12/26/2016

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

What a great week! I got to skype the fam for the first time on mission and it was soo great to see them!!! 

Some highlights of our week.

CHRISTMAS CAROL AT THE MALL!! 

What a success! I was chosen to be the conductor which was interesting but it was good! A lot of people were there at the mall and we drew a lot of attention to ourselves in a good way!

We sang loud and proud! 

We had a baptism for Bro Frances on Saturday before the carols and that was also a good success. We had people in attendance and he was happy! The others were postponed for the coming weeks, sadly but sometimes people need more time! 

This week we'll have our ward End of year party which should be good. We're hoping people bring their friends so we can get some more people to teach. Our Teaching Pool has been very low lately! 

Well its the last week of 2016..CANT YOU BELIEVE IT!! Because i cant!

I hope people plan to write out some goals for the next year! Because its gonna be a good one!!

Hope everyone has a great week!! HAVE FUN, Dont do dumb things! 

Have a Happy new year!
with love
Elder Morris

12/19/2016

We had a pretty good week, it seemed slow tho! 

Well were helping a couple people progress towards baptism, hopefully for this week! 

We had our Zone training last wednesday with all the missionaries in our zone and we were able to help train them on how we can work better with the leaders in the Church in our missionary work. 

We were also able to watch the First presidency Christmas devotional Which i loved!! I love listening to he christmas hymns that they perform and the talks!
I just wanted to share a small thought about one of the talks i heard. It was about the Birth of Jesus Christ. And how it was one of the greatest things that happened. But something that made the birth of Christ so important was the Atonement that he made for us. Christmas is nothing without Easter. The death and resurrection of Christ made the birth something special!

Sorry I don't have much to report on this week. 

Coming up on the 24th we're planning to go spread some Christmas Cheer by singing loud for all to hear. (Elf shout out) We're gonna go to the mall here and sing some Christmas Carols on Christmas Eve and then SUNDAY!! I get to call home!!!!! Yeeeeehoooooo!!!

Well I hope ever one has a great week!!! MEEERRRY CHRISTMAS TO ALLL!!!!! 

with love,
Elder Morris

Well another good week here in Ghana!

Kind of a crazy week with the Elections and all. We had our Pday on Tuesday and then had to stay in on Thursday because that’s when the results were supposed to come out. WELL they didn’t! Until Friday evening and when they came. Ghana went crazy!!!!!!!!! Noise from everyone, everywhere!

Well it’s 2 more weeks till I get to call home!! 3 out of 4 down!! WOW!! 

In the coming 2 weeks before Christmas we have some good days coming up!
This week we'll be watching the First Presidency Christmas devotional for our Zone Training and Wedding on Saturday for a member in our ward! Then next week we'll have another Zone Conference for Christmas and then next Saturday (Christmas Eve) we've planned to go Christmas Caroling at the Mall near our area!! Which I’m soooo excited for because I love Christmas songs!!! 

"OHHH HOLYY NIGHT!!!! THE STARS ARE BRIGHTLY SHINNNNNNNNING!!!"🎤😝

This month it seems everyone is distracted with Christmas and everything. We’re (Zone leaders) are trying to help the zone to stay focused and try to keep working hard. Even we're somehow having a tough time!! The biggest struggle we have right now is 5!! That is 5 of our investigators who have baptismal dates aren’t legally married with their spouse...sooo we won’t be able to Baptize them until they we help them figure that out! That’s what been frustrating me a lot the last few weeks!! Because we've been teaching these people, prepping them for baptism and then we find out. They aren’t legally married ha-ha

Opposition in all things!!!

Well just a quick uplifting note this week that I had in my while studying the Book of Mormon this week. I’ve shared this before but because I read it this week ill share it again! 

Helaman 5:12

" 12 And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall."

Just a little reminder this Christmas season as we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ...He was born. He is there and he lives!! I know he does. Let us now build our foundation on HIM!! When we do that, we'll stand against the whirlwinds and the mighty storms which are sent upon us!! 

The Lord is my light, then why should I fear?? 

