Late December Back in '63

Oh, what a night... talkin' with the fam. All the memories and the love flooding back into my mind and heart. Thank you, my dear loved ones.


Well, as for missionary work, not too much happened this week. It just so happens that it was Christmas week... and it also just so happens that it a break from school at WWU which means... diddley to do for the Elders. But hey.... we somehow kept busy and had a good ole' time.


I'll give you a little update on our awesome investigator. We took him to a baptism that was going on in the zone the other day and he just adored it. He said he was visualizing himself being baptized throughout the ordeal and that was, of course, some sweet candy to our little ears. Then the next day (yesterday) we had a lesson with him before a fireside that a member told us to go to. We didn't really know what the fireside was about so we just invited him to come anyways. It was at the church so... couldn't be too bad. As we were walking in the member who was with us (Scott) told our investigator who was doing the fireside:"The Gardner Sisters." Elder Pymm and I had no idea who they were but apparently our investigator did because he just straight flipped. Ha he just kept hitting Scott and yelling, "Shut up! Shut up! You're kidding!" It was pretty dang hilarious if I do say so myself... which I do. So our investigator runs into the chapel and hugs those Gardner Sisters and we sat there and listened to some beautiful music and messages about Christ. It was quite spiritual... which I wasn't expecting. I took a lot away from that night, including a signed tie from the Gardner Sisters and pictures with them and all the missionaries. Don't make fun of us... they were pretty great.


I feel like I told you most of everything when we skyped... so if you have any questions feel free to shoot them my way. I sure love you!


While I walk,


Elder Trent Jay Merrill

I think these pics are pretty funny. Christmas Eve Slumber Party!

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Gardner Sisters and The Gang

An account of the ministry

And it came to pass in these days that there went up a man to the font of Lynnwood who was there baptized by one having authority given him from God. And Sean, being the one who was baptized by one having the authority given him from God (for no man taketh that authority unto himself unless he is called of God,) then entered into the covenant that shall last from all eternity to all eternity if he but heeds the counsel from the Father recorded in ancient and holy writ, "Yea, the words of my beloved are true and faithful, he that endureth to the end, the same shall be saved." Now Sean, of Bothell, will henceforth hearken unto that counsel and be saved, I so do declare.

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Well I'm not too sure what that was all about but there was some serious truth going on in that pretentious and forced prose of a paragraph. Sean was in deed baptized. What more can I say.... The spirit testified to my mind and heart of the necessity of this ordinance under the proper priesthood authority. I felt the roots of my testimony growing deeper into every part of me. I am becoming a witness of the majesty and power of the Holy Ghost. I am nothing without it... sometimes worse.. and now Sean can have that same gift that changes people from the inside out.

If you're looking for a good story, stay tuned... because you might just find one here in a little bit. Friday the 13th seemed to live up to it's infamy this year. It started out like most good adventures do, with a little road trip down to Everett, Washington. We had a nice doctor's appointment for my friend's footsies (Sister P adds "ies" to the end of everything and it's catching on to my vocabulary: i.e. "how many toasties would you like this morning, my cute one?" Man... Life is too good.) That's not the story though. Hold on. While on our way back home movin' along and singin' our song we noticed that some colorful lights were dancing behind us. We followed our natural inclination which is to move over so the lights can move on past us to the true culprit... but the lights seemed to have another motive in mind. We meet the no-nonsense lady cop on the passenger side of the car where I then sat. She came and went leaving us with a verbal warning. So, counting our many blessings we drove our way to lunch and met up with Maria who was going home for the break later that day. We enjoyed some coco kenny's and off we went to find, teach and baptize. We get in the car and started to pull out of the parking lot. My companion looks left and right making sure no one is coming.... looks clear... blinker is on... turning... turning... BOOM! What's up Lexus! Didn't see you there... how you doin'. Smell ya later bumper. Good to know you licences plate. We'll catch you another time. Plowed that fancy side of a car. Mr. Lexus came out of his car and put his hand up to stop us because my comp was a little flustered and kept moving back and forth not quite sure what to do with himself. In my slight immaturity, I kept celebrating because it was my first car accident and it felt... oh so good. The cops started to pull up and the rain was sprinkling on my half smile of a face. While taking pictures of the damage I saw a certain cop emerge from the flashing lights. While ducking under the door slightly, my companion asked, "Is that the same cop!?" You betcha, sir. It was the same lady cop we met just an hour or so ago. She hadn't seen us yet and then made her way over to us... she stopped and yelled, "Are you serious, guys!?" And my comp just says, "It's been a bad day...." Hahha ah man... I love that stuff. So, I realize how heartless I sound.. but just keep in mind that no one got hurt. Just some [people's] pride. But I'm sure that will turn around soon enough too. Friday the 13th, ladies and gentleman. It's real. Go ahead and slap a doctrinal stamp on it.

