Wow! So much can happen in a week!!!!!!! It's been crazy and amazing and full of miracles! Let me start with Monday!
It was pretty much the best. After we emailed, we headed out to a great game of Ultimate Frisbee with the Zone and an investigator. And we had s'mores after. That was the point of the whole thing, because Sister Lima had NEVER had a s'more! Brazilians. . . ;) But the best part of the night was when we were back to our regular proselyting activities and met up with Shyanne to teach her the Word of Wisdom and the Law of Chastity.
Background on Shyanne -- she's a cute 18-year-old that met the missionaries while hanging out at a friend's house. That friend is one of our awesome young women, and her mom is the Young Womens' president. :) The Elders stopped by, and BINGO! New investigator. Moral of the story--never try to predict whether someone will accept the gospel. Jamie had no idea her friend would be interested. :) Shyanne has been taking the lessons for awhile, but the Elders thought it would be good for us to take on this lesson. With pleasure, Elders! :D So we got all prepared and had a powerful lesson in the home of a member. She is awesome! No problem for her. . . she understood the commandments and committed to them because she knew it was right. Score! She had a baptismal date set for mid-October, but I just had a feeling that she should be baptized and confirmed before General Conference. Which, looking back, is kinda crazy. We wait until sacrament meeting to be confirmed, and they're usually baptized on a Sunday, so I was really pushing it. But it felt right. So I just started talking about the option. . . and we set her baptismal date for last Friday!!!!!! Just four days later!!!!! Wha--????????
It was pretty much awesome. The Elders were a little nervous, but they taught her the next lesson, she got her interview, and BOOM, she was ready! Everything just kinda fell into place. And Friday was a wonderful day! She had a good turn-out, the programs were printed, the talk was beautiful, we sang her favorite hymns, and another person chose to follow the example of our Savior and come into the fold of God. :) :) :) :) :)
You just got the best part of the week. <3 The rest isn't as crazy amazing, but it was still grand.
Oh! Here's another miracle for you! So we had had a full day of dropped appointments, stop-bys, and member visits. We were on our way home from a less-active, and Sister Lima was cold and had been talking about hot chocolate, so I made a quick side-stop and swerved into one of the MANY Dunkin' Donuts lining the street. When we walked inside, the guy behind the counter stared at us and said, "No way. . . are you Latter-day Saints???" Wha--?? Um, YES! He is a cool black guy in his 20s named Brandon. He said he's been attending the ward in Newport with his Uncle, who was a member. He even had a couple discussions with the missionaries there! Then he moved here to North Providence and has been looking for us ever since! AMAZING! The hand of the Lord is in everything--even in our quick stops for hot chocolate! It just goes to show how aware he is of the details! I'll be sure to tell you the rest of his story when it happens!
Carla is super amazing. She's so ready for baptism! Sister Lima and I had a powerful heart to heart with her! She is destined to be a wonderful tool in the hands of the Lord. She was so worried about setting another baptismal date because of the opposition that slammed her the last 2 times she did. But we promised her blessings and strength and asked her to bring that question to the Women's Broadcast on Saturday. Which she did. I LOVE CONFERENCE. Of COURSE it answered her prayers. We just found out today that her baptismal date is set for October 19. WAHOO!!!!!!! She's just the greatest!!! So happy for her!
The Broadcast was just the greatest, wasn't it? My hand hurt, I took so many notes! Those speakers really touched my heart, answered my prayers, and said what I needed to hear. Like Heavenly Father was speaking to me directly. Which, He kinda was. :) Can't wait for General Conference! Buckle up, everyone! Internalize and personalize what these inspired servants of God have to say!
Aaaaand we have a new investigator named Maria. Kudos to Member power. Jackie testified of how this gospel has changed her life. Maria is so sincere and wants to come to know God more--for her and for her kids. :)
I got sick again. Still am, in fact. Don't worry, I'm not running myself into the ground. I'm following good council and taking time to recover. :P Being sick as a missionary is the worst. . .
Sister Gaboriault is awesome. . . took us out visiting people for half the night last night. :)
One last miracle, then I'll let you go! One of our members, a single mother named Amanda, gave us a referral. So we happily stopped by the home. SWEETEST FAMILY EVER! They were so warm and welcoming! Very receptive to our message about the gospel. The best part was that they're from Brazil, and they positively lit up when Sister Lima started speaking Portuguese! We have a return appointment and high hopes for this wonderful family!
I love you all! Thanks for the news, support, and prayers! Enjoy Conference! Change the world!
Love,
Sister Merkley
MBM Missionary
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO
P.S. The Frandsens (amazing Ward Mission Leader and family) had their baby girl. Guess what they named her. Talia. That's right. My name. Same pronunciation and spelling. They really liked it! So stinking cool!!!!!!!!
0 comments:
Post a Comment