Letter home May 28

Dear Family,

That's so awesome the C's daughter is going to Mesa!!! Wow! We could literally be serving across the street from each other... that is great! It's funny, I know so many people who are serving there. Tell her she's going to the greatest mission in the world, besides Tempe AZ of course (:

That's so crazy what's going on in the world. I'm kind of glad I'm in my 100% gospel filled life right now... as missionaries we are exposed to a ton, things I've never faced in my life before. But it's amazing the Spirit that comes into our lives when we set ourselves apart from the cheap, vulgar things of the world. It always feels so weird going shopping and things, just because of the music that's playing and the things the world advertises... I'm so glad that we can share the gospel and help bring light and truth and happiness to this world that desperately needs it! I hope you have fun with Elder "OJ" haha, that is hilarious! And sounds fun! And thanks for sending the pictures of beautiful Virginia! Sorry, I didn't mean to complain about the grayness of the last ones - I know they were by the beach haha (: It was just crazy to see, a huge contrast from AZ! And the lush green of VA looks sooo foreign, even now, it's so beautiful! I'm glad Chessie and Baxter and the chickens are doing well.. it's fun to see pictures of them. (:

Well, our week here has definitely been very exciting. I think it's been one of the longest weeks of my whole mission! But it's been great. So much has happened. It started off with a crazy note. So, you know how I wrote home last week about Pres. T's talk, about doubting our doubts before we doubt our faith? And then, how the next day, I was reading from the Book of Mormon, and received that spiritual witness that God truly knows everything, and I can trust Him to be the source of truth? Well, that was probably one of the simplest, but most profound moments that has ever strengthened my testimony. It was amazing.

Well, the next day, we went to teach this lady a lesson... she had said she was interested, and told us to come back. We came back, and she took us into her room, and then had us start teaching her. We started teaching her from the pamphlet, and she would say really negative things about what we were saying. We would try and help her understand, or share a simple testimony, and be really respectful. But she kept picking apart every simple truth we taught her. Finally she pulled out a composition notebook, where she had handwritten pages of anti Mormon literature to attack us with... it was so awful! I felt so yucky afterwards. It was really sad. She pretended to be interested and brought us into her home to convince us that we belonged to a cult.. it was crazy. It was really crazy though, how it happened on Tuesday - literally the day after I received that spiritual confirmation, yet again, of the truthfulness of the gospel, and of the prophet Joseph Smith. It was amazing how God truly helped me and prepared me for that experience. I know He is truly aware of us. I think a year ago that would have shaken me up, but with everything I've learned and the experiences I've had, it didn't shake my faith or my testimony one bit. I know this church is true. :)

We also had another incredible lesson with a young lady named J. Like many people here, she has the most heartbreaking story. She used to live in Mesa, and was being taught by the missionaries there, and was almost baptized! But then she got kicked out of her house, and had to come back to live here - with some family who she had moved away from, determined never to live back with them again, because of how bad the circumstances are. It was so heartbreaking, just her house had that icky, icky feeling because of what her family is doing. So she was stuck in this environment, and felt that there were things around her and in her home that shouldn't be there. So we went over with the elders in our ward to give her a blessing, and had a member come with us. The elders gave her a beautiful blessing, and the Spirit was strong. She was able to feel that peace. After the blessing, they left, and we sat and talked with her with the member who was with us. The member started sharing some experiences with J, and it turned out that she has been through exactly what J is going through. She talked with her about how Satan is real, but that through reading the scriptures and praying every day, he can have no influence over us. We can bring that light into our lives that will push all the darkness away. It was so, so powerful. After the lesson she shared with us some experiences that she had, with tears running down her face, and it was just so powerful. I know Heavenly Father is real, and that the power of Christ's Atonement and the Holy Ghost is real. It was an incredible, incredible experience. It was heavy though. 

As a missionary, sometimes I feel like the heaviest burden is on me. Just being responsible to be the missionary Heavenly Father wants me to be, to love my companion, to help these people and do everything I can to help them come closer to Christ... literally everything I can. Every prayer, every moment reading the scriptures, every thought, every action, is just influenced by my calling and my responsibility as a missionary. I am so grateful, and wouldn't change anything. I love being a missionary, and right now I feel like I could stay here forever. :) But it is a heavy burden. 

