Letter to Family (Nov 2nd)

Hello Family,

So, I spent some time reading some conference talks and I don't have much time to write today.  I'm sorry.  But, I want to tell you about this week.  Our mission is having a dedication week.  Which means if we haven't been doing everything we could be doing, we are going to now.  And because I am not perfect of course I have a lot to change.  It's been a trial of a transfer.  We have this mission goal: 100 baptisms.  We are all excited for it.  Of course there are 100 elect people who want to know truth.  We just have to find them.  

This week I want more than anything else to receive the blessing of our Heavenly Father.  And I know that in order to receive blessing I need to be worthy - obedient and diligent.  Right now the blessing I desire most and have been praying for is to find the elect, someone who is searching for God's truth.  But, this morning as I read my e-mails I learned that I won't know who wants to know or who wants the help until I invite them.  So, I will be bolder this week in extending clearer invitations explaining what the Gospel is.  I am excited for this dedication week.  I know that the more I give up the more Christ can really take control of my life and help me to be the witness that He needs me to be.  

It's been hard.  Satan has a plan too...

So, here is a miracle story. Friday morning we got on a Marshutka to go to church.  I sat next to a girl and gave her an English advertisement.  I asked her if she was studying English and told her I was from America.  We talked about her life and what she was doing in scool, after school, what she wants to do, etc.  I asked her if she went to church and other questions.  She gave me her number.  Well, at our stop I said good-bye, got off and started talking to my companion about this awesome girl!  She wants to study in America after college…hmm...I know a few good American universities where she can be surrounded by students with strong faith in the gospel.  We were enjoying planning out her future and her baptism when all of a sudden there was a tap on my shoulder.

Nacstya, got out of the "van" and ran after us!  She came with us to church where we met another girl from English and sang church hymns about Christ and the Restoration!  We had a fun afternoon.  Oh it was Halloween!  It was cool.  We will meet with her this afternoon as well...to invite her to come unto Christ!

Oh, here is our 2nd chydo:

Our first branch had their meetings and I stepped into Relief Society pretty much on time for the closing prayer.  Our senior missionaries were in town this Sunday (they come every other Sunday) so I wanted to see if I could help Sister Petty understand what they were talking about.  (Or if we would both just pretend to understand!)  J

Sister Vira (which means faith...so her name is faith), stood up to say the closing prayer.  However, in the middle of the prayer she began to have what we think was a stroke.  The elders were all waiting outside in our chapel for a baptism at 1.  I quickly asked them to come and give her a blessing.  We sat her down and the Elders anointed.  They said that she was shaking until they finished.  But, she was okay after the prayer.  We were all fasting for missionary work, and although she didn't want to, we begged her to eat something and drink some water.  I'm sorry it's not the clearest story, but the elders are distracting me.  Well it's not distracting; they are telling me about their other miracles this week.  We are discussing our plans for the day and our investigators.  I have an awesome district!  Elder Miller is going home next week.  Crazy!

Swine Flu...

So, grandma keeps telling me about the crisis over there.  Well, this week I learned about the crisis we have here!

Our branch was going to the temple this weekend, but Ukraine has advised or maybe just closed the country so that people are not to go out of the country.  About 40 people have died, so no one from Ukraine can go to the temple for a few months.  We have faith.  We know that it is just another test for us to do the work.

I love you.

I want to be the best missionary I can.

I have so many things I want to tell you.  But there’s never enough time.

Pray for us.  Be happy!

Live the Gospel!

Love,

 

Sister Murphy

Letter to Siblings (October 26)

Hello,

You are an amazing brother!  I love you!  I think it's cool you are in beautiful VA.  Shawn lives there, you know?  So, yes, I just killed a spider with a post-it-note filled with important Ukrainian words like butterfly and cup/saucer.  So, here I am in an Internet club in the middle of Ukraine surrounded by people who speak Russian, checking facebook, and playing Internet games with castles and guns and stuff.  Not very many people have computers here.  So, we all get to hang out (well we do on Monday mornings) together to connect with the world.  You are inspiring.  You are living a life not really your own.  Friends change, no permanent place to sleep.  It's always different.  So, that's inspiring.  And I understand; every six week I find out if I'm being transferred.  What are you doing to stay busy?

