11-23-2019 - Transfers and Elder Renlund

This week we had to say goodbye to Sister Hart and Elder Sillito. They have completed their missions. Sister Hart will be going to Utah State, so hopefully we will be able to see her again. Elder Sillito lives in Canada and will be going to UVSC.  I hope the best for them as they transition back into the world. I am certain they will continue to make this world a better place.

Elder Crook left our district and was transferred to a town in the southern part Georgia. I will miss him. I especially love how hard working he is and how he never complains even when he had a terrible case of poison ivy! Elder Crook came straight out of high school from Star Valley, Wyoming in June, and was quite timid at first. When he left our district, he was a stronger confident missionary!  It is so wonderful to watch these elders and sisters grow. 

District Council Meeting the day before transfers
Sister Nebeker, Elder Inskeep, Sisters Hart, Hyland, Clarke,
Elder Merrell, Sisters Toole, Osterhout,
Elders Crook, Sillito, Todd (the new AP), and Bailey

Back Row: Elder & Sister Merrell
2nd Row: Elders Inskeep, Bailey, Sillito, Sister Nebeker, Hart, Hyland, Toole
Front Row: Elder Crook, Sisters Clarke and Osterhout

Elder Crook was replaced by Elder Dicus from Las Vegas, another good missionary. Elder Dicus and Elder Inskeep taught Chris Cummings in our home this week.  The lesson was on the Restoration. Chris continues to accept everything he is being taught. The spirit was there and was strong during the lesson. It is such a sweet feeling. Chris announced that he bought Sunday clothes and is planning to go to church with us! I'm so happy! 

Rod and I read the Book of Mormon with Chris again this week and showed him the first Book of Mormon video. Watching him read and learn about the story of Nephi and Lehi for the first time gives me a renewed sense of wonder for all the miracles and tender mercies of the Lord in our behalf. I love the Book of Mormon!!  It is true!

Another wonderful event this week was a Women's Conference with Elder Renlund (the apostle) and his wife, Sister Renlund, along with Elder & Sister Stanfill. Our ward was invited to attend the meeting where Elder Renlund spoke in person. His message was to press forward. He told an embarrassing story of how he and his wife and daughter were on vacation together on an island. They joined a group to kayak to an island a short distance away. Elder Renlund got in his kayak and all was well as he began moving across the water. He stopped and looked back to see how his wife and daughter were doing, thinking he would wait for them. In the process of doing so, a large wave (about 6" tall :)) hit against his kayak and turned the boat over with him inside. He floundered and struggled and finally got himself upright, feeling totally exhausted only to be hit by another even larger wave (about 7" tall).  He was knocked over again. This time the guide came to his rescue and steadied the kayak while Elder Renlund righted himself and began moving forward again. When Elder Renlund finally made it to the island, he described himself as an "exhausted beached whale." The guide found him and instead of chiding him, he simply said, "Remember to keep moving. It brings stability to your kayak."  Elder Renlund likened this lesson to the scripture "press forward" and asked us to continually press forward keeping our covenants, prayer, scripture study, etc.). These things bring spiritual stability in our lives.

So many, many beautiful things were said. There was a question and answer session where we were given a number to text any question anonymously.  It was wonderful to hear answers of hope and encouragement to women who are struggling, etc.  Elder Renlund ended his remarks with the words of  "How Firm a Foundation."  He told us the words in the 3rd and 4th verses were the Savior's, and they were the words He (the Savior's) wanted us to hear this night.

3. Fear not, I am with thee; oh, be not dismayed,

For I am thy God and will still give thee aid.

I’ll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand,

Upheld by my righteous, upheld by my righteous,

Upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand.

4. When through the deep waters I call thee to go,

The rivers of sorrow shall not thee o’erflow,

For I will be with thee, thy troubles to bless,

And sanctify to thee, and sanctify to thee,

And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.

Elder Renlund also wanted us to sing the 7th verse during the closing song.

7. The soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose

I will not, I cannot, desert to his foes;

That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,

I’ll never, no never, I’ll never, no never,

I’ll never, no never, no never forsake!

Elder Merrell and I received an assignment from President Clayton. He would like us to do some training with the Zone Leaders on how to use Family History in finding, teaching, and retaining people.  He also wants us to help train on "back-up planning" for the times when Plan A falls through. We are excited to work with more missionaries and share.