I’m grateful for my testimony in the Savior Jesus Christ! I’m grateful for his atoning sacrifice he made for us. I’m grateful for the opportunity to repent and change while applying his atonement in my life! I encourage all to use the atonement in their lives to change for the better! As we say, we are followers of Jesus Christ, let’s do our best to apply his teachings and share the light of Christ with everyone!!

Hope everyone has a great week!! Happy holidays. Miss y’all so much!
Much Love,
Elder Morris 

1. My favorite Ghanaian food! Embassy and Kontomire stew 

2. My favorite ward member!! We call her BABY! 

3.Elder Wiscombe and I drinking Kalyppo!! 

As always another quick week gone by!

This last week was transfer news... I’m staying in Ofankor along with my Companion, Elder Kabwika and Elder Wiscombe. Who is now with another American! I’m actually excited because it the first time like 10 months I’m in an apartment with 2 Americans!!!

This week is The Ghana Elections so it’s a strange week. We've been asked to stay in on Thursday when the Result come out so nothing bad happens! Hopefully everything is peaceful!!!

I’ll just jump right to the week. We didn’t do much with our investigators this week because we were trying to spread the Light the World Program with the members so we spend most our time trying to find the Members houses. Let see...we also had about3 rain storms this week! The rain came a lot this week because of Harmattan season that is coming in. Dusty Weather from December to February Blahhhh. Cough cough!

Soo it’s getting Super-hot again!! I think the one thing that helps me remember its December is the Small Christmas Tree we have up on our wall. Otherwise id still thinks its Summer time ha-ha

There’s not much to report this week but I’ll just share a small story.

We've been teaching this lady named Lydia. She sells Oranges right across the Chapel here in Ofankor so the Bishop has invited her to Church before and some other members and she has come before. As we were teaching she and we finished the Restoration message we introduced the Book of Mormon to her. After that, she didn’t really want to talk to us at all for about a week or 2. She didn’t want to meet anymore. I could tell she has questions but she would ask. Soo after 2 weeks she allowed us to sit and learn with here again. We started talking about the Plan of Salvation with here and about our Purpose in life. Her husband happened to be there yesterday when we were teaching and he asked if when we were done if he could ask us some questions. We told him he could ask what ever he'd like and we'd be happy to help answer his questions.

He told us he read some things online about the Church and about the Book of Mormon. He told us from what he read he doesn’t believe that what we share is true at all. I somehow got uneasy and spoke up to tell this man." Look everything you read on the internet isn’t true. I told him, you wouldn't go to Judas Iscariot to learn more about Jesus Christ and his Church, Why because you wouldn’t get a correct answer!!" The same goes for people who ask unreliable sources about the Church of Jesus Christ today. They won’t tell you the truth.

It kind of upset me a little yesterday because so many people around the world don’t go through the time to ask members of the Church about what we believe, instead they go to sources where they don’t get the truth and then have wrong impressions.

I hope if anyone has question about The Church or missionary service or anything will seek a reliable resource so you may know the truth. We believe in God the Eternal Father and in his Son Jesus Christ and In the Holy Ghost.

I know that God and Jesus Christ Live and Love us SOOO Much!! We are his Children! The Gospel of Jesus Christ can bless us as we live it! It can bless our family’s more then we know.

I love our Lord and savior Jesus Christ, I love God! I’m grateful for this time to serve him on my mission and to bring Families together!

"A missionary is someone who leaves his/her family for 2 years/ 18 months so other can be with their family forever!!"

It was great hearing from everyone this week!! I hope you have another great one!!!

May God bless you all!!

With Love

Elder Morris

20th Birthday celebrated in Ghana

I received these wonderful photos and a short video from Sister Munro who serves with her husband in the Mission office. She was so excited when she heard that Elder Morris shared her same birthday! She went all out to make it a special day for them both. I believe this will be a birthday never to be forgotten. I am so grateful for Senior Missionaries that truly know how to love these dear young missionaries. It warmed my heart this morning to find these photos in my inbox.
Thank you Sister Munro for your kind and thoughtful gesture! Love, Nikki

Birthdays on the Mission

(Posting this for Garrett's Mission Book) Sister Munro came from New Zealand in July with the new Mission President. She has been an absolute ANGEL! She emails all mothers every time a package or letter arrives for their missionary. She has been so diligent about keeping me in the loop. It's made such a big difference. In early November she told me she was going to be spending the day with Elder Morris (Dec. 3rd) because she also shared a birthday with him. Here is the note she sent me today about their birthday lunch!

