January 27, 2014

Family,

 

The address for our flat is 233D Rannoch Road, Perth PH1 2DW, UK.  But send letters and such to the mission home.

First week in Perth is good so far.  It’s rained every day, and the days have gone by very quickly. Church was interesting; we have a building first of all, which is unusual for a branch. Most of the members are over 60 years of age and they are a clever and funny bunch. Thus, it’s been a lively week, so far so good.  The branch likes me, and I them.  We share the branch with Elders Goodwin and Dickinson(English, but we don’t hold it against him). Good guys, we don’t share the flat.   The flat is nice, really nice; it’s in a not as nice area though. Can’t complain about anything except for that we walk, we have bikes, but the weather is too bad.  So we walk, everywhere, I’m considering getting us bus passes.  It’s a small town, not as small as the past few however.

Thank you for the scriptures on meekness.  Meekness is a great topic; it’s actually the topic our mission president asked us to study on this week in his weekly email.   Meekness is probably one of the hardest things for me to improve at, oh how my mind hates to be meek.   I have loads of natural tendency to be prideful, working on it.
Elder Arvig is a smart guy, good worker; he's an army artillery guy so we get along in that aspect.  We get along and I’m looking forward to working together here in Perth. 

We have one progressing investigator, Aimee, an 18 year old mother.  She is very open and kind, and will probably be baptized within the next month. She's solid!

I’m glad God answered "your prayer", I was hoping for Scotland as well.   So I’m happy.  I love you all  - Thanks again for the many pictures you sent me in the last package; it’s good to have them.  I miss you all.  Thanks for writing me each week. I’ve definitely become a very different person since I walked up that sidewalk at the MTC nearly a year ago.  Have a great week,

Elder Merrill

To his Brother:
Hey Buddy,

You’re definitely an extraordinary person. I’ve always seen you as superhuman, not just in size of body, but you’ve got a big heart and you’re a good kid. Remember, to be humble is not to be weak, humility is spiritual strength. If one is strong spiritually and physically, how blessed is he? It can hard to be humble; to be prideful is so easy, but step by step we can work on it.  

You’d make a great missionary, and be a great leader for all your companions and fellow missionaries to look up to and follow. You have great potential, Evan.  I never saw half of my potential until I was well into my mission, the Lord has his own ways of showing us our potential. Plus, missions are fun.

Hey pal, thanks for everything, I’m proud to have a brother as valiant and good as you. Plus you’re a tank. It’s nice to have a tank. I love you, have a great week

Elder Merrill

 

January 20, 2014

Mom,

Moves call has come. I’m being reassigned to serve in the branch in Perth, Scotland! Yes I’m smiling I’m super excited to go back to Scotland.  It’s a wee branch of 20 to 30 or so, so I’ll fit in nicely.  Just where I’m comfortable and I will be back home in Scotland.  I’m excited to be back in the loop in Scotland, I’ve been waiting to return since I left it.  My new companion is Elder Arvig, heard not too much about him. But I’ll let you know next week, I transport on Tuesday.

I like the comments about the Lords ways being simple.  The lords ways are transparent, clear, and obvious.  Just like sending your kid on a mission, you know what they’re doing, and when they’ll be home and this brings you peace. He, God, probably worries about our salvation more than we do.  He sends SO MANY TOOLs to help us stay on the right path. They are simple, look at the brass snake, and be saved.  But because of the easiness of the way, and the pride of men wrought in their hearts by Satan, they die.  I recall the words of Nephi, oh Gentiles, why will ye turn from the ways of our Fathers, for they truly testified of Christ, who should come, that if they did not humble themselves before God, and endure faithful to the end, they could not inherit the Kingdom of God, why will ye die?

Because of pride, secret combinations and temptation men bind themselves in captivity. I love to be free; someone asked me last week what my favorite thing about the Gospel was. I responded, Freedom. Agency, Will and Faith bring to pass happiness and pride brings captivity, which is bondage, the opposite of happiness.

