Óla!
So, I got transferred. It really bites. Everybody was saying goodbye to Elder Almeida, (it was nice to know ya etc.) and then I ended up being transferred.
This was a pretty strange last week her in Camaquã. We found some really great people and taught some good lessons. We went to São Lorençco do Sul on Thursday for a district meeting and then we were going to go on splits plus Elder Almeida needed to do a baptismal interview there. During out district meeting Elder Dos Reis (pronounced Dose Hays) started to complain about a lot of pain he was having, it got so bad that we gave him a blessing and then took him to the hospital. To make the story a little juicier I will include that he threw up a few times in the three minute walk to the hospital and we had no idea what was going on. Finally we decided that Elder Capistrano and I would go back to Camaquã and we would go work and then come back for the baptism and to end the companion exchange in the morning. We had a good day of work and I enjoyed working with Elder Capistrano, we taught a great lesson about The Plan of Salvation. Then i got a little worried when i went to call Elder Almeida and our phone was having problems. But we went back in the morning anyways. To make a long story short. Turns out Elder Dos Reis has kidney stones! OUCH! Too much soda pop, not enough WATER! Poor guy. Glad I drink a bunch of water (thanks for instilling that in me mom)
Before i get to my sentiments about being transferred, we got a letter from Presidnet Swenson today. He met our ´soon to be´ new Mission President. President and Sister Castro from Paraná (a starte here in the south of Brasil) will be our new Mission President couple in July. I still have another four months with President and Sister Swenson but I will be SOOO sad to see them go. My mission will be split just about down the middle with the New President. I know it will be great but it will be hard. President and Sister Swenson are just such incredible and special people. Oh, President and Sister Castro will also be bringing 3 of their kids with them so they must be fairly young to still have a few with them at home that will join us here. Cool.
So I am going to try to keep this short but really I want to get out there and spend my last P-day here with the members here. Last night I prayed and told The Lord how much I love the people here and that I really wanted to stay if it was His will, but that I trusted Him; still I was really bummed... more than bummed, I was downright sad when I got the call today. After my first transfer here, honestly I could have been transferred and it would have been just fine by me I struggled pretty hard when I got here. But in this last transfer I have just grown so much and learned so much how well The Lord knows us and puts us exactly where we need to be. I have really developed that charity and love for the people here and the Branch and I just want to do all I can to help them and it just breaks my heart that I won´t be able to watch over them and serve them and share The Gospel here anymore. I think of all the progress we have made here until now and I am so happy, but I also know we are just at the begining and there is so much more to do. Letiçia still needs home teachers, and we are just starting to get the members to teach people with us, and we just found some great people to start working with, and Paulo is just starting to pray everyday. So how can I leave them when there is so much left to do? It is hard. I know Elder Almeida will continue to be great here though (please continue to write to him ) and he will be training here. He has really helped me to learn a lot, I will miss him ha even though somtimes I tell him I could punch him in the head. Anyways, this all seems very random but basically I love Camaquã and I will be sad to leave a place that I have grown so much in.
I will be transferred to somewhere in Porto Alegre (dangit, I was hoping to pass the year mark without every going there ha) I will let you know about my new area and companion next week.
Com Grande Amor!
´Seu Filho, Irmão, e Amigo
Élder David F. Morgan
Monday, February 27, 2012
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
10 months, oh my goodness.
Oi!
So today I have reached 10 months since I reported to the CTM in São Paulo. That kind of freaks me out. Weird that a whole year ago I was taking phone orders for flowers saving up money and getting ready and trying to spend as much time with people as I could. It doesn´t seem like a whole year has passed. Mission Time-Warp.
Hey! So Shaun is going to BYU! I bet Keith is pleased with that, ha one of his brothers ended up being converted. Congrats to ya Shaun. Also something that freaks me out. Little brother going to college.
So we had a little bit of a rough week, but not TOO rough. I think I was just a little burnt out. Part of our focus this week in ´Operação Salvação´ is to have members present in our lessons. We made lots of plans with the members and work really hard to make it all happen and we honestly got left hanging.It was a bummer and if I said I didn´t get slightly frustrated I would be lying, but it didn´t last long and I remember all of my own weakness´ and we are all trying, plus things just happen. Our goal was 10 with a member and we made more than enough plans for that to happen. Ha, we ended up with 4. Plus we invited a lot of people to a church activity on saturday and so many people committed to go and then nobody showed up. Members showed up late and the activity was a bit of a bust, but we ate sandwiches that were really good and we had a nice chat with President Florismar. But overall I really feel good because before we didn´t really make much effort to get the members involved and that is really getting turned around and improving these last couple of weeks and I want to keep it going. Camaquã is still progressing very well and I know we will be having great success here in a little bit.
