March 18, 2013

This week has been great. I went to the metro station on Tuesday to pick up my new companion, Elder Winks, a gringo from Washington. He has been out a year, and his accent is pretty good. At first when I started working with him, I thought he was the silent, serious type. When he talks he speaks deep and kind of monotone, but he is hilarious. He says some of the funniest things I’ve ever heard. He is also a very hard worker, and we get along great.

Elder Castel was transferred to an area not too far away, a neighboring city I think. He is also training again, but this time a Brazilian.

Also living in our house are two other Americans, Elder Black (18 months) from California and Elder Gallo (first transfer) from Florida. Needless to say, sometimes I feel like I’m back at college. It almost seems sinful to be having as much fun on a mission as I currently am. We always follow the rules and never let things get out of hand, but every evening is like Saturday Night Live. I really hope that I stay in this area for another transfer after this one.

I finished up my first English class last Saturday. We are probably going to replan and then start another one before long. Overall I enjoyed it, and it really helped me with my Portuguese.

I’d love to get a conference issue if you could send one to me. I don’t know how general conference goes down here, but I am assuming that all of the missionaries will be watching it. I am really going to miss our pastrami burger tradition, though. I guess a bowl of rice and beans with have to suffice.

I think I am about hitting one of my final plateaus before fluency. I am understanding a lot, and I no longer feel like a crutch to my companion. I hold my own while teaching and answering questions, and I know that before long, maybe a month or so, I should be able to understand everything normal that is said.

As for St. Patrick’s Day, I knew that it was coming up, but I didn’t know when. In my neck of the woods I didn’t see much in the way of celebration, so I’m not sure what Brazilians do for St. Patrick’s Day. I do miss the corned beef, though.

Recently I have been starting to pick out more of the subtle promptings of the Spirit. Last night while we were walking down a street knocking doors, we came to an intersection and we had to choose between left or right. Just in my head I said a quick prayer and said, “All right, where should we go?” I felt to take a right, Elder Winks said the same thing, so we just started walking. We passed several houses before we both stopped in front of a house that didn’t even have any lights on, but we decided (or maybe were prompted) to knock on the door (well, actually clap our hands 20 feet from the house because that’s how they roll down here). A young woman (20s) came out and started to talk with us. We shared the Restoration lesson, and after we had finished she said that she was looking for guidance and purpose in her life but hadn’t found it in the other churches she had visited. She also said that just having spoken with us, she now felt better, and she accepted all the invites we gave her. We will be going back tonight to teach her again and invite her to be baptized. I’ve already had so many little experiences like this on my mission. It’s pretty cool and I’m so grateful to be here, helping people and growing and maturing spiritually.

On another note, I’ve been thinking about what stuff I would like to have you send back to Brazil, but I left the list I made (and my camera) at home. So next week I’ll be sending that and more pics.

It sounds like all is going well back in Utah, with Jesse’s call, conference compliments, BYU events, Eagle awards, family traditions, missionary homecoming and farewells, etc. I miss home and miss the family traditions and fun, but I know that they will all be that much sweeter when I get back.

Elder Winks and I will be heading to the mission office tomorrow for interviews, so I should be able to pick up the packages (assuming they are there and weren’t lost or stolen in the mail). So I should finally be able to show everyone (they always ask) my beautiful, fair-skinned, American family. Everyone will be jelly.

Well, the four of us are about to finish up here, so I will bid everyone a very fond farewell until next week. Love to all.

“And [he’s] buying the stairway to heaven.”

Elder Morris

March 4, 2013

“[We went] down to the water [last] night. [We went] down to the water [last] night. Down, down, down to the water . . .”

The reason for my poor attempt to insert some Dewey lyrics into the email is because yesterday I had my first baptism (see photo). That’s right, we went down to the water, and I’ve finally got some points on the board. It was definitely an awesome experience, and it rejuvenated me spiritually and once again reminded me why I am here: to help people find the peace and happiness that the gospel brings. And now we actually have two more people with baptismal dates set for this Saturday, so the last two and a half months in the field are starting to pay off.

As I mentioned as being a possibility in my last email, the elder who I made sure not to burn the bridge with is, in fact, my third companion now. And this last week has been the fastest, most fun week of my mission because of that. It also helps a lot being able to speak my mind and discuss the trials of being a greenie with another missionary who is in the same shoes. I will most likely only have him (Elder Ryberg, from Tennessee) and Elder Castel for one more week, and then they will both move out of my area. It is a bummer because I’m just starting to get into a groove. Oh well, transfers are every six weeks, so I better get used to it.

