So, this last week was a long week. Here are the upsides to the week:
1. I got to talk to My sisters, mom, dad, and brothers (but not Taber or Chris). Also I got to say hi to the Chevriers! That made me very happy. I felt like I got cut short though. :( Oh well. :)
2. Zorina Zamir the 60year old Guyanese lady got baptized on Sunday! wooot! :) It turned out very well. I gave a talk on baptism and Lim on the Holy Ghost. There was a nice spirit. Unfortunately the water was too cold for Zorina... so that was a little bit of a struggle, but it all worked out fine. Jean baptized her! It was great! I think members should always do it. I think I was hard on Zorina in past emails. She is a very sweet spiritual and intellectual person. She is an actual soul, who has actually taken the first step to salvation! I love that! I wish everyone would follow that example of faith. The best Part is that I could tell that Zorina really understood that what she was doing was what God wanted and that she really was baptized by the proper authority. She was so brave because the water was cold and she is scared of the water because her brother died in a river. She is very excited for next week when she will get the Holy Ghost.
3. Christmas night sister Skalka read us this amazingly detailed and historically accurate version of the Christmas story. It was written by someone who cited Joseph smith translation, Jesus the Christ, and Holy Messiah (I think that’s what it’s called...). Anyway it really made it real. I have always known it was real, but... hearing it in a historical way with so many details and how it is just so.... planned, really brought it alive for me. So many little details have so much meaning; lots of symbolism. MY testimony of the Savior’s birth and the actual importance of his birth have really increased. I know that it is true.
Funny things:
1. Zorina likes to talk a lot. Here is the proof: her baptismal interview was 2 hours long. They are normally like 10.
2. Elder Lim didn't get a Christmas package so Elder hatch and I wrapped up a bunch of random things from the pad and also some of his own things and some candy and a hat for him. He laughed a lot, he really enjoyed/appreciated it. I'm glad I played Santa; I got just as much joy from that as I did from getting my own gifts. :)
3. A girl named Natel in our branch (a 16 year old Punjabi), talks about how I am such a "cutie pie" to Jean all the time. For Christmas she bought me a cashmere scarf! Then she told me she had more things that she wanted to give me, but hinted that I wouldn't get them unless I came to get them from her at her house. Now, I can't go to her house to teach her non member parents without leading her on. Wow. So pray, she looses interest. Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha.
OK;that’s about it.I love you all! Thank you for everyone who sent me things like letters packages love and prayers. Trunkie time is over, its time to get back to business.
Love Elder Morris
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
New York Crazy
I believe I have said it before, but I'll say it again. Everyone in New York is just a little bit... crazy. I'm realizing that I am kinda included it that general statement; especially if you look at me from a worldly perspective. Sometimes we just have to get into someone else’s skin and walk around a bit. (to kill a mockingbird)
Now that I have made a disclaimer that disclaims itself, I feel I am safe to move on.
Love keeps me alive, but snow makes me Happy. Something I noticed here, way back in September is that New Yorkers in general don't respond well to "bad weather". We would have 20 people come to church when It was kinda rainy... well we had a great party planned for the branch on Saturday, and Elder Lim and I had invited lots of investigators and committed a few "unlikely" less actives to come. But Friday night we get a call from president Erazo and he said that the party was canceled because it was going to snow on Saturday. Well he was right it did snow Saturday (not enough to cancel a party... but that’s how things go). It was a constant snow and by the time we went in for the night there was like a foot in the drifts (its windy here, so there are lots of drifts). The snow made me pretty happy. So instead of going to the party we took Jean (my favorite 16 year old in New York) out with us to look up less-actives. We got into a house and things went pretty well. Jean told me I had the gift of tongues, because apparently I sounded just like a Punjabi. (Which is weird cause I just remember speaking normally)
Well at one point we ran into the Spanish Elders and had a snowball fight it was great fun!.... until.... I heard yelling and crying. We looked over and saw a guy trying to get a girl to "just come back inside". She was screaming at him to go away, and I could tell it was going to go south. He grabbed her wrists and made some motion (I think a head butt), and suddenly she had blood all over the bottom side of her face. I started walking over instinctively and the other elders stopped me, I said "we cant just sit here!" so I called emergency and reported domestic violence on the street we were on, but the lady on the phone acted like she didn't even care or know what I was trying to tell her, and she took forever. I got off the line, but by this time to big guys had noticed what the guy had done so they walked up. The mad who had head-butted the girl said "What’s the problem" and put his hands in the air. That’s when the other guy punched him in the face and then kneed him in the stomach. Then the other guy held him while the man who leveled the abuser wound up for a field goal kick to the head. :S
Afterward Elder Torrez (Hatch's native comp from Puerto Rico)was really effected and cried cause of what that guy did to the girl. Luckily she ran away when the two big guys defended her.
From this story I learned a few things. 1. I am probably to brave for my own good 2. That Puerto Ricans are really soft hearted and respectful 3. 911 isn't very helpful in New York and 4. I felt guilty for not doing more... but there was nothing more I could have done or should have done. Also 5. I’m really glad there are people that defend womanhood still.
