Shae Morgan: Mesa Arizona Mission

Delinquent Dad Posting

2010-10-06T17:33:00.000-07:00

It's all my fault! Shae has faithfully written each week and I have simply failed to update this mission blog. Mainly, because we have invited hundreds of followers interested in Shae's mission to email us at morganet@msn.com and then we add them to a distribution list. So when Shae emails home each week, we then forward it to all his friends and fans.

So now you know.

Sincerely ashamed,

Shae's Dad

12/22/2009 -- Christmas is coming...

2009-12-26T14:11:00.000-08:00

Christmas is coming, and so are the deer
Carefully listen and bells you will hear!
Along with the season, a special treat.
Reindeer droppings for you to eat!

Random introduction, but for this Christmas season, I've been reminded of little things our family used to do, one of which included passing out boxes of whopper candies, decorated as reindeer. When you lifted the tail and squeezed the box, out of the tail popped some whoppers. it was pretty nasty, but I'll never forget it.

Ok, well this week was wonderful. for me it basically started on Friday, when we went into the water with Olga and two of her kids, Ioannis and Sheila, and they were baptised to receive forgiveness of their sins and to start the pathway that leads to eternal family. What a great way to start off the week before Christmas.

Mom....you're hopeless. Was it this bad with Matt? Bringing up phone calls at any moment possible? We forgot about it again this week, until about last night...so I still don't have a whole lot more info. It'll be Christmas day, Elder Moffitt is thinking we'll be making phone calls at the house of our dinner appointment (they're a little bit better off and have multiple phones, so we can use theirs). So we'll probably call around 6ish our time. If not, we may have to do phone calls a little earlier like at 3-4ish our time. Hope that helps, and I hope everyone'll be home! just plan on an evening in to talk with the Elder!

We've found some really cool people this week. Luz Vasquez is 100% white, but speaks spanish better than most hispanics and she's way cool (married to a mexican guy named Ricardo. They were both interested and after explaining how the power of God to baptise was lost she put all the dots together and SHE told US "so....my baptism in the Catholic church doesn't even count does it?" We were like drenched in the Spirit and so greatful that she understood it. We're looking forward to teaching them more. Also we found Alma. We were looking for another referral we got, but it turns out the guy doesn't live there, instead there's a family living there and they wanted to learn more! funny how someone can be inspired to give us a wrong address that leads us to someone else who's prepared. Way cool.

Ok, Well, I've made a batch of home made carmels, and even without a candy thermometer (I guessed how long I should cook them) They turned out Perfectly. Thanks mom, I've received all the packages and even a delivery from Aunt Mel and Grandma and Grandpa (a gingerbread temple!) Basically Elder Lehman is convinced that Christmas with elder morgan is awesome. We are sugared up, ready to keep preaching and teaching. Christmas eve marks my 6 months. 1/4 done :( 3/4 left :). I loved hearing about Elder Slezak in all that snow. enjoy a couple inches for me and Elder Tuttle! :) I love you guys and miss you millions. Keep preaching and doing what's right. I guess people in O'fallon will be hearing more from my mom, when I call home for Christmas. For everyone else, celebrate the birth of the Saviour. Give thanks to God for the greatest gift he gave to us. "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son. that whosoever believeth in him, should not perish, but have everlasting life" "Porque de tal manera, amo Dios al mundo, que ha dado a su hijo unigenito, para que todo aquel que en el cree, no se pierda, mas tenga vida eterna" Merry Christmas. Thanks for all you do.

-Elder Morgan

12/15/2009 -- oh come on! mom, seriously?!‏

2009-12-26T14:07:00.000-08:00

starting off a message with "do you call us?! or we call you?!" that's way lame. I hadn't even thought much about it until just now. Honestly, my answer to all your questions is.....I have no clue. I think I'll call you, probably from a member's house, but when and all that jazz, I really have no idea. I guess I'll get back to you next time? if I don't forget...I won't, I'll get some sort of info on phone calls.

yes I met Kurt in Mesa, he seems like a great guy. a little protective maybe, but a good guy. We'll see what happens. I really only got to shake his hand and wonder if he knows anyone or has family that aren't members...but he seems alright. I'm sad to hear Seralyn's sick!!! No bueno...hope this e-mail finds her healthy and well, even after singing so much in Rising Generation and eating LOADS of food at firesides. :) yeah, those were the good ol' days. cool beans on the year round pay while only working during school...that's cool. :)

I got 2 packages. And I got a phone call yesterday saying there's another one waiting in the mission office (certain forms of shipping can't be forwarded to our home addresses) so I'll get that one thursday when I head over that way again. So that should be great. Thanks so much for the turtles they are delish, and the pants are great and needed, and also Elder Lehman sends many thanks for the rocking tie he has that plays silent night. :)

White Christmas? It's awesome. We've had like 84 baptisms so far with another 145 still scheduled for the holidays. something awesomely ridiculous like that. Pray for miracles, work like you never have before, and God makes up the rest. I used to think miracles were some impossible things. Alma says it best in Alma 37:6-7 by small and simple things are great things brought to pass...We help MAKE miracles. sometimes we are miracles. cool thought huh?

ok, the branch... whew. ok. it's not large. in fact, this sunday looking from the stand I realized we had more investigators and recent converts in the congregation than we had solid members. It doesn't function very well...nothing really gets done, because all the members are trying to work to get food and stay in hiding from being deported, they have little and sometimes no time for helping out in callings. There are some Solid people though. Sanchez family is awesome, president Jimenez even can't help us out because he works 2 jobs and sleeps any spare moment. Our ward mission leader hasn't been to church in 2 weeks, and this week we found out he moved out of the mission (without telling anyone) so, we're ward mission leader-less right now. It's a frustrating little branch sometimes, but I love them. I'm currently the ward chorister, and for baptisms, I'm the pianist, I'm getting pretty good at Come follow me, I like to look for rainbows, and various other songs. While being chorister, you see some funny stuff on the stand. People falling asleep, sign language from your companion to get information and ask if I see certain investigators, etc. We've asked for materials to help investigators (like jumbo Books of Mormon for people with bad eyes) and they never pull through. Basically they're way flaky...BUT THEY ROCK. they're great and I'm greatful for the help that they do give us. I feel comfortable in the ward, I feel like I'm even starting to figure out drama between families and such...that's when I feel like I've been here a while.

AH this e-mail is HUGE and I haven't written ANY of the things I want to tell you about. So I'm going to start now. I'm glad I got to answer your questions. Keep sending them my way if you have any. We had 2 baptisms this week. Karina and Delfino were married and imidiately after that, baptized. Pictures to come. :) The 12th of December is the Dia de la virgen. Basically everyone puts up massive shrines to the virgin mary and puts a ton of roses everywhere...it was intense. Olga (the awesome investigator we had who fasted with us) is moving. she's still here until the endo f december, so that's good. She's moving out of the mission, so I won't be able to see them or visit until after. She and 2 of the 3 kids have baptismal dates, interview passed, and this friday is going to be a happy day :) Also, This week I saw my first WAY intense bike crash. My comp TOTALLY biffed it....smashed into a garbage can and then a cement post, and rolled a little bit after. His shoulder was hurting, but other than that, no damage done. His bike even is fine. it was pretty intense looking though, now when we go past that spot, I re-enact the sounds of the crash...:) Working at the christmas lights is so awesome, just talking with everyone from everywhere is great and they all come for the same reason, to see the lights and think about Christ. I've had some cool experiences this week at the lights, all of which are recorded in my journal which you can read later, because this e-mail is massive. Real quick, I want to mention a mini-revelation I had in church this week. we were talking in preisthood about the relief society. how they work together. Read "The Family : a proclamation to the world" and you'll find that if "the family" refers to the church...then "husband and man" and their roles refer to the Priesthood and its functions. the "wife and woman" in the proclamation refer to the Relief Society and its functions. and the kids...the Primary. That proclamation not only outlines how the family should work and how it works best, but also outlines how God works, and works best. Through a unit called a family. A church structured in a family structure, centered in christ is built on a firm foundation and it cannot fall. likewise, our families won't fall if we are centered on Christ and fulfilling our roles.

Ok, that's all for this week. I love you all, have a merry wonderful christmas. Thanks for all your support, love, letters, and prayers (most important)

-Elder Morgan

12/08/09 -- It's beginning to look a lot like...it has looked the past 3 months.

2009-12-26T14:04:00.000-08:00

Shining sun, a little rainstorm, and more sun. Can you imagine it's December? I can't. It's just a little nippy here but besides that...It might as well be Halloween coming up instead of Christmas. I'm sure Elder Austin's feeling about the same way, and Elder Garrett...well...have fun with all that snow.

Oh what to say? Firstly, I guess this. GO MOM! way to tackle the computers at work! Maybe by the time I get home, I won't have to show you how to change the font and size. :).

I have to say I LOVE being forwarded the e-mails from Elders Tuttle and Slezak. They make my P-Days and weeks amazing just knowing a few states away are two of my best friends and they're doing what I'm doing too. I think before we wished we all went away to far magical countries, but I want them to know I'm grateful for their service, and I like the feeling of knowing that not far away are my brothers in the Gospel, sharing this truth with the people of LA cali and Denver Colorado. And Elder Tuttle wasn't joking...every mexican and their chihuahua says "ah-pee tanks geeveeng." it's funny.

So this week I learned a lot about fasting. This is a way old principle that has gone back since forever. Fasting is not taking in food or drink for a certain period. It's giving up something that you (or your body) wants in order to rely more fully on the Lord and what He wants for you. It's a physical demonstration of your reliance on the Lord. It is a way to receive an answer to your prayers. It is a way to help lift others. It is awesome. Olga Dominguez and her children, Ioannis, Sheila (said Shae-Luh), and Brian are working toward being baptised. Olga has kinda given up smoking but not completely and she is addicted to coffee. We talked about the Word of Wisdom with them and how addictions and harmful things shouldn't be used in our body. In the pamphlet provided by the church, itm entions that to help overcome these things, we should pray and fast. She asked what that was and then asked if we could do one. This sunday we fasted with Olga. A true 24 hour fast. Even her kids did it as long as they could...She told us yesterday that she hasn't had any desire to drink coffee or smoke since. I know that it hasn't been long since the fast, but I have faith in the power of fasting now...I know she is changed and different because of that fast and that she and her kids will be able to meet the date they set for the 19th of December for their baptism. Thank goodness the Lord answers prayers. Alma the younger had seen an angel and had many wonderful experiences, but later in his life, talking to his children, he shared the secret of his conversion. He said that it wasn't the angel, wasn't the people he saw changed, wasn't the miracles, it was through 'much fasting and prayer'. Cool beans huh? Fasting and praying outplaced seeing an angel of the Lord in the list of things that led to conversion. The Lord will bless us as we pray and fast and ask Him. He wants to help us, we just have to be living in a way that allows Him to do so.

Ok. That was my killer thought for the week. Now more random facts about the mission. Biking in a rainstorm is interesting. My suit is still drying, and my shoes may never be the same. Thanks mom, for ordering that MissionaryMall rainsuit, it saved my life, suit, scriptures, etc. but yeah...I was pretty wet. Good thing that won't happen much here in AZ. :) My companion Elder Lehman came to a realization this week. For the past 6ish months he's been in denial...he hasn't gotten a letter from his girlfriend in all that time. A few days ago I think he finally realized what it meant...he was like "Elder...I don't have a girlfriend do I?" and I think he already knew the answer. So we've been coping wtih that via chocolate, hot cocoa, and russian tea. I'm also going to make some of my carmels for the holiday season. :)

I'm excited Spanish is still coming along. It's annoying, like elder tuttle said to me in a letter once, sometimes I feel like I'm a spanish master, sometimes I feel like I don't understand a single word (paraphrased). and that's how I feel. I'm having a rough spanish day today, but I'll be sure to get out of that ASAP to be able to teach effectively. Thanks for all your prayers and support! they are well felt and received. That just about sums up my week. Until Next Time....

