I hope you had a great week last week. You said you were going to Branson. That is really fun. I did not receive a letter from Vonnie, but maybe in 6 weeks. I don't get mail every day. I get it every 6 weeks. Remember, I explained about transfers. I'm not in Kyiv. But, that is where you mail our letters. When I or someone in my district goes to Kiev we get our mail. That happens when a companion is transfered or for some other minor reasons. We try to stay focused and always stay in our areas. Making trips seems to me like a waste of time. I don't like travelling because it takes so much time away from the work.
It took us 7 hours to get to Kiev last week. We left Tuesday afternoon and got in in the evening. It was on an old train. We both napped for a few minutes read from Preach My Gospel and wrote in our journals. Time went slowly. I helped Sister Gay get ready for her last transfer (being realeased as a missionary) and it was hard to just sit on a train and think about what would happen when I return to Kmelnetsky without her. She is a wonderful missionary. Then, I spent a day in Kiev with some other wonderful sisters. We taught lessons and had a great time. Then, I had to go with Sister Gay, and I saw all my previous companions who were going home. It was tough. These sisters are great missionaries, and it just so happened I served with 3 of the 4 of them. So, I had to say goodbye and think about how we could continue the work without them. Then, I spent the evening with Sister Howell in my first area (Borshahivsky). It was great! I saw members and old investigators and I could speak with them and understand them and it was exciting to hear about their lives. I love that ward with all my heart. It contrasts greatly with the other areas I've served following. Then, Sister Garf came back, and we rode on a train for 8 hours to L'viv (this time it was a new train and I felt so much better. It was comfy!). Remember I was there my second week in the mission. I love the city! I love the members out here. They are great members with strong testimonies and are doing all they can to share the gospel. They have some amazing investigators and I'm excited for this area. I've enjoyed being here with Sister Garf teaching and just doing what I came here to do. I am so thankful for missions! I love them! However, I do miss Kmelnetsky. I've been trying to stay in touch with the members and I really miss them. I want to do all I can to see them grow into a strong branch. I know that the members in Kmelnetsky are elect and they have a great role to play in building the kingdom of God. I hope that I can help them and strengthen them. Well, I cannot really tell you much about my area, but we have a few baptismal dates we are going to try to give out in L'viv this week. This area is being blessed with people who are anxious to learn more about the gospel of Jesus Christ and the plan He has prepared for us.
I love this work. I know that it is a blessing to assist Heavenly Father. I know that He strenthens me and helps me. I love that I'm learning truth and growing as a teacher and helping others. I love that I have a testimony of the gospel! What a blessing!
Actually, I think when I get back to Xmelnetsky I will be serving with a recent convert from L'viv. Her name is Inna. She was baptized in November. She will serve a mini mission with a missionary (I hope me!) for about 6 weeks (that's one transfer!) She is learning so much. Yesterday she taught in Relief Society, but that is just my hope. I really have no idea. The mission is getting 2 more missionaries with the possiblity of 1 more. So, we need mini missionaries to serve so we can stay in our areas. They are great blessings to us, allowing us to work in more areas and increasing the mission force!
I saw the temple! The have all of the trees planted. It is looking great. I'm excited. We really don't know the dates yet, but we are getting more and more focused on helping people get ready for it. It can be overwhelming when the message just doesn't sink in.
Well, the weather here is ... still winter. It's snowing constantly in L'viv and when I'm inside I feel Like I'm in a snow globe. It's beautiful. When we are outside; I have to eat a lot of snow!! Good job with the geneology! How is the Gps?
I do love Joyce, and I have so much respect for her. When I talk about my family I always talk about her and Kevin and what great examples they are. They are a great couple and great people! How is Jina? I miss her and I'm so curious on what she is doing. Remember that I have no idea what is happening out there...
Well, On Wednesday night we are going back to Kiev...That's another 8 hours. We get in at 7 in the morning, and then we travel for the station to the other side of the city through the metro (the subway) and busses crowed with people. I was going to tell you about the metro. Last week when we got on - wow- it was so crowed. It was rush hour. Kiev is a big city. The first time I experienced rush hour...well, it is something that cannot be explained. You are literally packed, shoving, and glued together in one massive crowd of people, shuffling your feet b/c there is no room to talk. We are crowded more than sardines...I promise. You cannot even realize. I don't even know if my feet were touching the floor. The crowd is just kind of pushed forward to the escalotor where one by one or two by two we spread ourselves out. I was highly humored. It was hilarious. This last time, we shoved ourselves in one of the most crowded subways. Again I was smooshed in between strangers back to back front to front side to side. There wasn't space to move or lift a finger, all just sharing an experience. So, for now, I don't miss serving in Kiev and the crowds. But, I do return on Thursday morning only to go back to Kmelnetsky Thursday night. (another 7 hour train ride). But, I'll have my new companion and we'll get busy right away Friday morning planning studying and trying to help others come to Christ through the Restored Gospel!
Well, the weather here is ... still winter. It's snowing constantly in L'viv and when I'm inside I feel Like I'm in a snow globe. It's beautiful. When we are outside; I have to eat a lot of snow!! Good job with the geneology! How is the Gps?
I do love Joyce, and I have so much respect for her. When I talk about my family I always talk about her and Kevin and what great examples they are. They are a great couple and great people! How is Jina? I miss her and I'm so curious on what she is doing. Remember that I have no idea what is happening out there...
Well, On Wednesday night we are going back to Kiev...That's another 8 hours. We get in at 7 in the morning, and then we travel for the station to the other side of the city through the metro (the subway) and busses crowed with people. I was going to tell you about the metro. Last week when we got on - wow- it was so crowed. It was rush hour. Kiev is a big city. The first time I experienced rush hour...well, it is something that cannot be explained. You are literally packed, shoving, and glued together in one massive crowd of people, shuffling your feet b/c there is no room to talk. We are crowded more than sardines...I promise. You cannot even realize. I don't even know if my feet were touching the floor. The crowd is just kind of pushed forward to the escalotor where one by one or two by two we spread ourselves out. I was highly humored. It was hilarious. This last time, we shoved ourselves in one of the most crowded subways. Again I was smooshed in between strangers back to back front to front side to side. There wasn't space to move or lift a finger, all just sharing an experience. So, for now, I don't miss serving in Kiev and the crowds. But, I do return on Thursday morning only to go back to Kmelnetsky Thursday night. (another 7 hour train ride). But, I'll have my new companion and we'll get busy right away Friday morning planning studying and trying to help others come to Christ through the Restored Gospel!
Well, that's my life, but I love every second of it. I feel so blessed to serve the Lord. Although it isn't easy, it is worth every challenge and sacrifice. Because of these challenges I am learning and growing so much. OF course, I still have many rough edges that need to be smoothed and many things that I need to change, but I am learning and growing every day. I love this Church. I know that it is true. I love every opportunity that I can testify that to someone. I love the people who listen and I love the people who believe it too! I know God lives. I know Jesus Christ is our Savior. They have a perfect plan and it is through the Restored Gospel that we can learn more fully what this plan entails. I am thankful for Pres. Monson. What a blessing to have a PROPHET, a real man who is called by God to share with the people of the Earth God's counsel.
I read 1 Nephi 21 this morning and was so impressed with the relationship that the Savior had with His Father. We all can have that. If we do what He asks. Yes, we will be rejected like the Savior, there will be times when we feel that our work is "in vain", but through God - in which all things are possible - we will be made lights unto His children. I love you!
Have a great day!
Love,
Sister Murphy
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