LOL. So the Library I am at right now is the Longwood public library. Ha-ha.
Ok, well here I am back out on Lon Guylan (long Island). I am in a place called Terryville. its in Suffolk county, so I am way out now. The place we live is in the middle of the forest! Ha-ha. It’s crazy how many trees there are. There are a lot of bugs and there are actually things like dirt and rocks... it’s weird. I still act like I’m in the city but I’m definitely not! One example, stopping when the light changes and being able to turn right on a red is a weird adjustment. Ha-ha.
My new companion is named Elder Benjamin B. Kiser. He is from Toole, Ut. (I forgot how to spell 2-ill-uh) He was supposed to go to Greece on his mission but his visa was denied so now he is here for good. he was in the MTC for 3 months! Ha-ha. So even though He hits his 6 month mark soon he is only on his 3rd transfer. :D ha-ha. It’s cool cause he can speak Greek! Neat right! he has taught me a bit of it too. In a way I’m his step pops but... he was with Elder Edwards for the last 2 weeks because Elder Teixiera his last comp when home a little early (cause his visa had expired, and his parents picked him up). If you remember Elder Edwards was the Elder I midnighted from ENY last transfer. All those trips to Terryville and all along I had no Idea that I would be living there. Ha-ha. I came here like 5 or 6 times. Ha-ha. Elder Kiser is of German heritage and looks it. He has quite the George Washington Profile but his eyes look like all the pictures you see of Germans and. He is a lot like me. We immediately got along and are already friends. He quotes Salad fingers and rejected cartoons and talks in different voices and says crazy random things and bottles up all his anger just like me! He loves movies and film (and knows more than I do) he is super funny and fun but obedient and hard working. He is exactly what I was hoping for. He has one down side though, kind of like elder Lim, he won’t let me buy stuff for him, and he insists on paying me back if I do. Oh well. I’ll have to find a different way to serve him.
Ok, a little about the area. We have an amazing pool right now, but we have some struggles finding. So things are great now but once these people are baptized or dropped we won't have a great pool. But right now it's fantastic. We had a baptism yesterday. His name is Wayne Duncan. He is solid. I look forward to teach him the lessons again now that he is a member. He had some struggles with smoking and coffee so we are praying hard he can resist temptation until he gets the gift of the Holy Ghost next week; and after too. :)
We also teach a family called the Claros'. They are fantastic. We taught them as a family for the first time my first or second night. The dad and the oldest son (who in the past have not been as open) were more open. The oldest son Fransisco said the closing prayer and it was obvious that the lesson had gotten to him. He said one of the most sincere and heartfelt prayers i have ever heard and it made elder Kiser cry. The spirit was really strong. When he finished the prayer he said "I really felt something just then. I haven’t felt that before." and we told him that was the spirit and then he told us that he wanted to be baptized. So Kiser said ok but you have to come to church. so he said he would. The two younger kids have dates for September and he will be baptized with them. The Goal now is to help the dad join the rest of the family (the mom is already a member).
If you remember last transfer how Elder Vargas and Saeyang were going to hand over their investigator Harold to us but then he moved out to long Island? Well you guessed it I am now the missionary who covers where he moved into. So I guess its fate. We taught him the other day and he had not heard about all the things we were telling him about the plan of salvation. So I was inspired to have us kneel down and have him pray. he did. He prayed about how he was nervous and how he wanted to know if this was true and if the church was true. Then he paused for a long while and his tone changed. After that he basically bore his testimony to God that what we told him was true and that the church was true. After that Kiser invited him to be baptized in September. His reply was "can't I be baptized in August!?" so we said yes. Ha-ha. Unfortunately he jewked us this morning and didn't make it to church earlier because he had to pick up a friend from the airport unexpectedly. So we will have to push his baptism. He is way cool though. He is a film student and he was excited to hear about our interest in film as well. He was excited Mom and Rach and Hilly were all movie makers too (or have been).
I don't have much time but I'll say a few more words. I'm back to Library computers and Laundromats... I’s weird but fine; also I am driving a small car now... that’s odd after being in a van in the city. Um, I live with 2 other companionships, so there are 6 of us total. I live with Elder Ledbetter again! I’m so excited I love him. He is our Zone leader along with an Elder Eaton. The other companionship is elder Edwards and elder Mitchell.
I am out of time sorry. But I am happy and well, even though a spider was in my bed last night. Ha-ha. Gross. :(
-Elder Samuel Austin Morris
Monday, August 23, 2010
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Nunnigan Lumpurton
Druid Nope Artsy Lefty cow burp in the left part noggin forensic lump sum. Burm ton flop sip kill force rope-burn. Def cat lips not for leaf man. Gift John still bar gun fresh pump bum. Murphy Texas french cleft click door rumple fern possy.
Liken felt ingrown jail seven refuge camper youth. Kleptomaniac? nine happy sellouts. pen for a yen tour vex zeal sad. You man may mope more money meanwhile.
I don't know what to type. Ha-ha. So I just wrote random words.
Good news. The reason we couldn't get a hold of Vishnu was because he was in the hospital. So the next office elder and McFarlane will go see him Friday (that's when I set the appointment) I will be in another place by then.
I'm gonna miss people in Rego, Like Brother Noel and Yoshi Sato and Mark Shelton. I'm sad I never got to jam with the bishop (he plays guitar and bass).
Dilshad jewked us this week and never answered our phone calls.... I hope she is OK. We were planning on telling her to not sneak around to do this conversion process but to talk to her husband about it and to tell him that she felt that to be closer to God she wants to become Christian. So hopefully the office elders will tell me what happens with that story.
I wish I knew where I was going. I really don't understand why it has to be so secretive; but, whateves.
I love New York. I love the work. I hate my weaknesses, but I love that it keeps me close to the lord striving to do better. I can't wait to be a regular missionary again, but I'm also very scared. I've got a lot of plans and goals for what to do this next transfer. Wish me luck. Thanks for all your prayers. Its always great to hear that you all pray for me and put my name in the temple.
