Disappointed in Nicaragua

Sorry I won't have time to write a big email. But this is what happened today. You know how we all thought I was gonna get the permanent teeth? Yeah that was a lie. I actually am without two teeth for this week! Kinda really sucks. For this week I just have two silver stumps. I'll send you pictures next week don't worry!

That's all folks!  He had to take a 2 1/2 hour bus ride to Managua for his dental appointment and that kind of shot his pday.  He did ask if the Aggies have a chance in the MW tournament and about the Utes and Cougars.  Looking forward to pictures...

Happy Valentine's Day (a little late)

Hey family and friends! Wow I have really got to start writing in my journal. I can't remember anything from last week! So I'll try my best :)

First off congrats to my lil bro Zacky for breaking the scoring record at Bountiful! A true legend! I can proudly say I taught him every thing he knows ;) These are some of the funnest times and memories of life. Last year was great and I can't believe that I'm already here, but I wouldn't wanna be anywhere else :)

Last week was crazy! Me and my companion Elder Arevalo hardly worked in the area! Wednesday I was doing baptism interviews all day. Then all of Friday night and all of Saturday we spent looking for a kid that was supposed to get baptized.  Hahahahahaha the people are so funny. They struggle and it's really frustrating, but I love them because they are trying their best. So yeah that was crazy, and we never found him! that is a story I will never forget.

Saturday we had 3 baptisms! They are all children of a less active, and they are super cool! Eveling, Luis and Naomi. It was a really cool experience because they loved the cold water and the girl Eveling now basically is the girlfriend of a member hahaha. But it was awesome!

This week we have changes. I doubt anything will happen to me or my comp but we'll see what happens! I think they will be opening up a new zone in the mission because there are so many coming and so few leaving! It's exciting! What a wonderful experience I have to be in the best mission in the entire world. I love every gosh dang super hard and difficult second of it. I love the Gospel and I love the Savior. God be with you til we meet again :)

Love,

Elder Merrill

8 months!

Holy freak. 8 months this week! Is that absolutely crazy or not? Now that I'm really thinking about it... this week I finish a third of my mission. I can't believe how fast it goes, but it shows that we need to take advantage of every single minute of it! And so here I am working!

It is seriously so great to hear from everybody every week. Congrats to my lifelong sister Court on getting her call to Russia! And to the Aggies for the big win in The Pit :) for some reason I have been really missing basketball this last week. I have had the strongest desire to just spend 30 minutes in a nice gym with nets and air conditioning (and in a jersey but shhh) to just play. And it also gives me a lot of motivation to work out. Which I freaking forgot to THANK THE PORTERS FOR THAT PACKAGE WITH THE STRENGTH BANDS. IT IS PERFECT AND I LOVE IT. But then I come to realize that my investigators wouldn't win anything from that and then it doesn't really matter anymore :) but also congrats to the Bountiful Drill Team for winning again and the basketball team for winning like always!

This last week was full of its ups and downs. This last Wednesday we had a Multi-Zone Tour of the Mission with Elder Duncan! He is the President of Central America, and I cannot describe how amazing it was. IT WAS AMAZING. I learned so much and my testimony was strengthened as well. A lot. I know without a doubt in my mind that I was called to this mission for a reason. And since the beginning of my mission but even more than ever right now, that President Russell really was called of God. We are called here to teach people about repentance and retain them after baptism! I have such motivation to study the scriptures and have a testimony like my BOM heroes Alma and Ammon and be like Captain Moroni. Because then lives will really be changed!

Surprise... Elder Niblett left! Like not to his house, but he had emergency changes. I know you don't have hardly any pictures and I'm sorry. I took a bunch last week but they all freaking got deleted! But yeah so now it's just my second son, Elder Arevalo and I. And I freaking love this kid. He has grown so much in his time here, and that is my goal! We've got a lot of work to do, but we're working hard and contacting and testifying and that is the most important thing! I love this Gospel more than anything in this world, and I love the short opportunity that I have to share it with others. Love you all, thank you for everything!

Elder Merrill

Put your trust in the Lord!

Hey guess what? I'm currently writing this email in Managua in the same cyber as my old area! Yeah we're spending the day in Managua because my companion has to go to the doctor so P-Day ruined! Hahahah but who cares.

Freaking Super Bowl. One of the worst days ever. Hahahah obviously only a couple people here in Nicaragua were watching it but seeing even just a couple plays was really hard. Two teams that I really like and a really good game! But what blessings we will be able to receive, and what a great day yesterday was.

And here's the story. Last Sunday was pretty crappy. We were only able to get a few people to church. The standard of excellence is 6 and we got like 3. And being a district leader, I got chewed out because the whole district sucked. So what did I do this week? I worked really hard and put it all in the Lord's hands. Every prayer I had was just pouring my heart out to be able to help these people come to church. We worked super hard too. And fasted. And what happened? We brought 9 people to church. And the rest of the District did really well too! It's crazy how awesome the Lord is. I have changed so much during my ALMOST 8 months in the mission. I've learned that struggles are great because we learn to put our trust in the Lord and then he blesses us more than we could ever even imagine. That's my point for the day. Just put your trust in the Lord. And not just a little part either! Put everything in his hands, and he will always provide.

I'm sure I'm forgetting a bunch of stuff but today has been kinda hectic so my mind is all outta wack. Anyways I love you all so much and thank you for everything! Keep up the good work and always pray!

Love,

Elder Merrill

He also mentioned he was feeling better!

