Almost the last. The beginning of the end.

Wow. I can't put my feelings into words. There is just a storm of thoughts raging in my head. I am completely excited, anxious, and a little freaked out. But there is no room for doubt and faith in the same place. I am completely confident that this next step into the unknown will be an adventure! You know what they say, a "Leap of Faith".

This week was great. Our investigator, Andreé is doing really well. She won't be able to get baptized for another month because of her schooling on Sundays, but she is seeing a lot of blessings in her life. She asked for permission to miss a Sunday to come to church and her teacher gave her a ton of projects and a test on stuff that she hadn't even heard of. So she did all the projects. She did the best she could on researching and studying the test material and went to take the test. She got 100%. She is seeing a lot of blessings. She is reading and praying a lot. She actually does her homework!!! It is great!

This is probably the last update I will send home. I just want to express my thanks to all the people that have supported me. My family, ward and friends. There have been countless moments when an email, letter or prayer have made the difference to me. Thank you SO much! I don't really know what I can say that could sum up these last 2 years. I could go on and on about how spiritual it was, how difficult it was, or about how I have grown. But all that I can say or express is gratitude. I wouldn't trade the blood, sweat, and tears that have been shed on the mission for anything. I am eternally grateful for the person that the Lord has molded me into. I know that it was only possible to get to where I am by going through the fiery furnace of affliction and heartache. I have been greatly blessed, I have been protected and guided. The Lord let me be able to have great experiences and He let me learn. I feel like the "inutil" servant that Kind Benjamin spoke of. I can't do anything to pay him back, and luckily he doesn't ask for payback. He just asks for a dedicated life. That, I can give. And that, I will give.

As this is the last week of my mission, I just want to end it so that I can look back and say that the Lord can be proud of my service to him. I know that I have given it my all. I know that I have done all that I could to serve the people of Monterrey and I know that the Lord has been with me to help me and guide me. I want to end my mission looking back on it and being able to say that what the Lord tells Nephi in Helaman 10:4 "Blessed art thou, 'Elder Morris', for those things which thou hast done; for I have beheld how thou hast with unwariness declared the word, which I have given unto thee, unto this people. And thou hast not feared them, and hast not sought thine own life, but hast sought my will, and to keep my commandments."

I will be forever grateful to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for the opportunity that He has given me to serve him. He took a young man, with little experience, and He molded him into a servant "worthy of his hire". I know I have done nothing. "As to my strength, I know that I am nothing" But the Lord is strong. I have just been blessed to have been a witness of the power of the Lord. A tool in His hands. I am forever grateful.

I know that this church is true. I add my testimony and witness, that this gospel changes lives. And I add my testimony to the thousands of representative of Jesus Christ serving him, that He Lives. That he died for us and took up his life again. He lives, and because He lives, we can too. We have hope. I know He lives. Look for Him, and He is there. Knock and ye shall receive, ask and it shall be given unto you. I so testify in the name of our Lord and Savior, even Jesus the Christ, Amen.

-Elder Morris

102 Down and 2 to go!!!

7/13/15  Email

Hey, how is it going family!? I hope that all is going good and that you guys all are loving life!

So this week was pretty good. We were able to find some pretty sweet people to teach this week. We taught some pretty awesome  lessons. It was also a really full week. We had a zone conference that was great! It was great because I didn't have to prepare it!!! But I did have to give a talk. It was nice though.

Anyways, this week we found a family that is really sweet. We were in the square contacting and I saw this family. So we keep contacting others, but this family just stays in my mind and it felt like my attention was just getting called to them. It is a family of 5 with 3 kids, 2 girls and 1 boy (Sound familiar?). They are great. Gabriel and Lisseth are the parents. They are pretty cool and I think they will be able to progress.

In other news, we were eating lunch yesterday when this guy comes running into the open door-way and tells us that some guy was robbing one of the bikes. So we all run outside and see this guy trying to get away on the bike going up a hill. So we all start running out after him. But I didn't because I had to stay with my comp. But Elder Farmer and Elder Monroy go chasing after him. Then a taxi driver stops his car and gets out and is at the top of the hill waiting for this guy. Right as Elder Farmer is about to reach the guy on the bike, the taxi driver grabs the handle bars and shoves the guy of the bike. SO FUNNY! Then the guy gets up, throws his hands in the air, and just walks off. Ha-ha I was laughing so hard! We came to the conclusion that this guy had to have been drunk for 2 reasons. 1. The way that he was struggling to get up the hill, not even being able to pedal good, and 2. because he was trying to steal a bike UP-HILL! Who in their right mind tries to steal a bike and go up-hill!? Everyone knows going downhill is so much faster. We all got a good laugh out of it.

 Anyways, that is what happened this week. Love you all a ton!!! Stay safe!! Watch out for drunk bike thieves!!!

Have a Great Week

-Elder Morris

7/20/15 Email

What's up!? How is life? I hope everything is good! 