Hi dear Sister Morris

Thank you for the beautiful card you sent for my birthday. The sentiments you expressed touched me greatly and I really appreciate you for saying those kind things. We have had a lovely afternoon. I will let Elder Morris send you the pictures – just know it was fun and relaxing and delicious!!!!! We wondered where each of us would be for our next birthday!???? 

Thank you for sharing your son with us. He is such a great young man. You can be very proud of him – he is everything you would want him to be – what a credit to you he is!!! J  There are quite a few things about Elder Morris that I appreciate: he is rock solid and dependable for one; his warmth is genuine – he truly relates to people and cares for them; he is aware of those around him – their needs and feelings – that is why he makes such a good Zone Leader; his laugh is infectious and he is very nice to be around. I could go on – but I’m sure you know all of this already as his mum!!!!! J

Thank you again for making our birthdays so special.

Love to you and your family. Enjoy the pictures!!!! J

Sister Munro

Ghana Accra West Mission

# 3 Coco Palms, Cantonments

Accra, Ghana

1986252@ldschurch.org

233 544 348 840

 This is my TRAINER (my father)...he goes home in 3 weeks.

 Thanksgiving Feast...ha ha

 A view of BUSHY Ghana

Zone Activity 11-28-2016 

First off I just have to let y’all know, next week is Ghana’s Election Day on Tuesday so we'll be doing transfers on Monday which means I won’t email back until Tuesday. So don’t freak out next week if you don’t get my email on Monday because it’ll be coming on Tuesday!! Sweet! Thanks y’all!

Well thank you to all who send their love and support!! I’m so grateful to all of you!!!!

This week was somehow minimal with all our teaching because we had a lot of missionary meetings. Wednesday we had a Multi Zone Conference with the Mission President and his wife! It was really great. Nothing too big, they just wanted to introduce the "Light the World" Program that the Church came out with this year to celebrate the Birth of Jesus Christ. This program is designed to help each and every one of us share the light of Christ that we each have within us!!

I'd love everyone to try and participate in this program, whether you're a member of the church or not!! It’s made for Followers of Jesus Christ and it'll help people see that you follow him and his example!! If you want to know what it is and how to do it visit this site!!
https://www.mormon.org/?cid=HP_FR_25-11-2016_dMIS_fmorg_xLIDyL1-A_

Its starts December 1st so hurry and check it out! I’ve been sharing this program with the members here in our area this last week and every time I talk about it I get really excited because I know how AWESOME it’s going to be to see everyone doing these things that Christ did. Just think about how much you can affect someone’s day by trying to be more like the Savior!!

You know Christ said that he was "the light of the world”. But he also said "Ye are the light of the world" (Watch the small video) Even in the Book of Mormon Christ tell the Nephites "what manner of men ye ought to be, Yea Even as I"

Bring Christ Back into Christmas this year by sharing your light with the world! I know that it'll help you and others feel the Christmas spirit more than ever before!!!!! #LightTheWorld

Can you believe it’s already DECEMBER!!!!!!!!! AHHHHH it's the most wonderful time of the year!!!

Time is going too fast, I’m enjoying the mission. We've started teaching this lady and her kids that I first met about 11 weeks ago when I first came to my new area Ofankor. Her name is Sis Irean. She has such a great family!! 4 Kids, all under the age of 12.  The oldest is having some mental disabilities but it’s so great every time we come to their house and he always has this big smile on his face!! He definitely brings the spirit to our lessons!! Anyway so the husband is somehow a drunk so he does want to meet with us. But as we've been teaching Sis Irean, we invited her to Church and she came this last week with her kids! I think she had a great time and was able to feel the spirit!! He kids also loved the primary class! She even told us that next week she'd like to try and bring her husband with her to church! She's never been baptized and so we've really been helping her understand about the restoration of the Priesthood Authority and helping her pray to know if Joseph smith was really called as a Prophet of God and if the Authority was really restored through him.

