Hi,
Well, I feel like it’s been a few weeks since I last e-mailed... but it has not been a few weeks.
Well, I got all finished packing on Monday and Tuesday morning and headed down to Rego Park for the transfers. I had a strange feeling I wouldn't be leaving Rego Park. When I got there I went and said hi to some of the missionaries who were there and then I went down into the mission office where I said hello to the AP's, President, the office couples and the other missionaries who were down there while I checked for to see if I had any mail. I didn't find any mail, so I just hung out down there. Elder Olsen the AP looked at me and pulled me into the copy room. He said "Help me staple", then he told me to "wait for the 200 copies to print out and then staple them"... As I was waiting for the papers to print Sister Adolphson (from Alpine, Steve Adolphson graduated with Hilly, they are one of the office couples) said to me "Well elder Morris, I guess we are gonna get to know each other better now." By this point my suspicions were confirmed but I played the fool, "Why is that?" She responded as mom would when she realized she just blew the surprise party or Christmas present.
Then Elder Khang after his sneaky snooping and using his insane photographic memory, told me "I think you’re an office Elder"... then he left and came back and said, "Yup, I just confirmed it with president". He then went and told Elder Saeyang (the office elder) that I would be his new companion. Elder Gourdin (my old comp and the office elder at the time) over heard and said "Elder Morris! You’re going to be an office elder!?" We talked about it. Well, it was for sure... so Elder Saeyang said, "Come with me Elder Morris". We didn't waste any time. Before the Transfer meeting had even started I was put to work. To make a long story short I've been very busy. Maybe busier than ever before in my mission... but our numbers this week were 1 other lesson and 2 progressing investigators. 0's for everything else. HA-HA!
So, my new comp's name is Elder Kao Va Saeyang, he was born in Thailand. So he is not Korean, but at least he is Asian (BJ and Kitty would take another meaning from that). We live with the AP's in the house next to the mission office above the senior couple that works in the office (the Baum's). Elder Saeyang and I travel around the whole mission in a 15 passenger van delivering stuff to elders around the mission and being errand runners for president and the AP's and the senior couples. They say the first week is the busiest and the last week is also pretty busy.
So, this week I drove the 15 passenger van in Manhattan (that was fun!), Staten Island, Brooklyn, Queens, Nassau and Suffolk! Ha-ha. Its awesome that we get to go all over the mission and that we get to see all the areas and missionaries. Many missionaries seem to be very happy that I am an office elder for some reason. Elder Black and Elder Thiot for ex. (that probably means nothing to you though).
Hard part of being an office elder so far:
Your so busy but have nothing to show for it
Not a lot of proselyting gets done.
Also, we take the departing missionaries to the airport after sleeping over at the mission home with them... let me tell you, that was trunkie. I saw some of my favorite missionaries, who were so good, talk about what they were going to do this week end and then, go home. I'm gonna miss Elders Wallace, Haggard, Lim, Peterson, and Goodman. Especially Lim and Haggard cause I served and lived with them. I also discovered that Elder Stone is a really cool/funny guy, just in time for him to leave! Sad day, I will have to do it next transfer too with Elder Khang and some of the others going home with him.
I'll be an office Elder for 2 transfers. I'm kinda sad though, cause that might mean that I won't be able to be Tanner’s Trainer. We will see. Maybe I'll talk to President about it. Tanner won't be born into the office, that's for sure! Lol! When does he come into the mission? If it’s August then there is a good chance still.
It’s good to be back in Queens. I feel more like I am in NY when I am in Brooklyn or Queens.
I don't know what else to say. So, bye.
-Elder Morris
Monday, May 31, 2010
Monday, May 24, 2010
It was Short Lived
Well, much happened this week. It turns out we really were getting blinded out, so Elder Khang (who I was too hard on in my emails last week) and I prepared many things for the next elders (cause we found out 4 elders were replacing us). It made it feel kinda good that they needed 4 to do what just we 2 were doing. haha. Well, we also had Zone Conference with M. T. Ringwood of the Seventy this Friday. On Thursday he did a fireside for the Plainview stake. Much of this week we just focused on preparing for our departure, but somehow we still got 13 lessons. So that was nice that we got that without really trying.
Sunday: Sunday Elder Khang and I were preparing for our musical number that we would perform in sacrament when all of a sudden the phone rings. It was president. He told Khang that the elder he was going to be flushing and replacing in the Korean program decided not to go home any more (his mom is passing and he was going to go be with her... but changed his mind last minute to stay in the mission.) Elder Khang was speechless (unlike his intense, colorful, and argumentative interview with President after zone conference on Friday), he told President "I don't know what to say, I had kind of accepted this thing (meaning leaving Plainview)". So when all is said and done, the person we were least expecting to leave (me), is leaving Plainview and Kang who has been here for 4 transfers will be dying here: funny how things work.
Here is how I feel: sad, nervous, yet full of trust in the Lord that this is his will and comfort that I'll be ok. This is the first place I have really felt like I was trusted and loved. The members here are so great. I love the area. I didn't like it when I first got here, but now I realize it’s my favorite. Let me tell you, the nice apartment was a nice bonus too. I got a bunch of pictures though with the youth and members. I also got pictures with Darnell and Nikita. Unfortunately I didn't get any pictures with the crazy people here in this area. Oh well.
The members really made me feel good. They all said that they are going to "pray me back". Brother Guinn the ward mission leader said that he really, really liked me in a note and that he really liked how I wasn't afraid to be myself and that I am an excellent teacher. That made me feel good, cause being myself is something I have had a hard time with on my mission. It’s always good to hear that you are "excellent" at anything too... so that was a double plus. Many members said they know I’ll be back. I think they are right.
