"Jesus Christ is the light and the life of the world. If we do not choose to move toward Him, we will find that we have moved away...Whether or not you choose to keep your covenant to always remember Him, He always remembers you." Henry B. Eyring

WOW!!! Can’t even believe how fast these last 18 months have gone....... too fast. 

A couple of weeks ago, as sister Cardenas and i were working in one of the many sections in our area, and after many spiritual lessons, we decided to stop by some recent converts in the area. As we knocked on the door, the wife answered and warmly welcomed us into her home, and we noted that she looked really sad and tired, and after asking them how they had been, we sung a hymn and opened with a prayer. 

Then we ask "hermana, why are you so upset?" a little taken back by the question, she hesitated, and replied a little flustered, "I've just been a little sick, that’s all."  As we talked to her about Christ’s love for her and her family, we testified that we were there to help her and her family. Again this sister said that she had just been feeling a little sick, and insisted that that was all.  Sister Cardenas said, "hermana, we’re missionaries. ´We have superpowers´, and we know there's something wrong, so just let us know and we can help you!" as she heard these words, she started to cry, and told us that they had been struggling with family and financial problems, and that she had been feeling really stressed, and didn’t know what she could do, and her being sick throughout the week had prevented her from going to work, and they had been really struggling! As she said this, the question immediately came to my mind word for word "have you been paying your tithing!?" and as we asked this, we were able to testify of Gods love for us, of his power, and the blessings that come through being obedient! wow! 

Obedience is the first law of heaven, and it is a lesson that God will be teaching his children throughout their whole lives!

 Something that sister Cardenas shared with me is that there is a lesson to learn in every trial. the faster we learn it, the faster the blessings come! wow! it is soo true!! This was something we were able to teach this humble family, who live in a house no bigger than three rooms and a bathroom, with worn out clothes, and barely enough money for food, we testified of Gods divine power, and the blessings that were being withheld from them, as long as they weren´t paying their tithing! God wants to bless us! a happy peaceful life is exactly what he wants for his children!! and as we obey him, we are not only going to receive blessings for this life, but in the life to come! Our lider de zona told us, "Gods commandments are a means by which we prepare to someday become Gods and Goddesses!" if we can’t learn to be obedient in this life, we will never receive the opportunity to create and guide new worlds! It all starts here and now! 

WOW! the mission has been life changing!!! Literally! It is sooo incredible to be able to see the changes in people’s lives as they accept the Gospel, and make changes necessary to help them become more like him. There are literally no downs to missionary work!! now.. that doesn’t mean it’s always been easy,.... but being a missionary has shown me more than ever before that God is in the details of our lives. He knows us sooo perfectly!! He loves us with a PERFECT love, and because he is so familiar with us, he is able to plan trials and tests designed specifically for us, with one purpose. to help us become like Him! I could really see that in the start of my mission. before then, everything had always come easy for me. Sports, school, and church, and i didn’t have any major trials. But coming to Guatemala, and not being able to understand a word that people said to me, was a really humbling experience for me. All the sudden, it wasn´t so easy, and there were literally days where i asked myself if i could go on! i was soooo sad.. and i felt sooo alone... but it was in these moments that i realized i wasn’t really alone. that I never have been.  Something I have been taught since as long as i could even remember was true! God is always there! And He listens with love! 

I soon came to the realization that he was the only one that could understand me.  He knew perfectly what i was going through, and who had promised long ago to always be their for each one of us, He wanted to help me! just been waiting patiently, just wanting and pleading for me to only ask. and as soon as i did, i felt of his redeeming love for me as a daughter of God! i know he loves me!!! i know he loves all of his children!! i know he wants us to be happy!!  In that moment of frustration, and confusion as i didn’t understand sooooo much, i finally understood the most important thing ever! I understood and felt Gods love for me, and that he would never leave me alone.  I finally came to know my savior after the countless prayers i had offered, the numerous sacrament meetings i had attended, and the infinite seminary classes, church devotionals, and summers spent at EFY’s. I finally got the picture. I came to know my savior. 

