March 15 (Grandparents)

Hello G-ma and G-pa,

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, 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

March 8, 2010

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

March 1, 2010 (Grandparent's letter)

Hello Grandma and Grandpa!

I love you. Yes, I ran out of time last week setting up this new e-mail and trying to find sandra's address and trying to find out new passwords. Sometimes I don't follow technology really well either, but it's a new week! Guess what! I received my package yesterday! Hooray! It had been inspected by customs, but I'm pretty sure by the amount of stuff and how it barely fit in the box that it was all there!

Thank you. I ate so much chocolate yesterday; it wasn't healthy, but thanks! So, you probably shouldn't send me chocolate again. I eat enough Ukrainian choc. as it is. You are very kind! I don't think Sister Gay likes popcorn, but we might try popping a bag tonight, maybe we'll bring some to FHE. Yes, I'm excited for Sandra and Will. Yay for spring! Happy Spring today! I love spring!

So, I told you I was called to be primary president in our branch right. Well, did I tell you that I'm the only person serving in primary? I have one teacher that is avoiding our calls and works on the days when we stop by with cookies or banana bread, unfortunately. My first sunday wasn't too dificult. I had one 11 year old boy. (The challenge is making sure he understands me - but we had fun!) Every Sunday since then we've been growing. It can be overwhelming trying to keep the attention of 6 - 13 year olds for 2 hours amidst lessons and trying to teach a song (the same one every Sunday) and some sort of activty and snack. But, yesterday we had two girls come again and they learned to pray using their own words. That was some sort of happiness I hope I will always feel. I am so thankful I could have a part in that. I love these children so much and I hope they will always be blessed to have a testimony of Jesus Christ and come to learn where they can learn the fullness of His doctrine. I know the gospel is true. This morning I studied about the pioneers of the church. I read about what they suffered and how they sacraficed their possessions, relationships, and lifestyles to hearken to a Prophet of God. They never could imagine what their sacrafices would grow into, but here I am in Ukraine. There is a temple of God being built, and there are still others who are sacrificing to become a part of God's kingdom on Earth.

I'm excited for your gift. My companion and I were curious. I'm not at all disappointed that it isn't an elephant. Besides, an elephant would probably eat a lot and well, I hear people adapt to become like their friends. :)

So, at this point in my life...I'll put on hold the elephant idea....maybe a nice little piglet would be okay though.

Well, I will send a few lines to my cute little sister and her invisible baby.

I love you! I'm thankful for you.

Send my love to the ward and tell them thanks for thinking of me! You have a new large family! Wow, I hope they realize what a great ward it is. Tell Tamara and Sister Postelwait thanks for their wonderful examples and beautiful large hearts! Give the Drakes and the Darracqs big hugs!

Of course I think about you always!

OH, the temlpe: It's going so fast! I feel so blessed that I can be here for it. It is an amazing blessing bestowed from Heavenly Father to be apart of it. Pres. Steinegel said: "They just removed the scaffolding off the third side of the temple, and now the snow is rapidly melting, so the last of the work can be done. We have so much to do to prepare everyone"

It's true. We are working hard to be ready! I hope I can be lucky enough to be one of the sisters selected to work there during the open houses and dedication. I will feel so blessedly happy to see the members I've meet coming to see the Lord's house in their part of the vineyard. I hope I can help prepare them! I hope I can be prepared myself!

I love you!

Have a great day!

March 1, 2010 (Sister's letter)

This is a picture of her district.

(Editor's Note: Sorry I have been behind in posting her emails. Many of her emails have been personal and have also made reference to my pregnancy. The word is out now and so are her emails. Enjoy!)

Hello,

Happy first day of spring! I love the symbolism of Spring and I certainly love the promises of warm weather. Well, we are concerned for our branch, but as a district we are trying a new plan this week. We have decided to try to get the members to be responsible for all of the lessons. We will of course help them to prepare and give them ideas, but this is their opportunity to grow and be responsible. We hope that this will help to reactivate and recharge those who rarely come. However, we are seeing success in primary! We only have one active boy in the ward preparing to advance to the Aaronic Priesthood. Since the beginning of this transfer our primary attendance has been growing! These children are wonderful. Two of them learned to pray yesterday using their own words. They already know how important it is to come to church; they are patient and learning doctrine that is so familiar to them. If only their parents would support them and follow their examples.

Well, we have faith in seeing a big change here. We love our branch and the members. Two of them just returned last night from the temple and we know that Heavenly Father has promised them great power. We want to do all we can to reactivate, retain, and to find! I'm thankful for the tools Heavenly Father has given us to help us do this. I know they are inspired and if followed the church will go forth here in this amazing city.