A guy yelling at the help desk just broke my train of thought....
Umm.... anyway.... I'm gonna miss it here. The work is slow here, but the people are so strong and genuine; I told the singles in my departing testimony to them in elder’s quorum. I almost cried because I felt the spirit pretty good. The out-of-towners knew I was telling them to be less judgmental and more like these great native Long Islanders. (They had just made fun of one of our strongest members and looked down on him cause he wears jeans to church instead of slacks. They don't know his heart though. He is more active than them, and for the right reasons.)
This week we couldn't resist any longer and took the car to pep-boys. We still don't trust them.... but it was timed perfectly because we talked to 3 different people who to me seemed prepared. Unfortunately we didn't get their info, but we gave them ours. I know they will at least remember the positive experience they had talking with us. :)
We also had a very successful Wednesday night with our splits. I went with Dave Persons, the man! We saw a recent convert family from WA state. It was awesome, we related well and I know they felt fellow-shipped and appreciated the visit. While that happened with me, Nikita was telling Bro. Guinn and Elder Khang that she knows the Book of Mormon is true and that Joseph smith was a true prophet. Ha-ha! :) Then they came to church again! 2 weeks in a row baby! I love them. They told me they were sad I was leaving cause I was "more fun -- funnier!" than Khang. Darnell said Khang loosened up a lot being with me. :) Cool right. :) But I am glad at least one of us is staying, cause that will make the transition of elders easier. I really hope they continue coming. The Next elders will have a freebee with Nikita. We put in all the hard work so they can baptize her without any relationship. pfft. Oh well. Ha-ha. All I really care is that it happens. :)
As far as our other investigators, we were not able to see them this week! 8|
Umur, is so amazing. He said good bye to me and shook my hand heartily and looked into me with more sincerity then anyone had ever before done in my life (more than those who have said "I love you") and told me if I ever needed anything I could give him a call and he would take care of it. I imagined the possibilities and was almost scared! Ha-ha! I feel like with him I have a righteous mob boss as a friend. I am so glad I met him. He has made my life better and my perception broaden.
I love you all but have to go!
-Elder Morris
Sunday: Sunday Elder Khang and I were preparing for our musical number that we would perform in sacrament when all of a sudden the phone rings. It was president. He told Khang that the elder he was going to be flushing and replacing in the Korean program decided not to go home any more (his mom is passing and he was going to go be with her... but changed his mind last minute to stay in the mission.) Elder Khang was speechless (unlike his intense, colorful, and argumentative interview with President after zone conference on Friday), he told President "I don't know what to say, I had kind of accepted this thing (meaning leaving Plainview)". So when all is said and done, the person we were least expecting to leave (me), is leaving Plainview and Kang who has been here for 4 transfers will be dying here: funny how things work.
Here is how I feel: sad, nervous, yet full of trust in the Lord that this is his will and comfort that I'll be ok. This is the first place I have really felt like I was trusted and loved. The members here are so great. I love the area. I didn't like it when I first got here, but now I realize it’s my favorite. Let me tell you, the nice apartment was a nice bonus too. I got a bunch of pictures though with the youth and members. I also got pictures with Darnell and Nikita. Unfortunately I didn't get any pictures with the crazy people here in this area. Oh well.
The members really made me feel good. They all said that they are going to "pray me back". Brother Guinn the ward mission leader said that he really, really liked me in a note and that he really liked how I wasn't afraid to be myself and that I am an excellent teacher. That made me feel good, cause being myself is something I have had a hard time with on my mission. It’s always good to hear that you are "excellent" at anything too... so that was a double plus. Many members said they know I’ll be back. I think they are right.
A guy yelling at the help desk just broke my train of thought....
Umm.... anyway.... I'm gonna miss it here. The work is slow here, but the people are so strong and genuine; I told the singles in my departing testimony to them in elder’s quorum. I almost cried because I felt the spirit pretty good. The out-of-towners knew I was telling them to be less judgmental and more like these great native Long Islanders. (They had just made fun of one of our strongest members and looked down on him cause he wears jeans to church instead of slacks. They don't know his heart though. He is more active than them, and for the right reasons.)
This week we couldn't resist any longer and took the car to pep-boys. We still don't trust them.... but it was timed perfectly because we talked to 3 different people who to me seemed prepared. Unfortunately we didn't get their info, but we gave them ours. I know they will at least remember the positive experience they had talking with us. :)
We also had a very successful Wednesday night with our splits. I went with Dave Persons, the man! We saw a recent convert family from WA state. It was awesome, we related well and I know they felt fellow-shipped and appreciated the visit. While that happened with me, Nikita was telling Bro. Guinn and Elder Khang that she knows the Book of Mormon is true and that Joseph smith was a true prophet. Ha-ha! :) Then they came to church again! 2 weeks in a row baby! I love them. They told me they were sad I was leaving cause I was "more fun -- funnier!" than Khang. Darnell said Khang loosened up a lot being with me. :) Cool right. :) But I am glad at least one of us is staying, cause that will make the transition of elders easier. I really hope they continue coming. The Next elders will have a freebee with Nikita. We put in all the hard work so they can baptize her without any relationship. pfft. Oh well. Ha-ha. All I really care is that it happens. :)
As far as our other investigators, we were not able to see them this week! 8|
Umur, is so amazing. He said good bye to me and shook my hand heartily and looked into me with more sincerity then anyone had ever before done in my life (more than those who have said "I love you") and told me if I ever needed anything I could give him a call and he would take care of it. I imagined the possibilities and was almost scared! Ha-ha! I feel like with him I have a righteous mob boss as a friend. I am so glad I met him. He has made my life better and my perception broaden.