Life is good here. We had a baptism this week!!! It was pretty sweet!! I don't have any photos cause the computer did something to my memory card, we will see if we can't get it fixed when I get home. I hope it isn't dead. Anyway, this was a good week. Our baptism was great! There was such a difference in her face when she got baptized. The difference was super obvious. I had some pictures.... good thing my comp took some pics too! It was funny though because Nina, our convert, has a problem with her leg and we had to put a chair in the font. But the font wasn't filled up enough so we had to wait and fill it up with her and my companion in the water while everyone was singing a song. It was pretty funny. But it all turned out really well and she shared her testimony afterward and it was really powerful. I am so glad that I am on the mission. And I am going to be enjoying these last two weeks to the fullest. Love ya!

Have a Great Week!!!

-Elder Morris

Emails from Mitch from the last three weeks.

6/22/15

Happy Father's Day! You're the best dad! For all of you out there celebrating Father's Day, I am sorry that your dad isn't as funny, hardworking, dedicated, determined,   self-less, happy, wise, generous, giving, humble, witty, supportive, determined, a friend, good father, loving and faithful husband, fearless, brave, a true disciple of Jesus Christ. I mean, I am sure your dad is great and all, but he doesn't have anything on my dad. He is the BEST! Dad, I love you. 

Thanks for always making me do hard things and teaching me not to back away from a challenge. Thanks for always making me mow the lawn and set up the tent with you. Thank you for making me help with building the basement. Thank you for teaching me to work smarter, not harder. Thank you for teaching me that when I enjoy my work, it isn't work. Thank you for teaching me that nothing that is easy is worth very much. Thank you for teaching me that when you hesitate, you die.  Thank you for being the best example I could have ever asked for. Thank you for loving my mom. Thank you for loving me, Maddie, and Makenna. Thank you for always putting our needs above all else. Thank you for teaching by deed, not just word. Thank you for giving me the kind of role model that a young boy needed. Thank you for always being an example of a worthy and dedicated priesthood holder, who always offered self-less service, who always took the time to fulfill his responsibilities, who always lifted the hands that have hung down. 

I said it, but I am going to say it again. If your dad isn't Chris H Morris, sorry. There is no one like him. He is like the Dream Team packed into one. All the competition just doesn't matter, it is a joke. He is like the 1972 Dolphins, UNBEATABLE!

 I love you Dad.

 Have a great week!

Elder Morris

6/29/15

This week was a great week! We were able to work real hard and see the hand of the Lord working with us. There have been some faith building experiences. We have had some trials, but the good always overcomes the not-so good. Just like the darkness can do nothing but flee from the light. It has no choice. 

For starters, WE FOUND AN INVESTIGATOR OF GOLD!!!! And when I say gold, I mean like the 24K gold. So 2 weeks ago, she came to church with a friend. So her friend introduces us to her. Her name is Andree (it is pronounced like fault in California, San Andres, just take of the s). So we talk to her and she seems pretty nice. So we take her address and we pass by the next week. She lives in a florist place.... una Florería. But there is no man that lives there so we can't teach her there. So we just talk and get to know her, win her confidence and stuff. So this last Tuesday we had a lesson with her in the church. IT WAS SO AWESOME. I am not going to lie, we talked for like an hour and a half. A lesson should be at the most 45 minutes and usually like to keep them to 30. But it was just so cool! She told us pretty much her whole life story. How a year ago she hit rock bottom. She was overweight, doing things that a girl of 17 should not do, just a mess. Then her mom got cancer. She realized that she was just completely lost. Some Christians gave her a pep-talk and she decided that she needed to change her life. (Good thing she didn't go with them, right?) Wrong, she did go with them! And then the JWs, and the Catholics and the whole list of religions, but she felt as if she was just going to a play. That they were all just fake. And then she came to our church and BOOM!!! OH THE DIFFERENCE!!! Thank you Holy Ghost!!! WHOO HOO!!! Okay, anyways, she is awesome. She wants to get baptized, but she has to go to school on Sundays. She is trying to change it, but she says the chances are slim. Wait just one second there missy, I just ate a slim Jim this morning (thanks mom) and I don't believe that! So I whipped out 3 Nephi 13:32-33. BOOM! So she is doing all she can to change it and she came to church yesterday too!!! And then after, she came to us and was like, "Hey, you told me you were going to give me something to read in the BOM. What was my homework going to be?" "Uh... Alma 32.. Uh, yeah, that is a good one." It totally caught me off guard! She is just awesome!! Please pray for her so that she can change her schedule and assist church!!!

Also Ninfa came to church again. She is looking really good for baptism as well! Just a ton of blessings this week! We had 4 investigators in church!! And 2 we have just met and invited. Life is great! The Lord works miracles. If we just let Him work in our lives, He will give us the blessings that we may stand in need of. And He WILL work miracles. 

Have a Great Week!!!

-Elder Morris

Also, Cause it's 'Merica!

7/6/15

HAPPY 4th OF JULY!!! Oh America, how I miss thee. But I always have you in my heart!!!  But we won't be apart much longer...

