Letter to the Thompsons: Oct 19

Hello Grandma and Grandpa,

You are so wonderful!  Thanks for your examples of service and kindness and generosity!  I love you!  I look forward to your e-mails just as much as you do!

Yes, winter is coming.  But, the Lord has promised us to not worry about the food you should eat or the clothes that you wear.  Therefore I will trust in the Lord and be warm!

I don't think we've had frost and certainly not snow.  But, I know I will have to learn to love freezing!  Today I will pick up my coat.  I wanted it to be smaller, so I wouldn't look like a walking balloon.  It should be warm!  I'm excited.  We are also going to buy boots, a hat, and gloves today.  Then I think my companion and I will be ready for winter!  Yay for being warm!

Congratulations to Buddy!  How exciting for their whole family!  That's an amazing family.  Say goodbye to the Foxes and wish them the best!  What kind of mission are they serving again?

Well, thank you for keeping up with Gary and Betty.  They are practically family right!

Whoa...that's one expensive package.  Don't go crazy.  I'm doing great here!  I might just need to tell Sandra to make sure I have money on my debit card, so I can buy boots and other things.  I don't know how expensive they will be.  Elizabeth Edwards is a beautiful lady!  Make sure you tell her I love her!

I am doing absolutely great.  I love my new area.  I love my new companion.  She is teaching me a lot about enjoying life!   We are learning together how to be better teachers and effective missionaries.

The branches here are small. Which means we have a lot of work to do and many miracles.  Friday night we talked with a girl after English.  We have many amazing people we find through English.  The majority of the converts here are found through English.  She is a university student and lives in Kyiv.  But, she loves to hang out with us on the weekends.  We sang hymns after English and started with Joseph Smith’s First Prayer.  In between hymns we shared the restoration!  She doesn't like religion.  She doesn't understand.  She is confused.  So, it wasn't easy.  Friday she really didn't want to know more.  But, she loves the peace she feels with us.  She promised to come to an activity on Saturday.  However, she was too busy.  Fortunately, all day Sunday we have activities!  I copied a few poems for her and we called to invite her to church.  She came!  It was great.  During this time, she had talked to her step-mother about the church.  Her step-mom wants to read the book of Mormon.  On Sunday, Galina (our recent convert) received the gift of the Holy Ghost.  This really confused Yana (our wonderful English student).  She had a lot of questions and wants to learn more about it.  I'm excited to have the opportunity to explain to her about the marvelous news of the Gospel.  How God loves her and doesn't want her to be confused, and that His plan is simple.

Many more miracles!  Another one of God's children was brought to church by her sister-in-law.  She is elect!  We are excited to meet with her further this week and lead her to Christ and help her increase her faith in Him and His atonement! Her name is Maria or Masha for short.

We also are working with two families that just happen to live in the same apartment!  We consider that to be another miracle!  Well, I love you.

I am incredibly happy!  I am serving the Lord and I am so thankful for this opportunity!  I love you.  I am thankful for you!  You have done so much for me!

I hope you are smiling every day!  I hope you are happy!

Keep praying for miracles here!  Thanks for your thoughts!

We have some high goals and will have to be worthy of many miracles to achieve them!  But, I have faith.  I trust in the Lord and I want to do everything I can to help these people here understand that the restoration did happen, that there is a prophet on the Earth, that Christ is our Savior and He loves us, that God is our Heavenly Father and He wants to help us.

This morning I studied about our purpose in life.

How do we know if we are successful in this life?  We return to the presence of God.  So, what do we need to be successful?  We need to do the things that will allow us to return to God's presence.  That means we need to have faith.  We need to repent.  We need to get baptized and receive all other ordinances we can to help us.  We need to endure to the end.  So: We need to be obedient.

Well, that's all the time I have.

In the midst of our many errands we have invited some investigators to take the missionaries ice-skating!  Could be fun or embarrassing!

But...

You are the best

Love,

 

Sister Murphy

Letter to the Taylors: Oct 19

 

 Hello Sandra & Will,

You two are awesome!  I'm super thankful for you.

I am doing great!!  Well, I'm doing my best...trying to stay positive and enjoy everything including the awful moments.  And, I'm happy so I must be succeeding!

So, this is my probably 15th week here!  I love it.  It's beautiful.  The food is great.  The people are unique and sincere, and the church is growing!

Everything is rolling in Bila Tserkva!  Sister Nakashawn and I are planning for an excellent week involving work, faith, and miracles!  It's exciting to have goals and a plan and then trust in the Lord that if we apply our faith in Him and work hard amazing things can happen.  I really enjoy serving with Sister Nakashawn.  The branches here love her, so it's a great opportunity for me to see how she has earned their respect and trust.  And this area has so much potential for growth. We have been blessed to find some amazing people this transfer!

Therefore this week we will strive to be worthy to help these amazing people understand the wonderful miracle of the restoration of the gospel.

I love missionary work!

It's really strange; your messages always coincide with something I studied.  For example, I studied this weekend Alma chapter 7 (that's where I am in my Ukrainian Book of Mormon) I think it's about verse 11, 12, or 13 where it starts talking about the Atonement.  It's Alma on his 2nd transfer ( or 2nd area) of his mission (Like me)! and he talks beautiful of the need for an Atonement.  Well, in probably verse 15, 16, or 17 he says that even with our weaknesses that do easily beset us, I have many of those too; like food and just silly little habits that are not good for my spiritual development, we can overcome them through His divine help!  Awesome! I have been trying ever since then to tackle my weaknesses and let my spirit be strengthened, so my spiritual senses can grow to handle my physical nature.

Well, I just thought that was neat when I read your e-mail!!

So, thanks.  I am happy; I got a good computer with an incredibly awesome keyboard.  I can type like lightening, except the enter key is forever away!

Love you

Email to her Sister

Hello Sandra and Will,

How is life?  It sounds fantastic to be you right now!  Not that I would ever trade with anyone.  But, I'm glad your lives are the way they are.  You are trying to be obedient and you have the gospel!

I'm excited for what ever is next in your life.  I know that the Lord will provide for you - the next exciting opportunity.  Just look for it!

Oh, Glen!!  The crazy guy!  Good for him and I'm glad you had fun and served and were wonderful again!

I wish I could have seen your wedding.  Tell me about it.  What advice did you receive?   Sho she?  What kind of doctrine did you learn at this wedding, not that I need to know, but did you write it down so I can learn it later when I need it?