I know it, dad knows it, Moroni knew it, and you obviously know it and love it.  Thanks for the freedom, clearly you knew better than I all along the difference between false "freedom" that the world gives, and true freedom that comes from keeping God's commandments.  Thanks to you and Dad for the guidance.

I’m doing great, happy and excited for Scotland, I will miss the Elders I’ve served here with though, they are my brothers and we have come very close. I’ll keep you updated. Love you, miss you!

I’m sending letters.

Elder Merrill

 

January 13, 2014

Family,

It’s been another great and spiritually challenging week in the field. After some instruction given to us by our ZL's and mission president in the last zone training meeting, I’ve focused on a lot of the little aspects of obedience and  I’ve been able to see the blessing of obedience as I’ve made it a focus, I feel good and happy.

The many many concepts concerning eternal mysteries of the two churches in this world.  1nephi 14 I believe, maybe 2 Nephi 14. There are save two churches only, what a true statement!

It can be easy to stare at this massive church that is our opposition and feel intimidated because of its vast and expansive control over the world. How lost we would be without a Prophet to warn us and guide in the right way. It surprises me yet, even with saints who are aware of the prophet and his warnings, who disregard the warnings and commandments given us through their words. Many saints will cry, all is well in Zion, yet the devil has their hearts, and is carefully leading them down to the endless misery of captivity through ignorance and deceit.

You’ll never believe it, because I didn’t either... they keep me busy here, and I tend to get pretty stressed from time to time working on a million things at once. My companions actually found a pretty significant presence of grey hairs on my head.  What the flip.... I literally have grey hairs. It’s mad.

I had a great conversation with a Muslim guy last night. We tracted into a home and were let in, and the father of 4 and I spoke for quite some time about the Kuran, we will go back Wednesday to introduce the book of Mormon and the great apostasy.  The man was pretty surprised about how much I knew, should be interesting. I’ll let you know what happens.

My comp and I are doing fine, I’m doing great. Happy, stressed but happy. Moves are this week. I’ll let you know what happens, should be interesting.

I definitely feel the spirit, his promptings to me are very quiet and very subtle, and most the time they just come as thoughts in my head. But they are there, and I recognize them. You and dad always taught me to pay attention to the spirit, so thankfully I never feel alone or without guidance. Like my blessing says, pray and listen.  Pray and listen again and you will receive an answer.

Have a great week, I love you all and you’re in my mind often.

Elder Merrill

 

January 6, 2014

It was a decent week the work is slow but we've been having fun. I know your dying for photos, I’m dying to send some, it’s just been weird trying to send them and I haven't been able to.  I will as soon as I can.

……. and his wife came to church yesterday and enjoyed the meeting as well as Gospel Principles.  I gave the lesson on Sacrifice and how it prepares us to live in God's presence. During the lesson he asked the question, "what kind of sacrifices do I need to make to get close to God?" We had a great discussion, he is progressing but it can be difficult to teach without a Christian background.

…… is MIA, haven't been able to contact him. We are working with a guy and his family from Ghana, named ………..  Who is doing nicely, slowly moving along.  He will hopefully be praying about the Book of Mormon this week, he could use a prayer. Good guy, and if we get him we get his family.  We have already invited him to be baptized, and he said yes, but he wants to have his testimony first.

 We just started the JFS manual as well, it’s a good one, and I do plenty of lessons out of that manual, its good preparation for whatever it is I’m supposed to do when I get home.

We’re helping the Clondalkin Ward to become much more missionary minded, and the stake has come up with a goal of 2014 lessons with a member present in 2014.  So things are happening, the missionary mindset has improved greatly since I’ve arrived here.  Were just doing a lot of home visits with members, and teaching on member missionary work in church, always using prophetic quotes.  The bretheren want members to be active in missionary work.  I feel like this is a big part of my job here in Dublin.