Thanks for the update on the AHS championship game. That is sweeter than doce de leite—an undefeated season. I wish that I would have had a championship back in high school, but it’s great that Michelle was able to have that experience in her final high school year. I dig the pic you sent too. I see Michelle is thoroughly enjoying her tear-away pants. Hopefully her awesomeness as team captain will help get her a scholarship and maybe a spot on some basketball team in the near future. I’m also happy to hear she will be true blue this fall. And when I get back home, I’ll join her at the Y, and it will be just like high school all over again, which will be awesome.

As usual, everyone sounds busy busy busy. There’s no rest for the righteous or the wicked (as Mom said a couple of weeks back). But you know better than I do that service and work are the keys to a happy life. 

That’s pretty cool about Elder Cardon and that you talked to him about his and my experiences. And I think that what you said last spring to me made my farewell talk. Funny stuff.

I know that general conference is always tough on Dad, but it truly is a blessing in our lives. I’ve been looking forward to general conference since I hit the field. And I am really hoping (there is a good chance of this happening) that I will get back right before the fall conference in 2014, which would be really cool. 

I haven’t received the packages yet; I should this week, I think. Let me think a little bit more about what I would like for you to send back with that Brazilian family and I’ll let you know—definitely peanut butter. I did actually make my own peanut butter today. It works if you don’t have real peanut butter, and I think that with time I can perfect it, but as of now, it doesn’t quite fill that gaping desire for real, normal peanut butter. Why Brazil hasn’t figured out how to make or at least import peanut butter, I don’t know.

When I get back to Utah, I think I am going to force Dad to go to a Rush concert with me. I know he hates them (ha ha), but they have some songs that I really dig. Hopefully, I don’t miss too many good bands while I’m here.

Well, that is about it for me. I don’t have much else to report on. I always love the rock and roll references (especially last week’s) and journal entries whenever you can send them.

Hopefully, I didn’t forget anything. I love you all and hopefully time from here on out passes as quickly as last week because it was really fast and I always look forward to reading your emails.

Until next week,

With a serious swimming shortage,

Elder Morris

February 25, 2013

Well hello there,

This last week has been the fastest of my mission so far, and I know that the reason for this is that at the beginning of the week, I made a goal that no matter what happened, I wasn’t going to let myself get down about it, I wasn’t going to worry or fear, and I was going to love whatever came my way. I accomplished my goal and I’m feeling good, which is a nice relief from how I have been feeling for the last year or so. I’m learning to do what you do to help with anxiety about the future. This mission is already blessing my life and making me a happier and more optimistic person. How a young man finds his way in life without serving a mission is beyond me.

I’ve got another story to tell—this one is from a more spiritual side of things. When I was in the MTC, there was an elder named Elder Ryberg and, although we were friends, we pushed each other’s buttons every once in a while. So anyway, when we had only two days left in the MTC, I was ticked off at him for something—I don’t remember what—and I decided that I was going to give him a piece of my mind and just tell him off because I figured that we wouldn’t be seeing each other again for a while. But then I received an impression from the Holy Ghost, and it had to have been strong because otherwise I wouldn’t have felt it in my angered state. The Spirit said to me, “No, do NOT do that. Be humble, do your part and apologize for what you’ve done, and leave the rest up to him. So I thought, “Fine, I’ll do it—whatever.”

So I went and apologized, he apologized back and we left the MTC on good terms. The next thing that happened is that we both ended up being transferred to the same zone. One transfer later, he ended up being in my district, so we see each other every week. And today I just found out that maybe, for the rest of the transfer, he might end up being my third companion because his trainer finishes his mission tomorrow. And because I didn’t burn the bridge two months ago in the MTC, I am really excited and I am hoping this will happen because we have become good friends. The Holy Ghost is certainly a powerful friend, and I’m grateful to have him with me.

To answer Dad’s question, the transfer doesn’t end for another two weeks, so Elder Castel is stuck with me until then. But after that he most likely will be transferred and, because our ward is being divided, we will receive three new missionaries in my area and house: my new companion and another companionship. And as of now, there are more Brazilians in my mission than there are Americans, so who knows? I might be with three other Brazilians for the next transfer, in which case my Portuguese should be excellent by the time I hit six months (five days after my third transfer ends). Either way, gringo or no, I think it will be fun having four missionaries in the same house.

The English class is going well, I think. I taught the third of six classes on Saturday (we teach once a week on Saturdays). We had about 10 people show up for that one, including two people who weren’t members. I ended up having to wing that class because someone failed to give us the proper set of keys, so I wasn’t able to access the computer room in the church to print off the lesson plan that I had typed up and saved on my pin drive at a member’s home. But I was able to get by with a little help from Elder Castel. And next time Ill make sure to print off my lesson ahead of time.

