April 16th, 2012

Hey Everyone!

Had a pretty great week.  It was weird yesterday though cause nobody was able to make it to church.  They all had something come up but oh well.  Rolando and his family are still pretty solid.  As for the part member family we were working with we have kind of dropped them they just arent progressing.  We will still try and stuff but won't really give them too much time until they come to church.  We are teaching a few other people who aren't too solid but still have potential.  We did a church tour this week which was pretty cool and then taught a lesson in the chapel so that was neat.  Nothing really too exciting happened this week (ha ha).  That's crazy that its snowing over there; Utah always has a crazy spring.  But at least the snow melts fast.  But yeah mom you will have to send me that invitation from Rhett; thats pretty cool that he's getting married. But yeah chances are I am gonna get transferred.  So if Grandma or someone is going to send me something just tell them to wait until I find out what's going on.  I will know Sunday so I will tell you on the next Monday if I am staying or going and then I won't be able to give you my new address until the next Monday. But it's okay; I don't care if it's a little late.  But yeah this is a great ward; it would be nice to stay but I'm sure if I go I will be going to where I am supposed to be:)  That's crazy that Grandma and Raymond are almost leaving; I bet that will be weird.  I'm sure once they get there and get settled in they will love it.  I'm sure that everyone is excited to get out for the summer! Of course I will be down here dying in the heat (ha ha).  Well thats about all for this week.  As for my birthday I'm not too sure of what I need (ha ha)  Love you all so much!

Take care!

Elder Morgensen

April 9th, 2012

Hey Everyone!

Well the baptism of Shaun went really well on Saturday.  We had it at 5:30 and had an awesome turnout.  There were about 50-60 people that showed up for it and the whole thing went really well.  I was a bit nervous to do it but everything went smoothly (ha ha).  And then he got confirmed by Elder McMurray yesterday in Sacrament meeting.  It was a perfect edition for the Easter Sunday program.  He texted me last night and said to tell you thanks for the card.  I don't even know what it said (ha ha) but he liked it so thanks for sending that.  The other picture is of us helping a member do some yard work.  We did it Saturday in the morning part.  We spread out a bunch of dirt on his yard with all of us working it took like 3 hours.  It was a lot of work but we were happy to do it cuz the lady cuts our hair for us (ha ha).  She is actually in the Spanish ward so the missionaries there asked us to come help so that was a fun way to start out the day.  Church yesterday went really good; Rolando and his wife and son were able to make it this time and they really liked it.  Everyone was telling us how he just seems like a member already. Our ward mission leader keeps joking around saying he is gonna be the next bishop  (ha ha).  His wife really enjoyed it and the other boys were nice to Bradley and he said he really liked it.  He hardly ever leaves the house so I think it was good for him to go to church.  I guess the doctors only gave him about 6-9 months to live and that was a year ago so hopefully his health keeps up.  But I'm positive that those 3 will be baptized in a month or two.  I probably won't be here for it but you never know; I could end up staying here another transfer but it's unlikely.  Transfers are on the 26th of April and we get the calls on the Sunday night before so the email I send you on the 23rd will let you know if I'm going or staying.  But Rolando really likes church and has solid fellowship and likes us too (ha ha)  He used to work at a high end clothing store so he has a bunch of nice clothes; so he gave me a nice sports jacket that doesn't fit him anymore.  It's a nice tan one and it's brand new.  I won't be able to wear it out here but it will be nice for when I come home.  I will have to have the sides brought in a bit but other than that it fits nice.  He said it's about a $700 coat so that was really nice of him.  But yeah he is really great. We always stop in for cold drinks or a smoothie whenever we are in the neighborhood.  There is a family we are stopping by tonight; this will be our third visit with them.  He is a less active member and his wife and 2 kids aren't members so we are trying to get them to come to church.  There is a few other potential people we are working with but that pretty much sums it up.  So it sounds like you all had a fun Easter!  Thats really awesome; I thought about being down in St. George a couple of times (ha ha).  But thanks for the package and tell Tyson and Stephanie and Natalie's family for the easter packages.  I was just wondering I can't remember for sure but is Tyson the ward mission leader?  I couldn't remember cuz I was just going to write them back.  That sounds like a fun hike you all went on; we will have to do it when I get back; it sounds really intense.  I could see mom not going on the scary part (ha ha:)  Well hopefully Monkey didn't feel too bad having to work on Easter.  I think on holidays they usually make them all work a short shift or something.  Well I love you all so much and thanks for everything you do for me!:)

Elder Morgensen

April 2nd, 2012

Hey Everyone!