Well, I'm really excited to pick up the greenies and sleep over with them at the mission home. I'm really glad that is the last thing you do as an office elder. Its the best part of being an office elder. It will definitely help motivate and excite me.
Umm, my hair looks really good right now, I'm surprised that I don't have people all over me about it
Remember, I'm the President of the United States... Always,
-Elder Samuel Austin Morris
Liken felt ingrown jail seven refuge camper youth. Kleptomaniac? nine happy sellouts. pen for a yen tour vex zeal sad. You man may mope more money meanwhile.
I don't know what to type. Ha-ha. So I just wrote random words.
Good news. The reason we couldn't get a hold of Vishnu was because he was in the hospital. So the next office elder and McFarlane will go see him Friday (that's when I set the appointment) I will be in another place by then.
I'm gonna miss people in Rego, Like Brother Noel and Yoshi Sato and Mark Shelton. I'm sad I never got to jam with the bishop (he plays guitar and bass).
Dilshad jewked us this week and never answered our phone calls.... I hope she is OK. We were planning on telling her to not sneak around to do this conversion process but to talk to her husband about it and to tell him that she felt that to be closer to God she wants to become Christian. So hopefully the office elders will tell me what happens with that story.
I wish I knew where I was going. I really don't understand why it has to be so secretive; but, whateves.
I love New York. I love the work. I hate my weaknesses, but I love that it keeps me close to the lord striving to do better. I can't wait to be a regular missionary again, but I'm also very scared. I've got a lot of plans and goals for what to do this next transfer. Wish me luck. Thanks for all your prayers. Its always great to hear that you all pray for me and put my name in the temple.
Well, I'm really excited to pick up the greenies and sleep over with them at the mission home. I'm really glad that is the last thing you do as an office elder. Its the best part of being an office elder. It will definitely help motivate and excite me.
Umm, my hair looks really good right now, I'm surprised that I don't have people all over me about it
Remember, I'm the President of the United States... Always,
-Elder Samuel Austin Morris
Monday, August 9, 2010
All Things Must Come to an End
Well, I finished week 5 of my second transfer as an office elder and we were able to end it with 2 new investigators and 6 lessons. That's really great for us. :) we even contacted 4 referrals.
Cool story:
We had worked all day in the office and because of the nature of the day didn't end up going out because we helped the APs with one of their projects giving us only 1/2 an hour before we had to be home. Well, I was thinking to myself, "lets just go home a half an hour early" (I know slothful right!?) well as I was thinking this McFarlane said, "lets go fearless some people before we go in" I made some noises that said "I don't really want to but OK". I put on my back pack and got a great feeling, Suddenly I was excited to do what is right and then let the consequence follow (hymn reference). Well we went out and I saw a lady on the other side of the street preparing to cross the street. The spirit filled me with a motivation beyond any natural motivation that I normally posses to chase her down and ask an inspired question! Well, I caught up to her half way through the cross walk got her attention and opened my mouth. The question that came out was "Do you ever wonder what God expects of you?". To my should-be-non-existent astonishment she blurted with raised eye brows "YES!". We then walked her home saying only what things we felt we were supposed to and most importantly listening. She asked us the question that basically said why do I have so many trials? you would think God would see that I am doing my best and doing many great and worthy things and give me a break and some blessings! I remembered Our Savior, "Well, Jesus Christ was perfect and lived all of Gods laws and he had more trials than anyone else plus all of our trials." She had a light bulb turn on and she responded in a way to good to be true, "So what your telling me is that God sent us here to Earth to experience trials so that we could learn from them and grow closer to him?", "... ummm... yes! Ha-ha" it went on in this manner and every time we would answer a question she would respond with a summary explanation and then we would teach a more in depth yet still concise version of the principal. Well eventually she asked us why there were so many religions and we explained it to her and then told her that we represented the true church led by Christ with his legitimate authority. She then told us she used to meet with missionaries and that she was so happy she listened to the spirit because God told her to walk a way home she usually doesn't, and McFarlane was inspired to go out and I was inspired to talk to her. This is the lords work. Well we came for our return appointment the following day and there she was, waiting outside for us! then for our next appointment where we met her at the church she was waiting for us at the church gate! here is the tough part. She is Muslim and is afraid if she converts her husband who is a devout and strict Muslim she will be kicked out of the house or worse. :S She has been to church enough times she could be baptized this Sunday. She was dropped before because the ward and missionaries didn't want her to be killed or homeless or without family for joining. She asked me what she thought I should do and I told her to do what she felt was right and what the spirit whispered for her to do and then trust in and have faith in God and Christ for things to work out in a way that is best for her. Her name is Dilshad. She is Indian.
Um this week I had an awesome exchange with Elder Swain (who came out with me) because it was on the one year mark of being in New York.
Well the Adolphsons left back to alpine this week. I was sad though cause they didn't say goodbye to me.
A man gave me a tract that said that God is actually a woman, Aris to be exact and that it is actually a good thing to have discord and disorder and confusion in the world. Also it said that every man woman and child on the planet is a Pope. So there is a little cut out card that says "The holder of this card is an official POPE and should be treated with all respect. Right and Good." or something like that. It was funny.
This morning we had breakfast with John Gadd. It was great as usual. He was sad that I would soon be leaving. Also a punk girl saw me as we were walking back toward the subway and said, "AW-W-W! Your suspenders are SO SEXY!".
Yes, my office elder-ship will soon come to a close. I am so thankful it will end with a greenie pick up to pick me up. Then I shall once again preach full time. I'm a little scared to readjust to the old calling/assignment. I have no Idea where I'll go, but I sure will miss Elder Swain and Aldridge the fun opportunities to sing and the ability to drive anywhere in the mission whenever I need to.
