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

November 17th

Hello my gorgeous mga pamilia at mga kaibigan!! kamusta na kayo?

Yun. So this week has rocked!! We got 12 new missionaries from the Tacloban mission. (the mission with the huge typhoon) Let me just say how watched over missionaries are. There was around 98,000 people that died from the storm but all of the missionaries (around 250) were safe and all have been re-assigned to different missions here in the Philippines. 

Sister     and I are doing awesome! I LOVE having a Tongan companion even though sometimes were very makulit at magulo. (basically meaning.... we are goofs). Its been a fun and very quick couple of weeks. I cannot believe that we only have 2 weeks left and then transfers. After transfers, we will only have 6 weeks left together!! Its seriously speeding by so fast! And.... not to sound trunky or anything... but after that.... lets just say that I will be coming home soon. My secret prayer is that I do not train again though because I will have that 3 months left but I want to just.... well.. mama needs a break ;)

I know that whatever happens is His will and I will obey. 

We had a really good day yesterday. We extended a baptism date to a little boy (MJ)  whos parents are less active but came to church yesterday! We also had... drum roll..... 7 investigators at church yesterday!! That was awesome! We had only seen 4 of them and then after sacrament meeting, our family of 3 came up to us. We were pretty much speechless. 

We have one family who we are teaching right now pretty close to where we live. The DeJesus family. The Dad is progressing like crazy and yesterday the wife came. It was so amazing to see there cute young family. We are getting ready for there baptism too but they need to get married first before they can get baptized. So expect some wedding photos in the next couple of weeks. ;)

Welp, thats all my brain can think up at this time. I love you all and am so excited to talk with you guys at christmas! I hope that you guys are ready for Thanksgiving! What are your plans ??

Mahal ko kayo at namimiss ko kayo. magingat kayo lagi. 

--
Mahal, Sister Merrill

November 10th

How are you all? im sure some were worried and others were terrified of the typhoon. I am just fine we did have a long power outage here but im ok some damage was done but material items can always be replaced. You know its truly an amazing site to see how the gospel blesses peoples lives. How it will give them the strength to fight off are trials both physically and spiritually. I have seen both sides of coin for those who have faith in the gospel of jesus christ and those who dont. Even if there lives are almost exactly similar job wise, where their house is or their social status. But they are still miles apart when it comes to their reactions to set backs. some freak out and cry and others pick themselves and look to the future. Please keep the people in your prayers though because it has been a big loss for a lot of people. They have been saying that there are already so many who have died and around 80 missionaries that they cannot find. (A member told us that. I dont know if its true or not)

Things are going well though. We have been trying to find families lately. We have one new brother who we are teaching. Bro Deguzman and we have another bro. Chris. With bro chris, he is ready!! We are just trying to teach his mom and dad. Even though bro chris is older, its always better to try for families. I will keep you updated with them. How is everyone doing back at home? What are the plans for Thanksgiving? I love you all!!! 

--
Mahal, Sister Merrill

November 13th

Update (13 November 2013 - 1:00 p.m. MST) The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints continues to assist with relief efforts in the Philippines following Typhoon Haiyan. Church Welfare Department personnel are working with Philippines Area leaders to establish a relief operations center and distribute supplies. Many areas affected by the storm are still without power or running water, and communication systems are not fully operational. 

Seven of the 21 Church missions in the Philippines were impacted by the storm, but all missionaries are safe. Missionaries in the hardest-hit areas have been evacuated to safer locations, including missionaries assigned to the Tacloban area. Those missionaries are now safely in Manila, staying in Church housing near the Manila Temple and missionary training center. Mission and area leaders will meet with missionaries in the coming days to evaluate their needs and determine future assignments. It is possible that some missionaries who are approaching the conclusion of their service may choose to return home. Missionaries in areas less severely affected by the storm will soon begin organizing to assist with relief efforts.

Many Latter-day Saints and others who have seen the devastation in the Philippines have contacted the Church wanting to know how they can help. They are encouraged to pray for those affected by this disaster. They may also consider increasing their fast-offering donations and/or donating to the Churchhumanitarian fund (http://give.lds.org/humanitarian-fund). The Church draws upon these funds to sustain its humanitarian work around the world. There are many opportunities to support other reputable agencies that also respond to disasters.

