Week 10:

Good Morning Family!

Happy Monday! Is it Monday? It's Monday here- Monday afternoon now! We have a busy day today.

Things are wonderful here. We have an amazing work to do here. The church is growing slowly here, but we are preparing to open the Kyiv temple in a year - which means lots of missionary work! Our goal is to double the baptisms! I'm super excited. I've only been out for 2 transfers but that is right when our mission started the goal. So far it's been miraculous - which is what happens when you do the work of the Lord! We have 2 weeks until our first baptism in this area! (We opened a new area for sisters - so we are very happy the Lord has blessed us to find this amazing woman!)

This week was different. Exchanges are interesting things! I learned quite a bit. But, I think most importantly, I learned how amazing my companion is! I am really thankful for the experiences I have had my first and second transfer and for the opportunity to serve with such an amazing missionary. And, she is a great cook!
This week also had its ups and downs. The highlight was re-reading chapter 4 in Second Nephi-maybe my favorite chapter. This time I read it - I realized that I don't need to "rejoice in sin." I think I was dwelling more on my weaknesses than on the opportunity to overcome them. So, I've committed myself to have a "rejoicing in righteousness" week as I try to do the right things.

I'm excited for this week and being more bold and finding more of the elect!

Funny news:

The Branch Pres. of Bila Tsterkva used to be in the mob. And he has a lot of his friends who were converted after him. Many who served jail time so they couldn’t get baptized!

Phew, the man with the really bad cologne just left. I can breathe now!!

I hope you have fun at the fair, and I hope you also tell people that there is a message they cannot find anywhere else about their relationship with God. He has given us this counsel to be prepared because he loves us! He loves us so He calls prophets to teach us. He loves us so He gives us scripture. He loves us so He reveals His gospel to us. Isn't it amazing that there are so many confused people out there and we are the only ones who have been blessed with the fullness? We are the only people who have the key to unlock the mysteries contained in the hearts of so many. Get lots of referrals for the missionaries. Tell people that they can learn about the teaching of our church. Tell them that we share this important message all over the world - even in Ukraine!!

So, I love you! I hope you are staying healthy. We are teaching 2 wonderful investigators. (We have more but these two are quickly progressing)
Marina is 26. She accepts most of the commitments we have given her. She loves to read the Book of Mormon and is excited to get baptized. Maybe you can pray for her husband in your prayers at home. Pray that we can meet with him and help him to soften his heart and develop this excitement his wife has for the gospel!

Natasha is probably 45-48. She is so much fun. We teach her English first. She is an active lady and is amazed that we are here as missionaries. She wants her son to be a missionary! After English we teach her the Gospel in Ukrainian. She prays at the end of our lessons and thanks God that we brought peace, light and joy in her life. She said she thinks about us before she does something and it helps her do right!!!

Our ward is amazing! The Angel Moroni will be added to the temple on Saturday at 2:00 pm. We are having a special presentation. I'm excited. We make American cookies, brownies, and banana bread at least once a week to share with our investigators and members who help us.

Oh, that's what I want some easy, good recipes. That would be easy to do. Maybe you can send me one with your next e-mail!

I'm getting your letters grandpa! Thanks for all the updates!

I love you both!

I haven't much time...and I still need to write to our Mission President!
I love you! I hope your smiles are bright and beautiful! Keep them polished!

Have a wonderful week!

I hope you are sleeping fine, and recovering from your crazy lives!

Love,

Sister Murphy

p.s. of course I'm waking up at 6:30. It's the getting into bed by 10:30 that's wearing me out. I try every day. I like to be an obedient missionary, a white handbook missionary, that means I sleep all the way until 6:30. No messing with these rules!

Okay, I was just trying to be pious. In most cases I'm up at 6:20.
My alarm clock broke...sad day...but thankfully it's routine enough. My body wants to live the laws too. My REM cycle is fully trained to pull out of deep sleep by 6 am and I'm "aware" until I finally just can't pretend to be asleep...and I worry that I'm late...so I get up to check the time, go potty, pray and make my bed. Then, I try to have a successful work out.

p.s.s. my pictures got deleted. I'm sorry!


YOU ARE THE BEST!