This week I also took an elder to the air port to pick up his parents and family. That was an odd thing to wittiness; seeing an Elder see his mom again for the first time in 2 years is a weird thing when you are still a missionary. Anyway, his dad is a member of the 70 so he came to pick up his son and then was invited to speak to the leadership of the mission. We were allowed to be in the meeting because we were apart of the musical number. It was really good (the fireside and our music. haha).
Today we went to a modern Art museum called PS1. it used to be a public school and is now a gallery. Ha-ha-ha-ha. it was really odd. We had lots of fun and i'm glad I went but we all concluded that much modern art is.... well just an excuse to not learn art conventions. There was some really great stuff there. There was some really weird stuff to that left you feeling yucky. ha. One cool one was video feed of places in NY during 2001 and 2010 side by side. Its really crazy the difference in not only the buildings but the patriotism! It seems many have forgotten 9/11. The title of the piece was great "lost tribes, and promised lands". There was another video piece that made me laugh hysterically and really creeped me out at the same time. It was paper cut out cars covering the torsos of guys' legs wearing women's high heals that were too small and therefore taped to stay on. They were walking around in a rocky waste land and going up lattes and stuff. The sound was amplified so every movement was heard. the funniest part was when the car crouched down and pulled out packaging tape and picked up plastic googly eyes on the grown and then wadded it up in a ball and put it in its purse. I haven't laughed so hard in a while! anyway.
Well to bring things to a close I will say that every part of our life is orchestrated. I love it. I am so glad I chose this life. I know I am learning the things I need to for my eternal progression. Satan is trying harder to destroy me then he ever has before but God is also sustaining me more than I have ever felt before. Often the thing I fear the most or what I would have least likely guessed happening to me is what I experience and it stretches me and helps me to grow. It hurts, But I like it. (that sounds creepy! Ha ha). I know that my Savior Lives and loves me and atoned for me. I know that this test is more fair than we suspect, so don't give in to Satan's trap of comparison. I often fall into that trap, but I'm learning to avoid it. I love the gospel. It rocks.
love,
--
-Elder Samuel Austin Morris
Cool story:
We had worked all day in the office and because of the nature of the day didn't end up going out because we helped the APs with one of their projects giving us only 1/2 an hour before we had to be home. Well, I was thinking to myself, "lets just go home a half an hour early" (I know slothful right!?) well as I was thinking this McFarlane said, "lets go fearless some people before we go in" I made some noises that said "I don't really want to but OK". I put on my back pack and got a great feeling, Suddenly I was excited to do what is right and then let the consequence follow (hymn reference). Well we went out and I saw a lady on the other side of the street preparing to cross the street. The spirit filled me with a motivation beyond any natural motivation that I normally posses to chase her down and ask an inspired question! Well, I caught up to her half way through the cross walk got her attention and opened my mouth. The question that came out was "Do you ever wonder what God expects of you?". To my should-be-non-existent astonishment she blurted with raised eye brows "YES!". We then walked her home saying only what things we felt we were supposed to and most importantly listening. She asked us the question that basically said why do I have so many trials? you would think God would see that I am doing my best and doing many great and worthy things and give me a break and some blessings! I remembered Our Savior, "Well, Jesus Christ was perfect and lived all of Gods laws and he had more trials than anyone else plus all of our trials." She had a light bulb turn on and she responded in a way to good to be true, "So what your telling me is that God sent us here to Earth to experience trials so that we could learn from them and grow closer to him?", "... ummm... yes! Ha-ha" it went on in this manner and every time we would answer a question she would respond with a summary explanation and then we would teach a more in depth yet still concise version of the principal. Well eventually she asked us why there were so many religions and we explained it to her and then told her that we represented the true church led by Christ with his legitimate authority. She then told us she used to meet with missionaries and that she was so happy she listened to the spirit because God told her to walk a way home she usually doesn't, and McFarlane was inspired to go out and I was inspired to talk to her. This is the lords work. Well we came for our return appointment the following day and there she was, waiting outside for us! then for our next appointment where we met her at the church she was waiting for us at the church gate! here is the tough part. She is Muslim and is afraid if she converts her husband who is a devout and strict Muslim she will be kicked out of the house or worse. :S She has been to church enough times she could be baptized this Sunday. She was dropped before because the ward and missionaries didn't want her to be killed or homeless or without family for joining. She asked me what she thought I should do and I told her to do what she felt was right and what the spirit whispered for her to do and then trust in and have faith in God and Christ for things to work out in a way that is best for her. Her name is Dilshad. She is Indian.
Um this week I had an awesome exchange with Elder Swain (who came out with me) because it was on the one year mark of being in New York.
Well the Adolphsons left back to alpine this week. I was sad though cause they didn't say goodbye to me.
A man gave me a tract that said that God is actually a woman, Aris to be exact and that it is actually a good thing to have discord and disorder and confusion in the world. Also it said that every man woman and child on the planet is a Pope. So there is a little cut out card that says "The holder of this card is an official POPE and should be treated with all respect. Right and Good." or something like that. It was funny.
This morning we had breakfast with John Gadd. It was great as usual. He was sad that I would soon be leaving. Also a punk girl saw me as we were walking back toward the subway and said, "AW-W-W! Your suspenders are SO SEXY!".
Yes, my office elder-ship will soon come to a close. I am so thankful it will end with a greenie pick up to pick me up. Then I shall once again preach full time. I'm a little scared to readjust to the old calling/assignment. I have no Idea where I'll go, but I sure will miss Elder Swain and Aldridge the fun opportunities to sing and the ability to drive anywhere in the mission whenever I need to.
This week I also took an elder to the air port to pick up his parents and family. That was an odd thing to wittiness; seeing an Elder see his mom again for the first time in 2 years is a weird thing when you are still a missionary. Anyway, his dad is a member of the 70 so he came to pick up his son and then was invited to speak to the leadership of the mission. We were allowed to be in the meeting because we were apart of the musical number. It was really good (the fireside and our music. haha).
