"I seriously love my mission more than I can explain."

Ran into my fun patulul friends at the paca here in chimal!

Mi hermana Irma....LOVE HER!

Irma and her son cristian and ceci and diego!

Mi lemito y jeferson

Just thought you'd enjoy this picture...the kid was complaining and they always 

threaten him with the paleta...hahaha and we caught the best moment...

The tree and nativity!

The nativity from last year, and the grateful tree. These two thinsg have changed this family. 

THANK YOU MOM!

The paleta...that they paddle the kids with sometimes..or at least threaten them!

FOTO DE ZONA!

Hi,
Here is Morgan's letter for this week. She is happy. She is thriving in this time of life. Can't ask for more than that, right? She send lots of photos. Enjoy! (For those of you who are new to this, I write in green and Morgan's responses are in red.)

Hey,
So I am going to hurry and write a few thoughts. I will finish tomorrow, but I don't want you to be on and not have a note from me in case you are there on Monday. (I think I finished!)

Thanks for the great emails. You really are sounding so happy and everyone who reads your emails loves them. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Aunt Elise and Sandra Billeter both comment back to be a lot because they love the Spirit of your letters. I will forward their notes so you can read them. 

They are so sweet! Love those two women. Such great examples for me!

Hannah Romney is home. She speaks next week. So will Emily N. I am going. Cannot wait.

I cannot believe it! So crazy!

Greg Watts and Becca will be here the next week. WOW!!! CrAzY!!

Primary was ok. I forgot lots of stuff I was supposed to take care of. But hopefully next week I can be more on top of things. We will see.

You will be fine! Just simplify it, and enjoy the journey.

Okay - you're on. What is happening this week. Do you know if you are transferring. I hope you can stay with your companion, and if not, I hope you get a situation as happy as this one has been. You just sound so good. I know things get hard, but you just stay so positive all the time. I loved the baptism and activity in the park photos last week. And the Lake. WOW. They were all great!

I am being transferred. and i kind of felt it. I feel totally at peace with it. A litltle nervous, just because i think i know whats going to happen, but also very excited. So there are 6 sister training leaders, but 4 of them are going home next transfer...so they have to get some new ones coming up...and so i am almost positive i am going to the sonora,...which is in amatitlan...and i kmnow that area sort of, and i will go there with hermana villacis who was callled at the same time as me and then maybe we will hav 2 companionships there or else we will go just us 2...because they closed one area of sister training leaders...becasuse i nfebruary there are 21 sistesr going home...so we dont need so many sister trainers...anyways, kind of confusing and we will see what happens. but going to amatitlan is almost a for sure thing...because the other area is closing! But i am excited! I LOVEEEEE the COAST and amatitlan!

Dad took your Shrek the Sheep story we just received in the mail (finally on Thursday or Friday-the one you mailed on Nov. 17 it said) to High Council today and used it for his scripture and thought. Some asked for copies. We saw Bro. Popp at the Chapel open house. He always asks about you. You will be our first missionary homecoming in that building.

Too weird...it really is so soon...it is only 3 transfers more...

Well, if you get on on Tuesday again, remember I work and may miss you. You could start email an hour later if you want. I wouldn't complain. The darn daylight savings messed this all up.

Well we cant chat anymore because of rules, but its all good!

LOVE YOUR GUTS!! Remember you are in every prayer. Take care of Morgan and tell us everything. Did you have your baptism for Andrea this week?

No her uncle died and so we haven't had time to visit her cause she hasnt been home...

Love you Morgan!!!
Mom

Well I have been informed that i will be transferred. I explained about it earlier but i know that whatever happens, wherever i go is what the Lord needs. I am excited for a new adventure. To be able to get to know new people. To learn new things. To work with new girls. I am just grateful for all that has happened and for all that will come. We were kind of in shock when they told us my companion was staying and i was leaving, because she had told everyone she was sure she was leaving, but it didnt turn out that way. I am just grateful because i know that Heavenly Fathers plan is perfect and i am excited to see what he has in store.

I hope you all got to see the Christmas devotional. I loved it!! I love everything about it. Mary and Joseph are such examples. Its so interesting because in Spanish their names are maria and jose....and my companions name is Maria Jose A. M. ...so we were loving looking at the different attributes of maria and jose and loving trying to see how we can be more like them. I LOVE THE MORMON TABERNACLE CHOIR! Obsessed!

This week we had consejo de lideres. It was awesome. President Markham told us that we are her in the mission to take in all the virtue that we can. And in the mission is the easiest place to do it...but he told us that before coming to the mission he would listen to general conference whenever he was in the car...and his kids always complained. He explained to them that it is VIRTUE TIME...We all need to take VIRTUE TIME each day. In the real life, life is crazy and if we are so stuck on what we have to do that we forget to take in the virtue we arent going to get very far. I love D and C 121;45...also the story in the bible in Luke 10;39-42....I LOVE THIS STORY! I LOVE VIRTUE TIME. We must always look for light, and the good, and service, hard work...there is good better and best and we must always choose best and let virtue garnish our thoughts unceasingly...Virtue has a whole new meaning to me...and i pray i can be a woman of virtue!

I love covenants. In Preach my Gospel we learn that through our calling we are given authority, but through making and keeping covenants, we are given power. President Markham always tells us that we have to marry someone who loves covenants and the scriptures....but that means i must love them first. I can honestly say that i LOVE the scriptures. They have changed my life and i receive personal revelation each and every day from them. I can say with all of my heart that covenants are necessary! That I LOVE making covenants with my Heavenly Father. I love what Enos says..that his souls was at rest because of the covenant he made...and we too can have peace as we make and keep covenants, knowing that God will keep his end of it. 

We are doing something as a mission this month. We are reading the book of Enos every day of the month. and let me just tell you...that book is powerful. DO IT. I challenge you to all read the book of Enos every day for a month. It will change your lives. It will change your view of prayer, covenants, faith, repentance, forgiveness, humility...i absolutely love it!!

