tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86825562557891185362024-03-21T05:35:06.556-07:00The Only Ten You SeeAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13911089090039524089noreply@blogger.comBlogger82125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8682556255789118536.post-60911787098390784662015-05-17T11:45:00.001-07:002015-05-17T12:05:02.099-07:00Home.<div style="text-align: center;">
I guess I'm supposed to post in my little corner of the internet world that I made it home safely so y'all aren't too worried. I am back in Orem, Utah. I'm trying to stay busy. Working at BYU and trying to remember how it is to live life without the guidance of a little white book. It's weird. And I am so definitely weird.</div>
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I miss being a missionary. I'm glad that I do though, because that means my time in Tennessee meant a lot to me. Being a missionary helped me find myself in the sight of the Lord. And now the challenge is to live a normal life and remember that every day. I'm excited for what lies ahead.</div>
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I'm still having missionary experiences, even while being home. Catherine came to visit this last week and we were able to visit temple square and the Payson temple open house! Her non-member friend Sam joined us as well. I felt the spirit as I did on my mission as a gentle reminder of the truthfulness of my beliefs.<br />
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I know that Jesus is my Savior and that means He's always there for me, even as I am no longer a full-time missionary. I know I can feel him more prevalent in my life as I stay committed to my gospel study and experiences. God's plan needs to always be on my mind. I want to do what he wants me to do. I'm trying my best to prioritize His will for me, although it is difficult. I know I have to be committed to my communication with Him. I covenanted to always remember so I can keep his spirit. That's a covenant that I need to reflect upon often.</div>
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I am grateful for those who have continued to view my experiences from my mission on this blog from the beginning to the end. It was evident at the start that I had a lot of growing to do. I'm still growing too. I love the Lord with all of my heart, and I hope y'all know that.</div>
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Love,</div>
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Andrea</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13911089090039524089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8682556255789118536.post-29452549390727986252015-04-06T17:13:00.000-07:002015-04-06T17:13:05.367-07:00Easter Livin'<div>
Hi.</div>
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Okay so this week has been the weirdest but most fun week EVER!! So I'm not sure if the secret got out.. but, I've been working in the mission office and living at the mission home, helping out because the help up and quit! It's been such a fun week! We were delivering furniture to missionary apartments so I got to go see Maxine in Oak Ridge! And I also got to go back to Chattanooga! It's been a wonderful week. But seriously. I was totally dreading having to live in the mission home because I didn't want to leave my area and my people that Sister Johnson and I have been teaching; but, it has just been such a dream spending time with the Griffins! Izzy, Olivia and Hannah are like the little sisters I never had. President and Sister Griffin have treated me as on of their own. I love them.<div>
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This morning I was studying and thinking about what I will say when I bear my testimony at transfers. There's so many experiences that I've had and I honestly just don't even know how to sum it up briefly. Only God truly knows intimately the things I've experienced. But there is a scripture that can convey the feelings that I feel as I look back and think of my time doing the Lord's work.<br /><div>
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Yea, I say unto you, my son, that there could be nothing so exquisite and so bitter as were my pains. Yea, and again I say unto you, my son, that on the other hand, there can be nothing so exquisite and sweet as was my joy.</div>
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As Alma the Younger describes his repentance-- or change he's experienced I think of the change I've seen inside myself. The spirit at times has told me things that were hard to hear but when I obeyed and changed there was nothing exquisite and sweet as my joy. I've seen this joy as I've invited others to come unto Christ and change.</div>
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My time as a missionary has set the stage for the rest of my life. I know that Jesus Christ is my Savior and my Redeemer. He knows me so well. He knows how to teach me to my understanding. I know The Book of Mormon is the word of God, and that means so much more than it being a book that was written by God through His prophets. It means it's a book that can change hearts; it changed my heart!!</div>
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I love you all so dearly. I am sad to be leaving Tennessee, I wish this time in my life could go on for forever, but I know there are great things in store in my future life-- especially spending time with you all.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13911089090039524089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8682556255789118536.post-35133902156483791102015-04-06T17:09:00.001-07:002015-04-06T17:09:46.997-07:00The Spirit is Just so GREAT!<div dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">
Hey! <div>
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So much has been going on here in Knox 1st... So many miracles!!</div>
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We found a part member family who's records weren't in our ward a few weeks ago. We had been trying so had to have a spiritual lesson with them, but they seemed to always find a distraction. This week we went over with the Restoration DVD and the determination to feel the spirit in their home. Felicia called the boys in and they were all glued to the tv. At the first vision part the spirit was so strong and after the movie was over, Austin (12 years old) told us that he loved the movie. They said they wanted to be baptized! It's going to be a long road for them because their are a lot of concerns but it was so amazing to help them recognize the spirit and to come to know that it's possible to feel in their home.</div>
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We had an Easter egg hunt at the church for a primary activity. We had visited a less-active member and there was a ton of people that lived with her. We invited them and their kids and they came! As they were leaving I had the opportunity to give Floyd, the family friend, a Plan of Salvation pamphlet. I was testifying of revelation that prophets receive for us to day and I felt the spirit strongly. It was cool to have the opportunity to share truth with him in the church, it was a sure place to feel the spirit.</div>
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My favorite miracle this week has to do with Christina. We had a team up for a different lesson and the appointment fell through. We asked our team up if she would feel comfortable going to the projects and she said yes! We took her to drop off a pamphlet for Christina to study before our next lesson with her. We were able to invite her to church and the member said she was willing to drive her! Christina came to church!!! I was so happy! And she had a wonderful experience!! She said that she felt so comfortable and wished she had known about the church sooner in life!</div>
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Oh last thing we did service at UT stadium and swept the bleachers! It was pretty fun and we got to meet some cool people! </div>
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Sorry I have to rush this! My computer is about to kick me off!</div>
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Love y'all!!!</div>
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Sister Merrell</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13911089090039524089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8682556255789118536.post-55592766144600847362015-03-29T19:35:00.001-07:002015-03-29T19:35:27.414-07:00Called To Serve<div dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">
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Hello hello!!</div>
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This weekend was especially amazing.</div>
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I was able to attend stake conference for the Cumberland stake because Catherine was speaking. I just wanted to share a bit about the things she said. She talked about how her parents raised her to know that she had a Savior and as life continued on, at a summer camp that she attended each year, she came to know Christ not only as her Savior but as her friend and her companion. She went on to describe how her friendships with a couple of her close friends, that happened to be Mormon, prompted more to learn more about the restored gospel. She began to search for truth and was reading the Book of Mormon. She felt peace and comfort as she read but she struggled to know if it was true. She met with sister missionaries to solidify her search, and as she brought up her concern the sisters read to her this scripture with her name inserted:<div>
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"He doeth not anything save it be for the benefit of Catherine; for he loveth Catherine, even that he layeth down his own life that he may draw Catherine unto him. Wherefore, he commandeth none that they shall not partake of his salvation."</div>
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After reading this scripture, she knew the Book of Mormon was true.</div>
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Hearing Catherine's talk took me back to when I had a powerful experience in the beginning of my spiritual enlightenment. Throwing it back to the year 2009, I was a junior in high school. I had just been dumped by my long time boyfriend, and I was devastated. As a 15 year old girl my self-worth was majorly dependant upon what this boy thought of me. I was overcome with sadness and I had no idea what I could do to bring joy back into my life (dramatic right? hahaha). There was a seminary teacher at school Brother S'ua, and I felt like I should talk to him-- I didn't even know the guy! But I went to him and he didn't even hesitate to invite me into his office. We sat down and we began to flip through the pages of the Book of Mormon-- we read a few scriptures and one of them particularly stuck out to me because he inserted my name into it. He gave me a list of the scriptures that we had read over. That evening, I studied the scriptures on my own. I reread the following:</div>
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"He doeth not anything save it be for the benefit of Andrea; for he loveth Andrea, even that he layeth down his own life that he may draw Andrea unto him. Wherefore he commandeth non that they shall not partake of his salvation."</div>
