Being busy is not an indicator of success; remember that.
Cool thing #1: Tito is continuing to progress. He told us when we visited him that he was reading from doctrine and covenants and he explained to us what he learned from the section he had read and it was clear it made sense to him! He said that he feels the spirit and that his days are going better. He was interviewed for the priesthood and really enjoyed his interview with the Branch President. Tito said he is a really nice guy and helpful and he likes him a lot! That was a good thing to hear cause it means he has started off on the right foot with president and will go to him when he needs to in the future without hesitation. Tito has a great understanding of the need for repentance and that it’s something we all need to do all the time, and that's why we have church and the gospel. After his interview he told us how he was going to have responsibilities to pass the sacrament and how he needed to look nice for it (so president is gonna buy him a nice shirt) he then told us "that means that I've really got to be here every Sunday then!" and we said, "yeah!"
Cool thing #2: Ben almost accepted a baptismal invitation. He is kind of committed to finding out if what we are teaching him is true. (Which really is a big step up) the spirit is in the lessons a lot more than before and he understands a lot better. It’s nice to have Ira there to help teach. Ben has come to church twice. He was supposed to come yesterday but Ira said he wouldn't come cause he was sleeping. Lame.
Cool thing #3: I kinda got to be an office elder again on Friday. The Lees and the Scotts are going home (senior missionary couples) so we packed up all there furniture and put it in a truck and went to Ridgewood in Brooklyn and put it in a church basement. It took all morning (I thought it was going to take a lot longer) but we were finished by 12! we got back to our area by 1 and were done eating a huge buffet, courtesy of Elder Scott and Elder Lee, and got home by 3. It was a nice switch up from what we have been doing. I'll miss both senior couples. :( they were really great. I didn't say goodbye to the Scotts cause I’m just not down with goodbyes any more. I'm more of a "quit acting like this is the last time we'll see each other" kind of guy. If I don't see them in this life (which for some reason just doesn't sound like the case) I’ll see them in the next one. No need to get all sappy and then shake hands (cause we're missionaries) instead of hugging... or what-naught.
Cool thing #4: Jose and Marta Santos and the newest members of the branch. Their home has a different feeling in it now (i went on a mini exchange to go teach them with Elder Sanford last night cause of complications). Jose is a different guy and much more humble and accepting and willing to learn. He told us after he was baptized he felt like a blind man who could now see more because he wasn't looking with his eyes but listening and feeling with his heart. Cool! Ha-ha. Then last night he told me that after he received the gift of the Holy Ghost he has been full of the spirit (as he should be). He said everything is lighter and he feels like a child, "protected". So we discussed how he keeps that feeling is by taking the sacrament every week and making sure that he keeps true to the covenants described in the sacrament prayers. I showed him where they were in the Book of Mormon and the Doctrine and Covenants. Anyway, much more than I can explain, it was all the spirit. Basically we were both edified. :)
Brother Mills our Coordinator is finally back from vacation.
We have been working a lot on getting the wards and branches involved in our work and also us as missionaries working around our members (working smart). So that’s been cool, but there is a lot more to do before it really becomes our culture. Mostly I think some of us older missionaries just have to die for it to take hold completely. The work really is a big rough stone rolling and growing. It’s pretty cool. It gets better and better and more and more efficient.
Anyways, please pray that I will have the desire to work out in the morning, cause I hate it...
There was more I wanted to say but it left me. Sorry.
--
-Elder Samuel Austin Morris
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Monday, March 28, 2011
Happy Paint Satrick’s Day
Well... This week was one of those weeks that has seven days.
We spent almost all week preparing for and inviting people to our branch activity: Movie Night!!! We were feeling really good about it! We ran into snag after snag that resisted the whole thing. We were able to invite tons of people in person with flyer's/invitations, and we got at least 20 commits and everyone seemed really excited about it all. Well the day of, Friday, we pretty much spent from after District Meeting until 7 preparing. We had problem after problem in setting up. Broken projectors and dvd players and no sound coming forth etc... Well we finally got it all strait. It looked great! The whole place was all set up nicely and The Testaments title screen was being projected largely on the wall of the Assembly room. Well... Not counting the missionaries 7 people showed up. :(
Don't you hate that.....
Well, It wasn't a total waste because the senior couple Elder and Sister Lee had never seen it, and it gave Bro Hatch something to do and allowed us to get to know him better (plus he sympathized with us and now seems to be a supporter in our work) and Sister Catron and her Daughter came. Sister Catron hasn't been to church in a long time because of work scheduling issues and from our knowledge her daughter is unbaptized. Well, we were able to get an appointment with her for tomorrow and the Mansuettos (my favorite members) were able to fellowship her because they are old friends. Elder woodland knows her from an exchange and was able to say, "Hey!!! Sister Catron! How are you?!?" that seemed to be nice for her because I think she feels like no one knows who she is any more. Besides that Axel and Jeff came (19 and 23 year olds in the branch that currently don't have a lot to do). So that was great cause you know what they say, "an idle mind is the devils work shop".
We felt bad though because we worked so hard and the Lees got us refreshments for it and a projector and dinner (cause we missed dinner cause we were busy trying to get everything working) and the Mansuettos brought a bunch of Soda. We popped a bunch of pop-corn... but at least all that got eaten.
