Hey family!
Sorry but this is going to be short. We have been all day in the offices getting interviews done. Right now we are leaving the offices to go have the last supper with President Sloan and his family. I am doing very well. Time has flown by, but I had a great last week. Some really special experiences that I will have to tell when I get home! Love you all. We will be seeing you very very soon! Love you all very much.
Elder Matthew David Morris
Monday, October 11, 2010
Monday, October 4, 2010
Hey Everyone!
No worries, a few have written me this week asking about the police crisis that we had down here. Everything is blown over now and we are fine. Now that it is passed I will write a little about what happened. The President passed a law cutting yearly bonus´ for the police force, in turn that money cut back on would be donated to help lower class cops build houses. Sounds pleasable right? Well the National Police force as a whole took it as a very bad thing. They had a very VERY negative reaction. All of the cops in Quito "mobbed" to the Presidential building in downtown Quito and began protests. President Correa went to the balcony and began to react as well, in a very immature way. Cops began throwing smoke bombs, one exploding near the face of the President, that's when things got ugly. He was rushed to the hospital, the cops began gaining size, ALL police force in the country left their duty of serving and protecting and began riots. Ya, the very police force began rioting towns, mainly government buildings. While President Correa was in the government hospital, it also was under attack by the cops. According to the constitution, when the national police refuse their sworn duty to serve and protect, the military takes command. So, military forces were sent to protect the hospital where the president was. BAD SITUATION, when the Military and Nation Police start a fight. Both sides had armored vehicles, unlimited up to date arms and ammunition, shields, etc. So, it became an actual war zone in front of the hospital. Meanwhile, all over the country robbery thrived, with no police whatsoever in the streets, all thievery and mischief began. ENTIRE supermarkets were robbed and left barren, yes ENTIRE supermarkets, hundreds of thousands of dollars were stolen in a matter of hours. Back to the hospital, rifles, pistols, shotguns, some heavy calibre "anti-rioting" (very ironic I would say) guns were also firing. While evacuating the president from the hospital, his armoured SUV was unloaded on by a truck full of cops! After the night was over, the president made it out just fine where he was able to safely recuperate, from minor cuts and burns, but there were 6 deaths, among military, police, and civilians. Some 183 injured, some are still in critical condition. There have already been over 120 police officers thrown in jail, a good number of them being generals who will be under prosecution in the next weeks. And I ask myself, all of that for the simple act of not receiving some $200 at the end of the year. Well, I think those who were so angry about the little loss, lost more than that. As far as our side of the situation, the day it happened, we were all locked away in our apartments, for almost 2 entire days. After the calm we were still only allowed to be out until 6 pm, sadly because of that we couldn't attend the priesthood session of General conference. We are all just fine and safe here. Trust me, we are under very good hands.
General Conference was great. In ever session I was able to learn countless lessons, by almost every person. I couldn't say that I really had a favorite this year, they were all extremely spiritual and inspired. The general message that I got from this conference was, "follow the Prophet". I know that President Monson is the acting Prophet of God here on earth. That is such an amazing blessing for us. Friday evening on our way to the house, a woman on the bus was staring at my companion´s and my name tags, the curiosity got to her, so she began to ask some questions. When we mentioned living Prophets of God, with real and modern revelation it stumped her, but after thinking for a moment she became more interested. There are so many people even in our days, that haven't even heard of living prophets, that think that God did his works and has left us on our own in these days. But we know better. We know that God loves us, and that he wont leave us, in fact its the opposite. We have such a great need of Prophets in these days, we are living in troubled and confusing times, but we as members of the church of God have a light. I know it is true, and I have seen how this knowledge, and this gospel has blessed so many people, and families.
Its a very hard reality to accept, when I meet someone, and see their interest in the Gospel, and I think to myself "I will not see this family be baptised" or even, "I may not see them experience their first day at church". Before leaving home, I felt like the world was falling in around me, that I didn't have time to go on all the dates I wanted to, go on all the hunts I wanted to, or buy and shoot all the guns I wanted too. I'm going through that again. I keep thinking to myself, but we haven't contacted that street yet, or ,oh we need to go back and visit that family again. I always liked being able to lay all the stone on a wall by myself and see the outcome, I never like sharing the wall. But its something I'm getting used too. Some plant, and others harvest.
I love you all very much and I am so grateful for the family that I have been given in this life. I know, I'm not burnt out yet, I have lots of time left to work, and I will do so. Have a great week.
Elder Matthew David Morris-
No worries, a few have written me this week asking about the police crisis that we had down here. Everything is blown over now and we are fine. Now that it is passed I will write a little about what happened. The President passed a law cutting yearly bonus´ for the police force, in turn that money cut back on would be donated to help lower class cops build houses. Sounds pleasable right? Well the National Police force as a whole took it as a very bad thing. They had a very VERY negative reaction. All of the cops in Quito "mobbed" to the Presidential building in downtown Quito and began protests. President Correa went to the balcony and began to react as well, in a very immature way. Cops began throwing smoke bombs, one exploding near the face of the President, that's when things got ugly. He was rushed to the hospital, the cops began gaining size, ALL police force in the country left their duty of serving and protecting and began riots. Ya, the very police force began rioting towns, mainly government buildings. While President Correa was in the government hospital, it also was under attack by the cops. According to the constitution, when the national police refuse their sworn duty to serve and protect, the military takes command. So, military forces were sent to protect the hospital where the president was. BAD SITUATION, when the Military and Nation Police start a fight. Both sides had armored vehicles, unlimited up to date arms and ammunition, shields, etc. So, it became an actual war zone in front of the hospital. Meanwhile, all over the country robbery thrived, with no police whatsoever in the streets, all thievery and mischief began. ENTIRE supermarkets were robbed and left barren, yes ENTIRE supermarkets, hundreds of thousands of dollars were stolen in a matter of hours. Back to the hospital, rifles, pistols, shotguns, some heavy calibre "anti-rioting" (very ironic I would say) guns were also firing. While evacuating the president from the hospital, his armoured SUV was unloaded on by a truck full of cops! After the night was over, the president made it out just fine where he was able to safely recuperate, from minor cuts and burns, but there were 6 deaths, among military, police, and civilians. Some 183 injured, some are still in critical condition. There have already been over 120 police officers thrown in jail, a good number of them being generals who will be under prosecution in the next weeks. And I ask myself, all of that for the simple act of not receiving some $200 at the end of the year. Well, I think those who were so angry about the little loss, lost more than that. As far as our side of the situation, the day it happened, we were all locked away in our apartments, for almost 2 entire days. After the calm we were still only allowed to be out until 6 pm, sadly because of that we couldn't attend the priesthood session of General conference. We are all just fine and safe here. Trust me, we are under very good hands.
General Conference was great. In ever session I was able to learn countless lessons, by almost every person. I couldn't say that I really had a favorite this year, they were all extremely spiritual and inspired. The general message that I got from this conference was, "follow the Prophet". I know that President Monson is the acting Prophet of God here on earth. That is such an amazing blessing for us. Friday evening on our way to the house, a woman on the bus was staring at my companion´s and my name tags, the curiosity got to her, so she began to ask some questions. When we mentioned living Prophets of God, with real and modern revelation it stumped her, but after thinking for a moment she became more interested. There are so many people even in our days, that haven't even heard of living prophets, that think that God did his works and has left us on our own in these days. But we know better. We know that God loves us, and that he wont leave us, in fact its the opposite. We have such a great need of Prophets in these days, we are living in troubled and confusing times, but we as members of the church of God have a light. I know it is true, and I have seen how this knowledge, and this gospel has blessed so many people, and families.
Its a very hard reality to accept, when I meet someone, and see their interest in the Gospel, and I think to myself "I will not see this family be baptised" or even, "I may not see them experience their first day at church". Before leaving home, I felt like the world was falling in around me, that I didn't have time to go on all the dates I wanted to, go on all the hunts I wanted to, or buy and shoot all the guns I wanted too. I'm going through that again. I keep thinking to myself, but we haven't contacted that street yet, or ,oh we need to go back and visit that family again. I always liked being able to lay all the stone on a wall by myself and see the outcome, I never like sharing the wall. But its something I'm getting used too. Some plant, and others harvest.
I love you all very much and I am so grateful for the family that I have been given in this life. I know, I'm not burnt out yet, I have lots of time left to work, and I will do so. Have a great week.
Elder Matthew David Morris-
Monday, September 27, 2010
Hey everyone!
I hope its not just me, but it seems just like yesterday that I was writing home. Weeks go by too quickly, I never really realized that before. But now that only "weeks" separate us, its dawning on me. We had a good week this week. Some very interesting experiences. The first is by far the funniest. On thursday we did divisions with some missionaries here in the Zone, I went with Elder Zundel. Elder Zundel is from Arizona, I'm sure I have mentioned him before, I have been his zone leader for his entire mission. He got to Otavalo the same week as I did when I became Zone Leader, and he has been in my zones ever since. He is a district leader here in our Zone, and a great friend of mine! So this week on the divisions I went with him. We had some interesting things happen. We ate pizza for dinner in our house. While ordering the pizza a block or so away from the apartment a fight broke out between two group of high school kids on the street corner of the pizza shop. When the fight broke up the two groups went in different directions, the cops showed up only to find one of the groups, when they showed up the started yelling through the megaphone and just started hitting kids in the knees with their bully clubs until they all kneeled down with their hands up. It was crazy! Then friday morning we got ready to leave for the weekly leadership meeting we hold in the stake center. My apartment is on the 3rd story of a house, to get out to the street there is another big gate and door below. As we walked out of the apartment the thought passed through my mind, "the keys", but it passed through my mind as the door closed. So we got locked out of the house. I get a bit irritated that I forgot the keys, but decided well, the neighbor lady has another set, tonight when we get back I will have her open the door for us. So we went down the stairs to the ground level gate, bad news... locked. And the keys were in my apartment. The gate is some 14 feet tall with spikes all across the tops, so no chance in jumping it. So sadly to say we were locked OUT of our apartment and locked IN to the building. We tried desperately to open the windows, door, everything for about half an hour, then lost hopes. None of the neighbors were home to open the door below to let us out, we were trapped. So we called my companion and had him start the meeting without us. We hadn't eaten yet or anything. We ended up staying outside the house for a little over 4 hours....sitting....waiting.... We played "horse", only we had no basketball, we used a balled up bar of laundry soap and a bucket, we also played baseball with a gum wrapper and a broomstick. Ya, and I can say I'm an excellent baseball player with a broomstick. After playing those games I got bored and ended up falling asleep on the washer. In south america basically no one has real washers, so I must explain what a "washer" is here. It is about 3 feet tall and some 6 feet wide with a big opening in the middle to pale out water. there are two slabs on concrete covering it on both sides. So I laied my head on one slab of concrete, my waist was stretched over the opening and my legs across the other slab of concrete. And I in fact slept for about 45 minutes, then it started to rain. So it was a pretty eventful morning for Elder Zundel and I. We finally were saved by a member that works in the Church Offices in Quito, he brought the spare key from the mission offices for us, and hour and 10 minutes drive for him.... oops. haha but it was a funny and unforgettable experience. Today we played soccer with the office missionaries and our zone. It was alot of fun. I want to get into soccer when I get home. I really began to enjoy it. As a mission we had 86 baptisms this weekend so President Sloan to reward us, gave my zone permission to go to a place called "Mindo" its a jungle pueblo here in my sector with alot of touristic sights, waterfalls, exotic birds and animals, etc.
I cant wait for General Conference. I love it so much. I cant wait until I can attend it again. I will be there for next April for sure! We are going to do a big "Stake Open House" all day saturday and sunday to invite people into the conference. We are really excited about it. I will have some pictures to send about it next week. Love you all! Have a great week.
Elder Matthew David Morris
I hope its not just me, but it seems just like yesterday that I was writing home. Weeks go by too quickly, I never really realized that before. But now that only "weeks" separate us, its dawning on me. We had a good week this week. Some very interesting experiences. The first is by far the funniest. On thursday we did divisions with some missionaries here in the Zone, I went with Elder Zundel. Elder Zundel is from Arizona, I'm sure I have mentioned him before, I have been his zone leader for his entire mission. He got to Otavalo the same week as I did when I became Zone Leader, and he has been in my zones ever since. He is a district leader here in our Zone, and a great friend of mine! So this week on the divisions I went with him. We had some interesting things happen. We ate pizza for dinner in our house. While ordering the pizza a block or so away from the apartment a fight broke out between two group of high school kids on the street corner of the pizza shop. When the fight broke up the two groups went in different directions, the cops showed up only to find one of the groups, when they showed up the started yelling through the megaphone and just started hitting kids in the knees with their bully clubs until they all kneeled down with their hands up. It was crazy! Then friday morning we got ready to leave for the weekly leadership meeting we hold in the stake center. My apartment is on the 3rd story of a house, to get out to the street there is another big gate and door below. As we walked out of the apartment the thought passed through my mind, "the keys", but it passed through my mind as the door closed. So we got locked out of the house. I get a bit irritated that I forgot the keys, but decided well, the neighbor lady has another set, tonight when we get back I will have her open the door for us. So we went down the stairs to the ground level gate, bad news... locked. And the keys were in my apartment. The gate is some 14 feet tall with spikes all across the tops, so no chance in jumping it. So sadly to say we were locked OUT of our apartment and locked IN to the building. We tried desperately to open the windows, door, everything for about half an hour, then lost hopes. None of the neighbors were home to open the door below to let us out, we were trapped. So we called my companion and had him start the meeting without us. We hadn't eaten yet or anything. We ended up staying outside the house for a little over 4 hours....sitting....waiting.... We played "horse", only we had no basketball, we used a balled up bar of laundry soap and a bucket, we also played baseball with a gum wrapper and a broomstick. Ya, and I can say I'm an excellent baseball player with a broomstick. After playing those games I got bored and ended up falling asleep on the washer. In south america basically no one has real washers, so I must explain what a "washer" is here. It is about 3 feet tall and some 6 feet wide with a big opening in the middle to pale out water. there are two slabs on concrete covering it on both sides. So I laied my head on one slab of concrete, my waist was stretched over the opening and my legs across the other slab of concrete. And I in fact slept for about 45 minutes, then it started to rain. So it was a pretty eventful morning for Elder Zundel and I. We finally were saved by a member that works in the Church Offices in Quito, he brought the spare key from the mission offices for us, and hour and 10 minutes drive for him.... oops. haha but it was a funny and unforgettable experience. Today we played soccer with the office missionaries and our zone. It was alot of fun. I want to get into soccer when I get home. I really began to enjoy it. As a mission we had 86 baptisms this weekend so President Sloan to reward us, gave my zone permission to go to a place called "Mindo" its a jungle pueblo here in my sector with alot of touristic sights, waterfalls, exotic birds and animals, etc.
I cant wait for General Conference. I love it so much. I cant wait until I can attend it again. I will be there for next April for sure! We are going to do a big "Stake Open House" all day saturday and sunday to invite people into the conference. We are really excited about it. I will have some pictures to send about it next week. Love you all! Have a great week.
Elder Matthew David Morris
Monday, September 20, 2010
Hey Everyone!