The Church has a vast, local volunteer force among the members in the region and is not seeking volunteers to travel to the Philippines as part of its relief efforts. In addition, the Church has learned that the most effective way to respond to disasters is to work locally, purchasing needed supplies in country as near to the disaster as possible.  This not only ensures that the goods are appropriate for the area but it helps build up impaired, local economies.  

UPDATE (11 November 2013 - 7: 15 p.m. MST) The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints reported that all of its missionaries serving in the 21 missions in the Philippines have been contacted and are safe following the devastating loss of life from Typhoon Haiyan. The parents of those who had been unaccounted for have been personally contacted.  

The Church expressed its love and sympathy to all those affected by this disaster and all the people of the Philippines. Church buildings provided life-saving refuge during the storm and are now serving as shelters and disaster relief sites.

The Church is pleased to engage with other relief agencies in the Philippines to address the aftermath of the storm. It is providing food, water, shelter and other life-sustaining resources. 

UPDATE (11 November 2013 - 10:45 a.m. MST)In recent hours, Church leaders have made significant progress establishing contact with missionaries in the Philippines Tacloban Mission. All missionaries have been contacted with the exception of 24 missionaries serving primarily in one location where communications have been especially difficult. Church representatives are doing everything possible to contact missionaries and have been providing updates to family members of missionaries regarding their status as soon as they become available. Local Church leaders continue to determine the safety and well-being of Church members in the impacted areas and to seek out ways to assist others affected by the typhoon. 

UPDATE (10 November 2013 - 11:00 p.m. MST) Elder W. Craig Zwick, an executive director in the Church's Missionary Department, reported this evening that, "Church leaders continue to make contact with missionaries throughout the Tacloban Mission in the Philippines, and all those we have been able to reach are safe. We anticipate that as we continue to re-establish communication, the remaining missionaries will be located and found well. We unite our faith and prayers with others in behalf of the people of the Philippines." 

November 10th

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/11/10/us-philippines-typhoon-idUSBRE9A603Q20131110

http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/mormon-missionaries-serve-in-tacloban-day-after-devasting-typhoon-hits

Many Latter-day Saints and others who have seen the devastation in the Philippines have contacted the Church wanting to know how they can help. They are encouraged to pray for those affected by this disaster. They may also consider increasing their fast-offering donations and/or donating to the Church humanitarian fund (http://give.lds.org/humanitarian-fund). The Church draws upon these funds to sustain its humanitarian work around the world. There are many opportunities to support other reputable agencies that also respond to disasters.

The Church has a vast, local volunteer force among the members in the region and is not seeking volunteers to travel to the Philippines as part of its relief efforts. In addition, the Church has learned that the most effective way to respond to disasters is to work locally, purchasing needed supplies in country as near to the disaster as possible.  This not only ensures that the goods are appropriate for the area but it helps build up impaired, local economies. 

November 3rd

Hello everyone!! Thank you so much for all of the pictures of Halloween!!!! I hope that you all just closed your eyes for a few seconds and pictured that i was there with you. If you didnt.... well... shows how much you REALLY miss me ;)

We had kind of our own Halloween events here in the Philippines. They (like i said last week) celebrate "all saints day" for the 1st and 2nd of Nov. 

I was kind of surprised at how creepy it was. haha. They have lots of.... interesting believes. They take food to the grave yard and "feed" the dead. And it wouldnt be a party if they didnt stay there all night and play cards and drink. Thats what they do for funerals by the way. They believe that the dead body can not be left alone so they keep it in the home for a week to two weeks and play cards, drink, and kareoke all the night through. Anyway, another thing they do for all saints day is once it gets dark everyone keeps their lights off (if they have them) and they use candles. It was weird walking home and just seeing candles. I thought we were in one of those scary village movies. 

