28 Sept 09

Hey loved ones.
We're having our Zone Development Meeting tomorrow and it will take all day so we moved p day to today.

The Avichuco's baptism went awesome! Many members of the ward showed up and so did all of the Avichuco's kids and grandkids. I gave a talk on the Holy Ghost which I guess was amazing. I shared the scripture in Mosiah 18: 30 which talks about how beautiful were they who came to the knowledge of their Redeemer. How truly beautiful were the Avichuco’s dressed in their white clothes holding hands and smiling at each other because they came to the knowledge of their Redeemer. I can't wait for the day when they’re Sealed in the temple for time and all eternity. Afterwards we went to their house for a party and their kids were asking questions about marriage and baptism. We are hoping to teach some of them so they can teach their kids as well.

That was the high part of this week. We really have been struggling as a companionship this week following our schedule. ......And yet the Lord is blessing us with awesome investigators and members. I seriously don't feel worthy of these blessings.

Anyway, sorry for the short letter. Talk to you next week where we'll find out transfer news.

Elder Jacob Frank Morgan

22 Sept 09

Well Dad, I've been helping people find jobs for 5 1/2 months and I've learned that no matter what it is a job is a job. If it's not the best job for paying the bills then keep it till you find a better one. Keep up the good work in seeking for inspiration from the Lord.

Shut up! Bryson (Toth) is NOT home yet! It has not been 2 years! Really? Wow, well I've been telling people at dinner appointments now that I've been out about 6 months, so I guess time doesn't matter when your not on other peoples time.

You know, I would love to hear a little about what went on with Mal. Dose Mom have a side of the story too? What about that conversion story of hers? And as much as I know that my family has lives of their own, remember that a missionaries life isn't as exciting (in their respective lifestyles) and gets pretty exciting when we open a mailbox and see MAIL! Not just adds and wedding announcements galor! Seriously! Send me something! I don't care if it's a package or a Christmas card! It might just be me and my lack of missionary experience, but hey, give me a break!

You know I'm not mad. I'm just trying to be funny. (Hey, I think I'm funny.)

So we have the Avichucos getting baptized this week. Soooooo AWESOME! This will be the first baptism were I've taught them from start to finish. Man, they’re amazing people. I've watched them learn and grow. Give up tea and coffee, hopefully we can work on their kids soon. But we are so excited for them. I'll make sure you get the chance to meet them when you come down.

Lisa is moved and doing great. She confessed to us that she has broken the Word of Wisdom and a few other commandments that she is continuing to battle with Satan with, but her spirits are up and she knows that she can overcome these vices. I don't think I'll see her baptized. Maybe if I get transferred to a close area. But she has told me that when she does get baptized she wants me to do it.

More and more blessings flow from doing the best we can. My bike gears were busted the other day and one of our investigators who lives in a half-way-house says he could fix our bikes free of charge if we ever get in a jam. He use to work on bikes when he was a kid and, man, does he know how to work on bikes. I took my bike to him and he looks at it and says "hey, you can barrow my bike for the week because this thing is messed up. It will be a while before I can fix it." So he lets me ride his bike. Wow! I tell you this bike is nice! You know the saying that a mechanics car is the best car? Well there you go. Anyway, he comes up to me on Sunday. John is his name. He says “hey come by my place after church I have something for you." I'm thinking man, it's only been 2 days and he's got my bike all ready for me. We go over to see him. He reaches into his pocket hands me the keys to the lock on HIS bike and says "Congratulations you have a new bike." He gave me his bike! He told me that my bike was so bad he didn't even bother finding parts for it. He would have had to replace every screw, nut, bolt, and part to get my bike working right. So basically he had to replace the whole thing, and he did!

Now John’s situation is pretty difficult. This is a man who was converted to the church IN prison. He is on parole till next September. Which means he has to get First Presidency approval for baptism. And President Bassett has agreed to interview him this Saturday to send off the letter. John is the strongest investigator I have ever met. He donated his bike to the Lord, for Heaven sakes. I'm so excited for him.

Sorry but I've got to go preach the word unto the Gentiles. Talk to you next week.

Elder Jacob Frank Morgan

Yes, the family needs to repent. We think since Mike is writing every week that there is nothing more to say. He just wants stuff in his mailbox, so we are repenting and going to do better for him. I get bogged down and all of a sudden its next Tuesday again. I'm going to put it up there on the things to do list and see if I can get more down to him. Thanks for reading and supporting Jacob. Love, Jenn =)

Letter 15 Sept 09

Hey everyone,

This week has been pretty eventful. This weekend was our Stake Conference and we had 3 investigators come. There was a section reserved just for the investigators, and it was a good meeting. Lisa came, fell asleep, then left. She said it was a very boring. To be honest I fell asleep too during the first couple speakers. But it was still awesome.

Lisa found a new apartment and is looking to move either tomorrow or Thursday. But she is doing great. The job search is continuing, she said she got a few interviews last week but haven't heard about those, but she's making it.

