Monday, June 5, 2017

Fwd: The ACTUAL Merrils in Mthatha!

Hello! well. this week. Amazing!! full of fun, laughter, and good times. 

It all started with an amazing trip to a waterfall about an hour away. It was like a two tear waterfall, the first fall of about 50 feet and the second about 200 feet. We played tag, threw the football, found a dead rotting dog, oh, and I saved elder Paskett twice from falling to death. It was Sweet!! ahha

We climbed onto a cliff, about 300 feet above the bottom lake and pond thing, it was so cool. we sat and leaned over the edge. Elder Kyles was a little scared, and didnt join us, but it was a blessing, he got some sweet pics! The cool part was getting back out. The cliff was at the end of this slope thing, with a little drop to get onto it. So after messing around on it, (only about 3 ft by 5 ft area) it was quite jammed, and to get back up required a fun free climbing move, only 300 feet above the bottom. You had to reach you right hand up (actually a nice hold) but had nothing for the left, and then stretch your right leg out and around, to step up to a little crimp for left hand, and small ledge for left foot. It wasn't too challenging, but the thought of dang, that would stink to fall, was definitely in our minds. 

We met and taught some great people before leaving to queenstown and one of which was this girl named nosipho. She had a great prayer and really felt the spirit tell her it was true. We are now gonna work for her to be baptised at the end of June! It will be so fun, and she is gonna help lead all of her friends to be baptised as well.

WHEN IN QUEENSTOWN pt 4! Zander's birthday was really fun. We got to go to queenstown for zone conference, which of course led to a lot of kfc, ice cream, and fun with the elders in our zone!

It was our last interview with President. We talked about my favorite trainings I have received, many great ways to follow the Spirit and how to be a great leader. He also told me that in the whole mission 50% of the mission is being transferred, and that there is only one elder coming into the whole mission, and I am going to be called to train him! So I will get a new elder, from South Africa! At the end of the interview, I received a blessing from him. He said many wonderful things, and is truly inspired by God in everything. He blessed me with more faith, and how that has been influential on my success and how that will always be the reason for success with the Lord.

Zone Conference was great, and president Merrill gave some great training on never giving up, and how to always work hard, enjoy suffering, and being obedient. It was just really perfect. 

We got home Friday morning and had a great weekend of teaching. KK and her sister are doing really well, and both came to church on sunday! The two little girls also came and are loving it all, and getting really close to baptism! 

SUNDAY, MERRILLS IN MTHATHA. What a great day. It was so fun. We made a lot of the food sunday morning, and sat night, because they would have to leave quickly after church. It was really fun to have them listen the testimony meeting in mthatha, they helped a lot in gospel principles, and taught relief society and priesthood. The whole branch was sooo excited to have them there, especially us.

Lunch was fantastic. We ate loads of pork tacos, watched sister merrill Pound a lot of homemade tortillas, and had one of the best talks with them all together. It was definitely one of the best dinners ever. It was just very chill and fun, not worrying about anything. Talked a lot about life, and mission, and yeah. haha We got some really funny selfies with them, and it was a bitter-sweet departure. knowing I wont see them again for a while. They have truly been amazing in helping me learn and grow on mission, and to be the person I want to be. I am so thankful to be called on mission at this time with them.

The Lord is in charge of this work. He is the ultimate director. I love Mthatha. I love mission. I love the gospel. And I love all of you! 

Love, Elder Ivins

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