3-22-2020 - Rod's Letter, "Transferred"

Dear Friends and Family,

Well, our fears have been realized and we are being sent home to complete our mission from our home in Tremonton, Utah.  For the last several weeks we have been pretty much confined to our apartment.  Church is cancelled, the temple is closed, there are no zone conferences being held in any of the missions.  We have been doing all of our work from our apartment with telephone calls, e-mails and video conferences.  We can do those very same things from home. 

The government has determined that we are elderly (the most irritating part of this whole thing so far) and are therefore in a high risk category.  The church has decided that we would be safer at home.  One of the big problems I can see from this move back home is now I am going to have to mow the lawn again. 

We aren’t the only missionaries in our mission who are returning home.  All of the other senior couples, people who have become very dear to us, are also being sent home.  The only exceptions are the two couples who are running the office.  One of the couples lives here locally.  In addition, any of the young missionaries with underlying health conditions will be sent home this week.  On Tuesday each mission president in our area received a list from the missionary department with the names of missionaries who are at increased risk should they become infected and who should be released to return home.  The list included all missionaries with diabetes, those on immune suppressing medications, and most of the missionaries with a history of asthma.  In addition, missionaries who are emotionally fragile and who will not do well with extended isolation to their apartments are also being given honorable releases. I spent a lot of time this week going over those lists with mission presidents and mission nurses.  They are heartbroken to lose so many wonderful young elders and sisters all at once and without much warning.  Also, as you know, all of the young elders are having their missions limited to 21 months so there is another group of missionaries that are going home suddenly.  In each mission it includes the assistants to the president and many zone and district leaders.  The entire mission will be in upheaval for a while.  But we know that many more missionaries will step up and shine.  Many proselyting areas will be closed temporarily but in a few weeks each mission will receive a surge of missionaries who have been pulled out of Japan, Korea, Singapore, the Philippines and Africa.  It will be a great help. 

In the middle of all of our communication back and forth with the missionary department Salt Lake City had an earthquake and the church office building was evacuated for a day.  It put a one day pause on everything which was a bit frustrating but actually turned out to be somewhat helpful.  My brother Brett suggested that Utah has enough toilet paper now that they can use it to fill in all the cracks caused by the earthquake. 

Carol and I are doing well.  We go for a walk each day which helps us from going stir crazy and as I mentioned above we have had a busy week and haven’t had time to worry about too many other things.  After all of the ‘at risk’ missionaries go home this next week our work load will be less for a while.  We have a video conference each month with each mission called a Mission Health Council.  We discuss missionaries with emotional and physical health problems.  The meetings typically last 60-90 minutes but I think they will be shorter for a while because most of the missionaries on each mission’s health council list will be released this week.

We are planning to return home on Friday March 27.  We will be travelling with the Kones a missionary couple from Lincoln City, Oregon.  Elder Kone has been sick recently and Sister Kone is anxious about travelling across America without support so we will follow them.  We will eat take-out food along the way so will probably gain a couple of pounds.  We hope that we are able to find hotels that are open as we travel but if not we will have some quilts in the car and will sleep there.  When we arrive home we have been advised to isolate ourselves for a couple of weeks in case we happen to pick up the corona virus somewhere along the way.  We would hate to be the persons who infect Tremonton.  Our daughter Brooke is going to try and find some food to fill our refrigerator with.  And as we join the panic we are actually bringing a few rolls of toilet paper home just in case we can’t find any in Utah. 

Given the events of the last couple of months we have decided that this would probably be a good time to consider repenting.  We intend to start right away.  We do share President Nelson’s optimism and we know that this will pass.  This will change the world and soften many hearts.  People who are confined to home will have time to listen to the message of the Restoration, even if over the phone or in a video chat.  The Lord will continue to hasten his work.

We feel like the corona virus has robbed us of almost half of our mission and we will miss all of the wonderful people we have come to know and love.  We have treasured our association with the incredible young elders and sisters in our eight missions but we take comfort that in less that two years we will be able to experience all of this again. 