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I knelt in prayer beside my bed and I prayed out loud personally for the first time in my life. As I prayed I poured out my feelings of pain and sadness to God. I felt the Saviors arms wrapped around me. I felt the Spirit tell me that I am a daughter of God of infinite worth. Through this scripture I came to know that Jesus Christ is not only the Savior of the world, but He is the Savior of MY world-- even my silly dramatic teenager first world-problem world. He is there to comfort me, strengthen me, encourage me and to help me over come sin. This is how I came to know the Book of Mormon is true.</div>
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The Book of Mormon is the word of God-- and that means that we can come to know God, His love for us, and how we can return that love to Him from within this book's pages. It's true, I know it. And this knowledge has led me to and through so many miraculous experiences, especially during my time as a missionary.</div>
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Catherine received her mission call this week to the Utah Salt Lake City South Mission-- Spanish speaking. 2 Nephi 26:24 is the scripture I chose to put on my mission plaque. I have a hunch that she'll choose it too.</div>
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Love y'all,</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13911089090039524089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8682556255789118536.post-4081172617422351562015-03-29T19:32:00.002-07:002015-03-29T19:32:54.994-07:00Cheerfully!<div dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">
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Okay so this week was pretty awesome. I got to hold this parrot named mango, his owner wasn't interested in learning more about the restored gospel but he let me hold his bird despite my slight terror. I'm overcoming fears all over the place, I'm tellin ya! But I still won't hold one of our investigator's giant scorpion, that's just too much haha. Anyways the parrot wasn't really what made this week awesome.</div>
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Brian got baptized! It was awesome, the ward all contributed and it was a great experience! Brian was late to sacrament meeting for his confirmation. We couldn't get a hold of him either, so we were terrified! But then after the sacrament he and Lakenzie walked in and we got down to business and he received the gift of the holy ghost. He and Lakenzie keep us on our toes, that's for sure. Love them!</div>
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This week we met with one of our investigators, Christina. She lives in the projects--yep I thought I had left projects forever when I left Chattanooga, but lucky for me I still get the adventure. Anyways the first time we met we taught her the restoration and her mom was there was pretty argumentative and get this, Christina was standing up for the things we were teaching her! Cool huh? So this week we went over and read the Book of Mormon with her this last time and she really understood the purpose of gaining a testimony of it. At the end of the lesson she prayed to know it was true. It was awesome to see her humility. She is a sweet heart.</div>
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I've been thinking a lot about Doctrine and Covenants 123:17 this week:</div>
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"Therefore, dearly beloved brethren, let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed."</div>
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Okay so a lot of you know this about me, I'm a planner. I like to plan things in advance-- like for instance at home I'd plan my birthday celebrations in July or August just to guarantee perfect preparation for<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1120341713" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">September 14th</span></span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>haha. But here in the mission you really see the things right in front of you that aren't in your control, and it requires a ton a patience! Something I'm probably not known for.. I can't control people's reactions to the things we are teaching. I can't control if Brian shows up to sacrament meeting on time or if Sister Johnson puts liquid dish washing soap in the dishwasher and suds get all over the floor (haha love her). In these instances I definitely have the option to not be patient, but in order to stand still, to see the arm of God, I must CHEERFULLY do all things that lie in MY power. I have to learn to be patient with the actions of other people-- and to do it cheerfully! That word makes a huge difference!</div>
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Love y'all! Have a splendid week!</div>
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Sister Merrell</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13911089090039524089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8682556255789118536.post-67135820219158859232015-03-09T17:49:00.001-07:002015-03-09T17:49:21.890-07:00It's a Hard Knox Life... But Not Really<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
Hola Familia!</div>
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Brian is all set for his baptism this weekend! We're so excited! His wife, Lakenzie got baptized a couple of weeks ago and she was sick this weekend so she didn't come to church. But Brian came on his own so that was really cool!</div>
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Last week at church, David an elderly retired dentist showed up for church. He ended up bearing his testimony and he talked about how impressed he was with the church. It was his first time attending. Well after sacrament meeting basically everyone pounced on him. We got his info and we were sad because we thought he lived in the elders area... but luckily we thought wrong! We taught him the restoration this week and he accepted it! The spirit was really strong and we could just tell he had sincere desire. He called us this morning and cancelled our appointment with him for<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1069771851" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">tomorrow</span></span>. He said that he wasn't putting enough effort in right now to continue researching. I WAS DEVASTATED... for about two seconds and then I decided that we'll call him next week and invite him to church. Some people call me persistent. This guy has the potential to be golden, we're not letting him fall through the cracks!</div>
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I have some awesome news. Remember my recent convert Catherine? She put in her mission papers this week. I was over joyed. Also she's coming to the stake center today to spend p-day with us! And on top of that she's speaking at Cumberland stake conference in a couple of weeks and president said I could go! There's a lot to look forward to right now!</div>
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I have been thinking a lot about a part of Moroni<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1069771852" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">8:16</span></span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>this week: "<span>and<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span>I<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span>fear<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span>not<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span>what<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span>man<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span>can<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span>do;<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span>for<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span>perfect</span><span> </span><span>love</span><span> </span><span>casteth<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span>out</span><span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>all<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span>fear." I wrote it on the top of my mirror in my bathroom because it's something I want to ponder each day. Do I care what other people think more than I care what God thinks? When I love God and I understand His perfect love for me, I have no need to fear of others opinions. If people don't appreciate the message that we have to share, it's okay because Heavenly Father is proud of what I'm doing right now. What kind of fear do you need God's perfect love to cast out?</span></div>
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<span>Love all of you!</span></div>
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<span>Sister Merrell</span></div>
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<span>(Sorry, no picture this week because I got a black eye when I got in a bar fight... jk that's a lie hahaa)</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13911089090039524089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8682556255789118536.post-73370573259487903622015-03-02T17:58:00.002-08:002015-03-02T17:58:13.591-08:00Holla From Knox Town!<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
Hey y'all!</div>
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I am so excited to be here in Knoxville, Tennessee serving in the Knoxville 1st ward with Sister Johnson for my last transfer! She is from Seattle, Washington. She is 25 years old and she has been on her mission 4.5 months. I'm absolutely loving it here! Our apartment is a mansion, we have a car, and we have so many willing and able members to help the work progress!</div>
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So things really are rolling here,<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_185872553" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">on Saturday</span></span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>night we were able to set a baptismal date with our investigator Brian for<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_185872554" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">March 14th</span></span>. Brian's wife Lakenzie got baptized last weekend. They both had Mormon friends growing up, which led them to look up the church online, which led them to come to church, which led them to both decide to be baptized! This is evidence of the power of a righteous example, that's for sure!</div>
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I've been really thinking about Ether<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_185872555" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">12:27</span></span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>lately:</div>
