5 January 2009

Hello to my family of four (thats not counting myself)! it is good to hear from you all. your emails are always so sweeet! they always build me up and give me renewed strength to go out and serve! This week was a cool week to be in the czech republic, we had new years and that was a lot of fun. We went sliding down a mountain on sleds and all sorts of cool stuff. Not to metion we had a good week for teaching lessons and seeing an individual enter into the waters of baptism. We really had a successful week and we were able to find to new investigators. The Lord is a champ! He is leading this mission so well. He is walking people right into the missionaries, it truly is fantastical. We were actually contacted by an individual as we were walking home one night from tracting. he gave us his number and so we will be meeting with him sometime this coming week. Missionary work is pretty crazy but a whole lot of fun. People are really fun and really unique. I really like talking to people, i remember back when i used to be sooo shy, i still am of course but im learning how to get over it and so im really starting to see my personality change to where i can carry a conversation with people without a problem. I hope that everyone of you back home are finding life to be an enjoyable adventure because this life is a very shortime that we have to prepare to meet our Father in heaven. And if the time we had wasnt one of joy then it would not make for very good stories in the next life. I can picture big groups of people all sitting around nephi or noah or moses and listening to them sharing the stories of how they got the plates or parted the sea or saw the earth fill with water. So go out and make your life into one that you will love to share stories about.

Well lets take some time to get to some questions:
How's your companion doing? my companion is a stud, all of my companions have really been quite amazing i have been blessed on my mission to have had such good companions. He is very motivated to speak and learn czech and to find and bring people unto the waters of baptism.

Are you getting along okay? We are getting along just fine, no problems, Im learning a lot from him.

Did Pepik get baptized yesterday? Yes he did!!! on saturday that is he did get baptised and comfirmed on sunday.
If so, Who performed the baptismal ordinance for Pepik? he had requested that i do, I told him that we prefer for members to perform the ordinance because they will be here the whole time to provide strength and support whereas missionaries leave, but he wouldnt have it. He insisted that i perform the ordinance so i gladly did it. It was a really great experience.

Do you think you will be transferred during the next transfer? Im not quite sure, im feeling about 50-50 right now so we will just have to wait and see.

Do you need a new pair of jeans? It is possible,
Can you buy them there or do I need to send you the pair you left here? if you wouldnt mind sending the ones you have there because i like how those ones fit. but if that will cost just as much money to buy them here then i can just do that. Just let me know, its not a big deal.

Alrighty then. Im going to end there i will wish you all the best of lives this coming week. Thank you again for the wonderful emails, it really means a lot to me. Happy new years!!!

Love, your one and only son ,morgan

26 December 2008

So i just talked to you all not too long ago, about 2 days ago. that was awesome im so glad that we got to speak. By the way the way to say merry christmas here is, "Vesele Vanoce!" but as you know i am doing really quite well. it was a shame that i had to have you all call earlier. It would have been neat to talk to grandpa. You can send him love from me. Im truly grateful for the conversation we had it was very uplifting for me.

This mission as you have probably noticed has changed me quite a bit. i have truly learned that charity and love are two very important things. Im trying to take upon myself the characteristics that Christ had. And as i have learned about these two in particular, charity and love, i have felt the power that these two qualities hold, especially when you show these towards others. Im having a lot of fun out here. It is harder during the holiday season to be away from home, but time moves quickly, and before i know it ill be saying that i want to go back and serve my mission again. That knowledge gives me motivation to continue on giving my all.

Let me know when you all get my package i sent. i guess it'll be sometime after you return home from grandpa's. Im currently at a loss for words of what to write or say seeing as how we just spoke. Well like this, I love you all so much i thank you for being prepared and willing to listen to the missionaries that taught you and brought you unto the gospel. If it were not for the decisions that both of you made, then i would not be here today in the czech republic. Thank you dearly for that.

Vy jste neco uzasneho a nemohu chapat jak drahocenny jste mi. Nepral bych si abych mel nejakou jinou rodinu. uz vidim jak spatne mluvim anglicky. Je to vtypny. Mam vas moc rad. You are something amazing and i cant grasp how priceless you are to me. I would not wish to have any other family.

I am already seeing how badly i speak english. its funny. I love you all so much. Take care and have fun this holiday season. s laskou___with love,your son ,morgan

15 Dec 2008 - It snows here - ALOT

Hello family of mine I hope you are all doing wonderful im really getting excited for this holiday season. It is going to be amazing. I know you all are excited for christmas and when you get to call!! And you are in luck because i have the information today, for what you will need to do to call.

But by means of the work, things are going swimmingly, i want to thank you for all your prayers. Missionary work here is going through ups and downs. In some areas missionary work is going very well, wereas in other areas it is currently struggling, nevertheless we are seeing an overall increase in baptisms here in this country. We currently have 4 baptismal dates that we are now working with in our area of Liberec. It is a lot of work, and very hectic. Im am very pleased though that the Lord has chosen my companion and i to be here to carry out this work. It is interesting to reflect back on my own life and to see and ponder about the kind of individual that i was. The Lord has truly opened my eyes to what i truly am capable of doing, i even remember how i would not dare walk in a gas station by myself to use the bathroom, because i was so shy and afraid to talk to people. But the Lord has strengthened my weaknesses and turned them into strengths, but the Lord can do this with anyone of his children. The Lord will open the eyes of those who are first willing to rise up from their beds, He is willing to give the words to speak to the person who is first willing to open his mouth. Its amazing the things that i have seen here since ive been on my mission, but nothing that i have seen is anything that could not have happened before i came out, i simply did not have the faith, nor was i willing enough to do my part. We must do our part and then the Lord does the rest.

I love you all, you have been an amazing example to me. I love your letters, they always give me the strength to continue on and to continue working. My time here is running out. I must hurry and do all i can. Im beggining to think that two years is two short....maybe ill ask for an extension...? Just Kidding mom...hehe, but i do need to work harder to accomplish the goals that i have set. I love you mnoho krat.

