Monday, Sept 28th

Well, we had an excellent week. Zone conference was amazing.
We had Elder Nielson from the Quorum of the Seventy with us.
It was an amazing opportunity. During lunch in between
sessions, he ate at our table. It was fun to be able to talk with
him, and to feel and enjoy of his spirit.

On Thursday morning, I was looking at some of our numbers
from this transfer, and looking at some of the trends, and we
made a couple of observations. We found the days and times
that we didn't contact as much, or that we weren't as diligent
or focused. Well, we corrected it this week, and it was
exciting to see the results.

We contacted 106 people, and found 11 new investigators.
It really felt good to accomplish the goals that we had set.
Each week, we are raising our goals, little by little, and are
finding that we're accomplishing them. Really, the principle
of goal setting is one of the most important things that we
can do to help us out in this life.

So, I hear Sister Westwood is going to be going outbound
to the Billings, Montana mission. Crazy! Best of luck to her! :)
It should be a good cold winter up there.

So, a little bit more of exciting news. The October edition
of the ensign has an article all about the Texas McAllen
mission. It talks about the member missionary program.
There's a picture of a family in my last area that we would
eat with every Sunday night. The Esparza family. The
article is called "The Member-Missionary Effect."

Anyway, I love you all, and I love hearing from each of you.

Enjoy conference!

Love,
Elder John H. Meservy

Monday, Sept 21st

It has been a really wet week here in Harlingen. Probably the
most exciting thing this last week happened on Saturday. We
went contacting during a thunderstorm, and got stuck in one
of the biggest rainstorms I've seen in my life. We started our
bike ride home in the middle of the down pour. Each time I
pedaled, my foot would go into the six or so inches of water
covering the street. It was a good ride home, but we were
completely soaked. Riding a bike in a downpour is always a
good time though. I'm sending a picture or two showing how
wet I got.

Yesterday, we have 5 investigators at church. We have been
reaching most of our goals, which is a good feeling. As we
continue to push our goals higher, and higher, we are feeling
more connected to them, and we know that we can reach them.

This week we'll be having someone from the Quorum of the
Seventy at our Zone Conference. I always love zone
conferences, and this one should be especially good.

Well, I truly am humbled at this opportunity that I have to
share the gospel with those around me. What a wonderful
opportunity to have at this stage in my life. I truly have
grown leaps and bounds, and I continue to do those things
that I should do, so that I can return to live with my Father
in Heaven.

Congratulations to Lydia and Dave on the birth of their
baby. It sounds like things went fairly well.

I love you all, and pray for you.

-Elder John H. Meservy

Monday, Sept 14th

Another week from here in Harlingen.

We had a really good week. We were able to reach most
of our goals that we had set, which was a really good
feeling.

We've been out contacting a lot. This last week we
had a few days of rain, so I got to bike in the rain.
I had an interesting thought as I was doing that. I
was riding, soaking wet, in the rain, and I was
smiling. By all accounts I should've been miserable.
I can just imagine the cars driving by, thinking, "why
in the world is he smiling? He should be miserable."
The gospel really brings happiness in whatever
situation that we're in.

I have been learning a lot and have found so much
happiness in the work. Truly, the gospel is the only
thing that will bring these people true happiness.

Yesterday during gospel principles, we were talking
about the Holy Ghost. Well, it was there - strongly.
The investigators all were bearing testimony of the
feelings they've had in this church, and the
difference that they've felt in their lives. Those
are the moments you live for as a missionary. What
an amazing opportunity!

-Elder John H. Meservy

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Well, another week here in Harlingen. We've had a bit of rainy
days lately, and supposedly there's supposed to be a couple
storms coming in today and tomorrow. Nothing like riding in
the rain!

This week we had some good lessons with several people. One
of them is trying to get over several addictions, and is making
progress and finding strength in the gospel. He says that he
can feel the difference in his life as he goes to church, and as
he puts forth a strong effort. I feel that he is one of the big
reasons that I am in this area. He and I get along really well,
and he seems to trust me.

In other news, I am continuing to learn and grow. I've been
going through the Book of Mormon again, and marking
different key words, and it's been amazing to me to see the
amount of times that certain words are in the Book of
Mormon. Some of the topics include; Baptism, Repentance,
Prepare/Plan, Remember, etc.

I love the work and can't believe it's already halfway behind
me.

I love you all, and appreciate your love and support.

Love,
Elder John H. Meservy