April 26: Letter to Thompsons

Hello Grandma and Grandpa,

Happy Spring! Did I tell you about the apricot tree outside my window? Did I tell you that it really looks like popcorn? Well, soon we will have apricots, and I'm excited! Did you here about the temple? We finally have a date, and my birthday will be right in the middle of it! Yesterday, one of my favorite people in Khelmnitsky said she would get baptized! Her name is Marina, and I absolutley love her. Oh, she has a twin sister! And she is an amazing artist. She is probably 21. She wants to serve a mission and get married in the temple and partake of all of the wonderful blessings the gospel has to offer. Don't you love this church? Where else can you have confidence in marriage, hear the words of a prophet and see the evidence so clearly that God is the same yesterday, today, and forever! This week has been full of miracles and blessings, and I am so full of love and gratitude!

Well, this was the fastest 6 weeks of my mission, probably because I have had 4 companions and have worked in two different cities. On Thursday I will receive a new companion. Change is always interesting. But, I am so happy that I am staying in this fantastic city with these fantastic people. I love it!

What was your theme from conference? Please share my love with Joyce and Kevin and thank them for their wonderful examples and just that they are who they are! They are super! I am sure you ate well.

Do you have any questions? I love you. The food is great. My Companion made green borsh. It was smachno. (delicious!) Don't think that we are fed here. We only have maybe 10 active members. However, most people (if we visit them in their home it's rare) will brew some tea and we'll eat cookie biscuits or crackers. I love tea! Crazy how much can change in one year. We have one amazing investigator who always prepares us some homemade cream and we eat it with chocolate. Everyone here has a cottage home. It's potato planting time, so we'll be doing a lot of serving.

Hey, I'm a celebrity now! I gave an interview during a service project. It was higly intimidating, but now I am the face of the church here in Kmelnetsky! Okay, it really wasn't that big of a deal, but it was fun!

Well, I'm out of time...I love you!

Sister Murphy!

April 26

Well, we came to the nice Internet club today and got a really horrible keyboard. Keyboards really do play a trick in the Internet experience.

So, I'm going to do my best to enjoy typing as much as I can about my wonderful life in Ukraine!

What a marvelous week we had and I am super excited to tell you about it! Marina is finally ready to get baptized! She had been coming to church on and off since the winter. We began meeting with her at the start of this transfer and immediately tried to understand why she had not accepted baptism. Yesterday, she explained that she knows that this church is true, and she wants to get baptized, but she is afraid of giving up her culture and traditions of her family, which are a part of her life. She said that she always feels a great deal of love in the church she was baptized in as a child (Provoslavnic). We again explained the importance of baptism and how as a Ukrainian she can always reverence and respect the culture and traditions of her past. She agreed to trust us and put her faith to the test! Well, I am of course super happy, but I am also very worried. I feel like we are carrying something super precious and valuable through the rough winds and waves of a storm. But, I know that it is the most important thing she can do right now, and I am trying to do everything to help her believe that. I am amazed at her courage, at the courage of all people who agree to come to the church without support from their family. So, that will be our next step: meeting with her family - we will start with her twin sister!

Another miracle happened yesterday! Sister Larisa came to church! She left the runok where she works and came to sacrament! She left quickly, but we ran after her and gave her a big hug! It was incredible to see her there!

I am so thankful for the blessings of serving a mission. We can dedicate our lives to the Lord! I am thankful for the growth that I am making and for the forgiveness that is always constantly available!

I am also thankful for my companions I have had this transfer! I am so amazed at the testimony and sacrifice of these girls I've served with! I love them! I really feel blessed for what they were able to do here in Kmelnetsky! And, now Marina has two great friends who can support and help her! Plus, I've grown in character, and they've helped me tons in speaking Ukrainian!

Oh, another interesting event in our week. Our branch had a helping hands project on Tuesday. We cleaned up a beautiful park in the city. Somehow it happened that there was a camera crew, and they were very interested in the 5 crazy Americans and 1 beautiful Ukrainian who were cleaning up a park in white vests. So, they asked me to give an interview. I know I wasn't the best pick -especially in speaking the language - but it was certainly a fun experience! It sparked some pride in the members’ eyes and they planted some good missionary seeds! Hopefully there will be some harvesting soon!

Well, we still have lots of work to do! But, it's fun!

Thanks for all your support!

Wow, there really is something in your stomach....BABY!

Are those its head and arms? Oh my! How exciting! I bet you were ecstatic when you finally saw! How fun.

Cute baby!

What is his name?