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"<span>And<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span>if<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span>men<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span>come<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span>unto<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span>me<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span>I<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span>will<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span>show<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span>unto<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span>them<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span>their<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span>weakness</span><span>.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span>I<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span>give</span><span> unto<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span>men<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span>weakness<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span>that<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span>they<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span>may<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span>be<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span>humble;<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span>and<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span>my<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span>grace</span><span> is<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span>sufficient<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span>for<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span>all</span><span>men<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span>that<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span>humble</span><span> themselves<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span>before<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span>me;<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span>for<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span>if<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span>they<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span>humble<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span>themselves<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span>before<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span>me,<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span>and<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span>have<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span>faith<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span>in<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span>me,<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span>then<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span>will<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span>I<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span>make<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span>weak</span><span> things<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span>become<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span>strong<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span>unto</span><span>them."</span></div>
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<span>Oh my goodness, I have so many weaknesses and as I have come unto Christ I've had to bring them with me; and He made sure to show them to me! It hurts to have weakness! I don't want to be weak! I don't want anyone to see my flaws, especially the Savior. But He is the first one to see them, and when I go to Him he shows me how to rely on Him. I can't put on a face for Him, because he knows who I really am; so I need to be someone who is humble, I have to let him teach me. He shows me how I can lean on Him in my weakness for strength. That's hard for someone with a lot of pride I'm telling ya first handed! But yes, I make mistakes that only the Savior can console me about and only He can help me change. I'm grateful that Christ still loves me even though I'm weak. I grateful that he loves me enough to help me be strong.</span></div>
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<span>Love y'all,</span></div>
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<span>Sister Andrea Merrell</span></div>
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<span>Oh, P.S. I held a snake last night and I didn't even vomit!</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13911089090039524089noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8682556255789118536.post-52353154857991347682015-02-23T17:16:00.000-08:002015-02-23T17:16:09.806-08:00Coming At Ya Live With The Flu<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">Hey everybody!</span><br />
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I can't really hear right now, my eyes are watering, my nose is running a 6 minute mile and I've basically coughed up my lungs, but that is quite alright because today is a great day to be alive even with the flu! The elders brought me some soft tissues so my nose doesn't feel scratchy when I blow it in toilet paper. #purebliss So, I'm just going to be straightforward and let y'all know that this email isn't going to be the greatest haha.</div>
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This week it SNOWED, and that's rare over in these parts; that being said, nobody knows how to drive in it so the city shuts down. It was pretty crazy. There was also a lot of freezing rain which isn't my cup of tea. It didn't snow down here until<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1423200006" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Wednesday</span></span>, but it was snowing cats and dogs up in Knoxville. So when we went to hear Elder Christofferson really late because his travel had been delayed. While we waited we had a testimony meeting, I liked it because normally when you hear other missionaries testimonies it's when they're either arriving or going home. Anyways Elder Christofferson arrived and we had a brief meeting, it was a question and answer session. There were a lot of interesting questions asked and I loved the way that he approached them. The one that really struck me the most was when a missionary asked how can we stay the person we are becoming when we are no longer a missionary. Elder Christofferson responded with Jeremiah 31:33:</div>
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"But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the Lord, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people."</div>
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We must have the gospel written in our hearts. The gospel shouldn't be something that's associated with us, it should be who we are.</div>
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Sister McDermott and I are being transferred out of Chattanooga<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1423200007" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">on Wednesday</span></span>, they are closing our area. I'm grateful that I had the opportunity to serve here because I have been put in situations that have helped me grow. It has helped me recognize a lot of the blessings that I have had here in the mission and that I have at home. Of all of the missionaries in the world, Heavenly Father chose me to serve here. Chattanooga was a "furnace of affliction" and I'd like to think that as I leave here I have been a little bit refined (1 Nephi<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1423200008" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">20:10</span></span>).</div>
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Love all y'all,</div>
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Sister Merrell</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13911089090039524089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8682556255789118536.post-19182412161291390052015-02-22T15:42:00.001-08:002015-02-22T15:42:20.844-08:00My Diana<div dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
Hi everybody!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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So yeah, it's me. We didn't get to email yesterday because it was President's day or something like that. We celebrated with dollar hot dogs at sonic in the pouring rain. The real celebration is happening today because we get to go to Farragut after we finish emailing to listen to Elder Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve. Heck yeah! I'm stoked. #presidentsdayafterparty</div>
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The other day my dear friend Tish from Oak Ridge, texted us and told us that she had someone for us to go see. DIANA!! When I was in Oak Ridge I used to visit Diana twice a week in the assisted living center. She always made me laugh and she is just a really special person to me. The last time I saw her when I was leaving Oak Ridge we threw her a birthday party and she just wanted to keep holding my hand because she didn't want to see me go. It was hard to walk out the door that day because I thought I would never see her again. Anyways, Diana was moved to a hospital literally down the street from our apartment! I thought that this news was too good to be true so when we walked over there I tried not to get my hopes too high. We walked in the room and I saw her I just wanted to cry because I was so happy. Diana had to move over here because she had a tracheotomy, and the assisted living facility doesn't offer that sort of care. She still has the same spunk and I am super excited that Sister McDermott got to meet her! Heavenly Father loves me so much! It was really a pick me up and so much more. I feel like this is why I am still here in Chattanooga.</div>
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This week we also had Zone Conference. It was awesome to sharpen our teaching skills and to learn. I loved every second of it.</div>
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I was reading in Ether 2 this last week. I love this chapter so much. It is a great model of how we should approach prayer and how answers come.</div>
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"22 And he cried again unto the Lord saying: O Lord, behold I have done even as thou hast commanded me; and I have prepared the vessels for my people, and behold there is no light in them. Behold, O Lord, wilt thou suffer that we shall cross this great water in darkness?"</div>
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The Brother of Jared approached the Lord in prayer. He asked Him for help, and the Lord responded, "What can I do to help you?" This is how I feel about the answers to my prayers sometimes. In my prayers I am calling out for help in desperation: Help! Where's the life boat? What's the escape route? Help me out of this darkness! And the Lord responds to me, asking, "How do you need Me to help you?" </div>
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"23 And the Lord said unto the brother of Jared: What will ye that I should do that ye may have light in your vessels? For behold, ye cannot have windows, for they will be dashed in pieces; neither shall ye take fire with you, for ye shall not go by the light of fire."</div>
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Sometimes my ideas are dumb, sometimes they're not the right one like maybe I think of a "window" but that's not right because it will be "dashed in pieces" or maybe I think of a "fire" but that's not going to work. Sometimes the Lord tells me what I DON'T NEED but he won't tell me what I NEED. </div>
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"25...Therefore what will ye that I should prepare for you that ye may have light when ye are swallowed up in the depths of the sea?"</div>
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He knows that I learn as I struggle for my answer. I have been prepared to face my trials as I have gained the testimony that I have today. Jesus Christ is my light when I am surrounded by darkness. My faith in Him can lead me through my trials. I'm glad the Lord trusts me enough to struggle.</div>
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Love y'all! </div>
