Megan's Letter 3/27/17

I am completely humbled at the miracles we see as missionaries every single day.

The spirit was so strong at Savannah's baptism! She cried as she listened to the talks, and she bore a strong testimony after she was baptized. After the baptism she insisted we sit down with her 2 nonmember friends and teach them the Plan of Salvation. She could have taught the entire lesson on her own. (: I can't wait for the day that her and Matt become a forever family.

1 Thessalonians 2 

"13 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.

19 For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?

20 For ye are our glory and joy."

I can truly testify that the glory and joy of missionary work comes through seeing the conversion of those you serve. The converts I have come to love have taught me more than I ever could teach them.

Lindsey's birthday was on Friday!! I am so lucky to have her in my life. 

Sunday was bitter sweet. An amazing fast Sunday, but due to General Conference it was my last Sunday to see all the members! The Florence Ward is my 2nd home. These people are family here.

I love Alabama. I love this gospel. I love my Savior. Have a great week!

-Sister Merrill

Megan's Letter 3/20/17

This week has been absolutely crazy and we only have about 20 minutes to email so I'm going to keep this short!

Stephen was baptized! He is incredible. I'm grateful that I was lucky enough to pick up the phone the day he called the church. He is a miracle!

Savannah is doing AWESOME. She is on track to be baptized this Saturday! It's a blessing to see how much peace the Plan of Salvation has given her. What amazing knowledge we have, and often take for granted.

Shawn is progressing well towards April 15th! I love his little brother Kevin too.

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Brother Foote and his family came to visit and took us to this amazing restaurant on top of a tower!!!

I got to spend a few days with Sister Beck this week! She is amazing and probably the most genuine person I have ever met. I love her.

We saw Charlotte yesterday! It was her 1 year mark of baptism. She is going to try to come to church next week!(:

I have a new companion as of today! Her name is Sister Beus. We actually came out together but haven't been able to serve around each other until now.(: I love her so much!

Ether 12:6 says:

"And now, I, Moroni, would speak somewhat concerning these things; I would show unto the world that faith is things which are hoped for and not seen; wherefore, dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith."

I feel that I can truly testify of that verse this week. Although I've definitely seen some trials recently, I've also received many witnesses that this work is true. Miracles happen every day. The spirit of God is alive in Florence, AL! I love this gospel so much.

 I'm so grateful for my mission and I wouldn't take one minute of it back! I love y'all and I'll talk to you next week!

-Sister Merrill

Megan's Letter 3/13/17

Let me tell y'all a little bit about this week!

Shane is doing really well! We did end up pushing his baptismal date to April 1st since he is having trouble quitting smoking. No, that's not an April fools joke. (: He came to church this week, pink eye and all!

Shawn is doing...okay. We taught him the Word of Wisdom this last Saturday. What Southern 11 year old wants to hear he can't have his sweet tea!? He was not a happy camper. We finally have a set baptismal date for him on April 15th!

HUGE miracle this week- So last year Sister Patten and I taught the sweetest girl named Savannah! She was living with a less active member and they were planning on getting married later on that year. She never could progress too far since she couldn't be baptized unless she moved out or got married! She slowly fell out of our teaching pool.

Well turns out they did get married last year! And we have stopped by to see her a few times and invited her to take the lessons again. She said she would love to. So we went over there this week with one of her favorite members, Sister Dickson. We decided to start with the Plan of Salvation due to some trials we know she's been facing. She cried during the lesson and said it brought her so much peace! We invited her to baptism and she picked March 25th! She came to church yesterday with her husband and his two boys.

Another little miracle to me was that my trainer, Sister Patten, came to visit this week! She was here for a temple wedding and I was lucky enough to spend some time with her. This girl shaped my mission and changed my view on the gospel. I love her so much.

We saw SNOW yesterday morning!! That never happens here. They about shut down the whole state. (; It reminded me of home!

(Don't mind my face)

I hope y'all have an amazing week. I love this gospel with all my heart and I'm so grateful I get to share it.

-Sister Merrill

Megan's Letter 3/6/17

Hey y'all this week was SO good. I am just so happy to be here.

Stephen is progressing every day! We saw him twice this week. He is really trying hard to quit smoking. We committed him to stop completely on Friday! He came to church yesterday and said he hasn't smoked one since we last talked. That is a miracle because he had been smoking 3 packs a day!

Another miracle was that we got to see Charlotte finally! Her mom passed last Sunday so she is having a hard time. I am grateful that she has a knowledge of the Plan of Salvation and that she knows she will see her mom again. I was talking on the phone with her last Monday and she brought up a really good point. She said that God does not keep us safe, he keeps us secure. That is so true! God isn't going to stop trial and tribulation from coming into our lives, because that's how we grow! He will, however, keep us secure in those trials.

Alma 36:3 says

"...whosoever shall put their trust in God shall be supported in their trials, and their troubles, and their afflictions, and shall be lifted up at the last day."

 I love Charlotte so much. We are hoping to go over another day this week but it can be hard since she lives allllll the way out in Lexington.

We spent a good minute with Lindsey this week! We went to this historical Indian Mound here in Florence! There has been some speculation that this mound could have been built by the Nephites because of the time period, and an ancient Native American story about a great and last battle with a "great white people". Of course the museum said nothing like that. (:

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​We also went to the walking bridge with her!

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Sister Cullimore hit her year mark on the same day I hit my 15 month mark! So we went downtown on our bikes (yes I biked, pick your jaw up off the floor) to get Ice Cream and take a few pictures!(:

​ Zone Training was last week as well.

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Anyway it was a great week here in Florence!

I hope y'all had a great week too. (: Talk to you next week!!

-Sister Merrill