Hello Family and Friends,
This week I can't even remember what happened it went by so fast. We had a good week though. We are done with the German curriculum and now we are just reviewing what we feel like we need help with. I could talk to someone about the gospel for an hour easily but it would still be really broken and hard to understand. I know that once I get to Germany that things are going to change and that I'm not going to be able to understand hardly anything that the people say but being immersed in the language will help me learn it so much faster. Speaking of which--I leave next Monday. Pretty cool, huh. Wow I can't believe how time flies.
So next week is General Conference. I can't wait. We were able to see the Draper Temple Dedication. That was so awesome. The spirit was so strong. I wanted it to keep going and going. I could have sat there for hours listening to the Prophet. He really is inspired of the Lord. I am grateful that we have a prophet today to lead us. I am so stoked to hear him speak.
Mom thank you so much for the AWESOME package. The Muddie buddies are great. Thank you for the camera card. I will send mine home right before I leave for Germany along with all of the letters I have received here in the MTC if you could store them for me. So mom you are great. I couldn't ask for a better mother. I love getting your letters more than anyone else. Thank you for teaching me how to be a good missionary. You are really a mother that no one can compare too. Thank you.
I learned this week that those who aren't willing to keep commitments from the missionaries are not willing to keep commitments from the lord. It is really sad to hear of people falling away.
I was thinking about your question you asked me a couple weeks ago about who you could invite to church. Tell people that the difference between their church and ours is that we have a Prophet of God on the earth today and we also have the priesthood. Be bold. What's the worst that could happen? They could say no.
Well it sounds like you are staying really busy with Master Gardner's. So do you have to work on their garden like a certain number of hours or what. Keep bringing up the gospel while you are there. You are doing good. There will be 9 missionaries going to Frankfurt with me. We should all be getting our flight plans today. Exciting. Thank you for all your encouraging words. Feel free to share my letters with others and tell them my experiences. I am doing really good. I haven't been discouraged for quite some time now. My faith in Jesus Christ grows everyday. I know that through Him anything is possible, like learning a good base of German in two months!
Sounds like Kiersten tore it up. That's cool. How are Kelsey and Kiersten doing in golf? How is Katie doing in soccer? Is Korbin still the ladies man? Dad, how is the farm going now. The water is probably all on by now. It's fun to hear how things are. How is that new tractor? Keep me informed on the farm cause I love hearing about it. Well my time is about up so.love you all and keep writing.
"No Regrets"
Love,
Elder Merrill
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Friday, March 20, 2009
Hello Family,
Thank you so much for your letters Mom and Dad. This week has been a much better p-day as far as writing letters. I only had to write 4 letters and then this one compared to last weeks 15 letters. I guess I shouldn't complain though. I love getting letters and hearing how everyone is doing. Mom, thank you for sending me stamps and my line of authority.
It’s been great here in the MTC. It's kind of funny when Italk to other elders i usually ask them "how long you been in?" Kinda sounds like a prison. Well I've been doing really good. I finally am not sick anymore. That would be great if you sent that camera card to me so I can send you mine before I leave for Germany. Only 2 1/2 more weeks and I can’t wait. I have learned so much of the language and I can't wait to actually get to Germany and get closer to becoming bilingual.
That is so cool that the ward has an invitation Sunday. It never hurts to ask. So Sounds like you are all staying really busy. No, I don’t need any more cash for anything. I will be ok once I get the money for the bike. It's great to know that the family is doing good. I would love to hear from the kids again before I leave for Germany. Next week by this time we should have our flight plans and so I will let you know how things are going to be.
This week has been a good week. L. Tom Perry came and spoke this week for the devotional. He talked about companionships and how we should never be alone spiritually and physically. He talked about being able to turn to our companions in time of need and the whole time i was thinking about how we can have the companionship of the Holy Ghost with us. I have come to realize how much of a blessing the Holy Ghost really is. I love it so much. I have really been able to use it as guidance and comfort. It's amazing how much the Lord blesses me. I know that this gospel is true.