Today we went to a modern Art museum called PS1. it used to be a public school and is now a gallery. Ha-ha-ha-ha. it was really odd. We had lots of fun and i'm glad I went but we all concluded that much modern art is.... well just an excuse to not learn art conventions. There was some really great stuff there. There was some really weird stuff to that left you feeling yucky. ha. One cool one was video feed of places in NY during 2001 and 2010 side by side. Its really crazy the difference in not only the buildings but the patriotism! It seems many have forgotten 9/11. The title of the piece was great "lost tribes, and promised lands". There was another video piece that made me laugh hysterically and really creeped me out at the same time. It was paper cut out cars covering the torsos of guys' legs wearing women's high heals that were too small and therefore taped to stay on. They were walking around in a rocky waste land and going up lattes and stuff. The sound was amplified so every movement was heard. the funniest part was when the car crouched down and pulled out packaging tape and picked up plastic googly eyes on the grown and then wadded it up in a ball and put it in its purse. I haven't laughed so hard in a while! anyway.
Well to bring things to a close I will say that every part of our life is orchestrated. I love it. I am so glad I chose this life. I know I am learning the things I need to for my eternal progression. Satan is trying harder to destroy me then he ever has before but God is also sustaining me more than I have ever felt before. Often the thing I fear the most or what I would have least likely guessed happening to me is what I experience and it stretches me and helps me to grow. It hurts, But I like it. (that sounds creepy! Ha ha). I know that my Savior Lives and loves me and atoned for me. I know that this test is more fair than we suspect, so don't give in to Satan's trap of comparison. I often fall into that trap, but I'm learning to avoid it. I love the gospel. It rocks.
love,
--
-Elder Samuel Austin Morris
Monday, August 2, 2010
UMM....title
OK well. I don't have much to say. Most of what I did is not interesting to any of you. Ha-ha. but here are some highlights.
1. I took an anti-biotic this week and it only kinda worked. Ha-ha.
2. We had presidents interviews and he told me I have permission to say "its after 5, I can't help you I'm sorry" to anyone or anything that is office duty related if its during our proselyting time. So we will be doing more of that.
3. My companion told me that One of my Major character flaws is that in crucial times I can be too nice....
4. We had exchanges, I was with elder Aldridge. We got lost once. Every where we went no one was home. it was hot as well.
5. We got a new investigator with a baptismal date because he was over the border and couldn't be taught by the other elders any more.. but then he said he is going to move into that area, so we gave him back.
6. I cleaned up and organized many media referrals this week.
7. I got a hair cut this morning.
8. I bore my testimony yesterday.
9. The Ap's had a baptism. It was nice. I led the music.
10. We helped the Adolphson's with car stuff and they fed us.
11. we tried some new finding Ideas that didn't work very well.
12. We got a return appointment with a guy who loves the Book of Mormon and already knows its true!....for two weeks from now.
13. I threw up at a members house (but they don't know) because I over-ate.... Why don't people understand that I'm not gonna gain any wait by eating? it just doesn't work for me. If i am gonna gain wait I'll have to have a personal trainer bulk me up with muscle.
14. we moved a new senior couple into their house and got extra stuff from the sisters in Midwood.
15. I discovered that i can eat Habinero Hot sauce no problem. I also discovered that large burritos give me stomach aches.
here is my testimony
I Know my redeemer lives. We truly do have the fullness of the gospel! We have the true way back to our heavenly father. Bad things happen but through the grace of our lord Jesus Christ we can be forgiven of our sins, have our pains removed, our weaknesses strengthened, we can exercise the priesthood and do miracles and saving ordinances. The longer I live the more I realize how absurd it would be to live without the blessings of the gospel and the church that has it in its fullness; Our church.
Things will work out- trust in the lord, follow the spirit. :)
--
-Elder Samuel Austin Morris
1. I took an anti-biotic this week and it only kinda worked. Ha-ha.
2. We had presidents interviews and he told me I have permission to say "its after 5, I can't help you I'm sorry" to anyone or anything that is office duty related if its during our proselyting time. So we will be doing more of that.
3. My companion told me that One of my Major character flaws is that in crucial times I can be too nice....
4. We had exchanges, I was with elder Aldridge. We got lost once. Every where we went no one was home. it was hot as well.
5. We got a new investigator with a baptismal date because he was over the border and couldn't be taught by the other elders any more.. but then he said he is going to move into that area, so we gave him back.
6. I cleaned up and organized many media referrals this week.
7. I got a hair cut this morning.
8. I bore my testimony yesterday.
9. The Ap's had a baptism. It was nice. I led the music.
10. We helped the Adolphson's with car stuff and they fed us.
11. we tried some new finding Ideas that didn't work very well.
12. We got a return appointment with a guy who loves the Book of Mormon and already knows its true!....for two weeks from now.
13. I threw up at a members house (but they don't know) because I over-ate.... Why don't people understand that I'm not gonna gain any wait by eating? it just doesn't work for me. If i am gonna gain wait I'll have to have a personal trainer bulk me up with muscle.
14. we moved a new senior couple into their house and got extra stuff from the sisters in Midwood.
15. I discovered that i can eat Habinero Hot sauce no problem. I also discovered that large burritos give me stomach aches.
here is my testimony
I Know my redeemer lives. We truly do have the fullness of the gospel! We have the true way back to our heavenly father. Bad things happen but through the grace of our lord Jesus Christ we can be forgiven of our sins, have our pains removed, our weaknesses strengthened, we can exercise the priesthood and do miracles and saving ordinances. The longer I live the more I realize how absurd it would be to live without the blessings of the gospel and the church that has it in its fullness; Our church.
