Dear Family & Friends,
Well so for the last week of missionary work. I really don't know where to start or what to say. We met with one investigator named Daniel (26) and we did set a date with him for the 27th of December! We are pretty excited but we are going to work really hard with him because he has a problem with smoking and hasn't been to church since I've been here. He is a really nice kid. We know that if he really wants it and if we work our hardest to help him that he will be able to achieve it. Please pray for him also. We set the date with him on Friday afternoon. Right after his appointment we began to fast for Br. Phong. I was praying so much for him last week. I knew that it was going to be difficult to set a date with him but I believed that he was ready and that the Lord would help us out. We met with Br. Phong Saturday night. We fasted all the way until after our appointment. We showed up and the bishop was with us. He had been doing some research on the church and was worried about tithing. We changed our lesson plans on the spot and taught about Tithing. He was stuck on the number part of tithing rather than the faith. In that lesson I realized more than ever that it wasn't about the money but showing our faith and building the kingdom of God. The lesson lasted for an hour and a half but we were able to set a baptism date for the 20th of December. On Sunday he didn't show up until the Sacrament meeting (last hour) and he wasn't feeling the greatest. He was still focused on tithing but a recent convert was talking with him after church and it went well. He was able to talk to him and help him understand that it was between him and the Lord. Last night his family was invited to FHE by one of the families in the ward and it was good to build a relationship there. Just a blessing filled week. I'm grateful for the blessings that the Lord sends me. Thank you for your prayers and please continue to pray for these two sons of God. They are really coming to know there Savior Jesus Christ. It's way sweet to be a part of this change in their lives.
Well we are working way hard and obviously we are seeing the effects of it. A little update on myself. I was able to weigh myself this last week and I found out that I've lost 25 lbs! I weigh 175. I haven't been that light since the 8th grade. It's crazy. I wonder if I'm done losing.
That's crazy about those two wrecks. Everyone is glued to there cellphones these days. I see 8 year old kids talking on cell phones these days and it's crazy. How the times change. I'm sure you've heard about the German Goalie that committed suicide. Pretty sad that someone would go to that extreme.
That's sweet that you were able to sit in the Chapel. I'm glad that it was a good experience. The Apostles teach so well. I've been able to listen to a couple of talks this past week and I find it so amazing how well they teach. I'm working on my teaching skills and expecting the spirit to be there. I know that the spirit of God is with me as I teach. I can feel it's presence and I know that it's real.
I was so excited to hear that the Hallidays are doing good and that Eric and Megan and Seth are doing well.
Well I got a letter from Luci Jones this last week but that's it. Thanks for spreading the news about the blog and giving my address out. I hope that it will be able to help some people come closer to Christ.
Thanks For the great letter. Christmas is right around the corner! Love you all.
"No Regrets"
Love
Elder Merrill
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Dear Family,
Hey what a week. We were able to find 3 new investigators in 2 days which is pretty stinking good. Unfortunately, we weren't able to find any others for the week but we are trying hard. So Aunt Jill wrote me and she asked if I ever get to go out to the country. Yes I do. We have pretty big areas and we get to travel. The trains go through country but it's not anything like the states. It's hard to explain. Where I am now there are tons of trees. All the leaves are gone but it was way pretty. I can't wait 'till next fall. Our mission is down sizing so we have about 120 missionaries and it's only getting smaller. President is trying to get only one set of missionaries per ward.
Well sounds like it was a good week for you at home. It was a good week for us too. Our #1 investigator, Br. Phong (pong) is really progressing and it's amazing. I love it. It brings me so much happiness. He is already in Helaman and he's been reading now for 4 weeks. Crazy. We don't even have to really teach because he learns through reading in The Book of Mormon. I'm so excited for this week. Elder Texiera, Part of the Europa Presidentschaft asked all the missionaries in Europe to take each one of there progressing investigators and set a date this week before the end of the year. That means we will be committing Br. Phong to Baptism this week! We are really excited. I've been praying really hard for him and for myself because I'm going to need it. I would ask you all to pray for me as well as Br. Phong this week. Thank you.
We have some other investigators that we are working with but unfortunately they aren't progressing all that much. This past week we visited an inactive member that lives in an old person home. We meet with him every week so it's a regular thing. His roommate is wheelchair bound and looks like death. It's crazy because it doesn't matter how old people get they still drink their beer. He has to drink it out of a sippy-cup. I had a laugh over it. I forgot to tell you last week but I was able to give my first blessing in German. I gave it to this inactive. He asked me for one and it was a really cool experience. Talking about being led by the Spirit. German is not an easy language. The grammar is really hard but it's coming along very very well.
Well because there is no Thanksgiving here people are already putting up Christmas decorations. It's sweet. We decided that we would join so we put up some Christmas lights in our apartment.
I got the letters from the kids except for Kiersten. Sounds like everything is going well at home. I'm glad to hear that. Tell everyone that asks how I'm doing I say hi and tell them about the blog. I'm glad that people ask how I'm doing. Makes me feel good. Hopefully lots of people read the blog and see how I'm doing. OK... I'm out of stuff to write about but something will pop into my head as soon as I leave, that's OK though. Well I don't need anything. Sorry that it's so difficult. Don't worry about sending me anything big. Don't send me Chocolate or candy. I'll send it to you. The only thing I would really want is letters and pictures. Don't worry about it. Make it small--really small. OK, please put some pictures on the blog for some people if you haven't already.