I really liked your e-mail, especially the FHE Part.  Thanks for sharing with me!  I wrote it down.  I'm going to apply it this week!

This morning during study I was amazed by the broadness of the gospel and yet, how simple the gospel is.  My first zone conference we talked about doing what matters, and ever since then we've been adding to it.

I found an awesome talk in an old ensign:  It's by Brad Wilcox called Getting Over feeling underappreciated.  It’s pretty awesome.   Look it up.  I only had two pages, the others must have had some pretty pictures on it.  It really helped me to learn to love more and be excited about being a missionary and more about being a member of the church.  Of course I am, but I don't always show it!  So, repent and change!  I also read an awesome talk this morning by Elder Bednar about discernment.  I'm going to work on loving people and seeing them as Christ would and discerning their goodness and even my  own goodness!  Isn't it crazy that both of us learned a little bit about love this week!

I finally realized that it's not just about doing what's good but what is important.

This week we were busy; we had a lot of good lessons and good plans.  But, in our efforts to plan, I felt that we were not quite as focused on baptisms, as we should have been. 

I learned that what I need to be focusing on in my own self is greater love and patience to wait on the Spirit in order to discern more the needs of the people I meet and how to help them want the gospel.

It's funny the circle of gospel understanding.  Everything is always connected back to a lesson learned previously.

So, Now I think I can connect the lessons learned about doing what matters, finding, and planning and align them with our goals of baptizing! 

Well, where is your Ukrainian friend from?  Who does he know that lives here in Bila Tserkva?

There is a girl coming out there who isn't a member of the church.  Crazy huh?  She met missionaries through English classes and I guess decided to study at BYU-I.

I can always use advice for teaching, finding, being better, learning, knowledge, etc.  What do you have? What does your husband have?  What do others have?

Thanks for your advice.  But sometimes I take things to seriously.  I am having more fun with my new companion though!  Well, we did have one struggle because we didn't understand each other and she handles things differently.  I got a little offended, so after we talked about it, we prayed and figured out what to do!

I am trying to love.  I love that I know that we are all God's children.  He loves them all and I just need to look for their good!

The language is tough.  But, I'm going to improve, I'm not afraid to just through words out.  I know I cannot get better if I don't try.  So, I'm trying and people are trying to understand me!  What was Will's experience like?  Does he have any language advice?

I love you both.  It's time to prepare for winter and prepare for the week.

You are the best.  I wish I could call you on Sundays after church like we used to do but for now it will be a weekly e-mail!

Have the best week

Love,

Sister Murphy

Email to her Grandparents

Hello Grandpa & Grandma!  

 

I have so much I want to say to you!

Thanks for your e-mail; it made me smile!  I'm so happy that you are enjoying life!  I know you are because you two are just so enjoyable!

I'm am super glad you received my package!  How was everything?  Chiggers STILL?  It's October?  That's crazy!

What an awesome temple trip!  Congratulations.  Sounds like it was an adventure!

Well, it's been another week.  Crazy how they fly by!  I know you are busy and I hope you always have something to do!  How are the crossword puzzles grandpa?  One day I want to finish ONE!  Grandma how are your pears?  Did you make any salsa this year?  So, almost a year left.  Wow, they go fast.

Well, now for my answers!

I do like my new area.  It is a small area - we have two branches that are very young (almost 10 years).  So, the church has only been here for 10 years.  There are a 140 members and still about 50% activity.  That means there are about 35 people in each branch.  We had a baptism Saturday!  I'll send some pictures to Sandra so she can put them up.  The people here are very simple.  Most of them have their own gardens with tomatoes and cabbages.  They are friendlier here and easier to approach - (as long as I'm smiling and happy)

Fruit trees are everywhere.  It's great, except that the trees are all going to sleep!

Today is a great day.  It’s about 50 degrees.  I'm going to alter my coat and look for boots to prepare for winter!

We are about an hour from the temple, my first area and the mission office (all the same place).  Everything has changed.  I was super spoiled in my first area.   We had a family ward next to the temple and the mission office (which has all of the supplies we could need including our letters and packages!).  We also had a beautiful remodeled apartment!

But, I wouldn't change anything about my new area.    Well, I would change our toilet seat, but that's minuscule don't you think?

 

I do have the best mission!  I love it!

This week I am going to try to love more.  Listen more and follow the example of Christ.

We watched conference this weekend!  It was great!  Saturday we didn't have translator sets so we watched it in Ukrainian with our ward.  Although I didn't understand everything, I knew and felt again that these men whose words were being translated into other languages were Prophets and Apostles of God!  I know their messages are important for the entire earth.  I felt proud to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  And proud that we are the only true church on the Earth today because we have the fullness of the gospel, which includes the Priesthood that enables us to have a Prophet of God.

Incredible!

My new companion is Armenian.  I love that I have been able to serve with such diversity.  She is beautiful!   I'm also thankful for the extra opportunity to understand a 3rd language.  (I'm not trying to speak Russian though; I still have to learn Ukrainian!  She speaks 50% in English.  I'm also trying to help her speak more English!)

I really feel that understanding my companion who speaks in a language that is (pardon the pun) "foreign to me" has been a blessing from the Lord. She is a joy to serve with, because she is happy!

So, we have some high goals and a great area to serve in.  Our members want to help us and we want to do our best to help them and build this area and improve the lives of those who live here.  We are finding.

We have English classes here and there are some amazing people we've found through them.  It's something I've never had the privilege to experience, because I've been a member of the church my whole life (thanks to you!).  But, they come to our class and say they love being here!  One girl I talked with on Friday - Yana - said that she wanted to stay!  So she did.  She stayed until 8:30 until after we finished cleaning the baptismal font, swept the floors and stacked the chairs.

Oh, so Galina got baptized on Saturday in between conference sessions!  It was a fantastic day.  Of course she was nervous.  But, she said she knew that the church was true and she was excited to get baptized.  She is in her late 40s and is a beautiful elegant lady.  I think she was a model for a few years.  She has a son we are going to meet with tonight and introduce him to the elders.  He came to her baptism and part of conference and said it was peaceful!

I love you both!  I'm excited for your lives and the people around you!  Send them all my love if you think of it!  Tell Jacob good luck.

Tell Joyce and Kevin to behave and have a happy week!  They are awesome!

How is Jina doing?  What is she doing?

I love you all!

Have a great week!

