Don't drink the orange juice

Hey everybody,

What a busy and fulfilling week. I stayed up all night the day before my departure, which turned out to be a terrible idea. I checked into the MTC around 1:00, and then went up to my classroom to meet my district. All of the elders in my district are 18. It's so crazy. It feels like I have 6 new baby brothers. They are so sweet and have such awesome testimonies. The sisters in my district are so cool. They all have amazing personalities and I love how well all of us get along. Already all of us have become super close. Everybody is going in different directions. One girl is going to Canada, the rest are going to Massachusetts, North Carolina, California, and all the elders are going to Arizona. Kinda sad that we'll all be parting ways but good that we all get to have amazing experiences. 

I'm so excited to get out into the field. I know I've still got a ton to learn and a lot more growing to do, but I just cannot wait to share the gospel that I love with all of the people I can find. 

My teachers are Brother Abadillo and Brother Coca. Both are so awesome. Brother Abadillo is from Guatemala and Brother Coca is from Brazil. Its kind of funny because English is their second language so they both have awesome accents. 

The very first thing my teachers told us was DONT DRINK THE ORANGE JUICE! Apparently, it will leave your bowels "upset with you" according to Brother Abadillo. 

The second thing I learned is to get a badge reel! They're super handy for holding your keys and ID card. You have to use your card to get into every building so it's super fun to swipe it. 

Today we played sand volleyball and I learned just how competitive the elders are. I was coached as if I was a beginner. It was both funny and annoying. The smallest and sweetest sister got drilled with the ball but it was only her shoulder. She shied away from the ball after that.

Honestly guys, the Lord blesses us so much and we hardly recognize it. Just the little things that go right or the people we meet. It's so incredible to me. 

 I watched "The Character of Christ" a talk given by Elder Bednar. It was SO powerful. I loved every minute. It made me want to get out into the field and get to work. He talked a lot about not being selfish and realizing none of this is about you. In the grand scheme of things, the Lord can have other people do the job that you do. If you fail or decline that doesn't mean that the people you were supposed to help won't be taken care of. 

I had my first TRC meeting yesterday. It was incredible. The Spirit is so strong. I mean I can feel it almost always here, but it was especially strong in the meeting. It was just waves of love for this sister I've never met and my words were not my own. I mean they came out of my mouth but the Lord put every thought into my head. 

My comp is Sister Alder. She's awesome. She's this mix of super nerdy, aggressive argumentative, wannabe tough girl, super sweet and spiritual amazing daughter of God. We get along almost too well, despite the fact she went on a rant the other day about how much she hates the movie version of Les Miserables. (Much to my dismay.) She apparently hates Russell Crowe and Hugh Jackman. (Whatever.) And she likes to tell me what to do and always be right. I usually it just listen because she's senior comp right now and it's her decision on what we should do and where we should be. But I'm not exactly silent either. I only get quiet when I'm fiercely praying to love her bc she's being too bossy or something. And the Lord always blesses me. Charity is a wonderful thing. 

Yes, I've quickly realized that while Logan was super focused on exact obedience, and that's cool, it's not what I need to focus on. I need to focus on simply loving the people and being able to help them feel loved and heard and taken care of.  

There are so many spiritual experiences here but one of my favorites are the Bednar video, the feeling of love that overcame me while teaching and finding this scripture: Doctrine and Covenants 50:41-42, 44 

It's very comforting to hear the words "You are Mine" and know that the Savior is our foundation. What a perfect foundation. He'll never fall and he'll never abandon us. He always turns outward. The natural man in us wants to pull in and away from everyone and everything, but He has always, and will always, reach out and turn to us. In Elder Bednar's talk he mentioned when the Savior fasted 40 days and nights and was tempted by the devil. At the end of his fasting, it says he had angels minister to him. But Elder Bednar says that wasn't translated correctly. He actually sent angels to minister to John. He, even after being spiritually, physically, and emotionally drained, turned to help others. How amazing and wonderful! 

I love and miss you guys but I'm so excited to serve the Lord! 

Onward and Upward!

Sister Cassidy Morrison