Week Number 2

MOM!(and family)I was waiting to hear from you and hadn't heard from you for awhile so I was scared I had sent this to the wrong email. Well this week has been pretty good, tiring and hard, but good. I've gotten a lot of letters from people so this is always fun. You never realize how much you like mail until you're a missionary. We get mail everyday after lunch and dinner and so I am always hoping to see some letters on my desk when I walk in.Wednesday we had class all day and then had our first day in the TRC. Our "task" at the beginning was to be "contacting" and talk to people about our message and our purpose in Russian! It was very intimidating because the people we were teaching spoke very fast and spoke a TON of words we didn't know. I just sat there and smiled and shook my head pretending I knew what they were talking about. We had to talk to them for about 7 minutes and then asked if we could come back another time to teach them more about the church. We then left and "came back" a couple minutes later and taught the first lesson (in English). Overall the expereience was good and I think the Spirit was there while we were teaching. It is a scary and humbling experience because that is the real deal. The "investigators" can ask any questions so you have to be prepared and have the Spirit with you to help you deal with their concerns. Thursday, Friday, and Saturday were just normal class days and were all REALLY LONG! It was fun though beacuse on Thursday I went and visited Jules (emily's mom) in the dress shop. She is so great and it's nice to get a big long hug from someone that knows you. It is crazy how much you are able to cram into one day. We have been learning a TON of Russian grammar which is difficult but fun to learn. I wasn't really getting it until last night and it just sort of clicked. We practiced teaching the first principle of the first lesson all in Russian last night! Can you believe that? I've only been here a little over a week and a half and I already have started teaching in Russian! It's crazy! Sunday was good as usual and we were able to go to church, Relief Society, and the devotional. The devotional was all about perservering and serving with all of your heart. It was good for me to hear because it made me remember that Heavenly Father knows what we are doing and is always there to comfort us and help us when things get hard. They have Film Night Sunday night which is fun and we watched the Joseph Smith movie which is always really good. Watching his life and the sacrifices he has makes me realize that serving the Lord for a year and a half is such a small thing I can do for Him.Today again was P-Day and we went to the temple this morning which is always really fun. I was really hoping to see someone I know there but I haven't yet. We just finished lunch and decided to get our emails done before we go to do laundry so we weren't as stressed or worn out. Seriously I am dreading going to do my laundry!I've memorized the First Vision in Russian which I'm really excited about and am still adding things to my testimony and prayers. Church is interesting because they give a topic the night before and can call anyone up to speak. The first half of church is all in Russian and then the Branch counselors and their wives take turns speaking each week in English. I really hope I don't get called up any time too soon!:)We had 5 native Russian sisters arrive at the MTC this week and so that has been fun to see them around and talk to them occassionally. A few of them speak English but I am amazed at how fast Russian natives speak! I'm so scared to actually have to start teaching those people.As far as my district goes we have 8 elders. 5 of the 8 are going to Samara with my companion and I and the other 3 are going to Novosibirsk. I guess that Uncle Hal gave them their calls and so when they found out he was my uncle they were really excited. They really want him to come speak to our class about the mission. The elders are a little immature at times but they are growing on me and I am starting to recognize each of their gifts and why they have been called to serve. I am definitely learning from their ENERGY and excitement to go out and serve.On P-day we go to the temple, study, do laundry, write letters and then have the devotional tonight. I think my companion and I are going to sing in the choir again which is always fun for me.I got a sweet letter from Taylor so tell him thanks and tell him that I will write him back soon! I'm so glad to hear that your trip was fun and you had a good time. Hopefully dad wasn't too worried about taxes and working. How is the job hunt coming? I realized I forgot to tell you that you should reply to this email using DearElder so that I get it like tomorrow and then write me an email Tuesday so that it's more recent...does that make sense? I just want to hear your reply sooner than a week. And the picture attachments didn't work because they wouldn't open on this computer.... I think it just might be all the computers at the MTC are unable to open picture attachments but maybe once I'm out in the field it will be better.Other than that everything is good here. Although this is HARD, I think it might be one of the hardest things I have ever done, I know that this is where I need to be and that this is the Lord's work. He prepares His servants to accomplish the things they need to so even though I feel inadequate as far as teaching in Russian goes and knowing the Gospel as well as I should, the most important thing is to remember that with Him everything is possible. He will bless me and who I teach and where I serve.Luckily Kubo has been updating me on things like Burn Notice, my house, the Bachelorette, important things really and has offered to bring me anything I need at any time. I've gotten letters from Ami, Katie, Devin and Sarah, an awesome package from Sara and a couple of cards from people in the ward. I also got a really nice letter from Andrew. It is always good to know that people love and are caring for you.I am really liking my roommates especially as I get to know them better. We have gym 5 times a week and so it is fun to run or walk with them and get to know them. One of the sisters and I do are doing our push-ups everynight together (tell Patricia) so that has been good. For gym I usually run for about 30 minutes and then go and play volleyvball for a few more. It is intersting because I am usually the only sister playing with a bunch of elders but it is fun!
Keep those letters coming!!
Love you,
Sister Morris

