May 14, 2014 - Transfer to Limerick, Ireland

My boy in a kilt!

Dad,

Well, here comes the big 52. This Wednesday I will be on a bus to Ireland and you will be celebrating your birthday. Happy Birthday Dad,

I will be home for the next one but for now, get yourself something nice from me. I can  remember when you were 40! Crazy isn’t it? This earthly life is just kicking our butts and we aren’t even quick enough to wave it by. But it’s a great time. I’m loving my mission, and learning so much, I grateful for your mission, that you went and for the stories and experiences you had while you were there.  Those stories and the experiences you shared with me as a kid played a huge role in guiding me towards my mission.

 Well it’s been a great week.  I’ll cut to the chase; I have been reassigned to serve in Limerick, Ireland as a Zone Leader.  I'm very excited for this call and for the service opportunities that are ahead of me.  Limerick is a District but is close to being made a stake so it should be exciting.  It’s the biggest Zone in the mission so I will be driving all over the south of Ireland.  So excited for this call, should be a great time and a memorable learning experience.

I’m so grateful to have served here in Perth and for the amazing people I have met and come to know. Such a blessing it has been, so many new friends and lessons learned.

 It’s great to hear about Evan and Sydnee doing as well as they are, they are exceptional people and I expect very high things of them because of their talents and gifts, and just who they are. Our family is so great.

Alright old man, I love you, thanks again for everything.  You’re a great dad; our Father in Heaven is most definitely pleased with your works as a father and as a person. I’m proud to be your son.

Have a great week Dad,

Your son,
Elder Merrill

Tanner feeding the Peacocks
 

April 27, 2014

 Hello Family, 

I can’t believe it’s nearly been another 6 months.  It will be the same time as last, 5 to 7. As close to 5 as possible. Can’t wait to see you then. Happy Anniversary! 23 years strong, I plan on being there for the next one and the 60th one too.

Glad to hear Austin came home safe and strong (ha-ha strong). He was always a superior human being, just a good and very capable person. Good for him.  

Okay, news for the week. We met again with our friend, …….. He let us in his home, which was still ransacked and filthy.  He had read the Plan of Salvation booklet we had given him, and asked about the section written on the Celestial Kingdom.  He read it aloud to us, slowing down at the last few words, "and receive a fullness of joy", and shed a tear while reading it. We explained to him briefly about the kingdoms of glory, but made it around to teaching him about the principle of repentance. As we explained this doctrine to him as written in the Gospel booklets, the spirit manifested our words as truth, and I watched a battle hardened man break down and cry.  It was quite a sobering experience, but we bore witness that his burden could be lifted and his guilt swept away because of Jesus Christ. His desire was obvious, and though there is a long way to go, he is willing to change his life. It was a great experience, and I learned so much from speaking with this man.  War, drugs and crime have reduced this strong capable man, and he told us he knows the route he is currently on will kill him. He didn't make it to church, but the future holds greater things for him if he acts now and follows the Gospel teachings. Through Jesus Christ comes the waters of everlasting life and if ……. isn't in need of the Atonement at this time in his life then no man is. I feel blessed to have met him.

Prayers in his behalf would be most appreciated.

I love my little brother. Prayers answered. I told Elder Rongomatane Dylan Jason Compain-Shaw about Evan's dream, which sounds great, he says if Evan serves in New Zealand that he will look out and take care of him, and feed him ice cream from a place called Pokeno. I’m proud of his words about his friends, and it makes me happy and feel blessed that I’ve had a good enough effect on him for him to say that. He is simply a man in a 14 year old body that really really wants to be in a 35 year old professional rugby player’s body.

I’m glad to hear you got the card, and that you liked it. I thought it was perfect. Sister Johnstone, the maker of such an art piece, is one of my favorite members.  The Johnstones are so great to be around; her husband was just called as second councilor in the branch presidency. Great people, they take care of us. 

We also had Zone Development yesterday in Dundee.  It was a blast, we played capture the flag, dodge ball and other similar games.  I ran and ran and sprinted.  The competition was so fun, and surprisingly I’m still blazin fast. As usual, please have a wonderful week.  I love you all!

