November 23

You are the BEST!  YOU ALL ARE THE BEST!

I was sad yesterday night thinking about Thanksgiving and not having any idea how to make something yummy and then this morning YOU ALL THOUGHT OF ME and searched for recipes.

I am super blessed!

YAY!  HOORAY!

Ha…snow...I cannot wait till I know what life is like in Idaho, but it hasn't been that bad here not even any snow yet.  CRAZY!

Did I tell you the women here are supermodels?  They always have the perfect shoes and I cannot wait to see what they will wear when it snows (right now the majority are wearing boots with stiletto heels!!)

YAY!  HAPPY THANKSGIVING

Have a wonderful day.  I am happy and thankful for your wonderful lives and I hope everyone has a wonderful day!

Unfortunately, it is an American holiday, and my district has selected to do different things.  Well, Sister Nakashyan and I have decided to not celebrate.  Well, tonight we are going to have a VELUKEE CIMENEE VECHAR (extreme family evening!)

We are going to make jello salad or something and an apple pie, well that is what we will call it and pray that it tastes good and looks pretty.

We are going to talk about how we are thankful for the Atonement of Christ and the Book of Mormon.  Aren't they two of the greatest blessings we have in our lives?

I am extremely thankful for them.

It's so frustrating that people don't want to read the Book of Mormon.  It is a testament about Christ.  We can learn more about Him!  How exciting!

Well, I promise I will never make fun of any place you live in now that I've seen what life is like outside of America.  You have water, & you can drink from your faucet!  You have an amazing toilet, hot water, & fabulous mixer that I got you!!!  An oven!  Can openers!  Hmmm, I could go on...

Be thankful for that!

Honestly, you can live bez (W/o) a can opener...

If you could send this to Shawn’s girlfriend:  Tell her it’s a great idea.  Shawn: I love you.  I always share the picture of you and us with my mom at your wedding.  People always ask: "Is he a good guy?"  And I reply:  "OF COURSE!”

A memory: I remember my birthday.  You bought us all bikes and then we went on a nice relaxing bike ride.  I remember another day, we went to play basketball across the street.  It was fun, hot and sweaty!  I remember gigantic misquotes at a softball game! I remember chocolate milk shakes and hamburgers.  I remember being happy and laughing and crying because you tickled me so hard!  I love you and I hope you have the best year ever!

So, I'll congratulate you the traditional Ukrainian way:

Today's your birthday?  I congratulate you on the day of your birth!  I wish for you that you have happiness in the following year.  That you have success in your work and in your family!  I hope that you, Shannon and Liam create many happy memories, laugh lots and play a lot of golf!  I hope that you enjoy this next year and that it is the best!

Love, Sister Amy Murphy

Okay, so I am healthy.  Yesterday we taught a women who was poisoned once.  She didn't have a fridge, so now she doesn't eat anything but to live.  SELF-DISCIPLINE...she weighs like 43 kg...that's tiny.  She is a music teacher & was a au puar (???nanny)  in Norway!

She practically speaks English better than I do!

I want to be self-disciplined & give up sweets, but that will be after my mission when I've eaten every Ukrainian cookie and candy I can try!  Is that horrible?  Maybe that is why I'm paranoid about diabetes.  Well we went Tuesday...I gave blood and went back Saturday, gave more blood and we go back Wednesday.  I think everything is going to be okay.  He found bacteria in my stomach.  Our nurse said she felt peace when she decided to test me and thinks that this minor problem is something the Lord wanted for me!  I love Heavenly Father. He always wants to help us be happy!

Kay.  Do you know the history for the word O.K.?  It's some crazy king who was illiterate...

oh...and who was the pres. of France during ww2?

Okay, well...I don't have much time, but I want to tell you about yesterday.

Last night after church we met a teacher named Anna.  She is atheist.  We talked for about an hour in English about lives and things and then we asked if we could share with her our message, what we want to share with people.  Well, as we did I felt so amazed that I could be here in this country were 20 years earlier people were discriminated against if they believed in God.  I realized how amazing it is that Joseph Smith saw God.  That kind of puts an end to that question doesn't it.  God does exist.  He appears to His prophets.  He loves us.  He wants us all to know and feel His love.  I love this country and the amazing things happening here.  I am excited to be here.

I hope you have a happy thanksgiving.

We will eat something as a district on Thursday, and I will try to make potatoes, but we have been asked to do what we are called to do: CRY REPENTANCE TO THE WORLD!

I love you! 

Have a great day and especially be thankful for the Gospel!

Love,

 

Sister Murphy