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Sister Andrea Merrell</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13911089090039524089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8682556255789118536.post-16841668565215155012015-02-09T17:57:00.000-08:002015-02-09T17:57:04.817-08:00Another Week in Da Hood<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">Hey.</span><br />
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This week... hasn't been my favorite week on my mission. But you have to have not-so-great weeks to appreciate the super great ones right!!?!? Okay cool.</div>
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We were going down to Eastlake to go visit Hermelinda, and we got off the bus at the wrong stop because my brain was telling me that it was the right one. When we got off the bus, Jasmine was in her car about to turn and she yells at us, "HEY!!". Okay so it wasn't my brain telling me to get off of the bus, it was the spirit. It was cool to see her. When we got to Hermelinda's house she wasn't there and some of her kids were. They told us that their brother had been in a really bad accident while playing with fire and gasoline he had been burned very badly. Everyone all over the neighborhood was talking about it and people were telling us that they had heard about it on the news. It's really sad, so keep them in your prayers okay!</div>
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Okay so I was reading in Jonah this week and I really liked Jonah 4:4 - "Then said the Lord, Doest thou well to be angry?" I was thinking about how this is a question that I should ask myself often. Does it do good to ever be angry? No! It's a waste of time and energy. But hey, maybe you're burning calories or something right? Yeah, not worth it! Being angry is LAME. In this circumstance, Jonah was mad because the Lord was being merciful to wicked people. He wasn't trying to see the people of Ninevah as children of his Father in Heaven. Elder F. Enzio Busche said, "When you cannot love someone, look into that person's eyes long enough to find the hidden rudiments of the child of God in him." So what I'm trying to say here is, #1 it's not worth it to be angry and #2 love humans even when they are hard to love. Being happy is just so much more enjoyable.</div>
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Love y'all!</div>
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Sister Merrell</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13911089090039524089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8682556255789118536.post-86857421779085983232015-02-02T17:35:00.002-08:002015-02-02T17:35:19.445-08:00Things Are Happening<div dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
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Hey hey!!!</div>
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It's story time!</div>
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We were wandering around the streets in Eastlake and Sister McDermott all of the sudden stops. She asks me if I heard that noise. I turn around and watch her walk towards the chain link fence and then I follow. We got closer and I finally knew what she was talking about, I could hear some serious soul music! This girl really had some pipes. We walk around to the gate but it was locked, so then we went back to the window and I called out to her, the singing stops and we start talking with her. She comes outside and we give her a Book of Mormon through the fence. Her name is Jasmine and when we went back a few days later we went in and taught her the restoration with a member from the YSA branch, Keyaundra. Jasmine was very receptive! It turns out that her family had met Mormons before, her dad was familiar with the boys in the white shirts on bikes and remembered having them over a few times a while back. We're excited to see what's in store.<div>
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A member told us about a boy, Elvis, and his family who had recently moved into the branch from Guatemala. Elvis is the only one in his family who is a member. We went over and met his mom Hermelinda, she speaks very little English and Sister McDermott and I speak very little Spanish so it makes for a great time. We brought a bilingual member though so it all worked out! Hermelinda told us how much she loves the church and how the men are great role models for Elvis. She reads The Book of Mormon and believes it to be true! We're having a lesson with her and her other two kids this week and we have high hopes that they'll get baptized!!!</div>
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Also here's a picture of me and Sister Bridgette. She dyed her hair red this week. Imma fan of it.</div>
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Well I'm about out of time! Love y'all!!!</div>
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Sister Merrell</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13911089090039524089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8682556255789118536.post-20847189749344549452015-01-26T17:17:00.001-08:002015-01-26T17:17:10.613-08:00God Loves You Meow And Forever. I'm Not Kitten!<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">Hey hey hey!!</span><br />
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Check out mine and Baby McDermott's new shirts! We just couldn't resist! Also hold off on the compliments on the excellent photography... Ha.</div>
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This week started out pretty cool. We had an appointment with our investigator Jill and so we had a team up come with us. Jill ended up cancelling so we were trying to drop in on a bunch of less-actives and we weren't having much success. We finally stopped by to see a lady that we had been trying to get in with for a while. She said that it wasn't a good time so we made an appointment with her for<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_2034275989" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Thursday</span></span>. I told her that I was writing it in pen so she better keep the appointment! I looked up at her and then I looked down again and my pen had magically exploded all over my hands. I asked her if we could come in so I could wash up. She let us in and we were able to talk with her for a while and get to know her! It was awesome! When we went back<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_2034275990" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">on Thursday</span></span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>we were able to have a good talk about where she was in her faith. She is so strong because she has endured so much. We are excited to be working with her now.</div>
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We had zone meeting this week and we received some good news. Elder Christofferson of the quorum of the twelve apostles is coming to visit us in February!! YAYAYAYAYAY!!! Zone conference was absolutely wonderful as always. We had interviews with President Griffin, and boy I just feel so lucky to have him as my mission president!</div>
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President counseled me to pick something to work on and to study it and to experiment with it and keep a record of my success and growth. I have started working on being more gentle... Well I have been working on it in my head for a while but now it's on paper too haha. In Proverbs 15:1 it says:"A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous(regrettable) words stir up anger." When I read this I thought of the times I have said something that I regretted and that was definitely not gentle. These instances always stir up anger, but when I have a soft answer I can feel comfort in knowing that I wasn't the cause of contention. In Present Monson's talk in April 2014 general conference he quoted this poem: </div>
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"I have wept in the night</div>
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For the shortness of sight</div>
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That to somebody’s need made me blind;</div>
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But I never have yet</div>
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Felt a tinge of regret</div>
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For being a little too kind."</div>
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This is definitely something that I am working on. Being more gentle and kind with my words so I can cease to feel the regret of words I have said that weren't kind. I'm not perfect, hahaha soooo definitely not perfect, although some days I really wish that I was, but I am trying. Heavenly Father blesses us when we try.</div>
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Love all y'all!</div>
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Sister Andy Human Girl Merrell </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13911089090039524089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8682556255789118536.post-11605840866392485952015-01-25T13:24:00.002-08:002015-01-25T13:24:34.860-08:00Post MLK day in the 'Noog<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
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Hiiiiiiiii!!!</div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">This week has had a lot of fun things going on! It was transfers so Sister Bridgette (a Tennessee Knoxville Mission Legend) had her goodbye breakfast for those that were getting transferred. We crammed a ton of missionaries in that apartment of hers, that's for sure! She's the one on the lap of the sister next to me... obviously hahha. We also got to help a lady name Zabrina paint her house. She was referred to us by some elders in Georgia. It was fun to do some service, we had our work cut out for us that's for sure! Oh and my precious trainer/mother/bff Macall Weight went home!!! Wow that went by fast right? Just 15 months ago she was training me! Also yesterday was MLK day and so freedom was ringin' erry where in this city!</span><br />
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We went over to see a recent convert, Patricia, and we finally had a the talk with her about living the law of chastity. It went surprisingly well, we discussed with her that the home should be a refuge from the world and all of it's temptations. We also talked about how important it is that we look at/ watch ourselves constantly and self-evaluate of how we can be better and how we are doing in keeping the commandments. Mosiah<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1900094243" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">4:30</span></span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>sums it up pretty well: "But this much I can tell you, that if ye do not watch yourselves, and your thoughts, and your words, and your deeds, and observe the commandments of God, and continue in the faith of what ye have heard concerning the coming of our Lord, even unto the end of your lives, ye must perish. And now, O man, remember, and perish not." At the end of the lesson she knew what she needed to do.</div>
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This morning I was reading in 3 Nephi 9 when Christ is speaking during the darkness following his death: "O all ye that are spared because ye were more righteous than they, will ye not now return unto me, and repent of your sins, and be converted, that I may heal you? Yea, verily I say unto you, if ye will come unto me ye shall have eternal life. Behold, mine arm of mercy is extended towards you, and whosoever will come, him will I receive; and blessed are those who come unto me."</div>
