Ran a marathon, became a ninja, climbed a mountain, and converted Jesus

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 October 24, 2022

Been an absolutely wild 2 weeks, so much has happened but I'll just throw in the highlights

MARATHON
I got to run in a marathon, it was so much fun. I ended up getting 4th place... Sadly it was only the last 200 meters of the race haha. All the missionaries in Central Point and Medford Zones (about 40-50 of us) got to serve the runners and direct them through this Boston qualifier. So much fun, we got a ton of free food, got to show off my running skills, and we had a breath holding tournament in a giant ice bucket. Guess who won, I'll give you a minute to think... me obviously, who else is that cool.

Fruit Ninja and Pear Trees
I got to do what every young boy loves and swing around a big stick. With said stick I got to do the only thing better which is hit trees and rotting pears with it. Felt like a ninja, got to reconnect with some of the Elders, and got to chuck rotten pears at people. Very fun. Be a missionary.

Jesus is getting Baptized?
Met this awesome dude, and he knew nothing about Christianity, and after many long visits, help from the area 70, and lots of testimony he has decided to follow in his Namesake and be baptized just like Christ!!! So exciting, this is the first person that I have personally found and taught. It is so much fun to see the joy this all brings to him :)

Lastly, thanks everyone for all the emails. Of course when I mention the fact that I play volleyball with my head everyone emails back and say "of course you are Merik" anyway just want to leave with my testimony.

God loves each of us as a perfect father loves his children. He knows each of us by name and need and wants the absolute best for us, sadly that means we get to make choices and learn (sometimes at the expense of others). Through Christ, sincere effort to improve, and continually showing others that you are a follower of Him, we can be beacons of hope in this tangled world. Share that light, and I promise, with the calling I have been given, that if you take each and every opportunity to do as Christ DOES, your burdens and hardships in this life will be made light. Love you guys muchísimo and can't wait to hear what I'm missing out on.

PS I got to climb a tall mountain today, 8hrs, unexpected snow, sub 30°, almost died. I learned to listen to the spirit today.


Blackberrys are evil but the river was cool


The mission at the marathon


3. My new haircut


4. Weird crow because why not


5. Life size Spiderman 


6-7 having fun on mountain, being chastised by the weather 







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