Hello, everyone!

This week has been super busy and super amazing! It still thunderstorms like none other, and often it's pretty much like being in a carwash. Once in a while I make sure to run right through the deep, humongous puddles :) No wonder it's so green here!

A set of Sisters in a neighboring area met a young man who lives in our area. They told us Friday that he was expecting a visit... on Friday. We hurried over to see him. We just saw him before he had to go to work - miracle! He asked us to come back on Saturday. We took a young woman with us and taught him about the Restoration. He loved it! In fact he wants his step-father to join us when we go back tonight. Pray for all of us! I know that it will be a good experience. I'm excited to share the Book of Mormon with him.

It was still a simple week, as busy as it was. The investigators are still progressing in their own ways. I have improved a lot in talking to everyone and testifying to them according to their needs and I still have so far to go. Sister N and I have had interesting experiences, hilarious moments, and days full of miracles in the shape of raindrops. I love the gospel! I am so grateful for the blessings of the priesthood, eternal families, and especially knowing how to apply the Atonement of my Savior Jesus Christ. I hope that you all have a week full of miracles in the form you want them, rain or shine!

Sister Murdoch

Hello, everyone!!! :D I am just so happy today! I hope that you are, too!

We had an amazing week! It was really hard, but full of miracles. I've started carying Mormon.org cards in my pocket when we exercise in the morning. I've found that for some reason people are especially friendly when they're outside walking their dogs. It's getting much easier for me to talk to people. The Sister training leaders have helped with that a lot - I love exchanges! The husband of our couple we've helped teach came to the adult session of Stake Conference. His wife was again unable to come because of her health, but he came anyway. Prayers on their behalf would be greatly appreciated. I would also ask for prayers for the young woman we've been visiting. She's trying to decide if she should be baptized or not.

Fun story: this week is a "mini mission" week for the young men and women who want to see what it's like being a missionary. There are 6 boys and 3 girls that all came to the mini Missionary Training Center on Saturday. Sister N and I were asked to teach about chapter 6 of Preach My Gospel, how to develop Christlike attributes. Halfway through our last class, the stake president and Elder Falabela of the 70 came to join us. Awesome! I about died, but we made it through somehow :)

Elder Falabela spoke at conference about families and family history and temple work. It was a wonderful lesson to be taught about. I know that because of the priesthood, our families can be together forever. I know that my family is sealed by that power. I am so grateful for that very special blessing. Thunderstorms continue to rain blessings on us. I love how sudden and powerful the rain comes down. It's very much a reminder to me of the blessings Heavenly Father gives us. One of my favorite things to say is, "My cup runneth over," and I've certainly said that to myself a lot recently.

Y'all have a wonderful week! I wish you thunderstorms enough to fill your barrell with blessings.

Sister Murdoch

Happy June 2, everyone!

June is bringing us many spectacular thunderstorms and lots of heat. The lightning bugs are out! :) It's so beautiful here and I love the people. We've met all sorts here, and I have too many good stories to share. I want to tell you two of my favorites though:

I think I've mentioned that we're working with a couple. The wife has been learning for several months, and just recently her husband agreed to start taking lessons, too. We had a chapel tour with them (we show them the rooms they'll use, especially the chapel, and the baptismal font) on Saturday. She has been extremely ill, and requested a priesthood blessing. It was a very special experience for both of them. She said that she has been wondering if this is the right place to go, and in the blessing she felt like she was home. She knows this is true and was crying tears of joy. We asked her husband what he felt. He said that he felt peace and that he wants it in his home. He wants to keep learning and is preparing to be baptized. Because of her health, she was not able to come to church, but she insisted that he still come. It was a joy to have him there!

A member in Georgia is friends with a woman here in Ohio. They have been good friends for many years, and because of it the friend is starting the lessons. She invited us over to have lunch with her. She asked great questions and it led right into the Restoration. When Sister N shared Joseph Smith's experience, the woman was in tears. She said afterward that she thinks that we need to know that we have a personal relationship with God. It was a very special experience.

I know that we all face hard things. I know that everyone has unique concerns and that Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father understand. I know that they both love us beyond what we can comprehend. We have been blessed in different ways because we can help those around us, family, friends, neighbors, strangers, etc. I'm so grateful to be here! Words can't express what I've learned and experienced. I hope that you all have a wonderful week, full of sunshine and flowers as well as thunder and clouds :)

Sister Murdoch

Hello, everyone!

This week has flown by like crazy! I have to tell you that yesterday was incredible! President Porter was inspired to change our preparation day to today because of yesterday. As you know, yesterday was Memorial Day. Since families were home from school and work, we were asked to go out to find people. Sister N and I have started a game of sorts: we are trying to talk to as many people as possible when we're outside. I'll be honest - it's absolutely terrifying! I love meeting people and teaching them, but the initial contact is the tricky part. We decided that by making it a game we'll be more successful.