I love you all but have to go!
-Elder Morris
Monday, May 17, 2010
You can't always get what you want...
But if you try sometimes you just might find you get what you need.
There is a church in Rego Park called "The Rock Church". If I wasn't Mormon I would go to church there. Cause its literally Rock and roll. Not the rock of Christ. Ha-ha. Cause there are so many rock songs that talk about really good things and tell about life in such a cool way. I hope you all recognize the song I quoted. :)
Wow. OK, well this week shall be called "Drama".
And it cam to pass in the 5th week of the 7th transfer that I did hear many murmurings among the saints and out of the mouth of my companion. Many things did Khang say, and among the things he had said were as such "If you make me mad, there will be no happily ever after" and many other things did he say with choice and selectively colorful words; and all this that he might express his anger. For his anger was kindled by the assumption that we should be removed from our assignment and replaced by sisters. As it is, Khang is not pleasant to be around when he has feelings of anger or when he is displeased; for he has been raised by angry blood. And his generations before him have waxed old in pride and anger. Now this is the struggles of mine own senior companion. But I Sam, do not hold this thing against him. For I know his heart, and while he wastes his effort on such angers and contentions, his desire is for the success of the area and the conversion of the peoples of Plainview.
Here is some good news.
1. Larry continues to receive the "light bulb" look in our discussions and is coming to appreciate the timeliness of the restoration and well as the importance and preciousness of the Book of Mormon.
2. Darnell and Nikita Smith came to church! Ha-ha! After my whole time being here they finally made it! It was awesome! If you don't remember, Darnell has been inactive for 10 years and Nikita is his non-member wife. They have a new born named Madison.
I am afraid that if we indeed are blinded out all our work with developing trust with the Smith family, Larry and the ward members will get flushed down the toilet. This is my fear, and I do perceive it to be a valid fear. But fear is the lack of faith. So I have uncovered my weakness to you all! I am standing hear naked showing you my tender spots! LOL, ok... that’s a bad joke. Ha-ha. But if we are replace by sisters it will be even worse, cause the ward mission leader doesn't like sisters and the last time sisters were in this area there was a lot of drama. Also, Nikita doesn't like girls. And many of our investigators are teenage guys, and Larry is a man; so... I am afraid these people would slip through the cracks.
Anyway, nothing is certain.
Here is the bad news. Our baptismal commit, Maurice Jennings the soon-to-be-14 year old, has been pushed back because he has not come to church. This has caused a lot of drama with the mom that I will spare you. But he should get baptized next transfer if he can get to church. The mom keeps telling us she can come and then is suddenly un-contact-able Saturday night and Sunday morning. If she really wanted to come she would be calling us and trying to work out the ride; but no. The only time she called us this week was to ask us to bring her food from the bishops store house. Sounds Ghetto, I know.
Well, to end on a good note. I have remained calm and happy this week. It’s really hard being with a companion who tries hard to make everyone miserable when he is sad but I am happy!
-love Elder Morris
There is a church in Rego Park called "The Rock Church". If I wasn't Mormon I would go to church there. Cause its literally Rock and roll. Not the rock of Christ. Ha-ha. Cause there are so many rock songs that talk about really good things and tell about life in such a cool way. I hope you all recognize the song I quoted. :)
Wow. OK, well this week shall be called "Drama".
And it cam to pass in the 5th week of the 7th transfer that I did hear many murmurings among the saints and out of the mouth of my companion. Many things did Khang say, and among the things he had said were as such "If you make me mad, there will be no happily ever after" and many other things did he say with choice and selectively colorful words; and all this that he might express his anger. For his anger was kindled by the assumption that we should be removed from our assignment and replaced by sisters. As it is, Khang is not pleasant to be around when he has feelings of anger or when he is displeased; for he has been raised by angry blood. And his generations before him have waxed old in pride and anger. Now this is the struggles of mine own senior companion. But I Sam, do not hold this thing against him. For I know his heart, and while he wastes his effort on such angers and contentions, his desire is for the success of the area and the conversion of the peoples of Plainview.
Here is some good news.
1. Larry continues to receive the "light bulb" look in our discussions and is coming to appreciate the timeliness of the restoration and well as the importance and preciousness of the Book of Mormon.
2. Darnell and Nikita Smith came to church! Ha-ha! After my whole time being here they finally made it! It was awesome! If you don't remember, Darnell has been inactive for 10 years and Nikita is his non-member wife. They have a new born named Madison.
I am afraid that if we indeed are blinded out all our work with developing trust with the Smith family, Larry and the ward members will get flushed down the toilet. This is my fear, and I do perceive it to be a valid fear. But fear is the lack of faith. So I have uncovered my weakness to you all! I am standing hear naked showing you my tender spots! LOL, ok... that’s a bad joke. Ha-ha. But if we are replace by sisters it will be even worse, cause the ward mission leader doesn't like sisters and the last time sisters were in this area there was a lot of drama. Also, Nikita doesn't like girls. And many of our investigators are teenage guys, and Larry is a man; so... I am afraid these people would slip through the cracks.
Anyway, nothing is certain.
Here is the bad news. Our baptismal commit, Maurice Jennings the soon-to-be-14 year old, has been pushed back because he has not come to church. This has caused a lot of drama with the mom that I will spare you. But he should get baptized next transfer if he can get to church. The mom keeps telling us she can come and then is suddenly un-contact-able Saturday night and Sunday morning. If she really wanted to come she would be calling us and trying to work out the ride; but no. The only time she called us this week was to ask us to bring her food from the bishops store house. Sounds Ghetto, I know.
