Dear Family,
Not too much to report these days. The work in West Valley seems to be a lot slower than in South Salt Lake (my old companion has 6 baptisms this weekend!).
Sister Gatewood and I are trying our best, but it seems like we're going through some trials lately.
We're teaching one man this evening that we're not super excited about. He keeps cancelling appointments with us, but still seems to be set on getting baptized on Feb 14th. The last time we got to our appointment 5 or so mins early and he was hopping in his car with his wife to drive away. We jumped out and said "oh can we meet next weds? Maybe for half an hour? We can talk about what I want for my baptism!" The only problem is last time we met with him (only my first time and my companions second but I guess he had been taught by the elders on and off for a year, but never accepted a date until now), we found out he still likes to go to Catholic mass along with our church and likes to pray "your way" and the "catholic way" and is still going to confession occasionally! So pray that the lesson tonight goes well as I'm pretty sure this will be like the 5th time he's been taught the restoration!
Anyway, right now we live with a couple who are in their 50s or so that have two grown boys. It's kind of a funny situation as we live on the same level and our bedroom is right next to theirs etc. They like to watch movies (yesterday she was watching Lost) and play on their computers/ facebook a lot. But they're really nice and a super funny couple. We get along well with them, and I think they like us a lot better than the elders. Plus it's free laundry. Wahoo!
I hope the roads clear up so the kids can come.
Yesterday my back started feeling a little funny, so I went to see the free mission Dr. today. He recommended I go to a physical therapist to learn some exercises for my back and to get some xrays done as well...
Love,
Sister Morris
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Friday, January 29, 2010
Leah's January 20th email
Dear Family,
My new companion Sister Gatewood is really neat. We get along really well and think in similar ways. She says she's from New Mexico, but she's also lived in Kansas and Colorado and now her parents live in San Diego. This is her last transfer, so she's pretty sad to be going home.
A man that we have been teaching is getting baptized this weekend, but in an entirely different stake and into their Spanish ward. It's sort of disappointing because we (and Sister G and her previous companion) have taught him everything, but because he wants to get baptized into the ward he's been going to with his family we won't get credit for the baptism. The important thing of course is that he's getting baptized, but we are sad because we feel like the elders in that area as well as the ward there haven't really made an effort to be excited or help him out much where as we've taught him and care about him so much! Oh well. When his wife found out I liked tamales, she had her mother in law bring us over two bunches of yummy tamales that she sells at a Mexican grocery store.
Today we went to Winco (shout out to Jared and Kayla) and made cookies. Sister Gatewood also shares my love for sugar, so maybe this isn't a good thing! But we've been trying to work out a little bit every morning so hopefully that will counteract any of the treats we have.
I love you!
Keep being the great member missionaries that you are.
Love,
Sister Morris
My new companion Sister Gatewood is really neat. We get along really well and think in similar ways. She says she's from New Mexico, but she's also lived in Kansas and Colorado and now her parents live in San Diego. This is her last transfer, so she's pretty sad to be going home.
A man that we have been teaching is getting baptized this weekend, but in an entirely different stake and into their Spanish ward. It's sort of disappointing because we (and Sister G and her previous companion) have taught him everything, but because he wants to get baptized into the ward he's been going to with his family we won't get credit for the baptism. The important thing of course is that he's getting baptized, but we are sad because we feel like the elders in that area as well as the ward there haven't really made an effort to be excited or help him out much where as we've taught him and care about him so much! Oh well. When his wife found out I liked tamales, she had her mother in law bring us over two bunches of yummy tamales that she sells at a Mexican grocery store.
Today we went to Winco (shout out to Jared and Kayla) and made cookies. Sister Gatewood also shares my love for sugar, so maybe this isn't a good thing! But we've been trying to work out a little bit every morning so hopefully that will counteract any of the treats we have.
I love you!
Keep being the great member missionaries that you are.
Love,
Sister Morris
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Texas Trip part 2
Here are a few more pictures from our Texas trip. We were delighted to spend time with grandchildren.
Leah's January 14th email - Transfers!
Well transfers happened, and I got moved! I'm now in West Valley with a new companion - Sister Gatewood. She's really great, and I know we're going to get along splendidly.
