Hey all I hope that you all
had a super Thanksgiving I know that I had one that I won't Forget.
This week we were in L'viv to meet up with our new companions, and then
out train to Khmel'nits'ky left the station at 9:45 am. The night before
we had arranged with the Elder's to come and help us with our bags,
because the Apartment where we were staying is on the 5th floor without
an elevator. They said great and that they would be there at 9:00 to
come and pick us up. The next day we are up and ready and waiting, it's
9:04 so we call the elders to make sure that they are still coming.
Turns out they thought that we were meeting at the church. We said
no...so we started ferrying our bags down all of the stairs. We finally
get to the bottom and the elders get there and throw them into the back
of the van. We all take of and are driving like crazy down the
cobblestone streets of L'viv dodging Marshchrutka's and Baba's to get to
the Train Station across town. Also somehow we end up hitting every red
light! We finally get there it's 9:40...So we take off running to find
the right platform and car number. We're still running when the strap of
the bag that I'm caring with All the Copies of the Book of Mormon in it
breaks. Meanwhile we see that all of the conductors' are closing up the
cars and getting ready to go. We literally jump onto the train and the
Elders start throwing on our bags and as they chuck up the last one and
say bye the train starts pulling out. It's exactly 9:45. We laterally
made it just in time. Then of course we had the problem of getting to
the right seats and storing our luggage. that's when the 3 Ukrainian
Guys who were also late start making their way to wagon 6 from wagon 9.
So the Conductor asked them if they could help us with our stuff. Luck
for us they said yes. And then we both finally die and are able to rest
for a few hours as the train does all of the work in getting us there.
When we finally got into Khmel'nits'ky I started unpacking and moving
in, which I was uber grateful for, and
while that was going on we got cooking our Thanksgiving. Which consisted
of us having French Apple Cobbler in addition to our potato's, gravy,
rotissary chicken, corn, creamed spinach, and biscuits. So all in all
not a bad meal. And I'm now all unpacked, And ready to get going for
this final Hurrah with Sister Moffitt. And I must say it is looking to
be a great last go. So have a great week and don't forget to be thankful
for the things that you have and the miracles that He Sends your way.
And try to look for the times when He is using you to perform a miracle
for someone else. I love you all!
Сестра Граф
Monday, December 8, 2014
Luts'k Week 18!-- November 24, 2014
HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!!!!!!!!!
I hope that you all had a wonderful week and are excited for the Holidays! Like Ashton's 11th Birthday! Such a big Girl now. For those of you that didn't know it was on the 22nd of November, but no worries if you forgot because in my family we believe in ones Birthday Month so...HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
I hope that you all had a wonderful week and are excited for the Holidays! Like Ashton's 11th Birthday! Such a big Girl now. For those of you that didn't know it was on the 22nd of November, but no worries if you forgot because in my family we believe in ones Birthday Month so...HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
I
had a Crazy week and I found out that For My Last transfer I will be
moving to the super fun City of Khmel'nits'ky! YAY And I will be with
the fabulous Sister Moffitt YAY! So crazy to move one last time. But
enough trunkiness from me. I am sad to leave Luts'k again but excited to
see the last chapter of my Mission open up. There is no more wondering
where the final battle will take place. Now there is simply following
through and giving it my all.
I hope that you have a great Thanksgiving, I know that I will. I have so much to be grateful for! We all do.
Sister Lattin, our mission president's wife, sent us a wonderful letter this week, with some things she is grateful for about US! Some of my favorites-
I love you all so Much and don't forget to be Grateful!
I hope that you have a great Thanksgiving, I know that I will. I have so much to be grateful for! We all do.
Sister Lattin, our mission president's wife, sent us a wonderful letter this week, with some things she is grateful for about US! Some of my favorites-
You all have two arms and two legsYou all have great brainsYou all have great potential to have a wonderful futureYou are all missionaries in the greatest mission in the world [=D too true Sister Lattin]You all have a knowledge of Heavenly Father’s PlanYou are all beautiful and handsome!You all get to wear a nametag with the name of Jesus Christ on it.
I love you all so Much and don't forget to be Grateful!
З Любовю
Сестра Граф
PS. Sorry no pictures this internet place has given people buggs before, so I 'll send them next week.
Luts'k Week 17!-- November 17, 2014
Hey
everybody! So this week was fantastic We were working super hard but it
seams as though almost all of our investigators fell of the face of the
world! But that gave us lots of extra time and so we got to work and we
were able to find two new families! It's so amazing how the lord is
able to help when we put forth the effort!
I know that he
is always there and wanting to help us if we will but turn to him. And I
know that he is there waiting with open arms to receive us. I know that
he loves and knows each and every one of us. Don't ever forget that!
Luts'k Week 16!-- November 10, 2014
Hey everybody!