-Elder Morgan

12/0102009 -- HAPPY HOLIDAY GOODNESS AND JOY AND CHRISTMAS MUSIC!

2009-12-26T14:02:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving with the Mexicans

Well....I'm not sure about other spanish/american missionaries, but thanksgiving is WAY lame here. Basically the mexicans in general don't celebrate it, but there are a few who do some food just as an excuse to get together and have a party. we were invited to 2 dinners. The first was a turkey and mostly chips and salsa with beans and rice and tortillas, classic mexican. the second was a seafood thanksgiving with shrimp and talapia soup and fish tacos. so yeah...I had an interesting day. in the morning we were allowed to play sports, so we played in the turkey bowl...for 3 hours. I was sore all week and am just now recovering. (SIDE NOTE: yeah...I ate the seafood stuff...I'm actually getting used to fish and shrimp isn't so bad anymore either)

Biking in Arizona is way lame. I am grateful for slime tires though. I've popped both my tires now and replaced with slime filled puncture filling tires...since then, I've even popped one of those...basically everything in Arizona that's on the ground is sharp and can pop tires. Soo, I'm doing the best I can to be careful. Also I had my first wreck this week when a truck pulled out in front of me, and I laid down my bike to avoid getting plastered. The bike is fine. I'm fine. It was intense :)

More stuff this week! It was Elder Lehman's birthday, he's now 21. so the mail was loaded this week with cards and boxes and stuff. it was pretty cool, because everything said "oh be sure to share some with the companion" so we've had a good filling of cake, cookies, and triple choco-brownie heaven. I just wish I could've been more creative and done something really cool for him, but on a mission you can only go so far.

Christmas needs/wants? my belt is getting pretty thrashed...I'm not sure how long it'll hold out. that's a need. I'm good on shirts, shoes, pants, maybe another pair of black pants, but you have one already you could mail. that's all. Madi A. is married congrats! Melanie too, tell her I better have a little kid running around calling me uncle Shae when I get home. :)

How are things going? great. We're working hard and praying a lot for experiences and opportunities to share the gospel. We're being blessed more than we deserve...We have 6 baptisms set up for the 12th and the 19th of december, and we thought that was it...then the Lord placed us in the way of a lady named Claudia. she's prayed and feels that this is the right path, and she asked us to teach her everything she needs to know to be baptized on the 26 the day after Christmas. What a present that will be to our Savior! We are working hard with Francisca, Carina and Delfino, Olga and her kids, and now Claudia to have our white christmas. As a mission, we are set to exceed our 400 baptisms for the two months, and it will be a white christmas indeed. Delfino threw out his coffee this week, Olga asked sundays off and got them, her kids know hand signals to remember the 10 commandments, we're just teaching like crazy.

Spiritual thought: Nephi. Moroni. They both saw the end result, being that their people would be destroyed. why'd they keep going? Why would they keep writing, preaching, prophesying, if they knew it'd be in vain? If they didn't...if nephi had stopped writing after seeing the future...we wouldn't have the plain precious truths that the book of mormon contains. We are blessed for enduring to the end, even if the end is ugly. I hope we have the courage to keep pressing on and fight to the end. that's my hope.

I gotta run and write president. Love you all, thanks for everything, I'm still kicking!

11/24/2009 -- WHOA!

2009-12-26T14:00:00.000-08:00

I almost forgot the best part! This week in Mesa, the Christmas lights start! we get to work a bunch down there, and our zone was chosen to go do a bunch of the opening days so we get to wander around the temple and talk with bazijillions of people this weekend. I'm definitely looking forward to that. It'll be a great opportunity to get some good referrals sent out through all the missions in Arizona. We're excited to serve there. Pray that people with be guided to go there who want to learn more!!

-Elder Morgan

11/24/2009 -- Golly, what a day!

2009-12-26T13:58:00.000-08:00

Well...it's official. I'm basically no longer a Missouri citizen. Today Elder Lehman and I woke up at 5 to be dressed and ready and at a Arizona Government building at 7 so we could beat the line that would be there when the doors opened at 8 to do what? Get a new license. My missouri license is now dead, and I have an Arizona license. Neat fact...it's good until I turn 65. "Expiration Date: 04/20/2055" pretty intense. So with that and a Phoenix library card, I feel like I belong here in Phoenix. For those who are wondering, Elder Lehman's license was about to expire so we had to renew his, and the mission vehicle guy told me to renew mine too. SOOOOOOOOOO ok wow, I've already talked alot. it's been a long day and a looong week.

To answer the questions. Elder Lehman is great. He's not quite as motivated as elder Moffitt was, but we're getting along, with the occassional struggle to get going on time. He brought with him a Ukulele, which has been the biggest temptation, but I'm avoiding it at all costs. We teach pretty well together, but he's not super confident with his spanish, so sometimes it's interesting.

Bike. oooooooooooooooooooooh bike. where to being? My legs are sore? Evidently this is a pretty big area for bike (even after the division) and I can for sure feel it. We talk to way more people, but it's a little distracting getting to appointments and being sweaty and nasty sometimes. Haven't wrecked yet on bike so that's good. What else to say? I found a batman doll on the street without a head on it, so he's now lovingly placed above my rear wheel and my rear light is situated exactly where its' head should be...that's something new, but I think I may have to get rid of it. I'm not sure how I feel about it yet.

Also on bike we've met more crazy drunk high people than I ever care to, but they're children of God too, so we talk with them, pray with them, walk with them, try and help them by sharing with them what God wants them to do. We've been given a 40 oz bottle of Bud light from a guatemalan guy who was too drunk to stand up straight, yelled at, called all sorts of profanities, and just about everything else you can imagine. it's been an interesting week.

Anyway, important stuff...Mission update!! I was super excited to hear that Elder Tuttle's mission is doing a white christmas too! Our mission decided to do it as a 2 month mission white christmas. The Lord blesses us when we set goals. As of right now, we are set to have 402 baptizms by the end of december, meeting our goal of 400. (200 each month). Our little district is set on helping with a good 10 of those! we're going crazy here in phoenix with tons of people here to teach. really, the Lord is blessing us for working hard. We just have to "put our shoulder to the wheel" and "push along".

Crazy cool investigator: Olga Dominguez! she's so 100% mormon already...she came to church one time, and then 3 days later she was helping the relief society by offering to cook food for our ward thanksgiving dinner we had. Now she and 2 of her 3 kids are set to be baptised in 2 ish weeks. We're so excited for her and she's just eating up the gospel like turkey on thanksgiving.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MATT!!!

Francisca (the older lady we've been teaching forever now) has an interview for baptizm this saturday, we're getting Carina and Delfino married, so they can be baptized the 12th or 19th of december, it's just crazy here.

Ok, wrapping things up. Mom wrote me about a scripture that has always been one of my favorites. In Isaiah 53 it says that Christ is someone who "surely...hath bourne our greifs", suffered the pains we suffer, hurt for every time we hurt. Another scripture in the book of mormon says He did this so He would know how to succor His people if we would come unto Him. Will we not come unto Him? He loves us. He knows me...He knows YOU. He's the one who always listens and always loves us and always helps...why do you think it is that in almost every picture of Christ, his hands are outstretched? That's what He does, gathers us in, gives us rest, he heals us. and not just like a scar covers a wound, He makes it so that the wound never happened at all. What a blessing and a gift. I love my Savior. I see the little things He does to give me hope every new day and I'm grateful.

Thanks to all for support, prayers, and love. Hope you have a wonderful week. (look for the little miracles!)

-Elder Morgan

11/17/2009 -- Transfer #3

2009-12-26T13:55:00.000-08:00

Well transfers have come and gone and the results aaaaaaaaaaaaare...............................

I'm still here in Phoenix! I'm still in the same area (kinda) and I have a new companion! I'm in the same nasty apartment (though we cleaned it REALLY REALLY well this week and it'll stay that way).Ok. Here's the low down.

We got a call from President Bassett this last week and he said he's splitting the area. Also, that Elder Moffit is staying in the area, while training a new companion. I'd be in the other companionship with Elder Lehman. Elder Moffitt's new trainee is fresh from where? Oh just Honduras. So that's WAY cool. He doesn't speak English. They're moving out into another apartment and they take the car. which leads me to my next point. I'm on Bike now. My trusty steed is either "the black stallion III" or "Black Stallion Jr." it's black and stallion-y. Maybe Elder Slezak can give me feedback on which one he likes more...in memory of his old car...the original Black Stallion (R.I.P.).

So Elder Lehman is pretty cool, for having known him a while whopping 2 hours now. He's from Washington, carries a switchblade knife at all times on him, and smiles a lot. He's been out a little over a year now, so there's definitely less experience than Elder Moffitt, but I'm excited for the change. So we now have the crazy side of our area. The west. The east side, we have like...2 investigators and 2 ward families...that's Elder Moffitt's so they'll be doing a lot of finding. We have the other 15 billion investigators/members/crazy people. aaand we're on bikes. So hopefully we'll be able to manage time to get to teach all these people and still find more.

That's basically the low-down on what's happened here. Yesterday we went to Francisca's (investigator) house, where she taught us how to make tortillas the old fashioned Mexican way. Also she taught us how to make Chiles Rellenos which is a pepper stuffed with cheese then fried and covered with goopy goodness. (aka heartattack in a pepper). I'll have to make them one day when I get back. We turned it into a lesson, about how we're unrefined little specs and different types of ingredients, but when we all work together we can create something great. We talked about the church and fulfilling callings and service. She has a baptismal date for the 5th of Dec. :)

Other exciting news is that we had a TON of people show up at church this week...13 was the count plus a less active family and single guy. it was intense! We'll see what all happens!! I'm excited for this next transfer. We'll work hard so God can bless us. Thanks, I'm praying for all of you mucho.

-Elder Morgan

11/10/09 -- Pray like it all depends on Him. Work like it all depends on you.

2009-12-26T13:49:00.000-08:00

I think I'll repeat the subject line just in case you passed it up. "Pray like it all depends on Him. Work like it all depends on you" Whoa. I've heard this said a couple of times now here in Phoenix and in the mission, and I have to admit that it's quickly becoming one of my favorite quotes of all time. We need to pray hard, but even that isn't enough. We have to GO and DO.

when we're working hard we show the Lord how much we're willing to give up to receive the blessings we're asking for. In the book of Ether, the Brother of Jared, prayed unto the Lord, and the lord heard his prayers. Then, he prayed once and the Lord said "You figure out what to do, and I'll help you" Then he went and "molten" out of a rock 16 small stones. I don't know about any of you, but I have no idea how to "molten". it sounds like some tough work though! probably includes intense heating, shaping, cooling, repeating, the point is, it took work. AFTER the Brother of Jared did all this, he went to the Lord said "this is what I came up with...I worked hard, will you make up the rest?" The Lord then answered and made the stones to glow and give light to the ships (book of Ether BOM). So...life. Think we'll get very far in the race if we sit at the beginning the whole time and ask our trainer to help us get to the end? When do you think he'll start to help? I suggest, when you take the first step. When you GO and Do. Ok that's my little thought for this week. It's been on my mind a lot. The Mission work is so much easier if we go and do. It's kinda weird how you work harder, but it's made easier. Guess that's the Lord coming through on His end of the deal. :)

Okee-Dokie. Remember Francisca? Franny for short? Yeah? no? ok, well the point is she's probably the cutest old lady in the world who has 11 daughters who all have a bazillion kids too, so she's basically the head of enough people they could be their own stake in the church. AND THAT's WHAT'S HAPPENING! Three ofh er children have been baptized, three more are taking the discussions, two of those three have dates for baptizm, and She's been taught everything she needs now. So, this week, when she comes to church, she'll have done everything she needs to be ready. She's so awesome, she's already signed us up to eat with her...and she cooks AMAZINGLY good Mexican food. She's invited us over to learn how to make her special secret "Abuelita Chile" (LIttle Granny Chile) And I'm excited to bring this knowledge home with me. Also we're learning how to make flour tortillas...for real. none of the fake stuff in stores.