First Week of the Mission

HELLO! Right now I am doing my wash and it is NUTS! There are so many missionaries and you have to wait a LONG time. Other than that everything else has been fine. The MTC is definitely a challenge but I've enjoyed being able to learn and grow in my testimony. I wrote you a letter about my first couple days and had hoped you would get it before you left but it doesn't sound like you did. Thanks so much for the package! I loved it!!! It's so NICE to get mail. You never realized how distanced you can feel from everyone but with mail, you feel closer. In my district there are 8 elders and my companion and I. The elders are almost all from Utah and seem really young to me! It's definitely a change to go from hanging out with all return missionaries to pre-missionaries. I've heard from Sara and my roommates and Katie and that has been really fun. We went to the temple today which was AWESOME. It's really weird because I don't feel like I"m in Provo until I go to gym or the temple or something. It was funny because on the way to gym yesterday I saw Joe Nibley as I was crossing the street. Since I've been here I've seen a lot of people from BYU, Dave Kjar, the clarinetist in Dixieland (he's a teacher), Brandon sunday, erica seibel, and a couple other random people.The people in my room are all really nice and I have also enjoyed getting to know them. I have two teachers who teach both the Gospel and Russian. One is Sister Salash who I absolutely love! She is from the Ukraine so speaks Amazing Russian and speaks really fast. Ithink it will be such a blessing to hear a Native Russian speak the langugage the whole time. She is really tiny and soft spoken but has such a strong testimony. She told us her conversion story the other day and it was so powerful. You never how easy we have it in the United States and how much other people have been through to find the Gospel. She grew up in Communist Russia and her family was in the government so when Communism ended they became extremely poor and she had to move to the Ukraine, away from her family. It was powerful to hear how the Gospel changed her life and to see what I can do as a missionary. So many people need this Gospel and it can be such a blessing to them. My other teacher is Brother Fisher and he is from Orem and served in MOscow and Kazakhstan. He is a really nice guy and very energetic so it's interesting to see their different teaching styles.My companion is from Saratoga Springs and her name is Sister Tedrow. We have enjoyed being with each other even though it is sometimes hard to get along with someone who's with you ALL THE TIME. You truly are never alone. It's been really interesting to see how you learn to adapt with personality styles. She is very opinionated (not a good word) and so I just kind of go with whatever. When we teach we work together really well and so my favorite times are when we are teaching. My P-day is obviously Tuesday so check your email Tuesday night.Sunday has been the best day so far because it felt like we had the most time. We were able to study in the morning and then go to church which was really nice. For Relief Society we always have a speaker and so that is going to be really nice! This week we heard from Sis. Madsen, Truman G. Madsen's wife. She gave an excellent talk on prayer and listening to the Spirit. Also on Sunday my companion and I went to Choir which I loved. It was just nice to sing and feel the spirit there. There are so many ELDERS here! The choir sounds really good! Tonight we have a devotional as well and I'm excited to see who is speaking.Most days we are in class everyday all day or studying so the schedule's pretty tiring and by the end your beat! Although rigorous I have loved learning the Russian language. I can already pray and testify in Russian from memory! Everyday my companion and i read a couple verses from the Book of Mormon in Russian and try and sing a hymn. IT's HARD because the alphabet is so different but I"m noticing i'm already improving.The food here is pretty good and they have really good salads everyday so Ihave liked that. The worst part so far has seriously just been waiting for a washing machine.I loved your letters, thanks dad for the humor. I wanted to share something I learned from my personal study today that really helped me and hopefully you too. I was trying to determine what i wanted to do for the Russian people and as I was reading 2nd Nephi I came across these scriptures. IN verse 4 it starts by saying that Nephi just prayed for the people, cried for them, persuaded them to do good, persuaded them to believe in Christ, endure to the end, teach in plainness. I then loved how he ended by saying that all he wanted was for them to believe in Christ! I feel like that is what I want to do in Russian. I want to pray for them, persuade them to do good and then to help them believe in Christ. Even if they don't accept the Gospel if I can help them feel of God's love for them then I have succeeded in a little way.I love you guys so much and miss you but don't worry I have loved it here so far! It is a great place to be and everyday I just feel like this is where I'm supposed to be! I think the most essential thing to do hear is to have a positive attitude. It can be hard, companions are challenging, there are a lot of rules, class can get boring, the food can be gross and the beds hard but with a positive attitude everything is fine! The gospel is true, the church is true and you guys are the best! Whitney