It’s difficult to find, teach and baptize. I’m working for it. If it never happened, I wouldn’t be too bothered, if I felt like I did what I could. We shall see..... I hope I get to see at least one. I have that vision, but it’s not my will I’m working for so I’ll just keep waking up and walking out that door.  What else can we do? It’s a rough part of the world, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.  The Lord knew I’d be upset if he sent me somewhere easy. People like you and I need rough days and low success, it’s the challenge we crave.  Hey, like the SEALs say, the only easy day was yesterday.  That’s life, right? Hooyah.

Thanks for your confidence and for the prayers. Love you,

Elder Merrill

December 31, 2013

Mummy,

Christmas was fantastic, seeing you all and speaking with you was so great.  My comps are all great, were getting along just fine.  Happy New Year! Only 15ish months left!

You and Dad looked great; it was so nice to see you. You are still my wee little family in our wee little home in our wee little town. The new guns dad showed me were cool as well ha-ha altogether a good time.  I hope you have an amazing first week this year.  I love you.  Thanks for everything you do, the package was really great, so thanks again for that. Miss ya,

Elder Merrill

PS … the temple calendar was amazing. I miss the temples, so it was a blessing

Dear baby sister,

I have received a lot of strength to deal with the many things the Lord has in store for me to face.  I want you to know that this strength comes from all of you.  The love and example and faith that you all have inspires me and drives me forward. How blessed I am to have you all.
How true James's statement is in the 5th verse of chapter 1 of his epistle, to ask of God that which we know not. God wants to tell us truths, and scarcely will those truths come in the way we expect them to come. Just listen and they will come. Ask, Listen, ask again, and listen again. Our father is a very wise man; it is truly a blessing from Heaven to have such a humble and Christ like man to lead our family. Let us show our gratitude to our Fathers by keeping God's commandments, all of them.
I’m very happy to be made aware of your Christ like attributes and your wisdom. Remember, you know the truth.  But that doesn’t matter.  It’s what you do, and how you act once you know the truth that matters.  You’re doing perfectly.  Love you.

Thanks for being you; it means more than you think.

Elder Merrill

Evan,

Twas awesome to see you Christmas day buddy; it was the best present ever! I love you and I’m proud of you and your hard work.  You’re a special kid; you have the ability to influence a lot of people through your example.  Keep choosing the right and you will keep this gift your whole life. I’m glad things are going well for you and that you’re having fun. Ski hard!
Elder Merrill

Dad,

How I wish I could have been there for your talk, you’ve always been a great speaker and have inspired me to work on my own ability to "wing" it. Well done on the improvisation, it needs to be done quite often, and is a skill learned in the mission field. Regrets are a part of life, and in my own experience are some things I prefer not to look upon.  Thank goodness for the Atonement. If anything, I’ve learned to think before I act, and to be wise.  Those two things are words vie heard come from your mouth many times. Also, nothing is free.  That is true as well. Someone always has to pay for something.  It’s important to be aware of the sacrifices made by others to give us our blessings such as the great blessing of liberty. The ultimate giver of freedom and liberty to mankind is the Savior, but of course many mortal men have died preserving the rights given man by the atonement.  Gods plan is for man to be free, Satan’s plan is to bind man and destroy agency.  DC123 let us waste and wear out our lives to expose and compromise Satan’s ways of darkness, which target the freedom of man.

It was fantastic to see you all on Christmas.

Anyway, thanks for all you do.  Happy New Year, see you next year.
Love you pop,
Elder Merrill

December 16, 2013

Sydnee,

Thank you for your wonderful email. It’s warming to the soul, to know I have a good and loving sister back home. Such a blessing you are to my life, you’ll never know what that means to me.

I miss you as well Syd, yes it is crazy that I’m almost halfway home. Wild.

 

The mission is going well, were getting a lot done and I’m loving it.  It is however very cold and that sucks. I have 6 layers on and I am still cold and wet.

