Do you hear the people sing...?

Hello family!

So this week has definitely been different for us here. A week I will always remember. But I want you to know, I am so safe. Really nothing bad will ever happen to me. Sometimes I have felt just sad and concerned, but never worried about my own safety. It just has been an exciting time to be serving here, I guess you could say.

For three days this week we were told to stay in our apartment just to ensure our safety. It was so hard for me! Staying inside for just a few hours makes me so anxious during this work, so three days of it was probably much more than I could handle. If there was any once of me that didn't appreciate being outside and sharing the gospel, I'm sure that is gone, oh how I love the outdoors and testifying. I missed it. Our first day inside we called literally every person in our area book, and deep cleaned our apartment, and still had time to spare so we talked and reminisced on our MTC days, ha! I'm so happy I love the person I was stuck with, can you imagine how awful that would have been? Oh man. We had Thursday all planned and ready to work when we found out that Thursday we would also be inside all day. So what did we do? We baked goodies and brought them to the people who live in our building. Through out the days being stuck inside we would receive calls from members checking in on us, making sure we were alright, willing to bring us anything we needed, I love our members. Dasha would regularly call us with updates of what was going on, so we knew a little bit. On Friday we once again were ready for a regular day where we could work, but to our disappointment we were once again told to stay inside. We planned for the week, wrote in our journals we even watched some churchy movies when finally we got a text, our freedom at last! Friday night we were able to get back to work and it felt so good!

Three days inside was toooooooooo long! I would sit outside of our window to get fresh air, haha!

I believe I talked about Alla in my last email, she came to church last Sunday we've met with her a few times and she is so special. She has no religious back ground, whatsoever. Growing up she was taught that God doesn't exist, she herself became a teacher and taught that very same thing to her students. As we have met with her she has literally changed before our eyes. I can say that the sweetest thing is to hear someones first prayer, how humble and sincere, and the spirit there, wow. There is something so cool about that. I know that every other missionary would agree with me, that there is no sweeter prayer than that first prayer that an investigator says. The presence of the Holy Ghost is always so undeniably present, you can tell that Heavenly Father had just been waiting for that moment for years. Can you imagine, hearing from your daughter after so long! How happy He must be. Man.

We have also been meeting with Masha quite often, I love that cute girl! Simon, you better not be looking for a wife right now because you're so young, but I am allowed to look for you and I found her. You will marry Masha! Ha. I would be so happy. The other night we were teaching her and her dad was the member helping us on the lesson, I love Jenya! He has such a strong testimony and he is such a good example to his daughter. Masha is ready and wanting to get baptized, but her mom hasn't given her permission yet. Please pray for her mom! Pray that her heart will be softened, I know it will over time, just as Nastya's mom's heart was softened. Just remember her and keep her in your prayers.

Church was such an amazing experience yesterday. With all the trial and turmoil and all of the awful things that were going on here, you could feel the relief as every member walked into the church. As they walked through the doors they lifted their heads a little higher and walked a little taller. I kept thinking of the hymn "Where Can I Turn for Peace?" and this is where they turned. During this past week I have felt so much heart ache and concern for people here, as this has so drastically been changing their lives. I was so happy to hear one brother bear testimony about how he knew everything would be fine because we have a temple here.

What strength the members take from that wonderful temple! It is truly inspiring! And oh how I also love that place. I also find so much strength and peace from the temple as I know that truly is the House of the Lord.

Friends and family I have such a strong testimony of the gospel. I know with all that I am, that this church IS the true church of Jesus Christ. I have found so much peace and comfort in reading my scriptures and praying these past few days. And I know here, is where to turn for peace. Come and feel the peace that Heavenly Father has been longing to give you. And be happy.

I love you all so very much!

All of my love,

Your sister, Sister Lee