Dear Mom, Dad, and Everyone else,
So this is really weird and not going to lie a little stressful. Don't get me wrong, I am a little excited to go home but I wish I was just getting transferred to a new city. Yesterday was a good last Sunday. There were two baby blessings which was way sweet. There has been four babies born in the last month. Pretty cool for the ward in several years. There were tons of visitors at church which filled the chapel. 170 people at church. The most I've ever seen my entire mission. We were also able to have 4 investigators at church on Sunday. I shared my testimony which was difficult. I am going to miss it all very much. I can't imagine that I'm going home in two days. I don't really know what goals I have right now but I do know that I will be staying active. I learned a lot of things from president in my interview. I think I told you a little bit about it last week but it always stayed on the gospel topic. I love President Ninow. He is an amazing man. He asked me to stay in contact with him and that I want to do. He is a very humble man. I think if you were to meet him on the street you would just feel the love he has for the Savior. He always has the spirit with him. During our interview he dropped his mission president status a little bit and talked to me a little like father to son which was cool. I am looking forward to having those good talks with you and Dad again. I am really glad that we all have such a good relationship with one another. I was thinking the other day about what Dad told me at the beginning of my mission, "absence makes the love grow stronger". That's really true. I think that is another reason why God sent us to earth so that we can increase our love for him.
So the interview went well. I talked with Steve. He was a nice guy and knew from the beginning that I was serving a mission. His boss's son is on a mission in Brazil so there was a little connection. I did my best and I think it went well especially throwing in there that I knew the twins very good. I also told him that I love being active and lifting weights. He said that's good because he is looking for beefy muscular guys. I was thinking that it was good that he couldn't see me. I'll beef up though in a little while, just give me some time to pump some iron.
I really don't know what to say. I said goodbye to some members that I really like and it was a heart breaker. The Bruckmann family was especially hard. They blessed their newborn on Sunday and they invited us to stay and eat with them and their family. I took a picture with them and their little daughter, Eyleen, who is 6. She told me that she was going to miss me and that it was sad that I had to leave. She is such a cute little girl and I love their family so much, good examples of believers of the gospel. We ate at a Chinese restaurant today with an older sister and older brother from the ward and the sister loves me a lot. She thought for a long time that I was a German. She gave me a hug goodbye and I felt really loved. There is a lot of members that told me how much they are going to miss me and it was pretty much torture. I wish there was just a couple weeks more. As I gave my testimony I just broke down and it was pretty bad. There was several people in the congregation that I love so much and I am going to miss them a ton. Sister Fritz is an older member who's husband is not a member but picks her up from church every week. Ever since I got here I always made it a point to talk with him after church before they left. We developed a really good relationship and last week I asked him if he would come to Sacrament meeting, it being my last week. He came! He hasn't been to church in several years. It's those people that I'm going to miss the most. The one's that are so close that I could help out. There is not very many things besides the people that I'm going to miss. I love my mission so much and it is just an amazing time of life. I can't wait for the next opportunity I will have to serve a mission. One of my goals in life (answer to one of your questions mom) is to set myself on the right paths both spiritually and physically to be able to serve the Lord again as soon as possible. That means that physically I will need to study to receive a good job that will enable me to serve and spiritually, I will need to prepare myself to share the message of the Restoration. There is much power in that story and I know that the church is again on the earth today. I am so grateful for you raising me to prepare myself to serve a mission. I love it so much. I am excited to move on to the next step in life but I feel that I'm leaving something special. It just means so much to me, I don't know how else to say it. I love you all and I guess I will see you Thursday night. I am so grateful that I have served my mission with "No Regrets".
Love
Elder Merrill
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
January 31, 2011
Dear Mom, Dad, and Family,
Crazy how many things are changing at home. I am really grateful that I haven't worried about things at home at all. I can see how if I were to focus on things at home how unproductive I would have been.
