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
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
What do you get when September begins to end in Arizona?
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
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....
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
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)
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.
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.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Phoenix - Week 1 Report
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
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
Monday, August 31, 2009
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
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
Friday, August 21, 2009
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
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
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