Hello my wonderful family and friends! I hope everyone had a splendid week full of smiles and hope! Fort Sask Canada has officially entered the frozen zone this past week so we are trying not to freeze! We came close during a service this week but we were safe!
This week we continued serving as instruments in God's hands. We were not about to let the balmy -40 degree weather with frostbite warnings stop us! We are still helping our cute neighbor lady by walking her dogs every day, and we also provided service to an elderly couply by shoveling their driveway when it was -30 degrees! Don't worry - God kept the sun shining and kept us warm from the inside out. He is too good sometimes! These moments of service and memories of frozen eyelashes and nose hairs are something I will never forget! (see attached pictures for the full effect of this experience) We filled our tub up with hot water to keep us warm while we called people. Fun note - I came across a GIANT sloth at Walmart and it made my heart happy! Along with our feezing escapades we were so blessed with lessons upon lessons and meetings and service and walks. A couple of our lessons were EXACTLY what my missionary heart needed! The spirit was SO strong and I was overcome with joy! It is truly an incredible experience to watch people put pieces together and recognize the good. I love catching a glimpse of just how much our Father in Heaven loves them! It is honestly the best feeling in the world! One of the biggest blessings I have had as a missionary is to truly see others as Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ do. I couldn't be more grateful for this gift and opportunity. Each person is so beautiful and unique and it is incredible to see!
This week was full of little things coming to light that truly testified to me that God is in the details, and that we truly never know the lives we are touching. My dad shared with me that a non-member he works with came across the video of me singing "I Believe in Christ" and playing the ukulele that I posted during Presiden't Nelson's gratitude week and he liked it. I was so joyous and grateful to hear that. Another thing is that I taught a lesson to someone I found through Facebook back in September. He actually tried to teach us about his church and nothing really came from it back then. He recently reached out and now wants to hear the lessons we teach and start reading the BOOK OF MORMON! The seeds we plant truly will begin to grow within those who are ready when they are ready - even if they take years and years - the seeds ALWAYS matter! The little efforts you put forth, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant they may seem, truly mean something! You are always doing more than you think, and you are ALWAYS doing better than you think! These wonderful moments on top of our already spirit-filled member lessons just filled my whole soul with so much love and happiness. This week we felt that one of our member lessons didn't quite go how we had planned proved otherwise Sunday. The father of that family bore his testimony on the lesson we shared with his family! How incredible is that?! We truly just never know what will come from things we do and things we may say. I came across a video this week about my thoughts this week. A lady shared a message about how every interaction we have can either strengthen or weaken someone. I hope we choose to always be the one that strengthens - to be the reason someone believes God is good and that there is still good in the world. That is the example our older brother Jesus Christ has set for us and one that we should follow.
I am so grateful for this opportunity I have had to wear Jesus Christ's name upon my chest and represent Him each and everyday for the past almost 18 months. He is perfect - I am imperfect - but He has qualified me to be the instrument He needs at this time and in this place. I am grateful for the constant love and strength I receive from my Savior and my Heavenly Father. They are my rocks and my best friends. I testify that they love you more than you will ever know in this life. Hang on to the things you know and feel are right. I love and miss you all! ♡
Love, Sister Sydnee Merrill
Frozen eyelashes!
this is what happens in -40 degrees
Sister Crowe & Sister Merrill
Sydnee still loves sloths! :)
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