Well Transfers are next week...I’m sure I’ll be staying in my area and might receive a new companion. But idk. Maybe we'll both stay! And I can’t wait to celebrate small on Saturday for my Bday! I can’t believe I’m turning 20! Time fly’s doesn’t it! Hahaha

Thanks to all for the Bday wishes and for all your love and support!

You’re the best!!!

I hope everyone has a great week and don’t forget to share your light with the world!

Remember Jesus love you!!

With love

Elder Morris

Well hello and goodbye to another week!!

This week was pretty good! Really HOT but good.

Update on the week. Tuesday I went on an Exchange with another missionary in our Zone. Elder Mungisha from Uganda. It was okay haha he was an interesting guy but you gotta love all the missionaries! He’s actually going home in 2 weeks so it’s hard being a leader missionary trying to motivate a "dying" missionary. But we got through the day just fine.

This week we also had our first Zone training which I was in charge of giving some instruction to the whole zone!!! That’s about 20 missionaries plus a senior couple that is in our zone.

Soo my instruction was on finding people to teach. This is interesting because when I first came on mission I was so scared to talk with random people about the Gospel of Jesus Christ (still am somehow haha) but now it’s not too bad. I’m able to great people in their language and make a good conversion to make people laugh and be comfortable around us then we introduce the message so I was able to instruct the Zone about how they might be able to find more people to teach!

The next thing I instructed was about the Book of Mormon, Another testament of Jesus Christ and how we as missionaries should be able to teach skillfully out of this record about our lord and savior Jesus Christ. The message we share with people is Unique! It’s different! It’s that, God still Calls Prophets and speaks to them in these latter days! HE called Joseph Smith to be his prophet in the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to know a true prophet we must see their works! (Matthew 7:15-20) We (members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints) believe that Joseph Smith translated the Record of the Book of Mormon by The power of God through prophecy and revelation. This was one of his works that show he was a true prophet of God (see Mormon.org for more).

Soo it was a great opportunity to share my testimony to the other missionaries that I know the Book of Mormon Is truly another testament of Jesus Christ! For those who love our lord and savior, who love the Bible should also embrace the message the Book of Mormon has to offer!

 Just a quick uplifting message from the Book of Mormon.

Alma 36:3

“And now...I beseech of thee that thou wilt hear my words and learn of me; For I do know that whosoever shall put their trust in God shall be supported in their trials, and their troubles, and their afflictions, and shall be lifted up at the last day."

We’ll all have trials in our life!! No one can say otherwise. But remember those who put their trust in God know that he has a special purpose for each one of us as we are his children and he is our LOVING Heavenly Father!

Let us all "look unto Him in every thought, doubt not and fear not!"

I hope everyone has a great week and HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

Thanks for all your support and love y’all send each week! It keeps me moving forward! Y’all are always in my Prayers!!

Till next time, God bless y’all!

With love

Elder Morris!!🐻

What a short week!!! 

This week was filled with programs...So here's what happened... In a short email...

Tuesday we went on Exchange with the AP's. I was lucky enough to get to ride in the truck with Elder Martineuo from Utah.

Wednesday we had our District meeting which is always nice to have. It adds to the schedule each week.

Thursday I heard all about Trump winning the election. Oh and MLC

Friday....I can’t even remember! 

Saturday we went on exchanges with one of our District leaders. He had to join me in my area proselyting so I hope he learned something hahaha

Sunday was also a great day! BRO George was baptized!! He seemed happy!! I wish I could send pics but I’m scared to get a virus on my card so y’all will have to wait a little longer!! 

This coming week we'll have another exchange with another District leader (we found a great way to help the zone and make time pass faster each week!)

The Wednesday we're holding our first Zone Training meeting. This will have to give instruction at for our whole zone!! Wish me luck that I don’t mess up to much hahaha. 

We’ll be discussing how to find people to teach through our own efforts and about how we should use the Book of Mormon, another testament of Jesus Christ, in our teaching. As missionaries we're called to teach the restored gospel of Jesus Christ, the Book of Mormon is included (for more info go to Mormon.org)

So, it should be interesting. I hope my companion and I are able to help the Zone!

Sorry this week’s email is so short but thanks for the emails and support!!
Have a great week!!
With Love

Elder Morris

Well hello again everyone! I hope everyone had a splendid week!

