I am alive and well! I have survived my first week at the MTC! It has definitely been a roller coaster of emotions. The first couple days, especially the first was extremely overwhelming and stressful! I thought I was doing good but man when it came time to go to bed, everything sort of hit and I was like whoa what am I getting myself into!
Fun fact there were 700 missionaries that arrived the same day I came and someone said total there was 2700 or so of us at the MTC! INSANE! But it has been so amazing to see all of these individuals who want to further the work of God and bring his children back! I can't help but to be overwhelmed with love and excitement for everyone!!
MY COMPANION IS THE BEST! God, no doubt, inspired whoever decided what sister would get placed with who, because she has been a tender mercy for me and honestly part of why I think I left as soon as I did. We are honestly so similar it is crazy! But what has been the biggest comfort in my companionship with her, is her ability to understand the feelings I have had since being here, because she is in the exact same boat and relates to the feelings of inadequacy and fear of not being able to measure up to all that we can and want to be. I am so grateful to have Sister Smith as my companion to talk to and learn and grow together.
The food here is actually pretty decent! The best day was day 4, Saturday, because for lunch I got fettuccine chicken Alfredo and broccoli and for dinner I had a chicken salad sandwich! I have also alternated between the same 3 drinks for every meal haha this raspberry lemonade, orange guava passion fruit juice and root beer (aside from water). My companion discovered the orange juice and soon realized it was a mistake (@Brian) but nonetheless she is good and neither of us have had trouble adjusting to the food :)) however the lines get crazy long sometimes and we ended up getting food 10 minutes before class once and were definitely late but our teacher was super chill about it.
So far I have had the chance to meet with and get to know four different practice investigators and one we actually met with twice and the second tine were able to teach her, her name was Emma, a mini lesson on a couple scriptures! She had been wondering if there is a God and how she can come to find peace and confort through Him. It was so cool to watch her face light up as we spoke! The spirit was so strong and even she had said that she feels warm and good when she meets with us, which led to a lesson on recognizing and feeling the spirit. I was actually inspired and able to share how I came to find peace after going through the hard times I did before going on my mission and she desired to know more and for her to come to that understanding herself. So we invited her to pray.
Yesterday, Monday, I got to teach my first real lesson with an investigator my companion and I went out, found and contacted!! IT WAS THE COOLEST THING EVER! We were told to prepare a 25 minute lesson on the first lesson in preach my gospel, on the restoration. So a couple days previous when we contacted her, her name is Kristina, we prepared a mini lesson plan during companionship study. When we rolled up to teach her, we first got to know her a little more and then started into the lesson. My companion and I felt it was going a few different directions as questions kept coming up and we both started to panic a little. After a minute we both felt that we needed to reign it in and simplify what we were teaching which led to me just pointing out the first point in the lesson which is, "God is our loving Heavenly Father." As soon as I said that, Kristina started to cry and stated, I love that he loves us! And for the remaining like 15 minutes we just taught a lesson on his love and how we can feel it, and come to know how much he loves us. It was the strongest I had felt the spirit since being here and all I could think was how much love I had for her knowing just how much love God has for her! Her background in religion was growing up christian and then her two sisters became atheists so they stopped practicing religion as a family altogether, then when she came up to BYU for school one of her friends actually worked at the MTC and invited her to go check it out and meet with missionaries so here we are! She was my tender mercy the day we found her.
Each day I have made it a goal to write down a tender mercy I noticed that day, an Idea I actually got from my companion. It has helped me to see God's hand in my life and to be more in tune with the spirit. The second day here we got to meet our Branch President and had the opportunity to meet with him one on one, but only my companion and I met with him, the rest of our district met with his two counselors. President Samuelian is amazing! He lives so close to God and the spirit it blows my mind! When I met with him, he said some of the craziest things that only my family knows and God through my patriarchal blessing! I was like oh my goodness. We talked and he asked how I was doing and then just said I could have been called anywhere in the wold and would have been amazing, but that someone in Edmonton needs me and that I would be a beacon of light. He said a few more things and then asked if I would like to have a closing prayer of receive a priesthood blessing. I immediately asked for the blessing and eagerly sat in the chair. He proceeded to give me my blessing and it was like God was speaking directly to me, through him. He said everything I had so earnestly been praying about. He talked about what an example I would be to the young women in the family ward in Canada, and the members of wards. He stated that I would serve those in the church just as much as those who aren't apart of it! He said my family would be taken care of and those I love would be in his hands while I'm gone and to stop worrying. He said that I am worthy to be here and that Heavenly Father is aware of where I am at, how I am doing and exactly what I am feeling. He told me that I will find peace and a sense of calm in the field and let my fears be at bay. A few more things were said and he ended and just stared at me and said, "He must think you are pretty incredible" I just sat there shocked at what just happened. President Samuelian proceeded to tell me that my companion and I are lucky to be so like-minded. He said a few more things about prayer and ended by saying I hope you know none of this was me talking, it was all God. i thanked him and of course left crying. (shocker ;) )
We had an amazing devotional Sunday night and had the opportunity to watch a video called, "The Character of Christ" by David A. Bednar and it was INCREDIBLE! I felt prompted to study the attributes of Christ to aid in mt journey to becoming converted unto Christ and urge you all to do the same :))
Now that this is an extremely long email, I just want to say how grateful I am for this gospel. I have a testimony that God lives and continues to give us inspired revelations to this day. I have a testimony that Jesus Christ suffered for our sins on the cross and knows exactly what we are feeling, and I can't wait to continue to learn and grow closer to my Savior to do the work of the Lord and to find and love His children :))
Keep smiling on! Love and miss you guys!!
Love, Sister Merrill
Sister Merrill & Sister Smith
MTC District
Cute companions at the Provo Temple
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