That is probably one of the greatest experiences a missionary can have! It is when they finally come to know and understand, not only the gospel, and how to apply it in their lives, but they come to know God. Perfectly. They understand his merciful plan for us as HIS children. 

I can now say, WITHOUT A SHADOW OF A DOUBT, THAT I KNOW GOD. I KNOW AND UNDERSTAND OF HIS LOVE FOR US, 

AND I KNOW THIS IS HIS GREAT PLAN OF HAPPINESS FOR HIS CHILDREN.

He never stops; he never sleeps, and never has time to rest. He is praying for us, and loving us 24/7… since the world began! What a tireless job!! So why does he do it!? It’s simple-because he loves us.. and it is for that love that i will be forever grateful... i will forever praise his name, and forever follow him. The Reynas asked us a simple question. if you could go back and do it all over again, would you do it? YES! There is no doubt in my mind -YES. I love the Savior, and know him more than ever before. The ultimate investigator is you! It’s every missionary that has ever served. It is a privilege to come to know our Savior and his matchless love for us. It doesn’t matter where you serve, in what country or language. The ultimate purpose is to help us as his children come to know HIM- and I HAVE. I would never trade these experiences for the world. Every companion that i have had, every spiritual or trying experience has made me who I am today. NOTHING even compares. It’s worth more than all the gold in the world, it’s worth more than anything money can buy. Because it is limitless and endless. Without end. HIS LOVE FOR US IS INCREDIBLE!  AND NOW I UNDERSTAND!  I LOVE HIM MORE THAN WORDS CAN EVEN EXPRESS. And will be FOREVER grateful for the privilege i have had to be a Missionary of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day saints. To represent His name. To be His disciple. To follow him. 

I am sooo grateful for all of the love and support of my friends, companions, and members, and can’t even begin to describe the immense gratitude i feel for my Father in Heaven for sending MY FAMILY to ME. WORDS CANNOT EXPRESS my love for them and their support, their numerous letters and emails of encouragement and support

I love this work.. and even though my time is soooo short to be able to put on my name tag, and to be able to serve him full time, i know this work does not end!! We members are the key!! We need to do the Lords work for forever!! That is why we were saved for these last days!! I know this is Gods Church. I KNOW IT IS TRUE!  In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen. 

Hermana Morris

my companions

pictures sent from my mission president...

We are separated from God in order that we may voluntarily return to Him!

Hola friends and family!   

WOW! I don’t even know where to begin... I can’t believe how fast time has gone…and I can’t even believe that I am in my last transfer! IT IS TRUE…MISSIONS ARE THE BEST!!!  WOW!! this is an experience I would never take back or trade for anything. It has literally changed my life! Before my mission, I had thought that spending these months in the service of God would somewhat pay Him back for all that He has given me, and that I would be less indebted to Him, and now, I know I am more indebted to Him than ever before! I can’t even begin to thank God enough for all that he has given me, for the trust he has had in me, for the change that has come over me, and what he has made of me! I am forever thankful!

With thanksgiving, I have been thinking a lot about what I am grateful for, and the more I think about it, I can’t even think of something that I’m NOT grateful for!! I have sooo many blessings! -starting off with the chance I have to be in this world, this gospel, my family, and all the people in my life that have helped me get to this point in my life! I am soo grateful that God is in the details of my life! He knows me perfectly! And I know He knows each one of you!

The more I look back on my life, the more I see how every single trial, every tribulation I have faced has been exactly made for me! It has all been for the purpose of making me who God wants me to be! I can testify that Gods’ love for us is so pure, and so perfect, that he would never force us to do anything against our will... but we choose His will when we choose to follow Christ.