President Brett Clayton and Sister Lisa Clayton

With all of our sad news we do have a bit of good news.  Through the kindness of our good friend Anna here in our Fayetteville ward, last week Carol and I sat in on a video chat with Christian and two of his biologic siblings, Stefan and Maria.  Anna translated the conversation and we listened as they all quizzed each other.  Stefan and Maria live in and were talking to us from Spain where Stefan works on a farm and Maria is an aide in a nursing home.  Stefan told Christian how happy he was to see him.  He had learned about Christian when he was six years old and had always wondered where he was.  He thought maybe Germany.  He invited Christian to meet him in Romania and they would go fishing.  We are hoping to go in the summer of 2021 (if there is a vaccine by then) Maria is very talkative and social.  I have attached a couple of images we snapped during the conversation.  It was an amazing experience and one that we never expected would ever happen.  And it happened because the Lord sent us to Georgia. 

Lower row: Ana and Maria 

Lower row: Ana and Stefan

God has been good to us.  

We love all of you and hope this letter finds you happy and healthy. 

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

3-15-2020 - No Ordinary Week

It's hard for me to believe that a virus can change the focus and daily routine of people all over the world.

At the beginning of our week we made a trip to Costco to buy a few extra supplies, just in case we have to be quarantined. To my surprise, I bought the last 25 lb bag of flour on the floor. The store was not crowded at all that day. At the end of the week, my daughter, Brooke, reported that people were lined-up outside Costco in Ogden, Utah Saturday morning 30 minutes before the store opened. My daughter, Carlee, sent pictures of the long check-out lines at Costco in Anchorage, Alaska. Sister Shirley reported that the Sam's Club line in California wrapped around the store before it opened Saturday as well. She was hoping to quickly buy some food to feed the missionaries at their upcoming zone conference.

Earlier in the week, Elder Merrell and I attended the Georgia Atlanta North Mission Zone Conference. Elder Merrell gave a presentation on keeping healthy, and answered questions and concerns about the coronavirus. By the end of the week church leaders had cancelled all zone conferences as well as church meetings and activities with large groups of people. We have also been asked by our mission leaders to meet in groups no larger than 12.  We will still be able to meet as a district. I am going to miss going to church on Sunday. I'm so thankful for our prophet and revelation. The "Come Follow Me" program makes it so easy to transition into Sunday meetings at home.

Elder Martin with Italian heritage and Elder Diarra from Poland
We listened to their stories while we ate lunch at Zone Conference

Elder Martin's great-grandfather was involved in the mafia, but became disenchanted and immigrated to the US.
From his grandfather's diary, he learned that the mafia was formed to help people
and bring justice to a corrupt law enforcement system.

Elder Diarra joined the church in Poland along with his Polish mother and African father. 
He has a master's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Georgia Atlanta North Mission Zone Conference in Sawanee, GA
Center: President & Sister Marsh, on their right, Sister & Elder Merrell

  Elder Merrell and I attended the Atlanta temple after zone conference on Tuesday. Little did we know that that would be our last visit for some time. Our church leaders have closed all temples throughout the world. If the country permits, temple ordinances for the living will be allowed. I am going to miss going to the temple most of all. I always find peace and strength there.

Elder and Sister Merrell at the Atlanta Temple
I wanted a picture of the beautiful tulips!
I love Spring flowers!

Glade and Suzanne, Rod's brother and his wife, flew in Wednesday. It was so good to see familiar faces from home and enjoy their humor. One quote that was repeated often was, "The problem with communication is that you think it happened." 

We played games in the apartment and visited the Atlanta History Museum, the Franklin D Roosevelt/s Little White House in Warm Springs, and Andersonville, a civil war prisoner of war camp. By the weekend, news of museums and  restaurants closing caused Glade and Suzanne to cancel their vacation plans. They had hoped to visit Charleston, South Carolina and Savannah, Georgia.  Instead, they flew home Monday. 

