Elder Jacob Merkley Report

From: "Jacob Merkley" ElderJacobMerkley@myldsmail.net
Sent: Monday, March 30, 2009 1:47 PM
Subject: Re: Missionary Mail

Hello to my amazing family!

well, this week was fantastic! We work hard, we studied hard, we rode/walked hard, and we were blessed greatly because of it! I know that the Lord blesses those that work hard for Him! I am so thankful to be on the Lords errand and to be able to be blessed and see miracles unfold because i am in His service! It's a great blessing!I am not sure why it was such a good week...nothing changed. In fact, we had about 10-15 canceled appointments. However, i now have a strong testimony on attitude. I heard a great quote. "Attitude affects Alltitude" - our attitude determines how high we will fly. I love that and took that to heart! So becasue of that, even though it was a hard week, i loved it! I think it also helps that i am starting to get into "the routine" and it has been becoming easier...i think.

Well, i have some surprising news for all yall...I got a call last night from my mission president. After one transfer, i am going from trainee to being the TRAINER. can you believe that? i was completly shocked and not quite sure what is going to happen. All i know is that there is no worry in me(which is weird, i know) because if the Lord saw fit for me to train, then He will help me get through it. "Those who the Lord calls, the Lord qualifies". When my mission president called, he straight up asked me how i would feel about training. I didn't know what to ay...he told me, "The Lord told me that you are going to train this transfer." He then asked me if i thought that training would add any stress to my life. I wasn't quite sure... but i told him no. He said that he and the Lord had NO fear, Full confidence, and didn't see ANY risk in having me train...so, i am completly shocked right now...i don't have any idea what's really going on. Actually, my guess is that i am training because i need to learn more patience and more humility :)...well bring it on! i am excited! Anyways...i figure i should tell yall! haha...Elder Lewis said that he can count on one hand that this has happened while he has been here...its crazy! well surprise surprise!

The rest of this week went as follows...
Monday- p-day...we were not sure how we were going to do all the things we needed to do. We needed to email, get groceries, do laundry, clean, AND go to the mall and let Elder lewis get new slacks (he was down to one) now, that doesn't seem like a lot, but when the mall is 7 miles away...we didn't have much time to do everything. But low and behold, Heavenly Father saw fit to help us out a bit. Last minute someone was able to take us to the mall and drop us off with our bikes...miracle number one. Then, after the mall, our Zone leaders just happened to be at the mall and was able to take us shopping and then back to our apartment...miracle number two! Isn't it amazing how much the Lord blesses His servants! I have no doubts about His miraculous power anymore.

Tuesday-we went tracting( like we do most days) and met two women outside their apartments smoking. They were VERY receptive...so much so that they wanted us to come back the very next day and teach them more! (unfortunately however, they didn't show up) but it was a blessing to meet them and hopefully the Lord will help us get in touch with them somehow again!

Wednesday-we ran into a woman who Elder Lewis knew. She desperately needed help and needed a friend. We talked to her for about an hour and related a story in the Book of Mormom to her life. She absolutly loved it! She asked us to call her later that day for a list of passages for her to read! She also told us that if we didn't call by a certain time, then she would call! I love that! She is grasping hold of the Book of Mormon! Hopefully after meeting her again this week, we will be able to get a baptismal date with her! We also met a guy by the name of "wren how" or "gogo"-his american name (not sure why that's his american name but i think its hilarious.) He is from Tawain! He is so cool to talk to!

Thursday- It rained so hard that i thought it was going to flood! It was unbelievable! I have never seen rain come down so fast and hard as it did that day. We were caught in the rain and we soaked. After walking for a while we ran into a Mcdonalds to get out of the rain. Lucky us...the Lacrosse coach from Florida State came out of no where and offered us a ride! (the Lord works in mysterious ways) Because there were thunderstorm, we stayed inside (mission rules) and played a few games of chess. I won both! My competitive side kicked in!

Friday- It continued to pour and pour and pour that day! It was absolutely rediculous! This day was one of those days that everything seemed to go wrong. We got kicked out of two apartment complexes because they thought we were "soliciting". Thursday was pretty rough.

Saturday- Thunderstorms again...nearly flash flooding! I am definelty starting to miss Arizona weather! I am serious too...going from freezing weather in Idaho, to humid/rainy weather here...Arizona seems like an ideal place to raise my family! We also attended a baptism! Very spiritual

Sunday- Sundays are always great...so there really isn't much to tell.

This week was great! I am going to be a trainer! And the gospel and this work is amazing! I love yall, and take care!

elder merkley