March 1, 2010 (Sister's letter)

This is a picture of her district.

(Editor's Note: Sorry I have been behind in posting her emails. Many of her emails have been personal and have also made reference to my pregnancy. The word is out now and so are her emails. Enjoy!)

Hello,

Happy first day of spring! I love the symbolism of Spring and I certainly love the promises of warm weather. Well, we are concerned for our branch, but as a district we are trying a new plan this week. We have decided to try to get the members to be responsible for all of the lessons. We will of course help them to prepare and give them ideas, but this is their opportunity to grow and be responsible. We hope that this will help to reactivate and recharge those who rarely come. However, we are seeing success in primary! We only have one active boy in the ward preparing to advance to the Aaronic Priesthood. Since the beginning of this transfer our primary attendance has been growing! These children are wonderful. Two of them learned to pray yesterday using their own words. They already know how important it is to come to church; they are patient and learning doctrine that is so familiar to them. If only their parents would support them and follow their examples.

Well, we have faith in seeing a big change here. We love our branch and the members. Two of them just returned last night from the temple and we know that Heavenly Father has promised them great power. We want to do all we can to reactivate, retain, and to find! I'm thankful for the tools Heavenly Father has given us to help us do this. I know they are inspired and if followed the church will go forth here in this amazing city.

My companion is wonderful. It's an opportunity to serve with her. She is a little scared about going home. But, today is Prep-day and she is preparing a plan to help achieve worthwhile goals to help her continue to grow after her mission and continue to help build the kingdom. She is inspiring. I've learned so much from her through her counsel and listening to her teach others. She is an excellent teacher.

We are still searching for families. This past week we found many great potentials and plan on turning them into investigators this week. We found one elect lady on Saturday. She was a former investigator. She has been inspired by the Lord and has a testimony of the Book of Mormon. We believe that she will continue to progress and we are excited for this time in Ukraine! I'm so thankful that I can participate! I love this work!

I'm excited for you. What a great joy! What a cute little happy miracle! So, I'm learning to love. I think you should try it too. I'm glad I sound happy and chipper, but I'll confess there are hard days. I am now trying to love everyone, first my companion. When from the second I wake up If there is something that annoys me, (which there rarely is) I just open my heart in love and say I love her, that doesn't matter. During a lesson, if I feel I cannot express my self right or something else goes wrong I remember that I love this person or I need to learn too, like Christ loves me, and then it changes me. I want to be better. I smile and I'm happy to be here.

So, try it!

My copmaion is going, and I'll return here with someone else. I'm sad. I'll hope to return fast. This is our last week together. Wow!

Well, I love you!

Have a great week!

Sister Murphy