Here are the questions:
Questions:

How is it going with Elder Briggs? he is a great companion, loves to speak czech and really wants to learn and have success. I have been blessed with a wonderful companion.
How is his Czech? his czech is better than mine was at his age in the mission.
Have you had the Czech Food (or slovak) Halusky? yup i know how to make halusky from scratch. Ill make it when i get home.
What is your favorite Czech Food so far? Svickova definately.
Are you still having Christmas there (at the Toplansky)? on the 24th we will be at a members home, the 25th for lunch i will be at the toplansky.
Is it getting colder? much it is on average about -2 degrees celcius, not too too bad. but plenty cold for a hawaii born florida raised boy.
Has your christmas box arrived yet? not yet that i know of but im not in prague they are going to do a christmas run for all the missionaries and take all of them their packages for christmas

welll family i love you and wish you the best christmas holiday. Are whitney and Jeff coming down for the holiday? Take care of yourselves i love you so much.

Your son
Frosty the Morgan

08 Dec 2008

Well i must say that this week was a pretty decent one. I was in Prague and Brno on thursday and then on friday. that was tons of fun, it is always great to be surrounded by friends, whenever we talk to people on the streets, sometimes we will ask them what is the most important thing for them in their lives, and a lot of times we would get the answer that friendship is really important to them. I think that friendship with those people that have the same standards as we have is a really great thing to have. When a person can sit down with a great friend and discuss those things that are most important to them, that there is a truly great feeling of comfort and happiness. Surround yourself with those people that you can have this sort of relationship with, with people that you can talk to about the gospel and about the mysteries of this life and the life to come, people with whom you can talk to about families, and standards. There amoungst those people will a person feel a greater sense of self worth and greater happiness.

I love you family. time for questions:
How is everything this week? Doing very well, still pumped and ready to go.
Is everyone getting ready for Christmas? yes they are we have a gigantic christmas tree on our town square (namesti)
Are the members totally excited to see success and are they pumped about missionary work? yes they are very excited and are really getting involved.
How is your new southern boy companion? he is very nice and super great. this will be a good transfer.
What are his interests? He had a scholarship to play basketball at a private college in north carolina
What did he participate in - in school? basketball, he is very good.
What city in North Carolina is he from? Goldsberg
Do the Thorlos socks keep your feet warm? for the most part, i need new sneakers because my feet freeze in the little vans i have.
When is your next trip to the Mission Office? this tuesday
Do you feel the Christmas Spirit over there? not as much as i would at home, home is what makes christmas special not neccessarily the trees or snow or any of those things, just being home is what is awesome
How much time do you get to talk this Christmas? not sure yet probably just an hour
What are your plans for Christmas Dinner? the 24th we are with members having dinner. and the 25th we are going to be at erik and anna's for lunch!!!

Family you are amazing i love youu soo much and wish you the best this christmas. Start thinking about new years resolutions, and make plans to make them happen!!!!

Ill talk to you next week.

love your son Morgan

01 Dec 2008

Are you EXCITED!!!!!!! to know what is going to happen? So im staying in Liberec and getting a new companion. His name is Elder Briggs. He is in the same MTC group as elder Hatch, my current companion, and he is from the south, i think from North Carolina, so we are going to be having some southern blood coming into the Liberec North area which is going to be a lot of fun. Im really excited about that. From what i hear Elder Briggs is one of those good Southern Grown missionaries. This past week was very exciting. We had two baptisms, and were still able to maitain a high standard with teaching member lessons. We had 21 so we were just 9 short of last week which is a.ok in my book seeing as how we were able to help two others enter the waters of baptism. Thank you for letting me know about the letter you shared that really means a lot to me. I truly hope the members all know that they can do whatever they set theirs minds to, especially when that involves missionary work. I'll tell you something, I talked a lot about faith and fire in my last letter and how that helps to bring more people into the gospel, but there is something else they we can do to go along with that and it is called expectations. The Lord wants us to develop our skills and to be obedient unto his commandments. He has promised us over and over again that if we are obedient unto him that he with bless us with limitless numbers of blessings. We can all take those blessings he has promised us and as we are faithful and obedient, we can expext the Lord to do things. This past week as missionaries as we have been obedient and faithful, and we have gone out finding, expecting fully that he will lead us to those who are prepared, expecting fully that we will find that person and teach them the gospel and invite them unto christ, and that they will feel the holy ghost and except the invitation, and i testify to you that it has worked that we have been led.

The Lord always, and with all my heart i say this, He will always keep his end of the promise. As i have relied on the Lord, i have never been let down, not even once. With sacrifice comes victory, and with the test of faith comes the opening of heavens and an outpouring of miracles and blessings. I know with all my heart that God lives and that he is truly the Father of our spirits, and that he being connected with the deepest points of our hearts knows how to give good gifts to his children, to those that are worthy and faithfully expecting. Expect miracles, but be willing to show forth faith. Before the miracle comes though, be prepared to struggle, to cross paths with the difficult, to see your faith tried, but when that comes continue on and endure with the full expectation that the miracle is waiting just around the corner, and i promise with all my heart with all faith in the Lord that the miracle is just around the corner. Never give up hope, never lose faith.Im learning more here than i could have ever imagined. Life is an interesting experience. There are always new canyons around every corner and great mountains to climb. The trick i have learned is to never stop climbing. The canyons can be deep and hope can look like the small twinkle of light at the end of the tunnel, but never stop climbing, the longer you climb the more distance you put between yourself and the great adversary, and the closer you get at ever step at every foothold, to our Lord and Savior in the kingdom of our Father.

Our questions for Morgan:

Turkey Bowl:Were you the QB of the team? nope i ran and played a little line defense.

How did you all celebrate Turkey day? We ate together as a district at a nicer restaurant

How cool that Elder Rust was playing too. Is he in your zone? Yeah he is, it was so funny because he was so excited when we asked him to play. Funny Funny man I like him.

I love you mom I love you dad I love you whitney and jeff
Im thankful for you prayers for me and the people here.
Dodrz (Endure)
your son and missionary,Morgan

24 Nov 2008

Hey Family So i must Say that i have just had the best week on mission by far. I saw many miracles! like actual miracles happen. Stuff where i was just like standing there with my mouth open with no idea how it happened! Crazy those will be stories i will hold onto forever. You will hopefully get two of them in voice files today. So this week was amazing. So last week as i was turning in numbers elder Mack our Zone Leader challenged us to teach 10 member lessons this week. Now let me fill you in on the size of the challenge that he had given us. The every week average for a companionship is about 4-5 and those are good numbers, the standards of excellence or mission standards are to get 4 lessons a week with members. So of course i accepted elder macks challenge and threw it right back at him to also get 10 member lessons. So we went to work setting up meetings with members to be present. Monday we had 2 already so we were looking good. Tuesday we had three in the plan, but all three fell out and that is when we had a tough day but we saw a miracle when we went tracting and found a family that is totally prepared, they let us in & we shared a message and they loved it and became new investigators. We saw them twice this week, they have a 4 yr old girl and two 4 month old twins, boy and girl. Awesome family!!! The dad originally studied to be a priest, but then met his wife, I talk about it in the voice files.

