Ukraine

Well I officially made it to Ukraine!

To make moving to a foreign country, with foreign language more fun, I decided to get pneumonia the day before I left.  So it’s been pretty fun walking around in 90-degree weather with pneumonia!  I guess its all part of the experience! 

Ukraine is crazy!  We ride everywhere on these little buses.  The drivers are absolutely insane!  My second day here, a woman approached me and asked if I was an American missionary.  She then asked if I was a polygamist.  This all happened while I stood there smiling because I had no idea what she was saying.  Thankfully, my companion then informed her that I was in fact not a polygamist.  As you can tell, my Russian is far, FAR from fluent.  But I know that through time I'll get there!  Then, I'll be able to tell other people myself that I am not a polygamist.  Can't wait.

I had a really spiritual experience my first day.  We went to teach a less active member.  Again, I couldn't really understand anything.  From what I could understand, the woman was having a rough time with faith.  I had a feeling to show her the scripture, Ether 12:6.  Then I told myself to shut up because I did not want to say something and have it be totally awkward because it wasn't about anything they were talking about at the moment.  But.. I just went for it.  As the woman read the verse out loud, she sort of chuckled because the verse was so applicable to herself. 

That experience made me realize how hard it is to follow the Spirit sometimes.  Sometimes we are prompted to do things that are totally outside of our comfort zone and it seems terrifying.  And sometimes we follow that prompting and even though it was so scary, nothing even came from it.  But I know every time we act upon promptings of the Spirit, it shows the Lord that he can trust us and it makes Him so proud of us. 

The people of Ukraine are AMAZING!  The people of our Branch are all so loving and welcoming, even despite the fact that I'm an American!  These people have had such hard lives, and yet, still choose to be happy.  I love how this gospel brings hope to those who have none.  This is the true gospel of happiness.

I apologize that there aren't any pictures!  I couldn't get the computer to work, but I’ll bring a different cord next week.

I love you all, thank you so much for you love and support.

--

Cectpa Morris

Ukraine-Dnepropetrovsk Mission