So we try and contact all of our investigators daily. One is named Luz, and she kinda seems like we're just these lame guys who come over every now and again, but we did some daily contact, and she was outside playing soccer with some neighborhood guys....well guess what? Slacks, ties, shoes, and all, we formed an opposing team, and challenged them. it was probably the best contact ever. except we were all sweaty for our next appointment...oops.

Cool experience: Mom, Dad, your son is a translator. This sunday we were combined with the Gringo ward. Therefore, the gringo's were teaching Gospel Principles class...therefore, they needed someone to translate...therefore, Elder Moffitt, being Sooooo supportive, told them I'd be doing it. So, I translated an hour lesson on the family so the spanish speakers could understand. It was neat, and after, he told me I did pretty well! he said there were some bumps, but they are bumps that don't change in a day and with some time I'd be a pretty good translator. imagine that! :) Ok well I've written a whole bunch of schtuff. Thanks everyone for all the support! you all are in my prayers for sure. Family, I love you mucho.

-Elder Morgan

Apology to readers of this blog

2009-11-07T09:07:00.001-08:00

I am Shae's dad. It is my responsibility to update the blog with his weekly e-mail that he sends to us. I have not been consistent. I will do better. Just wanted to apologize that I posted 4 or 5 of his letters today. You are now current if you read all postings.

Kind regards and thank you for your prayers and support of my son.

11/03/2009: Whatever they told me, they lied‏

2009-11-07T09:00:00.000-08:00

You read that subject line absolutely correctly. They said Arizona, people laughed in my face and said "you're going to DIE it's so hot there!" "You'll come home like a lobster!

"Well guess what?? I tan in Arizona! Also, this week it was so ridiculously cold in the mornings I almost died.

Ok, so it's an exaggeration, but the point is, in the mornings when we get up to work out...it's like 40 degrees. And here I was fooled into thinking it was 100 year round. See? it's not so bad here :). Anyways, the "Jacket" rule is now in effect.

Any day with the temperature above 75 degrados, we have to wear our suit coats, a rule I'm not too fond of, but it's all good.

New Games:

Pullover!: Objective: Talk to people, Rules: When driving and you see someone on the side of the road and you feel we should talk to them, you say "Pullover!" and the person who didn't say "pullover" has to talk to them. It's INTENSE and it gets us all psyched to talk to everyone about the awesomeness which is the Gospel. :)

Ok, what happened this week? Well, I think everyone should know I got H1N1 aka Swine Flu......................................now before my mom dies of freaking out, everyone should know it was the Vaccine for it, but it's true, I've had it...more or less. Haha I didn't get sick, I'm healthy and very very well here in Arizona.

This week I went on splits with the English Elders...that was interesting. Let's just say it was WAY nice to be able to effectively communicate, but let's also say that English people are WAY more rude and harsh than spanish. I'm ok with the trade-off I've decided. communication, for treatment...Props to you English goers. :) This morning I had a neat little revelation. We woke up at 3:15 to get ready and get to the temple by 6 a.m. session, and I get kinda cranky in the morning sometimes, but I realized that just cause I'm up early, doesn't mean I should get mad for any reason...I'm the same Elder Morgan I was 5ish hours ago when I went to bed...changed my attitude. :)

Another cool realization: We went to breakfast at a $3.99 breakfast buffet for missionaries, and it was weird to realize that whenever the elders wanted to talk about something amongst themselves, they just said it in spanish...and here's the realization. I can speak spanish. ok ok so before God strikes me for being prideful, I'm DEFINATELY not good at spanish...but now that I'm beginning to understand more, I'm beginning to speak better, and it's just all coming together. It was a neat thing for me to realize.

Also. Halloween. Ward trunk or Treat. We definitely (definately?) had the best trunk. The kids had to reach through a hole into the trunk full of little blown up trashbags, only to realize on the other side of the hole was an elder in the trunk to grab their hand, shake them around a little, then give them some candy. it was cool. The niños love us.

I'd like to close with just a quick little experience. Tracting = knocking doors = ineffective. We decided this week to test the Lord. If we set an appointment with someone, and they aren't there when we go, we decided we must be there for some reason so we tract that street. So the DAY we started doing this, 2 doors past our appointment we found this ladi named Marí. She's WAY AWESOME. At first was like "I don't need church, cause they're all led by men" Then we testified that God is guiding His true church through a prophet and how SHE can know for HERSELF. She invited us in to come teach her. it was a neat experience. Way neat. She was way into it, and asked us to come back and share more with her whole family. So we'll see how that flies this week. :) I'm done. My fingers are a punto de morir. (about to die) I love you all. thanks so much for your support! As Elder Nicholas would say (from Georgia) "Ya'll're so tight". My prayers are with you all!

-Elder Morgan

10/27/2009: A nice week in Phoenix‏

2009-11-07T08:55:00.000-08:00

Greetings, hola, bonjour, awakietashika, and all those hellos to you: (p.s. I'm pretty sure awakietashika doesn't mean anything)

Well I'm really sad to hear about Sister Hemming. She was so so so awesome, and I'm sure that right now she's organizing a choir of youth to sing the song of love to the hearts of the people still here. I don't doubt her desire to spread a happy song, and her testimony with anyone. She'll be greatly missed I'm sure. Tell Keri things'll be ok and to think about the happy day we'll all be together again.

I didn't know I was eating intestine...until I put the first piece in my mouth and everyone went "oooooooh!!!!! Elder that's INTESTINE!!!" then they all laughed. joy. :) Also, I've decided to spend some of my time on Sundays learning to play more hymns, evidently there are a lot of wards and branches with no one to play for them, so I should be getting some good piano experience here!

Rules for Halloween? Just another normal day. We're going to a ward trunk n treat thing, but after, we're knocking doors, and teaching lessons. yeah I have permiso to drive now, so we all three alternate driving days, and I think I'm good on my license, but I have the option of renewing to an AZ one which I think I will cause it doesn't expire until I'm 65...that's cool.

Mom, about the members, it's really sad. They aren't super friendly or outgoing to the people we bring. Often they are left to sit alone, in the which case, we elders split up to sit with them all. One family we're teaching has next-door-neighbors who are members so they chat and sit together. Other than that, they unfortunately aren't too helpful...we have a hard time getting anyone to come teach with us. It's a struggle, but we're trying to win their trust by doing awesome Noches de Hogar (FHE) with them. We'll see how that goes.

Thought: Elder Moffitt, in his old age and wisdom said that people said a lot that we are the "chosen generation" and maybe that is so because we're chosen to realize that the members can help the missionaries in more ways, so when we're all done with our missions, this generation will be the AWESOME ward member support for the next wave of missionaries. Matt: you better be doing something missionary like still. if not, get going you bum! just because you don't have a tag, doesn't mean you can't share the light of the Gospel with others :) .

Schedule:
5:45 wake up
6:00 meet at church where we play soccer with other missionaries in the gym (or at their apartment to lift weights)
6:45-8:00 shower/breakfast (Elder Nicholas takes forever.)
8:00 personal study
9:00 companionship study
10:00 Spanish study
11:00 Lunch
12:00 begin proselyting
5:00 dinner at a member's house/message there
6:00 continue preaching
9:00 home (unless teaching a lesson then it's allowed to be 9:30)
9:30 plan for the next day/write in journal/discuss spanish problems
10:30 in bed, lights out, sleep

Ugh I hate how long my letters get, but there's so much to say!!!! For a cool thing I've started dreaming in spanish. Funny thing is, it's slow spanish JUST like how I speak. it makes sense, but I remember waking up after my first spanish dream and just being like "WHOA!" "my dream was in spanish!" it was cool.

Here's a quick spill out of the SWEET things that happened this week:

Today: Climbed a mountain here, Iron Mountain, or Squaw peak. it was intense

Yesterday: Taught an AWESOME Lesson. We went to a less active member's house to teach them, they happened to have a friend over, who happened to want to learn more, who happened to understand everything we said. At the end of the lesson, she looked at us, and said "that makes perfect sense. do you have a book of mormon I can read so I can be sure before I get baptized?" first lesson. that was WAY sweet. We invited her to pray...and after the prayer she just filled with emotion and through the tears told us she'd never felt like that before. it was an amazing experience. All because some members had befriended someone, and talked about the church. Last

Friday: we taught a guy named Sergio. This little mexican is like a sponge!!! He soaked it all up, and just asked for more. He's going to read the whole book of mormon these next two weeks he told us and he said he'll see how he feels after that. Basically that means he knows this is the truth, and he's going to get baptized and start his road to Heaven.

Last Thursday: We taught AGAIN a friend of a member named Olga, who loved church and wants to keep coming cause she "feels something different". That's all the cool stuff. Aside from that, just the normal people who are drunk and on crack all the time, there are Gay people everywhere here and they hate us and yell at us and spit on us as they drive by. Met a guy who challenged our knowledge of the bible by asking us who the most notorious killer in the bible and the United States was...he told us they were the same person:Moses. I think he was high. A lady who told us that her pastor told her that she isn't allowed to change religions...and she believes him. we met our new neighbors...get this, she's a black lady named Shae. Loved that. alrighty! that's all for this one!

Love you all thanks for your support and prayers...we definitely need them here. OH!!! one more thing! Elder Nicholas has been feeling a little lack of mail this past transfer...if you were planning on writing me this week, will you write him instead? Just a hello, thanks, add a thought/poem/encouragement, send it to the same address just put Elder Adam Nicholas instead of Elder Shae Morgan :) this is something I've wanted to do to help serve one of my companions. Thanks!

-Elder Morgan

10/20/2009: I ate something gross this week‏

2009-11-07T08:54:00.001-08:00

Family, Another week here and gone again in Phoenix, yeah we did get a nice little warm spell...wasn't too bad though only broke 100 twice. But this morning it's fresh and cool with a little breeze so hopefully it stays this way for a while. :) Wow I don't know where to begin! this week was pretty intense. I guess I'll start off with something uber cool.Remember the last letter when I described pedro being a 5' something short dude who weighs 300 pounds? Well God I guess in his sense of humor remembered that and when we asked Pedro who he wanted to baptize him, he asked me. Yeah. intense right? So the baptizm was last Saturday and it was really neat. The Service was interesting. We decided that no one knows how to play piano in our area...so I, always talking about music, was assigned to learn 2 hymns in an hour during language study so I could play at the baptism. Guess what? I don't really play piano. But the Lord helps us in our weeknesses and I can proudly say that I can pump out a pretty mean version of "I like to look for rainbows"(aka when I am baptized) and "Come Follow Me". :) that was neat. ALSO, whilst practicing, Elder Nicholas left the font going on full blast and the font overflowed ALMOST into the room, but we got it to turn off just befor it rose to the threshold of the door. Whew thank goodness. But the service was wonderful, the spirit was there, and Pedro was confirmed the day after as a member of the church of Jesus Christ. Something new I ate this week. Pig intestine. Yeah. Don't think you have to go foreign to eat UBER WEIRD stuff. And just so you know, it's nasty (in my opinion). Well the work is bustling here in Phoenix. We're super busy, teaching a TON, and we set some mor baptismal dates for November. I'm excited to be part of these people's experiences as they go and do to experience the change that Jesus offers to everyone. He puts us in the right place at the right time to find people. One guy was playing the accordian outside, and I went up and chit chatted about music for a bit. He then insisted that we teach him about our message. He ate. it. up. And why? maybe cause it's true. Maybe because Christ organized a church founded on a prophet and apostles, and no other church on the earth has that organization. Maybe because we believe God is the same yesterday when he called people to guide his people, and today, because there is someone now to guide his people, and forever. I can't find any way this can be false, and truth rings familiar in the ears of people who are willing to listen. That's why people listen, that's why it's actually effective to send 19 year old guys who don't know much out into the world to teach people in every language. We have lots of moments where we say in the car "only on a mission can you find 19 year olds who...." then finish it off with something like "talk about the scriptures while lifting weights" "turn up their "favorite song"" which happens to be classical motab. It's a cool thing. an apostle once said that the Gospel challenges us to not just BE something or someone, but to BECOME. I LOVE this thought, because we aren't here just to be, and live, and be tossed around. We're here to become something,learn, gain experience, grow. If we are true disciples and followers of Christ we will have the desire, the URGE, to DO not just sit around. To ACT, not just be acted upon. To become someone, not just be. I hope this ramble made sense. I love you all. Thanks for all your support. I pray for you every day. -Elder Morgan