Hope
that you all had a fantastic week, I know that I did. We were in L'viv
for Mission Conference, Which was amazing. My favorite was when we
talked about prayer. Seriously so amazing. I don't even know where to
begin, but I challenge you all to do a study on prayer, because it is
amazing. Also I learned again that it truly does work, when yesterday we
got to church and Brother Kastuchuk came up to me and asked If I would
be able to give a talk in church. My answer, Of course...when. His
reply...today you'll speak first. Me um.............Heavenly
Father...help. But it was all great and I didn't stress too much, so
that's good. what's even better is that it was in understandable
Ukrainian. YAY! Hope that you have a great weekLuts'k Week 15!-- November 3, 2014
Hey everybody!
Hope that you all had a wonderful week and a Happy Halloween! 3. ...
4. Halloween Party
5. Carving Squashes
7. Happy Halloween
8. Ukraine
October 27-- Luts'k Week 14!
Greetings everyone from Ukraine!
Well
I must start this off by saying that it is still so crazy to be back!
This week was somewhat slower, partially because I got a cold, but
thanks to some sleep, and the Day quill, orange juice, and Chocolate
that was smuggled to us by our district leader elder Newton,
interspersed with calls asking if we had Herbal tea and how we were
feeling, I was able to come off conqueror and win the battle against the
runny nose. hahahaha So I was sick and got better and that's that.
Luckily we were also able to still meet with some people and help them
out. One of these service activities involves me fixing the rug of one
of our members Baba Katya. Super fun. I'll send pictures next week,
'cause I forgot to take them yesterday. But there is still lots of sewing
to do so I'll get some next week. Other than that, not much happened. So
I'll end this epistle by telling you all that I love you and that I
hope that your Halloween is super exciting, and that I expect pictures
of your fantastic costumes, and all of that jazz. And Don't forget to
wish Meghan a Happy 23d Birthday!
З ЛюбовюMonday, October 27, 2014
Luts'k- Week 13 (Well, Week 1 again) October 20, 2014
So
I'm back in Luts'k with Sister Fitts like I said last week! And I must
say it is strange to be back, and I don't know if I am able to explain
how crazy this is. And I must say first off that Sister Fitts is
amazing. So far we did some service, My second day here we went over to a
recent convert Alla. She had moved to Luts'k from Khmel'nits'ky back
when I was here last time. They've been remonting since then, so we went
over and helped her scrape off all the layers of old wallpaper. so that
they can put a new layer down. It was actually super fun. And then on
Saturday night we went over to an investigator's house, Raisa, and while
we were there she invited over some of her church friends, and we were
able to meet with them all and answer their questions. It was so
amazing, to see their countanances change over the course of the lesson,
as their hearts softened and they then started to listen to the message
that we had to share. such an amazing experience.
I love you all and hope that you have a fantastic week!4. yay
5. So...there was frost on the grass...winter is coming!
6. And...this is us trying to show you all our breath...behold our epic fail.
More Pictures- Rivne Week 17!
4. ...
5. ...
6. This goes down to the crypts. =D (Don't worry we didn't go all the way down.)
9. As you can tell, He's not there anymore =D
15. This is me and one of our investigators, Antonina
5. ...
6. This goes down to the crypts. =D (Don't worry we didn't go all the way down.)
7. More
8. This is where once stood a statue of Paul.
10. The church.
11. ...
12. ...
11. ...
12. ...
13. Me
14. Cool Fountain in the park next to where we liveRivne- Week 17!-- October 13, 2014
Rivne- Week 17!
October 13, 2014
What an amazing week!
First
off there was conference! Which I know that all of you back in America
saw last week, but we were doing Mormon helping hands and got to see it
in Ukrainian Saturday and Sunday, SO YAY! I still haven't seen in in
English, but the Ukrainian was wonderful! Also it was even more good
(Sorry for my grammar I blame it on the fact that I am in a foreign
country right now. =) is the fact that Sergiy and Tatyana came to all
of Saturday and then invited us over afterward! Which I must say is a
miracle! 4 hours of spiritualness and then asking the missionaries to
come over after! They are going to help to bless the Branch in Rivne and
be strengthened in return! SO SO happy for them!3. ...
Rivne- Week 16!-- October 6, 2014
Hey Everybody! Hope that you all had a great time watching General Conference!
I still have not had the opportunity to see it yet, but this Saturday
and Sunday we will get to see the broadcast in Ukrainian!
Anywho
this week was great! I didn't get a chance to send a big email last
week because we were running to go and catch a bus to Khmel'nits'ky for
Exchanges with the sister's there. It was very fun and a few more
exchanges that expected. The first day I was with Sister Tsimbal again
and it was great to fall back into our companionship again. (For those
of you who may have forgotten, she was my little Ukrainian from back in
Luts'k.) And I must say that it was simply wonderful! Just being able to
be there with her again! We had a lesson planned but then it fell
through. However in Khmelnitsky they have Young Women's! So since the
sisters there are the YW President and counselor we planned Mutual.
