Hey pamilia, mga amiga, at mga amigo!!

I want to just tell of a few things that have happened. Sister Camille was baptized!!! Oh my goodness that light in her eyes! It was awesome! I had told you that the other sisters also had a baptism, tatay ben who is 92 years old. His friend (recent convert) baptized him. It was pretty darn cute to see them and... kind of funny.. lets just say... he got a little nervous and once tatay ben was under the water, he looked up to make sure it was right and forgot that he had to bring tatay ben BACK UP from the water. hahaha we were joking that at least he would go clean. :)

I wasnt able to see s.camille confirmed as a member on sunday because we had to do some emergency exchanges and so i was in a different city. 

It has returned to being hotter than satans armpit!! but its way nice as well because they dont have hot water here in the philippines so its been way nice to just fill up the bucket and get refreshed. 

i feel like there was something else that i wanted to tell you guys... but i cant remember now... ok. i really will remember to bring the letter i wrote that has more detail for next week. I love you guys!!

p.s. i would send pictures but i have had my usb card erased twice now because of virus' so you will just have to wait. love you all!

--
Mahal, Sister Merrill

hello mga maganda at mga guapo! :)

I just wanted to tell you all that i love you and that i hope that you are having a good day. We are excited for s.camille on friday to be baptized. there is also another bro who is the other sisters investigator. he is hilarious and.... 92 years old. cool no!? he told us while on exchanges that he wouldnt set a date because he wanted to be like jesus and just come up to us one day and asked to be baptized. haha after laughing slightly because its such a cute thing... we explained why we need to set a date for his baptism haha. 

as far as the week goes.. we are doing really well. its been super hot again! there were a few days where we were pretty cold here! but... no more. Its ok.. im going to be freezing back in utah so i might as well enjoy the heat while i can. \

How is everyone doing? Kylie... thank you for the pictures ;) I want to hear how you guys are doing! S. Briones and i are doing really well! transfers are going to be coming up again before we know it! 3 weeks and then... ill be on my last transfer! Im hoping that i will have one last area but we will see what God wants for me. :) 

 Again, i know this is just a short update. email me. I have already started writing for next weeks letter so it will be long and hopefully good :) I love you all!!

--
Mahal, Sister Merrill

Hello fam and friends! sorry i have been MIA for a little while. But, i will tell you right now how things have been going for us here in rosales area.

We have been SO blessed to have the investigators that we have been lead to. My whole mission has been a struggle with getting people to come to church for many reasons, mostly that they cannot afford to tryke to church. We have truly learned the power that comes through specific prayer and fasting. Sister Camille is going to be baptized on the 7th of feb. we are so excited for her!! She is so amazing. When we taught her the word of wisdom, the spirit was so strong with her that she quite her habits instantly and has not looked back. She is 21 and already talking about when she can serve a mission.

Brother Sixto is another amazing guy! He has gone to every church possible while traveling as a seaman. He, like sister Camille... has committed to the commandments of God with the word of wisdom and many more. Its so neat to teach people who have been searching because they werent settled with other sects. But thats the awesome thing! This church is not a "sect" because it is not sectioned off of anything. It is Jesus Christ's ORIGINAL church, and to see the excitement and willingness of a person who has finally found the truth of the full gospel... its so energizing! 

This week has been good but busy. We had one sister have an asthma attack and... we had to go with her to be treated. Its funny because I guess I got so use to what i had to do for my asthma, that it all just  came in my mind and we were able to get going again. So... THank you mom for all of the knowledge that is in my brain ;)

There are a few other things that happened this week that i cannot really remember... I got a pretty sweet burn scar from a tryke. I wasnt thinking and reached to grab s. briones' water bottle that fell and got burnt by the muffler. I will take a picture. 

How is everyone doing over there though? What are some plans for valentines day? I love you all and miss you all! I will see you soon. :D

--
Mahal, Sister Merrill

Merry Christmas Family And Friends!!!

