August 10: Letter to Sandra

Happy Birthday dear!

 

I love you!

 

I hope you have a great day!

 

You are the greatest!

 

Thanks for the cute picts.  Tell Gma and Gpa Murphy they look good!  and tell g-pa he has some good fish!  Sounds like a lot of fun!

Wow, another week!  I am so grateful to serve in this amazing mission!  I've been thinking of the song from the Sound of Music: The song she sings about her wicked miserable past and that because she has been so blessed, she feels she must have done something good.  Well, vot.  I feel so blessed!  Heavenly Father always blesses us - He is so merciful and I am so thankful!  And, now here we are, in Kiev, serving at the temle and talking to everyone about it.  Yesterday, I saw again the work of the Lord at work.  He has a plan!  So, Sister Nekrasova and I loved our two weeks to prepare for this together!  And, now we see how the Lord called us here for a time such as this!  (Well, more Sister Nekrasova, I'm just here to support her!)  Yesterday we went to visit a suburb of Kiev with many inactives that Sister Nekrasova still remembers.  We called up many of them and searched out a few more and even had a member come on a lesson with us!  She is doing a great job!  Today we are even going to take some of her past friends to the temple!  She is being very couragous!  She was of course really afraid, but she is just too excited and doesn't want to miss the opportunity especially with the amazing blessing of the temple!  Yesterday, we also saw how the Lord led an inactive member to us as we all boarded the same marshytka.  We talked to her for about 30 minutes about the blesing of the temple and how she just had to bring her family!  She even promised to go to church on Sunday!

 

What a blessing!  We are not working in our area, but Heavenly Father is still helping us feel involved and effective and to see the amazing fruits of this work! 

 

I love it!

 

Well, we have a lot to do!  I hope you have a great day!  I know this is the Lord's work!  I especially know that the temple is His home!  And I want all to go and see it!

 

Hmm,

 

well, some other things I wanted to mention:

 

Oh, I got your b-day package.  I made the oatmeal for my companions, and we chowed down!  Thanks a lot!  The vitamins have helped a little bit!  Cool!

 

What else? 

 

Thanks a lot!!  You are the best!  And I love how genrous you are being!

 

So, the  other day, we met a man who was really funny.  We gave him a temple invite and he wanted to know about the architecture.  He was an architect.  He asked us if it was Stalinistic design.  I didn't know.  He asked us who was on top?  Was it Lenin?  HAHA!

 

No, we explained to him, who Moroni was.  It was fun!
 

There was another lady who was really funny and wanted all of our invitations to give away!

 

Okay, got to go!

 

Love!

August 10: Letter to the Thompsons

Hello Grandma and Grandpa!

 

Thanks for your wonderful e-mail as always!  You had a crazy week!  You are staying happy and healthy, right!? 

Eating watermelons and all kinds of fresh fruit!  I love you and miss you!

 

So, It's hard to sum up a week worth of events when all I can remember is the past few days!  But, this week was fun!

We got caught in a few torrential rain storms and worked extremely hard.  It was my last week in L'viv!  Well, for the next two exciting weeks.  And, wow!  What did I do to be so blessed?  I have no idea, but I do know the Lord is merciful, and He has poured out His blessings on me!  I need to be more grateful.  He loves me!  He loves us all! 

 

I have a great companion who has her heart in the work!  She inspires me, and she knows so much more than I do on how to do this work.  She lived in Kiev a few years ago, so we are taking advantage of all of the connections she has!  Yesterday we took a little trip to a suburb of Kiev called Irpin.  It was so fun for her to walk on the dusty streets trying to find old acquaintances and find some inactive members.  And then it rained.  Oh, were we grateful (even though we were w/o umbrellas...it cooled down!  AND KIEV IS AN OVEN!  Oh my goodness, we are roasting.  I don't know how I survived last summer!  But, now - I feel disgusting.  The sister's didn't know that their air conditioner worked either...so for our first few days here...we were dripping in our sleep.  I had never before been so grateful for cold showers as I was these past 4 days.  However, after a few days...I remembered that the AC worked last year...and I put my college degree to good use!  We cooled off our apartment last night and slept much better! 

 

Today, I'm planning on treating myself by adding a few cooler and lighter clothes to my wardrobe!  (HAPPY BIRTHDAY to me! and Sandra! and JINA!  and Andrew!)  Oh, what a great month! 

 

So, everyone is getting excited that my mission is ending...except me.  Sorry, of course it will be great to see you again...but...what am I going to do? 

 

 

Honestly, I haven't thought about my post-mission life.  There is just too much to think about.  So, you can help me plan it!  I love you both!  Grandma and Grandpa thanks for your examples of patience and trust in the Lord!  It has been a huge example for me!  I've thought about the many challenges you have faced and how you always relied on the Lord and I've tried to remember that!  I'm not perfect, but I can rely on the Lord who is!