We are seeing miracles. We are finding lots of people. I dont have much to say this week..we had a crazy week of meeting and got home around 5 or 6 every day this week...but we did go to SOY which is EFY here. It was incredible. We were like the surprise guests. There was a special devotional dedicated to missionary work and at the beginning of the meeting as they were singing called to serve, we walked in like super stars...hahaha and then it was like open question and answer time. IT WAS POWERFUL. It was really neat. There was about 600 youth there all at the age of getting ready to go on missions. Well We had many who came up to us after and thanked us. Some who went to SOY with that intention...to know if they were to serve and they told us they received their answer....Some who just had fears resolved...there was one kid who they actually surprised him and brought his call to SOY or him to open there. It was awesome. Such a special, once in a lifetime experience!! I LOVE MISSIONARY WORK!!

I seriously love my mission more than i can explain. I am excited for what is to come and i pray i can make the best out of what is left. I know that my savior lives and loves us. I know that Heavenly Father has a perfect plan. I know The priesthood is the power of God here on the earth, and i admire the worthy priesthood holders...those who hold the same power that Christ had when he was here on the earth. I love the temple and i know that the work done there is the Work of the Lord. I know that our family will be eternal, as we strive each day to be worthy of that great gift. 

LOVE YOU!

Hermana Oliphant

"I invite each of you to pick one thing you can give to Christ this Christmas. A gift special for Him."

Here is Morgan's letter for this week. I left the "car and truck" story in there so you could see where the "I honestly don't even want a car ever again" comment came from! Not because I think you really want to hear about all the personal stuff! But, so funny! I think she will change her mind when she is back.

Thanks for your love and support! You are all great!

---

"Aguas de Mormon"

"  Lake Atitlan....I finally got a picture of the Lake that I never took when I was serving in that area!"

"My comp and I at Lake Atitlan! "Aguas de Mormon"

(The Waters of Mormon)

"My district."

"CTR ring picture resent from last week! "

(It didn't come through last week!)

"Baptism pic resend."

(It didn't come through last week either!)

"Activity in the park!"

"Activity in the park!"

"Activity in the park!"

"Making funnel cakes! SO FUN!"

Hello,
So - this has been a busy week. Not a lot going on, just a lot to do.

Spencer has started working about every waking moment. He has to be there at 5 or 6 am now through December til Christmas. This is the last week of school and finals are next week. I hope he can keep his eyes open that long. He was off on Saturday and went skiing again. That was good. Alone again, though. But he enjoyed it.

Ahhhh so busy!! But good for him!

Thursday was our "away" year for Thanksgiving. Mom and Dad had us to their house. Your dad made the turkey, stuffing and gravy and Mike, and Mom and Dad and Steve and Kelly brought other stuff. It was fun. You said you were sad we were all, but this is the away year, so that is what always happens. You must have forgotten.

I didnt even remember there was an away year ...im not really sure what that means, but that s good it was fun! I hope it was a great day! 

Did you do ANYTHING at all for Thanksgiving? If they don't celebrate it, you probably didn't. SAD! I just wondered if the mission pres and wife did anything for you all.

No we didnt do anything. I was out on divisions in Solola, freezing my tail off, but it was a good day Thanksgiving celebrations or no!

Also, I have to tell you this, Tuesday night, I worked. Dad was taking Ashley to tumbling for me and they were on their way down to look at another natural gas Corolla or something. When they went across highland drive to go to the freeway they saw a cute little Subaru, like Spencers, but white. They called on it, looked at it later that night, and bought it. The guy seemed really honest and dad felt good about it.

I love it. The picture is great...congrats!

Well, the next day, the man with the corolla called to see if they were coming. They were taking the white truck down to see if he wanted to work a trade. Jeremy was talking to him and I said, see if he still wants the truck, even though he told him we had chosen to go another direction car wise. He said he would still like to see it. So they went down to talk to him later that day and I am happy to tell you, but you might be sooo sad, but HE BOUGHT THE TRUCK. 

No that is great! I am glad it is gone...it was kind of a risky keep. Hahah thats a miracle that someone wanted it!

Dad is worried you will be sad. BUT, there are lots of problems and he is a mechanic and is looking forward to trying to fix it and sell it again. The natural gas expires in April for one, the heater core doesn't work, so no heat in the truck, the natural gas compu-valve is still "starting to fail", I don't know what else, but it is good. We don't have to replace anything, and this guy is excited to try it. SO ALL IS WELL. Hope you aren't too sad about that. I don't think you will care, it is a car, but dad is worried about you. We traded rolls on this one. He is worried, I am not!

I think it is great! I honestly dont even want a car ever again...i am happy with my buses! hahaha i have thought about it with my comp and i think i am going to go to ldsbc...i can go and if i get to work at vrx again that is perfect and i get to be right there close to go to the temple often! I cant go on the bus and all is well! It is kinda perfect for me. but we will see how it all plays out!

Anyway, I got my new calling on Sunday. I have been very busy since then. There is a lot to do to get ready for the new year. Timing was a little harsh on this one. Ann Smith is the President, Karen Ericson is 1st counselor, Thierry Robinson is 2nd and me. It will be fun. Just a lot to do because Tammy North was amazing and did so much!!! Hard act to follow there!

You will be awesome! I love it! I learned something though...when they tell us to magnify our callings it doesnt mean to complicate it...often it means to simplify it. It is something that has changed me. The stress goes down. BUT THE MOST IMPORTANT IS LOVE. i will talk more about that later. But i have learned things this week that have changed me!

The new ward building on 20th east is ready. We have an open house this next week all week and then the dedication is the 14th in the evening. Then we will start going to church there on January 4. We have the 1 pm time frame. It will be an adjustment! Hope we fit. I have heard we will not fit there. Oh well. Maybe we will sit on laps to make it work.

Thats awesome!

I honestly don't know what else to tell you. Oh - Becca is home (if it is okay to talk about) on December 16. WOW!! Greg Watts is home about the same time. Hannah Romney is home this Wednesday - 2 days - and I found out Emily Nydegger's homecoming is on the 14th later in the afternoon so - I CAN GO! I am so excited. She probably wont know me, but I can at least record the meeting for you!

She will know you..but please do go! I want to hear it!

Okay - my friend - your turn. Fill us in. I loved seeing you wearing shoes that I know have soles all the way through to the ground. You got new socks with them I hope? You didn't really say if they were there. I think you said the make up was there and I know the rings were too. Anyway, hopefully that feels so much better.

Thank you so much for the package. The shoes are great. AND i am finally using the tights you send me forever ago because it is sooooo cold!! They have saved me this past week!!