So, it was a bit of a heavy week. But we have also had some really fun, awesome moments too. :)

Tuesday night K came with us to lessons, and we taught a kid named A whose getting baptized next week. He is so awesome!!! We taught him to keep the Sabbath Day holy, and played a game of charades to keep him interested (he's 9). So we acted out things, and then decided if it's something Heavenly Father would want us to do on Sunday.. it was so fun! It really helped him understand, and it was also so fun in the process :D

We also had one of the greatest moments of my mission!! Oh man. So, C and T - do you remember them? From Maricopa? I guess C wants to serve a mission! When we first met her, she had told us that she wasn't sure if she was committted to the church. And now she is going strong and wants to serve a mission. And T, he is super pumped to serve, and he is so excited to be a missionary someday. It made me so happy, to think of them being so happy and so involved in the gospel! And having that faith, that testimony, that when we gain it, we want to go out and share it with everyone, because of the happiness it brings. It's just the greatest. :)

Well, this week we had dinner with K, and she's so awesome! We were sitting and talking, eating our burritos, and she told us that she has been thinking of serving a mission!!! She's been thinking alot about it, and praying alot about it, but isn't sure... just because of her newness to the gospel, and also because her boyfriend implied he would break up with her if she left. Well, we talked about it, and she said she really wants to go, and she knows she should put God above everything else - above her fears, and make Him first priority in her life. And she said she feels like she knows what her answer is already, but needs to make sure. Isn't that amazing? She would be the greatest missionary! She is so awesome - so kind to others, and so excited about the gospel. She's even been having scripture study with another friend she has who just got back from his mission too! She is doing so well, and it just brings me the greatest happiness. I'm so, so grateful that I'm so blessed to be able to see these changes in the people's lives who I've taught. It's amazing. :) 

Other then that, this week has been good. I've felt a bit down the past few days... just realizing my weaknesses, and feeling a bit alone. But I know that I'm learning from it, and that I can find peace and strength in the scriptures and in prayer, and that has been a great blessing to me. Sister D is also awesome. She's been a huge support and example to me. 

Well, thank you so much for all your prayers, and for your examples. I really love you guys. Thank you for your support and your love. It brings me a lot of strength and comfort to know your always there, even if far away. :)

I love you!

love,

Sister Whitney Morris

Funny Moments

We were out with this AWESOME member, and we were driving around... and she told us that she and her husband were talking, and had realized that missionaries say super about everything! We are always saying that is super cool, he's super solid, that was a super awesome lesson, I'm doing super great, we can bike there super fast, that person is super golden, ect. So her and her husband were laughing about that, and said it's because we're super men and women, and so everything is super... haha, but ever since they told us that, we always laugh whenever we say super. Because we really say it ALL THE TIME. And now we've noticed so many stores, taco trucks, ect who have super in the name! It's so funny! 

Also, we were driving with a member the other day, and there was a man walking down the street, wearing.... a purple cape, cheetah print pants, a tie tied around his knee, and other multiple ties tied around his ankles and neck....just chilling, walking out of the gas station and walking down the street. Hahaha, you see the craziest things here... I love it. I really love Maryvale. :) It is soooo crazy, and it's the best.

A & Sis D & I & their family (:

 

 

Dear Family,

Wow, Mommy, you look gorgeous! I love your skirt and blouse! Super cute. Thanks so much for the email! I'm so jealous of the sales at the consignment shop... haha, but turns out we have a goodwill here that sells clothes by the pound! So we've been going there a lot. Remember those fun shopping trips in Oregon? That was such a blast! 

Stories of high school sound soo awkward... and so familiar. Haha. . Tell Isaac I love him, and am proud of him for remembering the Savior. That's awesome Orjan is coming! You'll have to tell him hi for me. And the Woodstock tower has such a beautiful view! It's so weird to look back on pictures I have from home. Everything is sooo green, and the pictures you sent look so gray! I  mean, it's absolutely beautiful. But it feels like a foreign world! Here it's hitting 100, 105 every day, and it's so sunny.... it's pretty hot, haha. But luckily it doesn't seem to be affecting me too much yet. It doesn't really bother me at all! I'm getting a great tan, and although sometimes it feels like I'm biking through a hair dryer, we just keep drinking water and working hard. And it's awesome. :) I love it! 

