8 June 2014 Setting Goals & Staying focused.

 We found out this week that one of the Sisters investigators here moved back to Mexico and got baptized last week were he lives! Awesome! Ya, I've also been emailing Krystine as well. I'm jealous of the whole temple trip. We watched "Mountain of the Lord" With Bob yesterday and talked about temples. He even came home after Sacrament meeting to rest from surgery and had the thought "I'm gonna read some scriptures." It was cool. He also like the talk about patience and story of Hugh B. Brown and the current bush in Canada (https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2012-01-014-the-will-of-god?lang=eng) (Thais one of my favorite Mormon messages ever! Watch it! it applies to gardening :P) that was given by a member or the stake high council from Williamsburg. so Bob is doing great, had surgery a few days ago which included 14 shots in his face as the sewed up some more skin on his nose. another three weeks till his baptism due to submersion. 

  Yes, Briannas baptism was Saturday. Yes, her dad baptized her. She loved it and even bore her simple missionary-driven testimony at the end of the service. her non member sister and her husband attended. They enjoyed it as well. Crystal was able to attend and said she couldn't wait to get baptized. We have a lesson on tithing and fast tomorrow. Sister Jeter texted us and said this week was busy and to try next week. Ya, that story is totally how the Lord works. I never remember the most of what I say in lessons or in a blessing. I guess that's a sign of teaching with the Spirit right? Even if it is, its something I need to work on. Along with alot of other things. The members are catching up to missionary work here. the Book of Mormon message we share from Preach My Gospel affects them you can see it. All in the Lords time. We know one day there will be a Glouceter VA stake. I'm excited for that day. 

  Oh yes, exchanges. I love exchanges. its an opportunity to see how other Elder s teach, grow, learn, and cope with their imperfections. Its truly a great experience. They are planned in advance and last for 24 hours. here, one of the Zone Leaders comes to Gloucester and one of us goes to Williamsburg/Jamestown to work with one of them for a day. Elder Mabry was fun. During our exchange, he had 11 days left but he wasn't counting just knew it was soon. Its easy to figure out though. he flys out tomorrow so were going to Newport News for lunch today with them after email. He just tried as hard as he could to stay focused. A few times he even had to slap himself and say "Stay focused!" Hey, if it works it works right? Basically, he and I had a chat about what happens during the last transfer, all the crap Satan puts in your path, and what we've heard the world is like when you get home. ie. straight up weird and foreign. We had a great talk about that stuff though and both set goals to stay focused and keep our minds on the work while were here so it was good. Ha, he is totally the personality, character, and even shape and size as Thom . Yea, even 6' 6" and size 13 shoes. :P Every missionary should be going on at least one exchange per transfer with a leader. in our case, the Zone Leaders since there are no Elder in the district and Elder Grace is...well, was District Leader. Which reminds me...

  Transfer calls were Saturday (Pres moved them from Sunday) He called and said "I've decided to break up the dynamic duo." Elder Grace is going to Hampton in a  bike area, which is back to the Ghetto for him. He served 11 months in Norfolk. I am staying here and taking the calling of District Leader. Its going to be a joy to do that again. Elder Coltrin is coming up here from Yorktown, literally right across the bridge from us to the south. He was in Kinston west zone when I was in kinston a few months ago so I know him a bit. Yeah for having 15 companions!

  Thanks for the email. have a good one Y'all!

Love, Elder Meyerink

Ps by mom.... who just realized that this is THE last transfer before he comes home, meaning he has 6 weeks left to work really hard on his mission.!!

2 June 2014 B of M answers questions of the soul.

 Testimony meeting here was great. Pres. McMinn, past bishop here and counselor in the stake presidency, attended. He invited 3 minute testimonies. It allowed more people to get to the pulpit and more real testimonies as apposed to thankamonies or storymonies. It was awesome. Yes, Bob was there and enjoyed it. He is recovering well, but received news he needs to go in for surgery on Thursday, which pushes his baptism back another three weeks and there may be another follow-up after that. Crystal was unable to make it, she was in pain from her surgery/recovery. The sisters investigator bore her testimony as well. Her name is Brianna. She moved in with/was adopted by a member family so she can be sealed to them. She is 18 and so ready for baptism. She passed her interview yesterday and is even telling her friends about the Church. She is solid. Her baptism is this Saturday at 730, and she is stoked. Desmond is doing great as well. We talked to him about going on exchanges with the missionaries. He thought it was a great idea. Most everybody in the ward knows about Bob and loves him. The entire ward has his back. They all love the Wesingers. Haven't gotten a hold of the Jeters this week. 