OK well, I got to go. But just know that I am doing well and looking forward to calling you all soon! Also, we have a baptism commit for next week. She has been committed before, but she is for sure now. When we committed her she said "what do I wear? Should I bring a towel!?" ha-ha-ha.
I love you all! Bye!
Sam
Now that I have made a disclaimer that disclaims itself, I feel I am safe to move on.
Love keeps me alive, but snow makes me Happy. Something I noticed here, way back in September is that New Yorkers in general don't respond well to "bad weather". We would have 20 people come to church when It was kinda rainy... well we had a great party planned for the branch on Saturday, and Elder Lim and I had invited lots of investigators and committed a few "unlikely" less actives to come. But Friday night we get a call from president Erazo and he said that the party was canceled because it was going to snow on Saturday. Well he was right it did snow Saturday (not enough to cancel a party... but that’s how things go). It was a constant snow and by the time we went in for the night there was like a foot in the drifts (its windy here, so there are lots of drifts). The snow made me pretty happy. So instead of going to the party we took Jean (my favorite 16 year old in New York) out with us to look up less-actives. We got into a house and things went pretty well. Jean told me I had the gift of tongues, because apparently I sounded just like a Punjabi. (Which is weird cause I just remember speaking normally)
Well at one point we ran into the Spanish Elders and had a snowball fight it was great fun!.... until.... I heard yelling and crying. We looked over and saw a guy trying to get a girl to "just come back inside". She was screaming at him to go away, and I could tell it was going to go south. He grabbed her wrists and made some motion (I think a head butt), and suddenly she had blood all over the bottom side of her face. I started walking over instinctively and the other elders stopped me, I said "we cant just sit here!" so I called emergency and reported domestic violence on the street we were on, but the lady on the phone acted like she didn't even care or know what I was trying to tell her, and she took forever. I got off the line, but by this time to big guys had noticed what the guy had done so they walked up. The mad who had head-butted the girl said "What’s the problem" and put his hands in the air. That’s when the other guy punched him in the face and then kneed him in the stomach. Then the other guy held him while the man who leveled the abuser wound up for a field goal kick to the head. :S
Afterward Elder Torrez (Hatch's native comp from Puerto Rico)was really effected and cried cause of what that guy did to the girl. Luckily she ran away when the two big guys defended her.
From this story I learned a few things. 1. I am probably to brave for my own good 2. That Puerto Ricans are really soft hearted and respectful 3. 911 isn't very helpful in New York and 4. I felt guilty for not doing more... but there was nothing more I could have done or should have done. Also 5. I’m really glad there are people that defend womanhood still.
OK well, I got to go. But just know that I am doing well and looking forward to calling you all soon! Also, we have a baptism commit for next week. She has been committed before, but she is for sure now. When we committed her she said "what do I wear? Should I bring a towel!?" ha-ha-ha.
I love you all! Bye!
Sam
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Koreans, Russians, and Raccoons
So, my new companion is Elder Lim. He was born in Korea and grew up in Logan UT! :) I can already tell that He is my favorite companion! Ha ha. I can't really quite be 100% myself yet, but that’s ‘cause we are still trying to sink up right now! Any way, he is way great! We got along great really quick... but it didn't seem like that was going to be the case at first. In transfer meeting he didn't stand when he was called. He seemed very sad, and disappointed, and like he didn't want to leave his old pad, district, and companion. He didn't talk much at first, but that was gone once we got home. Elder Williams (from Alpine) gave us a ride to the pad after transfer meeting. The Pad has a way different energy now. But I like it. With only half a week, we got as many lessons as I did with Gourdin in a whole week! I’m realizing now, that the situation I’m in with Lim is far better than the rest of my mission has been. One night we got into every house we tried and they all became investigators. We give really amazing short powerful lessons with lots of testimony! I have been dying to have this! Orr would just hog the whole lesson, and Gourdin was very long winded. Lim and I are equal and to the point! SO AWESOME! and the difference with those we teach is completely obvious! LOL!
I had a presidents interview and we talked about how its so funny that Preach my Gospel and the White hand book really do tell you everything to be successful.... its just we don't apply it! Its so funny.
So, our first night out we were running into a lot of Russian Jews. we were walking around in Kew Gardens, when across the street on someone’s roof was....... THREE HUGE RACCOONS! LOL! They were just hanging out like it was their stoop and they was just chilling! LOL. I saw a lady walking by the house and I suddenly blurted out "watch out they will eat you!" as I pointed to the raccoons. She, jumped a foot and a half and coward. I said "I’m sorry, I’m just joking.. LOL", to which she replied in a Russian accent, "they have been there a since late summer, I'm afraid that they will climb in through the windows and hurt the children!"... Then we tried to fearless her... but it didn't work. I couldn't believe the raccoons though! LOL. Wow. Ha ha.