I braved a ham and cheese sandwhich this morning which I haven´t done since I got ruined by them in the CTM. It was good. Don´t have really any funny/random/ or nitty-gritty experiences this week.
Basically, I don´t remember if I have already said this. But something that has astounded me as a missionary is how The Lord knows me so well that he put me in a place and with people that help me learn SO many lessons and be stretched and grown in ways that I didn´t know possible. It hurt at first and I struggled a lot when I got to Camaquã but now I look back and look at how much I have learned here and how much I love this place and the people. I have really grown to love the branch here and the people and hope that I get to stay here (especially with transfers coming up in a week) But as always, The Lord´s will be done and I know he will put me right where I need to be when I need to be there.
Last thought, I remember a very important quote today when I was reflecting upon my mission/ life ha, and it is by Elder Richard G. Scott, I am positive I have already shared it because Jenn sent it to me.
´We become what we want to be, by consistently being what we want to become every day´
Envision who you want to become and set goals and stick with it to become that person, your life's greatest work will be you.
Come Grande Amor
Seu Filho, Irmão, e amigÃO
Elder F. Morgan
So today I have reached 10 months since I reported to the CTM in São Paulo. That kind of freaks me out. Weird that a whole year ago I was taking phone orders for flowers saving up money and getting ready and trying to spend as much time with people as I could. It doesn´t seem like a whole year has passed. Mission Time-Warp.
Hey! So Shaun is going to BYU! I bet Keith is pleased with that, ha one of his brothers ended up being converted. Congrats to ya Shaun. Also something that freaks me out. Little brother going to college.
So we had a little bit of a rough week, but not TOO rough. I think I was just a little burnt out. Part of our focus this week in ´Operação Salvação´ is to have members present in our lessons. We made lots of plans with the members and work really hard to make it all happen and we honestly got left hanging.It was a bummer and if I said I didn´t get slightly frustrated I would be lying, but it didn´t last long and I remember all of my own weakness´ and we are all trying, plus things just happen. Our goal was 10 with a member and we made more than enough plans for that to happen. Ha, we ended up with 4. Plus we invited a lot of people to a church activity on saturday and so many people committed to go and then nobody showed up. Members showed up late and the activity was a bit of a bust, but we ate sandwiches that were really good and we had a nice chat with President Florismar. But overall I really feel good because before we didn´t really make much effort to get the members involved and that is really getting turned around and improving these last couple of weeks and I want to keep it going. Camaquã is still progressing very well and I know we will be having great success here in a little bit.
I braved a ham and cheese sandwhich this morning which I haven´t done since I got ruined by them in the CTM. It was good. Don´t have really any funny/random/ or nitty-gritty experiences this week.
Basically, I don´t remember if I have already said this. But something that has astounded me as a missionary is how The Lord knows me so well that he put me in a place and with people that help me learn SO many lessons and be stretched and grown in ways that I didn´t know possible. It hurt at first and I struggled a lot when I got to Camaquã but now I look back and look at how much I have learned here and how much I love this place and the people. I have really grown to love the branch here and the people and hope that I get to stay here (especially with transfers coming up in a week) But as always, The Lord´s will be done and I know he will put me right where I need to be when I need to be there.
Last thought, I remember a very important quote today when I was reflecting upon my mission/ life ha, and it is by Elder Richard G. Scott, I am positive I have already shared it because Jenn sent it to me.
´We become what we want to be, by consistently being what we want to become every day´
Envision who you want to become and set goals and stick with it to become that person, your life's greatest work will be you.
Come Grande Amor
Seu Filho, Irmão, e amigÃO
Elder F. Morgan
Monday, February 13, 2012
Great Week. They CAME!!!
Óla! So pretty much we had a way great week! The work here in Camaquã is really getting better and starting to progress, though there is still much more work to be done I am excited about the progress that is being made. Also, advice for future missionaries: There is a direct relationship between how completely exhausted you are and how happy you are. Be sure to give enough of yourself to be completely tired all moments of everyday therefore guaranteeing for yourself the maximum amount of happiness possible. (Also, this happiness at times only comes after a few weeks of SUPER hard work, but is very worth it)
In other words, I am super tired, but happy. The nice thing about Camaquã and being out away from everything, that for any kind of conference, reunion, training, we must travel by bus, it provides for good nap time.
