Sunday, December 27, 2015

Hello from Ambo 12/27/2015

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Well, last Monday I was supposed to fly back to Nikunua, but the
flight was delayed. I was so disapointed by it that I couldn't pull
myself together to write a letter. That worked out nicely though because it gave
me the chance to do a surprise Skype with my family. Here they are
thinking that they will have to endure Christmas with no phone call
and then, 'Hello!' So I feel really bad about not being in Nikunau,
but there are positives. After my flight was cancelled last week I
called the airport about 50 times in 3 days to get myself a new
flight, but to no avail. Now it looks like I'll leave first thing next
monday morning Jan. 4.

After the flight didn't go my companion Elder Tonini and I were so
frustrated with going on splits every day (seriously, we had been
comps for over 2 weeks and hadn't taught a single lesson together). So
we visited President and begged for an area. He had already been
planning on splitting the West Zone leaders area in Half this month,
so he gave that area to us. This is cool because that is the area that
I have been working in on splits, so I already know it and love the
people. I'll stay in Ambo until I finally get to leave the island. We
have lots of people that I really love, but I have really enjoyed
teaching one lady in particular. Her name is Ramwaua (it's like a
combimation of Ramen and hour). We started teaching her and she has
been really accepting the lessons. But then we started the Plan of
Salvation and asked her if she has ever pondered the questions where
did I come from? Why am I here? and Where am I going after this life?
before. Every one says no to that question. She said no at first, then
said that actually she has had a question like it before. Throughout
her life, especially right now, she has wondered why she is here. She
feels that her life is too hard and she wonders what she did wrong to
cause it. She has a husband and 3 little children that she doesn't
have the money to feed. SHe feels that she is keeping comandments and
living a good life, but that God must not love her because she can not
feel his love. SHe wonders if it is better if she just dies. Oh, I
almost cried when I heard her laments. But luckily those are the
questions this church is designed to answer. I have had so much fun
answering her questions. But before you give me any credit, I really
didn't do anything, it was all the Holy Ghost and the Words of God. We
felt that we should break up the PoS into 3 lessons, one for each
question. 

The first we focused heavily (more so than usual) on Adam
and Eve. We taught how it really was a good thing that they ate the
fruit, because it gave us a chance to come here and have joy. When we
read 2 Nephi 2:25 she laughed, she had never seen the truth of that in
her life. We explained that yes all of the sadness and despair she has
felt in this life came from the Fall, but so has all the happiness she
has felt and the joy she can;t even imagine. Next we taught the
importance of this life, focusing on the Savior. We read Matthew
11:28-30, Come unto me all ye that labor... and I will give you rest.
She looked doubtful, but the combination of that scripture with our
words and the beautiful feeling lead her to say this in her closing
prayer, 'Thank you God for answering my questions [why is my life so
hard? Does God love me? etc.]. My soul is at peace.' Then yesterday we
finished the Plan showing how much happiness our Heavenly Father has
promised for ALL of us. My favorite thing in the world is teaching
lessons. I feel so blessed to help her. Now her Less Active family is
starting to join in and I know she will see Miracles in her life. Soon
I'll go back to Nikunau, but until then I'll 'Give 'em Heaven' here in
Ambo!
Love,
Elder Morley

Saturday, December 26, 2015

The unexpected Christmas Skype 12/25/2015

I've decided to share this little bit more.
     On Christmas morning I woke up to a dream.  In my dream I realized that I hadn't seen David in a long time and that it was time for him to catch the bus to go to school.  So I went to the bus stop and waited for him.  He arrived at the bus stop and was his younger self.  He said to me,  "You have been gone a long time."  I said,  "I'm sorry that I was away, but I came straight here so that I could see you."  Then his hair was awry so I reached out to straighten it and we talked for a few minutes, but I don't remember the conversation.   Then he said, "Oh No!  I have just missed the bus." For a moment we both felt alarmed and then I recalled all the times that he had missed the bus in his youth,  as he was our youngest child and the only one at home, I had often taken him to school.  So I looked into his face and said,  "Don't worry,  I'll take you."  Then I woke up.

At first the dream seemed so innocent and brief that I thought nothing of it.  But then I realized that I could still feel how his hair had felt when I was smoothing it, and I realized that the conversation had been direct and personal and that we had been face to face together.  I carried the dream around in my heart and found it very comforting through Christmas morning.