Things will work out- trust in the lord, follow the spirit. :)
--
-Elder Samuel Austin Morris
Monday, July 26, 2010
Hajji Morris
If Riverhead is some sort of Mecca, I deserve a title. I've been to Riverhead 4 times already this transfer!
Out of all my journeyings to Riverhead this last was by far the worst. We were taking a brand new car out to the Riverhead elders because the car they had was way over the amount of miles the mission usually likes to put on a car before they sell it. Well the new car we took out was a 2010 Toyota Carola. Well, Saturday (the day we took the car out) was 102* so when we got in the car it was quite the oven. Well, we turned on the AC and started heading east on the 495. The car's ac was putting out hot air... we thought we could wait it out and it would soon start blowing cold air. It never did. Before we knew it we were stuck in traffic and consequently past the point of no return, for we were on a schedule. Well, we couldn't take it any longer and rolled down the windows. 102 degrees never felt so cool. It was such a relief! That's when I knew it would be a long ride. Well we rolled down all the windows and turned off the broken AC (which should be under warranty and the Riverhead elders will just have to take it in to a dealer). We had to stop in plainveiw at 7 Eleven so that we could get something to hydrate us. I used my water bottle as an ice pack when I wasn't drinking from it.
Yesterday (Sunday), I felt strongly prompted to surprise visit Vishnu. I had hopes that this inspired visit would be the needed contact that resparked his flame of interest in seeking truth... well... no one answered. I left a note. I know there was a reason I was prompted, I just hope it wasn't my fault for missing him, for you see, I waited about 20 min before I responded to the prompting. :( Maybe the note will still have some sort of affect on him.
Also, on Saturday we did a zone "FREE CAR WASH" as a finding activity. It was successful and fun! I was out on the street with some others waving a sign and yelling at cars! I loved it! I did the moon walk to try and get attention. Ha-ha. Also I used my theatrical preacher falsetto type voice to say Free car wash. That was cool. :) we had to leave early to go do our long Riverhead drive with no AC. But yeah, the car wash was good cause a lot of people were able to see where the church is and that we are nice people who do things like wash your car for free just because! :)
Thursday was the day we took two of the Greenie elders to the airport. I hope I didn't scare you with that statement. Don't worry, its good news in a way. The two elders, North and Smith were only here for 2 weeks because they were visa waiters. They got their calls to Brazil but didn't get approved visas so they came here. It all makes since in hind sight because when they were in the mission home that first night they didn't seem very happy. But when we were taking them to the airport to go to Brazil they were very happy and pleasant and fun to talk to. Ha-ha. I'm happy for them and wish them an amazing mission. We ended up driving 237 miles total on Thursday! :S
Wednesday was a crazy AC run day. We got 5 ACs with Elder Baum at Sears and then ran them out (me and McFarlane) to the Dyker Chinese elders, Elder Long a cool greenie being one of them, followed by Far Rockaway where I was happy to see my beloved Elder Black once more. Well because we had a busy day we didn't get out to proselyte until 8:30. But that didn't stop us from getting 2 lessons! woot! It made us quite happy and gave us hope. We wanted to do that every night, but the other nights we weren't quite as successful. We are both working really hard on becoming more Fearless and being better Fearlessers. We are having our district pray for our pool, cause its like a drop of water right now.
Tuesday was my Temple Trip. It was wonderful! On the way there a Mariachi band got on the subway and played! It was awesome! There was an upright bass and everything. Very round sound, it filled the whole train and no one seemed to be annoyed. I would like to be able to do train shouts where I entertain the whole train car and no one is annoyed. Cause if I could do that then I could get the name of the church out in a positive way on a grander scale. Anyway. The whole trip was awesome I spent most of the time with Elder Wright. I felt as though I was back in Provo, because I was in the quiet spirit filled temple with my MTC comp. I had to punch my self though. I brought with me my patriarchal blessing and my 4 generation pedigree chart so that I could ponder my life and family while in the Celestial room. I was pretty much sure that I would receive amazing personal revelations by doing this. Well, I left them in the locker and didn't figure it out until I was in the chapel and there was only 4 min until it started. :( Well, It was still nice. I hope to remember next year. Manhattan Temple is possibly one of the coolest places on earth. Yup.
Last week after I email everyone I went to a zone activity. We did human foose ball and had chili dogs and yahoos. I'm gonna say that was the most successful zone activity I've been to. It was really fun and I really enjoyed it. I was even able to be comfortable enough to act like myself. :) that was a great thing!
That's about it. I testify to you that Jesus Christ truly is our savior. Only through him and by his grace can we be saved. Something cool I heard this week was in response to the scripture "we are saved after all we can do", the response was in a John Bytheway talk and he said, "Maybe the 'we' is us and Christ!" Cool right. Because all we can do, or all the works that are necessary for our salvation are only possible through and by Christ. I love it. Our Heavenly Father loves us no matter what. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is the only church established and approved by the Lord. We have a living prophet. None of us is perfect, but that is why we have the church. It is a hospital for the imperfect. I am imperfect, but I know the Lord can accomplish His purpose even by using me as His tool. I may be a little rusty and dull but I can be used to do much good. I look forward to a life time of polishing and sharpening to be a better advocate of the father. This applies to us all. Just do the plain simple (not always easy... but plain simple) things the Lord requires of us to do so.
love
--
-Elder Samuel Austin Morris
Out of all my journeyings to Riverhead this last was by far the worst. We were taking a brand new car out to the Riverhead elders because the car they had was way over the amount of miles the mission usually likes to put on a car before they sell it. Well the new car we took out was a 2010 Toyota Carola. Well, Saturday (the day we took the car out) was 102* so when we got in the car it was quite the oven. Well, we turned on the AC and started heading east on the 495. The car's ac was putting out hot air... we thought we could wait it out and it would soon start blowing cold air. It never did. Before we knew it we were stuck in traffic and consequently past the point of no return, for we were on a schedule. Well, we couldn't take it any longer and rolled down the windows. 102 degrees never felt so cool. It was such a relief! That's when I knew it would be a long ride. Well we rolled down all the windows and turned off the broken AC (which should be under warranty and the Riverhead elders will just have to take it in to a dealer). We had to stop in plainveiw at 7 Eleven so that we could get something to hydrate us. I used my water bottle as an ice pack when I wasn't drinking from it.
