Sister Alma Morrison

Wow! I did not send my weekly last week. 

Sorry y'all! 

So these past two weeks:

We got a call from the Assistants, (scary, right?) and my immediate thought was that someone was getting transferred. There have been missionaries flying in by the truckload and so there's been changes almost daily in our mission. Over half the mission are all complete strangers to me, and there continues to be more and more. So obviously, when the Assistants called we thought one of us was a goner. We got good news though! We got to make a video for the mission! It was all about wearing masks so we had to be a bit creative. Honestly, I'm very proud of it all. It was hilarious and we spent wayyyy too long creative that masterpiece. It was a huge hit and we raised the bar of excellence for the future videos. 

Also, we got some transfer news..............I will be.............LEAVING Gettysburg! We were told that ideally a missionary would stay in an area for 4 transfers (6 months) and that they would keep their companion for 2 transfer (3 months) before moving on. Well, I've been in Gettysburg for 3 transfers and with Sister Whitcomb for 2 transfers now, so I guess it was time to go. I really made some solid friendships here in good ole Gettysburg. I never even got to tour the whole Battlefield, but I guess I can always come back to visit. It's always such a bittersweet experience to say goodbye but get to have a new adventure. I feel as though I've been leaving behind little pieces of me wherever I go! But this gospel always is and was a gospel of change. As I always say, onward and upward! 

This week we were approved to begin large service projects! We were able to go to a food pantry and help sort produce, bag groceries, and even garden a bit! I was especially happy about that last part, and they had a mini farmer's market for the fresh produce, (everything free of course.) If you've never had the opportunity to do some significant service for someone, I highly recommend it. There is a joy to be found in helping others. It puts a smile on your face and a spring to your step! That kinda sounds cheesy, but so was my smile. 

We'll be able to continue doing more and more service each day. The goal is to get up to 10 hours a week, with 2 hour sessions every weekday. I'm absolutely ecstatic! I hope and pray that whomever the JustServe specialist in my new ward is will be on top of getting those opportunities to us! 

In other news, we continue to make delicious food and have an absolute blast. I don't believe time exists anymore. Frankly, July is a prime example of that. The Fourth of July was AGES ago, but July itself is now over. I feel as though I just started my mission, but yesterday I hit 13 months. Time is fast, it's slow, it changes based on seasons and expectations and schedules. If you're not watching it goes by incredibly quick, and that's been my time here. I love living with the Hermana's, they have been a saving grace to my sanity. We've made a lot of memories and had a lot of fun. We've also done a lot of missionary work too, don't you worry! But it's been wonderful. 

I just checked to see how much I've written and I realized that it's getting a bit long, so thanks for tuning in! And in case you forgot, Jesus Christ loves you with his whole heart. He is devoted to you with all his strength. His thoughts are on you constantly with all his mind. He advocates for you with all his strength. He will never let you down. He will never ever leave you comfortless. He will come to you. He will give you rest. He adores you fully and completely. I know he does. I know it. 

1 Néphi 1:20 

《Mais voici, moi, Néphi, je vais vous montrer que les tendres miséricordes du Seigneur sont sur tous ceux qu’il a choisis à cause de leur foi, pour les rendre puissants au point même d’avoir le pouvoir de délivrance.》

Câlins et bisous, Sœur Morrison 

Onward and Upward 

Que Dieu vous bénisse 

You are a funny daughter of God. I think I like you.

Can we all agree that my subject line is the best pickup line anyone could ever use? Thank you and goodnight. 

So, this week was a week, and I'm not sure what else I should say. Needless to say, it was a fun week. We continued our endeavors of making food. Sister Whitcomb makes tortillas and I'm in charge of the meat, and the Hermanas whip up the extra fixin's. In case you wanted to know, happiness is fish tacos. And I will stand by that till the day I die. It's so much better cooking for four. 