Before this life we made the decision to come here to learn and grow, and become who Our Heavenly Father created us to become! WE WERE MADE TO BE GODS! Every commandment that he has ever given us is for one purpose… So that we can gain experience …this life is our practice! President Caffaro has taught us and retaught us the importance of obedience. It is the first law of heaven. And if we can learn to be obedient in these 18 months to 2 years of our lives, it will completely change our future success!!

I know the church of Jesus Christ is true! I know God loves every one of us! I know this is Gods work, and that as we find our own personal conversion, we will be able to let our light shine to all the world!

I love you all!! Hermana Morris

This week we were working really hard on having a sisters meeting, and our theme was with the December initiative “Light up the World” we were running all over the place to get ready for it. like literally we were running in our skirts!! It turned out cute and we felt the spirit soooo strong"!! We had a really incredible environment, we did an activity where we handed out candles, and lit them up one by one, reading off a list of the things that we can do to light up the world, and then we went through a list of things that many people do so that their light goes out…I love seeing the light of Christ in people and how much it changes them!!! We have such a light about us as members of the Chruch, and it is our responsibility to be that light to the world!! 

Sunday, we had been asked to give the lesson for relief society, and we did the activity where one person does pushups for everyone in the room... SO... sister cardenas and sister alvarez started off the class, (i was sitting down) and they told everyone that they needed a volunteer to go and do pushups for everyone…and the sisters started laughing a little and were like, who is going to volunteer to do that!??? Then, knowing beforehand that i was going to have to do a lot, and nervous about doing it, i volunteered as we had planned.... Then my companion explained (passing out the candies) that everyone that was going to take one, i would have to do 3 pushups for them! She started off, a few sisters took them, and i easily whipped out the pushups, but the fourth person said that they didn’t want one, and Hermana Cardenas looked at me and said, Hermana Morris, do three pushups... lets just say i was glad not more than 30 women showed up this week! As I started to do the pushups for the lady that had refused the candy, protests broke out, and the sisters said, that’s not fair, she didn’t take one. As my comp continued around the room, the sisters continued refusing the candies, and i kept doing the pushups, and they started to get a little harder, and soon, I was struggling really hard to be able to do the simplest pushup.... wow... it was hard... and the sisters, were pretty upset at my comp, and i was literally dying trying to do these pushups, and a few of them said, “that’s enough” “she’s done enough” “we get the point”.... “tell her to stop”.... but she continued! wow! it was soooo hard as she kept telling me, sister morris, 3 more.... do three more, and then we hear” she is demanding too much”… “someone help her", but no one could. Christ was completely alone, and even his Father left him for a time. Wow!! we found sooo many deeper meanings to this activity, and it was really incredible what our Savior did for us! whether we accepted him or not -He paid the price. whether we use the atonement in our lives or not. Christ already paid the price "God be thanked for the matchless gift of His divine son." wow! He gave His all, it was not easy. but thanks to Him, death has no sting, and we will live again!! Our Savior loves us sooo much, and I am thankful for all he has given us! I plead with you to put into practice the atonement in your lives!! i love Him! And I love you!! I know this church is TRUE!

Hermana Morris

Sorry two weeks because my 2 year old macbook pro decided to crash my hard drive a couple weeks back and it has taken me some time and anguish to get things up and going again as I hadn’t backed anything up…. Sigh…not such an apple fan anymore…

all of us at our sister training meeting.

me with my two companions and Presidents wife...

Best mission ever!

still a Phenius and Ferb nut!

 people don't get better than this

Having too much fun to end this mission...

LOVE sister Caffaro!

Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore i will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in His strength i can do all things; yea. behold many mighty miracles we have wrought in this land, for which we will praise his name forever! Alma 26:12

Yesterday was changes... and i'm staying!!! So i'll finish in mixco with sister Cardenas, and sister Alverez (from Honduras) we will be in a trio- so we are going to be able to work the area like never before!!  

I wanted to share something that our president shared with us......

