Hello, everyone! Happy Monday :)

We are so excited for General Conference this weekend! Did you know that we have a prophet today? Heavenly Father loves us so much that He gave us a prophet to help our families through the trials we have today. I know that Thomas Monson is the Lord's prophet.

Yesterday one family that we've been teaching came to church. Yay! We thought that the dad wouldn't be able to come, but miraculously at the last minute he did. I cried as I watched that beautiful family take the sacrament. The Atonement is for everyone and brings us peace. We access it completely by being baptized by the priesthood and then keeping our promise to obey and follow Jesus Christ.

I love the gospel! The word gospel means "good news," and It truly is the "good news" we have today. Jesus Christ is our Savior. He saves us every day. I love Him and I love you. Have a wonderful week!

Sister Murdoch

P.S. I'm sending a couple pictures because my little Elder Murdoch is putting me to shame ;)

I don't know the order, but one of them is the view over a pond we biked past this morning, one of them is what Sister P and I look like after a long bike ride, and one of them is Captain America and me showing our muscles :) 

You'll be impressed to know that Sister P and I went about 44 miles on our bikes last week. *cue theme song from Rocky*

Hello, everyone!

This might be strange, but despite the fact that I have so much on my mind I have so little to say. We had such a wonderful week full of grace and miracles. My heart is full of gratitude for a loving Heavenly Father who directs us and strengthens us daily. I just want to share one thing with you.

Yesterday a woman told Sister P and I that we are wrong and she's sorry that we're going to lose our souls. She said some horrible things to us and condemned us for our beliefs. We stood there and listened and then we testified of the truthfulness of the things we teach. Then we parted ways.

It was such a simple experience, but I felt so much power through the Holy Ghost. I felt like Ammon, which was great, since he's my favorite missionary. I guess today I just want everyone to know that the things I help teach are true.

Heavenly Father loves us. Jesus Christ is our Savior, and He has restored His truth to the world. Joseph Smith was called to be a prophet and today the prophet is Thomas Monson. The Book of Mormon is another witness of Jesus Christ and truly testifies of Him. Our families can be together forever if we are baptized by the authority of Christ and then sealed by that same authority.

May this simple email be my witness to you that these things are true. If nothing else, know that I know these things are true. I witness of these things in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Sister Murdoch

Hello, everyone!!

I'm sorry that I didn't really get to write last week. We had fun at the game, even though the Reds totally got creamed. It's funny, but once we got there, I didn't even care about getting a hot dog or watching the game. Sister Parker and I didn't sit down until maybe the 6th inning. We just gave everyone who would accept one a mormon.org card and extended baptism to new investigators instead. I later realized that is because my desires have changed. I'm grateful for the Atonement that made that possible. Best finding day ever! :)

We have had the hardest few weeks that I can remember. There has been so much opposition. A man we've been teaching since I got here is getting baptized this Saturday. Please keep him in your prayers. He has overcome a lot, and even though things have been harder for him as well, he's holding strong. His faith in Christ increases mine.

Yesterday we taught the 13 year old Sunday school class. The subject was obedience and how we're blessed by being obedient to God's commandments. As we prepared, I was humbled to see how many blessings come when we keep ourselves spiritually, mentally, and physically clean. I know that Heavenly Father loves us. I know that he gives us commandments so that he can bless us. That is His joy!

I hope you all have a fantastic week! God bless you as you are obedient.

Sister Murdoch

Hello, everyone!

So STLs (Sister Training Leaders) don't get a lot of life... We're on our way to the Cincinnati Reds game, so I have to go. Next week I'll hopefully have more time :) Look for us on TV! ;)

Love you! The church is true and Heavenly Father loves you!

Sister Murdoch

Hello, everyone!

My heart is full today. I wish I could explain everything that I've learned and experienced this last week. We switched preparation day to today. Monday, as you probably know (we as missionaries need reminders for holidays), was Labor Day. We took chalk to a large bridge in downtown Fort Wayne and drew the plan of salvation in chalk. As people walked by, we taught them about it.

There was one young woman who had tons of questions. She was really confused because there were a lot of things that she had never heard of before. We taught her about Jesus Christ and how He set up His church. When we told her about Joseph Smith's experience and how Christ restored His church, she started to cry. The Spirit was so powerful. She asked how she could learn more and be baptized so that she would be clean. Sadly, she is not in our area. I love her with all of my heart and know that what we taught her is true.

I want you all to know that Heavenly Father loves you. That's the first thing we teach as missionaries. It's beautiful, it's simple, it's true. In modern day revelation He invites us to look to Him in every thought (Doctrine and Covenants 6:36). I have learned for myself that He really does want us to do that. I have witnessed how it's changed my life. That's how we pray always - we think to God. He will always hear us and answer us.

I share that witness with you and invite you to experiment on it. Try thinking to God in all that you think about (whether it's being thankful, grumpy, or cheerful). See if He won't speak with you more and love you more. He will because He loves you.

I love you, too! Have a marvelous week!

Sister Murdoch

The pictures are us when I first got here. We were completely soaked by the time we got home :)