Hello hello hello! When you read this I will be adventuring in Jasper National Park - ROUND 2!!! So excited!!! Expect some pictures of this beautiful place next week! This really was a WEEK folks! So many things happened, and so many changes occurred - and if you know me, you know change can be rough! However GOD NEVER CEASES TO ASTOUND ME! So many good things happened among the change, and I am SO grateful for His tender mercies and love! I'm happy to report that Sister Petelo made it safely back home and that I have successfully made it through the first week with my cute, new companion.
As for my week - it was crazy, exciting, eventful, and fun. The first couple days we waited on news of Sister Petelo's flight plans back home. We were then called to go into the city quicker than we planned, so we packed up and went and then stayed until transfers on Wednesday. At tranfers I picked up my new companion, Sister Hill, and drove back to Drayton Valley. God then began to work his magic and we had some amazing spur of the moment member visits and lessons. We were again blessed to offer our service and helped move some solid wood doors around. We also played with multiple kittens and gave last minute talks in church. We continue to pray for and work with a couple of our investigators with the hope to get them on bapismal date soon. I am so grateful that God provides me with countless opportunities to feel the love He has for His children. It is truly one of my favorite things as a missionary. Feeling His love for me and others has helped me feel closer to Him and my Savior. It has also helped me gain a greater understanding of just how much He truly loves and cares for all of us! Hint, it is A LOT!!! ;)
This week we had quite a few meetings due to my new assignment as STL (Sister Training Leader). It was my first time being part of the Mission Leadership Council and Zone Leadership Council meetings. It was very insightful and cool to be on the other side and witness the Lord's workings behind the scenes. I felt so blessed to counsel with other leadership missionaries on how to lift and help those around us.
I want to share some thoughts I've had during my missionary studies. This week I studied the idea of communicating with God. I love how Jacob 4 explains this beautifully. This chapter in the Book of Mormon states that we should seek to take counsel from God rather than to counsel Him. Often we present our plan to God not remembering that He also has a plan for us. I have come to appreciate the word counsel. God wants us to counsel with Him in all things. This being said, He doesn't want to control and direct every tiny detail, but rather help us to make the best decisions that will provide us with the most blessings. I have seen this a few times in my life. I have found that I have pondered how I pray and present things to Him. Our attitude is everything as well. Our hearts need to be softened in order to accept counsel from God.
I want you to know that I know God loves us with a strong, incomprehensible love! You have a Savior who knows you and understands EXACTLY what you are feeling and what you need!
Keep smiling! God is always Good!
Love, Sister Merrill
Sister Hill and Sister Merrill
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