So to answer why the subject of the email is THEY CAME: There is a less active family here that has been in my mind from the first week we have been here. Valmir and Jossara. We eat lunch with them every week and I even used there computer on Christmas to talk to you all. They have been active members of the church for 20 years and have served at teachers, advisers, and presidents and who knows what else. They are great. It bums me out that the last few years that have stopped coming to church. I have been praying about them a lot and I haven´t been able to shake them from my mind since we have gotten here. This last Thursday at lunch with them (after they travelled for about a month) they showed us pictures of their travels and then pictures from when he was the Branch President here. It just got me thinking so much, the branch seemed to have so much life when they were there. When we were giving a message the next thing I new I was talking very openly about them coming back to church and what steps would be needed to make this happen and that we really needed them there and they needed it even more. We invited them to go to Stake Conference and he said they were already going to be in Pelotas and they we would see them there. I prayed A LOT Saturday night. At conference, I looked around and didn´t see them, and we got there before anybody. Suddenly halfway through the conference he sent us a message talking about the speakers and that he was the young men´s president of the man who just spoke, he then thanked us for having invited them. When we stood to sing the intermediate hymn I saw them near the back of the hall. My heart soared! I was so happy they came. Now I just hope we can get them to church this next Sunday at regular meetings!
Wow, so basically there is lots of things to write this week that I feel I won´t have time.
So at our training last Friday a sister missionaries called over to me and told me she had to talk to me. (oh great right?, ha just kidding) When she was looking through the mail she saw some of my letters and noticed I was from Medford. Turns out she just got her visa and had been serving in the Medford 8th Ward!!! What?!?! She asked me if I knew the McClures and showed me a picture of her with them! Ha I let her know that I know the McClures super well (mostly from many nights sleeping on their couch) and that Jared is one of my best buddies! She also mentioned a bunch of other families (Bennions, Hokansons, Zimmer) and said that Bro Russell is the best ward mission leader of ALL TIME! So that was kind of a neat coincidence.
We met a really great family this week and started teaching them. When we finished and invited them to read and pray about The Book of Mormon the mother told us that she would but then she said ´but I already believe in everything you´ve just taught us, I can feel it here ( pointing to the heart)´ I was so stunned I didn´t even know what to say. We knelt in prayer with them and they all offered great prayers and we marked a baptismal date with them. Sadly our next appointment fell through but we hope to get back there soon!
So ´Operação Salvação´is going super great too and there is a lot of fire in the mission right now and we are working really hard. The week wasn´t perfect we had days where everything seemed to go wrong, but I know we were doing our best to do our part and serve The Lord.
Well I will wrap it up. Lots of love, I pray for you. I know The Lord is mindful of his children and blesses them. Just thought of another really cool experience but you will have to wait until I get home to hear it.
Also, The Book of Mormon really is true, I know it, without a doubt. It is a blessing in my life.
Com Grande Amor
Élder David F Morgan
In other words, I am super tired, but happy. The nice thing about Camaquã and being out away from everything, that for any kind of conference, reunion, training, we must travel by bus, it provides for good nap time.
So to answer why the subject of the email is THEY CAME: There is a less active family here that has been in my mind from the first week we have been here. Valmir and Jossara. We eat lunch with them every week and I even used there computer on Christmas to talk to you all. They have been active members of the church for 20 years and have served at teachers, advisers, and presidents and who knows what else. They are great. It bums me out that the last few years that have stopped coming to church. I have been praying about them a lot and I haven´t been able to shake them from my mind since we have gotten here. This last Thursday at lunch with them (after they travelled for about a month) they showed us pictures of their travels and then pictures from when he was the Branch President here. It just got me thinking so much, the branch seemed to have so much life when they were there. When we were giving a message the next thing I new I was talking very openly about them coming back to church and what steps would be needed to make this happen and that we really needed them there and they needed it even more. We invited them to go to Stake Conference and he said they were already going to be in Pelotas and they we would see them there. I prayed A LOT Saturday night. At conference, I looked around and didn´t see them, and we got there before anybody. Suddenly halfway through the conference he sent us a message talking about the speakers and that he was the young men´s president of the man who just spoke, he then thanked us for having invited them. When we stood to sing the intermediate hymn I saw them near the back of the hall. My heart soared! I was so happy they came. Now I just hope we can get them to church this next Sunday at regular meetings!
Wow, so basically there is lots of things to write this week that I feel I won´t have time.
So at our training last Friday a sister missionaries called over to me and told me she had to talk to me. (oh great right?, ha just kidding) When she was looking through the mail she saw some of my letters and noticed I was from Medford. Turns out she just got her visa and had been serving in the Medford 8th Ward!!! What?!?! She asked me if I knew the McClures and showed me a picture of her with them! Ha I let her know that I know the McClures super well (mostly from many nights sleeping on their couch) and that Jared is one of my best buddies! She also mentioned a bunch of other families (Bennions, Hokansons, Zimmer) and said that Bro Russell is the best ward mission leader of ALL TIME! So that was kind of a neat coincidence.
