25 Nov 2013 General updates.

  We've got return appointment for all of the members who gave us names. We have already contacted 2 of the names, the day after we got them. Everything is great here. We are on the western side of the city of Kinston, about 95% country. It actually borders my last area and ward,the Mt. Olive ward. There is occupation variety here, different people do different things all over here. There are the Spanish that cover K 1&2 as well as the sisters. the K2 elders and us. We share a Chevy Cruze every other week and switch off on p-day. 

  Yes, the rest of stake conference was broadcast it to the individual  buildings. The Ward Mission Leader sets up exchanges for all of our appointments for the week we don't have the car. Actually, my bike is still in Mt. Olive, they'll get it to me at mission conference. We are going to the church on Thanksgiving to have dinner with Bishop Oliver's family and two of his referrals. It'll be right great. 

  In further news. Elder Tenney just got an email from his mom. His Visa has been accepted and should be here soon. Theoretically, he'll be here the rest of the (5 week) transfer. So, I need to continue to learn the area. Good to hear about Elder Chris getting to his mission.

  Love, Elder Meyerink

  

18 Nov 2013 -- 1,013 referrals From our stake.

My New Address  is :
Elder Meyerink

3315 Alton Phillips Rd.

 Kinston NC, 28504

Elder Tenney is going to Brazil, Forta Lesa. He is a great Elder. We're on the country side of Kinston, the "better" ward, as quoted by members. The ward rocks. The first ward that cares about what we do. But what made it stupenda-freakin-awesome-lacious-ness...is the epic stake conference...  

  The Stake Presidency received a letter along the lines: It is suggested that Saturday night adult session will be focused on the Work of Salvation. The stake president had us wear red tie/skirts for sisters. Then before the meeting Pres. Baker and Pres. Walker (Stake President) knelt in prayer with the missionaries and Pres. Baker, using the keys that he and Pres. Walker had, "petition thee to let us call down the powers of heaven to bring the Spirit of Revelation to reach the goal which thou hast set for 1,000 stake referrals." We were humbled by that prayer. FYI the High Council made it a goal to teach the members about Revelation, the Restoration and promise that names and faces would be given them, and to write them on the provided program and give them to the missionaries at the end of the session. Pres. Walker was emailing the final goal of 500 referrals received when he heard a voice say . "Scott, that's not my goal, it's yours. Mine is 1,000" So the goal was made.

 We, both the east and west zones, marched from the foyers, up the aisles, and stood in front of the pulpit while singing, "Called to Serve Him." Pres. and Sister Baker then addressed how we are a wonderful group of 42 missionaries in this stake and here to help the members. We were seated on the stand. talks were given in which, The Spirit including expounding, revelation, and vision did not leave! We sang, as missionaries for the intermission hymn, "Bring the world His truth." Wet eyes, and cameras recording us, filled the congregation. The Spirit was so undeniable, it was amazing. 

There was a part I like. A speaker related D&C 4 and edited it to the setting. He said, "Brothers and Sisters, I think the Lord is telling us to put down our sickles, and fire up the combine." FYI, one combine can harvest enough wheat to make 71,000 loaves of bread in one hour. The Work is coming out of darkness and obscurity. 604 referrals were counted that night. Sunday, they hit on the Revelation again, but the missionaries were in their respective areas.

 In all, last night we got a text from the Zone Leaders, and an email from Pres. Baker informing us in total, 1,013 referrals were received in total. 

THIS WARD ROCKS!!! I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS!!!

Thanks

Much love, Elder Meyerink

Mom Says to Family and friends:

 Since there are 200 + missionaries in this mission--

Please  send your Christmas letters, cards or  packages, to the  address  above---

That will save the Mission office staff the work of forwarding so much mail out to the missionaries.

12 Nov 2013 Transferred New address

Ya'll,

  Sorry its tuesday, libraries were closed yesterday for Vetran's day. I am being transferred on Thursday to the Kinston 1st ward. My companion is a visa waiter who just got done training. It should be fun. I am leaving the four-man apartment! Oh well, new roads ahead.

  Dinner went well, he's going to read Alma 34 and pray about it. We might go ever tomorrow before I leave too. E will figure it all out one day, I don't doubt. He's got the Eternal Family drive and very close ties in the ward to members. Not much to say this week. Bishop got us a list of people to see. But, I won't be here to see what goes on. Just hope Kinston will be as great an area as here. I'll get ya'lls my new address too.

Elder Meyerink

 Here's his new address.

Elder Meyerink

3315 Alton Phillips Rd.

 Kinston NC, 28504

Finally link to his-- The VA Chesapeake Mission page!!

http://missionhome.com/?missions=virginia-chesapeake-mission

4 Nov 2013 Nippy in NC with pics

  Its a bit nippy here. Not to bad.  Our Mission Conference is in the beginning of December. Keep in mind, there's also Charlotte, and Raleigh Missions as well as others that cover NC, like ours.

   That exchange was amazing. His basic story; He is a Miracle. He was the "problem child" totally less-active till he was about 20. I first noticed something different when I saw his ears, pierce marks. I knew from that and the way he acted, happy, friendly, excited to be here, etc...something was there before. I saw a change, I may have only known him for 3 months, but the way both him and I testified of the Atonement and how it affected us and our families He shared the joy of coming to love the Savior after hitting rock bottom again and again. I backed him up with near similar personal experiences as well as the Christ like brother that came home from a mission such a change in his life! Who is still the greatest example outside of the Savior for my life. During that exchange, I saw the Atonement. I saw it in action. I saw it change what someone lacked. I saw The Living Water, Daily bread and Light and Life of the World. I saw a rested soul that had come to the Savior and gave rest to the heavily laden. I think that will be the story I share at my homecoming. Of course, more in depth. Moroni 10: 32-33 I have decided is my absolute favorite scripture in the Cannon.

   E. confusion of the 3 degrees has moved to a questioning of the Restoration, if Joseph Smith was a prophet. He knows that, he said he's at the peak of figuring it out. We talked at the trunk-or-treat and decided a copy of "Our search for happiness" would be good for him. As well as the list of "Learn about Christ" scriptures form PMG pg 47. We have dinner with them this Thursday, and might stop by tonight and get them to him today so he can study for Thursday. I don't doubt he'll eventually be baptized. I love that man. He's a great father. Haven't seen B. R.in a while, something always comes up. Still hasn't gotten into the church, didn't come to trunk or treat, but we think we didn't get him enough advanced notice.

 No new investigators. Still getting the members to figure out that they are the solution-( in the new members do the finding we do the teaching program!!) Did well with a mission centered testimony meeting. I went up after Bishop and the rest of  (8+ 1 future missionary)  us went up including the senior couple in the ward. It was what we were looking for.

 The training went well, I think the zone got the idea. We'll see. Haven't seen the M. in quite a while. Only one member plus Bishop is actually willing to help us with him, it's just time that we need.

 Oh, and I would love to read that book if you could find me a copy. I'm excited for the others as well. I know mom wants a Christmas wish list. Anything you feel would help literature wise would be very much appreciated. Keep in mind it's my last mission Christmas by the way, can you help make it last? thanks :P I'll be home for the next one.

 Hope ya all do right good this week,

love ya, Elder Meyerink
 

Picture 1 is from Virginia Beach VA area
Picture 2 is from Mt. Olive NC area