A New Sister Missionary!

Well it's finally here and I don't think I could be any more excited!!! It all comes down to this and I can't wait to start my mission and start serving the Russian people. I feel like I have everything ready but I'm sure in the MTC I will realize what I forgot, or in my case lost. This month leading up to my mission has been so fun and so great. I dont' know if you could experience as many emotions in one month if you weren't preparing to go on a mission! I have gone from complete and total fear to pure joy and excitement. Being able to turn my life completely over to Heavenly Father is going to be an amazing experience and I know as long as I trust in Him, He will direct my paths and place me in situations that will bless me immensely and those around me.
Another awesome part of going on a mission is just realizing the amazing love and support around me and the MANY places I could turn for help and comfort. I am so grateful to my parents and especially my mom as she has gotten me ready for this mission and has been with me constantly the last couple weeks shopping and double checking our many lists:) I am so grateful for my dad as well who has always been a big supporter of the mission and is so willing to work hard so that I can go. I am grateful for my siblings and their support, advice, and comedic relief. I am grateful to all of the friends who have been on shopping detail, packing committees, moral support, freakout rater, and of course just been there to talk and have fun! I am also grateful for the wonderful ward family and all of the love and support they have given me. I feel like I have been blessed with a lot of "second families" of people who have taken me in and have become amazing examples of service to me.
I have a strong testimony of this church and know that it is true and am so grateful for the joy it brings into my life. I know that Jesus Christ lives and loves us and am grateful for his constant support and comfort (especially now) and eternal sacrifice. I am so grateful for a living prophet who guides and directs this church and can't wait to share this LIVING gospel with the people in Russia. Although it will be hard and especially cold I know that with Him we can do all things and He always pays us back exponentially. I can't wait to hear from all of you and update you on my many escapades through Russia and of course the MTC.
Until next week, Sis. Morris


Right before getting set apart!
My amazing Grandma Charlie and Dad. Thanks Grandma for your love, support, and testimony!
Mom and Dad

Whitney Mission "farewell" week

We had such a great week last week when Devin, Sarah and baby Eva came home to hear Whitney speak in Sacrament meeting and to spend a little time with her before she leaves next week for her mission. We spent lots of time in the pool and eating (we had a barbecue on Saturday afternoon, then an open house on Saturday night where we served Russian blintzes, and then we had Cafe Rio sweet pork salad for dinner after church) and partying with Kay and Ken and Whitney's posse. Whitney had 14 friends come from Provo for the weekend. Whitney gave a beautiful talk in church. It was a wonderful week. We'll miss you so much Whit!