Yesterday (Sunday), I felt strongly prompted to surprise visit Vishnu. I had hopes that this inspired visit would be the needed contact that resparked his flame of interest in seeking truth... well... no one answered. I left a note. I know there was a reason I was prompted, I just hope it wasn't my fault for missing him, for you see, I waited about 20 min before I responded to the prompting. :( Maybe the note will still have some sort of affect on him.
Also, on Saturday we did a zone "FREE CAR WASH" as a finding activity. It was successful and fun! I was out on the street with some others waving a sign and yelling at cars! I loved it! I did the moon walk to try and get attention. Ha-ha. Also I used my theatrical preacher falsetto type voice to say Free car wash. That was cool. :) we had to leave early to go do our long Riverhead drive with no AC. But yeah, the car wash was good cause a lot of people were able to see where the church is and that we are nice people who do things like wash your car for free just because! :)
Thursday was the day we took two of the Greenie elders to the airport. I hope I didn't scare you with that statement. Don't worry, its good news in a way. The two elders, North and Smith were only here for 2 weeks because they were visa waiters. They got their calls to Brazil but didn't get approved visas so they came here. It all makes since in hind sight because when they were in the mission home that first night they didn't seem very happy. But when we were taking them to the airport to go to Brazil they were very happy and pleasant and fun to talk to. Ha-ha. I'm happy for them and wish them an amazing mission. We ended up driving 237 miles total on Thursday! :S
Wednesday was a crazy AC run day. We got 5 ACs with Elder Baum at Sears and then ran them out (me and McFarlane) to the Dyker Chinese elders, Elder Long a cool greenie being one of them, followed by Far Rockaway where I was happy to see my beloved Elder Black once more. Well because we had a busy day we didn't get out to proselyte until 8:30. But that didn't stop us from getting 2 lessons! woot! It made us quite happy and gave us hope. We wanted to do that every night, but the other nights we weren't quite as successful. We are both working really hard on becoming more Fearless and being better Fearlessers. We are having our district pray for our pool, cause its like a drop of water right now.
Tuesday was my Temple Trip. It was wonderful! On the way there a Mariachi band got on the subway and played! It was awesome! There was an upright bass and everything. Very round sound, it filled the whole train and no one seemed to be annoyed. I would like to be able to do train shouts where I entertain the whole train car and no one is annoyed. Cause if I could do that then I could get the name of the church out in a positive way on a grander scale. Anyway. The whole trip was awesome I spent most of the time with Elder Wright. I felt as though I was back in Provo, because I was in the quiet spirit filled temple with my MTC comp. I had to punch my self though. I brought with me my patriarchal blessing and my 4 generation pedigree chart so that I could ponder my life and family while in the Celestial room. I was pretty much sure that I would receive amazing personal revelations by doing this. Well, I left them in the locker and didn't figure it out until I was in the chapel and there was only 4 min until it started. :( Well, It was still nice. I hope to remember next year. Manhattan Temple is possibly one of the coolest places on earth. Yup.
Last week after I email everyone I went to a zone activity. We did human foose ball and had chili dogs and yahoos. I'm gonna say that was the most successful zone activity I've been to. It was really fun and I really enjoyed it. I was even able to be comfortable enough to act like myself. :) that was a great thing!
That's about it. I testify to you that Jesus Christ truly is our savior. Only through him and by his grace can we be saved. Something cool I heard this week was in response to the scripture "we are saved after all we can do", the response was in a John Bytheway talk and he said, "Maybe the 'we' is us and Christ!" Cool right. Because all we can do, or all the works that are necessary for our salvation are only possible through and by Christ. I love it. Our Heavenly Father loves us no matter what. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is the only church established and approved by the Lord. We have a living prophet. None of us is perfect, but that is why we have the church. It is a hospital for the imperfect. I am imperfect, but I know the Lord can accomplish His purpose even by using me as His tool. I may be a little rusty and dull but I can be used to do much good. I look forward to a life time of polishing and sharpening to be a better advocate of the father. This applies to us all. Just do the plain simple (not always easy... but plain simple) things the Lord requires of us to do so.
love
--
-Elder Samuel Austin Morris
Saturday, July 24, 2010
P.S. A Miracle
Two Bushwick Elders heading home from the office ran into a man at the buss stop. He said, "how can I get to Rego Park", they responded, "you are in Rego Park". The man questioned, "where can I find this place?" showing a paper with the words "Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints".... "come with us!". They came back to the office. The man's name is Christian. He is from the Ivory Coast and speaks French the best. Well, we all thought "Elder Rowley should teach him". We began to look up Elder Rowley's number (he was transfered here from the Paris France mission mandarin speaking, so he had to learn both French and mandarin) well, anyway right as we were about to give Christian the number when, in walks Elder Lam and Elder Rowley (btw he is the only French speaker in the mission). Rowley Talked with him and got all his info and story and taught him a lesson and gave him a French Book of Mormon. Well, he lives in Lefrak City right next to a recent convert. He came to church this week and stayed for the whole thing. Everyone fellowshipped him really well. Then he even came for the broadcast of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir anniversary that night.
Awesome right!? well, there are no coincidences.
The field is white all ready to harvest.
--
-Elder Samuel Austin Morris
Awesome right!? well, there are no coincidences.
The field is white all ready to harvest.