Sydnee, I can truly say that I am proud of the person that you are becoming.  You’re a good person, and are beginning to have the eternal perspective on things. As you follow the counsel of the Lord, you will become wise and happy.  Remember, Joseph Smith was uneducated, but after finding God and restoring the Gospel, was able to know all things, and became very wise. I’m so so excited to see how you progress and who you become.  I can’t wait to go to the Temple with you some day. That can be our goal, looking forward to it.

Thank you for all of your encouraging words, I know that God loves me and I can feel His love through YOU. You may not know it, but God is using you to encourage and motivate me.  So thank you. You’re amazing and I can’t wait to see you again. I’m trying hard to be obedient and diligent and to represent the Savior correctly. Your email means so much to me, thanks for putting time into it to make my day. I love you and I miss you loads! 

I can feel the Lord pushing me forward and helping me to get through the trials and challenges I face, I know He is there and is actively engaged in providing for me and my life.

Have a great week, keep loving everyone.  Your amazing sis,

Your brother,
Elder Merrill

Dear Family,

Didn’t get an Email from you guys, my parents this week, something must be amuck with the system,
But I thought I’d say thank you so much for the package. I know you put lots of effort and love into it.  And the contents were perfect; the gloves are perfect as well and are keeping me warm.  I’m still eating everything but seriously thanks, it was great to have it.  I love you guys and miss you every day.
It’s been a great week, and I don’t have much time to email today, so I think I’ll get more time during the week. I’ll send pics as well.

So Skype on Christmas day, for you guys it should be around 10-11 am, around 5 pm for me here in Ireland. I’m happy, its cold but I’m staying warm. Elder Winn is from Nephi Utah; he rides bulls and is a good man. We are working on lots of things together and always improving as missionaries. I’m excited for the next moves, should be great.

One of our investigators, ………, is an Indian man from Bangladesh, he is Hindu, but after lots of teaching and a priesthood blessing this week, he has accepted Christ as his savior and is working towards baptism.  We are also teaching a few Nigerians.  One guy named …….. has just started coming to church with us and we are going to start teaching his family soon, should be great, I teach Gospel Principles almost every week, and ……. always has great input and the spirit is strong.  He wants the priesthood! So does ……. honestly.

Sorry again that it’s short today, I love you all and miss you so much.  Thanks for all the support and love you give to me, I hope you’re having a great week and that life is great for you and that you’re feeling the Lords blessings during this season in business and family affairs.  I’ll send pics on Wednesday probably; Happy Christmas and I’ll talk to you next week!

Tell me if there are any concerns for Skype.

Love you both mom and dad,

Elder Merrill

 

 

December 7, 2013

Hey Family,

Story, so last moves, one of the missionaries in my district, Elder Devin Roper, went home early for medical reasons.  He lives in Texas, and since he has been home he has been going out with the missionaries in his ward to do work.  Turns out, one of the elders in his homeward is Elder Taylor Peterson from San Diego.  Small world

Ireland has been a little more difficult.  We have the most success in both Ireland and Scotland with foreigners, mostly Chinese and Nigerian. There are Chinese elders in Glasgow and in Edinburgh and Dundee now.  Oh yeah, for moves call, I’m staying in Clondalkin and serving with a new companion named Elder Winn. I’m still District Leader.   Interestingly, my old companion, Elder Austin, is getting sent to Stranraer, one of the areas I’ve opened thus far, so I’ve been filling him in on a lot of stuff.  It’s pretty cool, very coincidental, lots of that kind of stuff happens here.  Elder Johnson finished his mission and went home yesterday so it was sad to see him off but good as well. Elder Lesuma is staying here with me and will be training a new missionary. It’s been a very fun moves and I’ve seriously loved it, went by so fast. Days are flying by now; it’s almost 9 months since I’ve left home. Wow.

I’m happy to hear that I’m in your prayers, and it doesn’t surprise me because I feel the strength from Heaven that comes surely because of your prayers.  Have a great week,  thanks for the love and the packages, I’ll tell you when I get them, I hope soon.  Love you loads.

