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 :)

Book of Mormon Stories :)

Привет!

Hey family! Do you remember when I got to skype you? Wow, how awesome was that!? I was so lucky to see so many of my you, that was definitely a Christmas miracle!  I've been wanting to say thanks to dad for not getting mad at me for squealing so much, so thanks dad! Ha! Rebekah and fam, Lexi and clan, and Sayde, not going to lie, super bummed I didn't get to hear you, so on Mother's Day you all best be ready to skype with me! I am still so grateful for all of your words of encouragement and really just to see your faces and to know that you all are doing so well! Isn't technology awesome? I am so beyond grateful for the fact that I, though millions of miles away, still had the opportunity to see my family on Christmas day?  I don't think I could have asked for anything better for Christmas, talking with my family truly was the best gift ever. I hope you all could feel my love for you, and understand that I know I am unbelievably blessed to have all of you in my life. I thank my Father in Heaven for you constantly, I don't know what I did to deserve a family so incredible as mine, but thank you all of you for being you, for allowing me in your lives and for helping me feel more happiness than understandable.

So this week I had to get registered down here in Illy, you know so I can live here and all that good stuff. As we were getting ready to head to the registration office Sister Parish reminded me that I needed my passport, alright no problem, I always have my passport in my pouch. As we're heading out the door, I check my pouch just to make sure I have everything I need.. only to find no passport. Yeah... oh no. The last time I had it was on the train down here, we had use it to get on the train and then once again as we were on the train to prove who we were. I remember putting my passport up on a ledge so it would be easy for me to grab when they came around, and after checking I put it back on the ledge. All of this is replaying through my head and I go into panic mode, that was two weeks ago! Someone else is living the life of Mariel Lee right now, probably living in America having a jolly good time I was sure of it. I tore apart my stuff looking in every zipper every crease everything, but really I couldn't find it anywhere. After searching literally everywhere I called our elders and asked them what needed to be done. My district leader just said "Well did you pray about it?" Okay elder I checked EVERYWHERE I'm not going to find it, what do I need to do? "PRAY!" So quite humbly I knelt down in prayer, being so aware that Heavenly Father is there and though to Him this was no big deal but, since it was a big deal to me He would listen. Not even two minutes after my prayer I went to go check in my journal to see what I had written on the train that night to see if it would spark some sort of memory, and there in my journal was my passport! Чуда! Seriously guys, it was such a miracle. Heavenly Father loves us so much! And He will give us help with anything we need, I know that for sure.

Later on in the week Sister Parish got really sick, like not able to get out of bed sick. It was hard for me to see her feeling so poopy and I did my best to be just like Mama Lee and help her in any way I could. As she slept and slept I did a lot of organizing around the apartment but I was SO antsy to get out of the house and get to real work! Constantly having a prayer in my heart that she feel better so we could continue our work here. And guess what?!? She's not dead yet! She's actually feeling much better! I'm telling you guys, prayer, it really works.

Yesterday was a lovely Sunday. We had our primary program with the four primary children in our ward and it was so special! You know how much I love those, the spirit that the sweet children bring is always so strong, as they bear testimony in both song and words. And for the second hour of church we watched the Christmas devotional, which was so incredible! If you have not had the opportunity to watch that yet, please do. We finished off church with a traditional New Year/Christmas skit with the branch which was super fun. I find myself loving Ukraine more and more everyday. We ended our festive Sunday with a Ukrainian feast, mmmmm, you know how much I love Ukrainian food. Let's just say yesterday was a good day. Of course we ended it perfectly by meeting with Helen.

Helen is a lady we met on the street last week, at first she really was only interested in English practice but as we continued to talk with her, she realized that God had placed us in her life. Last night we had the opportunity to talk with her about the Restoration of Christ's church, the same church which he, himself organized when he was on the earth. Through time, for reasons not understandable to me people rejected the teachings of Christ and his gospel, eventually his truth was lost. But we know that Heavenly Father loves us so much that He never would let us live in such darkness forever. Thanks to a boy, Joseph Smith, who had a simple question, we have his truth on the earth once more. And because of that we can find real peace and joy in this life. How wonderful is our message? How true is our message?!

I once again finished the Book of Mormon this morning. Family, this book is so true. As I bore testimony last night with Helen, as I bear testimony every day on the street in Ukraine, as I sit hear at this humble Internet cafe and bear testimony right now of the truthfulness of this book, I do so with NO doubt. I know with all that I am that the Book of Mormon truly is the word of God and I know that "a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book." just as is written in the Introduction of the Book. As I finished the last few chapters this morning the spirit again testified to me that what I was reading was true, and that it is something that every person needs. Kneeling down in prayer again trying out Moroni's promise,I once again received a resounding yes! Oh how much joy I have found as I get lost in this book every day. As I find answers to questions I've had and questions I did not even know I had until I found the answers. Oh how I love this book.

