This unknown virus has been really scary and worrisome to a lot of people. It has also been cool to talk to members and together we have been able to point out the positives. Now you're probably thinking 'positives - what positives? What good is coming from all of this?' Take a look around. Everyone is spending more time with their families than every before! People are learning how to be families again! I think that is so beautiful. The family is central to God's plan and now is the time to build strong relationships and to learn, grow and have fun together!
My week was interesting. We learned something new every day about what we could and couldn't do as missionaries. In one week it changed from normal missionary work to being quarantined and teaching online. Covid-19 isn't too bad here in Edmonton yet. I guess I'm in one of the safer parts of the world and everyone is taking precautions to try and keep it that way. Rumor has it that Canada is following the virus case curse so the situation could change quickly. So for now I will remain here while the church takes care of the missionaries in the harder hit areas of the world.
This week we were able to reach out to our members and had a couple online lessons! Our first lesson was with the less active member we have been working with. She expressed that prayer has become her rock and that she feels like she is starting to have a stronger connection to God. She is also currently working on giving up smoking. It was awesome! She is trying so hard and is grateful for the messages of peace and hope that are out there and that we have been able to share with her. Our second lesson was with a cute family in our ward who asked if we could share a message with them over face time as part of their Sunday discussions! We were so happy to do this! We shared with them our insights from our study in Jacob 4 from Come Follow Me last week. The teachings in this chapter are very applicable to life right now with everything going on. This chapter expresses that they knew of Christ and followed his teachings and commandments and that the people searched the prophets. What great counsel for us right now especially with General Conference coming soon. We need to listen to what the prophet and his apostles say. They lead and guide this church and know how to best help everyone. As we read and listen to their words, we will attain a hope and a stronger faith that can't be shaken.
One of my favorite verses in Jacob 4 is verse 7, "Nevertheless, the Lord God showeth us our weakness that we may know that it is by his grace, and his great condescensions unto the children of men, that we have power to do these things." I linked it to Ether 12:27, "And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them." I was thinking about how we now have a lot more downtime to ourselves to connect with God. There aren't as many distractions as before. We have a great opportunity to have that one on one time with Him and really 'Hear Him.' As we connect with God and hear Him, He can show us the things we need to work on so we can continually better ourselves, to be more Christlike. His Grace is always sufficient and is always there to help us every step of the way! I am so grateful for my Heavenly Father and for the relationship I have been able to strengthen with Him. I am also grateful for my Savior, Jesus Christ. I am grateful for His sacrifice and for His atonement that I may access the gift of grace and therefore have the ability to access the enabling power of the atonement more fully.
Our zone is currently doing "2020 scripture madness." Our zone leaders put together a bracket of 64 names from the Book of Mormon and Bible. We each filled out our own brackets to guess who would be the champion just like March Madness. It has been super fun! Each day they go through 8 battles. We have had to be creative with our learning so we don't go to crazy in the quarantine. I have been doing a study of these people of the scriptures because of this. I know a lot of their names but could not tell you all their stories. I am doing the Book of Mormon first and it has really helped with my understanding of the stories in it and it has been really insightful.
This week my personal studies were again focused on personal revelation and understanding the spirit. I listened to and studied a few talks by Tad R. Callister and Bruce R. Mckonkie. The overall theme I was finding was how personal everything is. Many times we get caught up in how other people are feeling the spirit and how it speaks to them. Or we focus on how others are receiving revelation and often times we miss God speaking to us because we are looking for others ways and not our own personal way. I have made the goal to really focus on how God speaks to me. I have learned that it can be in multiple ways. I watched a video that was about a faith crisis. It helped me understand that answers to prayers, revelation and the spirit doesn't always fit in one box. God, more often than not, will answer you prayers outside of the box.
I hope that everyone can find at least one thing to smile about every day this week. Think about how you 'Hear Him.' I also hope you can find news ways to connect with your Heavenly Father and to be with your family more. Keep the faith and keep the hope!
"Fear and uncertainty become faith and peace as we connect with Jesus Christ."
~Russell M. Nelson ♡
Love, Sister Merrill
There is always peace in Christ!
Canada life in quarantine!
Birthday cake from the Elders :)
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