We met a really great family this week and started teaching them. When we finished and invited them to read and pray about The Book of Mormon the mother told us that she would but then she said ´but I already believe in everything you´ve just taught us, I can feel it here ( pointing to the heart)´ I was so stunned I didn´t even know what to say. We knelt in prayer with them and they all offered great prayers and we marked a baptismal date with them. Sadly our next appointment fell through but we hope to get back there soon!
So ´Operação Salvação´is going super great too and there is a lot of fire in the mission right now and we are working really hard. The week wasn´t perfect we had days where everything seemed to go wrong, but I know we were doing our best to do our part and serve The Lord.
Well I will wrap it up. Lots of love, I pray for you. I know The Lord is mindful of his children and blesses them. Just thought of another really cool experience but you will have to wait until I get home to hear it.
Also, The Book of Mormon really is true, I know it, without a doubt. It is a blessing in my life.
Com Grande Amor
Élder David F Morgan
Friday, February 10, 2012
Wish I knew more country music. But not really.
Oi!
So once again the week has passed super fast and most of it has already fled from my memory.
Funny story. It starts in Simões Lopes. When I was with E. Palandi, we passed a house one time and he said, ´hey let´s knock here, it´s the same number as my house back home. (#370) It was a funny coincidence that is my number too. A few days ago, Elder Almeida said the same thing, ´hey lot´s knock here, it´s the same number as my house at home. ALSO #370. Whoa! What are the odds?
We had a good week of work, it was REALLY hot, or raining really hard, but that has to mean some big blessings are coming our way.
We went on exchanges with our Zone Leaders this week. so I made yet another travel to Pelotas this week, ha and there will be TWO this week. and probably another the following week as well. My goodness.
Anyways. Elder Nascimento stayed here with E. Almeida and I went to Pelotas with E. Hunsaker.
To be honest, my first impression on E. Hunsaker when I first met him a few transfers ago, was not the most impressive, and I was honestly (though I am ashamed to say it) a little surprised when he was called as my Zone Leader, and the idea of spending the day with him was an interesting one. But, as I thought about it, I decided to give him the benefit of the doubt, and thought that in reality I don´t know him that well and he is probably way different than my first impression and I will more than likely have a great experience and learn a lot from him. I was right. It was great, we worked hard, talked to lots of people, it was a holiday so we didn´t get to teach much; but I really learned a lot from just talking with him and we talked about being missionaries, companions etc. He also is a bit like my first impression which is SUPER red neck ha. He was a little disappointed I didn´t know more modern country music. When you get past Faith Hill, Garth Brooks, or Tim McGraw, I get pretty much lost... but I´m not really ashamed of that.
He talked to me about just being myself and when he prayed I really felt The Spirit strong and I could tell he has great faith.
We starting teaching a great family, that already have had some contact with the church previously, they are a little reserved, but treat us well and listen and ask questions, and I have great hopes for them.
That is about all for this week.
I was reading in The Book of Mormon, stories about other missionaries like Ammon and Aaron. I was impressed with the importance of service, and of always being an example. I also feel inspired as read the chapters of their teaching.
I am gonna go now. Much love, make sure you have a good balance in your life, and be happy.
Seu Filho, Irmão, e amigo
Elder David F. Morgan
So once again the week has passed super fast and most of it has already fled from my memory.
Funny story. It starts in Simões Lopes. When I was with E. Palandi, we passed a house one time and he said, ´hey let´s knock here, it´s the same number as my house back home. (#370) It was a funny coincidence that is my number too. A few days ago, Elder Almeida said the same thing, ´hey lot´s knock here, it´s the same number as my house at home. ALSO #370. Whoa! What are the odds?
We had a good week of work, it was REALLY hot, or raining really hard, but that has to mean some big blessings are coming our way.
We went on exchanges with our Zone Leaders this week. so I made yet another travel to Pelotas this week, ha and there will be TWO this week. and probably another the following week as well. My goodness.
Anyways. Elder Nascimento stayed here with E. Almeida and I went to Pelotas with E. Hunsaker.
