Week 9 in Wilmington2: The Story I Forgot!

Hey, Everyone!

This week was alright. We were supposed to have some lessons, but they all fell through. That's missionary work! We did some tracting and contacted some referrals. We found 4 people from doing that, so we will see how those turn out.

I realized I never told you what got the cops called on us last week:

I was on exchange with Elder Cox. We were out tracting in a pretty nice neighborhood. One lady got mad and told us we were soliciting. About 20 minutes later, the cops showed up. He asked us to leave and to just come back later. I wanted to take a picture, but didn't. It was a crazy experience!

Well, that's about it from me! Oh, I do hit my 18 month mark this Wednesday! Only 6 months left!! Talk to you all next week!!

Love, 

Elder Merritt

Week 8 in Wilmington2: It Finally Happened!!

Hey Everyone!

So, this week wasn't super crazy. We found a few people. But, other than that, not too much going on. 

We went on Exchanges on Wednesday. I went up to Hampstead with Elder Cox. It was a fun exchange. I finally got he cops called on me! It's taken almost 18 months, but it happened! I was kinda tempted to take a picture with him, but I didn't. 

Sorry there's not too much to report on this week. We are going to do another livestream on Wednesday. You guys should watch!!

Have a good week!

Love,

 Elder Merritt

PS Just a few pics from the week:

Week 7 in Wilmington2: Sheesus

Hey, Everyone! This week was pretty good! There are a few things that happened that are worth talking about. 

First up is the name of the email! On the last Exchange, Elder Cummings and Elder Cox found a guy named Terry, this past week we went to catch up with him. When we showed up, he was super drunk. He was surprised that we showed up though. He told us he didn't expect us to come back. We went inside to talk to him. Our conversation got weird real quick. We talked about church stuff and he started talking about the characteristics f Jesus. that led to him telling us that he believed Jesus was a woman...because he is kind. He said that men aren't kind at all! So, that means Jesus is a woman. He believes that Jesus is Sheesus...I don't know what to tell you after that. It was an interesting experience. 

We did a good amount of tracting this week. We found 4 people. We are hoping they pan out this week. 

On Saturday we met back with Marshall. We've been trying to see him the last 3ish weeks. He told us that the reason he won't join the Mormon church is because of the social stigma that comes with being a Mormon. He said every time he asks people what they think of the Mormons, they say, "I hate the Mormons!" He said he asks them why, and the just say, "I just do!" He told us, "They have no idea why they hate you guys!" We kind of laughed about it. We just talked to him about Gospel stuff, video games, and other life things. At one point, he just randomly said, "You know, I should come to church!"It was super cool that he brought it up on his own! He will be coming to church this Sunday!

Another cool experience happened at church. One of the recent converts, Fred, meets with us every week. Yesterday he was sustained to the Aaronic Priesthood. In priesthood, when asked who he wanted to ordain him, he asked me to do it! It was super cool!

Well, that was my week! I hope you had a good week too!

Love, Elder Merritt

Week 6 in Wilmington 2: A Slightly Crazy Experience

It was kind of a slow week this week. We weren't able to find a whole lot either. But, we went on Exchange and had a crazy experience! 

I was in Hampstead with Elder Ewing. We got a call from a member who lives in an assisted living center. He wanted us to come visit and talk to a lady there. We went there, and it looked like a pretty nice place. Well, then they took us through the door, and everything changed. There were people screaming as if they were dying! Lots of senior citizens (I don't want to offend anyone by saying old people) in wheelchairs that just stared blankly at us. We show up to the member's room and he takes us the woman who he wanted us to meet. Well, she wasn't interested. He started introducing us to all the other people there. After a little bit, I felt like there was someone behind us, so I turned around. Lo and behold, there was a lady in her wheelchair behind us! The member told us she can't speak, but can hear what we say. I pulled out a pass along card with Jesus on it.  I asked her if she wanted it. She looked at me and just smiled. I held it out for her to take. Turns out, she can't move her arms either. She kind of put out her elbow. So, I put it in the crevice of her arm. She smiled at me, then turned around and rolled away. There was one person who sounded like they were dying. He was making A LOT of noise. The only thing I heard the nurses say about him, "What is his problem?" I was thinking, "Uh...shouldn't you be there trying to figure out his problem?" That place was crazy!!!

We felt like this when we were done:

Also, on exchange, we went to the Dollar Tree to see if we could store contact. As we were about to leave, we started talking to the manager and cashier about video games, Pokemon, and other nerd stuff. They asked us what we do as missionaries. After we explained it to them, the manager said he would be more than happy to talk to us about the church. He said anytime we come by and he's there, we could walk around the store with him and talk about the Gospel. that was a pretty cool experience! 

Well, those were the highlights of the week! I hope you all had a good week. 

Love, Elder Merritt

Week 5 in Wilmington 2: General Conference Weekend!

Hey everyone! So, This week was super busy. We only manged to find a coup;e of people this week. 

Monday we did the normal P-day things.

Tuesday we did some tracting, and our appointments fell through. So, we gotta try to catch up with them. 

Wednesday we had District Meeting. Sister Gordon is going home next week, which is weird because I came out with her from the MTC. That means I'm super old out here in the mission. But, since she is leaving, we took some "funeral pictures." After District Meeting, we did some more tracting. 

Thursday we had First Transfer Training. It is a meeting that is for all the trainers and trainees un the first transfer of training. We had to drive to Fayetville for that. It was super cool how much I learned from that meeting. I guess going back to the basics is a good thing! When we got back, we did some more tracting. 

Friday while we were out tracting, we had a guy walk up to us and said he would go to our church if we went to his. We agreed to that. But, while we were talking to him, he got kind of confrontational. He told us how we would see a "real church" when we went to his. He also told us if we didn't show up, he would never trust the Mormons again! Well, we came to find out we can't do church swaps anymore. So, it's gonna be kind of awkward when we tell him we can't go. But, oh well!

Saturday and Sunday were awesome! We had General Conference this weekend! We had the opportunity to sustain our new prophet, as well as 2 new Apostles. My view of Conference has changed a lot since I've been on my mission. It means a lot more to me to hear from the prophet and apostles. They talk about the things we actually need to know! I know that they truly are called of God! 

Well, that was my week. I hope you all had a good week as well! 

Love, Elder Merritt