Happy New Years Everyone!

Dear Elder Morain Fan Club,

Happy New Year Everybody!
I hope all of you had a merry christmas this past week. I sure had a merry one because I got to call home! It was great to talk to my family.
On Christmas Eve we had our District Leader Council and since my companion is the District Leader we got to go. So we drove to Indianola and I got to see some good friends. It was my first time seeing other missionaries for...5 days, and thats the longest period of time on my mission for that haha. Since I've always served around lots of missionaries it has been tough adjusting to being in the middle of nowhere haha. We had dinner on christmas eve at a members home and it was a fun time.
On Christmas morning we woke up and opened presents! That was a fun time. Then we drove to the Price Family's house. Last week I told you about Dusty Price, who I stayed in his apartment at BYU. It was really fun to spend christmas with a friend from home. I got to call home and talk for a long time so that was really nice! Then we had christmas dinner and played games with the family all day. It was so nice to relax and enjoy Christmas. That night we drove up to Osceola and stayed in the missionaries apartment there.
Friday the day after christmas we had our christmas Zone Conference in Des Moines! We had 4 zones there and it so fun to see all my friends again! My friends and I did a skit for the talent show and it was hilarious haha. Before we did the skit, they asked me to do a dance for everyone haha. This is probably because I tell about every missionary I meet about all the fun dance parties I've been to at BYU Idaho haha. So everyone starts chanting my name "Mo-rain...Mo-rain!) hahaha so I wasn't expecting that since I didnt even sign up to do that lol. So I didn't dance but we did the skit and it was funny haha. We had a slide show after and that was fun to watch. I really enjoyed catching up with missionaries I hadn't seen in a long time so that was good. I had my interview with my mission president after. It went well, he told me that I could be staying in Lenox next transfer, but that my companion Elder Thomas will probably be transfered after this transfer. So, will see what happens! He also told me about a 30 day notice we have to put in before we can move to Creston(this i was not aware of) so now we have to wait till february 1st if we move at all...so I'm kinda bummed about that. But after Zone Conference some of us missionaries got together for dinner and went to Red Robin! It was a really fun day to be in Des Moines for Zone Conference.
Saturday we had a great lesson with our investigator Randall! We taught the first lesson, and we brought a member to fellowship him. He said he believe what we taught was true so thats good!
Yesterday we had a great sunday at church. I got to speak in Sacrament meeting! My topic was on Jesus Christ's Love for children. I used some scriptures, and a story from the ensign and told a personal experience. It felt good to get up in front of the branch and bear testimony of what I know is true. After church the branch president and I went on splits and we saw members all over the area. Then we had dinner at the branch president's house so it was a nice time. I'm growing to love the members here in Lenox already so I am happy to serve here.
Well, I hope everyone has a fun New Years this week!
Keep it real
LO
VE Elder Morain

Merry Christmas from Lenox Iowa!

Dear Elder Morain Fan Club,

Merry Christmas from Lenox Iowa! I hope all of you are having a magnificent Christmas at home with their families. So I am now in Lenox Iowa and it is the smallest town I have ever set foot in haha. It has been a absolute crazy past few days getting transfered here. After I last emailed you on Wednesday I said goodbye to all my friends I have made in Ames. It was sad saying goodbye and I miss them already. I didn't even get to start packing till about 12:30 Thursday morning! I stopped packing at about 3:30 in the morning and then had to get up at 5 am to finish packing! I was way tired haha. We got to the transfer point and drove in the transfer bus to Des Moines! I got to see so many missionaries that I hadn't seen in forever! It was a lot of fun hanging out with them for the whole day. The weather got so bad that we had freezing rain on thursday night! The roads were to slick to drive on so I got to stay the night in Des Moines! I love that city, it was cool to see the capital building and drive through downtown. Friday morning we woke up and got together for breakfast with some other missionaries. Then we drove from Des Moines to Osceola! There I met my companion Elder Thomas and we drove to Creston from there. We might be moving to Creston actually, today we are going to look at apartments we can move into so will see what happens. I met some members and saw people creston then we went to Lenox! I dropped my stuff off in our house(yes we live in a house!) Our house is right next door to the church which has been converted from a house to a church.
Lenox is a branch and yesterday was my 1st sunday there! We had cordination at 8:30 and then PEC at 9. Our sacrament starts at 10am. Before church I was talking to some members and a crazy coincidence happened. I talked to this guy who just got back from BYU provo the night before. I asked him where he lived at and he said Glenwood apartments. I asked him if he knew Andrew and Jacob Clark, and he said ya they were my roommates winter semester! Then it all clicked and I said dude I stayed the night in your apartment last february! He then said he recognized me from somewhere and know we know where from. I remember talking to him and telling him I was going to the Iowa Des Moines Mission. He told me if I ever serve in Lenox to look up his family! And it just so happened that the only sunday he is in town is my first sunday in lenox. Then his family invited me to spend christmas day at there house! So now I get to spend christmas with my friend from home haha.
I love the members in the Lenox Branch! I got to meet almost everyone already and they all seem like really cool people. We had a great sacrament meeting, where we passed the sacrament and I said the opening prayer. Then the 1st counselor in the branch presidency asked me to give a talk in sacrament next week! I have a feeling I am going to be very involved in the branch here. After church we had a branch potluck and had some good food! Then the Branch President took us to go caroling to some less active members in our branch. We got to teach our investigator John VanPatten who has a baptismal date set for January 10th!!!!!!! I am so excited that he is getting baptized, he is only 9 years old, think of the long life he has ahead of him as a strong member of this church. I am so grateful I have this opportunity to be a full time missionary here in the Lenox area.
I'd love to wish you all a Very Merry Christmas! I am excited to call home on Christmas and talk to my family! The day after christmas is our Christmas Zone Conference where I get to see missionaries from 4 Zones! Until next week,
Keep It Real
LO
VE Elder Morain

I'm being transfered to Lenox Iowa!

Dear Elder Morain Fan Club,

This morning I recieved a phone call informing me that I am being transferred to Lenox Iowa! I am leaving Ames at 6:50 in the morning tomorrow! My new companions name is once again Elder Thomas haha. My comp's name right now is Elder Thomas so this will be intersting. I've never met this Elder Thomas but I hear he is from Syracuse Utah and he went to the University of Utah! He has been on his mission for 17 months. I hear that I will be living in a house! Not an apartment like I have been, pretty crazy! Also, Lenox Iowa is the farthest south area in our mission! My area touches the border of Missouri! Lenox is also one of the smallest towns in our mission. This will be a new experience for me since my whole mission I've been in Sioux City which is a big city and Ames which is a college town. I am really going to miss serving here in Ames. I have been here for 4 and a half months! I have grown to love the people here so much and it is going to be really hard to say goodbye to all the friends I have made here.
Well since I last emailed you a lot has gone down. It has been absolutley freezing here! Brother Taylor in my ward called my mission president and informed him of the weather. So we for the last 2 days have been only allowed outside for 30 minutes! With the wind chill it has gotten down to about -25 degrees! This is definetley the coldest weather I have ever experienced in my life(Yes, even colder than Rexburg Idaho haha)
On Saturday I had the opportunity to help out the Excell family in my ward with cooking and catering for the Hyvee(its a grocery store in the midwest) Pharmicists Christmas Dinner! We helped out for 15 hours! We cooked it all up at his house and then drove to Madrid Iowa where the party was at. It was a lot of fun and I had a great time with one of my favorite families here in Ames.
On friday we had our ward christmas party! It was fun to have one last hurrah with my ward before I get transferred. I had a great last sunday in the ward. I will miss the members so much, they have been so nice to us these past 4 and a half months.
Well, next time I email ya, I will be in Lenox Iowa next monday, that is a crazy thought. I hope everyone has a great time preparing for Christmas! I am very exciting to call home on Christmas! It's my first time since Mothers Day so we will have a lot to catch up on. Thank you so much for all you do to support me. I feel the blessings of the prayers offered on my behalf.
Keep it Real!
LO
VE Elder Morain

