June 16, 2014

June 16, 2014

Good morning,

First of all, I hope that you had a fun Father’s Day. The letter that I sent came from my heart, and I hope that both of you, Mom and Dad, understand the love and respect I have for you. Sounds like you had a fun day. 

Well, I have to say that this week was quite a trial for Elder R. and me. We worked very, very hard and gave everything we had in preparation to having a successful Sunday with several baptisms, but everything came falling down in the end. In the beginning of the week we had five baptisms marked for this Sunday. Two of them moved out of nowhere, and we have no idea where they went. One of them gave up (the girl I told you about), one of the mothers didn’t let her daughter be baptized, and the other one went to a party Saturday night and stayed out until 4:00 a.m. So she didn’t go to church, and then she left with her family for the day. All five baptisms came crashing down last minute, and this left Elder R. and me rather frustrated.

I even called the president and asked him why things like this happen. He gave some good advice and reviewed with us some things about opposition and trials and it helped a little bit, but I’m still frustrated. Elder R. and I said to each other last night, “Well, I hope that my family was blessed a lot this week because we sure as heck didn’t get much out of it.” So, if something special happened this week or if some prayer was answered, maybe it was because of our sacrifice here. Who knows?

Other than the trials, we are having a fun time at least. I like what Mom said: “It’s great to hear you’re in a fun foursome again, with two of the MTC group to bring you back to the beginning as you approach the end.” They are great guys and, as I have said before, I have a great companion, which is the secret to a good mission, even when the times get tough.

I had an interview with the president last week, and I asked him what he thought about me staying in this area for one more transfer. He said he can’t promise anything, but he will see what he can do. I have been transferred so much that I would like to settle down for a little bit in an area and create some friendships with the members so that I can start baptizing their friends. We will see what happens but either way, at most, I’ve got one area left.

I’m glad to hear that Grandma and Granddad are getting better and that Mom had a good, safe trip. I hope that this fall I’ll be able to visit all of the gramps again. What are the family’s plans for Christmas?

Tomorrow I’m going to go to the temple for the first time in almost six months. It will be really nice to sit and talk with God in the celestial room. I feel like I need a little bit of a spiritual kick-start to carry me through the rest of my mission.

I have to admit that I am really tired. The mission age is getting to me. I woke up half dead today. “And you know it’s getting stronger, [I] can’t last very much longer, [I’m feeling stoned]” (Joe Walsh). Nerk. But “I’ll make out somehow, son”

Anyway, I’ve got to run. Hopefully, next week there is a picture of someone dressed in white attached to the email.

To answer your questions: the weather isn’t too bad; sometimes it rains like heck, but today is fine. 

Love to all!

Enduring to the end,

Elder Morris