Glad that you all really enjoyed general conference cuz I know that I did!  It was really good; I just love to hear all of their talks.  Elder Holland was one of my favorites and so was President Uchtdorf's and a few others.  But yeah Dad you were right about watching Shaun really close for this last week.  He almost didn't come to conference with us and he was acting kind of weird.  So the member and us finally were able to get with him and he said that his family has been discouraging him from joining the church and stuff. So he wasn't sure so we talked to him and he is back on track!  We were kind of nervous for a little while but we have got him set up for this Saturday to be baptized!  So hopefully when I email you back next Monday everything will have gone smoothly.  But yeah Mom if you wanted to do that it would be really good.  I think he would like that and I'm sure it would get here on time. We can check the mail any day of the week.  But Rolando wasn't able to come to church but we have got a time set up with him for this week.  They think that the son's brain cancer is acting up again so they had to take him to the hospital to get some tests done.  I guess that what he has is terminal so it will eventually kill him and I guess the boy doesn't know that; which is pretty sad.  But they still seem interested and willing to learn.  I hope Chan will be able to finish up school. Well I bet it's a lot of studying right now.  That will be good when she can be done with that.  I got a nice easter package from Tyson and Stephanie so that was really nice of them.  I really liked it and they put in some pictures of Tyson's trip to Machu Picchu; it looked really cool.  Well mom I'm glad that your interview and audit thing went well. That's really cool that they were impressed with your department.  I bet thats a big relief to have out of the way.  Oh and Shaun's last name is Johnson.  I forgot to thank you for the cd you sent me; it was really good I liked it a lot!  In the package could you send me a blank cd also.  It's so crazy that it's already April and I get to call home in like a month and a half!  That will be really cool.  It sounds like everyone is going down to St. George again for Easter that will be really fun.  I still remember last years when Chan told us that she was pregnant.  That was pretty crazy.  Since my companion is a district leader he had to go to Austin for two days this week so I was on exchange with another missionary that had a car and I guess he wasn't cleared to drive yet so I got to drive.  It was really fun; it felt nice (ha ha).  The freeway was a bit scary but my TomTom got us to where we needed to go:)  Well have a happy Easter!  Thanks for emailing me each week I; always look forward to hearing from the fam!:)  love you all tons!

 

Elder Morgensen

March 26, 2012

Hey Everyone!

Sounds like you had a great week!  Ours was pretty good here too.  Last Monday though was crazy cause even though it's our p-day it's over at 6:00pm so we go out and work from 6 to 9.  So it was about 8:30pm and we were about 15 minutes away from our apartment and everyone was telling us that a big storm was coming and that we needed to get inside somewhere.  We just thought they all were crazy and that we don't care to ride through the rain.  So as we were about to head home it just started pouring rain; probably some of the hardest rain I have seen and the lightning was crackling and we were both pretty nervous to ride home but we started to anyway.  About 5 minutes into it a member texted us and said to hurry and get inside cause there was a tornado warning for the Leon Valley area.  So we were pretty scared and peddled really fast home and it started getting really windy but luckily we made it home, even tho we were drenched from head to toe.  Then our mission president sends out a text that says tornado warnings in the area and that if one hits to get in the bathtub cause I guess that's the safest place.  It got really bad outside but the tornado didn't hit us.  We found out the next day that it touched down in a place called Divine which isn't too far away from us and that it was supposed to head right for us but then it lifted back up into the sky.  So it was a pretty crazy experience; my companion didn't sleep all night (ha ha)  Anyway, thanks mom for the package; it was really nice; I really liked it:)  Me and my companion are really excited for General Conference; it's cool cause I have never been excited for General Conference before.  Shaun is doing really good and is still set for the 7th of April.  As of right now I'm going to baptize him and I am kind of nervous cause he is a pretty big guy; so I hope I can lift him out of the water (ha ha).  But him and Rolando were both at church again yesterday.  Rolando's family couldn't make it again but they are gonna watch conference and they really want to come the week after so we are pretty excited for them.  Every time we go over to his house for a lesson he cooks us up a big meal.  He is a really good cook and likes cooking for us.  He really likes church and likes how friendly everyone is to him.  We know he will be sold if he watches some general conference.  So the work this week has been pretty good we are working with a few other people. But are just waiting to find out how solid they are.  We have been teaching Shaun at a members house; they are really nice and they always do stuff for him. It is his birthday today so they are having him and us over for dinner; we are making sure to keep a close eye on him to make sure that nothing happens. The mattress I have now is so much better than the ones I had in the MTC and up in Kyle.  Those were just really thin and you could feel the springs; but the one I have now is nice so hopefully I keep getting lucky with good mattresses (ha ha).  It is already starting to get pretty hot here. I'm not looking forward to summer (ha ha). Well Monkey's only one more quarter before summer!  I'm sure you and mom are excited for a break. Wow Candace it sounds like you are tearing it up in softball!  Keep up the good work; that's really cool. I'm excited to hear more.  Wow Courtney it sounds like your team is doing really well and improving a lot!  It will be good to watch you both when I get home!  I'm glad that you are really enjoying basketball.  Well everyone that's all I got for this week.  I hope you all really enjoy General Conference; I'm sure it will be great!

