Haaaaaaaappy New Year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! How was it for each of you? Us? Well, we went to bed at 10:30, the way missionaries do. It was fantastic. :) We also taped up our New Year's Resolutions! I don't really like thinking of them as resolutions, though, because people break resolutions. These are more like promises to God; what we're going to do better, what more we're going to give. President phrases the question we should ask God this way: "What lack I yet?" When we know the answer, we know what more we can do and give to Heavenly Father. The New Year is a perfect time to try this out.
First of all, we have this scripture goal. It's a crazy goal. We've actually been working on it for awhile, but with the New Year, we gave it a deadline and everything. We are memorizing what is happening in every chapter in the Book of Mormon. If that makes sense. So if someone said, "Alma 15", we'd know exactly what was happening in that chapter. We want to do that for every chapter. So far, it's been more successful than we thought! We tackled Alma first, because that's the biggest book. Now we're on Mosiah. It's pretty exciting! Now that I'm matching up all these story-lines I know and love to their respective chapters, I feel like I understand and can navigate the Book of Mormon better! I can't wait to finish this goal on February 21st! I give you full permission to keep us accountable and check up on how we're doing. :)
Let's see. It was kind of a slow week. Lots of people were gone for the holidays. We had our second real snowfall that stuck for one day! And not very many appointments. Trouble is, we're not allowed to knock on doors here. It's considered invasive. And people don't just wander the streets in the middle of January in such a financially stable area. We've also been asked not to stop-by member's homes unless we have called in advance and set up an appointment. Which is difficult. We side-stepped that a bit this week and returned all of the dishes and tubberware and decorations and lights we've accumulated over the Christmas holiday.
Jess and Suzanne (a recent convert and her recently reactivated roommate we spend a lot of time with) had us for dinner twice this week. They're great.
New Years Day we had weekly planning (my favorite), and it ended up being a great day! We sat down and discussed our personal, companionship, and area goals and visions. We're really excited to get going and try to help this area reach the potential it truly has! Now we have a game plan. Get ready. :)
Poor Sister Halloran lost her brother on her way home from visiting him in Switzerland this week. :( We brought her a flower and shared a message about peace. She is a strong, sweet woman.
I think Sunday was the most chaotic and wonderful day of them all! Fast Sundays are the greatest. We fasted for the new mission goals, and every single missionary in the mission bore their testimony in their ward this Sunday. We also taught the 16-17 year-olds again. It's so much fun! We role-played with them! They will make amazing missionaries soon. Sister Standerfer showed them how it's done by teaching me (the investigator) the Word of Wisdom, then the boys taught me Tithing and the girls taught me the Law of Chastity. Pretty good!
That's about all! Sorry it wasn't as exciting of a letter, but hey! This is the work of Salvation. It's the best decision I've ever made, and I'm so blessed to be a part of it!
I love you all. Have a great New Year. And really--I invite you to get on your knees and ask Heavenly Father that question: What lack I yet? Set goals and make promises accordingly. It will bring you blessings!
Love,
Sister Merkley
MBM Missionary
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