R.I.P. Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin

Dear Elder Morain Fan Club,

It has been quite a week for me and for the church as a whole. As many of you know Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin passed away Monday night at the age of 91. I had the opportunity to watch his funeral on Friday. It was a very spiritual service and I was touched as I watched it. I especially liked the part when President Monson spoke of his experience talking with the Head Coach of The University of Utah. The Coach told the prophet that the back of every helmet on the Utes team will have the initials "J.B.W." for Joseph B. Wirthlin. As some of you may have heard last night on the Bowl Selection Show the University of Utah will be playing in the Sugar Bowl against Alabama. I encourage you to watch it and see what they say about the initials. Anyways, I will miss Elder Wirthlin, I've enjoyed his talks in conference over the years and as I study them now they mean so much more to me.
Last Monday I told you about a member family in my ward who has a son on a mission. Later on that Monday I received a call telling me the outcome. The Quorumn of the 12 Apostles met monday to discuss him and decided to reassign him from the Taiwan, Tapei mission to the California, Oakland Mandarin Speaking Mission! I am really excited for him because Oakland is only 1 hour north from where I live! So it's been exciting to talk with his family and help them be happy about the reassignment instead of feel sad.
On Wednesday I had the opportunity to go on exchanges with Elder Gillespie in Story City! I stayed the night in a members home and that was a fun experience! It was cool being in a new town and meeting new members in their branch.
Yesterday was exciting! We went to PEC in the morning and the High Priest Group Leader Elwynn Taylor invited us to his home afterward. He works for Iowa State and is a Weather Man, he is like a really big deal. He showed us his interview he had on CNN during the Floods in Cedar Rapids Iowa! So if he is on CNN you know he's a big deal haha. Well, as he was showing us the weather reports he got a phone call from Channel 8 News(the local CBS here in the central Iowa area) asking him if they could film an interview with him! Channel 8 News is actually the best local news in the nation, because more people watch their news, than any other people watch their local news! So he told Channel 8 to come over to his house and film the interview! So they invited us to stay and watch it. It was really cool cuz I'm all about that kinda stuff haha. He told the news that it's going to be way cold this winter, just as cold as last winter! And ever since I got here to Iowa I've been hearing stories of how cold last winter has been, so I'm scared haha.
Well, last night I got to watch The First Presidency Christmas Devotional! It was really inspiring and motivated me to think more about the true meaning of Christmas this year. Being out on a mission is really helping me this Christmas Season to think more of Jesus Christ instead of all the Santa Claus stuff. I encourage all of you to give service to others this Christmas season and get lost in the true Christmas spirit. As we serve others more, I've found that we are so much happier than if we just thought of ourselves.
My next P-day is December 17th, that Wednesday is the day before Transfers. My Mission President already told me I have a good chance of getting transferred, so make sure to send letters to the mission office, and not directly to my apartment. Thank you so much for all of the support you give me. I feel the blessings of the prayers that our offered in my behalf daily. I truly know that God does answer your Prayers.
Keep it Real
LO
VE Elder Morain

Welcome to December everybody!

Dear Elder Morain Fan Club,

I've had one of the best weeks of my mission. Lets just say it has been very eventful. On P-day we had most of our zone come to Ames and we played a big game of football. It was really fun until my district leader Elder Gillespie fell and sprained his ankle really bad, and it might even be broken for all we know. We also played some good games of basketball and that was a blast.
On Tuesday I had an interview with my mission president. He told me that I am most likely getting transferred on December 18th. I am really sad that I have to leave Ames. I have grown to love the people so much and it is going to be really hard to say goodbye to them. That would put me at 4 and a half months here in Ames, just as long as I was in Sioux City. I hope a miracle happens so I can stay one more transfer here in Ames.
On Wednesday we had our district meeting and it was amazing. I learned a lot about how someone can be such an influence for good in other people's lives. Elder Gillespie is one of my hero's out here and he has inspired me to be a better missionary and to be excited about this work. I realized how real our power and authority is as full time missionaries.
Thursday was Thanksgiving and I have to say that it was one of the best Thanksgivings I've ever had. We got together as a district on thanksgiving morning and played our annual football game. It was big for me because all my life I've played football every thanksgiving morning so I felt right at home. It was a really fun time. Then we went over to a family named the Excells. Their son is in the MTC right now and is scheduled to fly to the taiwan tapiea mission tomorrow. But due to medical reasons he might have to be reassigned to another mission. The quorumn of the 12 apotlses met together to discuss what should happen to him! It's a pretty big deal and today we will find out his fate. We went to the Saxton family for thanksgiving dinner. It was delicious! Our investigator Heather Burg came to the dinner as well. The missionaries from the Young Single Adult Branch here in Ames also came so i spent thanksgiving with my mtc companion Elder Daniels! I hope all of you had a wonderful thanksgiving as well.
Saturday I had the opportunity to particpate in the 2008 NetFest at Iowa State! It had kids from all over the state from like 4th grade to 8th grade. They played a basketball tournament and we the missionaries were the score keepers for the tournament! It was very legit, we had to run the clock, the scoreboard and keep track of the fouls! I never knew 6th grade boys basketball could be so hard core. The coaches and parents were screaming like crazy, it was a big deal haha. We had all the missionaries in my zone. Some of the missionaries in the fort dodge zone and most in the des moines zone came so it was fun to see all my friends. We started at 730am and didnt get done till like 7pm! It was a lot of fun to get to know the coaches and refs and stuff I enjoyed it a lot. I know have a whole new appreciation for the score keeper when I watch a game of basketball haha.
Yesterday at church we were asked to help out in primary. My companion and I played each other in the game name that tune for my primary songs. The way it worked was if my companion got the song right the jkids got to cut a piece of my tie off! I was kinda sad they ruinied such a nice tie but at the end, I gave my tie to a boy in the primary and I committed him to go on a full time mission when he is older. He said yes and then proudly wore my cut tie. It was good a experience. I never realized the impact we as missionaries make on the kids of the ward.
Well, I hope everyone has a good week and It would really mean a lot to me to hear from some of you. Thank you to all who have emailed me and sent letters they help me so much out here.
Keep it real!
LO
VE Elder Morain

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

Dear Elder Morain Fan Club,

I wish you all a very Happy Thanksgiving this thursday! I love the Holiday season. With the theme of our sacrament meetings yesterday being on thanksgiving I've taken a step back and recognized all the many blessings I have to be thankful for. I'm so thankful I have this opportunity to serve a full time mission. Last Wednesday was my 1/3 mark for my mission. I can't believe 1/3 of my mission is already done!

On thursday we had the opportunity to teach a new investigator we found through tracting on wednesday! His name is Brett and we taught him the restoration and the spirit was so strong there. Right after we challenged him to read and pray about the Book of Mormon he got up and put the book on his pillow so he would not forget to do it. Also it just so happens that Brett is good friends with our other investigator Kyle! We went to Kyle and Grace's house that same night and they invited their friend Tim once again. They cooked us dinner and we had a great time. Then on friday night we were talking to people in downtown Ames and out of no where Tim our investigator pulls up. He invites us to go on a Hay ride with a horse and buggy so we went with him. It was pretty cool haha.

The song titled, "It's a Small World" has a whole new meaning to me now. To my suprise I saw my friend on the cover of the church news! Sister Cross, who was in my district at the MTC, is on the cover of the October 25th, 2008 Church news! It has an article about her in there too. I thought it was pretty crazy.
O ya and on saturday we had the first SNOW here in Iowa for the season! It is so much colder here than anything I have ever experienced. But I'm lovin it up here in Ames!
Once again I hope everyone has a fantastic thanksgiving this thursday and the next time you hear from me it will be december!
Keep it real!
LO
VE Elder Morain

Utah Valley University meets #2 in the nation ISU!

Dear Elder Morain Fan Club,

I've had quite an eventful week! On thursday I had the opportunity to go to the wrestling match between Iowa State University and Utah Valley University!!! I'll give ya a lil background on how this came to be. So in the ward I'm serving in there is a guy by the name of Cody Sanderson. He is the Assistant Head Coach for the Iowa State Wrestling team. His little brother Cyler who I know pretty well wrestles for their team right now. And their other Brother Cael Sanderson is the head coach. Cael is quite a legend, he had an undefeated record during his 4 years as a wrestler for iowa state. In the 2004 Olympics in Torino Italy he won the gold medal in wrestling! Anyways, so thursday we had a dinner appointment with a family and they invited us to go to the wrestling match. Because we know the sandersons they hooked us up with some free tickets. We called my mission president and he gave the approval so we got to go! It was really fun. I wore my BYU shirt and BYU hat to the match haha. It's the closest apparel I had to Utah Valley University. To much people's suprise UVU put up a pretty good fight against the #2 team in the nation! It was a blast to be there.
Last night I had an amazing teaching opportunity. I recieved a text message from headquarters in salt lake. It was a referral from a pass a long card given 1 year ago. It was given to a family from Sudan that lives on the same street as the stake center here. they ordered a finding faith in christ dvd so we delivered it to them saturday and they watched it that night. Last night we came back to teach them the restoration(lesson 1) We brought the stake patriarch with us to the lesson and it went very well! This family has 6 kids, one of them is only 2 weeks old. We found out they don't have the Book of Mormon translated into their native language from sudan though. So hopefully they can read english, they seemed pretty fluent in english when we taught them. They told us about their life in Sudan and how dangerous it is to live there. I'm so grateful to have been blessed with living in a safe country. On my mission I've recognized so many blessings that I never even thought of before. The blessing of being raised in the gospel means so much to me now. This Wednesday marks my 8th month mark on my mission! It is going by faster and faster I can't even believe it. I am so grateful for this time I have to serve the people of Iowa.
I hope everyone has a fantastic week!
Keep it real
LO
VE Elder Morain

It's a fresh new transfer!

Dear Elder Morain Fan Club,

This past week has been one of the most craziest weeks on my mission. On thursday we had our transfers. I said goodbye to my companion who went home on friday. I met my new companion Elder Thomas and we are getting a long really well already! He is from Mesa Arizona and came out on his mission only 3 months before me. We also got 4 other new missionaries in my district. Elder Firmage is in the YSA branch. Elder Johnson in the 2nd ward. They replaced the sister missionaries who were in story city with elders now. Elder Burr and Elder Gillespie(who was my District leader in Sioux city for 6 weeks) is now my district leader here! I'm so excited he is in my district again, I love the guy and we are good friends.

