Andy Morrow's Blog

Extreme short shrift tonight, Morrowlife style. This has been the craziest week by far since I got here. I normally have enough time to work 20 hours and get all my homework done and socialize with no problems. This week I worked 4 hours and barely finished all my homework on time. I did it, however, and I think I’ve passed with flying colors. All my exams scores so far have been A-worthy except for Math, so I think I’m on the right track.

I have been involved constantly in my calling. Today I spent several hours on missionary-related things. We’re doing a 40 day fast in our ward for help in our missionary efforts. The ward missionaries are individually visiting every person who committed to fast and issuing them a specific and personalized invitation to do something overt to further the missionary work in the ward. “Be a good example” isn’t good enough for us. So far, all three members we visited today were completely willing without any hesitation to commit to do something significant. In the words of my companion, Hyrum, “The members are on FIRE!” If we have 40 people each do something to invite someone to learn more about the gospel, we will undoubtedly be blessed for our efforts, and we may even see success in bringing specific individuals to the gospel this very semester. I am feeling strongly the missionary spirit – now I need to begin doing missionary things. I was told in my setting apart that this calling was specifically to help me prepare to be a missionary, but I didn’t understand how until I began doing the work. I love it.

Anyway, I’ve been busy from 8 this morning until 10:30 at night. It’s been a pretty packed Sunday. Hyrum was saying it reminded him of being back in the mission field. If that’s really true, it will be wonderful. I’m sure I won’t have the same kind of success as I’m having here, but I could do this every day for a long time and be happier than any clam I’ve ever come across.

I did manage to get a little outdoors time this weekend, too. My friend Marisa and I hiked to the peak of Y Mountain. In order to climb the peak, one follows the trail that leads to the letter Y itself and then continues onward several miles and several thousand feet in elevation more. It was a more intense hike than Squaw Peak, largely because we gained 4000′ in a short distance, whereas Squaw Peak is only about 3000′ feet above Provo and the trail is longer. I’m excited to try Provo Peak. I need to find some hikers to do it with, because it’s not the kind of hike a non-hiker would enjoy. I really need to get to know people in the Outdoor Adventure club.

One final observation. Today, my temple preparation teacher shared with me a wonderful principle which I never before fully understood. We all know there is a time and a season appointed for all things. What never occurred to me, however, is that there is a time and a season when we are expected to give more or less of our time and means to the Lord’s work. Right now, I am expected to spend most of my time in school. Shortly, however, I will be called to give every second of every day for two years and my entire life’s savings to the Lord. It will be the right thing and the right time. I am dying to get started and know I’ll never be happy without it. Once it’s finished, however, I will once again be expected to give my time and money to my schooling and later to my family. I struggled with this as a younger child. I felt guilty that I had any money at all (even if it was only a tiny amount – but to a child, worlds) and wondered if I ought to give everything to the Lord in the form of a fast offering or tithing. That’s not what I was called to do then or now, however. There’s a time and a season, and when I return from my mission and am eventually married, my family will be the focus of my life. I love the gospel. It is adapted to each individual without adaptation. It is truly one size fits all. The brilliance, love, and mercy of the Lord are manifest beyond doubt through His plan for us.