Sister Murphy

Hello Family!

Hello again on this beautiful Monday morning.

Happy Birthday again Grandma!   You probably know now that the "parcel" is from me!  YAY!!  Well, I hope it is and that you received the "parcel" I sent.

So, here we drink a lot of tea, and you might as well get started because when I get home that is something I probably will crave!  I'm sure there are some nice fruit/herb teas there.  I was always cautious to drink tea because I never knew which one was harmful to our bodies, but I've heard now that it is just red and black tea or maybe it's black and green.  Hmm…The colors red and black in Ukrainian sound just a like so, I'm always confused.  

Anyways, there is this weird food I sent home that is actually very tasty.  We enjoyed it one night with a cup of blueberry tea—hot chocolate might be just as good!

Another temple in Italy!  That's awesome!    Arkansas will come.  We have to build up Zion first.  We need to activate and prepare for the temple and then baptize!!

Tell the Williamsons hi and I hope you enjoy their company tonight.  

I think we had one day in the forties; it's getting cold.  It's almost Winter.  I was given a coat by one of the senior missionary couples who left at the end of August.  However, it's just a little too big.  So we are going to find someone who can hem it up just a little bit for me.  I think it will be difficult, but I don't really want to buy a coat, so maybe I'll just layer up and deal with it.

My suspicions were right!  I am now in Bila Tserkva.  I live in a little house.  It’s cute. Well, it's home.  Our land lord invited us to try her tomatoes and apples!  I'm excited about that.  The heat will be turned on this week!  I'm also very excited about that!  We've been using our gas stove and turning it on in the morning.  Fun times!  My companion is Armenian, which means she is very beautiful! . She is very nice. She speaks Armenian and I guess they learn Russian sometime in school or something.  She understands probably a majority of Ukrainian because, well, she's serving in Ukraine.  She also understands English, I think.  But, she speaks to me in Russian, so I'm learning to understand Russian. Hooray for opportunities.

It will be a challenge to communicate.  We have some high goals, but we want to be obedient and have the dedication to work.  I'm excited about this transfer.  IT STARTED THIS MORNING!  So, here we go.  I have an extremely happy companion.  VERY POSITIVE and that is what we are--very positive that we are going to find people to teach!  Pour your hearts out in prayer for us this week.  I love you!

Bila Tserkva is south of Kiev.  I don't know how to describe it.  It's smaller for sure.  We work with two small branches.  Many of the priesthood holders have been in jail. (I think they were in the Russian mob or something).  We also have 2 companionships of elders (2 elders in each branch = 4).  It's going to be a great transfer.  They are fun elders!  Today I think we are going to go bowling!  We'll see if we have time.

I know there are so many people here who need the gospel.  I want to share it with them.  I want them to find the true and simple path to our Savior.

We have a baptism on Saturday!  She is a beautiful lady!  Her name is Halina.  She is super excited about the gospel.  We are also working with another couple.  They come from a very humble background - it's been easy for them to accept the gospel, just difficult for them to understand.

It was hard to leave Borshahivsky.  It's a beautiful family ward, we had a beautiful apartment, and we walked by the temple every other day.  We had amazing people we were teaching...

Marina is having difficulties.  Her husband doesn't trust her.  Her son was sick and she had to miss church and other things.  We asked her if she would like him to receive a blessing.  On Monday we brought the Elders and had a nice visit until she received a text message from her husband.  He left a web camera so he could hear what would happen.  Well, we still believe in miracles.  So, we are praying to continue meeting with her and that her husband will also open his heart.  We met her on a Marshutka (bus).

Valentina is a super woman.  Her baptism is scheduled in 2 weeks.  She came with us to a very fun Ukrainian wedding reception!  She comes to church every Sunday.  We met her on the street!

We also taught English to two other wonderful ladies, Vika and Lana, but they wanted to learn more about the gospel right a way.  Lana is darling.  She is going to do a Ukrainian TV show about dieting.  Her husband left her because she wasn't as skinny as most tiny Ukrainians.  She is beautiful.

I hope they will both continue in the gospel and that I will see them again soon maybe at their baptisms!

We have a lot of work to do!

I never got to tell you about the crazy wedding we had.  Or other amazing stories...

Here is one.  We were on the way home from an appointment and there was this beautiful older woman who got on the bus.  She had two huge baskets.  She was coming from the cello (village where people have gardens and small homes).  She had baskets of fruit and flowers.  I told her how beautiful they were.  She held them up so I could smell them.  Lovely!  She didn't know what kind of flowers they were.  I told her they were marigolds in English, but they were HUGE!  My companion asked her about her family.  She is taking care of her parents—they are really old.  I gave her a calendar with the picture of Ukrainians beautiful temple.

Then, she dug in her basket and pulled out two of the biggest pears I have ever seen and said HERE!  She was the nicest lady I've ever met on a bus!

I absolutely love being a missionary.  It's such an amazing opportunity to build up Zion.  I am thankful that I don't have to do it alone.  Zone Conference was amazing.  I learned so much about missionary work and how to be an effective missionary.  This week Sister Nakashawn and I set some high goals and we are going to try to work to "punish our feet for supporting us" and incorporate what we can into our service this week.

I am thankful for every opportunity I have and I hope to grow and learn and always find ways to improve.  I'm excited to be in Bila Tserkva.  Yesterday, I saw two wonderful branches that can grow.  Today I saw many people who probably have no idea how much their Father in Heaven loves them.

I'm excited to find!  Even now, I'd much rather go out and see who wants to come to our baptism on Saturday than write e-mails.  I hope you have a great day!

One other thing: I don't want to be so boring.  What can I do to be more excited; besides learning the language...I'm still working on that.   I want to be happy (well I am happy) but I want to make others happy and when people are wrong, I want them to know I love them and that they change.

I love you! 

I hope you have a wonderful week.  Thanks for everything!  You two are the best!  Enjoy your yummy meals and your cute puppies!

Well, that is Chac. 

Love,

Sister Murphy

Getting ready for her first transfer in Ukraine!

Grandma and Grandpa,

Here are my questions and my answers to you!!  :) 

It is warm today.  I will have to buy a coat and some gloves soon though, Somedays the weather cools down.  But, I've been doing great!  I haven't been transfered yet.  You'll know about that.  (b/c...soon!)