Your son,

Elder Merrill
PS I bought plums this week, remember grandmas? Yes.

 

April 14, 2014

Hello Family,

Well moves is away, my companion and I are doing great together and we get along just fine, I’m going to try and learn his native language, Mauri. We have had some great successes already, and even seen some miracles. For instance, yesterday we were walking home from church, and a man called down to us from a second story balcony. We walked over and he invited us into his flat. When we got inside, I saw the worst mess I’ve ever seen.  He had been away for some time, and someone had broken into his flat, took all of his valuables and personal things and destroyed everything else. The intruders had used illegal drugs such as heroine in the flat and there were dozens of needles throughout the flat.  Honestly it was completely destroyed. He asked us why Jesus would let something like that happen.  We began to speak to him and he opened up to us, telling us about his life and many of the trials he had been facing. He and his wife were asking for help and putting faith in us, or Christ. We gave them a book of Mormon and other material and set up to see them again next Wednesday. We know it’s going to take a lot to change their lives but if they are willing to commit to the Gospel it will bless their lives.  The work goes on. Great experience.  Believing in the Atonement is believing in change. And forgiveness. And sacrifice.

Thanks so much for the package! It was lovely and the contents were perfect as usual.  I loved the cardigan thing, the blue one, I wore it the day I got it and got a lot of good comments made about it. The food and snacks and such are always good.  I will find a good use for that wee waterproof bag, and the tie as well I wore that yesterday, good looking tie.  Flippin nice. The letters were also very uplifting, especially Dads I really felt good reading that one. 20 years old... I swear I actually look older this birthday, I’ll send photos.

I got some things from the members... as usual they feed us obtuse amounts of food and this week was an extreme of the same.  We received three big cakes, three tubs of food, mashed potatoes, and Elder Shaw gave me a big toblerone without knowing it was my favorite haha and a book on how to speak Mauri.  Oh yeah the Patton’s sent me a chicken in a biscuit box so I have 3 now, best birthday ever pretty much.  The day itself was a blast.  We went out to eat for breakfast at a nice buffet and it was glorious, then worked and visited people throughout the day, I quite enjoyed myself. Eleanor bought me a small set of junior bagpipes and 2 tartan ties. The Johnstones made me a really nice card, and I love them by the way they are lovely pretty much family.

We are taken care of very well here; I had 4 families wanting to take us out for dinner I had to turn them down because we had appointments, crazy stuff. 

Love you all have a great week, you’re in my thoughts and prayers,
Elder Merrill

April 13, 2014

Mom, Dad, Sydnee and Evan,
Thanks for  all the birthday wishes.  It has been quite a run, best 20 years of my whole life. Thanks for all the love, support, time, money and putting up with nonsense that you’ve done for me, for all the hours you stayed up for me, for all the rides you’ve given me, for all the times you sacrificed for me.  You are the perfect family and I wouldn’t have you any other way.  I love you all.

Got our moves call last week, I’m staying in Perth according to my wishes, and  I’m getting a new companion, Elder Compain Shaw, from New Zealand.  He has been out a little over a year, older than me, he' 6 6, that’s all I know.  Our branch president, President John Ferrans, is taking us out to eat tonight, at the Carvery in the Isle of Skye hotel.  I’m excited for that, sounds posh, or.... nice. Posh means snobby rich, or really... nice, I don’t know any English words for it.

Another Good week, we did loads of service.  On Wednesday after a great lesson with a new investigator, we asked if we could do anything for her, she started to think and I looked out her window and noticed her garden/yard could use some work.  I asked her if she would let us work in her yard for a couple hours, she said, "now?" I told her we would go home and change but then would come back and help out. She agreed, so after changing we rode the bikes back to her home and spent a couple hours pulling trees, weeding, mowing, trimming and pruning her yard.  It’s safe to safe I’m grateful for all those hours my mom made me do yard work ha-ha. Thurs, Fri and Sat all consisted of service, usually helping folks move houses.  Great fun and good work.  I’m happy and loving Perth.  Dundee zone/stake is a great place to be.

