Week 5 in Fayetteville: Transfers

We have transfers tomorrow, and I will be staying in Fayetteville. Elder Wright is actually going to Willmington1! That's where I trained Elder Cummings! He'll have a good time!We both got released as district leaders, so we don't have to do that anymore. 

This week was good. We only found 4 people. We had a lesson with Jen Jefferson. I also got to give one of the sister's baptismal interviews. That was really fun!

On Saturday, while we were waiting for transfer news, we got a call from Brother Foley(1st counselor in the bishopric of the ward). He asked if we could give talk the next day in Sacrament meeting. the people who had been assigned, had a family emergency. We got to choose our topics. Elder Wright gave his on forgiveness. I gave mine on grace.

Well, I'm getting my new companion tomorrow! His name is Elder Ford! Fun fact: he came out with my trainee, Elder Cummings. So it will be cool to have a companion from that group again. 

Well, that was our week! I hope you all have a good week!

Love, 

Elder Merritt

Week 4 in Fayetteville: Slow Week, Zone Conference

Hey Everyone!

This week was good. We didn't have anything crazy happen this week. We found 6 people, and 2 of them came to church! Other than that, it was pretty slow. 

We did have Zone Conference. It's President James' last transfer, so we got to hear his departing testimony. It's crazy to think he's going home! Also, Elder Mitton, one of my old companions, is going home too. 

Sorry this email is so short. We've been busy all day. Talk to you next week!

Love, Elder Merritt

PS Here's a thought Ryan shared on his Facebook page:

Sometimes in life we have times where we might feel as if we can't handle what comes our way. We feel as if we failed, and can't pick ourselves back up. Sometimes we think it's our failures that define who we are. It's in those moments where having good people around you is very important. I'm grateful for my friends who are there to help pick me back up even if I don't think I can get back up. These are the people we need to surround ourselves with. Because if you know you have people in your life who will help keep you going it makes you stronger. We should not only surround ourselves with good friends, but we should also make sure we keep the Savior in our life. Christ has done everything for us. He is always there with an out-stretched hand to help us along. He walks beside us, and if necessary He will carry us. I am grateful for the impact Jesus Christ has had in my life. Without Him I wouldn't be where I am today. I would invite you all to take our Saviors hand, and let Him help you in this life. It's because of Him all things are possible!

Week 3 in Fayetteville: I Haven't Done Yard Work in 19 Months!

Hey, Everyone! This week was good! Not a whole lot happened, but we had fun!

We tracted a good amount. We found 8 people this past week, which is good. Our finding has been increasing since we've been here.

We were able to meet Jen. She's not a member, but her husband and daughter are. She's super cool. We were over there all of Saturday helping with yard work. I got to use a riding lawn mower! I was glad I din't mess up, or kill anyone with it. We are going back the next two Tuesdays for dinner and to answer any questions. She has been taught for a while. 

We had 2 people at church! That's it for our week! Talk to you all next week!

Love, Elder Merritt

Week 2 in Fayetteville: Success!

I realized I haven't given my new address:

807 Tallstone Dr

Fayetteville, NC 28311

We met one of the investigators that the elders before us had been teaching. Her name is Courtney. She's super cool! She also reads everything we ask her to! That doesn't happen very often. We just went over and got to know her a little bit. We also had two investigators come to church. We found 5 people last week as well! So, all in all, it was a good week! Talk to yo all next week!

Love, Elder Merritt

PS This is a thought Ryan shared on Facebook May 26th, 2018

In this life we are constantly being pulled in two different directions. The direction of our Savior, and in the direction of the adversary. We are always given the option of who to follow. A Book of Mormon prophet puts it this way (2 Nephi 2:27-29):

27 Wherefore, men are free according to the flesh; and all things are given them which are expedient unto man. And they are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil; for he seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself.

28 And now, my sons, I would that ye should look to the great Mediator, and hearken unto his great commandments; and be faithful unto his words, and choose eternal life, according to the will of his Holy Spirit;

29 And not choose eternal death, according to the will of the flesh and the evil which is therein, which giveth the spirit of the devil power to captivate, to bring you down to hell, that he may reign over you in his own kingdom.

I once heard someone say, "When we lessen our commitment to Christ, the adversary gains more control of us." If we want to be the strongest we can be in this life, and be able to push through our trials we need to put our trust in Christ. He will never lead us astray! I know that if you do this you will never regret it!