Some days I wonder when things can just level out and not have so many ups and downs in the mission. There are many days that feel like I am on a roller coaster ride with many highs and lows in the same day. I thought about these sentiments and it reminded me of a little over two years ago when I was hooked up to a heart monitor. I know at that time I didn’t want to see a straight line appear on the screen. That would have been very bad news. The up and down lines on the monitor let me know I was alive.

President Gordon B. Hinckley once said, “I know it isn’t easy. It’s discouraging at times, sure. Aren’t you glad it isn’t just fun all the time? Those valleys of discouragement make more beautiful the peaks of achievement.” 
That’s what life is all about. The highs and lows let us know we are participants in this game of life and not just observing from the sidelines. We are learning and growing and not just existing…

If you are working on something exciting that you really care about, you don't have to be pushed. The Vision pulls you! 

WOW! sooo true!!! we have so many ups and downs in the mission, in life, and all throughout life!! but as we turn to the Lord, and give up our will to Him, we will win, because he will make of us far more than we could ever become ourselves!! I love our Savior Jesus Christ so much, and have come to know Him like never before!! i know this is His work!! And when we fully come to realize that this is the Lord's work, we will not be discouraged when people reject us and say no, when the doors slam in our face, and the appointments fall through...

When Lazarus' sister came and told Jesus that her brother had died, Jesus wept..... i have pondered a lot over this scripture... How the son of God who had all knowledge of the perfect plan of God, who had the power to raise anyone from the dead, and to heal any sickness, cried when he heard his friend had died. 

That story really just shows how much our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ care for us, and how sorry they are when we make mistakes, and choices that take us away from the only path of happiness...

Thanks for your love, support, and emails!! i love you all so much!! 

have a great week!  

Hermana Morris

"Never assume you can make it alone. You need the help of the Lord. Never hesitate to get on your knees in some private place and speak with Him." President Hinckley

man...Im soooo sorry i like never have time, from college and everything, and writing president about the sisters, there is never sufficient time, but i will repent, and i will write you a good letter next week!! so thanks for the love and support, i haven't gotten letters or packages for months now, so im pretty sure it's not going through, and the secretaries say it won't till maybe December!! love you all !!! have a great week!!! sorry

so here is my companions letter for this week...

This week was the most stressful week of my entire mission. We had missionary week! In the mission it is harder to balance activites at church EVERY SINGLE DAY and on top of that work really hard to see miracles! We were able to do it and were so dead yesterday! haha

Just as it was such a stressful week, it was such a week of miracles. So, many miralces. It was so sweet to see the members get in their missionary spirit and bring investigators each day to activites. Of course, like always Satan was always there and we had so many hardships everyday. There was some support from the members and in some part there wasn't support. So, On Sunday we had an inventory with the bishopric. We prayed a lot to know what it is that we needed to talk about with the bishopric, and this meeting was so so so spiritual. We were able to unite as one with our bishopric. We were able to establish goals and share experiences and at the end of the meeting; my companion, Hna Morris, the bishop and his counselors and I knelt in the bishops room to end with a closing prayer. The spirit was so strong and as the bishop prayed for us by name; the room was filled with a burning in the bosom feeling. It was so filling. The captains of this ward and Christ´s soldiers were knelt down as one, unitying to help our Father in Heaven. Tears filled our eyes as we shook hands and we knew with all certainty that Heavenly Father was pleased. 

We witnessed another miracle. We came back to church to meet members to divide and conquer. But it all fell through, so we decided to invite people to see the church inside. So, I go up to this man and he was so scared haha and he said no.  So i talked to this lady passing by. We present ourselves and ask if she wants to listen and guess what she says? She says, "i HAVE always wanted to see inside." So we take her in and it is so spiritual. We arrive to the sacrament room and we sing her a hymn and we start testifying and she starts telling us that she has been looking for the truth for forever and that is the reason why she fell away from all churches. She said that she wanted to come to church and that she was going to read and pray. We asked her to offer the last prayer and in her prayer she said that she wanted to know if this was the truth and if she should be baptized on December 3rd. She thanked Heavenly Father for putting us in her path and that she had had such a hard week and she was grateful for this gift. 