--
-Elder Samuel Austin Morris
Sure Thing Boss
Well, here it is only week 2 of the transfer. I honestly feel like it has been a full transfer already. 8|
This week we taught one lesson. The rest of the week we were driving places or filling orders or doing things for the leadership meetings that were being held.
The lesson we had was with John Gadd. He is so much fun and so smart. He is an inactive member. Well we basically had an AMAZING discussion with him and because we only said what the spirit put into our mouths (as best we could) we were able to say just the right thing that was able to be just what we needed to say. He was kinda speechless for the first time I've ever seen. He said, "Elder Morris, you just said something that really pissed me off.". I looked at him kinda scared and waited for him to tell me what I did wrong, "You pissed me off because you said something that really makes since...", I was relieved at those words and chuckled a bit inside from joy. He pondered the sentence I had said (which really was just a nicely timed and juxtaposed paraphrased Nebakanezer's dream). "How would you cut a stone without hands?... It would have to be with something like... an earthquake! That wouldn't be pretty. Someone might get hurt." I jumped on the opportunity and said some more things I wanted to get in while he was pondering. Well short story shorter we left on a high note. It felt so awesome. I'm so glad that we were able to help John realize that the church and its members are progressing. That the members are not perfect and that we and the church are preparing for the second coming when Christ will reign, and that the church will continue to receive revelation and continue to progress and grow until in really does cover the whole earth. Its really easy to see, the church now and the church when it started are quite different. The Doctrine is true, the prophet receives true revelation, the church is directed by Christ. That stone cut forth without hands really is a rough stone rolling, and the lord will do things as he always has, he will continue to use imperfect flawed people to accomplish is perfect and righteous cause.
A letter from McLean told me that we can't judge. We can't judge our leaders or other missionaries because they and we aren't perfect and we don't know their heart or their circumstances. What we can be sure of though, is even though they will make mistakes and they will do things we don't like or we think are incorrect or maybe even not Christ like, that none of us are perfect. However, though Christ's grace their is repentance available for all. Also through the Holy Ghost Christ and Heavenly Father can instruct us and bless us and help us on our journey to become like Christ even in the midst of our trials or short comings or failures. I have been called many bad things on my mission, I have been accused of many things. My patriarchal blessing was right when it said I would be treated with meanness by the agents of Satan. I am not saying that I have not made mistakes, of course I have, but I can know where I stand with the lord. I can know that I am accomplishing what I was meant to regardless of my weakness and my mistakes. I can trust in the lord. He expects me to succeed by relying on the savior. We are saved after all we can do. "maybe the 'we' is us and Christ" (John Bytheway talk).
Alright moving along. Tuesday we filled many orders. Wednesday we bought pizza and put it out for hungry missionary leaders and then we filled orders. Thursday we bought 3 boxes full of sandwiches and put them out for hungry missionary leaders and then filled orders. Wednesday and Thursday Swains Kid Elder Aldridge was in a trio with us most of the day because of the leadership meetings. (oh by the way, did you know Tanner Spear is being trained by my MTC companion elder Wright? well he is, in park slope). Friday was CDM, after CDM we did some office work, but I can't remember what it was... whatever it was it took a long time. Saturday was a long day. We drove 252.6 mi. We kinda double booked ourselves and so we had to go to Dyker Heights (closest part of Brooklyn to Staten Island basically) where we picked up Elder Call the mission celebrity for his concert. After Dyker we drove back to Rego Park (middle of Queens) where we loaded up the van with stuff we needed, and call helped. Then we had a failed attempt of going to Sears because we went before it opened, luckily they didn't charge us for parking but unfortunately we didn't get the ACs we needed. Then Swain and Aldridge got in the van and we drove to Terryville (North-west Suffolk county) where we dropped off Swain and Call to prepare for the concert. Then we drove to the Southampton and set up the new sisters pad and waited for them to show up so we could move them into it. Then after that we drove to Riverhead (base of the North fork of Long Island) and moved out some really angst filled and snappy elders to their new pad. since we didn't have the AC we were supposed to bring them we tried 3 stores to get one there in Riverhead with no success. Then Elder Baum took the three of us (McFarlane, Aldridge, and myself) to Applebees! we felt unworthy of such a treat and thanked him heartily. Then we drove back to Terryville and watched the concert then after the concert we (Call, Swain, Me, Aldridge, McFarlane) drove back to Dyker. We had what ended up being basically a talent show along the way (Tangent: a talent as of last week would trade for $1.42 million. we did the math with Bro Gadd). Well, Call and Swain shewed their great singing skills. Then followed a conversation of How swain was an actor and Call was a great musician and Aldridge was a great Artist (and he proved it with his analyzation of facial structure and showing us his sketch book). Following, McFarlane Quoted large chunks of about 3 movies with impeccable precision. McFarlane then question what my great skill was and what I was going to major in.... I had no Idea. Well after we came home from Dyker it was 10:30.
As if we didn't drive enough on Saturday, Sunday after church and lunch we drove to Bushwick and then East New York and then to Little Neck and then to Terryville. It was 122 mi. We did it because of an emergency transfer. Guess what!? A family from Highland visited the Rego Park ward on Sunday. yup. The Johanson family. Their son graduated '09 from Lone Peak and is on a mission right now, but they were here on vacation with their daughter who was quiet, but nice to look at. ;) Ha-ha.
This week I re-realized that "a nother" is actually "an other"... but we all say "a nother", or at least, I always have.
We had two failed attempts to have our van get state inspection, because last time Elder Adolphson wasn't in the office to approve it and today their lift operator was on vacation. >:| At least we have until the end of July before we get ticketed.
Well My year mark was on Thursday.... its weird how I can say what I was doing a year ago and its my mission. This would have been my Fourth day in the MTC which was my first Sunday in the MTC.... That was a trunkie day for me. LOL. well. I'll never experience that again.
I don't know what else to say. so, have a nice day.
"And remember, I'm the President of the United States; Always!!!"
