If you aren't having fun, you're not doing it right.

Happy Monday!

our little sister :) she wanted to be a missionary too!

Well, Illi had me tricked. I thought I had completely missed winter but I think it's coming now. The weather has been so nice, here on Saturday it was almost 60 degrees! But yesterday a super cold front came in. Living on the sea has it's ups and downs, like when the wind blows, it really blows and it's a cold wind, you know the kind that just bites - burr! Good thing I got my cute hat just in time (thanks so much sisters!) and all of my other winter supplies I already started to pack away. Ha! Thank you weather for keeping me on my toes. It's been pouring rain all day with a thick fog and it really shows no sign of stopping... what am I a weather man? Okay, now for the stuff that you are really interested in!

Анджела is amazing! She has strengthened my testimony so much. I am so blessed that Heavenly Father has put her in my life. She is such a huge example to me. She already appreciates the gospel so much and has the faith that every person longs to have. This journey of coming to church and completely changing her life has not been very easy for her. She has many friends who are not supporting her in her decision and many people who are really just giving her a hard time. And, on top of it all, Анджела has cancer. You can tell that very much of the time she is in a lot of pain and with not much support, it's just hard for her, but not once has she complained. Not once have I ever heard something that wasn't positive come out of her mouth. She is such an example to me! The testimony that she already has gained is so awe-inspiring, I wish all of you could spend just five minutes with her in a room and feel of her spirit, it is so special to be with her. At the beginning of each meeting we have with her we usually spend about ten minutes where she just tells us her missionary experiences of the day, who she had the opportunity to testify to, and how she did it in one way or the other. Man, she is so awesome! Her baptism is planned for this Saturday, and she is so excited about it. I think she tells everyone she sees, to come, it is so sweet. But last night she was feeling really bad, she had to go to the hospital, so loved ones please keep sweet Анджела (Angela) in your prayers, I know she would appreciate it.

my boots were made for walking... they did me well may they rest in peace.. (actually I love them too much I think I'm going to take them to a boot repair today)

So, a funny story from this week, Sister Parish and I were walking down the street after a lesson, talking about how it went and this man came up and started talking to us in English, he heard us speaking in English and was so excited. He lived in America for five years and got back a few months ago. He said he wanted to practice with us but saw us with our Books of Mormon and said he didn't want anything to do with the church. But he kept on talking with us and kept on bringing up the church, but then said he didn't want to talk about it, he was just acting too cool for us, but still wanted to talk ha, it was pretty funny! Anyways at the end of our conversation I told him about our English practice and told him that we will have a spiritual thought at the end and everything, he took our card and was like, "I'll probably not come, but whatever." As we walked away I told Sister Parish that he was going to be so interested in the church and get baptized next month. That night he came to English practice, he stayed for the spiritual thought and he loved it. He met with the Elders after that and has met with them a few times since, and he now has a baptismal date in February. The gospel is so true and so wonderful, people are literally drawn to it, it's so incredible.

I believe I talked about Баба Лидия (Baba (babushka-grandma) Lidia) when we skyped. I LOVE HER! I want to be just like her when I grow up, seriously! Every time we are with her I learn so much, I seriously take notes while she speaks to us and she loves it, ha! But I have decided that every week I would write a little blip about what I've learned from Baba and share it with you.

Words from the Wonderfully Wise Baba:

  "The second you feel sorry for yourself, you let Satan win." 

Satan tries so hard to bring us down, but really we should just be happy, for all that we have, and all that we have to live for. Yes, days are hard but never should you feel sorry for yourself, do things to make your days better. Lift others and in turn your spirits will be lifted!

Isn't Baba so smart!? Goodness I love her!

I'm never going to tell you life is easy, because I would be lying to you, but I can say life is good! My mission has been so hard, so hard, but because of that it has been so awesome! I have grown and I have learned so much, more than I ever have, because it has been the time in my life when I have been the most challenged. If you're having challenges or hard times, don't get down on yourself. Look at the good in everything, see what you can learn from it. I promise there is good in everything, there is always something to be happy about!

Remember life is to be enjoyed, not endured. Heavenly Father wants so that we are always happy!

I love you all so much and I want you all to be happy as well. If you aren't having fun, you're not doing it right. Have a good week!

All of my love,

Your sister, Sister Lee

on the marshutka to Odessa for a youth activity

"I will give away all my sins to know thee"

Добрый день!

I am the luckiest girl in the world. From watching the sun rise over the Black Sea every morning, to being apart of the Ukrainian culture that I have so fallen in love with, to having the privilege all day every day to invite others to come unto Christ. I am so convinced that my decision to serve a mission was the most unselfish decision that turned in to the most selfish. As I get lost in this service I am overwhelmed at the blessings Heavenly Father never ceases to give me. Seriously, it is as if the Heavens are always conveniently opened right over my head. I'm just so happy here all the time. And it keeps getting better and better!

Sister Parish and Sister Lee

So, I'm not sure if I talked about Анджела (Angela) but she is amazing. She came to our branch Christmas program a few weeks ago with her inactive friend, I remember as I welcomed her to the program with a hug I was overwhelmed by the strong smell of alcohol and smoke on her breath but then overwhelmed by the love she showed to me, a young American girl she didn't even know. As we talked with her after the program and asked if she would be interested in meeting with us and learning more, she was so excited. So of course that is what we did. Our first meeting with her seriously could have been written in the Book of Mormon. It was incredible. Never have I felt the spirit lead and direct me so much in a lesson before. We had planned a completely different lesson for her but as we sat and talked with her, we knew she needed to hear something else. As we talked about the Atonement with her she was overcome with the spirit. The thought of her giving up her sins to be closer to God was something she so desired, she literally clapped her hands and cried for joy as we talked about it. She has so gratefully accepted the invitation to be baptized and is excitedly preparing for the end of this month. She cold turkey quit smoking and drinking. She has one of the sweetest souls ever! Just a few minutes ago when we were grocery shopping someone came up behind me and wrapped me up in a big hug, I was super freaked out at first until I saw Sister Parish's reaction and knew it was someone we knew, I turned around and found Angela just beaming, so happy to see us. My love never ends for these wonderful people. I cannot get enough of that feeling, the pure love of Christ, it is so real and so good! Please Keep Angela in your prayers as she is going through the process of changing her life, think of her wonderful example and try to be like her. Truly like the father of Lamoni as he says "I will give away all my sins to know thee" what an amazing attitude that we should all have.

I let some potential investigators experiment with my hair this week... it's super curly, it's a fun change :)

This week we did service, real good service. It was so nice! I love working hard. A family in our branch rented a big dump truck and we loaded it full of wood and then unloaded it in another location. As we were driving around in the truck I felt like I was home working with dad again. The driver then belched super loud and I was just waiting for him to say "What'd you say!?" He didn't so of course I had to! Ha! Oh dad I miss you! And I can't wait to work with you when I get home, I'll be an even better worker than I used to be, I promise. Thanks for teaching me to work hard and really give it my all. The get work done attitude I got from you and the optimistic attitude I got from mom makes being a missionary so much more easy and so much more fun! I'm so grateful to my amazing parents for giving me so much!

I love you all! I am always so grateful to get weekly emails and so many letters from you so often! Your prayers and support mean the world to me.

In the words of lovely Grandma Barb "The Gospel is so TRUE and WONDERFUL!!" Amen! It is so true and it is so wonderful! I'm so grateful for the continuous blessings that I receive from the gospel every day and for the opportunity that I have of sharing this deliciousness!

Carry on!

All of my love,

Your sister, Sister Lee

Nastya and Vika (Nastya's friend) at the Opera House in Odessa

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