"I really baptized her!"

HELLO.

First of all, Jennifer was able to be baptized!!!! She was so excited. It was such a good baptism, and the spirit was there so strong. Bishop was crying the whole time. We had our two recent converts speak. Minnie (member for 7 months) spoke on baptism, and Chelsea (member for 2 months) spoke on the Holy Ghost. They did AMAZING. And both talks touched Jennifer. We had Elder Roberts do the baptism. He has been out for about a month and it was his first time baptizing someone. She went so low she almost hit the ground. "I really baptized her." said Elder Roberts. Jennifer then gave her testimony. I had never before heard the story of why she let us into her home in the first place, and it was so touching to hear that a voice inside her head told her to "let them in." She said she's never regretted it and she knows this is the truth. We are so happy for her! The Ward members are great. Her visiting teachers are AMAZING and just taking such good care of her already. (:

This week has been full of working with the members. We have received so many referrals this week and have really been working on getting the members trust. I cannot tell you how often we have heard "thank you for bringing the spirit into our home" this week. It's been awesome.

I think it all started with zone meeting. We were all supposed to prepare a four minute restoration lessons and then we would role play it. ROLE PLAYS. They are aweso...actually I hate them. They are so hard, and you look and feel so dumb. But they are the best things. They help so much. So sister Holmgren and I got with another companionship and taught the four minute restoration. Simple and full of the spirit. It was amazing the spirit you felt while in the church gym. All these missionaries testifying that our Heavenly Father loves us and because he loves us he sent His son, Jesus Christ to take upon Him our sins, and that Jesus Christ's church has been restored through a living prophet named Joseph Smith. powerful.

We decided to do this while tracting. So while we are on door steps we don't even allow for them to reject us and close the door, we just start teaching. It's helped so much and we have been able to have such meaningful contacts this week because of it. By testifying of these things on the doorstep, there is no denying the spirit that comes. There have been tears in people's eyes! It's amazing.

The elders came up with a fun way for us to leave thank you cards at dinner. We are now writing a thank you note on the back of a picture with all of us and sneaking it onto their fridge somehow. ... Aka, it's just an excuse to get a picture with us (; haha just kidding. But it's fun and the members have loved it so far. The picture is below, but sorry it's a little blurry.

We haven't had many lessons this week and everyone we had scheduled to get in with canceled. SO we did a lot of tracting. One night when we had already tracted all the streets we had picked out we hopped into he car and looked through our GPS to see who was nearby we could stop in on. There was something marked right at the beginning of a street so we clicked on it and it literally said "tract here." Okay! So we did. We found this Muslim lady who let us in to teach her. She said it was funny because the night before her and her husband were talking about Mormons and had a bunch of questions, and we were able to answer them all for her. She's really not interested in converting, but it was still a cool experience nonetheless (:

I've been studying a lot on faith this week and I found this really awesome talk called "the transforming power of strength and character" by Richard G Scott. But I really liked this little part of it...

"What are some of the empowering principles upon which faith is based?

-Trust in God and in His willingness to provide help when needed, no matter how challenging the circumstance.

-Obedience to His commandments and a life that demonstrates that He can trust you.

- Sensitivity to the quiet promptings of the Holy Spirit.

-Courageous implementation of that prompting.

- Patience and understanding when God lets you struggle to grow and when answers come a piece at a time over an extended period."

Anyway, I hope we can all have a little more faith this week and nourish that faith by daily prayer and scripture study. I know that our Heavenly Father loves us all, and because He loves us, He has restored the truth on the earth once more. I love you all. <3

Love, Sister Merritt

Stairs and Stairs and Stairs....

HELLO.

There are so many hills in Georgia. SO MANY. For some reason this week we decided to tract all the neighborhoods with the steepest driveways ever. Like, I had to take breaks on the way up to the houses because the driveways were like a mile long at a 90 degree angle with the road. (I may be exaggerating) but STILL. I've come to appreciate those people who have put in stairs alongside their driveway so it's a lot easier to walk up. S/O to stairs.

Also, people here like to feed us. Everywhere we went people gave us food, especially last Wednesday. We were so full all day, PLUS we had a double dinner. I'm not complaining, but if I come home 50 pounds heavier, blame Georgia. 