Well, to end on a good note. I have remained calm and happy this week. It’s really hard being with a companion who tries hard to make everyone miserable when he is sad but I am happy!
-love Elder Morris
Monday, May 10, 2010
Many Much Moosen
Well, we got a baptismal commit this week. We told him (Maurice Jennings, 13, loves "God’s word", wants to get baptized cause he knows its what the Lord wants. Baptizing him would complete a part member family.) He could get baptized on his birthday, the 22nd, if he could make it to church this week and the next. But, for the second week in a row, major jewkage, and not only to us, but rides we set up with members! The mom of this family just seems to be one of those people that must not know its bad to walk under ladders and open umbrellas inside or break mirrors, cause a new something bad happens every single time we see her. I guess they had a "family emergency", but she told us she still planned on getting the family to church. So we planed a ride, and no one answered the door. We called them 8 times and knocked on their door 3 times, but no answer. I know that Maurice is sincere, but the truth is, a baptism is more than a number, and we cannot baptize him to be inactive. That would not be good for anyone. It would be better that he wasn't baptized. So, we wrote a note for them and let them know his baptism would have to be pushed. Which is really sad, cause he was excited for the baptism to be on the day of his birth. I was excited too, but the truth is, he could have made it to church if they would have communicated with us better. "Let that be a lesson to all of us; it must needs be that we communicate with others, so that they know the intent of our heart and the reason of our action. Mercy doth not ween to one who shewed not mercy, if a man doth not value Gods time, nor his servant’s efforts, how can he expect to be shewed this mercy and therefore be saved in the kingdom of God." (Selection from the smaller plates of Sam the Missionary: Book 7 chapter 5 verse 1)
Well, we shall not give up. We have just got to get the family active I guess, before we can do the dunkage. It would be a lot easier if the mom would not be so crisis prone. Any who.......
Yesterday was amazing! I loved talking to you guys! Well, some of you guys. Hearing your voice was a blessing all by itself. Then to top it off, you all had nice things to say. HA-HA! I love you! I am so excited to apply the things I learned from you all, and to get more letters from Hilly and Davy! ;) Kyle! You are THE MAN. What did I ever do with out you! No wonder they used to always refer to us as "kyle and sam". I miss you! Anyway. Ha-ha.
The work is true! Let’s not do as Brigham Young said and get fat in wealth and essentially loose our focus and "send ourselves to hell". The Lord made us who we is for a reason Yo! So be what you is and not what you ain't, cause if you is what you ain't, then you ain't what you is! As Popeye once said, "I yam who I yam!" I will add to it and say "and with Christ I yam closer to who I should be", not to sound cheesy.
Umm. Larry! Larry! We had an amazing lesson with Larry! (The 68 year old father of a less active recent convert) He finally connected the plan of salvation to why we believe what we do, and why God does not talk to us face to face, and that this is not some Godly experiment, but a celestially pre-outlined plan of salvation that we agreed to. He finally understood that we, in spirit form lived with God, It was actually us; we weren't created spiritually seconds before we were created physically but eons! Ha-ha. We have explained this many times, but this time we approached things differently and we really made sure we followed the spirit! Let me tell you, seeing the light bulb go off in someone else' head is possibly one of the grandest feelings there is to be felt in this life. Then, I thought, wow, great! Good progress lets end on a high note... but this is why we have companions, Elder Khang followed the spirit and knew there was more to teach. We did an overview of the entire book of Mormon. It took a long time, but there was yet another realization from Larry, I think he finally understands what the book of Mormon is and what it talks about, and the kind of stories that are in it. He just kept saying "...I got to read this. I have to read this now." and "thank you guys; this is exactly what I wanted to get to today. This is exactly what I wanted to hear. This was a really productive session." and in this manner did he speak.
Good news, ALL the members somehow heard about the rumor of a possible "blinding out" of Elder Khang and I. No one likes this idea; we heard things like "Do you want me to intervene? Should I call president?" and "Wow, we finally get a companionship the members trust, and a companionship that works well together, who's teaching styles complement each other, and your getting transferred?". Well, needless to say, it was good to hear those things. It made me want to tarry in Jew-ville for a longer season. But, nothing is official yet, transfer calls are not for 2 weeks, and I know president knows it would not be a good idea, for the member work or otherwise, to blind us out. The members would prefer that we stayed till July and that I stayed an extra transfer more. :)
Well, this is the news from the front lines of spiritual battle. I hope all is well on the home front. Love, Peace, Health.
-Elder Samorris
Well, we shall not give up. We have just got to get the family active I guess, before we can do the dunkage. It would be a lot easier if the mom would not be so crisis prone. Any who.......
Yesterday was amazing! I loved talking to you guys! Well, some of you guys. Hearing your voice was a blessing all by itself. Then to top it off, you all had nice things to say. HA-HA! I love you! I am so excited to apply the things I learned from you all, and to get more letters from Hilly and Davy! ;) Kyle! You are THE MAN. What did I ever do with out you! No wonder they used to always refer to us as "kyle and sam". I miss you! Anyway. Ha-ha.
The work is true! Let’s not do as Brigham Young said and get fat in wealth and essentially loose our focus and "send ourselves to hell". The Lord made us who we is for a reason Yo! So be what you is and not what you ain't, cause if you is what you ain't, then you ain't what you is! As Popeye once said, "I yam who I yam!" I will add to it and say "and with Christ I yam closer to who I should be", not to sound cheesy.
