Merrill Family 2013 Christmas Letter

Dear Family and Friends,

In case you have been wondering why you haven't seen me in a while, it's because I'm in Curitiba, Brazil serving a mission. In this Christmas season, I would like to share my personal testimony that Jesus Christ really came to the earth with the purpose to save all of us. The will and glory of God is to help us all reach happiness now and in the eternities, and it is contrary to the will of God that any of us lose eternal happiness, regardless of our weaknesses, shortcomings, failures, or our past. God will give us the strength we need to carry on when we show him our faith and our desire to change. Elder Michael Merrill

Hello everyone! This year has been fairly eventful for me. I transferred schools for my junior year and am now on track to graduate by next January, and I am looking into possibly going to USU next spring semester. I got my drivers’ license, and am now officially allowed to date guys. Something I greatly enjoy. I also had a lovely case of mono for about six weeks this fall which was just fantastic. The other highlight of my year was going to an indie rock concert a few weeks ago. So there you all go. Annie

This year I went into sixth grade, which meant I went into Magnolia Intermediate School. I also turned 12 and received the priesthood, so now it is my responsibility to pass the Sacrament every week. I joined the Odyssey of the Mind program that Stephanie does, and it’s very fun. Now I’m in the school choir also. I have reading glasses now, which is strange since I’m far sighted and most people in the family are near sighted.Adam

Family, work, and church responsibilities keep me constantly on the go. Launching a new product for my employer this year has really ramped up the travel. I visited a couple of places I’d never been before with trips to both Mumbai, India and Mexico City. I always come back with a great appreciation for the US of A. As a bishop, and now stake president in our church, I have the privilege of working with many wonderful people in serving our community and sharing my faith in the gospel of Jesus Christ. Whether it is ringing bells with our local scout troop for the Salvation Army or encouraging someone who is struggling with illness or other concerns, being involved in positive service always lifts me up. I appreciate Gwen and our family’s support that makes that possible. Chris

  
My greatest challenge, as usual, is keeping up with the family’s schedule and making sure everyone gets where they need to be with relatively health food in their tummies and clean socks on their feet. In January I relinquished my job as a substitute teacher and left that to those with stronger intestinal fortitude than I. I now work part-time as a special ed aide at Lyman Gilmore Middle School, and I thoroughly enjoy the students and my colleagues. 

Last Spring I participated in my school’s jazz choir and the Northern California Honor Choir. I also made it into honor choir this fall and plan to do jazz choir. In the spring I also competed in Odyssey of the Mind and my team took first at regionals and fourth at state. I also started OotM again this fall and will compete in the spring. I also played soccer this year, which was fun because I got to play with a lot of my friends. In June I went to Orlando Florida with my parents for a week, and my mom and I went to Universal Orlando, the highlight of which was Harry Potter World. So that was my year! Stephanie

This has been a year of positive change for me in many respects. I now work for best buy doing asset protection, and hope to soon work in a full time position there, as full time employees get paid tuition. Also as of almost seven months ago I started dating a wonderful girl, and her and her three children are really fun to be with and bring me a lot of joy, as well as experiences to learn and grow. I wish everyone a happy holidays! Love- Jared

 

Shortly after returning to his studies at USU in Logan, Utah at the beginning of the year, Kent started dating Alyssa Matusek. We knew when he didn’t return home for the summer that this relationship was SERIOUS, so we weren’t surprised when they announced their engagement. On October 17 they were sealed in the Logan LDS Temple, surrounded by family and friends. We are grateful for another beautiful daughter in our family.

This Christmas season our family wishes you a glorious new year filled with the joy and peace our Savior offers freely to all of our Father’s children.

Merry Christmas!

Love,

Chris and Gwen Merrill family