 The one commodity that your mission had over mine is that we don’t have a maid to clean or cook for us. We have to do all of that ourselves. Life is rough. Nerk. We actually have our own washing machine in our house but, of course, we don’t have a dryer, so we just hang up our clothes on the line and let the wind do the rest. My clothes are doing fine for now. I take good care of them, but I did have to sew a small rip in the seam of a pair of my pants last week. I think they will hold now.

I haven’t received the packages yet, but that is probably because they are at the mission home and our zone leader hasn’t picked them up yet. And it turns out, the missing Reese’s candy can be attributed to the MTC here in Brazil. The zone leader brought them in a different package last week, so apparently the MTC rearranged my package for me. How nice of them. But the good news is, they weren’t stolen, so maybe our packages aren’t opened, or at least aren’t opened every time. Oh well, whatever. Hopefully yours and Mark’s packages get here with their sealing intact.

I’ll talk to the family about the package and let you know. It should work out. And the father of the family speaks English, so that should make things easier.

I’m still jealous about the The Hobbit. I don’t think my president will be letting us see it anytime soon, but to answer your question, The Hobbit arrived in Brazil the day after it opened in the U.S., so they aren’t too far behind. Maybe I’ll have to sneak out at midnight and go see it. Nerk.

So Mom is going to be flying out to Georgia? That is really exciting. Like you said, Mom, you haven’t been down South for three decades, so that ought to be really cool, especially because Uncle David is going to be a general now. And I also want to throw out a special thanks to Mom for sending me that pedigree chart. I’ll be able to use that. Thanks.

I’m excited to hear about Michelle’s basketball tournament and Tommy’s play. I wish I could be there to see them both, but . . . well, you know.

I’m sending a pic of me throwing together some pancakes. I haven’t found whole-wheat flour here yet, but I hope they have it somewhere. So for now, my pancakes are plain white, but they taste pretty good with some strawberry jam or chocolate doce de leite.

Well, that is about it for me this week. I’m getting along, and by the way, I passed my four-month mark yesterday. So that puts me exactly four months ahead of Tason. Ha ha! Victory shall be mine! (Old competitive habits die hard, I suppose. Nerk)

On a side note and in the words of Samwise Gamgee, as of today this is “the [longest] away from home I have ever been.” I have now passed the amount of time I did away from home for my first semester of college. It’s weird to think about. But anyway, I love you all.

Getting by with a little help from his friends,

Elder Morris

February 11, 2013

This week was a good week for me. I felt good physically and mentally

and the weather here was in the 80s all week long. And from your weather report

it sounds like you are enjoying some of Al Gore’s “global warming” too. What a

joke, no wonder everyone was sick. I really am glad I missed out on that January

of yours.

I realized last week that after I signed off that I forgot to answer your

question about how to mail the package. I think it will be fine because there isn’t

anything of material value in there. But it was confirmed last week that Brazilians,

like Guatemalans, do open and take stuff out of American packages. Kinzi sent

me a package with a couple ties and a letter that said, “I hope you like the ties

and enjoy the Reese’s candy.” In the package I found the ties but the Reese’s

had somehow magically disappeared. I just laughed because its all part of the

adventure.

So Carnival is currently in mid swing and everyone is out partying and

getting drunk. Well apparently anyway, I actually haven’t seen anything crazy at

all. Its all been about the same except that on church on Sunday we only have

a fourth of the membership attend because everyone is on vacation. But our

mission president is having us go home an hour early every night anyway just to

make sure we don’t get caught up in anything weird after the sun goes down.

I started teaching an English class last Saturday. The original purpose of

having me do this was to hopefully get some more investigators. We hadn’t out

easily 150 invites on the street but nobody came but members, you know why?

Because it was during carnival! I don’t know whose idea it was to start the class

the weekend of carnival but that person needs to be slapped upside the head.

Oh well, if anything, it will improve my Portuguese because I have to speak in

Portuguese for an hour and 15 minutes straight every time we hold the class. It

was crazy though trying to explain English grammar in Portuguese. How I was

able to do it I don’t know, I guess that was the Lord stepping in.

A family in our ward took us out to lunch this last week and the food at that

restaurant was so good. I think that chicken hearts are one of my favorite things

to eat now. Just to give you an idea of what the food was like, it was an all-yougood-eat buffet with fried chicken, grilled chicken, chicken hearts, pork chops,

two different kinds of steak, potato salad, fruit, vegetables, cake and pudding. I

still wish I could have as good of food as Dad had in Guatemala, but I guess this

will have to do. Nerkity nerk nerk nerk.

We haven’t had any baptisms yet but we do have March 3rd set as a date

for two people. I was thinking that it was taking forever to get a baptism until I

read about Kyle. Seventeen months and one baptism. Geez. But, like you said, a

mission experience is always worth it.

I reached another plateau in the language, and I can understand

everything I need to in order to make street contacts on my own. Also I can

understand about 85 percent of what is said at church so I am coming along.

