So, you're into hockey now? That would be so fun to go to a game. I hear the crowd is way intense. Is Michigan into hockey like Texas is into football? Texas has full on stadiums for their high school teams... about as big as a college stadium.
You said you are excited to hear about transfers. I think I told you about them already. I had my first district meeting today. That's when everyone in my district gets together and I train them on how to be better missionaries. This happens once a week, and it was my first time. I taught two districts instead of just my own. Ya see, the district leader from the Round Rock district has the chicken pox, so I had to train his district too. Fun, eh? Anyways, the zone leaders asked me to train on the area book. Normally it's up to me to decide what I want to train on, but Pres. Cutler is having us do our area books more like PMG says to... just like PMG says to. If you want to know what an area book is, it teaches you there. All in all, it wasn't a bad training. Just not hugely spiritual.
My companion and I are working together pretty well. He's a really great guy. He comes from Idaho and worked as a potato farmer. I guess that only happens two weeks out of the year though. so the rest of the year he worked at a golf club. Free golfing all the time. What a smart idea. So he says he is good at golf, but I bet I could beat him. JK!
My area is what they would call a dead area. LOL. President must have faith in me because I keep getting sent to dead areas. I told my zone leader, Elder Luemo, about where I have been in the mish... UC, Seguin, McNeil... He said "God bless missionaries like you, Elder Morris!" That made me laugh. Maybe if I don't do well then he'll send me to a good area. JK. I would never do that. It does feel good that President Cutler has faith that I can fix bad areas.
My district is a pretty sweet district and we are all getting along pretty well. Sisters are kinda different to deal with. They're moody! LOL. For example, they got upset at me for telling them to get an investigator with a date. They said I was pushing them too hard. First off, this lady has been telling them for 2 weeks that she wants to get baptized. The reason they haven't set her with a date is because she is sick and they haven't had a chance to teach her yet. She is a referral that came from the bishop, and she's known the church is true for a long time, but they have held out in having her taught the lessons until some good sisters came. Well, they are the good sisters. They really are good sisters. We worked out the problem simply. I just had to get them to talk it out and communicate it better with me. I let them know that they are doing a great job and that I'm there as a support and as a second eye to help them in their area. They're pretty cool. By the way- I am the oldest in my zone now. Age wise, not mission wise. We have a pretty young district too. Four out of the five other people in my district are younger than me in the mission.
So I should tell you more about Chris and Tina. Chris I met my first day here. She was working toward the 14th for baptism. She had a date before, but couldn't quit smoking or coffee. After some long talks, we taught her that the Book of Mormon can be a strength to her, when she gets to urge, to just pick up the Book of Mormon and hold it. We taught her the need for prayer as she tries to quit. She is older and takes care of her disabled granddaughter Jordy. She is a way sweet lady. She was given as a referral from a member in another ward. She was so so excited to get baptized.
Now Tina is a way cool lady. She has been being taught for a long time but never could make the step towards baptism. She had a knowledge and testimony of the gospel. She just couldn't quit smokin'. She asked me why women couldn't hold leadership positions or the priesthood. I told her that women do in fact hold leadership positions. In order to be a bishop or have higher leadership positions, you need to be married and have that woman by your side. The woman and man work together. The woman is so sacred that she gets put out of the spotlight so that she doesn't get defamed. Did you know that Sister Cutler got set apart as well as President Cutler? It's a calling for women too. Anyways, she called us and told us that she wants to get baptized right after we got done emailing on the 9th. She got baptized too. Way sweet, eh? She wanted to get baptized at the same baptism as Chris.
Elder Nielson baptized them both. LOL. It took him 3 times to baptize Chris. The first time, she went completely limp. It's hard to explain. He started saying the prayer and it looked like she had passed out. She swayed back and forth and almost hit her head on the wall in front of her. Before he could finish saying the prayer, she was all the way under except for her belly because she was bending backwards. Her hands were out too because she was holding Elder Neilson's wrists. He said he opened his eyes and freaked out because she was already under the water. When he went to pull her up, she almost smacked her head on the glass because she was still limp. He had to grab and pull her away from the glass. Kinda sad story but at least Elder Neilson just laughed it off. He went for it again, and her dress and tummy came up but she went completely under on the third time. Tina took two times... her feet popped up. She leaned over before she went in and asked me "Now, I don't need to do it three times, do I?" and I said "Not if you do it right!" She had a good laugh over it. It was way spiritual. It was one of my favorites. The ward is very loving toward the two of them and they were both very happy. All in all, very successful. I think they will for sure stay active.
So other news. We have an investigator named Jim. I swear he is me in 15 years if I don't get married. Let's just say I NEED to get married. JK. He rides a motorcycle, is a vegetarian, and has a little bit of ADHD. He has 5 rescue cats even though he hates cats. He plays games all day because he can't find work. I can not have a life like that. I need to get married to a woman who will help me be better than that. Jim is a way sweet guy and is pretty much drinking up the gospel. We knocked into his trailer about a week ago. He had put the book of mormon on his ipod already. His whole life has been leading up to this point. Even his parents, who are strong Southern Baptists, told him that the Mormons are great people. Anyways, he needs prayersto stop smoking, to gain a testimony of the Book of Mormon, and to get a job so he wil stop being so depressed. Maybe the no job thing is what keeps him humble enough to listen though. He is a great guy.
Yes, I'm lovin' life -like Chuck and Cindy. :)
