Week 4

Yay,
Happy Anniversary Sandy and Will!
Exciting...[ps there is no word (clovo) for the word excite in Ukrainian so, if I use it a lot it's probably because I'm going through withdrawls] I tell people about you a lot and I was excited to say today My sister and her husband have been married for a year. (I totally learned that just for you!) (ale [but] I did not learn the clovo [word] for anniversary next year! (or next month for g-ma and g-pa)

So, I have a couple of favors to ask of you. First, funny story. You know how mission presidents always know what is going on with the missionaries in the mission? In my last interview with President Steinagel, he told me their secret. They google their own names and find their missionaries blogs. Pravda(true)! For example, the other day Pres. Steinagel was looking for a document. He googled his name and found for some particularly odd reason my mission blog created and updated by none other than my favorite and most amazing twin sister. He informed me that you have a picture marked incorrectly. I know I am wearing a green vest surrounded by probably 4 elders and my companion and Ulia (bapstism day). This is in Lviv, and not with my "new companion" Sister Movchanyk. However, I am standing with Elder Allan, Elder Ward, Elder Prowitt, Elder Fulton, and Sister Belatska (my companion for a week). If I sent you a picture of Sister Movchanyk and I, you would probably say: "wow, they look a like!". Everytime I tell someone I have a twin sister they want to know if it's Sister Movchanyk.

Thank you for your inspiring e-mails and yes letters (from my amazing family and friends!)
I am very happy that I can be here, now - at this amazing time. Every time I see the temple I'm reminded of the urgency in using the short amount of time given me to find the elect and lead them to Christ. So, this week I learned to stop feeling frustrated with my abilities and focus instead on having Christ's image reflected in my countenance. I hope that I can create curiosity in those who are lost beside me and that they can sense that I'm there for an important reason. I know I have hundreds of opportunities to improve and I hope each day I will be successful in becoming myself more like Christ so that I can be more effective as a missionary for Him.

Sister Mitchell actually put this thought into my head with her wonderful letter and testimony! We are all missionaries. However, I have the opportunity to work full-time for the Lord, not just some of time. So, every second counts. I think I told you last week about one of my favorite scriptures in Ether 12:11. "Through Faith was the Law of Moses given, but through Jesus Christ, God gave us a MORE EXCELLENT WAY....". I can always do more, I can always be better. But, the most important thing to remember is that the best way is Christ's way. If I am focusing on Him, He will make up for all of my weaknesses. This week I was focusing on just being ridicoulsly happy, to generate curiousity. Then, I received Tamara's letter that reminded me how important it is to reflect Christ. To have His image in our countenances. So, I do have a lot of work to do; in myself and helping others find Christ's true gospel too. We didn't have such great success last week, but this week we are going to work hard and bring the elect to Christ. We are planning a big "Potluck" on Sunday for the Ward. (New for Ukrainians...!!) We are going to get them excited about missionary work. It is through them that we can find the elect. There is a temple being built here, right next door to the very church we meet in. I walk by it at least 4 days a week. This will be the House of God, This will bless the lives of the members and all people living here. We have one year. What a blessing it is to find those people now, who will be prepared in one year (after their baptisms) to enter the House of the Lord. I'm EXCITED!

So, we cleaned a park on Saturday. They don't have a lot of trashcans in Ukraine, not as rare as public restrooms, but, litter is everywhere. So, people were curious and many of them liked the idea. We baked chocolate cookies for those who helped us. That was fun...American food! (And they enjoyed it) It's also morning, we haven't done our shopping yet and my mouth is watering thinking about the fresh produce we walk by. It's everywhere! Fruit trees are everywhere!
Next week we are also going to have a Pancake night! (Pancakes are also not a Ukrainian staple) So, the other favor, you know the pink cookbook you have, how about those syrup recipes. Are they easy?

Well, that is about it for time. I love you. I love life here. I love serving the Lord. I hope I can become better; a more effective missionary always choosing the more excellent way of Christ! I know it takes love and boldness together. I know this is important for all people on the earth to know Heavenly Father's plan for us and what we must do to receive His grace and mercy. The Gospel is the Way. Repentance and Baptism are the beginning ordiances. Then we continue, every day becoming more like Him, reaching our Potential. I am so thankful for a loving Heavenly Father. I am thankful for my family. Familes are central to our Father's plan because it is through them we can experience the love that He has for us. Just imagine how much you love your family. I am thankful for my Savior, Jesus Christ. Because of Him, this is all possible. What a sacrifice He gave and how it has blessed me- I still cannot imagine.

I'm excited for this week. To see the changes the Gospel of Jesus Christ can bring into the lives of the people of Ukraine. I was reading in 2 Nephi 29 about Satan. One verse says that he works carefully (In Ukrainian it says diligently) leading people to hell. Which means, we have to work dilligently and carefully to bring them back. We can be smarter and work harder. We HAVE to WORK HARDER and SMARTER. This is Salvation!
Well, I love you. I'm going to see if I can send some pictures.
I hope you have a wonderful day!

Oh, Grandma and Granpa, thanks for your wonderful letters and e-mails! You two are wonderful! Blackberries - I can just imagine all the pies. Stay cool!!

Love,

Sister Murphy