This last week was great. Starting off the week I was able to have an interview with President. Wow he is an amazing man. I got really choked up at the beginning of the interview because it hit me that it is coming to an end. I couldn't even get through saying the opening prayer without bawling. After I got done saying the opening prayer he said, "Gratitude is a great thing, isn't it?". All I could say was yes. He then said, "You don't want to be here do you?" I shook my head no because I didn't want to be. I wanted to serve another year. I feel like I still have a year left. We talked about how what I was able to learn on my mission and talked about the future a little bit. It was a great experience because as we were talking about all these things, we never left the subject of the Gospel. That's how we need to always live our lives. We need to always be living without leaving the subject of the Gospel. We talked a lot about finances and it was really great. We talked about taking responsibility for learning and not wait to be taught. I asked him about his life and that was amazing. He has lived a righteous life. He told me that he decided when he left his mission that he wanted to develop a life that would enable him to serve the Lord as soon as he could. I was able to learn a lot and I want to apply a lot of things to my life. At the end of our interview he gave me a blessing. He blessed me with wonderful blessings that I would be able to accomplish the goals I have ahead of me and that I could prepare myself to serve the Lord again. I can't wait to be able to serve again with my future family. The blessings are endless. I was reading in the Liahona yesterday and President Monson has asked us all to prepare ourselves to serve missions. He said that there is a huge need for senior couples. I hope that you will be able to serve soon. At the end of the interview I told him that I loved him and that he and his family mean a lot to me. There is no greater blessing than serving a mission at this point in my life.
This week went well, though. We invited our investigator, Evalene, to be baptized on the 12 but she said that she wasn't quite ready to set a date. We are going to talk with her this week again about it. She is so close. I really love the spirit that is always there when we teach her. She is a great lady that has been letting the Gospel bless her life.
We were able to help a member in the ward with a new house and it was great. It was hard work tearing off wall paper but it was good to be able to do some physical work again. I love serving others. It's a great opportunity to appreciate what you have and what you have to look forward to.
Well I hope Dad is doing well. That's crazy how they changed the boundaries. Did they change anything out in BC. I thought they would change something there because 2nd ward seems like it's going to die. The kids must be busy. Today we are going to the BVB stadium. Pretty excited about it. They are beating everyone way bad and probably will be the champs this year. Everyone here in Dortmund is pumped about it.
Well thanks for all you do. Love you all tons. Look forward to hearing from you next week. By the way thanks for not talking about "when you get home". It's really nice because I don't have to think about it at all.
"No Regrets"
Love
Elder Merrill
Crazy how many things are changing at home. I am really grateful that I haven't worried about things at home at all. I can see how if I were to focus on things at home how unproductive I would have been.
This last week was great. Starting off the week I was able to have an interview with President. Wow he is an amazing man. I got really choked up at the beginning of the interview because it hit me that it is coming to an end. I couldn't even get through saying the opening prayer without bawling. After I got done saying the opening prayer he said, "Gratitude is a great thing, isn't it?". All I could say was yes. He then said, "You don't want to be here do you?" I shook my head no because I didn't want to be. I wanted to serve another year. I feel like I still have a year left. We talked about how what I was able to learn on my mission and talked about the future a little bit. It was a great experience because as we were talking about all these things, we never left the subject of the Gospel. That's how we need to always live our lives. We need to always be living without leaving the subject of the Gospel. We talked a lot about finances and it was really great. We talked about taking responsibility for learning and not wait to be taught. I asked him about his life and that was amazing. He has lived a righteous life. He told me that he decided when he left his mission that he wanted to develop a life that would enable him to serve the Lord as soon as he could. I was able to learn a lot and I want to apply a lot of things to my life. At the end of our interview he gave me a blessing. He blessed me with wonderful blessings that I would be able to accomplish the goals I have ahead of me and that I could prepare myself to serve the Lord again. I can't wait to be able to serve again with my future family. The blessings are endless. I was reading in the Liahona yesterday and President Monson has asked us all to prepare ourselves to serve missions. He said that there is a huge need for senior couples. I hope that you will be able to serve soon. At the end of the interview I told him that I loved him and that he and his family mean a lot to me. There is no greater blessing than serving a mission at this point in my life.
This week went well, though. We invited our investigator, Evalene, to be baptized on the 12 but she said that she wasn't quite ready to set a date. We are going to talk with her this week again about it. She is so close. I really love the spirit that is always there when we teach her. She is a great lady that has been letting the Gospel bless her life.