To be honest, my first impression on E. Hunsaker when I first met him a few transfers ago, was not the most impressive, and I was honestly (though I am ashamed to say it) a little surprised when he was called as my Zone Leader, and the idea of spending the day with him was an interesting one. But, as I thought about it, I decided to give him the benefit of the doubt, and thought that in reality I don´t know him that well and he is probably way different than my first impression and I will more than likely have a great experience and learn a lot from him. I was right. It was great, we worked hard, talked to lots of people, it was a holiday so we didn´t get to teach much; but I really learned a lot from just talking with him and we talked about being missionaries, companions etc. He also is a bit like my first impression which is SUPER red neck ha. He was a little disappointed I didn´t know more modern country music. When you get past Faith Hill, Garth Brooks, or Tim McGraw, I get pretty much lost... but I´m not really ashamed of that.
He talked to me about just being myself and when he prayed I really felt The Spirit strong and I could tell he has great faith.
We starting teaching a great family, that already have had some contact with the church previously, they are a little reserved, but treat us well and listen and ask questions, and I have great hopes for them.
That is about all for this week.
I was reading in The Book of Mormon, stories about other missionaries like Ammon and Aaron. I was impressed with the importance of service, and of always being an example. I also feel inspired as read the chapters of their teaching.
I am gonna go now. Much love, make sure you have a good balance in your life, and be happy.
Seu Filho, Irmão, e amigo
Elder David F. Morgan
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Birthday Week
óla!
Yup, I´m twenty. Really, birthday was a pretty average day, we got home and planning took FOREVER, so I didn´t even do anything special that night, but I had a quiet present opening session and was thrilled over the stuffed monkey to now cuddle with on a nightly basis. I am wearing one of my new ties today too, it works to replace a few of the silk ones that have gotten wrecked in the freak thunder storms we have been having, I am always grateful for the rain that cools us down though, even though it is a pretty mild summer so far. I got lots of happy birthdays´ from members and the people we taught that day, so I felt special, and I enjoyed all the little email notes too, thank you all very much. I felt surprisingly at peace with the passing into the next decade of my life, and then very frightened when I realized I only have to live twice as long as I currently have and I will be forty...
Elder Almeida´s birthday was yesterday. I wanted to make a cake for him, but again, oven is busted. I felt really sick all that day too, didn´t sleep well at all the night before because of it, but I tried to stay positive not to ruin his day ha. Again, things like presents etc. not really traditions he has from his family, so all my attempts to celebrate his birthday were a little awkwardly received haha, I would like to meet his family someday. We were also going to make tacos at our lunch appointment, I even made special Morgan ´yellow stuff´ and then it did´n´t work out. Oh well, maybe another time. It was a good day though, and we started teaching a really great new family, they even asked us if they could visit church, but unfortunately they will be traveling for two weeks and we won´t be meeting with them for awhile. Sadly the father had to leave suddenly over a work situation during the beginning of the lesson and came back right for the end, so we left the pamphlet with him and invited him to read it to learn more, read The Book of Mormon, and to pray about our message.
Also! I bought myself a birthday present. When getting my last hair cut, and then watching E. Almeida get his, The man was just passing a machine over our heads and I thought, ´I could do that´ so, when I found out how cheaply I could by a pair of clippers here, I bought a pair and gave myself a haircut. I am actually SUPER excited about it, and it turned out way good; even in the back haha.
Also, we had an investigator at church yesterday, a man (who was clearly not COMPLETELY in his right mind) stopped us on the street last week, started talking to us about The Book of Mormon. He had found it in the trash and started to read it, found it interesting and asked us to come by and explain more. Ha, I am pretty sure part of his youth was passed with using quite powerful drugs, so having a conversation with him is quite interesting ha, but he understands well and is very creative too, when we were giving a lesson to the members on Sunday about how they can share The Gospel with their friends he gave a lot of good insights too. Also, when he told us how to find his house that has no address, he told us just to ask people were John of the Big Knife lives. or John Machete. I am looking forward to knowing how he got that nickname.
The work, honestly is still the same, I hope the lesson we gave to the members will help them have missionary experiences and have a desire to share The Gospel, THAT is going to be what makes the difference in this area.
We just started a new program in the mission called ´operação Salvação´ (operation salvation if you couldn´t tell) Ha, it´s basically just something to help us get fired up and creative, but is the standard council for missionaries too, and trying to focus on working all of us together in our districts and zones.
We made what is becoming our bi-weekly trip to Pelotas for leadership training. Us junior companions went to another room with Sister Swenson and we talked about training for new missionaries for a few new Elders and Sisters who showed up. Then I realized afterwards that the whole thing was in Portuguese and so they probably didn´t understand too much, ha oh well, it was fun.
That´s about it for the week, Lot´s of love. I started thinking a lot about Humility and Gratitude, and prayer this week. I will refrain from giving the same thoughts that I feel sure I have already given.
I love you all, take care. Do something selfless and kind today, even if it seems awkward to make the extra effort, I promise it will be worth it.