Oh yeah i gave the other elders in the district the challenge as well and they accepted so we worked together a ton during this week. But yeah long story short not only did both companionships get 10 member lessons, but both companionships got 15 member lessons putting us at a total of 30 member lessons and 6 other lessons!!!!!!! It was 100 percent amazing!!! I've never seen anything like it. I don't know why the Lord loves us so much, but for some reason he does!!! He helped us so much, I am blown away. it is so unreal what two very powerful things can do when you put them together. Faith + Fire = Miracles , I'm not kidding it was so Crazy! I really did see miracles with my own eyes this week. And to add to it, We only have 9 active members that we can teach with during the week!! I think each one of them at least taught with us twice, some of them even more than that. Then, to top it all off We challenged two more people in our area to baptism for the 3rd of January, and they excepted giving our little city 5 baptismal dates, And all 5 of them were at church as well as two other investigators giving us 7 investigators at church. I'm really having trouble knowing what i should think about all this.

In the Zone we have 7 missionary companionships and all together the zone taught 54 Lessons with members, our district of 2 companionships carried the whole Zone!! Ok but we have to be Humble, The Lord has opened the windows of heaven on this Mission, he has raised our sights by showing us that we can do more, that we can find people, and that we can bring children unto Christ no matter where we are in the world. They say this area of the world is hard to baptize in, I would say otherwise. All we need is to raise our sights and mix Faith with Fire! Anything is possible. We are about to have three baptisms this coming saturday and it is going to be amazing! This branch had gone through a period where they had not seen a baptism for 3 or 4 years straight. They are about to see three and then a following two next year. At the beginning of the transfer we told the mission that we would for sure get two baptisms. Well we are doing that and even more two it, we are going to get four!! The stereotype has been broken, this is no longer a mission where baptisms are hard to find, this is becoming a mission where baptismal fonts are hard to find!!! We are going to Prague for the baptisms because we dont have anywhere to do it here in Liberec.

We found 10 new investigators this week as a district! The thing that pleases me most right now, is the fact that it isnt just the district leaders companionship that is making all these things happen, it is both companionships in the district that are equally stepping up to the plate. It has been awesome thanks for your prayers.

Mom's questions:
Are your shoes staying warm and waterproof? yup they are doing good but my regular sneakers arent
Dad and I think you may need to buy some warmer shoes or boots for the winter - what do you think? i should be ok with the dress shoes.
Have you heard from Karel and how he is doing in Olomouc? (if you get his address, we would love to write to him) he is doing amazing and has a surprise talent for playing the piano , so he received the calling of branch pianist.!!! so cool
Are you homesick at all? It is ok if you aren't, I guess we just raised a well adjusted young man. And you are even doing it without your blankie. I'm not too homesick, of course i miss my family, but I'm having a great time here.

Dad's questions:
How cold is it now? So Cold 2 below 0 Celsius
Are you freezing yet? pretty close.

We've seen pictures through one of the webcams and it looks like a lot of snow. Is it like a snowy village like you see on the postcards or is it just like snow back here and wet and cold? It is Like snowy villages in the postcards.
Do you need more thermal long-johns, scarves, gloves, etc? I can get most stuff here the exchange rate is pretty good right now.

Are you still having fun? Having a blast

Well i must go i hope the letter helps i had such a good time. I love you so much .

Your son Morgan Nowland

17 Nov 2008

Well i tell you what we just had an amazing week in the district! we taught 28 lessons between the two companionships 15 of those lessons were with members! That is an all time record for this area since it has been in existence. the closest this district has ever come to that number of member lesson and just lessons period was two weeks ago when the whole district together taught 23 lessons 11 of which were with members present. Before this transfer the highest amount of lessons taught together as a district was i think like 15. 6 with members. So this district is flying to new heights, and none of that is because of me, it is all because of the missionaries in this district. They have new vision, aim, and faith. The Lord is blessing this area of his vineyard, and i am so thankful to be apart of it. WE have three baptismal dates in the area right and are looking to add two more to that this coming week, so we will see how that goes. We have this coming week and then one more after it before transfers so get excited! Most likely i will be staying here in Liberec but we will see what happens. Our district right now is the youngest district in the mission all four of us being here for less than a year. It is so amazing what faith and fire can do when you put the two of them together. Being here and seeing the success that we are having is such a great testimony to me that it doesnt matter where an individuals language skill is at, it matters where you faith is and where your motivation is. Amazing things are happening in this area and we are looking to do even more. We have planned as a district to have 20 member lessons 10 from each companionship. It is going to be sweet!! The coolest part is that the members truly are starting to catch the vision, they are starting to teach with us a lot more often. Imagine this we taught 15 lessons with members this week, and we only have 7 members that we can teach with. Woo Hooo!! Go members!! We have more members than that but they live in different cities outside of Liberec so it is a little harder to teach with them. Missionary work can be so much fun! and its crazy because im already moving into my tenth month an my mission, but only my eighth month in the field! I cant believe how fast time goes by. Our most progressing investigator right now is named Lukas. We have taught him the first three lessons and the Law of Chastity, learning the vocabulary to teach that lesson was fun i'll tell you what.....That was a little awkward. Lucky for me that we have Preach My Gospel in czech so that helped a ton.

Next week we will be in Prague for our P-day to have a Turkey Bowl between the Hradec Kralove Zone (Thats us) and the Prague Zone. So i will be emailing probably closer to 3 or 4 our time.

Questions from home:
Are you teaching bunches? yeah, we taught 28 lessons in the District 11 of those were from us, so the other elders are showing us up but, im really pleased with that because my goal was to get the missionaries in this district to a point where they all could move on to District Leaders before this transfer was over. I think that we will see that happen from the example they have been setting by their work. The missionaries here really are finding machines. It is mission standard to find and make three new investigators every week.

