"Week 2! I'm outta here!!!!!!"

Family and friends!!!!!!!!!!!!!
. . . I don't know how on earth I'm expected to summarize my week. Every day is practically a week of its own. But I'll see what I can do.

The MTC is exhausting mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. It's still the best. :) We're on the move from 6 AM to 10:30 PM, and that's IF we manage to get to bed on time! We've sat through and taught lesson after lesson. The teachers have been so patient and inspired. We honestly had way too many break-downs. Poor Sister Chadwick has had a rough time vocalizing what she wants to say, and that frustrates her like you wouldn't believe. Sister Percival and I are amazed. She's a tough girl, and she told us the very first day that she is NOT a crier. I'm pretty sure she's cried more than both of us. And I'm usually the emotional one (as you all know) but though my emotions are still strong, they've had a hard time translating into tears. All of my emotion just churns inside of me.

Not to say that all the emotions are negative! NO! Some are, but it's also holy ground, and I have never felt the spirit so CONSISTENTLY in my entire life. The district has turned into my family. I had a hard time saying goodbye to my favorite teacher, Brother Sorensen, on Saturday. He's a short little guy with a humongous heart and gentle power, if you know what I mean. My most spiritual experiences so far have been with him. At one point, we were reading from the Book of Mormon, and he asked us to get on our knees and pray to know if Jesus is really the Christ; our Savior. We all have powerful testimonies of Christ, but he made a strong point that we can ALWAYS ask, and our testimonies can always grow. He offered the prayer, and by the time we got to our feet again, nearly all of us were in tears. The Spirit testifies of truth. Jesus is the Christ.

We met with our first real-ish investigator. Her name is Sarah Mae. She is from Tennessee and has the saddest backstory. Poor lady. Her job is to let us talk to her and teach her the lessons. She truly had no idea what we believe, but she loved the Bible and searched it diligently when she was younger, until she lost trust in God because of all the horrors of her life. Teaching is hard! We love her so much and met with her multiple times, but there were rare occasions when we got through to her. When we did it was amazing, and I KNOW she felt something. But I'm not sure if we convinced her to act or not. She struggles with her relationship with God to the point she doesn't want to put anything to the test. Still, it was a great experience. We said goodbye to her today.

In-field orientation was all day Thursday! It made me SOOOO excited to get out into the field!!!! CAN'T WAIT! But I'm terrified. But I can't wait. Yeah. :) Gosh, I feel like I just settled here. I'm saying goodbyes all over again, so soon. The Elders of my district gave me a blessing today, though. That was wonderful and comforting.

Haha, the Elders told us one word for their first impression of us and their last impression of us. Mine was pretty uniform for everyone, both before and after. Sweet. :D

I'm leaving the MTC at 6:30 AM tomorrow morning!!!! Sister Chadwick and I are hopping on a plane to hit Atlanta, then our connecting flight to Boston. Can you believe it???? I certainly can't. It's surreal. No more training wheels--this is the big leagues.

Thanks for your prayers in my behalf. I feel your support, and that's one of my main motivations. :) You are all the best!

Handwrite me for Boston! I'll have more time to answer. Can't wait to email you next week and tell you ALL ABOUT IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I wonder where my first area will be. . .
Lots of love!

~Sister Merkley
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