"You're better than a dose of medicine!"

Dear Fam and friends,

This week was great and busy busy busy!

Sister Judkins is awesome. We work really well together. We are both in the middle of our missions and just want to be obedient and diligent so we can find those who are prepared. The Lord has blessed us this week with many referrals. 

On Saturday we were invited by a lady in the ward to the Mainlands senior community card party and raffles day. It was so much fun, there were probably 50 old ladies there (and 3 old men) and we got to talk to many of them, play cards, and such. Then we were in charge of being "show girls" of different baskets that you could win in the raffle. When they announced the winner, we would run the prizes over to them. We talked a while with a sweet old lady named Hazel, her accent was so thick from Boston. She told us we were "better than a dose of medicine!" 

We have one investigator that is progressing, we have a date set with her, Kassie. She is great, has a little boy and is engaged. She loves that we tell her everything is up to her, to pray and read the Book of Mormon to know if what we are saying is true or not. She says other religions just tell her what to believe and to accept it. She is coming along, but we don't get to meet with her often.

For my 9 month mark, we went to Olive Garden because I love it. It's where I went the day I went into the MTC too so it has a special meaning. I love Sister Judkins, we have a lot of fun together while we work hard so it's refreshing. We are planting many seeds everyday. One thing we love to do is blast her Mormon tab choir CD that has circle of life from lion king on it and sing in the car. :)

Last night we went to the St. Petersburg stake president's house and told him the Restoration in 4 minutes. It was scary, but we felt the spirit so strongly! It was a cool experience. 

That's all I have time for! Have a good week!

Love,

Sister Morgan 

 Me with a curvy palm tree

Sister Judkins plan of salvation:

 Mansion house by bay

 I found a sign that said hump ahead for my hump day, 9 months out!

 Celebrating hump day at the Olive Garden!

 Me!

Me hugging a palm tree, the Oregon "tree hugger"

Halfway Gone, Halfway There!

Dear family and friends,

Yep. Its true. This Wednesday marks my 9 month mark of being a missionary!!!! Isn't that crazy?

Let me tell you- it was super slow at first but the last transfer went by in the blink of an eye! Sometimes I am really happy about it but then other times I kind of freak out to myself and wonder if I've changed enough. There were so many things I wanted to do and be by my halfway mark and I don't know if I've accomplished everything that I wanted to. But I still have a lot of time left and I am determined to come back changed! :) 

I am still in St. Pete (thank goodness) and my new companion is..... SISTER JUDKINS!!!! She is so adorable. She was trained by Sister Sackley and Sister Sutton, who both came out with me. I already loved her before (I think I sent a picture of us home from the Rays game at the end of July). She is from Spanish Fork, UT and has been out 7 months. We are having lots of fun together and are obedient in talking to everyone we see. We are determined to help build up the St. Petersburg ward! 

I am so grateful for my calling as a representative of Christ. I know that He is my Savior and that He loves all of His children. He died for us so that we can overcome our imperfections and return to live with Heavenly Father again. 

I love you all and I am so happy to be out here in Florida! It is going to go by faster than I think! I know the Lord has perfect timing and a perfect plan for us. He will help you to change and reach your potential if you let him. 

Love,

Sister Morgan

Pics:

 Sister Vanderhoff and I one last time!

 I had to kill Sister Vanderhoff, but its okay because God's got her back! 

(What a terrible phrase to describe being the last companion at the end of the mission!)

 Went to the sponge docks in Palm Harbor when I was staying with Sis Capt and Brown

until Sister Judkins came!

Sister Judkins and I :) 

One Last Week

Dear family and friends,

This week was so bittersweet. I was lucky enough to spend every waking moment with my wonderful companion, Sister Vanderhoff. I love her so much. But it was also the last week I was able to spend every waking minute with her. :(  We have become best friends, and I know that God sent me here to meet her so that I could find a friend for life. I will miss her. But, she's not getting rid of me for forever. ;)

We were out with the people all week but sadly all the people were in their cars.... we tried seeing a few potentials but nothing really panned out. A lot of walking. I tell you, I am going to have those awful sister-missionary calves when I come home! Yikes. But it is good to be exercising all the time, when you improve your physical well-being its easier to improve your spiritual well-being. I have come to know this is true on my mission. 

We currently have two dates set, one is 11 and one is 12. Shaderika and Laquasha. I think Brad will like these names. We have only met with them twice and its hard to get in contact with them because its through their mom and she doesn't get back to us much so we will see how it goes. They are very cute and excited to read the Book of Mormon. 

I am sorry I am not very good at writing of specific experiences. I have the worst memory, I can't even remember what I ate for breakfast! There are always many miracles throughout the week. One of my favorite parts of being a missionary is praying with people. It is amazing to hear someone pray for the first time in their life. They are so sincere and really say what is in their heart. It makes me want to have more faith and more REAL prayers with Heavenly Father. He loves us and wants us to communicate with him. He answers prayers. Its never in the way I expect him to- I wish he would just tell me everything I want to know right when I am praying- but he expects us to act and to exercise our faith. Faith without works is dead. James 2:26. 

I feel like something big is coming- maybe this transfer is going to make me work super hard, and build my faith more. I am excited though because I know every trial is just strengthening me and helping me reach my potential. Its not easy to say that while I am going through the trial of course, but I know whatever it is is preparing me to be a better wife and mother and daughter and sister and aunt and granddaugher and niece...the list could go on! Next week is my halfway mark- can you believe that?!?!? So I have many goals set and needed to be set. I don't want any regrets at the end of my mission. I am grateful to be here and have this opportunity to serve the Lord. 

Love you all, 

Sister Morgan

 District

 Me

 Storm Chaser Vehicle

Lunch with the Smith's (missionary couple in Gulfport) 

 A HUGE smoker!

 We ate at a cute little southern place called "Urban Comfort". We had Hushpuppies and fried green tomatoes!!!! I had a comfort burger that was carmelized onions and melted gouda cheese. Sooooo good! Sister Van wanted some good southern cooking before she went home and I am glad she did! :)

A random tree with like 5 parrots! 

6 mins to write

Sorry family, I have about 6 mins to write this week's email! 

Fun week, watched general conference at the church and am so grateful to know that we have a living prophet and 12 apostles today! I invited everyone to go back and read the talks on lds.org when they come out! :) 

I am so lucky to have a great family and friends who support me. I have now learned how important it is to put God first, then my family and friends, then the world. We get so caught up in the little things that sometimes we neglect the big things. Remember the Savior and what he put first- it definitely wasn't the things of the world. I know that if we study the life of the Savior and the paths that he walked, we can learn quite a bit on how we should live now. My hope is for us all to be lights, and to dispel the darkness around us. Be a good example. Treat others right. Love everyone. Ask yourself "what area of my life do I need to strengthen so I can then go strengthen others?" Remember your goal is exaltation and that discipleship is the journey. 

I am sad that this week is my last week with Sister Vanderhoff before she goes back to Utah. I love her and am extremely lucky to have been her companion twice. She is going to be such a light to her family and friends! 

-- Sister Morgan

 Us!

 We did a service project last Saturday where we painted the inside of a school in Gulfport. It was a blast, I love service!

Funny!