 

Well, I went through the temple on Saturday!  Oh my goodness.  There are really no words.  This is by far the most beautiful building I've been in!  There is no doubt that this building is the house of the Lord.  This building was inspired and directed by Him!  I talked with the architect also on Saturday - he is a very humble man who has dedicated not only his life, but his family (well they also made the choice) to serving the Lord.  He was directed by the Lord.  I love this temple!  I love the Ukrainian themes that are so evident and so gloriously displayed throughout.  I am so proud that Ukrainians have such a brilliant building to grow and make covenants with the Lord.  I've served at the open house were thousands of people are coming to see.  I've met with them at the end of their tours were many were speechless.  Members and non-members all receive the most powerful spiritual impressions that God exists and that He loves His children.  The temple is a powerful witness of His love! 

 

It has been fun meeting with members and especially those I met early on in my mission!  The Bila Tserkva members came to the temple on Saturday, I think.  Oh, how my heart swelled to see those beautiful saints!  I just love them!  And, I was grateful that they remembered me!  I had fun hugging everyone and especially the cute little girls we helped teach!  Oh, they were all glowing with happiness after just visiting their temple!

 

I love this time that I have to serve in Kiev and invite all to come and see.  Don't miss the chance to see the house of the Lord!  Well, I love you!  I pray for you and I pray for the people here to find the glorious truths that have been restored!  I know this church is true!  I am thankful for Chirst and His love for us.  I am thankful for His mercy and I am thankful that He has given us the conditions we need so that we can learn and grow and have access to His atonement!  What a blessing!

 

 

I love you always!

 

Sister Murphy

 

p.s. what else do you want to know?

August 2: Letter to Family

Hello Family,

Thanks for the pictures.  So, this week, I've really hit the language barrier.  However, I've crossed over it.  Now, I'm finding that I cannot spell or speak properly in English anymore.  Oh, it's crazy!  So, we stopped teaching English!  Well, almost...we are going to Kiev this week!  AHHH....the temple is open!  And people are entering!  We have had so much fun finding people to invite from all over the world!  (that is just what happens when you are in L'viv). 


I had the greatest compliment from a student.  I'll try to express what he told me.  He is probably in his late 40s.  He has been coming to English for a few years and never really was interested in the gospel.  Lately though, he has been asking us more and more questions.  I've learned a lot about him.  He is very healthy and doesn't smoke, drink, drink (green or black) tea or coffee.  He doesn't even drink soda.  Well, after I told my English class that this would be the last time, he stayed after to thank me.  He said that he really enjoyed Sister Robinson and I and the chemistry we had - he said we were so happy and joyful that English was like a break from the real world - as if he was watching a movie.  He said we were filled with light - something he had never seen before, and he came just to figure it out!  He said it has been something he has been searching for his whole life.  Well, Sister Robinson got transferred, and it has been hard to carry on without her, but I'm trying.  We gave a pretty bold spiritual thought afterwards and told them if they didn't have a testimony of the Book of Mormon they should find out now.  We gave them an assignment to read chapter 10 of Moroni and invited them to our baptism on Saturday.  (WE HAD A BAPTISM ON SATURDAY!)  And, he came!  He brought me some candy (His favorite!) And I promised him that if he wants to learn how to receive the light in his life (the light that was evident in our members he met, and especially shining brightly in Slavic's face as he just entered into a covenant with God during the ordinance of baptism) that he should meet with the elders.  He agreed!  I'm excited for him!  And I hope he will begin to the happiness that he can add to his life.  

What else, we had a member take us to a bridal salon!  It was probably the most amazing finding we had!  We talked to four women - 2 future brides - or families- and one lady who saw the change in her friend who got baptized!  It was fun.  I never thought I would sit in a bridal salon as a missionary.  My companion and I loved every second - we were surrounded by beautiful dresses and happy soon-to-be brides!  

Another finding story.  This week, I called almost all past investigators in our area book.  It was pretty fun!  We had one family invite us over.  (Oh, there were more invites, but this one is the funniest).  They have 6 kids (if that is rare for Americans, imagine how rare it is for an Ukrainian family).  Well, we had time on Thursday and decided to go meet them.  We had a good time trying to find a marshytka that would take us out there...and then were told we were on the wrong one.  We talked to some nice people who gave us some bad directions and basically gave up on meeting them on Thursday.  Saturday, take two.  Finally, found the street and stopped by 3 different apartments and asked everyone on the street if they knew this family.  They didn't, so I was afraid I wrote down the address wrong.  I called the elders and asked them to find it for me and in the mean time we decided we'd walk to another house not far (well, that is what a man we talked to told us...maybe 10 minutes).  After an hour later, we knocked on the door, talked to them about the temple and invited them to come!  In the mean time the elders called back, and I had been off by 5 in house numbers.  So, we had one hour and I was determined.  My companion and I desperately walked back to a bus stop and took the first marshytka!  We made it to their street and walked as fast as we could (we had only 30 minutes before our next meeting.)  We knocked on the door - and once again - they had no idea where this family was!  Heavens!  We gave the father a call and he told us his address again.  (The previous missionaries wrote down the name of the street wrong!)  Well, sigh, what could we do but laugh and run!  Our attempts to find them before Sunday were failed as well.  But, Sunday came and we ended up having time in the evening.  Once again being badly misdirected - and 4 marshytkas and tramvaus later (that is 8 tickets) we finally walked down the longest street in Ukraine.  But, WE FOUND THEM!  They are a beautiful family!  They are happy and have very exuberrant, helpful, obedient, diligent, well-behaved children!  I am excited to go back!  Well, on our way home...we were once again misdirected and .... well, I told my companion that this was the longest week of my mission.  I have no idea how many kilometers we walked this week - just to find this one family!  (THey must be elect!)