10/13/09: Okee Dokie Arti....choke-ee?‏

2009-11-07T08:52:00.000-08:00

Alright, So I'm experiencing some insane madness called I DON'T KNOW HOW TO SPELL IN ENGLISH. the more and more I speak spanish, the more and more C's I put where K's should go and Z's where S's should be and...basically I'm not sure my kids and their kids will be able to read my journal. it's bad. First of all and the most exciting is PEDRO! Pedro, I think I've talked a bit about him, but he's this short mexican guy, like 5'3 or something...but he's gotta be 300 pounds. he's pretty huge. So we found him because he was dating a member who was in the english ward, but they broke up, but he still called us to come teach him. Well, we've taught all he needs to know. and you guessed it...he's been interviewed and set to be baptised this saturday!!! woot woot!!! He's been a testimony to me about how much people can change. He was kinda closed off and dark in a way at first, but the more and more he kept his promises to the Lord, read the scriptures, and prayed, the more he lightened up and now he's just a big smiling ball of happyness! We're really excited for that. Also, the work is going INSANE here. They HAVE to split us this transfer. I don't know how it goes number wise for other missions, but this week passed we taght 22 lessons, contacted 210 people on the street, and have 13 new investigators, for a few numbers. it shows improvement, but at the same time, I know we can do better so we're working hard! In the movie Joseph Smith: Prophet of the Restoration, there's a part that shows a man who is sick, and he said his pride has brought him very low. Joseph then tells him the Lord will raise him high. They bless him and he is healed. I'd like to write about this. We all have our fallings and shortcomings. There is so much to work on and to better. Sometimes we feel overwhelmed, like the world is falling down. I feel like that sometimes. Our pride brings us low so we can be humble and ask to help see things how God sees them. Look at people how God looks at people. Serve as He would if He were here. The hard times are easy to see as a curse. A misfortune, the whole world against you...maybe that's so we can turn around and see how blessed we are. That we have a loving father in heaven who humbles us so we can be lifted higher than we ever could have before we started to trust in him. Then after all we can do to turn our will over to His, and do what He would have us do, we are healed. I LOVE the scripture Isaiah 53 which says Surely he has born our sorrows carried our greifs etc, then later says that through his stripes, we are healed. Healed. Not temporarily satisfied, but HEALED completely from the pain and hurt of the hard times. ok good shpeel. Thanks goes out to the Tuttle family for the goodies and letter, my companions were thrilled by the peanut butter cheerio bars. :) Also, thanks Momma Slezak for the note about Garrett, he is in every single one of my prayers. God will provide. Some people are ready other's aren't. But when you find the ones that are, it's magic. We were refferred to a guy named Christopher. He told us he's looking for a REAL way to change and get free of his past. He said he was baptised in another church, but that he still didn't feel it...maybe we'd be different. at the end of the lesson one, he just flat out Told us, he feels the spirit telling him the things we taught were the truth. (cool? I think....yes.) So we'll see where that goes! If you're reading this and you aren't too sure about this whole "LDS church" thing, I challenge you to find out for yourself. We aren't here to convince you, but rather ask you to ask God. He'll tell you the truth if you ask him. (James 1:5) I promise you that there is no other church that makes so much sense, is so perfect, has the same teachings and doctrines as did the church Jesus organized. Read the book of mormon and ask yourself, in 63 days, could anyone NOT inspired by God create such a text? I submit it to be impossible without the gift and power of God given to a Prophet. Well this is getting muy long. Wrap up just saying spanish is improving. slowly yet surely. I'm praying for you all always. -Elder Morgan

General Conference and such

2009-10-08T16:00:00.000-07:00

Greetings from Elder Morgan in...... (wouldn't you like to know)

Transfers were this week, so guess what?
I'm still in Phoenix.
I'm with the same companions.
Nothing changed. So For another 6 weeks I'll be here in the Catalina Branch in Phoenix. Our area hasn't split or anything, so it'll be the same thing for at least 6 more weeks.

Nice good fun happy stuff: Hector, or Hermano Contreras, the ward mission leader, came up with a new nickname for me...and actually it's spreading through the ward, not sure if that's a good thing or not, but here it is Capitan (in spanish how hector says it Kah-Pee-Tahn) Yeah. they even suggested getting a pirate costume and an empty bottle so I can pose at the ward halloween party for all the ex-drinkers as their favorite mascot. I'm not sure how that would fly with my conscience though.

One of the first letters I got from a friend in the MTC mentioned the Lord's tender mercies. I like to link this trail of thought with "little miracles". When we do our best, and try our best, God shows us his tender mercies, by putting people in our lives, giving us a happy thought, and other numerous ways. This week we saw a few of those.

We were doing a D and P in a neighborhood (drive and pray) where we drive around praying for someone, then when we see people, we park, jump out and talk to them. We did that to one such fellow. John Emery, he spoke english, but told us it was a miracle we showed up. He was trying to contact a mormon church for a few months but didn't know how.

He'd noticed something different about our church and wanted it in his life. In our short 5 minute conversation he told us how he wanted to be a member and asked to listen to the missionaries. 3 days later, the english elders taught him, and he has a baptismal date set for the near future.

Tender Mercy #2: my second week here I took down someone's name and address, but we never got to visiting him, a few days ago we were in the area and tried to stop by his house. Problem being, the address he had told us was his house, was an apartment complex. We decided to just go knock a door. The apartments were filled with people from Congo Africa who said barely anyone spoke Spanish. On our way out, we talked to a 15 year old girl (who had RIDICULOUSLY poofy hair) and she told us her and her family were members! They had moved and the missionaries lost track of them. She took us to her apartment, and we met the happy family and we got them in touch with the branch again. They went to general conference the next day.

Cool beans.

The church is true!

Spanish Update: I'm doing alright speaking still. I'm learning all sorts of vocab and grammar rules every day, and I'm getting better by trying. Understanding: Still a struggle, good news is now I'm mostly in the ballgame. Before where it was a few key words, now I'm catching whole complete thoughts, and it's helped me a lot to be able to answer questions and make appropriate comments. A big help to this is just talking with the little kids at church. They use basic, easy, spanish and like to laugh and correct these old white guys when they mess up. Also, I listend to about 1/4 of conference in spanish. That helped, I think.

General Conference: Main thing I think about is the Book of Mormon. I add my thoughts to Elder Holland's. THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO WAY A FARM BOY WITH A 3RD GRADE EDUCATION COULD HAVE FABRICATED AND CREATED SUCH AN INTRICATE, INVOLVED, AND INSPIRED TEXT. There is no way in the short period he had, that a highly educated man in the 1800's could have done it. There is no way, save by the help of God, that anyone, could have translated a record, by nothing more than dim candlelight, and have that book be the means of bringing 13,000,000+ people to Christ and His restored gospel. How we don't emphasize this enough!

Also, I loved the talk on temperance. I don't think I'm temperate enough. I've had some really frustrating times this week, and sometimes I feel like busting into shards rather than enduring strong.

More thoughts: Prayer is a hard thing for me, because I have a hard time understanding answers that come. Don't worry, I always pray, and I feel strengthened from doing so, but sometimes I wish I could say "what's 1352624 x 264823" and hear the answer just as clear as a person talking to me. So maybe not a math problem, but say "Heavenly father, should I go here?" and hear "yes" or "no" Maybe it's cause I'm not turning my whole self over, maybe it's because we have to act to receive our answers. Whatever it is, I'm gonna figure it out, and pray harder and harder.

Well, I'm gonna run.
Thanks so much familiy. You mean so much to me. Thank you so much friends, you're awesome and I'm praying for you every day.

Elder Morgan

What do you get when September begins to end in Arizona?

2009-09-22T18:15:00.001-07:00

Paradise. in Spanish: Paraíso.

Ok, so it's not exactly THAT awesome yet. But it is cooling down a TON. Only the high nineties today. What awesomeness. This morning we woke up at 4:00 so we could make it to an early morning temple trip. The Mesa temple is GORGEOUS inside and out. I have some pictures with Elder Moffitt too so I'll be sure to send those on the memory card soon.

So, now that it's cooling down, and sweat isn't coming off in buckets, tracting seems a bit more appealing. :) Rumor has it, the weather just gets better from here out. I remember President Lewis saying once you hit october, you're good until april

I picked up my bike today. It's a beast. and I mean that in the "suave cool sophisticated" way, not the "brute heavy ugly" way. It's a nice bike, and I got a good deal.

So, let me tell you about the week. It started at a thing called ZDM. In this, president reviewed our district numbers, talked, and some companionships did talks and trainings etc. I even got to do a discussion on why members are so important in lessons. So that was fun. President Bassett is SO awesome. He just knows EVERYTHING. I'm pretty sure he's high on the line-up to be an apostle/prophet some day. He's been a huge help and blessing.

How to kill a scorpion 101:
1) recognize there is a scorpion
2) recognize the scorpion is near
3) recognize there is a large stirring spoon even closer
4) take a firm hold of the large spoon
5) Hit scorpion with spoon
6) Repeat step 5 until dead, or you feel satisfied

there ya go mom! Love ya! By the way, at the temple this morning I ran into the missionaries that serve in Aunt Mel's ward. they were like "are you new?" "uh huh" "you know the Hodges?" "yup. aunt and uncle" "cool...they say hi" small mission huh? Also, the missionary who fell is all good. He has some INTENSE bandages, but he's alive, kicking, and already back into the work.

THE GONTH IS GOING TO BOISE!!!!! TREVOR you are totally going to OWN that place :) a bajizillion people are just waiting to be spiritually hit with what you have for them. 2 thumbs way way up.

At first, I thought about asking for a picture of Seralyn in her homecoming dress, then I realized that it'd be a HUGE distraction for my companions...however if you would like to send some family pictures (one with her included in dress), that's all I really need.

The work. Is good. We worked HARD this week. We had a ton of success, a ton of dissappointments. Even through dissappointment, the lord helps us and gives us strength. We had some investigators that fell through and don't want us to come over anymore, we extended some invitations to follow the example of Christ and be baptized and we were rejected, but I'm excited. Because 4 of those invitations were accepted. We have a family. Gustavo y fam. They all accepted to prepare to be baptized the 24th of october. We're really excited for them! Also, we had been teaching a guy named Pedro, and he was ready to get baptized but he was moving! so he "moved" then randomly showed up at church 2 weeks later and said the moving didn't work out. so he's all set to be baptized and receive the full pardon of his sins. That's why we're baptized. True it's for membership in the church, but really it's to apply the sacrifice that christ made for every one of us. I hope everyone remembers that.

This is already killer long, but I love you all, thanks for all your support. Thanks so much...so so much.
-Elder Morgan

Once Upon a Time....

2009-09-22T18:10:00.000-07:00

Ok.
Famili
Friends
other aquaintances
random people on the street who I don't know but somehow managed to get their hands on this:

hey, you never know right?