My companion is wonderful. It's an opportunity to serve with her. She is a little scared about going home. But, today is Prep-day and she is preparing a plan to help achieve worthwhile goals to help her continue to grow after her mission and continue to help build the kingdom. She is inspiring. I've learned so much from her through her counsel and listening to her teach others. She is an excellent teacher.

We are still searching for families. This past week we found many great potentials and plan on turning them into investigators this week. We found one elect lady on Saturday. She was a former investigator. She has been inspired by the Lord and has a testimony of the Book of Mormon. We believe that she will continue to progress and we are excited for this time in Ukraine! I'm so thankful that I can participate! I love this work!

I'm excited for you. What a great joy! What a cute little happy miracle! So, I'm learning to love. I think you should try it too. I'm glad I sound happy and chipper, but I'll confess there are hard days. I am now trying to love everyone, first my companion. When from the second I wake up If there is something that annoys me, (which there rarely is) I just open my heart in love and say I love her, that doesn't matter. During a lesson, if I feel I cannot express my self right or something else goes wrong I remember that I love this person or I need to learn too, like Christ loves me, and then it changes me. I want to be better. I smile and I'm happy to be here.

So, try it!

My copmaion is going, and I'll return here with someone else. I'm sad. I'll hope to return fast. This is our last week together. Wow!

Well, I love you!

Have a great week!

Sister Murphy

(Comment from the editor: I think the snow mound they are sitting in front of and on is a snow sculpture of the Ukraine temple. Pretty sweet huh!)

Hello,

Well, I'm learning so much every day, and I am so thankful for the opportunity to serve. We have a lot of work to do, but it's wonderful work. I love it because it's true. We have two wonderful investigators who are praying to know about baptism. We've asked them multiple times and now we are waiting for them to realize that this is what Heavenly Father wants them to do. I am thankful for this experience. I know that it is through small things that great things can come to pass, or why else would I be here. I am thankful for what I have and who I am. I am thankful for the gospel and that I know it's true. We have been trying really hard to work with our recent converts. They are struggling, and it's hard but we are not giving up. As I was studying about the temple this week, I learned a lot about how important we are to Christ. He suffered for us individually. I thought about the temple and how we do work for individuals and record it. Prophets have said through this act of service we can become saviors on Mount Zion. Well, I thought about that and if that is what makes a Savior then maybe Christ also sacraficed specifically for me. It really helped me to be thankful for that!

Sister Gay and I are trying to make the most out of every day that we have. I am thankful to serve with her. She has a great desire to serve and she is an amazing teacher. I'm learning so much!

Well, this week our branch will double the amount of endowed members! That's wonderful and we know it will greatly bless our branch! We are excited!

Thanks for everything!

Have a great week,

Sister Murphy

February 17

Hello,

Well, I hope I didn't ruin your monday by not writing. We just had an extremely busy week. But I love you! I appreciate your constant love and your letters! Make sure you get Betty and Gary's new address please. Those two are wonderful angels! Way to work hard through the winter! Don't worry, I'm experiencing the same frustration in regards to winter here too. Every day I wake up and I hope it will be warmer. Sometimes it is, and it's glorious. I rejoice, and I dream about the day I can stop wearing boots and my winter coat. But then I spend the next day outside, all day, like missionaries who are trying to find people to teach, and it's freezing! So, I know I need to be patient. At least it isn't in the negative degrees anymore! That's a blessing. We are just hanging in below freezing and when the wind picks up...it's cold! But, it's beautiful and white and pure! Just what we are trying to help the lives of the people here turn into! It's time to repent and now!

Not to just cover up with a layer of snow, but really cleanse our selves through repentance and baptism! How nice of your children! Joyce is also an angel.

So, we don't have a stake. We are just a collection of branches in the mission. There is only one stake in our mission and that makes up only the Kyiv branches and wards.

I think the package arrived! I'll just have to get it the next time I go to Kyiv, maybe in 3 weeks. Hooray!

I love you both, I don't have much time.

We had our zone conference on monday in Lviv. It was a nice train ride at 1 am Monday morning and a beautiful conference where we talked about the Book of Mormon. I know that it is true. We also talked about how much we are expected to do this year to prepare for the temple. Can you believe how lucky I am. I am one of the selected few who can serve in this amazing mission to dedicate a temple of the Lord. I am so lucky. I will be here, there is no doubt now. We are suspecting August or September. What a great blessing!