Do the members feed you, have you for FHE with investigators? tonight we have one which will make for our second of the transfer!

What are their customs for Christmas? they have Karp for christmas dinner, that is a custom and also something for the children that has to do with an angel the devil and saint nick. ill tell you more when that rolls around.

Do you get snow there? yeah it started to flurry today while we were outside.

Do you need cool ideas for teaching your district? no i think i should be good but feel free to send stories when you want, or you can always send talks and things in the mail for me to use and read

What kind of things do you drink? Juice, water, Kofola (czech soda)

What do you eat for lunch most often? stroganoff, soup, Gyros

What do you eat for dinner most often? sandwich, leftovers.

Je vam zima? ( moms note: I asked him if he was cold in Czech and this is his reply - I have no earthly idea what it says- that will teach me)
no to je ano. je mi velmi zima, myslim ze budu koupit neco noveho aby mi chladno nebyl. ale co? to nevim.

Well i believe that is all for now i have to write my letter to president and then we have to fly because we have a couple of meetings tonight.
Take care everyone i love you all, and i thank you for your prayers in my behalf.

Much love to you from the Czech Republic, "The CR"
Your missionary or son, or both,
Starsi Nowland

10 Nov 2008

Dear Friends and Family,
Here is Morgan's letter from this week. His Czech language is causing many typo's so instead of correcting them, I hope you can read between the consonants. Enjoy, Susan

hiya moma a dada

Well greetings from central europe! it is still crazy for me to think about it sometimes that im roaming around causing spiritual havac (in a good way of course) in the middle of the european continent. the temperature here is definately dropping and the skies are looking greyer and greyer. The Locals are saying that we should be entering into snow season in about the next 3 weeks so im getting excited and a little nervous. i hope i will be able to stay warm. No ill be fine, im really excited. So it sounds like good things are happening in georgia!!! wooo hooo! So by the time i come back home there will be a new stake there right?! Well family i just went on a vilet(day trip)today to a castle called Bezdez. it is one that is in ruins but it was very neat and beautiful. i'll have to send the pictures from that next week though. I had lots of fun and was really evcited that i could enjoy the time with the district. So pretty much everyone in all of Europe knows that we have a new president, and whenever we contact people on the street they always through in "the Question" so, what do you think about your new president? So it is a little difficult, we just tell them that we have been away from home so long already that we dont know a thing about him.

Anyways the work is going really well, we found 8 new investigators this week in our area (not to be confused with potential investigators)! it was awesome, that is 8 people that we have had a lesson with, prayed with, and set up a following meeting with. The work is so hard but so satisfying and fun!

Our Questions to Morgan:
How is tracting going? (Note from Mom: By the way tracting is spelled without a "K". hehehaha.)
As you learn a new language your mother tongue starts to go to the dumps, in czech we say Traktovani for the english word tracting which is probably why i cant spell it correct. tracting is a little hard just because here the situation is a little different. Going trakting here is like walking into a hotel back in america and knocking on the peoples doors. So as you can guess a lot of people arent too happy about that. So its a little difficult to find the elect. but it is possible.
Is your teaching pool getting bigger?yes we found 8 New investigators this past week!!!
Where is Elder Hatch from? Arizona phoenix area
Are you eating well? yup im learning to cook some good things.
What size pants do you wear now? Is your waist size 33 or 34? probably 34
Do you want me to send one of the pair of brown pants that you didn't take? if you would like to.
Any favorite food items that you want me to send that you can't get there? Oreos, popcorn, Chicken in a can for chicken salad!!
Do you ever use the iron we sent with you? i left it at the MTC it was too heavy. We have a good one right now in our apartment
Are you keeping a journal? i have kept a journal everyday for about four months straight now. Im am very pleased with it.
Well family it has been a great week and we are looking forward to giving a baptismal commitment to our investigator Lukas so, In the words of a czech Hold Your Thumbs!!! It is the same as cross your fingers, or you can just pray that helps too...haha...Ftyp, that is how they say joke.I love you, stay strong,and keep the faith, Morgan

Mom Note: I attached his letter to his mission president - we have the video of the Miracle Bowl and have watched it a couple of times. I also showed the last 3 minutes of the game in Seminary one year to teach the principle of "Never Giving Up" - so it seems there is one thing he remembered from Seminary. (hopefully there are many more).

President,
Well it has been quite an eventful week. We were able to see a great amount of success this week as a district. As I reflect back on everything that happened I was able to see that our success, finding 13 new investigators, was due to the fact that we had the faith and the energy to go and do it. We had the help of other missionaries in the zone, but even still when it comes down to it, like in The Miracle bowl as we call it in the year 1980, when BYU played SMU (Southern Methodist Univ.), BYU was down quite a few touch downs, and everybody had given up hope and had left the stadium thinking the game was in the bag. That didn’t matter though, BYU wanted it, they knew they could get it and so maybe we could say “with faith” they went after it and came out on top victorious at the end. BYU scored 21 points in the last 2 minutes and 33 seconds of the game. That, is what it takes in missionary work, it takes sacrifice, and struggle, and then after the trial of our faith that is when it comes. That is when victory is made, that is when the elect are found and brought back into the presence of God.
As missionaries we are apart of a great work that I’m still trying to figure out and understanding. But my understanding becomes more and more clear as I see my faith tried and as I see they blessing from that trial. If I could just get rid of my own self pride, that I know how this work works and that I know what’s best for these people, then I would start to see that the Lord truly knows how it works and the He truly knows what is best for his children. It becomes clearer.
The district is doing great we have little kinks to work out but we will overcome. With Lord at our side we can accomplish all.

