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