Love!

Elder Morgensen

March 19, 2012

Hey Everyone!

Wow thats crazy about Candace; I'm really glad she is okay.  That's scary; I hope whoever she goes with makes sure to be careful.  I'm glad everyone was okay.  That's really cool that Grandma and Raymond got their calls!  That's really sweet; they will love that.  And that's the same mission Kyle was going to.  I guess he is still planning on going; I don't know if they will change his call though. That's crazy about Austin's dad; that's good that all went well and that Austin wasn't home for that.  He will really like the MTC; it was really fun when I was there. I wanted to stay longer.  But hopefully when I check the mail today it will say I got a package (ha ha).  Thanks a lot for sending that.  But yeah, I get to call home on Mothers Day:)  so not too far away. It will be here in no time.  Sometimes the days feel like weeks and the weeks feel like days.  Have you had my car out lately?  Sometimes I really miss driving it (ha ha).  Well thanks for the news from home; that was good (except for monkeys accident)  I bet his parents were really mad when they found out.  But it was cool yesterday; we had 3 investigators at church!  Shaun is doing really good and is set to get baptized on the 7th so that will be good.  Stephanie's mom is doing better and we have been teaching her more but she kinda just likes church for the social aspect and not really learn about the gospel; at least she is reading and praying; she just might be a slower progressor.  And then we met this one guy out in a parking lot his name is Rolando.  We taught him and his girlfriend/wife (I'm not sure if they are married) and then their son who is 13.  The son is just getting over brain cancer; he almost died but is doing better now.  He has had us over for a lunch and breakfast; he is a really good cook.  He really liked church yesterday he wanted to check it out before he brought his family.  He really likes me and my companion; how we are 19 and 20 and clean cut and just doing the Lords work.  He says he wants that for his son to grow up to be like us so he is going to bring them to church next week; thats really exciting; I hope he progresses nicely with his family.  So that's about it for our work this week. It just went really well.  I'm glad that the monkeys are doing good and finishing up the 3rd quarter; that's sweet! It will be summer soon!  It's already starting to get hot here so hopefully I can handle it (ha ha).  Sounds like Courtney is having fun with basketball and the monkey is playing some softball.  Well, that's about all I got for this week. I love you all!  Say hi to Chan and Trev and Ava for me!  Have a great week and be safe!:)

Love,

Elder Morgensen 

March 12, 2012

Hey Everyone!

