Letter from October 31, 2008

Mom’s note—John leaves on Tuesday, 4 November, not Wednesday, 5 November.

31 October 2008

Hi family!

Well, this is my last Preparation Day in the MTC! My, how time flies here!

This last Tuesday we had the opportunity to hear from Elder L. Tom Perry. I think I was quite fortunate to hear from 3 people from the first presidency and quorum of the twelve apostles while I was here. The first week we heard from President Uchtdorf, a few weeks back we heard from Elder Scott, and then Tuesday we heard from Elder Perry. How blessed we are to have prophets on the earth today to lead and guide the church!

Well, on Sunday, Elder Utley and I went to the Referral Center. While we were there I received a call. I answered the phone, and the man on the other line started ripping into the church, and talking about how he had had a vision too, etc. I bore testimony as strong as I ever have in my life. I was overcome with the spirit, and knew, without a doubt, that this church is true. Even now, as I think back to the experience, I feel the spirit in abundance. The best thing we can do when people have doubts or make fun of our church is to stand up bold, and testify. That's really all that can be done. It was pretty amazing, I felt like Abinadi testifying before King Noah of the things he knew. I actually just read about that account the other day, and found out how much I really admire and love Abinadi.

Anyway, the work moves forward. I love you all!

Happy Halloween! I'm sad I missed the party, but that's alright, I had more important things to do.

Thank you for all of your support.

Les amo!

Con amor,

Elder Meservy

Letter to Mom on Friday, October 24, 2008

24 Oct 2008

Hi mom!

I'm glad to hear you still miss me :). Is my picture still on the wall? :) I'm not able to view attachments here, so I couldn't see your talk, or the picture you sent of Monique in the name tag, however, I am curious to see both, so if you could send those, that would be great.

Yeah, it was fun to teach Brother Chase. I run into more and more people everyday it seems.

Well, on Sunday I had the opportunity to accompany Sister Keller, and Sister Kenney on a song for Relief Society. It was definitely a good experience. Also, this Sunday, I'm going to be accompanying someone else in our zone with their musical number for the new missionaries. It's been a great opportunity to play the piano still.

Well, flight plans are supposed to come today, but they weren't in the mail as of yet, I'm hoping they're still on their way today, I'll be sure to email again later if they are.

Well, this week, Elder Utley and I taught the 2nd lesson in Spanish for the first time. It went pretty well, still have a bit of work still on it, but overall, not too bad. We're talking most days completely in Spanish, and class is completely in Spanish now. 1 1/2 weeks! It's starting to feel real, and that I'm actually going to be in Texas soon.

Well, yesterday, playing volleyball, I rolled my other ankle, what luck. Oh well, this one isn't as bad, it's a little swollen, but with time it'll heal.

I'm probably going to have Sister Kummer (the one that called you) drop off letters to the house. These are some of the older letters that would just add weight to my luggage.

Well, I'm officially down 10 pounds. I'm hoping to lose another 3 or so in the next week and a half. It's been super nice to get the daily exercise.

Thank you for the family picture, it's been really nice to have.

Life has been great here at the MTC. I've had some really great personal study sessions. I have learned a lot, and am super excited to keep learning more. It's definitely something that I'll miss once I get to the field, but it will be good to teach the people of Texas .

Well, I'm going to save some time for later if the flight plans do come today, so I can email you more later. Also, I need the calling card information so I can call if that's alright. (I'm assuming that's the best way to do it).

Well, I'm doing well, and I love this opportunity that I have. I pray for you all nightly. May the Lord bless you all.

Con amor,

Elder Meservy

PS I have my flight plans now, I'm going to write a snail mail letter home as well, to make sure you get it. I'm sorry to hear you hadn't gotten this. I sent it quite a while ago.

Flight plans are as follows.

LV: Salt Lake City 8:20 AM

AR: Dallas/Ft. Worth 12:05 PM

LV: Dallas/Ft. Worth 3:35 PM

AR: McAllen 5:10 PM

I have a couple-hour layover it looks like, so either before my first flight to Dallas , or during my layover I'll be able to call for a bit. I love you guys so much!

Letter from October 17, 2008

17 October 2008
Friday

Well, another week has come and gone! Crazy. It's amazing how fast time goes! The days truly do feel like weeks, and the weeks pass like days. Well, next Friday I should get my flight plans! Woohoo! I'll be sure to let you all know, so you can know when to expect the phone call. Also, on that note, I'll probably need the calling card information.

Yeah, I did run into one of my former high school teachers. I was quite surprised! She offered to drop stuff off at home if I need anything left behind. I may have her drop off some of the older letters, not sure yet.

I haven't gotten the family picture as of yet, however, I'm hoping to get that in the mail later this afternoon (I assume that it will be in it).

Monday I spent the day in bed with a pretty bad cold. I made it downstairs twice during the day so that Elder Utley could get food from the vending machine. As of now, I still am feeling a little sluggish, but with time that will pass.

On Tuesday, we got to hear from Elder Richard G. Scott. After his talk, we had the opportunity to shake his hand. How incredible is it that we have a prophet and apostles on the earth today! It was quite the experience for me.

This last week I had another good experience in the Referral Center. It has definitely been nice to have that opportunity to teach the gospel.

I appreciate the prayers for me. They've definitely been a strength to me, and it's something I always look forward to.

