Elder Merrill's LDS Mission: 18 months!

I can´t believe Garrett (Elder Naisbitt) is home! What the freak! That is something that I literally cannot believe. He was a great friend, and I am already missing him here. Because here we are still in Nicaragua! This last week was a crazy week because it was change week! I will let you all know how it went.

Elder Naisbitt's homecoming

On Monday night we had a little dinner with the Branch President and some members in the ward, that was a lot of fun! Being the Purisima where everyone sings to Mary, President Lazo made some stress on the fact that we don´t do that in this religion. There were a bunch of converts there! That was a lot of fun.

Tuesday we found out about changes! And those that had changes were... Elder Hanson and Elder Smith. Which meant that Elder Medrano and I were going to stay here in the area with two new companions. And they are.... Elder Bradbeer and Elder Lunt! Elder Bradbeer is a brand new Zone Leader, so I am grateful to be able to train a new one. Elder Lunt has about 5 months in the mission, and he is really cool. He is a lot like me, from Gilbert. Elder Bradbeer is from Napa, Idaho. There were a lot of changes made to the Zone. The Zone is now really young and inexperienced. I am about the only one with time in my assignment. Which brings lots of pressure but excites me because that usually means people want to work. I am excited to try and help them!

Wednesday was change meeting. Said goodbye to Naisbitt and a few other great friends. That was hard. Then we headed on out to Juigalpa! I worked the whole day with Elder Lunt showing him the area and such, that was fun.

Thursday I was back working with Elder Medrano. We worked hard trying to always find new investigators and help them realize the importance of the Restoration. I love the Restoration. Ever since that day I stepped foot in the Sacred Grove. It is something undeniable. People here have a tough time understanding the Restoration, because they have a real funnel knowledge and sometimes don´t want to learn more, but we work hard to help them see the blessings that come from it. And focusing on Christ and Christmas obviously!

Friday I went to Boaco with Elder Lunt to work with some sisters. It was rough. They need some help. But that´s why we have leaders right?! Which makes me grateful for the people that I have in my life that help me change and improve the things that must be changed. Hence why there are modern day prophets today. To help us!

Saturday was a normal work day, but it was really, really hot. Like bad news bears hot.

Sunday we had a pretty good day in church, and had a couple converts show up, that was great! Because we are here to Baptize and Retain :) the Zone had a bad day. We have some things to change! The mission is hitting a wall right now, because the people get real frita here in December. I think we have already hit our goal of 2060, but President wants us to keep working, obviously! This week should be fun!

In our house we have 4 missionaries that like basketball, so this morning we got up and played some ball at 6 so we could get back for studies. It was fun! My whole entire body hurts right now, but I wasn´t too rusty :)