Christmas Lights at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens
Front: Elder Kone and Sister Michaels
Back: Elder & Sister Merrell, Sister Kone, Sister Clayton, Sister & Elder Reid

Christmas Lights at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens
Sister Kone and Sister Merrell

Atlanta Skyline from the Botanical Gardens

11-16-2019 - Another great week

We continue to work with our neighbor Chris. We are reading the Book of Mormon with him. So far we have only read the Introduction and the first 2 chapters of 1 Nephi, but he seemed to enjoy it. He said that he was a visual learner, so we sent the first Book of Mormon video the Church released this year covering those two chapters. Modern technology is so very helpful!

He did cancel his lesson with the elders this week. He had an unexpected visit from family members from California who have been staying with him in his one-bedroom apartment. He reports that it is making him crazy. I still have a good feeling about everything! Please keep him in your prayers.

The rest of our week was busy and filled with things that bring happiness! 

We had another opportunity to help cleanup more grave sites in the servant section of the cemetery at the Antioch Baptist Church. All the missionaries from our district were there as well as Sister Clayton and some of our senior missionaries. Cute little girl scouts brought 100 white crosses they had made to mark the graves that we uncovered. Donna Hann, a Family Research Historian who has been heading this project for three years, was so happy with the work that was accomplished today. A photographer was there taking pictures for a Fayetteville newspaper and for "Hero" Magazine. 

Here is a link to the Latter-day Saits Around the World: Country Newsroom Websites, December 30, 2019. 
https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/latter-day-saints-and-baptists-clean-graves-of-slaves

Donna Hann and Sister & Elder Michael (our new Area Mental Health Advisor)

Sister Clayton (our Mission President's wife) and Sister Toole

Sister Kone (our mission nurse)

Sister Hart

Elder Inskeep and Elder Crook

Elder Merrell

Elder Inskeep, Sister Nebeker, Elder Reese, Sister Hart, Elder Crook,
Sisters Toole and Osterhout, and Elder Bailey

Elder Inskeep, Sister & Elder Merrell, and Elder Crook
These are the Elders teaching Chris

Elders Reese, Bailey, Crook, Inskeep, Sisters Osterhout, Hart, Toole, Merrell,
Elder Merrell, Sister Nebeker, Elder & Sister Kone, and Sister Clayton

Elder and Sister Merrell

Today's accomplishment!
It is estimated that 1/3 of the graves have now been uncovered.

11-10-2019 - The Best Week Yet!

We invited Chris over for dinner this week.

I need to tell you a little about Chris. He lived in Peachtree City in the apartment next door to the Jacobsens, Senior missionaries who were released last Monday. The Jacobsen's had befriended Chris, but they had not talked about religion.

Just a few weeks before the Jacobsen's moved, Chris decided he needed to move, which brought him to our apartment building. (I'm sure it was the hand of the Lord. Out of all the apartments in the area, he happened to choose our apartment complex and was given an apartment in our same building.) Jacobsen's arranged for the missionaries to help Chris move and let us know he was coming. We talked to Chris a few times and then invited him to dinner.  He accepted the invitation!

During dinner we learned that Chris was raised by his grandmother and attended their family's church. He hadn't been to church for a while and knew he was missing that in his life. He and his grandmother are still very close. She has been encouraging him to find a church to go to, so we invited him to come to church with us.  He accepted.  The conversation went on as we told him what to expect at church. He was very interested and accepting of everything we said, so we told him more.  We told him about Joseph Smith and how to know for himself if what we were saying was true. We told him about that good warm feeling the spirit brings into your heart.  He told us that he did have a good feeling inside. He told us he wanted to learn more and accepted the invitation to be taught by our missionaries. In the end, we were able to share our testimonies and Chris left with a copy of the Book of Mormon. 

Sunday came. Our ward members are so missionary-minded. Many, many came and shook his hand and introduced themselves and welcomed him. I was a little concerned about the possible content of the talks, but every talk seemed to be prepared just for him! He went to priesthood meeting with Rod. After church, we asked him what he thought about church.  He told us he really like it and wanted to come back next week! On the drive home he told us some of the things he wanted to say in priesthood meeting, but was a little afraid to. What he wanted to say would have been great. He might have more courage to speak next week.

Sunday night Elder Inskeep and Elder Cook taught the plan of salvation. Chris was very accepting of everything. Chris' uncle passed away this week, so the lesson was very timely. We have plans to begin reading the Book of Mormon with Chris Tuesday and the missionaries will teach the next lesson Thursday. We are so thrilled to share the gospel with Chris!

I drove Sister Hart and Nebeker to the baptism of Madeline Moorman in Atlanta. Yes, her name is pronounced "Mormon." :)

Her story: Over a year ago Sister Hart and Sister Ka'ili found Madeline Moorman and began teaching her the gospel. She gained a strong testimony and wanted to be baptized, but her mother said, "No, you were baptized a catholic when you were a baby, and you don't need to be baptized again."