Elder Merrell and brother, Glade

Elder and Sister Merrell at the Midwest Food Bank

Games
Glade, Elder and Sister Merrell

Elder Merrell, Glade and Suzanne
Red Oak Creek Covered Bridge

F.D. Roosevelt's Little White House
Sister Merrell, Suzanne & Glade

I was so touched by this story
and sculpture entitled, "Fight For Freedom"

This is a reproduction of a German photograph taken October 19, 1941.  The photo was taken in Valjevo (Servia) after the Nazi occupation of Yugoslavia.  It shows 18 year old metalworker,
Stevan Filipovic,
on the gallows surrounded by German officers and Quisling police. 
Defying the enemy, with the noose around his neck, Filipovic raises his arms and cries,
"Long Live Liberty! Long Live Tito!"
This photograph and the courage of this young man was the inspiration for this Bakic sculpture.

"Fight For Freedom"

I am so grateful for all the people who have fought and died to stop those who would take away our freedom and our rights.  We are blessed because of their sacrifices.


We stopped in the small town of Butler, Georgia for lunch and found some Southern places of interest.

Miss Betty's Fried Chicken
Note the advertisement on the side of the building:
Battered Deep Fried Hamburgers

Bill's Beauty Supply & Food
Note the advertisement:
Food - Beer - Wine - Cigarettes - Lotto - Hair

Double Entrance Gates to the Andersonville POW Camp

The little stream between the hills backed up causing a mire
for the POW's to wade through to get to the slightly cleaner water.

POW camp defenses against possible Union attack
Sister Merrell, Glade & Suzanne

POW's were buried in trenches, shoulder to shoulder. 
In the summer the average number of deaths was 100 per day.

A Merrill POW from Illinois

On Sunday we had a messenger video conference with Christian and his sister, Maria, and brother, Stefan. They have welcomed Christian into their family with open arms and big smiles. Many times Maria and Ana fought tears as they expressed and translated feelings. 

When Stefan was six years old, his father told him about Christian. He has always wondered where Christian was.  He thought maybe Germany. Stefan invited Christian to go fishing with him when he comes to Romania. He wants to spend lots of time with him to get to know him. 

Maria said that she has added Christian to her prayers. She also said that God has brought them together.  I told her that God led me to Christian and brought him to America. I was so happy to know they were Christians. The communist government tried to stamp out religion, but Christian's family was able to hold onto their faith.

Stefan and Maria live in Spain. Because of the Coronavirus lock down in Spain, Christian's brother, Toader, was not able to join the video conference.  

Top: Christian, Sister & Elder Merrell
Bottom: Ana (who translated the conversation) and Maria

Top: Shelbie & Christian, Sister & Elder Merrell
Bottom: Ana and Stefan

3-8-2020 - Another Regular Week

It was nice to be back home in Georgia this week. It felt good to get back into our usual routine with five Mission Health Councils, a District Meeting, a temple session, and some exercise. We had to use the gym in our apartment complex because it rained night and day for most of the week. Lakes, ponds, and drain ditches have been filled to the brim. I am still amazed at how much rain can just pour and pour out of the heavens! Towards the end of the week the skies cleared and the ground dried quickly. Rod and I went for an outdoor walk and enjoyed the sun and the sound of happy birds. Spring is here in Georgia.  

A happy Cardinal singing his song

The couples in our apartment complex and President and Sister Clayton have Family Home Evening together every Monday. We study Come Follow Me and take turns teaching the lessons. I love having FHE with these good people. I always come away feeling the spirit and with new insights into the scriptures. 

Elder Kone took some pictures recently.

Elder & Sister Kone, President & Sister Clayton, Sister & Elder Merrell

Sister & Elder Merrell and Sister and Elder Michaels

There have been some concerns with the Coronavirus in Georgia. So far there have been 13 people who have tested positive for the virus. One was a school teacher in Fulton County who came in contact with students and staff Friday. The school is 16 miles from where we live. We'll keep an eye on things and continue to wash our hands.

