Happy last week of February, y'all! It's still cold and snowy here, but last week we had one day where we hit 24 degrees. Heat wave! :)

This has been a tough week, but we've been blessed with many miracles. The best one is that Sister Ollerton is feeling better. She was SO sick! We finally went to see a doctor. I was a little nervous, but when one of the members walked in, I felt better. That was amazing that he happened to be the doctor in that day :) He told Sister Ollerton that she had a sinus infection. We bought the prescriptions he gave, and followed the advice: "Rest, rest, rest. Mosiah 4:27" Haha! Genius :) We spent a lot of time inside because of it, but it was very good. Sister Ollerton is feeling so much better and I was able to do some things around the apartment.

Yesterday we had the opportunity to teach a woman who has several friends who are members. They always invited her to activities and church, but she often turned them down. For some reason, she finally accepted the invitation to meet with us. We taught her about the Restoration and invited her to be baptized, and she accepted!

What I learned from this is that we should never give up. It's easy to think that someone isn't interested because he or she wasn't last year, last month, or even last week. However, "the Lord knoweth all things from the beginning; wherefore, he prepareth a way to accomplish all his works among the children of men" (1 Nephi 9:6). If the Spirit prompts us to say or do something, then it is always time to do it, even if it's hard or scary for us.

I know that Heavenly Father loves us. I know without any doubt that he knows us each individually and sends the tender mercies to remind us. I love Him and I'm grateful to serve Him.

Have a marvelous week!

Sister Murdoch

                                                      Beautiful Snow!

                                                    A rendition of me!

                                                   Sister Ollerton at the Dr.

Hello, everyone! For all of you out west, Sister Ollerton and I wish we had your weather :) We had maybe one day last week where the temperature hit double digits. It's been so cold, and so miraculous here!

Because it's been so cold, we've been talking to people in our car more. It's amazing how much happens when you pull over to offer a card! The other day we offered a card to a woman who turned it down, saying, "I already go to church." We told her how great that is and asked where. She told us and then asked, "Are you LDS?" Turns out that she grew up a member, but disappeared. No body here even knew about her. She's letting us come back to see her Saturday!

The Lord promises repeatedly that if we open our mouths that they will be filled (Doctrine & Covenants 33:8-10) and that the Spirit will carry our words to the hearts of those we talk to (2 Nephi 33:1). I have seen and experienced that countless times. Even with negative temperatures we have opened our mouths. Those we talk to are blessed, and so are we.

Never be afraid to open your mouth to share goodness! Heavenly Father will never discourage you from doing that. Someone always needs your good words. I love you all and hope that you have a wonderful (and warm) week!

Sister Murdoch

                                           We love Golden Bears (strawberry lemonade)!

Hello, everybody!

This has been such a trying and wonderful week! We were so blessed to have the Gonzalez family be baptized and confirmed. They are so happy and excited for the adventures to come :) After little Sarah was baptized, we asked her how she felt. "I feel different... in my heart," she said. "It feels good." Aww... I love this family! They're getting ready to go to the temple in a few weeks and next year they can be sealed for time and all eternity.

The woman that thought we were Jehovah's Witnesses came for her church tour. She shared a lot with us and felt the Spirit really strong. She immediately accepted our invitation to come to church. She wasn't able to because she was on her feet at work for 13 hours Saturday and her leg was swollen from it; but she said that she wants to come next week. We're seeing her tomorrow, along with a few of her family members we met.

We've been teaching a gentleman down the street from the Gonzalez family. He's a great guy and going through a lot. He came to church the last two weeks but didn't yesterday. He knows that we're in his life to help him right now. He reminds me of one of my uncles, and I love him as I do my uncle.

I've seen the gospel bless my life. I've seen it bless my family. I wouldn't be out here if I didn't know that what we teach is true. Heavenly Father loves us. He is involved in the details of our lives, and loves us on our good days and not-so-good days. He's our Father. I've come to know Him on a personal level. He truly loves us. Because of His Son, Jesus Christ, I know we can change daily and find joy.

I love you all! Have a stupendous week!

Sister Murdoch

                                                        The Gonzalez Family

                           I know there isn't snow at home. I think it stayed with me!