Anyways, how was this week? I hope it went really well for all of you guys! I hope all your wildest dreams are coming through cause of your firm faith in The Lord!

This week was good. We worked hard, but stuff didn't turn out as well as we would have liked. But that is alright, just keep chugging along!

Our Investigator of Gold, Andree, (See last week) has to go to school on Sundays so she has to wait 8 weeks before getting baptized....... But everything happens for a reason. So, oh well.  

We also went and contacted a family who not too kindly told us to leave. Then the Bishop calls us into his office and explains that this family was baptized a couple years ago but the thing is that the dad was a cop. Normally that isn't a problem for church members, unless that is that you decide to start working for the drug cartels.... So yeah, we aren't going to visit that family anytime soon!!

Hmm what else? We went to the center of Monterrey today and I bought some pretty sweet stuff to take home. My mom is going to love it.

Anyways, I was studying the other day (I know, a missionary studying, oh weird), and I was Reading about the 2,000 Stripling Warriors. A scripture stuck out to me and I would like to share my thoughts about it with you all.

So the scripture that stuck out to me was Alma 57:21. It says this: "Yea, and they did obey and observe to perform every word of command with exactness; yea, and even according to their faith it was done unto them." Okay, let's take a look at it, shall we? We find in the chapters before that they were saved by the miraculous power of God. The simple answer to the reason that they were saved is because of their faith. But this scriptures gives a Little bit more insight in the reason. It says that they "DID OBEY AND OBSERVE TO PERFORM EVERY WORD OF COMMAND WITH EXACTNESS." They were obedient. They had all the faith in the entire world, but if they would not have acted, well we all know that "Faith without Works is dead." And in this case it would have been literal. They acted upon the faith that their parents had taught them. It talks about Words of command. What are the words of command that we receive today? Scriptures, prophets, parents, etc. These are the Word of command that we must live by to be able to be saved spiritually. And how did they obey them? WITH EXACTNESS. We cannot say that we will only be obedient as long as it suits us. It doesn't work that way. It is like Pres. Bird always says, if we are almost exactly obedient, the Lord is almost blessing us. If we want to live through the ugly war waging around us, we have to be EXACTLY obedient. We cannot afford to leave anything on the table. Only then will we see the blessings in our lives. Only then will we be saved by our faith. Only then will we reach the Celestial Kingdom as eternal families. Of this I testify to you and of this I testify to all the people of Monterrey that are in my reach. There is no other thing I would rather do at this point in my life. I love this work and I love the Lord. That is why I try to be obedient. Just try it, the Lord will help you out. I know he will. 

Love you guys a lot!!!!! Have a Great Week!!!

-Elder Morris

Here she is, my trusty steed, Pink Power! That's right I'm riding in style.

Well, this week was pretty normal. We walked, contacted and taught. Hmm, not much more happened this week. It is pretty slow going to find those interested in listening to our message. But, little by little we found people. This week we found a husband and wife that are really great. We passed by and we talked with them for a little and got to know them. They feel the need for something more in their lives. It is something cool to see the people recognize that this really is a fulfilling thing for their lives. I don't know if that made sense. The gospel completes our lives. It helps us grow and through following the precepts of our Savior, our lives are literally completed, or fulfilled. I don't even know which sounds right in English anymore. But through living like our Savior, all our faults, shortcomings, and difficulties are changed for the better. We find out more of who we are and we understand who our Father wants us to become.

Well folks that is all I have! Have a great week!

Elder Morris

This was a good week! We worked hard and we had an investigator to come to church!! And she liked it! So that was cool. We had some pretty sweet lessons this week also. 

Let's see what happened this week? Well, on Saturday my companion got hazed by Mother Nature. We were sitting in a park waiting for a member who was going to accompany us to a lesson when all of the sudden it got really windy. My companion was like “that is weird". I didn't think it was weird. I just started running for the nearest tree. Then it got dark and he realized what was going to happen. He got so nervous when we saw the wall of rain coming. It literally was just a wall. One second we were dry and the other we were super wet. It was nuts. We were just getting drenched and drenched. It was probably one of the hardest rain storms I have ever seen. Luckily the member got there WITH A CAR!!! I was so happy. We went to the lesson and had just a super spiritual lesson about the restoration of the gospel. We talked about the Apostasy, Joseph Smith, and the first vision, and the Book of Mormon. SO COOL! The spirit was so strong. It was great experience for my companion. He said that it was the strongest spiritual lesson that he has had in the mission field. It was great! Then the sister came to church!!!! We were happy! All in all, things were great. Time flies. I can't even remember most of the week. Time can't go by this quick, but that is what happens I guess. 

Anyways, have a great week!!

Elder Morris

My awesome Comp Elder Fernandez

Toe meets chard of glass.

Chard of glass that was under the sink, WHAT!