Starsi' Nowland

03 Nov 2008

Hello Family
I hope everything is looking wonderful there in Georgia. Things are moving along here in Liberec. This past week was a harder one for us. We had some really great finding activities. We found 14 potential investigators!! it was really great. We also went to Jicin for a Zone Flood. Jicin is the sisters area so it was really good for them. I Love you so much. Make sure momma that you also look at moderation in all things. I really didn't intend for you to go out with the missionaries everyday...That is Amazing!! and I'm sure you helped their investigators overcome great difficulties and concerns ...but you are teaching future missionaries in Seminary, which is also missionary work. What really helps is if you could pick one day every week or even every other week and set that day with sisters and then they can plan on being able to use you on that day, and set up lessons in the spot where you have said you'd be available. If every member were able to give 2 hours every other week to teach with the missionaries, then they would never have to teach a lesson without a member!!! But you all are doing such amazing work there in Georgia. I am so impressed and pleased with the great advances in missionary work and the growth of the ward. Two Thumbs up!!!
It gets dark here now around 5:00 in the evening, its kind of crazy, but makes for really interesting missionary work. Our teaching pool has taken a large hit now that Jvan has been baptized, Igor moved to Slovakia, and that a few investigators dropped us. We are having to do a bit of re-building, which means a lot of finding time. It is very difficult though because we are currently making the transition from contacting missionaries to tracting missionaries so we as a companionship are running into a problem because we don't quite have a hold on how to make it work so we are struggling with finding new investigators. It will start to pick up, we just need some time to figure out how to tract.
Questions:
1. What is your local address? you will have it next week...im sorry i forgot it while sitting here.
2. Can I send your Christmas package there? you might be able to. I dont know if im going to suggest that though.

3. Do you have that pen that I gave you that has the oil vial in it? i do and i can use that for sure.

4. Do you think you will be there in Liberec for Christmas? Im not sure. Since elder Hatch has already been here for two transfers now, that probably means he will leave and that i will stay, but i really dont know.
5. Are you staying warm? yeah im doing pretty good. Ive already broken out the long johns. So at least for now im good. (you know how Momma's worry-especially this Momma)



Did Karel get baptized on Saturday? YES!!!!! he did its so Amazing!!! I was able to talk to him on the phone on the day of the baptism!!! WOOO HOOO!!!!!
(Note: Karel is the young Taiwanese man that was in the Czech Rep studing at the University in Morgan's last area. He was on a train that Morgan and his companion were on. Morgan's Czech was not that great yet and this young man was speaking English. Morgan said he was so nervous because he has only been there a couple of months, but how could he not tell this man about the gospel - he was after all speaking English, so he had no excuse not to tell him. And after a few "I can do this" under his breath, he talked to him and they became great friends and he just got baptized on Saturday. It is a lesson to us all that we have to talk to those around us - no excuses. What if he hadn't told this young man about the restored gospel). I love you and wish you the best have a good week
Love Morgan

27 Oct 2008

Well Family i bid you all a big AHOJ! another week has gone by. Did anyone ever tell you that time goes by so fast. They shouldnt call it time they should call it "Fly", "lightining", "quick", "fast", or even "what just happened"...Hey can you tell me "what just happened. It is so amazing how quickly a week can go by. then before you know it youve got 9 months behind you.
I'm having a good time here. The work is moving pretty well things are starting to move faster, and people are starting to come unto Christ. Its so neat to watch someone make such amazing steps towards eternal life with God. I hope you are doing well at home there in Georgia. I hope the members are seeing success from this amazing work that we are all about. A quick word from the missionary. Do everything you can to help the missionaries in your area of the vineyard. If you do that you will start to see everything else like work, money and family fall into place, the Lord has commanded all of us to do his work, and i am 100% conifident that when the Lord gives a command he is willing to back the command with blessings, 100% of the time. As we do missionary work we will see our testimony grow, we will see our desire to serve increase we will see our temporal wealth increase and we will see our families grow stronger and we will see our children sustaining the faith and growing up to be like the strippling warriors of old. Momma daddy whitney Jeff, i love you all.
Well I am pleased to announce that Ivan Vasili Canga is the newest member of the Liberec branch (picture below) and that he is on track to receive the Priesthood this next week at church. I am very excited for him and the covenants he is making with the Lord. It truly was a great experience to see someone who was so prepared and ready to receive the gospel to enter into the waters of baptism. We lost a great friend and investigator Igor, he was reunited with his family and is now home in Slovakia. It is really sad to see him go because he was truly a great friend , but it is comforting to know that he is with his loved ones and, it is ok because he has not left us completely he has just moved to different teachers. I know he will be baptized. This was a strong week for the other elders. They were able to do some really great finding.
Our hopes are high and we are looking forward to an even better week. There is this really solid investigator named Lukas, he is a young guy and is the kindest investigator I have ever taught. He is the kind of person that I would be friends with back home. He is about 24 and already has a Christian background.

Baby steps: when the first step is prepared and then charted and then becomes a reality, then the second step follows kindly in place behind, and as confidence and faith increase the steps turn into a walk, and then a jog, and before you know it your running. That is what we are doing.

Questions:

Do you get to print your letters and read them later? no i always read them here im just always in a hurry so i sometimes miss some things.
What size of CTR ring do you wear? im not really sure does 8 sound like a normal size or 9
Who got baptized in Prague? That was our investigator Ivan, here from Liberec. We live about an hour outside of Prague if your taking a bus, so the members alsways prefer to have baptisms there or at a lake and it is too cold for the lake so we went to Prague.
Was it someone you had taught while there? Nope here in Liberec
Do they celebrate Octoberfest there, if so have you gone to the celebrations? no they dont. nor do they celebrate halloween or thanksgiving (of course). But they do celebrate christmas..yeah but it even is a bit different.
Did you put up your poster on the wall yet? not yet i have it laying out to get the curve out of it.
From daddy:How is your district doing? we are doing pretty well, we need to have a greater focus on getting people to church on Sundays, it is not so easy here because people like to leave town on the weekends.
Is everyone getting along okay? yeah we are doing awesome in that aspect
Are you having great success? i would say we are having good success I love the idea of being a companionship versus 2 sets of Elders in a district.
Is that concept having success? yeah its working pretty well we have a strong bond and high spirits
Do you find it to be more productive and uplifting? i think so and the other elders really seem to like it they too refer to us as a companionship so it is good they are very supportive.
Well you all have a good week. Find some new people to bring to the Gospel...i will be doing the same.
Love you so much, your one and only son,
starsi nowland

20 October 2008

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY MOTHER! hodne stesti vam blahopreju!! That is how you wish a happy birthday here. It means lots of luck i wish you. That is also for daddy i know it is already way past but...I still hope your birthday was good dad. I figure it is better that i forgot because that means that in my mind you are still the same age...which means you dont get older! That is not the best excuse but i hope it makes you feel younger. Life is going pretty well here in Liberec. We taught 15 lessons this week 8 with members 4 without and 3 less actives. So a pretty successful week in that sense.