I'll explain how it works if Sandra and Will haven't.  Each missionary is assigned an area and a companion for 6 weeks (everywhere in the world). So your guaranteed to see the same missionary in your town for 6 weeks.  5 weeks ago we got a call saying we were staying together in the same area even though we both had been there 6 weeks.  (They decided not to transfer us! YAY).  Normally, one missionary is transferred at a time so that someone is left with experience in the area, so someone knows who the members are and how to get to places.  They can also introduce him/her to the people they are working with and whatever useful information.  So, I've been in Kiev for almost 12 weeks (that means at the end of this week it's transfer time for our entire mission).  The mission is divided up into zones and from zones into districts and from districts into companionships.  At the beginning of each tranfer we set zone goals for the transfer, district goals to help us meet them and companion goals.  We have Zone conferences once every transfer.  My zone conference will be on Friday.  It is an inspiring event where President Steinegal and our missionary leadership teach us how we can be better and do the work better.  They introduce new principles to try in our work or tell us things we should change.  So far they are amazing!  We have district meetings once a week.
During each transfer (each 6 weeks) we have the opportunity to participate in exchanges.  Missionaries will switch companions for a few days to learn from other missionaries.  It's rare with sisters but our mission just went crazy with exchanges and I participated in 3!  So, I've served with half the sisters in the mission and half of the Ukrainian sister areas!  (My area is the best but I will leave soon.  But, I will work hard to make each area spectacular!)

I serve in the borshahivsky ward, right next to the temple site!  It's the best and it's beautiful! The mission office is also located in our chapel.  So, whatever we need we can get really easily! I have an amazing companion (who will soon train a new missionary again, and I will have to leave.)
Remember she is Ukrainian but has lived in Italy for the last 5 years.  She has taught me a lot about missionary work, having fun, cooking, and whatever else a senior companion is supposed to teach you.
I served one week in L'viv (remember my second week here)-- another paradise in the mission.  I hope one day I will go back!  They have two fabulous branches!

I went on an exchange to western Kyiv in (I think this is right) Harkivsky.  I was only there for 3 days, so I didn't get to meet many members.  If I serve there soon, I'm going to have to do some major deep cleaning on our first preparation day.

Then, 2 weeks ago I was on an exchange in Bila Tserkva, remember I had an Armenian companion who spoke
Armeanian, Russian, and about 50% English (Sister Nakashyawn).  It's a beautiful area.  We lived in the middle of our neighbor's (who is also our landlord) garden.  She also has an enormous apple tree!
(How do you make apple pie?)
I was there for 4-5 days and gave out 2 baptismal dates and met a few of the members.  I wasn't there for church though.

That's the story of what's been going on.  Does it make sense?

Now, in comments to your e-mail.  Introduce yourself to the elder.  PLEASE...for my sake.  You have no idea what it's like to be in a new area, having so much you need to know and so much you need to do, and know idea how to do it.  Give him some of your expert advice, tell him you want to support him.

So, in regards to a Christmas package, I hope you don't go crazy - I'll have to carry it all the way back to my apartment!

No, we don't get a lot of invites from members.  Things are just a little bit different out here.  People are poor (the exchange rate is 9:1 in our favor).  But, they are very hospitable.  We never know if we will be fed when we have an appointment.
I've been eating well.  I made us omletes yesterday for breakfast!

 Why did they close the temple in Germany?

Well, I'm sitting at a computer with a horrible space bar.  I have to really punch it down in between every word.  AWFUL...it's really trying my patience!

We will watch conference I suppose at the end of October.  It's kind of sad that I have to wait a few more weeks, but it will be amazing none the less!
The only broadcasts we attend are general conference and even for stake conferences only the Sunday sessions.   Missionary Work is very important, and I'm learning what a horrible member missionary I was before my mission.  Every day I repent and promise that I will take what I've learned and do my part as a member of the Church who has been blessed with a testimony of the Gospel and knowledge about the restoration of the fulness!

I cannot wait to hear about new temples too!  And everything inspiring that comes through the mouths of living Prophets and apostles!

So, guess what: I am getting transfered this week!  I leave on Thursday for my new area!  I am about 90% positive that I'm 80% on where I will go.  The office elders serve in my ward and they gave me two hints  (I swear I didn't ask for them and they weren't trying to tell me either):

First Elder Rayburn said in remark to something Russian I said to him that I should get used to it as I'll soon be speaking "Sergic" (the name for the Ukrainian + Russian "PIGEON" - (blending of two or more languages like Spanish and French = Creole in Louisiana)  In other words Ukrainian + Russian = Sergic, expect they don't have new words.  They just speak One sentence in Ukrainian and one in Russian and if they forget a word in Ukrainian they will say the word in Russian.  Did I tell you that every single Ukrainian speaks Russian and Ukrainian?  So, I'm trying to learn Ukrainian but Russian is thrust upon me.  I'm excited.  What other mission in the world do you have the opportunity to learn two languages?   Not that it doesn't happen here:  Sacrament Yesterday - Elder Miller spoke Russian, I spoke Ukrainian, the children sang in Ukrainian, the next man spoke in Ukrainian, the closing speaker spoke in Russian, the opening Prayer: Ukrainian & Closing Prayer: Russian.  Sometimes the Sacrament Prayers are even divided!  Interesting, huh!

Second they said I would have to play piano in this ward...
It was my last Sunday along with Elder Miller, so we both spoke for a few minutes in sacrament meeting.  After my testimony the primary sang "I love to see the Temple" (in Ukrainian obviously) and I thought it was absolutley lovely.  I was surprised by the number of children our ward has.  Elder Miller said, "There are a lot of children where you are going too, and you'll have to play the piano."
Oh, Elder Miller is just jealous.  Bila Tserkva was his most beloved area.  He wants to return.  But, with 3 months left I think he'll serve wherever he is being transfered to until the end of his mission.  So, yes.  I am 80% sure I'm going to Bila Tserkva.

Hooray for new and exciting things!  That means I'll be living in the middle of a Ukrainian garden!!  I had a great exchange there a couple of weeks ago.  I'll let you know for sure next Monday.

It is sad to leave here. We have two wonderful women preparing for baptism in October, and of course people I will miss serving.  I love this ward & it's members.  Okay, well I have a lot to do to get ready for transfers, like pack and clean, and learn a langauge (Ukrainian)  I still have miles to go!

Well, I love you.

Thanks for everything!

I am so excited for your birthdays!  I love you both! 

You two are angels!

Love,

Sister Murphy!