We got some new missionaries yesterday. There are twin brothers that came in the same time, both going to Germany. One to Frankfurt and one to Berlin. Pretty crazy. I am so excited to get to Germany you don’t even know. Wow, Dad sounds like you are staying really busy. So are you gonna go to big baling now or are you gonna stick it out for a couple more years. Sorry for not writing that much. It's really hard to, especially because we pretty much have the exact same schedule everyday.
Well, thank you for all you have done for me. Mom you aren't just a good mom you are a great mom. I have never caught my tongue in the mixer and if i did you would be the first to help me get it out. I love you Mom. You are wonderful. I am really blessed to have a mother that loves and cares for me as much as you do. Dad you are great. You care so much for this gospel and you take very good care of your family and your ward family also. You have taught me how to work hard and to trust in the Lord. You have taught me so good and I hope that I can become as good of a father and husband as you are. I love you so much. You have raised a good son, if i do say so myself :) No, but really, thank you for all you have done for me and given me. I love you all.
"No Regrets"
Love,
Elder Merrill
Thank you so much for your letters Mom and Dad. This week has been a much better p-day as far as writing letters. I only had to write 4 letters and then this one compared to last weeks 15 letters. I guess I shouldn't complain though. I love getting letters and hearing how everyone is doing. Mom, thank you for sending me stamps and my line of authority.
It’s been great here in the MTC. It's kind of funny when Italk to other elders i usually ask them "how long you been in?" Kinda sounds like a prison. Well I've been doing really good. I finally am not sick anymore. That would be great if you sent that camera card to me so I can send you mine before I leave for Germany. Only 2 1/2 more weeks and I can’t wait. I have learned so much of the language and I can't wait to actually get to Germany and get closer to becoming bilingual.
That is so cool that the ward has an invitation Sunday. It never hurts to ask. So Sounds like you are all staying really busy. No, I don’t need any more cash for anything. I will be ok once I get the money for the bike. It's great to know that the family is doing good. I would love to hear from the kids again before I leave for Germany. Next week by this time we should have our flight plans and so I will let you know how things are going to be.
This week has been a good week. L. Tom Perry came and spoke this week for the devotional. He talked about companionships and how we should never be alone spiritually and physically. He talked about being able to turn to our companions in time of need and the whole time i was thinking about how we can have the companionship of the Holy Ghost with us. I have come to realize how much of a blessing the Holy Ghost really is. I love it so much. I have really been able to use it as guidance and comfort. It's amazing how much the Lord blesses me. I know that this gospel is true.
We got some new missionaries yesterday. There are twin brothers that came in the same time, both going to Germany. One to Frankfurt and one to Berlin. Pretty crazy. I am so excited to get to Germany you don’t even know. Wow, Dad sounds like you are staying really busy. So are you gonna go to big baling now or are you gonna stick it out for a couple more years. Sorry for not writing that much. It's really hard to, especially because we pretty much have the exact same schedule everyday.
Well, thank you for all you have done for me. Mom you aren't just a good mom you are a great mom. I have never caught my tongue in the mixer and if i did you would be the first to help me get it out. I love you Mom. You are wonderful. I am really blessed to have a mother that loves and cares for me as much as you do. Dad you are great. You care so much for this gospel and you take very good care of your family and your ward family also. You have taught me how to work hard and to trust in the Lord. You have taught me so good and I hope that I can become as good of a father and husband as you are. I love you so much. You have raised a good son, if i do say so myself :) No, but really, thank you for all you have done for me and given me. I love you all.
"No Regrets"
Love,
Elder Merrill
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Hello
Hello Family!
Wow missionary work is happening! To start off I went to the RC on Sunday to talk with one of my investigators. I challenged her to pray with her family. She said she would. I asked her if she would also go to church and she said that she was planning on it. It is so awesome to have success. Yesterday we went to the RC again and I talked with 5 people that wanted to hear from the missionaries. Very exciting.