We had lunch at Dairy Queen yesterday. We talked to a few people in line, but that didn't last long. As we were leaving, we saw a family eating their ice cream outside. We stopped to visit with them for a few minutes. Before we parted ways, we explained that we are missionaries and we get to help teach about how our families can be strengthened. They agreed to let us see them this Saturday. Please pray for them! They have 4 kids and I just love them so much!

I have come to appreicate the power of prayer even more in the last week. It's amazing how Heavenly Father loves us! He wants to help and bless us. A woman we're teaching recently said that she is angry with God because of how He has let her experience so much. I know we all get caught up in the trials we have, but think about it - there's no learning in the comfort zone and no comfort in the learning zone. If He didn't allow for us to have hard things happen, we would basically be extremely simple. The trials we have might hurt and stretch us more than we want, but they add a depth to our feelings, to our hearts. I'm grateful for my weaknesses, crazy as it sounds. I'm grateful for a loving Heavenly Father who allows me to be scared and unsure. He has blessed me so much and I know that He will bless you as you turn to Him.

Have a wonderful week and don't forget to pray!

Sister Murdoch

Hello, everyone! This week flew by, and everything is SO different!

I'm now serving in the Miamisburg ward in the Dayton stake. This is the first time I've been outside of the Cincinnati East stake, so things are tremendously different here. I get to serve with Sister N, who just finished training. She's amazing! She doesn't give herself enough credit with how much she knows. The people here love and trust her. I see it everywhere I go. She's a hard worker and just wants to get things done. I love her so much and look forward to the adventures we'll have together.

Sister W and I were actually doubled out of Loveland. That was really hard for Sister W. We never completely understand why it happens, but I know that the Elders will take care of our family there. I'm already gaining family here. I have no idea why I'm supposed to be here, but there have been many times where I meet someone and just know that we needed to meet. A couple people have told me that I look familiar. I love hearing that! It just further proves that Heavenly Father orchestrates the little things. It's been amazing to be here.

Yesterday we taught a man who has only been taught the restoration lesson. He had great questions and had put an honest effort into working for his answer to know if he should pursue this course. He said that he is content in life and decided not to learn more. Of course I felt sad, but I also felt strongly that more will come later for him. When we bore testimony of what was shared with him the Spirit was strong. It was the only time he didn't talk. Someday the seeds will grow. Alma 32:41-42

I know that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is Jesus Christ's church. I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God and another testimony of Jesus Christ. I know that there is a prophet on the earth today. I know that my family is bound by the power of God, and nothing can break that bond. I hope that you all have a wonderful week full of miracles, as mine is sure to be. I love you!

Sister Murdoch

Hello, everyone! Hope y'all had a wonderful Mother's Day yesterday. I know I did :)

I have some remarkable news: Sister W and I are being doubled out. We were doubled in three months ago, so hopefully we improved things in the time we spent here. I'm grateful for the time we've had here in Loveland, OH. Sister W has changed my life in many ways, so it's going to be hard to say goodbye. Companions are the best!

We had another media split day on Saturday. If you check out the Ohio Cincinnati Mission facebook page you'll probably see pictures of us doing a variety of activities that missionaries do. It was fun, rain and shine. It's amazing how much I've come to love the people here. It's hard to imagine going somewhere else, but I'm happy to go where I'm needed.

Life is wonderful! It's full of trials, growth, change, and joy. I am experiencing these things daily and I have come to appreciate how each of them mold me into a better me. Sometimes I imagine myself as a ball of clay, being pulled and shaped. Sometimes I start hardening at the wrong time or place, then I get shaped differently. When I'm hard it hurts, but when I'm willing to be shaped the changes are welcome and more wonderful.

I love you all and wish you a week full of sunshine and rain and happiness!

Sister Murdoch

                                                            Skyping on Mother's Day!

Hello, everyone!

This week was spectacular! Mostly because one of our investigators came to church yesterday. She loved it, and by the end of the meetings she was telling everyone that she would see them next week :D She has so much spunk; she really livens up the meetings. I love her so much! She's starting to call herself our granny, even though she doesn't look old enough to be a granny.

We had a lot of hard things happen to us last week. It's amazing how it was probably the hardest week, but when we looked at the results it was our best this transfer. We were reminded by a friend of a scripture in the Book of Mormon:

"Nevertheless the Lord seeth fit to chasten his people; yea, he trieth their patience and their faith. Neverthelss--whosoever putteth his trust in him the same shall be lifted up at the last day."

~ Mosiah 23:21-22

Often in our greatest trials we see the hand of the Lord. We were tremendously blessed in our own afflictions. We have found families and individuals who are ready for the gospel. We have started to sift through people, which is hard and sad, but helps us find those who are ready.

Thank you for your prayers and support! I love you and share my witness of Heavenly Father's love. He loves you! Have a spectacular week!

Sister Murdoch