Sounds like everyone is doing well back home. Hunting season, more work, good weather, and another nephew! WAHOO!!! I'M GONNA BE HOME FOR THIS ONE!! Congratulations Mary and Greg, and no dad didn't spill the beans about it. This week was a good week for us here in our sector. We almost didn't have anytime at all actually in the sector, but we had 3 baptisms here. We had a few meetings with the Stake Presidency and with all of the bishoprics, giving training meetings, it was fun and hopefully it will make a difference. General Conference is coming up quick so we want to get all of the bishoprics and members ready so the feel excited to bring their friends and family to church during the conference. I will try to send some pictures of the baptisms we had, this computer wont read the memory card to I will have to get on another one. One of the persons that was baptised is Franklin Borja. He and his sister were baptised saturday evening in the stake center. They are from Esmeraldas, but are living here in Quito for work. We met Franklin about a month ago. We just happened to be passing by when one of his cousins said hello to us on the street. He told us that a few months back the missionaries were visiting them and asked if we could enter the house to visit with them a few minutes. We accepted and began to talk briefly with them. Then Franklin entered the room, he had not previously met the missionaries, having recently come from his pueblo in esmeraldas. When we introduced ourselves as missionaries, we asked if he had the opportunity before in listening to the missionaries and or reading from the Book of Mormon. He eyes then got wide and brought into the room his copy of the Book of Mormon, he had found it in the house upon arriving and had been reading from it. He and his sister are now reading through 2 Nephi. They love the Book of Mormon. Yesterday at church I was able to confirm Franklin as a member of the Church. It was a very special experience for me, he has already shared with us his great desire to in some moment go back to where he lives on the coast and share with his family and those of his pueblo about the Book of Mormon. He lives in a little place called Olmedo where only a couple hundred people live, the only church known to them is the Catholic. I am certain that he will be a lifetime member of the church, dedicated to the work of the Lord.
Tuesday morning of this week we had a service project for the another person that was baptised on friday evening. The lady Patricia is currently trying to open up a little restaurant, so she asked us our help to clean up the place that she is renting now. So we got there and were able to sand the walls, paint them, do some plumbing work in the new kitchen, and I got to build a block sink and table area! It was a blast! Starting out the first coarse of block, kneeling there on the concrete floor the openly thing I could think of were those famous words of dad "on my knees all dang day laying block" and then that sigh.........hahahaha... It was a lot of fun. Service projects are my favorite! It always funny to see the reaction of the missionaries and the members as they see the gringo outwork all of them. They always are pretty surprised about the construction skills and experience that I have.
Well, love you all. I hope everyone has a great week. Thank you always for your letters and your support.
Elder Matthew Morris
Sounds like everyone is doing well back home. Hunting season, more work, good weather, and another nephew! WAHOO!!! I'M GONNA BE HOME FOR THIS ONE!! Congratulations Mary and Greg, and no dad didn't spill the beans about it. This week was a good week for us here in our sector. We almost didn't have anytime at all actually in the sector, but we had 3 baptisms here. We had a few meetings with the Stake Presidency and with all of the bishoprics, giving training meetings, it was fun and hopefully it will make a difference. General Conference is coming up quick so we want to get all of the bishoprics and members ready so the feel excited to bring their friends and family to church during the conference. I will try to send some pictures of the baptisms we had, this computer wont read the memory card to I will have to get on another one. One of the persons that was baptised is Franklin Borja. He and his sister were baptised saturday evening in the stake center. They are from Esmeraldas, but are living here in Quito for work. We met Franklin about a month ago. We just happened to be passing by when one of his cousins said hello to us on the street. He told us that a few months back the missionaries were visiting them and asked if we could enter the house to visit with them a few minutes. We accepted and began to talk briefly with them. Then Franklin entered the room, he had not previously met the missionaries, having recently come from his pueblo in esmeraldas. When we introduced ourselves as missionaries, we asked if he had the opportunity before in listening to the missionaries and or reading from the Book of Mormon. He eyes then got wide and brought into the room his copy of the Book of Mormon, he had found it in the house upon arriving and had been reading from it. He and his sister are now reading through 2 Nephi. They love the Book of Mormon. Yesterday at church I was able to confirm Franklin as a member of the Church. It was a very special experience for me, he has already shared with us his great desire to in some moment go back to where he lives on the coast and share with his family and those of his pueblo about the Book of Mormon. He lives in a little place called Olmedo where only a couple hundred people live, the only church known to them is the Catholic. I am certain that he will be a lifetime member of the church, dedicated to the work of the Lord.
Tuesday morning of this week we had a service project for the another person that was baptised on friday evening. The lady Patricia is currently trying to open up a little restaurant, so she asked us our help to clean up the place that she is renting now. So we got there and were able to sand the walls, paint them, do some plumbing work in the new kitchen, and I got to build a block sink and table area! It was a blast! Starting out the first coarse of block, kneeling there on the concrete floor the openly thing I could think of were those famous words of dad "on my knees all dang day laying block" and then that sigh.........hahahaha... It was a lot of fun. Service projects are my favorite! It always funny to see the reaction of the missionaries and the members as they see the gringo outwork all of them. They always are pretty surprised about the construction skills and experience that I have.
Well, love you all. I hope everyone has a great week. Thank you always for your letters and your support.
Elder Matthew Morris
Monday, September 13, 2010
Hey everyone,
How is everyone doing? Thank you all for your letters. I'm glad to hear that everyone is fine and happy. Sounds like the weather isn´t very warm now. I wish I could say the same thing about the weather here. Always pretty hot. Oh well, I'm in Ecuador, and my sector is literally on the equator, what more can you expect but sunny dry days?
This week was a good week for us. This evening we are going on divisions so that our district leader can do some baptismal interviews for us. Everyone seems to keep telling me to keep working hard and doing what I need to do, no worries. I know why I'm here, and I love it here. I'm certainly not going to waste any time that Ϩhave left. The best part of this week was saturday evening. We got a phone call on our cell phone, I answered, it was Elder Warr who is currently serving in Cotacachi. Well, if you will remember, back in March-ish I wrote about a lesson we had on the volcano side, in the dark, teaching and translating into Kichwa for a family, well they got baptised this week. So Elder Warr called me to congratulate me. It sure cheered me up to hear that. One day while working on a stone job at the base of the R mountain, as I returned after lunch break I found Zach laying stone on my part of the wall. Well, I wasn´t very happy and I think I kinda lost my temper about it, Zach smiled and just said "get used to it bud, in the mission you will plant a lot of seeds, but you wont get to finish the job or harvest the fruit." Well to be honest, in that moment I didn´t want to hear his parables, and I think it just irritated me more! haha, but now I better understand what he was saying. It has happened to me a number of times now here in the mission field, but either way, whether I'm there or not, I'm just happy those people continued listening, and decided to do whats right.
I wish I could tell you all of my stories in my letters, but I don´t have the apt words to describe my feelings for this work. I absolutely love it. I will have a lot of photos and a lot of stories to tell once I'm home. I love you all, thank you so very much for your letters. I cant wait to see you all again, and to meet some of the additions to the family!
Elder Matthew Morris
One last thing that I forgot to write. This week I received by email my acceptance letter to BYU-I! I'M GOING TO COLLEGE! haha, I will get assigned to a track in the next 3 weeks. Pray that I make it for winter/spring. love you all!
Elder Morris
How is everyone doing? Thank you all for your letters. I'm glad to hear that everyone is fine and happy. Sounds like the weather isn´t very warm now. I wish I could say the same thing about the weather here. Always pretty hot. Oh well, I'm in Ecuador, and my sector is literally on the equator, what more can you expect but sunny dry days?
This week was a good week for us. This evening we are going on divisions so that our district leader can do some baptismal interviews for us. Everyone seems to keep telling me to keep working hard and doing what I need to do, no worries. I know why I'm here, and I love it here. I'm certainly not going to waste any time that Ϩhave left. The best part of this week was saturday evening. We got a phone call on our cell phone, I answered, it was Elder Warr who is currently serving in Cotacachi. Well, if you will remember, back in March-ish I wrote about a lesson we had on the volcano side, in the dark, teaching and translating into Kichwa for a family, well they got baptised this week. So Elder Warr called me to congratulate me. It sure cheered me up to hear that. One day while working on a stone job at the base of the R mountain, as I returned after lunch break I found Zach laying stone on my part of the wall. Well, I wasn´t very happy and I think I kinda lost my temper about it, Zach smiled and just said "get used to it bud, in the mission you will plant a lot of seeds, but you wont get to finish the job or harvest the fruit." Well to be honest, in that moment I didn´t want to hear his parables, and I think it just irritated me more! haha, but now I better understand what he was saying. It has happened to me a number of times now here in the mission field, but either way, whether I'm there or not, I'm just happy those people continued listening, and decided to do whats right.
I wish I could tell you all of my stories in my letters, but I don´t have the apt words to describe my feelings for this work. I absolutely love it. I will have a lot of photos and a lot of stories to tell once I'm home. I love you all, thank you so very much for your letters. I cant wait to see you all again, and to meet some of the additions to the family!
Elder Matthew Morris
One last thing that I forgot to write. This week I received by email my acceptance letter to BYU-I! I'M GOING TO COLLEGE! haha, I will get assigned to a track in the next 3 weeks. Pray that I make it for winter/spring. love you all!
Elder Morris
Monday, September 6, 2010
Hey everyone!
Thank you all for your letters and pictures! Looks like labor day weekend was a blast back home. I didn't even remember that it was labor day. Time just goes by to quick, I was still thinking it was still August. Yes, I did have a good birthday here. The only thing special we did was go to Pizza Hut for lunch. We got a meat lovers with cheese crust, and a chicken bbq pizza, with a big bottle of sprite. It was really good, I will send some pictures. All in all we had a really good week. Even some of the members here remembered it was my birthday and called me, one family had some cake for me, the moms birthday in that family is Sept 4th.
We had a few special things happen this week in the sector. Friday, after lunch, we were on a bus coming back to my sector, and a couple got on the bus that I recognized. They saw me and smiled, I knew they were members, but I couldn't remember where from. Well, as missionaries, we aren't really timid to talk to people. So I went over and started to say hi, turns out they are members in Atacames, in Esmeraldas. I didn't serve in their branch, but as district leader there last year I did a number of baptismal interviews and baptisms as well. So, we got to talking about the members there, turns out that they recently changed the branch presidency there. Pascual Mejia, who I baptised September 12th 2009 is now 1st counselor in the branch presidency! And his wife, is in the relief society presidency! They have plans on going to the temple with their kids this month. When they hit their year mark, along with being sealed in the temple, and their oldest son who I also baptised that same day is going to turn in his mission papers. So hearing that filled me with COMPLETE joy, probably the best part of my birthday was hearing that. Another experience was one we had yesterday. We showed up early before church for a meeting with the bishopric and the ward mission leader. When we finished the meeting we walked into the sacrament room to sit in the benches. We before sitting down began to shake hands and say hi to everyone that was there. There was one lady that I didn't recognize though, I figured she was a member visiting from another ward (unwise, I know.) So we went throughout the meetings, and during the second hour a member escorted this lady to our class for investigators and new converts. She wasn't a member. So we sat with her and shared our scriptures and such. After the class we got her direction and in the afternoon we went to visit Ximena in her house. She lives with her husband Manuel, and their little boy Matthew, who yesterday turned 3 years old. So asking how they found the church, she told us a very interesting story. Over 5 months ago they were living in another part of Quito. They had some neighbors that were members of the church, they shared with their neighbors their concern to have a happier family and happier lives. Well, as any good member should do, the neighbors said "if you want a happy family, go to the church of Jesus Christ". Having past some 5 or more months, Ximena and her husband decided they needed to do something different, the words of their neighbors kept sounding in their minds. So they went searching, after about a week of looking daily for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, they found our chapel, and yesterday Ximena was the first person in the sacrament meeting, sitting patiently. I honestly don't know how they found the church, its in a business area, about 15 minutes walk, then 10 minutes in bus from where Manuel and Ximena live. But, they found it, nonetheless. They loved how they felt in the church. After the short lesson we shared with them, we left a copy a the Book of Mormon with them, and Ximena offered her first prayer in her life, thanking Heavenly Father for having finally found the happiness she has been searching for.
We are so extremely blessed to have the Gospel of Jesus Christ in our lives. I know, that as a missionary when we do all that we can, even if we don't find those who the Lord is preparing, they will find us, they are led by the light of Christ, and many times, the words of peace and hope that maybe someone in the past planted in their hearts. This week Gramma Morris wrote in her letter to the Elders of Hibbard 2nd, that it is so important for us missionaries to at least "plant" in the hearts of the people seeds, and principles of the gospel. I know that is true. I love being a missionary. There are great moments, laughs and fun times shared with new friends among the missionaries, but that has no comparison to the feelings one feels when he knows he has been guided by the spirit, and someone is blessed and helped because he followed that impression.
Elder Matthew Morris
Thank you all for your letters and pictures! Looks like labor day weekend was a blast back home. I didn't even remember that it was labor day. Time just goes by to quick, I was still thinking it was still August. Yes, I did have a good birthday here. The only thing special we did was go to Pizza Hut for lunch. We got a meat lovers with cheese crust, and a chicken bbq pizza, with a big bottle of sprite. It was really good, I will send some pictures. All in all we had a really good week. Even some of the members here remembered it was my birthday and called me, one family had some cake for me, the moms birthday in that family is Sept 4th.
We had a few special things happen this week in the sector. Friday, after lunch, we were on a bus coming back to my sector, and a couple got on the bus that I recognized. They saw me and smiled, I knew they were members, but I couldn't remember where from. Well, as missionaries, we aren't really timid to talk to people. So I went over and started to say hi, turns out they are members in Atacames, in Esmeraldas. I didn't serve in their branch, but as district leader there last year I did a number of baptismal interviews and baptisms as well. So, we got to talking about the members there, turns out that they recently changed the branch presidency there. Pascual Mejia, who I baptised September 12th 2009 is now 1st counselor in the branch presidency! And his wife, is in the relief society presidency! They have plans on going to the temple with their kids this month. When they hit their year mark, along with being sealed in the temple, and their oldest son who I also baptised that same day is going to turn in his mission papers. So hearing that filled me with COMPLETE joy, probably the best part of my birthday was hearing that. Another experience was one we had yesterday. We showed up early before church for a meeting with the bishopric and the ward mission leader. When we finished the meeting we walked into the sacrament room to sit in the benches. We before sitting down began to shake hands and say hi to everyone that was there. There was one lady that I didn't recognize though, I figured she was a member visiting from another ward (unwise, I know.) So we went throughout the meetings, and during the second hour a member escorted this lady to our class for investigators and new converts. She wasn't a member. So we sat with her and shared our scriptures and such. After the class we got her direction and in the afternoon we went to visit Ximena in her house. She lives with her husband Manuel, and their little boy Matthew, who yesterday turned 3 years old. So asking how they found the church, she told us a very interesting story. Over 5 months ago they were living in another part of Quito. They had some neighbors that were members of the church, they shared with their neighbors their concern to have a happier family and happier lives. Well, as any good member should do, the neighbors said "if you want a happy family, go to the church of Jesus Christ". Having past some 5 or more months, Ximena and her husband decided they needed to do something different, the words of their neighbors kept sounding in their minds. So they went searching, after about a week of looking daily for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, they found our chapel, and yesterday Ximena was the first person in the sacrament meeting, sitting patiently. I honestly don't know how they found the church, its in a business area, about 15 minutes walk, then 10 minutes in bus from where Manuel and Ximena live. But, they found it, nonetheless. They loved how they felt in the church. After the short lesson we shared with them, we left a copy a the Book of Mormon with them, and Ximena offered her first prayer in her life, thanking Heavenly Father for having finally found the happiness she has been searching for.We are so extremely blessed to have the Gospel of Jesus Christ in our lives. I know, that as a missionary when we do all that we can, even if we don't find those who the Lord is preparing, they will find us, they are led by the light of Christ, and many times, the words of peace and hope that maybe someone in the past planted in their hearts. This week Gramma Morris wrote in her letter to the Elders of Hibbard 2nd, that it is so important for us missionaries to at least "plant" in the hearts of the people seeds, and principles of the gospel. I know that is true. I love being a missionary. There are great moments, laughs and fun times shared with new friends among the missionaries, but that has no comparison to the feelings one feels when he knows he has been guided by the spirit, and someone is blessed and helped because he followed that impression.