Letter to her Grandparents

So, HAPPY ANNIVERSARY GRANDMA AND GRANDPA!!
How are you?  Did you kiss, hold hands?  Eat pie, cake, ice cream...everything?
Hello again!
Thanks for the update on your week.  Way to stay busy and active!  Oh, we don't eat fresh-water fish because they are caught in the Ukrainian water and there is bacteria that our American bodies are not used to.  So, we can eat fish and be sick for a couple of days, or we can just not eat fresh-water fish.  So, I eat salmon (something that is shipped from far away).

No, we don't have cars.  Every once in a while (maybe 3 times since I've been here) someone has given us a ride. We live in big cities...RIDICULOUSLY LARGE!  So, we crowd in already crowed marshrutkas like most every other Ukrainian.  We also take the metro or trolley buses.   A Marshrutka is pretty much like a public bus except here they are not public.  Every one has a route, so we have to know the main streets to know which "bus" to take.  Sometimes these "buses"  can be worse than a can of sardines.  I'm looking forward to more memories on the marshrutkas moving millions of people around the "Mictos" of Ukraine.  Oh, they are normally yellow!

Oh, this is interesting.  I met Elder Chapman at Zone Conference and then served with him and his district in Bila Tserkva last week.  He is from Springfield Mo. North Stake.  He is from Russia, but was adopted about 8 years ago. He has a very large family.  I don't remember exactly where he is from - somwhere close to Springfield.

Hmmm, so we had to move Marina's baptism.  Her son is sick, so she had to cancel all her plans (even work - which is also sad [poor]).  We still want her to come to church a few more times.

But, we invited another friend - Valentina to get baptised next month as well!  We are excited even if we are transfered!

So, Moroni arrived!  He's beautiful!  They still have to put on they "exoskeleton" of granite around some parts of the temple.  But, it's looking good.

I thought of more things you can send for Christmas...
POPCORN!!  I LOVE POPCORN, and it's expensive and hard to find here.  You can even just send the kernells if that's easier and I'll pop it on the stove!  Hmm, maybe mints...but not gum.

What do you think about pickled tomatoes?  I think you should try it.

And my mouth is watering from hearing about your pears.  I know those are good!

Well, I love you.  I hope you have a fantastic day and week.

How can you help the missionaries at home?  Ask them?  If you can't think of people to hear the lessons maybe you can meet the people they are teaching!

You are the great!

Love you,

Sister Murphy!

Ukrainian Weddings and other fun news

Hello Sandy & Will,

I'm glad I have two experienced and amazing people I can write to every week. So, I'm going to start with horrible favors.  Awful I know...

1^st I thought of something fun.  Google pictures of marshrutkas (маршрутка), crowed Ukrainian buses, for Grandma and Grandpa to see.  Oh, and maybe the temple so you can see the progress!

So here are the pics she requested.  These are all from the internet and supposedly are all from Kiev.  As you can see they cram a lot of people in them.  

(Editor's note: To read an article about the temple construction click HERE)

It looks amazing with the spire and Moroni.  Apparently customs did not want a spire of gold coming, so they had to change.  Wouldn't it be amazing to be an architecture that builds temples?  Yes.  It would.

How is the church in America?  How are the baptisms in Mountain Home?  In Russellville?

Tell Valerie I hope she’s doing well

Tell Sarah, AJ, and Amanda thanks for their letters!

Do you know the new mission address?  It's borshahivsky...or something like that in English.  (the mission office is actually were I serve)

Okay...

I would like some easy, practical but fun recipes and some amazing analogies to teach gospel principles.  Will how did you teach?  Share some of your geniusness with someone who needs it.  In fact, you can put this on the web site for suggestions and make it a fun activity.  You can ask everyone!  Your friends, etc.  How can I teach these people in simplicity and so they understand.  Diagrams I can use?  Mail them???  Whatever.  I love you!

Okay, new news.  Marina is going to have to wait.

Her child got sick.  Her husband doesn't approve, and she couldn't come to church on Sunday.  It's so sad.  I won't tell you everything because I want you to love all Ukrainian people as much as I do.  He just doesn't trust his wife.  He hid a web camera so he could see and hear us while we were there.  We asked the elders to come and give a blessing to their son and he got angry...

(That happened this morning.)

Today we went to see an "open-air" Ukrainian village museum.  It was nice.  We brought another lady with us.  We are teaching her English and the gospel.  She started to read the Book of Mormon.

So, this Saturday, no baptism, but their will be a wedding, my first Ukrainian wedding!  We went to help out ward members yesterday (it's quicker than yours.  They have one week to prepare, and it's going to be fun!)  I wish I could tell you all that they have planned.  She is a cute girl who just returned from Provo.  I guess her American boyfriend couldn't live without her.  He's coming here on Thursday to marry her!  (They have to do it civilly in Ukraine first.)

So, he's in for a big surprise.  Ukrainians are CRAZY FUN!  I'm totally going to have a Ukrainian reception!  They kidnap the bride, they do skits, they ask weird questions, they laugh, they eat, they sing. 

We've begun sister exchanges in the mission again.  It was interesting.  I served for 3 days Tues - Friday with Sister Ethington in Harkivsky two weeks ago.   (She is one transfer ahead of me.  We met in the MTC) Sister Ethington is learning Russian.  So, I heard 10x more Russian that week than I am used to!  Yay, I'm commencing my 3rd language.  I think I can probably offer a prayer in Russian!  (I'm not trying it yet)

It was rough.  I am so thankful for the experience I have gained from my companion - a very experienced and hard working missionary.  I had no idea how blessed I was, and HOW CLEAN my living quarters were!  Wow, it was fun though.  Their sinks didn't drain and their landlord left them a bunch of hmm...maybe a nicer word for junk would do...but, I cannot think of one. 

So, I came back and we got right to work again on Friday.  Busy weekend, busy Sabbath, and then we got a call a week ago.  We did exchanges again.  Except I was going  to Bila Sterkva (apparently it's paradise for Russian speaking missionaries).  I served with an Armenian companion, who only speaks Russian and Armenian!  YAY!  I got over the nervousness and was pretty excited.  Really! She is a very experienced missionary, so I did my best to communicate and learn from her!

It was nice, a beautiful area and people.  I learned a little bit of Armenian and a lot of Russian since she doesn't know Ukrainian.  We gave out two more baptismal dates!  Way fun!  Speaking of fun, the word in Ukrainian is Vescello and the word for wedding is Vescellya.  (see the connection - there is one!)