In the afternoon we were surprised when our eldest son called us and said, Come to skype quickly, David is on.  We were in shock because in our mind David was safely back in Nikunau and we were very settled about him being there.  But, there he was on the computer screen.  So his story to us was that he and his companion had gone to the airplane last Monday only to find out that the flight had been canceled.  Pilot was either too tired or some reason like that, but the whole flight had been canceled.  David was beyond discouraged.  There was usually another airplane that could be chartered, but that airplane needed to be inspected and the inspection person lived in New Zealand and wouldn't be back until after the New Years.  This flight only flew once per week and next Monday was already sold out.  (The airplane holds 20 passengers and goes to other islands a long the way, like Beru.) They have tickets for January 4th which will make it 1 month since he was away and left the island without any leadership.  Elder Jenks, the new Senior missionary had already called all of the 20 passengers on the flight and asked them to give up their seats for our missionaries.  Even offered them a monetary award if they would give up their seats, but they were all waiting to get home as well and said no.

David was worried that because the congregation is so young  in the gospel and the persecution so great on the island that in their absence that some might be led astray.  In the mean time he and Elder Tonini had requested their own area in Tarawa so that they could work freely and not be reliant on the zone leaders.  Also, in the mean time, he had been able to see Elder Weir every day of this week, which was a great privledge having not seen him much at all his whole mission.

So, I guess that yesterday all the other Elders were skyping home and Sister Sue Richins Alldredge had offered to him to get on the computer and tell us Merry Christmas.  He told her that he already had had his skype and she said, (bless her heart) that he could just quickly tell us Merry Christmas if he wanted to.  So when we saw him, we were actually kind of sad, because we wanted him so much to be able to be on his island doing his work.  At the end of the conversation,  I told him about my dream.  Then he said,  "But Mom!  I did miss my bus!"  and then his dad said,  "Well, David there must be a reason for it."

So, last night and this morning, I pondered everything and it came to me that in the dream, I helped him to get to school, so then there really was something that I could do this time.  I could pray for him.  So this morning, I have prayed for the Lord's will to be done.  I have realized that the Lord might have a larger purpose in mind in keeping David on Tarawa, but that if it was His will that he be allowed to finish his purpose on Tarawa and return quickly to Nikunau.  I'm feeling really centered in the fact that I can not do anything my self personally, and that the Lord knows the situation exactly and that all will be right.  Also feeling very grateful that David was able to see his mission president this week.  He loves Pres. Weir so much.  This story does not have a resolution, but it does show the tender mercy of the Lord in sending me a dream that had the purpose of helping me direct my prayers. 

I asked David to thank Sister Alldredge for me.  He said,  "Of course mom!"  and I also saw Elder Carrington and Elder Hilliard briefly during the skype, recognized them, called them by name and said Hello to them.  Wow, what a crazy mission. 
Jennifer Seguine, Miwako Farley, Gaye Anne Edwards Hilliard, Koreen Carrington

Sunday, December 20, 2015

12/20/2015

If all went well, then David left this morning to go back to Nikunau.  I received this short email in the middle of the night last night and read it this morning.  Pretty much made me cry, but it is the kind of letter you wait a lifetime to receive.

Hey Mom,
I asked to have one last time to email before I fly out tomorrow. We are supposed to check in at 8 tomorrow morning. I just wanted to say that I love you. I wish that I could promise that I could email you every week, but I cannot promise what will happen out there. But I can promise that I will write a letter at least once a week. That is not this letter. This letter is a last good bye for who knows how long. I love this work. I KNOW with all my heart that I am Exactly where I am supposed to be. I am more watched over and loved that I could possible imagine before I got to this country. I also know that you are watched over as well. I love reading your letters. Angel is really the best way to describe you in every sense of the word. I read Elder Hollands talk about a Mothers Love, and it so perfectly described the relationship you have with me and I have with you. We have a special connection that cannot be broken by time or space or lack of modern technology. I love you. I love you. I love you. Be good. Be safe. Stay healthy and strong. Do all that the Lord tells you to do and all will go Exactly as it should.
Love, 
Elder Morley

Monday, December 14, 2015

Snail mail written Monday Nov. 30, 2015

On the same day that we skyped David, we also received this letter.
Monday Nov. 30, 2015

