November 4, 2013 I am in Ireland!

Hello Family,

 How’s your week been?  It’s been a great week in Ireland.  It’s been a hectic one, but it’s all coming together.  First of all, getting here from the highlands was crazy, and since we got here there have been little confusions about my district and some of the missionaries. We got here by a series of busses and a boat.  I drove from Oban to Glasgow, bussed to Stranraer, took a ferry to Belfast, bussed to Dublin, and then bussed to Clondalkin.  It was chaotic and crazy but we made it.

Dublin is a beautiful city, and everything here is so different from everything else I’ve seen my whole mission.  I’ve never been around other missionaries, and now I live in a four man flat with three other guys who I get along very well with.  We are like brothers. My new comp is Elder Austin from Phoenix, AZ.  He's 6,4 and plays baseball at Southern Virginia U.  We are sharing the flat with another companionship. Elder Lesuma and Elder Johnson.  We are all getting along great and are honestly like brothers, it’s actually really interesting it’s like living with a bunch of giants.   I’m the smallest guy here.  We are 6,2 to 6,6 and I’m the lightest at 180lbs.  The money system here is funny, the Euro is the currency and it’s weird because I’m used to the pound.  Oh well.  Ireland is great, much flatter than Scotland and so far colder and wetter, or maybe it’s just that I don’t have a car any more.  It does suck not having a car ha-ha oh well.  Every one besides elder Austin is from Utah.

 I can feel the legitimacy of my calling as people ask me tough questions, or when I find myself in a tough situation and the spirit guides me through the whole thing.  I feel confident in my ability to do anything as long as the spirit is with me.  It’s a great confidence to have and I wouldn’t trade what I know for the world. 

The stories of missionaries getting kidnapped is crazy.  A missionary in my zone got mugged last week.  Although beautiful, Ireland is a dangerous area.  I’m constantly aware and watching our backs.  It can sometimes be difficult, but I think as long as I pay attention to my conscious (the light of Christ) I will be okay.  The accent is fantastic, some people talk so fast that even I have hard time to understand it.  I’m working hard and loving life, thanks for your wisdom and example.  I’m proud to be your son.  I’m running short on time today, and I have to plan a last minute district meeting for tomorrow, it’s what I get when I put it off.  I’m doing it on Christ like Attributes and how faith affects our obedience and how obedience affects our blessings (DC 130;21,22)

 

The ward is huge and I’m excited to reap the benefits of a supportive area.  Dublin is a beautiful city, very European.  I’m happy as can be, and busy as can be, and cold as can be.  But I’m okay. 

Love you all, thanks for writing, have a great week and just know I love you.
Your son,

Elder Merrill

October 28, 2013

 

Hey Family,

First of all, have I had the experience to do anything in primary?? Hah, in my areas there hasn’t been primary, or any sort of classes.  We clump together for Sunday school, sometimes priesthood in Stranraer, then sacrament.  In Oban, the whole meeting is just Sunday school then sacrament in the same room, sitting around a table the size of the dinner table at home. But I gave a surprise lesson last week on priesthood and a talk this week on the atonement. NO notes, no books, just winging it like dad does. 

I feel as if it’s going to be pretty weird getting back and seeing all the changes to the ward, oh well, such is life I suppose.  Speaking of changes, I have some.

Are you ready? 
I have a new assignment, to serve as District Leader, and open a new area in Clondalkin Ward, Dublin, Republic of Ireland. This will be a great opportunity to serve 5 companionships in Dublin, and the ward is something like 100 active members.  In my 7 1/2 months as a missionary, if I counted up every person at church every week it comes to about 245 people, this will be covered in about 3 weeks in Dublin.  Such a difference going from 5 to 100! I’m very excited, sad to leave Oban, I feel a wee bit that my work here is not done, but I have confidence in Elder Urbieta to step up and carry it forward.  I’m also excited to serve in such a great and thriving part of the Lords kingdom.  The Clondalkin Ward has a massive stake center, and sees 100 people every Sunday.  100!!!  Even the flat is posh, we have a house and were in there with another great companionship that I know and served with In Ayr while I was in Stranraer. So that’s the news, hold on sending the package till further notice.  Love you, thanks for the email and the hilarious and curious story about the hunting trip.  Well I’m off to Ireland, bye for now Scotland!
Love you all!