Oh check this out, while my comp and I were walking to the place where we email there was this little bird chillin on the grass next to the pathway and I was looking at it like, that’s a nice bird, then BAM, a flippin falcon came out of nowhere and grabbed it and took off with it. I was like, dang Scotland is nuts.  True story I JUST saw that. Wild!

Anyway, I’ll get going, I hope you have a fantastic week and are happy and well. I love you,
your son

Elder Merrill

 

Photos from our service project

Bro Watson and I in Strathtummel

Dressed up for service Project

Tummel Bride at Pitlochery

The Cottage (Brother Watford)
 

April 7, 2014

Mom and Dad,

Obviously general conference was this weekend, which was very uplifting and wonderful.  We watched it at the Bingham Terrace Chapel, and enjoyed all of the sessions. I liked especially Dallin H Oaks talk on priesthood, the other man’s talk about his wife jumping out of the truck, and sister reeves I believe it was, she was great as well. 

I’ll give you a quick report of something good that happened last night.  As we were crossing the street to our flat at 9pm, I could see some people on the top floor of our flat complex, smoking and drinking on the balcony, who saw us approach the building.  As we climbed the stairs underneath them, I could hear several people on the balcony murmuring that we were the Jehovah Witnesses that lived below, something like, "oh no its those Jehovah's that live down there".  Right as I was walking in our door, I felt it was my desire and responsibility to inform these people of their mistaking us for JWs, and this I know now was an impressing from the Holy Ghost.  I climbed the stairs; Elder Arvig followed, and told them in a kind and casual way not to worry any longer because we were not JWs, but Mormons.  I began to return down the stairs and one of them called me back up to explain what a Mormon was, and a conversation unfolded lasting around 30 minutes.  During the conversation, the four people who were having a BBQ, asked many great questions about God and other Theological concepts.  I answered well, feeling led by the spirit, casually asking them inspired questions to teach them in a way most edifying to their understanding (being mid 20 and less religious people).  They loved us, and liked our answers, and even fed us sausages and orange juice (which they made sure to tell me wasn't spiked). It was a great conversation. 

Again, 30 miles away in Dundee city this morning, we bumped into them again while walking from the train station to the city center. God has a will, and He just does what he will and if we as saints are sanctified and worthy our thoughts will be his thoughts and we will do what he needs us to do. I never felt prompted, but realized afterward that my thoughts were from God and he led me to some of His prepared children.

I love you, the Holy Spirit guides,
Have a great week,
Elder Merrill

Hike to Kinoul Hill

Dear Mother, (My birthday email)

It’s been nearly 20 odd years that I’ve been in your care.  If you think living in Scotland doesn't mean I still rely on you for the lever of compassion and love you have given me against the smothering boulder of the burdens of life, I want you to know that's not true.  Your example of love and the many other things you taught me have been crucial and foundational to all of the success and happiness I’ve had in my life. Thanks for everything, and I mean everything that you do for me and for our family. A wise man seeks an eternal partner that has the mothering capacity and spiritual strength and emotional know how matching that of his mother. Thank you for providing me with that wisdom, along with God's help, and for setting the highest standard. I love you, though our time here is so short, I will always owe you for the years you have been a blessing to my life.  If God didn't absolutely need you to be my mom He would not have tried so hard to make it happen, I know He pulled some strings there. Don't take that trust lightly and I know you never have, so thank you.  I love you, Happy Birthday.

Your first son,

Elder Merrill
 

Thanks Dad,

The knees are done up because of the walking, we walk miles and miles and miles each day. We only walk, but it’s not too bad, I’ve just taken up some leg strengthening techniques including some stretching. Should help. 