I wasn't born in Idaho, but I will still be a potato farmer! It's garden time and Ukrainians all have gardens and lots of cream from their happy little cows!

Moo...

Please tell Will that the cows here don't have wings, only the ducks and chickens that flock around in their yards.

Yummy!

I love corn bread and I miss chili! I don't like meat either, and everyone thinks I am a vegetarian.

Beans are a pain to cook aren't they! You should wash them overnight and then viola! THE EMPEROR HAS NEW CLOTHES! (Ask Sarah if she remembers...)

Well, we aren't allowed to drink the water. Maybe I drank some in the shower. The toilets I use every day would make you squirm. I have loads of diseases. One already has a name...Ivan....

I LOVE YOU AND YOUR AVOCADO!

I want an avocado now!

Love you!

Sis!

April 19

Oh Grandma and Grandpa!

Guess what: a wonderful surprise to open up my e-mail and I received all three e-mails!

Thanks! I love you and don't fear, you are doing it, and it's working! You are a professional! I LOVE YOU BOTH! Whom will you write after I get home?

I am imagining the beauty that is surrounding you! Well guess what, I have a beautiful apricot tree outside my window! It really does look like popcorn! Every time I look out my window, I begin to sing about popcorn popping on my apricot tree.

It is beautiful. Yesterday, I had a devotional with our women members! It was way fun and they loved the popcorn! It still isn't an Ukrainian food, but I'm not only converting spiritually, they are also learning to love popcorn like I do!

Well, I want to see a picture of the two of you with grandma sporting her new glasses! What a beautiful couple you are! Make sure to take a few pictures of your garden! Oh, you can take the picture of you standing in your gardens!

Thank you for serving in the church! It's such a wonderful opportunity to learn and grow, that is why we go to church isn't it! It's another blessing added to the sacrament. I don't try to explain it in any other way than we have an opportunity to learn and grow. Who can afford to miss that? Who would miss their opportunity? It's like skipping class - you miss out on so much information and discussion.

Well, this week was great and hard and great again-like every day! Some people progress, and I felt so blessed and happy to be apart of it. Then others fall, and I get sad. I can imagine Heavenly Father is the same way, and I know I made Him sad a few times this week. But, today I want to make Him happy. What fun! Well, We have some amazing people we are working with. Some fun women and some interesting families! I love Ukrainians! They are so generous, and their hearts are so full of service and love! What a blessing it is to be here!

I love it!

I love the gospel! I love this city! I love our Savior, our Prophet, and our church! The church is true, and it is growing! We all need to grow with it!

Have a great day!

Love,

Sister Murphy

Hey Sis,

Great talk!

Thanks for sending it. I only had time to skim it, but next week I'll print it out and really savor it! You are wonderful! Isn't it great that we are both learning the same thing! Well, My companion is wonderful. She is 25 now! She has been a member for a year and has a strong testimony and a fun spirit! I am trying to stay as happy as her.

Which makes me want to tell you, DON'T COMPARE YOURSELF, your belly or anything. You are adorable. Didn't you read the inspired prophecy by Nephi? DELIGHT IN THE FATNESS

Uh.oh...I'm going to have to use the stinky toilet today....

Oh, heavens.

I hope your little lemon is nice and snuggly. What updates do you have for this week? Any embarrassing stories?

Okay, I love you!

Ukrainians are so funny. We are like a big family, using the same smelly toilet that is actually closed. I tried to wash my hands, even if it meant cold water and no soap.

Sorry for worrying you about my new lack of hygiene as I adapt to my new culture. If you only new how bad it really was; I bet Will can.

Have a great day!

S. Murphy

April 12: Letter to Family

Hello Family!

How are you? How is your fabulous week going? Guess what: it took a whole week but we found another mini-missionary who can serve with me for 2 more weeks! Hooray! I am so happy. She came to L'viv on Saturday, and after a quick dinner, we took a taxi to the train station. We found the next available train, which was at 1 in the morning and bought the tickets! After trying to board the wrong train with some new friends who spoke English, we waited until another stealthy train rolled down the tracks, but it went right passed us. We thought we were smarter than the train and neglected to board, convinced that it wasn't our train. In the nick of time, we realized our mistake and jumped on! No, it wasn't a big deal - we had plenty of time. But, I felt like giving you something intriguing to read today! So, I spiced it up a bit.

Something else spicy:

When I was in L'viv, I learned that it is culturally acceptable to urinate in public. Well, at least for grandmas and men. I think here In Ukraine g-mas can do pretty much whatever they want. Seriously though, we were waiting for a bus, and across the street (a very public and busy street in the middle of the city...an enormous city), a grandma just stopped and well...I don't know how to describe it. But, I will say it happens more than I write home about it. This was just a funny g-ma, and I had to write home about her.