You have no idea how much having a vision of "finding" throughout the day has helped me.  I am excited to find more investigators.  I think it's reasonable to find someone every day of the week.  Why not?  We have almost 10 hours.  I love being challenged and I know I have a lot of improvement and work to do.  Everyday I am thankful for the people I serve and the area I serve in and my companion who has taught me so much.  But I want to be more effective in receiving referrals, inspiring members to be missionaries, and living and teaching by the power of the Spirit.

So, I'll try again this week!

With a better understanding on how to find!

This is an excerpt from a letter my mission president sent us:

"How vast, how broad, and how eternal are the things we’ve received, and which we offer to the world. The Book of Mormon is the book of greatest worth on the planet, and we give it away for free. The temple is the best built structure in the land, and people can enter without money and without price. What a testimony of God’s love for His children. "

Pres. Steinagel

Well, that's about all the time...we have an important lesson tonight.

I love you

Thanks for everything

I love popcorn...

We find out this weekend about transfers...

I know I can be better.  I have a lot of work to do.

Sister Murphy

Week 10:

Good Morning Family!

Happy Monday! Is it Monday? It's Monday here- Monday afternoon now! We have a busy day today.

Things are wonderful here. We have an amazing work to do here. The church is growing slowly here, but we are preparing to open the Kyiv temple in a year - which means lots of missionary work! Our goal is to double the baptisms! I'm super excited. I've only been out for 2 transfers but that is right when our mission started the goal. So far it's been miraculous - which is what happens when you do the work of the Lord! We have 2 weeks until our first baptism in this area! (We opened a new area for sisters - so we are very happy the Lord has blessed us to find this amazing woman!)

This week was different. Exchanges are interesting things! I learned quite a bit. But, I think most importantly, I learned how amazing my companion is! I am really thankful for the experiences I have had my first and second transfer and for the opportunity to serve with such an amazing missionary. And, she is a great cook!
This week also had its ups and downs. The highlight was re-reading chapter 4 in Second Nephi-maybe my favorite chapter. This time I read it - I realized that I don't need to "rejoice in sin." I think I was dwelling more on my weaknesses than on the opportunity to overcome them. So, I've committed myself to have a "rejoicing in righteousness" week as I try to do the right things.

I'm excited for this week and being more bold and finding more of the elect!

Funny news:

The Branch Pres. of Bila Tsterkva used to be in the mob. And he has a lot of his friends who were converted after him. Many who served jail time so they couldn’t get baptized!

Phew, the man with the really bad cologne just left. I can breathe now!!

I hope you have fun at the fair, and I hope you also tell people that there is a message they cannot find anywhere else about their relationship with God. He has given us this counsel to be prepared because he loves us! He loves us so He calls prophets to teach us. He loves us so He gives us scripture. He loves us so He reveals His gospel to us. Isn't it amazing that there are so many confused people out there and we are the only ones who have been blessed with the fullness? We are the only people who have the key to unlock the mysteries contained in the hearts of so many. Get lots of referrals for the missionaries. Tell people that they can learn about the teaching of our church. Tell them that we share this important message all over the world - even in Ukraine!!

So, I love you! I hope you are staying healthy. We are teaching 2 wonderful investigators. (We have more but these two are quickly progressing)
Marina is 26. She accepts most of the commitments we have given her. She loves to read the Book of Mormon and is excited to get baptized. Maybe you can pray for her husband in your prayers at home. Pray that we can meet with him and help him to soften his heart and develop this excitement his wife has for the gospel!

Natasha is probably 45-48. She is so much fun. We teach her English first. She is an active lady and is amazed that we are here as missionaries. She wants her son to be a missionary! After English we teach her the Gospel in Ukrainian. She prays at the end of our lessons and thanks God that we brought peace, light and joy in her life. She said she thinks about us before she does something and it helps her do right!!!

Our ward is amazing! The Angel Moroni will be added to the temple on Saturday at 2:00 pm. We are having a special presentation. I'm excited. We make American cookies, brownies, and banana bread at least once a week to share with our investigators and members who help us.

Oh, that's what I want some easy, good recipes. That would be easy to do. Maybe you can send me one with your next e-mail!

I'm getting your letters grandpa! Thanks for all the updates!

I love you both!

I haven't much time...and I still need to write to our Mission President!
I love you! I hope your smiles are bright and beautiful! Keep them polished!

Have a wonderful week!

I hope you are sleeping fine, and recovering from your crazy lives!

Love,

Sister Murphy

p.s. of course I'm waking up at 6:30. It's the getting into bed by 10:30 that's wearing me out. I try every day. I like to be an obedient missionary, a white handbook missionary, that means I sleep all the way until 6:30. No messing with these rules!

Okay, I was just trying to be pious. In most cases I'm up at 6:20.
My alarm clock broke...sad day...but thankfully it's routine enough. My body wants to live the laws too. My REM cycle is fully trained to pull out of deep sleep by 6 am and I'm "aware" until I finally just can't pretend to be asleep...and I worry that I'm late...so I get up to check the time, go potty, pray and make my bed. Then, I try to have a successful work out.

p.s.s. my pictures got deleted. I'm sorry!


YOU ARE THE BEST!

Week 9: Her adventures with restrooms

Dear Family,

 

There was a miracle that happened in Borshahivsky yesterday.  Ten of Heavenly Father's children found their way into His house of worship yesterday.  Amazing!  Four were brought by one wonderful lady who has the desire to share the gospel, two of which have been to sacrament previously.  We also had four investigators who joined us for their first time.  It was a beautiful sacrament meeting with beautiful testimonies of the restored gospel and our Savior Jesus Christ.  It was an exciting day!  Now, I hope to work hard and with the Spirit to see their understanding enlarge as they learn more about the love of our Heavenly Father and the Restoration of His church.

It's great to be a missionary!  I know I have lots of progress I can and NEED to make but, I am thankful for the potential and the opportunity to grow.  I know that I have potential to be like our Father in Heaven, and with each mistake I make or each time I fall short of perfection I can be encouraged (I love that word, and the word snuggled inside - courage - of which I need a lot more of!) by the love of our Savior.  I'm thankful that I can serve Him.  And with that, I know I can do better!

I need lots of help with fun things to do for all ages in teaching english.  It needs to be productive, so we actually help people and then we can get them interested in the gospel.  Do you have any  ideas?