Elder Merrill

Merry Christmas

 

Dec 2, 2013

Ireland feels so detached from the rest of the mission I would prefer to stay in Scotland most of the time.  Ireland is split; it started with the whole Catholic Protestant thing.  Northern Ireland belongs to GB, and the south or majority of Ireland is the Republic, still a part of Ireland and we can roam freely in between both, but it is very hostile and Belfast is especially dangerous.  The missionaries in Belfast are under alert all the time.  I’d love to serve up north, I think I will. 

I’m glad to hear the other ward missionaries are doing so well.

To answer your question if I play the piano, I don’t really have much opportunity to play the piano, even though I have had that chance here and there and it’s been great.  I focus a lot on the guitar and can play the instrument fluently.  I still can’t read but I haven’t ever been the kind to do things the conventional way.  I’m so so so happy I didn’t sell my guitar that you got me, I will be able to use it now ahah thanks for buying me that by the way, I know I didn’t touch it much at home, I feel bad about that sometimes. Oh well, I’ll try again when I get the chance, when I’m home.

Living in a big ward is so different from the previous transfers of my mission, but it’s good in many ways.  Obviously the support is better and our ward is great for missionary work, but there is simply something about a small branch that I miss.  There is a specific closeness and uniqueness to the work, but you’re 5 times more likely to have success in a Ward than in a Branch. I miss a branch, but the ward is better for missionary work. 

To Dad: Read any interesting books lately? What are you reading now? I’ve seen lots of cool books since I’ve become more interested in Doctrine and such.  Dad, I’ve changed loads, we can actually talk about church when I get back.  I always knew it was true; I just didn’t care too much.  It sufficeth me to say, I do now.   Thanks for everything; you’re the best father I could have asked for.  I must have done something right in the schools of the pre mortal existence to fall into our family.  I Thank God every day.

To Mom: Thanks for the cookie recipe.  When I get the stuff, I will be sure to try it.  The package made it to Ireland over a week ago, they just are super dumb in the DHL here, and so I have to work for it.  No worries, I will get it and let you know how the cookies are.  Thanks in advance for everything; you are the best mom in the World.  I love you, I’m doing great and life in Ireland is very rewarding and cold. 

To his Sis: Missionary work is hard work, but I’m loving it and there really isn’t anything to complain about. I hope above all things that I can be a good example and influence to you and Evan, it’s one of the biggest reasons that I came out here in the first place. I know everything I do reflects my dedication to the righteous cause of building the Lord's Kingdom on this Earth.  I love you and I thank you, the most important thing to me above all things is that my family and I make the right decisions to endure to the end so that not one of us is missing in the Celestial Kingdom, my goal is to make sure everybody is there! I do my best, as you stay on the straight and narrow path; you will never fail and will never be alone.  Read 3 Nephi 31, great chapter.

Miss you loads, drive safe, have a perfect week.

To Evan: Glad to hear your working on being respectful to mom and dad, it’s a commandment after all. It can be hard to get into the habit of reading scriptures and prayer, I know trust me it was difficult at first, but I love it now and honestly it’s great, gives me identity that I didn’t have before, so I’m grateful for that

I love ya buddy, have a great week. Wreck shop.

Miss you all, it was cooler than ever to see you all at the SLC temple, great and historic landmark that it is, I’ve learned so much about the temples and the history of the church that it’s changed my thoughts on a lot of things.  Can’t wait to see it again.  Till then, take care and have a fantastic week!

Elder Merrrill
Ps. I get to see you in 23 days!

 nt thing.  Northern Ireland, belongs to GB, and the south or majority of Ireland is the Republic, still a part of Ireland and we can roam freely inbetween both, but it is very hostile and Belfast is especially dangerous.  IED's and shootings were very common in the past couple decades, its calmed down, but still very dangerous. THe missionaries in Belfast are under alert all the time. Most Irish hate the british and even the Irish in the North, its pretty messed up, if you walked down a certain street in any city in Scotland Ireland with a Union Jack shirt or anything british you would simply not make it out alive.  True story. Id love to serve up north, I think I will. 

