Megan's Letter 10/10/16

This week I went to Athens, AL on exchange with Sister Cushing! We had a blast. I even held a member's baby goat, and we went hammocking on the apartment deck. (:

Elder Dyches from the quorum of the Seventy came and visited our mission! We had a special MLC where he trained on agency, and how we can be better agents. The next day we had a Zone Conference with half the mission!

LINDSEY CAME TO VISIT ME. I cannot begin to tell y'all how much this girl means to me. (: Regan also came later that night! It's so nice to be close to home (Florence).

Right now we have the privilege to be teaching Zekayla! She is 9 years old and her mom is completely inactive, but her 18 year old brother and her get picked up by members for church every week. They have really hard living conditions. It's humbling to be able to work with her. She is so smart too! She read the first vision without even stumbling yesterday. Most of our adult investigators struggle with that one!

When Sister Dyches spoke on Thursday she read something that really stuck out to me! The definition of repentance from the Bible dictionary states: 

"The Greek word of which this is the translation denotes a change of mind, a fresh view about God, about oneself, and about the world. Since we are born into conditions of mortality, repentance comes to mean a turning of the heart and will to God, and a renunciation of sin to which we are naturally inclined.... Repentance is not optional for salvation; it is a commandment of God."

I am so grateful for the opportunity to repent given to us by our loving Savior. Some of my favorite scriptures in the Book of Mormon are Alma 7:11-12.

" 11 And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.

 12 And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities."

I know the Savior suffered for each and every one of our sins so that we may be cleansed and return to live with Him! I am grateful for the knowledge that He also suffered for our infirmities so that we may be comforted. I feel so lucky to be able to wear Christ's name on my chest each day as I serve Him here. 

I hope y'all have a great week!

-Sister Merrill