Hello, everyone! This has been such a crazy, wonderful week for me! I hope that in all of your adventures you find much happiness in the little things in life.

I am now serving with and training Sister A. She is amazing! She is an incredible artist, loves to be outdoors, and is so good at teaching children. It has been so much fun being with her! We've had a lot of new experiences... mostly silly ones like getting locked out of our apartment this morning when we went to do laundry :) That was hilarious! She's a good sport, even if I sing to her in the morning to wake her up. We went a few days without a GPS, and I just have to say that maps are a little more difficult to navigate, at least for me. We got lost a few times, but for the most part we were pretty good.

One highlight for the week: we received a referral for a woman who wanted missionaries to come teach her. Sadly she's not in our area, but we first contacted her to teach her about the Restoration. It was a powerful experience and she really wants to read the Book of Mormon. While we were talking outside, a man pulled up to ask for directions. Being the mean trainer that I am, I handed a mormon.org card to Sister A and told her to give it to him. She tried handing it back, but then took it to him :) She's so great!

I love being a missionary! Many people have recently told us to our faces that we should stop what we're doing because we are wrong. I just want everyone who reads my blog to know that I do know that what I am sharing is true. I know that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ appeared to Joseph Smith. I know that he was called to be a prophet and that we have a prophet today, Thomas S. Monson. I know that the priesthood is on the earth and it is the power of God to bind our families together. No one can convince me otherwise because it is through the Holy Ghost that I know these things. I also know that anyone who truly desires to learn if these things are true will find out that they are true.

I hope that you all have a magnificent week! I hope it's full of sunshine and wonderful little things to make you smile.

Sister Murdoch

Hello, everyone!

I have to send a super short email. I just found out that I'm staying in Miamisburg, Sister N is leaving, and I'm training a new Sister. I'm basically freaking out, but I know that it will work out somehow.

Fun story: We've recently been running into people who only speak Spanish. I don't remember enough Spanish on my own to talk to them, so I asked one of the Elders for a greeting and simple testimony. A few days after he helped, a new number texted us... in Spanish! I texted back what I learned and asked if we could send his/her number to the Spanish Elders. No response yet, but there are never accidents :)

I hope that y'all are having lots of wonderful things happening in life! I know that Heavenly Father loves us all and helps us individually. From personal experience I know that He hears every prayer and answers it when it is right and in the right way.

Psalm 147:3-4 ~ "He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds. He telleth the number of the stars; he calleth them all by their names."

Have an incredible week!

Sister Murdoch

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