Hey Folks!
So, ah, funny story.... Last week, Wednesday night, um, the internet place burned down.  There's only 1 spot on the island with internet and well, it went up in smoke.  Thursday, (Thanksgiving) we went into town to do service for a member who lives by the government office.  We biked past and, to our surprise, where there used to be 4 buildings, now there was only 3.  The Protestant church in Kiribati is really big into fundraising.  There was a group renting the government's oven to make scones.  Well, they chose to do it into the middle of the night and while their last batch was cooking they left to take a break leaving the kerosene stove untended.  To their disappointment they came back at 2am to find their scones burnt and coincidentally the entire office in flames.  That office stored all the birth, death and marriage records that haven't entered into the computer, the fund raising efforts for women and youth, 2 generators, 3 laptops, a printer, a modem and a satellite dish.  All gone.  So it looks like we're back to letters her on out. 
     Due to time change, looks like this may be a good time to say "Merry Christmas!"  or maybe Happy New Year!  as long as we're not at Have a Jolly Groundhog's day we are doing all right.
     Whenever this gets to you I want to make sure to say Congrats to the Beautiful Mrs. Rachael Ann Quinn!  I hope you had a wonderful day.  I sure did.  I decided that you would probably get married right around noon on the 28th.  So Sunday morning when I first woke up I decided to celebrate with you.  I can't be in the temple with you just yet, but I can join in prayer and scripture study.  I woke up and studied about the New and Everlasting covenant, about Temples and about marriage.  You did a beautiful thing.  The sealing is my favorite part of temple work.  Such amazing promises are made and there is always a wonderful spirit there.  In church I taught the members about Temples.  All the members in Nikunau send their Congrats and Good luck.
     At our second session of church (one up North in Monubenua, one down South in Nikumanu) there were 13 natives there.  That might sound lame, but it was a miracle.  My first week, there were 4 kids, then 6, then 7, and this week 13 with adults.  A miracle.  Ironically this miracle was provided by a KUC Minister name Tio.  He is an RM that is the strongest oppose of our church on the island.  Whenever we do something he fins a way to combat it.  We hold church in a member's house in Nikumanu,  unfortunately the members are in Tarawa.  We can still use the house, but the people watching the house are KUC.  This week Tio scheduled a pot luck lunch with them at the exact same time as our church.  So their house was busy with a whole bunch of guests coming over.  We found out on Saturday and quickly asked an investigator if we could borrow his house.  This investigator, Ruoi and his wife maomao were progressing great, but I think he got discouraged going to church with only 4 kids so stopped progressing.  We've started holding FHE in his house on Tuesdays so he was chill to let us borrow it again.  Why is this another great example of the Lord's timing?  The Lord is so good at turning weaknesses into strengths.  We have 1 golden investigator, Tabeti.  We invited her to church for the 1 st time this week.  She accepted, but we were kind of embarrassed to have her come to church to see a bunch of kids there.  ("oh the Mormon is a church for children ' is not an idea we wanted to get started.  So basically in the ministers attempt to mess up our church, he helped 3 investigators all see  that this is a church for adults.  I think we'll have a lot of investigators coming in no time.  Next week is combined Fast Sunday up North, so I think a lot will get on the car and see how  big this church really is! 
     After church we went on splits from about 330 - 4pm  or your time, 8:30 - 9pm Sat.. 28)  I was working with Teiaaba, the Dad at the house I live in.  The whole time I was just so filled with happiness.  I just loved sharing the gospel with a good friend of mine who is kind of like a dad.  I just couldn't stop telling him how I have the greatest job in the world and talking  up our work.  I was so overjoyed.  At one point, biking a long a thought popped in my head.  It said,  "I am the most blessed person in the world."  Rachael I hope that is how you and our whole family felt on that great day.  We are truly blessed and watched over every day of our lives.
     New from here.  Since I first got here we found 30 new investigators, 2 are Golden and are leading their families,  lots are making amazing progression and almost all keep letting us come back.  We'll go tracting on Wednesday, so hopefully that will increase.  Max church in my time, 35.  Max lessons in 1 week 37, average 32.  Our current goal is 40 church and 42 lessons, so a few more investigators will make that comfortably possible.  Transfers on Thursday.
Merry Christmas
Love,
Elder Morley

