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

Hello, everyone!

I hear that it's still snowing in Idaho. That seems so strange to me as we just had an outstanding thunder/lightning storm! It's fun when it rains here because it comes down in buckets for just a few minutes and then stops. It looks beautiful with the vibrant green trees and pink, white, and yellow blossoms covering the trees. We love our morning runs with robins and cardinals singing to us. My intention was just to paint a picture of what it's like here, not to make you jealous. However, feel free to be jealous :) I love Ohio!

This last week was like a roller coaster. Our most progressing investigator dropped us. He said that it wasn't wasted, so we did make a difference even if he's not ready to be baptized. It was disheartening, but we just kept going. Heavenly Father is helping us sift. Those who are ready will change, and we're here to help find them.

We've seen miracles happen despite the opposition. We've been led to those who need us. We've had a lot of opportunities to serve, from weeding to helping put sinks back together. Thanks again, Dad! :) Yesterday we changed our approach for meeting people outside, and because of it we have two families who want us to come back this week.

What changed? We testified of a living prophet. It's so simple, but it's one of the greatest gifts we have, and it's powerful. I know that Thomas S. Monson is a prophet of God and that he leads us today. I'm grateful to be on the Lord's errand and be a witness of Him and His prophet.

I hope you have a week full of spring showers and joy! Love you!

Sister Murdoch

Happy Easter, y'all!

I had such a fantastic Easter! I hope that everyone else did, too. It was wonderful to talk to people about the Savior on such a beautiful and special day. I have come to love my Savior more than before. I know with even greater conviction that He knows how each of us feel in our hard, trying times. Time after time I need reminders, but it never ceases to amaze me how He's happy to help me remember.

We colored eggs with a family and received Easter baskets, but my favorite part of Easter was partaking of the sacrament. I was in need of a specific answer, and after praying for some help, I found my answer in the scriptures. I know that the Bible and the Book of Mormon are the word of God. They are here to help us come to Christ and I love to study the words in them.

Gotta get going, but I just have one more thing to say:

MY BROTHER IS COMING TO LOUISVILLE!!! :D (Jason called to Kentucky Louisville mission-Sept. 3) Apparently the mid-west just needs more Murdoch's. I'm glad to be a missionary and servant. There's nothing like it. I love y'all and hope this week is full of joy and new beginnings!

Sister Murdoch

Hello, everyone! I thought that I would have more time to write, but it turns out that Sister W and I are going to run soon, so here's what last week was like in a nutshell:

Miracles! We found a family of 3 kids and the parents to teach. We love them! We found several others, too. Sharing Joseph Smith's experience is my favorite thing to do as a missionary. We did that a lot as we opened our mouths. I love that they are filled if we will try!

We had a specialized training meeting that helped us learn how to teach better. We've seen amazing things happen. Please continue to pray for the people here. I know that they're changing, and that brings greater challenges. Every prayer helps and they need it. Thank you for every prayer you've already prayed! I know without a doubt that they make a difference.

Oh, I guess I should mention that I'm no longer a teenager. YAY!!! I don't know how it happened, but somehow the ward found out that it was my birthday and I was given a lot of gifts, but honestly the best gift was a priesthood blessing after a full day. I love the priesthood and I know that it has been restored through the prophet Joseph Smith.

I love being a missionary! Wishing you a happy spring! You'd be jealous if you could see it here :) I'll send pictures next week. Until then, have a wonderful week!

Sister Murdoch