Merrell Mission: 1-19-2020 - Zone Conferences in North Carolina

We were spiritually fed this week at Zone Conferences in North Carolina. President Matthew Holland taught his missionaries with the spirit and we learned right along with the young elders and sisters. I now have a deeper understanding of agency. He taught that the first law of heaven before the world was, was the law of obedience. He also taught that the first commandment is to love God with all our heart, might, mind, and strength and our fellowman. We learned that to describe the deep powerful abiding love for God and our neighbors, the Greeks used the word "agape." The English translation for "agape" is "charity." I will never look at charity the same way again. I knew that to love my neighbor was charity, but I've never thought that my love for God was charity. We show our love for God when we choose to be obedient, which creates an eternal round from obedience to love to more obedience and more love, etc. President Holland spent an hour teaching these concepts, and I have simplified them into a few sentences which hardly does it justice. Zone conferences lasted three days and I am so glad that I could hear the same lesson several times. I just kept adding to my notes.

President & Sister Holland and Sister & Elder Merrell

This week we came across a number of people with connections to Tremonton during North Carolina Zone Conferences.

Elder & Sister Merrell and Sister and Elder Richard White

Elder Richard White is the brother of Russell White, a dear friend from Tremonton. We also learned his wife is the sister of Glen Curtis from Tremonton. Glen and Nancy Curtis are dear friends of my sister Bonnie and her husband Shel Barfuss. It is a small world!

Elder & Sister Webb and Sister & Elder Merrell

We were also delighted to see Elder Larry Webb and Sister Paige Webb who are serving as CES instructors. Elder Webb coached our sons Justin and Trent in basketball. Paige taught me how to stay calm during a basketball game through her example. Coach Webb also taught AP History at Bear River High. Our daughter Brooke loved his class so much that she graduated in secondary education with a major in history.

Elder Dederick, the grandson of Bob & JoLynn Jex
who are dear friends of ours from Tremonton.

Elder & Sister Cooke and Sister & Elder Merrell

We also met Elder and Sister Cooke, old family friends of our neighbor and Tremonton's Chief of Police, Kurt Fertig. We learned Kurt grew up and attended church in the very building we were meeting in.

Sister and Elder Merrell at the Raleigh North Carolina Temple
It is always a welcomed oasis to our souls to attend the temple.

Beautiful stained glass window at the Raleigh North Carolina Temple

Spring has sprung in North Carolina!

We loved this creative cell phone tower in North Carolina.

We followed a prompting this week that opened the door to another answered prayer. We have been praying to meet Ana's husband and haven't had the opportunity since we have met Ana. This week I felt prompted to take a freezable dinner to her home. I knew she hadn't been feeling well, but she has always refused my help in the past. This time I wasn't going to ask, I decided to just take it to her. I prepared the meal, I texted her to make sure she was home, and Elder Merrell and I jumped in the car to make the delivery.

Ana was gracious and asked if I would like to meet her husband. Of course I said, "Yes!" They welcomed Elder Merrell and me into their home for an enjoyable visit.

Elder Merrell and I accompanied a sister missionary home with medical problems. It was a sweet experience. Our hearts went out to her, and we pray for her. Our short trip took us to Durango, Colorado and the smallest airport we've ever been in. We thought security would be quick, but these people were thorough!