Elder Lim was in Richmond Hill this time last year until February! So he knows all the members, when he walked in the church Saturday night for our Christmas play rehearsal, there was a collective gasp! Ha ha ha! They love him here. I'm so glad that the lord answered my prayer of sending the right missionary. Right now we could not afford a p-dub or a control freak. Right now we need team players. Elder Lim and I are already sinking so well! :) After Richmond Hill, Lim went to Bermuda and after that to Stanton Island. He got his call to Bermuda when he was here in Richmond Hill. he only has 4 transfers left and I am on my 4th. LOL.
We will probably have a baptism with Zorina in two weeks. We also have a lot of potential with all our new investigators as well as with some of the old. Pray that Elder Lim and I can accomplish our goal of 3 baptisms minimum this transfer. (Wait... I’m not supposed to ask anyone to pray for specific causes huh... idk...)
OK... well, I can't think of much more to say.
oh yeah, the weather here is cold now. the temperature isn't really cold at all (Utah standard), but the humidity and especially the wind make it really super cold! The wind just cuts through you. don't worry about sending me things to keep warm though... I have plenty of long johns now. Ha ha. Oh, maybe I could use a black or dark blue water proof hat that looks conservative but not stupid... maybe some where in between a newsies type had and a Fedora, only, waterproof and covers my ears. :) If you can't find anything don't fret. I am doing ok. :)
The church is true. I cannot convince any of you. But I know that if you will read and pray about the book of Mormon (even if you have before), your testimony will grow. Before my mission I had a shaky testimony of Joseph smith, until right before my mission. it got shook in Bushwick, but after that It was solid. It just doesn't make since for him to be anything but a prophet. It really doesn't. If you don't believe that there is one true church, it’s because you are making justifications because you don't have a testimony of the Book of Mormon or Joseph Smith. I ask all of you this week to pray to God our heavenly father in the name of Jesus Christ if Joseph Smith was a true prophet and if the book of Mormon is true; regardless of weather or not you have done it before.
I love you all! Love Elder Morris! bye!
I had a presidents interview and we talked about how its so funny that Preach my Gospel and the White hand book really do tell you everything to be successful.... its just we don't apply it! Its so funny.
So, our first night out we were running into a lot of Russian Jews. we were walking around in Kew Gardens, when across the street on someone’s roof was....... THREE HUGE RACCOONS! LOL! They were just hanging out like it was their stoop and they was just chilling! LOL. I saw a lady walking by the house and I suddenly blurted out "watch out they will eat you!" as I pointed to the raccoons. She, jumped a foot and a half and coward. I said "I’m sorry, I’m just joking.. LOL", to which she replied in a Russian accent, "they have been there a since late summer, I'm afraid that they will climb in through the windows and hurt the children!"... Then we tried to fearless her... but it didn't work. I couldn't believe the raccoons though! LOL. Wow. Ha ha.
Elder Lim was in Richmond Hill this time last year until February! So he knows all the members, when he walked in the church Saturday night for our Christmas play rehearsal, there was a collective gasp! Ha ha ha! They love him here. I'm so glad that the lord answered my prayer of sending the right missionary. Right now we could not afford a p-dub or a control freak. Right now we need team players. Elder Lim and I are already sinking so well! :) After Richmond Hill, Lim went to Bermuda and after that to Stanton Island. He got his call to Bermuda when he was here in Richmond Hill. he only has 4 transfers left and I am on my 4th. LOL.
We will probably have a baptism with Zorina in two weeks. We also have a lot of potential with all our new investigators as well as with some of the old. Pray that Elder Lim and I can accomplish our goal of 3 baptisms minimum this transfer. (Wait... I’m not supposed to ask anyone to pray for specific causes huh... idk...)
OK... well, I can't think of much more to say.
oh yeah, the weather here is cold now. the temperature isn't really cold at all (Utah standard), but the humidity and especially the wind make it really super cold! The wind just cuts through you. don't worry about sending me things to keep warm though... I have plenty of long johns now. Ha ha. Oh, maybe I could use a black or dark blue water proof hat that looks conservative but not stupid... maybe some where in between a newsies type had and a Fedora, only, waterproof and covers my ears. :) If you can't find anything don't fret. I am doing ok. :)
The church is true. I cannot convince any of you. But I know that if you will read and pray about the book of Mormon (even if you have before), your testimony will grow. Before my mission I had a shaky testimony of Joseph smith, until right before my mission. it got shook in Bushwick, but after that It was solid. It just doesn't make since for him to be anything but a prophet. It really doesn't. If you don't believe that there is one true church, it’s because you are making justifications because you don't have a testimony of the Book of Mormon or Joseph Smith. I ask all of you this week to pray to God our heavenly father in the name of Jesus Christ if Joseph Smith was a true prophet and if the book of Mormon is true; regardless of weather or not you have done it before.
I love you all! Love Elder Morris! bye!
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
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.
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.
Monday, November 23, 2009
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!
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!
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!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