Super fun time and the girls brought there friends too! Honestly an
awesome time! Then the next day the Sister Training Leaders had to go to
L'viv with the District Leader Trio, and since President Didn't want
the other sisters to be alone in Khmelnitsky alone we stayed and did
exchanges with them as well. It was great, First i was with Sister Wind,
who was also my companion for 3 days in Luts'k before sister Tsimbal
came. That was great! There was this one member that we went and visited
and it was a wonderful thought from the Liahona
and she loved it! in the middle of the lesson though we got a call from
President Magayga The Khmelnistky branch president Telling us that we
had to be at the church in 30 minuets! So we quick called the sisters
and all met up at the church and got there in time for some people to
come and do some sort of Remont stuff. Then we got a call from The visa
clerk Lubamere because sister Henrichsen had to go and get registered.
She had been with sister Barnes And had a meeting set up with one of the
people that Sister Barnes had taught a year ago when she served in
Khmelnitsky, so...in order for them to still be able to have that
meeting we pulled a quick switcharoo and I ended up wit sister
Henrichsen (another former companion from Luts'k) and sister Barnes and
Wind set off. We were at this point still waiting on the Remont people
and when they finally finished we got another call from Lubamere telling
us that it was too late and that she would have to do her registration
the next day. So...this left us with something of a dilemma because our
former plans had fallen through, so we were messing around with the
piano truing to figure out what to do, when what do you know Some guy
wanders in and asked where the free English practice was. We told him
that it was the next day. As he was leaving He picked up a Book of
Mormon and said, "Can I have this" Our answer, "Um...yeah if you want,
we have lots," Him "For free?" us "Yeah" then he left. Probably should
have given more of an introduction, but we were more amazed at the fact
that he had found his way to the Church! For those of you who don't know
The church is renting in a football stadium on the second floor, and in
order to get to the entrance you have to go through these doors, see
picture below, and then you are given the option of going up or down the
stairs. Go up because if you go down you will find yourself, well...not
in the church, to be blunt it would be the Tarrentino Bar, Lets just
say they are looking for a new location. Anywho needless to say I was
surprised that he found the church in the first place. and we were able
to get his number to pass along to the elders, so that's good.
1. Me and sister Tsimbal in front of the door in Khmelnistky
2. ME Sister Henrichsen and Wind
3. More sweeping for Mormon helping hands
Rivne- Week 14!
So this was a great week We had a great mission conference with Elder Klebingat
of the first quorum of the Seventy! Super amazing! In actuality he
called us all to Repentance, or to change and become more like our
savior Jesus Christ. Honestly it was amazing I feel that sometimes when
we hear the word 'repent' we feel like we did some horrible mistake, and
need to go through this long process of bad feelings. But that is not
the case at all! in fact Repentance can, if we allow it to, take place
immediately! I wish we would always remember how happy of a thing
repentance is. Preach My Gospel says:"Bringing our lives in line with
God’s will through repentance is a
central purpose of our lives. We can return to live with God the Father
only through Christ’s mercy, and we receive Christ’s mercy only on
condition of repentance." So amazing! And I am honestly just still
thinking about all that he said. So this may be shorter. Also after the
conference he was only able to have a few interviews and I was able to
be one of them! Such an amazing experience! And what's also super great
and amazing is that Saturday Afternoon He will be speaking in General
Conference! So...Watch it!
I love you all!
З Любовю
Сестра Граф
Rivne Week 13!-- September 15, 2014
Rivne-- Week 13!
September 15, 2014
So another week has come and now gone.
Sometime I just wonder where all of the time goes. But that's life. We had a busy week We are working with this one adorable Babusya and she is accepting things well. We invited her to be baptised and she's not pro-ty but she wants to make sure that She understands everything, because she realizes how big of a step Baptism is. I know that the Lord is helping both her and us. It has been somewhat hard to understand her, since she speaks Russian, but honestly not as hard as I once thought Also it helps when the members are there to help. There is another girl that we are working with who also praying to know if baptism is the step that she needs to take at this point in her life. These are people that understand the role that baptism can play in affecting the rest of their life. The Lord knows each of us as individuals and he knows when we are ready to accept his teachings. And Only he knows when we have properly prepared the soil for planting this seed of our faith.