Well we had zone conference this week and it was a blast. I learned so much and am so excited that I got to see Prague again. It has been a long time since I have been back on this side of the country in bohemia. I have been given a great opportunity and am trying to figure out what I can do to improve our work here. It is wonderful to be able to look at what we are doing and see that as a district we are doing very well in a certain area like with member lessons and to be able to ponder now on what we can do to increase the other areas of our work. I'm going to see what we can do to increase our number of new investigators per week and members at church. I feel that if we can maintain our member lessons taught as well as members at church and new investigators than I really feel that we will see an increase in progressing investigators and baptismal dates. So we are going to do some research there and enlist some new goals to make these things happen.
I've never seen the members of the Branch so excited about one individual before like they were for Jvan this past Sunday. Everyone was talking to him and really congratulating him. It was almost like we were in a ward back in America. I think baptism is now becoming a reality here. It has been so long since they have seen a new person enter into the church.
What an amazing experience and joy it is for a person to find out that he can have a personal relationship with God, to try and have that relationship, and to know for himself that God lives and experience that relationship in all actuality and truth. It is amazing to see someone come into this great knowledge of truth that He lives and loves us and desires to speak to us in our hearts and in our minds.
The missionaries here are doing great. They have got the fire in them. We are going to go out as a district today and tract these panaloks that we found that are full of families. It is exciting to see success. It is exciting to see others lives change.

Questions:
1. Are you eating good? yeah.
2. Have you gained weight or lost weight? i have lost muscle and gained fat. I dont get to play frisbee as much to keep the fat off.
3. Do you need the shoes or extra pants that you left here? not yet i dont think im doing pretty well. You could send one pair of pants, black or grey. that could help a bit.
4. Which of the pair of socks do you like the best? well i like them all, its just that since i walk so much the fuzzyness gets like rubbed of and creates holes. i dont have holes yet in the new socks but i can see it being a problem.
5. What would you like for Christmas? a czech ctr ring and an oil valve mine broke my second transfer, a cool tie from that hole in the wall SUITMAN store one with paisleys and stripes.
6. What did you think of General Conference? Great but i watched in czech so i didnt get a whole lot from it.
7. What was one of your favorite talks? umm president monson Priesthood session. i saw that one in english.How about the announcement of the Rome, Italy temple? that is going to be sooo cool and a big help for the missionary work there.

Well the mission life is good. it gets hard sometimes but it is teaching me a lot and giving me time to really put my priorities in order. seeing so many people all the time really teaches you a lot about yourself and how to be a stronger more motivated individual. I love you a ton family but i will miss thanksgiving. They dont celebrate that here, so my companion and i will probably make something together.
Take care your son Morgan

6 Oct 2008

Hello Friends and Family,
Here is Morgan's letter from this week. He is in a new city called Liberec, Czech Republic. It is just below the borders of Germany and Poland in a mountain region. He said he wanted to go to a mission that had snow - well I don't think he really understands what he asked for, just wait for another month or maybe even sooner. He is going to see snow. His birthday was October 4th and he seems to not really believe he is no longer a teen-ager. Nor do I. Gosh, I sure love this boy, he is wonderful. Enjoy! Susan

Hello my most loving family. I'm in a new city, i just aged out of being a teenager (cant use that excuse anymore), I have a new companion, And somehow I'm supposed to serve as a district leader while also follow-up training a younger missionary......Life is good. Really it is. The worst part of all of that is that I'm 20, but i guess I'll get over it. I dont think I'll ever grow up. I love you all sooo much. I am so glad to hear that Michael was also assigned as District Leader in Argentina, he deserves it, he works so hard. I think the Lord just really thought I needed to be humbled......Well he did a good job. I will fill you in on some stuff later.
Liberec is a beautiful city, and it is full of so much potential. I'm looking forward to the opportunity that I have to work here. Elder Hadzik wants to have a new building here in Liberec. So we are working to increase the numbers here so as to make that happen. This area is really going to explode.

As a companionship, Elder Hatch and I are doing very well, Elder Hatch has a really good foundation and is often doing a lot to help me. He really cares for our investigators, and also the members here in Liberec. I am doing very well. I am trying to do what I can to figure out how I can best be of assistance to these missionaries here. They are wonderful though, they are very loving and supportive. We have decided that we do not want to refer to ourselves as a district but as a companionship of four. WE are doing this to strengthen the unity between us and also to provide a strong support group for each of us if ever we are getting down about the work or whatever it may be. We are young and are very excited! We have faith, now we are just working together to strengthen it and use it. We have high expectations and are looking to make those turn into realities.

I truly cherish this opportunity to grow and to serve side by side with these missionaries. The Work is hard but it is always worth it.

Questions:
1 - Did you get the 2 packages (box and tube)? no not yet but i will on Friday
2 - How did you celebrate your birthday? Umm.....I chopped and stacked wood, Got dogged by two investigators, played ping-pong for sports day and had a run in with a drunk man. But really it was all very enjoyable. We did end up buying some soda and and little baked goods for that evening.
3 - Tell me about your new companion? he is from Arizona, was a swimmer in high school, he is very nice and does a good job at making sure that i dont do anything too ridiculous.
4 - What do you like best about being District Leader? Getting to serve with such willing and supportive Elders
5 - What do you like least about being District Leader? Knowing that the Elders in this district are much more capable than i am. I'm not sure i deserve this. But i will try.
6 - How many investigators do you have in Liberec? about 6ish
Dads Questions:
How do you like your new area so far? it is beautiful, we are in the mountains, so it is really pretty , we actually live on the namesti area, Town square on this street that is a hill.

Is it as pretty as the area you just left? yeah it is
How's your new companion? super nice and willing to work and have success.
Are the Rusts in your new area? They are in Hradec Kralove which is where the Zone Leaders are.
Do you get to listen to the Saturday sessions or just Sunday's? We get to listen to both this coming weekend.

Life is good here. I'm sad i could not celebrate my birthday with you all but that is ok. I love you all tons and hope that the Lord blesses you all. I put some more pictures up. Sorry about the voice files. still isnt working.