It was really sad leaving South Salt Lake. I came to really love the people there and the area. I think it might always be my favorite part of my mission, because Sister Hagemann said it had been her favorite area and she's already been all over the place. It was a good way to start out my mission, but I guess I was getting too comfortable or something!
This little Nepali lady named Dilpa that we taught was crying when we said goodbye. She doesn't understand or speak much English, but she kept saying "I love you" and then the number "two" pointing to both of us.
We had a little tougher of a transfer last transfer, but I am so sad to leave some of the people we were teaching and are getting baptized.
On our last day (Tuesday) we took a girl named Cherry who is from the Philippines (she's 25 and her husband is quite a bit older) to see the Joseph Smith movie on Temple Square. We happened to run into Elder Ballard, so she was able to meet him too! I may have told you about another Filipina who was baptized, but this is a different girl. Anyway, her fellow shipper and the sister who introduced us to her is really crazy and strange, but really nice. They took us out for Chinese/ pho before the film, so that was really nice. We also went into the Asian market for a few minutes and I bought myself some hello pandas! Cherry bought me two two Asian pears which were SO yummy!
Another quick story, about the lady that we taught who is black and very "praise the Lord" all the time and got baptized the day after Christmas. Anyway, I had forgotten about this, but my companion reminded me of this the other day...Her husband is a semi recent convert. He was baptized a few years ago, became less active, and then has since become active again. This past Stake conference he was able to receive the Melchizedek priesthood. So that was really neat because we knew he would be able to baptize and confirm her. So we were waiting for them to get dressed in their jumpsuits and everyone was waiting to take pictures and things. My companion went to check on them and I was standing in the hall. She heard some laughing and then called out Rosa's name because she wondered where the laughing was coming from. She found them in the font already! They thought they were already supposed to get in. So we had to find fresh dry suits for them to change into. No one else even found out what happened. It was really funny. I guess she was that excited to get baptized that she just couldn't wait. Either that or she wanted to get it over with! She told us "black people just don't like getting their hair wet!"
Anyway, I'm doing great and doing my best to stay warm!
Lots of love,
Sister Morris
It was really sad leaving South Salt Lake. I came to really love the people there and the area. I think it might always be my favorite part of my mission, because Sister Hagemann said it had been her favorite area and she's already been all over the place. It was a good way to start out my mission, but I guess I was getting too comfortable or something!
This little Nepali lady named Dilpa that we taught was crying when we said goodbye. She doesn't understand or speak much English, but she kept saying "I love you" and then the number "two" pointing to both of us.
We had a little tougher of a transfer last transfer, but I am so sad to leave some of the people we were teaching and are getting baptized.
On our last day (Tuesday) we took a girl named Cherry who is from the Philippines (she's 25 and her husband is quite a bit older) to see the Joseph Smith movie on Temple Square. We happened to run into Elder Ballard, so she was able to meet him too! I may have told you about another Filipina who was baptized, but this is a different girl. Anyway, her fellow shipper and the sister who introduced us to her is really crazy and strange, but really nice. They took us out for Chinese/ pho before the film, so that was really nice. We also went into the Asian market for a few minutes and I bought myself some hello pandas! Cherry bought me two two Asian pears which were SO yummy!
Another quick story, about the lady that we taught who is black and very "praise the Lord" all the time and got baptized the day after Christmas. Anyway, I had forgotten about this, but my companion reminded me of this the other day...Her husband is a semi recent convert. He was baptized a few years ago, became less active, and then has since become active again. This past Stake conference he was able to receive the Melchizedek priesthood. So that was really neat because we knew he would be able to baptize and confirm her. So we were waiting for them to get dressed in their jumpsuits and everyone was waiting to take pictures and things. My companion went to check on them and I was standing in the hall. She heard some laughing and then called out Rosa's name because she wondered where the laughing was coming from. She found them in the font already! They thought they were already supposed to get in. So we had to find fresh dry suits for them to change into. No one else even found out what happened. It was really funny. I guess she was that excited to get baptized that she just couldn't wait. Either that or she wanted to get it over with! She told us "black people just don't like getting their hair wet!"
Anyway, I'm doing great and doing my best to stay warm!
Lots of love,
Sister Morris
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Happy Anniversary Jeff and Melinda!
Melinda and Jeff celebrated their anniversary on the 7th of January! Yeah!