Hope u all had a good week!  (despite monkey's accident). Sorry Candace; that looks like it really hurts.  It's a good thing that you are tough cause you seem to always get hurt.  I'm glad you don't have to get surgery; I hope your face is healing and doing better.  I hope that you are better for your birthday tomorrow!  That's so crazy that you are turning 16!  I never think that you are that old but I guess you are (ha ha).  Well I hope you have a happy birthday tomorrow and mom can cook you up something good. You will have to tell me next week what you did on your birthday.  Well dad I hope you are feeling better.  There is nothing worse than having to work when you are sick. I'm glad that your talk went really good; that's awesome.  I love that talk by Jeffrey R. Holland its one of my favorites.  My trainer had conference on a CD so we always listened to that talk when we drive; it's a really good one.  That's really cool that Austin is heading out; I hope he likes it!  Well, sounds like Brad got married and had a good reception so thats good.  I'm excited to get the talk and papers in the mail; I'm excited to read over it.  The weather is weird here too; for two days it was either a drizzle or a down-pour and it was pretty cold outside.  It seemed like 2 of the longest days I've had on the bike (ha ha). Yesterday was clear skies and warm and today is pretty nice as well. That's cool that Courtney got her room re-done. School will be out before you know it and you can enjoy the summer.  I think I will really miss having the summer in Beaver. It's just gonna be miserably hot here (ha ha).  Well Shaun is doing really good; he came to church again yesterday and loved it.  We taught him the 10 commandments and then talked in depth about keeping the Sabbath day holy and the law of chastity.  He liked it and accepted to live the law of chastity and also committed to live the word of wisdom.  It's really cool; he says as he has been meeting with us and reading from the Book of Mormon he hasn't had a desire for beer or anything and hasn't been swearing at all so we are excited for him he is on track to be baptized on April 7th.  Stephanie, our other investigator, couldn't come yesterday; she was in the hospital with her mom but we are gonna try to meet with her sometime this week. Tell Chan I said hi and the pictures of Ava were really cute!  She is just grow'n right up!  Here is a picture of me and my companion.  Oh yeah, got transfer calls last night and we are both staying in the area for another transfer so thats good. I was excited for that!:)  Well love you all; hope you all have a great week!  Happy Birthday Monkey:)

Elder Morgensen 

March 5, 2012

Hey Everyone!

Sounds like u all had a sweet week down in St. George!  That sounds like a lot of fun!  I bet the baptisms for the dead was really cool for the monkeys and for dad being able to baptize them.  That's really cool that u have been finding names of ancestors to do the work for; thats sweet!  I'm sure there were a lot of people there for Ava's blessing.  But yeah it's my 6 month mark on Wednesday; it's really cool!  Time really does fly by.  That's cool about Glen Beck; I didn't know that about him. I just always thought that he grew up a member.  We haven't been back to teach him yet but I'm sure we will in the future.  We had 2 investigators at church yesterday which was cool.  One lady we met on our bikes on the side of the road.  We just stopped and talked to her and have been teaching her.  This has been her second time at church her name is Stephanie.  She is just a little crazy but really nice.  She likes to talk a lot about herself in the lessons so we try to control her ha ha. But the other one we met on Saturday.  We were knocking in an apartment complex and started talking to this guy up on his balcony and said we could come up.  His name is Shawn and he is originally from Philadelphia but has just moved here from North Carolina.  He is pretty cool; he is black and 30 years old and looking for a job around the area.  We taught him the restoration lesson and at the end invited him to church.  He said he would think about coming and we were thinking like that always means a no.  But then we said we could have a ride pick him up and he was like yeah actually i will come now.  He said that since he has been here tons of people have invited him to a church but they just tell him where it's at and what time it starts and nobody has ever offered him a ride, cuz he doesn't have a car.  So we picked him up yesterday morning and he was waiting outside for us and he really liked church.  It was a really good testimony meeting and after church he said it was his favorite part so that was good.  Then after church that evening we had a lesson in a members home with him and it just went really good.  He told us that he said a prayer and said that if we ended up picking him up for church then this was where he was supposed to be.  So it all worked out pretty good and he said he wants to come next week.  He said it was the weirdest Saturday ever cuz that morning he went out and bought a used bible and then that afternoon we taught him.  The members also invited him over for a BBQ tonight with some other ward members and we have a lesson tomorrow with him in the members home again. So he looks pretty promising.  He accepted the baptismal invite cuz he hasn't been baptized before.  We are also going to get in contact with the ward occupation specialist to see if he can find him a job or something.  So yeah that's how the work has been going here.  We are still finding more people to teach and hopefully come to church.  But yeah tell Grandma I got her email; I just can't  respond today.  But that's cool that Brad is getting married this week and yeah send the invite next time u mail something along with my news papers thanks :)  And yeah, we have a temple in San Antonio; we can only go once while on our mission so I'm waiting for a bit later.  I'm getting really excited for general conference too; it should be really good:)  I love to hear them speak.  Well sorry monkey's I don't have much time left but just keep doing whats right and doing good in a school and everything and above all have fun:)  but yeah it will be cool to see where Grandma and Raymond go. The senior couples are always way nice; we had dinner with one a few nights ago and they are way cool.  Well family, I love you all a lot; have a great week! 

Love Elder Morgensen