CHASING DOWN WHEELCHAIRS, SINGING PRIMARY SONGS!

HOLLA to the best week EVER! We've seen so many miracles this week
(even more than the usual!) and it all started with District Meeting
this week. On Tuesday, we set goals as a District to attack the day,
contact at least 10 people every day, and use every minute
wisely--even at the very end of the night or before we go in for
mediodia. So what did we do? We've been getting up early to go
running, we talk to the first person we see every time we leave the
piso and before we enter it again, and most of all we've been trying
more than ever to be exactly obedient and listen more to The Holy
spirit to guide us where to go and what to do. And I can honestly say
that we've seen more blessings, tender mercies, and miracles than I
ever thought possible. (Facepalm--why didnt I do this sooner!!) 

Just one quick one--it was almost 10:45 at night and we had been out since
9:30 that morning, with only a 15 minute break for mediodia. So
basically we were exhausted. BUT we wanted to keep up with our goal
and we felt that there was soemthing more we could do with the Lord's
time that night. Soooo instead of heading to our piso, we decided to
talk to one more person. We saw this teenager in the middle of the
street and started talking to him. He was really open and we were able
to share a message with him about the love of Christ and even say a
prayer. The next day we met with him and we felt the Spirit so strong,
he has chosen to be baptized in September! WHATTTT.! 

My testimony
about the importance of obedience has grown so much this week. And it
just proves to me how important and essential repentance is. Maybe
we're not even doing something wrong or being blatantly disobedient.
But theres always things we can work and improve on. And thats kind of
the purpose of life. And I know The Lord will bless us more than we
could imagine if we push ourselves.

So yeah. 

And funny moment of the week, one of our investigators works
at a summer school for children and she was giving us a tour of the
school. She introduced us to about 100 little kids and then TOTALLY
put us on the spot and made us go up on a stage to sing something in
english. Thank heavens for primary or I dont know what we would have
done! So somehwere out there, a bunch of kids and teachers have videos
of me singing "once there was a snowman" and popcorn popping" at the
top of my lungs. Yay primary!

Oh oh oh! 

And one more funny story because why not. We visit a sweet
member whos at a nursing home once a week and last week he wanted to
"take us for a walk". He bought us candy and food and it was really
sweet until he decided that he wanted to go to the church. We werent
allowed to take him that far outside of the nursing home so we tried
to convince him that we couldnt because it wasnt Sunday and the the
church was closed. But that made him even more determined and he upped
the speed on his motorized wheelchair which resulted us chasing this
little man in skirts down the streets of Albacete, just pleading with
him to slow down (those things go fast!) we were quite a sight!
Hahahaha 

 So all is well here in Albacete. I've only been here for a little over
a week but it already has a special place in my heart. I take back
what I said last week--its DEFINITELY a HUGE city. I didnt realize how
big it was until this week. We. Walk. A. Lot. There could easily be 6
missionaries here. Sometimes I panic because theres so many people
here who are ready and need the gospel but theres only two of us. But
then I remember the Lord has placed me here to succeed, not to fail.
And with His help, we can accompish all the He wants and needs us to
do. But its still hard. I've never worked so hard in my entire mission
but its so rewarding. And plus, Im I have ana amazing companion! She
only has 7 months on the mission but she leads by her example and I
learn from her every day. Fun fact, she's also vegetarian! Which means
No meat for us this transfer! Haha jk, pretty much its a win win
because I just get to eat all of her food in eating citas haha. But
yes, shes great and we work together so well. We set a goal to find 3
people who are ready to make the covenant of baptism this month of
september and I know if we keep working this hard with The Lord we
will see it happen!

I love you all! 

Have an amazing week! 

HURRAH FOR ISRAEL! 

Love,
Hermana Morrow

TRANSFER-ALBACETE!

Hey amigos! I'm in Albacete!! It's been less than a week but I feel
like I've been here forever. Albacete is a lot different from Jaén--or
from any other place Ive served in actually--but i like it!I have not
quite decided if its a small city or just a really big town but
whatever it is, its my home. For all those who dont know, Alabacete is
kind of in the middle of no-where, way up in the northeastern part of
the mission. My first time out of Andalucia! So that means the people
actaually talk normal here instead of the equivalent of the
backwoods-heavy southern accent that Ive been dealing with for the
past year or so haha. 