Elder Merrill

 

October 21, 2013

Family,

It’s so good to hear from all of you, I miss you and can’t wait to see you on Christmas.

Yeah, those KIWI things are wretched demonic little buggars. We don't have them and I hope above all things that we never get them in this mission. When I was dating Madeleine, she had one in her car, and whenever I drove it, that thing would just rail on me.  "Slow down, speed up! Aggressive braking! Use your blinker! SLOW DOWN!" I’d always yell back at it, "shut up KIWI!" Madi loved it, laughed all the time.  But KIWI and I never got along, it should accept the fact that I’m not a perfect driver, darn near to it, but not perfect.

We met some people on the street in front of the Tesco in Oban a couple weeks ago; a couple, both were very down on their luck, one having a terminal illness and both homeless.  We spoke for some time with them, and eventually asked if we could meet up with them again.  They proposed that meeting them in their cave in Dunollie probably wasn't a good environment, but that a few times a week they met at a soup kitchen in Oban.  A few days later we met them there and taught them, and we also met about half a dozen other people willing to listen and ask questions to what we had to say.  It was amazing and we have received many potentials from HOPE, we went there twice last week and are volunteering to work there next week.  Hopefully we will have success from meeting so many people that the Lord has prepared.   It’s very humbling to see so many people down and out, as they say, with so little, and hanging around with them can sometimes be sobering, and maybe not the best crowd, but Christ spent his life with those who were down and out, did he not?

Also this week, we had 5 people at church, despite inviting several people to come and getting many yeses.  A couple members were sick, and nobody besides a few showed up.   It’s difficult, even when we do get investigators into church, to make them understand that this church is God's kingdom on Earth, because yes the spirit is there but it’s simply hard for people to take a small room with a few people meeting around a wee table as the true Church of Jesus Christ.  I don't blame them, and I’m not discouraged.  If we get the right person, who is prepared and humbled before God, into church, and if they keep the commitments we ask of them then they will realize the magnitude of truth behind the small unit here in Oban.

It’s such a blessing to have such amazing parents with great testimonies of the Gospel and of this work, it is the true church and preaching Christ's Gospel is the most important work we have to do.  I’m grateful, and I want you to know that it because of your love and how you raised me, that I know God lives, and that he has called President Monson as a Prophet, and I am very aware of the importance of my calling, and that I was called by God and assigned by this prophet to serve this mission.  Your great example and exceptional love for me and for others is what got me here. 

Quick story, we were eating dinner the other day, around 7pm, and were sitting in the study room talking, when the something went amuck at our door.  Someone was jiggling the handle and trying to key their way in.  I grabbed my pen and a jacket (great defense alternative) and rushed the door opening it quickly..... And ill finish the story next week. 

For the package.... chicken in a biscuit is the only thing I can think of.  Wait a couple weeks to send it, in case I move to Ireland.  We get our call this next Sunday for moves. I’m pretty sure I’m staying though, because of my calling as DL.  The breakfast essentials mix is great, and the porridge was good.  I eat loads of porridge; I invented a recipe for it, spoonful of peanut butter, raspberries, blueberries, brown sugar. It’s the best breakfast ever. It’s getting really cold up here too; we will see how I survive.  The showers getting cold too. 

Thanks for everything you; I love you and miss you.  Have a great week,

Your son,
Elder Tanner Merrill

 

To his sister:

AHHHHHHH PUMPKIN COOKIEZZZZZZ??!!?! I am jealous; I haven't had one of those in ages.  Hope they are good.  Utah is great I miss it loads! You don't miss it till you leave it, but trust me sister; it’s the best place to be in the world, everyone, even in Scotland, wishes they could live in Utah. Seriously, I’m so happy I was raised there, and I will definitely raise my kids there.  Great state, god given land, why would you ever leave? Beats me. 