Elder Matthew Morris
"Moon walking"
Monday, August 30, 2010
Hey Everyone!
I hope everyone is doing well back home! I than you all for the letters and the pictures. Idaho is SUCH a beautiful place, sorry Mary, Rachel, and Laura, I cant really share the same words about Utah and California. haha. Well, fall is near the trees will start to change colors, and before you know it, I'm home! Pretty odd to think, I left in 2008 when the trees started changing colors. I'm sure things have changed a lot back home. It will be a big change of culture and everything for me. Dad wrote me this week and let me know that the bishopric already assigned me a Sunday to talk in church, only 3 days after I get home! I dont know what they were thinking. I don´t think I will be used to speaking in English yet, even worse talking about the gospel in English, Spanish church grammar is the only one I know now! Its only a handful of weeks away. He also mentioned that Rachel will be up to visit when I get home. I got a very special feeling in my heart when I heard that. It has been some years now since all of us kids have been together at once. It will be good to all be together. I thank my Heavenly Father every night for the wonderful family I was given. From the amazing grandparents, all the way down to all the little nieces and nephews that are running around now! I love my Family! Even the great cousins I have, UNITED!
Well this week we had transfers in the mission. I'm still in the same sector, my new companion is Elder Zambrano, from Guyaquil Ecuador. We have been buds ever since I was back in Esmeraldas last year. I always hoped to be his companion, I think we will have a lot of fun here in the sector before I go home. All of the missionaries here keep asking me if I'm "tronky" yet. Well to tell the truth, I feel like its time ya to head home and see the family, but its going to hurt a lot to leave the mission. This week I had a dream that I was in my last interview with President Sloan, only days away from going home, and he asked me if I had any last requests. I instantly told him, "let me stay2 more months!", well he got a big smile on his face and pulled out his phone to call you all to let you know I wasn't going home yet. Well, all I remember is that everyone back home was a bit upset with me not wanting to come home. ha ha. No worries, I have already asked about extending more time, but I'm already going to be near to hitting 25 months here, and that's the max. So sadly President cant extend me longer time even if he wanted to. I'm very happy to everyone again. I miss the snow a lot. Before coming here I was told the Ecuador has 2 seasons, spring and summer, well I have come to realize, that's not true. We here in Ecuador have hot, and hotter. Those are the two seasons. There isn't much difference in the two, was is really sunny, and the latter is a bit sunnier.
Love you all, I hope you all have a great week this week! Happy Birthday little Hadley! 1 year!!!!! Love you all, hope to hear from you next week.
Elder Matthew Morris
I hope everyone is doing well back home! I than you all for the letters and the pictures. Idaho is SUCH a beautiful place, sorry Mary, Rachel, and Laura, I cant really share the same words about Utah and California. haha. Well, fall is near the trees will start to change colors, and before you know it, I'm home! Pretty odd to think, I left in 2008 when the trees started changing colors. I'm sure things have changed a lot back home. It will be a big change of culture and everything for me. Dad wrote me this week and let me know that the bishopric already assigned me a Sunday to talk in church, only 3 days after I get home! I dont know what they were thinking. I don´t think I will be used to speaking in English yet, even worse talking about the gospel in English, Spanish church grammar is the only one I know now! Its only a handful of weeks away. He also mentioned that Rachel will be up to visit when I get home. I got a very special feeling in my heart when I heard that. It has been some years now since all of us kids have been together at once. It will be good to all be together. I thank my Heavenly Father every night for the wonderful family I was given. From the amazing grandparents, all the way down to all the little nieces and nephews that are running around now! I love my Family! Even the great cousins I have, UNITED!
Well this week we had transfers in the mission. I'm still in the same sector, my new companion is Elder Zambrano, from Guyaquil Ecuador. We have been buds ever since I was back in Esmeraldas last year. I always hoped to be his companion, I think we will have a lot of fun here in the sector before I go home. All of the missionaries here keep asking me if I'm "tronky" yet. Well to tell the truth, I feel like its time ya to head home and see the family, but its going to hurt a lot to leave the mission. This week I had a dream that I was in my last interview with President Sloan, only days away from going home, and he asked me if I had any last requests. I instantly told him, "let me stay2 more months!", well he got a big smile on his face and pulled out his phone to call you all to let you know I wasn't going home yet. Well, all I remember is that everyone back home was a bit upset with me not wanting to come home. ha ha. No worries, I have already asked about extending more time, but I'm already going to be near to hitting 25 months here, and that's the max. So sadly President cant extend me longer time even if he wanted to. I'm very happy to everyone again. I miss the snow a lot. Before coming here I was told the Ecuador has 2 seasons, spring and summer, well I have come to realize, that's not true. We here in Ecuador have hot, and hotter. Those are the two seasons. There isn't much difference in the two, was is really sunny, and the latter is a bit sunnier.
Love you all, I hope you all have a great week this week! Happy Birthday little Hadley! 1 year!!!!! Love you all, hope to hear from you next week.
Elder Matthew Morris
Monday, August 23, 2010
Hey everyone!
I hope all is well back home. Sounds like the Morris family reunion went well. I'm glad to hear that. I'm sure everyone was glad to¨"sit and look at each other". That's always fun. No really though, I was sad to hear that I missed the Family Reunion, I have always enjoyed them, always great food, and lots of it! This week was a great week for us here. We had some great experiences with new investigators. We had stake conference here this week, 1 investigator came saturday night to the priesthood session, after that there was a baptism, the spirit was strong, he asked us what he has to do to get baptised! He also came with us sunday and loved it as well. His name is Cristian Orosco, he is 24, single and studying in college to be an engineer. He is very intelligent, and loves learning about the gospel. The other neat story is about Franklin, he is about 30 years old, single, from the coast. He lives about a block away from us. He lives with some cousins and friends. A few months ago the Missionaries were visiting the family, but never were able to teach him. Well, the family never progressed and so the stopped visiting. Saturday afternoon as we were going to lunch, Hector, Franklin´s cousin, saw us and told us to come to the house and visit them, we didn't have a set lunch appointment, so we entered the house to visit with them. During the lesson Franklin came out and asked who we were, so we presented ourselves as missionaries and representatives of the Church of Jesus Christ. We asked if he had ever listened to our message an he shrugged and responded no. Then we asked if maybe he had noticed some of the pamphlets or the Book of Mormon that the last missionaries had left there. His eyes got REALLY big, and he ran into his room, then came back with the Book of Mormon in his hands. We asked if he had read it and excitedly said yes. He for the past few weeks has been reading through the whole book. He sat down with us and with tears in his eyes he said, "i don't know who made this book, or where it came from, but i know that its true. everything this book says is true!" as you can imagine we just sat in shock. We didn't know what to say. We asked, well what have you read?, and he began to flip through the pages, Mosiah 5, Alma 32, and a number of other chapters. Sunday morning he with his brother and sister came to church with us, only some 16 hours after having met. He loved church, after the conference he also told us, "I want to get baptised in the Mormon church". I know that I am basically nothing in this work, only an instrument in the Lord´s hands. The Book of Mormon is true and has the power and the spirit to touch anyone´s life, if they read it as Moroni asked us to, with real intent and an honest heart.
I know that our Father in Haven is mindful of our needs. Lately I have been feeling pretty down, due to the fact that I'm nearing my mission and the sector that I got to here, well to say, it wasn't in the best of shape as far as having people to teach. Well, I know that when we press forward with faith, despite the difficulties, Heavenly Father will put everything in its proper place, and all will work out for our benefit.
I hope that you all have a great week! Happy birthday Mom and Mary! I will be thinking of you both lots this week! Love you all
Elder Matthew Morris
I hope all is well back home. Sounds like the Morris family reunion went well. I'm glad to hear that. I'm sure everyone was glad to¨"sit and look at each other". That's always fun. No really though, I was sad to hear that I missed the Family Reunion, I have always enjoyed them, always great food, and lots of it! This week was a great week for us here. We had some great experiences with new investigators. We had stake conference here this week, 1 investigator came saturday night to the priesthood session, after that there was a baptism, the spirit was strong, he asked us what he has to do to get baptised! He also came with us sunday and loved it as well. His name is Cristian Orosco, he is 24, single and studying in college to be an engineer. He is very intelligent, and loves learning about the gospel. The other neat story is about Franklin, he is about 30 years old, single, from the coast. He lives about a block away from us. He lives with some cousins and friends. A few months ago the Missionaries were visiting the family, but never were able to teach him. Well, the family never progressed and so the stopped visiting. Saturday afternoon as we were going to lunch, Hector, Franklin´s cousin, saw us and told us to come to the house and visit them, we didn't have a set lunch appointment, so we entered the house to visit with them. During the lesson Franklin came out and asked who we were, so we presented ourselves as missionaries and representatives of the Church of Jesus Christ. We asked if he had ever listened to our message an he shrugged and responded no. Then we asked if maybe he had noticed some of the pamphlets or the Book of Mormon that the last missionaries had left there. His eyes got REALLY big, and he ran into his room, then came back with the Book of Mormon in his hands. We asked if he had read it and excitedly said yes. He for the past few weeks has been reading through the whole book. He sat down with us and with tears in his eyes he said, "i don't know who made this book, or where it came from, but i know that its true. everything this book says is true!" as you can imagine we just sat in shock. We didn't know what to say. We asked, well what have you read?, and he began to flip through the pages, Mosiah 5, Alma 32, and a number of other chapters. Sunday morning he with his brother and sister came to church with us, only some 16 hours after having met. He loved church, after the conference he also told us, "I want to get baptised in the Mormon church". I know that I am basically nothing in this work, only an instrument in the Lord´s hands. The Book of Mormon is true and has the power and the spirit to touch anyone´s life, if they read it as Moroni asked us to, with real intent and an honest heart.
I know that our Father in Haven is mindful of our needs. Lately I have been feeling pretty down, due to the fact that I'm nearing my mission and the sector that I got to here, well to say, it wasn't in the best of shape as far as having people to teach. Well, I know that when we press forward with faith, despite the difficulties, Heavenly Father will put everything in its proper place, and all will work out for our benefit.
I hope that you all have a great week! Happy birthday Mom and Mary! I will be thinking of you both lots this week! Love you all
Elder Matthew Morris
Monday, August 16, 2010
Hey everyone!
Yesterday was a great day here in Pomasqui. We have had a pretty rough week here in the sector, but yesterday was a good day. We were able to find a few new people to teach. People who were needing us. Its pretty sad sometimes when we find new people and we see their living conditions, and even more, when we see how they are spiritually. There are so many people here that are lost, the feel that they have no purpose in this life. But it is a great feeling to be able to answer all of their questions and doubts. Many times people have so many questions about life, about religion, that they haven´t ever been able to answer, then we come along and show them all of the answers. Its such a great blessing to have this gospel in our lives. The world is running off the tracks, there are so many bad things happening, so much evil and wickedness, but as Elder Holland taught is his talk from conference Oct. 2009, we have the Book of Mormon and the restored gospel of Jesus Christ, which is "Security for the Soul". I know that the Lord can respond our prayers through the scriptures, and we can find what we are looking for. I have been able to personally experience it, and I know that it is true.
I have such mixed feelings in this position I am in now. I miss you all so much, especially Magnum, and I am excited to meet the new generation of twerps in the family, but it is going to be so sad for me to leave this place. I don't know how it will be to not have rules on studying the scriptures minimum of 1 hour a day. The real world isn´t going to give me time for that, it isn´t going to give me much time for anything! I love being here,and I love the people here. I hope and pray that Bishop Klingler has a calling ready for me when I get home. I love this gospel so much. I feel sad for having lost so much time in High School in things that weren´t of worth to me. Sorry Jared and Zach, I was just stubborn, I should have listened to you a bit more. I do know that this is the true church of Jesus Christ. I know it. I love "la obra misional", there is nothing so heart wrenching, yet so satisfying as that of helping someone out, helping families stay together, seeing someones progress and transformation to a new person, a new way of life. Sadly the family I taught in Otavalo that was to get baptised today, couldn´t get work off today, so they got baptised Saturday evening instead. I was not able to be there, but I called by phone and was able to speak a couple of minutes with them. There are no words that describe the feelings when a family like them, that was on the verge of divorce, having four young kids, now is on a new track, making plans already to go to the Temple to be sealed for time and all eternity. And all because one day my companion and I decided to say a prayer in the street and knock on there door. They accepted a return visit, but it wasn´t until the 5th return visit that they let us in to share with them our message that we promised would bless them. I love this gospel. I know that families can be together forever. I know without any doubt that the Book of Mormon is true, and my testimony of it cannot be broken down, by that same testimony, I know that we have the Priesthood on the earth, that we have a living Prophet of our Loving Father in Heaven.
I miss you all, but at times I think it would be better if I just missed my plane home to stay just for that much longer. haha. Thank you all for your letters, and I hope that everyone is doing well.
Elder Matthew Morris
Yesterday was a great day here in Pomasqui. We have had a pretty rough week here in the sector, but yesterday was a good day. We were able to find a few new people to teach. People who were needing us. Its pretty sad sometimes when we find new people and we see their living conditions, and even more, when we see how they are spiritually. There are so many people here that are lost, the feel that they have no purpose in this life. But it is a great feeling to be able to answer all of their questions and doubts. Many times people have so many questions about life, about religion, that they haven´t ever been able to answer, then we come along and show them all of the answers. Its such a great blessing to have this gospel in our lives. The world is running off the tracks, there are so many bad things happening, so much evil and wickedness, but as Elder Holland taught is his talk from conference Oct. 2009, we have the Book of Mormon and the restored gospel of Jesus Christ, which is "Security for the Soul". I know that the Lord can respond our prayers through the scriptures, and we can find what we are looking for. I have been able to personally experience it, and I know that it is true.
