Letter to her Grandparents

So, HAPPY ANNIVERSARY GRANDMA AND GRANDPA!!
How are you?  Did you kiss, hold hands?  Eat pie, cake, ice cream...everything?
Hello again!
Thanks for the update on your week.  Way to stay busy and active!  Oh, we don't eat fresh-water fish because they are caught in the Ukrainian water and there is bacteria that our American bodies are not used to.  So, we can eat fish and be sick for a couple of days, or we can just not eat fresh-water fish.  So, I eat salmon (something that is shipped from far away).

No, we don't have cars.  Every once in a while (maybe 3 times since I've been here) someone has given us a ride. We live in big cities...RIDICULOUSLY LARGE!  So, we crowd in already crowed marshrutkas like most every other Ukrainian.  We also take the metro or trolley buses.   A Marshrutka is pretty much like a public bus except here they are not public.  Every one has a route, so we have to know the main streets to know which "bus" to take.  Sometimes these "buses"  can be worse than a can of sardines.  I'm looking forward to more memories on the marshrutkas moving millions of people around the "Mictos" of Ukraine.  Oh, they are normally yellow!

Oh, this is interesting.  I met Elder Chapman at Zone Conference and then served with him and his district in Bila Tserkva last week.  He is from Springfield Mo. North Stake.  He is from Russia, but was adopted about 8 years ago. He has a very large family.  I don't remember exactly where he is from - somwhere close to Springfield.

Hmmm, so we had to move Marina's baptism.  Her son is sick, so she had to cancel all her plans (even work - which is also sad [poor]).  We still want her to come to church a few more times.

But, we invited another friend - Valentina to get baptised next month as well!  We are excited even if we are transfered!

So, Moroni arrived!  He's beautiful!  They still have to put on they "exoskeleton" of granite around some parts of the temple.  But, it's looking good.

I thought of more things you can send for Christmas...
POPCORN!!  I LOVE POPCORN, and it's expensive and hard to find here.  You can even just send the kernells if that's easier and I'll pop it on the stove!  Hmm, maybe mints...but not gum.

What do you think about pickled tomatoes?  I think you should try it.

And my mouth is watering from hearing about your pears.  I know those are good!

Well, I love you.  I hope you have a fantastic day and week.

How can you help the missionaries at home?  Ask them?  If you can't think of people to hear the lessons maybe you can meet the people they are teaching!

You are the great!

Love you,

Sister Murphy!