Rest in Peace

Well, Sister Movchanyuk ended her mission on Thursday, but she didn't get her visa to go back to Italy, so she is staying with her friend here for a week and then going to go visit her grandma in Harkiv. It was really strange to see her at our activity on Saturday and again at church on Sunday and to call her by her first name. Our activity on Saturday was to celebrate Woman's Day and for one part of it, some of the men in the ward put on wigs and did a skit for us about how they think we hold Relief Society meetings. It was very entertaining. We had three of our investigators come, and I think they had fun.
This week I am with Sister Morton until transfers. It has been fun being with her again, and it is interesting to see how we fall back into the same roles that we had with each other before. I still don't feel like I know this area very well. But I've only had to ask for directions twice! We've had a lot of people cancel lessons on us recently. I hope it is not just because Sister Movchanyuk is not here anymore, but if that really is the reason, then they are not ready anyway.
Something I've been studying in the scriptures lately is the need to be constantly nourished by the word of God. It is important for us as missionaries to be enlightened and inspired by the scriptures, so that we may know what it is that we need to share with our investigators and help them progress. We also need to make sure that the members and our investigators are studying everyday so that their testimony's may be strengthened and they will be able to feel the spirit to help them know what is truth and what is not. I know that I have always known this, but I love how true it is and want to focus more with helping those we work with understand the importance of scriptures as well.
Have a magical day!
-Meg
3-15-10

Happy Woman's Day!

Woman's day is a national holiday in Ukraine. I like this holiday. I guess it is comparable to Mother's day, but this holiday does not exclude those who are not a mothers. Everywhere on the streets I see people walking around with flowers, they are all so beautiful. Almost like spring were here, but it's coming soon, I hope! I will probably buy myself a flower and chocolate today to celebrate. We kind of hinted to the elders yesterday to get us some, but they probably won't. That's ok, they are great anyway. They do things for us all the time, so we don't feel deprived. It is so much more fun to go tracting with the elders. They take one floor and we take the next, then share stories at the end before we moving on. The other day we were going with the elders to do a stop-by and the man that we were going to go see was not at home, but his son was, so we started talking to him. We found out that he is a priest of a popular Christian church here. We shared a short lesson on the Restoration and asked him from whom he received his authority to preach. He said one of the other priests. We asked where did he receive the authority. He said the leader of their church. And we asked where did the leader of their church receive it, and he said......."I don't know" That didn't make much sense to us. We testified that "we believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof"(Articles of Faith 1:5) I am so grateful for this knowledge, that we have a living Prophet on the Earth today who leads and guides this church under the divine direction of God. The man wasn't very interested in hearing more, but maybe he will in the future we hope.
-Meagen
3-8-10

Pictures!!!

Sister's conference, all of my lovely companions! I am happy to say that I love each and every one!

My cool hair a member did before the conference.

A giant fish at the supermarket. This is why we don't eat the fish in Ukraine.

Ice covered steps! Oh boy!

See how close our chapel is to the temple?!

It looks like it says Ceres!

I don't remember what the temple looked like the last time I sent a picture of it, but it is coming right along.

Exchange

This has been quite an interesting week. It started off with a pizza party at the office elders' apartment on Monday. Then Monday night I went back to my old area on an exchange. I thought it would be a sweet reunion, because I love that place so much. But it was actually bitter and depressing. A twilight zone experience almost. Not many things had changed, but it wasn't the same. It wasn't my area anymore. I did get to see Halina, and Lena and Sveta though, so that made me happy. Halina is having a difficult time as I'm sure many recent converts do- they really are tested in their faith. But Halina is a champion, I know she'll be great.
-Meagen
3-1-10

Secret

Sister's Conference was so much fun! We started out by having a talk on virtue by Sister Stienagel, then Pres. Stienagel spoke on the first Sister Missionaries and the strength of women. Then we had a presentation on the history of Ukrainian cross-stitch and all the symbols and what they mean. They also gave us a little kit to start our own. Although I don't think I'll have enough time on my mission to start it. Then we were taught about the bandura, Ukraine's tradition musical instrument which is like a cross between a guitar and a harp. Then we took turns playing for a little bit! After that we had some closing remarks, then ate some taco salad! I hadn't had Mexican food since the MTC, so it was a real treat. Then off to the ballet! We saw Romeo and Juliet again, which I love! I had a much better seat this time so I was happy!
I found the great missionary secret! Last night we were teaching an investigator with her member neighbor. She wasn't really progressing much, and we thought that it would be our last lesson with her. Then at the end the member's little kids invited her to come with them to church next week. Before then, she had always had an excuse why she could not come. But when the little kids invited her, she asked when and where and more questions about the service and what she needs to bring! Hooray for little kids and their sweet smiling faces. I really hope she comes next Sunday, because I wouldn't want to see those angels sad!
-Meagen
2-22-10

Bad traffic!

The work has been fun this week! We got a new investigator through private English. After our lesson, she pointed to the painting on the wall. the one with Moroni and the plates, and said, tell me about that picture! She was eager to read the Book of Mormon. We'll see how it goes at our next meeting.
I almost fainted the other day! A marshutka ride that usually takes 30 minutes took 2 hours and after the first hour I got overheated and really sick. Thankfully, when a man saw me, he stood up and let me sit down, my companion gave me some water to drink and the lady sitting behind me gave me a candy to suck on and then I felt much better!
I can't wait for sister's conference tomorrow, we are going to go to the ballet afterward!
-Meg
2-15-10

It's all true!

I am now in Borshahivsky! I have now traveled the heights of all the sisters. Starting with Sister pack who is a few inches shorter than myself, then to Sister Garff who is a few shorter, then to Sister Morton, shorter still, now I am with Sister Movchanyuk, the shortest sister in the mission! What a fun photo that will be if I can get us all together!

My new apartment is one of the nicest I've seen! My bed is so comfortable I sleep like a rock! It is also so much warmer than my old apartment and the best part is- no cockroaches!!!

I am very happy to be in the same district as the Temple. But with Sister Movchanyuk going home so soon, I hope that I will learn all that I can to carry on the area. She is one of the hardest working sisters I know and I will learn so much from her. She is also one of the fastest walking sisters I know- sometimes when we walk outside, I look down to be cautious of where I am stepping, when I look up again, she is nearly 20 feet away from me and I have to run to catch up with her! So much for caution!

We met with a girl last night and taught her the Plan of Salvation. She has already determined that she will end up in the Terrestrial (middle) kingdom. She said that she doesn't believe in happy endings. Sad. We testified that she can be happy if she will only accept God's hand in her life. She said she would read, so we'll see how she is doing at our next lesson.

Today I started doing the Alma 5 test. Writing out the questions and answering them. I only got through the first four, but it is quite the spiritual activity! I recommend this activity to anyone who needs some good scripture study! http://scriptures.lds.org/en/alma/5

We had Mission Conference last Friday was great! President Steinagel spoke on the Book of Mormon and how, when it was first published critics found many faults trying to prove that it could not be true. But over the years, with historical discoveries more and more facts point to the reality of the Book of Mormon. Why? Because it is the most true and correct book on the face of the planet! I love how true the Book of Mormon is! I would love to just slap a list down of all the facts at all of my lessons, but I know that that is not the true converter, the spirit is. Even if there were numerous facts proving the Book of Mormon to be false, if the Spirit still says it is true- it is true! I love the Spirit, I love the Book of Mormon, I love my Savior, and I love my knowledge that it is all true!

-Meagen
2-8-10