Wow, what a week. Well, I am back in Cadereyta. haha I went from Cadereyta 2 transfers ago and now I am back! But in a different area. Now I will be working closer to the center, with less hills. I am also training!!! WHOO HOO! So I will be here till the end of my mission. Wash clothes by hand!!! Ha-ha it isn't actually too bad. Also, we don't have hot water. BUT IT DOESN'T MATTER!! Because it is going to get super hot soon!! Until then we are using an electric water heater contraption. So we have a bucket of hot water to use. But, like the last time I opened an area training, they left us with nothing. Not even progressing investigator forms. It looks as if they didn't even make them. Also, we just barely got a map so this last week we were just walking around knocking on doors and contacting. But it was so cool to see the Lord working with us. 

First, we found a really cool family! The mom appears to have been baptized as a little girl but went inactive early and doesn't remember anything. They are awesome. A family of 5 who all have potential. 

Second, we found a father and son (and maybe wife). They have a tienda and they gave us soda and chips after our lesson. The dad is super interested and is reading the lesson one pamphlet.

Third, we were walking to an appointment when a little girl comes running up behind us and says that some people want to talk to us. Usually the only people that want to talk to us are drunk guys! So I was a little suspicious as we follow this girl to a couple of ladies sitting on their porch. Soon we found out that 2 of them are members less active and the third is a friend. All three have kids of the age of baptism that haven't been baptized and they want us to come by every week and teach them. Ha-ha All righty then, you tell me when and where and we will be there!!! We are seeing some really great stuff happening here.

Every day that I wake up I am inspired by my companion. Every day I thank my Father in Heaven for him and for his dedication, for his love, and for his desire. You see, my companion isn't like all the rest that I have had. My companion has a muscle disease that keeps him from correctly controlling his muscles. The doctors were negligent when he was born and he wasn't given the care he needed. Because of that, neurons in his brain died that control his muscles subconsciously. So basically, every movement of his arms or legs is a concentrated effort.  Of all the missionaries that I have known, not one is even close to the great example that he is. He is one of the most humble and most dedicated missionaries I have known. He is just awesome. He doesn't care about setbacks or limitations, he just wants to serve the Lord. I am so glad that he is my companion. I really feel it a huge honor to be his companion. Every second that I have with him gives me motivation to give it my all. I don't know what else to say about him, other than this kid is the motivation that I need to finish running 110%. Missionaries always talk about "Dyeing" their last couple transfers. This kid deserves everything that I have got because he is sacrificing so much. I know that the Lord put him with me to impact my life. He already has in just 1 week. 

Remember, the Lord knows what happens, He knows what we can do. We are the ones who limit ourselves. Folks, give it your all, not just because that is what others expect, but because you want to dedicate yourself to the Lord.

Have a great week!

Elder Morris

Mitch's letter home 5/11/15

Well, not much to update. I am getting transferred. That is something new. The mother's day call was great. I love making my mom laugh, I hate when she makes me cry. (Because of the spirit folks). We will see how this week goes, where in Monterrey will Elder Morris go? Who knows, but everything has its purpose. Wherever I end up and with whomever it is, it will be because the Lord wants me to be there. Last week I shared my testimony of the Book of Mormon with a sister from my home ward. I enjoyed sharing my testimony with someone besides an investigator and so I want to share it with you guys too.

You can't testify enough. They say that the convert that really matters is the missionary. I truly believe that. Our mission president challenged us to read and study the Book of Mormon, marking every reference of Christ, His words (said by Him or His prophets), His attributes, and His doctrine. As a missionary you hear all the time "The Mormon Bible". While doing this challenge, I was able to gain a personal and first-hand testimony from the Holy Ghost testifying to me of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon. The BOM is exactly what it says, "Another Testament of Jesus Christ". Folks, Read this book!!! Love this book!! People that have a serious interest in finding out if the BOM is the word of the Lord don't have to wait until they get to Moroni 10:3-5. They don't have to read of the Savior's personal ministry here in the Americas. They don't have to search and look for truth and wait more time to be prepared. If they read it with "Real intent, a sincere heart, and in faith in Jesus Christ", the Holy Ghost will tell them. The Book of Mormon is the Keystone of our religion. If we make it the Keystone in our lives, only then will the FULLNESS of the Restored Gospel make a profound and lasting change upon our hearts, changing the very nature of the carnal man into a dedicated and converted disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ. I love this book. I can't even begin to describe it. This book has to be true. There is no other option, there is no other way. I know it because I live it. And if others want to know it, they have to do the same.

Love ya!

Elder Morris

Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad!!!

May 4, 2015

First,  Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad!!!!!! WHOO HOOO!! Wow, you guys are old! 25 years? That is pretty neat. I want to be like you when I grow up!!! YOU ARE THE BEST!!!!

This week we had some cool stuff happen. Okay, who am I kidding. This week was pretty normal. We just had leadership counsel and a zone conference and exchanges with the assistants. Nothing too crazy. It was really funny. President Bird was talking about how they were waiting to hear from their daughter because she was super pregnant. Then he started telling the graphic story about how their second daughter was born, making all the sisters go woozy, it was so funny! Then a little while later he went on a rant for like 25 minutes about how men can't multitask and women can. With many stories from his personal life. I was just dying from laughing so much!! Good stuff!