I don’t have any new pictures from this week, just old ones from the MTC.

Hopefully I don’t end up sending the same ones twice.

Thanks for the love, support and emails. Hopefully I didn’t forget anything

this week.

I love you so much.

Where the days are longer, the nights are stronger than moonshine,

Elder Morris

February 4, 2013

Feb. 4, 2013

Geez, your winter sounds like a real winner this year. Bummer for you. Last Friday I was in 100-degree temperatures with humidity. It was quite fun. Not. Last week was a little rough for me. I’m sorry to hear you are all down with sickness again, but last week I caught it too. It was really hot and I got sick. I was working through some emotional problems with the language as well, but I am doing better now. It’s actually kind of a cool story.

Elder Castel, Cleiton (ward mission leader) and I were all walking to the church to print off some more invites for the English class I will start teaching this Saturday, and I was kind of down about the language. The whole way there I was praying for God to send me something or someone to help me deal with it. When we got to the church, I sat down in a class room and Elder Castel went to print the things off. As I was sitting there Cleiton came in and asked me if anything was wrong. I told him what I was dealing with, and then he said something to me that really helped me out. He told me two things: 1) I am no different than any other missionary who has ever come to Brazil (in terms of the language), meaning that I will learn it just like everyone else and that I can stop worrying. 2) He told me to focus on my objectives and not my fears. It really lifted my spirit and I am doing fine now.

I completed my first transfer today and I thought that Elder Castel was going to be transferred, but turns out he will be here for another six weeks. This is good because I like him, we get along and he will continue to help me progress in the language quickly. This also means that I will be in this area for at least two more transfers, so I will be teaching English for the next 12 weeks. And when I get into my second area, I will be fluent in the language.

All the zones get together the last P-day of the transfer and play sports and eat churrasco, so we just got back from doing that, which was really fun. It was a little depressing seeing some of the missionaries in my zone leave to go home today, but I just need to remember to focus on my objectives and I’ll be all right.

To reply to something that Mom said in her email, it is easier and quicker for me to write just one email in reply (which I will send to both of your emails), but I will make sure to address everything that you both email to me.

It was nice reading the family newsletter. Thanks for sending that to me. I really enjoyed reading it.

Dad’s story about the Scouting article was interesting. It’s a real bummer to hear the news about the Scouting program. I’m disappointed but I am not surprised. I know that bad things are going to continue to happen up until Christ’s coming (which I personally believe won’t be long), but I am working on developing the faith I need to trust that everything is in God’s control. I even fasted for faith yesterday. I believe that faith is the key to being a successful and happy missionary. More than anything, I just want to be the best missionary that I can be. I know that to do that, I must have faith in God.

As for the progress of the work here in Estancia Velha, Canoas, Brazil, we have a baptismal date set for two people on March 3. And we might pick up two more (the son of one and the brother of the other one, both of whom are about 9 or 10 years old). Hopefully these actually go through.

I wish I had more cool or inspiring stories to tell, but I don’t really have much. But I am serving a mission in Brazil, so I know that I will get them. I do have something kind of funny to tell about. On Saturday when we exited our apartment, I noticed it was overcast, which excited me because whenever it rains it drops the temperature about 15 degrees. So we grabbed our umbrellas and headed off to lunch. Then the wind picked up and it was crazy wind. Our umbrellas were being pulled back and forth, dust was blowing into our mouths and eyes and up our noses, garbage was flying everywhere, we could hardly see where we were going and all I could do the whole time was laugh. I just laughed and enjoyed it. It might seem like an insignificant or boring story, but for me it just helped remind me that it is all good and that the mission experience is meant to be enjoyed, not endured.

Now, to tell you about the pictures. There are a couple of me standing in front of a castle, which is really cool. The thing about that castle, if you look closely, you will see a satellite dish. The castle is a house and people actually live in it. Cool stuff. The other pictures are of me and Elder Castel in our Gaucho (pronounced gow-oo-shoo) attire. Gausho, if translated, means cowboy. These are the clothes of the Brazilian cowboy. Pretty fun stuff.

So Tason is getting ready to follow suit, huh? Sweet. That means that time is moving along. What day does he enter the MTC and where?

Well, I look forward to your emails every week, and every time I read them they give me the moral boost I need to make it through the next week. I hope that you all get over your colds quickly and that the groundhog was correct and winter will be over soon. (Speaking of Groundhog Day, you should watch that film to celebrate. Classic.)

I love you all and will continue to work as hard as I can to make the family proud. Thanks for the prayers, love and support. And I look forward to getting the package. (It has individual pictures of all and a group shot, right?)