Quick recap of our week: 

We've been doing some more finding (looking for more people to teach) because our teaching pool is low. And it was kind of amazing to see how the Lord really prepares people to receive our message. For some reason i noticed it a lot while we looked for people to teach.

Here are two examples from the week:
We were with a member proselyting and we kind of stopped to get a little snack because of hunger problems! So this lady we were buying from asked the member what we were doing because she thought we ( the missionaries) were tax collectors hahaha Oh that one killed me. So we explained, no we're missionaries from the Latter Day Saint church and told her about the message we share. She was interested to hear more and asked us to sit down. After getting to know each other she explained to us that she doesn’t was to attend her old church anymore but she’s looking for the "truth". So…it was interesting we were able to meet her that day. We haven’t met with her since but hopefully something good can come from it.

A second story- We were teaching this lady and (to help us find more people to teach) we asked her if she knew anyone that would like to hear our message. She gave us a friend of hers across the road. We went to contact her. When she came out we also met one of her friends who, after sitting down with them, said her Grandmother and some other relatives are members of the church in the Eastern region. She’s willing and wanting to learn more about the church. We'll see if these contacts take us anywhere.

This coming week we're planning to have another baptism on Sunday for a guy named George. He was actually baptized 8 years ago but was never confirmed (received the Gift of the Holy Ghost) which is important. You might remember those in the New Testament (Acts ch.19). Many people were baptized by John the Baptist but had never received the Gift of the Holy Ghost so when Paul came and asked them, they're were baptized again and then given the Gift of the Holy Ghost by laying on of hands. 

That will happen on Sunday for George. But before then we have a crazy week coming up.

Tuesday we’ll be going on exchanges with the AP's (assistant to the President) and election...So 

Wednesday I’ll be bugged by every Ghanaian about the US Election.

Thursday we have Mission Leadership Counsel

Friday...I don’t know yet

Saturday...Hey…did I mention I’m teaching some youth a Mission Prep class?? Yeah it’s crazy! 

Then it'll be Sunday again!! What a great quick week!!

Well that’s about it for now!! Thanks for all your emails and support this week!! 

Have a great week!
Good luck with the Election America…

Elder Morris

Well....HAPPY Halloween everyone!! Can’t believe everything for this point forward is the last ill have on mission…besides calling home. 

I hope everyone has a good, safe night while they go get some free candy that you'll so kindly send to Africa when you’re sick of eating it...hahaha

Another quick week has gone by. We were able to have both Emmanuel and Phillip come to church to Be confirmed which is good! 

I was able to go on an exchange this week with another missionary. 

What else…You know I’m starting to forget what we do each week because it goes by so fast. I don’t know what to talk about anymore. .

So I guess on Sunday after church we were going to find some people to teach and stop by some investigators that did come to church that day and we saw some ladies weeding in the front of their house. We stopped and asked if we could help out and they said yes. As we did they were so happy and kept saying it’s a blessing from God that we came to help. We finished in like 15 min but it was a great opportunity to meet some of Gods children to set a time to teach them. 

I’d say that’s the most effective way of finding people to teach is by doing service! What I love the most is how happy it makes us feel after helping someone! I feel of God’s love so much because as the Book of Mormon says Mosiah 2:17
"When ye are in the service of your fellow beings, ye are only in the service of your God"

I know that to be true because of the joy I feel each time we offer service to someone around us.

I guess this week’s challenge to everyone is look of opportunities to serve those around you,

even if its someone you don’t know. Do it just because you know that’s what Jesus would do!

Well I think tonight I’m going to try my first Pepsi float. They don’t have Dr. Pepper or Root beer here so this is the best I can do.. 

I hope you all have a great week!! Thanks for your continued prayers and support!! Know that you're all in mine too.

With love,

Elder Morris

Elder Vincent Visits

WHAT A great spiritual week!!!!!!

First off we had our Mission Leadership counsel with the Area President Elder Vincent which was such a great opportunity to learn from a general Authority.. It was actually really cool. I was sitting right next to him in the living room at presidents house and we got to chat small! 

