August 16: letter to family

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

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

July 19: An email to the Thompsons

Hi grandma and grandpa!

I love you both!




So, this morning Elder Rayburn called us and said that we had to set some goals to have a productive week!  It was during companionship study, so Sister Robinson and I started thinking.  We definitely want this to be a good week.  I definitely want to see someone agree to be baptized this week.  We had a great planning session on Friday, and I feel like we received inspiration from some of the most random and interesting sources.  But, we have a new plan and I'm excited!

Sister Robinson and I had a great transfer together.  I am so sad that it is ending.  I learned a lot from her and we learned together to be more bold as we find and teach our brothers and sisters about the restored gospel.  Saturday we had such a lesson!  This week was busy!  I, however, want to know how to have more productive weeks.  I guess I feel like we did a lot, but I don't know if it really got a lot done.
I guess I'll just keep trying this week.  I hope I can handle L'viv without Sister Robinson.  She is a great missionary and has helped many people in this great city!

I am excited to serve the Lord.  I love this work!  I love L'viv!

So, this week was long and crazy!  We ate well!  We made a quische, bought a huge watermelon, and ate lots of peaches, plums (yellow and purple), blueberries, apricots, and nectarines!  Can you see how spoiled I am!  We also had a farewell for Elder Rayburn.  He is a music major from Kentucky, and we served together in my fist transfer and his last!  He was my district leader and a great elder.  Lots of work this week!  But, I love it!  Are you going to send me some pictures of you and your cute little puppies?  I hope you have a great trip to Idaho!  You are great and strong!  I love you both!

So, I have an amazing branch president.  He made us chili a couple of weeks ago!  IT was hilarious.  I went into their tiny kitchen to do dishes and immediately started sweating.  I thought I was having an allergic reaction.  But, He just used WAY to much chili pepper.
Well, I don't have much time today, but I love you!

You two are amazing and I am excited for your adventures!   Keep up the amazing work you are doing and I'll look forward to hearing all about your miraculous deeds!

Love you lots!

Sister Murphy

July 19: Sandra's letter

I love the Lord and His gospel like you do!  I have a new favorite hymn. 

Well, I have a new favorite hymn!  It is hymn 36 in Ukrainian.  I remembered what it is called in English this morning:  "How Firm a Foundation!"  I love the 3rd verse.

"Fear not, I am with thee
so be not dismayed,
for I am your God and will still give the aid; 
I'll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand
 upheld by my righteous omnipotent hand."

That's what I can remember anyways!  Isn't it beautiful.  I then looked up the scripture in Isaiah 41:10 (I think that is the correct reference) and had a fun time reading this and other similar verses!  I love the scriptures.  I love our Heavenly Father and His continuous support and love for us!  Other verses: I read D&C 68:6.  Heavenly Father wants us to be of good cheer!    Why?  Because, as I learned in Matthew 9:2 and Ivan (John) 16:33, Christ has atoned for us!  Christ has overcome the world for us!  He will forgive us of our sins - like he healed the man with palsy.  He will heal us!  That is something to rejoice about! 

This morning during companionship study, Sister Robinson shared with me her study from this morning from the Book of Morning.  As she talked about the things she learned from the Book of Mormon there was a verse we both found significant.  It was in 2 Nephi 28 or 29.  It says that the Lord will command the Children of Judah to write and the children of Nephi...and other lost tribes.  I realized just how special the Book of Mormon is.  It is one of the first records that we have received!  It was found!  (of course there was much inspiration and divine intervention - but why should there not be?   - it is the work of the Lord!)

I don't understand how hard it is for the world to accept a book?  The Lord is so perfect and so vast.  He cares for the whole world!  He has always reached out.
 I write about the special moments in my life that are sacred for me.  Is it a wonder that they did anciently as well?  Wouldn't it be a blessing to find more of those records?  Well, we have one - the bible!  And, that was miraculously preserved!  But, could it possibly be all?  I don't know how many pages are in the English bible, and someone may be offend when I say that even 5000 pages are not enough to tell me about my Father in Heaven.  (Is this embarrassing: Jane Austen's collected works might exceed that of the bible (disclaimer: I have not read anything by Jane Austen in over a year; therefore, I am no longer an expert) (Oh, and the word expert probably would be better stated as obsessed)  However, I also understand the fact that if God was going to give us only 5 pages to tell us about Him - then, that is enough.  But, I know that He loves us!  I would be happy with five!  Although, I am ever so very grateful for the perfect love of God and Jesus Christ.  They reach out to us!  They want us to enjoy our lives and they want us to enjoy it so that we can return to Him!  He wants to help us!  To help us we have received more!  More of everything!  And that means more knowledge.  The Book of Mormon just isn't a book.  It is truly another testament of Jesus Christ!  It is a record sacredly preserved and directed by the Lord to bless our lives!  I have read it many times and I know that it is true!