That's so awesome the boys listen to that song! I love the youth lds music, and I know exactly what one your talking about :) Which reminds me, did you guys ever look up "The Work" cd? Or the Nashville Tribute Band? I emailed you about them a few weeks ago... seriously THE BEST CDS EVER. The boys would love them!! 

Well, as for me, this week has been incredible!! We got transfer calls, and both Sis D. and I are staying in Phoenix - WOOHOOO!!! :) I'm so glad! The work here is going so well. There is so much potential! I feel like we're barely scraping the top of everything that could happen. We are going to be moving to a different apartment complex, to make room for some elders their adding to our ward. So there will be 3 sets of missionaries in our ward! Our area will get smaller, but I know we're still going to have a ton of work to do. We are so excited. I am so glad I'm staying. :) 

We had some cool experiences this week! We had some pretty crazy lessons, and also some very powerful ones. We taught a new referral named I who reminds me soo much of Rhylee from Colorado. Haha so random, but we instantly became friends! She's pretty involved in her church, but we were able to teach her about the Restoration, and she said she would read and pray. And we set up an appt to come back. So we're excited about that! 

We are also teaching this incredible lady named S! She is AMAZING. The elders called us up a few weeks ago, and said that a cop had a referral for us. It turned out to be the coolest story! So earlier that week, S had been praying. She said she had been praying harder then she ever had in her life - just kneeling, and pouring her heart out to God. She said that this feeling came to her that was so incredible, and so strong. She asked for guidance and just to come closer to Him. Well, it turns out, she and her daughter had some issues with an ex boyfriend, so later that week a policeman came over to talk with them and help them. Somehow the conversation turned to the gospel, and I guess he made a huge impact on her. So she's started meeting with us, and she is just so excited, and has the strongest desire to follow God. It's incredible! We are so excited to meet with her again this week.

We also had a super awesome referral yesterday!!! Oh man! So we went with K to the mission president fireside yesterday, and that was so fun. Pres. T gave an incredible talk, which I'll write more about later :) But we had a great experience, and on the ride home, she told us that after her baptism, her 13 yr old sister started asking her a ton of questions about the church. She was super interested! So K answered her questions, and then asked if she would like to meet with us. Her sister said yes! And then her sister told her that she was worried, because she wanted to go to church, and K is going to Hawaii soon, so she didn't know who would give her a ride... she was already looking that far ahead, haha. So then K told us, "Well, you guys don't have to... but do you know anyone who would like to teach her? If you know anyone, that would be awesome!" And we said "Yeah!!! Oh, we would love to!" Haha, isn't that so awesome? So we are going to start teaching her on Tuesday!! I am so excited. It's the best being able to see families come together, and see how much happiness people have when they learn about the gospel. It's truly the most amazing thing I've ever seen in my life. (: So that is super exciting. 

I can't think of much more to say... I forgot my journal, and usually I use it to help me remember haha. But this week has truly been amazing. There are so many spiritual moments every day that strengthen my testimony. I have felt the Spirit so strongly! And there are so many crazy, funny moments every day... There is one funny story I do remember. So our zone leaders are awesome! They're so funny!

Well, I did want to share one more super cool thing with you guys. Last night, President T talked with us about doubting our doubts before we doubt our faith. What he said really stuck out to me, because sometimes people throw a lot of anti material at us, or at the people we teach. It's really sad! But I was reading the Book of Mormon this morning, and I felt the Spirit so strongly... and it came to me that God knows everything. He knows the big picture. He knows exactly why the priesthood ban, why polygamy, and he knows exactly who Joseph Smith was and what he did. He knows if Joseph Smith was a prophet or not. It just came to me, God has a perfect knowledge and knows this exactly. So why would we let mortal people - with limited, short sighted understanding, and sometimes bad intent, destroy our faith? We can turn to God, who is the source of all truth. He knows what is true. We can pray and ask Him what is true, and He will guide us. He won't lead us astray. We can trust that that spiritual witness we feel comes directly from Him. Then it comes to faith - trusting in God, and His perfect knowledge and understanding and truth, or believing those of imperfect understanding and sometimes biased intentions. I know with all my heart that the Spirit, the Holy Ghost, is real, and that He testifies of truth. I have felt it witness to me so strongly that Joseph Smith is a prophet, and that this church is Christ's church, that I cannot deny it. I trust that the immense peace, joy, and happiness that comes from living this gospel comes because it is true. And nobody who spreads lies or rumors about the church can take that witness from God away from me. 