Frequently visited by Dr. Boo,

Elder Morris

Advice for prospective missionaries:

Well, I would tell perspective missionaries to get on a regular schedule. Get used to getting up at the same time and going to bed as well. If they are going to be learning a language, take a class or do something to help prepare because it is frustrating and you can use all the help you can get. Tell them to read all the way through Preach My Gospel at least once and start applying what they learn. Another thing would be to make sure you have your own testimony of the gospel and that you are not just leaning on others. I discovered that I had my own but that a lot of growth was needed.

January 28, 2013

(In case you haven't noticed, I'm not posting all of Mike's letters, just enough to give you a taste.)

In the words of Tyler Melling [Michael's friend who is serving a mission in Sacramento], another week bites the dust.

And as for the beans, no they are black and especially delicious. I would ask for pinto beans down here, but thankfully I learned in the MTC what the word pinto means in Portuguese, so I was able to escape that humiliation. I’ll let you look up the meaning for yourself.

I am finishing my sixth week today and I finished my third month on Thursday, which means I am finally moving along. Transfers will take place in a week, and the chances are that Elder Castel will be transferred, which is a bummer, like I said, because he and I get along well. But I try to remind myself every day that God knows what is best for me, so wherever I go and with whomever I am teamed up with will be for my benefit.

I wish I could say that I am as focused as you are, Dad, but my mind keeps calling me back, and often times I find myself discouraged about how long I have before I will be back home. For the last couple of weeks I have been doing better, like I said in my last email, but without fail, once a week since I have been in the field, I have this dream about being home and having accomplished my mission. And every time I have the dream it is more and more realistic, almost as if my brain is trying to convince me that I am home. And then, of course, I wake up and remember that I have only been out for a little while and it depresses me. I don’t know how to get rid of these dreams.

The investigator that we had lined up to be baptized on Sunday ended up moving this week to live with her sister-in-law, so she won’t be baptized here. She said that she will in the new area where she will be living, and I really hope that she follows through on that promise because we worked with her for an entire month. It kind of sucks not baptizing her, but as long as she is baptized, then this will act as a reminder that we are baptizing people unto the Lord and not unto ourselves. So if she does what she says she will do, then we can be satisfied knowing that we did our part.

The language still gets me, but I know that this will help me to become more patient and humble. So every day I tell myself that “it’s gonna take time, a whole lot of precious time. It’s gonna take patience and time to do it, to do it, to do it, to do it right” (George Harrison). I know I will get it eventually, but more than anything I just want to understand what people are saying.

The last email came straight from my heart. I really do look up to you, and that is part of what is keeping me out here. I want to make you and Mom proud, I want to become a better person, and I know that the mission field is the only place I can do that right now.

I remember President Payne, and I think I can picture him. I remember you telling me that story before, I think. It is touching. Speaking of the Liahona (again), I was looking through it yesterday and I noticed a picture of a lighthouse that looked familiar. I stopped and read the title, “Encontrar a Fe nos Confins da Terra,” which translated means “Finding Faith at the Ends of the Earth.” Sure enough, there on the page was your name and your article. So I read the whole thing in Portuguese, most of which I understood, and I have to say, old man, that it’s a good article. Nerk.

So when you were on your mission, you pretty much had a new companion every transfer? That’s crazy. From what I’ve heard, it will be about the same for me. Which is good news if I get a moody or lazy companion but bad news when I get a good guy who I become friends with. That’s life, I guess. 

I have been able to use my pull-up bar, which is nice, and I exercise every day. So far I’ve been able to keep in shape pretty well. We are allowed to go running if we want, but I haven’t done it yet because after walking all day, my knees are kind of worn out. As soon as they get more used to the schedule, I will start some light running around the park near our place.

The address you emailed me is correct, so you can use that one.

I’m sending a couple of pics with this email and on the next few P-days, I will send all the ones I have from the MTC. The one picture of my area is the best I could do for a picture from a vantage point. The area is pretty flat. The other picture is me eating a “xis” (pronounced sheez), which is the Brazilian version of a hamburger. It tastes pretty good, even though they put weird things on it like peas, corn and egg. The other pic is one of me standing in front of a Bom Jesus fruit store (bom meaning good). I guess it is the superstition of South America that forces people to name everything after Jesus because I see it all of the time.

I didn’t have anything extraordinarily exciting happen to me this week, so I don’t have much in the way of cool stories. Sorry. I love hearing about your mission and the stories. Thanks for those and continue to throw me journal entries when you can.

Amor, abracos e beijos.

With a Book of Mormon in one hand and a popcicle in the other,

Elder Morris

 (I will try to locate those photos to post. :) )

Pictures/Christmas/New Years

This New Years Eve willl stick with me for a while. We went over to a family in the ward and had Churrasco for dinner. Then we just talked (well Elder Castel talked and I sat and pretended like I knew what was going on) and then we went home and attempted to sleep. I maybe got 2 hours. Every few seconds a firework would go off and every dog in South America would bark. This continued for several hours. What a joke. Im never buying an animal, especially a dog.