As much as ye shall put your trust in God even so much ye shall be delivered out of your trials, and your troubles, and your afflictions, and ye shall be lifted up at the last day. Alma 36:3

We experienced all this, this week. It is so simple. Put your trust in God, and we will be lifted up in the last day. He is all powerful and He created us with His perfect hands, He knows best. 

Keep trusting. Keep fighting. Keep loving and KEEP ENDURING.

"You young people are being raised in enemy territory. We know from scripture that there was a war in heaven and lucifer rebelled and with his followers, 'was cast out into the earth' (Revelation 12:9) he is determined to disrupt our Heavenly Father's plan and seeks to control the minds and actions of all" BK Packer

WOW the days go by flying!!!! i can't believe it's another Monday!! We were able to see soooo many miracles this week, and i am reminded over and over again about how much this is the Lord's work, and not ours! our success is His success! and it all happens in His time! Thanks so much for the love and support! So a really cool experience that i had this week, we went on divisons with some sisters, and i was back with Hermana Mecham since she's back in our area again, and it was sooooo great!! She reminds me soooo much of how i was at the start of my mission-unreal!! so it shows me how far i have come, and how much i have learned!!! WOW!!! If we give ourselves up to God, if we let him mold us and shape us, he can turn us into something much greater than we could ever do with ourselves!!! i know this church is true!! i know this is the Lords work! i know he is at the helm, leading and guiding us safely home... "eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that LOVE Him." wow! i love that! 
Hope you all have a great week!!
Hermana Morris

picture with Elder Ochoa when they visited our mission
I have the best mission president (and wife) in the world!!!

The Book of Mormon records the destruction of individuals and societies that embraced wickedness and allowed secret combinations to exist. The Book of Mormon also teaches that we can live righteously despite living in a wicked environment.

This week was GREAT… we’ve been working soooo hard with the members, and we have seen soo much success. I love Mixco sooo much!! The divisions have been crazy and make the time fly by even faster!! I don’t want the time to pass!! I can't believe it is already Monday again!! wow! How crazy time flies by!  

So this week we were asked to speak in sacrament meeting, and we spoke on two talks given by president Uchtdorf about Alma and Amulek, and Elder Oaks about sharing the restored Gospel, and they are such great talks!! look them up and study them cause they are awesome!! My comp talked about the conversion of Alma, although he was one of the worst people in that time, going about destroying the church, he was reprimanded by an angel, called to repentance, and after he realized all of the bad he had done, and truly repented he became one of the most powerful and effective missionaries!!  Amulek was told by the spirit many times to go and preach, and didn’t take action until Alma found him, and they went about teaching repentance and baptizing in the name of Christ, and they didn’t become powerful teachers until they had their own conversion. We must be converted to be able to share the gospel!!! Elder Oaks said "the most significant evidence of our personal conversion, and the way that we feel about the gospel in our lives is the desire we have to share it with others”.

We shared the idea about a missionary week, where Monday is FHE, Tuesday is getting to know "john smith" (Joseph- everyone thinks his name is John down here) Wednesday is an open house, Thursday is meet the Mormons, Friday is sports night with the youth, Saturday a talent show, and Sunday is a special sacrament meeting!!

The second counselor spoke, and did such a great job tying it all in, and helping the members feel like they need to help us!  Members gave us references after, they are great, and everyone is super excited to help us out!! "Your faith will grow not by chance, but by choice!" we must choose to believe!! - "desire dictates our priorities, priorities shape our choices, and our choices determine our actions” the desires we act on determine our changing, achieving, and our becoming!"  

I love you all tons! Thanks for your love and support!

Sorry i don’t have the time to write you all, my time is so limited.

Hermana Morris