Im glad to hear the other ward missionaries are doing so well, the alpine mission is at least a very difficult mission, so props to him for his success. I know lots of Cooks, cant think of specifics.  Im not too big of a fan of one of my ZLs at the moment, one is great, the other is arrogant.  I respect him and there istn any problems between us, he is just prideful and shouldnt be ZL.  Did you ever serve as Zone Leader?  It takes the fun right out of missionary work haha I will probably end up serving as one soon enough but I wouldnt mind if I didnt.

I dont really have much opportunity to play the piano, even though I have had that chance here and there and its been great.  I focus a lot on the guitar and can fluentely play the instrument, still cant read but I havent ever been the kind to do things the conventional way.  Im so so so happy I didnt sell my guitar that you got me, I will be able to use it now ahah thaanks for buying me that by the way, I know I didnt touch it much at home, I feel bad about that sometimes. oh well, Ill try again when I get the chance, when Im home. sorry.

Living in a big ward is so so different from the previous transfers of my mission, but its good in many ways.  Obviuosly the support is better and our ward is great for missionary work, but there is simply something about a small branch that I miss and honestly prefer.  there is a specific closeness and uniqueness to the work, but your 5 times as likely to have success in a Ward than in a Branch. I miss a branch, but the ward is better for missionary work.  Win some ya lose some, oh well, its the cycle. 

Read any interesting books lately? what are you reading now? Ive seen lots of cool books since Ive become more interested in Doctrine and such.

Dad, Ive changed loads, we can actually talk about church when I get back.  I always knew it was true, I just didnt care too much.  It sufficeth me to say, I do now.

Thanks for everything, your the best father I could have asked for.  I must have done something right in the schools of the pre mortal existance to fall into our family.  I Thank God. anyway, have a great week dad, love you.Elder MerrillAunt Carols cookies!On Mon, Dec 2, 2013 at 2:32 AM, Kurt Merrill <premierpaintinginc@yahoo.com> wrote:

Hello my Irish Lad,We took the family to see the lights at temple square.  Debbi and her family were with us.  Sage included.  Sage has some friends from his soccer team from England and Ireland.  We were able to meet up with them and talk for a while about their countries, etc.. The one from Ireland, the red head named Daniel, was interesting.  Sage says Daniel is by far the best on the team and that he messed up his knee at the first game of the season and was unable to play another game.  They went on to have quite a losing season.  But fun.  Anyway this young man told us about Ireland and says he's from up by Belfast and considers himself British?  Apparently the folks who live in the upper part of Ireland don't play well with the folks that live down where you are at.  The boys from England said none of the young people go to church and if they do they are bullied.  Sad that a generation has been brought up to be secularists.Today I taught the HP Group lesson.  I decided to talk about missionary work and shared some of your insights and experiences.  Then I had the dads of missionaries tell the group about their sons missions and give us an Idea of how the work is going in each mission.  Also how their sons are developing and growing.  It was a really good meeting with Brother Green telling about Carter, who is in his last area and is doing very well.  Brother Sorenson was sharing some things about Shane; they seem to be flourishing in Washington State.  They taught 26 new discussions last week.  Shane in now in the office and has something to do with the fleet of cars for the mission.  Brother Williams shed some tears talking about the transformation of his son and how the work in Africa is flourishing.  Brother Christensens boy, Ryan will be home in January!  Can you believe that?  He has a baptism set up for this month.  Which is rare in his area.  His other son is in Texas and he is trying to re-activate some of the less actives.  An older man that they went to visit asked him if he knew Lloyd Christensen?  He said yes that is my grandfather.  Well the old guy told him that he felt like the lord sent the person who baptized him...sent his grandson to help him become active again.  Brother Buhler said that his son is in Georgia with three of his cousins and McKay Court.  He is doing well, is a zone leader and is working hard.  They all spoke of how their sons have developed greater faith, stronger testimonies of Christ and a love for the gospel and the scriptures.  I think Williams said that his son read, which he never did at home, he read 250 pages of Jesus the Christ in one day, when they were kept inside because of violence in their area.We have a new High Council rep for our ward.  A Bishop Cook from the 4th ward?  Do you know him or his kids?I hope you had a good week this last week.  I hope you will stay positive and do the best you can with all you have.  I always wonder who the Lord has prepared for Elder Merrill to meet and teach the restored gospel to?  I have wondered if you have opportunity to play the piano?  Or if you are still playing the guitar a bit?  How is life in a larger branch or ward?  Do you enjoy having more member to work with and support?Our ward will look much different when you get back?  Lots of new move in's.  We have three Renstroms in our ward now.  Johns brother and Dad and mom.  plus many other newbies.Have a great week!I love you,Dadps. went to my Brother Kent's daughters baptism yester day...Anna.  She was beautiful and it was a good experience.  Went over to their house after for some of Carols sugar cookies.  remember those?  Then Evan and Mom and I went to dinner in SL afterwards.  Sydnee had other plans so she was not able to be there...take care lad   