I have such mixed feelings in this position I am in now. I miss you all so much, especially Magnum, and I am excited to meet the new generation of twerps in the family, but it is going to be so sad for me to leave this place. I don't know how it will be to not have rules on studying the scriptures minimum of 1 hour a day. The real world isn´t going to give me time for that, it isn´t going to give me much time for anything! I love being here,and I love the people here. I hope and pray that Bishop Klingler has a calling ready for me when I get home. I love this gospel so much. I feel sad for having lost so much time in High School in things that weren´t of worth to me. Sorry Jared and Zach, I was just stubborn, I should have listened to you a bit more. I do know that this is the true church of Jesus Christ. I know it. I love "la obra misional", there is nothing so heart wrenching, yet so satisfying as that of helping someone out, helping families stay together, seeing someones progress and transformation to a new person, a new way of life. Sadly the family I taught in Otavalo that was to get baptised today, couldn´t get work off today, so they got baptised Saturday evening instead. I was not able to be there, but I called by phone and was able to speak a couple of minutes with them. There are no words that describe the feelings when a family like them, that was on the verge of divorce, having four young kids, now is on a new track, making plans already to go to the Temple to be sealed for time and all eternity. And all because one day my companion and I decided to say a prayer in the street and knock on there door. They accepted a return visit, but it wasn´t until the 5th return visit that they let us in to share with them our message that we promised would bless them. I love this gospel. I know that families can be together forever. I know without any doubt that the Book of Mormon is true, and my testimony of it cannot be broken down, by that same testimony, I know that we have the Priesthood on the earth, that we have a living Prophet of our Loving Father in Heaven.
I miss you all, but at times I think it would be better if I just missed my plane home to stay just for that much longer. haha. Thank you all for your letters, and I hope that everyone is doing well.
Elder Matthew Morris
Monday, August 9, 2010
Hey Everyone!
This week was a good week for us here. We had a few meetings in downtown Quito, but all turned out well. We just got back to our sector. Today we went to the Stake Center and played soccer again. This week I actually was able to help out my team. I made 2 goals in fact. One I headbutted in, ya I was pretty proud of myself, and the other I kicked in over the goalies head, and not just that, but I kicked it with my left foot. Impressive I know, I'm Ecuadorian at heart. I do miss good old football though. I will be eager to attend dome high school games this fall.
It has been a really hot and sunny week for us. This sector in unique in the mission. It must be for the fact that we are at a high elevation and right on the ecuatorial line, because it is an absolute desert here. There is no other sector in this mission as dry and hot as this one. There isn't even any vegetation in this sector. Im slowly getting used to it, but surely feel out of my comfort zone. It will be a very interesting climate change going from here to home, right as winter is starting.
This next monday will surely be a memorable preparation day for me. A family in Otavalo that my companion and I contacted in the street in June, is getting baptised. We were able to teach them and prepare them while I was still there. Well, they accepted a baptismal date, and have asked that I attend the baptism. So I got special permission from President Sloan to spend next monday there in Otavalo to be able to preform the baptisms and visit some families. I am very excited, if you cant tell I miss Otavalo about as much as I miss Idaho. It just felt like home to me there. The family that is getting baptized is a family of 6, Diego, the dad, Iralda the mom, then the kids, Estefanía 11years old, Diego jr. 9 years old, Shayla 7 years old, and Cristofer 1 year and 4 months old. They are such a great family, ever since the first visit they surprised me with their comment, questions and how readily they accepted our message. Because of that family, I gained a better testimony of the fact that the Lord prepares people to receive this gospel and to make the necessary changes in their lives to live the gospel.
Thank you all for your letters. I love you all so very much and I love to hear from you and to get all of the pictures. I hope you all have a great week this week.
Elder Matthew Morris
Here's a picture from the leadership meeting last week. The old district from the MTC, Elder Taylor and I, Elder Stieber and Elder Robinson. I hope you enjoy.
Oh, and today while in the mission offices picking up letter and such, I weighed myself, ........drum roll please.......... 177 lbs, ya that's right, the lightest Ive been since I got hooked on those MTC cookies, Ive finally gotten down almost to my highschool weight! love you all!
Elder Morris
This week was a good week for us here. We had a few meetings in downtown Quito, but all turned out well. We just got back to our sector. Today we went to the Stake Center and played soccer again. This week I actually was able to help out my team. I made 2 goals in fact. One I headbutted in, ya I was pretty proud of myself, and the other I kicked in over the goalies head, and not just that, but I kicked it with my left foot. Impressive I know, I'm Ecuadorian at heart. I do miss good old football though. I will be eager to attend dome high school games this fall.
It has been a really hot and sunny week for us. This sector in unique in the mission. It must be for the fact that we are at a high elevation and right on the ecuatorial line, because it is an absolute desert here. There is no other sector in this mission as dry and hot as this one. There isn't even any vegetation in this sector. Im slowly getting used to it, but surely feel out of my comfort zone. It will be a very interesting climate change going from here to home, right as winter is starting.
This next monday will surely be a memorable preparation day for me. A family in Otavalo that my companion and I contacted in the street in June, is getting baptised. We were able to teach them and prepare them while I was still there. Well, they accepted a baptismal date, and have asked that I attend the baptism. So I got special permission from President Sloan to spend next monday there in Otavalo to be able to preform the baptisms and visit some families. I am very excited, if you cant tell I miss Otavalo about as much as I miss Idaho. It just felt like home to me there. The family that is getting baptized is a family of 6, Diego, the dad, Iralda the mom, then the kids, Estefanía 11years old, Diego jr. 9 years old, Shayla 7 years old, and Cristofer 1 year and 4 months old. They are such a great family, ever since the first visit they surprised me with their comment, questions and how readily they accepted our message. Because of that family, I gained a better testimony of the fact that the Lord prepares people to receive this gospel and to make the necessary changes in their lives to live the gospel.
Thank you all for your letters. I love you all so very much and I love to hear from you and to get all of the pictures. I hope you all have a great week this week.
Elder Matthew Morris
Here's a picture from the leadership meeting last week. The old district from the MTC, Elder Taylor and I, Elder Stieber and Elder Robinson. I hope you enjoy.
Oh, and today while in the mission offices picking up letter and such, I weighed myself, ........drum roll please.......... 177 lbs, ya that's right, the lightest Ive been since I got hooked on those MTC cookies, Ive finally gotten down almost to my highschool weight! love you all!Elder Morris
Monday, August 2, 2010
Hey everyone!
Well let me just start, we had a SLOW week last week. All week long we had training meetings. But I was able to learn alot. I am doing very well. Every week that goes by I am more and more grateful for the sacrament. It really has meaning to me now. I am getting to like it here in my new sector. I really didn't think I would like this sector, but that's just how it goes I guess. Today we had a good day. We were able to go to a mall nearby, we ate at McDonald's. Basically that's the only thing we did today. Either way, it was worth it. haha. I hope that everyone back home is doing well. I love you all and miss you all very much. Mary sent me some pictures of the wedding this week. THANK YOU MARY. I knew she would be the one to send an albums worth of pictures when I hoped for a few simple ones! haha , you all know what I'm talking about. Anyways, what a joy and great feeling to see almost all of the family together. It has been quite a while since we've all been together. I think the last time was Jared's wedding. Maybe the next time will be my wedding! haha.
Well this week we have a couple more meetings in central Quito. I'm excited though. It will be nice. Tomorrow we have the zone leader council. That means dinner with the Sloan Family! That's always a good thing. This last week in the training meetings we had I got to see all of my old distirct from the MTC. Since we got here we haven't all been together. But in these meetings last week all of the leaders in the mission came into Quito. So we all got together, Elder Taylor and I Elder Stieber and Elder Robinson. We just are missing the two elders from Ogden that went to Argentina. I will send a Picture. Look back in the photos from the MTC to see the difference in us. Ok, well the computer I'm on doesn't have connection for my SD card, so I will try to send a few pictures next week. Sorry I don't have much to say. Thank you all so much for everything. I love you all so very much. I'm so grateful for the wonderful family that we have been blessed with. I love you all. have a great week!
Elder Morris
Well let me just start, we had a SLOW week last week. All week long we had training meetings. But I was able to learn alot. I am doing very well. Every week that goes by I am more and more grateful for the sacrament. It really has meaning to me now. I am getting to like it here in my new sector. I really didn't think I would like this sector, but that's just how it goes I guess. Today we had a good day. We were able to go to a mall nearby, we ate at McDonald's. Basically that's the only thing we did today. Either way, it was worth it. haha. I hope that everyone back home is doing well. I love you all and miss you all very much. Mary sent me some pictures of the wedding this week. THANK YOU MARY. I knew she would be the one to send an albums worth of pictures when I hoped for a few simple ones! haha , you all know what I'm talking about. Anyways, what a joy and great feeling to see almost all of the family together. It has been quite a while since we've all been together. I think the last time was Jared's wedding. Maybe the next time will be my wedding! haha.
Well this week we have a couple more meetings in central Quito. I'm excited though. It will be nice. Tomorrow we have the zone leader council. That means dinner with the Sloan Family! That's always a good thing. This last week in the training meetings we had I got to see all of my old distirct from the MTC. Since we got here we haven't all been together. But in these meetings last week all of the leaders in the mission came into Quito. So we all got together, Elder Taylor and I Elder Stieber and Elder Robinson. We just are missing the two elders from Ogden that went to Argentina. I will send a Picture. Look back in the photos from the MTC to see the difference in us. Ok, well the computer I'm on doesn't have connection for my SD card, so I will try to send a few pictures next week. Sorry I don't have much to say. Thank you all so much for everything. I love you all so very much. I'm so grateful for the wonderful family that we have been blessed with. I love you all. have a great week!
Elder Morris
Monday, July 26, 2010
Hey Everyone!
I hope that everyone is doing well back home. I guess the wedding and reception went well for Zach and Juliana. I didn't get any pictures though, hopefully you took pictures! I would love to get some more family pictures. I'm sorry Zach to hear that you have been sick. I hope you get better. Pioneer day was this last weekend, I was sure not to forget. We had a ward activity here in our ward that day. It was fun, we did some little games and relay´s. I enjoyed it, but my legs are still sore from doing jumprope and squats for the relay race. I guess I´ve gotten a bit outta shape. I'm only good for walking, walking, walking.
Today we went to the stake center and played soccer with the Elders from the zone and some members from my ward. It was alot more fun than I thought it would be. I'm actually not that bad at soccer. I just got out there and played like it was football. All the skinny latin kids kept their distance from me for the rest of the game! haha. I headbutted one pass from my companion and it almost went in the goal! I was pretty impressed! hahaha. Last week after having gotten to the sector, I began unpacking my clothes and books. But there was alot of junk on my desk, so I had to clean it all out and arrange everything. So in the cleaning process I found one of those little hacky sack style "stress-balls" that you squeeze in our hand. And so I started playing with it. -off track but- A few years ago at the thanksgiving dinner at the house, Aunt Florence´s car had a tire low on air, so I went to fill it up so she could go home. As I was filling up the tire I noticed that the wires were showing and it began to bulge. The thought crossed my mind "I wonder how much longer this tire is going to last, it looks like its about to pop." and as "pop" crossed my mind, it did just that! A big of a scary experience, but you would think that I would have learned my lesson. So, as I was playing with this small anti-stress-ball, I looked and noticed an unnatural bulge. The thought again crossed my mind, "wow, I wonder how hard I can squeeze this thing, it looks like it about to...." And of course, it popped! Anti-stress-balls cause a very stressful situation when they pop. I had some sort of a powder/sand mixture ALL over me! Those things look pretty little, but they pack ALOT of powder. But all is well, I think I have it all cleaned up now.
This week we had a neat experience in a lesson. We are teaching a few Haitian people here in our sector. There are 4 Haitians that live in the house we are visiting. Edmón, is 20, his friend Shamushka also 20, Noel 29 and his wife Marimar. All of them are here as refuges, all of them lost their entire families in the earthquake. In Haiti they speak French and Creole. So the lessons are a little bit slow, Edmón knows some spanish, and Shamushka knows some English. So little by little we explain, they read from a French Book of Mormon, and then they discuss amongst themselves in French/Creole. Everytime we get to their house, they open the door with GIANT smiles, there is no handshaking from the men, Edmon and Noel, they go right in and give big hugs! They live under very humble circumstances, a small block house, with only a couple of plastic chairs to sit in. But they always try to give us something to eat after lessons, most of the time an apple or a banana. They have passed such trials, and are still passing through difficulties, they don't know the language here, work for probably $15 a week. But they always have a smile on their face, and always want to learn more. It has been, yet again, another humbling experience for me.
I am getting used to the sector here. I no longer have to ask my companion which bus takes us where, nor which street the investigators live on. Its a really dry and hot area. I wear sunscreen everyday, here directly on the equator the sun hits hard! I imagine all of the time, this must have been what Jared lived in for 2 years in Chile! Im grateful for the green and beautiful parts of the mission I have been in. haha
I love you all and thank you so much for always writing! Oh, my Stake President´s son served in the Pocatello Idaho mission about 4 years ago, he served in IF, Firth, Pocatello, and a couple other areas I cant remember. Pretty neat! Love you all.
Elder Matthew Morris
I hope that everyone is doing well back home. I guess the wedding and reception went well for Zach and Juliana. I didn't get any pictures though, hopefully you took pictures! I would love to get some more family pictures. I'm sorry Zach to hear that you have been sick. I hope you get better. Pioneer day was this last weekend, I was sure not to forget. We had a ward activity here in our ward that day. It was fun, we did some little games and relay´s. I enjoyed it, but my legs are still sore from doing jumprope and squats for the relay race. I guess I´ve gotten a bit outta shape. I'm only good for walking, walking, walking.
Today we went to the stake center and played soccer with the Elders from the zone and some members from my ward. It was alot more fun than I thought it would be. I'm actually not that bad at soccer. I just got out there and played like it was football. All the skinny latin kids kept their distance from me for the rest of the game! haha. I headbutted one pass from my companion and it almost went in the goal! I was pretty impressed! hahaha. Last week after having gotten to the sector, I began unpacking my clothes and books. But there was alot of junk on my desk, so I had to clean it all out and arrange everything. So in the cleaning process I found one of those little hacky sack style "stress-balls" that you squeeze in our hand. And so I started playing with it. -off track but- A few years ago at the thanksgiving dinner at the house, Aunt Florence´s car had a tire low on air, so I went to fill it up so she could go home. As I was filling up the tire I noticed that the wires were showing and it began to bulge. The thought crossed my mind "I wonder how much longer this tire is going to last, it looks like its about to pop." and as "pop" crossed my mind, it did just that! A big of a scary experience, but you would think that I would have learned my lesson. So, as I was playing with this small anti-stress-ball, I looked and noticed an unnatural bulge. The thought again crossed my mind, "wow, I wonder how hard I can squeeze this thing, it looks like it about to...." And of course, it popped! Anti-stress-balls cause a very stressful situation when they pop. I had some sort of a powder/sand mixture ALL over me! Those things look pretty little, but they pack ALOT of powder. But all is well, I think I have it all cleaned up now.
This week we had a neat experience in a lesson. We are teaching a few Haitian people here in our sector. There are 4 Haitians that live in the house we are visiting. Edmón, is 20, his friend Shamushka also 20, Noel 29 and his wife Marimar. All of them are here as refuges, all of them lost their entire families in the earthquake. In Haiti they speak French and Creole. So the lessons are a little bit slow, Edmón knows some spanish, and Shamushka knows some English. So little by little we explain, they read from a French Book of Mormon, and then they discuss amongst themselves in French/Creole. Everytime we get to their house, they open the door with GIANT smiles, there is no handshaking from the men, Edmon and Noel, they go right in and give big hugs! They live under very humble circumstances, a small block house, with only a couple of plastic chairs to sit in. But they always try to give us something to eat after lessons, most of the time an apple or a banana. They have passed such trials, and are still passing through difficulties, they don't know the language here, work for probably $15 a week. But they always have a smile on their face, and always want to learn more. It has been, yet again, another humbling experience for me.
