8.31.2015

Monday morning we woke up, and had to leave the MTC at 3:30 am to catch our 7:30 am flight to Michigan, where we had a layover and then flew into Pittsburgh. I have come to the conclusion that Michigan airports do not like me at all. Our plane had some mechanical issues so we had about an hour delay. It wasn't too bad though, just a bunch of greenie missionaries wandering aimlessly in an airport and being too chicken to really talk to anyone. When we finally got to Pittsburgh we met our President and Sister Johnson by baggage claim. Just to my luck, one of my bags did not make it onto the flight. Thankfully it was all my winter clothes so it wasn't that bad but still annoying. That night we met a little bit more with our mission president and had an interview with him. We also got our iPads which we use ALL the time. The good thing with that is that I will be able to read any email you send me throughout the week, I just won't be able to respond until Monday. 

Sister Harlan and I aren't companions anymore. Even though I was nervous about her at the beginning because she had narcolepsy and would literally fall asleep standing or mid conversation, she really was a great persona dn I grew to love her so much! I miss her already and it's only been a week! I am now companions with Sister Durfee, who has been out for only three months, and Sister Malo, who is a visa waiter for Australia. I was freaked out since a new missionary would be training two brand new missionaries, but so far it has been good. The trio really had been a blessing to me since Sister Durfee is a little more quite and not as outgoing. 

We live in a small Borough, suburb, called Crafton which is only about ten minutes outside of downtown Pittsburgh and close to the mission home. The streets were all originally brick and some of them have been paved over with asphalt, but they are so bumpy and narrow! There are also tons of trees and hills, and the combo of those factors and this nasty air freshener that is in our car, I have been getting so carsick! It also doesn't help that Sister Durfee is kinda a bad driver and doesn't quite know how to drive in hills and turns yet. I hope that I'll be able to adjust soon, but for now I stick to rolling down the window to get a fresh breeze in the car.

I still haven't gotten all the way acclimated to mission life. All around our apartment we have sticky notes with inspirational quotes and scriptures. Honestly, I think they are tacky, and I now know why Jim Perkins does not approve of them at work. I guess some sisters like them and they help them so I haven't said anything. We also listen to EFY music ALL THE TIME IN THE CAR AND I HATE IT. Music is supposed to bring the spirit, but honestly it brings me contention and negative feelings. Who knows, maybe after a while it will grow on me and I will learn to love that music. 

Going to church on Sunday and having dinner appointments with member families is by far my favorite part of the mission so far. I feel like we teach some weird people and those two activities help me restore my faith in humanity that there are some normal people out here. There is also a kid in the ward that reminds me of Russell Freeman, and he just makes me laugh all the time! We met with this lady named Sheila who sounds like Moaning Myrtle when she laughs. We also met Ron and Laura. Well, at the end of our lesson they told me each of their spirit animals and next thing I know, Laura is howling like a wolf and Ron is growling like a bear. It took all of me to not bust up laughing. There is also a less active elderly couple that we visited yesterday, the Beach's. They have a green thumb like I have never seen before! We took a tour of their garden, which has practically everything, and it took a good twenty minutes. They are really nice and I hope we can spend more time with them. 

Good news of the week: I didn't gain any weight at the MTC!

Brooke Moment of the Week: The first night I got to Pittsburgh we had dinner with a family. Well I was talking to the little girl, and somehow I managed to poke the six year old in the eye. I guess that's why it's a rule that we cannot play / hold with kids!

I love you all, and thanks for your prayers and emails!!

Sister Morrison

MTC Pictures

I got to see some old faces before I went to the MTC, it was great!

Me and some of the Barnes

With Aunt Stephanie

Bye Brooke!!!!!!! 

Four of us in our district going to Pittsburgh

Our district going to Pittsburgh, Boise and Anaheim. 

With one of our teachers, Sister Smith

Story of my life

One of our investigators, Alex

Got to see my friend Mitch whose a teacher at the MTC 

Our district with our teacher, Brother McGinn

The infamous MTC picture by the map

Watch out Pittsburgh

Vending machine = life 

Pittsburgh Pictures!

Just some of the really kind sisters from our ward here. One is Indian and the other is Tongan

 Ok, not to sound conceited but I liked this picture of me haha

Me and my companions in the car

The most ugly mission doll that gets passed around anonymously

8.22.2015

Hey Hey!

