Sharing more than the Gospel....

Well hello loved ones!

Just another swell week here at the good ol' MTC! Life is still as great as ever, even though being a missionary is far from easy. There is a bug going around our district so Monday morning I was down for the count. BUT. I got the sweetest priesthood blessing from Elder Van De Graaff (one of my favorite elders.) and he was SO NERVOUS. It was so short, but super sweet and brought me to tears. I can't tell you how much I love these boys. I am excited to leave the MTC and get to Maryland, but I can't tell you how much I will miss all my friends.

Everyday has been long, but through my faith in Christ I have had more energy than ever before. I can't tell you how many times a day I think, "Wow. I could never have lasted this long if I wasn't a missionary." My back hasn't hurt ONCE. not ONCE. It's a true blessing. I try to center myself around helping the other missionaries in my district, and I feel like this has really blessed me. Especially the ones that are a little socially shy. I help them study and talk to people. They humble me, and laugh at my jokes. It's the perfect arrangement.

Well, i'm sorry today's email is short, SOMEONE (MOM) took up all my time. But, seeing/talking to my family is really the glue that holds me together. I do everything I do for them, and to make them proud. I love you all, and thank you for all the letters, the elders are still jealous and I'm still Queen of the Hill. 

LOVE YOU ALL!!!!!

Sister Morris

Favorite Quote: " Never put a limit on the Lord's work. Faith more than Fear."

Favorite Moment: 

Sister Morris: "Elder Van De Graaff, here's a poem for you.: Dear Elder Van De Graaff,.....you look like a giraffe."

Elder Van De Graaff: "One, Rude. Two, that doesn't even rhyme." *Karate Chop motion to the face* "SUUUUUCCCCCKKKKKAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

I adore him.

We were able to email back and forth with Sister Morris and ask a bunch of questions. She is sooo happy which brings peace to us. She said that one of the Elders accidently chipped her tooth and she didn't even notice. Sister Morris was able to meet Elder Morris at the entrance of the MTC when he reported. We were able to see her from a distance and waved and said we loved her. She said that she prays every day to see to  Elder Morris (her brother) and so far she has been able to talk with him at every meal. She says that he is so happy and has a 'stud' companion. She said today Elder Morris talked with her for two minutes in Spanish, she didn't understand what he said but was impressed. She was also able to see Elder Braxton Bassett as he entered the MTC, they were only able to talk in passing and that he just said, 'I love you, Sister Morris, I love you!' What a sweet brother from another mother.

We asked her if they are able to weigh her luggage before she leaves for the airport. She said that they can and that a Sister weighed her luggage and was so happy that it only weighed 50 lbs because she thought for sure she was over, that joy was short lived when the companion told her that 50 was in kilograms and it weighed over 100 lbs.

Sister Morris said that if you are writing to her using Dear Elder, Sunday is the last day you can write her that she will receive the letter before she leaves the MTC. She leaves Tuesday morning for Baltimore at 3:30 am. They are riding the Frontrunner to Traxx to the airport. Her Delta flight leaves at 9:56 am. This mother would love to see her but will follow the rules and be obedient, it will kill me but I will be obedient. It is enough for me to know that I get a phone call!!! I can't wait for Tuesday.

We will post her new address as soon and we know it. Thank you to all who write Sister Morris, she is grateful for your love and support, my God bless you for your efforts!!!

Here are some pictures she sent today.....

Sister Morris with her companion Sister Williams

This is my district. From the left to right.....1.) Sister Muirbrook (Max Fillmore's girlfriend, Iowa) 2. Sister Williams, my companion 3.) Sister Randall (Iowa) 4.) Sister Madsen 5.) Sister Chavez (my kindred spirit) Sister Chavez will be service in Baltimore Maryland Mission also.

Sister Chavez and The Elders, missing Elder Larsen. From left to right: Elder Van De Graaff, Elder Hill (back), Elder Spencer (giant), Elder Camoau, Elder Gill (back) and our teacher Brother Clancy.

Sister Morris was able to pick up her brother after Elder Morris received his name badge

It's here, it's here!!! Sister Morris' first email home!!!

Momma Morris here, just received this email and I am on cloud nine!! Such a simple thing as a email can totally lift your spirits. Most of you know that Sister Morris' brother, Mitch is entering the MTC on Wed (Aug 21) so to hear from Maddie, um... Sister Morris has healed my heart until it gets ripped open again in a few days. I really don't know if I could send two of my treasures in this life out into the world without the knowledge that as much as I love them, my Heavenly Father loves them more and will guide them and protect them. I have complete faith that He knows each one of us personally and knows the beginning and ending of our story, they both will do amazing things. They are in his hands and I would not want it any other way! Hugs***

Dear Family and Friends,

WOW. All I can say is WOW. I cannot tell you how crazy these last few days have been on the mission. It really is true what they say, "A week feels like a day, and a day feels like a week." Each day is SO long, but it seriously is the best days of my life. I cannot express how amazing it is to be here around all of these people! The spirit here really is so strong and I know for a fact that this is where I am meant to be.