We had a mission tour with Elder Vincent, his wife and The Mission president etc.
Holy cow!!! Let me just say I hope one day I’ll be able to know the scriptures the way General Authorities do!! 

Somethings i really like was he talked about us as missionaries, while inviting our investigators to church, to help them understand the importance of the sacrament!! And it’s something that I applied to myself this last Sunday. As I came to church I felt that I really prepared myself for partaking of the sacrament and had a strong focus on the savior Jesus Christ. And all that he’s done for us! 

We were able to have the baptisms for Bro Emmanuel and Bro Phillip this last Sunday!! And that was also a great experience for me! Phillip asked if I’d baptize him and as I walked into the water I had such a great, peaceful, joyful feeling!! He was so Happy after the baptism. Even this morning he called us to thank us for yesterday! 

Little story:

This morning we got a call from one of the Young women in the ward that helps us go and teach. And she called to ask if we could give her a blessing, that she needed us to come over quickly.. Soo we all stopped washing and got dressed, rode our bikes over to see what was up and she walked out of the house and I don’t think I’ve ever seen a Ghanaian that sad before. She was very upset. So we got chairs and sat to talk. She really opened up to us, telling us things are just going wrong in her life. Big long story, anyway...

Soo I had a scripture pop in my head that I felt impressed to share with her

In the Book of Mormon

Alma 7:11 &12

"And he (Jesus Christ) shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people. 

12. And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities."

What a comforting scripture to me.. That Jesus Christ has been through anything and everything we go through. No matter what pain, what affliction. Sorrow, suffering. Christ has been through it and because he has, he knows exactly how to succor his people.
Keep you heads up no matter what you're going through. know that God loves each and every one of you. And that Christ Atonement is for us all!! 

Find Joy in everything you do. And in everything that happens. 

White Man!

Another week gone by! I've had a lot of people yell at me...well okay, that usually happens each week but this week it seemed to be more. And I noticed it's starting to get to me! "WHITE MAN!!" I really don't like being called white man! 

Anyway, this past week we went on a exchange to a District in Nsawme which is somewhat in the bush. Anyway they have a branch there and it's very interesting because they have some Deaf members there as well.  The Elder I was on a split with has been there for 8 months and has been learning the sign language they use there. He's learned enough to be able to teach these members and other deaf people out there. So, I had a chance to use my old and rusty American Sign Language skills from 9th and 10th grade! ha ha All I could do is introduce myself. Not too helpful. 

I'd have to say one of the coolest parts of being a missionary would be getting to meet many General Authorities and members of the 12 Apostles. This last Sunday we had Elder Nash from the Area Presidency come to our Stake Conference. We were able to have a small conversation with him afterwards. This coming Wednesday,  we're meeting with Elder Vincent at our MLC meeting. It's always a treat to learn from these great men.

This coming Sunday we have baptisms scheduled for Emmanuel and Phillip. Both really cool guys. We're excited for them to join the church and they are happy to be getting baptized.

My small spiritual thought of the week:

I was reading in the Book of Mormon in Mosiah. Chapter 14 verse 7 reads:

"He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb so he opened not his mouth."

I made me think of myself after reading this scripture. As missionaries it's somewhat part of mission life to be laughed at or mocked and made fun of because of something you're doing.

And I thought to myself and reflected on how much more Christ went through than anything I've experienced. 

Chi, like I can barely handle what people say to me now...imagine what people said to Christ on the way to the cross!

So a lesson for me and for everyone reading this email, remember in time of struggle, pain or affliction...someone greater walked the same path you're going through. No matter what struggle it might be, no matter what pain, Christ CAN make it better for you and for me. He suffered all that pain and affliction so He would know exactly how to succor His people. Pray for His support and guidance this week as you face your challenges! 

I hope everyone has a great week!
God Bless til' we meet again

Elder Morris

Americans speak too fast!

What a quick week!! This week was very entertaining! 

I was able to attend my first MLC this last week. It was just like a normal meeting but it was great and one of the best parts was that Sister Simpson cooked for us! We had some AMAZING FOOD!!!!! 

To be honest the week was pretty normal! We're just preparing people for baptism and trying to find more people to teach. 

Crazy story of the week...

