Week 2

Hello - adorable wonderful family!

Are you ready for this?

I don't think you are going to believe it....

So, be prepared to be overwhelmed...and then laugh...

So, I've been here for, well this is my second week.  We got a call on Wednesday, well let me start out by saying, remember my companion lived in Italy.  Italians have very strict visa permits for Ukrainians.   She is Ukranian.  Because she has been serving, she was not able to go to Italy to renew her permit of stay.  She didn't want to distract from the work so she didn't worry about it.  However, that means that after her mission she doesn't have a place to live.  Meanwhile, another sister had to go home.  Her mother has cancer and was going to have a major surgery.   Wed. we got a call saying: be prepared to transfer - we are going to see what we can work out.  We thought: interesting, Wonder when that will happen...  Thursday we get a call:  Tomorrow, Sister Murphy you are going to L'viv for a week!  Sister Movchanok - you will leave on Monday to go to Italy so you can renew your permit of stay.  Amazing.  So, on Friday, I met my new companion - Sister Belastky, who is also Ukranian.  We are in L'viv for the week.  It's been great.  L'viv is a beautiful city in the west of Ukraine AND GUESS WHAT.  Everyone...mostly everyone...speaks Ukrainian!  It's so beautiful.  I feel extremely blessed to be here, serving with another amazing sister.  The best news.  We had a baptism!  Youlia.  She is a 16 year old girl - beautiful and has a great faith and an amazing testimony.  She lives at home in a not so good family situation.  It's interesting.  She is the only one supporting her family and not one of them supports her decision to be baptized.  The branches here are full of life and are ready to get full of people!
But, I miss the people in Kyiv.  We found 3 amazing people last week.  (Remeber we had to start from zero.)

The first lady is Cveta - 29.  She wanted us to help her with English.  She speaks amazing English and she was really excited to speak with a native.  So we meet with her twice a week.  She wants to know more about us of course.  She is so curious and super smart.  She has kept all of the commitments we have given her.  We have also been teaching her in English...CRAZY?  Yes.  But, we, Sister Movchanok and I both feel that she will only progress and learn the importance of the message by teaching her in Ukrainian.
Another girl is Marina.  She is probably 23.  She has a beautiful little boy and a husband.  She has been searching for truth for a while.
Another family, in their 40s, has been coming to church for a while.  But, something is keeping them from meeting with the missionaries.  Fortunately, we are sisters - we are going to work to prepare them for baptism.

Well, I love life.  It's amazing how much I need to improve.  It's amazing that the Lord is showing me how I can be a good and effective missionary.  It is certainly difficult here.  But, as I learn the culture and the language that will only add more power to my abilities.  Can you believe how much the Lord helps us.  I've only been studying for 3 months. CRAZY.  I know I have a loving Heavenly Father.  He wants to bless His children and when we pray and work hard he will bless us.  What a blessing it is to be here now - helping to build up the kingdom.  Pres. Steinagel said the temple will be ready in a year.  Today, they finished putting on the third layer of granite, signifying the building up of zion.  We are here to help these people receive their temple blessing from their Heavenly Father.  I am thankful to serve in this beautiful country among these beautiful people.  Seriously, this country is fashionable, oh and the food.  AMAZING!  Well, I don't have much time.

Preach My Gospel is the way to go.  I love you.  I think you are the best!  Thank you for your happy e-mails.  They make me smile....

No one is perfect.  I keep having to remember that one talk in conference.  A lady wanted her husband to be better, so she said "Why can't you be more like Abraham?" and he replied, "Then you need to be more like Sarah.  So, I think as long as I do what I can to be better others will work on improving as well.  I've been suprised a few times by fellow missionaries.  But, life goes on, missionary work goes on.  I love you!  

I want to see a picture of your new puppy.  I can get pictures so, someone needs to show you how to do that.  It's kind of difficult.  I had a hard time trying to send sandra some today.  Hopefully she gets them and you can see them.  What perfect weather.  It's crazy hot here!   Well, it was in Kyiv.  L'viv is heaven!  Sometimes it just rains. Someone indefinitely borrowed my umbrella at the MTC so, I'm going to be looking for a nice Ukranian umbrella.

Oh! I forgot the word for umbrella, I should go look that one up again.

I never get tired of talking because unfortunatley, I don't talk enough.  I have a lot I still need to learn.  But, I'm trying to be patient and rely on the Lord. We walk everywhere, or take public transportation.  All Ukrainians do it.  We pack into these little bus like things.  It's great, especially on hot summer days!  Although, those who can afford it have cars, I was surprised at how many american cars are here. The history is so neat here.  

Sandra could you send me a few hair ties in a letter or something.
Um...other suggestions:  hand wipes...these marchutkas and metros...crowed with people.  I feel so dirty....

and maybe easy to bake brownies or cake mixes.  I don't want to waste time baking but, it's fun to bring stuff to the members.  I don't think I need anything else.  Seriosly, I am fine, great, excellent, fabulous.  (I'm sorry about all of the adjectives and adverbs...apparently the Ukrainian language isn't to frivolous with their words)  The Lord really does protect his Servants.  I love Him.  I'm still working on opening my mouth.  Being brave and being bold.  But, I need to also show my love and have fun with these people, beautiful children of God!   All right.  I'm going to go buy some yummy Ukranian fruit and veggies.

Can you believe it...I'm in L'viv.  It is paradise for Ukranian speaking missionaries.  AND I get one week of it!  Well, time's up.

You are the best!

Nakrishe!

LOVE YOU FOREVER!!

Sister Murphy!