 

We started teaching the contact we met in the store, we've taught her 3 lessons and invited her to be baptized. All three of us fasted yesterday about recieving and answer and we will meet with her tonight and find out what she thinks.

 

The weather here is still pretty hot. When it gets humid, like it did last night, I cant sleep. I forgot to tell you, apparently on Christmas, at one point in the day, it was 122 degrees. Unbelievable. Since then it hasnt been too bad, when its overcast and rains that really helps. I just cant wait to get through my first couple transfers because then it will be cold, Ill have some good time under my belt and I will be speaking the language.

 

I taught my first complete lesson this week. Elder Castel answered most of the questions but I taught all of the material in the Restoration lesson. It was encouraging seeing that even though I cant speak very well, I can still fulfill my purpose here.

 

Michelle will have an interesting experience for sure. That will be fun for her. I pray that she will be safe. (I went to Mexico last January, that's what he is referring to.)

 

I dig the rock and roll references we make. I forgot to acknowledge the Three Dog Night one from last week. That was pretty good. Ill throw one back at you. This morning when I awoke, it was already 90 degrees, really humid and I was exhausted and I was thinking ``Its [hot] and its wet and I feel like Im part of the pie.´´ A little America there for you, Ill come up with a better one next week.

 

So you liked the Hobbit then? I really am looking forward to see all three when I get back. James said he like it too. So overall it was pretty sweet then, I take it.

 

As for the journal entries, Id love to get them and hear about your experince wherever you were, I just think it will be cool to have the missionary you, in a way, with me in the field as I read about what you were experiencing when you were my age.

 

The time is still dragging but I know I just gotta be tough and eventually things will get better. I tell myself everyday that it will never be worse then it currently is, i.e. boo, heat, humidity, lack of understanding, exhaustion, only a couple months under the belt, etc. I know it will be better Im just waiting and hoping that day arrives quickly.

 

So it turns out I am the only American in my district and my ward and at the beginning of February the ward want so start a basic english class for everyone who is interested in learning. And seeing how there is only one American in a wide radius, guess who is going to teach it? Yep, this guy. So this ought to be rich. Im actually looking forward to it, it will be quite adventurous and will make for some good stories. Ill let you know how that goes.

 

 

So that is about it for this week. We might get a baptism this Saturday with the contact I have been telling you about. I will let you know.

 

All of my love,

Elder Morris

 

P.S. They dont have peanut butter down here which is kind of retarded so if you ever get the change to float a little bottle my way that would be much appreciated.

December 12, 2012

Well this is my last P-day in the MTC. Thank goodness. I’ve had a good time here, but I just want to get out from behind these walls and out of the big, smelly, polluted city that is Sao Paulo.

It is kind of cool being the oldest missionaries here in the MTC. The newbies ask us a lot of questions, and it’s nice being able to answer them. But at the same time, in less than a week, I will be the greenest of green beans. Oh well, that’s where the Lord comes in, I guess.

Elder Chidester and I went proselyting on Monday. They just threw us out into the streets of Brazil, gave us four copies of the Book of Mormon and said, “Good luck. See you in three hours.” My companion and I fasted and prayed for the assistance we would need to communicate with the locals. For the first hour we didn’t get anywhere; most of the people would say something about a Bible and then dismiss us. But then at the beginning of our second hour, we were able to place two in a row. And the second guy actually seemed interested in our church. After that, for the next hour or so, we tried, uneventfully to place the other two.

When we were down to 30 minutes left until we had to return to the MTC, we walked by a bus stop. We hadn’t had any success at the three bus stops we had already been too, so we decided to just walk by. But as we stepped past a woman sitting on the ground, I felt an impression to turn and talk to her. I’ve been trying my best to follow all promptings, so I immediately stopped walking and then introduced myself and my companion to her. We talked for a few minutes, and I told her that we had a book about Jesus (that usually works better than saying, “Hi, we are Mormons”). I explained to her what the Book of Mormon was and asked her if she would like to read it. She said sure and then accepted the Book of Mormon. We bid farewell to her and went on our way. I don’t know what will happen with that contact, but I do know that because I was fasting, I was more receptive to the Spirit and, if anything, we were able to plant a seed in the woman’s heart.

Overall, between the two of us, Elder Chidester and I were able to understand enough Portuguese to have meaningful conversations with people, some which would last for 10 or 15 minutes. I don’t know how we did it; it must have been the Lord helping us out. It was an awesome experience, though, and makes me look forward to getting into the field.

It sounds like things are moving right along at home. I’m happy to see Sam is learning about my favorite classical thinker. John Locke heavily influenced the writing of the Constitution, and his writings on the state of nature are unparalleled. I’m hoping Sam gets into government, as I have.