I love you and miss you of course, have a great week. Thanks for being a worthy example and Hero for me and others, I heard a quote in conference, every young man needs a hero to live up to, I add my own quote " without a standard near by, young men will live up to the nearest source of example they can find, whether it be television, sports stars or celebrities, or other unworthy and misleading sources.  This is why young men and women need to be surrounded by people of courage and integrity, the higher the standards of our adults, the better standards the children who grow up around them will have." I feel that way about you and leaders in my youth, very important people to my growth and in deciding who I wanted to be.

Thanks for the love, have a good one,

Elder Merrill

Me and a Scottish badger

 

 

Kinoul Hill Pday hike

  
 
 

March 31, 2014

Hello Family,

Man that wedding/mission reunion sounds fun, I’m visualizing meeting some of my mission buddies in 20 years or so, we would have a great time. Sounds like a blast.

I’m doing well.  Perth is likely my favorite area, the members are wonderful, we are fed a lot, the work is successful and the city itself is simply a nice place to be. Oh and the flat is nice as well. I’m happy and healthy, except for some knee cap problems, which I’m working on. 

Well, last Thursday was my one year mark.  That's halfway done, halfway to go. So interesting, I’ve taken some time to reflect on who I’ve become and the ways I’ve changed in the last 12 months and also envisioned who I will potentially be after the next 12 months. The amount of learning and change is very rapid, anything could happen. All I’m sure of is that I’m extremely thankful for every bit of change I’ve experienced.  Somewhere in Nephi 19 or 20, God said through Isaiah, "I have sent thee into the refiner’s fire; I have chosen thee in thine affliction".  In other words God is a refiner and we are being refined, and as you know, during these two years, the fire is very hot. I’m grateful for the heat, and that I can take it.

Sometimes I pray for the heat to increase, so that I can become more and more like the Man who set the perfect example all those years ago. Life doesn't come in a manual, but it comes with parents kind and dear. So thanks for being just that, plus wise and patient. I love you and miss you all, but this short time is almost over.  According to Earths reckoning, 2 years seems long.  According to Heavens reckoning, a two year mission takes place over a period of time less than half a minute.

One year down! It’s been an amazing and substantial 12 months.  I love you all, thank you for all your support and prayers. Pressing forward to the next year of work in the service of God. Couldn't be happier, they say the second year goes much quicker, here we go.

Thanks for the prayers

Have a great week,
Elder Merrill

Tracking along the Tay

The Tay (longest river in UK)

Perth

March 24, 2014

 

Trying to find new investigators this last week was difficult.  On the few occasions that we had a chance to talk with some new people and set some return appointments, the appointments were cancelled or dodged in every case but one.  That one case was a man named ……. who lives in Methven. We taught  him about the Book of Mormon and the restoration and had a couple of great lessons, he has pretty eccentric ideals and also has some pretty weird beliefs.  ……. was convinced that man(adam) was created by mortal yet superior beings for the purpose of inhabiting the earth to dig and mine for gold which was used as a high grade conductor in the beings civilization, and that the superior beings left behind some of their own, which are the aborigines and native American/south americans and that's why everyone hates them. Honest to Ghandi though he isn't crazy, he is a smart truth seeking kind of guy, just has some of these weird ideas.  Oh and he can hear the earth hum.  That too. 

Well Mom I love you very much, thanks for being the amazing mother you are and for your example.  God created man, in Adam we fell, and in Christ we shall rise again.  This is Gods church, and is the perfectly restored church of Jesus Christ.  It is true, I know it!

Elder Merrill 

 To his Sister,

Things for me are going well sis, I love being on mission, do you think I should extend 3 months? Ive given that some thought... tell me what you think. The weather is starting to warm up. Our investigators and converts are doing well, so happy and its great to literally watch their lives get better as the gospel works on them. Faith, Repentance, Baptism and Confirmation, Endure to the End and that's it! Easy- peasy. (Endure to the End may or may not include getting married in the temple, having a family, providing for your family, raising your family, become educated, work and get money and use it wisely, serve others, be humble, read scriptures daily, pray always, develop unbreakable faith, attend thousands of hours of church and auxiliary meetings, work in voluntary non paid callings for years at a time, pay 10% of everything you make plus donating to the poor and other charities, be selfless, patient, happy and live your life as close to as perfect as the Creator Redeemer Saviour and Master of the whole entire world.)