Our teaching and studies have been great! We have had more lessons and things this week which have been awesome. We are teaching a new girl named Kayla. She is a crackup. She's around the same age as us and she is just so perky and happy. She's a joy to talk to and be able to teach. She's like a lil sponge and just soaks up what we tell her. I really hope that we can bring her the gospel because she needs it so much. I'm so so so excited for her. The gospel just gets me so excited! 

Oh, also this week, I've been going back through General Conference talks, and right now I'm on Elder Uchtdorf. I LOVE that man. He's so full of love and the Spirit. Specifically, I love it when he talks about love. In one of his April 2010 talks, he says "We can spend our days obsessing about the finest details of life, the law, and long lists of things to do; but should we neglect the great commandments, we are missing the point and we are clouds without water, drifting in the winds, and trees without fruit." The great commandments he refers to are the commandments to love God and love thy neighbor as thyself. I totally agree with him! Honestly, I agree with him. Sometimes it's easy to let the distractions and shiny things of life detract from the most important things. Never neglect love. The Savior never did. Love is the reason why he walked to the Garden, love is the reason why he accepted the burdens of the whole world, love is the reason why God Himself created the Plan of Salvation! If love motivates Him to do all He does, then it most definitely should motivate us. 

I hope you all remember that God loves you. So much so that He would sacrifice everything for you. That love never ever changes. Seriously. There is nothing you can do to retract it. 

Alma 58:11 "Oui, et il arriva que le Seigneur, notre Dieu, nous donna l’assurance qu’il nous délivrerait ; oui, au point qu’il apaisa notre âme, et nous accorda une grande foi, et nous fit espérer obtenir notre délivrance en lui."

Câlins et bisous, Sœur Morrison 

Onward and Upward 

Que Dieu vous bénisse 

Pics: selfies and food. What more could you want?

I would've been so proud of Kanye if...

Family! Friends! 

I did it again. So sorry dude mans. This is the update from the past two weeks so it might be a little fat. Apologies in advance!

•Hitting my year mark. That was weird. It hurt a little but was also exciting? I'm not sure what I feel. It felt like an average day. At the same time, Sister Whitcomb had her four month anniversary the same day so that was super fun too! We made quinoa burgers (no I'm definitely not going vegetarian sorry) and strawberry pie. I was already making the whipped cream topping by the time I remembered that we don't have a mixer, so I ended up killing my forearm. It was totally worth it though. Nothing like freshly whipped cream. 

•We also made a humongous cookie in order to celebrate getting new roommates/made an excuse to finish off the Tillamook before we got our roomies. It was delicious!

•We got new roomies! The Spanish Hermanas that were assigned to us were kicked out of their apartment and came to live with us so now we're a four man team and I honestly love it so much. It's so much fun and it gave Sister Whitcomb a break from just seeing my face every waking moment. I appreciate the variety. One of the Hermanas actually came out at the same time that I did so we got to catch up and revisit old times! 

• So many walks and bike rides. I actually put forth some effort now in the mornings for my exercise. I'm already in my "six months to sexy" so I need to pick up the pace. I'm gonna kick quarantines butt! 

•THE FOURTH OF JULY!!! First of all, God bless the USA. May He continue to do so. 

Gettysburg was certainly an interesting place to be for the holiday. Note to self: never be in a historic place during a National holiday about America. It gets REAL busy REAL quick. In our brisk walks, we strived to stay away from the crowds but it was like trying to avoid the sun in the middle of the oceans. Not exactly possible. There were a few people in Civil War Era clothing who did a couple of shows for the public. I'm almost positive every motorcycle in America was here. Some were VERY loud. It was awesome. Also, the FBI, Homeland Security, and every cop near Gettysburg was here. Luckily there wasn't really anything horrible that happened but it was quite fun to watch all the big black cars roll up and file into the town. They came in groups of three and I even got a wave back from an FBI driver! I guess I'm besties with the FBI now hahaha. 

Other than that, we've just been having a blast. We learned how to make tortillas and made the BEST fish tacos I've ever had in my life. I still dream about them. Seriously. 