Elder David F. Morgan
Yup, I´m twenty. Really, birthday was a pretty average day, we got home and planning took FOREVER, so I didn´t even do anything special that night, but I had a quiet present opening session and was thrilled over the stuffed monkey to now cuddle with on a nightly basis. I am wearing one of my new ties today too, it works to replace a few of the silk ones that have gotten wrecked in the freak thunder storms we have been having, I am always grateful for the rain that cools us down though, even though it is a pretty mild summer so far. I got lots of happy birthdays´ from members and the people we taught that day, so I felt special, and I enjoyed all the little email notes too, thank you all very much. I felt surprisingly at peace with the passing into the next decade of my life, and then very frightened when I realized I only have to live twice as long as I currently have and I will be forty...
Elder Almeida´s birthday was yesterday. I wanted to make a cake for him, but again, oven is busted. I felt really sick all that day too, didn´t sleep well at all the night before because of it, but I tried to stay positive not to ruin his day ha. Again, things like presents etc. not really traditions he has from his family, so all my attempts to celebrate his birthday were a little awkwardly received haha, I would like to meet his family someday. We were also going to make tacos at our lunch appointment, I even made special Morgan ´yellow stuff´ and then it did´n´t work out. Oh well, maybe another time. It was a good day though, and we started teaching a really great new family, they even asked us if they could visit church, but unfortunately they will be traveling for two weeks and we won´t be meeting with them for awhile. Sadly the father had to leave suddenly over a work situation during the beginning of the lesson and came back right for the end, so we left the pamphlet with him and invited him to read it to learn more, read The Book of Mormon, and to pray about our message.
Also! I bought myself a birthday present. When getting my last hair cut, and then watching E. Almeida get his, The man was just passing a machine over our heads and I thought, ´I could do that´ so, when I found out how cheaply I could by a pair of clippers here, I bought a pair and gave myself a haircut. I am actually SUPER excited about it, and it turned out way good; even in the back haha.
Also, we had an investigator at church yesterday, a man (who was clearly not COMPLETELY in his right mind) stopped us on the street last week, started talking to us about The Book of Mormon. He had found it in the trash and started to read it, found it interesting and asked us to come by and explain more. Ha, I am pretty sure part of his youth was passed with using quite powerful drugs, so having a conversation with him is quite interesting ha, but he understands well and is very creative too, when we were giving a lesson to the members on Sunday about how they can share The Gospel with their friends he gave a lot of good insights too. Also, when he told us how to find his house that has no address, he told us just to ask people were John of the Big Knife lives. or John Machete. I am looking forward to knowing how he got that nickname.
The work, honestly is still the same, I hope the lesson we gave to the members will help them have missionary experiences and have a desire to share The Gospel, THAT is going to be what makes the difference in this area.
We just started a new program in the mission called ´operação Salvação´ (operation salvation if you couldn´t tell) Ha, it´s basically just something to help us get fired up and creative, but is the standard council for missionaries too, and trying to focus on working all of us together in our districts and zones.
We made what is becoming our bi-weekly trip to Pelotas for leadership training. Us junior companions went to another room with Sister Swenson and we talked about training for new missionaries for a few new Elders and Sisters who showed up. Then I realized afterwards that the whole thing was in Portuguese and so they probably didn´t understand too much, ha oh well, it was fun.
That´s about it for the week, Lot´s of love. I started thinking a lot about Humility and Gratitude, and prayer this week. I will refrain from giving the same thoughts that I feel sure I have already given.
I love you all, take care. Do something selfless and kind today, even if it seems awkward to make the extra effort, I promise it will be worth it.
Elder David F. Morgan
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Oi!
Oi!
So great to hear about Louie going through The Temple! Please send him a grand congratulations from me.
So this week was rather interesting. As far as teaching goes, not our most shining week. We had service projects that ran amuck. We helped a less active member move. Luckily she had a nephew and his friend helping too. You know the guy who does the show ´Dirty Jobs´? Ya, I´ve got him beat by miles. Pretty much we moved her and the twenty- thirty rats living in the very poorly cared for home, thank goodness she will be getting out of there.
We also helped a member put in his tile floor, mixing concrete etc. It was nice to do a different form of work, I also got super sun burned, it has been heating up a bit here. Ha, last night we were teaching a lesson and it started raining SUPER hard again, ha we basically waded home, but it´s nice and dry now again.
I had a realization about listening this week. I think something that many of us lack (myself included) is that we all are so preoccupied with what we want to say, that we forget to listen and actually respond to who we are talking to. Let´s all get out and listen a little better.