I wish they would let you sneak into your Christmas package and pull out just the "paper stuff" along the one side. You will want it for December. But its okay, no matter when you get it. It is just for FUN!!!!! I think it is fun!

Some of your photos didn't come through last week. The baptism of the two boys - a couple of pics there. Hopefully you can resend those.

Love you so much! Have a super week. Can't wait to talk or SKYPE! You fill us in on when that will be. We are trying to do it together so maybe you and Alex can see each other. If the time works it would be fun.

It has been a fabulous week. I learned a lot about love. Dilan and Jeferson got confirmed this past sunday and after church we went to eat lunch with them...well Dilan is struggling and decided he wants to go live with his dad who lives in the capital. He says he doesnt want to study and doesnt want to live there with his mom anymore. I was thinking a lot about it. Dilan grew up with his grandma in the coast...this past october he came here to live with his mom, who has a new husband and 3 other kids....Dilan came in and was kind of an outsider...being her son, he still was kind of on the outsside. Well its the same with his dad wehere he wants to go...his dad has remarried and has 4 other kids of his own...and Dilan really just feels very unloved. He looks for happiness in worldy things...like money, and it is so sad. He is very sad...he has CHANGED a LOT since he started to learn about the gospel, but he is still missing something...he just doesnt feel that love. It breaks my heart. I really just feel so bad. But i have learned the importance of love. People just need to be loved. People need to feel important. There is something in preach my gospel that has changed my life..it is one line that says, cuando el espiritu llega al corazon, el corazon cambia. In english, when the spirit reaches the heart of a person, that heart will change. The is the key. But until someone can feel the spirit and that love, nothing will happen. The is the key in any companionship, family, relationship. It is something so simple and silly, but so true. And i just love it. It gave me a whole new outlook on things. I absolutely love my job. I have the best job in the world. To love people and let them feel the love of the Savior and help them learn to recognize the spirit. 

Well Andrea, i told you about her last week..she didnt get baptized, because she spent the week in the capital so we could never find her. But she will be getting baptized this month. We are so grateful for her and her desire to learn. She is a great girl.

This week we saw miracles in church. Inactive families that we have been visiting and never go came this past sunday. 2 families. it was incredible. We have 4 people come to church with members....4 new people ready to be baptized. We had the confirmation of Dilan and Jeferson. My companion and i spoke about mission work. I was thinking a lot about the sacrament and what that means for us and our responsibility to share the gospel. As we testify our willingness to take upon us the name of Christ we are committing to help in the work of the Lord and i talked a bit about that. 

This past week we did an activity in the park. We watched a video. A new video the church came out with called "He is the Gift". It is beautiful! I love it. We watched that and gave out cookies and morcaf...which is like coffee here in Guate, but without caffeine...so the members love it! It was great. We found so many new investigators! It was really fun!! Even though all the plans fell through, it all worked out in the end! 

Tomorrow we have the opportunity my companion and i and the zone leaders here in Chimal to go to SOY...which is EFY here. We are going to go to a conference they are having and we arent really sure what we are doing, but almost like a question answer time about missionary work to help the youth get excited! It will be fun!!

My companion and i are loving every second. Every time we knock a door we sing a Christmas hymn and then share the movie He is the gift and the people love it and are so much more open to hearing about the message of the restoration!! We see miracles. There are miracles every day. We are so grateful!!!

We have transfers next week and we dont have any idea what will happen. I feel confident that i will stay in the area, but we will see, and we will see if we remain companions until the end of my companions mission or if she will leave or i will. We will see. 

We went to Panajachel yesterday for zone p day. It was fun. I bought some fun stuff to bring home...i got jeremy something cool...i think. I hope he will like it...when i left i know he would have liked it but now im not positive! hahaha 

I love you all so much! I am grateful for your examples. I am grateful for this time of year. I know that it turns into a very worldly time but i hope this year we can all remember the real meaning. Elder Robert D. Hales said we cant really understand the meaning of Christmas until we can understand the meaning of life, the atonement and resurrection of Christ. I know this is true! This is a time to share our gifts, a time to help others, a time to do our part in the kingdom of God...We should take time this Christmas to remember our covenants and do his will just as he did the will of our Heavenly Father. God gave us the BEST GIFT OF ALL. Christ. He is the gift. I invite each of you to pick one thing you can give to Christ this Christmas. A gift special for Him. Something to change, to be better, but to offer to Him. LOVE YOU ALL!!

Hermana Oliphant

" I cant explain to you how tired I am. Each day my body just hurts. I wake up and say, Give me a mountain, cause I want to climb it."

Here is Morgan's letter for this week. 

"We always give fotos to the girls to pump them up a bit...and these are our fotos this change. 

I am sending you hard copies in the mail with a story that goes along with it....but here's the sneak peak!"

"Our gifts for the girls. A TON!"

"Mi amigo Francisco."

"Loveeee"

"Honduras"

"Got to do on divisions with mi hijita!"

 

Love her!

Well, I accidentally hit the send button when I just started writing you. I thought I was saving the draft, but I did it wrong. Anyway, HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!! You didn't know when it was, but it is this Thursday, up coming.

Oh thats good to know. Thats great! HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

It is so strange to think they don't celebrate the same Holidays as we do. Strange. I think it will be us, Gma and Gpa, maybe Uncle Mike and maybe Aunt Elise. We will make dinner, but eat at Moms. 

That's so sad that no one else will be there. The traditions are dying. But i am glad you guys will be able to get together!! (She forgot this is our "away" year. That is the tradition, too!)

Anyway, PACKAGES???

YES THANK YOU!! it feels so nice to have new shoes!! and everything was in there! THANK YOU!!

Oh, I hope so badly that you you get those shoes, rings, thankful tree, pop rocks...I can't remember what else, - oh makeup. That is all in there. So??? I think there was some other candy, but I cannot remember. I should write it down, but it doesn't matter. All that matters is that you get the package. And hopefully the shoes are there.

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!

So, we went Friday and cut a Christmas tree down. We went up Mill Hollow road. Spencer was supposed to work a long shift, but he didn't have to, so we waited for him, stopped in Park City for him to buy a ski pass, and then headed up. Dad was fit to be tied because the line for the pass was about a half hour wait, and we were almost out of day light, but if we hadn't gone, we wouldn't have been able to get to the trees. It snowed Sunday, and some Saturday, too. We were supposed to get some big snow this morning, but didn't. I was glad. I will add a couple photos of the tree search. It was cold.