Well, I don't have any more time. Life is good. Missionary life keeps moving, even when you don't want it to. For example, the mission secretary just called me asking me what my home airport was. I told them Hawaii so Mom and Dad, you have to pick me up in Hawaii. (hehe) No, just kidding. Well I got to go!!! LOVE YOU!!!!

                                                                           Love the Temple- My Zone

Great week.

April 20, 2015

Wow, tomorrow I hit 20 months in the mission. I don't like it, but what can you do about it? That is super nuts.... Life is good. We had a good week! We had a whole family get baptized! The Sanchez family got baptized on Tues. It was pretty much the best baptism I have had on the mission. The spirit was just super strong, pretty much tangible. The talks were great, the family were just so happy, the members came to support them (even if they showed up late.) It is something super special to be able to see an entire family enter into the waters of baptism. I know, without a shadow of a doubt, that the Gospel of Jesus Christ changes lives, but it especially changes the family because the family is the central part of the Plan of Salvation. The true happiness comes from having the gospel bless our lives through blessing our family’s lives. I am so glad that my family is eternal. I know that the Lord always helps those who serve and love Him. Those of broken hearts, and contrite spirits.

This week I had my testimony of Charity, Faith, and Hope strengthened. We have a missionary in our zone who is struggling. He doesn't have a good hold on the language. He said that he isn't really studying Spanish because he doesn't feel the desire. He said that he just reads from the dictionary looking for new words. I thought about what my desire was for learning Spanish. It wasn't too hard. The only thing that got me through learning Spanish was my desire to understand and talk with the people that I loved, that I was trying to help. I expressed my feelings of that and he told me that he was having troubles with loving the people, that he was having troubles with loving Mexico. D&C 4 instantly came to my mind. Verse 5 says "And faith, hope, charity and love, with an eye single to the glory of God, qualify him for the work." If we don't have these things, then we won't be able to really be the missionary or the disciple, that the Lord expects and hopes of us. Truthfully, I don't really remember what else I said. I read some other scriptures with him and  I explained some things, but the Spirit really was just guiding the whole thing.  We set the goal of studying the attributes of Faith, Charity, and Hope to help him feel the love for the people and the place. I then had the chance to give him a blessing. I could feel the Spirit really strong as soon as I laid my hands on his head. Just another testimony builder of the Priesthood. We really do nothing. We aren't the source of the power, just the conduit by which the power is given to others. I am having just a ton of testimony building experiences and I feel that I have progressed a lot in these last few months and I know that I am progressing every day with the help of the Spirit. Life is good, the work moves on, lives are changed, miracles happen, hearts are softened, and eternities are made. Love you all, have a great week!!
Elder Morris

p.s. I saw Pres. yesterday and we talked to him for a min. As we walked up he was like "That is just my favorite name!" He really likes calling me Mitchell Dee. He then told me that a missionary who went home 2 transfers ago is engaged. He then turned to me and said, "Your goal is to beat him. Before 2 transfers." I just laughed because girls are still weird and have cooties. Ha-ha LOVE YA TONS!!!!!!!!!

Great General Conference!

Wow, what a week. This week was SUPER awesome!!! Definitely one of the most spiritual weeks of my mission. What I am going to share is just a portion of what has happened. We had Leadership counsel this week. We all went in fasting and prepared ourselves to be fed spiritually. Oh boy, did that happen. It was AWESOME!!! We talked about the atonement. How and why the Savior did what He did for us. It is amazing because he has done so much for us and asked so little in return. It is a huge comfort to know that I have someone like that cheering me on. It was super powerful and we were reading scriptures and we were feeling the spirit and watched a video of Pres. Eyring and Elder Holland talking with a video presentation of scenes from the atonement from the church's bible videos. Boom, the spirit is palpable. And then we end by singing I know that my Redeemer lives. There was not a dry eye in the room folks, let me tell ya. Very few time have I felt the spirit that strong on my mission. It is something that I will never forget. Also when we got home we found 2 families just super chosen and super awesome!

Then with Conference, it just topped off the week. I loved the talks and the counsel from our living prophets on the earth. I know that those men and women with their messages were inspired just as I know that I am sitting here writing. Man, good stuff!!!

Some of the quotes from Conference that I loved:

"It is supposed to be hard" L. Whitney Clayton

"Actions are the evidence of our belief and the substance of our faith". L. Whitney Clayton

"I can teach you to dance, but not to hear the music." Wilford A. Anderson

"A saint is a sinner that keeps on trying." Dale G. Renlund

"All I want to do in life is to please my Fathers, both temporal AND eternal" Michael T. Wringwood

"I know what time it is at home" Quentin L. Cook

" I am here to become a better man because I love my Father in Heaven and His son Jesus Christ." Dieter F. Uchtdorf

"You can build on whatever strength you have"  Dieter F. Uchtdorf

"We cannot embrace the choices they make, but we can embrace them" Brent H. Nelson

"God loves us deeply, perfectly, and everlastingly" Dieter F. Uchtdorf

"Living the Gospel is not a burden, but a joyful rehearsal for eternity" Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Family, I love you. Just know that I am forever indebted to you for all you have done. It is weird to think of, but I will be with you guys for the next General Conference! LOVE YOU!!!!!
Elder Morris

ACTION FIGURES FROM MY EASTER PACKAGE FROM HOME. LOVE EM!!