Last p day I played tennis for the first time in like 8 months.  It was a blast.  I’ve still got it!  You’d probably beat me.  Hey Syd, I love you and miss you loads, have a great week and keep being the amazing example to your wee brother and I that you are. This church is great because of the amazing youth like yourself who have such amazing faith and learn who God is when they are young.  It's also great because it’s the only true church and there are over 80,000 missionaries worldwide all proclaiming the same thing, come unto Christ, repent and be baptized, and if you endure to the end of your life, you will have happiness in this World and Eternal Life in the World to come.  The Church is true, Thomas S Monson is the Prophet of the living God, and you are the best sister ever.  All true.

America!
Elder Merrill

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

October 14, 2013

Mom,
I’ve decided to do the next District Training session on Healthy Eating and how a healthy body and mind can help us to have the spirit with us.  It’s a very unique and interesting way of training a district, but it’s going to be great.  The last few I did were on, helping investigators to keep commitments, planning and setting goals according to the spirit, and asking effective questions in lessons.  My training sessions are about 60 to 90 minutes long.  It has been a very good experience.   I’m going to finish off this training with sandwich making, they will never forget it ha-ha.

Dad, I appreciate your comment about members and relating their conversion to the oil in their lamps.  While members, it’s true, must find the truth themselves and are responsible for their own salvation.  It is this truth that convinces us of the blessing of families.  Parents give us wisdom from experience, and guidance to even the odds against the world.  I have certainly realized this blessing at what it means to me since I’ve been out on my mission.  The foundation of my faith was not built by my own efforts, but from mom’s example and yours.  So thank you, all the hard work and obedience pays off hopefully, with a son who wants to do exactly as you have.  I love the book of Mormon; I used to politely snicker at people who would say it was their favorite book.  I understood it was important but how it could possibly be someone’s favorite story was beyond my comprehension.  It wasn't until I made my way, slowly and by the spirit from 1 Nephi to helamen that I found out for myself how great of a history it actually is.  I do not know what I would do without it. 

It’s been a good, yet trying week.  Lots of work with comparatively little success, but I’m not getting down.  It takes more than a speed bump to slow this race car down.  Speaking of speed bumps, my car is dead.  It was surprisingly easy to accept, that is after I threw myself backward over my chair weeping and wailing and crying.  But I’m fine, leaving a BMW in the hands of any 16 year old, no matter how skilled, is like finding out a dear one is diagnosed with cancer... it was only a matter of time.  I’m just happy that Sydnee was not injured or anyone else for that matter. 

Miss you and love you all!

Elder Merrill

 

Conference Weekend

October 7, 2013

Hello Family,


Dan and Joyce were lovely people and it was great to have visitors in the Oban twig! (Exclamation point) It was great to see some Utahans again and to hear the familiar testimony of a born-and-raised.  I’m pleased to hear they phoned you and said the nice things that I told them to tell you.  £20 pounds goes a far way when feeding false information to your parents about how good of a missionary you are ;).  Nah, they kindly offered to phone you up, I’m sure it was cool for you guys, certainly made me happy.  I’m doing my best to honor our shouline Dad; it can be challenging out here as you know, but I remember my legacy, not only that of the church but of our family, and it gives me extra strength. 
I’ve been reading a lot in Isaiah, my favorite chapters have been 5, 30, 45, and 63 or 64.  This is a Tanner Merrill original analogy, reading Isaiah is like mowing the lawn; if you want to go fast, go for it, its fine.  But you’ll just end up going right back over it 2 minutes later to pick up the bits and pieces you left behind.  So it’s taken me a bit.  But the lawn looks good. 
Conference was amazing; the prophet’s talk was really something else and inspired me and others.  And Holland's in the Sunday morning session was truly inspired and interesting, giving us a lot of deep thought and made me consider other deeper ways that I can better serve the missionaries in my District. Love conference on a mission, we watched it in Glasgow last night and we have stayed over in Knightswood with Elder Hutchings, my best friend and brother, also in my MTC group district.  Good man.  He’s moving from Nevada to Utah as well as some other new friends. 
We have unfortunately lost our real last chance for member presence, with our last active priesthood holder in our area moving to Florida for good.  It makes things tough without other priesthood but that’s a challenge, especially as district leader trying to set an example for my district with member present lessons.  Nothing we can do but try out best.  We were able to drive down to Cambeltown last week to visit some less actives who haven’t had any contact with the church for 15 years, ever since the branch down there was closed.  It takes 2.5 hours and over 100 miles to make the trip, but we are really making progress with at least one less active, whose testimony is still hanging by a thread.  We have helped him to rekindle his fire, given him a Book of Mormon, which he has picked up and began reading again, and he is going to try to make the 100 mile trip to church next Sunday.  A real miracle, but in the back of my mind, I tumble the possible opportunity to open yet another branch in Cambeltown whilst serving in Oban, it would have to be all on our own, and now that I think about it, we have plenty of other things to focus on, building up Oban will be tough enough.  