Important stuff: PLEASE make sure everyone knows to write written mail addressed to ELDER SHAE D MORGAN (there are 3 elder morgans here) and I just found out that a couple pieces of mail were sent to a wrong elder morgan, and I don't know when I'll be able to get them cause he's up by flagstaff or something. Soooo, thanks!
Questions:Answered:
no it wasn't REALLY J-lo. She was this really nice hispanic lady we tracted into and taught a lesson. She wasn't super interested, but hey, I tracted into J-lo.

Our apartment is slowly healing from the infestation. we're getting them gone.

ok. now about the work, then cool stories. Whew so much to do!!!
So this week was interesting and hard. Mostly because we had a lot of people fall through. We had 2 baptismal dates, then we found out that Miguel started drinking again, and said that he wouldn't give it up, but he'd call us when he's ready. :( We also had to drop the other person we had with a date for baptism, because he won't come to church, and told us he realized he's perfect and doesn't need to repent or be baptized. He won't listen or accept the scriptures that say we all must be baptized, so, he's just not ready. one day...one day...

On the flip side! we found some great people. We ran into an older guy named Gustavo. gustavo said he wasn't really interested, but his son (Gustavo Jr) only plays video games all day and might be interested. Gustavo the yonger now is reading and studying the book of mormon, and even the dad and mom are asking questions about prophets and why the book of mormon is so important. So we have great hope for them.

Francisca update: she said she'll prepare herself to be baptized, but doesn't want a date yet. We went over to her hosue with a member. Hermana Fonseca. GOLD! Hermana F is really in the same boat as Francisca and could easily relate to everything that's going on in her life, we left and Hermana F stayed to "chat"! Members are the best tools. To those at home who are members: Just talk with your neighbors. Go with the missionaries, maybe you'll make a new friend.

Tell Garrett I love him. I bet it's been a heck of a week for him at the MTC. He'll love it.

I've been thinking alot about English Elders. The more I think, the more I think of how lucky they are. They can use language and express feelings and emotions and experiences. From day 1. I'm pretty jealous of the extra time they get to share the gospel. It also makes me want to learn spanish better so I can just DO IT, but it doesn't come in a week of study. Takes time, and I don't think I'll ever get as proficint in spanish as I am in english. (even though I can't spell words like proficint...or whatever) Lots of people rag on those speakin english. I'd like to rag on those raggers. The English missionaries get a LOT more done than the spanish elders. At least here. from day one they can communicate more and be less focused on words and more in touch with the spirit. My wish is that everyone who reads this part of this letter realizes that a call to Omaha Nebraska english speaking is JUST as important as one to Hong Kong. Anyone reading this with a call already who's thinking "I'm going english stateside, or just stateside" when people ask you where you're going and you say "Mesa Arizona" and they go "been there, seen that" you say "Darn right, and there are just as many souls there needing to be led to the Gospel as any other place in the world." I guess I'm making a big deal about this because I got it a lot before I left to come here, and I just wanted people to see my mission how I saw it. And now I see REALLY that it doesn't matter. So maybe next call announced to Idaho, or New Jersey, go up to that elder and be excited! because we should be! The gospel is going to all the world. The US is part of that world. :) ok I'm done with that. now...about the language...

Spanish update: I'm speaking pretty well, for a new guy. At least that's what they tell me. I'm still skeptical. "Why?" you may ask. MAYBE it's the funky looks I get from people still when I say something I THINK is spanish, but DEFINITELY doesn't work, or make sense. The other day I tried to tell someone that I thought their pet bird was WAY cool, and evidently I insulted it. yeah, I don't know how that works. Also, I don't understand mexican humor. Mainly because I don't think it exists, but they sure think it does.

Ok. SWEET story time/info about Phoenix.
All the water here tastes like dirt unless it's purchased. Even at the church buildings.
I'm actually getting a little tan.
I saw my first scorpian today.
I killed my first scorpian today. (it was in our house)
There are these VILE little candy things that are sugary, and then mixed with the sweet are ground up chiles (peppers) so it's a spicy sugar...it's nasty, but they swear I'll get used to it.
there are lots of pigeons here. they are as stupid as the movies make them seem
there are something like 10 drive-thru liquor stores here. yeah, DRIVE-THRU + LIQUOR shouldn't work out. America makes no sense.

Story time:THIS MORNING THE CRAZIEST THING HAPPENED! We woke up at 4:30 (ugh) to go climb Camelback Mountain (yes we had permiso) so we went and on the way down, we were waiting for the rest of the elders when suddenly! BAM four fire trucks, ambulance, rescue vehicles, and a lifeflight helicopter. I KNOW RIGHT?! intense...so an elder got a little anxious on the way down the mountain and was jogging a little too fast down a steep incline...tripped, head injury, cut up everywhere and a gash in his side. He was conscious through it all and in fact his first question was "is my camera alright?" Some of the missionaries with him are EMT's so they took care of him best they could until they could get him out, but that was SO intense! I have pictures and video of the helicopter and everything.

Moral: Don't run faster than you have the strength for. :)
Moral 2: Just cause your a missionary, doesn't make you invincible.
Thanks mom for the story, it's a good one. Thanks everyone for your support. I love and care about you all mucho.
-Elder Morgan

Phoenix: Where People Talk to Trees (Part 2)

2009-09-22T18:07:00.000-07:00

Hola Familia y Amigos,

So, don't freak out, sorry this isn't coming on Tuesday, but rather on Wednesday. We had ZONE CONFERENCE! basically for 6 horus on Tuesday so P-day was moved to MONDAY then we realized that Monday was Laborday and the library would be closed so we couldn't e-mail so we changed P-Day to WEDNESDAY. Thus here am I writing on this day.

Sooo I'm alive. All is well in Zion. Let us start off with some experiences shall we? This week I saw lots of CrAzY stuff. We talked to a completely trashed guy named José. he was drunk, and in this state decided that it was ok to talk with me and Elder Nicholas, but that Elder Moffitt was a bad guy who had to stand like 15 feet away or else Jose got a little aggressive. Elder Nicholas and I talked with him and gave him a card with our number so if he ever wanted to change his life he could let us know.

Crazy experience 2: Soddom and Gummorah. So there are twin apartment complexes. We had a referral in one, so we were going there and we stopped to talk to some people. Person #1: "Hey how are you doing today?" "Oh shut up and leave me alone I'm having a bad day (swear words excluded)" "alright! have a great day!" Person #2 "Hey how are you doing today?" "Just leave me alone and burn in *dwelling place of Satan*, I gotta go get my umbrella"

We then proceeded to get hit on by some gay guys, someone threw a beer bottle at us, and we got a lot of shouts and curses. BUT. I think we found the righteous family in there. They are really nice, and accepted our commitments for them, so we'll see how that goes. In our car we have a sign that says "blessed are they who are persecuted for my name's sake..." that's so true. People know who we are, Satan knows who we are. Doesn't it just make sense then that he's gonna throw what he has to get us to halt? Thus it's so necesary to have the sheild, sword, helmet, and other parts of the armor of God.

So, I had my first REAL mexican tamales. I dunno how to write that, but that's my guess. They were mas o menos spicy, and pretty darn good. Something I love about it here, is every dessert, is fruit and coolwhip all chopped and mixed up. it's AWESOME! and not too unhealthy.

A cool experience I wanted to share. I have a CTR ring that spins and has the initials for CTR in 7 languages. The ward mission leader (Hector) has the same one! neat thing, it's his wedding ring. They didn't have a lot of money when they got married, but they decided to spend the money and choose to get 2 ctr rings to always wear. I thought that was WAY cool and sweet of them.

Another thing, I tracted into Jennifer Lopez. Yeah, everyone be jealous. :)

There's a really annoying pattern that's happened here. We've set 2 baptismal dates. and then they move. out of our area. out of our mission. I guess it's all good, cause they're choosing God's path, but still, I'd like to baptize them, being my first investigators. Anyhow, we have 2 more dates set, and we'll see how those go! Pray for Miguel Muñoz. He has a date, but he's not sure he'll be able to keep it, because of his friends peer pressuring him to drink. We'll be praying for him though.

So the neighbors of the Branch President are really progressing well! they came to church on sunday (José and Emma) and they said they loved the feeling they felt there. We testified that it was the Holy Ghost confirming that it was God's church. They accepted to prepare to be baptized and would pray to know the answer. We're checking up on them soon this week.

We cleaned our apartment this morning. Cockroach free right now. It's amazing how much easier it is to focus when there's a clean house. Ding ding ding, temples. Ding ding ding, bodies. When we keep our temples, or bodies and minds, clean, it's so much easier to focus. And not only on spiritual things! the lord promises us that our understanding will increase, so we'll be able to learn normal things better too!

This week in Zone conference we talked about having a "Waters of mormon". this is the place or setting when we received our own personal witness of the Savior, or the church, or any other really significant spiritual impression. I invite everyone to write down in their journals where their place like that is. It was a neat experience for me.

It's starting to cool down, it was only 102 yesterday, so I think the worst is behind. :) I love you all. thanks so much for your support.
-Elder Morgan

speaking of which, can you make sure people address their letters to "Elder Shae Morgan" They need the first name in case we get another Elder Morgan. Not a big thing, but whenever you get the chance, that'd be good to put up on the blog or something.

Phoenix - Week 1 Report

2009-09-02T18:06:00.000-07:00

Soooooo,\

Phoenix is weird. There are TONS of just absolutely intense people. Dad always used to say that the sun will fry your brains, and I think I'm gaining testimony of that. Among all the insanity though are people who are wanting to learn, cheerful, happy, prepared people. Por ejemplo, Francisca Mendoza. She is a referral from someone else (we don't know who) and we showed up on her doorstep and she instantly welcomed us in and in 2 minutes had ice cold lemonade in front of us. Miracle? we think so. Then she said she was ready to learn more of whatever we were giving Sandra. Small problem. we have NO clue who Sandra is. haha! So after a bit more explanation, we determined that the english elders in the area had tracted into Sandra, and they were teaching her, when she suggested that her mom would want to learn more too, however her mom didn't speak Spanish. Guess what?! We do :) sooo they sent the referal our way and now we can teach Francisca. We whipped out a huge can of Spirit with the first lesson and it was great and she got it and was smiling and understanding and asked us to come back and teach more!! so we shall.

Story with a Moral:

Once upon a time these three elders were walking through Phoenix when all of the sudden they decided to go introduce the new guy to the Branch president. Good idea right? so we go there, and the next door vecinos (neighbors) are sitting outside. Turns out they're really intesrested in learning more...the neighbors...of the branch president...

ok. moral time. Talk with people. Sometimes the people that want to learn more are our next door neighbors, and they just don't know that you have what you have. If you're reading this and aren't Mormon, maybe you should talk wi th your neighbors or mormon friends...maybe you'll find out why they're just so happy, and you can learn for yourself how to gain a greater measure of joy in this life. Just a suggestion.

Mom, little shout out, I heard a ringtone today and it struck me as oddly familiar, then it hit me...TAP DANCE. yeah so I thought that was cute.

Questions answered: I have 2 companeros because they're looking to split our area since it's awesome and there's a ton of people, so they're making a trio so next transfer or 2 we'll have another set of spanish elders here.

No I don't forget I'm in the US. It's not that spanish everywhere, but it is pretty spanish. Here at the library, all the signs and notices are in english and spanish, but I'm definitely still in the US.

Sorry President, we have the North side of phoenix. Camelback road from 51 to 17 are the east/west boundries and it goes north about 3 blocks and south to Thomas road. Small little area. lots of spanish people. REALLY hot. Love it. Speaking of heat, we hit a new high for me! 116 degrees. mmmmm mmmm good. So yeah I sweat a lot but it's all good in the hood! I'm getting a bike today so I'm sure I'm gonna love all that goodness.