The area was just reopened last transfer, so Im
officially the third-ever Hermana that has ever been here. Exciting, I
know. There's a lot of work ahead of us, especially since we dont have
an area book yet or records of ANYTHING that has been done in the
past. So its a lot of paperwork and starting from scratch but mu comp
and her comp before me has done so much already.

Speaking of which, Hermana Swenson is from Sandy, Utah is my new
companion (the first thing I asked her was if she knew the Jorgenesens
but no such luck haha)! She's the cutest and has an amazing drive to
share the gospel with anyone and eveyone. There have been many times
where I stopped paying attention for one second and looked up to find
her running up to catch up to someone to talk to them or heading
straight in to traffic to give someone our card (now that was actually
a cool story, I'll get to that later haha). We've already seen
miracles together (duh, what else would you expect!) 

 First off, lets rewind a little bit to early this week. It was hard
saying goodbye, especially to Hermana Anderson
(baaaaaaaaaaaa)--Jaen and my time there has truly won over my
heart. Theres a phrase that someone told me when I first got to
Jaén--"te enteras a Jaén llorando, y te vas de Jaén llorando" (you
enter jaen crying and leave it crying) which Ive found to be
completely true. I was so scared and nervous when I got there and it
was so hard with all the hills and the heat, but I definitely did cry
leaving it. I am so grateful to the Lord for all the people I was able
to share my testimony with there and all the friendships I was able to
make. Especially working alongside such an amazing companion. 

All
right thats it, pity party over!

Soooo Albacete! Its got potential! Its a small branch of about 30
people and we're the only missionaries here (I think the closest
missionaries are about an hour+ train ride away) so we've got our work
cut out for us! I've met a lot of great people like our investigator
Alfonso who loves taking us out to eat while we teach him the lessons
(hey, I'm not complaining!) or David, who says WE'RE the investigators
because we're the ones who always ask so many questions haha. Or
Edson, my german/ spanish homie, who helps us a lot with missionary
work and taught us how to say "ich bin frei die vie vögel" (im free
like a bird...i think). We walk a lot, trying to find the people the
Lord is preparing to recieve the restored gospel and we do find them
always. Usually at the last minute, but always.

My favorite memories from this week were when an appointment failed us
and we were walking down the street when a Nigerian man started
yelling at us from his truck "hey missionaries! I didnt know there
were missionaries here! I've been looking for the church, where is
it?" And my brave fireball of a companion ran through heavy traffic to
give him a card so that he could find the church and have our number.
It was awesome. And I know the Lord definitely had a hand in us
crossing paths!

And the other night, we were on a bus and struck up a conversation
with a bus driver. He didnt really want express a lot of interest but
we kept it going and the best thing was, it was so loud on the bus we
practically had to shout so that he could here. So basically we got to
share our testimonies with everyone on the bus too. I know he was
touched by the Spirit and we were able to give him a pamphlet at the
end so we'll see what happens :) thats what I've been working a lot at
this week--just no shame, no thinking twice about sharing my testimony
about the Savior and that He lives with the whole world.

My time on my mission is running out and I just feel like theres so much here that I
still need to do. So much more people to meet and help and I know that
The Lord will guide us to them if we are faithful and obedient. I love
this work, I love Him, and I love you!!
Que tengan una semana buenisima! 

 HURRAH FOR ISRAEL! 

 Love,
Hermana Morrow

ARM-WRESTLING GYPSIES, CRYING OVER ICE CREAM AND MY LAST AREA!

Well that title pretty much explains all! Actually I probably could
expand on the arm-wrestling gypsies part but we'll get to that :) Cuz
first things first: I'm off! I thought I was staying here in Jaén for
at least one more transfer but turns out I'll be going to Albacete way
up north to finish my mission! Two transfers and a half left! It's
flown by, guys! And I'm pretty much still in denial. I cant imagine
any life other than the one I'm living now. But here goes!

So naturally, this week has also been full of goodbyes, starting with
District Meeting. Elder Lindley ends his mission in a couple days so
he bore his testimony at the end and it was one of the most spiritual
moments of my mission. All four of us were tearing up and then it was
someones smart idea to sing"I hope They call me on a mission" and we
all just broke down haha. We four have been through so much these past
3 months and it was just so sad to see that our little Jaen family was
ending! I have loved working beside my companion and Elder Pyle and
Elder Lindley these past few months and it made me just stop and think
how short the mission is! How short life is! I cant afford to waste
any of it! It has just given me this drive to just continue to follow
God and His will because I know He has a plan for me and will never
let me down.

