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
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Saturday, December 26, 2009
12/22/2009 -- Christmas is coming...
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
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?!
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
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.
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
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!
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!
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!
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
-Elder Morgan
11/24/2009 -- Golly, what a day!
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
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
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