I really enjoy tracting too. It is SO funny to hear people's responses to us sometimes. Like this last week this woman got her words mixed up and told us to "take our message to someone who doesn't need it." Okay, ma'am. You just admitted you need this message. Or once this woman wouldn't open her glass door and asked us what we wanted but she kept saying " I can't hear you!" ... Hmm weird. Maybe it's because there is a glass door in between us? Idk though. Haha people are funny. 

As we were driving to a street that we had planned to tract yesterday with Chelsea, Kirk and Latisha, some potentials came to mind. We had met them on the Fourth of July, they let us right in and we were able to share with them the Book of Mormon. They told us we could come back anytime, but every time we went by (with Chelsea) they were never home. We had never entered their names or address into the area book but we wrote it down in sister Barben's planner, and when Sister Barben left...so did the address. We had no idea where to find them. So as we were driving we asked Chelsea if she remembered where they lived. Her response was "They just came to my mind too!" But she couldn't remember where they lived either. When we pulled into the street we had planned to tract we were so excited to see that this was Kirk and Latisha's street!!! We were able to knock on their door and they were home! They told us what a blessing we had been to them on the Fourth of July and to come back this weekend to share more about our church with their family! Miracle.

Last night it was getting dark and all of our plans and backup plans fell through. We were looking through the the GPS to see who lived nearby who we could stop in on. When we were scrolling down we both felt prompted to go the Richardson's. A part-member/less active family that we have been trying to get in with for months but we always seem to miss each other. As we pulled up to their house we noticed a lot of cars there and it looked like they were having a party. We didn't want to be a bother to them but we went up to the door anymore, knowing they would probably just schedule a better time we could come back. We were joking with each other saying how funny it would be if they just invited us in and had a share a message with everyone! Well... That's what happened!! Sister Richardson opened the door telling us to come right in and that they needed a little family home evening lesson! We had dessert with them and they allowed us to share a short message with them which brought the spirit really strongly and invite them to church. One of the teenage girls mentioned that she really liked my dress.  I told her that if she came to church with us, she could wear it! She was really excited! They said they'd all try to make it (: it was definitely a blessing! 

Anyway. Thanks for all your prayers and support. Love ya'll. 

Love, Sister Merritt 

I had to take a break walking up those stairs... 

"Awesome-Sauce" ?

Hey ya'll.

This week has been eventful and uneventful all at the same time. Don't ask me how that happens. 

First of all. We went to visit Jennifer this week and she tells us she has news. SHE GOT A SUNDAY OFF OF WORK. About time. She was able to come to Stake Conference and loved it! She is now back on date to be baptized on the 12th of September- and we all could not be more excited!! 

Second of all, we have been teaching these two girls, Jade and Isis. Their grandma wanted us to do a bible study with them. So we have been tying in the bible stories with the Book of Mormon stories and our lessons. It's been really fun aaaannnnd they want to be baptized as well! September 19th. We are working hard toward these baptism dates. It's never easy when satan is working against you. But Alma 26:12 states that "in His strength I can do all things." We can do it (: 

Other than that it's been pretty slow. I mean, we have had lessons but there isn't too much progress happening, which is okay. Baby steps. We had Stake Conference this week. It was really wonderful, all about the family and how we can strengthen our testimonies in the home. I also learned that "awesome-sauce" was added to the dictionary?? REALLY?? Oh dear. Bless the future generations.

It's been so cool this week! I have absolutely loved it! There has been a cool breeze with almost no humidity. HEAVEN.  And the bugs have been dying down, which is amazing as well. I have gotten used to people calling me ma'am here in the south. But I don't like it. It makes me feel like an old lady. However, I catch myself saying, "yes ma'am" or "no ma'am" all the time now. And "bless his heart"-- that's a southern favorite I guess. Anyway.

I was just informed last night that the Shallowford Ward had their first baptism in five years last year. And it's just been growing ever since. The Lord is hastening His work and I feel so blessed to be part of it. There are amazing missionaries that I have the opportunity to know, learn from, and work with here. The members are greatly involved with missionary work, always giving us referrals and praying for their family and friends to accept the gospel. The people that we see on the streets and in their doors are friendly and are slowly but surely being prepared! Let's all pray for enough faith and courage to share this gospel with all who will listen. 

