On January 27, 2011 Eric Merkley was diagnosed with osteosarcoma. An aggressive cancer that we hope and the doctors to this point seem confident that is contained to one spot on his leg. Prognosis is good. Treatments and recovery will be long and painful.

Wednesday, January 1, 2014

Merry Christmas and a VERY Happy New Year

Our family would like to wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!! 
We had a great time speaking with Eric on Christmas.  We actually got pretty "High Tech" and plugged the I pad into the TV, so he was on the "Big Screen".  and we were all able to sit on the couch and talk to him.  He was able to see and hear us all, so it was so much fun and I have to admit when you bring our family together, it gets a little crazy.

 
This is what he said in his email today:

Happy New Year!!!

This past week was such a great week here in the work. We saw a member in a family of ours be baptized this past weekend, her name is Karnyah. Her grandma and great grandma would come to church but this baptism of Karynah has really boosted up their testimonies and really helped them feel the spirit. After we worked with them and a lot of support from the members of the ward and love from the Savior they are completely active and fully receiving the blessings of the gospel. I am so grateful to be a part of the baptism and to see one more child of God enter into the fold. I am so grateful for the Blessing that I have seen with the Lao and the Meinh people. They have taught me so much over the past year and I know that there is nothing that I can do in order to pay them back or help them understand how much I care and love them all. One of the most important things that I feel like I have learned is that we all often live below our privileges within the gospel. No matter what it may be or how often we stay below that mark, we have so much more that is available  to us if we would truly open our heart and come unto Christ and allow him to shape our hearts. I am so grateful for my Savior Jesus Christ and his love, and at times when I want to get up and run, he blesses me enough to walk.

 

Much love Elder Merkley
 
In just a short 6 1/2 months left till he gets to come home!!  I say short, because I am trying to be positive.  I am so proud of him and love to see the spiritual growth he has had in his life that I know he will finish his mission out strong.  He keeps telling me he is going to extend his time in Sacramento and I had told him that I will drive that 10 hours and 34 minutes to grab him by his ears and drag him home... So we will see what Heavenly Father has in store for him.