Lady Bug

Yep, I was just mountain biking. That's why I'm late. Good guess. Elder Brockbank wanted to end his stay here in Snohomish with a bang... Dang. Actually every single companionship in the zone has someone transferring out. Just a bunch of new faces coming this way tomorrow. I'm.... torn. I don't know who my new companion is yet but I'll just decide to love him now. That should make everything a lot easier.

Hey so I was having a pretty hard week. I'm happy... It's just been a struggle. This area has always been really successful. Lots of baptisms, lots of investigators. For some reason all of our investigators are falling off the map. One got a job where they work from 10:00AM to 9:00PM (our exact proselyting hours.. hmmm) Another moved to Florida. One has parent's who won't let her get baptized... I don't know. There's just weird things happening and It's easy to get down about it. I tend to do this thing where I blame myself for what happens around me. I don't think that's always the best thing to do but sometimes it's true. I definitely need to change something. I just don't know what. Here I am again... something's got to give. I think it was on Thursday I was feeling a lot of the stress and before we went out for the day I knelt down and said another prayer. In the middle of the prayer, an investigator, who we haven't got a hold of in a long time, texted us and invited us over for dinner. Pretty cool. I love stuff like that.

Earlier last week I went on an exchange with the Elders in the Sultan ward. I was with Elder Simon while we went to visit one of their potential investigators. It was an old man named Bill. We were talking with him for a bit and he was really nice. We were talking about the Book of Mormon and all the golden conversations. He seemed interested but decided to say, "l'll never be mormon" ha. They were about to go on a trip and his wife said something about Bill hopefully feeling better before they left. I just thought, "Yeah I hope so too. Poor guy." So we left and then as we were walking I stopped and thought for a bit and then turned around to go back to Bill's and then turned around again and walked towards the car and then finally I just stopped. Apparently I was having a prompting of some sort but I just felt weird about bothering them again. After a while of looking like an idiot in front of Elder Simon and getting all sweaty we just went up to the door and I asked Bill if he would like a blessing, and explained what it was. He was pretty happy to let us do it and so we did. Afterwards they asked if we could come back and invited us over for lunch the next week. I love the spirit.

Hey I have a really lame story but It's on my mind for some reason. So first, a little background: I remember sitting in psychology class at the good ole' BYU Idaho one day and feeling pretty down. I looked at my notes and noticed there was a little lady bug! I looked at it for the next hour and felt better. Ok, now that you know about that significant event in my life maybe you'll appreciate this next one. I was over at our Bishop's house and I was feeling pretty down again. Wasn't showing it or anything, just feeling it. Then I saw it. Yep there was a lady bug on the table! Ha I'm not even particularly fond of lady bugs but ah man I felt so happy and this is the lamest story I've ever told you and I don't know why I'm still writing about it.


I love my family,

Elder Trent Jay Merrill

Never Made My Bed

Well... wow. A lot is about to change. I'm excited. So this week we had a meeting with all the zone leaders at President Wilson's house. We talked about the mission, about rules and what needs to be changed and how we can help the mission. Pretty cool. I was very humbled to be there... I definitely felt out of place ha. We know that four of the stakes here in the mission will be going to the Seattle Mission in July so if I'm serving in either the Bothel, Redmond, Kirkland or Shorline Stake at that time I'll be changing missions. Crazy. All of my friends in the Big Rock ward won't be in my mission anymore... woof.


The other day it was just beautiful weather in the morning and then out of no where it started to pour some rain upon our little faces. Soaking wet, trying to find people to talk to... loved it. Whenever we visit someone on the ward list we knock on their door and then two doors to the right and two to the left... It works sometimes. We did that again and on the second one to the right this guy gave us a weird look and then invited us in. He was like, "Why are you guys out there in the rain like this?" Then I said something stupid... So he took some serious pity on us and we were able to teach him the first lesson and now we have another lesson with him tonight. Can't give up... When the rain starts coming then we keep pushing. Literal, Figurative, it doesn't matter... We have a work to do. Nothing can stop it from progressing. I'll just quietly get off my soap box now.


So this week I was on an exchange with a Elder Young in his area. It was my favorite one so far. I've looked up to him since he picked me up from the airport my first day here in the mission. He goes home next week. We were doing some service for a guy in his ward in the morning and while we were dumping the leaves off in the bushes we came across a sketchy old rope swing ha. We just stared at it and then looked at each other and then we gave in... I'm weak. We were on a big hill, so went to the very top and then jumped as far as we could and almost died. Not really but man that was the funnest thing I've done in a long time ha. Then we got back to work. There's my bad example for the week.