Well just a couple other things happened this week that I'll fire off: President Bonham came out and taught and contacted with us. It was nice.

James is super golden and will be baptized here in the coming weeks. 18th of January is the date but it might be moved up.

We're getting back in contact with Kelly soon who is still the nicest person I've ever met.

My companion and I discovered that one of the Bishopric counselors is the man and we just want him to like us.

For scripture memorizing this week we're doing Luke 2 so we can have that sweet ole Christmas story in our minds all the time.

Sister P made a whole bunch of crazy yummy smelling cookies last night and I ate approximately... none. Seven months till sexy. Can't mess that up.

I met a girl who was on her way to bible study the other day and now she's almost read the whole book of Alma and has been texting us all about it. Just got to open your mouth and some good stuff can come out. Thank you, scriptural promises! You sure do come in handy.

I got your package parentals. I am just so garsh darn excited it makes me feel all giddy inside... that was soo sweet of you. Sister P put the gifts underneath the tree. Thank you so much! I love you!

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And I'm a mormon,

Elder Trent Jay Merrill

Rise Against the Storm

The elements were against us this week. Or at least they tried. I feel like this is the coldest I've ever felt... temperature wise: not the coldest I've endured. But sure feels like it is. So... I don't know what to make of that. Still we worked the same just with a little more layers and complaints. Neither are too out of the usual though.

Well, yesterday was quite the little experience. Maybe I'll share some things. Maybe not. Ok, I will....So... first, if you didn't already know, it was Sunday. Which means, if you didn''t already know, that we have church. We showed up and Elder Pymm was looking fresh so you know it was going to be a good day. Only one of our investiators came, Laura. So that's not the good part. One of our investigators was sick... I"ll tell you more later in the letter. Spoiler alert: still getting baptized on Saturday. Sorry to blow the anticipation!

While stalking the congregation for new faces we recognized two people who we didn't recognize. How confusing. We didn't get a chance to talk to them before the meeting so we waited for the perfect time to pounce. Like a lion on the prowl. We sat quietly across from them in the next class and thought through the possible approaches. I'm only slightly exaggerating this story. The time came when the amen was heard and everyone arose from their seats. They were the first to leave and as they passed us said something like, "have a good day.." So in a split-second decision I reached out my hand and said, "Well thank you, what do you have going on tonight?" It wasn't as creepy or choppy as it may seem. It just worked beautifully. You'll see... No they didn't have anything going on. So we invited them to cottage meeting. Which is everyone's favorite, am I right? Yep. I am... and then we talked to them for a good ten minutes and had some good ole laughs. It was the perfect start to a relationship: The man, raised a member and his non-member girl friendl. We all clicked right toff the bat. Especially Elder Pymm and the guy... they both wrestled and had a nice connection right there. So we figured out a time and a place to meet for the sweet road trip down to the mission home. Our beloved Ward Mission Leader took us down while I talked to him about his fantasy novels and Elder Pymm was entertaining the guests in the back seat. We couldn't hear each other too well. Cottage meeting went as expected. We showed up late but still got to hear two people share their conversion stories and President Bonham give the Christmas story as found throughout the Book of Mormon. Which was cool. The member started a good conversation with a guy after the meeting and apparently might be getting hooked up with a job at Boeing. So.. that's always a good thing. We road tripped our way back home to Bellingham and built some more of our friendship. I think the girlfriend is pretty interested. We (mostly Elder Pymm) talked to her about her beliefs and ours and all that kind of stuff. We're going to Ihop with them this Tuesday... I call that a win/win situation, folks.

