Hey!

Hello Everyone,

This week in the MTC I had an awesome week. I have found that if I put all my trust in the Lord that I learn so much faster. This past week I was able to talk to someone in German for 15 minutes. That was amazing for me. I was able to ask questions and answer some as well. Pretty awesome to look back and see all the progress I have made. The Lord blesses missionaries so much. I have had some prayers answered this week in devotionals as well as by other elders.

Another cool experience in the RC (referral center) this week. I received an inbound call and talked to this nice man for about 25 minutes. He was very talkative and he said that he "had been saved" but he wanted to learn more about God and Jesus Christ. I talked to him, shared my testimony with him a couple different times, and shared some scriptures with him. It was kind of amusing because every time I read him a scripture he would say "amen, brother" and other funny stuff. I was laughing a lot and he asked me if he could have my number so he could call me back and talk with me again. I told him that I didn't have a number but if he gave me his number I would call him back. He was super excited about that. That is the gist of things here in the MTC.

You wanted to know more about what it was like here. Well we study so much and then we eat, and then we get to go to bed. That's about it. No, I'm just joking. We get to go to gym for 50 minutes everyday and there are times that we are able to go and study outside. We get to go to the temple on our p-day and do our laundry and write letters. There are a million missionaries everywhere all the time.

I have gotten to know Elder Dan Taylor pretty well (the elder from Eagle). He is a really nice kid. There is another Elder from Eagle. His name is Kyle Ray. I think he said that he took Mikaela out or that he had danced with her or something like that. Things are good here in the MTC. Time flies by and its fun to see everyone's progress. I am in good spirits and have been able to focus really well these past few days. There is also an Elder Gledhill in our zone. He is going to Hamburg.

Well this week has been kind of dull I guess but I know that I will have some more stories and experiences next week. We got new elders this week and it's kind of funny to see how intimidated they are by us 3 weekers, even thought we don't know anything. Love you all tons and I know more and more that the gospel of Jesus Christ is TRUE!.

"No Regrets"

Love,Elder Merrill

February 19, 2009

Hello Everyone,

This week has been really a trying as well as a rewarding week. We had a day where our zone did an activity where you talk in German and get to know someone pretending they are investigators. It was way hard. I really got down on myself hard because I wasn't able to speak or comprehend hardly anything. After the activity we went to the classroom and after the sisters left I had tears running down my face because I was so disappointed in myself. That whole day I was just down in the dumps. I prayed so much that day and really couldn't focus on hardly anything but the activity. The very next day we did a very similar activity where we knocked on a door and simulated a door approach. We had to speak in German and I did very well. I knew that the Spirit was with me that day. I was able to remember a lot of things that I learned and I knew that the Lord had blessed me. I am already so blessed here in the MTC and I know that the hand of the Lord is in everything.

I had another great experience yesterday. We went to the Referral Center and I received a call from a lady in Arizona. This lady had seen a commercial put out by the church and she was calling to request a free Bible. I was excited for her to want to know more. I shared my testimony with her and she went on to tell me that she was looking to start going to church again and that she needed a church to go to. I was way excited. I shared a scripture with her and bore my testimony again to her. She asked me if she could tell me a story. I, of course, said yes and this is what she told me: "A couple of years ago I was carrying my baby son and I went to cross a street. I looked both ways and nothing was coming. I started walking across the street and all of a sudden a truck swerved out of the way and barely missed us by inches. At that exact instant I saw this bright light. It reminded me of Jesus Christ and I knew that it was an angel protecting me and my son." By this time the Merrill genes had kicked in and I was having trouble talking. I told her that that was a special experience and that she had been blessed. I shared another scripture with her and shared again my testimony of the gospel. She allowed me to send the missionaries and she really was very interesting. I was super excited. I really think that she will be baptized soon. She wanted me to call her back again and talk more with her. I am super excited. If the missionaries haven't taught her the first lesson I am going to do it over the phone. It was an absolute awesome experience.

I saw Elder Middleton today and he looks great. It's awesome to see him out here on a mission. On Tuesdays we have devotionals and this week Elder Ballard came and spoke to us. He gave a great talk. He talked about how this generation of missionaries will be the best generation ever. He talked about how we need to work quickly and the whole time it sounded like the second coming was tomorrow. I am so excited that I am part of this generation and look forward to getting out in the field. Keep the letters coming and I wish you all the best.

"No Regrets"

Love Elder Merrill

February 12, 2009

Hello Family and Friends,

Today is my preparation day (Thursday). We just got back from the temple. It is fun to get out of the MTC and see a part of the outside world. I have had a lot of fun here in the MTC. I've met several Elder's that are pretty awesome kids. I met an Elder Dan Taylor. He is from Eagle, ID. We seem to get along very well. I am working hard on all my studies and seem to be learning at a very rapid rate. It is amazing how much the spirit helps you as you study and are working towards teaching the Lord's Word. I have been blessed so much. I know that people are praying for me and I appreciate that. I can feel the spirit so strong everyday and that is thanks to so many Elders and Sisters around and all striving to work for the Lord. I have learned how to pray in German pretty easily now and I am getting better at my testimony auf Deutsch.