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As I was reading this I was thinking, he spared the righteous people but He still had invited them to come to Him and be healed and converted. He didn't only spare the perfect people. I know that I make mistakes all of the time, but I always come back to Him because I stay close. I still need to be healed sometimes even though I am close. I need to continually be converted even though I am close. </div>
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Love all y'all! Have a great week!!!</div>
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Sister Andy Face Girl Doll Merrell</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13911089090039524089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8682556255789118536.post-75116766313639050272015-01-12T17:37:00.000-08:002015-01-12T17:37:16.271-08:00Freezing<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">Hey Hey Y'all!!</span><br />
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This week has been COLD! I have literally been freezing, but that's okay because I just jog in place really fast and Sister McDermott is embarrassed because obvi I look like a fool. We're the coolest though! This frozen fountain is down the street from our apartment downtown.</div>
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We contacted a lot of former investigators that seem ready this week. Jamie is the girl friend of a recent convert and she has a cute baby! We went over and talked with her and she told us about how much she has changed her life. She has started to make decisions that were right and she just wants to feel peace. Sister McDermott did such and awesome job describing peace and telling Jamie that is within her reach. It was awesome! We're going to start meeting with her weekly! We also started teaching Jill. She was so overwhelmed with emotion as she talked about the spirit the missionaries carry with them. She accepted a baptismal date, we are determined to help her be ready. We met Janice tracting, she accepted the lesson and she drove us home afterwards. It was awesome to see her offer what she had to help us.</div>
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In Chattanooga I have seen pain, I have seen poverty. I have seen sin, I have seen suffering. I have seen struggling. I have seen sorrow. This place has really opened my eyes. And while I am among these people I have the task of seeing them the way Heavenly Father sees them. It's hard because so many people suffer because of their decisions. My mind is brought to Mosiah 4:17-19:</div>
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"Perhaps thou shalt say: The man has brought upon himself his misery; therefore I will stay my hand, and will not give unto him...But I say unto you, O man, whosoever doeth this the same hath great cause to repent;....For behold, are we not all beggars? Do we not all depend upon the same Being, even God, for all the substance which we have..."</div>
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I need God, and so does everyone else. I need to know that He loves me. I need to recognize that daily because the days I don't recognize it are hard. I am here to help people feel His love. Maybe they don't always understand His love, but when they feel it, it makes a difference whether I see it or not. That's why I keep going every day.</div>
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I love all y'all!</div>
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Sister Andrea Merrell</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13911089090039524089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8682556255789118536.post-74123935543202139242015-01-12T17:33:00.000-08:002015-01-12T17:33:03.224-08:00What the Heck it's 2015?<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">Happy New Year Y'all!!!!</span><br />
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I seriously can't believe that it's already 2015. I'm definitely freaking out!!! For new years we went to the YSA activity on signal mountain at a member's house. We played pool and did white elephant and ate some delicious food! My bff Jessie in the YSA drove us there and home, she is just a wonderful human. I've been so blessed with great friends that I've met here in Tennessee.</div>
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On Monday night we went over to a member's home to have family home evening and it just so happened that their sister-in-law Valerie (non-member) was visiting. As we got to know Sister McDermott really realated well to her. She began to open up and we learned that just a few weeks ago she had been completely atheist and she is slowing opening up to the idea of there being a God as she has sought Him and found peace while going through a really hard trial that has really affected her. We had planned to teach the restoration for the family home evening lesson, so we just talked about the first point, God is our loving Heavenly Father for the bulk of the time. She told us that just a few days ago she had said her first prayer since she was a child and she described a feeling that she had never felt before, peace. Heavenly Father put her in our path for a reason. She wasn't completely prepared to receive the entire message we had for her, but I do believe that as her trust in God grows she will be ready some day. I'm glad she's related to some Mormons so they can point her in the right direction! The next day we did Mormon.org and I watched this video that reminded me of the night before:</div>
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<a href="http://www.mormonchannel.org/youth-videos?v=2505987918001" style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 13px;" target="_blank">http://www.mormonchannel.org/<wbr></wbr>youth-videos?v=2505987918001</a></div>
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I love that we can all perfectly relate to Joseph Smith, that when we lack wisdom, we can ask of God!</div>
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Love Y'all!</div>
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Sister Andrea Kate Merrell</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13911089090039524089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8682556255789118536.post-81508410653731394272015-01-01T17:35:00.000-08:002015-01-01T17:35:00.418-08:00My Concussed Christmas!<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">Heyyyyo!</span><br />
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I've been so tired this week! Maybe because Elder Goldsberry and I bonked heads on Monday playing basketball. If ya didn't hear, his head split open and we had to take him to the hospital to get it glued back together. I had the ball and he went for the steal and I turned my body and our heads collided. And if you were wondering, I dropped the ball, he went for a shot, missed and then ran to the bathroom because there was blood dripping into his eye. We took this picture after like 5 minutes to commemorate the occasion. What a blessing!</div>
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Christmas was awesome! We walked to the Bass's house and had breakfast with them and called home! Bahahaha that was so weird. I hope you guys understand how awkwardly awesome I am after talking to me. Well after the call we went to the Huff's house where we spent the rest of the day. We had an AMAZING dinner and I read everyone the story A Christmas Dress For Ellen. It was nice of them to let me share one of our family traditions. I really really love the Huff family because they treat us as one of their own and they make us feel so much at home. They are some of the most amazing humans that I've ever met. We played games and enjoyed each other's company and topped the night off with FIREWORKS! It was a perfect Christmas.</div>
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We had a great lesson with our YSA investigator Zack this week! We found him after looking through the area booking and we saw that he investigated about a year ago. He has a very extensive theological background so we know he has a lot of questions he hasn't brought up yet. We brought Taylor, a recently returned missionary, as our team up and the lesson went perfectly! We made sure to portray the darkness of the apostasy against the light of Christ's earthly ministry. We testified of the Book of Mormon and he was willing to put the time and effort to find truth from it. It is so exciting to teach Zack because he has a high level of understanding, very different from a lot of the people here in Chattanooga. The great thing about serving in the YSA branch as well is that our investigators don't have to live in Chattanooga, they just have to live somewhere in the stake. It keeps things diverse. Booya.</div>
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This morning and yesterday I was studying Alma 60-61 and I was really enjoying what I was reading. Moroni writes a letter to Pahoran and he is ticked off because he feels like Pahoran had hung him out to dry by abandoning him and his men with no resources to survive and to defend themselves. Pahoran reads this epistle and his response was is so awesome in chapter 61:9 -" I am not angry, but do rejoice in the greatness of your heart..." Pahoran responded with understanding and love. He sought first to understand where Moroni was coming from and he was a great example of good communication. I think that this is a great lesson for me especially because it helps me remember to not be quick to being angry. I need to slow down and be on the level of the people that surround me and understand their points of views and situations.</div>
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Anyways, just a random thought there! I hope y'all have a good New Year! Ew it's so weird to think that it's going to be 2015! The time has flown on by!</div>
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Love y'all!</div>
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Sister Andrea Kate Merrell</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13911089090039524089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8682556255789118536.post-62327872634678685282014-12-22T20:29:00.001-08:002014-12-22T20:29:54.616-08:00<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">Hey Hey Hey Ho Ho Ho,</span><br />
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See what I did there?</div>
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Did you guys know that Christmas is this week!!!!??? Yeah me neither I just found out... Ha. Zone conference was super awesome! We watched FROZEN and played dodge ball! We also got awesome Tennessee Knoxville Mission hoodies! President gave us an awesome training pertaining to what we can know is our responsibility to focus on doing as missionaries and he also talked about how we can know that we are forgiven. He read from Alma 36 and talked about verse 21, which I talked about last week. It really made me think about the burdens of guilt that others carry. We can see when people make mistakes but we rarely know how they feel about it. I think all of us daily carry some degree of guilt since we all sin daily. A lot of people are worn down inside and it causes them to respond and act differently than one at peace would. Since I know the joy of repentance because it is something I am sharing with people every day I strive to be the person that can understand the pain of sin and how it can make people respond. I hope that I can be understanding to those in the pain of sin and help them change their lives to find the joy of repentance.</div>
