# 12

Dear Fam bam,

On Monday, Sister Clove made me try a lamajo (sp?)...Best food ever. It's almost like a super thin pizza, but not. Sorry, that was a horrible explanation. We also bought some yummy fruit from the shukas here. At the end of Prep day, we went with Grigor (a member) to home teach Satanik. We shared a General Conference talk and the lesson went pretty well. It is nice getting to know the branch members. Arabkir Branch is the biggest branch in Armenia and there are only 70 members, so I have been getting to know everyone super fast.

On Tuesday, Sister Clove, Elders Wooley and Kopsa and I planned a branch activity. We planned jeopardy and other games with church questions and taught branch members along the way. No one brought any friends or investigators however, so we are working on how to get the members to involve their friends in church activities.

Sister Clove and I also got permission to go to Abovian (30 minutes away) and meet with Suzzana and Rozanna. We tried to do How to Begin Teaching Points with them, but quickly noticed that they were not that interested in the church...they just wanted to talk to some American girls. So we didn't spend much time there.

Anahit, a member, invited her friend, Suzanna, to meet with the missionaries. We met with them on Wednesday to get to know Suzanna better. We answered her questions about the church and were able to begin the How To Begin Teaching Points with her. We planned on meeting this week but she has been sick (and was unable to make it to church because of that). But we are planning on going with Anahit to visit or meet with her again this week.

We have been continuing to meet with Marine this week. We have taught her about praying and reading the Book of Mormon and she has been doing both. We met with her on Wednesday to discuss church attendance. She had many questions about church and was unsure about coming at first. We talked with her more about the important of church and gaining a testimony and she agreed that she should come. We invited her to church, but she gave us a soft yes. We were happy and surprised later in the week when she called and enthusiastically asked if she could come to church with us this week and next week to see Elder Nelson. We told her of course she could! We are working on getting her to commit to baptism.

Colleen also called and we met with her for her baptismal interview. We asked her when she wanted to be baptized...she said "How about tomorrow?!" It was awesome. While we were waiting for her during her interview, Hayk, one of the youth in the Branch was at the church so I showed him some pictures of home. He is 16 like Trev and he totally reminds me of Trev! And as he was looking at the pictures he was talking about how he wants to meet Trevor someday and how Trev is super tall haha. (Armenians are super short.) He was cracking jokes about the height difference. Mom, could you email more pictures of all five of us together? Armenians love seeing pictures of families. Thanks!

Thursday was an awesome day. We had zone conference. I thought the Zone Leaders did a wonderful job at preparing a lesson. They talked about obedience, unity and consecration. I really loved the discussion about consecration. In my interview with the assistants on my first day they asked me about goals that I had for my mission. I told them many of my goals, but the one I wanted to reach the most was giving 100% of my all to the Lord. I realized this week during zone conference the steps that I can take to work my way up to that 100% consecration.

Thursday night was Colleen's baptism. It was beautiful! I haven't had the chance to work much with her, but with the little time that I have known her I have been able to see how the gospel is blessing her life. The Spirit I felt at her baptism was amazing. 

On Friday, Sister Clove and planned for our week and discussed how we could help the branch members involve their friends. We thought of doing a Family History activity since most of our branch is old and seems interested in it. They could also bring their friends. We then had a meeting with President Melcumyan and discussed with him our idea. We also did service for him by helping him carve out a mountain. Literally. He owns a garden on the side of a mountain...He has dug out the side of the mountain so their are different levels and terraces (kind of like stairs) and then he has planted beautiful gardens. We helped climb down the side of the mountain and then chip away at the rock all while trying not to die. But then we helped him pick some mullberries from his garden and he let us eat some. They're not bad! I have pictures, but the internet here isn't super great so it will have to wait until another time.

Sister Clove and I met with Rina (a less active member) on Saturday. We discussed the importance of tithing with her. We know that she is struggling with funds right now, but we talked about the blessings of tithing with her. We plan on meeting with her and her husband, Armen, sometime this week as well.

