you shall ever meet), and Sister Sookrams' sister (a Punjabi, but a Hindu first. Ha-ha.). It was great; there was actually turkey and potatoes and carrots believe it or not. There was also rice and roti and curry. That was the first roti I have ever had. It was great. We talked about everything from what we are thankful for to college to Oprah to gays and blacks; at the same time we watched home a lone twice and some Charlie Brown.

The Murrays (Punjabi part-member family): the girls (10, 11, 14 years old), all really like to feel my hair. The oldest asked us what we wanted for Christmas. :) Ha-ha-ha.

This week we almost got 20 lessons! It was great. (I know what your thinking, "your in NY and you don't have over 20 lessons!". give us a break ok, this was a good week for us.) We hope to end the transfer strong. This is week 6, or in NY-NYCS mission slang "P-week". Gourdin and I don't want it to be p-week; we want to get more than 20 lessons instead.

Does someone want to get me the DSM iv or DSM v for Christmas? (A book on psychosis of people--there are a lot of crazy but nice people here; that way, I could know how to talk to them.) That would rock. :)

Sometimes I think the members don't like me here.

I wonder if I will get transferred or if I will stay in Richmond Hill... :s

What do y'all want for Christmas?
I would like a large honest spoonful of love in long letters. Let no man feel obligated to write me, and if he does, let that man not fret, but instead not write. :)

Anyway, I sure do miss all the Jews from Bushwick, but I sure am thankful for Punjabis. I miss Elder Singh.

I love you.

Here comes week 5 of 3rd transfer‏

Ok. Woot, here we go; I’ve got quite a list of things that I would like to share so here I go. :)

Thank you grandma for your package you sent me! It just got to me!... its a Christmas package! lol. That’s a little early! Ha ha. So I won't open the presents until Christmas, but thank you for the peanut brittle and the great notes! Yeah!
Ok... so, today we went to the office. While I was there I looked to see if I had mail and..... yes! One from Mclean (an awesome letter!) and one from Rachel, Noah and Paige (also awesome/cute!)! Then I discovered I had packages, the one from grandma, and the one from the Chevriers... I think I was sent the wrong package from the Chevriers though... because the note in it said Merry Christmas with notes to BJ inside of it... So If you would like (BJ and Chevriers) I will just put that in a box and send it to Japan. Maybe you got some stuff that was supposed to go to me BJ! lol. btw, BJ was in my dream last night! LOL

Saturday I got a letter from Mom/dad and from the achievement day girls in my ward! It was awesome! Thanks so much!

So a lot of things happened this week. Last Monday Elder Gourdin and I went and saw Taber and mini in Manhattan! We went to Manhattan because mini had a doctor’s appointment and so it was more convenient that we go to them. We went to this super fancy very tasty Italian restaurant! I had salmon and Gourdin had steak! Taber ordered for us cause we were unsure as to what we should get. lol. Thanks Tabe you’re the best!!!!! Taber’s friend Corey was there, so that was really cool to meet him. He is laid back and easy to talk to. :) After that we walked to Taber and minis apartment that they just sold. it was super nice. Then we got in the car and Taber’s driver took us to the air port. Gourdin loved that! lol. we said good bye and Victor, Taber’s diver from Lima, Peru, took us home to our pad. It was sweet! We got to know victor and we told him that we were missionaries. He was surprised he thought we were college students. Then he asked us if we could give him anything. Ha ha :). So we gave him a restoration pamphlet.

On Tuesday it was "deep clean day" for our zone. we were supposed to clean only until 1... but we were cleaning up a mess that has been here since before I came to New York. We Cleaned all day! I scrubbed and scrubbed. I won’t give you the details so you aren’t worried about us. But just know its cleaner. We even reorganized everything! So now our beds are in a little room (we called it the bat cave! It’s nice and dark :)) and our study room is three times the size (and away from our beds)! The "family room" is better now too cause its reorganized.

So, we decided one night that we were going to cut our hair. I only was going to do a clean up. I cut only the sides and back of my hair but then it needed to be blended. So Gourdin offered to try the comb with an open clipper method... well, you guessed it already I’m sure. A big chunk was taken out of my head, causing me to have to take my hair down all the way to a 2 on the sides and a 5 on top. :( So now I look way different. LOL!