So I know that it's not Monday, but I leave the MTC Monday morning at 3:30 am so they gave me a little time today to email home. It's crazy to think that I am finishing up my time here and that I'm going to be in Pittsburgh in less that 36 hours. I was terrified to come to the MTC because I thought it was going to be like a prison, but honestly it wasn't too bad, and I have learned a lot. 

Being in a class with nine other missionaries for 16 hours a day gets you really close to each other, and it's been fun getting to know everyone. We all eat meals together and we laugh all the time. The Elders are so weird, and I cannot help but laugh at how goobie they are! 

The food has now had the opposite effect on my stomach. I finally pooped, but now it is passing right through me. I go in random spurts of constipation and diarrhea which is so frustrating cause you never know what you are going to get that day. At least I haven't crapped my pants though!

We started teaching investigators (well, some of them are, others just pretend for us) and at first let's just say it was rough. However, as Sister Harlan and I really tried to get to know them and develop a relationship with them our lessons went so much better. We had one girl, Alex, who plays golf at BYU and loves the Bible. She was one tough cookie, but Sister Harlan and I were able to help answer some questions with her, and I really did love her to death at the end of our lessons. 

I was really lucky to have amazing teachers at the MTC, and I know that I am so much more prepared because of them. Although I have come a long way, I still have quite a ways to go. The good news is that the best place to learn is on the job, which is exactly what I am going to be doing starting next week! 

Gym time is amazing, these past few days I have kept Trisha Deem's legacy alive as I slayed all the elders in four square. I felt like a total elementary kid, but I loved it! I've seen people puff up like balloons since we got here since the cafeteria is all you can eat, but I think I've done a good job at keeping the weight off so far!

Yet another farting story: Ok, so thankfully this time it wasn't me who farted. Sister Harlan and I were in our classroom with Elder Barrow and Farnsworth doing our daily studies. It was dead silent and all the sudden I heard a fart. I didn't know if I should laugh or play it off like I heard nothing (I'm sorta trying to be a little more ladylike, although I don't think it's kicking in yet) but right then Elder Farnsworth awkwardly said "Sorry." Well I totally lost it and couldn't control my laughter, but oh well, I guess our district is close enough now that we fart in front of each other!

Sorry my emails haven't been long, I just do the same thing everyday and don't have much to share besides me sitting in a classroom learning how to teach about Jesus. I love you all, and hope you have a great week!

Sister Morrison

8.18.2015

Well, first off, hi!

This week has felt like it has gone by so slow, but at the same time so fast. I'm still trying to adjust to the missionary life. I'd say the hardest part is acknowledging people when the call me Sister Morrison instead of Brooke, and not calling everyone dude. Anyways, life is good, I'm in class about fifteen hours a day learning how to teach people, and man can I say that I was a terrible teacher / explainer and I never knew it! The good thing is my teachers are doing a great job at helping me get better!

The food has been good. It's nice not having to worry about cooking, and I have been able to portion control and not go crazy like some people that eat five cookies and dessert for every meal of the day. I have been a little constipated though which really sucks and my stomach has been in knots, so hopefully I can poop soon!

My companion's name is Sister Harlan, and guess where she is from...if you guess Utah then you got that right. I feel like everyone here is from Utah, but I guess that's not much of a surprise. I'm already learning patience, especially when it comes to arriving on time to things. I guess Kelly really rubbed off on me over the years. Anyways, she is really nice though and we get along pretty well. I can understand why we need companions, but I have noticed how inefficient they are! You have to be next to them at all times, and running errands and doing little things take twice as long as they need to. On the other hand they help keep you in check, and Sister Harlan is making me run for exercise so I guess that is good.

Funny story of the week: We ate lunch a little early so we had ten minutes to sit outside and finally enjoy the sun after being in a classroom for about two days straight. Well after only ten minutes my companion's legs were bright red and sunburned haha. I guess that's what happens when you live in Utah your whole life!

Brooke moment of the week: It should not come as a surprise, but a fart slipped out during the Sunday night devotional. Yes I know, I can hear you mom saying "Oh my gosh where are your manners!" but it seriously came out of nowhere!! I couldn't help but laugh (in my head) and to be honest I wasn't too surprised it happened because that sort of thing would happen to me.

I love you all, and hope that normal life is treating you well! 

Sister Morrison

Brooke enjoying the MTC!