Friday, September 26, 2008

Mom and Dad, and family!-

The big news this week is that I was selected as one of
364 missionaries that get to go sing at the conference
center for priesthood session.  So all the Priesthood
holders that read this, look for me! :)(I get to leave the
MTC in just over a week! Woohoo!

Life is moving forward well here at the MTC. I continue to
learn and to grow. The Spanish keeps coming. I am grateful
for the opportunity that I have to serve, and am
appreciative of all the prayers for me.

On Wednesday my companion and I taught the second lesson
in Preach My Gospel. Even though it was just a mock
lesson,the spirit was in abundance. Also, yesterday at
the referral center, I had the opportunity to talk to a
man in Brooklyn, and teach him the first lesson over the
phone.  A copy of the Book of Mormon is heading his way.
It's amazing to talk to others who don't know about the
message of the Restoration. How blessed we are to know of
the truth! I am grateful to be a part of this marvelous
work. It is quite the blessing to me.

It sounds like things are certainly busy at home. I'm
glad to heard things are going ok with Julia. I keep
the family in my prayers. I've loved the opportunity that
I've had to be here in the MTC, but it will be nice to
get out into the field.

My ankle is feeling fantastic, I've been playing ball
again, and actually losing a little bit of weight. I'm
watching what I eat here, I can definitely see why
people gain alot of weight in the MTC.

I've loved my teachers here in the MTC, they've
definitely had a lot of good stories and a good way with
teaching us.

I am very well organized here in the MTC, I have
separate binders for each of the lessons in Preach My
Gospel, and separate tabs for each of the principles of
the lessons with a whole lot of information, like; key
points,scriptures,quotes, other resources, analogies,
personal experiences, questions, and commitments. Being
organized is definitely nice. I've loved the structured
time here.

My time is about up, so I'm going to send this. I love
you all and keep you all in my thoughts and prayers.

Con amo,
Elder Meservy

Sept. 19, 2008

9/19/2008

Well, I'm in the process of doing my laundry right now, so I have time for a quick note. This last week has been great at the MTC. Our whole district sang in the MTC choir this last week. We sang "This is the Christ." It was fun on Tuesday to see President Brenchley conducting. I went up and talked to him for a few minutes and told him to give you my love.

Things are moving forward here at the MTC. This morning we went to the temple. I definitely felt the spirit strongly throughout the duration of the time I was there. They prayed for the missionaries and I could definitely feel the love surrounding me. I am grateful to all of you for your support and for your prayers. It's been a strength to me to know that I am in your prayers.

It sounds like things are moving along well at home. I am doing SO well here. It's already been a great experience, and I've already learned and grown a lot even in the 2 1/2 weeks that I've been here.

I've had quite a bit of a cold this last week, but am pretty much over it now. Tuesday, while playing basketball, I sprained my ankle. The swelling is pretty much down now. I've been doing some physical therapy on it the last few days, and that has definitely helped it out a lot.

On Wednesday we taught the first lesson in the Teaching Evaluation center. Even though it was a practice, the Spirit testified strongly of the truthfulness of the message. Even as I write, I feel the Spirit testifying that what I'm saying right now is true.

Yesterday we went to the Referral Center (Where people call in to get their free copies of the Book of Mormon, or videos, etc). I talked with one girl who I invited to have the missionaries come over and to share more of the message with her. She agreed to have the missionaries over. It was awesome to have that experience, I actually felt like I was doing missionary work. I can't wait to be talking to people all the time that don't know about the truthfulness of the gospel, and teaching them.

Well, time is short, so I must be going. I love you all and keep you all in my prayers.

Sept. 10 & 12

9-10-2008

Dear Family,

The work moves forward here at the MTC. The Spanish keeps getting easier and easier. I feel like I know so much, however, I know that there’s still a long way to go.

I love my district; we all get along so well! We're all very unique individuals, but we enjoy each other.

Well, yesterday for our Tuesday night devotional, President Uchtdorf spoke to us, as did his wife. I have several pages of notes from it. Most notable was the apostolic blessing that he gave to us; that those praying for us, and those we’re praying for would be strengthened and uplifted because of our service. It was so powerful.

I have seen so many people here that I know, or that know our family. Clyde Wilkinson is the 1^st counselor in our branch presidency (apparently he lived in the Sharon Stake). Other people I have seen while I’ve been here: 83^rd ward friends—Sister Deborah Weiss, Sister Sharley Holmes, Sister Angela Rideout, Brother Jonathan Miles. From the fifth ward, Sister Chrissy Keller, and Sister Melanie Kenney. I have also seen four kids that I hadn’t seen since junior high.

We just finished doing some cleaning.

9-12-08

Sorry I haven’t sent this yet, just realized it. Today’s p-day so I’ll be sending this home.

Oh, we’re no longer the new elders here. Yay!

I hope all is well!

Love, John H. Meservy

September 6th Letter

9/6/08

Family,

Things are going super well! I am so excited for this opportunity! Yesterday morning was rough, but things are going a lot better now.

How is grandma’s basement now? Thank you all for you prayers, love and support. I can feel it. I have grown so much in the few days that I have been here. The Lord blesses us! It was fun to have the printouts of the blogs. I’m still awaiting letters from all the siblings though.

The Spanish is coming so well! We’ve now learned how to pray, testify, and introduce ourselves as missionaries in Spanish. I know there’s no way I could do this by myself though. I have definitely been blessed in my study. The days are so structured and I love it. Who’d have thought?

Oh, so, family, I just remembered an easy and free way to get me letter is dearelder.com. FREE same-day MTC delivery, but if you do that, be sure to give me a return address.

I want to share a very spiritual experience that happened for me. So, on Thursday, as I said, I was having a rough day, so I told the other elders in my district about my depression—not sure why. Well, this afternoon, one of the elders in my district asked me if he could talk to me. We talked, and he brought up his concern with depression, and that he thought he might have it. We talked, and tonight we’ll give him a blessing, he said that that had helped him a lot (to be able to talk to someone about it). I shared with him a piece from my patriarchal blessing about bringing hope to the missionaries with whom I serve. He said that I had definitely brought hope back into him. It’s amazing how the Lord prepares things well before they happen. I was just thinking that if I hadn’t gotten depression and help years ago, that I wouldn’t have been able to offer the help and support and bring that hope that I was able to.

Again, things are going really well. I love you all.

The gospel is true. God loves you.

Love, Elder Meservy

P.S. I found out there’s another Elder Meservy that entered the MTC the same day I did. He’s from Corona, California. Any idea which family he’s from and how we’re related? Thanks!

1st Letter from Elder John Meservy

9/3/08

Dear Family,

I am doing pretty well, actually. I just met my companion—Elder Utley, and he seems awesome. My stuff is all unpacked, and I am officially moved in.

I just found out my companion is a computer nerd—should help me feel at home.

Things are definitely going well. I know that I have been and will be blessed as I dedicate myself to the work.

Just a quick reminder, I need a (I believe) 5x7 picture of the family.

My mission address is:

Elder John Heber Meservy

MTC Mailbox #299

TX-MCAL 1105

2005 No. 900 East

Provo, Utah 84604-1793

Well, I have some more stuff that I’m needing to take care of. I love you all, and you’re in my thoughts and prayers. I don’t know when my p-day is, so when I find out I’ll let you know. (Could someone maybe type this up and send it to Lydia to put on the blog?) Thanks! I love you all.

The Church is true. God loves you.

Love, Elder Meservy