I wish you the best say hi to everyone for me.
your one and only son

Morgan

29 Sep 2008

Hello Family of mine! Well i have some really great news for you. I am going to be serving in the city of Liberec. I am going to be serving as district leader there follow-up training Elder Hatch. I am soooo nervous!!!!!! I am excited though, it is going to be a great learning oppourtunity for me.
Comments about Olomouc and note to his mission president: Well this has been a very successful transfer for me. I feel very satisfied with what has been achieved. Not all of the goals I set were met but there were definitely my focus and from that focus I have seen success. I am pleased to say that I am leaving this area with more potential then when the transfer started. There are very strong investigators in the area and two baptismal dates that I feel confident in.
There has been a lot of growth in this area of the mission. Now we are just making our way into maintaining that growth and getting these new members involved. I'm really excited for this transfer that is about to begin, but all at once nervous. I've already got some good ideas about things that I want to see happening in the district. I have never had this kind of responsibility before. But I am looking forward to doing the best that I can as District Leader of the Liberec district. I know that I have been called to this position by the Lord and I know that I can rely on him to help me and fill in the gaps. I know like in 1Nephi 3:7 that the lord giveth no commandment…save he shall prepare a way. So I know that there is a way by which I can accomplish the task at hand. I have a feeling that there will be a lot more prayer involved in this next transfer.
Thank you for the opportunity I have been given.


My whole world is going to change her in a little bit. I am so excited for it though. wish me luck family.

It sounds like the US is having a little bit of trouble. Ill be sure to pray for you all there in georgia. Take care of yourselves.

Setting goals is what helps us to move forward in life, even when we aren't sure that we can accomplish them. The road that leads to a goal is where we grow the most, not neccessarily the end result.

I love you all for loving me and watching out for me.

you one and only son
Morgan

Mission pictures

01 Sept 2008

Ahoj Rodino! I love you all sooo much, the Lord has given our family so many blessings that it is just amazing to me. Missionary work seems to be everyody's life right now in our family. We truly are blessed to have all been able to visit the temple and take out our endowements.

Missionary work has got to be one of the most difficult, emotionally painful, and physically and spiritually stressful things that I have ever done. Yet, I get up every single day ready to do it again and again, and I LOVE EVERY MINUTE OF IT! Sure it is tough, and there are days that I feel like I am not up to the task, but the joy and energy I get from those little successes is so satisfying that I just have to keep trying everyday to find more of them.
We had on the plan this past Wednesday to go out and find a new investigator in the park closest to us. We had prayed for the guidance to know where to go and we both received the inspiration that we should go to that park. We were walking through the park keeping our eyes and hearts open to receive that individual who had been prepared by the Lord. We made it all the way through and were circling back without any success from the people that we had spoken with. It was proving to be very difficult, a trial of our faith. We were getting close to being out of the park when we saw a man eating a rohlik that he was dipping into some sort of tuna salad stuff. We said hi and told him that we were missionaries here in the Czech Republic, volunteers for our church. He looks up at us and says, "Please, sit down", we look at each other and then take a seat. We commence to discuss why were here and what our message is. He listens and agrees but expresses some concern. As we are talking with him and resolving concerns, our branch president walks up out of nowhere and says hi introduces himself and invites this man to English classand to family home evening and to church on Sunday. He says that he thinks he can do that because he has those days off. It was amazing! Then, like some superhero, as quickly as president showed up he was gone again, leaving us with a much more comfortable and prepared investigator…needless to say, we set up another meeting with him and got his number! As we have reflected on this contact we have realized just how prepared he really is. It is interesting to see how well the Lord knows his children, and knows what each of us needs in order for us to progress in life, and in the gospel.
The work is moving forward, struggling here and there every now and then, but in the long run it is pushing forward. Being a missionary is such a satisfying work. I'm grateful for the opportunity to serve.

Thats a really cool experience i was able to be apart of!

Heres the ?'s

Questions:
1. Did you ever get the package? not yet but i probably will this week because Wilding is going to praha for his visa

2. Your birthday is coming and I wanted to know if you need anything? Black socks that are nice and solid, that wont wear out too fast
I know you want to buy some things there - that is fine but I would like to send a little something
so if you can think of some things from home you would like, let me know.
A. Black socks that are nice and solid, that wont wear out too fast. Maybe some really soothing music that is sacrament appropriate, like pretty piano renditions of some really great songs

3. Did you get a package from the Primary here? no i didnt.

4. Do you get letters from any other people? Shelby and kailey

5. Do you need any socks or pants? socks, thats probably it i like pants they have here better
6. Anything you want us to send? music, yummy foods, pictures of the wedding

i love you all take care

thank you for being wonderful

your son,
Morgan

16 September 2008

Hi family thank you for keeping me updated on everything i love to hear the little things that are going on at home. Im excited about my birthday but what you are sending sounds like it'll be great im really excited for the Triple combination. if you could do the cover in a dark brown leather that would be really neat. oh and you dont need to put my name on the cover but if you could put it inside that would be better. you all are awesome i love you so much.

I'm looking back on a week that I would consider very successful. Another child of God was brought into the fold. Mila was baptized and received the Gift of the Holy Ghost. She became the newest member of the Olomouc branch. I am very excited to begin working with her as a member and really focusing on strengthening her. Mila and Vladimir are both members of the church now, and that means our new focus is preparing them to go to the temple and receive those blessings. I am truly excited for them. The Zone Conference was a good experience for me. it gave me a lot of strength and new motivation in the work. I heard some things that I want to strengthen in myself and also some things that I want to put into action. Let's end this transfer on top.

Our questions for Morgan -
So did you get to do the baptism? I did It was amazing!!! but i like watching people get baptized just as well as doing the actual ordinance.

take care of yourselves, oh yeah we're going to a castle today so i will send pictures of that next time . tell whitney that i will send her a letter in the mail with some pictures.