Things have been going really well with sister finau. There is a language barrier but thats ok. I basically just speak tagalog to her because its hard to speak english for her so might as well become fluent in tagalog when i can. no? ;)

Our area has been kind of....rough. We have been having a hard time with finding people who REALLY want to listen to the gospel and not just to be nice, or have foreigners in their home. We have been doing some fun stuff with trying to find people to teach though. We have gone old school and brought out the soap box. (hopefully you get that... or else... that wasnt funny. sorry.) We do "preach by the bus". so.. we stand in the front of the bus (on the inside) and just start teaching a lesson. Its quite a thrill. 

Its been a big focus to find the elect. So I will let you guys know if anything blossoms. We have some potential. I hope that things are good back in the U.S. And I want you all to know that I love you so much!!!!!!! 

Love. Me. 

--
Mahal, Sister Merrill

October 27th

Hello family!! So. are you ready to hear who my new companion is? maybe you know from the "subject". My new companion is sister finau. she is from Tonga and is SO>>>..... amazing!! she is so humble and so chill! haha its really nice as a trainer to have a tongan because they are so go with the flow. no stress!! 

Although.. yeah... i was hoping to get a filipina.. God has something else in store for me. And im thankful that sister finau is part of that. Plus, I know now how to pray (simply) in tongan. who knew missions would teach you so many languages! :) It is funny though becasue everyone thinks she is filipina so they talk to her and then she looks at me and i start speaking. They get so amazed that i speak tagalog haha. 

How is everyone doing at home? I hope you are all safe and happy. Has it snowed yet over there? Are you guys so excited for Halloween!!!???? I am so jealous of all of you. But we do have a fun holiday coming up here in the Philippines. Its on the 1 and 2 of november. "all saints day". Its the day they go and celebrate the dead. Its kind of like halloween because they have scary movies on all the time and they tell scary stories. They get pretty crazy because we have to be in the house at 6pm those two days. 

What are the kids going to be for halloween? Did I ask if it snowed yet? Hopefully not so you guys wont freeze while outside. 

We have been doing really well out here. It has been hard these past couple of days starting over and finding people. But its also one of my favorite things. I love to just talk with everyone and observe everyday life. Helping people with their tasks is pretty fun too. Just to start washing the clothes with them or whatever. Its fun to see their reaction. Alright, I have to go email President. I love you all and want to hear how everyone is doing. Send me pictures!!! 

--
Mahal, Sister Merrill

October 21st

Hello Family!! I had written a "rough draft" of an email to send out today... but do to my brain... I forgot it. I was going to try and be organized with my thoughts but lets be honest, that would be just too easy. ;) 

A lot has happened this week. Ready for it!? Ok, well nothing too crazy but it has been a good week. 

I was called as a trainer..... AGAIN!!! WOOO HOO!! (thats only kind of sarcastic...) I have been training my whole mission basically and am happy to say that im pretty sure i might be an "eternal trainer". I am just PRAYING that it is not another american. My whole mish i have had 1 filipino out here. Somethings off and i need some culture up in here ;) 

Oh!! I saw Sister Evans (my 1st "anak") because she is training again and her trainee is training instantly!! (im kind of proud of my family out here on the mish). Well. Do you guys remeber me telling you about sis Virginia and bro von mark? our two investigators in my 1st area? Well, bro von mark got baptised and  now his sister is getting baptised too!! and sis virginia.... We had referred her family over to the elders in their area while we taught sis virginia. Well... come to find out that her family is progressing like crazy and they are ALL getting baptised as a family!!!! I AM SO EXCITED FOR THEM!!! aww!! hopefully i can get some pictures. 

Well, thats all i can think of right now. Transfers come up on fridayu and im kind of hoping to get transferred.... :) I will let you know next week.

PS. if you send packages, you can send it through LBC it will get here faster because it is a philippines thing. I love you guys!! 

Mom, send me pics of the house all decorated!!

October 13th

Hello family!!! How is everyone doing!!?? So conference.... AMAZING ya!!?? I know all yall have already seen it.... but thats what happens when your on a foreign mish. 

What was your guys' favorite talk? I want to hear you guys' input and thoughts. 

Lets say that I learned a lot of things.