The work is hard, but will go on. I have grown so much even in the short time that I've been out thus far. I'm definitely looking forward to getting out into the field!

I've been keeping busy here. It will be nice not to be sitting in the classroom for hours on end, but at this point, it's still necessary for my learning. I have had some really good times with my studying. I've learned so much from my study times. I can't believe how well I know the language! Obviously there's a lot of room for improvement, but it's coming along pretty well.

Well, in our zone, we are now the second oldest district. The one that is in front of us leaves the week before we do. There are 3 zones younger than us (as of Wednesday). I feel like it was so long ago that we were the new ones, but how quickly time goes.

I've been playing a lot of volleyball this last week. That is always fun. I've realized that I don't think I've felt this good in my life. Obviously it's hard, but it's amazing being in "the service of your fellow beings." God is watching out for me. I am grateful for all the love and support.

Well, my time is about up on the computer. I love you all, and thank you so much for your support and letters!

Love, Elder Meservy

Letter from October 10, 2008

10 October 2008

Hello family!

I'm excited to hear that you all saw me at Priesthood Session! It was definitely a memorable experience, and something I won't soon forget.

It sounds like things are going well at home. It's definitely getting cold, we went to the temple at 6:15 this morning, and it was definitely the coldest it's been in a long time!

I certainly missed being with the family for Conference Festivities, but, such is life. It was definitely quite the experience here in the MTC.

Mom- Your letter was fine! It was good to hear about what's been going on, it sounds like things are still busy for you all. What type of decorations are you working on for the wedding?

Well, last night in the Referral Center I had several more opportunities to share the gospel. I taught the first lesson over the phone a few times yesterday, and committed two people to read 3 Nephi 11, and then do as Moroni directs. One of the ladies I was talking to was running short on time, so she said to make sure that someone calls back today.

Well, the biggest news probably from this week is that on Wednesday we taught the first lesson in Spanish. It was very simple, but the spirit was definitely present. My brain keeps getting overloaded with Spanish, but that's the way it should be, I suppose. It's interesting, I have things memorized in Spanish that I'm not even close to knowing right in English. For example I have the First Vision down really well in Spanish, as well as My Purpose as a missionary. This week we're memorizing James 1:5. I can't wait to get out into the field, but alas, I still have another 3 1/2 - 4 weeks. Oh well.

It was crazy going up to the conference center Saturday. Driving past all the places I used to go all the time, but it was certainly nice to be away, even for that short time. But now I'm back into the swing of things here. The work keeps moving forward. You are all constantly in my prayers, and I appreciate the love, support, and letters.

One last thing, I'd encourage you all to re-read the sister's talk from Saturday morning's conference about missionary work...especially the part about sending letters ;). A cheer went up through the MTC when she said that. Anyway, my time is about up. I love you all, and thank you for the support.

Con amor,

Elder Meservy

Friday, October 3, 2008 Letter

Hello all!

This week has been great. I'm so glad my car passed!
Woohoo! Thank you so much for sending those things, and
for including my priesthood line of authority in this
letter.

Yeah, it will be the Priesthood Session of conference
that I'm singing in. So, sorry mom! :) Although it has
been a lot of fun to sing under the direction of
President Brenchley.

I'm glad to hear that you two rode up the canyon on
your bikes. I've been getting some really good exercise
here in the MTC. I'm down 7 pounds from when I entered.
Eating smart and exercising is the way to go! :)

Steve's last name is Cazier, however, he is now in the
MTC, so you can just pack that away with my stuff and
I'll get it to him when I get back.

Well, I'm 1/24 of the way through the mission. Crazy.
And, I'm 1/12 if you go by fast sundays! Crazy thought.

It will be weird not being around home for Priesthood
Session(or Conference in general for that matter). Tell
all the grandkids that I say hi. I know what a fun
activity would be for them while they're all down there...
Force them all to write me letters :) Oh, and I'm
calling Dave and Stacey, Charlene and Nathan, and Julia
and Brian all to repentance (they still have not
contacted me).

Mom, if you wouldn't mind sending me a list of family
addresses as well, that would be fantastic. Thanks!

Well, this past week has been fantastic! I've had a few
rough days, but the work moves forward. I've felt closer
to the Lord these last few days then I think I ever have
before, and that has been remarkable. I've loved it!

Last night I went to the Referral Center again, and had
the opportunity to call people to see if they received
the items that they had ordered. Well, one lady I had
talked to was in her mid 30's, and apparantly had a
couple daughters, and she was trying to be a better
example for them and was looking for a good religion
to join. I taught the first lesson, from Preach My
Gospel, over the phone to her. I also talked to her
about how her family can be together forever. She's
going to be meeting with the missionaries this next
week. How grateful I am for the opportunity to share
the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It's
amazing how strong the Spirit is even when you're
testifying over the phone with someone.

This morning I had the opportunity to go the temple. It
always brightens my day. So, for those of you that
haven't gone in a while, I would urge you to go again. I
know that as you go, you will receive an added measure of
the spirit, and that you can and will receive answers to
any questions that you may have, for it truly is the
House of the Lord.

I am grateful for all the prayers that are said on my
behalf, please continue to do so, it really is a
strength to me.

I love you all.

~Elder John H. Meservy
(p.s. I'm at my halfway point in the MTC! Hooray! I can't
wait to get to Texas!)