I also said goodbye to the ward on Sunday but apparently there was a
miscommunication and no one knew I was leaving so I wasnt able to bear
my testimony or anything. BUT when we went to choir that night, at the
very end, everyone just stopped and serenaded me to "God be with you
til we meet again" waaaaaaaaaaa! It was the sweetest thing ever but I
was so mad at them for doing it haha. I love this ward so much! How
am I ever going to leave??!! Anyway, lets change the subject.

Alright so arm-wrestling. It all started out 3 months ago when Hermana
Anderson and I had just started the week together. One late night we
saw this gypsy family and Hermana Anderson told me "hey lets go
contact them" and not gonna lie, I was pretty darn intimidated but she
just ran up to them with her huge smile and started talking to them
and they turned out to be the best people ever. Since then, we've had
a great relationship with them and we bonded with one of the women
especially. She invited us to her birthday party the other night and
it was the FUNNEST thing ever! There were about 30 gypsies there and
it was seriously the the cleanest party ever--someone got an arm
wrestling competition going and it was super intense. They even got
Hermana Anderson to compete and now if you guys didnt know this about
my comp, lemme tell you--shes STACKED! So I got a pretty sick video of
everyone chanting her name and freakin out when she totally crushed
the strongest gyspy there! Haha and then they made me do it (even
though I was hiding) and it was just plain sad. The girl I wrestled
with was just like "wait seriously, thats it?" Apparently I need to
start lifting the standard works everyone morning or somethin. But
ANYWAY, the point of this entire story is to tell you that after the
party our investigator took us home that night and then surprised us
by saying she wanted to come to church with us the next morning! We
FLIPPED. We have been working so hard with this family for months and
it was the perfect last Jaén miracle. She came yesterday and loved it.
She felt the Spirit and she's told us over and over again that theres
just something different, a light that she feels with us that she
needs. And I hope she recognizes that light and accepts it one day :)

So that was my last wonderful miracle. I thought it was going to be
the Frenchies but their baptism didnt work out as planned. Peoples'
agency though!! Haha I remember this quote on The District (as you all
know, I'm a huge fan) where one sister missionary is talking Bout how
frustrating people are sometimes when they choose wrong. You do
everything you can to help them choose the right because you know how
happy it will make them and how it will change and bless their life
forever. But in the end, its all up to them. And she said it made her
realize how thats how Heavenly Father must feel about her when He
knows whats best for her and when she doesnt accept it. How many times
Heavenly Father must have put in my path all rhe best things for me
and how many times I ignored Him or chose something else because I was
stubborn. How much patience He must have to put up with me haha! So in
that way I understand the Frenchies and I KNOW they will be baptized
some day! So thats where the crying over ice cream part comes in but
we're okay now. Its just hard when you teach someone and try to help
them every day and you end up loving them and are not able to see them
recieve the blessings and happiness they deserve and need.

So that was our week! I love Jaén with all my heart and always will. I
love my comp (we were pretty much made for each other) and I know she
will see so many miracles here with her new comoanion. She has been my
rock these past couple months and an amazing example of faith. Its
going to be hard to leave her more than anything but Im grateful for
the time we had!

I love you all! Have an amazing week!

HURRAH FOR ISRAEL!

Love,
Hermana Morrow

"WE LOVE WHAT WE SACRIFICE FOR AND WE SACRIFICE FOR WHAT WE LOVE"

Man, what a week. It was one of those
just-put-your-head-down-and-keep-working weeks but I think those kinds
are essential too. There must be opposition in all things! And I will
take a hard week without any time if it will lead me to those miracles
I have seen throughout my mission.

Let's see....the weather is still as crazy as ever. This week, Jaén
broke a 30 year record heat-wise. And now we got dust clouds from
Africa that just covers the sky and traps in all the humidity. Alright
now I'm just complaining, I'm really sorry. It's actually been quite
nice these past couple of days. And all the bad weather in the world
can't take away my love for Jaén! 