Love you all so much. I'm excited to hear from you all again. Dad don't forget to write me about updates on fishing, sports with the kids, and anything else I would find interesting. Mom you do great every week writing me. I always when reading have a reason to say "no way" out loud and then everyone looks at me weird. It's great. Love you all.
"No Regrets"
Elder Merrill
(I asked Kyle how old his investigators are.)
Hey what a week. We were able to find 3 new investigators in 2 days which is pretty stinking good. Unfortunately, we weren't able to find any others for the week but we are trying hard. So Aunt Jill wrote me and she asked if I ever get to go out to the country. Yes I do. We have pretty big areas and we get to travel. The trains go through country but it's not anything like the states. It's hard to explain. Where I am now there are tons of trees. All the leaves are gone but it was way pretty. I can't wait 'till next fall. Our mission is down sizing so we have about 120 missionaries and it's only getting smaller. President is trying to get only one set of missionaries per ward.
Well sounds like it was a good week for you at home. It was a good week for us too. Our #1 investigator, Br. Phong (pong) is really progressing and it's amazing. I love it. It brings me so much happiness. He is already in Helaman and he's been reading now for 4 weeks. Crazy. We don't even have to really teach because he learns through reading in The Book of Mormon. I'm so excited for this week. Elder Texiera, Part of the Europa Presidentschaft asked all the missionaries in Europe to take each one of there progressing investigators and set a date this week before the end of the year. That means we will be committing Br. Phong to Baptism this week! We are really excited. I've been praying really hard for him and for myself because I'm going to need it. I would ask you all to pray for me as well as Br. Phong this week. Thank you.
We have some other investigators that we are working with but unfortunately they aren't progressing all that much. This past week we visited an inactive member that lives in an old person home. We meet with him every week so it's a regular thing. His roommate is wheelchair bound and looks like death. It's crazy because it doesn't matter how old people get they still drink their beer. He has to drink it out of a sippy-cup. I had a laugh over it. I forgot to tell you last week but I was able to give my first blessing in German. I gave it to this inactive. He asked me for one and it was a really cool experience. Talking about being led by the Spirit. German is not an easy language. The grammar is really hard but it's coming along very very well.
Well because there is no Thanksgiving here people are already putting up Christmas decorations. It's sweet. We decided that we would join so we put up some Christmas lights in our apartment.
I got the letters from the kids except for Kiersten. Sounds like everything is going well at home. I'm glad to hear that. Tell everyone that asks how I'm doing I say hi and tell them about the blog. I'm glad that people ask how I'm doing. Makes me feel good. Hopefully lots of people read the blog and see how I'm doing. OK... I'm out of stuff to write about but something will pop into my head as soon as I leave, that's OK though. Well I don't need anything. Sorry that it's so difficult. Don't worry about sending me anything big. Don't send me Chocolate or candy. I'll send it to you. The only thing I would really want is letters and pictures. Don't worry about it. Make it small--really small. OK, please put some pictures on the blog for some people if you haven't already.
Love you all so much. I'm excited to hear from you all again. Dad don't forget to write me about updates on fishing, sports with the kids, and anything else I would find interesting. Mom you do great every week writing me. I always when reading have a reason to say "no way" out loud and then everyone looks at me weird. It's great. Love you all.
"No Regrets"
Elder Merrill
(I asked Kyle how old his investigators are.)
Investigators: Br. Phong 46, Daniel 32ish, Sarah 19, Frau Salz 50
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Sticking Around
Dear Mom,
Well it's the first time. I'm staying and Elder Gruber is staying with me. That means that I will probably stick aroung through Christmas too. I'm Excited. This ward is pretty darn sweet. The members are always ready to help. It makes missionary work so much easier. Now all we need is to have the members start giving referalls and inviting friends over and have us over. I know that the area has got some sweet potential because of the ward. It is a small ward but they try.
So for our investigators. We have our Buddhist investigator. He came to Stake Conference this last Sunday. That makes it three sundays in a row that he has come. He is definately making progress but he has a much farther way to come because he doesn't know nearly as much about Christ as the average person. He is flying through the Book of Mormon and starting to get to the "Good Stuff". He is a blessing for me as a missionary. Because we are teaching him he is helping me to study more for him. As I focus on teaching through the Spirit it helps me to feel the Spirit more often as well as follow the Spirit.
We are having another appointment with another investigator tonight. We are planning on teaching the second lesson. I know that this will help him to progress and understand the real reason why we are on the earth. We are really excited for this lesson and hope that we can help him to understand better our Heavenly Father's love for us.
The other Elders in our area are getting transfered together to another city in our district so we will be taking over their area as well. We are excited. It's going to keep us on our toes. I'm really trying to focus on doing all that I possibly can. If we stay busy we are much more liable to see success (baptisms) because there are just that many more investigators going through the pool.