We had Mission Leader Council and Zone Conference this week. So we didn't have too much time to proselyte. They're both far away and took up almost two full days for us. The semester for WWU is coming to a close this week and everyone is going home till the second week of January. What are we going to do with our time? That's a good question. I'll let you know once I experience that cruel reality of an abandoned college town.

Last Monday while I was about to get off emails I got a call from someone in the Mays Pond ward, which is at the bottom of our mission. Her daughter is the girlfriend of our investigator. She is quite nice. Anyways... we talked for about a half an hour about what might be best for Him. His girl friend and her family are all members and very active. All of our investigators family are, obviously, not members and are not too supportive of the church. The semester is ending here before his baptismal date and all of his family and friends live down in Mays Pond. So after talking for a while, and with approval from President Bonham, we decided it'd be best if he was baptized there. So looks like we're taking another road trip down to dirty south this Saturday. The girlfriend's mother said when our investigator came to their house and told them he had a date set for the 14th the girls got all emotional and they were just so excited. It's been almost two years and finally he's decided to make the step to "act in faith." I love that he decided to do that.

I'm outta time, my friends. The computers didn't work too well today. I want to write to you about Joseph Smith. My topics of study and scripture memorization were all on him this week and it's been life changing. Or at least heart changing. Which seems the same sometimes.

Praise to the Man,

Elder Trent Jay Merrill

Cheers

Top class. Thanksgiving was a dream: Wearing all sorts of argyle sweaters, socks and too tight of jeans. Martinelli toasts and a whole bunch of laughs. It was the closest to home with a couple hundred miles apart. Maria, Kaitlyn and Howard (a legendary missionary who came to visit) were all there with us and Sister P. In the morning Elder Pymm and I went to play some Turkey Bowl Football with the ward. It was a good ole time. We pulled out the guitar and let Elder Pymm take us away into sweet memories. I tried and failed. Tends to be a pattern lately.

Lindsay and others have been asking about my new companion so here's some info on the beloved, Elder Pymm: He's from Idaho Falls (Mom he's a Bonneville Bee!) Wrestler, football player and a charmer. His birthday was on Thanksgiving so we had to have that "bro talk" till 2am. That's how you know it's a good companionship. Bro talk. I like the way we teach together too. We both like to be obedient and work hard. I've been pretty lucky to have companions like that for a lot of my mission. I'm missing out on a lot of life lessons to be learned though... catch 22?

I truly do not remember much about what went on this week. Our investigators were all out of town for thanksgiving break. No one was on campus or in their apartments. My knuckles finally got to hit the doors that its long since forgotten. I actually liked this week. It made me appreciate everything we usually have going on. We found a new investigator a little bit a go and he's preparing to be baptized for the 18th of January. So that was pretty cool. Another one is still on for the 14th of December. We also have one that is supposed to be baptized this weekend but.... he's kinda flakin' out. We got to see what's going on with him. It's been causing me a lot of stress. I hope you can shoot a couple prayers his way. He needs it.

Well, all in all, my mind is blank and distracted. I love you.


High Pinky and Low Tummy,

Elder Trent Jay Merrill

Apostles and Things

I'm not positive... but pretty positive... that I forgot to tell you something kind of important. The time has already passed though so now I'll just give you the good news. Also, I don't have much time today so it might be short. 