Madeline complied with her mother's wishes, but continued attending the Young Single Adult Ward in Atlanta. A short time ago Madeline approached her mother again. This time she told her mother that she was going to be baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Later-day Saints. Her mother didn't try to stop her this time. She was baptized Sunday and there was a large number of Young Single Adults there to support and love her.

Sister Ka'ili, Madeline, and Sister Hart

Sisters Gray, Hart, Ka'ili, Madeline, Sisters Burton, Rice, and Nebeker

We filled the rest of our week with service. We spent three mornings at the Midwest Food Bank helping with load-out. We gathered trash along a county road during our Fayetteville Community clean-up morning. As you can see, it was unusually cold when we started. We even had frost on our windshield.

Fayetteville Community Clean-up Morning
with Sisters Merrell, Hart, Nebeker, and Elder Merrell
We picked up trash along an assigned roadway.

I also taught Sister Hart and Sister Nebeker how to make rolls on their P-Day. Sister Hart will complete her mission in two weeks. I will miss her so much! She plans to attend Utah State, so we hope to keep in touch when we get home.

Making rolls with Sisters Nebeker and Hart.

I just love these sisters!

  

11-03-2019 - Rod's Letter, "A Great October"

Dear Family and Friends,

It is finally starting to cool down here in Georgia.  A couple of weeks ago it was still in the mid-90’s but this morning there was a freeze warning.  When we arrived here in May we were told that it was unusually hot for that time of year.  Then in September and October once again we were told that it was unusually hot for the time of year.  Now we are being told that it usually isn’t this cold this early in the fall.  So the only time we have been exposed to “normal” was in the middle of the summer.  Nevertheless, we love it here and we are trying to enjoy every day no matter what the weather.

We had a wonderful October.  The highlight of the month was our trip to Savannah to the Mission Leadership Seminar.  All of the 15 mission presidents and their wives in the Southeast Area meet together twice a year for several days of training.  Area Medical Advisors are invited to the fall meeting and so we went.  It was great to see all of the Mission Presidents/wives who we have been working with and who we love.  The first day of training was done by the Area Presidency: Elder Martino, Elder Stanfill, Elder Montoya and Elder Tai. That afternoon we went on a tour of the city and then had dinner on a riverboat as it cruised up and down the Savannah River.  The following day we were taught by Elder David A. Bednar all day.  It was really quite amazing to be there.  We expected that much, if not most, of the training would be about the nuts and bolts of running a mission and would not really apply to us.  There was actually very little of that.  Most of the training was on discipleship and doctrine.  On Saturday morning Elder Bednar taught us again and then the seminar was concluded with a testimony meeting. 

Elder Bednar spoke of the recent adjustments made in church procedures and programs.  He told us that we should not view any of the recent adjustments in terms of ourselves or an American church.  This is a world wide church and the adjustments have been made with a world wide focus.  He said that by 2035 1 in 4 persons in the world ages 15-30 will live in Africa.  The church is aware and focusing much effort in Africa. 

Speaking of ministering Elder Bednar taught that ministering is helping a person receive the next ordinance that they need, including the ordinance of the sacrament.  He said that if our efforts are not focused on ordinances and covenants it is not ministering.  We need to find ways to help those we minister to take “the next step” on the covenant path.  We need to extend invitations to act.  He reminded us of the story when Peter healed the lame man at the temple gate and then assisted him in taking his first steps. 

Friday afternoon Elder Bednar focused on teaching missionaries spiritual self-reliance.  He said that we must turn them to God.  He said that our ultimate objective is to turn people to the Lord, to heaven.  He said that if we think we personally have all the answers we may make the mistake of giving them to people.  We then make them dependent upon us instead of heaven.  He taught that if a person is feasting on the words of Christ they will be OK and that mission presidents should help missionaries learn to love the Book of Mormon. 

Here are several more statements from Elder Bednar from my notes:

“You don’t receive the Holy Ghost because hands are laid on your head.  The laying on of hands is an injunction to seek, or receive, the Holy Ghost and thus retain a remission of your sins.  If you always have the Spirit you are retaining a remission of your sins.”

“When people try to put reasons to revelation they are always wrong.  Even those who receive the revelation don’t always know the reasons.”

“Repentance is more than changing behavior.  Unless it involves turning to Christ it is not repentance.”

It was an incredible couple of days that we will always remember.