LOVE THE PICTURES. Whats that called...on the back of the truck...hicky bobbing...or something like that. Thats so fun!! Love it. Not going to say i miss the snow, at all, but looks fun!

Spencer skied Saturday by himself, he loved it. I hated that he went alone.

Fun!! Peaceful i am sure!

Anyway, I don't know what else to tell you. If you ever feel cold, remember that we are about 20 degrees colder than you at any given time. Sometimes more than that.

I know. Sometimes i complain that i am cold, then i remember at least i dont have the snow. That makes me happy!! I am grateful!!

I cut the missionaries hair this morning. They are nice guys. One is only out 3 months. He is happy here in Salt Lake.

Thats fun! I wish we had sisters in our area, so when i am home i can go and leave with them to do visits, but i will find sisters somewhere! Maybe some Spanish sisters at that!

Tithing settlement yesterday! Toffee candy, too...yum!

AHH TOFFEE!! Thats so yummy. 

I cant believe its going to be time to skype agian., It has gone so fast. There are only 2 weeks left in this transfer, then only 3 transfers left in my mission. TIME FLIES. But i hope my companion and i stay together next change. She ends her mission in february. I would love to kill her. aka be her last companion.

Hannah Romney gets home a week from Wednesday. I am so excited for them. Laura is very excited. Richie just got married last week to a gal named Lindsey. She is perfect for him.

Thats too weird!!

I will try and find out about Emily Nydeger's (sp?) homecoming soon. I hope I get to go listen to her talk. I am planning on it hopefully no matter what. (Found it, December 14th at 2:50 pm - I CAN GO! I cannot wait!!)

Spencer went to snowbird with Nate (his mission companion) Saturday night and then they have an hour church at 9 am on Sunday and sit and watch out the window at the skiers. He had fun. It snowed up there about 2 feet. They did the hot tub and pool Saturday, then just hung out Sunday he said. It is good, he has to work the next month. like overtime, every day he doesn't have school.

Oh that sounds way fun!! Spencer is such an outdoorsy guy...oh funny. I have a picture of him in my picture folder thingy that i brought. The pic jill took for his mission. Well ALL THE GIRLS IN GUATEMALA LOVE HIM! hahahaha its hilarious!!

OKAY!! I will quit. I feel like I am rambling. We are doing a sub for Santa for a family that dad met while fixing a window. They have 6 kids from 16 to 1, plus the parents.

I LOVE IT!! I will forever do sub for santas. It is so amazing. People are amazing!!

Tell us all about your week. What have you done? Who have you met. Where have you been? How did your meeting that you did a mock companionship study in front of everyone go? I bet it was awesome. You are amazing. We cannot wait to hear all about it. i will forward a cute email from Sis. B. She loves reading your letters. I share with her, and she love, love, loves it.

I LOVE YOU. Take care of Morgan!

Love, Mom

This was a great week!!

DILAN AND JEFERSON GOT BAPTIZED!!! It was the best baptism ever. The spirit was so strong. They were so happy. I just love the family so much. I hope the pictures i sent sent through. Dilan and Jeferson are incredible kids. Dilan is 17 and wants to serve a mission. Jefferson is just my little buddy. I gave them all CTR rings and they LOVED THEM. They wear them every day. In the baptism, Dilan and Jeferson and their brother Robinson who was already a member bore their testimonies. It was so special. We had a great day with them. It is amazing to see the changes they made. I feel so grateful to have been a part of this time in their lives. The changes the gospel brings are incredible.

We were sitting sacrament knowing that a miracle was there. We had 8 investigators in church on sunday and President Markham told us as a mission there are at least 4 miracles in each area this month to be baptized. We had found 3...well after sacrament meeting this member came to us and introduced us to her niece. Her name is Andrea. She has been to church 3 times and wants to get baptized. So we are shooting for this sunday. The mom already gave her permission. The only problem, is the aunt, who is the member, doesnt want her getting baptized so fast. But we know she is the miracle. We are going to be praying and fasting for her. But i know there are no such thing as coincidences, and i and grateful for the hand of the lord in all things.

This past week we had Zone Conference. We had a great conference. My comp and I did the practice in front of everyone and it was so scary, but went well i think. I am so grateful it is over though. Then they gave us all flu shots. My good friend Hermana Newman gave flu shots to the whole mission. She is so awesome. Then we gathered all the sisters together and gave them the Christmas cards and a candy. The spirit filled that room. It was incredible. We had so many sisters just so grateful. One sister told us she had never felt so much charity in her whole life. To us it wasnt a big deal. It took a while, and our hands hurt from writing, but the girls were touched. They felt our love, which is what we wanted. WE really love each of them SO much and i am so grateful they were able to feel it. I loveeee them all. 

I cant explain to you how tired i am. Each day my body just hurts. I wake up and say, Give me a Mountain, cause i want to climb it. I trust you. and I get out of bed. Each day is a new adventure. It is amazing how I am given the strength that i need. I cant explain my mission. Even if i tried. If i had all the time in the world, I couldnt do it. but i am more grateful than ever. I cant imagine my life without my mission. I feel too grateful. I dont know why i got to come to Guatemala, but it was a tender mercy of the Lord. I pray each day that i can do what He wants me to do in this area. In this calling. I just want to fulfill what he asks of me. Each day i must give a little bit more. Each day i must try a little bit more. Each day i must do something ive never done. If we are trying to reach a goal we have never met, we must do something we have never done. I LOVE YOU ALL!!! 

Hermana Oliphant

"I am so grateful for the tendre mercies of the Lord and for the miracles we see each day."

Here is Morgan's letter. My questions are in green, her responses are in red. It isn't long, but she sounds great - again! I am grateful for that!!! 

"We have the best companionship studies. 2 sets of scriptures each...so funny."

"Alejandra got baptized Sunday!"

"Francisco who got baptized like the week before i got here and Aura his girlfriend! 

hahaha they are adorable!"

"Our christmas gifts for the sisters...it took a goooood long while to make them all but so cute!"

"My comp, Hemana Arguelles and I. LOVE HER!"

Hello...

I feel so bad you lost your stuff on that bus. I have to say, I wouldn't be surprised if someone finds the bag and gives it to you. Or the bus driver. I feel like the people, for the most part, are very accepting of you and that they would probably do that for you. Anyway, I could only hope that for you.