So, I am back in Kmelnetsky, and I am very thankful! Of course I love L'viv and the sisters there (I could write an e-mail just how wonderful they are), but there is just something special about this place. I know there is work that needs to be done here, and I am thankful that I can try to live worthy of it and do it. I loved conference. I loved the emphasis on families. It helped me realize and focus more on the importance of families. I know that the gospel is for families, but I think I've been kind of lazy and just teaching those who will listen. This week and hopefully for the remainder of my mission I am going to focus and work more at trying to find families. Therefore, I am super grateful for a wonderful conference with advice for families! I think I used that word in every sentence, but I know that the church (especially here) needs families just as they need the church. The gospel blesses families! Look at how it had blessed us!

Sister Baltkova is great! She is fun and a hard worker! I am super excited to serve with her and the branch also loves her! (It's her birthday on Wednesday, also!) We are going to celebrate! She was baptized a year ago! She is wonderful and a wonderful missionary. We are having so much fun together! Her mother was just baptized last week and she has a super strong testimony of the gospel! She is also an excellent worker! I’m super excited for these next few weeks!

I am very grateful for my testimony! I love this church and the opportunity to help others understand more about our purpose and about our Heavenly Father's plan for us! It's perfect and wonderful!

Oh, get this...there is an elder in L'viv - Elder Munzer. His sister served with Jina in Ireland! Ask her about it! We had lots of fun in L'viv. I wasn't the most cheerful person because I essentially was bitter and wanted to be here. Thankfully dreams really do come true, and we got back Sunday morning!

Well, they didn't understand me when I asked for time at internet, so I only have 10 minutes left. But, I love you! I am thankful for all you do for me.

E-mail is working great! I love you all more than I can write in a 30 min. long e-mail.

But, I DO LOVE YOU!

Please share my love with the ward and have a great conference!

I love you!

Sister Murphy

p.s. Sandra, did the part about your poor baby swimming around in her (I only say her because it's better than it and baby in Uk. takes feminine but I really wanted to write him, although I don't want to control fate therefore I reasoned it out in my mind) urine? I was a little grossed out. Don't get fat. Resist. Eat more pickles and NO ICE CREAM! Don't let being pregnant be an excuse. And when I'm pregnant, after I'm all grown up and stuff, you can give me the same advice.

Thanks for the little message from Sarah, I already knew about her work but I'm glad things haven't changed.

In L'viv there were a lot of twins, and it made me miss walking with you and being cute and identical.

I want you to now that you are the best sister in the world. Thanks for everything. Don't ever be discouraged. I'm happy now that I'm back. I regret being discouraged, and I am thankful for everything the Lord does for me. L'viv was great. Had great food and great fun! Missionaries there are wonderful. We even went running once!

It was so fun!

Oh, I really liked your hubbies e-mail. Know that mission is great I have a lot to do, and I will always think of you!

Love,

Sis. M.

April 5: Sister

Hello Sister,

I found some encouragement today during personal study. I can do this. I read chapter 105 of D&C about the chastisement of the saints and Zion's camp and also D&C 95 v. 1. Heavenly Father loves me. I felt His love last night after praying. Sometimes I have to learn to be better before I can fight for Zion, so I hope I can. Heavenly Father chastens those He loves. So, I am going to accept and improve just like it was a lesson I was learning from Grandma and Grandpa. It's not easy for them to see us cry...but...they know that I need correction. So, I try to change, learn, and keep the commandments.

It's still hard though.

The taxi drive was an experience of a lifetime, but seriously, I love my companion. It was a great taxi ride and it will be a great memory.

Well, you are pregnant! Here, I have some advice for you: EAT! PEE! AND SLEEP!

Okay, I'll just say: be healthy. But, you know that. I cannot say I'm trying. This morning Sister Garf made cinnamon rolls with glaze that you could taste the sugar. I glazed it down, and my arteries will be very slick and probably sticky for the next few days. Oh, well!

Uh-oh...are you craving a cinnamon roll now? I'm debating on deleting that paragraph for the sake of you and your little lemon's health, but that's my life. EAT SOME PICKLES. They have hardly any calories. You can eat as many as you want, and eat some mustard, also calorie free. Well, anything with vinegar. I'm sorry...are you going to throw up now?

