Transfer 4

Wow. <3

I feel like that is enough for me to write this week, because it is exactly how I feel right now. But I should probably fill you in on what's going on in my wonderful, beautiful, life. Oh man, where to even begin? This week was probably one of my favorites I've ever had my whole mission (Okay so maybe every week is my favorite, but really SERIOUSLY this week was awesome).

Sister Allred, Sister Grandy and I had a few last YOSO moments together as our tripanionship and although we will miss having her around all the time she doesn't live too far away and we will see her plenty of times a week because we share the same church building and we will do English club together so it was a relief to not really say goodbye, only like "See you in a few hours!" haha, but it will be weird. I always feel like singing "Just the two of us" with Sister Grandy. But it is nice to only worry about our area and our investigators now, we get to put all of our focus on them and it's awesome.

"Мы 3" means "We 3" perfect for our trio! :)

So like I said in my email last week I'm still in Харьковский and I am so happy! I had the feeling that I was getting transferred for the last few weeks and I was so uneasy about it. I was not ready to leave, so many things are starting here and I was just praying and praying that Heavenly Father would give me at least one more transfer here, and Yay! My prayers were answered! And I am so excited to be with Sister Grandy again, honestly I feel like she is training me. She blows me away everyday with all that she knows and her testimony is on fire! Oh I love learning from her. I can't think of a better way to start out a transfer than the way that we did.

On Thursday morning when everyone else was changing companions, changing areas, changing houses and what not, Sister Grandy and I headed up to the temple. We've been saving precious P-day hours to have this opportunity and after doing so I said I would give up all of my P-days just so I could go to the temple every week, oh if only it were that easy! As we were heading to the temple I kept thinking of people all around the world who have to give up so much more than just "hours of their p-day time" to go to the house of the Lord.  I had not been to the temple in 4 months, and I thought of how I would be willing to give up everything I own just to go there, to be inside, and feel the spirit with no other distraction or worry or any care in the world. When people ask me what I miss back home, I say my temple, and the opportunity I had to go everyday. I wish I would have gone more when I could have, use the wonderful privilege you have to go the temple! Go as often as you can! Please for me! As soon as we got on the temple grounds I started crying. I walked through the door and it took my breath away. Never had that phrase been so real to me. Really the Kyiv, Ukraine temple is the prettiest building I have ever been in. Unreal. Doing the special ordinances in the temple in Russian was so cool. Wow. I love that place. I wish I could go back whenever I wanted. But, you know, doing missionary work is really great too, so it's okay. :) The temple was such a blessing, and it really helped us set the mood for our next transfer together.

temple <3

Then Thursday night I had a real treat... sleepover with my besties!!! Yeah that's right! Sister Hunt and Sister Ford came and had a sleepover with me! They've been serving in Odessa and they're training this transfer so they had to stay the night in Kyiv, I was so excited when I got the phone call asking if they could stay. We even had a few hours together the next day to do some missionary work together, it was so awesome. It was just like the MTC all over again. It was so good to be with them and catch up and see how much all of us have grown and what not. It was hard to say goodbye to them again, but one day our dream will come true and we'll serve in a trio!

Наташа got baptized on Saturday and that was such a special experience. The spirit felt there was so strong, and she was glowing the whole day! She had been waiting for that day for so long. And to be there and experience it with her was a complete blessing. I thought by being one of her missionaries I would teach her, I would help her come closer to Christ, I would help her testimony grow, but in all reality she did all of that for me. Her baptism was so incredible. So many of her friends and family were there to support her. Before the baptism ceremony ends we usually have a testimony meeting for those who came to have the opportunity to bear their testimonies. I loved it because so many people congratulated her and let her know what a good decision she has made, but they all encouraged her to continue on. Like, she chose to get baptized and that was awesome but, it's not the end. Now she has the temple to look forward to, and in one year she and her sweet Mиша are planning to go to the temple so that they can be sealed together for time and all eternity. The very last person to bear their testimony was Наташа herself. As she was standing at the pulpit you could just see her glowing, and you could just feel Heavenly Father letting her know how proud He was of His daughter and her decision to do everything she can to return to Him. I just kept thinking of how I want everyone I talk with here to make the same decision that she did and feel the same joy that she now feels. Don't I have the best job?

We have been meeting with Настия about every other day, and I think about her all the time! She is the smartest 15 year old I have ever met. Meeting with her is always so fun for me because she asks the best questions and she just really wants to do what is best for her. She is so sweet and often talks to us about how she desires to help all of these people many of whom she doesn't even know that well. She's just a good girl! The change that has already come about in her is unbelievable. A girl who just a little more than a week ago didn't even believe in God, now has such a great relationship with Him, wow incredible. Настия, wants to get baptized. She wants to! Her father is really против though, he's against the church and doesn't believe in God and right now that is hanging her up. Please family and friends keep her in your prayers. Pray that her father's heart will be softened, and he will let her do what she knows is best. So that she can enjoy the presence of the Holy Ghost always in her life.

Last awesome thing that happened this week, great news from home... Lexi I'm so happy for you!!!!! WOOOOOOOOOOOOWOWWWWWWOWOW!!! Please send me tons of pictures you beautiful bride!

Sorry I'm running out of time! I think we are going to watch some of conference pretty soon! I'm so excited!

I love you all so much! You all are great!

All of my love,

Your sister, Sister Lee

wow :)