-Elder Samuel Austin Morris
This week we taught one lesson. The rest of the week we were driving places or filling orders or doing things for the leadership meetings that were being held.
The lesson we had was with John Gadd. He is so much fun and so smart. He is an inactive member. Well we basically had an AMAZING discussion with him and because we only said what the spirit put into our mouths (as best we could) we were able to say just the right thing that was able to be just what we needed to say. He was kinda speechless for the first time I've ever seen. He said, "Elder Morris, you just said something that really pissed me off.". I looked at him kinda scared and waited for him to tell me what I did wrong, "You pissed me off because you said something that really makes since...", I was relieved at those words and chuckled a bit inside from joy. He pondered the sentence I had said (which really was just a nicely timed and juxtaposed paraphrased Nebakanezer's dream). "How would you cut a stone without hands?... It would have to be with something like... an earthquake! That wouldn't be pretty. Someone might get hurt." I jumped on the opportunity and said some more things I wanted to get in while he was pondering. Well short story shorter we left on a high note. It felt so awesome. I'm so glad that we were able to help John realize that the church and its members are progressing. That the members are not perfect and that we and the church are preparing for the second coming when Christ will reign, and that the church will continue to receive revelation and continue to progress and grow until in really does cover the whole earth. Its really easy to see, the church now and the church when it started are quite different. The Doctrine is true, the prophet receives true revelation, the church is directed by Christ. That stone cut forth without hands really is a rough stone rolling, and the lord will do things as he always has, he will continue to use imperfect flawed people to accomplish is perfect and righteous cause.
A letter from McLean told me that we can't judge. We can't judge our leaders or other missionaries because they and we aren't perfect and we don't know their heart or their circumstances. What we can be sure of though, is even though they will make mistakes and they will do things we don't like or we think are incorrect or maybe even not Christ like, that none of us are perfect. However, though Christ's grace their is repentance available for all. Also through the Holy Ghost Christ and Heavenly Father can instruct us and bless us and help us on our journey to become like Christ even in the midst of our trials or short comings or failures. I have been called many bad things on my mission, I have been accused of many things. My patriarchal blessing was right when it said I would be treated with meanness by the agents of Satan. I am not saying that I have not made mistakes, of course I have, but I can know where I stand with the lord. I can know that I am accomplishing what I was meant to regardless of my weakness and my mistakes. I can trust in the lord. He expects me to succeed by relying on the savior. We are saved after all we can do. "maybe the 'we' is us and Christ" (John Bytheway talk).
Alright moving along. Tuesday we filled many orders. Wednesday we bought pizza and put it out for hungry missionary leaders and then we filled orders. Thursday we bought 3 boxes full of sandwiches and put them out for hungry missionary leaders and then filled orders. Wednesday and Thursday Swains Kid Elder Aldridge was in a trio with us most of the day because of the leadership meetings. (oh by the way, did you know Tanner Spear is being trained by my MTC companion elder Wright? well he is, in park slope). Friday was CDM, after CDM we did some office work, but I can't remember what it was... whatever it was it took a long time. Saturday was a long day. We drove 252.6 mi. We kinda double booked ourselves and so we had to go to Dyker Heights (closest part of Brooklyn to Staten Island basically) where we picked up Elder Call the mission celebrity for his concert. After Dyker we drove back to Rego Park (middle of Queens) where we loaded up the van with stuff we needed, and call helped. Then we had a failed attempt of going to Sears because we went before it opened, luckily they didn't charge us for parking but unfortunately we didn't get the ACs we needed. Then Swain and Aldridge got in the van and we drove to Terryville (North-west Suffolk county) where we dropped off Swain and Call to prepare for the concert. Then we drove to the Southampton and set up the new sisters pad and waited for them to show up so we could move them into it. Then after that we drove to Riverhead (base of the North fork of Long Island) and moved out some really angst filled and snappy elders to their new pad. since we didn't have the AC we were supposed to bring them we tried 3 stores to get one there in Riverhead with no success. Then Elder Baum took the three of us (McFarlane, Aldridge, and myself) to Applebees! we felt unworthy of such a treat and thanked him heartily. Then we drove back to Terryville and watched the concert then after the concert we (Call, Swain, Me, Aldridge, McFarlane) drove back to Dyker. We had what ended up being basically a talent show along the way (Tangent: a talent as of last week would trade for $1.42 million. we did the math with Bro Gadd). Well, Call and Swain shewed their great singing skills. Then followed a conversation of How swain was an actor and Call was a great musician and Aldridge was a great Artist (and he proved it with his analyzation of facial structure and showing us his sketch book). Following, McFarlane Quoted large chunks of about 3 movies with impeccable precision. McFarlane then question what my great skill was and what I was going to major in.... I had no Idea. Well after we came home from Dyker it was 10:30.
As if we didn't drive enough on Saturday, Sunday after church and lunch we drove to Bushwick and then East New York and then to Little Neck and then to Terryville. It was 122 mi. We did it because of an emergency transfer. Guess what!? A family from Highland visited the Rego Park ward on Sunday. yup. The Johanson family. Their son graduated '09 from Lone Peak and is on a mission right now, but they were here on vacation with their daughter who was quiet, but nice to look at. ;) Ha-ha.
This week I re-realized that "a nother" is actually "an other"... but we all say "a nother", or at least, I always have.
We had two failed attempts to have our van get state inspection, because last time Elder Adolphson wasn't in the office to approve it and today their lift operator was on vacation. >:| At least we have until the end of July before we get ticketed.
Well My year mark was on Thursday.... its weird how I can say what I was doing a year ago and its my mission. This would have been my Fourth day in the MTC which was my first Sunday in the MTC.... That was a trunkie day for me. LOL. well. I'll never experience that again.
I don't know what else to say. so, have a nice day.
"And remember, I'm the President of the United States; Always!!!"
-Elder Samuel Austin Morris
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