We were able to help a member in the ward with a new house and it was great. It was hard work tearing off wall paper but it was good to be able to do some physical work again. I love serving others. It's a great opportunity to appreciate what you have and what you have to look forward to.
Well I hope Dad is doing well. That's crazy how they changed the boundaries. Did they change anything out in BC. I thought they would change something there because 2nd ward seems like it's going to die. The kids must be busy. Today we are going to the BVB stadium. Pretty excited about it. They are beating everyone way bad and probably will be the champs this year. Everyone here in Dortmund is pumped about it.
Well thanks for all you do. Love you all tons. Look forward to hearing from you next week. By the way thanks for not talking about "when you get home". It's really nice because I don't have to think about it at all.
"No Regrets"
Love
Elder Merrill
January 24, 2011
Dear Family,
Wow! Emails were way sweet today. Andrew's Email was awesome. I am so grateful for good examples in my life as well as those that love me and support me in my good desires and decisions. I'll be honest, it doesn't feel like I have 3 weeks left. I feel like I could be transferred to another area. I wish that's how it was too. I love this work so much. The past couple of weeks I've been thinking about what I need to do in order to better myself and to help others come closer to the Lord. I found it interesting, Mom, that you wrote about Pride. I read this morning about King Noah and how he didn't follow the commandments of the Lord and sought after the evil desire of his heart. Elder McClellan and I talked about this morning about how all sin is a form of pride. It all is selfish. There is definitely a problem in the world today with sin. I hope that we all protect ourselves with the Armor of God. I know that the Gospel is something that can change our lives forever.
We had a pretty good week this last week with a lot of things falling out but it happens every week. we just have to focus on the positives and work through it and make it the best week. It's sad to see missionaries ending their missionaries and hitting rock bottom. I know that two years is a long time and we can become the person that God has intended us to be. We must let ourselves stay focused on our goal of Eternal life and never wander off the Path. There is a lot of evil things in the world. Sadly almost everything that is evil is addicting. I've seen a lot of people that have let their lives be taken over by things. I have also seen those that have let themselves change and to put off those evil things. I've really had the desire my whole entire mission to let my life be changed. It's been great to forget about myself and serve others. With that unselfish attitude I have been able to change and become someone who I want to be.
These past weeks I've been working with an inactive girl who has been inactive for many many years. She is amazing. It's been awesome to be able to meet with her and to be able to integrate her with the members. Yesterday she came to church which was awesome. All the members were amazed and super excited that she came. As I've been teaching her, the more and more I've come to feel of the Savior's Love for everyone. I was reading in Preach My Gospel the other day and came across an awesome sentence. It says, " Je besser wir das Sühnopfer verstehen, desto mehr wünsch haben wir um das Evangelium mit anderen mitzuteilen". I thought that was a great quote and it helps me to want to understand the Atonement of Christ better so that I can better help the people around me.
I am looking forward to the coming week. We have a lot of sweet things planned so I hope it all works out well. Thanks for your love and support. I love you all and wish you the best.
"No Regrets"
Love
Elder Merrill
Wow! Emails were way sweet today. Andrew's Email was awesome. I am so grateful for good examples in my life as well as those that love me and support me in my good desires and decisions. I'll be honest, it doesn't feel like I have 3 weeks left. I feel like I could be transferred to another area. I wish that's how it was too. I love this work so much. The past couple of weeks I've been thinking about what I need to do in order to better myself and to help others come closer to the Lord. I found it interesting, Mom, that you wrote about Pride. I read this morning about King Noah and how he didn't follow the commandments of the Lord and sought after the evil desire of his heart. Elder McClellan and I talked about this morning about how all sin is a form of pride. It all is selfish. There is definitely a problem in the world today with sin. I hope that we all protect ourselves with the Armor of God. I know that the Gospel is something that can change our lives forever.
