Week 73: Slapping, Contacting and Saving

 

Saturday- I am grateful for familiarity, compliments, Portuguese, and everything working out.

Sunday- I am grateful for learning, The Sacrament, and virtue.

Monday- I am grateful for the Brazilian I live with, BBQ, simplicity, how the Lord prepares us, and compliments.

Tuesday- I am grateful for work, trust, and humility.

Wednesday- I am grateful for peace, planning, and the sun.

Thursday- I am grateful for perspectives, my Patriarchal blessing, the SUN, my comp, writing, and humility.

Friday- I am grateful for sweating, knowing my job, being appreciated, Mosiah 2:41, using my time wisely, HAPPINESS.

Saturday- I am grateful for sleep, calmness, composition, and MANY lessons.

Sunday- I am grateful for my calmness, Palm Sunday, righteousness, thoughts, and a clear conscience.

Family is the best to lift!

I slapped myself many times this week and it's not because I did something embarrassing although that is inevitable when speaking a different language. But, nope the slapping was because of all the bugs, who, decided to have a party and didn't tell me. Oh well.

I've had QUITE the week.

I am grateful that I'm not in the least bit, dramatic. I might actually be insensitive to many things. Thanks DAD!

Elder Bassett, Elder Sousa, and me

I am in Cosmopolis and in a trio with another American who got to Brazil a month ago but has been on his mission 10 months AND a Brazilian who has been out 21 months.

We cover 4 areas...

Cosmopolis, a ward, where we live.

Jaguariuna, a ward.

Artur Noguira, a branch.

and Conchel, a branch.

We have our hands full.

 

Now just me and Elder Bassett

The work is more different than I could have ever imagined. Everything is online of course, and just to make it better, we don't have church.

 

Going to one phone per companionship is kinda the worse. We could be much more effective with 2 but that's not gonna happen because the majority of missionaries can't even be trusted with one.

The mission president stuck 2 Americans in one house to fix the ward problems. We spend TONS of time fixing our Areabook and repairing relationships with the ward.

Mmmmmm food

We receive MANY referrals, it's pretty nuts. It is also super cool to see how many people are actually ready to receive The Gospel!

We got a wonderful text this week from a member in one of our areas saying, "Î have a friend who is ready to be baptized". That's heaven smiling down on you.

The weather is beautiful as always. It gets pretty hot during the day but at night it is BEAUTIFUL!!! Also, the little city we live in is super pretty, clean, quiet, and calm. Which is super rare. I love it.

My Portuguese is uh getting better. I can be understood with a lot of credit to the listener, but there's a long way to go.

 

I feel like this week has been one whole mission! HOLY MOLY.

Do I really have to wear this?

I also passed my one year mark since going home because of Covid, it's pretty crazy to think about all that has happened. I am so grateful to have followed my personal revelation while trusting in The Lord. I have grown more than I could have ever imagined.

We had 8 lessons on Saturday.

Here is a rare spiritual thought. Well, I mean they are all spiritual weeklies but this one gets a special thought.

I have been able to see, SO clearly, the truthfulness of Mosiah 2:41. When we keep the commandments, rules, and laws of God. WE ARE HAPPY AND BLESSED!! It's as simple as that. We obey we get blessings, or even better, just recognize things we already have! Which makes us happy. If we don't obey, no blessings, left to our own devices of having happiness which is never going to be successful. We are happy when we are with God and obeying HIM!

We had an emergency transfer and became just a regular companionship. 2 Americans, one BIG house, 4 areas, one phone, many problems hahaha.

I am so grateful to be back. There's a lot to help with and I am excited to be so needed!

Week 72: The miracle that rescued me

 

Saying good bye is so hard. Elder Brown, Ross and Toomey.

Monday- I am grateful for my nose, "cliffs", getting out, my Family, your prayers, and angels.

Tuesday- I am grateful for relief, more companions, clean houses, free food, gifts, almond Joy's, and happiness!

Wednesday- I am grateful for perspectives, thought provoking questions, joy, and peace from prayers.

Thursday- I am grateful for spontaneous service, decisions, and the guitar.

Friday- I am grateful for tender mercies, The MSLM, President and Sister Bell, and open seats on an airplane.

Elder Lewis

God is a God of miracles. That is a fact. I experienced a crazy one.

Actually, not just one. But many this week that got me to Brazil.

I'm not sure how to even explain them all. 

Illinois

But the biggest one was the ability to actually get a Covid test and then for it to come back in time to not have to get another one. It was negative too which was the real miracle.

 

Through many answered prayers I felt comforted and was blessed to avoid a migraine during all of this stressful week.

I got be in a trio for 2 days which I actually really needed.

President and Sister Bell and Elder Smith flying to Brazil with me.

I was blessed to get all my other Covid test things turned in on time and then actually submitted. 

The result for that negative came in on time, only after a bit of stressing and worrying.

At the airport we were very blessed to actually have all our VISA, tests, and paperwork be accepted and valid.

That was a miracle.

I didn't quite explain everything as well as I could to make it seem like a miracle to you, but I know that all of these things, along with some tender mercies are a miracle that have been given to me from God with His Son by my side the whole way.

What to pack?

I KNOW He lives and loves you and me! 

My travel to Brazil was hectic as usual but I was able to join a final lesson with our friend Brandon while in the airport and I got to bear my testimony to him.

Four of us came in and I'm the oldest one of us in mission time. For two of them, this is their first time to the mission! Super crazy! 

