This past week was COLD! Did you know eyelashes can freeze??? I can now say I have experienced and survived -51 degrees Celsius - which is about -60 degrees Fahrenheit. It was surreal! Your body almost doesn't register that it is actually as cold as it is. Surprisingly I never felt frozen but we weren't allowed to be outside for more than a minute to get to our car. We had a 3 day slumber party with our sister training leader and her companion to finish an exchange from earlier in the transfer that was cut short. We were able to learn from one another and have fun together before transfers. It warmed up slightly just in time for us to go to our service at the hospital. While we were walking back to our car after service my eyelashes FROZE! Never have I ever experienced anything like frozen eyelashes. Your nose hairs also instantly freeze the second you walk outside. It is one of the weirdest feelings. It's crazy up here in Canada - but man is it exciting and I love it.
We were able to teach a few lessons this past week with members and recent converts. People here are so awesome! It's amazing to witness other people's lights. They are so full of the spirit and are trying to be the best they can be. We have one recent convert who is constantly trying to find ways to serve and be there for others. He is so awesome! It is such a neat experience to serve the members and to be here to help and listen to them. All members of the church need help and support with things just as much as someone who isn't a part of the church. This is definitely an important lesson I have learned on my mission so far.
Something amazing and exciting this week was that Jaera came to church with us! His mom was baptized last month and introduced us to her son. He is so good. We set up a return appointment to start teaching him! Even though I won't be able to continue teaching him due to transfers, I am so excited for him and I will continue to pray for him. I'm so grateful God allowed me to meet him and experience a little bit of the joy on his journey ahead. It gives me a glimpse of what I can only imagine our Heavenly Father feels when one of his lost sheep begins to return to the fold.
I am always grateful for my personal studies each week. I want to share some things that stood out to me this past week.
*God is a constant help for each us. For some odd reason I sometimes forget just how much of a help He can be. He is amazing! His arms are always stretched forth and He is so eager to answer our prayers and to be there for us in any way possible if we let Him. One of my favorite scriptures from this week that I studied is 2 Nephi 9:20-21:
20 "My God hath been my support; he hath led me through mine afflictions in the wilderness; and he hath preserved me upon the waters of the great deep."
21 "He hath filled me with his love, even unto the consuming of my flesh."
*God has a constant love for us and our tiny mortal brains can't even begin to comprehend even a sliver of it! I am so grateful for the knowledge I have of such a merciful and loving Heavenly Father who knows literally EVERYTHING and can help in ANY way possible! We just need to get on our knees and pray with real intent and then really listen. It has taken a lot of practice for me to be still and listen to Him when I pray. I know this will be a life-long journey, but I'm grateful for the experiences I've had and can't wait to see what else God has in store for me and the people I've been able to meet. Life sure is a wild ride and it's hard to sometimes understand how God is in the intricate details of our lives. It has been crazy to witness small.things in my life unfold and then look back and see how they happened and all the things that happened to start the domino effect for the rest of the events! God has all of it planned out - and we have to have faith in Him and our plan and constantly strive to learn and understand. We also need to believe that God can handle it and knows what He's doing. We also need to realize it is okay if we don't understand all of it - it we did we wouldn't need to be here.
Another scripture that stood out to me is found in 2 Nephi 9:52: "Behold, my beloved brethren, remember the words of your God; pray unto him continually by day, and give thanks unto his holy name by night. Let your hearts rejoice." I love this verse because it says to remember which is one of my favorite words in the Book of Mormon. It also reminds us to pray continually and to give thanks which are also two of my favorite things to do! I have found that I am a much happier person when I choose to have a rejoicing, thankful heart. It is easier to see the small and simple tender mercies of the Lord in my life when I am feeling thankful and being more grateful.
I want to express my love and gratitude for my Heavenly Father and for my Savior for their help and influence in my life. They are incredible beings and I'm so grateful to be part of this amazing work! "The joy we feel has little to do with the circumstance of our lives and everything to do with the focus of our lives." I'm so grateful that my one and only focus right now is to bring others closer to Christ! How amazing is that! I pray that all of us can find small ways to be examples and lights to those around us.
I hope everyone has an amazing week and stays warm! I love and miss you all!
Thank you for all of the support and prayers!
Love, Sister Merrill <3
Sister Lynch, Sister Jensen, Sister Brown & Sister Merrill
IT IS REALLY COLD IN CANADA!
You are so awesome Sister Merrill!!
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