I love you sydnee, Jesus Christ loves you and knows you, I am so happy to know your living the life God intended you to live.  Keep It up,

Elder Merrill

 

March 17, 2014

Dear mom,

Saturday went fantastic, it was a great experience baptizing Sandra and I can tell you that your prayers were definitely evident. Her faith and strength is amazing, and I’m so grateful for the opportunity I had to participate. Elder Arvig confirmed her on Sunday and she is now an active member of the Church. I’m really getting close with the members here, they are some really good people and I have enjoyed serving in Perth immensely since I’ve been here.

Oh by the way, Elder Arvig made pie last week, and guess what? We took like half of it to people, I’m sick of this my wife will never give anything away. Ha-ha it’s the frustration of my life when people are all giving my snacks away.

I do miss the temple, I’m happy to hear you and Dad are still going when you can. It’s only been since I’ve been out that I’ve learned about the temple, and what it means and the significance of it all. It will be one of the first things I do when I get home in a years’ time.

Keep it up; you’re doing an amazing work!

We ate dinner at Eleanors, a member in the branch, last night. We had two starters, mussels and bean salad, and then sweet corn chowder (a lot of it) then LOADS of pork chicken and potatoes and then two deserts, meringue and trifle. I was sick because of how full I was, the food was dang good but way too much for even my body to handle.

I’m really not sure what details to put, today were climbing kinnoul hill (google it) if the weather stays nice, which it has been lately. After the baptism, I spoke with Aimee and asked her how she feels about baptism; she said she wasn't planning on doing it, YET.  The yet part is an improvement.  She comes to church every week, and to FHE which is at Eleanor's the night, just having a hard time deciding on baptism, were working on it though, the Lord knows what she needs.

I love you mom, thanks for all that you do, I am proud to be your son. I know this is the work of Jesus Christ and that I’ve been sent here to Perth by the inspiration of God through the Holy Ghost, and through the Holy Ghost he leads this work.

I love you to the moon and back,

Elder Merrill

March 15, 2014

Hey Merrill family, 

Just thought I would send you a quick email, were filling the font as I write this, and in 1 1/2 hours we will be baptizing Sandra. I’ll be sending you all photos of us dressed in white, so you won’t have to imagine what things are like for much longer. I love you all, the Lord lives, have a great weekend. 

Your brother,

Elder Merrill

Sandra's Baptism

 

Hey Dad, the baptism went smoothly, and was a fantastic experience. I was really in awe of the spirit and faith that Sandra has.  And she was so happy; I can say honestly that I’ve not seen many people happier than she was on Saturday.  Her face was shining brightly, and she kept telling me how good she felt. Amazing experience, the field is white, but all the fields surrounding it are green here.  Nevertheless the Lord is preparing people.

 

 

 
 

March 10, 2014

Family,

Funny story about Coach Boban.  Like we have talked about before, work hard all the time and people won’t ever forget you. Be a man now, or as Boban would say, be a man, not a mouse! BE A CHAMPION!!!  I still can’t believe he did that ha ha I feel famous.

It’s a different kind of work out here, and for me it’s much harder.  I can pound the asphalt or run up any mountain all day long, no sweat.  But there is a different aspect to missionary work that is much harder, but also much more rewarding. If I do things right, I will leave a legacy of hard work and obedience for people in Scotland to remember me by. Dad used to say, "Whenever you do work, make sure you leave your name on it, and do it well".  Good point Dad.

Oh yeah! I forgot to tell you didn't I? While I was in Dublin, Ireland, I made pumpkin chocolate chip cookies for the guys and myself, and they were the bomb.  Seriously you’d all be proud, they were that good. The best part, after they were done, I didn't go around and give em all away to the neighbors! We kept em and they were good. I’ll send you pics I took of them next week.

Thanks for the Advice on doing service; we could definitely be doing more of it here, thank you. It is a great way to soften people’s hearts. Just look at the way Ammon soften the heart of King Lamoni by offering to serve him. Saved his life, the king even wanted Ammon to take his daughter to wife.