It was such a powerful talk, and moment in my testimony... I wish I could describe it well enough, I really can't. But anyways. 

I love you guys! I'm so glad all is well at home. I'm excited to get that package, thanks for sending it. (: Love you!! Stay strong!

love,

Sister Whitney Morris

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Letter Home Monday May 12, 2014

Dear Family,

 

Gosh, my mind is going a million different places right now. It was SO AWESOME talking with you yesterday! Seriously, it made me soo happy. (: Just being able to see your faces and laugh at my brothers and talk with you about things going on.. it was just so special to me. Thanks so much, for being such an incredible family. I love you guys. :) 

I don't know what to say, since I talked to you yesterday haha, but I guess I can tell you a little about this past week. It's been an awesome one! I can't believe transfers are next week again. Isn't that crazy? I have loved Phoenix. You asked what the area is like yesterday, and I didn't want to describe it too much, because we were at a members house, but it is seriously... different... We've knocked a few houses that have broken windows and gunshots through the windows or glass doors... and there's graffiti on everything. The mailboxes, the sidewalk, the streets... that part is kind of cool though, some of the art is really neat. This past week for some reason we met a lot of crazier people then usual. Literally within an hour of biking one group of guys called us cowgirls, someone we stopped to talk to immediately asked if we had cigarettes, and then told us they were a ticking time bomb and that they didn't need our message today, we passed two or three people randomly singing or rapping out loud, like nobody in the world was watching, and then one man waved at us very creepily with a huge comb, and then one lady yelled at us something about how she wants to gather to Utah... it was crazy haha.

This past week we went out with a sister in our ward who is so incredible. She served her mission in Hong Kong a long, long time ago, and she came with us on some visits. Well, we were driving along, and she decided to take a shortcut through an alley... it was so crazy! We've never gone in the alleys before, and probably never will again. But it's literally a maze. They go forever! I felt like we were driving through a labyrinth. It was kind of scary though... alot of the yards had giant dogs, that run up and bark at you, and there was a shed that someone had written "los santos de muertos..." or the saints of death. How creepy is that??? Ugh! I was so happy to drive out of there! 

Anyways, sorry that this probably sounds so crazy. And it is! But it is so fun, I do love it here. It is never ever boring, and the one amazing thing is that the people here are so willing to talk to you. They are so open to having us share a message with them and talk with them, I think because so many of them have gone through the most difficult trials, and are so humble. I am so, so grateful to be serving here in Phoenix. The members and the people we are able to talk with are incredible, it really humbles me. 

I'm trying to think of what else to say, and probably the highlight of my week was definitely K's baptism. She is sooo amazing! It was such a neat experience. Her boyfriend baptized her, and I thought it was the cutest thing. I can definitely see them getting married in the temple someday. (: Her boyfriend's dad confirmed her a member of the church on Sunday, and it was the most beautiful blessing! The Spirit was so strong. K told us that the night after she was baptized, she prayed, and she felt everything. She didn't even know how to describe it, except that she cried and was so, so happy. It was so amazing. :) A while back she gave Sis D and I these super cute matching bracelets and Bath and Body Works lotion - she is so sweet! So on her baptism we gave her matching pearl and sparkly bracelets, and we took pictures, and just had so much fun. She is an incredible person. It was one of the happiest days of my mission! :) Afterwards she sent us this text and wished you guys a Happy Mother's Day! She said... "When you talk to your moms let them know I said hi and wish them a happy Mother's day and that I''m very grateful for them because they raised two AMAZING ladies who are so sweet, kind, and have such a strong desire to teach the word of the Lord. Without them I wouldn't have met you two, and without you two I wouldn't have been baptized. So thank you! And most of all thanks to Heavenly Father."

 

Isn't that soooo sweet??? I was so happy when I read that! Moments like that, and when you feel the Spirit so strongly, are what make all the hard times on missions worth it. :) Because believe me, there are a lot of hard times! It's like the talk by Elder Bednar this past conference, serving a mission means you are carrying a heavy load, 24/7, and your usual ways to de stress are taken from you. You can't be alone, listen to your favorite music, take a nap... instead, Heavenly Father asks us to turn to Him, to Jesus Christ, and to the Atonement. He's teaching us a new, better way to cope with the stresses in our lives. And I can't tell you how incredible it is. It is hard. But it's also the most rewarding and most incredible thing I've ever done. 