No one came to church really not even Tito, we aren't sure why. We feel bad cause we taught him about baptisms for the dead and he got confused and worried, so we wanted him to come so we could talk more about that at church. Well, we did have investigators go to the YSA branch however. Ben went and brought his friend Matt. We will be seeing them tonight. Ben still likes to preach to us, but is starting to understand what we are all about and what we really have. He is going to church and reading the things we tell him to, so he is progressing. :)
So we have had a new elder in the pad this week. His name is Elder Sanford. You can tell he's right out of the MTC. Ha-ha. That's not bad, it’s just funny how everyone comes into the mission field the same way; the same attitude and expectations. It really is a boot camp. Anyway, Elder Sanford is from Las Vegas and had a semester at BYU before he came out on his mission (living the Mormon dream). He is a nice guy, and I can tell he is starting to get used to being here now. He has a girl friend back at home and when he found out that I used to he asked how long into the mission I was when it ended. When I told him he said, "Oh, ok, so I've still got some time." Ha-ha. It was pretty funny. He has pretty good timing. He doesn't really say things that are supper witty, just simple, but he says them at the right time. He's a nice guy. Anyway, I'm sure he'll be a great missionary. Hopefully elder woodland can help him with his Spanish though. Ha-ha. Jk, his is better than mine (at least vocab). :)
I hope I didn't scare him to much with my craziness I hope it just helps him feel like he can have fun and work hard. Ha-ha. He didn't laugh at anything I did or said for like the first 4 or 5 days! Ha-ha.
OK I must now depart from this writing for I lack any more to say. Yet, I will not leave you without my own testimony of the truth. The lord has his holy an eternal purpose and we are the whole point of that purpose. He work and his glory is to bring to pass our immortality and eternal life. His joy is our progression and our success. He weeps when we weep. His heart drops when we fail. He is our loving Father. Understanding our relationship to him will deepen our relationship with him. We will become more sincere prayers and we will understand his will. We will no longer question him when bad things happen to us or the ones we love, we will not blame him for our sorrow but praise him for all that is good in our lives. We will praise him and love him even more for his perfect parenting skills. He loves me and you more than anything we could fathom. I can't say that I know really anything perfectly because I am human and I am week and I don't understand all things, but I can testify to you that he does not abandon you and that he does not cause anything negative in your life. God is perfect and therefore he does not do anything that would cause him to be a liar. What is good comes from the father; if God lead us into temptation he would cease to be God. He Promises that as we discover and apply his will that we will not have room enough to receive his blessings. Our trials are a part of mortality and come from either natural events that come from the physical body or world around us or from the decisions of others or from Satan and his followers. We can be thankful for the hard things because without resistance we would lose our strength.
That’s about it. Love,
-Elder Samuel Austin Morris
We spent almost all week preparing for and inviting people to our branch activity: Movie Night!!! We were feeling really good about it! We ran into snag after snag that resisted the whole thing. We were able to invite tons of people in person with flyer's/invitations, and we got at least 20 commits and everyone seemed really excited about it all. Well the day of, Friday, we pretty much spent from after District Meeting until 7 preparing. We had problem after problem in setting up. Broken projectors and dvd players and no sound coming forth etc... Well we finally got it all strait. It looked great! The whole place was all set up nicely and The Testaments title screen was being projected largely on the wall of the Assembly room. Well... Not counting the missionaries 7 people showed up. :(
Don't you hate that.....
Well, It wasn't a total waste because the senior couple Elder and Sister Lee had never seen it, and it gave Bro Hatch something to do and allowed us to get to know him better (plus he sympathized with us and now seems to be a supporter in our work) and Sister Catron and her Daughter came. Sister Catron hasn't been to church in a long time because of work scheduling issues and from our knowledge her daughter is unbaptized. Well, we were able to get an appointment with her for tomorrow and the Mansuettos (my favorite members) were able to fellowship her because they are old friends. Elder woodland knows her from an exchange and was able to say, "Hey!!! Sister Catron! How are you?!?" that seemed to be nice for her because I think she feels like no one knows who she is any more. Besides that Axel and Jeff came (19 and 23 year olds in the branch that currently don't have a lot to do). So that was great cause you know what they say, "an idle mind is the devils work shop".
We felt bad though because we worked so hard and the Lees got us refreshments for it and a projector and dinner (cause we missed dinner cause we were busy trying to get everything working) and the Mansuettos brought a bunch of Soda. We popped a bunch of pop-corn... but at least all that got eaten.