Have a great week, and stay strong. 

Elder Merrill

To his sister:

Things in Oban are kicking along, how did you like conference?  I loved it, conference as a missionary it is like Disneyland, and I love Elder Holland.  Oh hey, listen to his talk; it’s great I think you’ll love it.  Recognizing the spirit, by David A Bednar of the 12.  It helped me tremendously; I wish I had it earlier on.  Glad tennis went well, you’re a champion Syd, I admire your goodness and it seriously has a great impact on me, and I’m sure others.  You’re such a good example, and as we were told in the relief society session of conference (you bet I watched it) you were told, and I agree fully, that a virtuous woman has so much influence for good.  You have POWER! Use it! (Exclamation point!) Glad to hear life is good, be true to the faith as usual my good sister.  May God be with you till we meet again.

Elder Merrill Loves you

 

October 1, 2013

It rained all day!

Hello Family,

I’m doing pretty well thanks, the work is particularly difficult in this area so were not quite baptizing anybody yet, but we are making progress elsewhere.  This last week, we drove down to Cambeltown, and the Mull of Kyntire(look these places up), which is about 100 miles from Oban but still in our assigned area, being the largest are in the mission(we may be tied with Thurso, but I don't think so).  We contacted less active members who haven't had activity in the church or any contact for over 14 years.  They were so happy and shocked to see Elders knocking at their door and we left a couple families with several books of Mormon.  Their main problem is the travel to church, because Oban is so far away.  We are working.

I’m doing great, health wise, I’m getting fat but I’m fine.  Nah, but lack of solid exercise mixed with stress and cheap quick meals has gotten me out of shape.  Because of good fortune and natural fitness given to me hereditarily, I still was able to hike Ben Crauchan, a flipping monster.  It was fun.  There were 8 people at church today.  We are meeting loads of new people; it’s just difficult getting people to commit to come to church and things.  Opening a new area usually is slow, but I think things will pick up quickly. 

This Tuesday for District Meeting I have planned a lesson on helping our investigators and others keep the commitments we invite them to keep.  Commitments are the most important aspect of missionary work, PMG chapter 11, so it’s going to be good. Every week, I plan and give 90 minutes training session to all the missionaries in my district, record their goals and actual numbers for their work in their areas, and report to my mission leaders about the district.  In my district are the missionaries in Dumbarton and the Zone Leaders in Glasgow.  Its loads of fun, and I get to go on lots of exchanges with all of them.  Keeps me busy and traveling all over this great country.   We drive a ton!  Our mileage is 100 miles every day of the month, leading up to nearly 3000 miles every month.  Its great fun, needless to say I’m getting better and better at driving.  But I’m always tired from the journey.  I’m taking my vitamins and I think that's helping out ;). 

Glad to hear your job is going well and things are moving along as they should, you and Dad are great examples of organization and leadership, and those two attributes mixed with righteousness breed obvious success.  Plus, the blessings of me serving a mission, can’t forget that.  I love you all and still miss you.  Hope life is always getting better, enjoy your big ward!

 

P.S. Thanks dad for the story on your mission, I was able to look up the church on Osington AVENUE in Toronto, how cool.  It’s going to be great to be able to have mission conversations when I get back.  There’s a specific type of conversation that only return missionaries can have, it’s going to be great to share stories and laugh about mission life together. 

