These fruits were delicious!

Hello!

Flat Stanley at the Black Sea

Welcome 2014! Can you believe it is already a new year? Last year one of my resolutions was to start my mission off the way my Heavenly Father would want me to, and this year one of my resolutions is to finish my mission with honor. It is so strange how fast time goes by! I've tried everything I could to slow it down, and honestly it's not happening so I'm just going to live with it and learn to enjoy every second. Not taking anything for granted, because really it goes by so fast.

Family, this week was so awesome. Surprised? Ha, you shouldn't be, because every week is awesome when you are in the service of the Lord. But this week really was exceptional.

Being on a mission is such an incredible opportunity, to be tools in the hands of the Lord is such a privilege, but at the same time it can be so intimidating. A few weeks ago I hit my half way mark on my mission and just looking back on everything that has happened I often ask myself "Did I do everything I was called here to do?" and still "Am I doing everything the Lord needs me to do now?" As I got set apart as a missionary I remember how distinctly I felt the Holy Ghost, like, truly I was given a great power. And you know what they say "with great power, comes great responsibility". That is so true. I am a part of the best work, and I need to do my part, do everything I can to ensure that I am doing all that I am supposed to be doing here. Some times on my mission have been hard, feeling like, truly I have given it my all and then some, but not really knowing if I made a difference anywhere, not sure I really did enough. A few weeks ago President Klebingat wrote us such a good letter, talking about how sometimes we might not see the fruit of our labors, but really we are making a difference! He encouraged us that we really have no idea the impact we could be making. Telling an analogy about Picasso's paint brush, probably just an ordinary paint brush, but in the hands of Picasso made masterpieces. But the paint brush probably never even realized the wonderful work it did. I love President's letters to us, I feel like everyone is always meant for me, man he's so cool!

Anyways this week was a week where Heavenly Father blessed me so much and he rewarded me with the opportunity to see immediate fruits and man, these fruits were delicious! One day this week literally all of our plans fell threw, all of them! What up, nine hours of contacting! As we were walking down the streets talking with everyone, with really little success I was thinking "Why am I here? Like, right now I am not doing anything, no one is being helped by this." We sat down on a bench and regrouped, and decided to stop by some less actives. As we stopped by door after door not being opened or being shut in our face it was a little hard to continue. Later that night we were going to another less active, as we dialed her doma phone she answered, "Кто там?" "Who's there?"

 "It's the sister missionaries." We replied with our fingers crossed, and a little to our surprise, without hesitation she opened the door. As we walked up the flights of stairs we were so excited that finally someone answered their door! We got to her apartment and the door was already open ready for us. She just welcomed us in with a solemn face. "Sisters," she said "my husband just died." as she started to cry to us. Never have I been put in a situation such as this. All I could do was hug her and cry with her. We of course talked about the Savior and his love to us. She was SO grateful to us, so grateful that she had someone there for her in her time of need, and how grateful I was to be a tool in the hands of the Lord at that time!

How grateful I was that all of our plans fell through that day so we could be with Надежда that night, and really be an answer to her prayers. It was such a wonderful experience. Heavenly Father truly does have a plan for every single one of us, a perfect plan. And as we trust and rely on His plan, as our plans fall through, everything will be perfect.

There were so many other instances like that this week. Where we were truly lead and directed by the spirit and as we did so miracles happened. It is such an incredible thing to be here on a mission and have the opportunity for Heavenly Father to work miracles through us, I am so blessed.

So I had a surprise visitor at church yesterday.... НАСТЯ!!!!!!! Настя came down to Odessa for her school break and so she came to Illy to go to church with me yesterday. It was so good to see her once again. She really is one of my very best friends. And she is doing so good! Her testimony is solid as ever and she really is just a joy to be around. All of the members loved her, of course. And now we're actually going to go spend the day with her in Odessa, so I gotta go!

I love you all so much! This work really truly is the best work. I can't get over how blessed I am to be here. Thank you for your love and support and prayers and everything else. Keep on being the best family and friends and just best people!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SHOUT OUT TO PENELEPE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
All of my love,

Your sister, Sister Lee

New Years Eve with Катя and Sister Parish :)