Monday, March 29th

Well....are you all ready to hear about transfers.... I...... got transferred. I'm now about an hour north of where I was. I am in Laredo, and my area is really small, and it's on a bike. Exciting. Especially since summer is coming. (It's been in the high 90's this last week). My new address is 1903 Main Apt. #6 Laredo, TX 78040.

There are some really great people that we're working with here in Laredo. A part member family had the mother baptized last week, and confirmed yesterday, and the 9 year old daughter will be getting baptized this week in between conference sessions. We also have several other people that have come to church, and they're progressing quite nicely.

I'm doing fairly well overall. I've definitely had some frustrations this last little while, and have been in a little bit of a slump, but I'm hoping that General Conference will help out. I love the opportunity that we have to listen to a living prophet and apostles. This is going to be my last General Conference as a missionary.

Let me see what else there is to talk about. I don't think I really have too much new to report. Again, it's been a tough week for me. Please keep me in your prayers.

I love you all.

Love,
Elder John

Monday, March 22nd

Well, here we are once again. The time continues to fly.

First things first; I have a new email address. They're transferring over to a new system, and they needed us to change our email addresses. Letters to the other address will still be forwarded for a time, but ultimately will be shut down. My new address is john.meservy@myldsmail.net.

Alright, now that I've updated you all on that. Yesterday we had branch conference. The district presidency came down. We spent a few hours after church with them visiting less-active members. I'm really excited about the work that is going on here in Zapata. Hopefully I'll get to stay here. We will find out later on today whether or not we're getting transferred. I really do want to stay here. The area has been changing, and I'm really excited about that.

We found some really great new investigators this week, which we're excited to be working with. They have a lot of potential, and I really believe that they will progress, and become leaders in the church here in the future.

I have been learning and growing a lot. I can't believe how much things have changed. I continue to give it my all, trusting that the Lord will strengthen me, and support me. It really is amazing to see His hand in my life, and in the lives of those people with whom we're working.

We had a really spiritual lesson yesterday with a guy in his 20's, and his cousin. We invited him to say the closing prayer, and he did. The Spirit is always so strong as investigators pray out loud for the first time in their lives. It really is so pure, and sincere.

Well, I love you all. I'm sorry that I don't have much more time to write.

I trust that all is going well at home.

I love you.

Love,

Elder John

Monday, March 15th

Well, hello again from Zapata. It's been quite the week here. They had a county fair here on Friday and Saturday. We set up a booth to distribute pamphlets and what not. We talked to a LOT of people. We got some good referrals, and we're excited to be able to work with them this week.

Church yesterday was a little disappointing. We had 17 people there (I think). No investigators. Oh well, all we can do is continue forward, right? I'm definitely being tried right now, but I am doing my best to keep on going. The baptism that we were supposed to have yesterday didn't end up happening. Hopefully sometime here in the not-too-distant future it will happen.
I've been a bit under the weather this last week, which has been tough. Yesterday I think was the worst day of it. I took a much needed 3 hour nap. A member made caldo de pollo (chicken soup), and brought that over for me. I really do appreciate the love of the members. What amazing people.

We are working hard, and we trust that the Lord will provide a way that we may accomplish the things that He has commanded us. It really has been great working with Elder Hargrave.
I can't believe that another week has ALREADY come and gone. The time goes faster and faster the longer I've been out. 6 months is definitely not enough time to do all the work that is left to do. However, I will continue to do everything that I can in order to help bring about the work here in Zapata, and wherever I'm assigned to serve of the next several months. Speaking of which, transfers are next week, so, we'll see what happens. Either here or my next area will most likely be my last area, which is a crazy thing to think.

Well, I love you all.

Sigue adelante

Love,
Elder John

Monday, March 8th

Well, this week has had it's ups, and it's downs. I guess that's the way it is.

On the upside of things, we had 29 people at church yesterday, 2 of which were investigators. We've found and are teaching some really great people.

This last week we had interviews with Pres. Miller. It's always good to sit and counsel with him. We talked a bit about grandpa and grandma Moulton (He grew up in Bountiful). He talked about how good of a man Heber was, and that I should continue doing everything I can to live up to my name.

Well, the baptism we were going to be having this week doesn't look like it's going to be happening. Her mom had some sort of issue with something, and told her she can't get baptized yet. We still haven't had a chance to talk with the mom about the issue, so...hopefully we can resolve it here, and set another baptismal date for her. That was definitely hard to deal with. Oh well...not a whole lot that can be done about the situation. We'll just keep moving forward.

It has been fun to see the improvements here in Zapata as I've worked here. I continue to give it my all. I know that as I do that, the Lord will fill in the rest.

There's been some other stresses that I've been having lately, that aren't fit for the blog, but suffice it to say, I'm doing well. I've learned more and more to rely on the Lord. Everything happens for a reason afterall, right? It has been challenging, but I will deal with it, and continue forward.

I'm trying to think if there's much else to tell about this week. Not much is coming to mind right now. I've had some really good studies this week, and have learned alot about how simple yet complex the gospel really is, especially in respect to baptism.

Well, I love you all. Press forward!

Con Cariño,

Elder Meservy

Monday, March 1st

Hello to my dear family, and friends.

First off, this week, I hit my sister mark... (18 months as a missionary). It's amazing how the time continues to fly.

Things are going really well here in Zapata. Yesterday we had 25 people at church. We had 2 investigators there...well, 4, but we can't count two of them because we don't have a return appointment set. It's been amazing to see the hand of the Lord. As we do our best, he will, and does prepare the hearts of the people to receive our message.

Just last night, we found an amazing family. Father, Mother, and 3 kids. They invited us right in, and we had an amazing lesson. Unfortunately, the husband works on the oil rigs right outside of Laredo, and so he's gone every other week. We will continue to try to visit with the rest of the family while he's gone.

So, in two weeks, March 14th, we should be having a baptism. Things are still lined up, and moving along really well. She came to church again yesterday. It was so great to see them.
One of the less-actives we're working with is a part-member family. His wife is not a member. Well, they've now been to church two weeks in a row. It's been so much fun to see them there, and to see their excitement about church. They called us on Sunday morning and let us know that they were coming to church, "just so we wouldn't worry."

I continue to be tried and tested, but I continue to grow. I love this amazing opportunity that I have to be here in Zapata. The people are amazing, and it's really become one of my favorite areas.

I love the opportunity that I have to be here, and to work in the Lord's vineyard. My time is quickly passing. However, I am continuing to give it my all. I love you all, and hope that all continues to go well for each and every one of you.

Love,
Elder John