Longest email ever!

First off, I want to apologize for not saying anything last week. We really were so busy, but this time all is good to write about everything that happened last week. Which is a lot!

This week was probably the craziest, fastest, most tiring week of my entire mission. But let's start with the craziest news. Big Jonathan is out of the Bishopric! Ah that is sooooo crazy! I'll have to admit, it is super weird to think that the big three of Bishop Beynon, Dad and Dan are not there anymore. Those three have been an incredible help in my life, as they helped me so much in my preparation to serve a mission. I will always be grateful for them, especially Dad obviously. But I am sure he is not too sad to be free of that calling for a little bit! And I'm excited for the new big 3!

So... this week. Tuesday was a bit of a normal day, but we found out who the changes were going to be. My 6 week son Elder Sanchez had changes, and I was called, once again, to train a new missionary. I wasn't too excited because I have done it so much at first, but then I got my new son and got super pumped to work and teach him the ways! 

Wednesday, the day of changes came. And we had to do something super awesome. The mission did something a little different this time. Rather than just everybody meeting up in Jinotepe and then taking paid bus to Managua for the meeting, Elder Naisbitt and I had to go around and pick up all the missionaries that had changes in the bus and then take them all the Managua. So we woke up at 2AM, and left at 3AM to pick up the missionaries in Rivas! We were driving (not actually driving obviously but in the bus) from 3 until about 8:15 when we arrived at the church in Managua! So needless to say we were pretty tired. Then we had the change meeting, which went by really fast. Afterwards we had a training meeting for all trainers and new missionaries. There were only 5 new Elders that came in this change so it was a little weird, but it was a good meeting. Then I got my son! And his name is Elder Lopez. He is from Guatemala, and he is like a professional chef! He is awesome. Super humble, a very quick learner, and about 1/3 of my size! He is awesome. Then we went back home and worked to finish out the day.

Elders Merrill and Naisbitt

You would think that would be all, but nope, Thursday we had Leadership Council with all the Zone Leaders back in Managua! So.... another early morning for Elder Naisbitt and I. But the meeting was awesome! Now Elder Mataalii, Elder Shephard, Elder Hironaka and I are all Zone Leaders. We were in the same district in the MTC if you didn't remember :) and Elder Hartley, my little brother as well! We talked about the needs of the mission, shared presentations on each of our Zones (our Zone is doing awesome), and learned a little from the APs. And we learned a little about the importance of the Plan of Salvation. Question. Where would we all be without the knowledge that we have of the Plan of Salvation?! It is always awesome to learn from President and Sister Russell as well.

The Furious Four from the Mexico City MTC

Elders Hartley, Merrill, Collado and Kleiner

So, from there hopefully we would get a little sleep, but no. That night we were up really late preparing for the Zone Meeting that we had on Friday. Which was also great! Then Friday I went down to Rivas again and worked a little there. Traveling is really tiring. But it was fun down there! And.... Elder Rushton (he is from our stake and went to high school with Sam and they left on the same day) is finally in my zone! He is opening up an area down there. He is still as crazy as ever, but he is very obedient and an absolute workhorse so we are happy to have him here.

Elders Merrill and Rushton at the SLC airport back in June of 2014

This week will be awesome, because we are gonna baptize Angel! He is 17, and has an incredible story. He was like the assistant to the Father in the Catholic church, and grew up doing everything catholic, but one day a friend invited him to church, and he decided to visit. He didn't feel a huge difference, but his friend convinced him to just pray that night asking for direction from the Lord. This is what he did. "I prayed to God asking him for a dream or something (Nicas love dreams), anything by God to tell me where I should be. That night I had a dream that the Savior was guiding me through the halls of this church. And here I am." From that moment, he gave up everything Catholic. That is something very hard to do. And what an incredibly obedient spirit that he has, to be able to ask God for a dream and answer and get it that very night. He is awesome. He'll be baptized this Saturday :) 

Well there is a little more. I hope you all enjoy my favorite holiday back home. I can't believe it's already the 4th of July again. Time goes by so fast! I am so proud to be an American! Love you all!

Elder Merrill

Mission baptism record for May

His new Nicaraguan suit!!