Then after that we had another LONG train ride to Kyiv where all the sisters in our mission gathered for a Sister's conference. It was so wonderful. We have great sisters. I've served with many of them who are going home and I love them so much. We had TACOs to eat too. I LOVE MEXICAN food! Then we went to an opera. It was just a grand adventure! It was fabulous. It's my second, but the first for all 3 acts. Pres. came with us...we had permission! We watched Romeo and Juliet...beautiful! The orchestra had two magnificent clarinet players and it just made me so incredibly happy. Then we caught a train back to Xmelnetsky, and we got in at 5 this morning.

I love my companion. I love my mission. I love my leaders. I love my grandparents. I love my family. I love the Book of Mormon. I love this church. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is true. It is the only true church on the earth. I am hearing wonderful things about my previous investigators. I'm so excited for the work here. We have so much to do which means I need to get better! I'm excited to improve!

I love you!

Have a great day!

Even if it's not a mOnday!

Love,

Sister Murphy

February 8

Hello,

I have a head ache! So, I think I've lost weight on my mission. But, that's because we walk everywhere and I eat really slow. However, today I already ate 2 chocolate bars. I'm stressed. But, I did communicate better with sister gay! I do love her.

Oh, thanks Will for your great advice. Today I had a great plop on the ice. We were helping one of our members at the hospital today...and oh...I just flew! It was great! Sometimes it can be so frustrating. Working with people who have testimonies but don't apply it. I can get really tired. But, then I remember Christ. He is so patient and so full of love.

This past transfer (which just ended yesterday) we visited Ukrainian hospitals....very interesting.
Ukraine finished their presidential election. From what I here, nobody is really happy with it, so I don't understand how it happened. A month ago they had 16 canidates. Yesterday they had 2. It was (according to our neigbor) a 2% victory. Ulia lost. She is the beautiful lady. I have no idea what either of them stand for. But, there is a temple here and that only means good things for the country, regardless of who is in charge. Satan will have less power here in approximately 7 months. We are going to prepare for that great blessing.

I am so thankful for all of the blessings I have received: the gospel first and foremost and my family who taught it to me, the great country I was born in and for the freedoms and blessings we can enjoy there.

There is this great spot between here and our apartment that we walk by often. It's on a hill and it's pure ice (well...it's pretty much one big glacier all over the city...maybe even the whole country) and the kids have made a nice "rut" for slidding. Everytime we walk by I ask my companion to slide down it with me, but she thinks it will be too inappropriate. She does know best. We ate a nice restuarant last week. I hoped to see the mafia.

Oh, we also found a fantastic family. They will progress slow. They are Protestant. They are fantastic! We are praying that they will open their hearts. Other wise we are teaching many exciting english lessons and through them - finding some great girls who are excited about learning why we are here. Our goal is to meet their families this week.

I saw the advertisment for the princess movie and was really excited. Disney has a black-American princess! I'm happy!

Well, I have 5 minutes more. What can I say.

I wasn't sure what I was going to type today. Missionary work is hard. I hope you know I love you.


Haha! You are cute. But, seriously...don't worry about it. No, I didn't receive any letters, but 2 from dear elder. That's fine. It would have taken to long to read, and I have a lot of work here to do. There is so much that needs to be done here. The church is so young. The members are so new. But, they are pioneers. Great strong and dedicated. I love them. I hope I can figure out how to share it with them!

did you know that the word for belly button is a poopa!
In Russian the word for courage is like smully. So a couragoues belly button is quite a fun saying to say!


If you weren't already married, I'd tell the elders coming home next transfer with my companion to look you up!

But, alas...

I shall not continue on further as I am highly suspicious that your husband inspects all our correspondence and I don't want his hate to magnify to his own destruction. I am a servant of the Lord no matter how unrighteous I am.

Will I do think you are great!


Love,

Sister Murphy

February 1

Hello my pumpkin!

Is that a nice word? One English student wanted to know what we can call our friends and loved ones. We created a list. I think some of them were just a little strange, but then again, I'm strange. I remembered when Sarah and Amanda and I nicknamed eachother - poptart, breakfast burrito, and toaster strudel...some crazy things like that.

Well, it's been a tough week. I'm thankful for the days where I feel great and when I can enjoy the rejection and when I can enjoy who I am...even despite my weaknesses and my craziness. It gets better when I can e-mail you!

You are wonderful. I love you. I want to be perfect, but I studied patience this morning. We need to be patient with ourselves and just know that we are going to get there someday.

Missionary Work is SO HARD. I'm learning that. But, I can already say that I love my mission and it has changed my life. Just like any experience if we let the Lord lead...