My highlight of this week was Zone Conference in Granada with
President and Hermana Andersen. They are the cutest. Big testimonies
and even bigger hearts. We even had interviews afterwards which brings
me to our current mission drama: I HAVE NO IDEA WHATS HAPPENING FOR
TRANSFER CALLS!. Normally, I would leave this transfer to go to my
last area but after interviews and little rumors that have been
roaming about (haha this sounds so nerdy), Hermana Anderson and I
might stay together or she might even leave ME. Crazy stuff, guys. And
unheard of. Anything can happen in the mission! We'll get transfer
calls Saturday so stay tuneddddd.

 As for our investigators, the Frenchies are struggling a little bit so
we're not sure about the baptsim this Saturday. More than anything, I
just feel sorry for them. They left everything to try to find a better
life here and what they found is anything but. They have a strong
desire to follow Christ but they're pretty much alone in this battle.
The environment they live in and the people they live with are all
trying to tear them down. And as of late, Satan has been working
harder than ever. We're they're biggest fans though and we've pretty
much adopted them as our brothers! And of course they're never really
alone. Heavenly Fathers hand is outstretched still, they just need to
take it! 

 We have a new investigator named Montse now who is just the cutest
thing ever. I dont know if its our spanish or what, but it takes a
little effort to teach her things but after a 20 minute struggle we
were able to teach her how to pray and she did it! We were so happy!
It was one of the biggest tender mercies of my week. She proudly
reported to us later that she prays this way now every night. And then
when we gave her a Book of Mormon, she expressed how happy she was and
told us she was going to read it as soon as she could! Some people are
just prepared--we just need to find them! (She was a reference hint
hint!) 

 So this was our week, and it ended with me almost burning down our
apartment in a grease fire and a visit to the hospital for my burned
hand. But everythings good now...I'm just not allowed to cook anymore
haha. 



I didn't have any ice packs so I just held a frozen banana that we were going to use for banana bread

 And the spiritual thought of this week: I gave a talk in Sacrament
Meeting (the first talk I didnt write everything out and didnt even
blush btdubs!) I gave it on real intent and how sometimes we wonder
why we dont get answers to our prayers. But are we really praying with
real intent--that we will accept the will of God and His answer. Or
are we praying with attitude of more like, "I’ll go where you want me
to go, and I’ll do what you want me to do, dear Lord--as long as it is
where I want to go and what I want to do.” Haha. Or even taking the
Sacrament, do we do it with real intent? Unfortunately, the Sacrament
has been kind of a habit for me. But lately, Ive been coming to
understand what it really means and how I should start thinking about
the Sacrament not the 5 minutes before I partake of it--but the second
after I do, in preparation for next week. We need to remember The
Savior always. Every day. And if we start praying, reading the
scriptures, and partaking of the Sacrament with real intent, I know we
will find more meaning to our lifes. We will be able to reach our
potential and become perfect through and in Christ. I can't imagine
how we could even reach the Celestial Kingsom without doing these
things individually and as families.

I hope you will all try having more real intent in your lives!
Starting with the Sacrament and our Savior. 

I LOVE YOU ALL!

HURRAH FOR ISRAEL!

 Love,
Hermana Morrow 

 PS and shout out to my Hermana Carmen! A year ago we left the MTC for
the mission field, the day of her birthday. And here we are now in the
same Zone, able to celebrate it together again! I love you compie!!!

JAEN KILLS!

BEST WEEK EVAHHHHHH! Looking back, It's definitely been the most
physically exhausting week of my mission but overall, I can look back
and know we worked hard and were able to see the fruits of our labors.

 First off though, I just gotta say: I'm exhausted. I pray every day
that my body will make it through the next four months--or at least
just my feet! Haha. Sometimes I cant sleep because my feet ache so bad
and you should just see us in the mornings--we get out of bed and
wobble to the living room where we just collapse and massage our feet
until we can walk again haha. Its so bad, and the heat doesn't help.
Its been 100+ degrees every day for almost two months now and mixing
that with walking up and down the mountain all day, Hermana Anderson
and I are now each sporting our own cute little heat rashes. 

But all
physical struggles aside, I can tell you that we worked SO hard this
week. We weren't perfect and there were times we just wanted to give
up but we really did push through and Heavenly Father blessed us with
just enough little miracles to let us know that what we were doing was
making a difference. And every time we thought we couldnt go any
farther, something ALWAYS happened that gave us the energy and
confidence to go a little more. It's amazing to me how well Heavenly
Father knows each and every one of us--our thoughts, our limits, our
weaknesses--and if we are doing His work and following His will, He
will always (even literally) carry us! 

