Ok so i feel ever so compelled to share this story! It really meant a lot to me and it was just a huge eye opener. I tried to send it last week but the computer crashed... (LAME) so anyways here it goes.... (ps im changing the member's name) A few weeks ago i was struggling with something (internally), when finally I just got frustrated and asked God "Why am i even here?? I can't do this one thing right (which is pretty important) and if it continues it just going to cause me to be disobedient, so seriously why am i here??" I had been struggling with this since I hit the mission field and finally it just began to weigh me down immensely and i couldnt take it. In the area that im in now we have to be EXACTLY OBEDIENT if we want to see the results of the hard work that we are doing. Plus we need the spirit to be able to be with us at all times so that comes from obedience and ughhh.... i was just hurting inside ok. So anyways later on that day my companion and i decided to visit a less active member of the ward, which is what we do A LOT of actually through out the week, strengthening members and such and we went and he wasnt home so we decided to knock his street, we did no success by this time i was just even more stressed but just pretending as if i wasnt. And my companion looks over and says look we have two options we can go and visit two more less active members or some really active members that live not too far from here. Soo i say ok and i hear something tell me go cheer up the active member, so im like "ok." So i tell my comp lets go cheer up Sister Peterson. I had no idea why i siad that but i did. (keep in mind i dont know any of the ward really) And normally 9 times out of 10 my answer is less actives. so to make a long story short we went and when we were praying outside before we went in i said again Lord please help us cheer up sister peterson. When we got to the door her husband (the former bishop, yeaaa told you they were wayy active) answered the door and invited us in. We stood there talking to him for about 2 minutes when we heard a voice from upstairs say "tell them to come up" We went upstairs and sister Peterson waslaying in bed and informed us that she had just gotten out of surgery two days prior to and was really feeling down. she said 2 minutes before we walked in she got a call from her son and told him "i just hope and pray someone will come and visit me. i just really need someone" and then the doorbell rang and her son said "wow God works fast for you doesnt He?" She cried and we cried and it was truly a testimony builder of just following the Spirit. We read some amazing scriptures and had an awesome lesson shared testimonies and stories and laughed and cried some more. Guys, on our way there we had no idea why we were led there but we were. I put all my selfish thoughts and struggles behind and just listened to the Spirit. The Lord ever so gently let me know that everything i do is a process. And growth will come. Just continue the work and He will continue to help and guide me. How blessed am I to be set be straight by the Lord Almighty. Theres no one else better to do the job. I love this work and all the challenges that come with it. I love the growth and testimony that im gaining of my Savior and His Father and the Spirit its AMAZING... UNTIL NEXT TIME I LOVE YOU ALL AND KEEP THE LETTERS COMING!!!!

HOwdy Ho GUys!!!!
GUYS THIS WORK IS GREAT!!! I wouldnt be doing anything else right now... My companion and i got to speak at a "What We Believe" FIreside yesterday and man the Spirit was so strong we both told our conversion stories and then the Bishop (who is AMAZINGGGG BY THE WAY) bore his conversion story too. He joined the church while doing volunteer work in Mongolia. He was Catholic before. He is sooo awesome! I have no doubt our bishops are called of God every time i meet a new one. They just continue to strengthen my testimony! Its unreal! Anyways, my companion and i have been working our be-hinds off here in Damascus... so much work so little time. There just arent enough hours in the day, SERIOUSLY!
Cool story...
My companion and i got a media referral (which basically means we got a text message from the church headquarters saying that someone requested the missionaries deliver a church DVD, Book of Mormon, or Bible or something else) so we get there and this African Guy, 51 yrs old from Liberia answers the door and invites us in. It was ok at first but then I noticed that the he was EXTREMELY well versed, (which didn't bother me, that part was great) but then all of a sudden he wanted us to prove all of our beliefs in the Bible (which we did) and also the Book of Mormon! During some parts he almost wanted to bash with us but we kept the Spirit there and were able to answer his questions calmly and with the scriptures. it was quite the experience! Although at times i know he kind of just wanted to prove us wrong my companion and I just loved him and wanted to teach him. SO when we were done i went home, proceeded to study, opened my scriptures and the VERY FIRST verse i read says 1 Corinthians 8:1 very end says "Knowledge puffeth up but charity edifieth!" What a humbling experience that was! The Lord is so good. Although my companion and i answered all his questions we did it out of love not bc we wanted to show how smart we are or like an "in your face" kinda thing. We could care less about showing how smart we are because without the Spirit we're nothing. WE, as missionaries, do NOT teach, the Spirit does! 2Nephi 9:28 says "...when they are learned they think they are wise and hearken not unto the council of God..." Guys don't EVER bash! Confound, bear your testimony of truth, our Heavenly Father and the Savior The Restored Gospel and be done with it! People will be receptive when they are ready. 2Nephi 9:29 says "But to be learned is good when they hearken unto the council of God". Don't let your knowledge be your pride, let it be your testimony and your strength in our Savior and his atoning sacrifice for us! Anyways until next time friends and family, LIVE LOVE LAUGH!!!
I do so much laughing its unreal! Oh the things you see when youre knocking doors... those stories coming soon! LOL