President Bassett is from around AZ, he is pretty young, their oldest is a daughter a year or so younger than me and they have a 5 year old or something too so he's been president at least 2 years, so he'll be switching halfway through mine. He's SO AWESOME though. He was supposed to be president of guatemala mission, but the prophet himself called him to change his mission call...neat huh. Proof that this mission is AWESOME. :)

My apartment? Let's just say I have some pictures I'll send home to explain that. :) Well for a little preview, every night when we come home we have a mini-matanza which means "killing". We grab our trusty swords (spoons) and turn on the lights and kill as many cucarachas as we can. we hit about....15? each night. so we're pretty well infested, we're getting some traps though so that should help. we're gonna beat those little buggers! Also the people above us and on either side smoke weed a LOT so it leaks into our apartment the smell. So we have air fresheners galore to help us out with that. I have a really nice shower though it's hot and really pressurized, something I haven't seen for 2 months at the MTC.

I'm used to the routine, it's hard work, and I'm really tired, but I'm really doing alright. It's worth it to see people smile and say sincerely "thanks for teaching me this, see you next time". People really just don't know...but they're going to!

Language update: Well it's better than last week? I'm still having a rough time understanding people, but I'm told I speak pretty well. So I'm able to express myself, problem is half the time I only half know what they are saying back. I can ask GREAT questions....I just don't really get the answer :) thank goodness for companions! They say there's about a 3 month breaking in period where misioneros learn to understand people. I'm praying it'll only take 2 more weeks. God can do it right? :)

The members here are great and I'm having REAL mexican spicy food!! it's way hot...but I'm learning to get used to it already...the hotter the better. I'm gonna head out, feel free to ask questions next week. I love answering them. Make sure people know to send letters to my mission address, they forward it to me at my apartment wherever I am.

I'm gonna write to president now. Love you all so much, thanks for your support and love and care.

-Elder Morgan

2009-08-31T17:40:00.000-07:00

White Elder + Arizona Sun = Red Elder
Red Elder + aloe vera gel = Happy Red Elder

It's true I've only been here 2 days. However, it's hot. Also, I'm REALLY white. therefore. I'm not accustomed to the heat here. President Bassett was really all funny about it, upon arriving here, he said "well since it's SUCH a cool day outside, lets go take pictures at the mission home. In the vehicle, I spotted the magic technology (doesn't exsist in the MTC) that tells people the temperature. yeah so "such a cool day" is secretive code for 110.5 degrees. that's right.

ok so I did my little rant. should go ahead and give a little review of my dealings this past little while.

I'm out of the MTC. I'm here in Arizona. Phoenix to be exact. The most Hispanic part of Phoenix in fact. :) Basically everyone here speaks spanish. Anyhow, so I finished up stuff at the MTC, and at 4 AM Tuesday morning I woke up so I could get ready and to a bus by 5 so that I could be at the airport for a flight that would last a whole whopping hour to Phoenix. Only to drive to mesa, have a long orientation, meeting my companion, or should I say COMPANIONS, and then we went back to phoenix to do the work! Speaking of Companions....I have some awesome ones. Elder Moffit and Elder Nicholas. Elder Moffit has been here 18 months now...basically he's superman of missionaries, knows EXACTLY what to say and how to say it. He's really nice, and helpful, and REALLY good at spanish which is a REALLY good thing. Elder Nicholas has been here 2 transfers, so he's our key to the area. He knows where everything is, who everyone is we're teaching and all about the ward. Also, he's a Navy Seal. probably one of the few people I've ever seen who could LITERALLY rip his shirt by flexing. This Elder is huge.

Ok. Sooo first day, (post meeting companions) We went to phoenix (yes in our car [unfortunately {I really wanted to be on bike}]) But anyhow, we went to the apartment, and oh yeah, forget about unpacking, just grab your scriptures, about 50 passalong cards, and we're GONE! soo what we did was we went to some less actives house, not home. Then we knocked doors! 1394 the number of the door I hit first. Basically everyone here is REALLY REALLY nice. ok so that's a lie, but most of the hispanic people are always up for a good 5 minute conversation if not more. We had a couple people interested, including the neighbors of the Branch President! After tracting a bit, I met the ward mission leader, who informed me he didn't speak English (even though he does) and that I'd just have to learn to listen better. haha

Speaking of the language...I'm SOOOOO bad. Back in MTC land I was top notch!! nothing could stop me! Now?....not so much. I'm usually too lost to try and respond, and when I finally realize something they said to me, I surprize myself and can't talk back effectively. That doesn't stop Elder Moffit though frequently passing me off in conversation with comments like "isn't that right Elder Morgan?" and "Elder Morgan has a GREAT experience about what I just taught" and other various lines to get me talking. I found a member here se llama Victor. He likes baseball. I know that word. So he told me all about the diamondbacks and the Cardinals and so that was good. Hector (the ward mission leader) is WAY fun and SO motivated. He's hosting a barbeque this friday for the preisthood to try and get them to invite friends. So that was most of my yesterday.

Tuesdays are my P-day, (preparation day) however, today we got privileges since I just arrived yesterday. Sooo thus I can write and shop and stuff. So now I have all the missionary essentials, bread, PB and J :) Some eggs and juice too. But they said the missionaries are taken care of here. Speaking of which. today we taught a lesson to the Alvarez family. Unknown to me, they are a member family. So I thought this was a REAL DEAL and that the eternal salvation of these people rested on my shoulders and my companions. Yeah...so I was SO excited when they told me the understanded EXACTLY why we needed the atonement and a restoration. I'm thinking "Golden" they were thinking "Greenie" haha :) So that was great. I know now that Brother Alvarez is second counselor in the branch presidency. Upon leaving their house, he said he had something special for us...he left and returned with three bananas. The simplicity, sincerity of his offer really hit me. These people here don't have a whole lot...but they have the Gospel and that's Enough.

It's enough for me too. I know that God lives. I know Jesus is His son. I know Jesus provided a way to overcome our sins, and all he asks of us is to follow him and keep his commandments. Love you all.

-Elder Morgan

Side notes for memory and scrapbook sake: Phoenix is known as "the city where people talk to trees" So, it may not be as nuts as russia, but after one day, I've seen some WEIRD things and talked to some interesting souls Mail: Keep mailing to the Mission address, they forward it to us. If mailing a package, mail to the mission home if USPS. Fedex and others have to be sent to our apartment. Everything is in spanish here! papers, signs, it's pretty neat.I've never seen so many people with such huge problems in their families and stuff. So much stuff going on all the time and problems. I know that God organized families because they WORK if we follow his commandments. also thanks for having hope. People down here, even after only one day, have told me there CAN'T be a God. There IS no plan. Boy are they wrong. and they need to know about it all the more. there's so much in store for us. if not in this life, then in the next. Well, I'm off to go teach. Hasta luego. Until next Tuesday. PS I have WAY more computer time here than the MtC (an hour) so you can send e-mails long again. I have plenty of time to read. LOVE YOU ALL! -Shae

2009-08-21T13:04:00.000-07:00

Another Week, Nueva Semana Otra Vez‏
From: Shae Morgan (shae.d.morgan.mes@myldsmail.net)
Sent: Tue 8/18/09 4:44 PM
To: morganet@msn.com; shadanielm@hotmail.com

Well another week is here and gone. This is week nine. We're officially the oldest people here at the MTC (in our Zone) and I'm juuuust about ready to go crazy wanting to get out into the field. Because we've officially hit a pretty low low. We get excited about getting our gym clothes to "poof" perfectly when we place them on the air vent. Yeah. Sad. ok, now to the more interesting parts of my e-mail!!!

We are SOOOO old we got to finally host the new incoming missionaries! So that was really awesome. We got to stand there watchign as a bunch of moms were balling, and asking us to take pictures we have to decline, but it's all good, because in the end, We're walking away with a new missionary who's about to get thrown into the work. Some missionaries were like "mom LET GO I'm GOING!" and then booked it to get into the front doors. I saw some good friends from my ward at BYU, and hosted some great new Elders. The best is finding out they're going spanish speaking, smiling, then telling them something in spanish. Ususally it's just something like "well, elder, that's a really nice tie you've got" or "welcome, now that I know you speak spanish, I'm no longer going to use english" or something like that...yeah. usually they just smile back or go "woooooow!" haha so that's always great, and it was great to answer questions and calm some nerves cause I sure know my guide wasn't very helpful. "Welcome to Spirit Prison" he had said once out of eyeshot and earshot of the helping hosting elderly missionaries. That was my first intro to the MTC from an MTC missionary. I hope I gave a better impression. :)

FUNNY STORY TIME: So we were in this really fun meeting talking about the different ways to approach people, and how to "find people". It was brought up that the more people you contact, the more people want to listen....interesting (DUH). So they showed a statistic, of two areas, demographically identical, but they had the statistics for people contacted, lessons taught, and baptisms. One area had almost 3 times as many as the other and the question was posted "what's the difference here?" To which a reply came out loud and proud from a sister saying "The one area must have more Sister Missionaries!" We all died laughing. it was really great, but still true. The Sisters here are PUMPED and ready to go, I wish it were the case with all the Elders here too. Either Way, the work is going forth, until it consumes the whole Earth. Get Ready :)

Cool though. Jesus Christ was always said to "succor" his children. What in the world does that really mean?! Succor....help out? Give assistance? this is what I thought, but check this out. To succor, is to RUN to give aid. is not this a good picture in your head? When you're in danger, trouble, or just having a hard day, wouldn't you like to see Christ, coming RUNNING to your aid. He cares THAT much about you, about me, about everyone. Is it too much to ask that we come unto him? Have Faith in His name? Give up our sins to be clean through His atonement? Be Baptized by His authority into His church? Hm. Interesting. Will we let our little addictions or bad habits get in the way of letting the Savior of the world run to help us? I should hope not. :)

Whew. Ok. Well that's a wonderful little note to you all for this week. Just know that This next Tuesday at 5:00 AM I'm sitting in the Salt Lake City Airport waiting for my KILLER long flight (a whole whopping 45 minutes) to Phoenix, to start teaching people. Speaking of which, one more thing. I'm teaching this guy on the phone named Vicente. He speaks spanish. I don't. Yet somehow, he understands that what I have, no, what the LORD has in store for him is much greater than what he has now, communicated through a mumbling spanish speaking gringo named Elder Shae Morgan. God Loves his children. We are His children. If you don't know that, will you pray about it? if you do know that, will you pray about it again to feel that wonderful confirmation of peace in your life that God does love you and he cares about your situation specifically.

Keep praying, He's listening
Elder Morgan

2009-08-21T13:02:00.001-07:00

I'm not a huge fan of this lack of time thing.‏
From: Shae Morgan (shae.d.morgan.mes@myldsmail.net)
Sent: Tue 8/11/09 4:43 PM
To: morganet@msn.com; shadanielm@hotmail.com

Ok well I'm gonna make the best of it. I just hate writing at warp speed not caring about how many typing errors there are and how messed up my sentences are. Anyhow.

So welcome to the life if missionary Senoritus at the MTC. I'm ACHING for Mesa, I'm just dying to go. But being here a long time gives you certain rights that's for sure. For example. Theres this shower here...we've named it outter darkness. the light above it is forever burned out, and it has REALLY intense pressure, and it's FLAMING hot. and all the other showers are cold. We're talking major fire and brimstone. Anyhow, so we basically all have fights for who gets it, which is ironic, cause we shouldn't really be pushing to go to outter darkness....hmm...anyhow. The longer you've been here can push you over into the "you get to use it" line. I usually give it to a new missionary so he can relax and wind down. Sooo I'm learning to love and enjoy cold Showers. Que guay y divertido. :) entonces.

We've been teaching like MAD in spanish. spanish spanish spanish. I swear there's nothing else going on in my life. ok wait there is Preach my gospel. :) Love that book. We'll see what happens! but I'm loving it.

