Sister Syd: Canada Week 26: God is in the detail of everyday!

Hello friends and family! I hope everyone is doing well. This week, like many others, was yet another week full of adventure, serving, love and learning! I am so grateful for a God who is in the details and provides a reason for any and every situation whether we see it in the moment or down the road looking back

I have set a goal for myself of looking for and finding God's hand in my life and writing it down at the end of each day. I read a talk by Henry B. Eyring that gave me the idea to do this. He told about how he wrote in a journal every day no matter how tired he was or how late it was. He would ask himself how he saw God help him or his family and if God's hand was in his life. By doing this, Eyring was able to gain a greater testimony of prayer and gratitude, and he was able to see God more present in his life. I can testify that the more I have done this, the more I have been able to see this in my own life. It has strengthened my testimony that there is a God who listens. It has also strengthened my testimony and belief in the individual plan He has for me by being able to see him in the details.

This week I studied a lot about the atonement and its power. I have loved learning more about God's grace and the enabling power His atonement provides in our lives. The atonement provides us with a way to not only get back to our Father in Heaven, but to become like Him. How amazing is that?! As mortals it can be hard to fully comprehend the entire idea of who God really is and the complete power He has. The simple and basic understanding I do have gives me excitement to become like Him. The atonement of Christ provides us with a Savior who understands PERFECTLY what each of us go through. I am so grateful for the example He is to me and for the love and help He provides for me.

Members are awesome! We were blessed to be able to spend time with a member family the other night after our missionary choir performance was cancelled due to the bad weather conditions. We had the most amazing gospel discussion about the idea of belief versus knowing. Is one greater than the other? If you believe in something but don't know it, does that mean you don't have as strong of a testimony as someone who does know? Do you then not have the same chance at exaltation? Answer: we all have the same opportunity for exaltation as long as our motives and methods have been in line with God. Did we do all we could to understand? Did we do all we could to be obedient and follow the commandments? Did we try and have a desire to love and serve those around us? While we may not all have the same opportunity, we all need to do our part. I am grateful for all of the opportunities I have been given to grow, learn and progress.

This past week my mission president reminded me of a talk and suggested that I study it again. The talk is by Lawrence E. Corbridge called, "Stand Forever." Everyone should read this talk. It points out that we need to believe and know the primary questions: That there is a God; that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and performed the atonement; and that Joseph Smith is a true prophet and that this is the true church upon the earth today. We don't need to dwell on the secondary questions like, "how does God answer all of our prayers at the same time?" We don't have the answer, nor will we understand, but we can believe and have faith! If you know me, you might know that I am a deep, complicated thinker especially when it comes down to understanding the gospel. I am so grateful for the knowledge I do have and for my testimony of God and Jesus Christ and of the atonement. I am also grateful for the opportunity I have to study and learn more about the details of the gospel, yet always remembering that the gospel of Jesus Christ is simple.

We were blessed with some wonderful opportunities this past week. We had two non-member lessons with Joshua and Anika. They are really amazing! They had so many questions and kept wanting to know more. We were able to share our simple testimonies of the gospel and Christ and the Book of Mormon with them. We also attended a fun stake activity. We were able to be with members and ice skate, play hockey, drink hot chocolate and go on a horse drawn carriage ride! We also had another missionary choir performance last night and yet again the spirit was so strong! I am so grateful that I have had the opportunity to be a part of this amazing choir!

I am so grateful for this priceless opportunity that I have to learn and grow on my mission, and to love and serve all the people I am meeting here in Edmonton! I am so grateful for my Savior and the example He has set for me. I am so grateful for the atonement and the opportunity to use it to progress and become better through my Savior Jesus Christ.

I hope everyone has an amazing week. I invite you to look for God's hand in your life each and every day. I promise you that you will see it more and more! :)

Love, Sister Merrill