We had a pretty good week this last week with a lot of things falling out but it happens every week. we just have to focus on the positives and work through it and make it the best week. It's sad to see missionaries ending their missionaries and hitting rock bottom. I know that two years is a long time and we can become the person that God has intended us to be. We must let ourselves stay focused on our goal of Eternal life and never wander off the Path. There is a lot of evil things in the world. Sadly almost everything that is evil is addicting. I've seen a lot of people that have let their lives be taken over by things. I have also seen those that have let themselves change and to put off those evil things. I've really had the desire my whole entire mission to let my life be changed. It's been great to forget about myself and serve others. With that unselfish attitude I have been able to change and become someone who I want to be.
These past weeks I've been working with an inactive girl who has been inactive for many many years. She is amazing. It's been awesome to be able to meet with her and to be able to integrate her with the members. Yesterday she came to church which was awesome. All the members were amazed and super excited that she came. As I've been teaching her, the more and more I've come to feel of the Savior's Love for everyone. I was reading in Preach My Gospel the other day and came across an awesome sentence. It says, " Je besser wir das Sühnopfer verstehen, desto mehr wünsch haben wir um das Evangelium mit anderen mitzuteilen". I thought that was a great quote and it helps me to want to understand the Atonement of Christ better so that I can better help the people around me.
I am looking forward to the coming week. We have a lot of sweet things planned so I hope it all works out well. Thanks for your love and support. I love you all and wish you the best.
"No Regrets"
Love
Elder Merrill
January 17, 2011
Dear Mom,
This week was pretty good. We were really busy with appointments which is good. It is so much easier working with another Zone Leader rather than a Golden. I loved working with all three of my Goldens but it just takes it out of you. On Thursday we were running to catch buses and running to appointments because they were all planned so close to each other. It's way fun. We had to sprint a quarter mile to catch a bus that drove past us and I realized how bad I am. It will be nice to work out again. We met with Lesesca this week. She speaks German and Spanish. We took a member, Alberto, who also speaks spanish and it was really good. She didn't come to church but hopefully sometime she'll be able to make it. We are also meeting with a guy named Basak. He is from Vietnam and speaks English. He doesn't know anything about God or Jesus Christ and so it's been fun being able to teach him from nothing. He likes coming to church and meeting with us. He reminds me of Brother Phong. Speaking of which I talked to him a couple weeks ago and he seemed to be doing OK. We talked on the phone for 10 minutes or so and he was thankful that I called. He goes teaching with the missionaries which is good for him. I haven't been able to get ahold of Sister Pickelein but I will definitely do it before I leave.
So to answer your questions about my foot. It hurts pretty bad when I run and walking it doesn't hurt too much. The callous has been there since I left on my mission but has only gotten bigger. It just puts on a lot of pressure on the side of my big toe and on the tip of my second toe. I'll survive. It's not a huge annoyance but not very pleasant.
We are going on a split today with Paderborn. I'm going with Elder Gardner which I'm excited for. He is one of my favorite companions. He knows why he is out here and has a super strong testimony. I loved being able to serve with him. Yesterday at church we had two people to church but Basak had to leave before Sacrament meeting. We have a pretty good week planned out and we are excited to work together in our area more this week. Last week we had the meeting in Frankfurt and then two splits. It's pretty fun to work with other missionaries especially when they have good attitudes and want to get better.
I love serving here in Dortmund because I've been able to get a lot of stuff going up here. I have had some good companions here that have helped me get the area to what it is now. It still can have more lessons taught during the week but we are getting there. Before I leave I want to have a solid unforgettable week. I'm going to tell all of our investigators one week that I'm leaving and that I want them to all come to church with me before I leave. It's crazy how fast time flies. Things are going well and I'm super pumped for this new year. To be honest with you I haven't really set goals for myself because I don't know what I should set goals for. Maybe after my exit interview with President I'll have a little bit better of an Idea of what I should set for myself.
I hope Grandpa is doing well. I am super excited to see him again and I am excited to talk with him. Hopefully he'll be excited and be able to talk with me. I'm guessing that he will want to hear all about my mission.
Well love you all so much. Thanks for the love and support you are giving me. I am so thankful for my family. I couldn't have asked for a better one. I love my mission so much. I am loving talking with all the people and teaching all of them. We have it good. I just hope that we can get a baptismal date set this week with Evalene. Keep us in your prayers.
"No Regrets"
Love
Elder Merrill
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