Megan's Letter 9/26/16

This week was the temple trip! I needed it sooo much. I love the peace and answers we can find within the temple walls.

​This is Sister Conteh! I went on an exchange with her this week. She is such a sweet girl. She is a convert to the church and the only active member in her family! It's amazing how steadfast in the gospel she is. 

This week Sister Lewis and I decided to draw the Plan of Salvation with chalk in some random neighborhood! One lady was not too happy with us and went around to the neighbors to warn them so their kids wouldn't see it... That was a bummer!

Right after that we were feeling pretty unappreciated, then we drove past this sign and felt a little better.

 One of the Preachers of this church saw us out there and offered to take our picture! Then next thing we know he invited us to attend the "Missionary Service" the following day. We went and everyone was nice, but it felt extremely awkward and uncomfortable. You could tell they were all a little unsettled with us being there! We felt weird sitting in a service where things were being preached that we completely disagreed with! Overall we were glad we went, and we got a little taste at how hard it can be to attend church for the first time when you don't know anyone! Now we have a little more sympathy for our investigators. (:

This is Kylie! She is 15 and she has been investigating the church for a little under a year. She can be baptized whenever but her complicated family situation has made it hard for her to get there! Right now we are focusing on helping her understand and gain a personal testimony of the Book of Mormon. (: She has been through more trials in her life than most people ever will. This girl is amazing. I can't even explain it!

We spent some time with the Huntsville Hermanas on Saturday! It's interesting because they live in our area and cover all the Spanish basically in the whole zone! But anyway this is Sister Orchard and she is the coolest.

Yesterday we were invited to sit in the Primary for sharing time while the teachers went to a meeting! I found my mini-me and she is the sweetest. Her name is Tristan. (:

We were lucky enough to be able to watch the General Women's session on Saturday. I loved all of the talks! One of my favorite things that was said was when Carol M. Stephens shared the story of the girl with bipolar disorder, and her mom kept telling her: "I would do anything to take this from you". I felt the spirit so strong in those words. I know that the Savior has suffered every pain, sorrow, sickness, and sin that we will ever experience so that we never have to suffer alone. He only asks that we let Him heal us.

I love the gospel! I hope y'all have a great week. (:

-Sister Merrill

Megan's Letter 9/19/16

This week I went on exchange with Sister Hintze! We were laughing at how she has followed me in my zones ever since we've been companions. I love her so much! We spend a lot of time here at a shopping center called Bridge Street! It's amazing and I feel like I'm walking in downtown Disney every time we go. It's also a great place to teach people since it's usually busy and a lot of people will be sitting on benches. (:

Afterwards I got to spend a few hours with Sister Davidson! She is such an amazing and passionate missionary. We were just about to pull out of the parking lot when she saw this homeless lady crossing the street and said: "I KNOW HER"! So we got out and chased her down and had an amazing lesson on the Plan of Salvation. 

This sweet family from Sister Lewis' last area came up and had lunch with us . (:

Then we went to a baptism in Athens and I got to see Benni!! (Sister Benioni)

I love this girl so much.

Last but not least we went out on splits with the cutest Young Women from the other ward yesterday. I can't tell y'all how impressed I am with the youth here in Madison. Every Sunday night we have a combined Preach My Gospel class with the Youth and missionaries from all three wards. Sister Lewis and I had the opportunity to teach it last night! They are so excited about missionary work and I look up to them so much.

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This morning I was reading in 3 Nephi when Christ is among the Nephites, and a verse really stuck out to me! It's in chapter 19, verse 29. It says:

"Father, I pray not for the world, but for those whom thou hast given me out of the world, because of their faith, that they may be purified in me, that I may be in them as thou, Father, art in me, that we may be one, that I may be glorified in them."

It really got me thinking about the importance of being "in the world but not of the world". There are so many things in this life that are easy to get caught up in! I feel so blessed to be on a mission where those things aren't around and don't have power over me as much. I hope to keep that up after my mission. (: 

I hope everyone has a great week! (:

-Sister Merrill

PS PLEASE ENJOY THESE PICTURES OF OUR NEW FRIEND IN THE KITCHEN.

He has invited all his buddies to come live with us... S.O.S.

Megan's Letter 9/12/16

Transfers were on Wednesday!! It was sad saying bye to Sister Moline )': I'm so grateful for her and her incredible example to me of hard work and trust! I will be missing her for sure. 

Here's a pic of me, my baby, my grand daughter, and now my great grand daughter! Wow I'm getting old....

​On the other hand my new comp Sister Lewis is one of the cutest people I've met! She is so sweet, patient and loving with everyone and everything. We get along great! 

Another fun thing about Madison is the amount of missionaries serving up here. There really is strength in numbers!

This week we went with a cute Less Active lady to see Elder Renlund of the Twelve Apostles in Birmingham! It was amazing. It was set up as a question answer session. I was able to receive a lot of answers to questions I've had and be uplifted and motivated to be out here! One of my favorite things he talked about was the importance of trusting the Lord. When you know you're supposed to do something, just do it! You may not see the positive outcome for years. But just trusting His plan for me and learning to trust that His way is way better than my way.

Another great thing Elder Renlund mentioned was that the true "Great Sacrifice of the Son" was the submission of His will to the Fathers. He said that we must follow the example of our Savior and let Heavenly Father know that "thy will be done". I know there are always blessings in store when we truly put Heavenly Father in charge of our lives, and choose His way. Cause that's the purpose of agency. (:

Also I shook Elder Renlund's hand (':

I'm loving Madison! I can't wait to see what comes this transfer. I love y'all and would encourage you to take advantage of the fact that we have MODERN DAY Apostles and a Prophet. I know they are called of God and are given the authority necessary to run Christ's church on the earth today. I love the gospel and all the blessings I have because of it. Have a great week. (:

-Sister Merrill

Megan's Letter 9/6/16

Here's a few pics from MLC last Tuesday!

This week we helped Cynthia with her yard sale!! I love her so much.

 Friday was Zone training and my Hump Day!! We went out to breakfast at Cracker Barrel to celebrate. (: I can't believe how fast 9 months has gone by.

In other news, transfer calls came on Saturday! I found out that I will be going to Madison, AL!! I am so excited. Me and my new companion, Sister Lewis, are going to be whitewashed in (both of us will be new to the area)! It's going to be crazy, but overall I'm really excited. Saying my goodbyes to the people here in Tuscaloosa has been so sad. And to think, I'm leaving two days before the first home game. )': ROLL TIDE ROLL.

Sister Troutner and Lydia:

 Sister Walters:

 Ted:

 The Liljenquist Family:

 Rick and Vanessa:

 The Foote Family:

 The Rowe Family:

I'm so grateful for my time and experiences I've had in the heart of Alabama! I can't wait to come back and visit. Ted came to church on Sunday (fast Sunday) and got up and bore his testimony because Sister Moline and I are both leaving Tuscaloosa. He said that although he's not a member yet, he knows Joseph Smith was a prophet and that the Book of Mormon is another testament of Christ. It was so great to hear him say all that since it's been harder to get through to him the last few weeks! We will miss him and everyone else so much.

Well I love y'all and hope you had a great Labor Day! Don't forget to watch the Alabama game Saturday.

-Sister Merrill

My new address will be:

194 Shelton Rd #116

Madison, AL 35758