I have so much I could tell you. I'm BURSTING with thoughts and feelings and experiences and stories I already have from this first week on my new assignment. I'll try to summarize and just tell you the highlights, hopefully in a way that you can really understand my new responsibilities.
Transfers came fast. I couldn't believe it. Suddenly I was at the Weston Chapel again, with 3 jam-packed bags and a new adventure ahead of me! Transfer meeting was great, as usual. The sad part was saying goodbye to Sister Slater and Sister Platt. That's right, my trainer and my previous companion went home. I'm so excited for them, but it'll be different for them. Besides, it's a reality check. I really don't want time to move so quickly.
I better tell you about my new companion! Sister Couto is amazing! She's beautiful and fun and from Brazil, as I mentioned earlier. She has a truly kind heart, and she's super strong. Not physically or even necessarily in opinions, but in character, if that makes sense. We're easy friends. I'm excited to work with her.
You know that monster van I told you about? Well, everyone calls it the spaceship. :) I was so relieved that I didn't have to drive it home in the dark my first night. Elder Vail, who works in the office, took it for us. But the very next day I watched a video, took a test, and had a mini-driving lesson with Elder Vail. Ha. That vehicle is a beast. I'm already getting used to it, but. . . I'll just have to attach a picture so you'll understand what I'm talking about.
I spent my first day figuring out driving stuff, then we went back to the chapel to take down all of the Portable Displays that had been set up for transfer meeting. I am SO excited! These displays are beautiful, and I learned pretty quickly how to set them up and take them down. It takes awhile, and it's really heavy lugging back and forth from the van into chapels, but there is just something so exciting about it! I'm going to be super strong soon. And technology-savvy. :D
I accidentally left my GPS in Belmont, so we were going off of memory to get home after, driving the spaceship at night. . . Not smart. We got SOOOOO lost. My first night. Elder Vail saved our lives. We were on the phone with him for an hour as he guided us back home. Hehehe! This should be fun. (Don't worry, mom. He also bought us a brand-new, voice-activated GPS. I'm all set now.)
I had my first event on Friday! We were booked to bring our beautiful big "God's Plan" display and our "Temple" display to. . . an adoption party??? Haha, this woman was celebrating because she had finally managed to adopt these four beautiful kids. They were so cute! She invited everyone who had been involved in the long process or that just loved her family. Which meant that the chapel was simply bursting with non-members. Ideal place for us!!!!! If anyone had a question, ("What is this building we're in?" "Four kids??? Why does she want four? Why is family that important to her?" "She mentioned something about . . . sealing her family together. . .") we could say, "Well, we have this video right here that will answer your questions perfectly. . ." and BOOM--the Spirit would be felt as they took a look at our inspired displays and videos. It was so neat!!!
The next day we went to a baptism in Billerica. That, too, was fun! I think I'm spoiled. I get to see the best events around the entire mission. We love going to baptisms, because usually a lot of non-members are there. These videos are aimed toward them, so they understand who we are, what we believe, and why we really truly believe it. The Spirit is always so strong when these videos play. Just so you can kind of get a feel for what I'm talking about, here's one of the videos The PVC Sisters before me have created. This was scripted and voiced by President Packard himself. :)
http://www.reallifeanswers.org/challenges-in-life/how-do-challenges-bring-us-closer-to-god
Okay, last big event! We went to Lynn, MASS to train a ward on who we are, what we do, and how they can most successfully use the Portable Visitor's Center! It was a Spanish Branch, so we brought our Spanish displays, showed them videos, and talked. They loved it! They're so excited to bring us back for a church tour, and they're so excited to share the gospel with all of their friends!
The Portable Visitor's Center is inspired. I know it is! I love it so much. I'll send you some more pictures so you can understand more clearly. Please ask any questions you might have about this! It's so hard to capture exactly what I'm doing, and I'd love for you to love this as much as I do. :)
This week we're working on projects, booking our schedule, and traveling ALL OVER this weekend! Really. . . we're taking a ferry to Martha's Vineyard--a tiny little island in our mission. With our spaceship. And we're going to Connecticut and Rhode Island. . . :D I'm so excited! Prayers of safety would be appreciated!
I'm praying for all of you! Thanks for everything!
Love,
Sister Merkley
MBM PVC Missionary
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