September 15, 2014

Well another week has come and gone... and life is still generally the same down here in Nicaragua! 

Tuesday Elder Collado and I went out to Managua for Training with all the missionaries that I came with! It's part of the 12 week process, a conference week 8! I'm almost there! Hahaha.... so anyways, it was great to see all my friends from the CCM and how they have progressed!

As a companionship, we have really kinda been struggling with our numbers. Like bad. And it's not necessarily just because Collado has two newbies with him, but yeah it's been a little bad. On Thursday I worked and slept at the house of Elder Bennett, because Elder Copeland and Regalizo (ZL) had to go out to Managua! Elder Copeland got bit by a spider! Thank goodness I haven't seen a huge one yet. So anyways on Friday I had to work in our area alone with Elder Hartley, and I was determined to be efficient and effective. And we were able to reach all the standards of excellence! Really ya just gotta work hard and trust in the Lord in all you do and He will do the rest! 

As far as safety goes, it's all good down here. We have so much fun with all the drunk guys to be honest! The scariest moment of my mission happened on Saturday. We were sitting in a house teaching and a homosexual walked past, said "con permiso" and gave me the creepiest smile I have ever seen. I don't know if I've ever been that scared in my life. Hahah but other than that all is good!

Once again a relatively short letter. I don't understand how all my friends write these huge long letters with every little detail! It's just hard because everyday is for the most part the same hahahaha. But just know that I am doing great out here! My Spanish is coming along. I plan to be able to completely converse by the end of this Change. Right now I basically can,but it's broken and I don't understand everything! But more important than that, my testimony of the Savior is continuing to grow every single day and I can see it in all the people down here as well. I love the people of Nicaragua, I love the Lord, and I love all you guys!

Love,

Elder Merrill

Our new abuelita (grandma), Julio Cesar (an investigator) and her son, Miguel

September 8, 2014

Dear family and friends,

Well needless to say.... WHAT A WEEK. I'm writing really late and have practically no time to write because we had to change houses today! And why is that? Because I RECEIVED A NEW COMPANION LAST WEEK. His name is Elder Hartley. He's from Boise and he's brand new! Which means Elder Collado is now training two missionaries. There are three groups of missionaries in my zone, and Elder Collado (DL), Elder Martinez (DL) e Elder Regalizo (ZL) are all training two missionaries! It's crazy! So here is my goal for this transfer... Elder Collado should only be training one missionary this change. I've had to completely change my attitude and confidence in the last week, because Elder Hartley is definitely watching me! We've already worked together with only us once, and it went really well! With all this pressure (I love pressure) my Spanish has already taken a huge jump. I'm excited to continue to work hard and help Elder Hartley in his journey! As I'm trying to live mine haha. Also all day today we have been changing houses because our old house was too small. 

Elders Merrill, Collado and Hartley

Oh yeah something else... we had two baptisms this weekend! Yadira progressed so quickly and it's been great! Also Joni, I don't have a picture with him because his baptism was on Sunday and I had to go get investigators but I am so happy for him. He's 15 years old, and he's probably the closest I've felt to an investigator to this point. I love working with people around my age because I can relate so well and love them! 

Yadira

Anyways this is short but our time is short because of all the work today. Gracias a todos por amarme, apoyarme y sus ejemplos! No estaria aqui sin sus ejemplos! Yo se que esta obra es la obra del Senor! Lo se, lo vivo y me encanta. Les amo todo! (Yeah I do know a little Spanish hahah) 

Con amor,

Elder Merrill

We go out in three's but I usually end up doing divisions with a member(Jaime). It's hard and I've definitely had my struggles and I am still a perfectionist but I'm grinding and working hard! I did have a little homesickness with football and school and everything, but I'm trying to put the past behind me and solely focus on the present with an eye to the future!

September 1, 2014

Agosto is already over! Well.... I can honestly say this was the fastest month of my entire life! As I've said over and over, sometimes I feel like this is the fastest thing, and sometimes the slowest thing in the world! But oh well because whether it's fast or slow, it's going!

I guess today I should probably tell you a little bit about where I am right now hahahah. Nicaragua. As you all know, it's extremely poor. Very poor. I'm in Granada which is kind of okay. In the center (where I live), it's actually not bad! But then you get on the outskirts and it's totally what you'd imagine a third world country to be hahaha. It has started to rain almost every day now! 

This picture is from a website trying to sell you on vacationing in Nicaragua!!