I have been thinking about you a lot. The purpose of our lives are families. You know that you are living what the whole purpose of a mission is - to find families and bring them to Christ. You are living what I am teaching. Missionary work is only the beginning. We focus on getting them to the first step. Then, they can begin their journeys with their families. Families are so important and look at you! You have a husband! (goofy but I don't know if any other boy would do)

We did a lot of tracting (door-to-door visiting). (Yesterday was fun. I suggested a competetion against our zone leaders. They killed us, so we made them a cake.)

I don't have any idea who has written, BUT it's transfer week, and we get mail!!! Yay! We shall see!

Oh, I get to "kill" my companion. We are both staying here for her last and my next transfer. (When you "kill" your companion, you are their last companion they have before they go home.) It's so depressing. All my companions are going home next transfer. 12 of the best missionaries in this mission. We'll take a hit for sure.

Well, I love you.

Trust in the Lord! Love Him and know that He loves you. You deserve it because you are His daughter. We are so much a like it kills me.
I love you!

You are so absolutely the best women I know...

I tell everyone that, and I don't like to compare us. But, I know that you are 2x the girl I am...seriously...I tell my companions...all the time. "Well, if you like me, you'll love my sister b/c you would have - all the time - rainbows and butterflies in your relationships." (editor's note: yeah right :P)

Sorry, I don't make any sense. We are late for lunch and we don't want to make the mafia mad. :)
and sorry about all of the ellipsies...


Love you!

Sister Murphy

February 1: Thompsons

Hey, guess what!

I get my mail this week! So, this will be the week I'll know if I got your package! I'm excited and I hope that it's not too heavy or that our zone leaders are extremely impatient - since they will be the two who will retrieve it from the office and bring it to the long journey out west of Kiev. Well, I know you two are prepared for the weather and I hope you have a safe relaxing week. Stay warm. We actually had a warm week, but it's been way cold (I think it was -20 last week) but it felt like summer at 32 yesterday! (I'm still layering...lots of layers!) It is getting dark around 5.

Hey, I spoke in Church last week...what a coincidence. Well, have a nice break until April! Good work on sharing the gospel. I'm so proud of you. It would be great if they accept! But, don't get discouraged if they don't. So, don't start counting down. I don't think I can handle it. I know you are looking forward to it, and I am looking forward to seeing you. But I don't want to leave my mission. We had a very emotional farewell yesterday. One elder is leaving the area and will be home in 6 weeks. My companion has 6 weeks left.

I am excited for this transfer. The only sad thing is that it is so short. Our goal is to find a family to be baptized and we are going to find them this week, just so you know - and won't be surprised when we do. I am excited to serve with Sister Gay. We both love this city and our little branch. We are seeing many great things happening with our recent converts here and we are trying to help the less actives feel that amazing spirit that converted them. Our Branch President is amazing and there are many other wonderful examples of faith in this little branch. I love them all!

This week was great. We have found many people who are excited to learn about why we are here - and they all have families. Our challenge to them this week was to share it with their families. I am learning so much from Sister Gay and I am so grateful for her example.

Well, I love you!

I love the work.

We all have so much we can do to help our Father in Heaven. We have been given so much! Thank you for your blessing of the church. Thank you for teaching me. I am so grateful. Why were you looking? What made you desire to change?

I am so thankful you did!

You are the best. Look at the fruits of your choices!

I know this church is true. I know that God loves us!

Love,

Sister Murphy

Letter to Family (January 25)

Hello Family!

Wow, so the Vikings must have had a decent year! Maybe if I were more diligent they would have gone all the way! J So, I'll work hard this year, in the freezing weather. IT"S COLD! I think it’s worse than MN. I don't know how you live/d in MN. How cold does it get? Yesterday morning and last night it was about -30 deg. Celsius. That is, according to our cell-phone converter, -20 F.! I love dressing warm. As the days go on my closet gets emptier and emptier as I, myself, become more of a walking closet. And yes, I'm being funny, but I'm also pretty much a walking closet.

So, this week was a long week, not just because of the cold. We were busy. We had an exchange with some amazing sisters serving in L'viv. We also had lots of lessons to organize and many that fell through and when that happens all kinds of adventures begin.

So, do you remember what it feels like to have your nose hairs freeze? It's pretty refreshing! During the winter, we've been ageing fast with dry skin and yes even gray hair! For some strange reason my hair turns white in the cold. It thaws out again really fast, but it is certainly a strange occurrence. Actually, every morning I love stepping outside! But, really don't worry about me. The sun is back out again and I don't think winter will be much longer. I do love the sunshine! (and I cannot wait to sweat again!)