I guess that all of those years in boy scouts really paid off. We air dry all of our clothes and in a storm one of the lines broke. When I looked at the ropes somewhere in the back of my mind came Bro. Merrill´s voice when I was maybe 12 or 13 saying: A square knot is used to tie two pieces of rope together. I thought.. man how do you make a square knot again? again Bro. Merrill´s voice: Right over left, left over right. Yup, it worked, I even used it on a shoelace that broke a few weeks ago too. I am pretty much a square knot master now.
We are trying really hard to get the members involved more in the work here, something we are lacking on as well. We invited some members to go with us but our appointments fell through, bummer.
I am looking forward to this coming week, I hope and pray we have a lot of success. I am trying to just smile and just keep happy, I find joy in the little things, I find a lot of moments where I see something funny and am just able to laugh at myself a little bit. It helps.
I guess I am turning 20 this week huh? Ha thanks for all the emails and the cake mix. Our oven doesn´t work but maybe I can make it at a members house during a lunch appointment. Man, 20 when did I get there? I was handed off to give a talk in church on Sunday about council for youth. I was excited about the topic and prepared quickly. I have so enjoyed my teenage years. I thought I would feel really sad about being 20, but I decided I am not gonna fight it and just enjoy it. The talk gave me a chance to reflect on my teenage years, what I would have told myself, what I always heard, things I learned, it was pretty fun. I found it funny that everything I was going to say I had already heard from other people who have counseled me over the years. Wise people learn from their mistakes, REALLY wise people, learn from the mistakes of others. I did a little bit of both. Basically what I talked about was recognizing that as a youth, it seemed like wickedness was happiness and that the Gospel restricts our freedom. My advice was the same that Alma gave his son in The Book of Mormon, "wickedness never was happiness." Anyways, I had a good moment to reflect on my teenage years and I am happy to look back and see that I thoroughly enjoyed it and am grateful for the things I learned.
Have a great week everybody. I will be praying for you. Thanks for all your love and support.
Seu Filho, Irmão, e amigo
Elder David. F. Morgan
So great to hear about Louie going through The Temple! Please send him a grand congratulations from me.
So this week was rather interesting. As far as teaching goes, not our most shining week. We had service projects that ran amuck. We helped a less active member move. Luckily she had a nephew and his friend helping too. You know the guy who does the show ´Dirty Jobs´? Ya, I´ve got him beat by miles. Pretty much we moved her and the twenty- thirty rats living in the very poorly cared for home, thank goodness she will be getting out of there.
We also helped a member put in his tile floor, mixing concrete etc. It was nice to do a different form of work, I also got super sun burned, it has been heating up a bit here. Ha, last night we were teaching a lesson and it started raining SUPER hard again, ha we basically waded home, but it´s nice and dry now again.
I had a realization about listening this week. I think something that many of us lack (myself included) is that we all are so preoccupied with what we want to say, that we forget to listen and actually respond to who we are talking to. Let´s all get out and listen a little better.
I guess that all of those years in boy scouts really paid off. We air dry all of our clothes and in a storm one of the lines broke. When I looked at the ropes somewhere in the back of my mind came Bro. Merrill´s voice when I was maybe 12 or 13 saying: A square knot is used to tie two pieces of rope together. I thought.. man how do you make a square knot again? again Bro. Merrill´s voice: Right over left, left over right. Yup, it worked, I even used it on a shoelace that broke a few weeks ago too. I am pretty much a square knot master now.
We are trying really hard to get the members involved more in the work here, something we are lacking on as well. We invited some members to go with us but our appointments fell through, bummer.
I am looking forward to this coming week, I hope and pray we have a lot of success. I am trying to just smile and just keep happy, I find joy in the little things, I find a lot of moments where I see something funny and am just able to laugh at myself a little bit. It helps.
I guess I am turning 20 this week huh? Ha thanks for all the emails and the cake mix. Our oven doesn´t work but maybe I can make it at a members house during a lunch appointment. Man, 20 when did I get there? I was handed off to give a talk in church on Sunday about council for youth. I was excited about the topic and prepared quickly. I have so enjoyed my teenage years. I thought I would feel really sad about being 20, but I decided I am not gonna fight it and just enjoy it. The talk gave me a chance to reflect on my teenage years, what I would have told myself, what I always heard, things I learned, it was pretty fun. I found it funny that everything I was going to say I had already heard from other people who have counseled me over the years. Wise people learn from their mistakes, REALLY wise people, learn from the mistakes of others. I did a little bit of both. Basically what I talked about was recognizing that as a youth, it seemed like wickedness was happiness and that the Gospel restricts our freedom. My advice was the same that Alma gave his son in The Book of Mormon, "wickedness never was happiness." Anyways, I had a good moment to reflect on my teenage years and I am happy to look back and see that I thoroughly enjoyed it and am grateful for the things I learned.