Elder Trent Jay Merrill

Beautiful Monotony

I've heard that life is what you make it. I think that was my theme this week. I am so tired. All the time.... and it's the best kind of tired I've ever felt. I can't explain it. If I sit still too long then I'm out ha. We're just always going and I love it. I wouldn't have it any other way.

We had a conference call this week with President Wilson and the other zone leaders and talked about how we can increase the desire in the mission. We're going to focus on finding two new investigators a week in each companionship across the mission. Hopefully we'll be able to help the zone get motivated and help them find a big ole desire in their hearts. We'll be going on a lot of exchanges with the Elders this week. I hope that helps.

This has been the quickest week of my mission.... maybe. I thought a lot. Even more than usual. I don't know what took my mind into this realm of stupor... but occasionally I did find myself there. I do the same thing every day. I talk to different people but I basically bring up the same topics. Every once in a while I catch myself being stuck in a routine. Maybe even a little insincere. I don't like that. At all. But it just happens sometimes. I was thinking of how I can break the robotics and become human again. (It's not as extreme as I'm making it sound I'm sure) but I miss the innocence and serenity I had when I was first called Elder. I came up with something that's been helping. And it's something simple: gratitude. And not just for the big things but really taking a step back and appreciating each breath I have. Each morning I wake up and have the opportunity to do something good that day. Every feeling and smell and all of the beautiful (or not beautiful) colors that are all around me. I have hands that work, two of them. I can walk, I can see, I can talk. I can experience all that life has to offer and when that reality really sets in, there is no such thing as monotony. The mundane becomes beautiful and the routine becomes exciting. I am grateful today.


forever,


Elder Trent Jay Merrill

Almost Fiction

That is what happens when you play basketball on the mish

Hey Family. I am very quite sick right now so it's hard for me to remember anything. I'll give it a try though... Ok. So.... life is good. That's the first thing that's coming to my mind. It's almost too good. I have all these weird physical ailments that keep coming my way. Emotionally, spiritually.... I'm a lion. Roar. So I guess I just have to have my trial somehow. Love it.

Alright so let's see. Today we have an appointment set up for every hour of the day. It's like my dream come true. I love being busy. Absolutely love it. Though, I will have to miss a couple of them because they have babies and I was advised to not be around small children for the time being. I don't want to get them all sick! Dang...

Yesterday we had zone conference for most of the day. We found out who our new mission president will be: President Bonham. (Spell check?) From none other than Alpine, Utah. Whooh! I have too many connections to home here ha. Oh well that's a struggle in itself. I don't mind. It'll be a big transition in getting a new President in July. It'll be exciting. I obviously have no idea what to expect. A lot will change.

I don't think I ever told you about our new investigator. It's a lady who requested the missionaries to visit her on mormon.org. That's me! So we visited her and she went to church and was so happy. She's reading the Book of Mormon with her fiance, who grew up a member and is also wanting to come back to church. Can't go a day without walking over a miracle here. I guess the key is to always be able to listen to the spirit that leads us to the blessings. Hey I taught seminary this morning. Always love doing that. My public speaking fear is diminishing. Don't tell anyone, but I almost like it now. Ah man I'm becoming just like my Dad! Knew it would happen someday. Just not as good at everything like he is. Someday...


Well the rain is still coming and the sun still hiding. I'm loving every minute of it.


Elder Merrill

“The New World”

It's hard to get my thoughts straight to tell you all what's going on. It's all good. All good things. I am very happy these days. I’m in Snohomish and I have a great companion.

My new zone is pretty perfect. Not perfect... but perfect for me. The very next day after transfers I had to teach Zone Meeting ha and didn't have anytime to prepare so we stayed up till twelve trying to put it all together. It went pretty well. My best bud from my last district, just got transferred into my zone too so that's pretty lucky. We all love each other.

This new area is just like what I thought a mission would be like. Lessons all the time. Tons of investigators. It's crazy. We're teaching a lot and I'm loving it. The spirit has never been stronger and I've never been busier. The ward I'm in is really missionary minded and are always looking for ways to help. I love this area, now the question remains, will it love me back? Only time will tell. A guy in the ward came up to me yesterday and said, "Hey Elder, you know we've had some pretty good Elders here before you. You have some big shoes to fill." That was quite comforting. I'm not going to try to be anything I'm not. I'm not a perfect missionary. I'm just striving for it. I guess I don't have anything else to give.