No one came to church really not even Tito, we aren't sure why. We feel bad cause we taught him about baptisms for the dead and he got confused and worried, so we wanted him to come so we could talk more about that at church. Well, we did have investigators go to the YSA branch however. Ben went and brought his friend Matt. We will be seeing them tonight. Ben still likes to preach to us, but is starting to understand what we are all about and what we really have. He is going to church and reading the things we tell him to, so he is progressing. :)
So we have had a new elder in the pad this week. His name is Elder Sanford. You can tell he's right out of the MTC. Ha-ha. That's not bad, it’s just funny how everyone comes into the mission field the same way; the same attitude and expectations. It really is a boot camp. Anyway, Elder Sanford is from Las Vegas and had a semester at BYU before he came out on his mission (living the Mormon dream). He is a nice guy, and I can tell he is starting to get used to being here now. He has a girl friend back at home and when he found out that I used to he asked how long into the mission I was when it ended. When I told him he said, "Oh, ok, so I've still got some time." Ha-ha. It was pretty funny. He has pretty good timing. He doesn't really say things that are supper witty, just simple, but he says them at the right time. He's a nice guy. Anyway, I'm sure he'll be a great missionary. Hopefully elder woodland can help him with his Spanish though. Ha-ha. Jk, his is better than mine (at least vocab). :)
I hope I didn't scare him to much with my craziness I hope it just helps him feel like he can have fun and work hard. Ha-ha. He didn't laugh at anything I did or said for like the first 4 or 5 days! Ha-ha.
OK I must now depart from this writing for I lack any more to say. Yet, I will not leave you without my own testimony of the truth. The lord has his holy an eternal purpose and we are the whole point of that purpose. He work and his glory is to bring to pass our immortality and eternal life. His joy is our progression and our success. He weeps when we weep. His heart drops when we fail. He is our loving Father. Understanding our relationship to him will deepen our relationship with him. We will become more sincere prayers and we will understand his will. We will no longer question him when bad things happen to us or the ones we love, we will not blame him for our sorrow but praise him for all that is good in our lives. We will praise him and love him even more for his perfect parenting skills. He loves me and you more than anything we could fathom. I can't say that I know really anything perfectly because I am human and I am week and I don't understand all things, but I can testify to you that he does not abandon you and that he does not cause anything negative in your life. God is perfect and therefore he does not do anything that would cause him to be a liar. What is good comes from the father; if God lead us into temptation he would cease to be God. He Promises that as we discover and apply his will that we will not have room enough to receive his blessings. Our trials are a part of mortality and come from either natural events that come from the physical body or world around us or from the decisions of others or from Satan and his followers. We can be thankful for the hard things because without resistance we would lose our strength.
That’s about it. Love,
-Elder Samuel Austin Morris
Monday, March 14, 2011
6 of 2
Well my second transfer in Huntington has now come to an end. It looks like I’ll be here for another 6 weeks. That leaves me with 12 weeks after that until the end.... :S
My prediction is that I leave Huntington after this next 6 weeks and then end my mission somewhere else (hopefully the city) for my last 12 weeks. Elder woodland thinks I’ll just finish here though and probably end by training.
Btw, elder Clement is leaving us... :( we are all very sad. President told us though that he wont be going to far away, so maybe he'll still be in the zone. Elder Clement is getting replaced by a Greenie. So Woodland will be training. That means we will have a new missionary in the pad. I want him to remember me for the rest of his life... ha-ha... so I’m going to do crazy things to him.... nothing bad, don't worry about that. :) Ha-ha. I'll let you know how it goes.
Tito is still strong! He is doing really well and still coming to church on his own. He remembers all the doctrines we teach him and is starting to ask some pretty deep questions all on his own. Its really cool cause he says his mind is more clear than it has been in a really long time. Also, he is defending his beliefs where ever he goes he seems to tell us every time we see him about how he was challenged by someone or asked a moral or religious question. The best part is that when we ask him what he told them, he always gives the right answer! Ha-ha. then I ask, "have you been studying" or "when did you learn that" and he either responds, "I learned it from you guys" or "I learned it at church" or "I read it in a book somewhere" Ha-ha
We had 4 investigators at Church! Woot! A former named Kai brought her sister to Church and said they would come back next week too! I explained how the meetings go before church started cause they were the first ones there. Most people showed up last minute, probably because of Day light savings time. Then I explained what the sacrament was in response they said to themselves but loud enough that I heard, "oh Ii'm not baptized" and a little later I asked where they normally go to church and they told me they weren't raised any particular way and that they haven't been to a church in a really long time. Kai wanted to stay for class but her sister Lakeema didn't. But like I said, they'll be back next week. I think that they will come to church every week if we just remind them on Saturday.
The other two at church attended the YSA branch in Plainview, but because they are our investigators they count on our numbers. Ben Scott attended the whole of all 3 meetings and stayed for munch and mingle. He wants us to come over 2 to 3 times a week to teach him all we know. We made it clear to him this is not bible study. The other who came was a guy named Scott who lives in our area and is a friend of Ira Greenbay (just like Ben)... so Ira is not only a drumming machine but a great member missionary! Woot, way to go Ira. Well I’ll let you know how their progress is later! :)
Other than that I can't really remember what happened this week; just a lot of looking people up and trying to conserve our miles... ha-ha. Well, that’s all.
--
-Elder Samuel Austin Morris
My prediction is that I leave Huntington after this next 6 weeks and then end my mission somewhere else (hopefully the city) for my last 12 weeks. Elder woodland thinks I’ll just finish here though and probably end by training.