I am getting used to the sector here. I no longer have to ask my companion which bus takes us where, nor which street the investigators live on. Its a really dry and hot area. I wear sunscreen everyday, here directly on the equator the sun hits hard! I imagine all of the time, this must have been what Jared lived in for 2 years in Chile! Im grateful for the green and beautiful parts of the mission I have been in. haha
I love you all and thank you so much for always writing! Oh, my Stake President´s son served in the Pocatello Idaho mission about 4 years ago, he served in IF, Firth, Pocatello, and a couple other areas I cant remember. Pretty neat! Love you all.
Elder Matthew Morris
Monday, July 19, 2010
Hey family!
This week was a good week. It was another rollercoaster week, but at least my health is good. Im all better, no fever, no parasites. We had a few challenges with some of the investigators that had plans on getting baptised. They will have to wait a little bit longer to be able to be ready for baptism. Two great things though. One, Last week while in Quito for leaders council, I was able to talk with the missionaries that are in my second sector, San Carlos/Santa Anita, and so I asked them how my converts are doing there, well, Fernando Barrigas, his wife and their two little boys are going to the Temple in Guyaquil next month to get sealed as a family! I still remember clearly the day they got baptised, now they are going to the temple as a family. It fills me with a complete and infinite joy, I cannot explain the feelings in me. And I just remember and think how I was simply an instrument in the Lord´s hands. The other good news, a few months ago in Cotacachi I mentioned in a letter about teaching a family up on the mountainside in the night under the stars, translating everything in Quichwa, WELL.... they are getting baptised this saturday! I would have loved to be present at the baptism. Now comes the sad news, I can´t make it to their baptism, because I got transferred today. I am now in Northern Quito. My sector has the equatorial line running right through the middle of it. Its an interesting area, the climate is much like a desert in fact. It reminds me ALOT of Mesquite Nevada. It was sad to have to leave Otavalo this morning, but I know that if the Lord wants me here, that's what I´ve got to do. There is some reason that I´m here. I love it here in the mission. Thank you Zach for your words in the letter last week. I'm so very excited for everyone back home. So many new things happening. I'm going to be the only single person in the family. Thats really odd. The pressure is on now. I'm in no real hurry though. I have got to apply for BYU I in the next little bit. Lots of crazy new changes coming up in life. I got my itinerary this week from the mission offices. I fly out of Quito October 21st at 6:15 AM, arrive in SLC that same day at about 8 PM. I think thats it, I will have to check for sure when we get back at the house. Like always, many mixed feelings about going home. But I know its just another "transfer" that I have to accept and search for the next lesson to learn from it.
I love you all so very much and am so grateful for the wonderful family that I have been blessed with. Zach and Julie, best of wishes. I'm happy for both of you, I was proud as can be getting the invitation this week, I showed everyone how my brother is going to get married in the temple, mostly I showed them because they all said how much better looking I am than you, but... haha. Love you all. Have a great week!
Elder Matthew Morris
The picture attached is of me roasting smores after the zone leader council here in Quito last week.
Totally forgot to even mention my new companion in the other letter. We are actually in a trip for right now, the missionary that I am replacing is Elder Harding from Virginia, he goes home on thursday, so he is just the third wheel for a couple more days, but my real companion is Elder Estrada, he is from Colombia! Finally! I have been wanting a Colombian companion ever since I got here. He is a great missionary. I knew him before in the mission. We are the zone leaders here in Zona Ofelia. There are a couple of challenges with some missionaries in the zone, but we are both excited to be here and to work together to help out the zone and this stake where we serve. The picture that I added on here was taken during the smore roast last week. Elder Estrada is on the far left, then comes my best friend in the mission, Elder Morales (he is also the new Assistant to President) and then my-handsome-self, and then Elder Duarte, my other best bud that is also from Colombia.
Elder Morris
This week was a good week. It was another rollercoaster week, but at least my health is good. Im all better, no fever, no parasites. We had a few challenges with some of the investigators that had plans on getting baptised. They will have to wait a little bit longer to be able to be ready for baptism. Two great things though. One, Last week while in Quito for leaders council, I was able to talk with the missionaries that are in my second sector, San Carlos/Santa Anita, and so I asked them how my converts are doing there, well, Fernando Barrigas, his wife and their two little boys are going to the Temple in Guyaquil next month to get sealed as a family! I still remember clearly the day they got baptised, now they are going to the temple as a family. It fills me with a complete and infinite joy, I cannot explain the feelings in me. And I just remember and think how I was simply an instrument in the Lord´s hands. The other good news, a few months ago in Cotacachi I mentioned in a letter about teaching a family up on the mountainside in the night under the stars, translating everything in Quichwa, WELL.... they are getting baptised this saturday! I would have loved to be present at the baptism. Now comes the sad news, I can´t make it to their baptism, because I got transferred today. I am now in Northern Quito. My sector has the equatorial line running right through the middle of it. Its an interesting area, the climate is much like a desert in fact. It reminds me ALOT of Mesquite Nevada. It was sad to have to leave Otavalo this morning, but I know that if the Lord wants me here, that's what I´ve got to do. There is some reason that I´m here. I love it here in the mission. Thank you Zach for your words in the letter last week. I'm so very excited for everyone back home. So many new things happening. I'm going to be the only single person in the family. Thats really odd. The pressure is on now. I'm in no real hurry though. I have got to apply for BYU I in the next little bit. Lots of crazy new changes coming up in life. I got my itinerary this week from the mission offices. I fly out of Quito October 21st at 6:15 AM, arrive in SLC that same day at about 8 PM. I think thats it, I will have to check for sure when we get back at the house. Like always, many mixed feelings about going home. But I know its just another "transfer" that I have to accept and search for the next lesson to learn from it.
I love you all so very much and am so grateful for the wonderful family that I have been blessed with. Zach and Julie, best of wishes. I'm happy for both of you, I was proud as can be getting the invitation this week, I showed everyone how my brother is going to get married in the temple, mostly I showed them because they all said how much better looking I am than you, but... haha. Love you all. Have a great week!
Elder Matthew Morris
The picture attached is of me roasting smores after the zone leader council here in Quito last week.
Totally forgot to even mention my new companion in the other letter. We are actually in a trip for right now, the missionary that I am replacing is Elder Harding from Virginia, he goes home on thursday, so he is just the third wheel for a couple more days, but my real companion is Elder Estrada, he is from Colombia! Finally! I have been wanting a Colombian companion ever since I got here. He is a great missionary. I knew him before in the mission. We are the zone leaders here in Zona Ofelia. There are a couple of challenges with some missionaries in the zone, but we are both excited to be here and to work together to help out the zone and this stake where we serve. The picture that I added on here was taken during the smore roast last week. Elder Estrada is on the far left, then comes my best friend in the mission, Elder Morales (he is also the new Assistant to President) and then my-handsome-self, and then Elder Duarte, my other best bud that is also from Colombia.
Elder Morris
Monday, July 12, 2010
Hey everyone!
This week was a MAJOR rolleroaster week. We had so many great things happen last week, and so many horrible things happen this week! It was very interesting to me how it all happened. I just know, its always darkest before the dawn. Last sunday we had 3 different families come to church, a total of 13, a record for me in the mission, this week we had a grand total of 0! One of the really sad things for us this week, was after church my companion and I decided to go visit our two investigators that were going to get baptised this coming weekend. Well we happened to find them both in the same place, one block away from the chapel, in a party, very very drunk. So we have our work cut out for us now to get them prepared better. They had both completely left alcohol, one of them is 3 or 4 months without drinking, and the other about 1 month. And they both fell, in the same party. It made me feel so sad. After that we went to lunch, it was a good lunch, I was feeling better, then on our way to another investigators house, like a ton of bricks it hit me, RUN TO A BATHROOM! Luckily we were close to the chapel. Last week I had taken some pills for the parasites I got, I was feeling better thursday through sunday, but they were only under remission. So I was dealing with stomach pains and other unwanted side effects all afternoon yesterday. I'm feeling a lot better today, no worries. And so with all of this going on and some other things, I got to thinking Why me? Why now? and I remembered, before church (and all of the bad fortune) started as I was sitting down reading my scriptures I felt impressed to read from Doctrine and Covenants section 121. And upon remembering that, I decided, all is well, I'm not THAT bad off.
7 My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment;
8 And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high; thou shalt triumph over all thy foes.
It was a good lesson learned. Before leaving the house sunday morning I prayed for the ability to learn patience and charity. I guess I didn't take into account the part about HOW I wanted to learn it. But I learned my lesson. I know that the Lord surely answers our prayers. There is no doubt in my mind about that. Amongst all of those problems, we were able to have a family home evening with Family Rosero (converts that I interviewed for baptism 7 months ago) and Familia Aizaga (an investigator family that we found knocking doors a month ago). It was a great FHE. The family is so excited to get baptised. They have the baptismal goal July 24th. I will let you know on their progress and everything.
I hope that everyone back home is doing great. I love you all so much. I have such mixed feeling about everything right now. I just now feel like I'm getting into the groove of things, but now its so close for me to go home. I am so very excited to come home and meet all the new family! The only house that I know is my own! Everyone has gotten married and moved away. But at the same time I want to stay here. I love it here so much. I now understand all those times when Jared would tell me with tears in his eyes, "I am so jealous of you, I would give anything to be back in the mission."
Don't anybody worry about me. I will be just fine here, parasites are curable. Thank you all so much for the letters and pictures always! I love you all.
Elder Matthew David Morris
This week was a MAJOR rolleroaster week. We had so many great things happen last week, and so many horrible things happen this week! It was very interesting to me how it all happened. I just know, its always darkest before the dawn. Last sunday we had 3 different families come to church, a total of 13, a record for me in the mission, this week we had a grand total of 0! One of the really sad things for us this week, was after church my companion and I decided to go visit our two investigators that were going to get baptised this coming weekend. Well we happened to find them both in the same place, one block away from the chapel, in a party, very very drunk. So we have our work cut out for us now to get them prepared better. They had both completely left alcohol, one of them is 3 or 4 months without drinking, and the other about 1 month. And they both fell, in the same party. It made me feel so sad. After that we went to lunch, it was a good lunch, I was feeling better, then on our way to another investigators house, like a ton of bricks it hit me, RUN TO A BATHROOM! Luckily we were close to the chapel. Last week I had taken some pills for the parasites I got, I was feeling better thursday through sunday, but they were only under remission. So I was dealing with stomach pains and other unwanted side effects all afternoon yesterday. I'm feeling a lot better today, no worries. And so with all of this going on and some other things, I got to thinking Why me? Why now? and I remembered, before church (and all of the bad fortune) started as I was sitting down reading my scriptures I felt impressed to read from Doctrine and Covenants section 121. And upon remembering that, I decided, all is well, I'm not THAT bad off.
7 My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment;
8 And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high; thou shalt triumph over all thy foes.
It was a good lesson learned. Before leaving the house sunday morning I prayed for the ability to learn patience and charity. I guess I didn't take into account the part about HOW I wanted to learn it. But I learned my lesson. I know that the Lord surely answers our prayers. There is no doubt in my mind about that. Amongst all of those problems, we were able to have a family home evening with Family Rosero (converts that I interviewed for baptism 7 months ago) and Familia Aizaga (an investigator family that we found knocking doors a month ago). It was a great FHE. The family is so excited to get baptised. They have the baptismal goal July 24th. I will let you know on their progress and everything.
I hope that everyone back home is doing great. I love you all so much. I have such mixed feeling about everything right now. I just now feel like I'm getting into the groove of things, but now its so close for me to go home. I am so very excited to come home and meet all the new family! The only house that I know is my own! Everyone has gotten married and moved away. But at the same time I want to stay here. I love it here so much. I now understand all those times when Jared would tell me with tears in his eyes, "I am so jealous of you, I would give anything to be back in the mission."
Don't anybody worry about me. I will be just fine here, parasites are curable. Thank you all so much for the letters and pictures always! I love you all.
Elder Matthew David Morris
Monday, July 5, 2010
Hey Everyone,
Sorry it took so long to write today. We just got into Quito. We have a leaders meeting tomorrow. This morning we did a 4th of July barbecue as a zone, and by the time we were all done cleaning up and everything, it was time to get ready for the trip to Quito! Today had a rough start though. This morning we carried the clothes up to the roof for our clothes mamita to wash them. While taking the clothes up I was admiring my new little indigenous grass slippers. Well, on the way down the stairs my beautiful woven grass slippers didn't get any traction. I slipped, while trying to catch myself, I caught hold of the railing with my left arm, but my right hand in its struggle to grab something, caught the broken window next to me. It only caught a piece of it, but it gave me a good notch in the tip of my ring finger! But the bleeding stopped after a few minutes! haha. Just kidding, well no, it was bleeding pretty bad, but I'm fine. I may not have been an eagle scout but I do know a bit about first aid! And this week I had to stay a half a day in the house resting, I ate some bad food or something, I got a bit of the fever and have parasites again. I got the medication, the fever is over, but I still am working on the parasites. But I'm feeling a lot better, so no worries at all! I'm happy as can be here. About the barbecue, I was the "volunteer" chef for the activity. We had 15 lbs of ground beef for the burgers, 10 lbs of beef for the shishkabobs, and a bunch of Doritos, and fruit for a fruit salad. It was great! We cooked it all over a barrel drum grill with charcoals. The burgers and shishkabobs turned out great.
Everyone loved my patriotic outfit, you will see in the pictures. One of the sister missionaries in the offices made me the apron. Its my favorite. The little American flags were a part of a package that Chelsey sent me a couple of weeks ago. Ya, she´s on my favorite list now. The only down part about the activity is that when one of the missionaries was taking down the volleyball net he kinda fell off the poll the he straggled up. They had to take him to the hospital, we aren't sure yet, but they think he broke his arm... oops... So that's how our day went here, it was a fun 4th of July, surely unforgettable.
(OK, just so you know, the apron is the Ecuadorian flag)
This weekend we had a great baptism. Saturday afternoon, I celebrated an early Independence day! Juan Villarreal is a guy that we met my first week here. He has had a rough life, but the moment we arrived, we knew he was prepared. After his baptism he bore a very strong testimony about the church, the Book of Mormon, and that God loves us all and gives us all the opportunity to change. His older brother who is not a member was present at the baptism, he came to church yesterday as well to see how the confirmation is. He really enjoyed church, he even got up a bore his own testimony about what he had seen and felt in the church, it being his first time. He is now an investigator. He was previously the Mayor of Otavalo so everyone in church was happy to see him and touched by his testimony! We have had some great experiences here. Tomorrow at some point in the day I am going to ask President Sloan if I can finish my last three months in Otavalo.
I hope that all is well back home. Thank you for the stories and all of the pictures of this weekend. I hope that everyone had a great fourth of July. Now for being here in Ecuador I have realized how great our country really is. We have a great government, many rights and freedoms. It is a great place, and even better in Idaho!
