11-30

 

  

 

It sounds like you guys had such a wonderful time in Utah! I'm so happy that you have been having a wonderful time and have been safe in all that you're doing! I love hearing about all of your adventures and the crazy times and fun times that you've experienced within these last like 2 1\2 weeks I've already been gone :)

I wish that I had time to even describe ALL that's happened this week! It was so crazy and at sometimes long, stressful, and homesick. On Monday, one of my roommates, Elder E, was playing volleyball and slightly tore his acl... the next day he got sent home until he recovers. Which is SO SAD because he was the funniest guy ever and had the absolute funniest jokes! (Why did all the Lamanites knees hurt?? Because of all those dang Nephites)!!! xD I have to say though that I'm really bummed that he had to leave... his companion then had to change rooms to be with an elder who was 'solo' because his companion never showed up. Needless to say, Elder G and I have the room all to ourselves. Which I can't complain too much about the extra room! The other elders keep trying to tell me that our room stinks... not sure if it's me or the fact that my companion never turns down the heat! AND it smells fine... suppose that's what happens when a country boy gets put in a room with a total city boy from Utah! xD Also just remembered about heat, the showers in our building have one temperature... just warm enough to take a shower but nowhere near warm enough to enjoy it.

Anyway, it's been such a stressful week. I've started to miss home a lot and all my friends back home... but not gonna lie, it's worth it. Because I love this gospel SO MUCH and am so excited to go to the Philippines in like 2 weeks! On Thursday, if you didn't know... it was thanksgiving! We got to hear from Dallin H. Oaks, who gave such a wonderful talk about being thankful, it was all focused on things that we can be grateful for and expressing appreciation to the Lord! I am making it a goal that every year (and probably more often) to say a prayer of ONLY Thanksgiving to the Lord on the morning and evening of Thanksgiving! :) I learned that it's important to also be grateful for the hard times in our lives because they happen and we are able to learn and grow to become stronger! After his talk we had another devotional about service, which was cool because they had a non-member founder of a charity organization talk... it was really interesting :) Finally, SERVICCCE... as in an hour each for three groups, we made 357,900 meals for hungry children in Utah! We didn't have much of a Thanksgiving meal at lunch, with very soft turkey and some potatoes... it made me miss home SO MUCH. I absolutely love serving though, it just gives this sense of joy that cannot be described! Finally that evening there was a talent show\ gratitude thing which was awesome! One sister Yodeled for everyone after explaining that she learned how to do it on Youtube... xD It was then very spiritual with short films about gratitude and talks on the subject! After ALL that happened on Thanksgiving, we watched 17 Miracles... literally is one of the best movies I've ever seen! It's so amazing and terrible what they had to go through crossing the plains. It gave me such a deep gratitude for the early saints and their commitment to this gospel :)

Oh, totally just remembered that I ran into Sister H from our Stake back in Virginia here and we talked for a little bit, it was soooo cool! I also ran into Sister B here, and Elder W... (I can't even try to spell their last name, but King George... quiet) :)P I love seeing people that I know here! I just wasn't expecting to see ANYONE I knew to be here... crazy crazy life! What other crazy stories....? Oh, a few of the elders decided to put baking soda in balloons to make stress balls! It sounds very kind and safe, right? WRONG. it seems to have been made a pastime in the evenings to stand at opposite sides of the hall and throw them as hard as we can at each other.. .don't worry, nobody has been hurt xD

The tall, tan kid,

Elder Morris

One thing I love about Dad- He's been such a great example to me of how a father and head of a household should be. I'm so grateful also for being able to help him with wood before leaving :)

One thing I love about Mommy- What Can't Mommy do?! She's a cook, mother, artist, shepherd, sewer, cleaner, example, and so so much more! Thanks for helping me become who I am today!

One thing I love about Hannah- You've been such an example to me of being spiritual, your testimony is so amazing! Take care and keep doing amazing with the piano! 

One thing I love about Jacob- YOU"RE CRAZY. nuff said ;) Always remember that you're a son of God and have amazing things ahead in your life :) You're the man of the house now when Dad's gone, hope you have funnnnnn!

One thing I love about Adam- Limitless imagination and creativity, I miss being able to play games with you and be crazy ALL the time :)

One thing I love about Peter- You're the master of games and awesomeness! Being the youngest must be hard, but I thing you do better than anyone at it :D

I memorized the Missionary Purpose in Tagalog!! :D

Imbitahin ang iba na lumapit kay Cristo sa pagtulon sa kanila ng magtangapp and inbinalik na ebanghelyo sa pamamagitan ng pananampalataya kay JesuCrist at sa kanya Pagbabayad-Sald, pagsisisi, binyag, pagtangapp ng kaloob na Espiritu Santo and pagtitiis hagang wakas.

(Invite others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and his Atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and Enduring to the End)

-Elder Morris- :)