Have a wonderful week, you one and only son

elder nowland

8 September 2008

Hello family, im glad that im able to write today because a lot happened, most of which is in the voice file but here are some of the things i told president:

I think this week has been one of the most successful weeks of my mission but I truly feel like it has been the most stressful and difficult to date as well. We worked so hard this week, and with that I am very satisfied and pleased. Our aim has been to meet all the standards of excellence in an attempt to start raising the levels of success that we can have as a companionship but also to raise the success that we can have as missionaries in general that are in this mission. I know that it is possible for the number of lessons taught a week, the number of baptisms a transfer, for these things to go up. But I have come to the realization that these things will only begin to go up as the level of our individual conversion goes up. I realized this week that I am not as converted to this gospel as I should be and can be. By that I mean that I still need to increase my understanding of key principles of the gospel. The main one that I feel I need to increase my understanding on right now is the Atonement, and its affect on my life. I truly feel that as missionaries and all of mankind begins to understand the atonement better and how it helps each of us individually, that there will burn a fire within, and not just a fire of heat but a fire of unquenchable light. I believe that we can culminate within ourselves a fire so bright that no darkness can over take it and no spirit can doubt its truthfulness. I know that, that is what Christ had within himself, that is what the prophets have, and the apostles, and the wonderful men and women have that lead and guide this church. So I am on a journey to find that fire of unquenchable light. I think Sister Slovacek hit it right on the head, it's that 220 volts. I need to plug myself into that 220 volt socket.
Wonderful things happened this week. We had a final prep meeting with Mila for her baptism. And then on Sunday she had her interview and passed and we are now planning for her baptism, it is going to be so amazing! Vladimir and her will be able to have an eternal marriage in the temple! What a great blessing for them. (she asked Morgan to baptize her - he told us this in his voice file, he is a little nervous but extremely humbled and honored that she asked him)
It has truly been a wonderful week. It took a lot of hardships to get there. As I reflect back on this week I see the blessings that come from the test of our faith. The Lord will give blessings to those who are faithful and endure to the end. I know God lives and watches over us. What a great time to be a missionary.

Questions and such:

1. Did you get your package yet? yes i did Woop Woop! thank you for that. i am most appreciative. The shirts and food are awesome! and so is the cook book.

ok and you all have been asking what i would like for my birthday and such. Something i realized i could use is a small desk calendar that i could use for planning and such. something big enough to write in and look at. but also compact enough so it can set on my desk, so i dont have to hang it on the wall or anything, that would be really nice. it doesnt have to be fancy, just functional.

The main thing that i would really like to have is the czech triple combination made smaller. We have the averagely large size triple but it is a little too big to carry everywhere. I have heard that it can be done, that some businesses can shrink down the page size and then bind it for you but i havent taken the step to do it just yet. I havent looked into the price but it would probably one of the greatest souveniers i could have from my mission. I would like to do it sooner than later because i would like to study from it and mark it up and stuff so im going to look into it here if you want to look into it there that would be great. i have talked to a lot of people about it and they said i could do it as long as i dont try and sell it. Which i wouldnt so that is what i would like to do.

I love you so much, i didnt respond to whitney yet because i ran out of time but ill get to it next week. take care Family

you one and only missionary son,
Morgan

18 August 2008

Zdravím Vás, Rodinu (Greetings to you all, Family) I cant wait to see all the super cool pictures from the wedding. It will probably be best if you could print them off and send them to me. I Wish whitney and Jeff the best. And gladly welcome jeff into the family as our newest member. Who knows how long he will hold that title.....until a new littler munchkin will take over that title? But i wanted to tell everyone that im doing most fine here in Olomouc, CR.
The spirit is so strong with missionaries. Missionaries have so much more help than they realize. Elder Wilding and I have come to realize that everyday we can see miracles. Every day! It's such a wonderful experience to be able to see a life change and grow closer to God. It is an indescribable emotion and feeling to watch someone give up everything they've ever known to chase and desire and search after truth.
I need to figure out what I can do to get more of our investigators to church. It is proving to be a bit harder of a task for me than I originally thought. We had three investigators lined up to come. Unfortunately, they didn't pull through. So as a companionship we are going to work on what we can do to make that happen. On a personal level, I'm really starting to enjoy the Czech language which is really good because it is giving me that stronger desire to study the language and improve my skills in it. The only problem I'm running into is that there are so many things that I want to improve on that I'm running myself in more directions than I can handle so I'm really working on taking a step back and focusing in on the things that I feel are most important at this time.
As a companionship we are starting to get a hold on things. We really want to get our new investigator level up so we are really working on working by the spirit when it comes to finding those who have been prepared to hear the message. I'm seeing and feeling things and working in ways that I have never thought were possible for me to work. I'm starting to realize the power of the priesthood and how it helps me in all aspects of life. The power of God is truly here on the earth and I am so lucky to be apart of it and be able to use it. Now, I just need to share it.

And for the questions:

1. Did you finally get your next package? nope i only got the one with the CD's2. How many were at church this past week? about 20 ish
I love you all so much and will fill you in more on what is happening here after i buy some new batteries.
Im really getting into books. Ive been buying old czech books mainly just bibles. But it is fun!

Quick question. im having trouble teaching word of wisdom when it comes to Coffee so If you could can you send me stuff about what makes coffee so bad for our bodies other than caffeine. Thanks bunches

Take care you always have my best wishes im always praying for you and everyone back home.

Your one and only missionary son,
Starší Morgan Nowland

04 Aug 2008

I'm really looking forward to a transfer filled with excitement and success. Elder Wilding and I have already seen some great success here in Olomouc. We have set some goals in place and are really looking forward to accomplishing them.
The first few times we were out contacting this week were really rough, it was shut-down after shut-down. But we kept at it. We kept talking to people trying to figure out how we can really get across to them how happy they will be if they will just listen to our message. So, we went home a couple of nights empty handed. It was hard, but finally on Sunday we saw the blessings of our hard work and determination. We talked with three people on Sunday and two of them became potential investigators. We got their numbers and set-up a follow-up appointment. And with one of them we taught a lesson and gained a new investigator so that was pretty awesome!
I'm realy starting to see how great getting rejected is, because I know that after all the rejection comes a wave of blessings! It is really interesting and cool how that works, how the Lord gives us trials to test our faith and humble us and then blesses us in ways greater than we can imagine.

Over and out,
Starší Nowland

Questions:

Do you have a lot in common? yeah we like the same music and both want to be sound recording engineers, he had a more successful band than i had before the mission, he toured and everything!!
How is the language coming along? its still coming. slowly though
How's the teaching pool? its ok bigger than most but its hitting a downslope right now
Are you still having fun? I really am


I love you all tons, take care, and keep me updated on the wedding!!!!!

your syn (son),

Starší Nowland