This last week we returned to Nashville for zone conferences.  The mission president has changed since our last visit and we were able to spend a couple of nights in the mission home with President and Sister Weaver.  They were great.  We attended zone conference on Monday and Tuesday and then we had Wednesday off because it is P-day in the Nashville Mission.  Tuesday night we went to the Grand Ole Opry.  We had a lot of fun.  Each night at the Opry they have a program that lasts exactly two hours.  There were seven musical acts the night we were there and one comedian.  As they introduced each of the musical acts they listed all of their accomplishments, their #1 hits etc--and we had never heard of any of them.  The rest of the audience was impressed and excited but we were listening to strangers.  But it was really fun and we enjoyed ourselves.

On Wednesday (remember it was P-day) we went to Broadway in the middle of Nashville and listened to more music.  On Broadway there are five blocks of bars, restaurants and honky-tonks on both sides of the street and each venue has live music going on.  You just walk in, take a seat, and listen as long as you want to.  Waitresses will come to your table and ask if you need anything but there was no cover charge and you aren’t required to order anything.  We had a burger in one place and fried pickles in another and about a half gallon of  diet coke but we listened to music for several hours.  It was a rainy day so we waited for the rain to let up a little bit and then we would go to the next bar.  The only place we didn’t like was a bar where they were playing a Beatles song and so I thought it would be great.  Once we sat down and ordered the fried pickles they started playing AC/DC and some other hard LOUD heavy metal stuff.  Carol had to wad up her napkin and make ear plugs.  We got out of there as soon as we could pay the bill.  Otherwise it was a fun day.   See Carols blog for some pictures of our time in Nashville.

On Thursday we attended zone conference in Hopkinsville, KY and left at about 3:30 to drive home.  We got home about 10:30. 

We won’t be travelling again until January.  With the holidays coming all of the mission presidents are planning special zone conferences and we don’t want to get in the way so we are going to hunker down for a couple of months. 

We love you all and miss you.  We would love to hear from you. 

Elder and Sister, Mom and Dad, Grandpa and Grandma, Rod and Carol Merrell  

11-03-2019 - Zones Conferences in Tennessee Nashville Mission

We had a wonderful time with President and Sister Weaver.  They were so sweet to invite us to stay in the mission home. Sister Weaver grew up in upper New York and was the first in her family to join the church. Her two sisters joined later. Her mother is still not a member, but Sister Weaver can see that her heart is softening.  

President Weaver was the CEO of Clyde Corporation. Sunroc is a subsidiary of that company. (We are familiar with Sunroc because most of our building supplies and materials for our new home came from that company.) The president of Clyde Corporation is retiring and it was planned that President Weaver would take his place. When the call to become a mission president came, he walked away from that opportunity and chose to serve the Lord.  Another man has been named to take that position. It is easy to see and feel the love they have for their missionaries and the Lord.  They are beautiful examples of living consecrated lives.

President & Sister Weaver and Sister and Elder Merrell

Zone Conferences were Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday. On Wednesday (P-Day) Elder Merrell and I decided to see Nashville.  We attended the Grand Ole Opry and saw musicians we are unfamiliar with, singing #1 songs we've never heard before. We loved it! I believe I'm now a country music fan!

Elder and Sister Merrell at the Grand Ole Opry

Inside the Opry.  It is a casual affair.

John Conlee

Jimmie Allen

We also walked through the Gaylord Opryland Hotel and were absolutely amazed.  It is a world all its own.

Sister and Elder Merrell inside the Gaylord Opryland Hotel
with a waterfall behind us

The hotel fits inside a giant terrarium where people can eat in restaurants,
shop, drift along this man-made river in boats and never leave the hotel.

We also walked along Nashville's famous Broadway Street.  Every bar & grill had live entertainment, so we went into quite a few places, ordered a soft drink, and listened to some amazing musicians trying to make it in the music world.

Broadway Street, Nashville, Tennessee

The red boot in the center is advertising Robert's Bar and Grill
where lots of famous country singers got their start.

Inside Robert's Bar and Grill

All the musicians seem to enjoy what they do.  

This one even posed for the picture!

Notice the bass is an old rusted gas tank.
Shane Chisholm even added a little percussion with his unusual instrument.
They were so very talented!

We ended the week at a dinner party in the Mission Home with all the Senior Missionaries. Elder and Sister Jacobsen will be leaving Monday. We will miss them.

(Back Row) Vancours, Elder Meadows, Pots, Miles, Reids, President Clayton, Merrells, Kones (Front Row) Sister Meadows, Michael's, Jacobsen's. Sister Clayton, and Hammonds