How have you all been doing? Are you all excited for Christmas coming up? I want to thank you for all that you guys do and let you know how stinkin thankful I am for each and everyone of you. I know that we all know that true meaning of Christmas and I just want to tell you all that in this crazy amount of days that we have left until Christmas rolls around... don't forget that one of the most important and memorable gifts... is someones time and the memories you make together. I don't remember many Christmas gifts but I DO remember events and traditions that we would do as a family. Please take the time and spend it with each other. 

I don't have much time but I want to wish you all a merry Christmas and thank you all for your love and your prayers for the missionaries. I love you all so much and miss you all like mad! But there is something that I cannot describe why Christmas as a missionary is just something else. I love you all. PLEASE send me pictures ah? 

I LOVE YOU ALL!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!
--
Mahal, Sister Merrill

December 15th 2013

1. kind of creepy.....

2. good now. hahaha

3. this is with investigators in my last area. They get baptized next week :)

--
Mahal, Sister Merrill

Dec 8th 2013

Alright family. Quick email.

I have been transferred to Rosales area. This is my 3rd area now and maybe.... probably... most likely... my last :)

Our areas are super far but thats ok! My new companion is sister briones. I forgot my camera so next week i will send a picture. She is from down south of philippines where all the kidnappings of americans happen :) But, seriously. haha Its beautiful down there though!! 

We are opening an area here in Villiasis and have decided that we have 2 churches to build out here. :) In one of our areas, the missionaries have never been there! it was crazy to have them not know who "mormons" are. So, we will get a meeting house going out there, and then we have the area of the soon to be Urdaneta temple!! so... of course... there needs to be a meeting house out there too by the temple. Its going to happen. :)

Its been way fun though and crazy with problems of the sisters and exchanges like crazy, sleeping on floors, traveling, and with it being December! 

BTW, we can start skyping on the 16th. But i will let you know when we decide to do that so you all can get set up. I love you all and hope your enjoying the cold! syerte naman kayo!! You guys are lucky. I love you all!!!

--
Mahal, Sister Merrill

Dec 1st 2013

Alright guys... first things first. Mom. HOW WAS YOUR BIRTHDAY!!!?? Second. How was thanksgiving!!! I saw some pictures and probably made a slight scene because I was saying "oh my gosh!! Sister    look at how good these look. This is my favorite aunt. this is my blah blah blah..." haha But, i hope that is was so amazing to see everyone and hang out with family. (Ryan. How did you do with all the food? I have a really genius plan for us next year. Dont worry.)

This week as been SO good and very unexpected things have oucurred. With our investigators.... Mj is doing awesome and will be baptized on the 28th of Dec. His mom and dad are active now!! WOO HOO!!

The DeJesus Family is working out wedding plans and we will soon be able to give them a baptismal date :D

We found an American! We talked to a man in front of his house and he said "alam nyo ba na may americano diyan sa yng bahay?" Do you know that there is an american there. We were like "what!!?? cge tara!" lets go! haha

His name is    and he is from california! He has been here for 2 years and is wanting to go home but he hurt his leg and has been stuck at this house with his girlfriend for 3 months. He was SO excited to talk english! I will admit though... I was struggling a little but i was still able to chit chat and be all american. Poor sis Finau was just sitting there like... ugh.... :) She didnt understand what was going on because we were talking so fast. haha

It has been amazing to see this area from when sis carr and i opened it.. to how it is blooming now. Sadly, i will not be able to see mj and our other families who are going to be baptized, get baptized. I received a call from the mission presidents wife and was told that i will be a new...... Sister Training Leader. (STL) If you dont know what it is.... its like a Zone Leader for sisters. My new companion and I will be over a few zones and will take care of the sisters in those zones. Lots of exchanges, meetings, and..... growth!! I still have mixed emotions about it and will find out where im getting transferred and who my new companion is on friday. I am excited though! I know that this is my last stretch before I go home and that the Lord has many new things for me to learn before I finish my mission. 

I love you all so much and hope that you are all well. I love you guys!!

MERRRRRYYY CHRISSSTMASSSS!!!

--
Mahal, Sister Merrill