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This week I went on exchanges with Sister Husted, she is from Orem and we know a lot of the same people! We had a lesson with her recent convert (she previously served here in Chattanooga, I actually replaced her here) it was really good that she was there because I felt like I didn't understand him at all. I wanted to help him want to do the right things but I didn't know how to help him be positively motivated by his love for God. He had been atheist for 14 years before he got baptized, so learning to trust God was something that wasn't going to come in a matter of days or weeks. He is still in the process of understanding God's role in his life. He was ready to commit to God and that is why he got baptized, but trusting him in every instance takes experience with the spirit. We had a good lesson and I feel like I was able to begin to understand where he is coming from. It was a great end to the exchange! Ohh story time part 2: we had the lesson at the church and our branch mission leader came and he drove away in his car with his macbook and ipad on the roof and they flew off and broke the screens! It was so sad BUT all of his information was still on there and they are still functioning after he put screen protectors on them! Miracle!!!</div>
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I am so P-U-M-P-E-D for Christmas! It is going to be a fun day celebrating with a couple of families in the branch! I hope y'all have a wonderful Christmas! Discover the gift, embrace the gift, share the gift! The gift of Jesus Christ y'all!</div>
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Love all of y'all!</div>
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Sister Andrea Kate Merrell</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13911089090039524089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8682556255789118536.post-25216336933015961262014-12-15T18:35:00.003-08:002014-12-15T18:35:54.349-08:00Exquisitely Bitter-Sweet<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">Heyyyyyyyyyyo,</span><br />
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This week Elder Renlund from the seventy came and visit us at a conference we had in Farragut! It was splendid. He really wanted us to understand the power of our mission calls. That we belong here as missionaries and not anywhere else. Heavenly Father personally picked eastern Tennessee for me and I am so grateful that I know that for myself. I know because he has personally picked people to come into my life that have changed me forever--my companions, members, investigators, recent converts, mission president, mission leaders, etc.</div>
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This week has been pretty rough to be honest. Our baptismal date that we set with Anna and Jessica had to be dropped because their mom doesn't want them to be baptized. She doesn't understand, we hope to be able to clear everything up this week and reset the date. We're praying hard for that to happen. We had a wonderful lesson with them and we watched the restoration DVD and talked about the Book of Mormon. Anna has such a strong testimony and is just one of the sweetest people ever. She is such a good example to Jessica and is just making the pathway bright for both of them. Her testimony will help her mom understand, I just know it. Although this week just seemed full of disappointments and failed efforts, it just makes me want to continue to strive to be a better teacher so these people can truly understand the impact that the gospel can make on them. It makes me want to be more bold so they truly understand what we are offering. Alma 36:21 really can perfectly explain my week better than I can:</div>
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"Yea, I say unto you, my son, that there could be nothing so exquisite and so bitter as were my pains. Yea, and again I say unto you, my son, that on the other hand, there can be nothing so exquisite and sweet as was my joy."</div>
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This is how I feel about my mission. Some days are so hard and we get on like 9 buses and nobody wants to talk to us and nobody answers the door and we're just wandering around the ghetto feeling like fools. But some days are wonderful and I feel the spirit extra strong and I just know that the eternal scheme is far greater and far grander than any of those bad days. In this scripture Alma is testifying of how his sins made him understand sorrow and his repentance helped him understand joy. My sins and the sins of the people that we are trying to teach help me understand sorrow; but, the spirit, when it testifies of truth helps me understand joy.</div>
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I love y'all! Have an amazing week! Merry Christmas!</div>
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Love,</div>
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Sister Andrea Merrell</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13911089090039524089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8682556255789118536.post-85161426188168219482014-12-09T20:19:00.000-08:002014-12-11T12:22:09.213-08:00Locked Out<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB5zzMY5Adk00jtaUnOytJf4ES9SNcuUhW7mstwFpDheN2TmY7zvm6q3_vrEppaX8nL5aLNxqKRh9BpNjiAo4-Luy94CI7EFI8zZmKlO4rVNRK3ibwRJy9z6iTAfLhvBFB77h0j-pK515K/s1600/Locked+out.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">Hey!</span></a></div>
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So<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_945278713" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">on Wednesday</span></span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>we drove up to Farragut and I picked up my cute new companion, Sister McDermott! She is from Morgan, UT and she is 19 years old. I am so excited to be her trainer, she reminds me a lot of myself at the beginning of my mission. She is shy but when she gets comfortable she is hilarious and is just really fun to talk to and be around. I love her. Anyways on our first day together we had a lesson with Juan (that was crazy) and then we had a lesson with Anna and Jessica. Anna and Jessica are 12 and 14 and have been coming to church for a while with their friend. We taught them the restoration and committed them to be baptized on<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_945278714" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">January 10th</span></span>! We are so excited! After that we headed back to the apartment and I realized I had left the keys inside... WE WERE LOCKED OUT! Hahahahaha so we called a locksmith. His name was Corey and he had met Mormons before and had a Book of Mormon in his van! Sister McDermott got his info like a boss, and we were able to refer him to the missionaries in his hood. So what if it cost 55 bucks to give him the gospel... eternal life is priceless and stuff. Hahaha. Whatever.</div>
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This week we had so many miraculous lessons it was so wonderful. My favorite was when we went and visited a Spanish speaking recent convert named Emilcar. She has every kind of struggle that you can think of from family to financial; she is raising 3 kids on her own. She greeted us at the door with a warm smile and we came in and begin to talk, she began to share her feelings told us she has too many problems to be happy. We read 2 Nephi 31:14-21 together and talked about enduring to the end with faith to be able to have peace during times of hardship. I felt the spirit so strongly in the most different way that I can't even describe. My heart was full of empathy and love for this woman. This lesson was completely in Spanish with no translator; although I couldn't understand every word spoken, my heart could understand the spirit that was there. We were able to communicate to her what Heavenly Father wanted her to hear. I am grateful for gifts of the spirit in times of need.</div>
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I was reading this yesterday, Alma 45:7 "Yea, I will keep the commandments with all of my heart." A lot of times throughout my life I have done things because I just want to do the right thing because I know it's right. But throughout my mission have been learning more and more that I want to do the right thing because of the love I have for my Heavenly father. I want to keep the commandments with all of my heart not all of my gut. When we do things out of love instead of a sense of duty we are able to learn the lessons that only love can teach us.</div>
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Oh guess what? We get to watch FROZEN at zone conference in 2 weeks. I AM SO EXCITED!!!!!!!! But seriously. And we're going to play dodge ball and do skits! Bahahahahah I'm so excited. I love you all. Today is a great day to be a missionary. And so is<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_945278715" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">tomorrow</span></span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>and so is forever.</div>
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Love,</div>
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Sister Andrea Kate Merrell</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13911089090039524089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8682556255789118536.post-91228952457123793512014-12-03T09:17:00.005-08:002014-12-03T09:17:40.005-08:00Holiday Perfection<div class="ii gt m14a069bc9f8daf60 adP adO" id=":p7" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; direction: ltr; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 5px 15px 0px 0px; orphans: auto; padding-bottom: 5px; position: relative; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
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Hello Hello!!<div>
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I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving! Mine was pretty great, we spent it with the YSA branch president's family (the Wolfleys), 2 other sets of missionaries and a few YSA people! We had smoked turkey, and then normal kind and ham. But I mainly stuffed myself on the fresh pineapple and raspberries and the delicious salad. We played pool too! It was a pretty good day!</div>
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This week we had some things play out that I would definitely say were miraculous. We went to go meet a new less active couple that had moved in and they were very warm and we were able to show them the "He is the Gift" video (I'll get to that later). We left and we were in a hurry because we had an appointment across town but we saw a lady outside sweeping her porch so we stopped and talked to her. We found out that she is related to Sister Bridgette, a member of our branch! She had heard many good things about the Book of Mormon so it was a great opportunity for her to get one! She wasn't interested in having the lessons but maybe later on down the road. Anyways after we talked to her we were in even more of a hurry and we kept walking. We got to an intersection and we saw the Moores from the branch! They honked at us and we ran over and asked them if they could take us to our appointment! Perfect timing right? They dropped us off and it turned out our appointment wasn't there but we were able to talk to the neighbors and they said they were interested in learning more! We're going back<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1188952465" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">on Thursday</span></span>, hopefully that works out. Miracles on miracles on miracles!</div>
