So, it is official. Today I am officially 24.
That is a pretty big number. Well, I don't think I am old, but it certainly takes any doubts out of my mind if I am grown up. I'm trying not to be sad about it either. So thank you for thinking of me on my birthday, and I hope you also had a great day.
Sister Walker (a sister who I am serving with now in Kiev) says that we should just stay in Kiev for 6 more months after our missions! I am all for it! Too bad…
So, the temple has been open for a whole week! There have been 5,200 people already. That is not enough, but there have been many amazing things happening! I have loved conversing with the visitors after their visit. Especially non-members! Here is quite the remarkable story. There was a man who came all the way from England. He is not a member. I had the privilege of answering his questions. He has a friend from England who was going to the Preston Temple, and he wanted to know more about it. He heard about this open house and decided to take a few days off of work to come and visit. He arrived and came to the temple! He went through a tour and was just the happiest man ever! The temple president is also here, and after talking with this man for a few minutes, I could tell that he was special, so I asked President Galbraith (probably horribly misspelled) to come and meet him. They talked for a few minutes, and the President felt inspired to present him with a special gift! He left us in the cultural hall where the man (I think his name was Jason) and I continued to talk about the temple and his impressions. The president returned and gave him a beautiful blue box with an amazing image of the temple etched in a crystal cube! This man really was humbled and grateful! He came again on Friday and Saturday where I again had one more opportunity to testify to him about the church and the beautiful plan of our Heavenly Father! He was a very elect man! He returned to England yesterday where I hope his concerns where answered and he will continue to progress to learn more about our Heavenly Father's restored gospel!
Sandra told me some incredible news! One of my little sis'es from SAI (the music fraternity) got baptized on Saturday!
I cannot believe Erica was baptized and received the Holy Ghost on my birthday! That was the most happiest news I have heard in my whole entire life! I am supper happy for her, and I wish I could have been there! Tell her how happy I am for her, and I am so grateful for her desire to follow Christ!
She is the cutest happiest girl, and I feel so incredibly blessed to have been her big sis! God loves her! And I know the gospel will really bless her family and bring so much light into her life!
Awesome!
The gospel is a huge blessing! Our Heavenly Father really loves us! I am so thankful for temples where we can learn more about our Heavenly Father. I missed an opportunity (well, I cannot say I missed it, because I was experiencing also many blessings while we shared the gospel with others after they came out of the temple from the tour) to meet with the temple President in his apartment. But, he met with a few elders, and they then came out enlightened, and I was lucky enough and curious enough to hear his council! He told them that often missionaries get distracted when they prepare for their missions and going to the temple is just another thing that needs to get done. He emphatically declared that going to the temple is the most important thing we do even more important than the mission! And that a mission is only the keeping of the covenants we make. He then went on to say that if we are not completely obedient during our missions, then we are missing out on many opportunities for the Lord to bless us and for us to show the Lord how seriously we trust Him and want to obey His commandments and covenants.
Everyday my testimony is growing of the power of temple and the strength that we receive from them! I honestly love this temple. It is gorgeous. I took Lyba and Nadia (Love and Hope - the twins) on a tour of the temple. Then, we planned their baptism! That was so special!
I wish you could be here to see all of the miracles that are provided by the means of the temple. I wish you could see the people we speak with and I hope they will remember the feelings and the testimonies they walked out with and act fast!
On another side, I have noticed that there is a certain preparation that needs to have happened in the hearts of the people to be able to see the spirituality of the temple. There have been a few (thankfully less than those who are touched) who come with critical eyes and closed hearts. I was thinking of that this week as one lady told me how she felt and was very offensive. She missed a huge opportunity. She did not even search for Christ while she was there. She was satisfied with what she had found and would not open her heart to accept the rich blessings that Heavenly Father wants to give her; to all of His children.
Well, I could go on forever!
I love you!
I love this opportunity!
I am sad that many people don't even know what they could have! But, there will always be missionaries! There will always be Christ's church - remember the dream of Daniel it will roll forth, independently and nobly! Nothing can stop the work of the Lord! It will fill every climb and ring in every ear! I love that promise and pray that it will be much sooner! Wouldn't you love to see it!
Well, there is almost a temple in Kiev!
Next, week I'll probably already be back in L'viv! and then back again for an amazing cultural celebration!
Oh, I went on an exchange with a beautiful girl yesterday from Kiev, Natasha. She sings, dances, and is actually now a graphic designer (even designed cute souvenirs for the temple...). She told me how many members from all over the country would be participating. She is dancing. My companion is singing (hence the exchange - she wanted to go to choir practice....) They are practicing in Kiev, Odessa, Xarxiv, Donetsk, and other big cities! Dancers, Musicians, Artists! I cannot wait! That will be in 2 weeks - and the Prophet will be in attendance! How exciting! Then the most amazing event - setting the capstone of the temple!
Exciting time! Wonderful Blessings!
I love you!
Oh, for my birthday!!~
Sister Robinson and Sister Walker (the sisters we are living with in Borshahivsky (my old and first ward)) made yummy stuffed vegetable biscuits and then secretly baked a cake! It was fantastic!
We also made some wheat banana bread!
I love them!
They were so sweet.
Got a lot of phone calls from old investigators and members!
It was a great day!
Very special!
Love you all,
Have a great and wonderful week!
Love,
Sister Murphy
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