Week 7

Subject: Miracles - chodo!!!

Do you know the children's "Primary" song they sing to all of their visitor's who come to church on Sunday?  It's called the "Hello Song" (I think).  Usually it ends up in a competition between the boys and the girls on who can sing (or scream) "Hello" the loudest.  Well, I'm singing it to you today...this Monday afternoon in Kiev!

Hello family!

So, first (because it's today) cause to rejoice.  Today is Independence day!  My companion and I have a lot to do though so we will miss the parade in the center of town.  We've heard from most Ukrainians that it's a tourist trap anyway.  They celebrate tonight with lots of fireworks (we heard a lot on Saturday night too).  I think this country is still uniting and trying to find some pride.  They can do it!!  It's beautiful!

Secondly, you can rejoice with me.  We are preparing Marina for baptism!  She is a beautiful lady - 28 years old.  She has an adorable 4-5 year old boy, and a really awesome husband.  However, her husband is a little hardened against religion.  (They don't call it agnostic but I think it's safe to say that's what he is.)  We haven't met with him yet and of course he doesn't like that His wife meets with us.  They are a beautiful family though.  His brother was baptized into a church years ago and never wanted to see their family again.  So, he is probably afraid of loosing his relationship with his wife.  We have a plan though!  For sure the only thing we want is for their family to be stronger.

We are working with Natasha too!  She's awesome - we are kindred spirits!  She just got back from hiking in the Carpathians!  This week we will help her prepare for Baptism too!  She has a 20 year old son and she works all the time to provide for them!  He is going on a 10 day kayaking trip this week!  How fun!

Well, 6 weeks are over.  Crazy.  Now, we evaluate our goals and set new ones.  In 6 weeks 23 people added to the truth they already had about life and found the fullness!  The truth of the fullness of the gospel!   I am thankful for the knowledge of our Savior and of the Gospel.  How wonderful it is.  How simple it is and yet there are so many who are afraid to discover it.

I want to do all I can to be better - a better teacher, a better missionary - so that I can be a better example and lead others to Christ.

Saturday we had a fun service activity!  We served a beautiful family who live out in the country.  Homes here need a lot of work.  This family spent a few years studying in America (BYU-I!!!) and I think they are trying to Americanize their home!  We varnished a beautiful fence while other members mowed and digged and cut and well I really have no idea what was going on around me.

We've had a watermelon a week this month!!  It's been lovely!!  My companion can even beat the elders in a seed spitting contest.  (Except Elder Rayburn.  We just don't let him compete.  He has to be some reigning champion in Kentuky.)

Oh, Elder Rayburn, Have I told you about him yet?  He has been a member of the church for 2 years.  He was studying cello (music) when his cello professor somehow introduced him to the church!  His professor baptized him and one year later he decided to postpone the 2 years left he had of college to serve a mission.  We serve with him and Elder Miller in Borshahivsky.  Elder Miller is from Las Vegas and he learned Russian.  

Oh, I meant to tell you.  I got grandpa's letter  last week.  It was wonderful!!!  Thanks grandpa and grandma for your wonderful examples!  I love you.  Thanks for always working and never relaxing.  This week was a tough one, but only because Satan is trying really hard to discourage us and keep us from blessing the lives of God's children and bringing them to Christ.


Hmm, what do I need!  Well, I am thankful for all I have!  I want more pictures but, I can still serve without them!  I love you lots.