Well, that was a fun tangent!  Those are just my thoughts this morning!  I love this gospel!  Even when it is hard for people to understand.  And even when they understand, but don't want to change!  Well, that is also frustrating! 

So, what do you want to know about Ukraine this week?

Here is the latest in my life.  My beautiful companion Sister Robinson received a transfer.  I'm sad.  (how do you spell bummed for future reference...and where in the world did that word come from?)

I didn't think they would, since we will be going back to Kiev in 3 weeks again anyways.  However, We are going to Kiev on Wednesday.  It will be an all night train!  We have a lot of work to do.  We are still trying to find those who are willing to change their life and accept the gospel!  I am always reminded of the rich man who asked God how to enter Heaven.  His life wasn't bad.  Apparently he was living the law.  But, there was more that could have helped him really come unto Christ!  He wasn't ready for it.  It is quite sad and frustrating when those we are working with just aren't ready to really come unto Christ.  They are grateful for the new understanding we have given them, but that was enough. 

Enough?

There is never enough! 

So, we keep working and keep trying!

We have a temple!  It is beautiful!  I am excited to see it again this week! 

Oh, I have a birthday soon!  Crazy.  I am so old.  I feel even older when Sister Robinson complains about her birthday!  She will be 22.  Is it a big package?  It is probably going to be expensive.  Hmmm, it should be fine...I might even get it for my birthday.  If you have a good relationship with customs!  Put some Christ stickers on the outside, and say that it is missionary supplies.  Hey, I don't want sweets.  Well, I'd love them, but I don't need them.  However, you could send me wheat thins - or something cute! 

Congratulations to Will!  I hope you have a fantastic graduation!  And have a fun trip with g-ma and g-pa!

I love you both!

Chili, that is to long of a story!  But, it is funny.  Maybe I'll tell the g's in my e-mail to them!

Love you both!

Sandra you are amazing!  You are beautiful!   Have you watched those videos on the church website?  There is a new one from Elder Uchtdorf!  I love it!  I am also trying to figure out my true identity and see the true beauty of myself!  I love that I am a daughter of Heavenly Father!


I love you!

I love your baby!  Have a great day!

Love,

Sister Murphy!

Zone Conference Pictures

July 12

Well, Good morning!

What a wonderful way to start a perfect week of missionary work!  Hearing from my amazing family!  I love you all!  I'm excited for your week of travels!  It's been a great week!  Filled with all kinds of interesting stories...from re-writing songs about missionary work as a district and companionship...asking thoughtful questions to complete strangers...getting caught in the rain...and singing "Baptize me in the Ocean...in the sea...in the warm baths of a spa...just baptize me with authority!" (to the tune of my bonnie lies over the ocean!)  BAPTIZE is what we are working on!  We don't have much time.  THE PROPHET!  He is coming!  I just look at these men of God and I am so thankful for there unwariness and dedication to the Lord.  They are doing all they can to serve!  Me too!  Well, I'm trying!

So, we also had a missionary activity after our last branch yesterday.  There were a few who stayed and a few less who were inspired, but, I know that the gospel is true!  So, when the missionaries ask you who do you know....NEVER EVER say no one...NEVER EVER say...we've already talked with everyone.  Because, out of all the finding that we are doing as missionaries the only time we have success is when it is with the help of the members.  Well, in Ukraine...it is a whole other country!  You know that right!  It is for sure different than America...but...the principles are still the same!  The gospel is true no matter where it is placed!  Great news!

Sorry this is so sporadic...I'm actually exhausted!  We worked hard but with all our efforts this week...

well, I'll just simplify a lesson I've learned a few times during my lesson!  When you put in everything...the Lord blesses you!  Even if it isn't what you had been working on.

So, this week I felt like I called every interested person (Former, Recent, and those we just met).
We scheduled lessons with anyone anywhere!
We planned to find!
And, We planned to be bold and to baptize!

Well, we did our part!  I am thankful for the energy and the help of the Lord.  Fortunately for me and unfortunately for all those who are choosing WRONGLY we all have are agency.  (on a side note, I also make a lot of wrong choices...and make unwise use of the great gift of agency...however, I have chosen to learn about the Lord's Gospel and have CHOSEN for my OWN FREE WILL to follow it! and be blessed!!!!) 

Does that sound a little exasperated.  Well, we had great things happen!  We learned there are still 100,000 (that is a statistic I got from Will) we need to talk with!  And that we have to keep working and never stopping!  