I know I already have invited all of you to read the Book of Mormon, and I really hope you took my invitation seriously, I know some of you have and receiving your emails with excitement of how much you are loving it gives me such joy! I promise you that as you continue to read and study the Book of Mormon more peace and joy will fill your lives and your homes. I have found so much happiness as I have drawn closer to my Savior thanks to the Book of Mormon, I really can't get enough of it and I can't wait to start over when I get home tonight.

This gospel is so true and this gospel is so wonderful! Take advantage of what we have, and be happy family, BE HAPPY! :)

I love you all so much. I'm so grateful for all that you do for me. I have so many number one fans and you all are the best!

All of my love,

Your sister, Sister Lee

Oh Come Let us Adore Him

our christmas tree 

Sweetest family of mine, I hope this email isn't too scatter brained. I just know I get to talk to you in a matter of a few hours and I may be freaking out a little bit haha.

So I am loving it down here in Illy more and more everyday, it is so obvious to me that I am supposed to be here now. I have already met so many people, that I know I was praying for the second I knew I was serving a mission. Heavenly Father has put so many people in my path and every time He does it I feel so lucky that He trusts me with His children! It is such a blessing to be in His service especially at this time of year. There really is nothing else I would rather be doing and I can confidently say that I am the happiest girl in the world this Christmas day as I have the opportunity to invite so many of my brothers and sisters here in lovely Ukraine to come unto our Savior, Jesus Christ through whom they can find real joy! Seriously I am so lucky!

Last night for Christmas Eve we had a music program in Center Odessa (it was my first time in Odessa and holy cow it is BEYOND GORGEOUS there, like incredible!) and guess who I saw?? My best friends! Sister Hunt and Sister Ford! Finally, we are serving near each other! It was so fun to be with them and catch up and see how much we've all grown and what not, it was a really good gift to be able to spend Christmas Eve with them. Sister Ford planned the program and it really went so well, of course it did, she's awesome. The whole night was centered on Christ and His birth and His life and really the true meaning of Christmas. We went with Katya, one of our investigators who is INCREDIBLE holy cow I love her, like, I know I'm here in Illy for her, for sure. And the night was especially special because my cute companion sang a song, but not just any song, one of my very favorite Christmas songs, "O Holy Night". The days before the program Sister Parish was practicing, singing the song any chance she got and I fell in love with the words.

 "O holy night, the stars are brightly shining,
It is the night of the dear Saviour’s birth;
Long lay the world in sin and error pining,
'Till he appeared and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn;

Fall on your knees, Oh hear the angel voices!
O night divine! O night when Christ was born.
O night, O holy night, O night divine.

 Led by the light of Faith serenely beaming;
With glowing hearts by his cradle we stand:
So, led by light of a star sweetly gleaming,
Here come the wise men from Orient land,
The King of Kings lay thus in lowly manger,
In all our trials born to be our friend;

He knows our need, To our weakness no stranger!
Behold your King! Before Him lowly bend!
Behold your King! your King! before him bend!

Truly He taught us to love one another;
His law is Love and His gospel is Peace;
Chains shall he break, for the slave is our brother,
And in his name all oppression shall cease,
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful Chorus raise we;
Let all within us praise his Holy name!

Christ is the Lord, then ever! ever praise we!
His pow'r and glory, evermore proclaim!
His pow'r and glory, evermore proclaim!"

Aren't the words absolutely beautiful? And you know what's cool? They're TRUE! As she would continue to sing the song over and over again the spirit continued to testify to me that they are true! Christ is our Savior, and oh how he loves us! Each and every single one of us! How special is this day, the day of His birth!

After the Christmas concert as we were traveling home Катя was talking to me and she was so confused at how all of the missionaries were so happy, she didn't understand it. To her she thought we should be so sad as we are so far away from our families at this time of year. As she asked me that and I thought about it, she made sense. I mean, how could I be so happy? And then it hit me, DUH! You are doing the best work Mariel. You should the happiest girl in the world. All missionaries should be the happiest, for the wonderful privilege that we have to serve and do the work of the Lord. Especially at the time of our Savior's birth.

I love giving presents. I love letting people know I love them. And what an awesome present I can give to My Heavenly Father this year as I am in His work. All of my time I give to Him, all of my time I give to my Savior, and all of my time I give to my brothers and sisters here in Ukraine whom I love so much. It's not much, but right now, it's really all that I have and I am more than happy to give that this Christmas.