I do love the name Mariana, but she didn't get baptized. She kind of dropped of the face of the earth. But, keep a journal of names. That way you can play ennie, minnie, moe; or when you and Will still haven't decided and you are both passed out from an intense labor I can decide. Are you going to do it natural?

Thanks for sharing with me your fav. of Conference. Elder Holland is so bold and so powerful. The last few conferences He has just been storming! I love Him! All of our prophets and apostles are so absolutely fabulous!

Okay, I have about 10 min. and I still have to think about what I'm going to write Pres. I love you.

Don't be concerned. I think I can do hard things. I hope I can survive this transfer and learn and grow so that I will be worthy to serve the Lord.

I love you!

Love,

Sister Murphy

April 5: Thompsons

Hello and Happy Easter Grandma and Grandpa!

I love you! How was your Easter? Flowers must be beautiful and I sure miss the dogwoods. I see them when we show the Restoration video and I am reminded of our lovely home and the beautiful trees that dot the south-glorious creations of our Heavenly Father. Well, I have a lot to update you on. It was a crazy weekend. I hope you are reading these e-mails slowly so you can understand.

I was serving with a mini-missionary, not a full-time missionary, a regular Ukrainian girl who was baptized 4 - 5 months ago. She is 21. (You have to be 18 to serve a mini mission) Well, it is basically to help the sisters here serve in more areas. They serve anywhere from 2-6 weeks depending on there schedule. She could only do 2 weeks. Which was supposed to be today. We had a great time! She is a wonderful, amazing person! I love her very much. On Friday, she got a call from her grandma telling her she had to return home. Her mother is living in New York right now, working for a few months, so she had to go to her mother's house to protect a few things. I don't know the story; I just know it was really urgent. I called our leaders and asked what I should do. I needed a companion. We tried to decide, but it was rather urgent. Due to the haste, they sent me to Lviv where I am now serving in a trio.

It’s hard, and I'm trying to enjoy this change. I love L'viv. This is my third random visit to this city. It seems my fate to end up here. My goal is to just serve where I am and to love it and just do what I can. My heart is in Xmelnetsky with the people I was working with there though.

So, now we are searching for a companion, who will also be a mini-missionary. Or I'll just stay here, living out of a suitcase that I had approximately 20 min. to pack while trying to prepare a cake for our Relief Society birthday, buying other refreshments, finding someone else to share the history of Relief Society, finding a teacher for primary, and paying rent. Then, we had a challenge of which transportation to take. We could have gone by train, bus, autobus, or taxi. We tried all 4 options only to be disappointed with the results of all of them. In the end, we took a taxi. Defiantly the more expensive, but it was worth the drive. The peace to Sister Yarova and the beautiful Ukrainian countryside were nice. It was also Saturday, the day before the Resurrection where Ukrainians take baskets of food and Pascka (it's their traditional Easter bread/cake) to the church to get blessed by the priest. It was so beautiful to see people walking all throughout the country to the churches carrying little baskets with small-embroidered towels covering their food. Ukrainians are beautiful. So, I spent Easter in L'viv! We had a nice lunch after our fast and then handed out "Living Christ" brochures in the cities center where thousands of people were just walking around! It was such a great afternoon. Now, today I get to experience a western Ukrainian tradition. I haven't heard the name yet, but it’s basically the day after Easter when everyone gets soaking wet. We have a branch activity where we were warned without the possibility or ability to take defense. I'm probably going to be soaking wet all day today! I'm glad I get to experience so much tradition during this craziness. I heard that people just dump out water from the balconies and just splash any innocent bystander walking on the street. Also, complete strangers will drench you in water as you pass by without warning or pretense.

Well, that is my news. We had a great Easter party in Xmelnetsky before I left. It was so much fun. We actually had an Easter egg hunt and dyed a few eggs and played lots of games. It was a great turnout. Then on Sunday our numbers dwindled to 13 again—4 of them were elders.

Well, I love you! I am thankful to serve wherever God needs me I just hope that I can learn and be better and not waste any opportunities.

I know the church is true. We will get to watch conference this next week. I'm excited to hear what council we are given. I am thankful to have a prophet and I'm glad that I know that he was called by God. He is his mouthpiece. I love to study the words they speak to us. I love the Lord. I love the Church. I love the prophets and apostles. I love the scriptures! I am so thankful for the power of prayer and the gift of the Holy Ghost. The gospel is such an amazing blessing and I just wish it were easier for people to see and accept it. It is for everyone. But, for now we will just try to find those who are ready.

Well, I have much to learn and many ways to grow...so...I should probably start figuring out what's next!

I love you!

Please pray for me!

Sister Murphy