Sunday when we were at the church we had 2 american girls walk in with a nonmember. They were both in their 20's. They were visiting Ghana for a HEFY activity. So after not talking to a white girl close to my age for 13 months...I finally got the nerve to introduce myself and meet the non-member they had brought. As I was walking up to introduce myself I noticed I was speaking in a Ghanaian accent -__- Blew it!! ha ha ha

My companion and I talked with them for a little while and I was so supersized shocked as to how fast they were speaking! I could barely understand what they were saying! To be honest, I felt so scared . So I fear I'll have a hard time talking to anyone in the US when I get home!! ha ha That should be interesting.

In the coming weeks we'll have another MLC (Mission Leader Council) on the 19th but this time the training will be with an Area 70 President and then we have combined zone conferences with him throughout the mission. The next week is transfers but we are all pretty sure we'll be staying put where we are.

Elder Wiscombe (Elder in my area, from Utah) and I have began to work out again! We feel like we need to get ourselves back into shape since we've slacked for 8-10 months.ha ha ha Not to worry...I figure I'd rather go bald and stay skinny then become obolo (fatty)!

I hope everyone has a great week! You're in my prayers.

With love,

Elder Morris

JOY no matter our circumstance

HAPPY OCTOBER!!!! 

I hope everyone had a good week!! Mine was pretty good!

Here’s what happened

Well let’s see where to start. Okay story..

We have a young man in the ward named Kingsly. He 13 years old but he loves to come and help us teach. He’s also a great translator for us.
So we brought him along to a lesson. It was to teach a lady we had just met 1 day earlier. But the first time we met her she had a lot of questions about the church and about things we do in the church. "Why don’t y’all dance and play drum…Why don’t you pay collection…Do you believe in tongues?

We get these types of questions all the time here in Ghana and I didn’t really know how to answer all of them when I first arrived. I knew the answer but I couldn’t really put it in a correct sentence. So when we arrived with Kingsly she started asking him all these same questions she had asked us before to see if he would say something different. She was trying to confound him.

I was very surprised when Kingsly started to give answers to her....and it was the same answers we had given her a day earlier. It was such a testimony to me that the Church of Jesus Christ is a church of learning!

Story number 2...
We planned to meet this man, Bro Emma after the first session of conference on Sunday to teach him in preparation for his baptism. Emma is around 26 years old.

During the break, we grabbed some chairs to set up outside the chapel to have a lesson. As we did so some of the young men started to follow us and brought their own chairs so they could join us in this lesson. These young men ranged from ages 13 to 16.
We began teaching Bro. Emma the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We came to the topic of baptism. Bro. Emma joked the whole time telling the small boys that he was going to ask them questions and they would HAVE to answer. So he picked this small boy, Spencer. He’s 13. He said “Jr Pastor (nickname) what if I was already baptized in my former church?? Would I have to also be baptized in as a latter day saint as well?? This young boy replied..."let me answer that for you, YES you would because we believe that the Priesthood authority is found only in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints as it was given to the Prophet Joseph Smith during the restoration of the Gospel. And not in your former church so that’s why you have to be baptized!"

At first I was kind of worried about how strong-bold the small boy’s answer was towards Bro Emma. But afterwards Bro. Emma had a big smile on his face and kept saying "Amen little pastor, Amen!!"

It was so great to be able to see such a young youth testify boldly to investigators of the church of what we believe to be true. And to see him stand up for that belief!

General Conference was also great watch. I loved the talk about having JOY no matter what we might be going through! Peace or trials…it doesn't matter, we can CHOOSE to always have joy, if we have a positive outlook on things!

This coming week I will attend my first Missionary Leadership Council meeting (MLC).

This will also be my first time going to the mission home. It will be good.

Everything is going great!! 

There are only 2 more months to finish any goals you had for this last year! My goal is finishing the Book of Mormon before Jan 1st. Who will join me?? We've been promised that it will build us spiritually and help us grow closer to our Heavenly Father and his son, Jesus Christ!

Have a great week and keep smiling,

Elder Morris

Well I’d have to say this was the fastest week of my mission! If you keep yourself busy that is when the time starts to fly!