The people. Hmmmm hahahahahaha. I could spend years describing the people here! Last week in church I had to sit next to someone who was breast feeding, can't even describe the awkwardness. The people here don't really have a grip on the whole "Moral Standards" thing! People are always drunk. Like always. The thing that bothers me sometimes is that the people don't have hardly any money but spend it all on beer! However, the people that are humble, I truly love with all of my heart. Realmente amo todos los Nicaraguense! The members here are... ah not sure how to describe them. Some of them are awesome! Jaime, our ward mission leader is as good as it gets. He's a 23 year old RM that served in Honduras, and I work with him about once a week when Elder Collado is doing interviews! But there's really not a whole lot of Priesthood here, which is the problem. Our Branch President ordered pizza to the church a couple weeks ago on Sunday. 

Elder Collado and I have been working really hard! We had our most successful week, brought 9 investigators to church finally! We don't have any baptisms this week but should have two next week! This week is the end of my first change in the mission! I have to say goodbye to Elder Macias, who goes home Wednesday. And it's going to be hard. This guy has literally helped me so much with everything. Whether it be Spanish (he's from Cali), homesickness or just being a friend, he has been a huge blessing in my life. I know I was placed in his zone for a reason.

Elder Macias is in the yellow jersey.

Thank you for all the updates! Keep up the good work Braves! Shocker that the Aggies lost hahahah oh well. Congrats to Konnor on a successful mission! Love you all and thank you for everything! Above all, Jesus lives. I know it, I live it, and I love it!

Elder Merrill

Dad:  Did you play basketball?
Elder Merrill:  No, there is just no time.
Dad:  What do you do on Pday?
Elder Merrill:  Eat!!

August 25, 2014

Nueva semana, misma mision! This last week was great, although really not a whole lot happened! But I guess I'll try to explain it as best as I can :)

So first the Spanish. Ah the weirdest thing in the entire world to be honest. Sometimes it is really good, and others it is horrible! On Saturday we had a two hour conversation with a recent convert who is struggling with the Word of Wisdom and I understood mostly everything! Then last night we talked to a family that is struggling with the marriage and I hardly understood a thing. Hahahahaha patience is a virtue my friends! 

It's still soooo dang hot, but the weather has been a lot better! Midday and afternoons are horrendous, but the nights are really fresh! My breakfasts consist of cookies and unhealthy juice, lunch is rice, beans, and some sort of meat or other concoction! And I don't eat dinner usually! So I'm pretty sure I'll come home with diabetes but oh well hahaha.

This week is my last week of my first Change in the field! Sometimes I feel like it goes by slow, but really it goes by really fast! Training is horrible to be honest, but I only have one more change of it and Elder Collado is a great trainer! 

That's about it for now, just livin the dream down here in Nicaragua! Tell Konnor hello for me, I'm glad to hear that all is well back home! Congrats to the Braves and Go Aggies!!!!!!!

Oh and I forgot. Tell Annie good luck and that I love her!

Love,

Elder Merrill

  Nice P-Day activity at the Playa... I need to work on my soccer skills

and A BASKETBALL COURT. I'll play next week :)

August 18, 2014

Family and Friends,

    Another week down in the books. And this one was pretty good. First off thanks for all the updates, I love them! I'm excited for the football team to begin their journey this week. I think about how much I miss football every day (honestly) because it helped me prepare for so much and we made so many memories! Tell Austin good luck! 

     So early on last week... I think I was finally struggling. I get so frustrated with myself at times and I was really struggling with that, but it turned around! And this week was freaking awesome.

  

     Saturday we had two baptisms with Cesar and Fabiola! To be honest I didn't think it'd be all that special. The people down here are very noncommittal and sometimes big liars so I knew it would be a great experience but I wasn't entirely sure how much it meant to them. Then afterwards they both shared their testimonies, and I learned something. All the sweating (which is a heck of a lot), heat, pain, being laughed at for having bad Spanish and being American, and every thing that goes with it are worth it. Fabiola, who is twelve, said how she knew this is the true church and that she made the correct decision, and Cesar bore such a strong testimony about how he knows without a doubt in his mind that the Book of Mormon is a true, inspired book and that this is the right decision. I felt the spirit so strong (like crying strong) and it really does make everything worth it. Alma 29:9 has never been more evident in my life. And D&C 136 somewhere I'm not sure. But I want to have this feeling a lot. So I'm gonna work for it. Because that is what needs to happen! I'm so grateful for this Gospel and how it's already changed so many lives out here on my mission (including mine). This is the work of the Lord!

     Love you all, thank you so much for everything! Keep up the good work!

Love,

Elder Merrill

Cesar

Fabiola

Girls Rock!

I never thought I would see the day...

August 11, 2014

Today I hit the two month mark! Hahahahah sometimes I feel like this is flying, other times I feel like I've been out here for ten years. Not a whole lot happened this week but that's ok because I have pictures!