I’m healthy, little chub that wasn't there 1 year ago but I’m still stacked and jacked. ;)

A couple members have been taking care of us, but feeding us too much, while I’ve been here.  They are the nicest people ever; they just give us way too much food. The ……. ( who are recently re activated after 40 years of less activity, and just last week went to the Preston Temple to be sealed! they are gold) feed us a lot here and there, but …….is a really nice single lady who gives us 5 course meals every Sunday... I’m dying every Sunday night, but its good food.

My feet are doing well now, there have been a couple days in the last week where we have just walked miles and miles and those are foot killers, but they get better after a day or two of normal distance work. The shoes I have should last at least another 8 months, if not the whole year.

I am better at smiling now, that should be at least one change you notice.  It started out by me not wanting to look upset or angry while walking around, I wanted to give the public the impression we were always happy ( which is true but I just didn't smile) so I forced a more mild face and after a couple months it stuck.)

 Almost 20 years old. I had something of a moment of silence while I thought about that. Life is so short.  I’m smiling thinking about the Basketball season, basketball was always a very fun game for me because I really enjoyed it and I wasn't bad at it either. I remember sprinting down the court every Saturday morning and jumping high above the wee lads on my team to get the rebounds, what a fun time.  We won a lot too, remember Wes? Remember his half court shot that one game? I still can’t believe that happened.  3 seconds left, I threw it into him from under the hoop on the opposite side, he caught it nearly at the half court line and threw it up...... swish! Good times. Really good times.

Interesting concept, Faith and Belief.  I always think of this way: no one has a better testimony or more infallible belief in God than Satan and his followers; after all they have no veil to cover their eyes or cloud their remembrance. Faith is action, Faith is faith, you have to pursue to slightest hope, normally without any factual evidence, to establish faith.  And then as we know faith and knowledge are far distant but the bridge is crossed only by our own works. Hope for truth can be sown into our souls by the testimony of others combined with the spirit, but faith and knowledge can only be found by mighty study, prayer and sacrifice.  This is why it’s so hard to find, but the journey has gotten easier, for myself at least, as I’ve gotten further down the road towards a perfect knowledge. This seems to be the case because of the blessings and light that this knowledge brings; line upon line, precept upon precept, and this is the way of the Lord.

 Well Family, I love you. I’m doing great and happy to be serving a mission. Humility is not learned easily, but I’m much more of what the Lord wants me to be now, than I ever was. Thanks to you guys, my faith was sufficient.

 Mom, Thanks for all the things you have sacrificed and will yet sacrifice for our family; if ever person could have such a mother as you, every child would be brought up in the strength of righteousness because of your love for dad and others.

Your son,

Elder Merrill

 

March 3, 2014

Half of Tanner\

New vs Old shoe - Look at the wear and tear on those puppies!
 



My foot after 4 weeks of walking in Perth! 
 

 

I'll spare the suspense, I'm staying in Perth, which I'm very pleased about. I'm grateful to be staying, I'm actually loving this area and will likely now stay for some good time, potentially 4.5 to 6 months. 

 

I'm doing good at the moment, ,like you said the relationships I'm building with the members here are great, its a great branch.  We actually get fed a lot, and since they are closing down the other team this moves I'm going to have a lot more to do.  We will be inheriting all of their work, including less active progress, investigars and all of their teaching pool, their area book and all the responsibilities therein, and other miscellaneous work they were involved in, such as serving and classes.  I will need to tailor some of it to fit, but it will surely be busy.    On the 15th we are baptizing an investigator named Sandra, she was found by the other team but they won't be here to finish the work they started.  We are trying to get better numbers with member presence lessons, and to find new investigators, its been slow but we have managed to find a few new people.  On top of teaching Aimee, we are working with Willie and Golio, and have potential friends such as David, Derek and a few others.  I want to let you know that I definitely am being guided by the spirit, I feel it in my everyday conversations with people that the Lord knows whats going on here in Perth and sees us working.