 

Evan,

I miss my buddy.  Hope life is good for you pal, and that you’re staying out of trouble and hanging out with good people, remember, you become who you surround yourself with.  So... surround yourself with rich good looking evil fighting decepticons.  Got to love a good old Skate Park, but they are usually full with quite the opposite group of people you want to be around, oh and football, I hope you’re wrecking shop.  I know your working hard and I’m proud of the kind of person I was able to watch you grow to be.  Over the last few years, you have really grown up and I’m excited to have you as a best friend for life.  Make sure to love and respect mom and dad, and to always stay faithful to God.  Evan, you will always find peace and strength in the Church, it is the one true church on earth.  I love you little brother.  Make sure to say your prayers, it’s easy to forget and hard to get into the habit, but it will help you tremendously.  Have a great week punk rabbit. 

Elder Merrill

September 30, 2013

Sept 30, 2013

Quick update on the area,

Elder Urbieta is a nice guy, and every week we get better at teaching with one another.  The area is doing well, finding and getting people to come to church is slow but we have high hopes.  This week, another member is moving to America, this one to Florida.  That leaves us with no Branch President, and only one other priesthood.  We are teaching a woman named Mairi, who last year lost her daughter to a car accident, the roads in this part of the country are windy and if you’re not careful, they can be dangerous.  But we have tried to comfort her with the scriptures concerning God's plan for us and life after death, specifically Alma 40: 12, 13, 14 I think.  She is away a lot so we have a hard time getting her into appointments but when we have met it was great, and the members we have invited have really helped us out. The spirit is so strong when your teaching according to the needs of the investigator, and you can really see the things we say resonate hope in their hearts.  We try to keep our use of time most effective and we are doing everything possible to have success, when it comes down to it, I just hope to leave this area, and the work we have done here with my name on it, and the Lords name on it.  Leave it better than it was found.   We are doing that.  Maybe they will send me to an area with a ward or even maybe a building next; I do like small areas though, so I suppose it doesn't really bother me too much. 

~Elder Merrill

 

 

September 23, 2013

Hey everyone,

Thanks for your confidence and faith in me, I love you all and feel your prayers. 

Mom, thanks for all your worrying, but I’m okay.  I have not been bothered with any false prophets.  I am paranoid, therefore, cautious.  I love this church.  It is true and I’m doing alright.  I love my mission and I love the Lord.  The doctrine is perfect, and it’s true.  I have made some considerable changes of heart since I’ve been here, and have become much more informed on Satan’s hand in this world and where it is headed.  But here is wisdom, stay informed, share knowledge and don't take it lightly.  Ether 8, Moroni prophesied where this world is going.  Will we be among those in the last days who are able to say that we saw what was happening before it all came down.  Read Ether 8, take it seriously, I certainly have.  But there are plenty of false prophets all over, but only we…. can invite the spirit at all times. 

 

As for Kolton Browns call, I say he is going to Mexico City, Spanish Speaking Mission. And that is doctrine, ha-ha… no it’s not but good luck to him.  He’s a good man and will love a mission.  Love you all so much, have a great week my family.  May God bless our home, and the country of America, it needs it.  Scotland is already blessed, it just needs more Mormons. ;) 

Adios mi familia. 

Elder Merrill

 

 

Glen Etive
 

September 23, 2013

Sep 23, 2013

 

Family,

Good Morning everyone.  It’s been a great eventful week, and my first week serving as District Leader has shown how much extra work a calling can be.  But it’s been a blessing thus far to be responsible for the accountancy of other missionaries, and to be a part of their lives even more. Hope everything is well with you all back home,  The assistant to the President and I were speaking last Thursday and he mentioned that he had recognized me but couldn't tell where from, he then told me he was from Riverton Utah.  So curious, I asked if he knew the Pembertons, astonishingly he does know them.   All of them by name!  He lived across the street from the Pembertons old house and his grandparents lived down the street from the Pembertons grandparents house in the boonies, we both shared experiences and memories about having light saber battles and playing on the trees, we very likely have crossed sabers before.  His name is Elder Alexander Neilson.