I am not planning on getting the bag back...but its all good! Someone else can use it more than i can!

ANY PACKAGES???? I'm dying. I want you to get those shoes. I worry about you walking around in "holy shoes."

Tomorrow is zone conference and so we will receive it there!!

We have had a fairly uneventful week. I like those now a days. I would prefer to have quiet and normal over icky and not so fun.

We have had a WILD week!! hahaha 

We had the primary program this past Sunday. They did a good job. Jeremy got asked to Winter Formal Saturday night. Of course, he was already in bed, so I just moved it in the living room for when he got up. We went Wednesday to Spencer's follow up surgery appointment for nose. Let's just say, he is fine, but I cannot figure out why anyone would go to school for that job - ENT. They take the "scabs" out at this appointment! I was fine till I thought about it on the ride home, then I gagged a bit. Spencer said it felt like he was pulling out his brains. Yuck.

That is awful!! Hes a trooper!

Then I got home and took Jeremy to see if he had strep. I was sure he did, because he couldn't even swallow without pain, but of course he didn't have it. He is feeling better now. Just a cough is left. Tis the season...I got it, and it went away fast, because I am the mom and it has to, now dad has a stuffy head cold, as usual, and we are hoping Spencer and Ashley don't get it.

Its the cold cycle. Its funny cause here in Guate, its the Gripe...and when people have gripe, they cant do ANYTHING!! They think they are dying. It cracks me up! They are so cute!

Well, I can't think of anything else to tell you. I HOPE YOU GET YOUR PACKAGE!!!!! Packag-ES would be nice. I will try to send those talks soon. 

You can just send them through email and i will print them off. That would be best!!

I AM SOOOO GRATEFUL YOU DIDN'T LOOSE A RETAINER!!! THANK YOU, THANK YOU! Maybe that is a good thing to leave home when you do exchanges, if they are just for one night anyway. You need a bag that you can attach to your backpack to put your stuff in I think. I don't know if you have enough contact solution to be loosing that stuff. Ahhh! Hate thinking about it!!! But grateful for the outcome of that one! Sorry about your jammies and probably a skirt and shirt. =(

Oh, its all good, I'm not even worried about it. I was grateful the Spirit told me not to take the retainer!

Hope you are staying warm and are healthy. We pray for you every prayer. We have gotten cold this past couple of weeks. We had snow on Saturday. YUCK! No one is ready for that! We got spoiled with a nice fall.

Take care of Morgan!
Love you so much!
Mom

A couple requests...aside from the other talks i asked for, that you can just send me by email and i will print them....i want one called is it the Spirit or just me...by elder Bednar. also i would like a the living Christ in English. I am going to memorize it for Christmas this year! THANK YOU!

Ok. so its been a crazyyy week! I am exhausted. So Alejandra gt baptized this week! It was wonderful. She was so beautiful. So nervous, but it was very special. She is a very incredible person. She had been prepared. We are sure she and Hector, her friend, are going to be getting married next...but we will see what happens. I LOVE seeing the happiness of the people after their baptism. Even if the water is freezing colddd, they don't care. They are just so happy! I LOVE ALI!! She is incredible.

Well there was some problems this week with Dilan and Jefferson...but these problems turned into big miracles!!! So I was in Itzapa for divisions on Tuesday and my companion called me that night and said that Juana, their Mom flipped out and decided they weren't going to the camp out with the young men. She was hitting Dilan and it was bad....he decided he was going to move out with his Dad and wasn't going to church anymore. Well we went to go visit them Wednesday when i got back from divisions, and it was really sad. Juana just cried, she felt awful, the family was just falling apart...and we went again Friday after the divisions Thursday and Juana was a different person. She gave them permission. We found white shirts and ties for the fireside we found blankets ad pillows...everything so they could go. They left yesterday, they were all in church Sunday. THEY ARE STOKED FOR THEIR BAPTISMS. Dilan and Jefferson get baptized this week! I am just so excited for this family!!! LOVE THEM!!

We have started doing something new. That we have never done before and it is to pray each time after a lesson. To give thanks and then to ask for the next miracle. It has really helped us to be more aware of the miracles that there always are. In preach my gospel, MY FAVORITE BOOK, it uses the word recognize a lot. That word is strong. It shows humility. It shows love. It shows gratitude. We must recognize always! I am so grateful for the tendre mercies of the Lord and for the miracles we see each day. We are ready for the 400 miracles this month of November that have been promised. I don't know if i had told you, but that is themission goal this month. 400. I will be honest, we are kind of far from it, but we have the faith that we can still reach it.

My companion and i are really enjoying every second. We had division in Patzicia and in Itzapa this week. I love divisions. I LEARN SO MUCH! The girls are incredible. I really am just so blessed. I can't express my gratitude for this calling. We get calls almost daily from the girls with different questions, or problems...it amazes me how the Spirit guides us. I have grown to love each of them in such a special way. It makes me realize so many things i never realized. So often there are problems in relationships because of lack of communication and misunderstanding. So often we just people for what we see and what we think rather than what is the truth. But if we just listen to the Spirit, we can avoid a lot of situations. I have come to have this strong hate towards yelling....the Spirit is completely absent if there are screams. We must be prudent. We must take time to let the Spirit teach and guide us. I love the mission because i have learned more than i ever could have imagined.

Abraham was asked to kill his sun Isaac. why? The answer is always...God wanted to see if Abraham would be obedient. NO. God knew he would be obedient. He wanted Abraham to know. God wants to us know our potential. He wants to to know what we are willing to do. What a great lesson that i will never forget. (Yes, she did mention this last week too. Must have had a great impact moment on her!)

I have grown to love the bible. Something that was a struggle for me before, but i really love it now. I am so grateful for it. I learn so much each day. I am grateful for my mission. I cant say anything else. I am just grateful. I feel honored to have this time. I can't imagine my life with out my mission. I love the people here. I love my companion. I love my Mission President. He and his wife are incredible. I will forever be grateful for them and all that they teach me.

Thank you for your examples. Thank you for your love. I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH. I cant wait to go to the temple and to the work there with you when i get home. That is something i will forever love. I loveeedddd the time i had before my mission to go with you Mom. Thank you for helping me learn to love the temple!! Thank you for giving me the opportunity to be a member of the only true church. Thank you for raising me in the truth. Thank you for being my examples and role models! LOVE YOU!!