I guess my uplifting thought for you this week will be simple. Never forget the power of attitude. It's quite possibly the most important thing for you to remember right now. In a world where you see so many people abandoning hope and turning from the tasks at hand, don't forget that there IS always a bright side. You CAN do hard things. Seriously. This week I was reading about the creation and I am simply in awe of the Creator's power. But also His love for us. He worked so so so hard on you. He put His heart into you and He created everything for you. Doesn't that show your worth. You are worth more than anything on Earth. Anything! Pick your chin up and look forward. I don't put Onward and Upward at the end of my emails for no reason. 

But I hope you all know how much I love and appreciate all you do. I hope you know and appreciate how much worth you have. If any of you ever forget your potential or power, just send me an email or drop a note. 

2 Néphi 22:2 

"Voici, Dieu est ma délivrance, je serai plein de confiance, et je ne craindrai rien ; car le Seigneur, le Seigneur est ma force et le sujet de mes louanges ; c’est lui qui m’a sauvé." 

Câlins et bisous, Sœur Morrison 

Onward and Upward 

Que Dieu vous bénisse 

Pics below are from the Fourth of July!

I want the eye to look at me and I want to scream

Hey y'all 

I just want to make a public announcement that all canned meat is disgusting and not a single one of you can change my mind. We lost our minds just a second and bought some canned meat on a dare. So, we had the opportunity to try Spam, corned beef hash, salmon fillets, smoked oysters, and....... sardines. 10/10 would NOT recommend. Most of em were extremely oily, salty, and mushy. Absolutely DISGUSTING. The sardine I believe scarred me for life and now I'll never watch Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs again without cringing. Seriously so nasty. I cannot express to you how gross it was. I think the sardine had its spine still attached. 

Luckily, we got a sweet highlight video that is hilarious. I'd share it with you all but my mom would roll her eyes and say I'm too dramatic for my own good. 

As for this week, it went by extremely fast. We had a few awesome lessons. We had a lesson with our friend Milli, and by the end of the prayer, she was softly crying. She just kept thanking us and thanking us. The people here are really nice, (usually.) 

Honestly, I'm sorry I don't have a ton to say, it's been a pretty basic week. We call members and read with them or share a message, then we talk to people on Facebook and try to set up appointments, or we call people from our records that had been formerly taught. It's very boring hahaha. But Wednesdays we teach a Book of Mormon class and Sundays we teach a Come Follow Me class. That's about our week! 

I hope you all are thriving and living and enjoying being alive. There's a ton to be grateful for. Don't forget to offer up a prayer of gratitude to the Lord every day. 

Moroni 7:12

"C’est pourquoi, tout ce qui est bien vient de Dieu ; et ce qui est mal vient du diable ; car le diable est ennemi de Dieu, et le combat continuellement, et invite et incite continuellement à pécher et à faire ce qui est mal."

Câlins et bisous, Sœur Morrison 

Onward and Upward 

Que Dieu vous bénisse 

1) I was cooking and my phone got hacked 

2) The Zone Leaders dropped off some supplies and it was first human contact in a while so we took a picture to commemorate 

I'm not body shaming the plant!

Friends friends friends, 

I NEVER SENT MY WEEKLY LETTER LAST WEEK!! My sincerest apologies. I shall endeavor to not procrastinate.... oops 

This week I was reflecting on Heavenly Father's plan for us. Obviously, He is much smarter than I am, so I've been trying to catch up with Him a bit and understand His point of view for everything. So here's what I got. 

God uses His imperfect children for His perfect plan. Duhhhh Sister Morrison! Well yeah but I just love that. I love how He chose to give us our agency and send us to Earth even though He knew we would fail SO much. Seriously, I do it 20 times a minute! (Quick reminder that we have always learned better from our mistakes than our successes- but maybe that's just me?) But He chose to! The best part is that SOMEHOW imperfect can be used to create perfect. I don't know how He does it, (obviously,) but I just stand in awe of it. I love Heavenly Father for being so patient and loving with me through my stumblings. 

