November 3 - Sacrifice brings forth the blessings of heaven!

Good morning, everyone! And what a beautiful November morning it is!

It's been an incredible week. So incredible. I hope I can explain it well enough to portray the kind of empowerment we felt from the Lord.

On Thursday, we had a visit from Elder Larry R. Lawrence. This man, if you're interested: https://www.lds.org/church/leader/larry-r-lawrence?lang=eng We had been preparing to see him for a long time, and we were so excited for what this wonderful man and his wife had to say!


Sister Lawrence spoke to us first. I want to grow up to be like her! She is amazing! She taught us some good, solid doctrine about the literal gathering of Israel, fore-ordination, and being the elect that I had never fully understood before. She brought the Spirit and opened our eyes to a number of beautiful truths!


After that was the most significant part of our week. Let me explain: 110 people in our mission have committed to be baptized in the month of November. That's unheard of. It's amazing! But the thing is, a large number of our dates that are usually set are not retained, because the adversary is working hard against us in this work. President and Sister Packard stood up together, along with all of the missionaries in leadership positions. They had all counseled together, with Elder and Sister Lawrence, and discussed what we could do to really retain the baptismal dates that we set. They told us that together, after much prayer and seeking for revelation, they decided to set a goal to retain at least 70 dates in the month of November. The highest we have ever gotten in one month is 59.

Our mission has never been a mission of numbers because it's really the people that matter, and numbers have the potential to distract from that. But every single one of us felt the Spirit in that room as they told us of this goal. The number represents 70 very real people with hopes and dreams and fears that could open the gate to their personal salvation this month. So altogether, we made a commitment that we would do whatever it took to make it happen. Every single missionary is making a personal sacrifice--committing themselves more than they have ever committed before, in an effort to bring the blessings of heaven into this goal. We all also committed to pray for this goal in every single one of our prayers, personal and public, until December 1st. We're praying for every single one of these people by name many times, and we're fasting as a mission.

This is one of the most exciting things that have happened to me on my mission! I've never felt more consecrated or had as much desire for a righteous goal! And I know--I know--we can do it. In fact, I don't want to limit the Lord to 70. That's the minimum we are aiming for, and we're ready to do whatever it takes! The entire mission is on fire, doing everything they can to live the higher law, be exactly obedient, and love the work!

I'm telling you all of this not only because I want you to know what's so important to me at this time, but to solicit your faith and prayers in behalf of these amazing investigators here in New England. We can't do this alone! We need the members here, we need you! We're not waiting on the Lord--He's waiting on us!

All of this was confirmed to us as Elder Lawrence stood up and testified. He was there when the goal was set, and he knows we can do it. He told us of a time he was in Russia as a mission president, and the mission set a goal to DOUBLE the number of baptisms from the previous year. They, too, sacrificed, prayed, fasted, and worked harder than ever to bring the blessings of the Lord into their mission. And they succeeded.

If you can't tell, we're excited. :) :) :) :) :) Thanks for reading all of that. This is going to happen!

And guess what? SUSAN is one of those amazing investigators getting baptized this month. I love her! I actually passed her off to Belmont from Weston six months ago! How crazy is that? She absolutely loves the gospel, and she's ready to make this covenant with Christ. In fact she's getting married TOMORROW in order to be ready for her baptism on FRIDAY! Please please keep her in your prayers!

That's the most important news. :) Oh yeah, there was Halloween, too. So we had a fantastic lunch with our zone, and Sister Fernando and I were in charge of the Fear Factor! We had them eat slugs and octopus and such. Don't worry, all fake. All edible. But pretty convincing. :) Sister Fernando is a natural. Then we had to be in early.

We also had Stake Conference and a marvelous fireside by Beauty Redefined-- twins with an awesome message for the world! You should look them up!

One last thing before I check out. Sister Lawrence so loves our goal that she wrote a song to the tune of I Stand All Amazed for us. :) :) :) It's basically the best.

I pray for the goal that the Lord has revealed to me.
I know in my heart that it will be reality.
I’ll work and I’ll show that I’m ready to sacrifice,
For blessings will come if I’m willing to pay the price.

Chorus:
It will be heavenly
When we reach seventy
Oh what a memory!
It will be heavenly—heavenly to me.

Thanks again for EVERYTHING! I love you all so much! Miracles are happening here in the MBM!

Love,
Sister Merkley
MBM Missionary