Well, on Saturday we had our Zone Conference and Elder Dennis B. Neaunschwander of the 1st quorumn of the 70 came and taught us! He has been a 70 since 1991 and gave us some amazing ways we can improve to be better missionaries. We also got to attend the Adult Session of the Ames stake conference that night and that was a very spiritual meeting. Yesterday we got to go to the Recent Convert meeting where Elder Neaunschwander spoke and then after we had the general session of stake conference! It was in the Ames Middle School Auditorium, that was the 1st time for me having church outside of a church building it was a cool experience. President and Sister Oaks who are the Temple President and Matron of the Winter Quarters temple spoke to us as well. President Oaks is Elder Dallin H. Oaks brother! I learned so much and felt the spirit so stong as we were taught by a General Authority.
Well, I hope everyone has a fun veterans day tomorrow! My Dad just told me that 81 people are getting these emails, thats crazy! I hope to hear how everyones been.
Keep it real!
LO
VE Elder Morain

I'm staying in Ames for another 6 weeks!

Dear Elder Morain Fan Club,

I AM STAYING IN AMES! This morning I recieved a phone call informing me that I will be staying in Ames for at least 6 more weeks! Since my companion Elder Sage is going home on friday I am getting a new companion. His name is Elder M. Thomas. I have never heard of him before so I'm so excited to meet him tomorrow. I am so happy I have the opportunity to stay in Ames! I love it here so much and the people here are awesome.
I am also extremely happy about Proposition 8 in California!!!! My dad emailed me saying that it is winning 52% to 48%!! I had the opportunity to vote Yes on Prop. 8 with my absentee ballot and I'm so happy I can help make a difference.
So things are just going crazy right now with the election results and transfers at the same time haha. I hope all of you had a fun Halloween, cuz I sure did haha. On Halloween we had dinner with a family in my ward and we had a good time. Then we and the missionaries in Ames went to Walmart and bought pumkins.We got to carve them so that was fun. Since I live right by Iowa State University you can imagine how crazy it was on Halloween night with all the college students roaming the streets.
On Sunday we had the opportunity to go to the CES Fireside with H. David Burton speaking. I thought he gave a very inspiring talk. I hope some of you got to see it. Oh, so last time I emailed you on monday october 27th, I got to go on exchanges that night and the next day with my MTC companion Elder Daniels! We had a good time and got to teach a lot of students because we were in the YSA branch's area on camus. It was a great experience as we walked through campus "OYMing" all the students. I really love sharing and teaching the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ, I always have a good feeling inside as we teach them and bear our testimonies.
Well, we have got to go and get my companion ready to go home! Tomorrow is transfer day and I'm saying goodbye to my district leader Elder Blunt, Elder Nelson, and both of the sisters in our district who are all getting transfered. I'm excited for this weekend because we are having our Stake Conference and our Zone Conference/ Mission Tour with Elder Dennis B. Neuenschwander so I'm excited for that!
Keep it real!
LO
VE Elder Morain

Iowa State Homecoming Football game!

Dear Elder Morain Fan Club,

I've had a pretty crazy week! On Saturday night I had the opportunity to go to the Iowa State Homecoming Football Game! A member of my ward had extra tickets and gave us them so we could go! They played texas A&M and ISU lost by like 2 touchdowns. But it was so much fun! We sat in the student section and were standing the whole game. I was lovin it cuz college football is my favorite sport as you may know and I'm so glad I had the opportunity to go!
Also on Saturday in Sioux City ashley, andrew and alex ford were all baptized and I'm so happy for them. Now Carol Betts, her daughter Sherry and her 3 kids are all baptized! I never would have thought that would happen 7 months ago as I met Carol and her kids for the first time. It really means a lot to me to see the joy of the gospel come into their lives.
Well, I hope all of you have a fun Halloween! I got to go meet up with our whole Zone cuz were having a Zone Activity! My next P-day isn't till november 5th next next wednesday cuz transfers is nov. 6th! I'm staying in Ames though cuz my companion is going home. Until then,
Keep it real!
LO
VE Elder Morain

Holler from Ames Iowa!

Dear Elder Morain Fan Club,

I am happy today because were going to celebrate my 7 month click day which was yesterday. Isn't crazy that I reported to the MTC 7 months ago?! But I also look back and realize that so much has happened to me on my mission these past 7 months.
Last monday as you know I was in Des Moines for the day. I had a lot of fun seeing some missionaries I served with before. I went golfing in the rain which was pretty fun haha. I love Des Moines, its a great place.
On wednesday I had my interview with my mission president. He told me I would be staying in Ames for sure 1 more transfer and maybe even 2 transfers. I'm happy about that because I also love Ames! I love the college atmosphere here and I've made so many good friends here in Ames.
On thursday we had our zone conference and our zone and the fort dodge Zone combined for it. We had 6 missionaries(including my companion) give their returning home testimonies and the spirit was so strong.
On Saturday we had the opportunity to attend the baptism of an investigator of the Ames 2nd ward elders. It was a great experience seeing him make that huge step in his life. I'm so happy that the 3 grandkids of Carol who I taught in Sioux City are getting baptized this saturday! I'm so grateful I have this opportunity to be a missionary.

I hope all of you are doing good and I look forward to hearing from you soon. Keep it real!
LO
VE Elder Morain

I'm in Des Moines!

Dear Elder Morain Fan Club,

Right now I am in Des Moines! This is my first time I've been back in Des Moines since I was in the mission home in april! My companion Elder Sage has a doctors appointment here in Des Moines so we came down for that. I'm excited to be here in Des Moines, its a big city compared to where I've been on my mission.
We've had a crazy week! Our cell phone won't charge anymore so it died and we have to get a new one today at the mission office. My companion recieved some bad news yesterday, his very good friend from home, got killed in a car accident, and he was just about to leave on his mission. It's really sad. I've come to realize how short this life really is. It really helps put things in perspective on whats important in this life.
I got to go to the doctors appointment now,
I hope you all have a good week
LO
VE Elder Morain

I got hit by a car last night!

Dear Elder Morain Fan Club,

Last night I was walking through a cross walk and out of no where an old lady was making a left turn going about 30 mph and ran right into me and kept going, with her foot on the gas! As I was walking through the cross walk I looked to my right and saw her car coming right at me so I ran as fast as I could to get out of the way but she hit me on my right leg. My companion was ahead of me and barely got out of the way in time. It was a Miracle because I ended up walking away from it without a scratch. I just remember the front of the car hitting my leg and my ankle bending a little bit but I luckily got out of the way before the car took me under it and ran me over. My companion saw it happen and thought that I was going to die. He was more shakin up about it than I was haha. The lady ended up driving around the block to see if I was ok, and I was so she drove off. It was pretty scary, I thought I was going to die as I saw the car not stopping at all as I was running from it. So right after we called my mission president and his wife. She told my companion Elder Sage to give me a blessing. So we went home and he gave me a blessing and it comforted me a lot. He said that angels will go before me and watch over me. I feel very blessed to have been watched over last night and it truly was a miracle that I am not hurt.

Well, I had the opportunity of watching all 5 sessions of General Conference at the Stake center and I loved it so much. It was such a blessing to hear from our Prophet, Apostles, and General Authorities. On Saturday I especially liked Elder Jeffrey R. Holland's talk about Angels. After my experience last night, It has even more meaning for me. I also liked President Monson's talk in the sunday morning session. I felt the topic of change in our lives was exactly what I needed to hear. It was cool to see my choir director from when I was in the MTC choir, direct the MTC choir in the priesthood session! I loved the talk about missionary work by the sister in the saturday morning session.
I'm so grateful to be a missionary! I got permission to call my last companion Elder Butterfield who is still in Sioux City. He told me about how he taught Andrew, Ashley and Alex Ford, the grandchildren of Carol the lady I baptized. He told me there baptismal date is set for October 25th and I'm so happy that they are making this step to open the doors of the celestial kingdom to them.
I hope all of you had a spiritual experience with General Conference this last weekend. I will never forget this eventful General Conference weekend I've had thats for sure haha. I look forward to hearing your experiences,
until then
Keep it Real
LO
VE Elder Morain

"Wake me up when September Ends"

Dear Elder Morain Fan Club,

My heart is full with joy this morning! I recieved an email from my mission president this morning. In it were the list of baptismal dates all across the mission. I saw that Ashley, Andrew, and Alex Ford all had baptismal dates! They are Carol Betts grand children, the lady I baptized in Sioux City. I remember teaching Carol's grand children when they were home and I grew to love those kids. I am so happy they have decided to make this step in their lives to be baptized.
Well, on transfer day we drove Elder Budge to the transfer point and said goodbye. Then we got Elder Zufelt ready to leave when the next transfer bus came. That bus brought 3 new missionaries in our district. Sister Ranson, who flew out to Iowa with me is in Story City. Elder Blunt, my new district leader is from Antelope California and he's a convert of 3 years. Elder Carlson replaced Elder Zufelt and is from Oroville California and he's a way cool guy. Were going to have a good district this transfer so i'm excited.
Well yesterday we had our fast sunday because next sunday is general conference! We had a great elders quorumn lesson yesterday. Brother Johnson, who is deaf, taught our lesson. He had a member speak for him while he used ASL, it was a neat experience. I attended a class he is teaching at the church on ASL. I learned how to sign "my name is Elder Morain" We had a dinner appointment last night at a members home. Our investigator Heather Burg came and we shared a spiritual thought with her. She has been dating a member for over 3 years and has been coming to church that whole time. She said she will keep us posted on when she will set a baptismal date.
Well, I am very excited for General Conference this weekend! I heard that the MTC choir is singing in the priesthood session. A guy from my ward here gets to be in the choir so I'll be looking for him. I am excited to hear from our Prophet and all the General Authorities. It's my first time watching conference in the mission field, I remember last conference I watched it from the MTC. I hope all of you have a good experience with conference this weekend and I'll email ya next monday!
Keep it real!
LO
VE Elder Morain

I'M STAYING IN AMES!