 We started this week off with the biggest miracle ever, which was such
a tender mercy. 

We've been focusing a lot on less actives this week so
on Monday we went to visit a less active family we saw on the ward
directory. We went to the address that was written on there but no one
answered. We were thinking about leaving but then decided, why not
knock doors? I try avoiding that at all costs because it almost never
works but we felt we should do it this once. We went to the very very
top and started knocking. No one answered and we went down to the next
floor when this dog ran down the stairs. We helped him to go back up
to the sixth floor and then this lady opened the door, took one look
at us, and told us to come in. We were in shock!! Especially me, that
has never happened to me in my mission haha! We sat down and just kind
of stared at each other until my cute comp was like, "wait, are you
members?" And it turns out they were the family we were looking for!
Three are baptized but the two teenagers aren't. We had a really
powerful lesson and invited the teenage daughter to come to church
with us on Sunday. And she came!! Just looking back on all the events
that led us to finding them, it's just nothing less than a MIRACLE
that we were able to meet them, let alone TEACH them! I'm so excited
to work with this amazing family! 

 On Wednesday, our Sister Training Leaders came up to have companion
exchanges with us, which was a little stressful because we barely have
work for the two of us--let alone for TWO companionships. But
everything worked out perfectly. And we were even able to set two
baptism dates!! I wasnt there to see it firsthand, but our Frenchies
are now working towards the 15th of August! Its been a rollercoaster
with them and its definitely not the end of our journey with them, but
they're working towards something real now. And if I hadnt seen the
changes and the happiness baptism and recieving the Holy Spirit gives
people, maybe I wouldnt push them so much. But I know they NEED this.
Their lives will be changed if they truly convert themselves and its
something I cant see them living without. They know its something they
need to do and we're helping them the best we can. Cant wait until the
15th! So yeah, all in all companion exchanges were really fun actually
and I loved hanging out with HERMANAS. I've been hermana deprived my
whole mission I feel but we definitely got our fill this week. 





Met this cute lady on the street, helped her with her bags and she rewards us with fresh fruit-yesss!

I
forgot to mention but on Monday, Hermana García and Hermana Carmen
came to Jaén and we got to party it out with them too. We went to the
castle and the cathedral and a bunch of touristy things and just had
fun. I love them. We're soul sisters. 

 We didnt have a lot of citas this week which was a little difficult
physically because we pretty much walked ALL day, every day but it was
actually a tender mercy because we were able to find a heck ton of
future investigators, which is exactly what we need right now. In
these past two weeks we've been able to find about 40 and its starting
to pay off! And even if they dont want anything in the end, its been
great to get to know people on the street and share my testimony with
them. SEED. PLANTED. 

 And lastly, we had an experience that has changed my view of member
missionary work completely. One day we saw this park and we decided to
go in to see if there was anyone we could talk to when we ran into a
member. He works there and before we knew it, he had called someone
over and said, "hey, remember what I was talking about yesterday, well
here are some missionaries who can help answer your questions and
explain a little more" we then had a cita with her and within 30
minutes, he introduced us to two more people he had met and talked to!
What. Thats the kind of member I want to be--just unafraid to share
the gospel with anybody. Its a major part of my life and who I am and
why should I hide it? We'll definitely be going to that park a lot
more often :) 

 In other news, Clara is doing amazingly well. She continues to feed us
weekly, and we even got to Skype with Oscar to share a message with
them both.
I complete my one year in the mission FIELD this week and my companion
constantly reminds me that on the 10th, I'll only have four months
left. How time has flown!
My comp continues to be amazing, we have so much fun together! She can
make any situation so much brighter with her crazy sense of humor and
her smile. I love her with all my heart. Sometimes I feel bad shes had
such a rough start to her mission but I know God sent her here because
she's strong and He knew she could do it! As for me, sometimes I think
God thinks I'm a lot stronger than I really am ;) 

I LOVE YOU ALLLLLLLLLL. Have an amazing week guys! 

 HURRAH FOR ISRAEL! 

Hermana Anderson laughed for like 20 minutes when she saw I always put
that at the end of every letter but I dont care. I shall cheese on. 

 Love,
Hermana Morrow

Someone needs a lil' talking about the Word of Wisdom