3-1-2020 - Zone Conferences in Kentucky Mission

We loved our visit with the Kentucky missionaries and President and Sister Hughes. The Hughes are so warm and welcoming and have traditions unique to their mission. Their conferences open with one of those traditions. President and Sister Hughes form a reception line and greet each missionary as they come to the front of the chapel, row by row. What a great way to connect to every missionary. They invited us to stand in that little line with them. It was so nice to talk to each missionary. We remembered some from our last visit eight months ago. At that time they were new and learning to adjust to missionary life. It was heart-warming to see how they had grown in confidence and were "waxing strong" in the gospel. Many are the leaders now. 

Another Kentucky Mission tradition is to recite several scriptures at the beginning of conference. Everyone stands and recites together the missionary purpose, D&C 4, and 3 Nephi 5:13. I wasn't as familiar with 3 Nephi 5:13. Now it's one of my favorite scriptures. It is powerful, especially now since I have been called to be a missionary.

"Behold, I am a disciple of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I have been called of him to declare his word among his people, that they might have everlasting life." (3 Ne 5:13)

 

Zone Conference, Kentucky Mission at Bardstown, KY

Zone Conference, Kentucky Mission at Crestwood, KY
1st Row, Sister & Elder Crowe, ?, ?, Sister & President Hughes, Sister & Elder Merrell

Zone Conference, Kentucky Mission at Evansville, IN
1st Row- Sister Merrell, Sister & President Hughes, Sister and Elder Crowe, and ?

On the light side, we learned a Viking Happy Birthday chant from Elder Crowe, the senior missionary responsible for cars. He joined the church while serving in the army. 

It goes like this:  
Elder Crowe, "Happy Birthday!"
Everyone grunts, "Ugh"
Elder Crowe, "Happy Birthday!"
Everyone grunts, "Ugh"
Elder Crowe, "May the candles on your cake, burn like the cities in your wake!
Everyone grunts, "Ugh"
Elder Crowe, "Happy Birthday!"
Everyone grunts, "Ugh"

We had a good taste of Kentucky in more ways than one. We were hungry and stopped at a Cracker Barrel to eat. The food was down-home cookin' with collard greens, etc. After a tasty dinner, Rod stood in line to pay our bill as usual. His turn came, and the cashier surprised him with a friendly, thick hill-billy accent. "Step up here brother, and let that money jump out of your wallet into my hand," he said. 

When Rod tried to put his credit card into the machine, he said, "Now let me do that for you, while you just stand there and look pretty." 

We had to smile!

This week Elder Merrell and I had the sweet opportunity to eat dinner with Marsha and her husband, Guy. The last time I saw Marsha was in Romania when we said goodbye almost 29 years ago. She and Beverly were my roommates and cohorts as we struggled together through the Romanian adoption process.

Marsha is now living in Nashville and just recently found Josh's Romanian family. Josh's birth family welcomed him with open arms, but sadly, his mother had passed away from cancer just two months before they arrived. Josh has served in the military for five years and is now going to school.

The Edwards and Elder and Sister Merrell

I was reminded of the miracle that took place in finding Marsha and Beverly. I remember clipping out an article about Romanian adoptions in the Deseret News. The article told of a woman's adoption experience and listed her name and telephone number. I filed it away. One Sunday afternoon about two months later I had a strong impression to call that number, so I called. The woman wasn't able to help me, but she said that she had just finished a conversation with a Beverly from Mississippi who left her phone number and who might be able to help. Of course, I called Beverly. 

Beverly had joined a Canadian organization who helped people adopt in Romania. It was just what I was looking for. Beverly and Marsha were scheduled to go with this group in March, and I was soon scheduled to go in April. 

After my first night in Bucharest, I was summoned to our hotel lobby. A tall, nicely-dressed stranger, Razvan, met me and said, "Come with me. Beverly will explain you." Because he used the key word "Beverly" I went with him, and my Romanian adventure began with two wonderful women from Mississippi who were also members of our church.  What a blessing they were to me.

While I was in Romania, I asked Beverly how she got that woman's number and why she called her on that Sunday afternoon. She told me that she took the Deseret News and also clipped the article.  She wasn't sure why she called, but she just decided she ought to call that day. 

I'm grateful Beverly called that woman and left her name and number. It was not a coincidence that I called right after. It was the hand of the Lord.  He is in the details of our lives.