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Texas Trip
We got to go visit our kids in Texas for a new grandson's baby blessing from December 31 - January 4. It was delightfull to spend time with grandchildren.
January 6 email from Leah
Dear family,
Transfers are next Wednesday, so I'll let you know what happens. I'm going to miss all of my cute Nepali families if I get transferred. They are so sweet and I love them so much! I think a pretty good amount of Nepali refugees were sent to AZ as well by the way. Some of the families I've talked to have said they have family or know people in AZ (Tuscon specifically).
Yesterday we had 24 hr exchanges. There is one set of exchange sisters each transfer that do exchanges with each companionship to make sure everyone's doing okay. It was interesting teaching with another sister and I look forward to working with more sisters and different personalities throughout my mission. Must be the military brat in me that likes change!
We were able to put 2 people on date this week (one yesterday and one Monday) which we're really happy about seeing as about 7 or so of our investigators that had dates dropped us recently. So we were having some tough times for a little, but I know the Lord always blesses us and sends miracles after the trial of our faith!
This morning my whole Zone went to the 7am session at the temple. Leave it to the elders to pick the earlier time (we wanted to go to the 8:00). We woke up at 5:40 and didn't take showers...don't tell anyone!...
I'm so glad everyone had a nice Christmas and holiday, etc. Mine was really wonderful and I truly enjoyed all of the wonderful gifts I received (physical and spiritual!).
I love you all lots and lots.
Love,
Sister Leah Morris
Transfers are next Wednesday, so I'll let you know what happens. I'm going to miss all of my cute Nepali families if I get transferred. They are so sweet and I love them so much! I think a pretty good amount of Nepali refugees were sent to AZ as well by the way. Some of the families I've talked to have said they have family or know people in AZ (Tuscon specifically).
Yesterday we had 24 hr exchanges. There is one set of exchange sisters each transfer that do exchanges with each companionship to make sure everyone's doing okay. It was interesting teaching with another sister and I look forward to working with more sisters and different personalities throughout my mission. Must be the military brat in me that likes change!
We were able to put 2 people on date this week (one yesterday and one Monday) which we're really happy about seeing as about 7 or so of our investigators that had dates dropped us recently. So we were having some tough times for a little, but I know the Lord always blesses us and sends miracles after the trial of our faith!
This morning my whole Zone went to the 7am session at the temple. Leave it to the elders to pick the earlier time (we wanted to go to the 8:00). We woke up at 5:40 and didn't take showers...don't tell anyone!...
I'm so glad everyone had a nice Christmas and holiday, etc. Mine was really wonderful and I truly enjoyed all of the wonderful gifts I received (physical and spiritual!).
I love you all lots and lots.
Love,
Sister Leah Morris
Monday, January 4, 2010
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year from Leah
Dear family,
It was so nice to talk to you on Christmas. I am such a spoiled girl! I really loved everything I received. Everyone was too kind...
Yesterday we had a Pday from 6-9pm and then today we had an all day Pday. It's been an interesting time to start my mission with all these holidays at the start. The time goes by so quickly here! I'm sure you'll all agree it seems like this year has gone by extremely fast.
If we met our goal for the mission for 2009 we have a really special treat planned. On January 26th the whole mission will have an all day Pday and will spend from 8am to 8pm in the temple. Can you believe it? I hope we get to. I think it'll be really neat...
I love you all so much and hope you had a wonderful holiday season remembering the true meaning of Christmas and making righteous goals for you and your families for the new year.
Love,
Sister Morris
It was so nice to talk to you on Christmas. I am such a spoiled girl! I really loved everything I received. Everyone was too kind...
Yesterday we had a Pday from 6-9pm and then today we had an all day Pday. It's been an interesting time to start my mission with all these holidays at the start. The time goes by so quickly here! I'm sure you'll all agree it seems like this year has gone by extremely fast.
If we met our goal for the mission for 2009 we have a really special treat planned. On January 26th the whole mission will have an all day Pday and will spend from 8am to 8pm in the temple. Can you believe it? I hope we get to. I think it'll be really neat...
I love you all so much and hope you had a wonderful holiday season remembering the true meaning of Christmas and making righteous goals for you and your families for the new year.
Love,
Sister Morris
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