Well, I don't know what else to write, except I love it here! My zone is also so fun. Recently we've come home to a lot of surprises. The sister training leaders are always writing post its and leaving them on our car... my favorite they wrote was "Born in the ashes of Phoenix, Spirit so strong your gonna need a kleenex" haha. They made up a rap with it too :) And then another day we came home to an ENORMOUS stuffed dog on our front porch... It was huge!!! Turns out the zone leaders found it in an alleyway, so they picked it up - touching it as little as they could, because it is disgusting haha - and they left it there.... and we just keep it there now, haha. One of the elders in our ward got emergency transferred, so we have a new elder in our ward, and that's been fun! It's just such a fun group, I love the missionaries we serve with.

Well, I don't know what else to write, and this keyboard is super greasy... I think somebody ate popcorn before they got on it earlier haha, gross! So sorry there's so many crazy things in this email. But I love you guys. :) You mean everything to me! Thank you so much for the support and love you show me, and for your amazing examples. I love you!! :)

love,

Sister Whitney Morris

PS. The thieves oil is working amazing! I forgot to tell you! I love it! :)

PPS. I love the quilt!!! And that's awesome you guys are wearing dresses so much. (: So many people ask us why we have to wear skirts all the time... it's funny, haha. But the baseball game sounded fun too, way to go Mommy for going, and for reading Preach My Gospel :) You guys are the best!

Photo from L's baptism

 

  

 

Woops, I don't think I ever sent these pics... heres a George Washington we went to visit last week haha. 

 

  

The giant dog

 

 

 

 

We made tamales with some ladies in our ward (: yum!!!!

 

 

 

K's baptism!

 

 

 

 

 

Hahaha these crack me up so much (: it was so fun talking with you!

 

 

 

Hilarious.... We are so weird.

 

 

 

 

Awesome graffiti!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Letter home May 5, 2014

Dear Family,

Wow. Thank you so much for that email. I literally read it, sitting here in the library, with tears coming down my face. I am so proud of all of the kids, and of our family. 

Hannah, I want to write a personal letter to you later, but I'm not sure if I'll have time because it's Mothers Day next weekend, so I have some other letter writing to do. (: But I just wanted to let you know how proud I am of how strong you are. You are incredible. I'm so proud of you for standing up for your beliefs, and also for honestly questioning. I know it's through asking questions that our faith grows and we can gain those witnesses for ourselves. When everything in the world challenges our beliefs, just always remember those times you have felt the Holy Ghost. I know I've had many questions. But in the end, we can always, always trust the Holy Ghost to give us those answers to the truth. Heavenly Father wants us to live by faith... not by sight. And to me, that often makes me think that we have to learn to trust those feelings that come from Him. That can be hard in a world that ridicules and tries to tear down. But I know, without a doubt, that the Holy Ghost is real, and that those feelings come from God. Trust those witnesses. Do the work to feel the Spirit, put in the effort to sincerely pray and study and ponder, and ask Heavenly Father for guidance and answers, and to feel the Spirit. I know He will answer your prayers through the feelings of the Holy Ghost. It also reminded me of an experience Elder Russel M. Nelson had. Did you know he's an incredible scientist? There's  a few apostles that are (: But one time, a long time ago, this man came to him with a terrible heart condition. The man told Elder Nelson that he needed to operate on his heart, and fix it. Elder Nelson studied what he would need to do, and he told the man that there was no surgery that they could do to help him. He didn't know how to operate. The man told him, I don't care, I have prayed, and the Lord has told me to have you operate on me. Elder Nelson prayed, and prayed, and the day of the surgery came. He told the man before he began, "I have prayed, and prayed, and studied, and thought, and I still don't know what to do". The man told him to go ahead with the surgery, and that the Lord would guide him. Well, Elder Nelson went on with the surgery. He said that as soon as he made the first incision, a blueprint came into his mind, showing him exactly where he needed to cut, and what he needed to do to help this man's heart heal. The surgery was a success, and is now used in hospitals everywhere to help heart patients. I know it's because of that man's faith, and Elder Nelson's faith, that that was possible, and now think of how many people that has helped. I truly know that all truth is of God - whether it's scientific truth, or spiritual truth. It all fits together. We just don't understand all of it right now. (: But I believe we will someday. So trust in God! And trust those spiritual witnesses. This church, this gospel, is true. Also, you should read the talk by Elder Nelson from last conference. It's an awesome one :)

I'm so proud of Isaac, too. I would love to read that poem, if that's okay! And Adam's testimony, of his sharing the gospel, and that moment when you feel the Spirit... that made me cry (: I know the Spirit is real. That's how we recieve those answers. It makes me so, so happy that our family is being able to have those experiences to strengthen their faith and grow their own testimonies. I know this gospel is true! 