I had told you guys of maybe coming home in Feb instead of April Well... I am going to stay so I will be coming home in the beginning of April. Just so you guys know. 

we saw this little guy the day before. he had no idea what was commin :( family week at the church!

i always find myself in these situations. Eating balut again with sis ... for her first time. This one was.... pretty... developed. This is its leg. 

these are the languages im learning :) Tagalog, spanish, and Ilakano because half of our investigators only speak Ilankano. Yike!!

those naked children are our investigators kids getting ready for church. hahaha I love it!!

that hot sauce, that is mine that i carry everywhere with me. 

this is a rich family in the ward that is AMAZING!! they fed us for my birthday.

JOSH!! This one is for you because it reminds me of when we would play AVTV off road furry. 

FAMILY!!! Thank you all for your birthday wishes and for everything. Mom, I just got your package but havent opened it yet. 

Kylie!!! I saw pictures of the wedding. YOU ARE SO GORGEOUS!!!! There is a family here in my area and their daughter and her boyfriend are basically you and estavan but pinoy. :) 

--
Mahal, Sister Merrill

cool bridge. naked children. (when it rains, the childrens clothes come off and they parade the streets like they own them.) --

we have had way too many typhoons. The water got so deep that we had to go home one night. Order from the Pres. 

we were getting ready to do service in the bukid. (rice fields). I have pictures that I will print and send. lets just say...... it is now banned for a reason.... ;D

--  we have been in a open area (an area where there haven't been missionaries) we have been exploring and finding people to teach. here are some cool things that we have come across on our search. Sister Carr and I joke that it is a mix of being at the Disneyland Indiana Jones part and being in Jurassic park. 

--

Weather issues in August 2013

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2013/08/11/typhoon-philippines-fishermen-missing/2641777/

Hello family and friends!!!

I dont think I wrote a big family email last week. Kasalanan ko. (my bad). This week has been filled with lots of different emotions and lots of activities (to say at the least)

To update you guys one the missionary work out here. It has been a little heart breaking this past week. We have been teaching Sister Magsano and then another boy, brother Viray. 

Sister Magsano has been taught by us ever since march. Brother Viray, we have been teaching for almost two months now. They both had a baptism date and were suppose to be baptized not too long ago. As we went to set up the interview with the District leaders... They told us that there was a new rule about how if they are 21 or younger... they cannot be baptized without consent from the guardian or parent and whoever the guardian or parent is... they need to be in all of the lessons. Our hearts broke when we heard this because we know their situation with their family. Sister Magsano is 18 and is living here in our are while she is working. Her parents live in a different area pretty far away... meaning... she cannot yet be baptized. After many prayers and fasting, we were able to track down the parents and get them referred to the Elders over there. She wants to be baptized to bad!! Bro Viray is another hard situation. His dad passed away when he was younger and his mom is in another country and wont be returning. His gaurdian right now is his aunt but... she is always.. lets just say that we have tried many many times. 

Although these have been hard experiences these past days.. It makes me realized why we have this new rule. FAMILY AND SUPPORT. 

I have truly come to realize how much family means to me and how important it is that we have a close relationship with our families. We have to be able to build from each other and set those examples for each other so we can make it through. I think about people who I have met out here and their stories with their families not being here or many many heart wrenching stories... and it brings so much comfort to testify how we are never alone. We really all are brothers and sisters because we are all God.s children. It brings so much happiness to know that we dont have to go through trials alone. And although.... I would absolutely LOVE to be the one to see Sister Magsano and Brother Viray go into the water and start a life a new... I know that that is not important if Im there or not. They need the love and support from those around them. As do we all. I am thankful for their faith and testimonies and their desire to continue to go to church, pray, read, progress, and to want to have the closest life to the Saviours. it is amazing to see them continue. This is the best work that I could be doing right now!!! I LOVE IT!!!

Other stuff...

`I have been called to train again. Lets see how this goes... :) 

`Sister Evans (my "first child") is also training instantly!! ASTIG!!!

`We moved into a different place!! Its big enough to fit 4 now and its really pretty nice! Our last area had those dang rats and mold all over. So im happy to be outta there after 6 months.

`I dont know why the philippines likes to give me things.... but I have these crazy bug bites that are now spread all over my arms and legs.. it hurts so bad! All is well though ;)

I love you all and hope that everything is going well. LOVE YOU ALL!!!