Sunday, December 13, 2015

12/13/2015 Tarawa

Hi all!
My companion  had some  medical concerns.
And since there is no reliable way of comunication
from Nikunau we decided, through prayer, to take a 'roadtrip' by
airplane back to Tarawa. I remember my sister's mission and her not
being able to leave her area which was on the other side of the
street, and now I was buying an airplane flight (with cash) for $320.
So, Hi Tarawa! I almost cried leaving that island not knowing when or
if I would be able to get back. So, back to culture shock.
In Tarawa I was miserable. My brand new companion was taken away from
me and given to Elder Carrington. Now I got Elder Carringtons
companion, Elder Tonini from Texas. He has worked a year in Marshalls
and now is here without any MTC language training, so I'll train him,
sorta. When you train here we call it your son. So my son was taken
and I got a strange benjamin button child who is old and good with
culture, but can't talk. Fun! He is awesome and I can't wait to work
with him. Trying to focus on lessons was tough because every time we
heard a concern or met a person all I could think about was Nikunau and
my family and investigators there. I did everything I could to get
back.

We thought that I would be able to get out last Thursday, but
the air Kiribati flight that I flew in on was full flying back. It is
full until the 21st of December. We tried to charter our way out, but
his airplane is getting a yearly inspection and wont be ready until
Wednesday. So I'll probably leave on wednesday, but that was hard to
accept last monday. I prayed, called the airport and even did a
special fast so that I could get out. But my prayer was answered when
I tried the last time to check if there was a space on the flight. I
called the airport the night before 4 times. Our house has no service
so I tried to walk out to the road. I don't wear shoes as much
anymore, so I was standing at the end of our driveway when I started
having the strangest sensation on my feet. It was like I was being
stabbed with dozens of needles. I ran back to the house and found my
legs completely covered in red ants. Hmm. I don't take hints easy, so
I tried again, now with shoes ina different spot. It rings. Rings.
Rings for ages and sound like someone answers, but then the service
dies. SO then I decide to try someplace high. I am so desperate that I
climb up on the ZLs big van and try there. Same thing. It rings.
Rings. Rings for ages and sound like someone answers, but then the
service dies. So I get down and bash my arm into the cement garage
wall. Just another thing telling me, 'No Elder Morley, your work here
isn't done yet." So I went to work the next day and felt awful. So I
prayed super hard and asked for the strength to let go of Nikunau for
a little while and be able to work for real here. After I did that I
was blessed to be able to see how wonderful the work here is. My time
isn't done outie, but I think I would be able work here. Since we were
on splits all week the area exploded. They got so many investigators
and we were able to teach 59 lessons. I love this work and know that I
am where I am supposed to be. I hope you all have a great christmas.
If all goes well, see you in the new year!
Love
Elder Morley

--
Elder Morley

Monday, December 7, 2015

12/7/2015 back to Tarawa for stats....

Hi all,
I don't have much time. The Wednesday before last the Government office that is the only place with internet on the island of Nikunau burned down. Ooops! Well lon gstory short I'll be in Tarawa for a few days making sure our stats get in on time.
Nikunau is awesome. We have 23 progressing investigators and the work is just exploding. One investigator's name is Ieremia (Jeremiah). We have been telling him every visit to pray about the Prophet Thomas S Monson and then about new things as new lessons come up. But he is only free on Saturdays, so I've only had a few chances to meet/ teach with him. Well last Saturday he told us that he has been praying every night for the testimony of President MOnson. Last Wednesday he had a dream where he was praying and a man in white appeared to him. The man was floating in the air and Ieremia thought that it was God. But then he looked up and the man had the face of President Monson. He woke up in the morning and asked a dream interpreter what it meant. The dream interpreter said it wasn't a dream, it was a vision (potential investigator?). So our investigator was so excited to tell us about it. So I am so excited to work with him a little more. Now he is reading the Book of Mormon.
Well, I love you all lots. See you after Christmas!
Love, 
Elder Morley

Sunday, December 6, 2015

12/6/2015 Internet site burned

We received this letter from David's former companion.  I didn't know that there was only one internet site on the island.  I think that it could be a while until we hear from him now.  I will publish the snail mail when it gets here. Diane


Mauri
Last week and we have a transfer, and i am Elder Tiaon being transfer from Nikunau now and i am working in Betio second ward, and Elder Morley being working with Elder Helliot in Nikunau.
But Elder Morley told me to send this mail to you.

But he told me to send a good news about the only place with internet on the island wet up in flame last week. there a snail mail on the way telling you all about it, give my congrets to Rache and Ynow that i had a wonderful day at the time of wedding. I am truely blessed. I love you all.
Merry Christmas, happy new year and have a joy ground hogs day.
Love Elder Morley.