Btw, elder Clement is leaving us... :( we are all very sad. President told us though that he wont be going to far away, so maybe he'll still be in the zone. Elder Clement is getting replaced by a Greenie. So Woodland will be training. That means we will have a new missionary in the pad. I want him to remember me for the rest of his life... ha-ha... so I’m going to do crazy things to him.... nothing bad, don't worry about that. :) Ha-ha. I'll let you know how it goes.
Tito is still strong! He is doing really well and still coming to church on his own. He remembers all the doctrines we teach him and is starting to ask some pretty deep questions all on his own. Its really cool cause he says his mind is more clear than it has been in a really long time. Also, he is defending his beliefs where ever he goes he seems to tell us every time we see him about how he was challenged by someone or asked a moral or religious question. The best part is that when we ask him what he told them, he always gives the right answer! Ha-ha. then I ask, "have you been studying" or "when did you learn that" and he either responds, "I learned it from you guys" or "I learned it at church" or "I read it in a book somewhere" Ha-ha
We had 4 investigators at Church! Woot! A former named Kai brought her sister to Church and said they would come back next week too! I explained how the meetings go before church started cause they were the first ones there. Most people showed up last minute, probably because of Day light savings time. Then I explained what the sacrament was in response they said to themselves but loud enough that I heard, "oh Ii'm not baptized" and a little later I asked where they normally go to church and they told me they weren't raised any particular way and that they haven't been to a church in a really long time. Kai wanted to stay for class but her sister Lakeema didn't. But like I said, they'll be back next week. I think that they will come to church every week if we just remind them on Saturday.
The other two at church attended the YSA branch in Plainview, but because they are our investigators they count on our numbers. Ben Scott attended the whole of all 3 meetings and stayed for munch and mingle. He wants us to come over 2 to 3 times a week to teach him all we know. We made it clear to him this is not bible study. The other who came was a guy named Scott who lives in our area and is a friend of Ira Greenbay (just like Ben)... so Ira is not only a drumming machine but a great member missionary! Woot, way to go Ira. Well I’ll let you know how their progress is later! :)
Other than that I can't really remember what happened this week; just a lot of looking people up and trying to conserve our miles... ha-ha. Well, that’s all.
--
-Elder Samuel Austin Morris
Monday, March 7, 2011
March
So I thought that all the Showers were supposed to be in April... but we are getting March Showers. So instead of March wind brings April showers which brings may flowers... it must be March showers brings April flowers followed by... may.... Birds! or something like that. I'm expecting a lot of birds..... in may.....
Anyway.
Saturday was amazing. We were visited by Neal L. Anderson from the quorum of the 12 Apostles. :) It was nice. Refreshing is what I would call it. Definitely not what I was expected. I was thinking it would be more like what elder Pearson was just shorter, nope, just really pleasant. We shook his hand and also Bishop Edgely and Elder Razband. It felt good. My testimony was strengthened in two ways by subtle reminders of the following facts: 1. they truly are called of God and 2. They really are regular guys. You could see their light and feel the warmth from the spirit, but it wasn't a flood of spirit that knocked you over, just really pleasant. It shows me that it really is possible to follow all the commandments and still be a human. That Imperfect people that have weaknesses can be obedient. I also learned a really cool thing from what Elder Anderson said in response to the question "why can't [we do everything right that we know we should and want to do so] the spirit [can] be stronger in me?" (Its self explanatory I think), "Be patient. It’s not something the Lord expects us to know all about when we are 20. What would we do the rest of our lives?" He then explained that even President Monson learns something new each day.
We also had a great combined stake conference yesterday with Bishop Edgely. At both the mission and stake conference he shared cool stories about being a missionary here back when it was the eastern states mission. :) Like I said it was just refreshing to hear stories and get encouraged rather than loaded up with a bunch of doctrine that makes you feel like you are a slacker (call to repentance). To everything there is a season. There's a time and a place for both of those things and I'm glad this time it was easy to swallow.
Tito is still doing great. He understands that even when he makes mistakes he needs to keep at it and continue to come to church and read scriptures and pray. That is the key. He and I both are learning that this church is for sinners. That this gospel is one of improvement and progression; that's the point of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and I'm glad cause I am nowhere near perfect, but I know I can get there one day because of our Savior. Jose is learning this too. He loved Stake conference. The Spanish Elders say that his only hang up now is a testimony of our current prophet. I know it will work out for him and Marta.
Thank you Miller family for your package! I loved it. I don't know how you knew but the tie you gave me was the perfect width and it looks really nice too. The pens are great quality and everyone loves treats and letters! thank you so much! I am so grateful for your support and prayers and love! :)
OK I'm gonna split!
Elder Samuel Austin Morris
Anyway.
Saturday was amazing. We were visited by Neal L. Anderson from the quorum of the 12 Apostles. :) It was nice. Refreshing is what I would call it. Definitely not what I was expected. I was thinking it would be more like what elder Pearson was just shorter, nope, just really pleasant. We shook his hand and also Bishop Edgely and Elder Razband. It felt good. My testimony was strengthened in two ways by subtle reminders of the following facts: 1. they truly are called of God and 2. They really are regular guys. You could see their light and feel the warmth from the spirit, but it wasn't a flood of spirit that knocked you over, just really pleasant. It shows me that it really is possible to follow all the commandments and still be a human. That Imperfect people that have weaknesses can be obedient. I also learned a really cool thing from what Elder Anderson said in response to the question "why can't [we do everything right that we know we should and want to do so] the spirit [can] be stronger in me?" (Its self explanatory I think), "Be patient. It’s not something the Lord expects us to know all about when we are 20. What would we do the rest of our lives?" He then explained that even President Monson learns something new each day.