This week we did a lot of traveling! Tuesday was our only real full proselyting day and it wasn’t very good. We had a lot of failed appointments. Wednesday we had our District meeting, and another baptismal interview, then a ward party. It was great. A lot of members and lots of fellowshipping. Then Thursday we had exchanges with some missionaries in our Zone. Friday we had more interviews to do and Saturday was our temple trip. After that we had a Baptism for Bbro Agyman, and sadly no members showed up. We were disappointed but that didn’t stop the great spirit that was there. The temple trip was awesome!!  I love the House of God!!!! 

I’m so excited for this coming Sunday!! We'll have a chance to watch General Conference at the chapel this week. For those who read this and don’t know what General Conference is, tt’s a time where we get to hear from our Dear Prophet and President of the church as well as the apostles of Jesus Christ. You can watch it here (LDS.org) I believe every member of the church looks forward to this time of year because we are so spiritually fed by the word of God. 

It’s going to be so great!

Quick story of the week....It’s not too long but just so you can laugh of feel sorry for us.We live pretty far from the chapel. On Sundays we'll either ride bikes or take a tro tro. (car) We decided to ride our bikes. Well it was looking kind of rainy that morning but we decided it would take about 10 min to ride there so we left. As we were climbing this small hill, almost to the chapel, there was a down pour…it started raining hard. By the time we arrived at the chapel, it looks as if we just stepped out of the shower! We were dripping wet! Ha ha ha Not so fun but it’s all good. Well that’s about it.

I hope everyone has a great week! God bless y’all!

With love,

Elder Morris

Elder Kabwika, Pres. and Sister Simpson (Mission President) and Me

New Area Ofankor

Well First week in the new area!!  

So the place is called Ofankor. The apartment is really nice, although we have some cockroaches....We have an American shop by our house, the owner lady is from Alabama! There is peanut butter and Oreos!!! I’m loving it! Ha ha (He looooves OREOS)

My new comp is Elder Kabwika from DR Congo! He’s a really cool guy! He’s been out 18 months and we have a great time together. We're working on his English so he can take a test at the end of his mission. Everyday this last week has been filled with things to do so we we're tired small. (That must be how they say it in Ghana)

The mission conference was so great! Yes I was able to shake E. Stevenson’s hand along with E. Swarez  President of the 70... Soooo Cool! 

He mostly talked about teaching repentance to investigators. We do that by inviting them to keep commitments so we've been working on doing that this week! 

This last week I also had my first baptismal interview for one of the District leaders investigators. It was awesome! 

We have a lot of cool investigators we're working with. It is so great, we have so many more people we're teaching compared to the bush! We'll be having a baptism for this elderly man, Agymany, He’s 76! Isn’t that amazing…it’s never too late to find the truth! And on Saturday we'll be going to the temple! 

The new area is GREAT!!!! I’ve already made a lot of great friends with the youth. Now that I know how to build relationships with ward members, it’s becoming much easier. This week we'll be having a ward activity with dancing and games....soooo I’m about to make a lot more friends after they see this WHITE man dance! Ha ha ha just kidding!

I forgot to mention...I have another American in my apartment. Elder Wiscom from Utah. I haven’t been in an apartment with an American for the last 10 months. We're planning to make some banana bread!! It’s gonna be great!

Just a quick thought. As I was reading the Book of Mormon this week I read in 2nd Nephi 9:45 "O, my beloved brethren, turn away from your sins; shake off the chains of him that would bind you fast; come unto that God who is the rock of your salvation."

As we prepare for a new week I encourage all to turn away from not only sin but also the temptation of the devil. Chose beforehand when a temptation comes up what your action will be. Plan your defense against the evil one before he tempts you. As we do this we can avoid being bound. "Choose ye this day whom ye will serve" Lets strive to grow into the disciples that Christ wants us to be! I know the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ is true!! I love God and our Savior Jesus Christ! 

Thank you for the emails!! I hope everyone has a great week! 

With love,

Elder Morris

 #3 for Poots

 I met this missionary right before the mission when I went on a triple date with 

Ginger Spangler and friends

 When I first arrived in Winneba

As I am leaving Winneba today

 At the Temple

 My new companion, Elder Kabwika

Ofankor Night

 Ofankor Day

A view of our new area Ofankor