 

 

 

Some Missions are like fishing in Colorado!

Hey mum,

 

I’m trying to take care of myself, it’s just so flipping cold and we are always running about outside.  Honestly, I miss Scotland and think about going back, Ireland is great but I connect with Scotland like I do with Utah.  By the way, read Isaiah 2:2 and know this, Utah translates to mean, top of the mountains.  Church is true!
I’m happy to hear Evan remembers me well; it does my heart good to think I had something of a good impression on the kids.  It’s the whole desire of my youth to have a positive influence on their lives, I made plenty of mistakes, I just hope their memories aren’t as good as mine when it comes to it ha-ha. 
 Remember, nothing does a child’s heart better than to see his parents praying aside the bed every night, despite arrogance and ignorance from my end, which I’m sure had you two worried, your influence and example was always there and was the SINGLE and ONLY thing, in some cases, that kept me on the right track desiring to do good.
I love you mom, thanks for everything, I hope one day I can feel as if I have paid back the kindness and sacrifice you’ve shown me, but something tells me that won’t ever come.  You’re amazing, and dad is alright too.  Have a great week, see you soon.

Elder Merrill

Ps. Evan has impressive taste in music, Elvis is Gospel Gold!

Dad,

Some missions are like fly fishing in the Colorado River.  You just cast and cast and you have success.  Some missions are like deep sea fishing in Alaska with a guide that has a shotgun, you just hold the rod and go through the motions and a big fish pops up every time. This mission is like fishing for tiny crabs dug deep into the cracks in the depths of the ocean of shark and eel infested waters, and once the crabs are caught, which requires diving deep and picking them by hand, the predators come out of their holes to do all they can to drag the crabs back down.  This mission is hard, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.  I am pleased to serve here, the difficulty and challenge is a witness to me that God knows I’m tough, but wants to make me tougher.  He knows I’m rough on the edges, and wants to smooth them out.  He knows my potential and has given me a job to do, and only through fishing in the deepest and darkest waters can I become the fisher of men that he has in store for me to become.  This caliber of refining could not happen in an "easy mission", it could not happen in any other mission.  The challenges I’ve faced in this mission have carved my soul and filled the gaps necessary to take me higher.  Your example took me to this point and will continue to take me higher.  Thanks, I’m out of time but I love you and appreciate all of your support and love.
The work will change with the times, but as we know, God never changes.  He knows the hearts and minds of his children, we can only work harder and harder and hope it is enough.  I feel successful; I have changed and awakened to the reality of our eternal situation. Love you, thanks again.  Have a great week.