--
Mahal, Sister Merrill

we always get kids who come and love to follow us. We like to mess with them haha

i ate this chicken head

feeding it to the chickens around me

--
Mahal, Sister Merrill

I just wanted to send you an email and let you know that things are going really well out here. I am hopefully going to be moving to a new area soon. I have been in my first area for 6 months now. And... Our mission president called and said that I would be training again AND that my trainee will be training!!! She is training right away! That hardly ever happens. 

How is everything going for you guys? What did you do for fourth of july?

--
Mahal, Sister Merrill

Sister Merrill

Hello family and friends. So Im sorry about not writing last week but I got caught up doing some other things that had to be done :)

This week and last week have been everything that a mission is about. Successes! Even if they are not successes that we recognize instantly. 

We are really focusing on trying to work with our leadership in our ward and area. We have about 28 areas in our assigned place and its just us two. The others have 4 missionaries in their areas with about only 5 areas. But we do not let that get us down!! We have been having a blast with going to our furthest area... about 1 hour tryke ride and then running to the different areas to get to members homes to teach, investigators, and teaching people on the way. Yes, I did say running..(when it is night time. during the day its a nice fast walk like the cute older people you see in the malls).

It has been quite successful to say the least. 

I have absolutely LOVED sharing about our promises to God when we are baptized and our responsibility in the ward and to build up His kingdom.

There are a few things that I would like to go into depth with... but I dont have that much time. One. How important callings are!! Not even just callings but being a member alone!! I have learned that Member work and missionary work is not separate. It needs to be one. We need members to step it up and to share the gospel. I know people get scared because they dont want it to come off the wrong way. But I can promise that if you are sharing out of love they wont take it the wrong way. Pray for guidance. 

Two. TITHING. I cannot even begin to tell you the things that I have learned about tithing this week. I will write down some scriptures and share them next week. I want to challenge you guys to be a full tithe payer. I KNOW that when we pay our tithing, we truly are entitled to those blessings. Just like it says in the bible. ;try me and see if i wont open the heavens and pour out blessing that you wont have room enough to receive them.;

I know, that tithing is the ultimate sacrifice for us and it takes every Christ like attribute that we want to work for and become part of our personalities. Faith, Charity, Love, Patience... EVERYTHING. I know that all of your worries, stresses about money, problems in our jobs, families, friends... again, everything. I promise that as we pay our tithing that we will have the heavens opened and receive that guidance needed in our lives. Be faithful. Because where there is faith, there is no fear. If there is fear, there is no faith. 

I love you all and hope that you have a happy 4th of July!!!

--
Mahal, Sister Merrill

Alright, so this will be short (like always). I wanted to tell you all how EXCITED I am for everyone to get to have that amazing homecoming with Ryan!!! Yes, I am jealous and would be lying if I didn't say that it is kind of a hard thought to be thinking about how I cannot be there right now, but I am also so grateful for all of your support that you have given him over these past two years. They have flown by that is for sure. Keep it up guys. I have learned from being out here that we cannot do anything alone. We need our Father in Heaven. We need our family and friends. As people... we need support. So, I hope that all of you will keep supporting each other in righteous doings and don't be afraid to receive help from each other. Ask each other for help and ask our Heavenly Father for guidance because He will give it to us if we ask. He is there with His arms wide open... waiting for us to ask Him so He can pour out those blessings and that direction. I know that this is true because not only have I seen it in my life.... I have seen it in the lives of those that we are teaching and those who are taking action and asking. The Lord does give us answers to our prayers, sometimes expecting them to come faster or in different ways than they do come... but they will come. 

I love you all and I hope that my next emails are filled with pictures and happy little notes of the homecoming!!

Love, Sister Merrill

--
Mahal, Sister Merrill

Not much time

I will send a family email next week :) I love you.

here are some quick pictures. OUr district study this morning on the beach. 

WASHINGTON NATIONALS!!!

Balut for dinner... OH YEAH!!

--
Mahal, Sister Merrill

Ok everyone so do i have a story for you..... We to cut right to the chase... Sister Evans almost died. No joke. Here is the story now.