Dear Elder Morain Fan Club,

I GET TO STAY IN AMES! This morning at like 6:40 we got a call from the assistants informing us that elder sage and I are staying together in Ames for the next 6 weeks! It was a suprise because now Elder Sage will be here for 6 months and then go home after this transfer. We also found out Elder Budge in my district is being transferred, but my mtc companion Elder Daniels is staying with me here so I'm happy! Elder Zufelt my district leader is getting transferred though and I'm sad about that, we have became really good friends and I'll miss him.
Last friday Elder Daniels and I celebrated our 6 month mark on our missions! We burned our ties and it was a fun time haha. It hit me how fast time has flown and helps me enjoy my time here on a mission while I can.
On saturday we had the opportunity to teach Kyle, Grace, and their friend Tim most of lesson 1 and 2! They agreed with a lot of what we taught and I think they have a lot of potential.
Well, I am just so happy that I get to stay here in Ames! I've really grown to love the people here and I look forward to serving them for as long as I can. Today is my companion's 21st birthday! We are getting the whole district together one last time to celebrate. I'll miss the missionaries who are getting transferred. But I've learned out here on a mission we are all going where the Lord wants us to go.
My next P-day is monday sept.29th which isn't that far away! I hope all of you are lovin life and I would love to hear all about it.
Keep it Real!
LO
VE Elder Morain

Words of Wisdom

Dear Elder Morain Fan Club,

How is everybody doin these days? I am lovin life right now! Yesterday in sacrament meeting the topic was finding joy in every season of our lives. This topic hit home for me and broadened my horizons. They talked about how we shouldn't always be wishing for a certain period of our life to hurry up and be over, but instead enjoy whatever stage of life your in while you can. I applied this to my life as a missionary and decided to try harder to enjoy the time I have left to be a full time missionary while I can. I felt a reality check as I looked at my planner and saw that this friday I would be on my mission for half a year already! That is one fourth of my mission and it feels like I just left for the MTC yesterday!
After sacrament meeting we helped the primary out during sharing time. We acted out a story from the book of mormon and it was a fun time. It was the 1st time I've been in primary since I was 11! Well later that evening we had the oportunity to teach a recent convert her 3rd new member lesson, which was the gospel of Jesus Christ. I love the feeling of teaching someone about this gospel that is so dear to my heart. The gospel has changed my life and I've been a part of helping to change the lives of so many out here. It really has changed my perspective and I realize what is really important in this life.
Well, I hope to hear from you, my next P-day is actually not next monday but wednesday september 24th because transfers is the 25th.
Until then, keep it real
LO
VE Elder Morain

The Emergency Room!

Dear Elder Morain Fan Club,

I love being on a mission! I am so happy. I've had an amazing week. On wednesday I had the opportunity to have an interview with my mission president. He is such an incredible man. We talked about what might happen for next transfer and he told me that I am staying in Ames! I'm so happy that I get to stay here. But I asked if my companion Elder Sage will be staying with me and he said no he's getting transferred. I'm sad about that, Elder Sage and I get along really well and I am going to miss him.
Well, after the interview we all went to Applebee's as a district! That was delicious. That night 6 missionaries came from out of town to stay the night for ZONE CONFERENCE which was the next day. So we had a fun time with all those elders and I even got to see Elder Waters, we served in the same ward last transfer! So the next day we went to Zone Conference with the Ames zone and the Fort Dodge Zone. It was very inspiring to hear from my mission president and his wife, and the AP's. I got to meet a lot of new missionaries and see some familiar faces so that was a blast! On friday we had dinner with a deaf family in our ward. We had a member come with us so he can sign to them so we can communicate. It was a great experience and I learned some sign language. It really made me count my many blessings of being able to hear.
Saturday we got to attend a baptism for a convert in Ames 2nd ward. My mission president spoke at it and I felt the spirit so strong at the baptism. Right after that baptism we hopped over to a little girl's baptism in our ward. That was also very spiritual so we were feeling good after that. Watching others enter into the covenant of baptism reminds me of my baptism and to keep my baptismal covenants.

Well later that night we went over to Ames 2nd ward apartment and found Elder Nelson on the phone with the doctor. The doctor told him he needed to go to the Emergency room right away. So we drove him over there and got him into the ER as fast as we could. Then we waited in the lobby as they performed some tests on him. A couple hours later we find out he had an infection and needed some antibiotics, so it was a lot better than we thought so thats good. But it was a crazy night thats fo sho!
Last night I got to go to the CES Fireside Broadcast and Elder Jeffrey R. Holland spoke. I was very inspired by his words and it was a great experience to hear from a prophet, seer, and revelator. I hope all of you have a great week!
LO
VE Elder Morain

Laboring from the mission field

Dear Elder Morain Fan Club,

I apologize for not being able to send an email yesterday, since it was labor day yesterday the ISU library was closed so we are emailing today. I hope it's not "to late to apologize." as One Republic would say haha.

Well, I hope everyone had a fantastic labor day, cuz i sure did! My district celebrated labor day by grillin out! It was delish, and after that we played some sand volleyball on campus. It was a fun time. My companion Elder Sage gave me a haircut and it is the best haircut i have had in a long time haha.
Well, on wednesday I got to go on exchanges with Elder Nelson and we had some great experiences. We visited a potential investigator and the mom answered the door and we taught her a lesson and she was very nice. She said we can come back and I can see a lot of potential with her and her family. Then we visited Karen, who is the mom of the family we are teaching right now. I got to meet her for the first time and we had a good gospel conversation. She seems like a member already its crazy! Later in the day we were tracting, and on the last door we were going to knock before we caught the next bus was a young couple's door. They invited us in and started asking us all these questions. They were really sincere and they invited us back to dinner. I gave them a Book of Mormon and committed them to pray about our church. I'm glad Elder Nelson followed the prompting he had to knock that door, and it strengthened my testimony that the Spirit really directs us in our missionary work.
Well I hope everyone has a great week and I would love to hear from you on how everything's goin down.
Keep it real
LO
VE Elder Morain

Here are some pictures of when I baptized Carol Betts and her family is in the pic with us.
The others are when I went to Winter Quarters Temple. Also one of when I went to the Arena Football All Star Game. And one of us in front of a statue at Trinity heights on my last day in sioux city.

So long sweet summer

Dear Elder Morain Fan Club,

It's the first day of school here at Iowa State University and there are a lot of students on campus! This past week has been a blast. On tuesday we celebrated my 5 month click(5 months since I entered the MTC) These past 5 months have gone faster than any other 5 months in my life!
So last P-day we got to check out the institute building here in Ames, I thought it was way cool that we have one here. Then we played sand volleyball on campus which was fun. On tuesday we were doing service at the public library and a hippy lady with a guitar outside the library invited us to her class that she was teaching on raw and vegan foods. So on wednesday we went and it was really weird haha. But we ended up teaching like 10 people there about the restoration and stuff so that was good. But it was like anything I've ever experienced, I never want to be a vegan haha. On thursday we had our 1st district meeting this transfer. I got to meet the sister missionaries in my district who live up in Story City. So there is a total of 8 missionaries in our district. That night we did service at a woman's shelter and just cleaned up there houses. Friday we did our service at Heartland Senior Services which was cool. Then we grilled out with the elders cuz it was my district leader's 1 year mark so he burned his shirt! Yesterday was a great day at church. A guy gave his farewell talk in sacrament meeting, he is going to Taiwan in like 3 weeks for his mission so that was exciting. We have a big elders quorumn here, and it is a bunch of college students who just got married haha. They are all pretty cool. I am loving this ward and I'm excited to get to know them more and help them the best we can.

Well, I hope you all have a good week! I would love to hear from all of you, my next Pday is labor day!
Keep it real
LO
VE Elder Morain

What up from Iowa State University Ames!

Dear Elder Morain Fan Club,

Holler from Ames Iowa! Right now I am in the Iowa State University library! I am loving it here! Last time you heard from me was wednesday, and that was my last day in sioux city. I had lunch at HuHot which is a Mongolian Grill and way good! Then we went to Trinity Heights which is this catholic church with huge statues outside and I got some cool pics. That night we as a district went to Texas Roadhouse for dinner! It was fun hanging with all of those missionaries for the last time. I've got to know them really well, especially those I served with for 4 and half months and I will miss them alot. After dinner I went to the Widdison's house and said goodbye to them, who is a cool family in my ward. I will miss all the members alot, I felt right at home being with them and it was hard to say goodbye. But then that night I packed until 1230am. Thursday morning we went to the transfer bus and I got to say goodbye to all of the missionaries in my zone there. Then I got on the transfer bus and waved goodbye to the people I have grown to love. I was on the transfer bus from 9am to about 615pm! I got to see the whole state of Iowa as we went through Waterloo, Cedar Rapids, Iowa City and finally got to Ames. It was fun because when I got to Cedar Rapids Elder Phillips and Cathcart were there! They came out with me to Iowa, were were in the same MTC district and it was the first time I've seen anyone from our group since then. Then I got to Ames and my mtc companion elder daniels was there cuz he is serving in my district in the Ames YSA branch! Then I met my new companion Elder Sage and he is way cool! He and i are getting along great and having a lot of fun. Then I met my disctrict leader Elder Zufelt and there are now 6 missionaries in Ames.
On friday we did service at Heartland Senior Services and they asked us to help out in their Variety show that night. We got to watch this show with a huge auditorium full of old people at least 60 years or older haha. You had to be 60 or older to perform on stage so it was quite the show haha. Then saturday i went on exchanges with elder nelson and then went to our cordination meeting. I met the first member of our ward there. Yesterday was awesome. I went to PEC and it was all on missionary work. I got to meet everyone in the ward and they are amazing people. I really loved going to church and meeting them, and I'm excited to serve them here in Ames!
Well, I am happy to be here and I hope to hear from all of you soon. Here is a crazy thought, tomorrow marks my 5 month click day! It has gone by so fast, you know what they say, time flies when your having fun.
LO
VE Elder Morain