Love you all. I hope to hear from you all next week!
Elder Matthew Morris
Sorry it took so long to write today. We just got into Quito. We have a leaders meeting tomorrow. This morning we did a 4th of July barbecue as a zone, and by the time we were all done cleaning up and everything, it was time to get ready for the trip to Quito! Today had a rough start though. This morning we carried the clothes up to the roof for our clothes mamita to wash them. While taking the clothes up I was admiring my new little indigenous grass slippers. Well, on the way down the stairs my beautiful woven grass slippers didn't get any traction. I slipped, while trying to catch myself, I caught hold of the railing with my left arm, but my right hand in its struggle to grab something, caught the broken window next to me. It only caught a piece of it, but it gave me a good notch in the tip of my ring finger! But the bleeding stopped after a few minutes! haha. Just kidding, well no, it was bleeding pretty bad, but I'm fine. I may not have been an eagle scout but I do know a bit about first aid! And this week I had to stay a half a day in the house resting, I ate some bad food or something, I got a bit of the fever and have parasites again. I got the medication, the fever is over, but I still am working on the parasites. But I'm feeling a lot better, so no worries at all! I'm happy as can be here. About the barbecue, I was the "volunteer" chef for the activity. We had 15 lbs of ground beef for the burgers, 10 lbs of beef for the shishkabobs, and a bunch of Doritos, and fruit for a fruit salad. It was great! We cooked it all over a barrel drum grill with charcoals. The burgers and shishkabobs turned out great.
Everyone loved my patriotic outfit, you will see in the pictures. One of the sister missionaries in the offices made me the apron. Its my favorite. The little American flags were a part of a package that Chelsey sent me a couple of weeks ago. Ya, she´s on my favorite list now. The only down part about the activity is that when one of the missionaries was taking down the volleyball net he kinda fell off the poll the he straggled up. They had to take him to the hospital, we aren't sure yet, but they think he broke his arm... oops... So that's how our day went here, it was a fun 4th of July, surely unforgettable.
(OK, just so you know, the apron is the Ecuadorian flag)
This weekend we had a great baptism. Saturday afternoon, I celebrated an early Independence day! Juan Villarreal is a guy that we met my first week here. He has had a rough life, but the moment we arrived, we knew he was prepared. After his baptism he bore a very strong testimony about the church, the Book of Mormon, and that God loves us all and gives us all the opportunity to change. His older brother who is not a member was present at the baptism, he came to church yesterday as well to see how the confirmation is. He really enjoyed church, he even got up a bore his own testimony about what he had seen and felt in the church, it being his first time. He is now an investigator. He was previously the Mayor of Otavalo so everyone in church was happy to see him and touched by his testimony! We have had some great experiences here. Tomorrow at some point in the day I am going to ask President Sloan if I can finish my last three months in Otavalo.
I hope that all is well back home. Thank you for the stories and all of the pictures of this weekend. I hope that everyone had a great fourth of July. Now for being here in Ecuador I have realized how great our country really is. We have a great government, many rights and freedoms. It is a great place, and even better in Idaho!
Love you all. I hope to hear from you all next week!
Elder Matthew Morris
Monday, June 28, 2010
Hey everyone!
This week was a very good week for us. We had zone conference and interviews with President Sloan. I still don't get tired of those conferences. My companion and I had to do the training part of the conference. It went very well. Today we watched the game of Chile vs Brasil, it was a qualifying game to get into the finals of the world cup, sorry Jared, Chile lost 3-0. We then went to a nice little restaurant and I had a plate called Churrasco, one of my favorites. It is a big grilled fillet of beef, a portion of rice, a portion of fries, 2 fried eggs and an avocado with some lettuce and tomato slices. DELICIOUS. Even though it may not sound very good. haha.
I am really enjoying my time here in Otavalo. President mentioned to me that I will most likely get changed here in 3 weeks. Its alright with me, I just told him if he changes me I want to go back to the coast! haha. This week we had 9 investigators come to church! It was one of my best weeks thus far on the mission. We have a new family of 6 that is investigating, all but the father came this week. The dad wanted to come but sunday morning while getting ready his work called and had him go help, so he couldn´t make it. There are the two parents, which ARE married, not very usual here, and they have 4 kids, Estefanía 11, Diego jr. 9, Shayla 8, and Cristofer 1. I have had some really good experiences every time that I have gone to teach them. After we finished the first lesson, teaching about Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon, we simply asked how they felt, now knowing that God has called Prophets here on earth again, and that he has restored the true church on earth. The wife got a big smile on her face and said "To be honest with you, I´m catholic, this is the first time that I have ever accepted missionaries into my house with my family. But I´m glad I did. I never would have known. I believe that Joseph Smith was a Prophet. I´m so glad to know this now, and that we have more scriptures to help us do whats right". As you can imagine, I was shocked. And we asked how the dad felt, he had the same thing to say. After the lesson we left 3 Nephi 11 for them to read as a family, two days later we came back, upon simply opening the door the wife smiled and begged us to please come in, she would gather the family. Within moments the little kids came running, excited to tell us about what they read in the Book of Mormon. So we re-read a little with them to be sure they understood it well, they did. haha. After the lesson we asked if they would like to come to church with us and they all got big smiles on their faces and said "we would love to!". So that´s their story, we have another appointment with the family tomorrow evening. We are going to teach them about the plan of salvation. We are going to put the baptismal date with them, for July 10th. We are really excited for them. We also have 2 baptisms this weekend here. One of the guys, is Juan Villarreal. He is about 45, recently divorced, has 4 or 5 kids, but they don't talk. His life was ruined because of a bad drinking habit that he produced. He over the years has been to the church a couple of times. He has had a copy of the Book of Mormon in his bookshelf for over 25 years as well. A member of our ward knew that he had been previously to church and had found out about the divorce and other problems. The member introduced us and we have been visiting him ever since, thursday afternoon he passed his baptismal interview to be baptised this weekend. He is very happy, yet regret at the same time that he didn´t decide to change sooner. I will be sure to send pictures of the baptism. And we will hopefully have a family home evening in a members house with that investigator family this week. I will be sure to send pictures as well. I hope that all is well with everyone back home. Thank you all as always, for the letter and pictures! Love you all so much!
Elder Matthew Morris
This week was a very good week for us. We had zone conference and interviews with President Sloan. I still don't get tired of those conferences. My companion and I had to do the training part of the conference. It went very well. Today we watched the game of Chile vs Brasil, it was a qualifying game to get into the finals of the world cup, sorry Jared, Chile lost 3-0. We then went to a nice little restaurant and I had a plate called Churrasco, one of my favorites. It is a big grilled fillet of beef, a portion of rice, a portion of fries, 2 fried eggs and an avocado with some lettuce and tomato slices. DELICIOUS. Even though it may not sound very good. haha.
I am really enjoying my time here in Otavalo. President mentioned to me that I will most likely get changed here in 3 weeks. Its alright with me, I just told him if he changes me I want to go back to the coast! haha. This week we had 9 investigators come to church! It was one of my best weeks thus far on the mission. We have a new family of 6 that is investigating, all but the father came this week. The dad wanted to come but sunday morning while getting ready his work called and had him go help, so he couldn´t make it. There are the two parents, which ARE married, not very usual here, and they have 4 kids, Estefanía 11, Diego jr. 9, Shayla 8, and Cristofer 1. I have had some really good experiences every time that I have gone to teach them. After we finished the first lesson, teaching about Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon, we simply asked how they felt, now knowing that God has called Prophets here on earth again, and that he has restored the true church on earth. The wife got a big smile on her face and said "To be honest with you, I´m catholic, this is the first time that I have ever accepted missionaries into my house with my family. But I´m glad I did. I never would have known. I believe that Joseph Smith was a Prophet. I´m so glad to know this now, and that we have more scriptures to help us do whats right". As you can imagine, I was shocked. And we asked how the dad felt, he had the same thing to say. After the lesson we left 3 Nephi 11 for them to read as a family, two days later we came back, upon simply opening the door the wife smiled and begged us to please come in, she would gather the family. Within moments the little kids came running, excited to tell us about what they read in the Book of Mormon. So we re-read a little with them to be sure they understood it well, they did. haha. After the lesson we asked if they would like to come to church with us and they all got big smiles on their faces and said "we would love to!". So that´s their story, we have another appointment with the family tomorrow evening. We are going to teach them about the plan of salvation. We are going to put the baptismal date with them, for July 10th. We are really excited for them. We also have 2 baptisms this weekend here. One of the guys, is Juan Villarreal. He is about 45, recently divorced, has 4 or 5 kids, but they don't talk. His life was ruined because of a bad drinking habit that he produced. He over the years has been to the church a couple of times. He has had a copy of the Book of Mormon in his bookshelf for over 25 years as well. A member of our ward knew that he had been previously to church and had found out about the divorce and other problems. The member introduced us and we have been visiting him ever since, thursday afternoon he passed his baptismal interview to be baptised this weekend. He is very happy, yet regret at the same time that he didn´t decide to change sooner. I will be sure to send pictures of the baptism. And we will hopefully have a family home evening in a members house with that investigator family this week. I will be sure to send pictures as well. I hope that all is well with everyone back home. Thank you all as always, for the letter and pictures! Love you all so much!
Elder Matthew Morris
Monday, June 21, 2010
Hey Everyone,
I have a few interesting stories for this week, and pictures to go with them! One of the things we did to start out the week was a service project for one of the bishops here. We went up to his land WAY up above Otavalo on the hillside in an area called Imbabuela.
Once we got to the land where he had his potatoes plants, they dumped us outta the truck with the hoes and gunny sacks and said, we will be back at one! Take into account that it was only 9 in the morning! haha. So we got to work, the bishop showed us where the rows were and handed us the hoes! So hand digging we spent about 4 hours picking spuds! We filled 8 sacks in the time that we were there. It was a different experience but it help me get back into the feel of things. I felt like an old time Idahoan for a few minutes. I'm sure grateful for all of the John Deere´s that we have back home, they sure make life easier on us all. I ended up with 5 blisters on my hands, two of which keep drying and splitting even now. But it was all worth it. 
It was alot of fun and a great experience. Getting the sacks full we had to carry them out of the field on our backs to the road where the truck was going to come pick us up. My knee did really well, it was a little bit sore afterwards, but its basically got all of its strength back from the football accident.
Friday afternoon we had an activity to go to for one of the indigenous wards, but before the activity for their ward, we had a small one in ours. The Relief Society had a "beauty shop" training at the church. So they invited us to come be the participants. They were cutting hair, doing manicures, pedicures, etc. No worries, I only got my haircut. So there is a picture in here of me getting my haircut.
I have a few interesting stories for this week, and pictures to go with them! One of the things we did to start out the week was a service project for one of the bishops here. We went up to his land WAY up above Otavalo on the hillside in an area called Imbabuela.
Once we got to the land where he had his potatoes plants, they dumped us outta the truck with the hoes and gunny sacks and said, we will be back at one! Take into account that it was only 9 in the morning! haha. So we got to work, the bishop showed us where the rows were and handed us the hoes! So hand digging we spent about 4 hours picking spuds! We filled 8 sacks in the time that we were there. It was a different experience but it help me get back into the feel of things. I felt like an old time Idahoan for a few minutes. I'm sure grateful for all of the John Deere´s that we have back home, they sure make life easier on us all. I ended up with 5 blisters on my hands, two of which keep drying and splitting even now. But it was all worth it. It was alot of fun and a great experience. Getting the sacks full we had to carry them out of the field on our backs to the road where the truck was going to come pick us up. My knee did really well, it was a little bit sore afterwards, but its basically got all of its strength back from the football accident.Friday afternoon we had an activity to go to for one of the indigenous wards, but before the activity for their ward, we had a small one in ours. The Relief Society had a "beauty shop" training at the church. So they invited us to come be the participants. They were cutting hair, doing manicures, pedicures, etc. No worries, I only got my haircut. So there is a picture in here of me getting my haircut.
The lady cutting my hair got baptised last December. I interviewed her and her husband and son on Christmas day, they were baptised a couple of days later. They are a great family. So during the haircut I kept reminding her to not mess up my hair or I would recall my permission for her baptism! haha. But she did a good job, I left without any cuts or injuries. So after that we helped out with the indigenous activity. I first have to explain the fiestas that are going on right now. This week is called San Juan, its a holiday only here in Otavalo, they celebrate and do rituals in thanks to the sun god for the crops and harvests of the year. It is a 2 week long festival. They spend days just dancing and getting together as communities. (just another excuse for everyone to drink and not work). So one of the wards here held a ward party to celebrate in a healthy way. All of the ward organizations prepared skits and or dances, including the organization of missionary work! So we got the district together and thought up a few little goofy dances to do. We got out there in front of everyone all dressed in the traditional wear and did a little "traditional" dance. They all were laughing and loving it, they gave us an encore and told us to do another one. Luckily we had kind of practiced another goofy dance, so we did it too! It was alot of fun, and I have the videos of it for everyone to see when I get home. 
So after our dance, that part of the activity was over, so they moved on to the dinner part. It was one of the most amazing things I have ever seen. From outta nowhere all of the members ladies started to pull out pots and pots of potatoes, beans, rices, more rice and potatoes, and some meat. they threw it all onto a tarp that they laid out in front of everyone, then they mixed in all in together, and served it to everyone in little bowls. It was amazing. And it tasted pretty good too!!!
Getting home that night from the activity a sat down at my bed a teared up a little bit. I love this people. I love how humble and loving they are towards everyone. Being here in this city so long, I have gotten to know most of the members. A few of them were so happy to see me in the activity. I don't know how I will ever get used to the culture again in the states. I just love it here so much. I cant really remember now if there were other stories. I just got teary eyed again thinking about the people here. I just love it here. I'm so glad to still be in Otavalo. Time is going by quicker day by day.
I'm glad to hear that the weather is getting better back home. Enjoy it. We have been getting rained on here every day for the last week. Supposedly we are entering into summer in northern Ecuador, but they are only tricking themselves. It really is an eternal spring here, no matter what sector of the mission we are in. I hope everyone had a great week this week! Thank you all for the letters and pictures. Love you all!
Elder Matthew Morris
So after our dance, that part of the activity was over, so they moved on to the dinner part. It was one of the most amazing things I have ever seen. From outta nowhere all of the members ladies started to pull out pots and pots of potatoes, beans, rices, more rice and potatoes, and some meat. they threw it all onto a tarp that they laid out in front of everyone, then they mixed in all in together, and served it to everyone in little bowls. It was amazing. And it tasted pretty good too!!!
Getting home that night from the activity a sat down at my bed a teared up a little bit. I love this people. I love how humble and loving they are towards everyone. Being here in this city so long, I have gotten to know most of the members. A few of them were so happy to see me in the activity. I don't know how I will ever get used to the culture again in the states. I just love it here so much. I cant really remember now if there were other stories. I just got teary eyed again thinking about the people here. I just love it here. I'm so glad to still be in Otavalo. Time is going by quicker day by day.I'm glad to hear that the weather is getting better back home. Enjoy it. We have been getting rained on here every day for the last week. Supposedly we are entering into summer in northern Ecuador, but they are only tricking themselves. It really is an eternal spring here, no matter what sector of the mission we are in. I hope everyone had a great week this week! Thank you all for the letters and pictures. Love you all!