Tell the kids I miss all of them and it’s going to be weird not being home for Christmas for the first time in 20 years. But I will be able to call you Christmas Day. If I can plan it, I will try to call around 10 o’clock your time (we are five hours ahead here). Email me Michelle’s, Mom’s and Emily’s phone numbers just in case there is a problem with the landline.

Thanks for all of the treats; they have been nice. And I know that if we do end up sending letters, it will be much much, much faster doing it through Missionties.

The picture that Mom sent me isn’t bad. Of course, I look amazing. Ha ha.

In the past, as both of you know (Mom and Dad), I have often failed to fully enjoy a holiday because I dread its ending. But one thing I’ve noticed about being on a mission is that the holidays don’t really mean what they used to, especially here in the MTC. The day of my birthday and Thanksgiving Day, I didn’t even remember what day it was because for us it is just another day of missionary work. Christmas will be different because I will be in the field, but I hope that I am able to have a spirit that allows me to enjoy the day but to remember that I am here to serve the One whose day we are celebrating.

Well, I’m just about out of time. I love you all and I look forward to emailing and talking to you when I’m in the field.

Also, I will be sending a letter to Mom and Dad for you two to read together tonight.

Tell the others that I frankly didn’t have time to email them this week; the teacher is stingy again. I’ll have more time to do so in the field next week.

Love,

Elder Morris

Picture time. :)

November 28, 2012

I started my sixth week in the MTC today. I can now carry on short conversations with Brazilians and I am learning to listen to the Spirit. Last night we watched a talk by Elder Holland that he gave in May 2011 at the Provo MTC. It was one of the most inspiring talks I’ve ever heard in my life. I recorded many bullet points in my journal, and the Spirit impressed upon me the importance of two main things. One  is strict obedience to the mission rules. Elder Holland said that obedience brings the Spirit, and the Spirit brings conversion. Two, as a missionary I have more authority than the entire world. I need to act like it and teach with power and conviction. Elder Holland is my favorite speaker. I’ve seen several clips of him here and he is fantastic in every one.

I’m glad to hear you had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Mine was all right. They did a pretty good job with the Turkey, mashed potatoes, and stuffing. Nothing close to home but it was better than I expected. And by the way, the beans down here are usually pinto.

The treats down here are great; thanks for sending them. I still have some cookies and brownies on hold waiting for me (they allow us to create a tab-type thing), so you probably don’t need to worry about getting me anything next week. I’ll try the pie today and let you know.

I heard the news about Michelle, and I will reply to her directly. Thanks.

I leave the MTC three weeks from yesterday. I don’t know how long they will have us in the mission home, but I imagine it will only be a day or so, so I should be with my first companion and in my first area when they let me call or Skype home. That will be really cool.

I want to congratulate Sam on the progress he is making in Scouts and school, and I want to encourage him to keep playing sports and to practice. Some of the best memories I have come from Scouting and playing basketball and football.

I will be sending you via email scan a letter for Michelle’s birthday and one for Mom to deliver to Dr. McBride for me. Just FYI

Thanks for all of the updates. I don’t have time to reply to everything, but I do enjoy reading about them.

Time is beginning to speed up. I’m sure it’s moving faster for you than it is for me, but my schedule is pretty routine by now, and having P-day once a week and Sunday (when we have 4 hours of free time) helps the weeks move along.

Oh, and I just remembered, my companion was called to be the assistant to the president of our branch, which makes me the assistant to the assistant to the president. So he and I need to be extra good examples to the other missionaries in our branch. It’s kind of funny to think about, but I’m now a veteran at the MTC and no longer a greenie. But as soon as I leave, I get to be a greenie all over again for 6 months or so.

Well, that about does it for me this week. I’ve gotta run do missionary things. I love you all and look forward to hearing from you and speaking with you directly on Christmas.

Com Amor,

Elder Morris

November 21, 2012

Well, I have completed half of my MTC experience. The time is starting to speed up and the language continues to come, slowly but surely. For the most part I am enjoying the district I am in and my companion. We have a lot of fun, or at least relatively a lot of fun considering; but nonetheless, the MTC isn’t as bad as many people made it out to be.

It’s pretty cool how the girls from AHS are serving in foreign missions. That will be fun and exciting for them. And it seems like I’ll be pretty much the only one in my group of friends who learns Portuguese instead of Spanish. But that’s okay, Portuguese is cooler anyway. You know why? Because I’ll be the one speaking it. Anyway, that is exciting and I wish I could congratulate them in person.