Also, the pictures of prom looked sooooo fun!!! Wow! Isaac is handsome! And Shannon looked gorgeous! She fits in perfectly. 

So glad you got the name tag (: And sorry my last email didn't come! I'll send it again after this one.

Oh man, this week has been incredible. Hard at some points, but also incredible. I don't even know where to start!

We had zone meetings this past Wednesday that have changed my life. Pres. T. met with Elder Ballard, and about twenty other mission presidents, and Elder Ballard wanted him to train all the missionaries on what he taught him, immediately. So we gathered together, and they focused completely on asking the right questions. Pres. T. shared a scripture, and then invited us to come up with a question about that doctrine. We started asking questions - just a huge group discussion - asking questions like, How can I help my companion apply the Atonement in their life? How can I become a better missionary? How can the Savior help me with (fill in the blank... self doubt, overcoming weaknesses, becoming more obedient, ect.) The Spirit was so strong. Honestly, I can't describe it, just to say that it was the most powerful meeting I have ever been in. I feel like in my life I have learned about the Atonement alot, and have applied it. But I never realized how much more the Atonement can offer us.... and how all we need to do is ask the right questions to learn even more. I feel like my mind was opened to learn many of the mysteries and incredible truths that God has to offer us. It was just so incredible. He also talked about how the apostles are so concerned for the youth, and for the missionaries, becoming deeply converted. He said that there are many, many trials coming - many dark times. And that, unless we are deeply converted, we won't have the strength to stand strong. It was... wow. Just realizing we truly do live in the last days, and and things are going to continue escalating in time, until Jesus Christ comes again... and to make it, we need to be doing these things for ourselves. Gaining our own testimonies, our own relationship and trust in God, and having that firm foundation in Christ. It was life changing. I can't describe it more, but I just know the Spirit I felt, and it was incredible.

One more thing that stuck out to me from it was that Elder Ballard said, to each mission president, and to Pres T, 

"President T, if the Arizona Tempe Mission didn't have one baptism for 5 years - 10 years - 20 years - we would still keep the mission open." He talked about how we are called to serve two missions; one for the people in the area we serve, and also one for the missionaries we serve with, and how great of an impact we can make on each other's lives. He then asked us, "What is it about a mission that can create that deep conversion?". It was so amazing. I wish I could tell you everything!

 

K is doing fantastic! We watched the Restoration with her yesterday, and afterwards I asked her what the biggest change she has seen, as she's grown in her faith and the gospel. That question led to her sharing her testimony of the gospel, of the peace she has found, and that she knows that it is true. The spirit was so strong (: She has come such a long ways, and she was so prepared! I am so excited for her baptism this Saturday. It's going to be incredible. :)

We also got to go to Maricopa for L and Tr's baptism!!! Oh, that was the best! Just seeing them walk in, and their faces were glowing. Some old friends who first introduced L to the gospel baptized them, and the Spirit was so, so strong. Sister R came too, and I can't even describe how happy I was to see her! It was one of the happiest, or probably the happiest, few hours of my whole mission. I can bear testimony that the greatest joy I have ever felt in my life has come from seeing someone I love accept the gospel, and the happiness that they gain in following and coming to know Jesus Christ. It was so incredible! 

Well, just know that everything is going so well. I love being a missionary. I feel like these past few weeks, I have grown more then I have my entire mission. I have learned so much. My heart is changing. I know that Jesus Christ is real. I have felt His love for me, and have felt the purest love flow through me as I help others come unto Him. I know that His Atonement can change our lives, and our very natures.

 

Well, running out of time. But I love you guys! Man. I am so proud of all of you. I can't wait to talk on Mothers Day :) We'll be calling probably after 6 our time - pacific time, because we don't have daylight savings - so I'm guessing that's 9 your time? Hopefully that's not too late. So keep the phone on! :) I don't know how to work skype, but I'll try, so we can try it... but maybe just calling would be best. 