Elder Matthew Morris
Monday, June 14, 2010
Hello Family!
Well we just got done watching one of the world cup games as a zone. President gave us permission to watch one game on preparation day to let us enjoy a little bit of the world cup. We watched the Italy and Paraguay game. They tied 1-1, I was rooting for Italy. Oh well. I had never watched a world cup game, let alone any soccer game, before the mission. But they are interesting. Not quite as fun as the super bowl, but oh well. We finished watching the game and we have pizza delivered. It was pretty fun.
I'm doing well here with my new companion. I enjoy this sector alot. I knew I would miss Cotacachi, and I do ALOT, but I didn't think I would grow to like this new sector as much as I do now. I already knew my way around the sector, having been here doing divisions and interviews before, so its been easy to just get familiarized with investigators houses. The greatest part about this week was that almost everyday of the week we arrived to an appointment and upon arriving there, the people told us with tears in their eyes "thank you for coming Elders! We were waiting for you." Alot of times when an appointment fails on us, and we have to go to plan B or even plan C, it gets frustrating, but its always worth it when we realize, well its because plan C was the one needing us, not plan A. We just after leaving here writing, have an appointment up on the hillside with an family that was investigating the church a few years ago, but the Elders got changed and no one ever came back. We contacted them on wednesday, and when they opened the door to us their eyes lit up`and the mom said "Elders! your back!" A new personal goal of mine is to hear someone say that they were waiting for us, everyday of the week. I'm enjoying it alot here in my sector. I miss Cotacachi very very much, I have bumped into a number of members from Cotacachi in this last week, its great to see them again, even though its only been a week! haha.
While contacting this week up on the hillside in our sector, we stopped in the corner of a soccer field, then looking around us, in one square block from the field we counted 14 stray dogs!!!! YA, the rumors about South America are true. Bob Barker is a revolutionary man in my mind. He has saved the United States from a very sad state of over population. And a very ugly population at that. Some of the crossbreeds here are so wierd. In the group of 14 I saw a Lab-Weinerdog cross, cocker-pitbull cross, and many many more. Well what more can I say. I am loving it here, and we are doing what we need to do.
I am doing very well, my health is good, I think I am actually loosing a little bit of weight too. The volcanoes as far as I know are calmed down a bit, I haven't heard anything new about that. So no worries. All is well in Ecuador! haha. The days are winding down fast. Have a great week everyone! Love you all! Thank you for the letters and all the pictures Mary, and Loua! Love you all.
Elder Matthew Morris
Well we just got done watching one of the world cup games as a zone. President gave us permission to watch one game on preparation day to let us enjoy a little bit of the world cup. We watched the Italy and Paraguay game. They tied 1-1, I was rooting for Italy. Oh well. I had never watched a world cup game, let alone any soccer game, before the mission. But they are interesting. Not quite as fun as the super bowl, but oh well. We finished watching the game and we have pizza delivered. It was pretty fun.
I'm doing well here with my new companion. I enjoy this sector alot. I knew I would miss Cotacachi, and I do ALOT, but I didn't think I would grow to like this new sector as much as I do now. I already knew my way around the sector, having been here doing divisions and interviews before, so its been easy to just get familiarized with investigators houses. The greatest part about this week was that almost everyday of the week we arrived to an appointment and upon arriving there, the people told us with tears in their eyes "thank you for coming Elders! We were waiting for you." Alot of times when an appointment fails on us, and we have to go to plan B or even plan C, it gets frustrating, but its always worth it when we realize, well its because plan C was the one needing us, not plan A. We just after leaving here writing, have an appointment up on the hillside with an family that was investigating the church a few years ago, but the Elders got changed and no one ever came back. We contacted them on wednesday, and when they opened the door to us their eyes lit up`and the mom said "Elders! your back!" A new personal goal of mine is to hear someone say that they were waiting for us, everyday of the week. I'm enjoying it alot here in my sector. I miss Cotacachi very very much, I have bumped into a number of members from Cotacachi in this last week, its great to see them again, even though its only been a week! haha.
While contacting this week up on the hillside in our sector, we stopped in the corner of a soccer field, then looking around us, in one square block from the field we counted 14 stray dogs!!!! YA, the rumors about South America are true. Bob Barker is a revolutionary man in my mind. He has saved the United States from a very sad state of over population. And a very ugly population at that. Some of the crossbreeds here are so wierd. In the group of 14 I saw a Lab-Weinerdog cross, cocker-pitbull cross, and many many more. Well what more can I say. I am loving it here, and we are doing what we need to do.
I am doing very well, my health is good, I think I am actually loosing a little bit of weight too. The volcanoes as far as I know are calmed down a bit, I haven't heard anything new about that. So no worries. All is well in Ecuador! haha. The days are winding down fast. Have a great week everyone! Love you all! Thank you for the letters and all the pictures Mary, and Loua! Love you all.
Elder Matthew Morris
Monday, June 7, 2010
Hey Everyone!
Well this has been a LONG weekend for us here. Last wednesday we went to quito for a leaders meeting. At the leaders meeting President Sloan made some new announcements, one of which, the new zones in the mission. Here in Otavalo we were one zone of missionaries covering 2 stakes, well we got split! We now have two zones here, and I got transferred. I am still in Otavalo, but now I'm here in the city itself. I got assigned to the latin ward, so we teach all of the latins in my zone, everyone else only teaches indigenous. So it will be pretty interesting. My companion is Elder Melendez from Peru. FINALLY another latin companion, I was beginning to get tired of having soo many gringo companions, too much english in my opinion. haha, So today we spent the day helping out the missionaries and getting all of the transfers figured out. It is a bit stressful being a Zone Leader at times, but it sure has helped me figure out how to handle responsibilities. Backtracking a bit, wednesday, before going to Quito, as walking back to the house to get the bags ready for the 2 day trip, we passed by a "north american" style restaurant in Cotacachi, a member came running out after us and invited us to have a gringo lunch! It was great, I had spaghetti and meatballs, and for dessert we had carrot cake, wow forgot how much I loved that! Then as we walked (on cloud nine) back to the house, we got up to our apartment, and the neighbor family from the 3rd story brought us down 2 plates of WAY good ice cream cake! So by this time my companion and I are dying of joy. Then we got invited to dinner in Quito with a couple of Senor Missionaries from Roy Utah. Sister Rose made ROAST BEEF, MASHED POTATOES, bread, and a fruit jello........ ya really....... and for desert we had a delicious chocolate cake with oreo ice cream.... cant get better right? WRONG!! So then thursday after the leaders council we went to President´s house and Sister Sloan made Chicken Enchiladas!!!!!! and THEN Root Beer Floats! All I can really say is, I am proud to be an american. But sadly my stomach was not as used to and happy with so much flavor. But I'm better now! haha. Thats my great story for this week. I am happy, I am still enjoying my time greatly here. I was sad to leave Cotacachi, it was a hard weekend, knowing that I had a transfer coming, but I'm still somewhat nearby. I assume that I will only be here for the 6 week transfer, to help my new companion learn some of the responsibilities, then I will get sent to another part of the mission to finish my last two transfers.
I hope that everyone is doing well this week. From all the letters from everyone, sounds like it has been pretty rainy and cold. Jared sent me some pictures of riding four wheelers and bikes out at 8mile canyon... I don't even know what to say about that. I guess just that, there better be a few machines with full tanks of gas for when I get back home. We live such blessed lives, so many toys.We live in about the greatest place in the world too! Love you all! I will be excited to hear from you all next week.
Elder Matthew Morris
one thing i have meaning to say. about 2 months ago there was an earthquake here in otavalo. it was a sunday morning at 3:30 am. there were actually 3 in a row over 3 hours the night, but the last one was the biggest. since then, a major volcano in central ecuador, tungurahua, woke up, it has been smoking since the earthquakes. last week it started having small eruptions of rock and lava flow. since then, one other major volcano and 2 other small ones started to smoke. there are some 40-50 volcanoes here in my mission (the ring of fire, ya not just a Johnny Cash song) so be sure to keep little ecuador in your prayers. we have a mission wide "fire-drill" in case of any emergencies. we all have emergency food storage and everything, so if anything were to happen, this mission is prepared. but just be sure to keep us in your prayers. love you all!
Elder Matthew Morris
Well this has been a LONG weekend for us here. Last wednesday we went to quito for a leaders meeting. At the leaders meeting President Sloan made some new announcements, one of which, the new zones in the mission. Here in Otavalo we were one zone of missionaries covering 2 stakes, well we got split! We now have two zones here, and I got transferred. I am still in Otavalo, but now I'm here in the city itself. I got assigned to the latin ward, so we teach all of the latins in my zone, everyone else only teaches indigenous. So it will be pretty interesting. My companion is Elder Melendez from Peru. FINALLY another latin companion, I was beginning to get tired of having soo many gringo companions, too much english in my opinion. haha, So today we spent the day helping out the missionaries and getting all of the transfers figured out. It is a bit stressful being a Zone Leader at times, but it sure has helped me figure out how to handle responsibilities. Backtracking a bit, wednesday, before going to Quito, as walking back to the house to get the bags ready for the 2 day trip, we passed by a "north american" style restaurant in Cotacachi, a member came running out after us and invited us to have a gringo lunch! It was great, I had spaghetti and meatballs, and for dessert we had carrot cake, wow forgot how much I loved that! Then as we walked (on cloud nine) back to the house, we got up to our apartment, and the neighbor family from the 3rd story brought us down 2 plates of WAY good ice cream cake! So by this time my companion and I are dying of joy. Then we got invited to dinner in Quito with a couple of Senor Missionaries from Roy Utah. Sister Rose made ROAST BEEF, MASHED POTATOES, bread, and a fruit jello........ ya really....... and for desert we had a delicious chocolate cake with oreo ice cream.... cant get better right? WRONG!! So then thursday after the leaders council we went to President´s house and Sister Sloan made Chicken Enchiladas!!!!!! and THEN Root Beer Floats! All I can really say is, I am proud to be an american. But sadly my stomach was not as used to and happy with so much flavor. But I'm better now! haha. Thats my great story for this week. I am happy, I am still enjoying my time greatly here. I was sad to leave Cotacachi, it was a hard weekend, knowing that I had a transfer coming, but I'm still somewhat nearby. I assume that I will only be here for the 6 week transfer, to help my new companion learn some of the responsibilities, then I will get sent to another part of the mission to finish my last two transfers.
I hope that everyone is doing well this week. From all the letters from everyone, sounds like it has been pretty rainy and cold. Jared sent me some pictures of riding four wheelers and bikes out at 8mile canyon... I don't even know what to say about that. I guess just that, there better be a few machines with full tanks of gas for when I get back home. We live such blessed lives, so many toys.We live in about the greatest place in the world too! Love you all! I will be excited to hear from you all next week.
Elder Matthew Morris
one thing i have meaning to say. about 2 months ago there was an earthquake here in otavalo. it was a sunday morning at 3:30 am. there were actually 3 in a row over 3 hours the night, but the last one was the biggest. since then, a major volcano in central ecuador, tungurahua, woke up, it has been smoking since the earthquakes. last week it started having small eruptions of rock and lava flow. since then, one other major volcano and 2 other small ones started to smoke. there are some 40-50 volcanoes here in my mission (the ring of fire, ya not just a Johnny Cash song) so be sure to keep little ecuador in your prayers. we have a mission wide "fire-drill" in case of any emergencies. we all have emergency food storage and everything, so if anything were to happen, this mission is prepared. but just be sure to keep us in your prayers. love you all!
Elder Matthew Morris
Monday, May 31, 2010
Hey everyone
Well this week flew by, just like usual. We had some neat experiences this week. I'm doing really well here. Still in good old Cotacachi. Changes are next sunday, I think that I will stay here another 6 weeks, but who knows. I really enjoy it here, but I could use a change of sector. 6 months of going up the same mountainside kinda wears you out. My companion and I are doing really well here. Probably the best thing that happened to us this week was our very last lesson last night. Just before coming to the house to finish up the night we passed by a house that we had contacted about 2 weeks ago. We had been back since we contacted the younger couple, but they were never home. But last night we found them there. The husband was a little drunk so he let us right in when we got there. They had us sit down and they sat to listen to us. After a few minutes the husband got a headache and went to lay down. But the wife stayed interested. She began to ask how we baptise in the church, how we do marriages, a so forth. Well, any missionary would love to answer these questions, they are just begging for answers about the restoration. So we explained about the restoration, about the baptism of Christ, etc. But when we got to the part about eternal marriage. When we asked her about the words that were said when she got married, she realized, she didn't want death to separate them, they have 2 little boys. And we taught her that families can be together forever. Her eyes got lit up, and she became very interested then. It was just a nice reminder to us of what we are really here to do.Help families make it to the temple. We are really excited for this next family, that so eagerly asked us to come back again Tuesday. There are alot of days out here that are just really hard, from one house to another of people offending us and denying us, but when we find those chosen families, it makes it all worth it. So all in all we had a good week here. We have an appointment tonight with an investigator (golden). His cousins are members, but he has never heard from the missionaries. So we got to go and teach him. Ever since the first visit he is progressing and loving the book of mormon. I am just loving being here on the mission. I am starting to have dreams about home though. This morning I woke up at about 5:30 about to cry. I dreamed that I was getting off the airplane, and ....... NOONE was there waiting for me. So I got myself home somehow, walked in the front door and everyone looked at me kinda shocked, but unexcitedly. Then instead of giving me so much as a hug or a hello, Dad told me to get changed and go look for a job. I was quite taken back. haha, oh well. Just gotta enjoy the time I have left. Tomorrow i hit my 20 month mark. Time is flying by, but there's still alot of time left to work. Love you all. I will try to get a video sent home in another letter here in a couple of minutes. Love you all.
Elder Matthew Morris
Well this week flew by, just like usual. We had some neat experiences this week. I'm doing really well here. Still in good old Cotacachi. Changes are next sunday, I think that I will stay here another 6 weeks, but who knows. I really enjoy it here, but I could use a change of sector. 6 months of going up the same mountainside kinda wears you out. My companion and I are doing really well here. Probably the best thing that happened to us this week was our very last lesson last night. Just before coming to the house to finish up the night we passed by a house that we had contacted about 2 weeks ago. We had been back since we contacted the younger couple, but they were never home. But last night we found them there. The husband was a little drunk so he let us right in when we got there. They had us sit down and they sat to listen to us. After a few minutes the husband got a headache and went to lay down. But the wife stayed interested. She began to ask how we baptise in the church, how we do marriages, a so forth. Well, any missionary would love to answer these questions, they are just begging for answers about the restoration. So we explained about the restoration, about the baptism of Christ, etc. But when we got to the part about eternal marriage. When we asked her about the words that were said when she got married, she realized, she didn't want death to separate them, they have 2 little boys. And we taught her that families can be together forever. Her eyes got lit up, and she became very interested then. It was just a nice reminder to us of what we are really here to do.Help families make it to the temple. We are really excited for this next family, that so eagerly asked us to come back again Tuesday. There are alot of days out here that are just really hard, from one house to another of people offending us and denying us, but when we find those chosen families, it makes it all worth it. So all in all we had a good week here. We have an appointment tonight with an investigator (golden). His cousins are members, but he has never heard from the missionaries. So we got to go and teach him. Ever since the first visit he is progressing and loving the book of mormon. I am just loving being here on the mission. I am starting to have dreams about home though. This morning I woke up at about 5:30 about to cry. I dreamed that I was getting off the airplane, and ....... NOONE was there waiting for me. So I got myself home somehow, walked in the front door and everyone looked at me kinda shocked, but unexcitedly. Then instead of giving me so much as a hug or a hello, Dad told me to get changed and go look for a job. I was quite taken back. haha, oh well. Just gotta enjoy the time I have left. Tomorrow i hit my 20 month mark. Time is flying by, but there's still alot of time left to work. Love you all. I will try to get a video sent home in another letter here in a couple of minutes. Love you all.
