We have been doing some pretty
extensive iPad training. We do not have wifi in our apartments so we
have to go to the stake center or chapel for internet. Just the other
morning, when Sister Triana and I were going over our new area books on
the ipad, a member who we recognized but did not know personally asked
if I was from Virginia (I was wearing my "Virginia is for Lovers"
shirt!), my answer was, "Yes, of course!" She replied that her grandparents
were in the Arlington ward! She asked me if I knew who Marjorie and John
Merrell were.
| J.Y. Merrell |
My. Heart. Melted.
When I
was in Young Women's in Arlington I remember our leaders wanting us to
get to know some of the older members in our ward better. In little
groups on Mutual night we would go visit them. We would bring a treat,
spend time in their home, ask questions about their lives etc. I was
blessed with the opportunity to build many relationships with these wonderful members. Pearl Goodsell is another that I have to
mention!
 |
| Pearl Goodsell |
-- but the Merrells were my family. They were the family that I
truly bonded with. I remember walking into church and as soon as I saw
Brother Merrell, he would give me a look, walk over to me and whisper
that I had better go give a big hug to a wife and say hello to his wife.
How cute.
After I went to college I found out
about Sister Merrrell's passing, I cried. A lot. But even now almost 5
years later, I know, I truly know that they both loved me just as much
as I loved them! I think of them regularly and having the chance to meet
and know their granddaughter was not a coincidence. Thousands of miles
away I was able to reconnect with a family that I so dearly loved. The world is small and it's even smaller in the Mormon World!!
I
am so grateful for that tender mercy of being able to meet their granddaughter! She is lovely and I hope she knows how much her family
means to me.
Sometimes we don't understand the lives we touch
or even how. We just need to do our part of helping to serve in the
Lord's vineyard wherever we may be. I know that is true when I was in
Arlington, and even now in Palo Alto.
I am
also for the even greater testimony of the Plan of Salvation that I have
received on my mission. I know I will see the Merrells again.
I love you all!,
Sister Carter
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