Crazy week doesn't even cover it. Not in the slightest. And you know what? You'd think I'd be better at goodbyes at this point. Nope. Still hate them. SOOO much.
But let me start with the BEST news!!!!! The day before I was transferred (Tuesday), we had my final appointment with Kevin and Katie. We decided to reteach the Restoration for Katie's benefit, and to hit home our testimonies. We had this great object lesson with a tower of cups building Christ's true church, then pulling out the Priesthood and it all tumbling, then rebuilding it again with Joseph Smith. . . it was pretty great. :D It was very clear. And amazing. The three of us were able to teach with the Spirit and testify of the truthfulness of the gospel. KATIE got emotional! And then. . . the best part. . . with the Spirit to back us up, we extended a baptismal date, for BOTH of them. And they accepted. AHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!! It was amazing! The BEST way to end my lessons with them. Kevin is working toward August 3rd, and Katie is working toward August 17th! Pray for them! And I really hope I get permission to come witness it! They were filled with the Spirit and are soooo on track. :)
The next day was transfers. :( :( :( It was so hard to say goodbye. But let me tell you, I've never experienced anything like this transfer meeting. Talk about powerhouse. It's open to whomever wants to come, and so Kevin and Katie both came and sat by us! Both President Packard and his wife spoke, there were amazing musical numbers, then all of the missionaries returning home stood up and bore their testimonies. 22 of them. WOW. They kept it brief, but they did their best to capture in those moments exactly what their mission has meant to them. A lot of them directly addressed the investigators. It was AMAZING. I just sat there and cried. And I KNOW Kevin and Katie felt it, too. Afterwards, President had us (the missionaries) stand, and he left a blessing with us. The Lord is in this mission. It's an amazing thing to know that.
After the tearful goodbyes, I headed off to Rhode Island with my new companion, Sister Platt! She's cool. :) Very mellow. Nothing like my crazy last companions. This will be a very different experience. Somehow, with all of her mellow-ness, she keeps us constantly busy. Which is great. :)
Central Falls is GHETTO. SUPER ghetto. Dingy, crammed, dirty, and downright sketchy in lots of areas. Very different from Weston. But I'm already getting used to it. :) You should see the church building! I'll have to send you a picture. It's on a crammed street and looks just like another little office building. No steeple, so grass, no nothing. Just a gravel patch for a parking lot. The inside is better. I think it's kinda cute on the inside. Teeny little chapel with a couple teeny classrooms. The basement has a teeny kitchen and a font. :) So that's good.
People here are either AWESOME or crazy. Like, legitimately crazy. I've never met so many crazy people in my life. Sister Platt thinks it's funny that I have no idea how to react to these people. I think I'll gain a whole new set of skills! :) :) But the awesome people are beyond awesome. For instance, a stalwart convert we had dinner with bought me a CAKE that said 'Welcome Sister Merkley!' HOW CUTE!!!!!!! And the Elders and Senior Couple we work with are great! We're working with about 5 investigators. :) One of them is named Crystal. She's my favorite. She's a nurse, 22, sassy, and just bumped up her baptismal date to be July 20th! Wahoo!!!! There's such diversity in this ward, too. It was super awkward when I didn't know what Cape Verdean was. :D So many people here are from Cape Verde.
Anyway, life is good! Lots to learn. Lots to do! Keep me posted on life. Mail is the biggest blessing! You all tend to say exactly what I need to hear, when I need to hear it! I love all of you, and you're in my prayers!
Lots of love!
Sister Merkley
MBM Missionary
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