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Oh yes I forgot the big news, Sister Mackelprang is getting transferred<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1188952466" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">on Wednesday</span></span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>and I am going to train a new missionary! Woohoo! I'm so excited! I hope she doesn't get scarred for life starting her mission up hurr in the ghetto!</div>
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So there is this restaurant here called the Yellow Deli and it is ran by some sort of religious group... I don't even know how to explain what they are because they call themselves a community. Anyways, we went there for lunch and when they found out we were Mormon they invited us to dinner<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1188952467" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">on Friday</span></span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>night to celebrate ringing in their Sabbath. So we went and it was so much fun! They did folk dancing and they were all singing and we just watched but it was awesome. Then we had a traditional Thanksgiving dinner and everything was organic, home-made and DELICIOUS! We sat by this family and we basically taught them the restoration. I was sitting next to their 14 year old daughter, Shua and we got along really well. She was really cute! After dinner they taught us some of their dances. It was a fun time learning about other people's beliefs and sharing ours at the same time. I asked Shua if she would take a picture with me, she's the cutest.</div>
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We have started using pass-along cards featuring the "He is the Gift" video:<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="http://www.mormon.org/christmas" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">http://www.mormon.org/<wbr></wbr>christmas</a><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>This Christmas season is already off to a good start on focusing on the importance of having a Christ focused Christmas. I really have been thinking about this personally. We can embrace the gift of Jesus Christ by letting the Atonement impact how we think, what we do, and what we say. I think a great example of this is the people of King Benjamin's reaction after he has taught them, " O have mercy, and apply the atoning blood of Christ that we may receive forgiveness of our sins, and our hearts may be purified; for we believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who created heaven and earth, and all things; who shall come down among the children of men."--Mosiah 4:2</div>
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I hope to for Christmas be a gentle reminder of the gift of Jesus Christ and that through him I can purify my heart and be a better person.</div>
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Love y'all!!</div>
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Sister Andrea Kate Merrell</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13911089090039524089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8682556255789118536.post-87968099900500733282014-11-29T19:37:00.000-08:002014-11-29T19:37:01.773-08:00Me Gusta Sus Zapatos<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
Hey hey hey!</div>
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This week has been great great great! Let me tell you my favorite part:</div>
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We were on the bus sitting across from this little man wearing moon boots. When I told him that I liked his shoes he looked at me puzzled and said that he didn't speak English. I went on to repeat myself in Spanish and he smiled and nodded. I quickly explained to him in my broken high school Spanish that we were missionaries and as we were getting off the bus we exchanged info so we could contact him again. After we got off the bus we turned around and he had followed us. He wanted to continue talking. He told us that he was studying religion and history and we were able to set an appointment for this week with him and then we had to leave to catch our next bus. </div>
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The next day we were sitting in district meeting and we all heard a knock at the door. Our district leader, Elder Tucker went to go answer it and he called us out into the hall way to see that it was Juan, the guy from the bus! He held out his hand for a handshake and when I grabbed his hand he pulled me in and gave me a kiss on the cheek! Hahahahaha the whole district keeps telling me to lock my heart. So funny. Anyways, we told him (again in broken Spanish) that church is<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_361994352" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">on Sunday</span></span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>at 9 and he thanked us and went on his way. </div>
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The day after that we went to his apartment to drop off a Libro de Mormon and we wrote down a brief explanation of the Book of Mormon from a Spanish Preach My Gospel that we had in the apartment. I said a prayer in Spanish too because I ripped out a page in a missionary Spanish book showing how to pray so I just read it hahha.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_361994353" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">On Sunday</span></span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>we got to go to the Spanish gospel principles class. It was fun trying to understand what everyone was saying. I loved it!</div>
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Heavenly Father is preparing hearts everywhere to receive the gospel, Juan is evidence of that!</div>
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We also got to play some football this week at the branch turkey bowl! Sug came and let's just say my defense is so awesome. I pulled his flag erry time! Bahaha! We had a great lesson with Sug earlier in the week with the Basses; we taught him the Plan of Salvation. It went very well, and when we followed up on his reading assignment (Alma 7) he said something along the lines that baptism is something he needs to think about. We didn't even bring it up BAHAHAHA! He is slowly committing himself! Awesome.</div>
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I love y'all! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!</div>
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Love,</div>
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Sister Andrea Kate Merrell</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13911089090039524089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8682556255789118536.post-17611858472547591952014-11-19T18:32:00.000-08:002014-11-19T18:32:28.392-08:00RELEASE ME HENRY!<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">Hey familia!</span><br />
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Let me tell y'all a funny story:</div>
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So we went over to Miss Ruby's house<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1661314002" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">on Saturday</span></span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>morning. She is super old and is too sick to come to church so we go over and play a round of skippy-bo with her once a week. She told Sister Mackelprang to get a book off of a shelf for her. Sister Mackelprang couldn't find it so Ruby got down on her hands and knees to find it herself before we could even stop her! So there she was stuck on the ground and she couldn't get back up (don't worry she was laughing about it the entire time). Anyways we tried for about 20 minutes to help her get up and it was so hilariously unsuccessful that we decided to go and get her neighbor, Steve, that we had just talked to before we went in her apartment. Steve came over and when he tried to pick her up Ruby starts screaming, "RELEASE ME HENRY, RELEASE ME!" I have no idea who Henry is... Anyways, then he put her back down on the ground and then I went over and we both got her up on to the couch. It was so funny/terrifying. We all had a good laugh afterwards, hence the picture to commemorate the occasion.</div>
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We set a baptismal date for Jakiva and her daughter Taylor for<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1661314003" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">December 6th</span></span>! We're pretty pumped about it, but at the same time a lil nervous since she asks a lot of off the wall questions that make it seem like she doesn't understand what the heck is going on. But hey she came to church yesterday and the members were really sweet to her. We are hopeful that the spirit will secure her desire.</div>
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Yesterday was the most miraculous<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1661314004" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Sunday</span></span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>ever. There have been a couple of middle school aged girls, Jessica and Anna, that have been coming to church for the last month and we didn't know they weren't members! So finally we were able to set up a time to meet with them and get the ball rolling. Brother Smith taught them in<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1661314005" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Sunday</span></span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>school and afterwards he told us he gave them Book of Mormons and committed them for baptism! What the awesome! Also, in the YSA branch a married member of the hixson ward came and he brought his friend from his internship. Her name is Renada and she is adorable, she looks just like Emma Watson! We fit right in and we are going to have our first lesson with her this week! There be miracles droppin from da ceiling all over the place! Holla!</div>
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I love all of y'all!!!</div>
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Love Sister Andrea Merrell</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13911089090039524089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8682556255789118536.post-80140397737981012682014-11-13T18:10:00.000-08:002014-11-13T18:10:05.120-08:00ZOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">Hey Hey!</span><br />
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This week was pretty eventful! We had stake conference so that took up the weekend and zone training meeting was<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1806546315" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">on Friday</span></span>. It was a good week and it went by really really fast. ZOOM!!! I can't believe it's already Monday again!</div>