We also had a great combined stake conference yesterday with Bishop Edgely. At both the mission and stake conference he shared cool stories about being a missionary here back when it was the eastern states mission. :) Like I said it was just refreshing to hear stories and get encouraged rather than loaded up with a bunch of doctrine that makes you feel like you are a slacker (call to repentance). To everything there is a season. There's a time and a place for both of those things and I'm glad this time it was easy to swallow.
Tito is still doing great. He understands that even when he makes mistakes he needs to keep at it and continue to come to church and read scriptures and pray. That is the key. He and I both are learning that this church is for sinners. That this gospel is one of improvement and progression; that's the point of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and I'm glad cause I am nowhere near perfect, but I know I can get there one day because of our Savior. Jose is learning this too. He loved Stake conference. The Spanish Elders say that his only hang up now is a testimony of our current prophet. I know it will work out for him and Marta.
Thank you Miller family for your package! I loved it. I don't know how you knew but the tie you gave me was the perfect width and it looks really nice too. The pens are great quality and everyone loves treats and letters! thank you so much! I am so grateful for your support and prayers and love! :)
OK I'm gonna split!
Elder Samuel Austin Morris
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
One O'dem Short-longs
This last week flew by yet.... seems so long ago.... if any of you know what that's like you have experience what I just deemed as a 'one o'dem short-longs'. You could probably refer to a number of time increments that way. Maybe like an hour of heavy lifting, or a 5 min wall sit. Sometimes a day is long but is over before you know it; awe the paradox of life and time.
Well to the important stuff.
Tito's baptism was pushed a week. He is having a hard time but is doing so well. I feel like he does I think. I am just struggling a long and often find myself beating on myself and feeling inadequate and just making the same old mistakes (its so frustrating) but really there is progress. Its like what the Ensign said about a baby walking to a parent with out-stretched arms (I think it was last month). The baby falls over a couple times on its way but it still makes its way. Although the baby falls the parent doesn't love the child less or think less of the baby, nor does the parent scold the child but utters only encouragement, "It’s OK, get up." :) come to mommy." Most of us learned to walk that way. God does the same for us now. Tito and I and all of us fall right on our face but our Father in Heaven and our Savior stand there with arms wide open calling us by name.
This week we exceeded last week’s number of lessons by 4. Elder Mitchell and I are raising the bar for Huntington and progress is still being made. Soon I hope for some real evidence of that progression, some crescendo if you will. :)
We get along quite well with our pad mates and the district all seems to be pushing the work forward.
We have many referrals media, member, and missionary. We have really narrowed down the branch list and are finding out who everyone is and whether or not they want contact. Because of our efforts in looking up Less Active members a surprising thing has happened. Our number of lessons with non-members have increased. Also we have found amazing part member families who are super nice, like Aaron and his wife Leah. I'll be talking more about them later (hopefully).
Well I don't have much more to say. However I will say that I learn and relearn every day these last few weeks that it doesn't matter how many times you read the book of Mormon, because each time it feels almost like a different book. Not only do you read stories you don't remember but you learn doctrines and receive revelations that you never have before, even by reading verses that you have read hundreds of times before! The mission is reading the BOM on a schedule together and I am loving it. It's a blessing to me in my life right now. I encourage you all to make sure you are reading and praying every day. Even 10 or 15 min is better than nothing.
OK, love you peeps. Chill out a'ight?!
Elder Samuel Austin Morris
Well to the important stuff.
Tito's baptism was pushed a week. He is having a hard time but is doing so well. I feel like he does I think. I am just struggling a long and often find myself beating on myself and feeling inadequate and just making the same old mistakes (its so frustrating) but really there is progress. Its like what the Ensign said about a baby walking to a parent with out-stretched arms (I think it was last month). The baby falls over a couple times on its way but it still makes its way. Although the baby falls the parent doesn't love the child less or think less of the baby, nor does the parent scold the child but utters only encouragement, "It’s OK, get up." :) come to mommy." Most of us learned to walk that way. God does the same for us now. Tito and I and all of us fall right on our face but our Father in Heaven and our Savior stand there with arms wide open calling us by name.
This week we exceeded last week’s number of lessons by 4. Elder Mitchell and I are raising the bar for Huntington and progress is still being made. Soon I hope for some real evidence of that progression, some crescendo if you will. :)
We get along quite well with our pad mates and the district all seems to be pushing the work forward.
We have many referrals media, member, and missionary. We have really narrowed down the branch list and are finding out who everyone is and whether or not they want contact. Because of our efforts in looking up Less Active members a surprising thing has happened. Our number of lessons with non-members have increased. Also we have found amazing part member families who are super nice, like Aaron and his wife Leah. I'll be talking more about them later (hopefully).