I love you lots!

Love,

Sister Murphy!

 

Sister,

 

I received a lot of e-mails about elders today.

No, I didn't get Diane's package, but I have not lost hope.  Remember we changed mission addresses, so I'm pretty sure she sent it to our old office.  The church still owns it, so it could be on its way.  Advice: Put pictures of Christ or find some catholic pictures or icons and put them on the box.  That is what Dear Elder does...remember this country is very Provaslovnic.  The mission office is where my mail goes.  I don't think it will change for a few years.  So no matter where I go, the mail always goes there.  The only thing that changes with this transfer is now I will not receive mail every week.

Oh, I love places that have bathrooms.  No matter how unsanitary they are.

In other news,

I have lots of phlegm on my vocal chords, making it difficult for my um...hmm... I forgot what they are called...to vibrate.   Therefore, my voice actually sounds like a Russian man!  If people can hear me they might not actually think I'm American and just think I'm illiterate.  

Although my grammar is getting better, I still have a lot of work to do.  And I'm sad that the Elder's I'm going home with have had a whole extra year.  My goal is to get to their level...Fast.

 

Today we are going to prepare for next or next, next week's activity: an Armenian night with my companion.  It's her Birthday on the 6th.

 

We are having a branch missionary fast on Sunday.

 

There are some beautiful girls from English Practice who are so much fun.  We’ve been talking with them about the gospel.  Whoa...speaking of which...how random.  Yana just texted us.  She said: "Hi, my girls! :)!  I miss you!  Sister Merfy, how's your throat?"  Isn't she the best!

Thanks for thinking of me.  This past week was tough.  It was like hitting a wall.  I'm so thankful that I have a testimony of the Gospel.  I just don't understand why anyone else doesn't have the desire to know or to find out.  Well, I guess I should say the people we met with this week. We didn't find any new investigators.  I learned that Satan will want us to waste our time by working with those who aren't elect.  So, we've planned better this week and haven't given up.  I know that this is an opportunity to grow and stretch.  I'm thankful for the Savior and His help.  I know that we don't have to do it alone and He will help us this week and every day.  I have high expectations for this week, but I do know that it starts with me and my worthiness and preparation.

My companion and I argued 2 times, but we forgave and understand now.  It's hard.  But, I love her.  We do have lots of fun together.  I wish I could have more fun in lessons, but they are mostly in Russian, and I only understand the serious stuff not the life stuff.  I promise she is wonderful.  She is happy and sweet and full of love!  We just differ in how we think missionary work should be done.  Although, we figured it out!

 

Well, there is a strange man standing behind me.  I think he wants my computer!  So, I better write President!

Today we are going to explore a park before it gets too cold!

 

Love,

 

Sis

Letter to Grandparents (October 26)

Hello Grandma and Grandpa!

What a fine day it is, to read your wonderful letters.

Well, the temperature is still bearable here.  I did get my coat shrunk.  I'm pleased with it.  But, I haven't worn it yet.  And yes, we found hats and gloves.  I don't know what I was thinking, but I found some cute green leather gloves.  Can leather even be green?  Well, they are warm and they will last the winter.  But, I look like a ninja turtle when I wear them!  So, I will have some turtle power.  It's funny how many people here know about American culture.  I taught my English class about Halloween.  And we discussed costumes.  I told them a few of my costumes and then asked what they would wear on Halloween.  Here are a few of their responses:  Superman, Batman, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle, Spiderman, X-men, Freddy Cruger (this one took me a while to understand, then I realized it was another American character) and many more.  I begged them for at least one Ukrainian idea, and in the end I had to suggest something.

OH...HOW AWFUL.  They are doing construction in our Internet café, installing new windows, I think, and this drill is deafening.  I'm glad I'm writing and not speaking.

