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
Monday, August 30, 2010
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, EstefanÃa 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, EstefanÃa 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
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