I am still sick but I am getting better. Today we went to the temple and I had a name from Germany. Pretty cool. Umm, well I am doing super well and my German is coming along very well. Ich weiss dass, das evangelium wahr ist. Und Ich weiss dass wir haben ein prophet heute. Ich liebe den evangelium. Ich weiss dass mein Erreter leben und durch sein sunopher wir konnen umkehren. Ich liebt das evangelium! ( I know that the gospel is true. And i know that we have a prophet today. I love the Gospel. I know that my Redeemer lives and through his atonement we can repent. I love the Gospel!) Well we have begun teaching all in German. It is really amazing how much the Lord has blessed me with learning the language. It is really amazing to see how much I have learned in only a 5 weeks. Well the MTC is really starting to bug because I would rather be out preaching the gospel to real people but I know that I am in here for 8 weeks because I need to learn more of the language.
Me and my companion are getting along great. I am really growing spiritually. I haven't gained any weight, which is good. I cannot wait to get out of here. I love you all and I want to keep hearing from you all. It really makes my day when I get letters. Share the gospel and don't be ashamed of it. There is a lot of evil out there and we need to counteract that. If you truly love it then you will share it.
Mom and Dad I love you so much. Thank you so much for raising me correctly and raising me to be a worthy missionary. You truly are a blessing in my life. Thank you for being an amazing example for me all throughout my life. I have been blessed for everything that you have taught me. You are an amazing example to me. I love you so much and I want you to know that. Thank you all. Love you all.
"No Regrets"
Love Elder Merrill
Wow missionary work is happening! To start off I went to the RC on Sunday to talk with one of my investigators. I challenged her to pray with her family. She said she would. I asked her if she would also go to church and she said that she was planning on it. It is so awesome to have success. Yesterday we went to the RC again and I talked with 5 people that wanted to hear from the missionaries. Very exciting.
I am still sick but I am getting better. Today we went to the temple and I had a name from Germany. Pretty cool. Umm, well I am doing super well and my German is coming along very well. Ich weiss dass, das evangelium wahr ist. Und Ich weiss dass wir haben ein prophet heute. Ich liebe den evangelium. Ich weiss dass mein Erreter leben und durch sein sunopher wir konnen umkehren. Ich liebt das evangelium! ( I know that the gospel is true. And i know that we have a prophet today. I love the Gospel. I know that my Redeemer lives and through his atonement we can repent. I love the Gospel!) Well we have begun teaching all in German. It is really amazing how much the Lord has blessed me with learning the language. It is really amazing to see how much I have learned in only a 5 weeks. Well the MTC is really starting to bug because I would rather be out preaching the gospel to real people but I know that I am in here for 8 weeks because I need to learn more of the language.
Me and my companion are getting along great. I am really growing spiritually. I haven't gained any weight, which is good. I cannot wait to get out of here. I love you all and I want to keep hearing from you all. It really makes my day when I get letters. Share the gospel and don't be ashamed of it. There is a lot of evil out there and we need to counteract that. If you truly love it then you will share it.
Mom and Dad I love you so much. Thank you so much for raising me correctly and raising me to be a worthy missionary. You truly are a blessing in my life. Thank you for being an amazing example for me all throughout my life. I have been blessed for everything that you have taught me. You are an amazing example to me. I love you so much and I want you to know that. Thank you all. Love you all.
"No Regrets"
Love Elder Merrill
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Thank Goodness It's P-Day
Hello Family,
Wow, its amazing how time flies. Can you believe it has already been a month. This week has been pretty awesome. We talked with someone in the TRC for 15 minutes in German again. It's amazing to think that only a month ago I had no german vocabulary at all. It is crazy. This week we are going to start teaching the lessons in German. It is going to be hard but I know we can do it.
Doesn't sound like the family has been too healthy. I, myself, have been really sick this last week too with a sore throat, plugged nose, cough and a runny nose. There are 4 elders per room so I hope that they don't get sick because of me. I haven't been able to sleep very well at all. It's so hard getting up at 6:25 when you haven't slept much that night. Last night I took some medicine and so I was able to sleep a little better but I still was up in the night. All is well though.
I am taking pictures in the MTC and of some missionaries that I get along with well. Elder Davis and myself are doing really well with teaching. The other day we taught an RM and he said that we taught him the best lesson he has ever heard from missionaries in the MTC. That was cool to hear. We are really pounding out the German. I can understand pretty well but I have a real hard time with speaking. The lord has blessed me though.