Hermana Oliphant

"Well all last week we were just working and working to find the miracles."

Hermano Carlos y Francisca

 

So fun to go back to san martin for the day! Familia Balan and Chavela

AMELIA HAD HER BABY!

LOVEEE!

Hello,
So have I told you that Kim Dunfords parents are there in the Guatemala temple?!? If you go again, they are the Brubakers. You should ask for them. Introduce yourself to them. They would love it.

REALLY? I didnt know that but i feel like i have met them once but didnt but it all together. We are going next month so i will look for them. Thats too cool!! I will look for them.

Aunt Connie told me there is a gal in their ward, I think, that is coming to your mission in January or February. Her name is Madison H. She is one of her former YW. If she comes, she will have her try to find you. If I remember, it will remind you to look for her. She also goes to the MTC there. Somehow she found your blog and has been reading about you being there. FUN!

Thats fun! I will have to look for her. Hopefully she is in the mountains so i can do divisions with her and get to know her!

Any packages yet? I sent a yellow envelope last week. I hope you get that in the end of Nov. or beginning of Dec. open asap. And the other package I sent a while ago has a grateful tree in it. Obviously you haven't got it to use during November, so sorry. Start when you get it and go til you run out of leaves.

Thank you!!! 

Jeremy had a concert last week for Granite Youth Symphony. I felt like I was at a concerto for Jeremy on the first song. He was the trumpet soloist. It was awesome. I went back stage, cuz he sits in the middle back row and we can't see him ever, and I video'd the whole thing. It was soo fun. He is the tallest one just to the left of the conductors elbow last the music stand. Looks like a white blob in this pic.

I WANT TO HEAR IT!! HE is amazing.

Oh we went to Mary Pingree and Whitney Stephens homecoming yesterday and Jared Stewarts was in our ward too. They each did very well and loved their missions. I have them on cd, or can put them on. Mary said to tell you hello. Mindy ? with the ice rink in her backyard was at Jared's so I guess she is home too. Didn't talk to her though.

SO WEIRD THAT EVERYONE IS HOME! hahaha but tell them all hi and give them hugs for me.

Also, I asked your gals to let me know when Emily Ny gets home. One month from yesterday!!! So I asked them to tell me when her homecoming is so I can record it for you. I hope they won't forget. No one told us Jessica was speaking so we didn't get to hear her speak. I felt really bad.

Oh my i cant believe it, em and becca get home so soon! 

I sent your Christmas box off (with a prayer.) Hope you get it. I hope you can enjoy it. I cannot send perfume in the mail. There are other options for smelling good in there. Open the "paper stuff" that are down one side of it when you get your box, and you decide if you want to open the wrapped stuff or wait until Christmas. Everything is wrapped in plastic zip locks to be safe. It would be fun for you to have something to open that day. Mom sent a Christmas package Saturday, holy cow. 

OH MY I LOVE YOU! Thank you mom and grandma. I will be sure to save something for Christmas! 

I would love a companionship photo. The one of her in her new jammie's won't really work. Take care of you!! Now tell us everything! Are you staying warm enough?? I thought you were starting into summer months? No? I wish we were. It's is cold here, and it is not even rally cold yet. I'm just cold!!!!!

ITS FREEZING HERE! But i am keeping warm. Apparently November December and January are really cold...i don't remembre last year really, but its cold and February is kind of cold and starts getting warmer from there!! 

Love you Morgan, so much!

Mom

What a great week! To start off just a few things....i am wondering if you can send me some talks...first is called The Gift of the Holy Ghost, what every missionary should know...its from June 2003 from a seminary for new mission presients. The other is dallin h oaks in the ensign of October 1984 called why do we serve? and the other is called we are doing a great work and cannot come down from uchtdorf. And any other incredible talks you are read! Thanks!

So to start off, we had divisions 2 times this week. I went to San Lucas In Antigua the first time and worked with a sister who is really struggling health wise...i am pretty positive she is going home this week...i talked to president and he said it is better that she can take care of herself than get worse. The other division i got to go back to San Martin. It was incredible. I was able to see allll of my converts. Some in better conditions that others. The first person i saw was Juan Miguel...totally drunk walking down the street., When he saw me he started to cry and started telling me all his problems. It was really hard to see him like that. Then I got to see Amelia and Tito. She had her baby in October and she is a doll. They are getting sealed in February and so i will get to go to their sealing! I CANT WAIT!! Then I got to See hermana Chavela. She is still doing great, but the familia B. who she lives with are all inactive so i got to visit with them and we talked and it was a great lesson. There are good and bad things about going back to the area. I loved seeing all the people, but it was hard to see the ones who have strayed. I got to see The Familia of Carlos and Francisca, the Branch president and his wife and daughter, and a few young women from the branch. It was incredible.

Funny story of my first division. I had all my stuff in a little market bag...like this crappy plastic thing...my pajamas, my tooth brush, my contact solution ...everything ...except not my retainer ...for some reason i felt like i shouldn't take my retainer ...well we got off the bus and start walking...we crossed the over pass, i even helped a lady take her big bag down the stairs while she helped her kid down...well all the sudden i realized i didn't have MY bag. So we RAN back and there was a bus there...i got on to get my bag, but it wasn't there...it was the wrong bus...the other bus had already gone...i lost it all.. OF COURSE! hahahahhaha i just laughed! II had to happen on my first division. I think it has happened to all the sister leaders...and i just laughed! too funny, but its all good! I bought new pajamas and everything else that i lost i had another or bought it...but it was just funny!

Something interesting i have been thinking about this week. We were taking about Abraham and Isaac. Why do you think God commanded Abraham to kill jacob? The answer is always the same...he wanted to see if Abraham would be obedient. But that is not true...God knew he would be obedient, but he wanted Abraham to know it. He wanted Abraham to learn something about Abraham. It is so true. God knows our potential, and something he gives us things so that we can learn what we are capable of....i love that.

President Markham taught me a great lesson this week. We called him about a sister who has been having problems and when i was talking with him i said "Sorry President, we know you are really busy"...and all he said was, "No, Dont be sorry, I ALWAYS HAVE TIME FOR PEOPLE!" Wow! What a great answer. What a lesson. I will never forget that. Such a simple answer but so profound. We always have to look for the best option in any decision, and if we can remember that, we will make the best decision. 