Did I tell you there aren't public restrooms in Ukraine!  What an experience my first week here.
Also I love water.  Which generally means I have to go to the bathroom a lot.  (Like right now...)

My companions sister went to egypt this week with her husband.  We are looking at a few pictures.  They just did the resort stuff this trip (They saw the ruins a couple of years ago).
I want to take you to egypt!  After my mission...what do you say?  I bet your husband could find something to do!  I know you want to and I know you are thinking there is no way.  But, you just wait.

That's my dream.  Only for this hour on my prepartion day.  Every second after my dream is helping the amazing people here come closer to Christ.

YAY for the saving ordinances and principles of the Gospel!

Well, I will write another email later I have to find a restroom!

(She found a restroom and continued a few minutes later) :)

Oh, thank goodness!

I found one!  Well, I tried to explain to the lady and she was like what?  But, she showed me to the back room.  I was just like...I NEED TO GO TO THE TOILET!  She was fun.  And of course there a like 7 people waiting to use a computer!  What an adventure!  The nice lady who found me a toilet and who has a pretty skirt, let me get back on a computer that there is a line for!  She likes us!  She's going to get baptized, all because the crazy american had to pee!!!

So, basically, they have a porcelain square in the floor and you squat!  Rarely do you find toilet paper!  I've been in some nicer restrooms though!  And the worst, which is odd, was in an opera house!

Okay, now that I can breathe and think.

Can I tell you how much I love you?!? And how much I appreciate you!?!  

Our ward is a nice size.  It's one of the bigger ones in Ukraine.  Well, there is actually only one Stake in the entire Eastern Europe and it just happens to be in our mission.  There are probably only 4 wards...not sure yet.  We have the best though!  I love our nice little trip to church, and seeing the progress of the Temple - the House of the Lord.  Knowing that in some way, I can help prepare these people to enter.

So, September 1 in Ukraine is the first day of school.  It's a holiday here too!  It's so cute to see the kids dressed up for school (they were suits...even the little ones!)

 Grandma I hope you had fun at Relief Society and the fish was yummy.  I'm not supposed to eat fish.  Sad, but I can eat other things!
I love the mail you send me!  Thanks to grandpa and grandma I get a letter every week!  You two are the best!  I'm glad you are having lots of fun!  Have more!!  And in a year and a month or so we'll have a big party!

What do I want for christmas???  Not much, because I know it costs a lot to send stuff here.  I have everything I need here, so maybe some chocolate so I can compare the two!  What can I do for you? 

Oh, here is what I want: graham crackers, marshmallows, and chocolate!  I want to show Ukrainians what smores are!  Fun!!

Next week, I promise I'll send you pictures!  You are the best!

By the way more pictures please!

Tell AJ, thanks for his letter!  Congratulations on the amazing work in Russellville (they had 3 baptisms)

Also to the ward back home.  Grandpa said they had 3 baptisms as well!  WAY TO GO!  We are going to work that hard this week!

Pray for us & Pray for the people

Next week, I'll try to relieve my bladder before I write so I can send a few pictures!

I love you!

Have an interesting week and I'll read all about it next week.

Oh, I almost forgot.

Have you ever pickled tomatoes or mushrooms before?  Try it - they are yummy!  Small tomatoes (whole).  Let me know what you think about it next week!

Love you!

Sister Murphy!

Week 8: Merry Christmas! (Grandma says getting her emails are like Christmas presents so that's where she got the title from)

Wow,

Hello Grandma and Grandpa,

You eat out quite a bit!  I'm glad you are having fun!!  I have been eating well lately too!  By that I mean I eat lots of watermelon!  It's in season here and they are getting cheaper every week which means MORE WATERMELON!!!

Weird, we also talked about temple work in Church yesterday too!  (well I tried to understand...it was in Russian.)

May I suggest a very interesting chapter to read?  It's in Jeremiah 7:3-10.  It talks about how people think "ALL IS WELL IN ZION... we have a temple here."  In reality, they are not going to the temple or are going but for the wrong reasons.  The prophet Jeremiah is prophesing to the people of their wickedness and to repent.  He's also warning them that all is not well in Zion if they do not go to the temple.

I'm amazed at the people here.  Many of them are coming to the ward (at great distances) to research their genealogy.  It's so neat to see their Russian ancesteral trees on the  newfamilysearch.com  site.  They are super excited!  Have you been able to look at the website yet?  That should be your next adventure!  It gets complicated, but you two are the smartest people I know!

I'm glad you got my letter!!  Yay!  It took 2 weeks!  I wish I could send you more candy but, I thought you would at least like those!  I do too!  Congratulations to Jacob Maple on choosing to go on a mission! How exciting!  I wonder where he will go.  The more I'm out, the more I am getting excited about being a missionary.  But, in actuality I'm not very much different than I was before...(sad I know)

However, I do have a calling and authority to act in that calling.  I have rules I need to follow (that are wise and safe and help me to be a better missionary) but, I've learned that missionary work is not missionaries work.  It's the whole churches.  It's our responsibilty together.  The only difference is I am called - I am authorized to teach the gospel and prepare people for baptism.  The finding, testifying, and experiencing the amazing joy that comes with building the kindom of Zion on earth is for everyone!   Because I'm in Ukraine and don't know anyone, we often wander aimlesly among the thousands of people who live here.  It's a challenge to look into the faces of complete strangers and share with them a simple message that might interest them into salvation.  How much easier it is to touch the hearts of people I know and I can adapt the glorious message of the gospel to their needs.

So, I have come to the conclusion that missionary work is much easier for regular church members than it is for missionaries.  CRAZY!!  I know.  All you have to do is share the gospel with your friends, bring them and show them how amazing the gospel is and then assist the missionaries in their conversion.  If anything my mission has called me to repentance for not doing enough for the missionaries back home.  New missionaries (like my companion and I FOR MY FIRST area and assignment, we were both brand new to the area) have no idea where to go, who people are, who wants to help them, who they can serve, what they can do, who they can teach, sometimes they (I) might not know what to say.  I would think, that is a bit overwhelming (I CAN TESTIFY!!!  IT IS VERY OVERWHELMING!!)

So, I'll end that tangent for now.  But, I would (I'm learning this word in Ukrainian...so I'm using the english variant) EXHORT you (like Moroni says in chapter 10) to help your missionaries!!