Have a great week. I love ya'll! 

Love, Sister Merritt

Tender Mercies

Hey ya'll.

This week has been crazy busy with transfers and everything. Im still in the Shallowford Ward, which I'm so happy about, because I love it. The members are stellar. And we are seeing so much success. I have a new companion! Her name is Sister Holmgren, she is from North Ogden, Utah and fresh out of the MTC. But you wouldn't even guess it. She's doing so well. Already contacting on the door step and bearing a strong testimony in lessons. I love her (': so proud.

We tracted a lot this week. We had a ton of lessons Monday and Tuesday because very one wanted to say goodbye to sister Barben, but then nobody wanted us to come back until the next week. So tracting it is! We were having absolutely no success at finding anyone who was interested in our message. Three whole days of nothing. The zone leaders called us up last night to ask us a question and to see how we were doing and told us that they were able to find a couple new investigators this week. They gave us some advice to just be bold....thank you. Cause we weren't already doing that. But I got a little prideful and determined that we were going to find one new investigator. We worked so hard, praying with all our might that we would find someone. About half an hour before we had to go in for the night and report our numbers we had an impression to go to Arlene's home. Sister Barben and I had taught them the first lesson many weeks ago but they didn't seem interested and we never got in with them again. But we stopped in on them anyway and they invited us right in! Arlene told us she had been thinking about us a lot lately and wants us to start teaching her grandchildren! She made a return appointment and BAM. 3 new investigators! We were so happy that we said not one, but TWO grateful prayers. It was definitely a miracle.

Right after that, we stopped in on a less active that we have trying to get in with since I've gotten here 3 months ago, but she has never been home. But she was home!! And wants us to come back tonight to visit with her. BLESSINGS. God is good.

I absolutely love it here. It's starting to cool off, thankfully. And hopefully the bugs will start to go away. Yuck. But there are tender mercies each and every day. Our Heavenly Father is so mindful of us and is willing to bless us if we only work hard and are obedient. (: I hope everyone has a great week. Look for the tender mercies in your life!!

Love, Sister Merritt

Our last night, all four of us with Jeanne and a birthday celebration for Elder Perez and Sister Barben. (:

It's A Girl!!!

Hey Ya'll,

I swear the weeks just go by faster and faster. But I have a surprise! I'm getting a baby missionary!! Yep. She'll probably be amazing. I'm excited, but definitely need your prayers because I have no idea what to do. Haha (:

This week sister Barben and I have had many adventures. Beginning with floating lanterns & giant spiders (shown below) and ending with tear stained cheeks.

Monday night Chelsea, our recent convert, had signed up to feed us dinner. She also wanted to do a family home evening lesson with us for a personal progress project before she left for the University of Georgia. We had a picnic on the huge church lawn, and talked about all the memories we have all had together. She had an amazing lesson prepared and we ended with sending floating lanterns up in the sky. It was the most perfect night. The last time we would all be together for awhile...

But.. We were able to get three new investigators this week!. Two of them coming from searching down a less active.

It was actually a miracle because the less actives two daughters have such high standards and they feel alone when they tell their friends they don't do anything like party or drink. We told them about the young women's program and earlier morning seminary and mutuel and things like that which they were so excited about. Right after our lesson with them we met a member at a restaurant for dinner. She told us how she was the seminary teacher for the 15 year olds (one of their ages) and she would love to come to our next lesson. She's a very missionary minded woman. All of a sudden our waitress came up to us and asked us a lot of questions about our church, which is surprising. Turns out her husband is a less active we've been trying for months to get in with. (: little miracles. Just goes to show how much the lords hand is in our lives.

I can't wait for the adventures that are awaiting this week.

I hope ya'll have an amazing week! Love ya'll.

Love, Sister Merritt

Sweet Pork Overload....

Hello.