Something my companion and i have as a goal is to KNOW preach my gospel. WE give each other quizzes...like where we can find this quote ,or what page it is that so and so said this....its so fun...but I LOVE PREACH MY GOSPEL. It really is an inspired book. Not only for missionaries. READ IT. Also, I have learned to love the bible. I am going to be honest, i didn't like to read the bible much. I think its because i have a harder time understanding it, but i am learning to really love it. There is so much to learn about Christ in the bible.

Well Alejandra is getting baptized this week. It is amazing how Satan attacks at the worst time possible. Her mom just got realy sick and her mom said she knows what she has but she doesnt want to say. So Aly just knows her mom is really sick but doesn't know what she has. Its really sad. But she is still super excited about her baptism.

Dilan and Jefferson are SO AWESOME. I love this family. Dilan and her brother Robinson are going to the young mens camp this next week and they are SO STOKED! Jefferson is just a cutie. Little 9 year old but the only one in his family who goes to church with his shirt and tie. We were eating lunch with them Sunday and all the sudden i got this awful bloody nose. It got all over in my rice and beans. hahaha but it was pretty funny.

This past week has been a rough one. NO one wanted to listen to us, but, we know that only meant that we would be seeing miracles very soon!! Well all last week we were just working and working to find the miracles. Well finally yesterday, Monday, we didn't start working until 5 because of p day, but we somehow had 9 lessons and found new investigators. IT was a pure miracle. Usually on p day its like 4 lessons or 5-ish if its a gooood day. Well we found this kid Kenny. My companion served in this area exactly a year ago, but yesterday as we were walking at 830 at night she said to me i have to talk to that guy in the white shirt. She told me she knew him from when she was here before. So we ran to catch up to him and we started talking and we decided to teach him right there on the curb. So we had a great lesson. I usually don't like to teach in the street cause it impedes the Spirit a bit, but it was a great lesson and his only problem is, he doesn't want to go to church because in the past, at other churches he has had some bad experiences, but i really think he is going to be a miracle.

After we went to find this girl Maira...we have taught her once, but before we were teaching her sisters but we stopped because their dad wouldn't give them permission and we couldn't keep teaching and teaching and condemning them...well yesterday we found their dad. We talked with him and tonight we are going to go wee if he will give them permission. I AM SO SURE he will say yes!!

OH MY i had a ton more written but it all got erased cause the power went out, but i don't have time now. I LOVE YOU! THANK YOU SO MUCH!

Hermana Oliphant

I can't explain to you the mission. I wish you could experience it with me.

My fav fam to eat food with in patulul.

(The older gals are crying because Morgan just told them she was being transferred!

They are so sweet and love her so much!)

Selling oranges and watermelon. Edwin and Wendy

Familia Paguada...still waiting to hear what happened wtih pablo!

Hermanita Ana Cristina and the Muy family....Ana Cristina should be getting baptized this week.

My companion Hermana Arguelles and her sweet buy at the mega paca!

Hello,

Question of the week!!! Where in Guatemala is Hermana Oliphant???

I AM BACK IN CHIMALTENANGO. The same zone I was in to finish my training just a different area. I am here in HEAVEN. I have been called to be Sister Training Leader. I feel so grateful. I feel so unqualified but I KNOW that I am here to learn. In this calling we go and do divisions with all the sisters in the mountain. Or in 3 zones. We have 20 sisters to do divisions with each transfer. Today we have our first divisions and I am going to San Lucas to work with a cute sister. I am very excited. I know I am called to help them grow but I know that I am going to grow more than anyone else. I have been called because God knows my weaknesses. I am so grateful I have this time to work to be stronger. I will not lie, I am a bit nervous, but I am trusting in the Spirit. These sisters are amazing and I love them all so much already. I feel such concern for each of them as if they were my own investigators. My body has never shown so much stress my whole mission. My neck is just deadddd but I am loving every second!!

I made the comment to our family that I hate transfer week because I feel like you are lost for me. Of course, Spencer and Jeremy give me heck for saying that and ask why I care...I don't know where you are when I know what city you are in. Well, at least I know "where" you are. So not knowing is the pits for me. Not bad, just not my favorite.

Well now you know...so no worry!

I have to ask---did you get to see Pablo? I'm sorry to bring it up, but I was so hopeful, for you, that he would come home and you could at least say goodbye and wish him well.

I didn't get to see him. I was praying for that miracle but it was not meant to be. I am just praying he can have the full change!

I don't have much to tell you. The play, Cinderella, ended at OLY on Saturday! Jer is grateful it is over. He enjoys it, but it is lots of late nights. Yesterday, Saturday, he went to the U of U's Day of the Dead Cadaver Lab. He loves that stuff. I thought he will like it more, or be done with it. He liked it more. He got to hold a heart, a lung, and look a dead bodies, etc. He said it smelled bad, but that's all. So good for him.

Way to go jer! You rock! I miss hearing you play your trumpet. Such an incredibly smart kid. I can't even add anymore. My companion and i just laugh all day as we try to do dats or whatever else...cause we cant do anything! Hahaha I am going to die in college. OH SPEAKING OF COLLEGE. I don't know what I need to be doing application wise..well I cant do anything...but I don't know if there is something I need to be doing?

Spencer's jaw was out of place, so we ran over to have Richard check it out in Thursday, His jaw was better, a bit, by even Friday. He took some ibuprofen, I know, can you believe it, I almost had to force it on him (not too hard), and I think it helped. Then Saturday he took off to meet friends in Richfield, UT and they just camped over night. They were in a cabin, if I had remembered the cabin part, I probably wouldn't have been so worried about them freezing to death. They were good and got home in time for dinner today to Gma and Gpas. Then we had a good family home evening, at their house too.

Ashley went trick or treating with friends. (The weather was amazing. We had a cold spell in September, then it went back to warm. Halloween night was sooo nice. A tiny bit chilly, but awesome for the kids to walk in. NOW-- it is sooooo cold. I don't like it. But it is okay.) Anyway, Ashley and her friends are tooooo old, but they went. No one seems to care, but me, as a parent, apparently. Jer manned our door and dad an I went up to Bumas for a bit, for a homemade donut, and I got to talk to Camille. She asked about you and is so excited for you. She said she knows you're a great missionary because you love the people so much.