Next thing I learned, and it goes off of the whole "imperfect people" part of that first lesson. God is not waiting for you to arrive at some self-designated place of improvement. He's ready now. You're ready now! We often give ourselves goals and plans. I think, at some point in the future, I'll be the best missionary I can ever be! In all honesty, the best missionary I'll ever be is when I'm getting on the plane and coming home. You may think, someday, I'll be the best husband/ father or wife/mother I can ever be! Again, madames and sirs, you are the best you can be. Right now. Just because there's room for improvement, doesn't mean you aren't good enough at this point in time. Please, my beloved friends, stop ignoring the progress you have already made. Don't put down or neglect to see what God has crafted you into this far. It's BEAUTIFUL. You made it! You're here! Keep building on this beauty. The foundation is set! The frames are wonderfully built! Don't knock down the house because you haven't finished yet. 

Do I make any sense whatsoever? I hope so. I'm really trying to help you understand something that made me smile and thank the Lord for this week. 

Okay also. An update. TRANSFERS! (The bold is for all the people who skimmed through so they can find the juicy bits. Hint they're actually right above this section.) 

Sister Whitcomb and I are.......staying together!! I'm super pumped!! I love this area, I love the members, I love the people we are teaching, and I LOVE my companion. Woohoo! We bought matching necklaces to celebrate. We're cute 💁🏻‍♀️ 

Also, more news: we have Spanish Hermanas coming to join the Gburg Crew. For now, it's only through technology, but they're looking for housing now. I actually came to the Maryland Baltimore mission with one of 'em! So that's a fun little reunion! 

1 Pierre 1:8 

"Lui que vous aimez sans l’avoir vu, en qui vous croyez sans le voir encore, vous réjouissant d’une joie ineffable et glorieuse"

I don't got much else for you! Hope you all have the best week of your lives and you  stay extra safe, and super happy!! 

Câlins et bisous, Sœur Morrison 

Onward and Upward 

Que Dieu vous bénisse 

Pics: 

1- I don't normally take selfies. Sorey 

2- WE GOT ANOTHER THUNDER STORM YYAAAYYYYYYYY

3- The Hanover Sisters apartment had no AC so they came and had a sleepover with us!!! It was so fun!!! 

Un peu bien merci sauf que suis souffrant

Hey oh hey,

Translation of subject title: 

I'm a little okay, expect for I'm suffering. 

Does anyone else feel like they blinked and May went by? I'm shocked. 

HEY EVERYONE! CHUCK GOT BAPTIZED! Turns out Heavenly Father really does love all of His children and makes sure that they are all blessed. Chuck was BEAMING and so so so happy that he was able to finally be baptized and confirmed. He has been particularly excited about getting the gift of the Holy Spirit. He's a pretty shy guy, so he was a little embarrassed about being in the spotlight, but he was happy. So so so very happy.  I'm so grateful I was blessed enough to be a part of this journey, to move forward in faith with a sure knowledge that God's work does not cease in any circumstance. I know that He loves each one of His children and has a unique and divinely appointed plan for all of us individually. I'm so grateful for the knowledge of the Plan of Salvation. I feel great peace knowing where I am, why I'm here, and where I'm going. 

ALSO, this week we had an amazing Zoom meeting with the one and only, Elder D. Todd Christofferson. He is actually very funny and personable. And he's also one of twelve apostles of the Lord which was super in and of itself. He first asked us to focus on the vine and draw from it. The vine, of course, being Jesus Christ. (See John 15:2,5.) Jesus Christ is doing His work and He allows us to help Him! How neat! Elder Christofferson also spoke about how there are things that we cannot handle without the Lord. Most things actually. But we can make the best of any situation. How? By reading the Book of Mormon! We must make it a priority! It also helps us to prepare to #HearHim (new Church slogan/program/thingymadoodle.) 