Stuff about this week. We made a commitment with out teachers, and then prayed so it's a solid promise with God even. The commitment? Give up English. We had this way awesome discussion on how we can help addicts overcome addictions such as the Word of Wisdom (drinking and smoking) and the Law of Castidad. Anyhow, We came up with all these AWESOME ideas of how to help people struggling with some addiction....Boy were we playing RIGHT into our teacher's hand. She saved this huge spot on the board and then said "You all have an addiction" and then it clicked...we TOTALLY set ourselves up for it. She wrote "Inglés" in the huge blank spot. Then we talked about how we can apply our techniques in taking english out of our lives. Sooo this was what....thursday? friday? And I'm proud to say this letter is about the only thing I've done/written/created in english. It's been UBER hard! However, now I hope this experience can help me relate how hard it is to give up something even harder to quit than English. Those crazy inspired teachers they have to working here.

Ok, Neat experience. Temple. Sealings. Ok that's all I gotta say. Wow. neat stuff!! blah I don't know what else to say/can say so I'll leave it at that. SO COOL!!

Couple more things. This week. Something is coming in the mail. They are FLIGHT PLANS! that's right this week I get to know when how and where I'm going to head to Mesa. I'm really excited. Also! We get to participate in the Ouacre Mountain temple dedication or whatever it's called. So that oughta be awesome.

Love you! Elder Morgan

2009-08-21T12:59:00.001-07:00

Another Week...Otra Semana. Que Bueno.‏
From: Shae Morgan (shae.d.morgan.mes@myldsmail.net)

Sent: Tue 8/04/09 4:40 PM
To: morganet@msn.com; shadanielm@hotmail.com
Familia,

Hola from the CCM o the MTC. It's been a beautiful sunny week with wonderful weather and wonderful spirit. So here goes my weekly letter to tell you all about the craziness which is going on here.

First off. Yes, I saw Elder Schellman, Jessica Ex-Lewis, and ALSO a Mr. Kaplan Sanders. So that's been good and it's always a little boost to see people I know from EFY, Home, and BYU. Some of my good friends from BYU came in this week. Namely, Jericho Lopez, my ping pong buddy, David Grimm and others. This week My district and I get to be hosts! so that is going to be way sweet, we'll get to walk all the little nervous smiley scared new missionaries to their home for the next little while. I'm exited for that.

So I'm companions with Elder Mullen right? Elder Mullen has some back pain and stuff that he does Physical therapy for. Guess what this means?! I GOT TO SEE THE REAL WORLD!!! 2 times this week we went out into the real world, talking to REAL people. It was pretty neat. At one doctors appointment, I was sitting in the lobby waiting for Elder Mullen, and I said "ok Lord, I'll talk to everyone that sits in this chair" (the one really close to me.) Guess where every single person sat? you got it. That chair. So I talked to a lot of people, even challenged a man to start reading the Book of Mormon again after having a difficult time believing. So hopefully something good comes of that. Also a shout out to Hannah Pullan, I saw her as we drove by the BYU buildings.

Random spanish phrase that doesn't really work out?
This week Elder Allred (the goofball we all love in our group) came up with this one. It's a "Tres Manera Corbata!" meaning (literally) Three Way (pathway or manerism) Tie (the kind to wear)

ok Neat Experience of the Week (N.E.W.) soooo this week, we had a rockin' devotional. Talking about how the Lord's hand is in everything and how we need to be submissive and humble eenough to accept whatever he has planned for us. Sooo, one of the songs we sang, they changed the lyrics on the screen. It was "Army of Helaman" the childrens song. The real words say "We will be the Lord's missionaries..." The words changed to "And we are now the Lord's missionaries, to bring the world His truth" Wow. What a neat experience. Being in a room of 2100 missionaries, each sacrificing something to be there and wanting to talk with everyone about the restoration that has changed their lives and made them Happy. Happier than they've ever been. A talk given this week, something stood out to me, a story was told about a missionary who was in an interview and he said "President, I've never been more tired...but I've never been more happy." I hope that I get to that point. I'm happy, I'm REALLY TIRED, and I'm starting to kinda realize what all God has in store for me. I'm DYING to get out to Mesa, and start talking with people. I'm excited to be able to communicate with Spanish people. in the REAL WORLD, I talked to a spanish lady, and we actually could communicate in her language...it made me happy, anxious, and excited to learn more. I'm humbled because really, I don't speak spanish, but I'm sure giving my all to learn how to do so better. Pray for me will ya? pray that I'll be able to speak spanish? Thanks everyone for all the support and love. Prayer works. Read the scriptures, for therein lies the answers to the things you think you'll never get a response about.

Love you all.
-Elder Morgan

2009-08-21T12:55:00.000-07:00

okee dokee....cheque leque peque como un panqueque‏

From:	Shae Morgan (shae.d.morgan.mes@myldsmail.net)
Sent:	Tue 7/28/09 4:42 PM
To:	morganet@msn.com

ok so I don't even know what that means in the subject line, but it's something about pancakes and evidently in some places it means "yeah ok for sure." or something similar. For mom, yeah I'm doing well. I'm healthy, I'm exercising, and I'm not eating too much. The food here IS wonderful...however...there's SO much of it it makes me sick. bleck. ok not literally sick, but you get it. ok I've started making lists of thing to write about since time is so limited. So here it goes.

Gabby. Gabby Sandoval. This is the name of my new investigator! a REAL LIVE one. haha she sent in an e-mail (in spanish) about a week ago and we e-mail her back and forth to teach her, and give her assignments, and check up on her. Anyway, this week we challenged her to go to church, and she accepted! so we have yet to hear about that but we'll see. :)
Family: I need a line of authority sent to me, just in case I ordain someone and give them the Mel.Priesthood, they'll know their line.

RC=Referral Center. where we can call people and offer videos, Libros de Mormon, and othre stuff. Making phone calls is scary. making phone calls in spanish is REALLY scary. I'm getting over it though, starting to realize that these people NEED the gospel, to experience joy that I've felt in my life. So I press on making calls, offering the truth to those who will listen.

New topic. Funny spanish stuff! This week, we decided to kill english. English is dead here for my district. That's brought about interesting new frases. like "que muela" which means something like "how totally gorgeous" don't worry...we only use it to describe meals, scriptures, or occasionally or rooms after cleaning. Also Tortuga Torpe = our spanish equivalent of "awkward turtle". For those who know what that is.

Guess who I saw here!?!?! ELDER SCHELLMAN! that's right. Eric Schellman is here at the MTC, he came up to me and totally called me out. I had no clue who it was, then saw his last name and almost died. So that was cool.

SUPER neat experience this week. As a district, we're taking Moroni's challenge to know if the Book of Mormon is true. If we're challenging our investigators to do it, we better know AGAIN t hat it is true. So we go on. learning and studying and let me tell you...that book is so amazing. There is so much to learn in it's pages I cannot even express.
My goal for the rest of my tiempo aqui is to read the entire book of mormon in spanish. It's going along great and I'm learning a lot by reading it.

I had this theory, that at EFY, they work you so hard until you are just physically dead, then they NAIL you thursday with devotionals, and then testimony here. I feel similarly here...every day is so much work, it's so hard, there's so much to do, and I've never felt so strongly guided and so...spiritized? ok not a word, but you get it. it's so great here. I love learning the gospel. I love learning spanish to help me teach others the gospel. I'm just an uber happy guy now! Anyway, Thanks mom for whackin' Mr. Christopher in the head, that made my day, and my time is about up. Just know that I love you all way much. seriously. En Serio. Thanks so much for all the letters, support, help, thoughts, everything. I know that God loves His children. Yo sé que He es nuestro Padre Celestial. Envió su Hijo, Jesucristo para que mediante su Expiacion, podemos ser liberados del pecado. (we can be free from sin through Christ's atonement. God is our loving heavenly father, who sent us his son.)

Thanks for your prayers.
Les Amo mucho
-Elder Morgan

2009-07-22T10:27:00.000-07:00

Week...what? oh yeah halfway.‏
From:
Shae Morgan (shae.d.morgan.mes@myldsmail.net)
Sent:
Tue 7/21/09 5:05 PM
To:
morganet@msn.com; shadanielm@hotmail.com
Familamily...so life is pretty darn good here. week 4 is coming up and as of this coming friday I'll have hit the 1/2 through the MTC...which also means only 23 months left :(. Real quick thing to note: Mom, and family if you could dearelder me long e-mails that would be better for me, because I'm spending about a third of my total e-mail time reading and then I have little time to type...even though I'm a beast typist (humble too). :) Ooook so week three hmm...yeah mom you're right we did start lesson 2 in spanish. we're not really supposed to until week 6...but what the heck :) So the first time we taught it, we were smoother than butter out on a hot day. The next time, we thought we were up for a challenge, so we asked that the "investigator" have a little deep problem something they really want help with. This was an ABSOLUTE FAILURE. We started getting to know the guy, (a native speaker by the way) and he was telling us something was bothering him. After assuring him we were there to help, and give a message of peace and comfort, he told us that his father had passed away, but that wasn't necessarily his problem...except for the fact that I thought he said that his problem WAS that his father had passed away. Soooo I jump right into how families can be together forever, and how God made a plan so that it's possible... we get to the end of the lesson, where we can ask for feedback, and he was like...I told you that my father passing away wasn't my main concern. And it turns out that his scenario he had been given was that he had cancer...so that was just a total failure for not getting to the heart of the problem. Oh well all is well. Todo esta bien :)Mom, I have a short little fun note for you. this week I learned that the "haré finca" means "I will do/make farm" so yeah...I feel pretty stupid now for saying that so much. ONE MORE story. So two of the hermanas in our district are gone now, but we still have Hermana Voigt. She was having a really bad day, and at lunch she was kinda just blowing steam and saying why everything was going so horribly....Shae stupidity instincts kick in...he reaches his arm out....moves it in her direction as if to comfort her with a side arm hug....then realizes he's a set apart missionary and that he really can't do that, freaked out, knocked over his cup and fell out of his chair.yeah. felt pretty stupid about that too. OOOK so about the work. It's awesome. Lesson 2, down in spanish. ok so it still needs a TON of work. But it's getting there...I can mumble through it and mostly conjugate all the verbs the right way. We still listen to general conference talks in spanish, and that's been a great help learning vocab and just getting used to how different people say stuff. Elder Reid and I are doing great...which is a major answer to prayer. I know God hears our prayers and even desires of our heart. This week, we've really straightened things out, and set some high goals. Just yesterday we had this ridiculous goal of "contacting" 100 people. Which entails introducing ourselves, getting to know them a little bit, and concluding by bearing testimony of some principle. and guess what? we did it. at 9:35 at night we bore testimony to a whole beginner spanish district and put our number at 108 contacts for that day. I feel really great about bearing testimony and stuff like that. Speaking of which. We taught lesson 2 a 3rd time in spanish...and I had a great experience. We were in the very beginning just talking about how God loves us...and out of nowhere I just spewed out "Do you understand that God is a real being who loves you?" Now...I don't know how to say that...I could piece it together now, but it just came out then. And then whoosh, and peace. the whole room was quiet...and this missionary, this human being, felt the spirit of the Lord testify that what we were saying is true. If he didn't, I sure did. And it was the first time I've really felt the love of God obviously manifest in my spanish teaching. One more quick thing. Every Sunday, there's a devotional, and then the opportunity to watch 1 of 4 church films. This week we watched The Testaments. And I think that everyone needs to watch that again. It's amazing. :) Thanks for all you love and support and prayers. I love you all and I miss you tons. But I'd miss not being here more :) -Elder Morgan

