"ELDER HOLLAND"

Dear friends and family!

You won't BELIEVE the experience I had this week.

Elder Holland visited our mission. He came to my church building and stood in front of ALL of the MBM Missionaries. About 300 of us. And I was on the third row, front and center. And he talked to us for TWO HOURS FLAT. We all got to shake his hand, and locking eyes with an apostle like that, as a full-time missionary of the Lord, is something I can't even describe.

Elder Hallstrom of the 70, and SISTER Holland, were there and spoke with us too. And they were amazing, but there's nothing like the FLOOD that came from Elder Holland. We had been DYING for this experience, and none of us were disappointed. Pulpit pounder. The Spirit was tangible. And I will never look at my Mission President and Wife the same way again. He paid them a compliment that is really hard to beat. Man, I wish I could give you all a TASTE of it. I'll type some highlights that he said!

"There are few things that get to me. But one thing I cannot deal with is a return missionary who goes inactive. I absolutely go topieces. Don't you EVER deny the power and majesty of this mission. While we're looking for the sheep, please tell me we don't have to worry about the shepherds. We have to count on you. This is forever. You can't look back. Be true and faithful the rest of your life. Don't ever, ever walk away."

"You are God's investigators. Everything you want for YOUR investigators, God wants for you."

"God is easy to please and hard to satisfy--and so are we."

"Don't you wonder, 'If this is the truth, why is it so hard for people to get it?? Why isn't the biggest problem pneumonia from being wet all the time in the baptismal fonts?' I believe that it's hard because Salvation is not a cheap experience. There is nothing convenient or trivial about the Atonement. The road to Salvation always goes through Gethsemane."

It was amazing. Can you tell? That's not verbatim, but I did my best to note-take and stare at the same time. :) He got agitated and left the pulpit for the whiteboard for awhile. :D It was fantastic. Scripture study with elder Holland. . . what???? He left a blessing upon our mission, and we all sang The Spirit of God. FIRE. We were all crying. It was AMAZING. I can't even express it.

SO many other things happened this week, but obviously that's the most important. :) We had an exchange Saturday. . . Sister Lee is hilarious, and we awkwardly personal contacted some people. Lol. And Jackson's baptism was supposed to happen yesterday. . . but he bailed on the multiple rides we set up. . . and so ensued the most stressful Sunday on the mission so far. That's saying something. Don't worry--he ended up getting stuck out in Burlington without a way here and was QUITE distraught about it. Which was a relief. No real testimony shaker. But he was too embarrassed to call us, so we were panicking and confused until last minute, when he finally called us, we called it off and rescheduled. Satan really doesn't want him to get baptized. But it will happen soon! Hopefully THIS Sunday!

Investigators are doing well! Kevin came to church again and wants to get baptized! But he wants to prove to himself he really is in 100%, so he's waiting a little longer. Rocking awesome. We taught a family who was recently converted about baptisms for the dead, and it was a very powerful experience! They're taking their own names in and going for the first time this Saturday! We might go, and I can't wait!

Lots of planning and splits and craziness. I'm keeping busy. Times can be hard, but I knew that before I came out. :)

Keep in touch!!!!

<3,
Sister Merkley