We also supported Sisters Broadbent and Enriquez and Elders Wooley and Kopsa by going to the baptisms of their investigators that day. Karen (the elder's investigator) was so happy after his baptism he was hugging everyone...including us...we didn't know what to do as sister missionaries so we just awkwardly stood there. Armenians are like that though. They like to hug and kiss on the cheek. I have been kissed by so many tatiks (grandmas) I can't even count.

We have been OYMing in between our meetings this week. We have met many people who seem interested. I have also been practicing using the How To Begin Teaching Points during OYMs. One OYM was with a boy who seemed interested, but we found out later that he was just interested in American girls haha. A lot of boys here are super nice to us because everyone wants to get married and get visas to go to America. But Inch anek? (What can you do about it ?haha)

On Sunday , we had four of our five investigators come to church. Arus (passed to us from the elders), Marine (the members really welcomed her and involved her in the lessons), Lala (walk-in), and Alisa (street contact). Suzanna did not come because she was sick. Colleen was also confirmed at church! Sister Clove and I went to the English branch for the beginning of church to show support. 

I also gave a talk on Sunday...so scary. I wasn't really that nervous at first, until I saw that President Carter came to our branch. I ended up speaking on the importance of member-missionary work (kinda like dad did at Stake Conference) and then right after Sister Clove and I sang "We Thank Thee O God For a Prophet" in Sacrament Meeting. I was really nervous, but President Carter spoke afterwards and commented on my talk and it made all my nerves go away. I seriously have the best Mission President in the world. Also, his wife is super nice and knit me a scarf for the winter time. So sweet right?

We met with Arus yesterday and had a lesson on the tree of life/baptism and the joy we receive from it. Arus has been reading the Book of Mormon, praying and coming to church. She just has a few people holding her back. We talked about the people in the spacious building who will try to stop us from receiving true joy. We are hoping to commit Arus to baptism soon.

We also met with Jess, Joe, Lance, Rebecca and Colleen yesterday. Elder and Sister Reese came for the lesson and we discussed the Restoration and the priesthood line of authority. They accepted the message well and the men are working on getting their papers with their line of authority. They also made us this delicious dessert made out of pudding and corn topped with nuts. Weird right? But yummy!

About my personal study last week, I learned that Almight God and Jesus Christ are just different names for the same person. I am studying why there was a need to change the names in the baptismal prayer. 

So how is the family? Mom, thanks for sending me that email about the Armenian facebook news! Dad, could you please send me your priesthood line of authority? Trev, how is studying for the ACTs coming along? Trev and Asia, how is softball and baseball? Did you all get my package from the MTC? How are the Yankees doing this season? Asia, did you know your name is super common here in Armenia? Armenians have like 15 traditional names, and they are all named the same thing haha. But anyway, Asia is one of the girl names. I was also thinking about changing my name to "Maral" on my name tag because it's a super common one here and it means like beautiful animal or something. What do you all think? Also, HAPPY EARLY FATHER'S DAY DAD!!!! Will you please watch the "Earthly Father, Heavenly Father" mormon message? It reminds me so much of you! Thank you for all that you do. I love you!!!

Funny/cool Armenian mission things:

They sleep in wool beds and every once in a while they take the wool out and beat it on the street to fluff it up and clean it out.

They listen to random Indian and American music EVERYWHERE.

Their playground equipment is really exercise equipment for kids. haha tricky tricky

They honk after weddings...every single car that is coming from the wedding.

Bonchiks are delicious donut type things. Mom, look them up!!

I am learning so much from the people here and I have such great respect and love for the Armenians.

Have a great week,

Sister Morreall

PS. Oh yeah, Russell M. Nelson is coming to Armenia this Sunday and all 50 missionaries get to meet with him! 

** Note from Mom**

Misa also forwarded an email she received from her mission president after she sent her first weekly letter to him which made my momma's heart swell with pride:

Our dear Sister Morreall,

You have no idea how your letter lifted me. It sounds like a letter I would be reading from a missionary who's been here a year. I see how you've just jumped in with both feet and your whole heart. If only your mother could see you now!! But Heavenly Father can and does and I feel his satisfaction in the committed heart you have brought to this great work. We are so blessed to have you with us!

Love,

President Carter