Ok, so as a district we committed on Friday to commit 8 people (as a district) to get baptized. Yesterday Gourdin and I committed one of our investigators named Dason. We have already asked him to get baptized but he told us that the date was between him and the lord. So this time we asked him if he would pray specifically for the 6th of December while we were there. He did. The spirit was very, very strong. Right before he prayed he had told us the restoration story and the importance of authority in baptism. So he is way solid. Ok, so the spirit was way strong and I asked how he was feeling, he said peaceful. we told him we were going to plan for him to get baptized on the 6th and he didn't say no... so its a soft commit, so we are praying that he receives further witness and conformation that the day is right for him.

Ok, well my time is up... so quickly I will say the rest
the sisters borrowed my violin and changed the strings and thought I was retarded because I had it tuned like a guitar. They also think I’m a smart a. lol geez! >:|
we have new finding methods, I'll tell you about them next time.

We have an investigator named Allen, we were going to commit him, but he said he is leaving for Europe..... :(
the end
I love you all!

Fevers and Guns

VOk. Hi, so.... there I was in south Richmond Hill (just north of Ozone Park). I went out Monday night with a fever because I didn't want my companion to be disappointed that we didn't go out. I didn't tell him about my fever. We were on our way to an appointment. We had just gotten to the place where the appointment was when I hear, "hey man, you got the time?" I saw a black kid in a hoodie about my same age. "Why yes I do" I replied in the goofy white cracker way I know best. I looked down at my watch and tried to decipher my analog clock. "It’s... si.... seven.....", "its seven ten" blurts out Elder Gourdin. I look up and what do I see? A gun pointed at elder Gourdin.... "Empty your pockets!" said the hooded hoodlum as he snatched our cell phone from elder Gourdin’s hands. "NO!" is the first thing out of my mouth! the guy points the gun at me sense I'm the one talking "empty your pockets!!!", "No! I don't have anything to give you!", "empty your bag!!!!", "NO! All I have is bibles and book of Mormons!", "empty your pockets", "NO", the boy could see I wasn't going to cooperate so he points the gun at Gourdin, "empty your pockets!" Elder Gourdin drops about 100 pens and pass along cards. the hoodlum sees he is getting some where with Elder Gourdin, "empty your bag!!" he said as he stuck the gun in elder Gourdins face and pushed his face a couple times. "NO! WE DON'T HAVE ANYTHING TO GIVE YOU" I say, outraged that he is bullying my companion in this way. he didn't like my response much. The hoodlum pulls the gun out of his face and cocks it, bringing it up gangster style. Gourdin whips his back pack around, scared that I, Elder Morris, is going to get us killed. Elder Gourdin shows that all he has is books in his bag. I say again "All we have is bibles!" The kid tells his accomplice behind me to go and then walk off leaving me and Gourdin stunned as to what just happened to us. I realize as they get to the corner and say "bit**es!" to myself. I yell to the kid and his friend "Have fun with our phone!" They turn around "WHAT!?" "Have fun with our phone!" I repeat. They turn around sheepishly and shuffle their baggy pants selves off toward the bus.

Tuesday I slept and recovered.

Wednesday was an amazing Zone conference! All the missionaries I came out with (Wright and Swain) were jealous that I got my New York welcome (getting robbed). Ha, ha.
We talked to the Murray family. We told them that we know they already know the gospel is true, so they need to get baptized. They said ok... but we aren't married. so we will work with them some more. The daughters are members so that helps.

Thursday I can’t remember.

I am out of email time. I will fill you in on Friday Saturday and Sunday and this morning with Taber next week! Love you all! Bye!