I Called Shiela back (the woman from Arizona) and I taught her about the Atonement. She had no idea of what it was but was way interested and asked lots of questions. I found out that her husband is a member but I am almost positive that he is not active. They went to church on their own two weeks ago and I asked her if she would go this week. She said she would. I taught her about prayer and how to pray and also challenged her to pray with her family as well as personally. Its so awesome to watch the progress of those investigating the church. She is going to ask the bishop about the missionaries because they haven't contacted her. Oh man, it is great. The word is definately being spread throughout the world.
Tell the kids I love them and to share the gospel. This week for a devotional Elder Kikuchi of the Seventy spoke and he did a fabulous job. He talked about teaching the lessons and slowing down. I want to challenge all who read this letter to Invite someone every week to church. What's the worst that can happen, they say no? Alright.
Thankyou for everything and I love you all. Everyone keep writing and try my challenge.
"No Regrets".
Love,Elder Merrill
Wow, its amazing how time flies. Can you believe it has already been a month. This week has been pretty awesome. We talked with someone in the TRC for 15 minutes in German again. It's amazing to think that only a month ago I had no german vocabulary at all. It is crazy. This week we are going to start teaching the lessons in German. It is going to be hard but I know we can do it.
Doesn't sound like the family has been too healthy. I, myself, have been really sick this last week too with a sore throat, plugged nose, cough and a runny nose. There are 4 elders per room so I hope that they don't get sick because of me. I haven't been able to sleep very well at all. It's so hard getting up at 6:25 when you haven't slept much that night. Last night I took some medicine and so I was able to sleep a little better but I still was up in the night. All is well though.
I am taking pictures in the MTC and of some missionaries that I get along with well. Elder Davis and myself are doing really well with teaching. The other day we taught an RM and he said that we taught him the best lesson he has ever heard from missionaries in the MTC. That was cool to hear. We are really pounding out the German. I can understand pretty well but I have a real hard time with speaking. The lord has blessed me though.
I Called Shiela back (the woman from Arizona) and I taught her about the Atonement. She had no idea of what it was but was way interested and asked lots of questions. I found out that her husband is a member but I am almost positive that he is not active. They went to church on their own two weeks ago and I asked her if she would go this week. She said she would. I taught her about prayer and how to pray and also challenged her to pray with her family as well as personally. Its so awesome to watch the progress of those investigating the church. She is going to ask the bishop about the missionaries because they haven't contacted her. Oh man, it is great. The word is definately being spread throughout the world.
Tell the kids I love them and to share the gospel. This week for a devotional Elder Kikuchi of the Seventy spoke and he did a fabulous job. He talked about teaching the lessons and slowing down. I want to challenge all who read this letter to Invite someone every week to church. What's the worst that can happen, they say no? Alright.
Thankyou for everything and I love you all. Everyone keep writing and try my challenge.
"No Regrets".
Love,Elder Merrill
Monday, March 2, 2009
Kyle's in Trouble!
If you know Kyle very well, you would know that this next story is really funny to him. We got a note in the mail today with a paper attached that had an MTC picture of him with all his info on it. At the bottom of the paper there was a handwritten note that said "This Young missionary: After gym was over dunked the ball with no remorse. (no remorse was double underlined) He will sit out Sat 2-21-09 6:45-7:35."
Apparently, that's exactly what he did. He has never been able to dunk a basketball in his life until he received special superpowers when he entered the MTC. I believe that he's fascinated with this new talent and wants to share it with everyone. The problem is that it is against the gym rules to dunk a ball unless you are playing in a game and so he was grounded for the next day. The biggest problem is that his whole zone thinks it's funny and is egging him on. We will have to have a talk about being "obedient with exactness!"
Apparently, that's exactly what he did. He has never been able to dunk a basketball in his life until he received special superpowers when he entered the MTC. I believe that he's fascinated with this new talent and wants to share it with everyone. The problem is that it is against the gym rules to dunk a ball unless you are playing in a game and so he was grounded for the next day. The biggest problem is that his whole zone thinks it's funny and is egging him on. We will have to have a talk about being "obedient with exactness!"
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