2009-07-14T15:09:00.000-07:00

Wahoo familia como estan?! estoy muy agradecido para su correo electronico y las cartas que yo hube recibido! ok english. Thanks for the e-mails and letters. From everyone really. This week has been an awesome time here. At the MTC. Starting my 4th week officially tomorrow, so that's kinda nuts. Some of my district (the advanced bunch) are already gone...that's insane, but they left for the field, and Garrett, I gotta say I'm a little envious of you only being here for 3 weeks...you get to just run out and DO stuff instead of study study study study. Anyhow, I'm grateful to be here, I love learning, I love all the spanish going on. I just love missionary work! Sooo....This week was cool. Each week on Friday we have a "task" to complete. This week we had to 1)contact 2)get to know someone 3) set an appointment all in spanish, then once we set the appointment, pretend to teach the first lesson. Second time trying in english, we actually did most of the lesson in spanish. I'm getting really excited as my vocab continually is increasing and my unknown vocab (I think that's what I'm gonna call those words put into my mouth) keeps going up too! it's been pretty insane. I KNOW that God helps His missionaries. I thought I was pretty good at Spanish, but now I know how far I have to go, and I know He is beside me wanting to help. Funny story about language...I was (fake) contacting with my companion, Elder Reid, and we were getting to the 1st lesson part, and I was trying to bear testimony that if they were righteous, and follow the commandments, I know they will be blessed. Sooo I'm fully capable of contacting, getting to know someone, and telling them how absolutely wonderful the message is I have for them and how it can bless them and their families, but I had ABSOLUTELY no clue how to say righteous. It was really funny, cause I realized I learned how to say all the negative stuff the Gospel can overcome, but I hadn't learned how to say righteous. Goofy me.. Anywho...Another funny story! We have a "Cuarto Secreto" (secret room) where we practice teaching lessons. And by we I mean, Me, E. Reid, E. Allred, and E. Covey. Anyway, we've totally beefed up this story of our AWESOME secret room...and last week a new district was assigned to our previously empty room. No bueno. sooo...we of course had to make a NEW secret room, and we couldn't find one...anyhow, funny part right here. So we had to go "contact" 10 people in our building...well everyone was in class or busy...but we were SET on doing this, so we contacted people in line in the bathroom. we left with not 10...but 14 contacts, and no one else in our district had quite as much success (mom you may or may not want to include this in the mass e-mail...I trust your judgement.) Anyhow all is well, and now that there are 2 elders gone from my room (Elders Carrillo y De La Fuente have left for the field) and E. Allred and Covey never had roommates, we're consolidating our rooms, so we'll be roommates. That'll be great and I think we'll get a lot done. The work is good, the food is good, the Spirit is the wonderful peace I feel everyday even after the hardest ones. Thanks for your support, thanks for your prayers. If you have questions, shoot me an e-mail, ooor DearElder.com me or, write me a letter :) Thanks again.Hasta Ver-Elder Morgan

2009-07-08T08:01:00.000-07:00

Hello familamily!

Week 2: Mission Report: 2 words. qué pasó? haha ok so that's just a little chiste (joke) as all is well here in MTC land. Or "MTCia" so lovingly named by Elder Allred. He's such a goofball and keeps our district lively and animated. As for Elder Barnes, no he's not from the STL. He's from Topeka Kansas, he actually knew me from EFY and I basically inspired him to play guitar...interesting how the world works out huh? Anyway, he's not serving in Mesa, So much has happened this week! so, I don't know if I've mentioned this or not yet, but we have 3 hermanas in our district now, Hermanas Voigt (Serving in Mesa AZ!), Tracy (Panama), and Brown (Barcelona Espana). Also we added another Elder who moved up from beginner. Elder Mullen (serving in Long Beach CA) Sooo...Elder mullen and barnes are going to Long Beach, Elders Allred and Covey are serving in Tegucigalpa (sorry president Slezak I know I murdered that), Honduras mission, and Elder McDonald is serving in Chile Concepción and elder Hansen in Santiago chile. Then Reid and I going to Mesa. So that's the low-down of my TOTALLY INSANELY AWESOME DISTRICT. Basically we're the best.

Anyhow so today I went to the Temple. LOVE. haha it was wonderful, and a great experience. Classes? I'm doing a great job with spanish. I 'm really getting used to speaking and hearing it. I'm doing pretty good at understanding it. I can listen to conference talks and basically get everything out of it. unless it's Dallin H Oaks or someone with crazy language skills.

I need a line of authority sent to me just so you know. :) That's something else. Thursdays we have english fasts and we don't speak english the whole day...not going to lie it was really really rough and we had a hard time expressing ourselves. I'm gonna go get my laundry now, but I'll write another e-mail later since I have time left, so I'll ask more questions later!
Mucho amor -Elder Morgan

2009-07-01T09:36:00.000-07:00

AHHH I'm totally stoaked about being here! I have no clue half of what I just went through, but no worries a new message is on its way for you in the mail completely explaining my first day. I'm typing as fast as my little fingers can go (boasting an impressive 80 words a minute) haha just playing. Anyhow I LOVE IT HERE it's so incredibly AWESOME!!!! I love it so so so much. The Spirit is ALWAYS here if you're doing the things you should be doing. Really, all the little rules aren't that hard to follow. Really, it's not bad. cause they give you 8 hours to sleep!!! I don't think I EVER pulled that off at college (oops :( ) anyhow.

My days! I've been here 5 days this is starting th 6th. It's been nuts. My district is way neat comprising of Me, Elder Reid (comp), Elder Barnes, Elder Hansen, Elder McDonald, Elder Covey (yes, the grandson of Steven R.), and elder Allred (muy muy muy comico y amable). And we just had the pleasure of gaining a new addition to our distrito! 3 hermanas!! ellas estan muy muy alegres y simpatico tambien. Hermana Brown, Voigt (also going to Mesa Arizona), and Hermana Tracy. They are such an awesome strength to our distrito. I love hearing their testimonies, and you just can see the shining goodness in their eyes. Ok. Class description. I have 2 maetros (teachers). Hermana Hawley, and Hermano Stanfield. Hermana Hawley served in Spain and yes renae she speaks spanish with the lisp and everything. I'm glad you spoke like that cause it makes it easy for me to understand her while everyone else is having a really really hard time. Hno Stanfield served in Argentine and he has some FUNNY ways to say things. He's very helpful, as they both don't speak in english to us whatsoever, Hno stanfield especially is good at acting out the word, or explaining it in simpler terms. I love it. loooove it. So as I said, we are basically a no-english distrito. Class lessons are 100% spanish except for when we are COMPLETELY LOST. Which believe it or not doesn't happen much. We're all pretty darn good at spanish. The first day, we were extremely blown away, but now that we've been here 5 days, the spirit is definitely helping us out in the translation department. Yesterday, I understood every single thing Hna Hawley said. what a blessing! I know I don't know all the words, or how she was using them, but I know that I understood the entirety of her messge, even down to the little details, and for that little glimpse into the gift of understanding, I'm incredibly grateful for.

This is my longest e-mail probably because I have more time cause I don't get to read anything you have tried to send to me. Any messages from family and friends need to be sent to this address, or I won't be able to read them. shae.d.morgan.mes@myldsmail.org or wherever this message is coming from. maybe it's .net. oh well. just try and get any messages to me. Dear Elder.com is AWESOME. use it my box number is #105 and my estimated leaving date is Aug. 24 ( no early release here!) So I have 8.5 weeks to go insane and learn a ton of spanish and discussions in spanish and how to teach and everything else in the world. I've already learned so much!

I know mom probably wants a play by play of everything I do each day so here it is. 6:10 I wake up to beat the 6:30 rush to the showers. This gives me more time to feel the spirit in the morning instead of being rushed here and there to get to class on time. So, I wake up, pray for me, my companion, and my district. Shower, brush, change into awesome white shirt, slacks, and a DARN good tie, then I head to class by 7:00 personal study until breakfast at 7:45. Then class for 4 hours, till lunch, then lunch class for near 4 hours, then dinner, then comp study, and MDT (missionary directed time to study, language study, use the teaching evaltuation center, or referral center) That's pretty much it.

Seralyn just left for EFY huh....goodness you better keep those boys away from her Matt! Have an AWESOME time counselor-ing, it's going to be great and I hope you never ever doubt for a second if a prompting from the spirit to talk to a boy or girl is of God, because you may just be the thing that starts them changing for the better. That's what happened to me, and I'm forever grateful for that moment of my life.

ok I'm pretty ADD cause I just threw that in mid-schedule. So, After MDT is comp inventory (where we talk about our day and what we can do better) and then after that is study time, praying time, comp prayer, then lights out at 10:30. We also usually have a gym period (which is heaven here.) and sometimes we have devotionals and other stuff.

Ask me questions I'd love to answer anything next week!! Make sure this makes it to the blog and I'm starting to run down on time, but we'll see what I can do.

Sooooo Devotionals! that's something to talk about. This week alone, we had Jeffery R. Holland come speak to us. That was SUCH an awesome lesson about divine companionship, and how if we strive to be obedient, then we're a companionship of 3 not 2 and one is a member of the Godhead....wow. I think of the miracles performed and the converting power of the spirit when Lehi and Nephi in the book of mormon (the end not the beginning) preached and brought in TONS of people into the church. I'm so grateful for that ability to have the spirit as a companion when things get hard. Cause things get hard, really hard, the days are long, 100% spanish when you don't even really speak it gets discouraging sometimes, but "lo I am with thee " and the Lord will go before me and follow behind me so long as I am obedient to His commandments. Mi testimonio? En espanol? pues. Yo tengo un testimonio que el Evangelio de Jesucristo esta restaurado a la tierra. Tenemos un profeta viviente, se llama Thomas S. Monson. Yo se que Jesucristo es mi Salvador y Redentor...y que a traves a la Expiacion, podemos ser limpios de pecados. Y yo digo estas cosas en el nombre de Jesucristo Amen.

I love you all very much,Thanks for your support,My time is goneHurrah for Israel!-Elder Shae D. Morgan P.S. Mom, don't worry about my health. I only live on the top floor of the Quarantine building with 3 floors of contaminated elders with the Swine Flu...er...H1N1. haha No all is well there's a ton of hand sanatizer here so it's all good, and we're taking major precautions. Thanks Love ya! Bye

Addresses: Updated

2009-06-14T22:48:00.000-07:00

Here are my mission addresses Addresses:
I'll be in the MTC until Mid-August. After that, letters and/or packages can be sent to the mission home. Here are the addresses for both.

MTC:
Elder Shae Daniel Morgan
Provo Missionary Training Center
2005 N 900 E
Provo, Utah 84604

Mission:
Elder Shae Daniel Morgan
Arizona Mesa Mission
6265 N 82nd Street
Scottsdale, AZ 85250

Thank you all so much for your support. I love and will miss you all very much. Remember...every member a missionary. Go out and do some finding. :)

Called To Serve: I'm going to Mesa Arizona

2009-05-31T23:10:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone. I'm Shae Daniel Morgan.
I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
I've wanted to serve a mission for quite sometime now, and I finally have my chance.
I've been called to serve in the Mesa, Arizona Mission
I'm assigned to teach in the spanish language
I report to the MTC on June 24.
I'll be gone for 2 years.

There are all the specifics you need :)
This blog is dedicated to keeping my missionary information updated as well as sharing experiences from my mission. My mom/little sister/dad will me maintaining this while I am gone. They're posting my letters, pictures, and other stuff I send home on here to keep everyone updated. Soo, check in from time to time, if you're on the e-mail list to receive letters, this link will be on the letters. If you aren't on the e-mail list, but you would like to me, send your e-mail address to me via facebook or send me an e-mail at shadanielm@hotmail.com and I'll be sure to get you on that list.

I'm very excited to go teach the people of Mesa. I know that the Gospel of Jesus Christ changes lives and, when we do what is expected of us, the Lord will bless us. I wish you all the best of luck the next two years, and hey, I'll keep you posted :)