Well I don't have much more to say. However I will say that I learn and relearn every day these last few weeks that it doesn't matter how many times you read the book of Mormon, because each time it feels almost like a different book. Not only do you read stories you don't remember but you learn doctrines and receive revelations that you never have before, even by reading verses that you have read hundreds of times before! The mission is reading the BOM on a schedule together and I am loving it. It's a blessing to me in my life right now. I encourage you all to make sure you are reading and praying every day. Even 10 or 15 min is better than nothing.
OK, love you peeps. Chill out a'ight?!
Elder Samuel Austin Morris
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Progress
Good news everyone! Tito is solid. He will be getting baptized on the 19th and confirmed on the 20th. He has really, really progressed. Many of his issues have diminished or disappeared. He has been doing well with not drinking coffee and is staying clean in all elements of his life to the best of his ability. He is excited and resolute about being baptized. In fact when he wasn't able to get a ride to church yesterday he walked! HE WALKED! Ha-ha. It really showed us that he is serious. He considers himself a part of the church already and invited one of the caretakers at his house to come to the baptism. Since he was first being taught until now his domineer has brightened his nerves have calmed, his understanding has expanded, his testimony has increased and he is altogether happier. The gospel works miracles. It transforms all of us who put in.
In other Good News, Jose and Marta got married. Jose was the investigator I set a marriage date with before I handed him over to the Spanish elders. The wedding was very nice and they both looked very nice. Jose is and Marta is beautiful. Jose is still frustrated that I don't come over anymore and thinks it’s because i don't like him. Ha-ha. I wanted to be over there really bad! Ha-ha. I'm pretty sure they will get baptized soon. Jose has a few concerns but Marta is ready when he is. I pray the Spanish elders listen to the spirit to know what they need to do and say to help Jose learn the doctrines he needs to know in order to progress and fully accept the gospel, or to have a testimony of Christ's modern day church. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. :)
Elder Mitchell and I are starting to get things moving finally. We taught more lessons than have been taught in the English pool in a long while. We just seemed to be in the right place at the right time multiple times this week. We are getting more potentials and talking to more people. Much of success I feel is based off of our focus. As Elder Pearson says we get what we focus on consistently. If our focus is success and our attitude is positive and our outlook optimistic what thing can bring us down. God is on our side, we just got to remember this is his work (his mission) if we accept his will, he does all the work. We are the tools not the workers. If I am an ax and the lords work is a tree, I as an ax can decide i know what is best and beat the tree with my handle (thinking that's what I'm supposed to do) or I can let the Axeman (the lord) use me how I’m meant to be used and actually accomplish something, anyway. Ha-ha, funny analogy.
Ben Scott a new investigator is a cool guy. Wants to start his own church. Well... we're gonna show him he can help expand the already established true church of Christ and that he doesn't have to worry about making his own. His friend he grew up with Ira Greenbey (my friend since I served in Plainview YSA branch) is his next door neighbor. He will help us.
Sister Roseto a less active member we have been meeting with was inspired to share the gospel at a store and mentioned the Book of Mormon. Well the guy was interested and allowed us to meet with him. I'll tell you how that develops. But cool right!? Missionary work the way it should be! Member work! :)
I think my companion is itching to go... he asked me how much longer I’m gonna be about 5 min ago... so I'll leave it at that. I love you all! Thank you for your prayers I need 'em. Thanks for your love and support!
Love,
Elder Samuel Austin Morris
In other Good News, Jose and Marta got married. Jose was the investigator I set a marriage date with before I handed him over to the Spanish elders. The wedding was very nice and they both looked very nice. Jose is and Marta is beautiful. Jose is still frustrated that I don't come over anymore and thinks it’s because i don't like him. Ha-ha. I wanted to be over there really bad! Ha-ha. I'm pretty sure they will get baptized soon. Jose has a few concerns but Marta is ready when he is. I pray the Spanish elders listen to the spirit to know what they need to do and say to help Jose learn the doctrines he needs to know in order to progress and fully accept the gospel, or to have a testimony of Christ's modern day church. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. :)
Elder Mitchell and I are starting to get things moving finally. We taught more lessons than have been taught in the English pool in a long while. We just seemed to be in the right place at the right time multiple times this week. We are getting more potentials and talking to more people. Much of success I feel is based off of our focus. As Elder Pearson says we get what we focus on consistently. If our focus is success and our attitude is positive and our outlook optimistic what thing can bring us down. God is on our side, we just got to remember this is his work (his mission) if we accept his will, he does all the work. We are the tools not the workers. If I am an ax and the lords work is a tree, I as an ax can decide i know what is best and beat the tree with my handle (thinking that's what I'm supposed to do) or I can let the Axeman (the lord) use me how I’m meant to be used and actually accomplish something, anyway. Ha-ha, funny analogy.
Ben Scott a new investigator is a cool guy. Wants to start his own church. Well... we're gonna show him he can help expand the already established true church of Christ and that he doesn't have to worry about making his own. His friend he grew up with Ira Greenbey (my friend since I served in Plainview YSA branch) is his next door neighbor. He will help us.