I guess he thinks we just sit around all week waiting to hear from him... okay, we do!!

Heyyyyyyyyyyy family!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So first and foremost, I need to tell everyone about how sorry I am about how lame my letter was last week. As soon as I left the Cyber I felt really bad about it all week, because I know that I can do better! You guys wait all week for the opportunity to hear about my experiences, and then I send that. Hahahahah sorry. That won't happen again :)

So my week...... hmmmm it absolutely flew by! Super super fast! When you're running around doing things, time tends to go by pretty fast. On Monday night I stayed with another missionary in our District because we were both really sick! I had a really bad fever and hardly slept. And since that day.... I've still been pretty sick! Not like feel super bad, just some stomach pains and I'm now pretty sure that I have my first parasite!! Nice and fun :) lots of pooping..... I've lost about 10-15 pounds this week! So that's great hahahah. On Tuesday I had to run around to Nandaime, which is about 40 minutes away in a bus.... a bus that is always full that I have to stand up in. Then on Thursday I had to go back out to Managua to go to the dentist! In less than a month I get my real tooth put in and I'm done with this retainer :) but a lot more buses! For about 50 minutes I was crouched over sideways, which sucks. But of course it's because we're giving the seats to ladies so it's not too bad :)

On Saturday we had a baptism! His name is Norberto. He's super cool, just needed a bunch of help and motivation. But when he finally got confirmed on Sunday morning.... a huge relief was lifted off my shoulders because he almost didn't. Hopefully today the pictures will send! 

Elders Niblett, Arevalo, and Merrill and Norberto

 Last night I learned such a great quote from a member. We were talking about missionary work and she said; "how cool that we're members of the church. How cool that we have all that we do. What about them outside that don't?" This literally is the most important work in the entire world, and we need to share it with all! And I'm so unbelievably grateful that I have this wonderful opportunity :) 

Quick facts about my companions. Elder Niblett is from Idaho! His birthday is May 14th, and we got baptized and went through the temple for the very first time on the exact same days! Freaking crazy! Also Elder Arevalo, my second son. He is awesome! He's from El Salvador! Really quite and needs some help, but he's got a good nourishing system :) Well that's about it! Love you all and I thank you all for your support! I'm also so excited for all my amazing girl friends that are entering into the Army of Helaman! This is the greatest work in the entire world!

Elder Merrill

Elders Merrill and Arevalo

Yep this is all we got!!

Here are some good pictures that I'll send. Not a whole lot going on down here, just a lot of responsibility and tiredness! I love this great opportunity to be here in this great area :) The District that I'm in charge of consists of 12 missionaries, a lot! So it's lots of fun and a lot of work! Hmm what else... oh yeah I basically speak Spanish now :) I know this isn't much, I just have to go with another missionary because he's really sick and so I don't have time! Love you all!

Elder Merrill

and no pictures either!!

I had a good time reading everyone's reply to Elder Merrill's letter this week.  I thought I would share them with you for your reading enjoyment!

I LOVE SAMMY!  You wait a whole week and poof.  We can hope for next week Jenny :) He is so busy I bet each day is a blur and he just passes out at night.  It's Groundhog Day! I love ya friend!
Marci Redding

Wow! What a great letter,,,,,and I loved the pictures, haha. Let that boy take a nap, for crying out loud. Gotta love that elder.

Martha Porter

oh mercy...he's just LOST IN THE WORK I guess!!  Next week he will probably write pages and pages ;) xoxoxo

Kristen Jowers

And it's just enough! ;)

Anne Lloyd

:*(
Bret Wheadon

Interesting week...

What an interesting week it has been! First to hear about everything that is happening back home, crazy stuff! It is so weird to think about watching (or now playing in) a Utah State game without Coach Morrill ever again. Even if he's never been my coach, I have learned so much from him and he has done so much for Utah State. I will forever be grateful to him and the other coaches for giving me the opportunity. 

And hey would you look at that.... some crazy stuff has happened here too! I had changes! Which makes me kinda sad because I left about 7 or 8 sure baptisms in my area. But I was ready. So now I'm in Rivas. Rivas is about 2 and a half hours away from Managua and it's a lot like Granada, my first area. Kind of a tourist place, super hot, but super calm and chill! I'm in the Zone Jinotepe. On Wednesday we were in Jinotepe and there it's......... cold. Like I was cold all night. I want to be there so bad. But oh well that doesn't matter! 

So what's the deal.... oh yeah I'm now a District Leader and I'm training another new missionary! The whole District Leader thing doesn't mean a whole lot, just more responsibility, more work and a lot less sleep! I'm so unbelievably tired right now. These last 4 days I've worked in my area about 3 hours, and I've walked more than I ever have in my entire life searching for a new house for a companionship, doing baptism interviews, and lots more stuff! Oh and hey, the power went out in all of Nicaragua so I had to walk and pick up some sisters late at night in the dark! Anyways, my new companions are Elder Niblett and Elder Arevalo. Niblett is from Idaho and has a change less than me in the mission. He's really nice and knows the area so all's good there! Elder Arevalo, my second son, is a lil guy from El Salvador. He's a little quiet and timid (unlike my first son), so this is a great opportunity to help him grow. It's gonna be a lot of fun!

I'm sorry but I'm completely out of time, so there's not much more I can write. But I love ya all. Thank you so much for the love and prayers. I know that it helps me more than you know! 

Love,

Elder Merrill