Dear Family, Friends, and Everyone Else!
Can you believe that it is July already?? Crazy?!?! Less then 6 months until Christmas...
I
think I will begin by sharing an experience from last night. Sister
Busch tells it in a very humorous way, so I think I will quote her here:
"It was a wonderful week here! Among the myriad and marvelous miracles we encountered, a particularly funny happenstance went down just last night. A dear sister in the northern branch in which we work was admitted into a hospital in Center last Thursday, so we decided to use the remaining time afforded to us last night to pay her a visit, as said hospital wasn't terribly far from where we live. When we left the apartment, rain threatened, but nothing ominous; we're talking light umbrella and/or poncho weather maximum. However, as we walked up the street, the Lord decided that a monsoon was in order, so the windows of Heaven opened and what must have constituted at least 500 years worth of angels' tears cascaded down on our relatively uncovered heads from that vast celestial reservoir. Of course, given that the evening was already hastening on, we opted to brave the deluge and continue on with love of God and love of all mankind burning brightly in our hearts. However, when the time came to disembark from the bus (the rapidly rising water level turned the 127 bus into something akin to the Good Ship Lollipop as it sailed down the street running parallel to the hospital), the rain had only intensified in its desire to moisten us and flung itself all the more vehemently down upon the streets of Odessa. Returning to the nature of our lack of preparation for such a ferocious downpour, I became wetter than I've ever been in living memory in a matter of roughly 30 seconds (and that's saying something, as I bathe very regularly). And, wouldn't you know it, but the bus overshot our stop entirely, meaning we spent another 20 minutes meandering through the flood-washed streets in search of this hospital. As luck would have it, my companions were both equipped with a poncho and an umbrella--that kept them considerably drier than myself; my intense wetness enabled the mood to remain light and we walked on with light hearted and very, very heavy feet (both Sister Hunt and I had be-YOND water-logged shoes, Sister Ford had rainboots :)). When we finally found the hospital, it was coming up on 8 o'clock, and we feared that some sort of visiting hours policy would be working against our desire to visit the sick and afflicted. However, as good fortune favors the soggiest missionaries, this hospital was true to Ukrainian form and admitted us without the slightest hint of resistance. While the whole trek to the hospital had been highly amusing and thoroughly enjoyable, nothing could compare to the feeling of being greeted by the huge smile of our sister who had been confined to her hospital bed for the past four days. She was so excited for visitors, especially visitors of the sister missionary variety. We shared a message with her about the Atonement, which invited a really sweet spirit into the rather depressing hospital room, and we promised to come see her again on Thursday with banana bread, as per her request. It was so sweet to know that every walk through the cold, dark, wet night, when done in faith, will lead to the light of a miracle on the other side."
"It was a wonderful week here! Among the myriad and marvelous miracles we encountered, a particularly funny happenstance went down just last night. A dear sister in the northern branch in which we work was admitted into a hospital in Center last Thursday, so we decided to use the remaining time afforded to us last night to pay her a visit, as said hospital wasn't terribly far from where we live. When we left the apartment, rain threatened, but nothing ominous; we're talking light umbrella and/or poncho weather maximum. However, as we walked up the street, the Lord decided that a monsoon was in order, so the windows of Heaven opened and what must have constituted at least 500 years worth of angels' tears cascaded down on our relatively uncovered heads from that vast celestial reservoir. Of course, given that the evening was already hastening on, we opted to brave the deluge and continue on with love of God and love of all mankind burning brightly in our hearts. However, when the time came to disembark from the bus (the rapidly rising water level turned the 127 bus into something akin to the Good Ship Lollipop as it sailed down the street running parallel to the hospital), the rain had only intensified in its desire to moisten us and flung itself all the more vehemently down upon the streets of Odessa. Returning to the nature of our lack of preparation for such a ferocious downpour, I became wetter than I've ever been in living memory in a matter of roughly 30 seconds (and that's saying something, as I bathe very regularly). And, wouldn't you know it, but the bus overshot our stop entirely, meaning we spent another 20 minutes meandering through the flood-washed streets in search of this hospital. As luck would have it, my companions were both equipped with a poncho and an umbrella--that kept them considerably drier than myself; my intense wetness enabled the mood to remain light and we walked on with light hearted and very, very heavy feet (both Sister Hunt and I had be-YOND water-logged shoes, Sister Ford had rainboots :)). When we finally found the hospital, it was coming up on 8 o'clock, and we feared that some sort of visiting hours policy would be working against our desire to visit the sick and afflicted. However, as good fortune favors the soggiest missionaries, this hospital was true to Ukrainian form and admitted us without the slightest hint of resistance. While the whole trek to the hospital had been highly amusing and thoroughly enjoyable, nothing could compare to the feeling of being greeted by the huge smile of our sister who had been confined to her hospital bed for the past four days. She was so excited for visitors, especially visitors of the sister missionary variety. We shared a message with her about the Atonement, which invited a really sweet spirit into the rather depressing hospital room, and we promised to come see her again on Thursday with banana bread, as per her request. It was so sweet to know that every walk through the cold, dark, wet night, when done in faith, will lead to the light of a miracle on the other side."
Pretty good telling of the story...although she left out the
sketch taxi ride home so we could make it on time, which required us
running in the middle of the street to hail down a cab. and the fact
that true to the nature of Ukrainian hospitals, I saw a cochroach like 4
inches long. And the nurse just smashed it. And left it squished on
the ground. Gross. I know :) But an exciting night! I also stepped in a
puddle up to my calf! Thank goodness I had my rainboots :)
I promise that the
Gospel will bless the lives of every person in this world. Please share
your testimony with your friends. The missionaries need the help of the
members! In the ideal world, members would do all the finding and the
missionaries would do all the teaching! Help your local missionaries! :)
Please :)! It isn't hard to share the gospel and I know that you will
feel joy as you bring the gospel into their lives! And if you aren't a
member yet, I invite you to read the Book of Mormon and ask God about
the truthfulness of this gospel. I know that you will receive an answer
of its truthfulness.
I know this church
is true! The gospel is true! The Book of Mormon is the word of God. God
lives! He is our Heavenly Father and He loves us! Jesus Christ lives and
is our Savior. I love this gospel and the light and happiness it brings
me. This is my testimony and witness that I give in the name of our
Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, amen!
Love you all! have a
great week! (Sorry I don't have time to write more!) If you want to
know how to help me, write me, send me recipes, and watch the Hastening
the Work of Salvation Broadcast on LDS.org, tell me what you thought and
the apply it in your lives! Also, if anyone has a burning desire to
send Peanut butter, Mac and Cheese Cheese Packets, Taco Seasoning, or
American measuring cups and spoons, I would love you forever and maybe
repay you with some Ukrainian chocolate! :)
Love,
Sister Ford
PS- Write me :) I would love mail and email! kati.ford@myldsmail.net
Also, no pics this week...Our internet club won't let us send them :( I will have a ton next week!!
No comments:
Post a Comment