Have a great week everybody. I will be praying for you. Thanks for all your love and support.
Seu Filho, Irmão, e amigo
Elder David. F. Morgan
Monday, January 16, 2012
What A Week
Oi!
Hey everybody!
´Funny story´ today we called the same locksmith for the third time (not my fault this time) for reasons that will remain a mystery until we meet again. Pretty much we are single handedly supporting that mans´ family.
So what happened this week. We made what now seems to be becoming our weekly trip to Pelotas ha. Elder. Godoy of the first quorum of the Seventy (who is actually from Porto Alegre) came to visit our mission. It was REALLY neat. What always seems to amaze me about General Authorities of the church is how they seem to be so light spirited yet simultaneously reverent. Elder Godoy was definitely like that. He talked about our purpose as missionaries and also talked about WHY we are sent to our specific mission, but he said that REALLY we get sent to a Mission President and his wife. That there are lessons that we need to learn from them that The Lord sends us to them to specifically. I found it interesting, I had never really looked at it like that. P.S. the woman/youngish lady next to me keeps glancing over at me awkwardly. Coming back, overall. A VERY spiritually enriching experience, it put some more gas in the tank and I felt uplifted. Gosh, seriously, she looks over her every thirty seconds, it´s freaking me out.
We discussed that we are here for three reasons, Salvation of others, to build up the church, and to save ourselves. I tried to take good notes but I was just REALLY intent on listening that I forgot, not too unlike me.
Oh, I didn´t get transferred, ha I guess nobody got their visa, from what I understand, two Argentinian elders will be joining our mission though.
Saturday it rained, ALL day, got soaked, changed after lunch. Got soaked again, ha. umbrellas do nothing.
We are having some difficulties actually getting people to COME TO CHURCH.
It is nice knowing I will have a whole transfer here again, we will be trying some new ideas and refining what we already have to be even better. I am happy to be here. I am trying to really pour out my heart at night to The Lord and focus on others, but I feel so tired that I don´t seem to manage to think about anything, my mind seems to drift so easily during prayer and I hope He knows what I am feeling in my heart than the words that come, because sometimes I am sure they don´t make sense. Basically, life as a missionary is good, Camaquã is presenting new challenges, and armed with The Spirit, there isn´t anything we can´t do.
com grande amor
Seu Filho, Irmão, e amigo
Elder David F. Morgan
Hey everybody!
´Funny story´ today we called the same locksmith for the third time (not my fault this time) for reasons that will remain a mystery until we meet again. Pretty much we are single handedly supporting that mans´ family.
So what happened this week. We made what now seems to be becoming our weekly trip to Pelotas ha. Elder. Godoy of the first quorum of the Seventy (who is actually from Porto Alegre) came to visit our mission. It was REALLY neat. What always seems to amaze me about General Authorities of the church is how they seem to be so light spirited yet simultaneously reverent. Elder Godoy was definitely like that. He talked about our purpose as missionaries and also talked about WHY we are sent to our specific mission, but he said that REALLY we get sent to a Mission President and his wife. That there are lessons that we need to learn from them that The Lord sends us to them to specifically. I found it interesting, I had never really looked at it like that. P.S. the woman/youngish lady next to me keeps glancing over at me awkwardly. Coming back, overall. A VERY spiritually enriching experience, it put some more gas in the tank and I felt uplifted. Gosh, seriously, she looks over her every thirty seconds, it´s freaking me out.
We discussed that we are here for three reasons, Salvation of others, to build up the church, and to save ourselves. I tried to take good notes but I was just REALLY intent on listening that I forgot, not too unlike me.
Oh, I didn´t get transferred, ha I guess nobody got their visa, from what I understand, two Argentinian elders will be joining our mission though.
Saturday it rained, ALL day, got soaked, changed after lunch. Got soaked again, ha. umbrellas do nothing.
We are having some difficulties actually getting people to COME TO CHURCH.
It is nice knowing I will have a whole transfer here again, we will be trying some new ideas and refining what we already have to be even better. I am happy to be here. I am trying to really pour out my heart at night to The Lord and focus on others, but I feel so tired that I don´t seem to manage to think about anything, my mind seems to drift so easily during prayer and I hope He knows what I am feeling in my heart than the words that come, because sometimes I am sure they don´t make sense. Basically, life as a missionary is good, Camaquã is presenting new challenges, and armed with The Spirit, there isn´t anything we can´t do.
com grande amor
Seu Filho, Irmão, e amigo
Elder David F. Morgan
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