Thanks for the Birthday wishes!

Letter  3/9/15

Wow, this whole 20 thing feels weird. Thanks for all the Birthday wishes!!! It was a really great week. We found a whole bunch of new investigators. 17 to be exact. There were many whom I feel really have been prepared by the hand of the Lord to receive this glad message at this time. One of them is the Familia Sanchez. They have friends that are members and have always been looking for the true church, but they haven't been able to find it. When we taught the Apostasy they told us that this how they had felt their entire lives, going from one church to another looking for the truthfulness but not being able to find it. They came to church on Sunday and said that they had finally found it and that they were really at peace with their decision. They are just the best family and are SO prepared. It is a huge blessing to be able to be one of the missionaries to teach this family. I am really excited to see them progress and make covenants with our Father in Heaven. And a bonus is that they have a business making and selling campechanas and the Dad said that for us, they are free.... I think I am going to have to work on self-control with this situation. Ha-ha

My birthday was great. In total, I received 3 cakes from members. Thanks mom..... Ha-ha Really I have the best family in the whole world. They are always watching out for me and helping me to feel loved! I don't know what I would do without them. I love you!!!!!

Letter 3/19/15

This was a really good week. Our investigators, the Familia Sanchez, are really progressing well. We have visited them and each time they accept us warmly and with opening arms. They told us that they were going to sell their eatery that they have and make some changes in their businesses. We left them with a scripture and as we were about to leave, a thought came to me saying that "Those are some pretty big decisions". I asked myself what I would do in the situation. Almost immediately I answered "Well, I would involve the Lord. I couldn't do it alone." The Spirit prompted me to briefly teach a little about revelation and how the leaders of the Church and Jesus Christ himself have counseled us to ask of the Lord with faith and sincerity and He will tell us what will be the best. I invited them to pray together as a couple and ask for the guidance of our Father in Heaven. The next lesson I went on exchanges and wasn't there to verify the next day, but my companion told me something really cool. They had taken the opportunity and had asked for guidance. Then almost instantly the eatery got packed with people and they started selling more than they had sold in a long time. They know that it was the Lord answering their prayer. They are really special. They also said that they are going to be closing on Sundays and that after church, they are going to be taking all the leftover food from Saturday night and take it to the hospital and give it out. They are awesome.

This week has been full of blessings, big and small. My companion and I have been working on praying with a greater faith and doing self-evaluations to see what the progress is in our personal conversion. It has really been something great to see the difference. I would really love to tell you in a detailed manner what the changes are, but I can't. That is one thing that over the past couple of weeks I have seen and had my testimony strengthened because of it. The change comes gradually and slowly, almost imperceptibly, but it comes constantly. One day all of the sudden you say, "Wow, well that is different." It is something really special and I think that it is something that we all can do to be perfected in Christ. Moroni 10:32 I invite you to take 10 minutes each night and have personal reflection with the Lord. He will tell you what you can do if you ask with faith and humility. Have a great week!!!

Me and my companion Elder Quist

Our Temple Trip

These are the Campechanas I love soo much!

Elder Morris

Thanks for all the Birthday wishes!

Monday- Crazy stuff. We saw meet the Mormons. IT WAS SO GREAT!!!! I hope it comes out on DVD because I have a feeling it would be better in English. But it was still pretty awesome. It brought such a strong spirit. Also, I am pretty sure that my mom cried through the last story as well as a lot of other missionary moms. We had 4 lessons with members. I have never seen that on a P-day. This ward is awesome. We taught Sandra the restoration and the spirit was so strong. I was overwhelmed and I know that she could really feel that Joseph Smith was a Prophet of God.

Tuesday- I had exchanges in the muddiest area that I have ever been in. It was raining all Monday so there was some pretty serious mud. I bought a whole thing of oranges and by a whole thing, I mean like 30 oranges. DELICIOUS. I was able to testify with the spirit about how God has everything planned out. It is like we are looking through a microscope at a huge tapestry and all we can see are the little threads. We may think we know what it is going to be, God knows with a surety of what it will be because he made it and is currently making it. I would say I came up with that on the spot, but I would be stealing credit from the True Teacher, the Spirit.

Wednesday- Cold. The weather here is nuts. I don't think it is possible to predict it because everyone is always wrong.

Thursday- We ate pizza. I don't really remember Thursdays, with weekly planning they go by WAY to quick.