Hello, everyone! Happy Groundhog Day! I don't know what Phil says, but we got a foot of snow yesterday, so I'm predicting six more weeks of winter :)

We spent a lot of time yesterday shoveling snow, which helped us find some new friends to teach. One woman talked to us for about 15 minutes about all sorts of interesting things that we apparently believe. We tried explaining to her that she must have met someone else, but she kept talking. When she took a breath, we told her that we're LDS missionaries. She said, "Oh! I'm sorry, I thought you were Jehovah's Witnesses! Why didn't you tell me sooner?" :) Haha She's great! She's coming for a church tour this week and she's excited to learn more.

The Gonzalez family is getting baptized this week! Hooray! They are so thrilled and I am so grateful to be part of their lives. This is the first time I've seen a whole family come this far. It makes me happier than anything I can imagine. I love them all so much! They want to have another snowball fight, too :)

Miracles happen! I witness them everyday. I know that Heavenly Father loves and wants to bless us as much as He can. I'm grateful for His Son, Jesus Christ, and for the restored gospel. I testify that it is only through Christ that we can be saved. He saves me everyday.

I love you all! Have a wonderful week, whether it brings snow or sunshine!

Sister Murdoch

Hello, hello! This has been such a wonderful week!

Sister Ollerton is up here now! She's from Snowflake, AZ. We served in the same district a year ago in Cherry Grove. What goes around comes around :) She has been just amazing! Lots of changes have happened in our Fort Wayne family, and they're all great!

Last Monday, Sister Seamons and I were getting out of the car to see the Gonzalez family, and a man was walking by. He was clearly upset and not in a talkative mood, but I had the feeling that I needed to give him a card. He has been going through a lot of trials. He feels like we are an answer to his prayers. We gave him a church tour Saturday, and yesterday he came to church! I know that the Spirit helped him feel peace, and that Spirit prompted him to let us come back.

The Gonzalez family is incredible! They are all changing together. I'm so proud of them for keeping the commitments we invite them to keep. They have overcome a lot of opposition. The Spirit is in their home, and they are all excited for their baptism coming up. Please keep them in your prayers!

I know this work is important, eternally important. I know that our Savior loves us and that He is our strength when we're weak. I am so grateful for Heavenly Father listening to our prayers. He has a plan for each of us. He loves us!

I hope that you have a week full of miracles!

Sister Murdoch 

Hello, everyone!

Oh my goodness.... if you could just see my reaction to what's going on today...

Only 7/16 missionaries in our zone are staying... including me. Sister Seamons is leaving, and I was 98% sure that I would be leaving. I'm terrified. Both of our zone leaders are leaving, and so is our district leader. I kind of feel like I'm being left behind. It's really nerve racking, but I'm SO grateful that I won't have to do it alone. The new Elders and Sisters coming in will become like my own family. I get the feeling that Heavenly Father is trying to prepare me for something, so I'm going to do my best to learn and serve. Please continue to pray for me!

Sister Seamons and I are like 5th cousins by the way :D I don't know what I'm going to do without her. I'm glad that we live pretty close to each other though. It took about 2,000 miles to find a friend about 40 miles away :)

We had the most amazing snowball fight with the Gonzalez family! We randomly showed up at their house to see them, and they let us join their family activity. I'm including a picture of the snowman the girls built. They are doing so well! I love them so much, and I think they're the reason I'm staying in Fort Wayne another transfer. I'm excited to be with them for their baptism in February!

I love you all! Thank you for your prayers. The church is true. Heavenly Father loves you! Have an incredible week!

Sister Murdoch

P.S. Sister Seamons caught me when we walked to see a Sister and take her flowers :)

The Gonzalez Family

Hello, everyone! 

My time is short because we played bubble soccer earlier. That was the best zone fun day ever! :D

The family we're teaching is doing well! They have seen the gospel bless them so much. There are 5 kids, ages 8, 6, 3, 2, and 4 months. The middle child is a boy, so I can relate to being in the middle and being the only one :)

I want you to know that I know Heavenly Father hears and answers prayers. This week He has blessed me as I've been continuing to face much opposition. Sometimes I think that I can't do another day, but the Savior always gives me just enough to do it again.

I love you all! Have a fantastic week!

Sister Murdoch