This Christmas time please remember the true meaning of Christmas, how grateful I am for the songs that I was taught in primary that make it so easy for me to remember how special Christmas is..

Picture a stable in Judea.
Picture a sacred, silent night.
And can you hear
The angels near
And see the star so bright?

Picture the kind and gentle Joseph.
Picture the mother, Mary, fair.
And can you see
So rev'rently
The shepherds kneeling there?

Picture the little baby Jesus.
Think of his life and words so dear.
Sing praise to him;
Remember him,
As you picture Christmas this year.

I love you all so much! And... I'LL SEE YOU SOON!!!!

Merry Christmas!!!!

All of my love,

Your sister, Sister Lee

Chapter 6: Let's go to the beach, beach

Привет!

So I'm here in Illichyovsk... and loving it! Thank you for your prayers and everything. Leaving Kharkivsky was really probably the hardest thing I've ever done.

my new view, Black Sea baby

Sister Grandy and I had a great last few days together, of course on Monday we went and had Family Home Evening with Катя and her family. I don't think I've ever noticed the real importance of Family Home Evening until I have seen the difference that it has made in this family. Their relationships with not only one another, but the Lord as well has increased beyond comprehension I can't wait to do Family Home Evening with my own family when I get home! You best believe we will be having the best of times together family! 

Our last family home evening with Катя and her family

On Tuesday we had an incredible lesson with Наташа, really probably one of the best lessons we have ever had with anyone, huge thanks to Настя who was our member present on the lesson. It was so incredible to feel the spirit that Настя brought into the lesson. Every time Наташа would bring up a concern Настя could totally relate to her and testify that through the help of the Lord everything would be made better and as we rely on Him and do all that we can to follow him He will give us help. As we were finishing up the lesson Настя bore her testimony of how much she has been blessed after she has been baptized and how she is so happy she had made the decision.
We then helped Наташа pick a day for her own baptism, and if all goes well she will be baptized the day after Christmas, what a special Christmas present for her and her Father in Heaven!

The night before I left Kharkivsky we spent with my very best friends. Катя, Настя, Sister Grandy, and I went out to dinner we had a small make shift testimony meeting as we were eating in one of the booths of Пузата Хата and seriously it was just what I needed. A huge reason why I was so sad to leave Kharkivsky was because I didn't feel like I did enough. I felt like there was so much more I needed to do and I didn't do all the Lord wanted me to do in that area. But, as I listened to these girls testify, and not only testify but then share their desires of one day too serving missions, it was Heavenly Father letting me know that I did my work. These girls and their testimonies will influence so many others, their friends, families, and one day when the time comes for them to serve missions, they will find their own Катяs and Настяs who will then influence many more and the chain goes on and on, you get what I'm saying. Wow, I have been so incredibly blessed to have them in my lives. I am honored that Heavenly Father trusted me with two of His most precious daughters.

Dinner with my best friends

The trio being split up, obvi they are really happy about it

After dinner with them we took them out contacting with us, for old times sake. Contacting for me is always super fun, I love talking with the people here in Ukraine but when I do it with my best friends, really there is nothing better. It's so sweet to see how excited the girls get after we have an awesome conversation with someone and we ask them to learn more. Often times after conversations they would look at one another and just say "Wow! That was so cool!" My favorite was when the girls would walk ahead of Sister Grandy and I and start talking to people on their own. Family, I cannot wait until you meet them!! My petty little emails do not do them justice, they seriously are amazing. 

Настя saw me off at the train station

As the time came for me to leave it was just as though I was leaving home again for another mission. Instead of Mom and Dad dropping me off at the MTC, Настя dropped me off at the train station and it was way more heart wrenching than the MTC drop off. Настя kept hugging me asking me not to go and crying, it was really hard, I'm not going to lie. We waited until the very last minute to board the train and as I got into my cabin Настя found me at my window and just stood there. As the train pulled away my heart sunk, and it was such a sad time for me. But through this whole experience I have grown such a greater love for our Father in Heaven. I think of how hard it is every time one of His precious children comes to earth saying goodbye to them, even though He knows it is only a short period of time and soon they'll return I think it is sad for Him. As soon as I got to my new home I sent Настя and Катя a text told them I was home safe and sound and let them know about my journey. We talk at least once a day and let each other know what is going on and it has helped so much! Like it's not that hard being away from them. Isn't that just like prayer? Prayer is the coolest! Anytime we are feeling sad or lonely we can always just send up a prayer to our Father in Heaven and He will help us out! Oh man I love that guy!

