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

Happy Anniversary Jeff and Melinda!

Melinda and Jeff celebrated their anniversary on the 7th of January! Yeah!

Happy Anniversary Jared & Kayla

Jared and Kayla's first anniversary was on January 3rd.

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

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

Leah's Thanksgiving

I spent Thanksgiving at home as my companion was sick. Well actually that's not entirely true. We spent the morning at insta-care where she got treated for her nausea and hives she got some how on her neck. I was basically sick with the flu Monday through Wednesday and she was sick Thursday through Sunday! So she spent most of Thanksgiving sleeping while I tried to find things to keep me busy! I was glad Mom had sent me a few Thanksgiving type items. I took pictures (as I was very bored!) to show you what I spent my day doing. I didn't get ready for the day, so sorry I'm not wearing any make-up! Anyway, I thought it was kind of funny and it was actually a pretty nice and relaxing day. Someone brought a little thanksgiving by for us around 8pm at night and we also got a little Filipino food, not that either of us had much of an appetite.
First I put a festive bow in my hair (orange of course).
Then I made appetizers and the instant potatoes mom sent me (they were really yummy!) and tried to make banana creme pies, but all we had was rice milk and I guess you can't make pudding with rice milk? It didn't set up so I ended up drinking the pies!
The elders came over to give my companion a blessing and then of course asked if they could do anything more for us, so I told them they could put up our tree (a member is letting us borrow it) and they gladly did! Isn't it pretty?

I love you all! Our families are so important and I am so grateful for the family we have.
Love,
Sister Morris