Elder Merrill and Elder Neilson

Anyway, love you all.  I miss you as usual.  Have a great week

Elder Merrill

p.s. send the photo and the story to Debbie. She will know him. Small world!

September 16, 2013

 

Family,

Hey everyone, this week was very interesting due to moves call.  I’m staying in Oban with Elder Urbieta.  I’ve been called as District Leader, and I’m excited for this new calling and challenge.  I’m looking forward to the lessons I will learn while serving the people in my district.  This Thursday, were driving to Edinburgh for a leadership meeting, and then driving back the same day. That’s 7 hours of driving in a day,.... but it’s so beautiful in this country that I don't really even care.  Real quick, the toothbrush you sent me is amazing; it definitely was worth sending, so thanks a bunch.  I thought sending chicken in a biscuit and a toothbrush were contradictory but oh well, I love em both.   It’s much harder to work and teach here than it was in the south, people are less open, a little more cheeky and frankly uninterested.  But the Lord is preparing people to receive his message and all we have to do is be obedient and valiant and we will find them.  Pray for us to find those people please.  They are here.

It’s getting colder and colder here, but a good friend of mine just got called to the Shetland Islands, which is much colder and windier, just in time for winter wind. So I’m not complaining.

Love you guys and hope everyone has an amazing week, I’m working on a letter for you all, I’m just very busy and my hands are cold all the time so it’s not the fastest way.  Thanks for all your prayers; I miss you guys very much.  Mom, I read through the part in the book of Mormon about stripling warriors the other day, and was impressed about their gratitude to their mothers for raising them right.  So I want to say thanks and I love you, for being an amazing mom, and raising me to love God and serve others.   I miss you loads.

Take care, with love,

Elder Merrill

Sep 9, 2013

Stone Circle
 

Dad,

Those were some interesting stories; a mission is just such an interesting life.  Such an adventure, as you know, you get to meet so many interesting people and witness miracles.  Best job ever, I hope to go on multiple missions throughout my life.  Thanks for your testimony about Joseph Smith, he was a great man, and he does get more ridicule and lies than does any man that ever lived.  But I know he did more for the salvation of man than any man who ever lived, save Jesus Christ only.  I miss my parents, can’t wait to speak with you all again on Christmas! Looking forward to that greatly.  I love you dad, have a great week.  Even though I gave much resistance, you taught me great work ethic, so I thank you for that.  I will try my best to pass it on to my kids some day.  Love=Time.  You taught me that.

Thanks for writing,

Elder Merrill

Another Email: 

First of all, Jones moving? That’s crazy.  It actually sounds impossible; the world will never be the same.   I would have been much less shocked if you would have told me dad started watching the Simpsons, well not really.  He was always a good example of things that he liked and didn't like. 

 

Note to Sydnee:
You’re the best, have a great week, how’s your book of Mormon reading coming along?  It’s hard to stay on top of it.  Even on a mission.  Try your best; it really is a great book.  The only way to get blessings from it is to liken it, or relate it to ourselves.  Read, PONDER, and pray.  And the windows of heaven will be opened unto you.  I love you so much, take care and be safe.  Surround yourself with good people, and you have nothing to worry about at all. 

Elder Merrill

 

 

 



Oldest Stone Circle in UK, 2700 BC
 

 

August 27, 2013

Hey Everyone,

We have some new investigators, and that is going very well.  The people we are teaching are very prepared and we feel the spirit in abundance when we teach them.  It’s still beautiful up here and we have the coolest area in the world by far.  I miss the color red, that’s weird to say, but nothing here is red.  Or brown, except brown sauce.   We hiked in Glencoe and to the lost valley last P-day, with my favorite recent convert, Gordon.  Gordon was just baptized in Pollok, south of Glasgow, 3 months ago. He is a very nice and funny guy, and loves to hike so we spend some good times together.  He fed us 3 times this week, and he lives just a mile or so away from castle stalker.  Just a few miles north of Gordon’s home in port appin, is a place called Ballachullish.  Try pronouncing that!