Sister Roseto a less active member we have been meeting with was inspired to share the gospel at a store and mentioned the Book of Mormon. Well the guy was interested and allowed us to meet with him. I'll tell you how that develops. But cool right!? Missionary work the way it should be! Member work! :)
I think my companion is itching to go... he asked me how much longer I’m gonna be about 5 min ago... so I'll leave it at that. I love you all! Thank you for your prayers I need 'em. Thanks for your love and support!
Love,
Elder Samuel Austin Morris
Monday, February 7, 2011
Meringue Land
So all the world was a pie this week. Like some of you may know it snowed a lot a little while back. Well for NY it was pretty powdery snow! We got a little bit more this week and then it rained really cold rain! So wherever there was snow there was a glossy-stiff-half-an-inch-thick layer of Ice. Well, it made everything look like someone made white cake batter and poured it everywhere! The way it was shaped was all rounded because it was warm enough just before the rain to start to melt the snow and then cold enough that the rain froze on the snow. It oozed everywhere and looked so interesting and amazing to me! Ha-ha. Well, That's way I say the world was a pie, cause the snow looked so much like Meringue (without the browning) except where the snow was dirty or on the side of the roads, in those cases however it was not browned it was.... dingied (dingy + past tense).
I keep forgetting if I had forgotten this or not... but here it is, I wanted to say thank you to Mike and Risa because they sent me an awesome package! I loved it! It had no return address so I couldn't send a letter back to them. So thanks you two! It was really great! My favorite part is what you did for Elder Jeong. That was the best thing you could have said and it got to him just in time, right before he left back to Korea! How did you know how to say that in Korean? How did you type it up like that? So cool. You two rock! So thoughtful and nice! :) thanks!
We have been working hard, looking up lots of people! So far we are still kinda... well, we are doing what needs to be done. We've really helped organize the area better I believe and we are learning a lot about the members here. Eventually some good things should happen! :)
Tito still has his baptismal date, but he didn't make it to Church yesterday, I'm not sure why. As far as I know he is still drinking about 6 cups of coffee a day. We don't really know how to help him cause he lives in a place with a bunch of other people so we can’t really have him throw it out. Plus he has a Dunkn Doughnuts really close to his house. He understands the word of wisdom and knows he'll be blessed for it, and has experience blessings when he has tried it... but I think he just doesn't see any immediate consequences so it doesn't seem like an urgent thing. Anyway, he is great!
We confronted Khan. We went to his work. He was surprised. You should have seen his face. But it changed to a smile cause I smiled at him and nodded my head. I shouldn't have done it, it was my instinct though... anyway, he has 20 min left of his shift but he tried to escape and wouldn't answer our questions directly, he offered a drink but we declined. We set up a way for him to say sorry and all he could say was about 5 different lies that all clearly conflicted one another.
Well he went into the back and on his way he said to give him a call (after he told us he lost his phone). Well we gave him a call later and he refused to talk to Elder Mitchell and insisted that he talk to his "buddy" elder Morris. If you know me, you know that really frustrated me.
1. because he was being rude to my companion (which always feels worse to me than when I am getting the blows)
2. because I’s not cause he likes me more it’s because he knows he can smooth talk me easier than he can Elder Mitchell >:( and
3. because the word buddy has just always seemed so derogatory to me. Any way,
Khan called later (to our surprise) and so Mitchell had me answer it. Khan said he was sick. I asked if he was ever even really interested and he didn't know what that meant, he told me to stop talking in code to him. He sounded drunk or high so I asked if he was feeling all right and he told me he had the flu.... well eventually he tied to get us to meet him at another restaurant... I told him we already tired that one with him. I said if we could pick the place and it was in the city of our choosing or at a member’s house or at the church, we would meet with him. He said no. If it had to be only in certain cities "then forget about it!"... well we weren't about to break any rules for this guy or fall for the same crap again so we said all right then forget about it. He ended the conversation with a "I'm gonna reimburse you. I don't know how and I don't know when, but I'll reimburse you." He called again while we were at Church but didn't know cause our phone was on silent. We are so confused about him. We don't get why he would call. There is so much we don't understand about him. I don't understand why I feel so bad for him. Well if he decides he wants to meet us again under the proper circumstances we will. But we will not go the 90% for him. He has to do that now. Anyway, weird... but I pray he gets things figured out. Elder Mitchell thinks he might be scared of us.
The best part of the week was a fabulous mission conference on Saturday! It was great. One of those meetings that inspire you and make you feel like you need to repent without making you feel like a bad person. It was a Seventy named Elder Pearson. It was really uplifting and many of my questions were answered about life and missions and missionary work. The rest of my questions are important. I know the answers to some of the questions I had won’t change anything because it doesn't affect me... wow that was ambiguous! lol. Anyway, I guess I just realized what’s really important and that there is no use worrying about things you have no control over or that are in the past. It’s funny how sometime you learn a lesson that has always been a part of how you have done things. For example one of the points he taught was that we choose our attitudes and emotions and our reactions to other people’s actions and to our circumstances. I used to go around telling everyone to stop stressing out and to choose to be happy! What happened? I ask myself! Ha-ha. I guess New York rubbed off on me for bit there. But now I'm telling myself to smile and be happy and know that I can't worry about stuff. Worrying never helped anyone. Also I learned that Identity essentially controls our reality. Also I learned that Obedience blesses us with faith which causes us to repent and make covenants which gives us spiritual power. What good is any amount of authority if it’s not backed up with some real power! Anyway, it’s one of those things that you really just had to be there. The impressions I had could not be written down because I had no real way to articulate them.