So, tell me about the missionary work in your areas. What has been happening? Why is the ward growing? I want to know! So, I don't know when my next move is, everything is based on a 6 week basis. This is my 5th week here and I love it. If I've ever loved a place, it would be here with our tiny little branch of new members in the church. They are growing and need a lot of support. Sometimes I wonder if I can do it. But, I love the opportunity to serve. They are really needy when it comes to the missionaries (as in the branch would probably not run with out us...) but we are going to change that! The next week we will be in Kiev for a sister's conference - that should be a great time. Many sisters (4-5 and that is about half of the sister's here) are going home in 7 weeks, so we are going to hear from their inspiring stories. My companion is one of them. Actually most of the companions I have had are speaking: Sister Movchanyuk, Sister Baletska, Sister Nakashyan, Sister Gay, and Sister Pack. I've pretty much served with all of them! Awesome! How blessed am I! (I only served with Sister Pack for a day and Sister Baletska for only a week).

Well, don't worry about the package. I'll be at the office next week and I'll let you know if I get it. Okay! I love you and I'm thankful for all you do for me.

Speaking of which...

WHY ON EARTH did you decide to open your hearts and let two 19-year old boys into your home and teach you. What created the desire? What happened? What did they say?

Please tell me that in your next letter...

I am so grateful that you did! You two are amazing!

I love you and I'm glad Heavenly Father allowed me to be apart of your family where I could learn from two special people with strong faith in Him!

Have a great day!

Love,

Sister M!

January 25: Letter to her Sister

Dear Sister!

So, as we were trying to find a good scripture to share in our FHE tonight I read 2 Nephi 9:51

Read from the part where it says Hearken. It really lightened up our mood this morning! We enjoy the scriptures, especially after yesterday. We had kind of a tragic day yesterday. I don't think I can write about it. Therefore, I'll tell you about one of our new members I didn't get to write about last week. She is the best! She loves to jump in the river 2x every day in her swimsuit. Isn't she brave! She asks us to join her, but the most we can do is accompany her on the journey and share a nice bar of dark chocolate as we adventure back.

Can I ask a couple of favors? Can you ask those who write me to bear more testimony in their letters? I gave a talk in our little branch yesterday about relationships in our family and I based it from Elder Bednar's talk. I learned a lot! I love how he counsels us to testify to our families. Let's do that!

Congrats on reading a great novel! When I get home, let's read some Russian literature: War and Peace, Anna Karinina, Leo Tolstoy! I love puzzles too! I think I'm going to make a restoration puzzle! Keep up the service!

So, there is really so much that happens in a week. It's great, and then I also know that there is more that I can do. Sometime this last week we had a wonderful exchange. It was great to work with Sister Pack for a day. She is an amazing and patient missionary, I could go on with adjectives like powerful and spiritual and very aware, but then I think about all the other sisters I have served with and they are all just great! Missions are the best opportunities, and I'm starting to realize how much I am learning. I hope that I will always make time to study the gospel and to serve others throughout my life.

Sister Gay is just fabulous and the work is picking up here! We are excited about that! We are still praying for miracles and are working to try to strengthen our new members. They are beautiful women and it's just great to see them grow in the gospel.

I know I still have much to learn and I'm trying my best not to feel overwhelmed! It's a great privilege to be here and I'm thankful and I love it!

We had wonderful attendance in our branch yesterday, and all of the members stayed for the entire service! They had great comments and we were all spiritually edified!

I wish I had some amazing exciting stories to tell you. But, it's all about the work and how amazing and miraculous it is. We are strengthening the members - the pioneers of Eastern Europe, preparing them to make amazing covenants with the Lord - soon! I'm not converting thousands, but we are fighting and we are trying to serve with all our might hearts and strength.

I am so thankful to be here. To see how important the gospel is and what a miracle it is that I have it. It's only right to serve God and I want to do that all my life. I want to extend my mission. I don't know how long it will be, but I love being here and doing this work.

I know this church is true. I love it! I love My Savior! I love the Book Of Mormon. I love the love of God!

I hope you have a great week!

Do you have any interesting conversion stories? Why do people join the church? It's true!

How do they find out about it?

Thanks for all you do!

Love,

Sister Murphy

January 18 (to the Thompsons)

Hello,

It's a new week! I love every opportunity we have to try again: every Monday, every transfer and even every day. I'm thankful for the hope that we can have at the start of every beginning.