Yesterday I went on exchanges with our district leader Elder Erickson. He is probably the best missionary I have ever met. He's from Wyoming and is going home in 2 weeks. I'm going to miss him. So that day was pretty cool.

Today was very eventful as well. It was our Zone activity for the transfer and we went hiking on Camelback Mountain. It was a 1 and 1/2 mile hike and really good exercise when we got to the top. Then we took pictures. I have a few of Elder Erickson standing on a rock, being all awesome, one with me and Elder Stewart, my Zone Leader and one with me and Elder Tackett.

Now here is were the story gets good. When we stared heading down, we went down in groups I was part of the first group and we were moving pretty fast. Elder Kalwichzki (the Spanish Elders) was moving pretty fast and taking the rough way down with his companion. Elder Lemhan, told him careful not to go too fast. Now, these rocks are boulders, sharp and steep. I was following behind Elder Kalwichzki, who's three feet in front of me, in a steep part going a little fast. I'm slowing down looking at my feet and a place to step, When everyone yells out "Kalwichzki!!" I look up and see him 50 feet down the mountain trail, rolling head over heels. When he stopped we called out to the member that came with us (Brandon) if he was ok. He took one look at him and yelled back "Call 911!!!" After he said that, Brandon had his phone in his hand and was talking to the operator. Not 10 seconds had this happened and Elder Lemhan said "Blessing! Now!" Elder Erickson anointed and Lemhan blessed. All this happened while people were going up and down passing us on the trail. He had a huge gash on above his eye and one on the back of his head. A long cut down his back, and a lot of trail rash. He was conscious and making jokes and everything, so he was mentally fine. But we didn't move him for fear of spinal damage. He had a really nasty fall. We stayed there with him till paramedics arrived. The problem was it happened near the summit. There was a fireman off duty and hiking when this happened and he had a GPS so the medivac could get an exact location. I got it all on tape. There was a surgeon too who was hiking, so that was a blessing. We got to the bottom and saw news crews and fire trucks, a couple cameramen came up to us asking questions but we didn't want to talk to them. President Bassett showed up and rode with Kalwichzki to the hospital. I just received word that he is ok and is being released from the hospital now.

This was a very good experience for all of us missionaries. I got alot from it anyway. When I went on exchanges with Elder Erickson yesterday I asked him about how do you not gloat about being a district leader or zone leader or any of that stuff cause that’s been on my mind lately and he said "It's not so much you're over others, you get to serve them and learn from them. The Lord put us in positions for us to learn." If I were made a District Leader next transfer, I would gloat my name tag right off. I mean I know it's not a position that you apply for, but I still have a lot to learn before I'm placed in that calling. And I realize it's the same like any other calling in the church. But during this crisis today, you know what was going through my head? "Hey, maybe I'll get to be on TV. Hey, maybe I'll get to ride in a helicopter or ambulance." Can you believe that!? I know! I'm scum right?! I can't believe that was what I was thinking about.

Anyway I love you all and pray for you to have missionary experiences every day.

Elder Morgan

What a learning opportunity and that he is able to ask questions, recieve asnwers and then see how he can apply them. Thanks for reading and shraing...Love, Jenn =)

Letter from 08 Sept 09

Mail I've received this week:

Elder and Sister Morgan
Elder Ward

I really haven't received much snail mail lately. Yesterday was Labor Day and in talking to the Bishop of one of my wards and I said "Yeah, today’s Memorial Day and everyone is closed which is not good for our investigators looking for jobs." He says, "Elder, it’s Labor Day today not Memorial Day." So I said, "Hey, all I know is that the mail doesn't come today!" So please by all means send me whatever you like. It might take a while for it to get to me if you send it through the Mission Home.

Speaking of homes, the Harris's (the members we are staying with) are kicking us out soon. So we are going to be homeless.... just kidding. The Stake is looking for a new place as we.... type. So don't send me anything to (I removed the address, Mission Home address on the right) anymore 'cause chances are I won’t get it.

Well, James I hope you know what you're getting into here. Mallory is a very... um... smart... girl who knows what she wants... I think...right? Good luck James and I can't wait to beat you... I mean MEET...meet you. :-)  (James is Mallory's current boyfriend)

Ah... yes. Labor Day at Comstock Park listening to the symphony... Good times. What was on the program this year, 18 something overture? Star Wars Theme?

You know, I don't expect anything from you for my birthday... except maybe some cookies, cards, pictures, drawing paper, maybe my light board, um... oh yeah, and quite possibly a battery operated turtle neck sweater. Other than that I don't expect you to waste any money on postage. Thanks. (Jacob's irthday is 30 Oct)

But seriously, the work is great. We had a guy named Tim whom we've been working with for a while come up to us at church yesterday and say, "I have some news for you... I want to be baptized." This is a guy who called himself an atheist just because he thought all other churches were con artists. His family was raised as gypsies in Europe and he didn't believe in any of it because the spells they would cast wouldn't do anything. Sounds good to me! He's set for the 10th of October. We haven't taught him the Word of Wisdom yet and he has a heavy smoking problem so we'll see how it goes. But Woooo Hoooo!