Well, I got a little carried away!  But my companion and I have been contemplating on how we had no idea what our poor missionaries had to go through.

Is Sandra making stuff up on the blog?  Maybe it's the gift of twinship or something.  She knows everything.  I wrote her a funny story.  She should get a letter this week that you'll really like!!

Well, I love you!  I need to write to our Mission President!

I hope you have a fantastic day!

Love,  

Sister Murphy

(Letter to Sandra)

Hello again,

I just wanted to tell you that I am having much more fun and it's because I learned to not get frustrated!  My companion and I were not acting in unity.  

AND THEN,

I told her, and about 2 minutes into our conversation I realized that it doesn't matter if I say anthing at all in a lesson.  It doesn't matter what happens anywhere as long as the spirit was felt and someone's life was blessed.  I can simply  appreciate the miracle of being there!

So, we learned that I was frustrated because I didn't know what to say and when to say it.   She was frustrated because she didn't know where to go and when to go, and we were both trying to be too independent.  So, we have a new philosophy: WE ARE NOT GOING TO GET FRUSTRATED.   It's been better ever since.  SINCERELY!  We learned from the example of a missionary who has been serving a year and still has some horrible problems with the language.  He loves life and he isn't afraid to have fun.  He is fun!  And we both want to have fun too!

I'm sorry about your headaches...I think you are going through withdrawals, and they won't end until October of next year when I come home.  So, stop these phony treatments and write more to your sister the real source for your cure!
and eat a watermelon!
(not the whole thing...Will can probably eat half!)

I have been getting Will's letters, and they make me laugh.

Oh, what analogies can you give me for teaching simple gospel doctrine?

Think about it and as you think of one send it to me.  I'll be using them for a while so don't think this assignment expires!

I heard a good quote recently:  "Everyone already knows the gospel is true. They’ve just forgotten. Help them to remember. The Holy Ghost will do that. He will help them get through the amnesia and the deception."
 

We have an investigator - Her name is Marina and she knows the church is true!  She is getting baptized!


hahah quick thought...

I read a funny sentence in your letter: "church was ok today."

Well, church for 3 hours in SERGIC (1/2 russian & 1/2 ukrainian - which I still don't understand)  is always awesome.

It's also funny, because I'm a missionary people are afraid to meet with me because I'll make them do missionary work.  So, they walk away from me as I smile at them...

I hope this made you laugh and think.  Sure, maybe the talks weren't great, like yesterday I didn't understand why we were talking about her neighbors dead dog for 5 minutes but, I took the Sacrament and I renewed my covenants.  If everything else was horrible it was worth it!  

Oh, the other funny thing in combined rs and priesthood yesterday, the first half was on temple attendance and then the bishop addressed some things in russian, (my companion filled me in later..)

One funny thing he said: DON'T read from the ensigns during your talks!  We laughed about it.

Oh, dear,

and so...it's been a week!!

Keep me informed!

I have to buy a new watch!

Thanks for all you do.

Thanks for being so special.

Thanks for being you!

And thanks for your righteousness and example!

I love you!!

Love,

Cectpa murphy!

Week 7

Subject: Miracles - chodo!!!

Do you know the children's "Primary" song they sing to all of their visitor's who come to church on Sunday?  It's called the "Hello Song" (I think).  Usually it ends up in a competition between the boys and the girls on who can sing (or scream) "Hello" the loudest.  Well, I'm singing it to you today...this Monday afternoon in Kiev!

Hello family!

So, first (because it's today) cause to rejoice.  Today is Independence day!  My companion and I have a lot to do though so we will miss the parade in the center of town.  We've heard from most Ukrainians that it's a tourist trap anyway.  They celebrate tonight with lots of fireworks (we heard a lot on Saturday night too).  I think this country is still uniting and trying to find some pride.  They can do it!!  It's beautiful!

Secondly, you can rejoice with me.  We are preparing Marina for baptism!  She is a beautiful lady - 28 years old.  She has an adorable 4-5 year old boy, and a really awesome husband.  However, her husband is a little hardened against religion.  (They don't call it agnostic but I think it's safe to say that's what he is.)  We haven't met with him yet and of course he doesn't like that His wife meets with us.  They are a beautiful family though.  His brother was baptized into a church years ago and never wanted to see their family again.  So, he is probably afraid of loosing his relationship with his wife.  We have a plan though!  For sure the only thing we want is for their family to be stronger.

We are working with Natasha too!  She's awesome - we are kindred spirits!  She just got back from hiking in the Carpathians!  This week we will help her prepare for Baptism too!  She has a 20 year old son and she works all the time to provide for them!  He is going on a 10 day kayaking trip this week!  How fun!

Well, 6 weeks are over.  Crazy.  Now, we evaluate our goals and set new ones.  In 6 weeks 23 people added to the truth they already had about life and found the fullness!  The truth of the fullness of the gospel!   I am thankful for the knowledge of our Savior and of the Gospel.  How wonderful it is.  How simple it is and yet there are so many who are afraid to discover it.

I want to do all I can to be better - a better teacher, a better missionary - so that I can be a better example and lead others to Christ.

Saturday we had a fun service activity!  We served a beautiful family who live out in the country.  Homes here need a lot of work.  This family spent a few years studying in America (BYU-I!!!) and I think they are trying to Americanize their home!  We varnished a beautiful fence while other members mowed and digged and cut and well I really have no idea what was going on around me.

We've had a watermelon a week this month!!  It's been lovely!!  My companion can even beat the elders in a seed spitting contest.  (Except Elder Rayburn.  We just don't let him compete.  He has to be some reigning champion in Kentuky.)

Oh, Elder Rayburn, Have I told you about him yet?  He has been a member of the church for 2 years.  He was studying cello (music) when his cello professor somehow introduced him to the church!  His professor baptized him and one year later he decided to postpone the 2 years left he had of college to serve a mission.  We serve with him and Elder Miller in Borshahivsky.  Elder Miller is from Las Vegas and he learned Russian.  

Oh, I meant to tell you.  I got grandpa's letter  last week.  It was wonderful!!!  Thanks grandpa and grandma for your wonderful examples!  I love you.  Thanks for always working and never relaxing.  This week was a tough one, but only because Satan is trying really hard to discourage us and keep us from blessing the lives of God's children and bringing them to Christ.


Hmm, what do I need!  Well, I am thankful for all I have!  I want more pictures but, I can still serve without them!  I love you lots.