  

  I don't remember if I told you about Jimmy yet. he was found by Elder Richardson and Grace when they broke the phone and had to get a new one at Verizon. They talked to him and he said he was interested. Elder grace and I got a hold of him last moth but never got a return appointment. Friday I was on exchanges with the zone leaders here and Elder Mabry and I went to Verizon, got his address and a return appointment. Elder Grace and I went to the Verizon store yesterday and answered a few questions and set up for Tuesday at his house. He seems very interested to me, a tad distracted, but more curious than anything due to the new information. Hopefully we can get him to Church, he is reading the Book of Mormon and is in Mosiah already. He said, "it makes more sense than the Bible" and is "enlightening". Hopefully his wife will join him. 

  For member visits: Page 107 of Preach My Gospel. Pres Benson says, "Missionaries need to show how the Book of Mormon answers questions of the soul." So, were doing that. having the members read through the bulleted questions and pick one to read with us. Having the question in mind i.e. Why does God allow evil and suffering to occur? We read 2 Nephi 2. Then talk about what revelation we received and what verses stood out. Then commit them to do this again with a different question another day without us there. 

Have a fun trip over here on the east coast. Prepare for humidity, its definitely here.

Love ya"all Have a great week 

Elder Meyerink

19 May 2014 Surgeries delay baptisms.

  Yes, Desmond is good for Saturday. he passed his interview yesterday and they are planning on getting married sometime this summer. We have a lesson on Wed. with them to make sure he's got everything down. Smoking is not even a problem now for Bob. He is done. No questions asked. His last relapse, that one he mooched, left him so repentant it was crazy. he also had nose surgery/reconstruction this week to take skin cancer out of his nose. So, we saw him yesterday. he's doing okay, he says he could be better but is glad he's done smoking cause that would tear him up if he was recovering while smoking. So, his date is being pushed back. The doctors said they don't want him submerged for three weeks. 

 

Crystal goes in for surgery today,  Her recovery should be to long though. We taught her the Plan of Salvation this last week. It went well.

 

 Ya, the ward has 6 people set for the month of June. The Herman-as (Spanish sisters) have three Hispanics, and an 18 year old girl set. Ya, were working with a less active family that just needs to hold an appointment and keep their commitments. They work in DC by the way, three hour commute on a good day. They are  the Jeters, prayers would be nice for soft hearts on their behalf. 

 That's the most for now. Have a good week ya'll.

Love ya, Elder Meyerink

12 May 2014 Hold to the Spirit.

  We had our second lesson with Crystal yesterday. It's all a bit slow for her to understand, but she gets it when we ask for understanding questions. She is being fellow shipped by an older couple who is excited for her.

  Bob stopped smoking, smoked one and repented like crazy. We're pretty sure h'll never smoke again the way he told us he felt sorry for the one. Desmond still rocks. He is pumped to get baptized.

  Deb sent me pics of Peter, good to know I have a third relative I've never met now... :/ oh well, Ill see them all later.

  I'll let ya know how next week goes. We're in Newport News with other elders today, packed with pday fun so got to go.   

Love y'all

Elder Meyerink
 Only two more transfers..... left in this mission. 

Dad & Mom say  "Thanks for your phone call today. It was great to hear from you and to feel your spirit. It sounds like things are going very well for you and your companion and you have some great people to teach. Keep the focus on them and help them as they run into the roadblocks that Satan will place in their way........

5 May 2014 Awesome Conf with Elder Bednar!!

  Conference with Elder Bednar was awesome. Virginia Chesapeake Mission and Virginia Richmond Mmission met at the Righmond stake center. 470 missionaries were there. Including past companions and friends from the Richmond mission. I would get you the notes from what he said, but he asked we write what The Spirit said, and not his words. Basically, it was a revealatory experience. We were asked to study some of his talks; Converted unto the Lord, Ask in faith, and Seek learning by faith. He then opened it up to all the missionaries and asked, "What did you learn?" Then asked follow up questions. It became a giant discussion. There were a lot of things said and heard that helped with a lot of questions that I had, and didn't know I had. even though I didn't get to directly ask him a question, but, they were answered. It was awesome. Not to mention the Apostolic blessing he gave us.

