Completing the 1st 'transfer' time period

Well, last week marked Elder Merrill's first 'transfer week'.  Transfers happen every 6 weeks and it is when the missionary will get moved to another area, if they are going to do so.  Missionaries never know how long they will stay in an area and so there is a bit of excitement as transfer day approaches and they wait to see if they are staying or moving. Elder Merrill was waiting for something different though,  to see if his visa had come through yet, but it had not.

Well, as you may have guessed from the title of this e-mail, I didn't get my visa. That's all right though. I try not to let it get to me that I haven't baptized anyone in 2 months, now that I have more time, I'm gonna try a little harder. Greenville is kind of a hard area though. In the time I've been here, the Greenville zone has only baptized 1 person. Spanish really makes it all the more harder, since I have to work with pretty much the same people over and over again, and the branch really is small. I think I'll enjoy Argentina when I go, then I can just walk down a street and talk to people everywhere. Here, I'm really only supposed to work with Spanish-speaking people.

This week Elder Merrill tells us a little bit about his new companion and what they are doing:

     So, yeah, I have a new companion now. His name is Elder Harris. He's a really hardworking one too. I like that though, it gives me an example to follow, so I know how a missionary should work. I feel bad, because he's had a string of disobedient and slightly lazy companions in the past, so I really want to work hard with him. He's used to doing everything by himself though, so it's hard sometimes to say stuff during a lesson. No worries, I'm still getting trained, so I don't mind watching and learning at times.

     I do my best to not think about my visa so much now, I got to the realization that it doesn't matter where I am, it is what I do while I'm there that's important to the Lord.  I do my best to work hard, and we're trying a different method for baptisms with my new companion, so we'll see how it all goes. He's so psyched for baptisms, I really hope that it'll rub off on me a little, because after 2 months without a baptism, I start to feel slightly discouraged. Don't worry though, I don't try any less hard to teach people.  

     I have read the scriptures twice on my mission so far. I am going though it again now with some coloring pencils, marking important subjects and scriptures. I am on 1st Nephi right now, and about halfway through with Nephi building the boat. It's good stuff and I try to look for anything I can apply to myself or investigators. 

 

 Finally Elder Merrill talk a little bit about the weather and his goody box we sent him:

We haven't had too much lightning or a bunch of rain really. Just some overcast clouds. I like that because it keeps the days  nice and cool. I hope that things are staying cool back home for you guys.  I got that box from you guys! thank you so much! I loved getting some of my favorite goodies like jelly beans and Doritos! oh I haven't had those for such a long time! You guys really are the best! I know that you are all behind me and supporting me and that gives me such a feeling of comfort. I love you all!

What a great example this fine young man is for us. We are so grateful for  his attitude and perseverance.  For anyone reading this, keep him in your prayers...and the others missionaries who are also waiting for their visas to go to Argentina. There is a pretty large group of them right now, so let's pray that whatever needs to happen to get their papers cleared will do so soon.