March 9, 2010

Dear Family,

So I'm staying here again in Solingen. Elder McGowan is leaving and I'm getting Elder Chapman. Elder Chapman is just finishing up his Golden cycles (first 2 transfers). He is the youngest missionary in the mission. There are no new missionaries coming in this transfer so I will have the youngest companion in the mission. I am a little nervous. He had a really good trainer that is really dedicated. I feel honored to be getting him as a companion. When the AP's called me up they told me that they trust me and know that I will be a good companion for him. I am nervous but excited. We are going to see some sweet success.

This last week we were able to find a new investigator. He is pretty active in his church but I'm sure he is interested in learning more about the church. Yesterday we were talking to people on the Füß (it's like a boardwalk, every city has one but they all vary in size) and I talked to two people who seemed to be interested in learning more. One was a lady with a small child. She gave me her number and was excited. The other was a man who is Muslim but was interested in reading The Book of Mormon. There are so many Muslims. We aren't supposed to contact them if we know that they are Muslim. Pretty crazy.

We were able to do service on Saturday. An inactive in our ward bought some cupboards from some guy and he was putting them up and his mom asked if we would help. It was fun to carry some heavy stuff and to run a drill for a while. We are going to help out Brother Phong on Saturday. He is moving to a different house in Solingen and so we're gonna help him with his couches. We don't get very many opportunities to serve. Nobody really wants help which kind of stinks.

The Family is gonna be different when I get home. I can't believe how things change so quickly. It's pretty crazy. I'm loving life right now. I'm not upset at all that I'm staying again in Solingen. It will make it over 6 months that I'm here. That's weird to think about. I knew Andrew was gonna be AP sooner or later. He's a great kid. I love him. I hope he doesn't start graying like Uncle Tracy. Assistants have it pretty tough. They are like a mini mission President. How is Will doing? I think I remember that he's had a couple baptism's. That's way awesome. I love hearing about my two cousins and the success they are having.

Well love you all and wish you the best this week. Thanks for the update on the farm and how everything is. I don't really need my shoes quite yet. If you just want to send the medicine I would like that more. I think I want the shoes sometime in the summer. What about the kids? What are they up to? I would love to hear from them. Maybe if you were to take a picture of you all together and send it in the next email. Well I love you all and want you to know that I pray for your health and safety. "No Regrets"

Love,
Elder Merrill