Umm. Larry! Larry! We had an amazing lesson with Larry! (The 68 year old father of a less active recent convert) He finally connected the plan of salvation to why we believe what we do, and why God does not talk to us face to face, and that this is not some Godly experiment, but a celestially pre-outlined plan of salvation that we agreed to. He finally understood that we, in spirit form lived with God, It was actually us; we weren't created spiritually seconds before we were created physically but eons! Ha-ha. We have explained this many times, but this time we approached things differently and we really made sure we followed the spirit! Let me tell you, seeing the light bulb go off in someone else' head is possibly one of the grandest feelings there is to be felt in this life. Then, I thought, wow, great! Good progress lets end on a high note... but this is why we have companions, Elder Khang followed the spirit and knew there was more to teach. We did an overview of the entire book of Mormon. It took a long time, but there was yet another realization from Larry, I think he finally understands what the book of Mormon is and what it talks about, and the kind of stories that are in it. He just kept saying "...I got to read this. I have to read this now." and "thank you guys; this is exactly what I wanted to get to today. This is exactly what I wanted to hear. This was a really productive session." and in this manner did he speak.
Good news, ALL the members somehow heard about the rumor of a possible "blinding out" of Elder Khang and I. No one likes this idea; we heard things like "Do you want me to intervene? Should I call president?" and "Wow, we finally get a companionship the members trust, and a companionship that works well together, who's teaching styles complement each other, and your getting transferred?". Well, needless to say, it was good to hear those things. It made me want to tarry in Jew-ville for a longer season. But, nothing is official yet, transfer calls are not for 2 weeks, and I know president knows it would not be a good idea, for the member work or otherwise, to blind us out. The members would prefer that we stayed till July and that I stayed an extra transfer more. :)
Well, this is the news from the front lines of spiritual battle. I hope all is well on the home front. Love, Peace, Health.
-Elder Samorris
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
hmmmmmm....
Well, First off I want to make it very clear, I am Happy and I have the spirit with me, and my desire to work is stronger than ever. Last week I wanted to show how even though a lot of unfortunate things happened there was a good side to all of them. I probably didn't emphasize the good points well enough. I'll try to do better with that.
The fact is, Life is unpredictable. Yet somehow we survive. In the end we either draw closer to God and Christ or we push our selves from them. I didn't see the wisdom in the scripture I chose for my "mission scripture", I just thought it was a nice scripture. However, now, it means a little more to me. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, might, mind and strength and lean not unto your own understanding, but acknowledge God in all he does and he shall direct thy path. This is true. God has an active interaction in all of our lives, I don't know how he does it but he does. To top it off, he does it with a plan. He knows exactly what he is doing with us, and we agreed to do it before we came here to this earth. So, our pre-mortal selves, younger and bodiless, knew we could handle the life ahead of us, and knew that whatever ended up happening we would be better off than we were before. However, I am here to do more than just be better off. I'd like to reach my full potential. I plan on getting there with no man left behind I'm talking about you Taber, Chris, Scott, Mike, and all the rest of the family plus friends. We didn't come here to get by with the minimum, we didn't come to earth just to survive and then be alone in eternity. No. We came to get bodies and then learn and by our faith re-unite and join together as a whole spiritual family. I expect to see each of you trying your best cause Love you.
This week was tough because we had no car. We could have done much more than we did, but I just couldn't get Elder Khang to cheer up. He was sad or mad all week. It got to the point where I just wanted him to at least go out side and walk around, but I guess I should have just given him his space, cause he wasn't happy with me pushing him. Don't worry about our relationship, we're ok, everything is alright. Luckily (and this is why I am writing so late) we got a car today; yup, a car--not our car. I am just happy to have a car again. Our car however is still in the shop and still hasn't gotten fixed yet. We found out what happened though. So, apparently Pep Boys did the job wrong last time we got an oil change and didn't screw some "plug" in right and so the car has been leaking oil into weird places and I guess a rod went through the engine, and the check oil light never came on because this "plug" that is being spoken of was not re installed correctly. So when they toed it back to pep boys, they saw the problem and put a new plug in and filled the car with all new engine oil, to make it look like it wasn't their fault. We know this because Elder Adolphson talked to the dealer (where the car is now because Pep boys couldn't fix the compression problem) who thought it was fishy that there was a new plug and new oil in a car that had an oil change last over 4 weeks ago. Well, of course we didn't do it, we have no time, nor means, and we wear white dress shirts. But Adolphson doesn't want to fight it cause its our word against theirs and it will be more trouble than its worth... or something like that. There really is no way to prove it. But that’s what happened, we think. Wow.
So, we relied on the members for all our rides and because of that we went from a 20 lesson week last week to an 8 or 9 lesson week this week. Ha-ha. I'm so glad to have a car. Khang is happy again and we have AC (just in time btw because it got humid this week and its starting to get pretty warm, NY summer is on its way!) so, things are looking up for next week.
I have to go, sorry I didn't write more! AHHHHHHHHHH I hope all is well.
Bye.
Sam
The fact is, Life is unpredictable. Yet somehow we survive. In the end we either draw closer to God and Christ or we push our selves from them. I didn't see the wisdom in the scripture I chose for my "mission scripture", I just thought it was a nice scripture. However, now, it means a little more to me. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, might, mind and strength and lean not unto your own understanding, but acknowledge God in all he does and he shall direct thy path. This is true. God has an active interaction in all of our lives, I don't know how he does it but he does. To top it off, he does it with a plan. He knows exactly what he is doing with us, and we agreed to do it before we came here to this earth. So, our pre-mortal selves, younger and bodiless, knew we could handle the life ahead of us, and knew that whatever ended up happening we would be better off than we were before. However, I am here to do more than just be better off. I'd like to reach my full potential. I plan on getting there with no man left behind I'm talking about you Taber, Chris, Scott, Mike, and all the rest of the family plus friends. We didn't come here to get by with the minimum, we didn't come to earth just to survive and then be alone in eternity. No. We came to get bodies and then learn and by our faith re-unite and join together as a whole spiritual family. I expect to see each of you trying your best cause Love you.