Merry Christmas! I love Christmas. I'm so glad Ukrainians celebrate it 2x. Anyways, Ukrainians are always celebrating something; the New Year, the old new year, now it is: Happy Ukrainian Election Day! They had elections yesterday. They had 18 candidates for president. So, yesterday they narrowed it down to 2. They'll vote again on the 7th of Feb. My mission has been just a big celebration. We are celebrating how wonderful our Heavenly Father is and how merciful He is. Are you celebrating? He has revealed His gospel again! How amazing, how wonderful, how exciting! He really loves us! And I really love you!

So, it's cold. It may be 10 degrees F. It's always hard to know exactly as we are in Celsius. But, it's going to get colder. Tomorrow we fear the worst—maybe -5 F. But, guess what - We are going to layer up like cabbages. Ukrainians eat so much cabbage! I'm eating a lot too!

Speaking of food, it's great. But, for the most part my companion and I cook for ourselves. So, we had grilled cheese sandwiches (that's pretty American). We also have a very wonderful senior couple here from Utah, Elder and Sister Thatcher. We have district meeting in their home and we always eat a wonderful American cooked meal when our meeting is done. They are the sweetest and happiest couple! She doesn't eat chocolate, but always buys m&ms for us and makes choc. brownies and cakes. She is so fabulous. She was a caterer before and the mother of 10 boys! One of her sons came out for a week and had a suitcase filled with American stuff; vanilla, flour, brown sugar, powered sugar, pasta,....on and on and on...everything that she needs to make the fluffiest brownies in Ukraine. (It’s impossible any other way!)

The bread is wonderful! We are always buying fresh fruits. The apples are juicy! The oranges are sweet and they have fabulous chocolate. I'm trying to learn about temperance, but it's hard. At least it's winter and I am too cold to let the temptation for ice cream be victorious. But, of course, I'm American; it will always and forever be in my heart!

Well, we have great members and they are growing! Many amazing things were said at church yesterday by Olya (a new member who gave her first talk) and Ann (discouraged and struggling - but found happiness through the service she was able to offer another branch member)! We are also planning some family finding activities and focusing on growing the branch with those who will build and strengthen the others. I love this little family of branch members here, but I know that they need more and they need it more from themselves and not from the missionaries! We love to serve them, but it will be great when they can start to function on their own - baby steps!

The greatest lesson I learned this week is that despite our difficulties - we have to endure it and learn from them and carry on. We had some disappointments with investigators and less actives but we are not giving up. We will keep finding and teaching and trying to help others remember and feel the love of God that we all need.

Keep sharing the gospel! Help Heavenly Father bless the lives of our brothers and sisters! We never know when they'll have the desire to learn more! But, don't get frustrated if they say no! Just, try again!

My companion is still wonderful. I need to work on telling her that more. She is staying focused although discouraged with the amount of time remaining. (Seeing all of the warnings, I'll just go ahead and tell you now; I don't want to go home.) I am thankful for the advice she has for me, she has offered a lot of comfort and guidance.

Well, there are many miracles happening - all of the time - but, still, I'm trying to recognize them more. I love Ukraine! I love Ukrainians! I love Ukrainian and Russian and I still have much to learn and much more to love!

I hope you are enjoying your Monday. I love you and your fabulous desires and examples of love! Be happy have fun and enjoy every second of your day!

Love always and forever and ever!!

Sister Murphy!

January 18 (To her sis)

Brat ee sestra Taulor, 

Your last name would be hard to say for Ukrainians.  Isn't it interesting that brother and sister are so close!   That's about it though.  So, guess what.  I can officially say I'm learning two languages.  I’m still only studying to speak one, but I have to understand so much Russian, It's a challenge.  Comprehension only reaches to teaching the gospel though when it comes to Russian.

Well, I'm working on not getting frustrated.  I just have such high expectations and I'm not going to lower them, I'm just going to lift my spirits and endure despite the conflicts, heartbreaks, disappointments, and mistakes.  Some funny stories happened this week.  One recent convert, Svetya, is great.  She is so graceful.  She is also hard to meet with now that she finally found a really busy job taking care of an ailing woman.  So, we did what we could and spent an hour walking with her to the river where she proceeds to undress until she is standing in the middle of a white wilderness on the banks of the river in her bare feet and a bikini.  She then proceeds to climb down a ladder into a hole that has been cut out of the ice so that she can jump in and out of the freezing water.  It's healthy I guess.  Weird, but we love this lady!

 

Well, I don't know what pictures you were talking about.  I'm sorry for not describing them.  They were probably from Bila Tserkva. I think I sent some of us ice skating with some investigators: Ulia and Natasha.

 

The necklace, I'm glad you like it!  Honestly, (Ukrainians are very honest. It's great, even when they tell us they really aren't interested.  We know we aren't just wasting our time and we can go find the elect.