I'm staying with the AP's for a couple days until transfers.

Being here is just surreal. I've been super lucky to keep my progress in Portuguese and it's still very hot. I'm ecstatic to see what's all gonna happen this week! 

Let me know how you're doing!

God loves you!

Dinner upon arriving in Brazil.

Week 71: Who knows what's even happening

 

Hospital vibes

Monday- I am grateful for spring days, good lessons, and funny dreams.

Tuesday- I am grateful for health, interviews, and sunshine.

Wednesday- I am grateful for prayers, my comp, street tacos, and jokes.

Thursday- I am grateful for weird days, sunshine, preparation, and studying.

Friday- I am grateful for finding happiness, health, My Savior, acceptance, love, health, and doing the work.

Saturday- I am grateful for being outside, happy, and submissive.

Sunday- I am grateful for nature, my guitar, agency, freedom, productivity, and REPENTANCE.

I wrote a song on my guitar.

What an eventful week here.

 

Actually, this might be the last email you get from good ole Illinois, who knows.

We had quite an adventure and spent most of Tuesday in the hospital. Don't worry though, it was for my comp and all is well with him too! It definitely made the day interesting though. We talked too as many people as we could while we were there and we were smiling and laughing the whole time and we just were rays of sunshine in that place. It was quite a highlight.

We had President interviews and it was uplifting as always. It was cool to talk and see how far I have come since I first got in this mission! I'm extremely grateful for this mission and for President Bell.

My wall at my desk.

Well, well, well, all heck broke loose. Two of my fine pals in my household started not feeling very well, and so they made some calls and figured that they probably had Covid. Well, I have to test negative to be able to fly out of here Friday. So they moved me out to another Elders house and area with a new comp for the rest of my time until I leave to Brazil. Pretty whack. Pretty interesting and exciting. We have been under quarantine and I was actually asked to give a talk in church on Sunday. Welp, I got out of that too because of good ole Covid. Just goes to show that you never know what's gonna happen on a mission, it likes to keep you on your toes.

I've been preparing for Brazil and doing lots of lessons over the phone/ technology. 

I might just miss this place.

We had a little sacrament meeting with just my comp and I and the Spirit was sweet and peaceful. It was a sure moment of calm and serenity.

Quarantine has been well quarantine. We try our best to stay on task but you can only stare at a phone screen for so long. My guitar and random walks have gotten me through the extra boring times.

Love,

Elder Morrison

Week 70: Just Another Day in Paradise

 

Monday- I am grateful for happiness and attitude.

Tuesday- I am grateful for my area, the Book of Mormon, sunsets, and Bible laughs.

Wednesday- I am grateful for stars, spontaneity, pictures, and PRAYERS.

Thursday- I am grateful for conversations, free food, and happy days.

Friday- I am grateful for learning, peace, useful time, and call letters.

Saturday- I am grateful for tomorrow's, country music, and Gods creations!

Sunday- I am grateful for talents, walks, bodies of water, enchiladas, and success.

Beautiful sunsets these days.

Elder Ross

I had some real good days this week. We tried to spend as much time outside as possible when we could and it was quite happy. 

I have once again experienced the power of prayer and the hope that it brings to my life. When I pray I know that my words are heard and acknowledged by God who is answering me in ways that require time to understand. 

We spent some time in downtown Springfield and it's crazy to just recognize how much difference Covid has made to everything. Everyone I talked to this week is just so sick of masks and the whole thing.

Got to meet Abe!

The guitar playing is coming along nicely and it gives good chill times.

I bore my testimony in church and it's weird to recognize that I'll be out of here soon.

 

Don't roll this thing.

Who drove this thing?!

Are we still alive?

Time for a new hair cut.

Elder Ross and I killin' it in the food department.

I went over my call letter and setting apart blessings again and love how they can always give me guidance and peace!

 

Welp let me know how y'all are doing 

Week 69: Brazil!!!

 

Monday- I am grateful for my phone and communication.

Tuesday- I am grateful for truth, low volume, and calluses.

Wednesday- I am grateful for throwing the frisbee, the presence of The Holy Ghost, and cooking for others.

Thursday- I am grateful for chacos, my testimony, and batteries.

Friday- I am grateful for news, understanding, excitement, time, and The Lords Will.

Saturday- I am grateful for choices, happiness, jokes, and being outside.

Sunday- I am grateful for The Sacrament, following The Spirit, and Family History.

We went to a Pentecostal church this week because we were invited by a lady we met on Facebook. It sure was an interesting experience. It strengthened my testimony in the true church  It also blew out my eardrums. Ever since getting them pierced my ears have been pretty sensitive to loud noises and so that concert church blasted my ears and they were throbbing by the end of it. 

I'm telling y'all the sun just being out sometimes and the temperature just being a little higher has made all the difference. It's amazing.

We did some good service this week. Habitat restore, sisters hospital, and moving a member. It was all a good time. I love service.

Well, well, well, the moment you have all been waiting for!

I'm going back to Brazil on March 19!!

I got the call on Friday night and it was just shock and excitement and all the feelings.

 

It all came together so nicely and all the lessons that I have been learning leading up to it all made sense when I got the call.

It was a reassuring from The Spirit and I'm very grateful.

Yes, I am nervous to go back. It will be hard, but that's ok. I trust in The Lord, do what I can, and it will all turn out for the better.

We had a good week and are making steady progress with our friend Richard 

I'd love to hear from y'all!