I'll talk with you on Sunday! Stay strong everyone :)

love,

Sister Whitney Morris

P.S. Funny moment - there is a man in our ward named... George Edward Washington!!! That's right, we're going to go visit George Washington today. No big deal :D Haha, thought you would get a kick out of that!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

Letter home April 29, 2014

Dear Family,

Thank you so much for the Easter packages and letters and everything! I got them this week, and it was just so fun to read the letters and eat the chocolate covered sunflower seeds.... yum... and just be able to hear from you. I loved the picture Hannah colored for me, of the calla lilies. How did she know those are some of my favorites? (: It was so cool because we went to the temple this past week for a session, and they have beautiful calla lilies and enormous hollyhocks growing outside. It's so beautiful! So thank you so much for that! And thank you sooo much for sending the journal and garments and everything. I appreciate it so much!

I'm so happy to hear you've been reading from PMG!!! That is awesome! Those are some of my favorite parts too (: I'm so excited for Isaac's mormon prom, you're going to have to send alot of pictures! And the pictures of Peter were soooo cute! He is getting so big, but does look so little. He is so adorable :) That heart melting smile... haha. Thank you for sending those! I thought of you guys during the day and was hoping the baptism went well. That's so awesome that all the kids could help out with the program. That is definitely GREAT practice for serving a mission, and just serving in the church in general! Thanks also for sharing your experiences about the priesthood blessings, Dad and Mommy. That was so amazing to hear. (: I love this gospel. And it's incredible how the Spirit can guide us to say exactly what the person needs to hear. Way to be awesome examples (:

Well, this week has been TERRIFIC! Oh man! I don't even know where to start. But I guess I'll start on Tuesday. So on Tuesday we had our lesson with K... and it was so amazing. The Spirit was so strong! We talked about the Plan of Salvation, and God's plan for us and our families, and how we need to follow Jesus Christ to return to live with Heavenly Father again. The Spirit was so strong, and we invited her to be baptized.... and she said yes!! (Haha don't I sound like a guy telling his parents he got engaged? Haha, sorry, random funny thought.) Anyways, it was so amazing because she told us that when she first started meeting with us, she just felt so skeptical. She didn't really believe anything we were saying. But the as we've been meeting with her, she has just started believing more and more. And I know it's because she's been keeping her commitments. She's prayed with us, and has started praying often on her own. She's been reading from the Book of Mormon, and has told us about how what she's read has applied to her life, and she's just learning so much from the scriptures! And the Spirit has been so strong during our lessons. So she is getting baptized on May 10th!! 

Our next lesson with her we taught her the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and it went so well. We had a super powerful moment when we talked about forgiveness, and both she and we were just crying. It was just so amazing. Near the end of the lesson we asked her why she wanted to be baptized, or what made her want to, and she started crying again. She told us that she had searched her entire life for a church that felt right to her, and that now she felt it. She told us how it gave her so much happiness and hope and meaning to her future, and it was just so amazing. She did tell us she felt sad, because she didn't feel like her family would be excited for her. But... I'll tell you something cool later on (:

So on Sunday she came to church and it was the best experience! She just loved it and was so happy, and has such a great attitude about everything. Later that night she texted us, and told us that she had invited her family to her baptism, and that she had some great news to tell us!!! So she's going to tell us what happened tomorrow, and I am so excited!

We also had a Word of Wisdom lesson with her a few days ago, and it was so funny because we taught her it, and she accepted it no problem. She just told us "I can do it!" And completely accepted it. And she told us that she's glad we taught her that lesson that day, because later that night she was going to go to a party. It was really cool, perfect timing. I wish I could describe how strong the Spirit is and how incredible it is to see someone make these changes in their life. It is the best experience I've ever had!!! I truly know that the Lord is aware of each and every person, and that some people are so ready to accept and receive the gospel. They truly are out there, searching for the truth, they just don't know where to find it. Well, it is the best feeling in the world to be there, and to bring it to them. I am so, so, so blessed.