We had exchanges (you just swap companions and areas for 24 hours) so she went over to a different area. She came back to our area and was way sick feeling and just felt bad. Well, she woke me up at 4;35 am and said "Sister, i think im having a really bad allergic reaction" i told her that i would grab somebenadryl. When i turned on the lights, thats when i saw that her lips were like a botox job gone horribly wrong!! She told me that she was feeling her throat close off and that she couldnt breath well.

I called the mission presidents wife and she told us that since she took a pill to wait 15 min and see if it goes down. I hung up and looked at sister evans again and got the biggest prompting to go directly to the hospital. So we got dressed and started to walk to find a trike somewhere. Sister evans started to get very... almost.. almost like she just wanted to lay down and saying i cant breath in a very quiet voice. We finally found a tryke and she was on the verge of passing out. I ran her into the hospital and told them what she needed. 

They had to inject her with an allergy shot and after 5 minutes she could finally start to feel like she could feel her lungs opening up. 

I look back at that experience and wonder what the heck happened. I feel like none of that was me. Getting her to the hospital, talking to the people... none of it. Sister evans told me that as she was sitting there that i seemed so calm and in control and knowledgeable about what needed to be done. I told her that it was seriously the spirit. So, I testify that not only does the spirit guide and testify of truth.... but it protects us and really does give us what we need in every hour

So she is ok now but i will have her email the pic that she wanted me to take and i will send it next week ok? 

So. There is the news about this week. Dang. Good thing all is well though :)

I have no time so I will have to send the other stuff that happened, next week.

I love you all!!

-- 

some more yummy balut!! 

and also, we went to a house to "tao po" because you dont knock on doors... and this is what was in front of the house. Yeah... NEVER MIND haha
Mahal, Sister Merrill

Hello everyone. So there have been some comments on "hey i havent heard from you" Yes, I know. I haven't sent out a family email for the past two weeks now. I want you all to know that I am always thinking of you and love you guys. Dont ever question that. Its just that these past few weeks have been a little..... crazy. 

I told you guys a few weeks ago that I would be training. Im training a sister from provo utah her name is sister Evans. (I forgot my camera but I will send a pic next week) So obviously, we have been together two weeks now and I absolutely love it but Im not going to lie... I dont think that I have ever felt this much pressure in my entire life!!! The pressure to be the "fluent language speaker" when I have just barely reached my 4 months here in the Philippines and im not fluent yet. The pressure to be a full spiritual teacher... when im not. There are definitely times when the spirit is more blunt than others but I know that I still have a long way to come and that we can never be perfect in our lessons. I know that the spirit is the true teacher and is what it takes to soften a heart to His message. Even though there is this constant pressure of making sure that I am doing everything I can to help those around me and to be a good example on Sister Evans. I know that it is only by that good pressure that will push me to be diligent and become the missionary that I need to be. I want to let you each know that I am so thankful for each of your influences on my life. I have learned that this is the most unselfish work other than being a parent because you are spending all of your time serving those around you and trying to help them and a lot of the times... yeah.. sadly, its not very appreciated but when you find that one person out of the fifty that you have spoken with, who is ready to hear His message, that makes everything worth it. I DO appreciate everything that you guys have done for me. Please know that sometimes it gets overwhelming for me and I dont have that much time on here, but I do love you and thank you guys for your prayers. Love,

Sister Merrill

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Mahal, Sister Merrill

Ok, this is just a quick email to let you guys know whats going on. Plan for a skype date next tuesday for you guys around 9;30 at night. I will confirm it next week.

Just so you know whats happening over here... this week has been so CRAZY with lots of things happening. Hahaha

-I got bit by a dog. Its not bad at all but its ironic the day I dont bring my stick, I actually get bit ha. 

-THe ???? are fully gone!! Woo hoo!!!

- I will go to the manila hospital next week after transfers 

-AND, the biggest most shocking news that i received last week..... IM GOING TO BE A MOM!!!!! Meaning, I am going to train! ANO BA YAN!! (what is that!?) I just got here haha. I definitely dont feel prepared but I know that the Lord really does call us in our weaknesses and He qualifies us for the work. I love you guys!!! See you soon ;)

Ok, so i am guilty for not writing an email to everyone last week. My bad. :) Mom, I have not had the surgery yet but I have to go to Manila in two weeks and thats when I'll get. All is well though. 