Fever

OK. Hi! So, I made that chillie last p-day! It was very tasty! I felt like I was at home when I closed my eyes. It tasted exactly like you make it mom. :)
So, I'm still blown away by the difference between Bushwick and Richmond Hill. I feel like I didn't transfer areas, but missions. Its way different.
You will all be happy to know I have been taking your advice and trying hard to be the clean charitable one in the pad. I got Fabreeze and candles and hand soap and scrubbed the floor and toilet... I also offer whatever I make (food) to the other elders and help them cook their meals. I actually am seeing a difference; the other elders are starting to clean things on their own and are starting to want to cook as a pad. Unfortunately... what always happens when you try to do your best? Yup, opposition and guess what form my opposition came in? Yup, I’m sick.
I'm not as bad now as I was though. Let me describe the week so y'all know.
Tuesday was amazing. we got two new investigators and taught 4 lessons and kept on schedule the whole day, from waking up to following up. Every part of the day had something for us to do.
Wednesday was amazing too, but not quite as fruitful. The whole day kinda got thrown off by the breakfast we had at a member’s house.
Thursday was planning... after planning we had pad time and by the end of pad time I was feeling like you do when you get the flu. you know, achy skin and just way uncomfortable. I just went to bed and told Gourdin to cancel our appointments. When I woke up at 9 pm I checked and I had a fever. :(
I have not slept well a night since. I've been having lots of frustrating, sweaty dreams. >:( They get me just as tired physically and mentally as my sickness does.
Friday I stayed in bed basically all day. Which meant we had to miss cdm, a great appointment and a Dinner appointment.
Saturday morning I felt good enough to go out and work; so I did. When we got back I checked my throat and guess what I saw? a white spot. Then it dawned on me that I was having the same symptoms as I was having last year when I had strep. I felt fine during the day, wasted in the late afternoon and feverish and uncomfortable at night. We stayed in Saturday night. Elder Gourdin had been acting like he was the victimized one. Like I was sick on purpose just to torcher him. pstsh! I even asked him if he thought I was faking. He just said "No, I just want to work", I responded, "So do I."
Anyway,Sunday I woke up and my throat wasn't as sore and my fever was gone, but my body was stiff and I had a really bad runny nose. My nose has been runny ever since. Sunday was Stake conference, it was good, only it was really warm. We were in the middle of the row, so I couldn't get out and here I am with a faucet for a nose. I asked Sister Nelson what I should do... all she told me was less than I already knew. Ha. Take Tylenol for the fever and get lots of rest. Geez.
So today I woke up at 5:00 in the morning after battling not waking up for about an hour from an intense headache; the worst I have had in a while. I think its cause I have been on a crappie mattress all week and so I’m out of adjustment and that’s what gave me the head ache. I looked for a chiropractor today, but only found one for $60.... so... what ever.

Say some prayers for me that I will get better.

Love, Sam

Stockholm Syndrome

So, it’s true. I found out last night, I am leaving Bushwick. Dun-da-dun-dun-dun-n-n! It will be nice to have a change of pace, and I know the lord only would call me to another area if he knew it was best for me and the people I will serve. So please pray for me to be strong as I make this change. Before my mission I always thought that you could put me anywhere in the world and I could be just fine with just myself and what ever you gave me. But being on a mission has showed me I am not that person. I am very much the person who likes to stay in one place. I get very stressed out with moving and changing my scenery and the people I am with. It’s very hard for me, I didn't know I was that way. It explains why I was home sick at 5th grade summer camp. Ha-ha. (Nate and BJ will know what I mean. Clear Creak ha-ha.)
Also, I could use prayers for whomever my new comp will be, that my old comp will have strength to finish his last 6 weeks! Thanks. :)

So, I don't know if any one will get my subject line if I don't explain it. It’s a pun. The street I have been living on, the place with the nice pad is called Stockholm. And I think most of you are familiar with the psychology term "Stockholm Syndrome" which refers to learning to like the person who kidnapped you and you don't want to leave them. Ha-ha... well... I let you figure out the rest. They say a joke you have to explain isn't funny... so... I guess that’s why I’m not gonna be a stand up comedian.

Ok well.

I wasn't for sure about if I was going to leave or not until last night. So I really wasn't able so say goodbye to anyone; which was sad. None of our investigators came to church sadly... so... :( the worst part is that Kelvin our recent convert was supposed to get the priesthood and he didn't show or answer his phone... I hope something came up, instead of him being scared or something.

We officially dropped both Shakora and Brittany... yet we told Brittany I was leaving so she promised she would come to church so we could take pictures and stuff... but guess what?

So thank you all for your advice. I think you are right; it was amazing to start with literally no pool, and turn it into a baptism and an excited ward. Hopefully Orr can make it even better with his new companion before he leaves.

Well I have to go now. So I'll let you all know what happens to me in the week to come next Monday!

Love Elder Morris

PS
Have you, Nate and MeClean, and Josh, gotten my letters? I wrote you but still haven't received any reply. It’s been a long time. :( I sent pictures and everything... I hope my mail didn't get lost. :(