Friday- Exchanges again. We had some pretty sweet lessons. We found a golden investigator whose only problem is coming to Church. He has to work every other Sunday, but he is so awesome and his wife, well I haven't met her, but she is reading all of the restoration pamphlet and likes it so I am pretty sure they are super chosen. We also had a lesson with a Jewish/Christian couple. They were trying to say the Book of Mormon wasn't true because Jared didn't appear on some tablet as a descendent of Noah and a whole bunch of bologna like that. Listen, it is simple. READ with and open mind, MEDITATE the things that you read with a contrite spirit and open heart, and ASK our Father in Heaven in the name of Jesus Christ if these things are not true. BOOM!!! Problem solved. We also ate some pretty nice taco that night.

Saturday- Yeah, I don't remember.

Sunday- We had an awesome testimony meeting. And we had a couple really great investigators there who are really great also!!! Good stuff.

Love you Lots!!! Pictures and stuff this week!!!! LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!

MMMMM Birthday stuff!

It's a Christmas Miracle! Packages 3 1/2 months later.

2/2/2015 Email

I haven´t received any packages. Bummer. This week was good. We found some new people to teach. It was some good stuff. We are having a completion with couple of our missionaries in the zone to see who can contact the most people. If you fail your goal, you have to buy burgers for the rest of the missionaries. Ha-ha I love it because it gives me motivation to contact AND free food!! It is a great idea. Ha-ha

I had a really cool experience this week during one of the lessons with a less active member. We were teaching and talking about the Iron Rod. It was going really well. We were talking about how we need to really hold tight. While I was listening to him talk, a repelling trip kept coming to mind. So I just went with it and it worked out really well. I shared the basic of what repelling is and how it works. I then likened it to the iron rod. We need to hold fast to the rod so that we are always upright and going in the right direction. Not just holding on, but actually harness ourselves to the rod, so that even if we mess up, we are able to stay close and safe and have the chance to grab ahold again. The Lord is full of second chances. I love you guys, I hope you have a great week.

Elder Morris.

I LOVE YOU GUYS!!! YOU ARE THE BEST SORRY; I DON’T HAVE MUCH TIME: MORE DETAIL NEXT WEEK!!!!!!!!

2/9/2015 Email

I GOT THE PACKAGES!!!!! WHOO HOOO!!! I got like 4 of them!! It was a Christmas miracle a month and a half late!! Ha-ha but thanks for all the great stuff that you sent. I really like the ties! But you must think I am fat because the sweaters are HUGE!!! Ha-ha but I rock them anyways! 

This week was good. We are working a lot more with the members. We have worked a lot with the bishop, the ward mission leader, and we have plans to work with the pres. of the Elders quorum this week. The members are having more confidence and we are seeing the results. Our focus this week is finding new investigators. We have seen a lot of great things happening in our area and I know that the Lord is blessing us a lot. 

We are going to have a baptism this week!!! Ruby is going to get baptized on Sunday! She is great. She told us that she was not going to be able to come to church yesterday because she had some stuff to do. Then we get to church and there she is! We asked her what changed and she said that she just had a feeling that everything else needed to be put on the back-burner because the church is the most important on Sunday. So, even though she has had a brain hemorrhage and only half of her body works, she went, caught the bus, and came to church!! 2 hours early!! Then when we taught her last night she told us that she never wanted to stop going to church because "that is where her people are at". She is great. 

Folks, this church is true. It is the truest thing that I know. Here on the mission I have felt the hand of the Lord in my life so much. I have felt of his love and His guidance and I know that if we work and live as we should, he will bless us with his guidance as well. Have a great week!!!

Elder Morris. 

My memory died so I am getting it fixed. Pics next week.

The Lord needed his valiant son. Love you Grandpa!

Well, I really don't know what to say. I have a million moments passing through my mind's eye. I don't even know where to begin. Okay, a little bit from the week.

We have an investigator that is progressing really well. Her name is Ruby. She is really great and has come to church 4 times. Well, one of her old pastors came and was talking her out of coming to church. She was letting the world tell her and teach her of Godly things. So we gave her a blessing to be able to receive an answer from her Heavenly Father. We invited her to pray, asking specifically for direction from Him. She accepted. The next day we passed by and she had a story to tell us. That night she had had a dream. She was walking along a path in an open field. As she was walking along this path, some lilies caught her attention. She walked over to them and noticed the whiteness and brightness of these lilies. She said to herself "These are the lilies that I have been looking for and have always wanted. I think I will ask the lady to sell me some." She then turned, looking for the owner, but found no one. Looking back at them she said "Look how white they are. They are just like the white shirts of the missionaries." Then she woke up. The Lord answers prayers. The Lord cares about us and if we have questions about things pertaining to the Kingdom of God, why would we look in the worldly kingdom for the answers? Don't accept anything less than an answer from a loving Heavenly Father. Ask and ye shall receive, knock and it shall be opened unto you. Prayer works my friends.