Elder Merrill

 

Dear Sydnee,

Well you’re growing up, and I’m not there to see it, thanks for updating me I hope that life is great for you and that you’re happy. My mission is going well, and is going by very fast, I’ve done a lot of good and hard things and have dealt with many problems and had many light days, and many dark days.  The dark days have only driven me to come closer to my God and the best way to do that is to pray always! If we pray for every reason every day, we can surely live in this world, without being of the world. This is what God wants for us while we are here, remember, we are just passing through this life.  I love you Syd, keep making great choices, it does my heart more good than you could ever imagine to know my baby sister is accepting the outstretched hand of Jesus Christ that offers love and peace above all things, and salvation.   

Love you,

Elder Merrill

 

 

Top of the Mornin to you Lad!

November 18, 2013

 

Dear Family,

Well I miss you and I love you, it’s been a harder week and we lost all of our investigators early in the week so our efforts are now focused on building a teaching pool up again. Which means tracting and street contacting, the least effective use of time in the world. But oh well. The ward here is very supportive and there were nearly 150 people at church last week.

 So last Thursday, my companion and I were chapping the door of a potential investigator in Lucan, a man answered the door, who wasn’t the person we were looking for, but we began teaching him anyway. After a couple minutes, it was clear that he wasn’t interested, so I asked him if there was anyone he knew who would be interested that we could go by, he began to say no to that as well, but then he straight up fell backward, passing out and collapsing on the floor. As he hit the ground, I said "oh dear he's narcoleptic". We waited for a sec, and then he quickly stood back up, and began talking to us like nothing happened. I asked him if he was okay and he said he was tired and closed the door. Me and my comp burst out in laughter as we walked away, we still have no idea what happened. We joked that he was struck down by the spirit because he denied us. Could be....

Interesting week, it was very cold and I got sick for the first time in my mission, with a strong cold and chest pain, I stayed out and worked anyway and I’m pretty much better now. The cold soft gel pills you gave me saved me at night though.

I love being a missionary, and especially getting lots of time to study the scriptures and feel the spirit, I love the scriptures and as I seek revelation or confirmation concerning the teachings in them I’ve become very familiar with the doctrine of the church. I think I’ve lost my patriarchal blessing, I can’t find it. That worries me, but my goal at this time is to build a relationship with Jesus Christ, as is told to me in my blessing, so I could use the blessing for direction. I’ll keep looking; I feel the sprit work through me every day which is really what keeps me from feeling down when we are having little success at this time.

Have a great week, thanks for everything I miss you loads, Happy Thanksgiving whenever it is this month,

PS… today, a man said “Top of the mornin lad” to me, it was a dream come true.

Elder Merrill

Nov 11, 2013

Hey Family,

Ireland is colder than the other side of the pillow but it’s great.  I have found that this mission is pretty dangerous, as a couple of missionaries have been mugged in the last few weeks.  As long as we are careful at night and stay in the areas that are lit we will be good.

We have gotten loads done this week and next week is very promising and we already are rocking 2 appointments virtually every day of the week. It’s a very hard area, but I am doing my best to solve the issues that concern the area and trying to take a different approach than in the past, by the spirit of course.  I am doing a lesson at the District Meeting in a couple weeks on Recognizing and following the spirit. This week I am doing a lesson on the Book of Mormon and its application into our work, specifically in finding.  I enjoy doing district training; it gives me a chance to influence a good size of area in Dublin.  We have reactivated 4 people from less activity in the church since ive been here, so things are moving along and work is getting done.

I love Ireland and though it is great place, I just wish I had a car here, we waste so much time walking and bussing around, hours and hours a day spent walking down empty parks. We try and be effective by talking with people but there is either no one there or they aren’t interested.  There have been a couple good opportunities to teach on the trams or busses and we have passed out all the books of mormon that we had last week, which is nearly a dozen.  I am working hard, loving life. Weak, but fearless.  The socialist work unions here are thriving. You can’t walk down the street without smelling the Marxism seeping in through the cracks in the concrete, radiating from the ideologies of captivity, taking control over the hearts of many men through temptation and debt, it makes it easy to understand why it can be so hard to spread light where the darkness is so thick.  Difficult, but not impossible. No doubt, right?

Love you all!

Elder Merrill

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