And he also gave us some advice. If you ever are trying to pray and feel the Spirit, but you're having a little trouble, turn to pouring out your heart in thanksgiving. Giving thanks often brings the Spirit faster than anything else. Slow down and quiet your mind. 

He also invited us to study The Restoration Proclamation and find scriptures that back it all up. Do our own research and follow the Spirit. It's really quite fun to do. I love when I hear a phrase or idea repeated by more than one source, because it testifies of its divine source. God is unchanging. God is firm. God will always be the same no matter what happens. 

Anyway, I hope you all have a blessed week, full of the Spirit, and never forget to turn to the Lord. 

Alma 4:14 

"attendant ce jour-là, conservant ainsi le pardon de leurs péchés, étant remplis d’une grande joie à cause de la résurrection des morts, selon la volonté, et le pouvoir de Jésus-Christ, et sa délivrance des liens de la mort." Le fait que Jésus-Christ soit ressuscité est la preuve que Dieu tient ses promesses. 

Câlins et bisous, Sœur Morrison 

Onward and Upward 

Que Dieu vous bénisse 

I ironed my shirt because I knew the Sisters were coming over

Hey hey all!

God is so merciful! This week we were able to do some service outside and guess what? The members first of all said that they would cancel if it was too wet, and the forecast was calling for storms. We prayed for good weather and the next morning we woke up, got ready and enjoyed a beautiful sunny day, in 80⁰ weather, scrubbing the porch. Not only that, but the member's son was helping and saw me wearing my track shirt and asked what events I did. After saying I did javelin, he raced upstairs and came back with two beautiful javelins. I was so happy when he asked if I could show him how to throw better. I went full coach mode and had a blast. It's been a long time since I've thrown and I was sooo happy!!! 

We've also been blessed enough to be able to go to our Bishop's house for a sacrament meeting/lunch. It's been an absolute blessing! It's nice to see other people! They're awesome, and they fed me Tillamook ice cream. I'm finding it's easy to be my favorite if you feed me Tillamook. 

This week has been pretty crazy busy. We had our first Zone Conference with President Nye. It was really good! He has such a unique ability to make everyone feel loved, seen, heard and valued. His wife is the same way. I'm so grateful we are blessed with such caring and selfless leaders. We talked a lot about showing genuine love and interest as we talk to them. 

We've also been calling at least 10-12 people every day from our records and it's been fun. We literally have one person for every five we call actually pickup. Every time, without fail, and it's hilarious. And sometimes they're interested and sometimes they're rude. Sometimes it's a sweet old man who hasn't talked to anyone for a long long time and just needs to chat with someone for 45 minutes. You never know, but it's interesting to be able to get a glimpse into these people's lives. It's cool to be a part of their lives for just a few seconds or even more because you honestly never know if it will change their whole life forever. But that's the hope and the prayer so we keep going until we find someone we can help, and then we go back. 

We get to use some other languages sometimes, too. Sister Whitcomb knows Spanish as well as Malay, and I got some French. We like to translate for each other, so I'll give a brief and simple lesson and then she translates it into Malay and then I'll do the same with French. We're also memorizing the Restoration Proclamation too! 

Sister Whitcomb and I are just having a blast all day every day. So many inside jokes and fun times together. I love her! 

Honestly so grateful that I get to be here doing what I'm doing. People always say, "Wow we're so sorry you're going through this. It must be so hard." And I always smile and think, well sure but isn't it hard for everybody? And I don't have to worry about mortgages, bills, feeding other mouths, or anything else stressful. I just get to do what I've always wanted to do and hang out with one of my favorite people, and people just feed me every once in a while. It's actually prime circumstances for quarantine. 

I hope you all have a great week and never stop praying. 

Mosiah 25:10

"Et encore, lorsqu’il pensait à la bonté directe de Dieu, et à son pouvoir pour délivrer Alma et ses frères des mains des Lamanites et de la servitude, il élevait la voix et rendait grâces à Dieu." 

Câlins et bisous, Sœur Morrison 

Onward and Upward 

Que Dieu vous bénisse