 

I'm loving my mission Dad, the fondness and experience I always heard you say when you spoke about your mission is some thing Im beginning to recognize as I reach my year mark. Its a great time, Im thinking here and there about my plans back home.  I will study, either along side of after obtaining a business degree, constitutional law/American history. Not a better subject, in asking the Lord what my route should be after getting home, the clear answer has been that I should not ask until after I complete my mission, and Im sure I wont be receiving any guidance on the matter until Im released, which makes sense. My Blessing says that the Lord will carefully guide me throughout my life, so I'm not worried, just anxious because it crosses my mind often.

 

I love you all, keep up the family prayer and scripture study even though, I know the kids fall asleep during it, but it is still good.

Elder Merrill



February 17, 2014

Hey Dad,

Sounds like you’ve had a great week. That topic seems to be a popular one these days, I wonder if the members listening will ever do anything about it or if they will come under condemnation some day for remaining idle. Even way over here the topic of member missionary work is the hot topic. I gave a talk yesterday. I was given the responsibility Saturday night at 9pm, which is not unusual, and began preparing a lesson on missionary work. About ten minutes into planning, I had a great stupor of thought and could not think of any way to continue. I took this immediately as a prompting that I wasn’t on the right subject, so I "re prayed" to pick a topic. This time, instead of praying to know what to talk about, I prayed to understand the needs and concerns of the people in the Branch.  Immediately the thought came into my head to completely change the topic and write a talk on Family and the Book of Mormon. So I did.

My talk covered a few of the ways that Satan is trying to destroy our agency, the importance of the family, and the many negative influences the world has on our family, and how the Book of Mormon is the tool given us by God to provide protection against these attacks. It was interesting.

I don’t feel like I’ve lost the form to ski.  You taught me well enough, it shouldn’t take me too long to get back into it. I think about skiing and hiking daily, am not sure why but it creeps in quite often. I just miss being outdoors, and can’t wait to hit the mountain again. Soon enough.

Thanks for the email Dad, have a great week at work. Don’t forget to wear a helmet when you’re in the back country with Evan.

Elder Merrill

Hey mom,

Thanks for that great story.  I needed it a wee bit.  I miss you, I miss you all a lot, but I don’t miss allergies.... I’ll probably get hit with them when spring comes around, it rains so much here that pollen has a hard time sticking around.  I’m doing well physically.  I’m healthy; some complimented me on my teeth yesterday, which was really nice. 

We met a less active member last week and she is super nice. Since a week and a half ago, she has fed us three times, gifted us well over £20 worth of food, and had us over another time for a lesson. She is easily the nicest lady I’ve met here, she is the best. She smokes and hasn’t been to church for ages, but is a really really nice and good person, and is a single mother of two kids. We’re getting to know her really well.  If we ran out of money I’m pretty sure she would feed us for every meal as long as she needed too.  She definitely needs and deserves the Gospel in her life again, so were going to work on it. I’m pretty sure she’s only like 29, also her brother is less active, and we see him often as well, who knows what could happen.

Alright Mother, have a great week, I love you very much, and I hope everything is going perfectly for our family back home.

 

Elder Merrill

February 10, 2014

Family,

Another week down, something like 60 left.  I’m glad you liked the photos.

I’m better at smiling now, somewhat unfortunately, I’ve forgotten how to make the mean "default" face I used to make back home.  Wearing a badge with Jesus's name on it means you have to look happy or at least content all the time.

I’m doing well, this week better than last, or the one before that, working on a few things.  I’m getting on pretty well with everyone in the branch, so that’s good as well.

Great to hear all of those wonderful people were asking about me, I miss our Ward, it’s a great Ward. Tell everyone I said hello and thanks for everything.  How’s Mark Wilson? Or Bro Johnson? Bro Karen?  Those are some good guys I think about here and there, the influence of a GOOD young men’s leader sticks with the young man his whole life, that’s one thing I’ve learned and taken note of. 