We are working with one less active right now and she is making progress also. She enjoys meeting with us and is willing to keep commitments and coming to church more often. I'm grateful for the opportunity that I have to teach those and remind them of their testimony of Jesus Christ. It truly is a blessing.
How's everyone doing? How is Will doing? I'm sure he is tearing it up. How about Andrew? His mission is winding down here. Is he an Assistant yet? If not, my guess is that he will be soon. He was always a good example for me. I was always the one that had the stupid ideas that got us into trouble. Bike's to landslide-me, sparkler bomb-me, and many others but we'll talk about those later :) How are the kid's doing? I haven't hear from them in a while. The girls said that they were going to write me soon but my mailbox is still empty.
Sorry that I didn't wish Korbin a Happy Birthday in last week's email but I forgot. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! Kiersten HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! I just got to say, I don't regret not kissing anyone. From seeing others and hearing, it makes things awkward after it's all over. You've got your free agency but I would discourage it, just because you are still in High School. Whatever though.
Umm so I haven't heard from anyone in a long time. I got a letter from Mathesons two or three weeks ago but other than that ya. Well if you ever see anyone or hear how my friends are doing let me know how they are doing. I got a little plan for Christmas that might help roll in some letters or maybe even some stray packages. :) Please don't send me anything that is just to fill a package. I would rather just get letters. Now that I think of it I really don't want a new sweater. The only thing I can say is some recipe's for some cookies or even some simple things to cook we don't have to much time to cook so that makes it tough.
Well this transfer I'm going to focus on doing all that I can. I read a quote by Henry Ford this past week. It says. "Unless a man undertakes more than he can possibly do, he will never do all that he can." I'm really going to focus on doing my best and following the Spirit.
Thanks for the email mom. It really cheers me up and helps with not getting home sick. Thanks for your love and support. I love you all and wish you all the best this week.
"No Regrets"
Love
Elder Merrill
Well it's the first time. I'm staying and Elder Gruber is staying with me. That means that I will probably stick aroung through Christmas too. I'm Excited. This ward is pretty darn sweet. The members are always ready to help. It makes missionary work so much easier. Now all we need is to have the members start giving referalls and inviting friends over and have us over. I know that the area has got some sweet potential because of the ward. It is a small ward but they try.
So for our investigators. We have our Buddhist investigator. He came to Stake Conference this last Sunday. That makes it three sundays in a row that he has come. He is definately making progress but he has a much farther way to come because he doesn't know nearly as much about Christ as the average person. He is flying through the Book of Mormon and starting to get to the "Good Stuff". He is a blessing for me as a missionary. Because we are teaching him he is helping me to study more for him. As I focus on teaching through the Spirit it helps me to feel the Spirit more often as well as follow the Spirit.
We are having another appointment with another investigator tonight. We are planning on teaching the second lesson. I know that this will help him to progress and understand the real reason why we are on the earth. We are really excited for this lesson and hope that we can help him to understand better our Heavenly Father's love for us.
The other Elders in our area are getting transfered together to another city in our district so we will be taking over their area as well. We are excited. It's going to keep us on our toes. I'm really trying to focus on doing all that I possibly can. If we stay busy we are much more liable to see success (baptisms) because there are just that many more investigators going through the pool.
We are working with one less active right now and she is making progress also. She enjoys meeting with us and is willing to keep commitments and coming to church more often. I'm grateful for the opportunity that I have to teach those and remind them of their testimony of Jesus Christ. It truly is a blessing.
How's everyone doing? How is Will doing? I'm sure he is tearing it up. How about Andrew? His mission is winding down here. Is he an Assistant yet? If not, my guess is that he will be soon. He was always a good example for me. I was always the one that had the stupid ideas that got us into trouble. Bike's to landslide-me, sparkler bomb-me, and many others but we'll talk about those later :) How are the kid's doing? I haven't hear from them in a while. The girls said that they were going to write me soon but my mailbox is still empty.
Sorry that I didn't wish Korbin a Happy Birthday in last week's email but I forgot. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! Kiersten HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! I just got to say, I don't regret not kissing anyone. From seeing others and hearing, it makes things awkward after it's all over. You've got your free agency but I would discourage it, just because you are still in High School. Whatever though.
Umm so I haven't heard from anyone in a long time. I got a letter from Mathesons two or three weeks ago but other than that ya. Well if you ever see anyone or hear how my friends are doing let me know how they are doing. I got a little plan for Christmas that might help roll in some letters or maybe even some stray packages. :) Please don't send me anything that is just to fill a package. I would rather just get letters. Now that I think of it I really don't want a new sweater. The only thing I can say is some recipe's for some cookies or even some simple things to cook we don't have to much time to cook so that makes it tough.
Well this transfer I'm going to focus on doing all that I can. I read a quote by Henry Ford this past week. It says. "Unless a man undertakes more than he can possibly do, he will never do all that he can." I'm really going to focus on doing my best and following the Spirit.
Thanks for the email mom. It really cheers me up and helps with not getting home sick. Thanks for your love and support. I love you all and wish you all the best this week.
"No Regrets"
Love
Elder Merrill
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