Supposedly they will be honoring Thanksgiving to a degree here in the MTC and we will be having turkey tomorrow. Hopefully they don’t destroy it, because honestly, the food is generally good, but every time they try and do something American they butcher it. They made pizza, which is horrendous, and they even failed when they tried to serve chicken sandwiches with potato chips; even the potato chips were awful. I don’t understand. But hopefully, the spirit of Thanksgiving past will fill their hearts and guide their hands as they ring off the head of the turkey and throw it in a pot next to some rice and beans.

And so far I haven’t been disappointed with the treats at Mr. Cheney’s. Thanks again for those. I look forward to trying them every week.

I haven’t been able to take many photos of my own since I’ve been here because we can only do it on P-day and only in the MTC. They don’t want us carrying cameras outside while we are here for safety reasons and to avoid the appearance of being tourists. I’ll try and send a couple through Mr. Cheney’s before too long. But other than people, rice and beans, there isn’t a whole lot to take photos of.

I was actually thinking about how the Lord always seems to bless us with our cars just the other day. It’s always interesting how things work out. And speaking of James, tell him to send me an email reply. I haven’t heard from him in a couple of weeks.

I don’t have much in the way of cool happenings to tell you about this week. In a couple of weeks they are going to send us out to proselyte around the MTC. That will be fun. The language is the only obstacle I’m facing right now. My health is good, I get to work out and play basketball, I have free time on Sundays to read Jesus the Christ and Our Heritage (I’ve already finished the one by Elder Ballard that you gave me). So overall (to quote one of my favorite songs) I want to “thank you, Lord, for thinking about me, I’m alive and doing fine.” Couldn’t help but get a little rock and roll in there somewhere.

I’m running out of time, but I’ll have Cheney’s email you the letters for the kids today.

I love you lots. 

Your Missionary,

Elder Morris

November 14, 2012

Thanks for the talk. I often feel the same way about life as he does but it helps to remember that the good times keep on coming.

The cookies at Mr. Cheney’s are great. I’ll try the shake today. I’m sure my companion will be grateful that you got him one too. Thanks.

I can’t remember if I told you this story already. I don’t think I have, so I will tell you. The coolest thing that has happened so far in the MTC happened after I had been here for about 10 days. I was preparing to teach a lesson in Portuguese (my second one) and I offered a prayer that God would help me. As soon as I began teaching, my tongue was loosed and my ears were opened. All of the Portuguese I had learned thus far was available to me. For 15 minutes I was able to speak and understand Portuguese as I taught about the Book of Mormon and the Holy Ghost. It was definitely an awesome experience.

Elder Claudio Costa spoke to us today in devotional. He told his conversion story and some stories about missionaries he has worked with. I don’t have time to tell you those but he is a great speaker. I enjoyed listening to him.

Mom reminded me of how you two are both scouters now and attend roundtable together. That is pretty cool. Also the connection between the two Josephs was interesting. I think Mr. Haymond had mentioned something like that before.

I’ve read and reread the letters you sent with me. I love you, Mom and Dad, and those letters inspire me every time I read them.

I have written letters to each of the kids still at home. I will either mail them out today, or if you signed up for the Missionties thing, then they will be scanned and emailed to you today. If you are haven’t but are going to sign up, I will wait until next week to have them emailed to you because that will still be faster than sending them via the mail system in Brazil. Just let me know.

Today begins my fourth week in the MTC. The next time I email you I will be halfway done. But as I told James in the email I sent him, time in the MTC still seems to move about as fast as an armless man in a wheel chair. But it is actually speeding up. Which is good because I want to get into the field as soon as I can.

For the last week, the weather here has been very nice. It’s fairly cool; it rained only once. No snow here, so eat your heart out.

The Spirit here, as I believe I have told you, is very strong. I feel God’s power all around me. This week while we were teaching “investigators,” even though they were just actors, as I bore my testimony about the plan of salvation, I felt the Spirit bear witness of it to me. I have definitely never felt the Spirit as often as I do here.

I am grateful I have the opportunity to be here in Brazil. Even though the language is hard. I am so glad I have been blessed with the ability to learn a language. I have always wanted to be bilingual, and I feel that knowing this language will bless me in the future.

Today I finished the Book of Mormon for the third time. I read all of Mormon, Ether and Moroni within the last 3 days, and there are many things that stand out to me now that I am older and have learned about the world. Tonight I will begin reading the Bible. I plan on reading every book of scripture straight through while I am here on my mission.

Hopefully my emails are not too scattered when it comes to topics. I kind of have to just write what I think of, in what order I think of it, because of how limited in time we are.

Hopefully I haven’t forgotten anything.

I’m out of time now so I must bid everyone farewell until next week.

Thanks again for the update and the goodies.

Thanks again, Mom and Dad, for all of the long hours you have put, do put and will put in for me. Out here I am doing my best to make you proud.

All of my love,

Your Missionary,

Elder Morris