One of the districts in my zone is on a huge "get buff" kick. So we're doing a competition right now and I am starting to drink more than a gallon of water a day and I've been peeing like crazy. It's a good time. I don't recommend it...

So a couple nights ago we visited a less active family who wasn't reading or praying or coming to church. We invited them to start having daily prayer and scripture study and they hesitantly agreed. We kept talking and joking and got on the subject of weird food. So I asked if I could try some.. they brought in a Korean Fish Cheese Stick? and handed it to us.. I gagged at the sight of it. I told them if I tried it they would have to read and pray everyday this week and the next week I'd try something else. They agreed and I threw up in my mouth. That may be a gray area of commitments but hey... it worked. I'm trusting the spirit will make up the rest after they put in the effort.

Lesson I've learned this week.... and every week it seems: I am inadequate. I am not the guy for the job here... and I don't have to be. I just need to be able to follow the spirit and the rules and all that's all I can do. Keep my chin up when the world is trying to push it down.

Thurgoods. They were pretty funny we always had a good time. 

Hey that's my old district. Me, E. Adams, E. Eckman, E. Fortuna, (Behind him is E. Schwinger), E. Bullock. 

Never give up,


Elder Trent Jay Merrill

“On a Jet Plane”

I'm leaving.


What a world. What a world. I don't know what comes next till I get a call. It was good to be here while it lasted. I am already missing a lot of the relationships that I built here. When I was told I'd be leaving Big Rock I got really anxious. I was worried about all of the people that I've come to love. A lot of them are going to fall through the cracks and I feel responsible for them. It's all in God's hands now and I just have to take a step back and let go.


Good things happened in this last week of being here. On Thursday we went to a less active members house to do a service project for them and they handed us two big machetes ha. They pointed to the black berry bushes outside and said to cut them back to the far tree. So I looked at Elder Eckman, we both smiled, and went to cut down on those beastly thorns. They fight back! I have some battle wounds to prove it. It was intense. I felt like I was in the jungle cutting my way through a hidden passage. This place is certainly unique. The people are even more original. They will be missed.

Brother and Sister Deboer (Ward Mission Leader) I already miss them

Sheldon Family. Man they were my favorite. I didn't want to say goodbye to them. 

Howlett Family. They have a son out on a mission. They were bomb. Yep.. bomb

I don't have too much more to report. Everything is set up for next week and I won't be able to know what happens with all of the investigators we found. I'm excited for the next chapter that's ahead of me. It's a little bit bigger. A little bit more on my shoulders... but the Lord will help me. Always does.


Love,


Elder Trent Jay Merrill

Time to Vacuum

Greetings from the land of wet socks and black umbrellas.

So I'll just start this letter off right and tell you a little story. This one starts and hopefully ends in water (baptism... clever I know). We met a lady that my best friend in the ward referred us to. We went over at the beginning of this week and started talking about the weather and why my tie is so short. All the important things. She was pretty fascinated that we paid and dedicated two years of our lives to serve others and to share what we believe. So the days passed and we came back to do some yard work around her horse pasture. We were picking up rocks and raking some leaves while we talked about the entire first lesson. It was just casually brought up and smoothly transitioned from topic to topic. The words were flowing and the spirit was rolling. It was probably my favorite lesson so far. Very organically clear and bold... while the rain was blurring out all of the distractions and noises of the outside world. Beautiful.

There's a man who lives in a house. Intriguing I know. It gets better. One day we went to this house. The house in which He lived. We talked with him and he said he was looking for "something." Not so much a physical something, except a job perhaps because he is going through a really hard time, but something to give him the idea of hope again. He has no hope for himself. We talked with him for almost an hour and told him that we are there to share the way of happiness and of hope. The way of deliverance and of change. He is reading the Book of Mormon right now and we'll meet with him again later this week. I was heartbroken after we left the first time. I sat in the car for a minute and wanted to cry because he has the world against him and if for just one moment he could understand that what we were saying was true, his battle within could turn into peace. Not everything will be perfect, but it will be put into a more perfect perspective. Hope.

We met a firefighter. He is a father of two and he is.... almost a Mormon. Stay tuned till next time.

There is another man doesn't want to let us into his home but he is slowly letting the Book of Mormon into his heart. I'm hoping that one of those two changes soon.

All isn't well in Zion but that's how it's supposed to be. Imperfect people. Struggling missionary. This is mortality and this is where we learn and change. I'm learning not to expect anything more than trial. I'm learning that it doesn't matter what is going on around me. I am at peace. I am happy.

All of my love,

Elder Trent Jay Merrill