Phylicia

Well family and friends the mission work is going great. I have been humbled in more ways than one and it just doesn's stop. You know my purpose as a missionary is... To invite others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored Gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and His atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost and enduring to the end. Although at times it seems like the purpose of my mission is to completely show me how horrible of a person I was before my mission. My area is Damascus I received some awesome revelation from Paul on how to handle Damascus they havent had a baptism in 2 years and i remember he was once on the road to Damascus as well. My area is SOOO diverse there are some parts that are country others that are inner city, we work in the projects all the way to million dollar homes. Its intense! But I love every minute of it. My trainers name is Sister Kiteau and she is amazing!! She's from Tonga! We're tearing up the city of Damascus!! We came in with 0 investigators (people who are interested in the church).. are you paying attention 0 investigators that was last week, now we have our schedules almost full each day its awesome!! We have been working so hard. Sleep is something I love at the end of the day. I've never appreciated it more! Anyways more to come I'm sending pictures so you can see my companion and I its great! OH and my district from the MTC.

by the way one awesome miracle is that im teaching a lot of lessons in all spanish its crazy i think im even going to get a spanish name tag we'll see. the Lord has defintiely blessed me with the gift of tongues im saying things i never even knew i knew the word for it!!! its amazing. til next time i love you all write me plsss. i get major lonely... well not really with my awesome companion! but still

address:
Sister Phylicia Norris
1910 daisy rd
woodbine md 21797

HELLO FRIENDS AND FAM!! I know you all are worried that I've been MIA but the MTC keeps you so busy that you dont have time to do anything but study, pray, use the restroom, study, pray and then sleep. It's sooo awesome though. The MTC is the most peaceful place ive ever been to besides the Temple. Soooo many different languages and cultures arounds its unreal and sooo BEAUTIFUL!! It truly is God's work taking place. Everywhere you look everyone is just praying and singing hymns and praying some more. Everyone has such a strong testimony and desire to be here. I have the BEST companion ever. She's from Spanish Fork, UT and shes hilarious! She's one of 10. Her name is Sister Barber Were sooo different AND we teach each other SOOOO much. We work together perfectly and fed off of each other great when brainstorming. She has amazing ideas and great ways to do things and we always combine our teaching skills and to me its great. ALL DONE BY THE SPIRIT... WE dont teach anything trust me!!!! I love her soo much. I have grown so much since I've been here the Spirit is SOOO strong so you dont want to do anything to offend it ya know!! AHHH this is the life people. The lifestlye I chose and everyday more and more I SEE WHY!!! It's awesome! I dont miss anything about the "real world" not my iPhone, not getting to do whatever i want, not talking on the phone not texting, when I'm here i could care less. i only care about the Lord and His work?? Well you gotta love it. Ive met some of the best Elders and Sisters ever they are all amazing such strong desires and amazing testimonies. NO ONE cares about themselves only those we'll be teaching, its BEAUTIFUL!!! TRUST ME! I've learned that missionary work is ALLLL about being Selfless. something im learning more and more everyday gosh its sooo awesome to lose yourself in the work and not care about yourself.. it feels so good!!!
I wish i could serve FOREVER but i know i have to be a real person at sometime huh. Anyways my time is running out but i love you all more to come next week!!!
PS WE EAT DINNER EVERYDAY AT 4:30 SO im pretty sure ive lost a million pounds BC it gives me gas like no other..im just being honest. LOVE YOU ALL TIL NEXT WEEK