Like I said the time in Perth hasn’t been a cake walk. I felt a little discouraged and decided that my faith wasn’t really where it should be. I was talking to people hoping they would accept the message but not having much faith that they would, and it was hampering the spirits ability to do anything. I recognized this after praying about my problem, and was led to a talk about Faith in Christ, which lifted my spirits on the subject.  I spent the last week evaluating my diligence and dedication and recommisioned myself to the work, twice as obedient, twice as diligent and prayed for faith. I’m doing much better, and I’m twice as happy. I haven’t lacked in work or effort or obedience or anything, I’ve just tried to reevaluate the reason and purpose for why I’m sacrificing and serving a mission.  Through a lot of prayer and studies, my faith and knowledge is increasing and I’m definitely getting closer to the Savior. 

I definitely have a testimony that you’re happier as you work harder.  Hard work and happiness are directly related. I’m doing well, happy, working harder than ever because im more driven than ever.  I’m running on all cylinders, full steam ahead, I feel a greater desire and enthusiasm for the work.  It’s come as I’ve compared my desires with the questions and comments made by former high judge Alma in chapter 5 of his book, and reevaluating myself. 

I’m focusing on studying the Atonement, a fascinating subject.  It seems to me because of the importance and subjectual centrality of the topic of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, the spirit is eager and therefore quick to manifest and testify of truths concerning it. It’s a quick way to feel the spirit, reading about Christ and trying to imagine him, physically doing the things he did, with a human body, feeling all the pains that we feel.  I think we forget, and I’m guilty of forgetting, that the Savior was not immune to pain or fear.  LUKE 22 describes Jesus's fear and sorrow as he anticipated what he knew was going to be very hard, and described it as the bitter cup. Amazing subject, endless study opportunities. 

In the bible, the word Atonement is mentioned 1 time. In the Book of Mormon, 36.  That’s why the spirit testifies so intensely of the Book of Mormon, it’s a cover to cover testimony of the Savior. 

……. is learning, still progressing.  We invited her to be baptized, she said she wants to be baptized, but wants to learn more and become more comfortable with the spirit, for being so young, she is very mature and smart, and we agreed to help her to read and learn the Gospel until she decides that she is ready for baptism.

Thanks for everything, I love you so much. I hope the work at home is going well.

Sounds like a great book Mom, if you think about it, in John 4:14, Jesus describes the importance of taking into our minds only good things when he says, he who drinketh of the waters which I have to offer him will never thirst, (I’m paraphrasing), but it’s what we "drink of" that determines our thoughts and actions quite a lot, so we need to ask ourselves, what are we drinking from, is the fountain of living waters that Jesus spoke about?  Is it too much TV, Xbox, or facebook?  It’s a good thought.

Have a great week, Love you. Your son,

Elder Merrill

February 2, 2014

Dear Mom,

First of all I’m very pleased to hear that my letters arrived, and at the right time. I love you all, I know I don’t physically write enough, but I’m glad I did.

……. is slow but progressing. We’re seeing her today hopefully, she accepted wholly the word of wisdom, but doesn’t quite understand the restoration and baptism, and doesn’t seem to have enough desire.  We will be teaching her about baptism this week and committing her to a date, she could use a prayer or two. We need her to accept baptism.  We’re fasting this month to have 13 investigators with a baptismal date by March.

Perth Branch is great; the people are kind and knowledgeable.  One member, (English), named Cliff is very dedicated.  He literally goes tracting like every day, by himself.  And we get some good referrals from him.  Good man.

All is well, I’m happy, growing, facing trials every week but getting better. Thanks for the love and prayers, their needed.

Love you all!

Elder Merrill

 

To his Sis:

Thanks for the email.  You are amazing, certainly one of our Fathers elect Daughters. I’m honored to have been called as your brother. I hope that whatever is going on in your life at the moment is helping you to grow and become a better person. Remember, there is no reward until after the trial of your faith. Expect and pray for trials, and search the scriptures as much as you can.  Read the book of Mormon as if its today’s news today. And have a great week, I love you too.

Elder Merrill