Sister Robinson and I had a pretty fun and bold week deciding who was close and telling them...boldly...that this is what they had to do...to be happy!  I know I am just a 23 year old girl...and it might seem silly to trust me...but...I am actually a representative of Christ.  This is His message to them...it's not from me at all.  I did nothing.  I did not create it.  I'm even embarrassed that I have to be the one to share it...I am not that eloquent...I'm feeling more and more like a Moses and less and less like an Aaron every day.

But, I want to help the Lord.  I want to serve the Lord, and I'll be an instrument in His hands to share His message.  

However, I have some good endings!  Well, Sunday finally came and we had tried every lead...and were pretty much relying on the Lord for success  (as in investigators actually coming to church).  They all pretty much said no.  I sat down next to my past companion (Inna - Sister Yarova) and talked about her week and her really cute orange skirt!  No investigators.  (Insert sad face here)  

But, I love Inna!  She is such an amazing girl!  (She also gave her first talk yesterday about the scriptures!)

Well, I go up to direct the music and in walks a member with three strangers.  (Insert a look of bewilderment and shock and a HUGE smiley face)

The song ends and I begin to return to my seat when brat Volodimir grabs me and tells me to make friends!  Well, I happily sit down and try not to be too disruptive...

Basically, to make long storry short - two of the three are not members!  One is a beautiful mother who wants to learn all about the gospel!  They were found through a member in North Carolina (He is actually from L'viv and was visiting this week...but now lives in America....He found the church in New Mexico on an Indian Reservation!  He was at a stop and found "Another Testament of Jesus Christ!")  Well, he was later baptized in Las Vegas...and loves the church and has the most solid testimony I've ever seen!  He is just so certain that the church is true...he came back to Ukraine and just radiated the gospel so much he found 2 people to bring to church with him!  So, they came!  I was just floored.  The women's name is Kristina and I have never met someone as curious and willing to meet as her!  She has a beautiful 10 mo. old baby and is going through a divorce.  She is beautiful and I don't even care how many times I tell  you! 

Well, what a miracle!

THEN, we went to visit a less active member who just makes me humble!  She is an angel.  She has a broken arm and the doctor's don't know how to set it.  She's had it for at least a year.  

Well, we were reading the scripture in Romans about nothing can tear us away from the love of God and she told me that only we ourselves do it.  And I thought about how profound that was.  How many times do I doubt or let unbelief take over and forget to rely on the perfect love of the Savior?

Well, I love you!  I am so thankful for you!

You are amazing!

I hope you have a great trip!

Give sandy and will a big hug for me...but don't squeeze sandra too hard...we don't want anything to pop out too early!

Love you!

Love,

Sister Murphy

July 5: Letter to Sandra

(Some pictures of the Ukrainian temple.  Scroll down to see more.)

Well,

I spent some time on G-ma's letter!  So, I don't have much time.  Aren't emotions crazy and fun?  I look back at this last week, and well, it was just up and down!  But, every Monday it starts back on top!  It's great.  We've been eating some fun foods: whole grains and fresh fruit, stir fry, and burnt apple pie (that was our fault.  Elder Rayburn made it, but it didn't finish cooking.  So, we brought it home, and well...we have the worst oven.  It can take five minutes...you never know...from being raw...to black!  Can you imagine?)  Speaking of food.  I am hungry now!  


So, I love working with Sister Robinson.  She is wonderful and is just an amazing example for me!  I want to be a much better companion!  I also love how positive we are; we are not giving up, and everyday we talk about baptism - who can get baptized, talk about it with investigators and members, and the time we have left for it to happen.  We are especially excited to see a family get baptized.  I love baptism, and I love this goal.  I love it because it is the only way, and the way leads right to the temple!  It is about making covenants with God and progressing to possess all that He has for us!  

Oh, Sister Robinson and I have a new goal: we do not want to teach in the church this week.  But if we do, there will be a member present during the lesson!   We have some memers who are ready to support us this week, and we have a few investigators who have already invited us to meet their families!  I am super excited!

Well, yesterday we had a lesson with the family that found the gospel through a cімя declaration.  They are an amazing family!  We then decided to do a stop-by of a less active.  We didn't know anything about her and were a little hesitant to attempt a visit at the end of the day.  Well, there were a few "bumps in the road", but we didn't give up and continued the 45 minute walk down the most beautiful road in L'viv and were completely surprised to find Sister Bogdana.  She said it might have been a year since the missionaries had visited her.  We didn't have much time, but we talked to her about our new goal and shared with her a message about faith.  She was overwhelmed to tears.  It made me so grateful for this work and for humble people who try to live the gospel depsite their trials.  She has health problems and cannot sit down.  However, she has been a member of the church for 4 years and is also reading the Book of Mormon for the 4th time.  She studies and ponders and wants to come to church!  We want to help her - and to help her share the gospel!
I wish I could tell you all of the amazing things that are happening in L'viv!  I love serving the Lord! 