This week though.... boy was it a full blown ROLLER COASTER!!! There are so many things that I want to tell you guys but there is not enough time. So many amazing things happened and there were a lot of... not so amazing things. 

I feel like I have talked about this a bajillion times but I am just going to say it again about how stinkin grateful I am that we have the guidance of the spirit. 

There were a lot of occasions that happened this week were it felt like everything was going wrong and sister bagacina and i were trying not to get discouraged, we would stop and say a prayer and then bam! we were lead to those who have truly been prepared for the gospel. It is so amazing that if we just stop for a second to pray... it makes the most difference than anything else! It will give us the peace, patience, strength, courage, happiness, and whatever we need. So in this short short email, I just want to remind you all that its that simple. Just pray. If you are worried for school, your job, or need an answer or guidance... just pray. It is the most effective way to recieve what we need. I know that is true because I feel it and see it everyday when we need uplifting or anything. A short prayer is what makes that difference. I love you all!! I hope that your doing well. 

 

I will send pictures next week :)

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Mahal, Sister Merrill

Well, we were finally able to watch general conference on saturday and sunday! WOW. What an amazing and refreshing time. I want to study the talks out a little bit more and then I will send my insight maybe next week. Because I want to talk about milagros (miracles) now. Before that though, I have some "funny" things that happened last week. 

1. We were teaching a lesson to the Ferrer family (they live in the middle of an open field with fish ponds and we have to walk about 15 minutes through a jungle like path). We started to open our lesson with a song and,..... the next thing i know... I felt something drop on my shoulder and then fell on my hymn book. I looked down to see what it was and it was NO JOKE a HUGE!! spider!!! I threw my hymn book and probably sounded like I was being killed because my scream was pretty loud. No doubt one of the closest contacts I have come to the spiders I usually just see and then they run away. There are a few other bug stories but I am just going to move on. haha

Now serioso. 

So, we talk to the man "Umberto"( he is Italian but is from Europe) when we finish lessons with a less active woman. Usually its just chit chat but a few weeks ago, we actually were able to set up an appointment to teach him. He is also atheist by the way. 

I just want to bare my testimony on the spirit and on the scriptures saying that we will NOT be confounded before men if we have the spirit with us. He had a lot of concerns and a lot of comments.He was actually studying to become a priest for his church back in the day but because of some awful things that he shared with us, he didnt want anything to do with religion. 

By the end of the lesson he was able to really open up, the spirit was there, and he started to talk about God. (before, we would try and talk about God and he would alwasy say "who? who?") but now, he was so willing. We left him some material and a book of mormon to read. We havent been able to teach him since because he is back and forth with traveling in the Philippines, but we have a return date to teach him, AND whenever we see him he is always drinking and smoking. The other day though, we saw him and he had no drink or cigarette in his hands and told us he has started to read "the word".

I want to testify to all of you guys that if you just so much as "experiment on His word" If you have so much as a desiour to know what is true (like it was said in conference) He will tell you the truth if you are willing to listen. I KNOW. That we are promised with an answer that this gospel is true if all we do is try it. He says in the scriptures to try him and see if he wont answer you. Try Him and see if he wont pour out his blessings on you. 

I love you guys so much and thank you for your love and yhour support for me while i am out here. I can not do this without your prayers because this is the hardest work I have ever had to do in my whole life. The things that we are required to do as missionaries is litterally exhausting. But I know that with our Heavenly Father we are able to be made stronger so we can bear those things that we are called and asked to do. 

I love you guys! Stay safe and trust in Him to go to Him everyday in prayer. Just talk to him one on one and in your families or with friends. It will strengthen your relationship with Him and with each other. Mahal na mahal ko kayo!!

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Mahal, Sister Merrill

Neighbors

2. our neighbors pets. No big deal

3. this is a HOUSE spider. Just imagine the ones I see in the fields :(

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Mahal, Sister Merrill