      Guess what?? The weather was actually bearable last week! Like it rained a couple times (seriously hurricane status rain) and if it rains then the rest of the day is usually ok. I love working at nights because the weather is good hahaha. So yeah I'm trying to adjust to the heat but everyone has said you never do adjust, so just gotta work!

       We are going to have two baptisms this Saturday! First is Fabiola (lots of those down here) who is 12 years old and totally ready. But Cesar... my freaking man. Obviously you'll get pictures next week of these two but Cesar is like my favorite because he's the first that I feel like I really have a connection with! Cesar has made some huge sacrifices in his life, first being he hasn't smoked for 9 days now! We are so happy for him and we pray for our investigators every day.

        Spanish. Still a process hahaha. I had my first interview with the President this past Friday and he told me that I have really progressed, which is a relief. He could tell that I'm a perfectionist so he just told me to be patient, which is really hard. But I can see improvement every day and one day it's all gonna be ok!

       That's about it for now! I'm working as hard as I can and trying to love everybody, because if you love then you baptize. I'm so grateful for all the people in my life who have had such a big influence for me! I wouldn't have a chance out here without you guys, and I mean that. Thank you all!

Love and miss everybody,

Elder Merrill

 Fabiola from August 2nd

  Elder Collado is awesome! He's funny, 
works hard and wants to learn English! 

Elder Macias is in the Brazil jersey, he leaves after this change. I love that guy so much. He's from California and he's helped me sooooo much. He's awesome. And Elder Bennett, Jared's friend from Idaho! Those guys are in my Zone and it's great to spend time with them.

 The streets of Granada

Also about the family, it's awesome that you're all doing so great! I don't know what it wrong with me but I miss you all so much (like you guys, Molli, Liz and Annie) and truly thank you for everything!

John then asked...and DAD?

Sam... Ya.  I get it.  AND DAD! hence YOU GUYS!

One more.... I'M OBSESSED WITH MUSIC NOW. I LOVE HYMNS AND WANT TO PLAY THE PIANO SO BAD. You and Mom should know why that's funny and not coincidental.

August 4, 2014

Dear Family and Friends,

      Alright here we go, this one will be much better I promise. Last week was one of the fastest weeks of my life, and this is supposed to be the slow part! Hahahahah and I even took some pictures but the power is out where we would usually go so I can't send pictures today sorry! But first off.... I had my first baptism on Saturday! Fabiola is about 25, and although I didn't really do a whole lot, I truly believe that I helped her out with my testimony. The feeling at the baptism was so awesome. I really wish I could send the picture but I can't figure it out right now! She had to separate from her pareja (most people aren't married here which is hard) and to see her sacrifice, the Spirit was so great. The opportunity to help other people is truly awesome.

 Elder Collado, Fabiola and Elder Merrill

      My Spanish is slowly, very slowly improving. Hahahah I can hardly understand anything, but I am beginning to be able to say quite a bit! I can teach a lesson, it's when we have a conversation that Elder Collado does most the work. Hahaha Elder Collado is great! He's the District Leader and we work really hard. Our goal is 10 baptisms for this month, which would probably be the best in the mission! It's gonna be tough, but we are going to work as hard as we can! Hermana Russell (mission president's wife) also demands that the Spanish missionaries learn English, so it's really fun to help him out a little!

      I'll admit, this is so dang hard hahahahahha. Yesterday was my first fast Sunday, and the morning was honestly the hardest of my entire life. I was hungry, thirsty, it's still so dang hot all the time and yesterday was about as bad as it gets, and we were walking around to pick up the people for church and they all fell through. So needless to say I was a bit frustrated on the inside (you know how I tend to keep my emotions hidden), but yeah it takes me back to a lesson I had last week. It was just about 9 o'clock so about time to go home, and we were teaching a girl who I could tell had no interest. I was so hot (always) and sitting there thinking "why would we waste our time with someone who doesn't even care (they don't believe in question marks here I guess). And that's when I realized, as I do every time I start to struggle....THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT THE SAVIOR DID FOR US. He felt all the pains of the entire world full well knowing that most people wouldn't accept it. Every time I feel like I'm suffering, I always remember that the pain he felt is incomprehensible. I know without a doubt in my mind that the Savior is by my side every step of the way. And I also have amazing friends and family that keep me going. Thank you so much for all the support, it honestly means so much.

     We get fed lunch every day by a family that we pay who also does our laundry and we usually don't eat dinner! Our house isn't too bad, it's actually pretty good compared to everywhere else! When I can send pictures I will, but thank you so much! Love you all!

Elder Merrill

 Lunch with the missionaries on P-day!