We enjoyed it.  We got home, closed our fast, and slept really really well!

Well, I am glad you had a great reunion!

I hope you have a great trip!

I love you all!

Thanks for all you do!

Have a great week!  ANd pray that the temple will change the life of all those who enter.  (So, basically pray that those who will enter will recognize the special feelings that are there!)

I love you

Love, Sister Murphy~!

July 27: Letter to Sandra

Oh, you are funny!

So, I wrote a letter in Ukrainian, and the keyboard is so confusing.  As a result, I'll have to be shbidko!  But, I love you!  Congratulations to WIll!

He has finally grown up!  Now, I'll have to think of some good advice to give him.  Well, Will, I'm sorry you're not up for the Nobel prize this year.  But, with all your work on evolution and whatever it was you did with chickens...I'm sure you can find satisfaction in receiving the award of Nobel cluck.  You didn't know that you won yet, did you?  Well, It's a surprise!  congratulations!  As winner of the Nobel cluck, your responsibilities are simple:  you have to do the chicken call every time you write a letter to me.  (I'm sorry Sandra if that gets a little annoying. I only give the awards.  The requirements are mandated by the chickens.)  

I'm excited for you!  Where will he work, and where will you live and what about grad school?  So, what a fun week it was for you!  I want to here more about the evolution theories you were studying.  It is all over my head, so maybe after my mission.  However, thanks for your advice about Giraffes and flying cows.  I think a Giraffe licking my face wouldn't be all that bad.  And, I've been doing my morning exercises.  I'd like to challenge a giraffe to a neck bash.  Maybe I should start strengthening my neck muscles.  (Will sent Amy a letter about Giraffes and how males bash each others necks when they are fighting for a wife.)

Well, you had a long trip.  How awful.  I also had a long trip.  I couldn't really sleep either, but I tried.  Well, there are no longer sisters serving in xmelnetsky.  :(  But, there are some amazing things happening in that area!  I am so grateful I got to serve there for the little while it was opened for sisters!  Our mission is downsizing fast in  sister missionaries.  3 more go home next transfer.  Oh, that is a tangent.  I got there as I was thinking about our train ride.  The sisters joined us in our coupe at around midnight, I think.  And we had a fun time squeezing in our coupe with Sisters Robinson, Howell, and Vyusotzka's luggage.  The best part was getting it to the baggage lock at the front of the train station.  There aren't elevators, and we only had one escalator.  (Many stairs and much luggage makes for very strong sister missionaries!)

It was a hot morning too!

Well, the trip was good, and it was exciting to see the temple again!  I have a mini missionary again, and she is adorable.  She is almost 18 and from Odessa (a city I'll never serve in - unless i can convince president that I speak Russian.)  So, I came back to L'viv with an adorable Ukrainian which is good.  Sister Robinson left a big spot to fill.  However, Ukrainians are proud of their missionaries, and they have already fallen in love with her!  I think the Lord blessed them, so there is at least one missionary they can understand!  I'm excited!

Oh, my goodness...wow, I didn't realize but this week was packed full.  We have twin investigators!  Lyba and Nadia!  On Wednesday we asked them to get baptized!  I'm super excited!  They are amazing girls.  They are 29 and just a happy family!  I'm always reminded of you when we talk!  They are great!  So, Lyba is married, but her husband is working over seas.  She has a cute 5 year old daughter.  Well, that is the great news!  

What else, I'm eating well.  Lots of whole grains and wheat.  I have a can of beans and want to open them today!  Lately we've been eating lots of fruit.  But, Tomatoes are super cheap.  We, almost every day, eat a cabbage and fresh veggie salad.  

Thanks for sending me a package!  I might get it during the open house!  I cannot wait!  All the sisters will be together.  But, we cannot proselyte.  So, I'll have to calm down a bit!  Well, I don't have hardly any time.  


Okay, I'm sorry it was scattered and random.  But, I love you.  Trying always to get better and work harder!  Every day is a wonderful opportunity!!  So, use it!

Love

YOU and your cute little baby!

Love,

Sister Murphy