IM BEING TRANSFERED TO AMES

Dear Elder Morain Fan Club,

I am being transfered to AMES IOWA! I got a call this morning saying I am getting on the transfer bus tomorrow at 8:50 am to go serve in the Ames 1st ward! Ames is where Iowa State University is, the Cyclones! My companion is Elder Sage from Riverton Utah! He only has 3 months left on his mission so I might be with him for 3 months till he goes home! So that could mean I would be in Ames for at least 4 and half months, but we'll see what happens!
I'm sad I am leaving Sioux City. I have been serving the people here for 4 and half months and I have grown to love them so much. It will be hard saying my goodbye's to everyone today. But I am excited to serve in Ames! I have heard a lot about Ames because my trainer served there right before he came to Sioux City. So I will let you know how it is there next monday august 18th cuz thats my next Pday. I had a great week! I was in a 3 some with my District Leader Elder Gillespie for 3 days! On saturday our ward had a baptism! A spanish investigator got baptized. I wish I could tell more but im out of time!
Next time you here from me I'll be in Ames!
LO
VE Elder Morain

Welcome to August

Dear Elder Morain Fan Club,

I can't believe its already August! Time flies fast when your having fun right? haha. Well I've had a great week! On saturday I had the opportunity to start teaching Carol her recent convert lessons. Its lesson 5 in Preach My Gospel and on saturday we taught the temple and family history principle. Carol already has a 5 generation genealogy book with everything you need to have their temple work done. I just realized that now since Carol has been baptized she can give her genealogy to the temple to have all their work done. More people than I can imagine can progress in the spirit world by changing one persons life. We taught her that in a 1 year she can go to the temple to recieve her endowment. She said she wants to go and even invited me to come with her in a year, so I hope I'll be able to go! For those of you who were at my farewell talk I shared a story about when I was with my Stake President at BYUI getting my interview to put my mission papers in. I remember him asking us there for the interview why we are going on a mission. Some guys answered to baptize people and stuff. But my Stake President then told us to stand up and walk over to the window. As he drew back the curtains we saw in the night sky the Rexburg Temple glowing right in front of us. He said that is why we are going on a mission, to bring people to the temple so they can recieve their saving ordinances that will stand for eternity. Now, as I see Carol have the desire to go to the temple to recieve her endowment, I'm beginning to understand what my Stake President was trying to teach me.
Yesterday, we had fast and testimony meeting.So I got up there and bore my testimony. As I looked over my friends who I have been serving for the past 4 months, I felt a love for them like I have never felt before. I'm sad because transfers are on August 14th and my mission president told me that I am most likely being transferred. It's going to be hard saying goodbye to these people I have grown to love by serving them.
Well, now I'm going to go out and enjoy the time I have left here in Sioux City! Since transfers are next week my next Pday and chance to email is not next monday but next wednesday august 13th so I hope to hear from you then! Oh, and since I'm probably being transferred, don't send mail directly to my apartment address anymore. I will never get it if you do, cuz the missionaries he will probably be to lazy to forward it on to me lol. So just send it to my mission office address please. Thanks guys,
byU
LO
VE Elder Morain

Carol's Baptism

Dear Elder Morain Fan Club,
I've had the BEST weekend I have had so far on my mission! On Saturday July 26th I had the opportunity to baptize my investigator Carol. Words can't describe fully how I feel about being able to baptize her. It was a very spiritual experience. The baptism started off with her daughter Sherry giving a talk on the Holy Ghost(and she was only baptized like a month ago) After her talk I got to baptize her. After the baptism our ward was having a Pioneer Day celebration so we got to be there for that and it was a fun time! Carol is already becoming great friends with our ward and the party was perfect timing for grafting her into the ward.
Yesterday we got to participate in Carol's confirmation and that was amazing. My companion confirmed her and it went really well. After church I was asked to give a blessing of comfort and counsel to a little boy in our ward. I had never actually gave the blessing part, only the annointing, in my life! But I said a prayer before I gave the blessing that I would be prompted by the Holy Ghost on what to say. As I layed my hands on his head, I opened my mouth and the words started to just come out. It was a miracle for me, I've never experienced anything like that before. That experience strengthened my testimony so much that the Holy Ghost can prompt me on what God would have me say to this child of God.
The rest of the week doesn't compare to what I experienced in the last 2 days so thats all I have to say about last week. I hope I can hear from all of you soon! My next P-day is monday august 4th so I'll email ya then and hopefully send some pictures soon. Until then, Keep it real!
LO
VE -Elder Morain

what up!

Dear Elder Morain Fan Club,
I'm Alive! Last night there was a huge wind storm in sioux city. Tons of trees fell over and hit all these houses and stuff. But my apartment's ok so I'm grateful. Well, I've had an amazing week! After I emailed you last monday, I had a pretty fun Pday. That night I got to go to Red Lobster with Spetlar Tonga, who plays for the Sioux City Bandits arena football team. He was selected to play in the United Indoor Football All Star Game which was on Saturday. He hooked my companion and I up with some tickets to go! So we got to go and it was a blast! We sat 3 rows up from the field and we got on the Big screen haha. Spetlar played for the eastern conference but the West conference killed the east conference. It was still fun and I got to go down onto the field after the game and get some pics. I'll try to send you pics soon, but I can't now cuz the computer I'm at doesnt have a usb hook up. That Saturday was my 4 month mark and I can't believe how fast my mission is going!

Well, on Tuesday morning I got to teach Carol. At the end of the lesson we talked about her baptism which is this saturday by the way! Carol asked me if I would baptize her and I was shocked. I said I would love to and I am grateful I have the opportunity to perform this saving ordinance for her. My mission president wants to have her baptismal interview with her tonight. He is coming up to Sioux City tonight anyways to have interviews with me and all the missionaries in our zone. Tomorrow is our Zone Conference and I'm very excited haha. O ya on thursday we got to go to our ward's softball game! There is a church league here where all the churches play each other. So we were invited to help our wards team out in the play offs haha. It was a fun time. On wednesday I got to go on exchanges with my District Leader Elder Gilispie and it was a good time.
Well, I am loving my mission! Thank you to all who sent me letters last week, please keep me updated I would love to hear from you guys!
AIght I'm outty and off to Pday it up!
LO
VE Elder Morain

Best week of my mission!

Dear Elder Morain Fan Club,
This week has probably been the best week of my entire mission so far. On wednesday morning, we went to my investigator Carol's house to teach her a lesson. I asked her if she would set a baptismal date at the end of the lesson. Carol then told me that she would set a date for her baptism! She set it for saturday July 26th!!!!!! I am so happy that she has made this step in her life towards baptism. I remember one of the very first days I had in the mission field was when I met Carol. I've been teaching Carol since april and she has finally committed herself to baptism. I feel that all the sacrifices I have made throughtout my whole life even to get me to where I am on a mission, are now worth it because Carol has decided to be baptized and open the doors to the celestial kingdom.
On saturday, I got the opportunity to go to the winter quarters temple! My mission president approved the trip because I was going with my investigator Merlin and a member. So saturday morning they picked us up and we drove to omaha nebraska! I got to do an Endowment Session at 10. I never thought I would get the opportunity to even go to the temple at all on my mission so I was so happy to be able to go. I felt the spirit so strong in the house of the Lord. After the session, my companion and I took some pictures outside the temple. I hope I get to send you some pictures soon cuz I got some good ones haha. Then we took my investigator to the Mormon Trail Center right by the temple. We got to take a tour, watch this video and see all these really exciting church history displays. I was so excited to be there, because I study about the pioneers and church history almost everyday here on the mission and now I got to go where it all went down and see it for reals. After that we went over to the Mormon Pioneer Cemetary and it was quite a sight to see. Then we went over to the winter quarters church bookstore, the only church bookstore that I've seen or ever will see on my mission so it was exciting haha. The whole experience was just amazing, I'm so grateful that I could have the opportunity to go to the temple and see all that church history.
Well, I am loving my mission! This wednesday july 16th is my half bday! Isn't crazy I'm already 19 and a half years old?! haha. Well, my next Pday is next monday so I hope to hear from all you guys. Thank you to all who have emailed and sent letters they are very inspiring.
LO
VE Elder Morain

"Were just 2 guys and were havin a good time"

Dear Elder Morain Fan Club,
I am having the time of my life! I last emailed you guys Wednesday and that night I stayed up till like 230am! I helped Elder Folkman pack and stuff because the next day was transfer day. We met at the transfer point where our whole zone met. I said goodbye to all my friends getting transferred, it was so emotional(haha). But seriously it was, and then I was on exchanges with my zone leader for the day. We went to HuHot this mongolian grill and it way good! Then we got to pick up the new missionaries. I met my new companion, Elder Butterfield! He is a really cool guy and we get along great already. He is from Ephraim Utah, and he's been out on his mission 16 months as of today!
The next day was 4th of July! My mission president gave us permission to stay out till 1030pm! So we had a BBQ with all the new missionaries and they are all way tite. Then we hit up the 4th of July Parade in downtown sioux city! It was Mardi Gras themed haha so they threw beads out and stuff. It was a fun time and then we got to see fireworks! We went to the Minor League Baseball team here and watched the fireworks from their stadium! It was a way good 4th of July! Saturday we played some hard core church ball. Yesterday, after church there was a crazy storm! The tornado sirens went off downtown where I was! Then we heard a tornado touched down in riverside which I think is pretty close to where I am. If anyone hears anything on the news let me know cuz I dont know whats going on haha.
Well, I hope everyone had a good 4th of July. I hope to get an email or letter from all you guys soon. My next P-day and chance to email is next monday July 14th so I'll talk to ya then.
LO
VE -Elder moRAIN!