Elder Matthew Morris
Monday, May 24, 2010
Hey everyone!
This week was a roller coaster week. Lots of ups ad downs... The interviews were good this week. After all of the interviews we went to dinner with President Sloan, his wife, and the Stake Presidents here in the two stakes we are over. It was great. It was a really fancy restaurant on the lakeside just outside of Otavalo. I got a green salad with ranch dressing to start, then a Filet Mignon, with Cantelope juice to drink, then after the meal, I got ice cream with chocolate cake! It was pretty good in fact. The sad part was, that my meal alone cost about 35 dollars! WOW, I couldn't believe it, but President told us not to be bashful about what we ordered, it was our special night. So that was pretty nice. Wednesday morning I had to go to Quito. We left here at about 6 am. I had to go with some new missionaries here in the zone that had to go receive their official Ecuador I.D. It was an alright trip. Didn't get robbed or anything so that was good. We went to that burger shop again. This time I got an GRANDE RootBeer and double cheese burger! haha, it was delicious!
We have a new investigator here that is doing great! He is a members cousin here in our ward. He is no coming to church regularly and even the ward activities! He loves the Book of Mormon. He and his family are Catholic, but when we explained to him the Book of Mormon and he started reading, he told us it was what has always been missing to him. He will probably be getting baptised the 19th of June. I will keep the updates coming on him. Yesterday in our sector we were just trying our hardest to avoid all of the drunk people in the streets! They were everywhere. Sadly a couple of the investigators were a little bit "chumado" aka drunk! So we had a few rough spots in the week with investigators and members, but all is well. We are doing good here.
This saturday we had a ward activity for Mother´s day. We had a small talent show, then a "Parrillada" (barbecue). It turned out very well, except for the fact that they forgot to bring silverware for the food. So it got a bit messy! haha. We were the waiters for the activity. We got to serve all of the food, just to pay back to our "Mamitas" here. So hopefully they were able to gain more love and confidence with us. Its always tough when you don´t have the support of the members in a ward. The members here are pretty good with us, but could always be better. We hope to have some more success here to be able to excite the members more about being involved in missionary work.
I was able to chat a little with President Sloan this week in my interview about some things. He gave me the impression that I will stay here in Otavalo for another 6 weeks. So I will be here the same amount of time I was in Esmeraldas for, 7 1/2 months! But we will just see what happens when we get the changes in a couple weeks. He showed me my scheduled release date. Thursday October 14th!........... 4 1/2 months is all that's left for me. Its pretty scary to think about, so I try not to think about it! haha. But whatever happens, I will enjoy the time left here. There is alot to do here, and I hope I can get some of it done.
Thank you all for your letter and your support. Love you all!
Elder Matthew Morris
This week was a roller coaster week. Lots of ups ad downs... The interviews were good this week. After all of the interviews we went to dinner with President Sloan, his wife, and the Stake Presidents here in the two stakes we are over. It was great. It was a really fancy restaurant on the lakeside just outside of Otavalo. I got a green salad with ranch dressing to start, then a Filet Mignon, with Cantelope juice to drink, then after the meal, I got ice cream with chocolate cake! It was pretty good in fact. The sad part was, that my meal alone cost about 35 dollars! WOW, I couldn't believe it, but President told us not to be bashful about what we ordered, it was our special night. So that was pretty nice. Wednesday morning I had to go to Quito. We left here at about 6 am. I had to go with some new missionaries here in the zone that had to go receive their official Ecuador I.D. It was an alright trip. Didn't get robbed or anything so that was good. We went to that burger shop again. This time I got an GRANDE RootBeer and double cheese burger! haha, it was delicious!
We have a new investigator here that is doing great! He is a members cousin here in our ward. He is no coming to church regularly and even the ward activities! He loves the Book of Mormon. He and his family are Catholic, but when we explained to him the Book of Mormon and he started reading, he told us it was what has always been missing to him. He will probably be getting baptised the 19th of June. I will keep the updates coming on him. Yesterday in our sector we were just trying our hardest to avoid all of the drunk people in the streets! They were everywhere. Sadly a couple of the investigators were a little bit "chumado" aka drunk! So we had a few rough spots in the week with investigators and members, but all is well. We are doing good here.
This saturday we had a ward activity for Mother´s day. We had a small talent show, then a "Parrillada" (barbecue). It turned out very well, except for the fact that they forgot to bring silverware for the food. So it got a bit messy! haha. We were the waiters for the activity. We got to serve all of the food, just to pay back to our "Mamitas" here. So hopefully they were able to gain more love and confidence with us. Its always tough when you don´t have the support of the members in a ward. The members here are pretty good with us, but could always be better. We hope to have some more success here to be able to excite the members more about being involved in missionary work.
I was able to chat a little with President Sloan this week in my interview about some things. He gave me the impression that I will stay here in Otavalo for another 6 weeks. So I will be here the same amount of time I was in Esmeraldas for, 7 1/2 months! But we will just see what happens when we get the changes in a couple weeks. He showed me my scheduled release date. Thursday October 14th!........... 4 1/2 months is all that's left for me. Its pretty scary to think about, so I try not to think about it! haha. But whatever happens, I will enjoy the time left here. There is alot to do here, and I hope I can get some of it done.
Thank you all for your letter and your support. Love you all!
Elder Matthew Morris
Hey everyone!
This week was a rollercoaster week. Lots of ups ad downs... The interviews were good this week. After all of the interivews we went to dinner with President Sloan, his wife, and the Stake Presidents here in the two stakes we are over. It was great. It was a really fancy restaurant on the lakeside just outside of Otavalo. I got a green salad with ranch dressing to start, then a Filet Mignon, with Cantelope juice to drink, then after the meal, I got ice cream with chocolate cake! It was pretty good in fact. The sad part was, that my meal alone cost about 35 dollars! WOW, I couldnt beleive it, but President told us not to be bashful about what we ordered, it was our special night. So that was pretty nice. Wednesday morning I had to go to Quito. We left here at about 6 am. I had to go with some new missionaries here in the zone that had to go receive their official Ecuador I.D. It was an alright trip. Didnt get robbed or anythin so that was good. We went to that burger shop again. This time I got an GRANDE RootBeer and doublcheese burger! haha, it was delicious!
We have a new investigator here that is doing great! He is a members cousin here in our ward. He is no comming to church regularly and even the ward activities! He loves the Book of Mormon. He and his family are Catholic, but when we explained to him the Book of Mormon and he started reading, he told us it was what has always been missing to him. He will probably be getting baptised the 19th of June. I will keep the updates comming on him. Yesterday in our sector we were just trying our hardest to avoid all of the drunk people in the streets! They were everywhere. Sadly a couple of the investigators were a little bit "chumado" aka drunk! So we had a few rough spots in the week with investigators and members, but all is well. We are doing good here.
This saturday we had a ward activity for Mother´s day. We had a small talent show, then a "Parrillada" (barbecue). It turned out very well, except for the fact that they forgot to bring silverware for the food. So it got a bit messy! haha. We were the waiters for the activity. We got to serve all of the food, just to pay back to our "Mamitas" here. So hopefully they were able to gain more love and confidence with us. Its always tough when you don´t have the support of the members in a ward. The members here are pretty good with us, but could always be better. We hope to have some more success here to be able to excite the members more about being involved in missionary work.
I was able to chat a little with President Sloan this week in my interview about some things. He gave me the impression that I will stay here in Otavalo for another 6 weeks. So I will be here the same amount of time I was in Esmeraldas for, 7 1/2 months! But we will just see what happens when we get the changes in a couple weeks. He showed me my scheduled release date. Thursday October 14th!........... 4 1/2 months is all thats left for me. Its pretty scary to think about, so I try not to think about it! haha. But whatever happens, I will enjoy the time left here. There is alot to do here, and I hope I can get some of it done.
Thank you all for your letter and your support. Love you all!
Elder Matthew Morris
This week was a rollercoaster week. Lots of ups ad downs... The interviews were good this week. After all of the interivews we went to dinner with President Sloan, his wife, and the Stake Presidents here in the two stakes we are over. It was great. It was a really fancy restaurant on the lakeside just outside of Otavalo. I got a green salad with ranch dressing to start, then a Filet Mignon, with Cantelope juice to drink, then after the meal, I got ice cream with chocolate cake! It was pretty good in fact. The sad part was, that my meal alone cost about 35 dollars! WOW, I couldnt beleive it, but President told us not to be bashful about what we ordered, it was our special night. So that was pretty nice. Wednesday morning I had to go to Quito. We left here at about 6 am. I had to go with some new missionaries here in the zone that had to go receive their official Ecuador I.D. It was an alright trip. Didnt get robbed or anythin so that was good. We went to that burger shop again. This time I got an GRANDE RootBeer and doublcheese burger! haha, it was delicious!
We have a new investigator here that is doing great! He is a members cousin here in our ward. He is no comming to church regularly and even the ward activities! He loves the Book of Mormon. He and his family are Catholic, but when we explained to him the Book of Mormon and he started reading, he told us it was what has always been missing to him. He will probably be getting baptised the 19th of June. I will keep the updates comming on him. Yesterday in our sector we were just trying our hardest to avoid all of the drunk people in the streets! They were everywhere. Sadly a couple of the investigators were a little bit "chumado" aka drunk! So we had a few rough spots in the week with investigators and members, but all is well. We are doing good here.
This saturday we had a ward activity for Mother´s day. We had a small talent show, then a "Parrillada" (barbecue). It turned out very well, except for the fact that they forgot to bring silverware for the food. So it got a bit messy! haha. We were the waiters for the activity. We got to serve all of the food, just to pay back to our "Mamitas" here. So hopefully they were able to gain more love and confidence with us. Its always tough when you don´t have the support of the members in a ward. The members here are pretty good with us, but could always be better. We hope to have some more success here to be able to excite the members more about being involved in missionary work.
I was able to chat a little with President Sloan this week in my interview about some things. He gave me the impression that I will stay here in Otavalo for another 6 weeks. So I will be here the same amount of time I was in Esmeraldas for, 7 1/2 months! But we will just see what happens when we get the changes in a couple weeks. He showed me my scheduled release date. Thursday October 14th!........... 4 1/2 months is all thats left for me. Its pretty scary to think about, so I try not to think about it! haha. But whatever happens, I will enjoy the time left here. There is alot to do here, and I hope I can get some of it done.
Thank you all for your letter and your support. Love you all!
Elder Matthew Morris
Monday, May 17, 2010
Hey Everyone!
We had a good week here this week. A few little stumbling blocks here and there, but everything is well. We went around the Plaza de Poncho this morning here in Otavalo. Its just a BIG park that fills up with Indigenous Artwork to sell. From knit wool slippers, to wood carvings. I bought a few little paintings that I saw last week. We were supposed to have interviews with President Sloan last friday, but all of the highways were shut off enterring and leaving Otavalo. The Indigenous were rioting against the new water laws here in Ecuador. So basically we were all isolated here in Otavalo all week, any time we had meetings among the missionaries here in the zone, we had to bacsically walk to the chappels. But all is well now, they got their issues somewhat worked out for now. Tomorrow at noon we have interviews. Im excited, it´s always a great experience getting to talk with President Sloan.
This morning my companion and I got up a bit early to go running. Well to tell the truth it was NOT my idea. haha. But so we got up and went running for 20 monutes around Cotacachi, we got some real funny looks from some of the locals there. My companion says he doesn´t want me to finish the mission fat so we have to go running now. I´m fine with it though. It will be good for us, everyday at 6 we will get up to go running for a half an hour or so. Good excercise. I held up good running this morning, 20 minutes without having to stop to take a breath.
I dont really have anything interesting to say this week. The only big news, Luis Alberto Quinchiguango, the guy I baptised in the lake, well his wife is pregnant and the baby will probably be born today. Its a little boy. We havent heard from them yet, but we are going to pass by the house tonight to see if they are there, if he isn´t born yet, he should be born by tomorrow evening. Its pretty exciting, I wish you all could meet this family. So very humble, but they have so much faith. Almost everytime we see Luis Alberto, he asks us when he can get the Preisthood, that he so badly wants to be able to give blessings to his wife, and his little boy when he is born. In these days preparing for the little baby boy Luis Alberto has told us he is really nervous, but excited to fianally be a Father. He will be a great dad I´m sure.
Well I hope everyone had a great week this week and that all is well with everyone back home. LOUA LOUA, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! Of course I´m not going to forget! I love you all. Hope to hear from you all soon.
Elder Matthew Morris
We had a good week here this week. A few little stumbling blocks here and there, but everything is well. We went around the Plaza de Poncho this morning here in Otavalo. Its just a BIG park that fills up with Indigenous Artwork to sell. From knit wool slippers, to wood carvings. I bought a few little paintings that I saw last week. We were supposed to have interviews with President Sloan last friday, but all of the highways were shut off enterring and leaving Otavalo. The Indigenous were rioting against the new water laws here in Ecuador. So basically we were all isolated here in Otavalo all week, any time we had meetings among the missionaries here in the zone, we had to bacsically walk to the chappels. But all is well now, they got their issues somewhat worked out for now. Tomorrow at noon we have interviews. Im excited, it´s always a great experience getting to talk with President Sloan.
This morning my companion and I got up a bit early to go running. Well to tell the truth it was NOT my idea. haha. But so we got up and went running for 20 monutes around Cotacachi, we got some real funny looks from some of the locals there. My companion says he doesn´t want me to finish the mission fat so we have to go running now. I´m fine with it though. It will be good for us, everyday at 6 we will get up to go running for a half an hour or so. Good excercise. I held up good running this morning, 20 minutes without having to stop to take a breath.
I dont really have anything interesting to say this week. The only big news, Luis Alberto Quinchiguango, the guy I baptised in the lake, well his wife is pregnant and the baby will probably be born today. Its a little boy. We havent heard from them yet, but we are going to pass by the house tonight to see if they are there, if he isn´t born yet, he should be born by tomorrow evening. Its pretty exciting, I wish you all could meet this family. So very humble, but they have so much faith. Almost everytime we see Luis Alberto, he asks us when he can get the Preisthood, that he so badly wants to be able to give blessings to his wife, and his little boy when he is born. In these days preparing for the little baby boy Luis Alberto has told us he is really nervous, but excited to fianally be a Father. He will be a great dad I´m sure.
Well I hope everyone had a great week this week and that all is well with everyone back home. LOUA LOUA, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! Of course I´m not going to forget! I love you all. Hope to hear from you all soon.
Elder Matthew Morris
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