We are working are hardest and no not seeing many fruits.  But, I am not giving up.  We have 3 weeks until the sisters go to Kiev to do the open house, and that means we need to find someone who is serious this week!  I want to just talk to everyone until I find the one!

How are you and your little family doing?

Families are perfect.  They need the gospel.  Don't you!  Doesn't it bless your life?  Doesn't it strengthen your family!  I know it does!

I think you are doing a great job at living life!  I like how much fun you had this week and still the diligence you manifested!  I know you are not perfect, but just for my sake, don't think about what you didn't do right this week and just be grateful that you have the right knowledge to act and be better always!  You are strong and the Lord will continue to strenthen us!

I am also trying to not be too distracted my my weaknesses and just keep going!  I hope that I am giving Him my all!



Grandma is amazing!  500 dollars should be more than enough...I hope...that's like...well...I'll buy you some souviners...(LATER...not now)...

Thank you so much.
and...well, I don't like talking about home.  It makes me sad, but I guess it does make me work harder when I realize how quick it will go.  I want to get so much done.

The work here is hard and I want to SEE the fruits, all the way to the temple.  SO, I'll try to just work harder!

Oh, my body is missing you: I too pee like 100 times a day, my back hurts, and well I'm doing everything I can to loose weight.  I also get small headaches, but I just have to drink more water (AND THEN I HAVE TO PEE EVEN MORE.  It's ridiculous.)

Well, I want to write to a few old investigators!

I love you!

Love,

Sister Murphy

July 5: Letter to Thompsons

(The Ukrainian Temple)

Happy 4th!  

We had a great week of it!  We taught our English class all about American history and sang God Bless America and the National Anthem.  Sister Robinson and I definitely thought it was interesting!  

Then we had a party on Saturday.  We had a few disappointments, but overall it was a big success!  Especially the Apple pies Elder Rayburn made!  We also made some cmachno choc. chip cookies!  It was fun, and we sang for the members.  We reminded them of the significance of the revolution and the restoration.  They were all really grateful!  Just think about it.  This is God's work.  He directs it.  He even creates new countries to establish and lay the foundation of his work.  That is why we celebrated with them!  

Well, it was an interesting week!

We have two branches here in L'viv.  They are great!  We have some really supportive members whom I already love so much.  I love being united and serving them!   I want to do more!  On Friday we are doing sister exchanges with the members.  We alternate between the branches.  It has been really fun!  Last Friday, I went with the branch President's wife.  It was an unforgettable experience!  She is a character and absolutely beautiful!  Well, I'll just say, I learned a lot about myself and a lot about her!  

The next day at our celebration of Independance, she just made me laugh with her competitive spirit.  We played red-rover...until she ran across and flew back as if launched from a sling shot as she attempted to break the bond between her husband (the Branch Pres.) and Elder Rayburn.  She didn't fall...her husband caught her...how?  I cannot explain.  So, then we switched to duck duck goose - katchka katchka hydza!  That was the most hilarious moment of my mission.  We have some films that hopefully caught the insanity!

Well, on Wednesday we ate our first watermelon!  We were having a book stand, and I wasn't to thrilled.  People were not being very nice to me.  So, our Branch Mission Leader went to buy us some treats!  I was so thankful!  He bought us each a lovely peach, and then we split a small watermelon!  LOVE LIFE!

Our other branch president is just as wonderful.  He is a busy man, and he has lots of energy!  His wife and baby are even more wonderful!  He works about 4 different jobs and even drives to Poland and back w/o sleep!  He always worries about us and makes sure to find us the best deals on fresh fruit in the city!  Thanks to him we've had some of the best strawberries and cherries of the summer!  Wow, it is summer!  CRAZY!

The weather changes as often as I crave ice cream. :) (However, I am learning to be temperate, unlike the weather!)  It makes life interesting that is for sure.  I now cordinate to my umbrella when I get dressed in the morning.  It can shower, storm, drizzle, and burn an innocent missionary on the walk to the apartment all in one day.

Today we are going to go as a district to a beautiful park in the center of the city and eat some nice bread and maybe write a letter to you!

I appreciate your thoughts and your love!  I love you very much!

never has a missionary had more support than I have!  

I wish I could share with you everything!  But, time does not allow it!

So, take all the love you can but know that I'm sharing it with all of the Ukrainians in L'viv!

I love you!

Love,

Sister Murphy