Drum roll..................................................Elder Bednar came to our mission this week! Elder Pymm and I were the only companionship that got to see him in three different meetings. We lucked out, right? Right. So there's two big pieces of info for you: One: Elder Pymm is my new companion and he's a beautiful soul and face. I've known him for his whole mission... we were already friends. It's sick. Two: Elder Bednar came to the WEM! (Washington Everett Mission AKA WEM AKA Where the Playas' Play AKA Can't Beat This)

Three talks we read to prepare: Converted unto the Lord, Ask in Faith, and Seek Learning by Faith. I tried to read each scripture reference and break everything down. It made some big ole differences from how I usually study a talk. I should probably learn from that and always do that? Yes. We drove down to Arlington (about an hour south of Bellingham) for the big day on Saturday. The whole mission was together. Elder Draper was conducting and I gave the opening prayer. When I got up on the stand I looked at Elder Bednar and he was just staring at me with his hand on his crossed over knee. Scared? No. Really? No... not really. I was scared. He didn't move that position the entire prayer Elder Draper said. What a boss. We were all expecting Elder Bednar to chastize and throw down on us. And I was stoked for it too... but it was sooo different. He was so happy, relaxed and just joked around with us. He opened it up for us to ask questions and then he'd ask us questions and we'd observe the pattern of learning by faith and through the spirit. At one point he asked, "If you had a question, and no one has asked it and it hasn't been brought up at all, did you still receive an answer to that question?" Almost everyone raised their hand. The holy ghost testifies of the truth we need when we are engaged, participating and acting. We are not objects but agents to act for ourselves. I really wish I had time to go off on all the principles I've been learning about that lately. It's huge. Study the talks that Elder Bednar requested us to read and you will know the subtle truths that will unlock your own personal revelation and guidance. I learned a lot at least... see what you think.

After the missionary meeting there was a special YSA fireside and we had investigators coming to it so we were allowed to stay. In between the two meetings I got some sushi with my good ole buddy, Elder Draper. It was great. Well... one of the rolls was a struggle to get down. I kind of cried as I chewed. I like sushi now though, did I tell you that? I love it actually. I think it's because I learned how to use chop sticks and now... everything is better. Anyways, Apostle: The fireside was the same format as ours. Not just a speech or talk but a pattern of learning and asking. I remember after Elder Bednar said a joke he said something like, "You guys don't know me very well. You probably think I'm really serious and stern because that's all you see in conference. Well, Duh! That's not the place to mess around!" Ha then he just laughed. I just wanted to be around him all day... and I kind of was.... so.....

The next day Elder Bednar came to Bellingham for a special stake conference. The YSA's were able to sit in the choir seats behind the pulpit so that was a good time. I wore my glasses and everything. Elder Bednar went up with out any notes or paper and directed all of his comments to non-members. He taught almost all of the missionary lessons. It was so clear and with so much power and authority. Beautiful. One of our investigators turned around and smiled and waved at us when he said it's directed to non-members ha how cute.

Oh man! I have just one more thing that's great news. First, the girl I met last week and our upcoming baptism are still doing good. Same with our other 4 investigators: and a lot of others. Now onto another investigator: this is the good news. We finally got a hold of him after about four weeks of no contact. We had two lessons set up at the same time so I split with our WML and Elder Pymm went with another member. I decided to teach Him about baptism, even though he's been taught and been going to church off and on for two years. His girl friend is a member in Lynnwood so that's how he got involved with the whole Mormon thing. We taught about baptism and then talked about faith. How we receive answers and what not. At first it wasn't going really anywhere, but for some reason I felt like I should bring up having a baptism date to prepare for. So I asked if he's ever had a baptismal date to work towards. He said no. So we talked about that and he was hesitant at first and so we kept talking about faith and I used the examples and principles that I learned in Elder Bednar's talks. Long story short: He's being baptized on the 14th of December. It was a great lesson. His girlfriend came up to me at the special YSA fireside and was so happy. Ada boy to our investigator, Way to commit. Way to act. That's how you do it.

Oh, yes, I was interviewed by that journalist guy. Twice actually. It's been good I'll definitely send you a copy of the report when he's done. Probably in a couple weeks he said. I tried to bear testimony to him in all of his questions but turns out he's an Atheist and just interested in my story of turning around to coming on a mission. So... eh. We'll see how that all goes.

Sunshine and wet feet,

Elder Trent Jay Merrill

Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of not being transferred

The day has come and the decision is made: Elder Pectol, my dear sweet Elder Pectol, is leaving me. Where to, I do not know. But there is one thing I do know... and that is that I'm wearing a big fat polyester tie today... and also... I will miss my friend.