This week was tough because we had no car. We could have done much more than we did, but I just couldn't get Elder Khang to cheer up. He was sad or mad all week. It got to the point where I just wanted him to at least go out side and walk around, but I guess I should have just given him his space, cause he wasn't happy with me pushing him. Don't worry about our relationship, we're ok, everything is alright. Luckily (and this is why I am writing so late) we got a car today; yup, a car--not our car. I am just happy to have a car again. Our car however is still in the shop and still hasn't gotten fixed yet. We found out what happened though. So, apparently Pep Boys did the job wrong last time we got an oil change and didn't screw some "plug" in right and so the car has been leaking oil into weird places and I guess a rod went through the engine, and the check oil light never came on because this "plug" that is being spoken of was not re installed correctly. So when they toed it back to pep boys, they saw the problem and put a new plug in and filled the car with all new engine oil, to make it look like it wasn't their fault. We know this because Elder Adolphson talked to the dealer (where the car is now because Pep boys couldn't fix the compression problem) who thought it was fishy that there was a new plug and new oil in a car that had an oil change last over 4 weeks ago. Well, of course we didn't do it, we have no time, nor means, and we wear white dress shirts. But Adolphson doesn't want to fight it cause its our word against theirs and it will be more trouble than its worth... or something like that. There really is no way to prove it. But that’s what happened, we think. Wow.
So, we relied on the members for all our rides and because of that we went from a 20 lesson week last week to an 8 or 9 lesson week this week. Ha-ha. I'm so glad to have a car. Khang is happy again and we have AC (just in time btw because it got humid this week and its starting to get pretty warm, NY summer is on its way!) so, things are looking up for next week.
I have to go, sorry I didn't write more! AHHHHHHHHHH I hope all is well.
Bye.
Sam
Monday, April 26, 2010
It was the worst of times; it was the best of times.
Well, basically the only thing that could have made this week harder would have been if Mom, Dad, or Ditto died.
I read in the white hand book that I am not supposed to share negative things about the people, or the place I am at or about the mission or its president. However... these things are just bad things, and for some reason things like this always like to happen ALL AT ONCE! But don't fret, I will survive.
1. The week started with a nightmare on Monday, that came true Tuesday. Kitty "wrote me off".
2. That night our progressing investigator family told us never to come back (in a nice way, but "watch for the danger behind the smiling eyes")
3. Thursday while I was on exchanges (which i have never been a fan of) Elder Khang and Elder Evens were in our Mazda when It died. It turns out there is a compression problem. We will be without a car for at least a week if not more, and the people in the town we live in are all Jews (so there goes tracting).
4. The week we have to walk, God sent us rain. HA-HA. It’s like the movies "How could it get any worse!?" and then it starts to pour! LOL
5. I feel like Khang is annoyed and frustrated with me.
Well, probably the hardest week of my mission, if not my life. I have experienced about 1000 different emotions most of which I couldn't explain because there are no words. But fret not family and friends, "all is well, happy day".
Let me tell you all the good things now.
1. I have had new strength and drive this week, with an extra dose of the spirit. President told me Tuesday before I received the Dear John that the guilt I was feeling in my life right now was not valid but was directly from Satan. President told me not to be discouraged.
2. Wednesday night we had a very spiritually uplifting and very exciting appointment with Darnell and his non member wife Nikita. We visited them when we are on spilts and this time we took a different member! Success! He related with them far, far better than our correlator. I know that it happened the way it was supposed to, just like everything this week has. I really feel Darnell will come back to church soon, he told us he wants to. I love him. His wife seems to be waiting for his lead. We will see them this Wednesday.
3. I actually enjoyed the exchanges! Ha-ha. I was with Elder Doxy, he went to Cottonwood High. I was able to be 100% myself with him and it was a wonderful distraction from how I was feeling. To make it even better I saw my investigator from Bushwick in Garden City! Let me tell you, this was no coincidence. I saw Dawn and her daughter walking out of a building with a blond lady; her two boys were not with her. She was smiling. This was the women living in protected housing who's husband died just as she was about to be successful in lifting a restraining order. I had Elder Doxy turn around so we could go meet her, but she was no where to be found, because it took us so long to get back because two trains and a bunch of "no left turn" signs got in the way. I think, God just wanted me to see she was alive and smiling, but not to interfere with her current path. I'll talk to Elder Lim, since he is in my old area of Bushwick now!
The exchanges ended with CDM (combined district meeting) where the new area seventy was present. He blessed us with his apostolic blessing that we would find Joy and that we would be able to have the spirit with us to swallow up our fear and discouragement. He blessed us that we would know what to say to the people in our areas to get them to serve. It is working. I can feel the spirit with me, and I know it’s the only reason I haven’t laid down in the middle of the street this week.
4. I know Khang likes me, I just get paranoid. I will discuss with him in companion inventory.
5. The members all are taking us around now and its working great. Infact I almost wish we don't get our car back for a long time so we can develop relationships with the members and get less actives to take us to church! :)
My time is up. I love you all. Guess what’s cool!? We got 20 lessons this week! Ha-ha! I hope you are all well. I know the church is true. I know we are not given trials we cannot bare. At first I thought these trials were punishment, but now I am starting to feel that they are just catalysts to my growth.
Love, Elder Morris
I read in the white hand book that I am not supposed to share negative things about the people, or the place I am at or about the mission or its president. However... these things are just bad things, and for some reason things like this always like to happen ALL AT ONCE! But don't fret, I will survive.