I think it is colder here than there. Just kidding but it is SO COLD!! I am glad we wont have snow though!! Sounds fun. So here in Guatemala for Halloween which is dia de los muertos they eat this dish called fiambre....ITS SO GROSS! hahaha we got to eat it 3 times. And you just eat it because the people offer. Its a bunch of random vegetables and meats....the meat is the hard part for me. Like weird black meat that is blood...I don't even know. It was bad.. We snuck some of it on the plates of the elders when no one was looking! Hhahaha

AHHH, DID YOU GET YOUR PACKAGE FROM GMA AND GPA? Did you get my package???? That would be an awesome miracle if mine got to you already. I pray everyday that you will get it fast. Shoes and all - stuff you need!!!

I got the one from grandma and grandpa! THANK YOU!! EVERYONE WANTS YOUR CARAMEL RECIPES! hahah for real They all are obsessed!!

This week, my companion and I have learned that the school of men gives you the lesson first and then the test, but the school of God gives you the test first then the lesson. That is always how it is. Its harder, but its how we learn more. In the mission especially, we are tested DAILY. My mission president told us that through the mission we will be purified. But how are we purified. Through our trials, and experiences and repentance. Then he talks a lot about the way to stay pure after the mission is getting married. My perspective on marriage has changed completely thanks to president Markham. We learn so much in the mission and to go home and fall back into the same old routine is the worst idea. but getting married quickly to a worthy priesthood holder is the best thing to do. You start establishing your family on the principles learned in the mission. Everything is better .... Covenants in action give us power.

Anyway, I need to leave you time to write. That's about all for here.

Okay, your turn. Companions name? Where is she from? and Where are you? Got to know!!
Love your guts, Morgan!

Ok my companion is Hermana Arguelles....not the same Hermana Arguello that I already had...this is Hermana Arguelles from Honduras. She speaks English perfectly and she is incredible. She really is an incredible missionary. With this calling, I had 3 options of who could be my companion. There are only 3 companionships in this mission that are sister training leader. My options were Hermana Arguelles, Hermana Funk or Hermana Rasmussen. I was excited to be with any of them. I am so grateful. She is an incredible example. She and I have the best companionship studies learning so much together. I seriously can't explain to you. We laugh all day and just see miracles all the time.

So here in Chimal, our area is HUGE. I am trying ot learn it because for divisions i have to know it. This week we have divisions 2 times but I am going to the other area. But next week I will stay in the area, so I have to know the area. This weekend I get to go back to San Martin. I am so excited! I seriously am so excited to be able to have this great opportunity to serve. The girls are going to teach me so much.

Ok so I gotta tell you, we have an INCREDIBLE goal as a mission this month of November. 400 baptisms! We know we can reach it. So I gotta tell you about some of our miracles.

We have this great lady Alejandra. She is the girlfriend of this returned missionary. She has a little 4 year old kid but she is incredible. She lovessss the book of Mormon. They have planned to go to the temple this week to buy her baptism clothes. she doesn't want to wear old used clothes so they are going to buy new ones. She is great. We are so excited for her!

The family RC. The parents are members. They got baptized 2 years ago and went to church 1 time and never went back well they finally took the sacrament again this past Sunday for like the 2nd time after their baptism. They were late for church and missed the sacrament but we talked to the bishop and they did it special for them. well they have 4 sons. Dilan who is 17, Robinson who is 14, Jefferson who is 9, and Anderson who is 4. Dilan had been living with his grandma up until this past month and he is not baptized. Robinson is baptized Jefferson isn't baptized cause he is 9 and the family had been inactive for so long..So Dilan and and Jefferson are preparing to be baptized the 23 of this month. They are incredible. This family, I love them so much. The mom is amazing. Juana used to HATE the missionaries, that's why they went inactive, because of things that happened before with other missionaries but they have totally changed. She is incredible with her family all of boys. She reminds me a lot of Julie. I admire them both. Raising their incredible boys worthy to have the priesthood. What a sacred calling it is to be a mother. The Dad, C, is an amazing father. He has a small smoking problem but is so dedicated to quitting because he wants to receive the priesthood. Dilan is such a great example for his little brothers. Even though he didnt grow up with them, he loves them and just is such an examples. Robinson, the only kid baptized is also such an example. He is so excited for them to be baptized. Jefferson is such a sweet heart. He doesn't remember much but loves church. And Anderson...mi limito, is adorable. He might come home with me in my suit case. Such a special family.

We had this great man get confirmed this past week. Francisco is this old cute man. Such a sweet heart. He reminds me of grandpa Lyle a bit...such a humble, loving guy.

Each month we have Consejo de los lideres de la mision. Or mission counsel with all the leaders...its in the house of president. Well it started at 10 am and we got there at 645...hermana Markham answered the door in her pajamas and president Markham came out in his...hahah we had such a fun morning with them cooking eggs and pancakes and enchiladas and just talking. I love them so much! What incredible people!!

I can't explain to you the mission. I wish you could experience it with me. We had an experience last night that taught me something. Satan has power, but he only has the power we give him. That is what president Markham told us as we explained to him what happened. Christ is the beginning and the end....the end of sin because he is the beginning of forgiveness. The end of pain because he is the beginning of freedom. The end of death because the beginning of the resurrection. The channels between heaven and earth are open, The revelation is continuous. Revelation comes from above not from the side. Read the talk "Leading like the Savior" in the Liahona of July 2014. The Spirit is real. What your children really want for dinner is you....it's true mom and dad. don't magnify the work to be done, simplify it...to magnify a calling doesn't mean to complicate it, it means to simplify it. The avior went one by one and blessed the children, that is why we must go one by one blessing the children of God....in the church the big meetings and parties don't make the difference..its the one on one time. LOVE; HEALING; HELP; AND HOPE...This is the message with which the book of Mormon begins and that is the message with which it ends....Elder Holland.. Joseph smith taught..I teach them correct principles, they govern themselves...FREE AGENCY IS AMAZING. President Markham doesnt like to give us rules. He says he is going to teach us doctrine and then we must listen to our hearts. We can apply that EVERY DAY. Parenting, dating, family, studies, calling, EVERYTHING! We show commitment by consistency...abiding by the Lords commandments at all times rather than when its convenient.

LOVE YOU ALL!!!
Hermana Oliphant