Hello Sandy and baby,
I hope when you come little baby that Sandra will make sure to throw away your diapers so that no stray dogs will eat them. It's not very pretty to walk out of your apartment first thing Monday morning and find two dogs enjoying a nice diaper. Cmachno? Well, Hello! How are you.
Today is almost surreal. It seems crazy that so many of our amazing sisters are leaving this week. All of my past companions actually. I am very grateful for how much I've learned and grown from each of them. I love Sister Gay. She has taught me so much.
I was talking with my her, sharing my fears about being the leader of this area next transfer, and I told her I don't feel good enough. As I thought about it and my weaknesses, Heavenly Father helped me understand that it doesn't matter. Despite the truthfullness in that sentence - that is why we have a Savior. Maybe we can never be good enough, but He loves us and has made it possible. He does make our weaknesses become strengths and looking back at my mission I've seen how much I've grown. I have more hope and I feel more strength and power that He really can use me for anything. I remembered some of the difficult challenges I've already faced on my mission and I saw that success really was working it's way out from them. But, I also love that through knowledge, I also know that I am growing and can continue to improve. I know I'll need that especially as a missionary. I'm trying and I'm trying to enjoy every second. Therefore, Sandra, whenever you feel discouraged or negative or overwhelmed with feelings of despair...KNOW THIS: That you are, You really are, You are everything you need to be and you need to commit that to memory. Apply that principle in your heart. Christ will make up the rest. Yes, you are righteous and you crave more but that is the blessing of the spirit. To seek for more seek for the better and even the best. But, don't let that gift take away the joy and satisfaction that comes with who you are. You are going to learn and grow...just as I will learn these languages and how to communicate with people. I will change until one day I can be satisfied with who I've become. But, I do need to enjoy who I am now!
I'm trying.
So, let me tell you about the next crazy 10 days I have ahead of me. Tomorrow I am going to Kyiv with Sister Gay (Did you get my letter by the way. I have a role for you to play in her next transfer!). We are going to visit a few of her old companions before her last day, Wednesday...it's so depressing. I'll spend a few days in Kyiv again in the center of the city serving with Sister Alleto and a mini missionary from Odessa. (They are 100% Russian speaking again!) Then on Friday (maybe Thurs.) I'll return to Lyiv (out west) with sister Garf (from Michigan). I'll serve with her for a week (until the end of this transfer). So, next week I'll write you from L'viv. I'm going to heavily miss my area. I love our tiny little branch and our struggle to find the elect. So, I'll be spread across two areas these next two weeks with only a phone to keep in contact with the greatest Ukrainians in this country. Then, on Thursday we'll return and I'll find out who my new companion is. It could be any one, maybe it will be a Ukrainian speaking companion! But, if it isn't - I'm totally satisfied with learning Russian. I've decided I'm not going to wait. I'm going to seperate the sergic I have in my head and figure out what Russian really is. But, Ukrainian will still be my focus of course.
O, what else...Yesterday, we had a branch break the fast. We, as missionaries, wanted to present the ward members with a gift of love. We made borsch (I should say Elder Stapleton and Elder cross did. We made the cabbage and beet salad, lemon bars. We got out easy, but we did plan the entire thing). Our zone leader brought the bread and drinks.
We did all we could to get as many members to come. I think our attendance doubled! It was great to even see the desire and willingness to help return to some of the members. We as missionaries wanted to encourage our members and help rekindle their testimonies. We had a very spiritual packed devotional telling them that they are noble; they are selected by the Lord to lead the way and hold the Light to the people of this city. They are like the pioneers who suffered much and were a small force, but we showed them the video of the growth of the church by stakes. The spirt was strong as the missionaries testified that we love them and that we have faith in them and that the Lord has picked them to help this city receive the gospel and prepare for the temple.
I love these members. We now have 4 endowed members in our branch. The two just returned this week and I really see the light in their eyes. They feel so blessed and they are on fire. They changed so much in that week long visit to the Lord's house. We also did all we could to get as many members there. We were afraid our branch was dying, but though our efforts, it was packed with members. We had maybe 15 members! It certainly is far greater than just the 7 we had last week. I'm so happy. And of course primary was booming. I hope to see us expand from our little room. Yesterday might have just been the happiest day of my mission; stressful, but to actually see the desire and willingness to help return to these members; it was priceless. There is still more work to be done. We have more to do of course. And I am excited that I can stay here to help get it done. I want to work hard. I know I can improve the way I work.
What else...Oh. Happy women's day. It's a great holiday here in Ukraine. Do you know that Ukrainians have like a major holiday every month, sometimes 2. They love to celebrate. Well, I love them and I am so happy to be among them and to help them come unto Christ. We are still working, trying to find, trying to teach and trying to explain the importance of the gospel. I wish I could tell you about every one of them. Kate, she is a 16 year old girl. She is praying to know if the church is true and we are trying to help her share this message with her family...who it was meant for. Lidia, an older lady who has been prepared for the gospel, knows the doctrines and now we have to help her understand that this was preparation for her to accept the gospel. Lera, also a 16 year old tennis player, Shenya - an older lady...she is a reporter...funny lady.
Alright, I need a potty break...how about you...preggo?
Love you,
Sister Murphy
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