09/27/2015

I'm alive and well, but starting to get worn down from this island. I
hit 5 months here tomorrow. I can't wait to attend sacrament that
isn't run be me. Yesterday was my first time not giving a talk in
sacrament in 5 months. The only awkward part was that Nobody gave
talks... Life is good

Sorry, the internet didn't work last week. The internet operator, the
one that turns it on, didn't come into work because it was raining and
she was cold. It's actually a really common problem and the reason why
church stats are low on rainy days. I could've turned on the internet
myself, but it is a government office and sometimes they are touchy
about those things.
This has been a good week. This week we started a youth program up
again. There used to be tons of youth in this branch, but their Elder
left and they all went inactive because their play buddy left. We
focused on strengthening the adults and the kids just kinda got pushed
under the rug. Now the adults are doing alright so we decided to
reincorporate the kids. It is hard because we run literally every
portion of the missionary, and branch work, but we felt it was time.
So we went and invited all of the kids to church. They were all
excited and happy to come. I prayed super hard all week for it to not
rain so that they wouldn't need that trial of their faith this first
week. I can't pray for that every week, but just this once, for the
kids, I felt it was alright. I had complete faith that my prayer would
be answered and it was. (unfortunately I forgot about sunscreen, so I'm
super burnt now... I just never learn) The only problem was that the
truck for the south and the majority of our youth didn't come. But we
had a few. It started with 3, then 4, maybe next week 10+. This week
always starts slow. Just like an avalanche. One pebble dropping then 2
then a flood. Or even maybe like a stone cut out of the mountain with
out hands. This is the Lords work and we should all feel blessed to be
a part of it. To work hard, but also to watch and learn. I love you
all!
--
Elder MorleyP.S. My watch died yesterday. I am now the only white person on an
island with at tops 30 working clocks. Fun stuff. (This is not an
invite to send me stuff, I'll find one soon)

Sept. 6, 2015 I Defy the Armies of Israel this Day

Hello Everyone!
Sorry for the intimidating subject line. That is a quote from Goliath
in 1 Samuel 17:10. I really like the Liken the Scriptures Series so
always imagine that line in the voice of Thurl Bailey. It is in
reference something that I thought of a few months ago but remember
sometimes.

Some days when  we bike it is awful weather. Sometimes the wind is
blowing so strong and seems to be competing with us, or trying oppose,
interfere with or even to, 'Defy' our work. I remember the first time
it came to me. We were pushing as hard as we could on our bikes to get
to our last lesson of the day. It was almost night and getting dark
fast. The wind was roaring in our ears and Goliath seemed to be saying
'I defy the armies of Israel this day; give me a man, that we may
fight together.' I thought of that and remembered David of Old's
fearless response and over all triumph.
 'David said moreover, The Lord that delivered me out of the paw of
the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of
the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the
Lord be with thee... Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to
me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to
thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of
Israel, whom thou hast defied. This day will the Lord deliver thee
into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee;
and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day
unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that
all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.' (1 Samuel 17:
37, 45-46)

I laughed at the wind and biked even harder and encouraged my
companion, then Elder Smith, to do the same. This week we were in
almost exactly the same place, and the same time, with the same
rushing wind. I remembered that day and it seemed to be a them of the
week and or some of my missionary experiences. Sometimes we try very
hard to achieve some objective or goal and there is an opposing Force
trying just as hard to oppose us. The thing to remember and take heart
in is that when we are 'on the Lord's Errand, we are entitled to his
help' (paraphrased quote of President Monson).

This week our investigator ____ was baptized. She has been working
with Missionaries since before my time. When I first got here she was
ready to be baptized. She had finished her lessons, she had a
testimony, and she passed the Baptismal Interview. However, when her
date came up she got so scared. She was close to having a nervous
break down. She didn't show up to her baptism. The next week we went
at our time to visit her, but she was drunk. She started lying to us a
lot and for the first time since she started lessons, she started
missing church. We were super sad about it, but we dropped her.
'Goliath' was working hard in her life and it seemed like he would
win. After a month in a half or so we decided to visit her again. I
was afraid as she started to progress again that she would again come
to the time where she should be baptized. She had lied to us enough
that I didn't know if I could baptize her in good conscience. However
on the day of her 2nd Baptismal Interview I was filled with peace. We
walked away and Elder Va'ai said she passed. I was content. I calmly
felt that now, finally she was ready. She had that struggle, but she
came away stronger for it.

Saturday she was baptized and it continued to be a struggle. Her ride
to the baptismal site forgot to pick her up. By the time she arrived
the tide was almost all the way out leaving the ocean to low to
baptize her. We made things work, and now she is a full member of The
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
David asked, 'for who is this, that he should defy the armies of the
living God?' (1 Samuel 17:26). When the Lord is on your side, and you
are doing his work, that  'uncircumcised Philistine' is no one to
worry about. All will work out in it's proper way in the end.
I love you all,
Elder Morley

Aug. 30, 2015 One Year Mark

This has been a great week for of progress and miracles. I just
remembered while sitting here that I hit my 4 month mark on this
island and my 1 year mark on a mission this past week. The time goes
far too fast. It's driving me crazy. There is really just not enough
time.

There is always lots to say, but in the interest of time I'll talk
about just one person. There is a little boy named _____.He
is 11 years old and lives with his grand parents. His grandma,
_____, is super faithful in the church and does everything to help
her grandchildren that live with her. His grandpa, is paralyzed and only has small control of his head,
arms, and speech. _______'s problem is that he is addicted to smoking.
He can smoke the equivalent of a pack a day, but he also really wants
to be baptized. This life has been rough on him. We decided long ago
that the goal for him was not really baptism, that can happen at any
time in the future. The goal for him is to save his future. He doesn't
go to school, and his life will be very short both because of
cigarettes. 

We have been working with him for months. He can quit for a
few days, then gets bored and goes back. However this week, Elder Vaai
was prompted to ask what his dreams for the future are. He wants to be
a pilot, basically the highest goal for any Kiribati person (almost
as crazy as me being an astronaut, but just as possible if he works
for it.) We told him that if he wants to be a pilot he will need to
quit smoking and go to school. This was the first time that when he
said, I'll quit, that it really seemed like he meant it! I love him
like a little brother and his grandmother like a grandmother. We
consistently go to their house to do service. We helped rebuild their
house, whenever we get food given to us that we won't have time to
cook or eat we give it to them. 

This small but constant help has
helped ______ as well. He can't move, but he is very strong willed. He
had the protestant ministers visit him every sunday, but last week he
told us (through ______) that he wants to be Mormon again. So
yesterday we were blessed with the opportunity to bring the Sacrament
to this  man and his family that couldn't come to church. I love
this work and the time it gives me to work with so many choice
children of our Heavenly Father. I am greatful for my time to serve
Him here in Nonouti, I wouldn't give this time away for anything in
the world. I love it SO much. I hope this next year goes slow and
gives me the chance to help and love many more people. I love you ALL!
Elder Morley
P.S. Can you send me inspirational stories, I want to encourage this
kid all I can!