Well I guess I should go back a couple weeks to keep you updated on the life and struggles of Elder Merrill... That is my name. Someone told me that I should change my name yesterday. I don't understand the implications but I guess I do slur my speech when I say, "eldrmrll." I should work on that.

Now let me tell you about a girl. I think she's what we call "prepared to hear the good Word of God," but without so many words. Let me paint a picture of our first encounter. First, you should know that we split up when we contact so we can talk with more people and be less intimidating. We just make sure we stay within sight and sound of each other.

I was sitting on a bench underneath a dimly lit light surrounded by close to perfect darkness. I tried catching peoples attention as they walked by but only a few would stop and take the time to acknowledge my existence. I still felt confident. I saw one shadow emerge from the psychology building and walked almost towards me... but not too close to me. I asked how she was doing and then exchanged our little small talk. We ended up sitting down together on the bench while I taught the restoration. She has had Mormon friends before but never understood the doctrine too well. She kept saying things like, "This is so interesting... I had no idea.... This would change everything... I feel like I've just been wandering lately and didn't know where to go or what to do..." While we were talking I just kept thinking about Katy for some reason (RC that I was able to teach in Everett that moved to Bellingham)... so I brought her up and told her story a little bit. I have no idea why... I never would do that normally. A couple days later we had a lesson and Katy came and then I saw why. They were perfect for each other. Katy knew exactly what she was feeling and thinking and could relate so well. This investigator came to church and Katy actually gave a talk about her conversion story... what are the odds. I talked with our investigator afterwords and she explained about how much Katy's talk impacted her and how well she related to her. It was beautiful thing. Katy is helping so many people here in the ward: Members, investigators, everyone. Even the bishopric counselor went off on how much her talk helped him as he conducted over the pulpit.

Last week for FHE we had an open mic. Which just so happened to be great. Elder Pectol played the guitar and I read some unoriginal/original yet poorly written poetry. It's the only kind I know how to do so.... I think I'm ok with it.

We got a call from a journalist student named Brendan. He wanted to interview us for his school paper. We were way down so we had an interview ha. He asked about our childhood and upbringing and all that kind of stuff. Nothing too serious. I liked it though. I'll send you the copy of his paper when it's finished.

This week I felt pretty confused about the Godhead for some reason. On the surface it all makes perfect sense... then I was digging a little deeper and deeper and then SNAP I lost my focus and couldn't comprehend it's intricacies or generalities. It all just didn't make sense. So I went to be a little frustrated and Elder Pectol and I decided to make up a dream instead of going to bed. So for a couple hours we just made up a phenomenally adventurous nonsensical dream. That's not the point of this paragraph...I just got distracted again. I can tell you about it sometime though... it was a good one. I woke up the next day still confused on some things and was just hoping that no one would bring up that argument that day. I just didn't' know how I would even respond. Well... it's not too unpredictable that it was indeed brought up in a lesson later that day. I was on an exchange with a visa waiter missionary and the investigator was pretty ready to just disprove everything we believe. Which I'm totally down with going to town with those people. (Bad example) It's cool though, cause with this guy it's like I'm talking to a friend. He respects me and I respect him. We just believe different things. So anyways, he started asking about the Godhead vs the trinity and I just hopped right into the battle zone that we like to call the bible bash. I went extremely hard on it with any and every argument and evidence against his belief and to support mine ha. I would definitely not advise that. It usually, like... definitely most of the time, doesn't work. But this time.... he backed down and said he had no idea. He would have to look it up. God helped me understand my questions about the Godhead.

We've been teaching our solid investigator a lot to help him prepare for his baptism that's coming up here pretty soon. The only hold up he might have is with the Word of Wisdom. So we taught that wondering how it would all go down. Well it just so happens that it went down smoother than a Jamba Juice smoothie while on your way to a BYU football game with your family. (Specific memory? feels like it) While we were teaching it he just went off on how true it was and how Joseph Smith must really be a prophet. Man... it was cool. At the end he bore his testimony to us and told us of his commitment to stick with this gospel for the rest of this life. I love him.