Lisa is still working on finding a job and moving and we're still working with her.

Last week I didn't mean for it to sound like Elder T and I didn’t get along. We do. We actually get along very well. And I have learned a lot from him in the past 2 weeks. He is a great missionary and I look forward to seeing this transfer through with him.

Thanks for your prayers. Sometimes I feel like I'll fall of my bike with the weight of all the prayers. Sorry I can't respond to all of you but I enjoy hearing from you all. Onverd, Men! Onverd!

Elder Jacob Frank Morgan

02 Sept 09

Here is Jacob's letter for the week and then after I added a response from Mike.

"Elder T is a great missionary. He goes home in December and wants to see if he can extend his mission longer. But I don't think he will. His girlfriend back home was baptized while he was on his mission and if basically reserving the temple for them when he gets home. And he has no problem with letting everyone he meets know about it.

As far as him performing as a companion to Elder Morgan...he's definitely not Elder Hoopes. Don't get me wrong he is a great missionary and it's not that I didn't see this coming when I get new companions, but I have had a few struggles this week with Elder T, and it's not him it's me. He is lots more experienced with this missionary thing then I am and is basically by the book. I've learned a lot from him this week and in turn he has also learned a lot from me. But...there are some things that I feel, as a missionary, he does that I don't agree with. (Now I'm not talking bad about my companion, I'm asking for help on how to deal with this) For instance, Elder Hoopes and I added a step in our planning guideline and has been very effective in our planning sessions. Elder T protests against it and turns to the original planning guide lines in Preach My Gospel saying "I know this is ordained of God." Well, aren't we as missionaries ordained of God to work and preside over the area that is given to us? Don't we have the authority to adapt and improve, as long as it is wisdom in God, to the circumstances to produce a better outcome in His work? Like I said he is a fantastic missionary and I have enjoyed serving with him but there are plenty more things that I don't have time to get into now that have troubled my mind as it relates to our callings as missionaries, that he does.

Anyway, sorry, I've been studying and pondering and praying to the Lord on asking him what is to be done and I feel I need a little council from My father and Mission President. I know it's not much and it's a little thing, but I understood what Elder Hoopes was telling me what’s right and what’s wrong and I accepted his council on becoming a Missionary of God and vice versa. But Elder T seems to shun my feedback on him just because I've only been out 5 months and he's been out 20. Any advice?

Talk to you next week
Jacob"

Mike's response:

"It sounds to me like your already taking the right steps by pondering and praying about how best to proceed, but I am glad to give you my thoughts and advice. Even though all missionaries can be productive and strong servants of the Lord, we all have different strengths, talents and abilities. Elder Hoopes was likely selected to be a trainer because he had strong "people" skills, empathy, patience and what is needed for helping new missionaries. These and other qualities are necessary in 1st companions for the new guys coming out of the MTC, so they'll be able to get off to a good start and not hate it and want to go home. We are all individuals and the Lord has given us different gifts and knows what we need to go through to best shape and prepare us for use in His work. Remember what the Lord told the Prophet Joseph while in the Liberty jail, "...know though, my son, that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good." (D&C 122:7). It's the big picture that's important to keep in mind, and how in the long run this will be valuable time spent even though it may be difficult now. If you haven't already done so, read through that document Pruning Season that I sent yesterday, it may not be coincidence that I felt I should send that to you at this particular time.

Even though you feel you may have worked better within Elder Hoopes style and framework, see if you can identify Elder T's strong points, and positive attributes and learn from these as well. This will be a short companionship and can be excellent experience for you, if you can keep things in the proper perspective and not let contention creep in because you feel you need to be right. Speak your mind, but respect his experience and opinion. Reality is that he is senior and that you are still just getting started. He's at the end of his mission and is likely pretty set in his ways in how he'll finish. You are fresh and still developing the kind of missionary that you will be. You'll have your chance to be senior and lead your companionships how you feel is best. What kind of senior companion, trainer, district and zone leader will you be? This is what you can work on during this time with Elder T, so you'll be prepared for whatever the Lord has next for you.

My best advice is to refer you to what your mom's advice has been, to "serve your companion". That's easy to do when you get along and are close friends, but now is the time you really need to follow this advice. When it's not easy to do and you still do it, you and your companionship will really be blessed and you will learn how to develop humility and charity, which is something we all need a refresher course on from time to time, and you'll need in great abundance throughout the rest of your life.

You're constantly in my thoughts and prayers,
Dad"

I think the newness has worn off and as companions change, there are new challenges and struggles. He will find his way and come out on top. I have learned that also recently, even though I have struggled and cried over certain situations, I have grown from the struggle and having to pour my heart out to the Lord for understanding. It is a great blessing to have problems, because it's how you handle it and learn from them that you recieve the greatest. Thanks for reading, Love, Jenn =)