Sister Syd: Canada Week 52: God loves YOU!

Hey again! Here comes another email from your favorite Sister Merrill - even though not a lot has changed from my previous letters but here goes. I know the spirit will always convey what we need to hear, even if words are never actually said.

This week was full of surprises! My companion and I have had a couple slower weeks, and then all everyone needed us all at once in a matter of 2 days! It was crazy! We were so happy to help and do what was needed representing God's hands here n Drayton Valley, so we accepted every opportunity that time would permit. As the week ended we felt so blessed that it was full of missionary experiences! We also had exchanges on Thursday and Friday. I was able to serve with my cute MTC best friend companion Sister Smith and her wonderful companion Sister Dalebout.

I have said it before and I will say it over and over again - I LOVE SERVICE! Yes, everyday is full of service as a missionary, but I love getting to share the joyous message of the gospel with those I am blessed to serve a little extra. We had a couple of those opportunities this week. My favorite part of service opportunies are to just be there and talk and love that person. I can't help but imagine my Savior as I serve others, and think about how many times He loved and served and went above and beyond what anyone could have ever asked for! I love feeling closer to my Savior through service! Smiling is probably one of my favorite things to do in hopes to brighten someones day. Sharing laughter and smiles go so much further than I think any of us even know - it really is incredible! It has been neat to notice the difference in my mood when I write a simple letter or sticky note for someone else. True joy truly does come from loving and serving people around us.

This week we taught some wonderful lessons and witnessed some of God's tender mercies. His sweet tender mercies have become such a wonderful part of my mission. We taught some wonderful people God has entrusted to us in this area and in His work. Sometimes it can be quite difficult to meet with people, but we always keep trying when we know God wants us to. One person we teach each week is a friend of one of the members here. It has been really neat to see his progression and the change in him. Even though his progress has been slow - truly line upon line - almost word upon word - the light in his eyes is faint, but it is there. The love that fills the room as we read the Book of Mormon with him is incredible! Another friend we have been teaching is the sweetest lady. She also has the funnest dog we get to play with when we visit her. She is so amazing and LOVES the Book of Mormon. She recently asked us what some of our favorite chapters in the Book of Mormon are - it was truly a tender mercy. She is so wonderful and we love talking with her and just being her friend. I also love to bear my simple testimony of what I know with her. We also got to visit my favorite little kiddos, the Bryantons, this week. They are SO wonderful! They are some of the smartest, sweetest, hardest working kids I have ever met. My favorite thing about them is their sweet, firery spirts! The light of Christ sure shines bright in their countenances and it blesses my life. I will be forever grateful for all of the amazing, incredible, wonderful people I have met here in Canada. I love loving and serving God's children!

This past week my studies and pondering have been focused on the missionary Ammon. I have grown to love the story of Ammon, and just Ammon himself, because he was always HIMSELF and he loved and served the best he could. He never tried to be something else, nor did he try to convert the king or his people right away. He just loved and served others as the Savior would. Like Ammon, this too has been a favorite focus on my mission. I don't want or need to mold myself in a specific way, or do missionary work the way it has always been done. I have learned that I can truly rely on my Savior and His example, and to find peace in just doing the best that I can. Ammon's confidence stemmed from the Lord and not his own abilities. I have also reflected a lot on the different mission experiences of others in the Book of Mormon and how they are all different, but they are all different with the same purpose. I think this applies to ALL aspects of life and not just missionary service for 18 months to 2 years. I think a lot of times we get caught up in thinking life should be going a certain way, or that we should be doing something at a certain time. One of my favorite quotes is from Henry B, Eyring. He said, "When you do your part, the Lord adds His power to your efforts." We are not in this alone! WE ARE NEVER ALONE! God may be quiet more often than not, but I can promise you that He truly is there. I have been one to struggle with this because I tend to like the loud, "Hello here is your answer, here is the direction you need to go, this is what to do, etc..." As I have tried to look for God's hand in my life each and every day, I have been able to see Him more fully and witness His tender mercies everywhere. I have learned that His answers more often than not are simple and not grand. We can feel His love in a smile from someone, a hug, or something someoe says. In life bumps are going to come, holes will appear, wrong turns will be taken, and sometimes we are going to feel stuck. This also happened to so many people in the Book of Mormon. They even got depressed (Alma 26:27). I know it is sometimes hard to hang on, but we can, and we can learn from others. We can learn from people in the scriptures, like Ammon, that if we continually put our trust in the Lord that strength will be added to our efforts, no matter how small, and we will be given help to endure!

I have a testimony of our Savior and the strength He adds to our efforts and abilities to endure! I have a testimony that God truly LOVES YOU! I have felt it over and over again and I cherish that feeling every time! I love each small opportunity God provides me with to be His hands!

Look for the Lord's tender mercies and remember to always share a smile! I love and miss you all!

Love, Sister Merrill