 

Honestly, the necklace, well, I didn't really like it (maybe if I wasn't a missionary).  It was a gift.  Do you remember our birthday?  Well, it was not the best week in my mission.  But, Sister Mov. also had a b-day, and we were visiting a really nice lady who loved sister Mov. because she lived in Italy too!  So, she wanted to give her some cake and tea and some cute Italian souvenirs or something.  Well, Sister Mov. said my birthday was soon and she was like, oh, here is a necklace and viola!  Merry Christmas!

 

Hmm...

 

okay...

 

next e-mail!

 

Love you!

January 11 (To her sister)

Dear sis,

You night owl!

I love you! You are the best. I'm learning, very slowly, how to be happy AND to SHOW IT! SING ALL THE TIME! Like elf! He's a good example! He is like Santa's missionary. Therefore I am learning from him as I strive to serve the Lord. That is what kind of missionary I want to be. Well, I did make maple syrup yesterday, and we have a lot left over. I even used it in our sweet and sour sauce! Wow, I'm really turning into elf. Is that horrible? (The words are helpless; the truth is coming out. I am crazier than people ever thought)

So, time goes so quickly, even time to type to you. So, I'm trying to write the best experiences. Ukrainians are the most sincere and friendly people I know. Maybe that's because it's so easy to become friends with them. I love them. I love meeting them, inviting them to activities, eating with them. Speaking of eating; we ate at the cutest little restaurant today.

We have a wonderful apartment. It's been in the mission for a year or more, and the elders have been kind to it. Well, we were kinder after they left (cleaning up after their messes…Oh the HEAVENS rejoiced in our cleanliness! Every Monday morning they smile at our efforts!) But, anyways, one elder ended the mission here and was a dirt bike racer. I hear he was pretty famous and somehow (I also heard against his own best wishes) he was entered into a meet the day after he returned. So, he bought an exercise bike to train. (I was told by very reliable sources that he was very diligent, he just ate quick lunches and had really efficient exercises in the morning. Language hour was probably a little sweaty, tacozh. I've been doing some aerobics. I got some good sit-ups from Sis. Mitchell (our trio at the end of the MTC), and I'm trying to be diligent. Way to go. I think you need to get out the art stuff ASAP! And then teach me when I get home. You crazy girl. Don't be discouraged by what you aren't doing. Be amazed at how much you have done. I'm learning that. I'm looking at all the goals we set, rarely achievable, but we've done so much.

Okay, I love you!

Be happy have a great day!

Love You!

January 11 (To the Thompsons)

Grandma - you are crazy!  But, I absolutely love you!

I love you both and I am so thankful for you!  Isn't the gospel amazing!  Sure, we slip and fall sometimes, but it helps us heal and progress until we can stand up again and serve others!  Look at all the two of you do!  It's great and that is what life is about.  "When you have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me" Matt. 25:40.  It really doesn't matter what we do.  I had this dream of changing the world.  Well, I cannot do that.  But, every little thing I do is something that Christ appreciates.  So, keep on keeping on.  Keep on doing and serving and just be a little more careful!

Grandpa, you picked a strong woman!  And of course, all women are crazy, but she has the biggest heart!  I cannot decide if you tried to convince her to return home or not you probably know her too well!  Alas, she continued on her journey.  I love you too!

Thank you so much for your e-mails!  Time really flies by!  It is unbelievable.  So, when I do take a second to think about what has happened I am excited!  I am learning so much and hopefully I'm recording most of it so I can remember and apply and relearn for the rest of my life.  God's plan is wonderful and simple but I'm still learning the facts and the applications.  So, this week might was great!  Mostly because I was able to serve my companion and that was fun!  Sister Gay (from north Idaho) was sick this last week. So, I had an amazing time trying to serve her in any way I could.   (I hope she enjoyed it too!)  She is really wonderful so I enjoyed every second!  Plus, I learned how to make vegetable soup.  Well, I was forced to do a lot of experimenting in the kitchen.  And, I think that is part of the blessing of our call - everything tastes good (or edible) or maybe I just burnt my taste buds...the soup was EXTREMELY HOT!  We also enjoyed sweet and sour sauce with our left over corn, pineapple and rice.  Other than that, you really do not want to know what we ate this last week!  Oh, When your companion is sick...and you are in Ukraine!

 

Last week I decided to just stretch myself and enjoy every second.  Of course there is room for improvement but breaking up the days into smaller sections really helped.