This week has flown by. I don't even know what has happened to be honest. We have been so extremely blessed with lessons. Everyone we have stopped in on has let us in and we have been able to teach and share messages. Our investigators are progressing, but especially our dear Spanish investigator Biri. When we went over this week to talk with her, one of her family friends was over there too. Very nice and is able to speak both English and Spanish so he was able to translate for us. He told us he had been reading the Book of Mormon as well and we were able to answer a few of his questions. He then told us that he was really confused about what church to join, he's been a Jew, a Baptist, a Methodist, etc. Biri than spoke up and said, "Joseph Smith was confused too, until he prayed and received an answer." :') so proud.

When we went over to teach Jeanne this week she told us that she wanted to stop smoking and that the Elders have been praying for her to stop (we have too) as she puts a cigarette in her mouth. As she goes to light it, the lighter won't work. She tries multiple times. Still won't work. Tries a Different lighter...won't work. Haha it just goes to show that Heavenly Father answers prayers in mysterious ways and He has a sense of humor. ... She didn't think it was funny.

It's been a good week. The members here for some reason have loved making pulled pork this week and giving us all the left overs. Let's just say we won't be going hungry anytime soon. Our fridge is FILLED with sweet pork.

It's still humid and hot here. Gotta love it. But-- I don't have to love the bugs. We were able to have Sisters P-day today and we all went bowling. So here is a picture. And one of Biri, and the Zone. 

Love ya'll and hope you have a fabulous week. <3

Sister Merritt

But if not.....

Hey ya'll.

This week has been so wonderful. Definitely has been filled with blessings and miracles both big and small. The Shallowford area is A-M-A-Z-I-N-G. 

 So this past Tuesday we stopped by Sister Mower and shared the restoration with her son Riley. We answered any questions he had and left him with a reading assignment in the Book of Mormon! Sister Mower even said she would read the Book of Mormon with him!! We invited him to church and he said he wanted to come. Sister Mower said she would come to church with him since he is only 11! They weren't able to come this past week because they were out of town. But plan on coming this week! It was amazing to see sister Mowers willingness to start being more involved to help her son. We also asked Sister Mower to share her conversion story with Riley. It was neat to see a little bit of her faith be rekindled once again! 

The other day we stopped in on a less active who wasn't home. So we asked the neighbors about them and then Decided to keep going down the street. Once we finished the street we had a feeling to go to the next street over. The first door we knocked on, this 16 year old girl answered. We started talking to her about the Book of Mormon and her grandmother from inside told us to come inside. We had just interrupted family bible study. But they were willing to listen to us. We were able to teach Arlene, her two granddaughters, and her niece the first lessons and we asked them if they would like a Book of Mormon. Arlene did not want one, she was content with her bible and nothing else could add to that. But both her granddaughters wanted one and as soon as we gave each of them a copy and committed them to read and pray about it. Arlene said "I might read a little bit too, since these books will be lying around the house." We were invited to come back every week before bible study to teach them more. (: 

As I've been studying faith this week I was reading in Daniel about Shadrach, Meshack, and Abednego. And how they would not worship the idol King Nebuchadnezzar commanded them to worship. When the King told them if they would not worship it he would throw them into the fiery furnace I love their response: 

" If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us out of thine hand, o King. 

But if not, be it known unto thee, o King, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up" 

I love how they had faith Heavenly Father would deliver them out of the Kings hand, but if not, they still had faith in Him and knew it was part of Gods plan. 

I found a talk called "but if not.." And I would encourage everyone to read it. But I love one part in particular..

"Our God will deliver us from ridicule and persecution, but if not. … Our God will deliver us from sickness and disease, but if not … . He will deliver us from loneliness, depression, or fear, but if not. … Our God will deliver us from threats, accusations, and insecurity, but if not. … He will deliver us from death or impairment of loved ones, but if not, … we will trust in the Lord.

  Our God will see that we receive justice and fairness, but if not. … He will make sure that we are loved and recognized, but if not. … We will receive a perfect companion and righteous and obedient children, but if not, … we will have faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, knowing that if we do all we can do, we will, in His time and in His way, be delivered and receive all that He has." 

I hope we all strive to have faith like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Have the best week ya'll. 

Love, Sister Merritt