I am so thankful that I have been raised by good parents and have good friends. It is amazing how much better the missionaries are if they have been taught well and have had good friends.
This last week we had to simulate knocking on doors and getting to know someone and schedule a later appointement, all auf Deutsch. It is very stressful. I think I am the only one out of the 16 missionaries that came in with me that didn't have any German experience. It is kind of trying my patience a little but i know that it is just a test from my Heavenly Father to see how much I can take. Let me just tell you that I am ready for what ever He is going to test me with. I pray all the time for help in learning the language. I especially get frustrated when i try to think of a word in german and the spanish word comes to me instead.

I saw Elder Matt Anderson yesterday and he seemed pretty excited to be here. Elder Randy Anderson seems to be doing well and he tells me that he can't wait to get out in the field. I am so glad that those two are out here serving the Lord with me. I know that they will both do good and that they will learn and grow to be strong men in the church. I have been blessed so much here and I know it is because I am working as hard as I can to do my best as a missionary.

I got some letters from Laura, Rachel, Kaitlan and Lisa. I was glad to get letters from them when I did because I was kind of feeling down that day and their letters made me feel good and helped me out. The days go fast here in the MTC. It seemed like yesterday it was Sontag (Sunday). My companion is doing well. We have gym periods everyday but today and it is fun to get some of your frustrations out. I play basketball with some of the Elders in our zone and we all seem to have a ton of fun. Yesterday I rebounded the ball and dunked it over some kid. They all liked it. I think the only reason I was able to do that was because i was upset over something. I can't remember what it was though.

I get to see Jake for maybe 5 minutes everyday which is so much fun. I really hope that after our missions we will be able to room with each other. I am really doing well and am still enthused about the work going forth. The other day we taught the first lesson to a pretend investigator and he was really suprised how well we did. There are times where things get tough but it is all worth it in the end. Lisa gave me a qoute that said "The way evil will prevail is for good men to do nothing." I really like that qoute and I know that that is a true statement. That is why we are all out here on missions. My purpose is to "invite others to come unto Christ by helping them recieve the restored gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and his atonement, repentance, baptism, and enduring to the end".

How is home? Let me in on all the business. How is Korbin doing with wrestling? I heard that he pinned his guy in the first round. That is pretty cool.

"No Regrets"

Love,Elder Merrill

First Letter

Today was an awesome day! I saw Elder Hadley right off and then I saw Elder Waddoups soon after. I got into my room and picked out my bed and what not. My companion is Elder Davis. He is from Salt Lake. He went to high school at East High. That is where they filmed the High School Musicals. He said he hated them being there. He seems to be a pretty sharp kid.

I am pleased with how things have gone. There are two Elder Merrill's in our Zone other than me. Pretty Crazy. All the Elders here seem very nice and very cool. I am very excited for tomorrow. We had a meeting tonight with our branch presidency. They are all great Brothers. I am senior companion right now but it doesn't really matter to me too much because I learn just as much as Elder Davis. Love you lots. Go out and make it a great day.

Love
Elder Merrill

Great Experiences

Kyle asked me to share a few experiences that we had prior to him entering the MTC and post a few pictures. It's hard to imagine not seeing your child for two years but it would be more difficult if he was here instead of where he's at.

On Wednesday morning, we left our hotel but it was still way too early to go to the MTC and so we were trying to kill a little time. We decided to go to Costco and walk around. We saw some kind of funny things like a father and his missionary son who was also entering the MTC that day buying luggage. He didn't start packing until that morning and decided that he didn't have enough room and so they made a quick trip to Costco.

As we were strolling around, an older gentleman and his wife came up to me and asked where my missionary was. I pointed to Kyle and he told him to come to him because he had something for him. This man gave him a coin that was in a plastic case. We wonder if he goes to Costco on Wednesday mornings to find the new missionaries entering the MTC. Kyle commented that he wanted to be just like that when he gets older. The man told us his name was Jack Clarkston from Orem, UT but we haven't been able to find any info. for a man with that name. What a great example people have been to my children.

We had the opportunity to attend a session in the Salt Lake Temple. That was a great experience for all of us. We thought a lot about the sacrifice that the saints made during the 40 years of building that temple. We also had the opportunity to visit Kyle's cousin, Cameron. Cameron is battling cancer right now and he is a pretty sick young man. We went to see him on Tuesday and he had had a pretty rough day that day. Todd asked him if he had any advice for Kyle as he prepares to leave on his mission. Cameron struggled to speak and had to use an inhaler to be able to get enough air to talk to Kyle. He gave him some amazing advice and Kyle made sure that he recorded it in his journal that night. Kyle has a great love and respect for all of his cousins that have set such a great example for him.

He made it!

Kyle was delivered to the MTC safe and sound on Wednesday, February 4. He was so excited and couldn't wait to get started. I think he wanted to be able to say that he was the first one to say goodbye to his family and to be the first out of the room. Mission accomplished! He was running as he left the room. We will post his letter as soon as we receive one. You can write Kyle an e-mail why he is in the MTC at dearelder.com and they will deliver it that day or his MTC address is posted on this blog on the right hand side. I'm sure he will appreciate all mail.