2013 Feb 25 1 pic Mission Split

Subject: Mission Split   Sent: Monday, February 25, 2013 9:00:47 AM

Just got this from Pres. Perry today:

President Perry

Dear Elders and Sisters:
As you know, on or about July 1, 2013 the mission will be divided.

The following stakes will be a part of the Virginia, Richmond Mission (VRM):
Chesterfield, Midlothian, Richmond, Waynesboro and two additional stakes will be added from the Washington DC South mission, they are: Fredericksburg and Woodbridge, both North of us and border our mission boundaries.

The Following stakes will be a part of the new Virginia, Chesapeake Mission (VCM): Chesapeake, Newport News, Virginia Beach and two additional stakes will be added from the North Carolina, Raleigh mission, they are: Goldsboro (just west of Chesapeake) and Kinston (which is the rest of the Outer Banks to the south). The new mission home and office will be located in the Chesapeake stake boundaries.

The incoming mission president and his wife for the VRM are: E. Bradley and Mari-Lynn Wilson (President and Sister Wilson). They will begin their service on or about July 1, 2013. They live in Plymouth, Minnesota and he just retired as the Chief Administrative Officer at Grant Thornton which is a large accounting firm. He also teaches a graduate accounting class at BYU. The Wilson's have six children and both have served in numerous leadership positions for the church. I have spoken with them and love them already, they are upbeat and very sweet. Sister Wilson served as a stake Young Women's camp director and ward chorister, for you elders, that means she is fun and loving. I will send more information as we get it..

The incoming President and his wife for the VCM are Alan J. and Mary Kay Baker (President and Sister Baker) and are from Loveland, Colorado. They too have had numerous leadership responsibilities in the church and he is a Technology guru. I will have the opportunity to speak with them this week and will provide additional information as I receive it.

The transfer in June will determine which mission you will be assigned to. I do not know which mission you will be assigned to at this time and I don't plan to pray about it until May...:-)

58 new missions were created because of the surge of incoming missionaries. We have been working on this almost since President Monson's announcement last general conference. The total count is now at 405 missions worldwide. What a great time to be in the mission field! Thank you for all you do to move this work forward, the Lord is hastening His work and we are privileged to participate.
Love,

President Perry

So now we need new maps as  the old mission changed and there is a totally new mission created!!

2013 Feb 18, 1 pic., Basics

Just two Elders for now, could house four, but likely not. Yes, my companion is District Leader. Two bedroom, (one bedroom and one study room) two bath, laundry machines (such a huge blessing!!), and a fancy magnetic lock on the doors to the complex. Basically, it's more like a hotel. 

We went to Golden Corral to eat after District meeting. We always eat after meetings, good finding chances to, don't forget that. Always leave a mormon.org card with the tip. It works.

Good to here about T.. I'll email them all when I know they are in the field or so. Man, I've been thinking about N. so much. Hope he's doing well.

Mission won't split till we hear about it. Maybe when new Pres comes in July. He sounds awesome. It would be in the Church News, but not for a while, we need a lot of missionaries still. Area one is splitting this next transfer. Third zone to split this year.

Thanks for everything,

Elder Meyerink

2013 Feb 18, 1 pic., Sand Ridge Area

     Ya, the area is mostly shopping centers, apartments, or Cul de Sacs. Its confusing. This is why I got a GPS. It helps. Ya, -30 ft. below sea level. The Ridge that makes the beach is higher than the inside of the beach. Basically, the city is built behind a giant sand bar, aka, Virginia beach and Sand Ridge. Half our area is swamp reservation and nothingness.

I got the letters alright, its nice, And I haven't gotten a reply from B.'s  roommates yet. Its good to hear from the Wintertons every few months
    Turns out the owner of our apartment is a member, strong convert and chiropractor, approved by Pres. Perry to adjust missionaries. There is an investigator at the gym, we rarely teach her. The HQ referral Really wants to talk to us. We called him the day he was at the airport leaving for AZ for a month. We got the referral a bit late. He said he'll call when he gets back, he has a lot of questions. He sounds like he has huge potential. We have to watch out for "fake investigators". There are a bunch of Anti groups based on Norfolk that like to just waste our time by seeming interested. Good thing we have the Spirit of Truth. It's legit though, pictures and info in the Area book.

Wow, so Taylor is in the MTC this week. That's just blowing my mind. He was close to Sister A.. The way she bore her testimony every month helped him he shared in a scout camp once. And Brother O. and all the Young men's leaders strengthened all of us.  He'll do a great job.

We went to Gospel Doctrine this week. No one showed to Gospel Principles. We talked about Revelation and gifts of The Spirit.   A Recent Convert family gave talks, his first. She grew up in the Church, he was raised Catholic, being Hispanic/Hawaiian, got baptized, were married and have a wonderful little Two year old. He did a great job on "Seek ye the Lord".   Best Church talk I have heard ever, seriously. He was nervous, but spoke the truth in his heart. It was amazing.

As for grace, I got my understanding from Believing Christ. The balance of Grace and Works is complex, but understandable. I am about 150 pages into Marvelous Work and a Wonder. Just finished going over how the Spirit is like the Sun. Defined in one space, but its influence all around. Its and epic book. Elder Richards blows my mind every new topic. Love it. Definitely being truly converted, which is what Pres. Perry talked about in the February newsletter. Testimony and conversation are separate but feed off each other.

Ya, D. told me about baby  S.. Wish them well for me. It snowed here, its still on the ground. To cold for it to melt, sad, it's in pure sun all day. How's "the Park"  at home I helped landscape, coming?

   Elder Meyerink

4 Feb 2013 Transfers

I did get a transfer call last night. Elder Carlson is flying home tomorrow. I am being Transferred to an area called Sand Bridge. It is in the Virginia Beach Zone/Stake. It is right on the coast in the very bottom of the state right next to Chesapeake bay. I'll send you my address when I'm there. I'm still packing and stuff. I will arrive there sometime Thursday afternoon on the transfer van. My companion is Elder Richardson. He is from Pleasant Grove, born in Ethiopia, and he served in my zone a few months ago. He is awesome. 

Thanks for the support. 

Love, Elder Meyerink