1. The week started with a nightmare on Monday, that came true Tuesday. Kitty "wrote me off".
2. That night our progressing investigator family told us never to come back (in a nice way, but "watch for the danger behind the smiling eyes")
3. Thursday while I was on exchanges (which i have never been a fan of) Elder Khang and Elder Evens were in our Mazda when It died. It turns out there is a compression problem. We will be without a car for at least a week if not more, and the people in the town we live in are all Jews (so there goes tracting).
4. The week we have to walk, God sent us rain. HA-HA. It’s like the movies "How could it get any worse!?" and then it starts to pour! LOL
5. I feel like Khang is annoyed and frustrated with me.
Well, probably the hardest week of my mission, if not my life. I have experienced about 1000 different emotions most of which I couldn't explain because there are no words. But fret not family and friends, "all is well, happy day".
Let me tell you all the good things now.
1. I have had new strength and drive this week, with an extra dose of the spirit. President told me Tuesday before I received the Dear John that the guilt I was feeling in my life right now was not valid but was directly from Satan. President told me not to be discouraged.
2. Wednesday night we had a very spiritually uplifting and very exciting appointment with Darnell and his non member wife Nikita. We visited them when we are on spilts and this time we took a different member! Success! He related with them far, far better than our correlator. I know that it happened the way it was supposed to, just like everything this week has. I really feel Darnell will come back to church soon, he told us he wants to. I love him. His wife seems to be waiting for his lead. We will see them this Wednesday.
3. I actually enjoyed the exchanges! Ha-ha. I was with Elder Doxy, he went to Cottonwood High. I was able to be 100% myself with him and it was a wonderful distraction from how I was feeling. To make it even better I saw my investigator from Bushwick in Garden City! Let me tell you, this was no coincidence. I saw Dawn and her daughter walking out of a building with a blond lady; her two boys were not with her. She was smiling. This was the women living in protected housing who's husband died just as she was about to be successful in lifting a restraining order. I had Elder Doxy turn around so we could go meet her, but she was no where to be found, because it took us so long to get back because two trains and a bunch of "no left turn" signs got in the way. I think, God just wanted me to see she was alive and smiling, but not to interfere with her current path. I'll talk to Elder Lim, since he is in my old area of Bushwick now!
The exchanges ended with CDM (combined district meeting) where the new area seventy was present. He blessed us with his apostolic blessing that we would find Joy and that we would be able to have the spirit with us to swallow up our fear and discouragement. He blessed us that we would know what to say to the people in our areas to get them to serve. It is working. I can feel the spirit with me, and I know it’s the only reason I haven’t laid down in the middle of the street this week.
4. I know Khang likes me, I just get paranoid. I will discuss with him in companion inventory.
5. The members all are taking us around now and its working great. Infact I almost wish we don't get our car back for a long time so we can develop relationships with the members and get less actives to take us to church! :)
My time is up. I love you all. Guess what’s cool!? We got 20 lessons this week! Ha-ha! I hope you are all well. I know the church is true. I know we are not given trials we cannot bare. At first I thought these trials were punishment, but now I am starting to feel that they are just catalysts to my growth.
Love, Elder Morris
Monday, April 19, 2010
The Living Dead
Wow! This week flew by... yet... it was one of the longest weeks of my life. Crazy paradox I know. lol. So, a lot happened this week. Let’s talk about Tuesday first.
Tuesday: Well this was transfer day. So since elder Khan is a district leader we had to attend the transfer meeting. We didn't want to run into traffic so we decided we would leave for Rego Park by 8:00 am. Well, we headed to the car at 8 and as Khang sat down he looked at me and said "I need to change" I thought he had crapped his pants or something. He said "look" and showed me his suit pants had ripped right in half beyond repair! So he changed. Ok, well we should still miss traffic I guess... "BING" the tire pressure gauge went on. So we headed to the gas station to fill it up... by now we were leaving late, so we hit traffic. We were still basically the first companionship there though. So I just figure God saved us from some accident we would have been in if we would have left when we had planned. Transfer meeting was crazy as usual. I said hi to my friends. Then during Khang’s leadership meeting I had to do service. So we picked up all the trash around the church. It was gross. You could have been there all day and the next and there would still have been trash. Well, I picked up some trash and there I saw it, Hair, yup I was done, there was no way I was going to pick up the rest of the trash around that area just to uncover a head; especially with how bad it smelled. BTW Elder Lim got sent to Bushwick to die where I was born! Crazy huh! Ha-ha. Well we went home and when we got there we decided to eat and take our pad time. I opened up the packages I got from Mom and Hilly! I was super excited! When we pulled out the bubble wands we thought they were sex toys (because you warned me mom that you didn't want Khang to think we were bad, so I was expecting something ridiculous and then we saw them! LOL)! Anyway we played with them for a bit and took pictures. Then I decided to eat the Warm Delights Hill sent me. Well I saw her handwritten Instructions and miss read them. She had written Step 3. Microwave for 30 seconds. I read It. microwave 3 min and 30 seconds. Well Elder Khang and I were talking when all of a sudden Plums of toxic smoke filled the room, we couldn't breathe! I opened the microwave and pulled out the lump of carbon that was remaining while Khang opened all the doors and windows. The smoke was so bad we could not breathe in the house. We had to stay out side for almost an hour before it was even bearable to go inside. I felt really stupid and to top it off we both had massive headaches. So... I almost killed us. We bought an air purifier and have been running it ever since, but the microwave still smells bad when we used it... I don't use it though cause I am afraid of it... plus I'm afraid it will put toxins into our food. We have been given advice on what to do about cleaning it, so hopefully it works. Well that was just Tuesday.
