My missionary adventure is taking another stop in another part of the world (mission). Where am I going? Good question... some call it paradise. I call it Granite Falls. The land of milk and honey. I look forward to the many stories and experiences that will surely shape my perspective and insight of human nature. Today is one of those bitter sweet days that I sometimes have. I think it is sweet because life is good. I love my friends. I love my investigators and recent converts. I love the ward. I love the Lord. It's bitter because of two men named Elder Draper and Elder Pectol. They're leaving this "missionary mortality" as I have now titled it. They're moving on to the unknown of civility and the illusion of freedom. Perhaps it's more than an illusion, but to me... there is no after life of the mission. It's temporal and spiritual death. It's over. I will never see them or anyone after the mission. That's what it feels like some time. Not really... it definitely did feel like that at the beginning of my mission though. I can't stop biting my nails.
There are many things that have been floating around this head of mine. For one: Remember that vague description of my confusion and unanswered questions the other week? Well... all my questions have been satisfied thus far. Thank you, Holy Spirit. Always coming through with his end of the deal. I wish I was a little more reliable.
Well this week was full of lessons, information and little bit of snow. I couldn't ask for more. I am trying to remember all the little things that make me happy here. Sister P's wonderful face in the morning. Elder Pymm's jokes and insights. James's sweet heart and humor. Katy's unfathomable observational abilities. Susana's sincerity and receptiveness. Maria and Kaitlyn's friendship and support. Bryce's stature and status to measure up to. Bishop's willingness to help any and everyone. Bellingham. Hippies. College kids. Western Washington University. Elder Draper. Catholic mass. Christian churches. and all things Sister P. I had to throw her in the list twice. The beginning and the end. Alpha and... ok that's too far. It's the only material I have to work with. What else can I be clever with if not the words in my head. All in all, I will miss this place dearly. I do not dread the future. I embrace and look forward to it. God is with me till the end.
We had Mission Leader Council this week. It was a good one. President said something like, "Next time we have this meeting, most of you won't be here." He then shared the story of J. Ruben Clark. How he went from 1st counselor in the First Presidency to 2nd Counselor and when people asked how he felt about it he said, "In this church, it doesn't matter WHERE you serve, but HOW you serve." President said a lot of the zone leaders will actually be going to be junior companions to help out some individual missionaries. Shake the dust. President described how we're also going after the one. Shake the dust. Unfortunately, some would say, I'll still be a zone leader. Shake the dust. But hey.. that's not the end of the world. I just thought I'd get a little break for a minute. That's probably why I'm not getting one. Smack to the face! I need it.
The Atonement is without end
and so
are you,
Elder Trent Jay Merrill
1 comment:
Elder Merrill, I loved WWU...but never considered myself a hippie. More organic. Ha ha. Glad you loved it there. It's an awesome school and with an awesome institute. In the spring time you can look out the windows over the bay and see the whales migrating. We used to have church services there and on a couple of occasions, speakers would direct attention out the window. Ha ha. Loved it.
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