Tuesday, September 19, 2017

Biking in Memphis

Hello!  I am so excited to attend the temple today!  Because of 
this our P-day was changed to Tuesday this week so we don't 
use proselyting time.  I have really been looking forward to 
going - it is going to be amazing!   

This past week we had a really good start to this transfer. Elder 
Smalley and I got a little relaxed last transfer so this one we have 
decided to just work really hard, everyday, and it is already paying 
off.  Tuesday was when Hurricane Irma got to Memphis.  It rained 
ALL day so we tried not to bike too much.  Wednesday we spent a 
lot of time talking to people around the apartment complex.  We 
were able to teach a few of them so it went pretty good.  Thursday 
we rode out into the ghetto of our area.  This area is called Orange 
Mound.  Remember in the movie "The Blind Side" they go to an 
apartment to visit Michael's mom?  Well that apartment is in Orange 
Mound.  It is really a super ghetto.  It's pretty cool that guy grew up 
here right?!  Since it is really sketchy over there we never stay long 
enough for it to get dark when we ride over there.  One street over 
from this is an area that is basically all Hispanics.  We have found 
some pretty sweet investigators there.  Friday was a slower day 
but that night was a party.  Our Spanish Branch had a talent show 
activity and it was really fun.  We got to witness some really awesome 
Mexican dances.  There is also an Italian member in the branch and 
he sang an Italian opera song that was really amazing.  It has been 
really great to be able to be surrounded by so many different Hispanic 
cultures out here.  One of the best parts about being a Spanish Elder
serving in the States.    

Saturday was the adult session of our Stake Conference.  We brought 
Ricardo along with us so Elder Smalley and I switched off translating.  
One of the members of the Stake Presidency gave a really amazing 
talk about the sacrament.  He asked if we are just going through the 
motions each Sunday when we partake of the sacrament or if we are 
really preparing ourselves to take upon ourselves Christ's name.  I 
really enjoyed his talk.  Stake Conference was Sunday and it was so 
awesome.   President Hansen was one of the speakers in the meeting.  
He spoke about missionary work of course.  He encouraged each member 
to be a missionary by their example.  It was a really great talk and I think 
everyone enjoyed the conference and the spirit felt there.    

The other exciting news of the week is that we will soon be getting smart 
phones and Facebook.  This Thursday we will have a missionary wide 
zone conference about these new changes.  I'm so pumped!  This mission 
has changed so much since I got out here.  There's nothing as constant as 
change right?   Thanks for the emails.  I always really look forward to hearing 
from everyone.  Love you all!  

Love Elder Merrill


Elder Merrill and Elder Smalley biking in the rain
-They are getting used to being a bike only area now-

Memphis Tennessee Temple
Today will be the last time Elder Merrill gets to attend this temple 
as a missionary because it is closing the end of the month for renovation.  




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