Oct. 11, 2015 Pioneers

Hello!
This has been another great week! Before I start I have some news...
I'm getting transferred. I will fly off of this island on Monday
October 26 after almost 6 months here. I will then wait in Tarawa for
a few days, then fly to Nikunau. I will be companions with [....] a
Kiribati Elder. I will be senior companion and since this island was
opened for missionary work just at the beginning of the year, I will
also be the Branch President. The work there will be similar to here:
being in charge of all members, investigators, less actives and
everyone else. It should be fun!


Last week was fun because the government on this island completely ran
out of money. We couldn't get our money for the month. All of the
teachers and government workers didn't get paid. Plus the main income
for people is copra and the money comes through the government, so the
entire island was out of money for a week. Now we've gotter money, but
most people are still broke. Good thing food doesn't cost anything!

 Yesterday in church I was responsible for giving a training to all the
members. I taught them how to teach. Basically I tried to help them
learn how to make the simplest talk, lesson, or spiritual thought
possible. It has been kind of awkward uptil now. We ask someone to
give a talk and 1 of 2 things occur. First, they give a really strange
talk (We've had some fun ones...) or second, they go less-active. So
hopefully the training helped. I had lots of fun. I had to be fun, ask
them questions, do roll plays, etc. I felt like a seminary teacher
with no practice and minimal preparation! Also last week we got 10 or
so copies of the Liahona in Kiribati, so for the training (and also
for my talk) we talked about the Home Teaching message by President
Uctdorf, 'All is Well.' It is all about pioneers.

 As I was studying the talk to first teach then train with it occurred
to me that these people have no idea what a Pioneer is. They've never
even heard the word. So I prepared to describe what a pioneer is, and
it occurred to me that We are Pioneers. All of my members and
investigators here are pioneers. They are the first to come to church
here. They are setting the culture that will be built upon and used
for years in the future. Then it hit, I am a pioneer. I am the 10th
Elder on this island. I will be the 4th  Elder on Nikunau. A
large responsibility has been placed upon me. I am ready to accept
this work. I'll do the best that I can, and with the Lord's help All
things are possible. I know this work is true. I am greatful for this
chance I have to work with and be a Pioneer in these exciting times.
As President Brigham Young stated, "We're not going to wait for
Angels...We are going to build [Zion ourselves]!" I pray for you all!
Love

Elder Morley

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!

08/23/2015

I just had the thought that maybe some of my letters haven't made it
with the poor internet.
Whenever the internet dies I start a letter in Word and save it, then
finish it on line here are the 2 partial letters I have from this
month:
August  17
¬¬¬¬¬Hello Everybody,
This has been another wonderful week. The work is progressing and all
is well my companion and I get along well. I’m happy and healthy as
usual. The week last week started off with the adventure of Elder
Vaai’s bike. Monday night the pedal completely snapped off. It’s an
easy fix, if you have the right tools, which unfortunately we didn’t.
Tokarerei is a super strong member that lives close to the airport so
whenever an Elder’s bike breaks he holds it for spare parts. So the
pedal broke, the next day we went to visit Tokarerei. When none of our
tools was the right size to take the pedal off to put on a new one he
said, ‘Well here’s an old bike frame, let’s just switch everything!’
So we proceeded to take everything off of his current bike to put on
to the old one. Unfortunately everything was so rusty that it made the
simple project a little more interesting. Long story short, after lots
of random tools used and parts taken off of an even older bike we got
Elder Vaai a working bicycle again. He was left with an old red bike
with a green mud guard and a chain that broke 8 miles later. I had a
blast, I miss working with tools and making things work. When the
chain broke it miraculously snapped in front of an old man’s house
with lots of tools. He had the whole thing fixed in less than 10
minutes. Potential investigator!

August 11 - With this one I sent a picture, but it took ages to load
and when it did, internet for the whole office died for the rest of
the day. Sorry no pics from here
This was another Wonderful (and wet) Week!
The internet was down yesterday, so I don't have much time today, but
I do want to share that we had a baptism last Saturday. If the Picture
works you will see Etuati's (Edward's) family. In the back there is
Edward next to me, then Wiinaba, his wife, and Miire, his Aunt. In the
front (from right to left) his children Bibi, Taokai, Max, and
Tamariti, and his neice Muamua. He is a Melchezidek Priesthood holder,
but has been inactive for the past 5-10 years. It was a long process,
but his whole family is now active and baptized. We have spent a lot
of time at their house trying to help them to come back to the Truth
and now all of his kids feel like brothers and sisters to me. When he
asked me to baptize his children I happily accepted and as I stood in
the ocean with Max I felt like it was with a little brother. He was
funny. He has never seen a baptism before, so when I put my arm to the
square to say the Prayer, he thought I was going for a high five. We
did it twice before I was able to convince him that that is how the
prayer works. His family is completed and they and I feel so much joy
because of it. I have been so blessed to be able to watch the Holy
Ghost work this great change in their lives. I know that change is
possible, for with God and with Faith ALL things can come to pass. I
love you all and wish you the best in all of your endeavors. I keep
you all in my prayers often.
Love,
Elder Morley