We went to the Mesa temple on Wednesday for a session, and that was so beautiful. The Spirit was so strong. We had so many miracles this week, in teaching and in finding.... the work is truly moving forward here, so quickly! It's funny, at the beginning of the transfer I had this epiphany. I thought to myself, I knew I would always be happy on my mission. If I just helped one person come closer to Christ, or to accept the gospel, my entire mission would be worth it. And even if I didn't, I would know I had spent my time serving God and doing what He wanted me to do. Well, at the beginning of the transfer, I had this epiphany while reading Alma, and I thought to myself, "Why just one person? Why not more?" My attitude and faith just totally changed, from being content with bringing one soul unto Christ, to having the faith that there are many that we can bring. I think that moment prepared me for this transfer. We had another baptism this past weekend, of L, a sweet intelligent 9 year old girl. It was such a sweet experience, she was so happy! 

It's funny, this weekend T and L are getting baptized, the family that I LOVE back in Maricopa. So we are going to be able to go!!!! I am so excited!!!

Then the weekend after that, K is going to be baptized. That leaves one weekend in the transfer - May 17th - where we wouldn't have a baptism/be attending the one in Maricopa. We realized this, and we started praying this past week that we would be able to find someone who is ready and prepared to be baptized on that day. Well, we prayed, and prayed, and talked with everyone on the street, and contacted our referrals, and did everything. Then, this past Saturday, we went and taught a lady named V. It was our first lesson with her, and it went incredibly. The Spirit was sooo strong. She asked many questions, and we taught her about how God is our loving HF, how the gospel blesses families, and about prophets and the priesthood, and how Christ established His church. During the lesson the Spirit was so strong, especially as we explained the authority of the priesthood, and we asked her, "V, what would it mean to you to be baptized by that authority from God?" It felt like everything we had taught had sunk deeply into her, and she thought, and she told us that she can't describe with words how that would be - that it would just be incredible, and such an honor and a blessing. The Spirit was so strong. After that, we invited her to be baptized, and invited her to prepare for May 17th. She asked what she needed to do to prepare, and we told her - study, pray, we'll meet with you, come to church, ect. - and she said that she would prepare.

Isn't that incredible? We are meeting with her again tonight, and she's told us that she needs this in her life. We are hoping and praying that she'll continue to keep her commitments and come to church, so that she can progress to that day. But if not, I know that the Spirit she felt touched her heart, and that she's being opened to that path. But I thought it was so incredible that Heavenly Father answered our prayers, and led us to someone who could - if they do their part - be baptized on May 17th, and that seems so ready. It was truly an answer to our prayers.

Needless to say, this past week - these past few weeks - have been incredible. Sadly L dropped us for a while, because he and his wife are separated and he says he just has too much on his plate right now. But I know we definitely planted seeds with him. And, if V does continue on and get baptized, then that means we will have had a baptism weekly this transfer, except for the week we go see Trevor and Lisa's baptism (: How amazing is that? What's funny is that the fact that we're baptizing weekly sounds cool, but that's not the point - the point is that there is so much success here in helping people come to Jesus Christ. They are so ready and just waiting for us. It is the best feeling in the world, and the Spirit has truly guided us and led us to them, or has led them to us. 

Gosh, I love being a missionary!!!

I just want to end by saying I truly know this gospel is true. I know it with all my heart. This morning Sis D and I role played teaching the First Vision. As I shared Joseph Smith's experience, the Spirit came so strongly and so undeniably that I know, without a doubt, that this church is true. This church - The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints - is truly Christ's church on the earth today. The priesthood power and authority is real, and is here, available to bless our lives. Christ is our Savior, and He lives. I know it! 

I love you guys. This is the greatest work in the world. I am so happy right now. (: And I'm so grateful to share this with you! Thank you for all your support and love. I appreciate it so much. You guys mean everything to me.

Real quick, some funny moments -

So every night our District sends each other "Oh yeah moments" or the best part of our day, with accompanying hashtags. I think Thurs night the elders text us their awesome experience, and then they say...#faithfulApril #district3swag #wemetawomannamedObamaniqua #wethoughtofsomeghettonames #heretheyare #laquisha #lafonda #orangjello #yomamma #michelleobandra

Hahaha, aren't those hilarious? We laughed so  hard.... I thought of you guys instantly. (: 

Love you! Have an awesome week! Keep praying and choosing the right. (:

love, 

Sister Whitney Morris

Our district! We share the Maryvale ward with the elders, and the other sisters are in our district too. It's such a fun group (:

 

Us at the temple, and Elders we share the area with. They're goofballs, and awesome!

Phoenix Zone

#Phoenix4Life (: