“Some Soft
Spots,” July
14, 2014
I'm gaining more empathy for Johnny Cash when he said,
"I've been everywhere man." This week I went from Blaine
(Canadian border) down to Seattle , and from
Darrington (mudslide place but further east) to the Puget
Sound in the west. We didn't even plan any of those trips but they
just kind of "happened upon us," if you know what I mean. Probably
not, that's ok. I loved this week. I absolutely loved it.
The trip out to Darrington was a nice little surprise. The
day before we were going up to Bellingham and Ferndale to do exchanges,
President came to us and asked if we would go to Darrington and take a whole
zone with us to do a big service project. We, of course, said yes and went on
our way up to Bellingham .
The morning after the exchange we drove down to the mission office and picked
up a bunch of missionaries in the world famous Ford E350 A.K.A. The White Buffalo ! The road trip out
to the boonies felt like a junior high field trip. You betcha. We were just all
joking around and having fun. It was a good ole time. The scenery was beautiful
and breath taking or, should I say, beautifully breath taking? Probably not.
Anyways, there were luscious greens all over the hill sides and in the valley.
It was something else. As we kept driving we hit the modern day "land of
desolation" and all went silent. It was very sobering to see the
destruction that happened as a result of the mudslide. All of the houses and
neighborhoods that used to be there were now an empty space of dirt and debris.
We kept driving for another half hour or so and then got to the local cafe in
down town Darrington, if there is such a thing. The lady that was in charge of
the food bank gave us some free pizza and then we all went out and got
sweatydirtnasty the rest of the day. That's a new word I made up. Twas. Dope.
We unloaded a huge semi full of food and delivered it to another semi (for
whatever reason) and then unloaded it in there. It probably took almost five hours.
Everyone was so wet and sweaty. I seriously have a soft spot in my heart for
that beloved day. A day full of hard working service with missionaries of the
Lord. I think everything is kind of a soft spot for me right now though. I miss
everything.
President also asked us to go pick up some stuff at the
Seattle Mission Office. That was pretty fun. We had a tour of what goes on
there with the maps and areas that they cover. We asked how it was all ran and
organized and what not. I learned a lot of good stuff. I love hearing and
learning about the way other missions do things. It's quite interesting.
We gave talks in Sacrament Meeting yesterday. Oh, what a
rush. It was on the Holy Ghost. I guess I don't have much to say about that I
don't know why I brought it up.
Well, anyways...
Elder Trent Jay Merrill
“I am a Witness” July 21, 2014
This will be a tough one to not
seem overly dramatic. I apologize in advance for the embarrassing display of
emotion, my friends. I’m working on it.
I might start with the trivial
and end with the thoughts that I can’t shake from my heart. I have a new
companion in addition to Elder Largent. Elder Stack came in and is three
packing with us until... well... next Monday. I have had an amazing week. We
are focusing on prioritizing time and resources. It's been opening a lot more
time for us to just get out and knock on some doors. I enjoy every moment of
every day. I am tired beyond belief, but I'm sustained and energized. Somehow.
I know how. God is good. Though within the prioritizing and using our resources
as wisely as possible we still found ourselves all over the mission. That’s ok,
too. We’ve just been listening to talks and fueling the spirit that loves that
kind of stuff.
I was on exchanges with the Everett zone leaders this
week and we just threw down some mad baptism beats. Beat boxing and rapping up
a storm while we cruised the streets of Broadway and beyond. I think it brought the spirit, or something
did, because we found five new investigators in just a couple hours. It was a
day of miracles and laughter. I wish days like that would last forever.
I don't fear the future, ok,
that's only a half lie. I don't feel fear for the future AS LONG AS I stay
close to the spirit. I have learned, among so many other things that "God
will never forsake." I have complete confidence that "His ways are
higher than our ways and His thoughts than our thoughts,” especially mine. I
feel peace right now even with all the distractions and things which could
easily beset me. The spirit of God does not fail us. It is promised to those
who are faithful after receiving the authorized ordinance of baptism. Whenever
I don’t feel its guidance or comfort then I immediately know that I need to
repent and align my will with the Father. I'm not perfect at this whole thing,
obviously. I just know that it's true. I know is that I have come acquainted
with the Master and His teachings. I know that His power and authority is real
and that it is given to qualified men on the earth. That is the way God wants
it to be done. I know that the Brethren are inspired men of God who are special
witnesses of our Savior. There is power in their words because they are
Christ's words. I know that I can confirm the words they say as I pray and seek
for a confirmation through the spirit. I know that more happiness and joy come
through obedience to the laws and ordinances of the gospel than any other
source or avenue. Yep, obedience is the secret to it all, folks. It’s what
opens up more capacity to love. It’s what conquers our doubts and clears our
eyes. It’s what allows us to see the hand of God in our lives. I know that the
truth of God stands independent and unchangeable from our perspective.
As some singer once said, “The
road is long and the river is wide.” My next step in the journey is the same as
it was yesterday and the day before: Love God. Love man.
If only a little longer,
Elder Trent Jay Merrill
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