I have a lot to say, so I am sorry if this letter seems a little jumbled up. Monday (I'm sure she meant Wed.) we had teaching experiences and they were awesome. They really do just throw you into the work, but you wouldn't want it any other way. There is something about having your Savior's name right next to your heart that changes you. I have learned that as a missionary representing Jesus Christ, we have THE GREATEST purpose we could ask for. We are bringing God's children back to him. Could you imagine losing one of your children, and then having someone bring them back to you? What an AMAZING thing that is! <----- That is one word I use at least 50 times a day, no joke. AMAZING. The work is amazing, the people are amazing, EVERYTHING IS AMAZING.

Well now the good stuff. My district is comprised of 6 sisters and 6 elders. 4 of us sisters are going to Baltimore and the other two are going to Iowa. I seriously love all of them. They are so amazing, and I am so blessed to have them. All the sisters live in the same room and we all get along so well. We do everything together, so it's really important to love your district.  Elder Van De Graff and Elder Spencer are my FAVORITE!! They are all 18, so it's just like having 6 Mitch and Braxton's around. haha The two elders I mentioned above and I get along the most. We laugh all the time and I tease them about how unhealthy they eat. It's so funny! I think they are my favorite because they can dish it out as bad as I do. We have a good relationship. They all come up to me and go, "Look Sister Morris, I got an apple today." Then I tell them how proud I am of them.....then they excuse themselves WITH the apple in their hands, and come back with donuts. WAHHHHH?????? I said to them, "Elders, do you think I was born yesterday?! I know what you're doing!!!" They all snicker at me and go on with their meals. I think it reminds me of home and that helps me get through each day. Also they are all between 5' 11" and 6'6", so they like to make fun of me for being so short....I just tell them they are lucky I can't touch them.....I'd kick 'em in the knees! ;) ( I can just here her saying that with her New York accent!)

My companion is Sister Williams. She is the greatest, and I am so blessed to have her. She is from Rexburg, Idaho, and turns 22 in November. She is a little more quite and reserved, and VERY hard on herself. I have to keep reminding her of how amazing she is, and how much I love her. (That is my Maddie, always taking care of others) We have been concentrating on exact obedience. There's a quote here that says, "Obedience brings blessings, but EXACT obedience brings miracles." We fully believe that and testify that it is true. We are so strict as a companionship and have been recognized already by our Branch President on how closely we follow the rules. 

Speaking of, we had our first Branch meeting last night. I left feeling spiritually edified, but emotionally broke. In our introductions I had mention that Mitch was coming to the MTC next week and how excited I was to see him. Later on in the meeting we were talking about relations between Elders and Sisters and he (Branch Pres.) turned to me, in front of everyone, and said, "Sister Morris, you CANNOT hug your brother." I died. I quietly replied, "Ok." I turned to Sister Chavez (my saving grace, and favorite sister here) and looked at her with tear filled eyes. The awesome thing about Sister C is that even though we have only known each other for about 3 days, we just GET each other. I just love her to death. I can't even handle it. Anyways I am having a hard time with the whole Mitch thing. Everyone in my district is upset about it, even though it's my problem. Haha they all love me and were not happy when he said that. It was pretty funny because a few of the elders came up to me after and were like, "You should just hug him!! That's ridiculous!" But as I explained to them,  I was blessed that if I had exact obedience, I would have blessings beyond comprehension.....and that's what I intend on doing. I am going to talk to my BP and see if I can set up a meeting with Mitch before I leave though and give him a hug. His worry seemed to be that others would see us and be confused. I'll let you know how that goes.

Before I forget, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DADDY!!!!!!!!!!!! I love you sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo much! Don't die on me you, ya old fart! (Her Dad, Chris turn 50 today)

Well, there is so much to say, and so little time.....But I just wanted to say that I seriously love all of you to the moon and back. Thank you so much to everyone that sent me a letter in the past few days. We weren't able to get our mail until today, so as they are handing out letters, I LITERALLY got 10 and everyone was like, "Oh man Sister Morris!!!!! Are you writing yourself?!" HA. Real funny Elders. Please keep the letters coming, I can't tell you how amazing it feels to get a letter here. It makes it a little less lonely. 

I decided every week I would include one of my favorite quotes, and one of my favorite funny moments. (Which is SO hard to do because these Elders keep me laughing all the time.) Well, here they are!

Favorite quote: "Learn the difference between teaching someone about Christ and inviting someone to come unto Christ. There is lies the key to success."

Favorite moment:

Elder Larsen (lanky and very skinny. He is seriously so happy ALL THE TIME. It's a joke. But seriously. The kid is on happy pills....I'm sure of it.)

Elder Larsen: " I JUST LOVE LIFE!!!!!!!!"

Sister Morris: "Elder Larsen, what do you love about life so much?"

Elder Larsen: "Jesus. oh, and Star Wars."

Oh man....I love these boys.

Well  I hope you all have a wonderful week! Keep writing, and if you have written, expect a letter in the next few days!

I love you all!!!!!!

Sister Morris

If you would like to write a letter to Sister Morris you can do it for free at dearelder.com. It is like writing a email to her. If you send the email before noon Mon-Fri, they print it off, put it in a envelope and deliver it to the MTC.  Her Unit # is 159. Mission is Maryland, Baltimore and departure date is 8/27/2013.

After she leaves the MTC you can still use this site but they charge .49 for the stamp and envelope.

THANK YOU to all who have written her, it brings peace to my soul to hear her so happy because you took a moment to write her! Blessing to you all...