So much happened I don't think I can share all of it. But here is good news: We got another media, it seems really promising. We are going to visit it today. Our old media I told you about hasn't been able to make it to church but they love us and what we do and they really want to come to church. Gina even wanted to come to the woman's conference but she got sick. :(
We did service for the same family we did last week on Saturday. It was a great opportunity to show the family that Mormons aren't wackos and that they are helpful and friendly. I loved it! We helped out a lot. I wish we had more service opportunities. Well, what we did was shovel a ton of dirt. Unfortunately the shovels were those midget garden shovels, so I was bent over the whole time. My back hurts now. Its way better today then it was yesterday.
We also did service for Sister JoJo Barone and her sister earlier in the day on Thursday! So we have been moving a lot of boxes and shoveling a lot of dirt.
I've been really tired and we have had a lot of trials this week, especially since none of our investigators made it to church. But I know that it gets harder before the miracle happens. So I know a lot of good is coming our way. I just hope Khang can put up with me until then, ha-ha.
Thank you mom and Hehe and dad and Davy for the awesome packages. I loved the card you sent me Hill its up on my wall! I love it! It’s funny! I gave Khang Half of all the stuff you guys sent me. All of the Warm Delights are still left though! LOL. We are scared of them.
Oh yeah, we have three new missionaries in our district. The zone leader Elder Childs went out and was replaced with Gaspar. Also two new missionaries came to open an area. Doxy and Evens. So district meetings are like real district meetings now. Ha-ha.
I love you all, thank you for your letters, prayer, love, support (spiritually and financially). I really, really appreciate it! :)
Love Elder Morris. The living dead. Ha-ha. Don’t worry Mel I wont die.
Tuesday: Well this was transfer day. So since elder Khan is a district leader we had to attend the transfer meeting. We didn't want to run into traffic so we decided we would leave for Rego Park by 8:00 am. Well, we headed to the car at 8 and as Khang sat down he looked at me and said "I need to change" I thought he had crapped his pants or something. He said "look" and showed me his suit pants had ripped right in half beyond repair! So he changed. Ok, well we should still miss traffic I guess... "BING" the tire pressure gauge went on. So we headed to the gas station to fill it up... by now we were leaving late, so we hit traffic. We were still basically the first companionship there though. So I just figure God saved us from some accident we would have been in if we would have left when we had planned. Transfer meeting was crazy as usual. I said hi to my friends. Then during Khang’s leadership meeting I had to do service. So we picked up all the trash around the church. It was gross. You could have been there all day and the next and there would still have been trash. Well, I picked up some trash and there I saw it, Hair, yup I was done, there was no way I was going to pick up the rest of the trash around that area just to uncover a head; especially with how bad it smelled. BTW Elder Lim got sent to Bushwick to die where I was born! Crazy huh! Ha-ha. Well we went home and when we got there we decided to eat and take our pad time. I opened up the packages I got from Mom and Hilly! I was super excited! When we pulled out the bubble wands we thought they were sex toys (because you warned me mom that you didn't want Khang to think we were bad, so I was expecting something ridiculous and then we saw them! LOL)! Anyway we played with them for a bit and took pictures. Then I decided to eat the Warm Delights Hill sent me. Well I saw her handwritten Instructions and miss read them. She had written Step 3. Microwave for 30 seconds. I read It. microwave 3 min and 30 seconds. Well Elder Khang and I were talking when all of a sudden Plums of toxic smoke filled the room, we couldn't breathe! I opened the microwave and pulled out the lump of carbon that was remaining while Khang opened all the doors and windows. The smoke was so bad we could not breathe in the house. We had to stay out side for almost an hour before it was even bearable to go inside. I felt really stupid and to top it off we both had massive headaches. So... I almost killed us. We bought an air purifier and have been running it ever since, but the microwave still smells bad when we used it... I don't use it though cause I am afraid of it... plus I'm afraid it will put toxins into our food. We have been given advice on what to do about cleaning it, so hopefully it works. Well that was just Tuesday.
So much happened I don't think I can share all of it. But here is good news: We got another media, it seems really promising. We are going to visit it today. Our old media I told you about hasn't been able to make it to church but they love us and what we do and they really want to come to church. Gina even wanted to come to the woman's conference but she got sick. :(
We did service for the same family we did last week on Saturday. It was a great opportunity to show the family that Mormons aren't wackos and that they are helpful and friendly. I loved it! We helped out a lot. I wish we had more service opportunities. Well, what we did was shovel a ton of dirt. Unfortunately the shovels were those midget garden shovels, so I was bent over the whole time. My back hurts now. Its way better today then it was yesterday.
We also did service for Sister JoJo Barone and her sister earlier in the day on Thursday! So we have been moving a lot of boxes and shoveling a lot of dirt.
I've been really tired and we have had a lot of trials this week, especially since none of our investigators made it to church. But I know that it gets harder before the miracle happens. So I know a lot of good is coming our way. I just hope Khang can put up with me until then, ha-ha.
Thank you mom and Hehe and dad and Davy for the awesome packages. I loved the card you sent me Hill its up on my wall! I love it! It’s funny! I gave Khang Half of all the stuff you guys sent me. All of the Warm Delights are still left though! LOL. We are scared of them.
Oh yeah, we have three new missionaries in our district. The zone leader Elder Childs went out and was replaced with Gaspar. Also two new missionaries came to open an area. Doxy and Evens. So district meetings are like real district meetings now. Ha-ha.
I love you all, thank you for your letters, prayer, love, support (spiritually and financially). I really, really appreciate it! :)
Love Elder Morris. The living dead. Ha-ha. Don’t worry Mel I wont die.
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