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I don't think I've talked about our investigator Jakiva. A couple of weeks ago we were walking passed a random church and there were 3 ladies outside. We started talking with them in a group but the conversation was going more towards just one of the ladies. When we offered her a Book of Mormon and she declined it, but then Jakiva stepped in and asked if she could have it! We were thrilled! We got her information and then we caught our bus. When we went back later on and taught her the restoration she showed us some of her journal entries about life. we could really see her love for Christ and how much she relies on Him. It was awesome. We taught her the Plan of Salvation this week and it went pretty well. She said she wanted to be baptized! She and her kids came to stake conference this weekend too!!! On the car ride home, Sister Bass asked her what she liked about stake conference and Jakiva said she liked how they talked about baptism. HOLLA. I am so grateful that Jakiva was bold enough to accept our Book of Mormon. I'm glad we were bold enough to talk to those people even though they were outside of their church. Change requires boldness! </div>
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Okay here's another miracle for ya, we got back from zone meeting and we were late for our appointment so we had to take a later bus and shorten our lesson. We had a quick lesson and then we bolted out the door so we could get to the last bus of the day. We barely made it, and at the next stop Vanicia got on. Vanicia came to church a couple of weeks ago because a member of our branch, Sister Bennett had invited her. It was such a miracle that we bumped into her and it was all because we were late! We were able to have a lesson with her and her "roommate partner thing" (hahaha her own words) the following day. They had told us that they weren't going to come to stake conference before the lesson started but as they felt the spirit they gained the desire to at least try. It was pretty awesome. They didn't come though hahaha dangit. We're going to see them tonight. I think they will come to church this week!</div>
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Sug came to stake conference as well! HOLLA! He's the coolest. He gets his own paragraph even though it's just like a line because he's awesome.</div>
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This transfer is flying by! I can't believe we're already half way through. So crazy! We are having a blast up in hurr in the ghetto. The Signal Mountain elders drive us around on P-days and we take selfies because we're cool.</div>
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Love ya!!!</div>
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Sister Merrell</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13911089090039524089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8682556255789118536.post-48755168801627206902014-11-06T18:25:00.002-08:002014-11-06T18:25:28.753-08:00I Survived Halloween 2K14<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">Hiiiiiiiii.</span><br />
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This week was pretty good! We started out by having FHE with our branch president (President Bass) and his family and they had invited their friend Sug to come over. Sug had met the missionaries several times through out the years and had been given a Book of Mormon but he didn't really know what we were about! We took the opportunity to get to know him better and invite him to take the lessons. It was a really was a powerful experience because the President and Sister Bass kept testifying of how the gospel has blessed them and that being the reason why they wanted to share it with him. They were asking Sug some awesome inspired questions. Sug agreed to learn more with real intent and our journey official has begun! We had a lesson with him and President Bass later on in the week and we taught him the restoration. It was awesome; it was like we were in a trio because President Bass helped so much with the teaching. The spirit was really strong! I loved it!</div>
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Halloween was quite the adventure since we had to be locked in by 4. Our district decided to go to the church to play games so we all chilled there the whole night and got all hyped up on sugar (elders+mountain dew=no bueno). We ended up turning off all of the lights in the mansion and the Elders did a haunted house for Sister Mackelprang and I. They slammed doors and ran around and screamed and put on primary music upstairs. IT WAS FREAKY! And y'all know how much I love getting scared so yeah... it was a really fun Halloween!</div>
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<span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1867725589" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">On Saturday</span></span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>we went over to Northshore (aka hipster central) we were wandering around looking for a part member family's house for about an hour and a half. We were walking up a huge hill when we stopped and asked this lady named Jerry for directions. She told us to get in her car and she would drive us there. While we were in the car talking with her she told us that her mom had grown up Mormon! She said she now knew what she had waited so long to leave her house to go to the grocery store, it was because she needed to bump into us! Awesome huh? She wouldn't commit to a return appointment though.. ahh dangit. But we know where she lives so that's a start! It was a really awesome miracle... I just wish she had taken the opportunity to really understand that. Oh well she will eventually! It really made me think about how God gives us opportunities to spiritually grow every day. Especially when we take time to ask spiritual questions. In Elder Neil L. Andersen's conference talk he said, "Spiritual questions deserve spiritual answers from God." When we really want spiritual answers from God we have to take the time to ask the questions. Maybe Jerry isn't asking the questions at this point, but some day she will.</div>
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I love all of y'all! </div>
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Sister Andrea Kate Merrell</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13911089090039524089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8682556255789118536.post-19853708209835050462014-10-28T17:34:00.003-07:002014-10-28T17:34:37.589-07:00The Downtown Chattanooga Adventure Begins!<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">What up What up!???</span><br />
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Yep I''ve officially transitioned to the ghetto thug life because I'm here in downtown Chattanooga! My companion is Sister Mackelprang and she is from Farmington, UT. She has been out for 3 months so yep I'm trainer breaking. She's asian!!!! HECK YEAH WE GOT SUM DIVERSITY UP IN HURRR!!! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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So I am here working in two branches, the downtown Chattanooga family branch and the YSA branch! Our branches meet in in an old civil war mansion and we live in the slave quarters just behind it.</div>
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I love it! Oh also we are a bus and walk area! Yep, so it really is the definition of crazy. I'm loving every moment so far. It's so easy to talk to people here because everyone just wants to laugh. When I smile at people their whole demeanor towards me changes. The bus is an adventure!</div>
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So let me tell you why I am meant to be here in Chattanooga. A couple of weeks ago Sister Burr and I were discussing the possibilities of where I could be transferred to. I told her my biggest fear was to go to downtown Chattanooga-- but it also seemed kind of exciting. I knew it would be the one place in the mission that would push me to grow the most. At that moment I knew I would be coming here. </div>
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On my first evening here, we went and saw the Porters (the cutest and most in love couple I've ever met) and we ate dinner with the Scotts. After dinner we had to go catch the bus on a random street corner in the dark. As we were walking to the bus stop, I was terrified, maybe because 2 people pulled over and offered us rides and warned us of danger. I was so scared that we had missed the bus. The whole time I was thinking, "it's okay you can just cry yourself to sleep when you get home." Hahahahahahahahah isn't that awful? Well the bus came and we got home safe and everything was fine but I was still feeling extra anxious about riding the bus, being in the ghetto, etc. I did not sleep at all that night. The next day was district meeting and I just wanted to cry the whole time but my eyes were constipated. Well, luckily for me, my old friend Elder Parkinson who was my district leader in Oak Ridge is now one of my zone leaders along with Elder Sterling who was in my district a while ago in Bristol. I had some priesthood holders that I trusted to be in tune with the spirit, so I asked them to give me a blessing. It was hard for me to ask because I have a little bit of a pride problem--but I knew that now would be a good time to let go of that and to rely on God a little bit more. Anyways, I was blessed with the peace I was looking for and Heavenly Father told me He was proud of my faith in the priesthood. Also something said in that blessing was directly quoted from my patriarchal blessing. This miracle of the priesthood confirmed my faith-- and my faith is strong because I love reading the scriptures and seeing evidence of God's authority to act in His name, given to man. Whenever I see a footnote that says "priesthood authority" I feel enlightened and my understanding increases. Heavenly Father has restored His priesthood to the earth through the prophet Joseph Smith; I love that I get to teach that and also experience the blessings from it. Because God's power is here we have the blessings of salvation available to us and we can claim the power of the atonement in our lives. In reality I think that Ammon's words can better describe my feelings in this situation"</div>
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Alma 26:11-12</div>
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"11 But Ammon said unto him: I do not boast in my own strength, nor in my own wisdom; but behold, my joy is full, yea, my heart is brim with joy, and I will rejoice in my God.</div>
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12 Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things; yea, behold, many mighty miracles we have wrought in this land, for which we will praise his name forever."</div>
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The miracle to me is the peace that I have knowing Heavenly Father is watching over and protecting me as I am doing His work. I love it here in downtown Chattanooga, it's everything I ever dreamed my mission would be and more. I am grateful that Heavenly Father trusts that I can do hard things.</div>
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Love you and pray for you all!</div>
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Sister Andrea Kate Merrell</div>
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