November 15 - WHY NOT 100????

Miracles in abundance here in the Massachusetts Boston Mission!

Just for starters, today we will have the 64th baptism in the month of November. DID YOU READ THAT? 64th!!!!!!!!!!!!! We have officially broken our all-time record, and we're only 6 short of our goal for the month!!!!!!! I mean, what goal? We shouldn't limit the Lord, right? We still have 45 more people committed to be baptized this weekend. Why not 100???

We had a neat lesson with Stephanie this week! She is progressing at a steady rate! I'm so excited for her! We don't have nearly as many lessons here with investigators as I did in good old Central Falls, so I appreciate the spiritual highlight these lessons bring all the more! Sister Fernando and I really felt the spirit as we testified of the Plan of Salvation and the joy and clarity and direction the gospel will bring to her family. :) She really believes what we're teaching her. She said she had a dream confirming the truths of what we've spoken, and she recognizes the spirit! HOW AMAZING? Of course we extended baptism. :) She's preparing to be baptized January 4th, only because she's about to have her baby and she's going to need some recovery time. :) :) :)

We were lucky enough to have the chance to do Family History work with Susan at the Family History Center! Can I just say -- she deserves the best Recent Convert of the Month Award. She is so excited to get to the temple! She is fascinated by her Family History! We finally had to drag her from the computer screen when it was time to go. She's already gotten this searching thing down. :) :)

Juan was baptized!!!!!! He was taught by sisters in our Zone, and we knew him personally, so we attended. It was so beautiful. I can't even express how beautiful it was! He is a young man who really gets it, who was able to use the Atonement to transform his life, who bore his testimony to his football team at his baptism, and who now wants to serve a mission. Need I say more? I was moved to tears.

Sunday was. . . extravagant. Hahahaha. That's how Belmont rolls!!!!! Both Belmont 1st Ward and Belmont 2nd ward had their Primary Programs. The Primary Program was turned into this HUGE missionary opportunity they planned and prepared for. Especially the 1st ward. LEt me tell you. . . there were HUGE signs for parking and a changed schedule and an overflow room and violins and specialized programs and lots of food for the reception afterward and the Portable Visitors Center AND about 30 non-members. Beat that.

We also had the unique opportunity to go to All Saints church for an inter-faith program for Thanksgiving. How neat??? I sang in the choir, our first councilor was there to represent us, there was a Reverend, a priest, and others. In fact, we became very good friends with the Reverend post-program. I like him. :) I had to bite my tongue to stop myself from testifying though, because we're not allowed to openly proselyte on other church grounds. Pity.

I'm emailing you today because yesterday we had our interviews with President! He's simply the greatest man ever. He's going to be a general authority after the mission, mark my words. Daniel Packard. Write it down. He was able to speak right to my needs and to bring clarity and extra hope to me! :) I love him. Also, he gave me a glimpse of what's coming. Look out, world! Transfer texts are coming this Friday! And I have a curse that has been completely consistent. :) Oooh, and we got to be Sister Packard's personal chauffeurs yesterday, because she was stranded at Firestone. We had a nice long drive to go get her, and she took us to Olive Garden! We were definitely spoiled. I hope I can be like her one day. She stands side-by-side with her husband as a spiritual giant. Sister Fernando and I practically had interviews with both the mission president AND his wife. :)

Speaking of amazing men, we had Family Home Evening at the Haights home again! With another investigator. Kind of. We call them eternigators. He's been coming to church for 10 years. He's Haitian, and we think he doesn't really understand Priesthood Authority, so Sister Fernando and I planned out a stellar lesson on the Restoration. It was the perfect setting. A powerful family's home, every member of the family present with a powerful testimony, a well-prepared lesson. . . It was perfect. Sister Fernando and I have never taught with such unison or power. The Holy Ghost was definitely in that home, teaching and testifying with us of authority and Joseph Smith. Tears were shed, testimonies were shared. It was neat. I'll never forget it. And our eternigator felt the spirit, but he doesn't want to take steps forward. I thought I'd be devastated after all of that effort and power, and I'm certainly disappointed, but I'm at peace. I know I was bold, I taught with authority given to me by Heavenly Father, and I gave it my all. It's up to him and his agency now.

Thanks for reading my update! I love you all, as you know. :) :) :) :) Sorry this email jumped around a lot, I was pretty distracted! Please continue to pray for these people! I'll let you know our final numbers next week. The work is hastening. Keep in touch, and have a marvelous Thanksgiving, because Heavenly Father has truly given us EVERYTHING!!!!!!!

Love,
Sister Merkley
MBM Missionary