Good news from Sioux City Iowa!

Dear Elder Morain Fan Club,
I GET TO STAY IN SIOUX CITY ANOTHER 6 WEEKS!
Last night my mission president called me and said I get to stay! My trainer Elder Folkman is being transferred to Iowa City(known as the best zone in our mission) so he is way excited haha. I will miss him, but he's trained me well and I'm excited for my new companion. This morning The Assistants called us first before anyone in the mission!(it was my companions b-day wish haha) So we found out at 6:25am that my new companion is Elder Butterfield! Ironically, I was in the same room as him my first day in the field. He trained Elder Cathcart, who came out with me and I hear he is a really good missionary. He's been out a little over a year so I'll let you know more when I pick him up tomorrow. I found out this morning my good friend Elder Rice is being transferred. Also Elder Lewis, a spanish missionary in my ward, is going home tomorrow so we said goodbye today. I found out we are now getting 2 new spanish missionaries who will be in a 3 some in our ward, should be fun! And, the zone leader's are getting another companion so they will be a 3 some too. This next transfer is going to be crazy so get ready for whats goin down.
Anyways, sorry to talk about transfers so much. I had a very special day yesterday. It started with a lesson with our investigator Carol. It went really well, and we committed her to baptism! She is going to fast and pray for a baptismal date before our next visit. She's also raising her 3 grandkids so this can be an amazing change for the whole family.
The day got even better too! Last night we taught our new investigator Jamie the 3rd lesson. She was so excited to learn about the gospel of Jesus Christ. She is becoming friends with everyone in our ward already through a ward swim party we had and she came to church last sunday! At the end of the lesson, we also committed Jamie to baptism, she said she would pray for a baptismal date. We are going to her house tonight to teach her again. I am in awe at the progress of our investigators, I'm so grateful I can see the fruits of the past 3 months elder folkman and I have been laboring here. To see our investigators make this step in changing their lives makes being out here on a mission truly worth every sacrifice I've made to be here.
I'd like to thank all of you who have been praying for me, because I am really feeling the answers to your prayers in my life as a missionary out here. Thank you also for the letters and emails and support you guys give me. I need to count my many blessings that I've recieved to get me to this point in my life.
My next P-day and chance to check email is Monday July 7th so I hope to hear from all of you!
Keep it real
LO
VE
-Elder Morain

what up friends from my past

Dear Elder Morain Fan Club,
I am happy to be a missionary! I had a very special experience this past weekend. I got the opportunity to attend the baptism of Sherry. She is the daughter of my investigator carol. It really hit me during the baptism how thankful I was to be on a mission. I'm so glad my companion and I followed the promptings of the Holy Ghost so we could walk down the street where Sherry's son was and be able to talk to him. From that opportunity to talk to her son enabled us to start teaching Carol his grandma. After we started teaching carol, she gave us her daughter, sherry's address. My companion and I went to her apartment and set up an opportunity for my Zone leaders to teach her because she was in their area. Now I got to see the fruit of my labours as I witnessed the baptism of sherry. Carol and all 3 grand kids also attended the baptism and they had a great experience. Then yesterday I got to go to Sioux City 1st ward to see Sherry get confirmed and recieve the Holy Ghost. Carol and the kids also came to all 3 meetings of church for the 1st time! I am so happy to be a part of helping this family.
Well, last Pday after I emailed you, I got to go play some ultimate frisbee with all the guys in my district and it was hecka fun! On wednesday the traveling assistants to the president came on exchanges with my comp and i. I learned a lot from them as we tracted like crazy!
This last thursday was my 3 month click day,(which means I reported to the mtc 3 months ago) So we all went to lunch after district meeting and I chose Olive Garden. It was delish and a good time haha.
O ya on sunday I taught elders quorumn, and it was easy cuz they all just made comments to keep the discussion going. Then we went to baptism for 8 year old kid in our ward. I got to be a part of the confirmation and it was my first time doing that. O ya and on saturday we gave a blesssing to a baby in the hospital who was less than a day old and was breathing to fast. When it was born it came out dark blue! I hope he's going to be ok. It felt amazing to bless this baby who just the day before was in the pre existence with Heavenly Father and everyone up there.
Well, that was some brief highlights of my week. My next Pday isn't till next wednesday July 2nd, because transfers is on july 3rd and people need time to pack if they leave. I am most likely staying in sioux city and my trainer elder folkman is most likely getting transferred. I guess you should probably start sending mail only to the mission home address instead of directly to my apartment in case I'm transferred but don't worry its probably not happening. I hope to get emails back from all of you and get some letters too! Thank you to all who have emailed and wrote me letters, I really appreciate them and it helps me so much!
I love all of you,
Keep it real
LO
VE Elder Morain

holler to my peeps back home!

Dear Elder Morain Fan Club,
As Mcdonalds would say, " I'm Lovin it!" Being on a full time mission is the best! Well, after I emailed you guys last week, I had interviews with my mission president. They went really well, I got to know President Talbot alot more. He told me the story of when he was called to be a mission president. He told me he had a feeling that he should retire even though it didn't make sense at this time in his life. 2 days after he retired he recieved a phone call from Elder Jeffrey R. Holland asking him to meet with him. He went there and was asked to be a mission president. Elder Holland didn't know he happened to retire 2 days earlier. I thought that was quite an experience and shows how inspired callings really are.
Tuesday we had our zone conference! It was so much fun! I got to see all my friends from my zone which is about 40 of us. It was a really spiritually uplifting experience to hear from the Assistants to the Presidents and President Talbot.
On thursday we had a really good lesson with Maritsa! Then after the lesson we fasted with her so she can recieve an answer of the truthfulness of the gospel and that her husband would agree to take the lessons. Then the next day we fasted again for our zone fast which was planned already. It was pretty tough to fast back to back like that but I was on a spiritual high.
Yesterday we agreed to make a deal with these 2 old ladies we met. We would go to there church if they went to our church. So yesterday morning we went to the Assembly of God church. It was the weirdest experience in my entire life. We walk in there and everyone stares at us, and then they start with a rock band. They got guitars, bass, back up vocals and everything. They had the youth in one sections just jumping up and down like it was a rock concert. Then after that they had this 10 minute break where everyone shook our hands. Then the pastor got up and used this power point to put scriptures on. He put scriptures from the bible that had been changed from the king james version and just started telling everyone his perspective on what it meant. This experience made me so thankful that I belong to the true church of jesus christ of latter day saints. I'm so grateful for the knowledge I have of the true gospel of Jesus Christ, I want to share that with as many people as I can so they can feel the happiness I have in my life.
There was a huge difference I felt as I went to our church after that. The spirit was there and it was so strong. I have such a greater love for church now and I encourage all of you to just count your many blessings that the church has gave you in your lives.
Well, my next Pday is June 23rd, next monday as usual so I hope to get some emails and letters from all of you guys! Thank you to all who recorded their shout outs to me on the tape it was fun to hear from you guys! AIght I'm outty
LO
VE
-Elder Morain

I'm grateful to be alive!

