Week 4 in Apex: A Slow Week, But It Can Only Go Up From Here...

This week was pretty interesting. I have been sick the past week. I had to sit out for a couple of days. I am pretty sure I'm on the up now! It is no fun just sitting in the apartment. I just wanted to get out and work, but couldn't. We didn't find any people this week. But, we did find some potential investigators. We have appointments with three of them this week. So, hopefully they progress!

I went on exchange with Elder Nelson this week. It was pretty good! We taught one of our investigators, Lavell, the Plan of Salvation. He seemed really interested in it. He asked a lot of questions. We invited him to come to church this weekend and he said he could as long as he got a ride. We got him a ride, but he ended up being just as sick as I was.We went and played corn hole at the senior home and I did just as bad as I normally do. They are like pros! If there was a professional corn hole team, they'd be on it!

We went to Habitat for Humanity on Friday to do service. We got to smash furniture with an ax this time! It was a blast! We destroyed a large cabinet and some smaller cabinets. That place is really fun to serve at! All the people love us there! 

On Saturday we had a lesson with Abet and Unice. They are a part member family. The husband is Bryan. Unice is processing the most. She is 9 or 10. She would make us wait, so she could turn to the scriptures we were sharing. She is awesome! We taught them the Restoration. They knew most of it since they come to church almost every week. We asked Unice if she knew what happened when Joseph Smith prayed, and she did! She is so awesome! 

Well, no pictures this week. Hopefully, I have a lot more stories to share too!

Love, 

Elder Merritt

Week 3 in Apex: Easter Week

This week was good, but it was super hot! I have never sweated so much in my life! It's supposed to get a lot worse...I am trying to mentally prepare myself. 

While we were out tracting, we saw a sign that pretty much covered all the bases of people knocking on the door. It read, "no soliciting, we know who we're voting for, we have found Jesus, and only if you're selling thin mints can you knock on the door." So, guess what we did? We knocked on the door! Nobody answered, but we weren't afraid to do it!

We met with one of our investigators, Jim, this week. He is one of the nicest people I have ever met! He is sincere about everything. When he prays, he says the most sincere prayer you have ever heard in your life. We invited him to read the Book of Mormon along with the Bible so he could use the cross references to see how they work together. hopefully, he gets the answer that the church is true. 

Sunday was awesome! You learn to appreciate everything Christ did a lot more on your mission. We went to the Murray's (member family) for dinner. They are my all time favorite family I have met on my mission! They are missionary minded and love having us over! We also helped persuade the parents to get their kids and XBox. The kids love us now.

Well, that's it for the week! The mission is awesome! The church is true! I know that everything we teach people is the truth! If you don't know it, I encourage you to try it out for yourself. It will do nothing but bring happiness into your life! 

Love, Elder Merritt

PS This is what happens when you wear a watch for 6 months. I have a serious tan line! 

Week 2 in Apex: Duke Gardens and Frank Jackson

This week was pretty good! Elder Kimber and I only found 2 people this week, but we did all we could. But the two we found are super promising!

The first one is Francis. She is a 70 year old woman. She wanted us to come inside, but we couldn't because we didn't have another guy with us. We taught her the whole Restoration on the doorstep! She really liked it. She wanted us to come back and teach her more. The other person is Elizabeth. She has and interesting story. He and her husband lived in Virginia for 3 years while he was going to law school. While they were there, they went to a LDS church for 3 years. But never joined! We are going back to teach them to see why they never joined the church. 

On Wednesday we had Zone Conference. We went to the Duke Gardens and The Duke Basketball Museum after. At the basketball museum, we met Frank Jackson. He is a member of the church who plays for Duke. He is a really cool guy! Then we went inside Duke Chapel after. The place is awesome! Someone put a koala on a screen in there. 

That's my week! It was awesome!! 

Pics from the week:

meeting Frank Jackson

the district

President and his wife with the squad

the koala

Week 1 in Apex: First Week in Apex

Hello everyone! This week was pretty great! We biked a total of 54 miles, which is way less than usual. It's usually around 75 miles a week. It wasn't as bad as everyone said it would be. The only hard parts are biking uphill and no one answering their door. Apex is known to be the hardest area to fins people in. It averages about 3-4 people a week. But, Elder Kimber (my new companion) want to get to at least 6 by the end of transfer. 

Everyone in Apex is so nice! We didn't teach anyone this week, but we talked to a lot of people. 

The highlight of the week was definitely general Conference! It was awesome to listen to the prophet and apostles speak! I know that they are called of God and are the people that help us come closer to Him.

On Tuesday, we did service at the Senior Home. We help with their activity which is Corn hole. We even get to play with them! I got destroyed by all of the old people! I think the winner got like 23 points, and I got 12. 

On Friday we did service for Habitat for Humanity. We moved furniture in and out of cars. We clean stuff for them, and we painted some glass they were taking to a home show.

Well, hopefully, next week will be more exciting for you all to read! I love it here in Apex! Talk to you all next week! 

Love,

Elder Merritt