Last night we had a meeting with the stake president and Mission President about how we can help the work in our zones. The answer, WORK WITH THE MEMBERS!!! All you members should make time to go with the missionaries. Just saying. But before the meeting, President Bird pulled me into a classroom to talk. He told me that my Grandfather had passed away. I didn't know what to feel. Truth is, I had been expecting that. Ever since Saturday, I had had a feeling that the Lord needed his valiant son with him more than he needed him here in a failing body. It is good to know that the Lord is now using him for the salvation of many on the other side of the veil. My companion said I was strong, but my wet pillow at the end of the day said something different. One thing that I have learned about the Atonement of Jesus Christ is that for me it doesn't take away the pain at the beginning. Life is still painful, just like a wound at first. But it does soothe the pain. It is the Holy Balm that if we apply it, it will heal whatever wound, spiritual or physical. The atonement is not just for the spiritual pain, but also for the pain that as humans we are susceptible to feel. Pain from hurt feelings, from a bad day, or from the loss of someone dear to your heart. The Lord does take away the pain, if we open ourselves up to His healing hands. My hope is that we can all accept and utilize the healing power of the Atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ. I love you guys so much. Have a great week!

Elder Morris

Don't worry, the Church is true!

Life as a zone leader. Last Thursday: Leadership council all day. Tuesday: Zone Training AND exchanges with the Assistants. Wednesday: Zone conference which I had to direct. Then Monday: No P-day. Tuesday. Exchanges. Wednesday: I didn't get to work in my area because we had to go find a missionary who went rogue and ditched his companion. We had a man hunt on bikes all around our little city of Cadereyta. Then we found him just in time to go to the mission offices to spend the night because on Thursday: TEMPLE! WHOO HOO!! The temple was great. I finally got to eat some good campechanas!! IT was great. Time to relax and time to chill. 

We have been able to find some new people that are really ready to be baptized. And the best part is that half of them are part member families. Families are the most important folks. Remember that.

 So, what is it that I have learned in the time since I last wrote? The Lord has a plan. It is infinitely expansive and infinitely detailed, yet everything is so simple that all we have to do is ask and He tells us what He would like. What I have learned is that everything will work out. Life will get better if you are doing your best. There is a saying that my companion uses a lot because it is funny. "Don't worry, the Church is true." It is 100% true, it is just funny because he uses it for everything, jokingly of course. "Elder, we don't have any more toilet paper!!!" "Don't worry, the Church is true." But I know that it has a lot of solace. Really, nothing else matters. The church is true. I invite you to keep that in mind and pray to know that it is true. If you know it, do it to get the confirming revelation that the Lord has promised. If you knew it once and have strayed a little, do it to renew the conviction you once had. If you don't know it, but want to, test the Lord, He never fails. But do it with a heart ready to follow the answer and with the humility required to submit your will to that of the Lord. Lastly, I want to share with you my testimony. The Lord works in small ways. He works through humble, weak, but dedicated humans to bring about the happiness that He desires for all his earthly children. The Lord loves you. I know that more than I know that I am sitting here in Mexico. People, the Lord wants you to be happy. He is pouring buckets of blessings!!!! Don't you dare put up your umbrella! Do what you need to do to be able to except all that the Lord is doing for you, all that He is WILLLING to do for you. I love you, the Lord loves you, and you need to love you. Be happy, “Don't worry, the Church is true”.

Love Elder Morris

P.S. Please keep in your prayers my Grandparents if you wouldn't mind. They had a serious auto accident. Elliott and Shirley Morris. They deserve your prayers. They are the best, most humble people. 

Holy Hot and It's not the weather!

Wow, another year in the books. How strange. Well, 2015. This year I want to give my life to Christ, especially in these 7 months. That is my resolution for this year. I only have a certain amount of time in the mission field, and in life, to be able to serve him so I want to make the most of every moment that I have. I hope that the service that I have done and will continue to do won't end. Just my role in the work of the Lord will change a little.

We started this year off really good. The members are excited, the investigators are coming to church, my companion and I are working like crazy, and things are looking good! We were able to have a good week. 

UPDATE: Ruby is awesome. She is doing really well. She came to church yesterday and she loved it. She really has got a testimony of the truthfulness of the gospel. Esteban didn't come to church because he didn't have credit on his phone to call us and tell us to come by and we didn't call him, we just texted. We kind of dropped the ball on that one, but he is also great. Ruby asked why he didn't come and she said "That is too bad he couldn't come, he really is missing out on something really special." Yeah, she is gold. I can't wait for her baptism. Good stuff people. 

Some other events: We are still doing a lot of intercambios so that is fun. I mean, exchanges. I ate a habanero at one of the lunch appointments. I almost died. Then the morning after, I almost died again.... ha-ha. One of the less active members told us he had a vision saying that Monterrey will be destroyed in the year 2016. Good thing I am out of here in 2015! Also, it is cold. And our boiler doesn't work. Well, it works, but it only heats up the water to a little bit warmer than room temp. Mornings are so hard...temps at night are in the low 40s and a cinder block house with no insulation gets cold. But life is good. I love working the mission field because I love being a worker in the vineyard of the Lord. I hope you all have a great year and that you all are healthy, happy, and keeping the commandments!!!! 

Elder Morris