Dear Elder Morain Fan Club,
I am so happy right now! This past week has been amazing. After I emailing you guys last monday I went to Olive Garden with my district. Then we got to go bowling! We bowled 3 games and it was a blast. That night I got to teach Maritsa the 3rd lesson which is the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Tuesday I mowed the member who buys us groceries lawn. It was really hard, and a lot of you know how much I don't like mowing lawns but, I felt good doing what I can to pay her back for her great generosity. Then we got to use this program called "watchcare" Our stake presidency was inspired to put into action this program, about 6 months ago. Its kind of like home teaching, its when a member makes contact with another member and just see how they are doing. The cool thing about this is when Elder Dallin H. Oaks came to our stake conference. He told us we should start a program called watchcare. Little did he know that the stake presidency was inspired 6 months ago to start the program. Elder Oaks was very impressed and it just shows our leaders are really called by God.
Wednesday we got to teach Carol our investigator lesson 3! This turned out to be the best lesson we've ever taught and even my companion's best lesson of his mission(he's been out 9 months!) I really felt the spirit help me know what to say to her and her 3 kids who came to hear our lesson. At the end my companion did this way cool experiment of how he made an egg get sucked into a little bottle because we lit this paper towel on fire and used rubbing achohol. It was hecka sick! haha Then I went on exchanges with the spanish missionary in my ward who goes home july 4th! We had a great time.
That night I had a scary experience. I was driving home from the church and it was raining really hard. When I got on the highway it was raining harder than I had ever seen it before in my life. I could barely see anything in front of me. I had to slow down to like 40 mph and I thought I was going to crash in the cars next to me or run off the road. I said a prayer in my heart that I would be able to navigate the car safely. When I got off the highway the rain started to slow down a little bit so I could see. I'm so glad I'm still alive! Thank you so much for all of you that pray for my safety because I really feel that prayers were answered.
Saturday we got to go to a BBQ at a less active familys house. It went really well, and yesterday they all came to church! They haven't been to church for at least over 6 months for all I know but by going to there BBQ yesterday they decided to go to church and I was so happy to see them there! We had a really good sacrament meeting and our investigator maritsa came! Oh I forgot to tell you, we found Carol our other investigator through tracting. Carol gave us the address of her daughter Sherry. We went there and met her and told her she was in the zone leaders area. The zone leaders taught her and she has agreed to be baptized! She is getting baptized June 21st! It is an amazing feeling to know that we wern't tracting Carol's street by accident but we were guided by the spirit to find her.
Well, I am off to clean my car for inspections. Tonight I have my interview with my mission president. Tomorrow is Zone Conference! All 40 plus missionaries are getting together tomorrow and its going to be tite! I'll send some pics of it next monday probably, June 16th, my next pday. Well, I hope to get some emails and letters from all of you soon! I was so happy to hear from you guys and it really encourages me when times get hard out here.
LO
VE Elder Morain

What a week it has been!

Dear Elder Morain Fan Club,
Wow it has been an amazing week!
First I would like to share an experience I had on thursday night. We got to teach Maritsa our investigator and we watched finding faith in chirst. After the movie she really opened up and told us that the day that we first met her in the hallway was the same day that she finally got this great job she had been waiting to get for months! She said it was "spooky" haha. Ironically last night we heard the word "spooky" used after another experience. Last night we were walking back to our car, it was 5 minutes before we had to be home and we had to get one more "open your mouth" to reach our goal of 42 of those this week. We walked down the sidewalk and a guy yelled to us hey elders! I'm a mormon come up here and lets talk. We ended up finding a less active member who our ward didn't have records of. He said he is getting custody of his son in a month and found it "spooky" because he wanted to change his life around and go to church again when his son comes to live with him. This experience has strengthened my testimony of how important is to set inspired goals and to diligently reach them and endure to the end. I know with a huge area that we have, it wasn't a coincidence we happened to run into these 2 people, but instead God had placed me in there path.
I want to thank all of you have written me letters and emails this past week. Your letters have inspired me to work harder and enjoy my mission to the fullest. I would love to hear from all you so feel free to email or write me a letter and I'll do my best to get backto ya.
Last monday we were at a less active family's house and the 8 year old daughter emily said she wants my companion to baptize her! Last tuesday we didn't have a car all day and we were tracting and going way far out there to visit all these less actives and it was really hard. Mission life is not easy, its definetley the hardest thing I have ever done in my life, but its all worth it. I know this is the best thing I can be doing in my life right now.
On thursday we had a special district meeting. My mission president recieved revelation that our whole mission was going to do a mission changing activity. Everyone went into a room alone for a whole hour. During that hour we answered 2 questions. As a Missionary, what are you willing to do for your Savior? And As a Missionary, How will you do it? During this hour I felt the spirit teach me what I needed to do to best serve my Savior on my mission, it was a spritual experience.
Well, I'm off to Olive Garden now to eat with my district. My next P-day is monday June 9th so I hope to hear from all of you soon!
LO
VE Elder Morain

Photos from May 26, 2008

my first night in sioux city with my trainer and elder blackham


1st pday with district


elder razo and elder hughes and i


famous daves

Happy memorial day!

Dear Elder Morain Fan Club,

Happy Memorial Day! I hope everyone is having a fun day off. Well since I last emailed you a lot has happened! Well I said goodbye to Elder Fager, Dunn, and Wagner wednesday night.It was pretty sad to say goodbye but I have met all the new elders and they are pretty cool too. Well thursday was transfer day, I got to go to A&W and their rootbeer is soo good! Friday we helped set up a luncheon for a funeral. Saturday I got to play basketball in the morning which was BALLIN! haha it was fun. Then we helped a member move for a while and then they took us to Famous Dave's which was delicious. Then we went to the bishop's daughter's graduation party. Out here in Iowa the graduation parties are a BIG deal. They invite like everyone in the ward and stuff its pretty fun. We had this bonfire and there was a huge explosion and people almost died. haha but no one got hurt so don't worry. Oh hey, if any of you have graduation announcements I would love to get one!
Yesterday I spoke in sacrament meeting! I spoke on Chapter 1 of Preach my Gospel, and it went well! I spoke 1st and then the 3 other missionaries in my ward spoke too. I also taught gospel principles class so it was a full day for me at church. It felt good to bear my testimony to the ward and express my love for them and the happiness I feel for serving them on a mission.
This Morning I got to play more basketball, I've been playin alot so watch out when I get back guys, lol jk.
My new Zone leader is Elder Huntsman and he's from Oregon, He is a pretty cool guy. Elder Wagner's replacement is Elder Manning(who is 3rd cousins to Peyton and Eli Manning by the way haha) Elder O'driscoll is the new spanish elder and we are all good friends already. Well, I hope to hear from you guys soon. My next Pday is next monday June 2nd so I hope to get some emails from you guys. Keep writing letters directly to my apartment address, thanks guys! Have a fun Memorial day.
LO
VE Elder Morain

I AM STAYING IN SIOUX CITY!!!!

Dear Elder Morain Fan Club,

I have good news and bad news. I typed out the longest best email I have ever written and when i sent it the email didnt go through and i lost it all! Sorry if this one isn't as good.
The good news is my mission President called me last night and told me I'[m staying in Sioux City 2nd ward! I will at least be here for 6 more weeks but most likely 3 months(2 more transfers) So feel free to send letters directly to my apartment because its faster than the mission office. Oh and I'm still with my trainer elder folkman, he just got called as a district leader here! This means my current district leader Elder Wagner is being transferred to Des Moines. Elder Dunn the spanish elder in my ward is being transferred to Marshall Town. Elder Fager my zone leader is going home tomorrow too. I'm going to miss these guys so much, they have been my best friends for the last 6 weeks and I won't be able to see them for a really long time. But with my new Eternal perspective that I've gained on my mission its helped me in saying goodbye.
Oh my dad made a blogspot for me the link is elderjeffreymorain.blogspot.com . It will have everything I will send to the people on the list like my emails and pictures and a little bit of extra! So feel free to check that out and tell anyone else who is interested about it.
Oh and my parents said that my friends can come over to my house and record a message for me on a tape recorder, I would really enjoy that haha.
Well this has been a great week and a half! Last thursday we had an awesome district meeting and got to play jeopardy. Friday I had to mow and weed wack 2 members huge lawns! It was really hard and for those of you who know how much I dont like mowing lawns know how I was feeling haha. Last saturday I got to go to a baptism for an investigator my district leader was teaching. Church on sunday was amazing. My friend jacob malloy gave his farewell talk, he reports to the mtc june 11th(same day as Steve Jensen!)Oh by the way I'm speaking this sunday in sacrament meeting! All 4 elders in my ward are speaking and we might even do sing a musical #, it would be a missionary program like no other haha. I'm speaking on Preach My Gospel Chapter 1 "your Purpose" I'm really excited cuz its my favorite chapter and I want to get the members excited about missionary work!
After church we went to the bishops house for dinner. The family has spaggetti ever sunday and its delicious! On monday was my 2 month click day!(2 months since I went into the MTC) Not that I'm counting or anything haha. I got to teach Carol that day and it went really well! We watched finding faith in christ with her, which is a golden movie btw!

Yesterday I got to go to the YMCA to work out in the morning. We get a free membership there because we do service and its way sweet. I've got to go 3 times so far. Last night I got to dinner at Grahams with Spetler Tonga(linebacker for the Sioux City Bandits arena football team) It was so much fun! He's a way cool guy and I hope he starts coming back to church.
Today I went out to lunch at chili's with my district for the last time. It was a blast, I'm really gonna miss the 3 elders who are being transferred. But I am so grateful I get to stay here In Sioux City because I absolutley love it here! I love the people here.
Well I am going to end this email and try to send some pics. I'll email you guys next monday!
Peace, Love, and Temple Marriage
LO
VE Elder Morain


The first picture is my district at our last district meeting of the transfer.


The second pic is us eating lunch after the baptism.


The 3rd pic is my district in front of chili's for our last lunch together


The 4th is a pic with my district leader elder wagner, hes a funny guy haha.


The other pics are with wagner and dunn and fager before they leave. Well I hope you enjoy these and I hope to hear from you guys soon!

Pictures!

This is one of me at mcdonalds because I go there everyday haha.

From Jeff's Mission

This is one of my district and I at olive garden! I love eating out haha.

