Grace and the "Sister Missionary Disease"

Hey Family, 

Where do I even start in describing this week? So much has 

happened and it has all been interesting. Juan is gone. He texted us and told us he'd skipped town but we don't know exactly where he is. :( Jenifer did not get baptized this week. She is in need of a new living situation. She was ticked when we told her she couldn't get baptized, but she meet with the bishop yesterday and is feeling a lot better. She came up to us after church and apologized for being such a 

butt. Our investigator, Natalie, is still rockin awesome. We 

didn't get to meet with her all week because her family was

 in town, but she texted us and said, "are you going to church today?" um...yes. And then she came too! What?! How cool is that?!

Anyway, Sister Sorenson and I both had to speak in church yesterday, and it was kind of nervous making. I don't know if y’all remember my farewell, but it wasn't that long – and that was when I had time to prepare...wow I just looked over and I have like 5 new emails. Just a second... yeah, so anyway we had to talk and it was...pretty good. I talked about the Atonement and grace and Sister Sorenson talked about the preexistence and how God knows us. Then one of our recent converts got up and told her conversion story and challenged everyone in the congregation who wasn't a member to be baptized. It was awesome!

We got to go on exchanges again this week, and I spent the 

day with my sister in the mission. (We had the same trainer.) We had a good long talk about Sis Schwarze and life, and I'm feeling a lot better about my sucky winter in Converse. Her name is Sis Camarella, and she was in the MTC with Daniel Walentine. She is also training this cute little Australian sister named Sister Alfaro. Poor Sister Alfaro was engaged before her mission, and she had a total melt down when she got to the field and he dumped her. We're going to have to talk sometime, but I'm glad to know I'm not the only one. The poor girl has serious guilt issues. I call it the sister missionary disease. All sister missionaries catch it at some point in their mission, but my brilliant mind and I are working on a cure. Basically, when you have this disease you are plagued with overwhelming feelings of guilt and ineptitude, feeling like you're never good enough and never working hard enough even though you know you're working your butt off. (Of course, it doesn't help when poor sisters like Sis Alfaro are chastised by the people back home who they care about and who don't really quite 100% remember what it's like to be a brand new missionary.) Okay, I'll get off my soap box now. But, speaking of boys, Sister Sorenson got this creepy text from one of the Bug Boys telling her that he thinks she's really cute and wants to "hang out" when she gets home. Gross. This kid is an RM {returned missionary}. What the crap is his problem? But anyway, exchanges were amazing. Sis Camarella said that she's been having a hard time in that area, but we saw so many miracles! We taught this African guy who was referred to us by a member, and it was a really good lesson. He kept interrupting us with comments about African courtesy, and he gave us this nasty alcohol-free malt nasty – I don't even know what. It was disgusting. 

I'm wondering how my bank account is looking because last

 Monday I bought cowboy boots. yeah... They're way cute though and I love them. I can't wait for the day I can actually wear them whenever I want.

I'm glad to hear everything is going well at home. I stuck a

 letter in the mail today finally so you should get it this week. Anna, as usual I about wet myself when I read your email. Make sure y’all are being nice to each other. I love you.

Love, 

Morgan

   DFTBMA

Come to Church, Anna Right

Hey Family!

So it has occurred to me, based on the last few letters I've received, that I've been an incredible pessimist and forgotten to tell you all the fantastic things that are going on in Converse. I love Converse. Things are going really well. Jordan's baptism is finally coming together. I don't know that I've actually told you about Jordan, but he is fantastic. He's 50, retired air force, and blind. He’s super independent and lives alone, but can't drive. It has been super challenging arranging for people to give him a ride to church, but the ward is starting to catch on that they are about to have their first baptism in over a year. And they are getting excited to see him there. Yay!

We've also started going back into a part of our area that missionaries haven't been to in several months due to...stuff. Anyway, we were there for like 2 hours and taught a lesson and set up 3 return appointments and didn't even have to knock on any doors. :)

We've also been teaching quite a few lessons to people we hope will begin to progress soon. This last week we've been focusing on reactivating a few less active members, and they all came to church yesterday!!! Anna Right was the Relief Society president. When she was released she got offended, stopped going to church, and took the rest of her family with her. We tried to visit them earlier in the week, and her husband told us she wasn't feeling well and sent us away. We went back a few days later and he was about to send us away when I said, "Can I ask you a favor? Can I use your restroom?" He kind of sighed and then let us in. Score! I want in to the bathroom and just sat there for forever. I wanted to make sure Sister Schwarze got nice and comfortable before I came out. They also had a copy of Gorden B. Hinckley's book Stand A Little Taller sitting in the bathroom. I flipped it open to the page about keeping the Sabbath day holy. Then I wedged it between the towels a little bit so it would stay open. Oh I'm so clever. I came out and Sis Schwarze was sitting on the couch, so I hurried and sat by her before Brother Right could send us on our way. We talked with him for another 20 or 30 minutes, invited him to Jordan's baptism, and told him we need him at church. Anna Right never came out while we were there, but imagine my surprise when they were two rows in front of us in Sacrament Meeting on Sunday. Brother Bloxham was also at church (which was good because I was ready to go into his house and start yelling at him about how he's breaking his temple covenants which probably wouldn't have gone over well).

We also found this less active family who joined the church 3 1/2 years ago and have been inactive for the past 3 years. They’re military, so when they moved to Converse they stopped going to church. Sad. So we've invited the Mortons along to both lessons we've had with the Pipers. and the Mortons have been absolutely fantastic in fellowshipping them. The Sis Piper asked to get Sunday off in two weeks so they can come to church! I pray every day that happens. When we mentioned this family in Ward Council no one had ever heard of them. Can you believe that?

I had an interview with President Jones yesterday and that was fantastic. He is so amazing. When we finished we went and got Sis Schwarze; then President shakes our hands and says, "Oh I'll give you a hug" and hugged both of us! Then he said "Don’t tell anyone." Who am I going to tell? He's the mission president. Well, I guess I just told all of you. Oops. Don’t  tell.

We also had a two day training this week (Wed and Thurs) and it was so good. I just kept thinking, "Oh, that's how you do it." Of course, I've been thinking that every day since October 19, but this was like a concentrated dose. We went through all the missionary fundamentals which I was trained with in the MTC, but a lot of us out here have never really been exposed to them because we're new. I also got to talk to a lot of other missionaries which was fun. It was all of the Zone leaders, district leaders, and all the sisters in the San Antonio area. The sisters got to come because we're special. :) *ting. 

Mom and Dad I hope you liked that card I sent you. I thought it was fantastic which is why I forwarded it to you. Santa Clause wearing Texas get up and riding a chili through the sky. what could be better? 
Well, unfortunately I'm out of time, but I hope this letter helps you all see how fantastic Converse is and how well I'm doing. I love you all and hope to hear more from you soon.
Can you all believe I've been gone for 3 months? That’s so crazy!
ok, well I really have to go, but I love you!!!

Love,
   Morgan, That Super Cool Girl You All Know


Yay for a good email! We also got some pictures from Morgan this week.