The hardest thing of my life was saying goodbye to this girl who means so much to me

A huge thanks to prayer, I'm a happy sister once more. I love serving here in Illy and it truly is a new adventure! It's so different than Kyiv! And serving with Sister Parish again is so fun! She has come so far and it is so cool to see how amazing she is doing.

I love this work. So much. There is nothing else I would rather be doing. I am beyond lucky to be in the service of the Lord. And so lucky to have people like you that support me. Thank you!

All of my love,

Your sister, Sister Lee

It may be on the mountain height AND over the stormy sea.

Snowy Morning!

Even snow in STG? Wow! I think there is more snow there than there is here right now crazy! It just barely started snowing and it is so beautiful! Love it!

best friend, seriously so lucky to have her

Okay well family I've found it. My favorite way of contacting, I finally found it! I can't use it all the time, but when I can, it is awesome! And I will give all credit to Papa Lee, the coolest dad in the world. It all happened last P-day, after receiving pictures from home and seeing how sweet Dad's mustache is looking, we were in the metro getting ready to go home and I saw a man with a mustache and I just thought "Wow, his mustache is cool, but not nearly as cool as my dad's." And without even really realizing I went up to him and told him straight to his face. Then I asked if he would like to see a picture and after that we were like best friends! Dad, the men here totally respect you! I have to pass on like six huge PRIVETS to you. Thanks for helping me break the ice with so many awesome Ukrainian men. Who knew the friendships that could be made, simply by a mustache.

we are Siamese if you please

Okay, so English has been so successful lately. We have about 30 people come every time and almost all of them are becoming more interested in the church. The other night after English all 10 of us missionaries were talking with someone from English and all 10 of us were doing mini lessons with them. Looking around the room seeing us all bear testimony about something that is so very near and dear to us was so sweet. It has been so cool to see the growth in the activities that we have here. I remember when I first got here only about five people came to English club, now there is so many people we don't know what to do with them all! Good thing there are like a billion missionaries to help with that. When I got here there was only Sister Wease, Elder Crookshank, Elder Steinagel and I and now there are 10 missionaries here! It's so crazy, but so cool to think of the Lord hastening His work so much. And Hastening is really what He is doing.

we love service!

Sister Grandy and I have a new miracle and her name is Наташа. We met her on the street last week and she is the definition of a "golden investigator". she is 21 years old is a student in university and works full time as a secretary. And in her super busy life she still feels something is missing. She told us that when she was 18 she really started searching for truth, for three years she has been looking and looking and she said nothing has made more sense or been so clear as when we meet and talk with her. In church yesterday during all three meetings she sat and listened attentively, taking notes and asking questions, appreciating the meetings more than most members do. She has already expressed her sincere to desire to be baptized and I'm sure we will be hearing about her wonderful baptism experience shortly. Yes, we will be hearing about it.

The time I've literally been dreading has finally come. "The Lord has called (me) another way..., to teach the people of (Illichyovsk)." (Alma 22:4) I'm being transferred. You know me and goodbyes.. I'm the worst! Friday night our land lord called us and asked us when the transfers are when we told him they were this week he just was so happy because both of us were staying! (Because of paper work he usually finds out a week in advance if we are transferring somewhere.) I was so excited! The thought of staying here once again in my home with my best friend was so perfect. We celebrated a little and in the middle of our celebration we get another phone call from him. After he had hung up the phone with us he received a call, telling him that he needs to get all of my paper work ready. Boooooo! He then told me I was going to Illichyovsk. ILLICHYOVSK! Literally the farthest area away from Kharkivsky. I really can't think of the last time I have been this sad. My heart is broken. Thinking of leaving my home all of my friends and family. Oh it's so sad. Sister Grandy is my best friend and we have been working so well together, I thought president would want us together for so much longer, and so many things are happening here the thought of just getting up and leaving them makes me sick. I'm sorry I'm being a bum right now. And now I'm just crying so I think I'll finish up this letter.

 "But if by a still, small voice he calls to paths that I do not know, I'll answer dear Lord, with my hand in thine; I'll go where you want  me to go."

Oh but something funny, you'll never guess who my companion is going to be! Sister Parish! We are together once more! I'm so excited to serve with her again, and it makes leaving Kharkivsky just a little easier.

Okay family, I love you so much! Thank you for your love and support! I know I will be happy down in Illichyovsk, right on the sea. I know that the Lord has called me here to Ukraine and now to Illichyovsk and there are people that are prepared for me there. I'm excited to start my new adventure there but to end my adventure here is very sad. But everything is well! I LOVE YOU!!!!

All of my love,

Your sister, Sister Lee

Received this gem from Lexi this week, seriously I LOVE IT!!! thanks Lex! You are the best!