What can be said about my wee siblings, their amazing.   Mom and you must be proud to have such great kids; it comes at a price doesn’t it?  I love you guys and miss you very much.  Thanks for the prayers.

Thanks for the cobbler you’re so kind...cheeky.  Ha-ha I do miss your cooking.  However, I’ve become a fair cooker myself.  I don’t know if it’s anything you would consider culinary arts, but it’s good.  My favorite thing to do is, throw eggs, tuna, bacon, and Chinese noodles into a frying pan with reggae reggae sauce and spices for fajitas, and put it all in a tortilla wrap.  It’s amazing.

BTW, Scotland has turned me into a musician.  I now play guitar fluently.  I sing a wee bit more too, just a wee bit don’t get your hopes up about me becoming Zach Efron. 

I love you so much, have a great week.  Take care, thanks for everything you do for me, and for your example of faith.  The church is true.

Elder Merrill

 

McCraigs Tower in Oban
 

Hey Dad,
First of all, what crazy story, how weird it would be to experience that sort of thing. Nephi 4:6 is one of my favorite, if not my favorite scriptures.   We are led by the spirit all the time, daily, and sometimes we don't even know it.  We experienced a miracle this week.  It proved to us that God is preparing people here in Oban for us to teach.  We walked into Tesco grocery store, I believe it was last Wednesday, and while walking down an aisle, a woman reached out and touched my arm.  I turned and said hello.  She seemed extremely excited, told us she had been looking for us and asked for a Book of Mormon.  Elder Urbieta gave her one, and we talked for a minute, told her when church was and she said she would come.  I felt like I should invite her to be baptized, so right there in the middle of a Tesco store, she committed herself to baptism on the 31 of August.  Her name is Tracey and she loved church.  She's so happy and her smile is so contagious, I believe she is 38.  She is a lovely woman.

Thanks for everything you do for me, I miss you and can’t wait to see you in 18.5 months.  Wow time flies. Oban is beautiful, next Monday were hiking into the Lost Valley in Glencoe with a Recent Convert.  Looking forward to that, if you look through the Scotland picture book we have, it’s bound to be full of photos of my area.  Anyways,  love you dad, have a great week and God Bless.

Elder Merrill

Hello Mum,

Good morning, how are you? I miss you and Dad dearly, and I think about you all often.  I feel your prayers and want you to know your support and love is what got me here, and what keeps me here.   I have such a great family, it’s the best blessing I could have asked for. 

It is strange not having a temple nearby, I could very well never see a temple in Britain. Oh well, I do get temple hungry sometimes, especially when we talk about it.  I’m so happy you and Dad go often and I can’t wait to go again. 

In church yesterday we had an amazing lesson with our new investigator who is set for a date on the 31 of August (for the story on this, read dad's email).  It was so strong and so touching, one of the best first discussions I’ve ever been a part of in my mission. 

A great story to tell happened on the street last night, we stopped a woman who was very kind and we spoke about faith and God for a couple of minutes.  At the end of the discussion, I asked her if we could pray with her and for her.  She agreed, and I gave a prayer.   It was a very simple prayer, but when I finished and looked up at her she was crying and told us no one had ever prayed for her like that before.  It was a great experience to touch someone  we had just met off the street with the spirit.  Thanks for the info on Angela, she's great and I miss her as well as everyone from my old area.  I forgot to tell you last week, but before I left, a non member family I had come very close to through teaching and simple visits had wished me farewell and actually bought me some good uplifting Christian music.  It was a great gift, and I felt fulfilled building bridges and relationships with such great people, the name of this family is the Jordans, from Stranraer. 

Love you Mum, have a good week.

Elder Merrill

Now in the past I’ve had plenty of Haggis and Black Pudding, of which Haggis I love and Black Pudding is mostly too salty.  The other day an investigator named Andrew fed us lunch, and we had amazing sausage and chips, along with great haggis, and the best black pudding I’ve ever tasted.  It’s called Stornoway Black Pudding, and it was delicious.  That's my food log for the week.  oh and the fish and chips here are top notch.