So, yes.  Everything is in order for winter.  Ukrainians are wonderful.  They never think I'm dressed warm enough.  It hasn't been very cold.  It's still fall.  So, I'm not wearing a big coat.  But, I'm warm.  I layer.  But, they fuss and fuss and say that I'm freezing.  They just won't believe me, no matter what I say.  I've heard rumors from the elders:  it could be 60 degrees outside, but it's winter and the grandmas on the street will yell at you for not wearing a hat or a scarf or something if you are not dressed for winter.

Well, I have two beautiful branches I work with here.  It almost broke my heart yesterday.  Our first branch is called Ross after the river here.  The president's wife was pregnant-already 9 months and expecting to deliver any day.  Then this week they learned that she miscarried.  He didn't want anyone to know.  So, she is in the cello with her mother and he came to church to preside.  There were only 4 Priesthood holders in the meeting. One conducted.  2 blessed the sacrament and the President passed.  I was really touched.  Every man present was a priesthood holder, and every priesthood holder present had an important part in the church service.  They are great men.  And there are also wonderful women in this branch.  We went to Sunday school with them where the topic was missionary work.  They talked about preparing and bout being member missionaries.  They asked us for advice.  They want to do everything they can to help us!

It is so amazing to see such small branches with so much dedication and testimony.

They are learning the hymns.  I enjoy helping them with that.

We had an American Pancake night on Saturday and had 20 non-members come.  It was fun!  The Elders made pancakes.  They were quite tasty.  We had syrup too.  We watched Legacy in Russian, had a spiritual message, and Elder Nuttal sang "This is The Christ" (in Russian).

However, this was a tough week for me.

Why?  Because I know that The Church of Jesus Christ is true.  I know there are many wonderful churches.  I love all churches that preach Christ and help others have faith and improve their lives.  Awesome!

But, how amazing is it that there has been a restoration.  There is priesthood, and through that priesthood we can receive the ordinances of the gospel with authority from God.  Baptism not just in the name of Christ but also with the power of Christ.  Baptism by fire; receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost that comes only through the laying on of hands by those who have the authority - the authorization from Christ to administer.

The restoration of the gospel clarifies confusion.  Takes away doubt about the nature of God and life after death, and so much more!

But, this week we meet with families and women who we wanted to share this wonderful message with and they couldn't accept it.  That was hard.

 

I know that I am nothing.  I would be empty if it wasn't for the gospel that fills me up with hope and peace.  I tried to think about why someone would not actually be interested in this.

Then, why wouldn't someone at least try to understand?  Is it a waste of time?  It's either true or it isn't.  So, why not figure it out.

 

I love to learn.  I love understanding things and people, and there is so much that I don't know.  But, I want to know.  Where is the desire?  What are people afraid of?  It's either true or it isn't.  If it isn't and they learn that then they can continue on with their lives.  Maybe understanding of the history of a church will grow, what's lost?  Did any inventor regret the 100 attempts to find the one way to their invention?

 

But, if it is true, and it is the one way...AWESOME!   I don't know why there is only one way.  But, Christ atoned for my sins; he made everything possible.  As Elder Oaks said, “I'm not going to argue it out with Him.

Wow...that was a long rant.

 

I'm sorry.  I just don't know why people aren't curious.  Why they don't want to learn for themselves? What a blessing the gospel could be to their lives!

So, I am trying to learn how to be a better missionary- how to serve better, how to communicate better, how to love better, how to follow Christ better. Aren't we all missionaries?

Okay, I hope you are healthy.  Don't get the swine flu.  Wash your hands!

Send my love to everyone!  I received an e-mail from Sister Postelwait!  Really nice!

I hope you have a fun week!  You are the best!

And don't lie.  You are and better keep Sandra and Will in line!  Good luck with genealogy.  We are also trying to figure out how to use that here, but we only have one computer at church.

I love you.

Everything is well here.  We have fabulous members working with us.  We are going to work hard.  And we are going to find those who want to know- who have that desire in their hearts.

Love,

Sister Murphy!