I am not the most interesting person but I'm learning to talk to people and just be excited about whatever is happening.  I'm growing in every area and I'm thankful for the opportunity to see that.  I'm learning to love more and more the people I am serving and the people I serve with.  This is a great city with amazing investigators and the best members!  And there are amazing missionaries serving here!  (this is the best mission, so that's expected!)

 

It was a fun week.  I feel so blessed and I am growing so much!  I feel like I've made a lot of progress in the language (Still have millions of miles to go!)  I am so thankful to be here.  I am in the happiest place of my mission!  (and they have all been the extremely wonderful!)  I love the Lord so much!

 

My companion is almost well!  But, today we will rest and we both know she will recover completely!  She is wonderful and I'm trying to learn as much as I can from her.  I am thankful for her knowledge and understanding of missionary work and her desire to work hard!

Well, there is not much to say about our investigators  - we were unable to meet with them this week.  But, we did meet with Pres. Andre's daughter and we are hoping to help her grandmother soften her heart and allow her to be baptized.  (I love grandmas!)

Our branch is wonderful.  Of course it has room for growth and I see it happening.  The members have the desire to share the gospel.  They have the desire to learn it.  We just need to strengthen them and retain them.

Well, I am enjoying the wicked weather of Ukraine.  I fell down yesterday walking to church.  It was an adventure.  It warmed up for the layer of slush to melt and we had a nice drizzle; EVERYTHING WAS SLIPPERY and wet.  When I got to church I did my best to hide my wet skirt from the motherly Ukrainians in our branch as I conducted the music!  (I was successful!)  Our branch is so young!  I'm excited to be here and to see the members grow in the gospel. Today I was studying about how we can help new members.  Who are the new members in your wards?  How can you help them?  Do you know how difficult it is?  Wow, it's crazy.  Read chapter 13 (I think) of "Preach My Gospel" and see what Pres. Hinckley had to say.  They have their first native branch President (Pres. Steinagel was here yesterday and re-organized the branch.)   We have two incredible senior missionaries here who have been serving amazingly.  I've been helping sister Thatcher in the primary, translating and having fun with our little class!  She is always so prepared and doing so well at preparing this small future generation to be strong and faithful!

Have a great week!  Stay warm and have fun!

It's so warm here!!!  I'm glad it's in Celsius and I really have no idea what it is.  I'm just glad I'm not in North Dakota!  -50...how do they live like that?  Crazy?

How are the Vikings doing?

Have a great day and a great dinner tonight!

 

Love,

 

Sister Murphy

January 5

(This is a picture her mission took on Christmas. Amy's on the second row, on the left side, wearing green and black. Click it to view a larger picture.)

So,

Our e-mail service isn't that great. It closed out during my letter to President Steinagel so I had to re-write. Now, I only have a few minutes to talk to you. I'm sorry!

I didn't realize that our preparation day would be different this week. I hope I didn't worry you. Or did you just think Monday hadn't come yet?

We had zone conference yesterday! It was amazing! I went back to L'viv and we caroled and everything was perfect. We had a member of the Quorum of the 70's from Latvia come. They are an amazing family.

I learned something interesting . Do you know what gravity is?

Do you understand it? What is the law of gravity? Are there people who don't know what gravity is? Does it still affect them?

Yes!

So, does the gospel. Many people know the principles of the Gospel but not the fullness. Nor do they know how it works. That is why I'm here. Even though they don’t know it, it still affects them and I want them to know it so they can be able to live according to the law!

Well, I love you very much.

New Years Eve was wonderful. We did have a break. There are a lot of drunks out here so, we met as a district and ate and stayed quiet.

I love this opportunity to serve and grow! I love my companion and this area as I have all of the ones previous...well, two. I am thankful for the truth of the gospel, and it is amazing that I can be here in Ukraine helping others to see the light of the gospel. I know I can be better because we all have the potential to be like God, and I still have lessons to learn yet.

Sister Gay is wonderful! We have a lot to do here, but we know we will see baptisms this transfer! We still have a small amount of investigators but this week we plan on giving out one new baptismal date and renewing another!

I feel really united as a district as we are all striving to build the branch. It's amazing to see the members as they learn and grow. Sister Gay and I realized how amazing it was: the gospel is so new to them, but they are learning it and living it and loving it!

I feel confident in the work. It is amazing that we can serve our Heavenly Father and I know that He helps us. We had our missionary zone conference this last week. It really gave me confidence in the power of our mission and the amazing missionaries we have serving here.

I tend to be a little hard on myself. Do you have any advice on avoiding self-frustration and being happy despite personal weaknesses?

Well, that's about it! I am happy! I love this mission and especially this church and that I know it is true!

I hope this week I can show my gratitude through diligent work!

Love,

Sister M.