I love you all!Sometime I just wonder where all of the time goes. But that's life. We had a busy week We are working with this one adorable Babusya and she is accepting things well. We invited her to be baptised and she's not pro-ty but she wants to make sure that She understands everything, because she realizes how big of a step Baptism is. I know that the Lord is helping both her and us. It has been somewhat hard to understand her, since she speaks Russian, but honestly not as hard as I once thought Also it helps when the members are there to help. There is another girl that we are working with who also praying to know if baptism is the step that she needs to take at this point in her life. These are people that understand the role that baptism can play in affecting the rest of their life. The Lord knows each of us as individuals and he knows when we are ready to accept his teachings. And Only he knows when we have properly prepared the soil for planting this seed of our faith.
3. ...
Rivne- Week 12! -- September 8, 2014
So I hope that you all had a fun filled week!
I
know that we did and it was filled with service! From which my body is
still acing, but if that's the only price to be payed I'd do it any day!
We were able to help out at this one Museum and Rake up all the leaves
that have been falling, and by rake I mean sweep as in with a broom, but
not just any kind of broom, the ones that can only be found in Ukraine
or in witches houses. Super fun and not something that one does
everyday. Afterwards they even gave us a small tour. And it was very fun
to actually know what they were telling us about, even though it was
all in 'Museam Ukrainian' Then the next day we went out into the selo
to the Didushok's Datcha and harvested Potato's. I can now almost do a
Bab squat! After doing it for many hours Yay!Such a surreal experience
They do everything the old fashioned way Using a team of horses to help
turn up the potato's. So amazing, and also funny because some of the
tools that they were using we saw the day before in the Museum. Crazy!
Well I love you all and hope you have a service filled week.2. ...
3. ...
4. Potatoing
5. ...
6. ...
5. ...
6. ...
10. Potatos!
11. ...
13. ...
14. Going to take in the haul11. ...
13. ...
15. This is the second time that it came back like that
16. Examples of what we saw in the museum
17. More
Rivne-- Week 11- September 1, 2014
Guess What!!! I get to stay in Rivne another transfer with Sister Barnes!!!!!
So
I an to say the least super excited! Also this last week was amazing!
We had exchanges with our sister training Leaders Sister Jardine and
Tsymbal, and it was a great at first I was worried what we would do
because we don't have many investigators right now, but somehow Tuesday
we were able to get many appointments and things that we needed to do
and it was a miracle that we had the other sisters there to help,
because if they weren't there we would not have been able to do
everything. We even were able to meet with one woman from the area book
and she became a new investigator! Then the next day we switched and
Sister Jardine and I ended up working on our Area book re organising it
and through our efforts therein we were able to reach out to multiple
people and have set up appointments for every day this next week. I know
that we would not have been able to do this without the divine help of
the Lord's hand. I know that he is there and that he listens to us. We
are his sons and daughters. And he knows each of us individually. He
wants us to develop a personal one on one relationship with him. He
knows how to help us best. And he knows what trials to give us so that
we will come out for the better. He wants to help us and he will if we
will but turn to him.
Rivne- Week 9 -- August 18
August 18, 2014
Hey Everyone!
So
we're finlay back in Rivne after a week in Armenia and then L'viv while
Sister Barns' went to Armenia to get her Visa. We both kept Asking
ourselves how that all worked out, sending us on our visa trips a week
apart. Still can't figure it all out. Anywho we are here until Wednesday
when we get to take another Train back to L'viv to have Mission
Conference! on the 21st which is also my Year mark in country! Crazy!
Then we'll come back to Rivne again on the 22nd and have time to get
ready for the 24th of August! (For those of you that don't know that is
Ukrainian Independence day)
З День Незалежності! (Z Den' Ne-za-lezh-nos-ty!)
СЛАВА УКРАЇНА (SLA-VA U-KRAY-INA)
You
should all get out your traditional Ukrainian Getup and wear it, or if
you don't have that just wear a combination of blue and
yellow.(Preferably with the yellow on bottom and the blue on top) I'll
show you all the traditional Ukrainian clothing next week in pictures.
Last
week was super fun and crazy. I was back in L'viv again and it was
super cool. Hard to be away from your own area for so long, but things
turned out great. I was temporary companions with Sister Radjavaba and
Sister Banja and Sister Garrett, Super fun. Since we weren't in our own
areas we did alot of English contacting and and trying to talk with
people. Along the way it always amazes me how every time I'm back in
L'viv I see something new.
I love you all so much!
З Любовю
Сестра Гарф
Pictures:
1. Ukraine
2. Ballerinas
3. Never would have thought I'd see that!
More Pictures-- Armenia Week 1
August 11, 2014
More pictures from Armenia
9. So if you look realy close you can see Mt Ararat where Noah suposedly landed with the ark.
More pictures from Armenia
9. So if you look realy close you can see Mt Ararat where Noah suposedly landed with the ark.
10. ...
11. This is Soup?
12. ...
13. Food
14. ...
15. Look what we found! (They don't have this stuff in Ukraine)
16. Morning Run
20. Opera House
17. ...
18. ...
19. ...
21. These are the Cascades
22. The top
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