Well I love you all! Remember that You are all children of God and each have an individual divine purpose. Let’s all try to define ourselves as disciples and rid ourselves of all the unwanted traits we have that are holding us back from our potential and our capacity!
Love,
--
-Elder Samuel Austin Morris
I keep forgetting if I had forgotten this or not... but here it is, I wanted to say thank you to Mike and Risa because they sent me an awesome package! I loved it! It had no return address so I couldn't send a letter back to them. So thanks you two! It was really great! My favorite part is what you did for Elder Jeong. That was the best thing you could have said and it got to him just in time, right before he left back to Korea! How did you know how to say that in Korean? How did you type it up like that? So cool. You two rock! So thoughtful and nice! :) thanks!
We have been working hard, looking up lots of people! So far we are still kinda... well, we are doing what needs to be done. We've really helped organize the area better I believe and we are learning a lot about the members here. Eventually some good things should happen! :)
Tito still has his baptismal date, but he didn't make it to Church yesterday, I'm not sure why. As far as I know he is still drinking about 6 cups of coffee a day. We don't really know how to help him cause he lives in a place with a bunch of other people so we can’t really have him throw it out. Plus he has a Dunkn Doughnuts really close to his house. He understands the word of wisdom and knows he'll be blessed for it, and has experience blessings when he has tried it... but I think he just doesn't see any immediate consequences so it doesn't seem like an urgent thing. Anyway, he is great!
We confronted Khan. We went to his work. He was surprised. You should have seen his face. But it changed to a smile cause I smiled at him and nodded my head. I shouldn't have done it, it was my instinct though... anyway, he has 20 min left of his shift but he tried to escape and wouldn't answer our questions directly, he offered a drink but we declined. We set up a way for him to say sorry and all he could say was about 5 different lies that all clearly conflicted one another.
Well he went into the back and on his way he said to give him a call (after he told us he lost his phone). Well we gave him a call later and he refused to talk to Elder Mitchell and insisted that he talk to his "buddy" elder Morris. If you know me, you know that really frustrated me.
1. because he was being rude to my companion (which always feels worse to me than when I am getting the blows)
2. because I’s not cause he likes me more it’s because he knows he can smooth talk me easier than he can Elder Mitchell >:( and
3. because the word buddy has just always seemed so derogatory to me. Any way,
Khan called later (to our surprise) and so Mitchell had me answer it. Khan said he was sick. I asked if he was ever even really interested and he didn't know what that meant, he told me to stop talking in code to him. He sounded drunk or high so I asked if he was feeling all right and he told me he had the flu.... well eventually he tied to get us to meet him at another restaurant... I told him we already tired that one with him. I said if we could pick the place and it was in the city of our choosing or at a member’s house or at the church, we would meet with him. He said no. If it had to be only in certain cities "then forget about it!"... well we weren't about to break any rules for this guy or fall for the same crap again so we said all right then forget about it. He ended the conversation with a "I'm gonna reimburse you. I don't know how and I don't know when, but I'll reimburse you." He called again while we were at Church but didn't know cause our phone was on silent. We are so confused about him. We don't get why he would call. There is so much we don't understand about him. I don't understand why I feel so bad for him. Well if he decides he wants to meet us again under the proper circumstances we will. But we will not go the 90% for him. He has to do that now. Anyway, weird... but I pray he gets things figured out. Elder Mitchell thinks he might be scared of us.
The best part of the week was a fabulous mission conference on Saturday! It was great. One of those meetings that inspire you and make you feel like you need to repent without making you feel like a bad person. It was a Seventy named Elder Pearson. It was really uplifting and many of my questions were answered about life and missions and missionary work. The rest of my questions are important. I know the answers to some of the questions I had won’t change anything because it doesn't affect me... wow that was ambiguous! lol. Anyway, I guess I just realized what’s really important and that there is no use worrying about things you have no control over or that are in the past. It’s funny how sometime you learn a lesson that has always been a part of how you have done things. For example one of the points he taught was that we choose our attitudes and emotions and our reactions to other people’s actions and to our circumstances. I used to go around telling everyone to stop stressing out and to choose to be happy! What happened? I ask myself! Ha-ha. I guess New York rubbed off on me for bit there. But now I'm telling myself to smile and be happy and know that I can't worry about stuff. Worrying never helped anyone. Also I learned that Identity essentially controls our reality. Also I learned that Obedience blesses us with faith which causes us to repent and make covenants which gives us spiritual power. What good is any amount of authority if it’s not backed up with some real power! Anyway, it’s one of those things that you really just had to be there. The impressions I had could not be written down because I had no real way to articulate them.
Well I love you all! Remember that You are all children of God and each have an individual divine purpose. Let’s all try to define ourselves as disciples and rid ourselves of all the unwanted traits we have that are holding us back from our potential and our capacity!
Love,
--
-Elder Samuel Austin Morris
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