K I've got to go now. I love you all so much. Today we're going to go
to service Killing a dog that bites passerbys (Elder Vaai is actually
pretty talented at it). Then service at a recently reactivated
member's house. Then Dance practice, then FHE at the same person's
house. Mwaaia and Teraita. More about them later.
Love you guys both so much!
Elder Morley


(David just told his that on his authority card it says that he is coming home on Aug. 9.  When we asked him what an authority card was, he sent this email.
It is the card that says that I have the authority to be a
representative of the church. I forget the official name.
Woah, I did visit you guys while sleeping this week. I dream every
night, but I never ever remember my dreams. This week, my Friday night
I dreamed that I was in my house in America. I immediately did the
math and found that I still had 12 months left and started sobbing, I
didn't want to be home. You guys tried to feed me my favorite Kiribati
food: fish and bread fruit, but I was so distraught I didn't want to
eat. I love America, but it was another reminder that I love it here
too much to leave just yet, We'll look forward to next year!)

 

Elder Morley performs a wedding and has a healing 8/23/2015

This has been another great week full of miracles. The first cool note
of notice is that I Elder Morley, performed my first marriage. A few
weeks ago we were asking the Clerk in the government office here if
she was available to do Edward's (the guy whose kids were baptized a
few weeks ago) marriage. She said she was, but why don't I do it
myself. I asked what she meant and she said, ' didn't you know, a
notice just came in that you have the authority to do marriages on
this island.'


So Last Wednesday Edward and his wife were finally
married by yours truly. It was fun. I felt so official reading the
marriage prayer put out by the church in Handbook #1. Marriage is such
a beautiful thing, it was cool to see how they tried to make it
similar to the temple sealing which is the most beautiful thing on
earth. It was simple and nice. I was so pleased to be able to first
baptize his children, then marry him and his wife. I am greatful that
I have been able to work so closely with this family that I love.

 The biggest miracle of this week happened last Friday. Mom sent me
some oatmeal, so I planned to make it for breakfast. But I spent the
morning writing in my journal catching up, so ran out of time to make
a fire to boil the water. I saw our neighbor cooking and asked her to
help me out. Pretty quick she had a nice pot of happily boiling water
for my sugary American breakfast. I brought over a big bowl to carry
the water back, but as I was walking back to my 'house' I got stupid.
My thoughts were occupied with the nice treat I was about to have. I
walked fast and the water spilled a little on my left hand. Now, I
know the proper thing to do is to freeze and the water will calm and
no harm will come. But as  I said I was distracted. I jerked my hand
so it splashed on my right hand, so I dropped the bowl and boiling
water splashed all over my face. Ooops... Man it hurt. I felt like 2
face, one half fine, the other half quickly turned bright red with
burns. I quickly dunked my head in cold water and left it there for 20
minutes. When ever it wasn't in the water it hurt so bad and I could
just imagine the long term effects of having a burn over my right eye,
cheek, and nose. Long story short, I asked Elder Vaai for a blessing
and in his infinite wisdom and love Heavenly Father saw fit to answer
my prayer sooner than later. By noon my face was completely healed. No
pain, hardly a remnant. I testify that Heavenly Father loves and cares
for each of us and will bless us in our times of trouble and peace. I
love this work.
Love ,
Elder Morley

Aug. 10, 2015

Internet died yesterday... We'll try another Tuesday morning this
week.

 All's well here. Love!
You've been asking for what I could use for a package. I know you
won't like it, but I'm just a little too practical. As for what would
be nice (as usual all wants not needs):
Screwdriver (Phillips and flat)
Lectures on Faith by Joseph Smith
Beef Jerky for Elder Vaai
Gospel Art Book (mine is deteriorated after the rain and the mission is out)
Calendar book Planner like Elder Smith's
Pictures of Temples and Jesus  to give away so that members can have pictures in their homes
Tooth brush and tooth paste
One of the captain Moroni figurines in my room (I believe they belong
to nate, but he hasn't taken them yet I think)
Battery Powered alarm clock, my watch is quiet. My body is pretty well
trained, but wake up still varies   so a little more
precision would be nice

Did you know that you raised a missionary. The entire way of life is
entirely lived in our home. Bed time, work ethic, scripture study,
music, and more are completely natural and fun to me.  
Elder Vaai is also a  hard worker. He came from Betio where
he was getting 40-50 lessons a week and want to achieve it here. He is
a good leader and we will do great work together.


(It seems that the internet wasn't doing well this week either, because this is all we received.  But enough to know that he is well.)