Elder Merrill

PS. We are going hiking near the Connel bridge today, then it is back to work till the work is done.  thanks, and love ya,

Your son

 

Sunset in Stranraer

 

Dear Family,

Good morning from the Highlands.  Oban is incredible, and so beautiful.  It is the most beautiful wee town in the world.  It’s amazing up here.  This is the Scotland I dreamed of coming to before my mission.  You will see castles on every corner, standing stone circles everywhere and island after island.  My zone leader advised me to buy a satellite navigator, so I did so, and I’m glad  because navigating here would be so difficult.  Even with the guidance of satellites, we still managed to take an accidental detour, but after a while, we were grateful we did.  On the way to Oban from Glasgow, which is now my Zone headquarters, we passed up into the Highlands, and the whole scenery changed.  Beautiful rolling hills turned into towering mountains and mighty glens.  This place is like nothing else on the Earth.  We went through Glencoe, Rannoch Moor, and along Lochs of Leven, Linnhe, and many more.  This is God's country.  Oban itself is a tiny seaside town, with tons of yachts, islands and wildlife about.  The isle of Kerrera is right off the bay, and it is a pretty cool view.  My companion is Elder Stuart Urbieta.  He is from Ohio and no he doesn’t speak spanish or even have an accent.  He is a boxer and fitness fellow, as well as a future Marine.  And yes, we get along just great.  We will help each other grow as we work on the task at hand in Oban.  The Branch here is the smallest in the UK, with 8 or 9 at church on a good day.  We meet around a table in a high school, but although we are small, church lasted almost 4 hours comfortably, due to how enthusiastic everybody is about the lesson, it just went on and on and it was great.  We do lots and lots of finding, including talking with people on the street and chapping.  Its hard work, but whitewashing always is.  Missionaries haven’t been in the Highlands for 15 years, (mom ignore this next part and have dad read it to himself ha-ha).  I heard from a member, Missionaries were taken out back then because of violence against them and their flat being raided.  Great stuff ha-ha but we are not worried in the slightest, so don’t fret.  Could just be a story, but I wouldn’t doubt it.  Seriously mom, don’t worry. 

I love it here, we are expecting miracles, and we’re obedient as can be so the Lord will bless us.  Tomorrow we drive down to Glasgow for Zone meeting, I’m excited for this drive but it’s over 100 miles and 2 hours.  We are as happy as can be in Oban, and are enthusiastically working to ensure the prepared are met and are invited to come unto Christ.  This is Oban’s time, and I feel so blessed to be leading such an important area.  

 I love you all and miss you every day, I’ll send some photos.  Take care and pray always. Do it!

Elder Merrill 

Oh yea, Angela should get baptized this Saturday.  Pray for her! 

Also, I met Steven (Elder Mckechnie) in Taynuilt the other day.  Great guy, really small world.
My new address is:  36B Soroba Road,  Oban, Argyll  PA34 4HY. 

 



You can see Ireland if you look really hard!
 

 Dear Family,

Good morning from Stranraer.  We got our phone call last night.  I have been reassigned to whitewash a completely new area as Senior companion.  The area is called Oban, a beautiful bay side town in the West Highlands. This is going to be a very challenging responsibility, but I anticipate the next few months with excitement.  I know only that "there are a few members there", so I’m fairly blind as of this moment.  If the Lord trusts me enough to open Oban, then I don't need to worry about my ability to accomplish what is being asked.  Nephi 3:7   Opening Stranraer gave me the experience I need to feel more confident.  Perhaps I will whitewash my whole mission. I’ll miss Stranraer and the people here greatly, but I’ve made some great connections and I’ll be back to see them before too long. 

Angela and I.

I went on exchange in Ayr on Tuesday with the new Elder Crittenden from Coleville, Utah. We taught six lessons in 6 hours.  Not bad eh?  Already 5 months have gone by since I've left home, that feels a little weird to say. 

 

Good to hear my friends back home still remember me, tell them all I said How ere yae?

Thanks for everything, have a great day.  I love you, thanks for writing today, I miss you all.

Elder Merrill

Stone Circle in Machars