From Jeff's Mission

From Jeff's Mission

From Jeff's Mission

From Jeff's Mission

From Jeff's Mission

From Jeff's Mission

Dear Elder Morain Fan Club,
I really enjoyed talking to my family and some of you yesterday on the phone! Thank you so much for taking the time out of your Mother's Day to talk to me. I'm sorry Kris McConkie and Jacob Haws for calling you guys later in the night, I left a voice mail on your cell phones but I'm sorry we didn't get to talk. I also want to apologize for how "wordly" I was yesterday talking to you guys on the phone. I had a crazy weekend going to the Arena Football game the night before and I was just excited to talk to people from home.
Speaking of that Arena Football game, it was a blast! A less active member in my ward plays linebacker for the Sioux City Bandits so he got my companion and I free tickets to last Saturday's game! Someone told us that we were being filmed on the Big screen, I thought that was pretty tight! I got a free t-shirt too! At the end of the game I got to go down on the field and get pics with Spetler Tonga, the linebacker(he's like the star of the team btw!) It was so much fun to go to an Arena Football game.
Oh and last tuesday we didn't have the car so we had to walk all day, we walked pretty far and a huge thunderstorm came! I swear I saw one of the clouds twisting and it almost looked like a tornado! We were on tornado warning and it was crazy! On wednesday I got to go on exchanges with Elder Rice so I got to be in downtown Sioux City that day and it was way fun. Maritsa our investigator came to church yesterday and tonight were teaching her the plan of salvation. Were going to commit her to baptism tonight so I really hope it goes well.
For those I talked on the phone to yesterday may have noticed I was talking "worldly", I want to let you know that being on a mission has changed my perspective on life completely. I have more of an Eternal perspective than before. Life is all about keeping the commandments so we can be worthy to enter the celestial kingdom. I want to help people realize the plan of salvation because God loves all his children. You see everyone differently here on a mission, and I've really grown to love the people. Well, I'm going to try and send some pics in another email. Sorry, this email is shorter than usual, but I just talked to some of you yesterday so next monday I'll have more to say. Until then, Keep it real
LO
VE Elder Morain

pics from the mish! May 5, 2008

There's the nebraska sign that I see everyday crossing the bridge!

From Jeff's Mission

From Jeff's Mission

Zone conference with a bunch of elders in my zone.

From Jeff's Mission

My comp and i with the Assistants to the President. Elder Craven is one of them, he is going home this transfer.

From Jeff's Mission

That sign that says dont read the BOM thats how they get you was hanging in my apartment and I thought it was real thing whole time till today when my ZL said its fake cuz there is a churchsign website that does them, but its still funny. [By the way, the website that Jeff talks about is here: http://www.churchsigngenerator.com/ Design 1 looks a lot like his photo.]

From Jeff's Mission

My companion and I at the info booth of the cinco de mayo event.

From Jeff's Mission

From Jeff's Mission

Happy Cinco de mayo!

Dear Elder Morain Fan Club,
Happy Cinco de Mayo everyone! I'm sorry I about last weeks email because I tried to send pics but it didn't work. So hopefully I'll get a chance to send some more later. Anyways, How is everyone doing? Thank you Jacob Haws for emailing me last wednesday. I'd love to hear from all of you so feel free to email me or send me a letter.

This last week has been awesome! So after I emailed you last P day the guys in my district and I went to the mall and it was fun haha. I bought a hallmark card that has the "we are the Champions" song by Queen and I'm going to put the speakers in my planner so every time I open the front page it plays the chorus of that song haha. My district leader showed me how to do it. Oh! so saturday we celebrated Cinco de mayo(because it couldn't be done today cuz people work ya know) My district and I got to go to the Tyson Event Center where they had this huge Cinco de Mayo event. I helped work at the information booth and guess what! CBS (local) was there and filmed my comp and I workin at the booth! I asked the reporter and he said I would be on the 6 o clock news on cbs! I thought that was pretty cool haha. A member in my ward was a leader singer for this spanish band and we got to watch that and eat all this spanish food, I felt like I was on a foreign mission! Well, yesterday was really good. It was fast and testimony meeting and I just love to hear the members testimonies. We got to watch Legacy the movie in priesthood cuz our elders quorumn president forgot it was his day to teach. After church we went to a members home for dinner and it was so good. Then we went to a Less active family, who on saturday the mom's brother died at like age 35. So we gave them a blessing and it was a really spiritual experience.
On friday we taught Carol the 2nd lesson(The plan of salvation) It went really well, it lasted for like 2 hours though and got deeper than we wanted cuz the member we took with us made it more complicated haha. But later that night we taught Maritsa and showed her the Restoration Movie. Both of them are reading and praying and I'm so glad they are progressing.
On thursday we decided to visited a less active member who plays for the Sioux City Bandits(an arena football team ) His wife who's not a member answered the door and we talked to her for a bit. She eventually offered us free tickets to go with her to the Sious City Bandits Vs. Omaha this saturday night at the tyson event center! We already asked President Talbot and he approved so hopefully we get to go haha. Mom and Dad I'll have to call you after the game to let you know about when I can call on Mothers Day.
Well it may seem like all i do is play, but really I'm working hard and I'm lovin it! I'll try and send some pics now, I'll be calling you Mothers day so who knows how long my email will be next Monday but we will see. Until then, keep it real
LO
VE Elder Morain

More Photos, April 21, 2008

An Opportunity of a Lifetime!-Elder Dallin H. Oaks, April 29, 2008

Dear Elder Morain's Fan Club,
I am about to describe an experience that I can never express through words what it means to me, but I will try. I will start with Saturday april 25th. Saturday at 5pm we had the adult session of stake conference. Elder Gary E. Stevenson of the 1st quorumn of the Seventy spoke to us, the last speaker of the night was Elder Dallin H. Oaks! His talk was absolutley amazing, and inspired me to be the best missionary I can be. I got to shake his hand after and that was the end of saturday. But it only gets better. Sunday morning we have the general session of conference. I got to sing in the choir, Elder Oaks spent about 45 minutes before the meeting shaking everyone in the building's hand. Elder Stevenson spoke again and then Elder Oaks gave another inspiring talk that motivated me like no other. Well after the meeting we had a LUNCH. So my zone of about 28 missionaries had a lunch with the special guests! Elder Stevenson and Elder Oaks were there. So i get my food and take a seat with my friends in my zone. Then from out of no where, ELDER OAKS SITS DOWN DIRECTLY ACROSS FROM ME! I am in awe, I try to contain myself as I look across the table and see an apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ. As I sat there, It hit me so hard, I felt closer to my Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ because I realized how closely Elder Oaks works with them. I kept this thought in my head the whole weekend as I saw and listened to him and it made the experience so much more valuable to me. Well, we had a good solid 45 minute lunch with Elder Oaks just talking to me and the few elders around me at the table. One of the questions we asked him was what was your favorite thing about being an apostle. He said his favorite thing was when he gets a chance to get to know the people in settings just like the one we were in. I thought that was really interesting. He told us how he and other members of the 12 decide where missionaries go on there missions with great detail. He shared an experience of how he was being trained by Bruce R. McConkie and Elder Oaks asked how he chooses where they go. He responded "85 % of the time it doesn't matter where they go, or mayber 90% I don't know it doesnt matter" and Elder Oaks just laughed because he wasnt expecting that from Elder McConkie of all people. He then said the other % really mattered where they go, and Elder Oaks described how the spirit directs him in choosing. We also asked him what his favorite scripture was and he responded 2 nephi 2:2 and how that helped him deal with loosing his wife. We asked do the general authorities still get nervous speaking at general conference and he said yes he still does after 47 times of speaking at one haha. He told us The quourumn of the 12 meets every tuesday and thursday morning and one of those is in the slc temple with the 1st presidency. We asked how much time the 12 spend away from home and he said they have a church assignment every week and mostly gone for weekends. Now as I am telling you this info keep in mind that this is a group of missionaries asking the questions, and we spend all day every day telling people how there are living prophets and apostle today on the earth, and this was our once in a lifetime opportunity to have lunch and ask questions of a living apostle of Jesus Christ. Well at the end of the lunch I said "This has been the best lunch I have ever had in my entire life."(And I really meant it this time, for those of you who know me well haha) And to my suprise, Elder Oaks said to me, "This has been one of the best lunches I have ever had too." Some people may not think its a big deal, but I felt honored to be a part of a 75 and half year old Apostle Best lunches ever. Haha, well when the lunch was over we had a meeting as our zone with Elder Stevenson and Elder Oaks. I was asked by my mission president to give the opening prayer and I was pretty nervous haha. Then I sat in the front row in the very center and literally sat at the feet of an Apostle. Elder Stevenson gave a great talk, and even used my White Handbook as an example during his talk haha. After he spoke Elder Oaks spoke, directly to my zone! It was truly amazing, he spoke of an example of how revelation is recieved. He told us the story of President Hinckely recieving revelation about Smaller temples. He told us how sacred these experiences are. I felt that the experience of being with Elder Oaks was very personal, and stregthened my testimony of how the Leaders of our church really do love us, as Elder Oaks made my experience with him special. I will never forget the teachings he taught and the feelings I had during the experience. It really motivated me to make the best of these 2 years on a mission. Even though it was impossible to top stake conference, yesterday was my first zone conference! I loved it! I really got to bond with my zone, and it was really fun. i will try and send pictures from zone conference later today. I have to drive over to another library to use a comp that I can send pics. So please if you can email me back and let me know how you are doing so I can read it before I get off the comp for the day. Thank you to Elder Phillips, Steve Jensen, Kris McConkie and Jacob Haws for emailing me, and thanks to Jen Graves and Elder Aquino for writing me a letter! Its good to hear how your doing! Oh and if you email/ write me a letter I'll give ya a shout out on the general email to everyone!( There is your little incentive haha) Oh by the way if you write directly to my apartment (not the mission office) I can get it in 4 days!