  We had a miracle this week. A few days ago in personal study, a lady called us and when I explained who we were, she asked, "How can I join this church?" We explained the process and set her up to have a member bring her to Church. She came and loved Elder Bednar. She then asked for a Church tour, so we did. When we showed her the Font, she again asked, "When can I join?" We then set up the lessons at the members home who had brought her. Her name is Crystal. 

  Bob is committed to stop smoking this last weekend. he ran out of cigarettes and isn't planning on buying any more. He also came and enjoyed our meeting with Elder Bednar on Sunday as we addressed the Stake. Desmond also came and liked it. He is also on track for his date for May 24th. Prayers for these three would be very appreciated. 

  Hope ya'll have a great week. Expect the Mothers day call around evening ish.

Love, Elder Meyerink

28 April 2014 Staying In Glouster.

Transfer calls were Saturday. We're staying in Gloucester. Only three changes in the zone.

  Cool story. I sent it to Sister H. She was trained in Harpers Ferry, the neighboring ward though. 

  D.came to Church, we taught G. Principles about exaltation. They took it well. We then had a lesson after Church at her parent's house. Doctrine of Christ. He took it very well. When we asked him if he has prayed, he said, "I have, and I believe it." So he is still on track for May 24th. We're teaching the commandments next, our return apt is next week though do to work schedules. 

  B is still doing well. He missed church for work but was sad he couldn't make it. Don't know if I told ya'll but he owns a concrete business and is teaching a bunch of kids how to work steel and crete. Gotta be rough for a mid-life guy. 

 G  D in Kinston is also set for May 24th I just heard. As well as an investigator I  met in Kinston is set for either the 3rd or 6th, depending on his work schedule. Lots of baptism going on here. 

  That's about it. Getting a hold of the other investigators is the tough part. We do have an appointment tomorrow at a Verizon store with a potential. Hope it goes well. 

  Have a great week y'all.

Elder Meyerink

21 April 2014 going to Richmond in a Bi-Mission conference

  Easter was awesome. Bishop and his wife spoke. Both about Easter, the Atonement and change especially. Bob came to Church and loved it again. Our new investigator, Desmond, came as well. He is engaged to a less active member who wants to come back. We had a great restoration lesson at her parents' house last week. He is set for the 24th, we'll see how it goes. He seems pretty interested. Bishop told us to go home and watch this :http://easter.mormon.org/?cid=HPTU041514694 and Purifying Power of Gethsemane. So, we shared That with our Dinner appointment. It was really an awesome priesthood meeting we watched a series of the Bible videos. 

  Bob works for a concrete and steel company. Still doing heavy labor with them. He enjoys just about everything about the Church. oh, his date is now the 17th of May, so please pray that he can make his date. Thanks. We haven't talked to him yet about family history, but it's in line with the discussions a bit later with temple work. Don't remember how long they have been married, I think they have some kids, but their empty nested too. 

  The ward is small-medium size. They don't have pews, just rowed chairs. But, they are close to getting a renovation as the building is made to be renovated. They just need over 140 in constant attendance. Apparently, a General Authority not long ago said due to the people here, in the future, there will be a stake in Gloucester. They just need to figure out how to do the Work and have the Charity to spread the Gospel. Ward mission leader is okay, we have correlation weekly. He led a small discussion in opening announcements about referrals and member home lessons and such. The Hermanas (Spanish sisters) for now do English work until Spanish people come in for summer jobs. They attend the ward and translate for any Spanish people. 

  Oh, on May 3rd, we will be going to Richmond in a Bi-Mission conference with them to hear from Elder Bednar, who will then address the Newport News Stake (Ours) for stake conference the following week. We also will go to that even though they broadcast it to all the units. Tad R. Callister and Jay E. Jensen were supposed to come, but will be new people since they received new callings. 

  Thanks for the email. 

Love Ya'll 

Elder Meyerink